Monstroso - Charlie Higson

I read this is no time at all, it's a children's book, a young children's book. One written for the children aware of rolf and lol and noob and pwn. (All these things are referenced along with World of Warcraft).

It was sweet, but not great. Only 2/5  for me. Also, Play.com told me it would come with a free bag, that's why I paid £2 for the book in the first place.I don't have this bag. Fail.

Awkward Situations for Men - Danny Wallace

This is one of Danny's less impressive books. (Though still recommendable.) I know he has grown up, has less chances to undertake such an in-depth and time consuming venture as Yes Man or Friends Like These.

I enjoyed the whole thing, each little aspect of his awkward existence, some that ended well, some badly and some uneventfully. However, overall it was just short of being impressive. A collection of amusing instances and observations, but just that.

I got a free t-shirt with this book when I ordered it. On the front it says "Well this is awkward" and on the back "Well that was awkward". Genius.

3.7/5 (Just to be awkward).

100 Facts About Pandas - David O'Doherty, Claudia O'Doherty & Mike Ahern

This is hilarious. Nearly every page makes you laugh. My friend Alex has memorised many of them too and entertained us in the kitchen a few weeks ago by reciting the most hilarious and memorable ones aloud.

5/5 humour

3/5 readability (has to be in sporadic chunks, reading it through is tiring)

Overall 4/5. I'll pick it up again.

The Subtle Knife - Philip Pulman

Although considered by many (sometimes even myself depending on my then current feelings) as an in-between book, merely a bridge that introduces ideas and characters for the Amber Spyglass, I do adore this book.


One of the small appealing factors is that, because it is set in three worlds, the world the characters are predominantly in on a page is represented by a small image in the top outer corner of the page. Just a small editorial quirk that appeals to me.

The first time I read this the first chapter annoyed me EVER SO MUCH. Who is this useless Will? Where is my wonderful Lyra? Oh well, you get over that as soon as his character develops.

Once, Caitlin, one of my best friends, had the chance to look at some of Pulman's original drafts (alongside some other manuscripts) and in one draft the story started from the point of view of one of the intruders. Automatically sympathising with him as the focus would have introduced Will in a less appealing and indepth way so this was one of the reasons it was redrafted.

Well, anyway, it's great. 4.8/5.

Northern Lights - Philip Pulman

I remember first picking up this book when recommended by my Mum (I think just before HP4) I needed a good book to fill the gap before the next Harry Potter book and my goodness this lived up to it.

I was probably 10 or 11 at the time of first reading and now I'm 19 and I still feel that adventure, that fear and excitement, on behalf of Lyra Belacqua (now Silvertongue). I adored this re-read especially as I haven't read the physical copy for years, instead just listening to the slightly abridged version on tape.
The tiny call forwards to the story to come, the hidden commentary of Pulman's on the modern world and the tiny nuances that separate the world of Lyra to ours (and indeed Will's).

However, I've got to learn how to read for more than 30 mins at a time again, I keep falling asleep.

5/5

The Enemy - Charlie Higson

What a book this is. It ended in a way that makes me want to read the rest of them, the same way it made me want to keep reading it all the way through.

It's a well worn story of a zombie-like illness that knacks off most of the human race, this time leaving only the under 14's, the adults with the disease who are left can die and it starts a year after the disaster so we don't have all the initial hoohar malarky.

It's pretty good, gory, gripping and inspired some very strange dreams. It's not that good those overall despite the witty writing and entrancing story. It's not my kind of story. I will read the next book in the series though!

3/5

Crocodile Tears - Anthony Horowitz

Well this was long awaited too. I've had the book since Christmas but just haven't had the time until now to catch up with Alex Rider. His latest escapade was just as awesome as the last. Perhaps not the best writing, Horowitz's style is simply more, well, simple. Yet it is the story that matters, the twists and turns and excitement of the plot are what made me enjoy it!

3.5/5

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan

(Finally a full review!)

I've been looking forward to this book for, well, since it was first mentioned. I made sure we pre-ordered it so we could read it as soon as possible. Yet I still had to wait ages to read it because it was delivered to Durham and I had to wait until my family came to visit!

I was going to hold off reading it until my exams were over but I read it within a day of it being brought to Lancaster!

Dear goodness me it was everything I expected it to be and more. Two of my favourite authors of all time came together and created and worked with Tiny Cooper.

I appreciate Tiny Cooper!

The switching between chapters of one Will Grayson to the other was neat. The lack of capitals in David's chapters concerned me at first but I forgot about it as I kept reading; the story, the feelings were far more engaging.

I was won over and could barely put it down to learn my Psychology.

I am definitely going to read it again, probably many a time. It's just coincidence and friendship and love in one eloquent literary bundle. 

5/5

Harry Potter 1-7 - J.K. Rowling (I suppose this counts)

I listened to all of these books while I revised a few weeks ago. It took hours but I sure love Steven Fry's voice.
There is so much I can say about these books. I love them. I love the world that is created, the woven narrative and the moral story.

5/5! (Always!)

So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish - Douglas Adams

These books are so bizarre. Amazing with it but I don't have much to actually say about it.

(While I'm writing this I happen to have on an episode of Celebrity Come Dine With Me. It suprises me as well that I can have such strange tastes in entertainment!)

3.5/5

Life, the Universe and Everything - Douglas Adams

I think this is the one with Bistro Mathematics in it.
I totally loved that concept.

Generally I enjoyed this book (I read it weeks ago but I'm very behind).

3.5/5