Monday 28 December 2015

Book Review: The Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

The Beach HutThe Beach Hut by Veronica Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Veronica Henry with a passion! She creates novels teeming with characters, intrigue, humour and real-life situations and The Beach Hut is no exception.
This time the action is centred around a beach hut on Everdene Sands. The story spans decades as we grow old with the characters and the twists and turns throughout their life.
The reason why this is 3 instead of 5 is for two reasons. This novel has too many characters. One of the threads could be lost easily and it would still be an enjoyable read. There was one character called Jane and another called Janet. The names are too similar on the page. The second reason is that there is a lack of variety in their story lines. There were too many cheating spouses for my liking. I understand that this is a part of real life, but to have it be the centre of so many story arcs was confusing and boring. It hasn't put me off Veronica Henry at all, but it isn't my favourite of her novels.

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Saturday 26 December 2015

Book Review: No More Heroes by Stephen Thompson

No More HeroesNo More Heroes by Stephen Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No More Heroes by Stephen Thompson is not the kind of book I would normally pick up. Having been 13 years old when the 7/7 attacks occurred, it's an event that will always be cemented in my memory. Reading Simon Weekes' account of what happened to him on that day was interesting and harrowing. But really, these moments are only the start of Simon's story and his past has much deeper secrets.
This is by no means an easy read, but the pace is thick and fast and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happened to Simon. Simon himself is a complex character and the author does not paint him in an honourable light. Despite this, he is still likeable and you sympathise with the route his life has taken.
I would definitely read more of Stephen Thompson in the future.

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Monday 21 December 2015

Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & ParkEleanor & 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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Sunday 20 December 2015

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

Something Rotten (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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