Monday 12 September 2011

The To-Read Pile.

1. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult. (Currently reading)
A book that I got at a charity shop, and so far it's pretty good. Up to scratch with the other Jodi Picoluit books that I've read.
-This book isn't as good as The Pact, or My Sister's Keeper. But it's definitely worth a read if you enjoy Jodi Picoult. Although I still think her best book is Second Glance. Probably a 3 or 4 out of 5. Also, it might be a tear-jerker for some people.

2. I Am Number Four by Pitticus Lore.
After seeing the film, I decided, as books are better (you know, in general) so I've got high hopes for this one!

3. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Now i've had this in my reading pile for a while. Since early May, in fact. But I really wanted to read it when I got back to Uni. And so soon there will be a chance to do so. And as it's a classic story I like, I'm hoping I can get through the masses of small pages.

4. Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
I was given this by my sister to read, as she loves Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This being the smallest of his books that she owns, she has lent to me to read.
- On reading this book I  would say that it is amazing. Definitely a 5/5. For a childrens story it's actually quite scary, much like Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. But it is amazing, with beautiful characters and themes. Please read it.

5. Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett.
My boyfriend lent this one to me a while ago. I have actually started it, and then promptly forgot I was reading it and stated reading other good books.
- I have now read this book and would give it 4/5. Very entertaining, as always with Mr. Pratchett, but also as always, a little difficult to read at times.

I will most definitely be looking forward to reading this batch :)

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Image from google
Jem has seen the numbers all her life. 'When she looks in someones eyes, she can see the date they will die'. When she goes on a trip to the London Eye with her new friend Spider, their lives change forever.

I have to say, Rachel Ward has written a stunning book. Everything in it, no matter how different to our lives or how spectacular, is so utterly believable.
All the characters are very well-rounded. Their emotional journeys are perfect. Even the smaller, less featured characters seem to be quite well developed, which is remarkable for such a small book.

One thing which is also pretty cool, is that this time I knew that Ward had definitely done her research as a writer, or at least been to Basingstoke, among other areas. If you know/have driven in Basingstoke, please, please read the part of this book that mentions it. I won't ruin it for you. So very, very funny.
The amount of detail that the book goes into it utterly brilliant.
Numbers has everything I wanted from a book; adventure, morals, explorations of society (free will, control and predestination to name a few), mortality and even romance.
I may have also teared up a tiny bit at the end. (It was quite emotional, to be fair.)

So I'm giving this book a definite 5 out of 5. Number 2: The Chaos is on it's way in the post and Numbers 3 I'm sure will be too!
Image from google
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Rachel Ward's Website.
The Guardian's Review
Review by Galleysmith