How I Paid For College – Mark Acito
Recommended by:: Jonathan Whiting
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
Ferris Bueller Meets Adrian mole in a hilarious novel set in the 80's. Meet Edward Zanni, a teenager in New Jersey, USA whose aspirations to study at the prestigious Julliard School in NYC are quashed when his father refuses to pay his tuition fees. Thus ensues the subtitle of the book
" A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship, and Musical Theater"
Edward and his merry band of friends go on a mission to get his entry to musical theater by any means possible!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a cracking debut by author Acito. It is exactly my kind of humour and my style of writing. An easy, laid back read full of sex, theft and friendship :)
I heartily recommend it to you.
Nineteen Eighty-four – George Orwell
Top 100 Book:: Number 8
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
Wow! What a book! Incredibly scary and as has been mentioned in numerous reviews an eerie look at our own world.
This story follows Winston Smith works for the ministry of truth in London. Posters of Big Brother cover the streets and every move anyone makes is captured there is no free speech, no free thinking. For those with independant thought.... there lies Room 101.
A truly fascinating book from George Orwell. Thoroughly enjoyable to read with twists and turns at every chapter. A brutal book with no holding back and no happy endings. Just a gruesome look at a world under totalitarian control.
Worth a read!
Notes from a small island – Bill Bryson
Top 100 Book: Number 74
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
Bill Bryson arrived in Britain back in 1973, got a job, got married and had some kids. Eventually the time came when he decided to head back to his native country the USA but before doing that he embarked on one epic tour of the wonder that is Britain. Starting at Dover and ending in Scotland Bryson recounts many memories, meet many friends and tells many tall tales about the adventures he has had in this wonderful land I call home!
Now this book is one of my favourite styles, a diary style (as if you didn’t know that by now) In fact I would link this book very closely to Dave Gorman’s America unchained which I reviewed earlier on. Bill Bryson goes on a journey around Britain recounting many tales he himself has had in various locations throughout. Full of plenty of humour and plenty of opinion this is certainly not a politically correct book, but hilariously funny!
I really enjoyed reading this book, I have to admit at the beginning I was getting a little irritated with his style of writing, very aggressive, very impatient and quite rude but as the book progressed I began to warm to Bryson’s unique style and found myself laughing along to his encounters with the British public.
I can completely recommend this book not only as a worthy top 100 but as a book you yourself should read, it is a very easy read and very relaxing, brilliant if you are looking to chill out and get away from the stresses of the day!
Do pick it up and have a read, I have kept hold of my copy!
The Wind In The Willows – Kenneth Grahame
Wind In The Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Top 100 Book: Number 30
Star Rating:: **** 1/2
Quick Review::
Written in 1908, The Wind In The Willows is a "Cutesy" tale of friendship, respect and companionship between wildlife animals, focusing on the lives of Moley, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad. It's known as a childrens book but I feel us adults can learn a lot from this book. It has a lot of underlying morals which are put across in a very gentle way. We follow the mischevious Mr Toad, The river bank loving Ratty, The home loving Mole and the father, authoritive figure of Badger. There is no real storyline as such it is more a collection of their adventures along the river bank and in the countryside of Pastoral England. A very enjoyable book to read.
The Phantom Of The Opera – Gaston Leroux
Phantom Of The Opera - Gaston Leroux
Top 100 Book: I thought it was number 100, but I got the wrong book! So not in the Top 100
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
The Paris Opera House, early 1900's is mysteriously "haunted" by O.G, the Opera Ghost.
This novel written in a detective Style follows the story of the Christine Daae and her twisted love triangle with the Opera Ghost and Raoul.
Its a pretty gritty novel with love, murder, jealousy, rage, mystery and horror. It's interesting to know that this is based on true facts and the author spent a lot of time investigating the Paris Opera House!
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night- Time – Mark Haddon
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night- Time - Mark Haddon
Top 100 Book:: Number 59
Star Rating: **** 1/2
Quick Review::
Meet Christopher Boone, a 15 year old boy living in Swindon with Asperger’s syndrome. One day he discovers the neighbour’s dog Wellington has been murdered with a garden fork and he makes it his mission to discover the murderer.
Described as a murder mystery novel with a difference Christopher opens a can of worms that will transform his life, and affect all of those around him. An award winning novel by Mark Haddon that is a real pleasure to read.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
America Unchained – Dave Gorman
America Unchained - Dave Gorman
Recommended by :: Fran Day
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
Get A Car, Travel across America from West To East. Piece of Cake eh? Only one slight snag, you need to do all of this without spending a single penny in a chain store, chain gas station or chain hotel. This is Dave Gorman’s quest, and he chooses to accept it.
This book follows his journey across the good old US of A and we learn about the good times, the quirky B&B’s the friendly people of Kansas and then there are the bad times, the director hurting her back, being held at gun point and some of the scummiest motels in the world.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
Inconceivable – Ben Elton
Inconceivable - Ben Elton
Recommended by :: I was swayed by the Title and Front Cover :)
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
A beautifully poignant Romantic Comedy from Ben Elton. This novel is written in an "Adrian Mole Diary" style and follows Sam and Lucy in their desperate quest for a child. This is full of laugh out loud gags, no really, I found myself chuckling out loud on quite a few occasions but it's not without a few tear-jerking moments, failed IVF treatments, betrayal, jealousy. Its a very easy read and a very enjoyable one too!
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
A Matter of Death and Life – Andrey Kurkov
A Matter of Life And Death - Andrey Kurkov
Recommended by :: No-one, a personal choice.....again
Star Rating:: **** 1/2
Quick Review::
This translation of the Russian Novel by Andrey Kurkov is a brilliant read. Incredibly short, only 122 pages but packing quite a punch! Our narrator Tolya is stuck in a rut with no job, a loveless marriage and no aspirations. In a last ditch attempt to leave a lasting legacy of himself he hires a contract killer to take him out, it’s all going according to plan and then he meets Lena….
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
Haunted – James Herbert
Haunted - James Herbert
Recommended by :: No-one, a personal choice
Star Rating:: **** 1/2
Quick Review::
My second instalment of James Herbert and another thrilling read. Completely different to Nobody True, Haunted tells the tale of David Ash a psychic investigator working to seek out phoney psychics and disprove the theory of ghosts and life beyond the grave. David is summoned to Edbrook House by Miss Webb who feels she is being haunted. During his three night stay he falls victim to the horrors of Edbrook and the games of the odd extended family of Miss Webb; Christina, Robert and Simon.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*