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adult

Book Review

A Love Letter to Landline

Posted on 28 July, 2014

Dear Landline,

Landline, Landline, Landline… How much more can I possibly love you? After loving Rainbow Rowell’s previous books so, so much, you were the book I was most excited, but also the most nervous, to read. How could you possibly live up to my extremely high expectations? I don’t know, but you did. You exceeded them by miles (or should I say kilometres?).

Landline, you may be about a phone with a mystical connection to the past, but even with the element of magic you managed to hook me in so that you invaded my every thought. Seriously, who needs to wash and eat when they have you, Landline?

Also, you have the most loveable characters who I would really like to be my best friends. Is that possible? Can you work something out for me? Although I wanted to shake Georgie and tell her to sort herself out already, that was in a totally good way and proved to me that you can adore a novel without relating to, and even understanding, all of the characters. Neal, and the girls? I want them please!

You were so easy to read. I could concentrate on every single one of your words even though my phone was in my other hand and I was typing away.

I didn’t want you to end, couldn’t bear it when I turned the last page. Even when I had the story still lived on in my head. When it comes to books, I have issues with saying goodbye.

You made me think about whom I would ring if I could speak to someone again, about how important it is to just live and enjoy yourself, concentrating on the things that matter the most.

Landline, I don’t want to have to let go of you. I don’t want to forget about how much you mean to me, and how many memories you hold. You’re not just a book to me.

Thank you, Landline. Thank you for everything. Now, will you marry me, please?

 

You can listen to a sample of the Landline audiobook here:

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REVIEW: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Posted on 9 June, 2014

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A Game of Thrones and the A Song of Ice and Fire series are books I’ve known about for a long time, but have been very reluctant to read. Have you seen the size of them?! Very daunting, and I don’t usually like to read long books. However, I finally gave in to the temptations and bought the box set. Immediately I started reading, and immediately I was sucked into the world of Westeros and I am now completely obsessed.

A Game of Thrones is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin and is set in a high-fantasy world where betrayal and treachery aren’t uncommon. Although there’s a lot of information to take in, Martin has created an incredible world where it is easy to feel as if you are the characters, walking in their footsteps and speaking their words. It’s difficult to describe it exactly because it’s better to discover the plot for yourself – I really don’t want to spoil anything!

There are vivid arrays of characters, all extremely realistic. Even the characters you’re supposed to hate are easy to like because they have motivations and this is what makes A Game of Thrones really stand out. Every person has flaws, not just ‘the bad guys,’ and every character in this novel has them too which makes it impossible to trust anyone, even the people you think you’re supposed to.

That said, I do have a few favourite characters. Daenerys Targaryen is the character I completely fell in love with. Can I be her please? She’s everything you could wish for in a character and more, and I loved seeing her character growth as the novel progressed. I found myself longing for more of her chapters because they were just so good.

The novel is written in third person from the perspectives of a number of different characters, which can be rather confusing at first but you do get used to it after a while. Just a warning: Don’t get too close to any of the characters, because they will most likely die. George R. R. Martin isn’t afraid of death!

Whilst an adult novel (it’s extremely violently and sexually graphic so if you’re squeamish I’d beware), I enjoyed the change from YA to adult and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and watch the TV show.

 

Book in a tweet: Thrilling, completely enthralling and complex, A Game of Thrones will draw you into the world of Westeros and not let you go.

Book Review

REVIEW: Sealed With a Kiss by Rachael Lucas

Posted on 11 May, 2014

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Sealed with a Kiss, so called because it is set on an island where there are many cute seals, is the perfect summer contemporary to take with you on holiday whilst you’re lying by the pool, or sunbathing in your garden (that’s if Britain ever sees sunshine!). Lucas is a name you definitely need to watch out for in adult contemporary.

Hooked from the first page, the novel tells the story of Kate who has just separated from her long-term boyfriend and is looking for a job. When she sees a job for a Girl Friday on a remote island called Auchenmor in Scotland, she doesn’t realise just what she’s taken on. Kate then has to deal with the fact that on such a small island there are no secrets, scheming ex-girlfriends and an injured seal. What more could you wish for in a book?!

As you know, I primarily read YA, so Sealed with a Kiss was a really nice change because it’s an adult novel. I think there’s a lot of YA crossover potential and I’d have no trouble handing it to a YA. It’s by far one of the best adult contemporaries I’ve read, up there with the likes of Katie Fforde.

The main character, Kate, charmed me right from the start. She’s clumsy, falling at her boss’ feet the first time she meets him, but she’s also devoted and caring. Kate is the kind of person you’d love to be friends with.

There were also such brilliant secondary characters that all had their own pasts that added a familiarity to the story, like Susan and Jean.

Sealed with a Kiss is definitely a book that will stay with you long after you put it down. I’m looking forward to re-reading it again sometime in the near future!

 

Book in a Tweet: Cute, romantic, and a must-read for any contemporary fan! You won’t want to miss out on this book!

Book Review

REVIEW: The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick

Posted on 7 April, 2014

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I have very mixed feelings on this novel – parts I loved, other parts I thought were good but they just didn’t enthral me as much as I hoped. Nevertheless, The Good Luck of Right Now is a brilliant novel from the equally brilliant Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook.

Bartholomew Neil is middle-aged and has spent the past years looking after his sick mother. The novel starts after her death and we find Bartholomew writing letters to actor Richard Gere after finding a form letter from him in his mother’s underwear drawer.

Quick’s novels never fail to make me think – I can’t help but sit back in awe and think, ‘Wow!’ This book really is an emotional rollercoaster – I laughed, I smiled, I was sad alongside the characters: I felt like I really lived this story.

The main character, Bartholomew, had my complete affection throughout. He was grieving and so much was going on in his life; he was suddenly thrust into this big, uncomfortable world and that can be scary. I just wanted to give him a big hug!

The secondary characters, although not many of them, became very familiar and really helped the story along. I loved Max and ‘the Girlbrarian’ and Wendy too, and how they were with Bartholomew. There were such a variety of different characters – it was hard not to feel invested in the story.

I feel like there wasn’t so much a plot as a journey. From start to finish, we see Bartholomew travel, metaphorically, and his character develop. It was a very special journey to be a part of.

I did, however, find some parts quite predictable, which lowered the rating for me. Maybe that’s just me, and this shouldn’t deter you from reading it. I think because there is so little plot, this wasn’t such a big thing as it could have been, but the predictability did spoil the reading experience for me a bit.

I put down The Good Luck of Right Now feeling satisfied with the story and where it went, and all its different components. If you’re looking to read something a bit different, this is the book for you.