Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
6 October 2010
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games trilogy
Just finished reading the third and final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I’ve really enjoyed this series although the last book is not my favourite. I think it’s so hard to finish off a story in a way that pleases everybody and so even though I’m always looking forward to reading the final book it’s always in the back of my mind that it may not end well. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t enjoy Mockingjay because it is a good book but there are a few things that just kept it from being as good as the 1st and 2nd books. I suppose, firstly, Peeta is missing from a good portion of the book and isn’t exactly himself when he does make a comeback. That being said I found the first half of the book a really quick read although I did get a bit tired of Katniss blaming herself for everything all the time. I think it was more towards the last quarter of the book that my interest waned a bit, even though the action had picked up, maybe it was because there were so many new characters introduced that I didn’t really have the time to get to know before they became casualties. Also, I thought the end was a bit ‘flat’. Can’t really describe it in any other way. It just felt rushed and a bit of a none-event. However, I’m glad I read it and, as I said, it is an enjoyable book. Rating B-
Had a bit of a rethink about my comments regarding Katniss and think I’m probably a bit harsh. After all, she is only a teenager (17 I think). When I consider how I bash myself over the head when I make a mistake or sit mulling over an argument (aka discussion) with one of my children (young adult – as they often remind me) and wish I’d handled it differently – well, after all, none of this involves people dying – so I can’t imagine what that would feel like. At the end of the day Katniss wasn’t responsible for other peoples’ actions but that doesn’t mean that she didn’t think so.
I’ve also tried to put my finger on why I didn’t like this book as much as the previous two and it all boils down to the ending which I felt was rushed. Everything was very nicely tied up I suppose but it was very quickly done and made me feel as though perhaps the author had simply had enough! Rating still a B-.
Mockingjay
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Just finished reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. This is a tough book to write a review for. Depends on your definition of a ‘good book’ I suppose. Sometimes I read a book and I can’t put it down. I make the tea with one hand holding the book and reading (usually ends up with a burnt offering), or I miss my stop on the bus because I’m so involved. Beloved is a different style of ‘good book’. By that, I mean it stays with you for a while after you’ve finished reading. You find yourself thinking about the story. Some books are okay, you put them down and you never think of them again. But this book isn’t one of those. To be honest, I found the writing style difficult to get into and certain elements of the book were just a bit puzzling but, that being said, I was determined to press on. It probably took about 80 or so pages before I was into the story and hooked. The story is set in the 1800s in Kentucky at the time when slavery was coming to an end and is primarily based on a character called Sethe. Sethe was a slave and as the chapters unfold you discover her story. It’s not a happy one for sure but I think it is one of those stories, told in such a way as to give you a real feeling for the impact that slavery had. It’s a sad book, don’t know that I’d make it a holiday read! But it definitely has a meaning in there.
Beloved
Books I love
Over the years I’ve read so many books. If I was to choose a few of my favourites I would probably list the following:
Lord of the Rings, JR Tolkien. I love the Lord of the Rings, it is a mammoth book but so enjoyable, the writing is excellent, and how can you resist Strider? I also really enjoyed all three of the films and thought they were brilliantly produced.
Twilight, Stephenie Meyers. I enjoyed all of these books. I admit that the fourth book is a little bit ‘out there’ but I think SM was just trying to give everyone a happy ending. Twilight just completely sucked me in (no pun intended) from the beginning, and introduced me to a whole new world of books in the form of young adult fiction. My favourite of the series has to be Eclipse – although I still haven’t seen the film – I suppose I’ll wait for the DVD now.
The Bronze Horseman, Paullina Simons. This has got to be one of the most amazing love stories. The characters are brilliant and that coupled with the setting create a wonderful story. I have read quite a few of PS’s novels, I love Scarlet Leaves and Tully (in fact I actually cried reading parts of Tully).
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold, I thought this was a totally gripping book and couldn’t put it down. The start of the book is obviously disturbing and I suppose it’s not the nicest series of events but it’s such an original story and so well told.
After You’d Gone, Maggie O’Farrell. I’ve read all of MOF’s novels and think she is a brilliant writer. Her ability to create such wonderful characters is a real gift. After You’d Gone is definitely my favourite of all her books although I have just read the Hand That First Held Mine and found that really enjoyable as well.
The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss. For anybody who reads fantasy novels this book is an absolute must read. It is brilliant. I read it quite a while ago and have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. This book has definitely stayed with me.
Philipa Gregory, all her historical novels. Such a great way to read about historical facts – I love the periods covered they are so interesting to read about, and obviously much written about.
CJ Sansom, Shardlake novels, another brilliant set of historical novels. Really interesting and easy to read. I love the character of Barrack.
The Help. This book is one of the most memorable books I have read for a long time. Totally gripping, in fact I read it with an ever increasing sense of impending doom! Based on three characters, in the deep south in the 1960s with all the surrounding prejudices. Really an excellent read, the characters of Minnie and Abeline are outstanding. A must read book.
Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier. I love so many of DDM’s books but this really is my favourite (plus the old black and white film – so atmospheric). DDMs style of writing is magical, her ability to describe things and just create a total picture in your mind is second to none. I love her books.
The Secret History, Donna Tart. I thought this book was brilliant, totally reminds me of Daphne du Maurier’s style of writing which I love anyway. I wish that there were more DT books out there.
Authors I like: Douglas Kennedy, Cassandra Clare, Maggie Stiefvater, Holly Black, The Bronte Sisters, Jane Austen, Joanne Harris, Peter Brett, Kristin Cashore, Ryder Haggard, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, John Connolly.
I could go on.. and on..
September 29th Loss of words!
29 September 2010
Filed under Books Going to Film, General Comments
Tags: Stieg Larsson Novels, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Oh dear, I’m feeling quite miserable. Since December I decided to make a diary of all the books I read (as I finished reading them). This started just after New Years and was part of my resolutions. I get through quite a few books and it seemed like a good idea to put some comments down about them. Nine months and 60 or so books later, and following a problem with my laptop, I have lost all of them. Never mind, I’ll just have to start again. I thought I would start with some of my past novels. If I remember correctly I think I started the year with the second of the Stieg Larsson Novels, The Girl Who Played with Fire. I thought the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was an excellent book and I was keen to follow it up. I think that Lisbeth is a really excellent character. I suppose, in the first book I struggled a bit at the beginning with all the characters names and place names but I soon got over that as I became gripped with the tale. The first book is almost like an introduction to the characters with the plot being secondary or at least a way to establish the groundwork for book number two. The second book gets much more to grips with the people who you are now familiar with and Lisbeth’s story starts to unfold – again revolving around a plot which is all interlinked. I have only one criticism really and that relates to the second book towards the end. Knowing a little more about Lisbeth by this time it is very difficult to imagine that she would find herself in that situation – to me it screamed of a set up and I’m no way as intelligent as she is! So, I suppose I find it difficult to believe that she would fall for it… I haven’t read the third book yet, mainly because I had so many other books to read and also because I like to have a space in between sometimes (also, I think, knowing that there can’t be any more in this series I’m reluctant to bring it all to a close). All that being said I think the first two books are excellent, well written, gripping and I would, and have, recommended them to a few friends. A*
Millennium Trilogy
Elephants and Clouds
Filed under Books Going to Film, General Comments
Tags: The Life and Death of Charlie St Cloud, Water for Elephants
I think I’ve been hibernating in a cave or something. Only just noticed that Water for Elephants is being made into a film – and more to the point The Life and Death of Charlie St Cloud has been made into a film. Sometimes I really am on Planet Lynn and totally oblivious to everything.
Basically I really liked both these books and so coming onto film is something to look forward to. I loved Water for Elephants, it was just so interesting and so well told, a really good book. Strangely, not liking the cover, I’m surprised that I ever bought the book at all – and I know that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but sometimes you do – and sometimes you really can tell what it’s going to be like. Anyway, it’s the first thing that takes your attention after all. So, I don’t like the cover of WFE and was therefore a bit puzzled about why I bought it. But, it was really good. Charlie St Cloud I also really liked. It’s a very easy read and I liked the spooky aspects. Not sure about Zac Efron (not even sure I’ve spelt that right?) for the main role of Charlie St Cloud. He’s just not what I imagined when I read the book but I suppose you never know and you have to give him a chance to break out of Disney roles. I hope it doesn’t end up turning the film into something that’s a bit too syrupy. And, Robert Pattinson for the lead role in WFE. Interesting choice. Not difficult to see why he would be chosen given his current teen idol status. He might be okay for this role but again I hope it doesn’t become overly worked with ‘teenage angst’ because it’s really not how I read the book. Time will tell.
Back to the book…
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud
Water for Elephants