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.
To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Top 100 Book:: Number 5
Star Rating:: *****
Quick Review::
To kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that almost everyone has heard of! It is one of those books that a lot of kids read in school (unfortunately I was not one of those) and is still a top seller 50 years after it was written.
To kill a mockingbird is a semi-autobiographical novel written through the eyes of Scout Finch a young girl growing up in a fictional town in Alabama. I absolutely love the fact that Lee chose to write the book through the eyes of Scout, the innocence makes the book just so much more appealing to read. Covering so many touchy subjects Lee manages to make the book so playful and pure through the eyes of a child.
The main plot of the book focuses on Scout’s father Atticus Finch, a very well respected lawyer in the town he is handed the case of a black man accused of raping a white girl. In a time where prejudice was rife across the US the Finch family have to deal with the racial reactions to Atticus being given the case. Written with warmth and humour this beautifully written book explores love, hate, friendship, family and race in the deep south of America.
This is a truly moving book, I found myself getting very emotional throughout the book, I could relate to Scout’s innocence about race and prejudice and the struggles her father faced trying to give his children a normal upbringing. A truly magnificent book that is very much worthy of its top 100 status. If you haven’t read this yet I recommend that you do before you read anything else.
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*
Northern Lights – Philip Pullman
Northern Lights - Philip Pullman
Top 100 Book :: Number 8 (The whole trilogy)
Star Rating:: ****
Quick Review::
Northern Lights, The first in a trilogy of books follows the story of Lyra an Orphan in a world parallel to ours. After losing her friend Roger she embarks on a mission to find him… Along the way she discovers horrible experiments, scientists and unravels many mysteries….
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks
The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
Top 100 Book :: Number 93 recommended by Steven F
Star Rating:: *** 1/2
Quick Review::
Iain Banks controversial debut highlights the day to day activities of Frank Cauldhame. Frank is no normal 16 year old boy his stories throughout the book contain violence, horror and pure grotesque scenes. But don’t let this put you off, behind the horror and violence is a very confused young man.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
Life Of Pi
Top 100 Book :: Number 51
Star Rating:: *****
Quick Review::
After the sinking of a cargo ship Pi Patel is left drifting on a lifeboat with a Bengal Tiger, Hyena, Orang-utan and a Zebra with a broken leg. This book follows Pi’s journey along the pacific, the highs the lows and the sickening times he endures.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*