Fairytale Of New York-Miranda Dickinson

Fairytale of New York is a really lovely story about a woman who escapes to New York after a tragic event took place in her life. This isn't revealed however till further into the story to keep you guessing what happened to her that made her so unable to want and feel love. The storyline is a pretty obvious one with how it is going to end however it doesn't stop you from carrying on wanting to read it. The book is a happy one to say the least and if you was going through a bad time or anything i would definetly recommend this book to you as it is a pick me up kind of feeling you get from the book. I read this book before I went to New York as obviously through the title it reveals the location but it doesn't talk much about the city just the different people you may see and the lifestyles of many people. Unlike Lindsey Kelk's I Heart New York which talks a lot about the city and allows a good insight into what to expect this book isn't really about the city but about finding love and a new start in New York. One of my all time favourite stories and books.
*****-5 Star Rating.

The food of love-Anthony Capella

Capella has such a distinct technique to writing about food, you can literally feel yourself salvating in the mouth as you read. The book does include a lot of recipe type texts however the general storyline is about two friends getting attracted to an American tourist however one is a chef and the other is a waitor, the waitor pretends he is a chef so he can get the girl and show her the "real romance of Italy". His friend however has to do all the cooking, and it is the food which she falls in love with, whilst his friend also falls in love for cooking for her. The book has a very unique romantic storyline and the book itself uses a lot of humour throughout. The description of the fierce and hot sexual intercourse throughout is also a very key part of this book.
****-4 Star Rating.

My Silver Shoes - Nell Dunn

My silver shoes is a hard book to comment on really and write a review. It's about my Grandmother's generation and a daughter's perspective looking after her mother when she gets dimentia. The storyline isn't at all very grabbing or exciting, I just found the book quite comical and funny throughout. There are quite a few characters in the book but don't let this put you off, the general idea i found was fun and not being your stereotypical ill or aged woman. I gave this book to my friend to read after me as I was interested in what other people my age would take of the book, however she didn't really take to it and said she didn't like it and wanted to put the book down without finishing it. I totally disagree I thought it was worth a read, however I wouldn't read one of Nell Dunn's books again as I don't like her style of writing very much, it's quite sharp and blunt.
***-3 Star Rating.

Wish You Were Here- Mike Gayle

This book was also recommended by one of my friend's as we are going away together in Malia for two weeks so she gave me the book to read about the strip and the youth culture we are going to experience. Gayle's storyline is an extremely unique one about 3 middle aged men going to a teen party island and all the events that take place which relate to the childish features of men, the book was a very funny book and was good at keeping me reading without wanting to put down. The beginning was a bit slow and ruined the book for me really but the ending and the book itself was a success and it is definetly a funny book to read. Not really a romance but a reality check book.
****-4 Star Rating

I Heart New York-Lindsey Kelk

I was given this book by a friend who told me it was a typical "me" read, by this she means I love a bit of romance and because I am totally in love with New York. This book was beautifull and Lindsey Kelk's storyline and writing skills had me glued to the book from beginning to the end. The character's are so easy to connect with and imagine, I felt the emotions the main character was experiencing and all the places described in New York were so beautifully described and understood. I recently went to New York with my mother and this book put it into a realistic beautifull image of what to expect from the breathtaking city. My boyfriend also broke my heart whilst I was in New York, and the main character escapes reality by going to New York and I can honestly say there is no better place to run away to then here to get over the pain of a break up. One of my favourite romance books.
*****-5 Star Rating.

Victoria The Biography-Sean Smith

Sean Smith is an extremely popular Biographist who writes many biographies for people such as Cheryl Cole, Victoria Beckham etc. He is successful due to the fact he starts from the very beginning and writes up to the exact present moment in time, he is very precise with his information and knows the history of the celebrity and the real truth. His point of view isn't really expressed which is always easier to read when reading a biography as reading bias views and thoughts doesn't really make a good book as it's like reading exploitation of a magazine. This biography is the first one I have read and wrote a review for on here. And for anyone who enjoys biography's I would definetly recommend to read one of his books. This biography for me made me a bit more softer viewed on Victoria Beckham and really gave me much more insight into how the Spice Girls began, I really enjoyed the biography.
***-3 Star Rating.

Devil Wears Prada-Lauren Weisberger

Weisberger has won many awards for her classic books inspired by nowhere else other than Manhatten. The busy lifestyle, the working woman, the film "The Devil Wears Prada" was inspired by Weisberger's novel. The film i watched before reading the book which may make my opinion a bit unfair however i read the novel afterwards and I must admit I preferred the structure and storyline of the film than the book. The book is boring and I didn't like any of the characters which didn't help the situation.
**-2 Star Rating.

Angel Uncovered- Katie Price

Katie Price is not well known as an author for mature and sophisticated writing for high levels of education etc. However, her books are for my age group and as a passionate reader I enjoy reading books that are recommended to me by other people to see what all the fuss is about. This is the follow up to her previous book Angel and it has a good storyline however the ending is annoying and every person I know got annoyed with the ending of this book. However, if an author can annoy you through there ending or a main part of the storyline surely its shows that the storyline was a success as it created emotions for the readers.
****-4 Star Rating.

Plain Truth-Jodi Picoult

This book was actually given to my out of recommendation by my grandmother, she said Picoult was one of her favourite authors and this particular book of hers was a really good storyline. It has the storyline of a thriller and keeps you guessing throughout about who killed the baby and who's baby it was. However all is revealed in the end and the ending of the book is also quite nice. I can see why my grandmother enjoys Picoult's writing so much I did take a while to get into the book however her writing is beautifully thought out and put together and the storyline a beautifull creation. However, it isn't the usual storyline I would usually enjoy but I did like this book.
***-3 Star Rating.

Looking For JJ-Anne Cassidy

A soft thriller which is either written targetting older children or younger teenagers I felt this is just due to the softness of the story and the uncomplicatedness. The storyline was really catchy and was all about a women who has a new identity because of the murder she committed to her friend, throughout the book you find out more about the murder and the motives behind the actions. The storyline is good however I strongly disliked the ending of this book and it did annoy me very much so, because it was like it was just going back to the beginning of the story which done my head in.
****-4 Star Rating.

A Man Named Dave- Dave Pelzer

This is the last book from Pelzer's sequence of titles, this book I was told bored a lot of people and they had to put it down because they didn't enjoy the first two or three chapters. Now I must admite I agree, the first couple of chapters were so boring, Dave explains his role in the US airforce and it isn't particularly interesting as that isn't why people read his books for they read to understand and listen to his story, so it was slightly boring. However, the story of when he has his son and his failed marriage then finding true love over the phone and the story of how he published his books was truelly beautifull and I found myself getting really really connected with him as a person. This was the perfect way for Pelzer to end his series of books and although people say it bores them, I always recommend they carry on reading because it definetly finishes his books in such a powerful way that is unexplanatory.
***-3 Star Rating.

The Wrong Sort Of Girl- Valerie-Annne Baglietto

Quite a fierce and sexual read which I wasn't expecting, the storyline is consistant and doesn't really stop. The type of character Meg is though I don't feel like I like her at all and I don't really connect with her intentions or her feelings throughout. The book itself is an okay read but just as I mentioned for the previous book I wouldn't recommend this book to my friends as I don't feel there was enough going on in the storyline for it to be a worthwhile read.
***-3 Star Rating.

The curious Incident of the dog in the night time -Mark Haddon

The main character Christopher suffers from fairly intense autism and unlike your typical detective story this makes this book more memorable and more of a classic original read. However, although this book was recommended to me and has won so many prizes etc etc. I thought in general the book was not for me, I don't really enjoy thrillers anyways but this book was wrote as if it was by someone with autism and I just didn't enjoy the story in general because of this factor and because it's not really my type of read.
**-2 Star Rating.

Crystal-Katie Price

Crystal is another one of Katie Price's collection. This particular book has an amazing storyline and the creation of the storyline is very celebrity exposure mediated. The character Crystal becomes famous in a pop group however there any many complications along the way and many bad experiences throughout the book which make the storyline so explosive. I read this book whilst on holiday and I would definetly recommend to any of my friend's who were going away to read this book as it's a typical girl read and whilst laying round the pool, you would definetly discuss this book. Although, i think the way in which the writing and the story is explained isn't very professional I think this book itself is her best book.
*****-5 Star Rating.

White Stranger-Susan Gates

I'm not sure whether this book is targetted for young people or middle aged people in there teens, as it is a weird one to grasp hold of. Its not a well known story or book but I discovered in round my nans house one day and asked to borrow it. The story is a real insight into the prejudice societies where there may be someone who was born into a society where there is no multi cultures but because of your colour you are depicted as the odd one out. This story has a meaning behind it which makes the book what it is however the book was not something I would recommend to any of my friends as it is a very good or intrigueing read.
**-2 Star Rating.

The Lost Boy-Dave Pelzer

I read Dave Pelzer's books in the wrong sequence however I started off with the second book which is about his story of going through the aftermath of convicting his mother of abusing him and the trial he had to go through. Being abondoned by his brothers and his mother and going from home to home whilst growing up. He tells his story of school experiences, meeting different foster carers and his everlasting love for his mother even after all the abuse she caused him. In the end of this book Dave Pelzer talks about joining the US Air Force and his own future goals now he is growing up. This book was extremely emotional and heartfelt at times however I generally really enjoyed this book and enjoy Dave Pelzer's writing in general.
***-3 Star Rating.

Angel-Katie Price

Katie Price does not write her own stuff she simply tells someone else what to write and they write it up for her. However, the storylines she does come up with are full of glamour and would appeal to majority of women. This particular story is about a girl who is discovered just as Katie Price once was and she quickly becomes swallowed up in all the fame and glamour of being a well known celebrity. The ending of a chapter always made me want to carry on reading and this allowed me to finish the book in no time at all, the characters were all very realistic and almost sounded like people that surround Katie Price herself. The ending was quite typical however it was a lovely ending to a horriable story of Angel's life, so resulted in good way.
****-4 Star Rating

The accidental Virgin-Valerie Frankel

Valerie Frankel I have concluded after reading a second of her collection is not an author I enjoy at all. I don't like her writing techniques as I don't connect with the characters at all and I also don't like the storylines she creates, they are all very bland and obvious. This book was pretty simple and the storyline used humour so that was probably the best part of it, the ending was okay as I didn't expect that however it was extremely unrealistic and who she chooses at the end annoyed me overall. So it ruined all hope it had going for it because of the ending. I have concluded I don't really enjoy Frankel's books at all.
**-2 Star Rating

Smart Vs. Pretty-Valerie Frankel

For me personally this book was one of the most frustrating books I have ever tried reading, the storyline didn't grasp me at all and I didn't connect with either of the characters in the slightest. The whole point of the book is ridiculous and the storyline doesn't really have much point too it. It's just about two very different sisters who are managing there parents cafe but things take place along the way to get in the way of success etc. However, it is very boring and very easy to put down and never want to read again.
*-1 Star Rating

No Time For Goodbye-Linwood Barclay

Judging from the front cover of the book, my initial thought was that the book was for men and that it was going to be some kind of man's typical crime investigation book. However, this book is simply one of the most cleverly put together books I have ever read. The storyline was absolutely amazing, it kept me guessing throughout the entire book. The book is known to be a top selling thriller book and it definetly earnt that title, the flashbacks throughout and the mind games played throughout, excited me beyond my belief. However, I think the let down is that it is not particularly well written.
*****=5 Star Rating

Just A Boy-Richard McCann

A truelly beautifull true story about a boy and his three sisters who's mother doesn't return home one night so they go out looking for her. His mother is brutally killed by the Yorkshire Ripper and the four children get sent to all type of violent homes where his sister was brutally raped and he was constantly beaten. The tale is all about transformation and hope within families or people that may have suffered abuse when they was younger too. The tale is one that was extremely touching and an inspiration to many people who read this book. Richard's transformation is inspiring to many people including me, he never gave up hope.
***-3 Star Rating

Pressed Fairy Book-Lady Cottington

"Pressed Fairy Book" I discovered when I was round visiting my Great Aunt, she always used to tell me to look at how beautifull the images were when i was younger but used to flip the pages quickly when it got to images such as the one above because they were always too rude for me to see, so she would say. The book is in style of a journal of a young girl who squashes fairys, there isn't that much text on each page as the images are all pretty explanatory and it's what makes the book what it is. The images however are beautifully created and make the book what it is. It was definetly the most prettiest book I have ever read, for the illastrations.
**-2 Star Rating

Things Fall Apart-Chinua Achebe

This isn't a book I would choose of the shelf probably because i can tell from even looking at the front cover that it would be a hard read as it is based around the Traditional African background. Some words in this book are hard to understand so because I studied this book as part of my exam for year one of my college course, it was easier to understand as we went through the words as a group. The book was not a favourite of mine, I didn't enjoy the storyline and the ending was rubbish to be honest it was a book that I don't feel i connected with at all. The characters were hard to understand and the traditions were interesting to read about such as the man being a fierce man who is allowed three wives and has different children with each wife. But the story in general didn't make me want to continue reading and for this I would have to give it..
*-1 Star Rating.

Let's Meet On Platform 8-Carole Matthews

A realistic encounter of a romantic story as the man has a wife but falls in love with this women he meets at Platform 8. However, it is not an unrealistic book and the characters I felt i couldn't really understand or feel connected with. And whilst reading a book i like to feel like an observer in reality of the characters in this book however I don't feel Matthews portrayed them all that clearly. This is another type of book I would recommend to my mother or nan I don't feel it is aimed at my age group.
***-3 Star Rating.

Two Caravans-Marina Lewycka

Marina Lewycka's follow up to her previous novel "A short history of tractors in Ukrainion" is even funnier than her first novel. The characters will have you laughing throughout till the beginning to the end and unlike the first one there is no history on tractors to get bored off. The storyline is exciting as I have never read a book which covers the storyline Marina has created. Definetly a great success to her previous book and Marina came back with vengence with this one.
**-2 Star Rating

A Short History Of Tractors In Ukranion-Marina Lewycka

Well, a hard novel to summon up really in words. Some parts of the book are extremely boring unless you have an interest in tractors and want to learn about how they are made and there history. However, i should have expected this from the title of the books as it simply quotes "history of tractors.." however this book is extremely captivating and hilarious at the same time. It did make me laugh at load at particular points and the description is unbelievably correct describing the ukranians in general and the old man and his "big boobed lover". Even my friend's mother who read this book agreed that this book is an unforgettable one and you can't help but carry on reading because of the humour it provides. My mother also read the book and told me to read it and then feedback to her what i thought and she also agreed she had to skip the pages about the history of the tractors. However, overall a very funny read and I would recommend to read it to understand what this review means.
**-2 Star Rating.

Late night shopping-Carmen Reid

I would recommend this book to anyone, it was one of my favourite reads. It may be bias as I did read this book whilst lounging around in the sun all day on a sunbed however its a book I would recommend to any young teenage girl who enoys shopping and the glamorious side of life. Carmen Reid's writing is definetly aiming to attract a young female audience as her imagery talk about all the shopping and the stereotypical items such as shoes are described in such an appealing way in which it helps the reader feel more enticed and excited by the storyline. Its also a romantic read and adds a bit of excitement to the book.
*****-5 Star Rating.

Ballroom on Magnolia Street-Sharon Owens

Sharon Owens is mainly known for her bestseller The teahouse on Magnolia Street, however I have yet to read this and this was the first novel of hers that I have edured. This novel has a poignant storyline and has a range of sharply described characters who have very sharp personalities. They all have different twists and turns continueing around them and the storylines did keep me flicking through the book. I felt it was a good storyline and a comfortable read, I would recommend this type of book to my mother or someone in older generation than myself as I feel it has storylines which are shaped around the older generation. However, it can be enjoyed by someone of my age group ( which is late teens ).
**-2 Star Rating.

Othello-William Shakespeare

The plot of Othello is what makes this play such an unforgettable and remarkable play, the characters are all very mysterious and enticing. However, the play itself for me is one that i find you do have to study in a group of people so i am grateful I have studied this play twice with two very educational people and a group of people as I feel it helped me understand and analyse the play a little more. The play is very captivating however with William Shakespeare's work i feel it's best reading with either a group of people to discuss your ideas and thoughts or someone who has more experience with this type of time periods and has worked with this type of work before.
*-1 Star Rating.

A streetcar named Desire- Tennesee Williams

This 20th century play presents many different aspects of the legacy of the past, it deals with all the different characters and represents them all in a different light. I did actually read this play as part of my college course project and I did really enjoy it and even analysed further into the play as to what symbolic references are made throughout. Tennesse Williams presents the characters in such an unforgettable way, this is what made the play so outstanding in my eyes. The script is beautifully constructed and I would say it was one of my favourite plays I have ever read.
**-2 Star Rating.

An offer you can't refuse- Jill Mansell

One of the best romantic novels I have ever read before, extremely captivating. I was consistently sitting on the edge of my bed reading this novel as It is a truelly rollercoaster story which makes you want to know what, why, when and how? The storyline is one of the best I have ever read before and the characters are all very enticing. And again this is Jill Mansell, who has met my expectations once again. This novel i found was better than 'Solo' however as there was more of an exciting romantic storyline taking place on each page. Her writing and her skill for captivating her audience definetly shines through and has gained her an extra fan (being me).
****-4 star

Solo- Jill Mansell

Fantasy and reality all packed into this novel 'Solo' beautifully. It features a range of rollercoaster events which gives you flicking them pages blissfully. The book was easy to get into and the events throughout kept me up practically all night, so be prepared for less sleep than normal if you read this novel. The ending is a typical happy ending scenario, however if your one for romance and humour you will love this novel, and it will be worth your money and time. Since reading this book I have been very Interested in Jill Mansell as her writing is captivating and really entices you into the story. My first book i have read of hers and I will be collecting the rest of her collection now.
*** - 3 star rating.