Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was recommended to me by my friend Helen and she is usually very good at recommendations. I would say that this book started with five stars and the more I read it, the more fed up I became. Although it was a very accessible book, I read it in two days.
Rainbow Rowell creates two likeable characters in Eleanor and Park. The story of them falling in love is sweet and full of those little moments you cherish when you start a relationship. For me, the pitfall of this book is the ending. I wanted to know what happened to Eleanor's family and the whole thing was just left without a conclusion, like the author gave up. Maybe there will be a second novel about them?
Even though I was born in the nineties the cultural references in this book are not lost on me and Rowell paints a perfect picture of the school, the neighbourhood in which they live and the supporting characters. I particularly liked Park's Mum.
Overall, an entertaining book, which ultimately left me unsatisfied.

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Book Review: Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next #4)

Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've always been a fan of Jasper Fforde eclectic style of writing, even if I do prefer his Nursery Crime work. The Thursday Next novels are always a joy to read, full of mad cap ideas, literary characters and outlandish notions. In Something Rotten Thursday is babysitting Hamlet while political conspiracy rages around her, yet she is closer than ever to getting her husband returned to her. To top it all off, she needs to win a game of croquet to prevent the end of the world as she knows it.
The characters are complex and unique and Fforde creates such a fully realised world it's hard to believe it isn't real. The eye for detail is phenomenal and this is what really makes these books come to life. I cannot wait to delve into the next one!

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Book Review: Bridges Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having been familiar with the Bridget Jones films for a number of years I thought it was about time I got round to reading the book that started it all. It's fair to say I consumed this book, I read it in two days flat. It was like I inhaled the words and I loved every page. Helen Fielding creates a fantastically realistic character. I think it's fair to say that every woman has had one or two 'Bridget Jones' moments. Her diary entries and the ups and downs of her life make for a funny, witty novel and the reader is behind her 100%, egging her on from beyond the page. Of course, having seen the film I knew how the events would unfold but that did not stop me enjoying the ride. I'm yet to read the other books in the series but I'm sure I well enjoy them as much as I did Bridget Jones' Diary.
The only reason this is four stars instead of five is because there are certain things that are handed to her on a plate, like her job. I felt that the character could be a tad more realistic in real life situations, however maybe this is just a sign of when the book was written as opposed to today's economic climate.

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Book Review: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David Mitchell is one of the greatest writers of this generation. He manages to create complex scenes and heartfelt characters. The Bone Clocks is no exception.
Our main protagonist is Holly and we follow her and her family and friends through their lives and different eras of time. As with Cloud Atlas, there are certain sections that will resonate more than others. I particularly enjoyed Ed's section, as we followed him in Iraq and the futuristic section with Holly and her grand children.
It was a great read, although some of it was hard to get your head round. I could have done with some more explanation. I also felt it lost pace around three quarters of the way though. But managed to regain it by the end. And although it was a big book I relished reading it, delving into every word. I can't wait to read more of David Mitchell.

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Book Review: The Titanic Enigma by Tom West

The Titanic Enigma by Tom West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This kind of novel is something I might have written in my late teens. It's full of conspiracy, vaguely ridiculous and the characters are all young and beautiful.
I love the idea and the action is interesting and fast paced. There are plenty of twists and turns, although not completely unpredictable.
The characters are a bit one dimensional but not unlikeable. Overall a decent, entertaining read which I will forget in a few weeks.

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Book Review: Us by David Nicholls

Us by David Nicholls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David Nicholls is brilliant at creating living and breathing characters.
The story of Us follows Doug, a scientist with a quirky sense of humour; his wife, Connie, the artiste; and their son Albie, a grumpy and surly teenager.
One day in their twenty year relationship, Connie wakes up and out of the blue asks Doug for a divorce. They decide as a family to continue with their summer trip around Europe.
Nicholls describes Paris and Amsterdam with poetic detail. It's a great advertisement for inter-railing and makes me want to pack my bag and jet off for a city break.
Doug is the perfect protagonist. He's got a 'dad' sense of humour and completely adores Connie.
Connie, unfortunately, was a character I could not warm too. I'm not sure if Nicholls intended for the reader to like her, but she came across as pretentious and 'above' Doug.
Albie, is the character who develops most over the course of the novel. He transforms from the introverted teen to realising he has responsibility.
The events that unfold in the story left me angry, in love and moved. But I was always on Doug's side. Connie's decisions seemed selfish and ungrateful. She always took Albie's side even when his behaviour was unreasonable.
I've never been more emotionally invested in a book, particularly the anger I felt at Connie and the way she treated Doug. But it was a compelling read and I felt like the characters could walk out the book. I'll definitely read more David Nicholls in the future!!

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Book Review: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli & Isles #1)

The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having been familiar with the Rizolli and Isles series, I already had characters in the head when I started reading this. This is the first of the books, but I'm glad I didn't start with it otherwise I may not have read any others!!
It has a good pace, a sadistic murderer and suspects a-plenty. But it was all a bit too procedural for me. Not to mention that Isles wasn't even in it!! It was exactly the kind of story you'd expect on Criminal Minds or Law & Order, nothing that made me sit up or take notice. Plus Rizolli goes on and on about 'the job being a way of life', and I'm sure that is the case, but it just got dull!!
I'm sure I will read more in the future, but I'll get my mum to read them for me first!!

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