diddylittlebookreview

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Childrens (or anyone!), Christmas story🎄 💫The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher does have very large writing and lots of pictures, everything you would expect from a children's book. However, it also has the most wonderful storyline - a Christmas adventure about a boy and a dinosaur, who are both a little bit different and both in need of a friend. The generic Santa story has been amazingly re-written by Fletcher into something even more magical and lovable (and yummy!) showing some serious imagination. It also features songs, poems and a puzzle or two, which were as difficult for me as for any child but thankfully the protagonist William is a genius. One thing I would say is that this is THE happiest story I think I have ever read; the baddies all miraculously turn sweet and good or meet a predictable sticky end, all problems are resolved and everything ties up neatly, as a children's book should. But, as an adult, if you look past the simplicity, innocence and predictability this is a remarkable story that could be enjoyed by anyone who loves Christmas, regardless of age or gender. There are also some moments in the book which feature themes of hunting and being shot at, which I would say make it unsuitable perhaps for very very small children, but adds a little bit of grit and drama for an older reader. The pictures, by Shane Devries are amazing and very detailed, making it even more fantastic! I would suggest reading it in the run up to Christmas as it is incredibly festive but I think I could probably happily read this book at any time of year. For a child this might take a couple of sittings but for an older reader it doesn't take long. Already there is a stage adaptation in the pipeline for next Christmas, so hurry up and read this and then go and see it! 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: short story, ghost story 💫 The Signalman by Charles Dickens is a short ghost story and the last full work to be written by Dickens before his death. It tells the chilling tale of a signalman who, when met by the narrator, describes some strange apparitions which have been appearing to him at his signal box at the mouth of an eerie tunnel. Both previous apparitions were shortly followed by a terrible accident and the apparition has recently appeared to the signalman a third time... Despite the short length (this copy is just 30 small pages) and the simplicity of this story it is incredibly haunting. From the minute our narrator stumbles across the signalman at his post in a deep and lonely stone walled passage we get an ominous, foreboding sense of what is to come. Not long before this story was written, Dickens himself was in a terrible train crash from which he undoubtedly suffered post traumatic stress disorder, yet to be understood by contemporary medicine. Dickens travelled by rail regularly for his reading tours and was haunted by this incident for the rest of his life. He wrote this story as a reflection of his fear, a fear also held by many others at the time, of the dangers of high speed train travel. Described as one of the best ghost stories ever written, this tiny tale is well worth a read especially for any one wanting a taste of Dickens without the 800 page leg work. This gorgeous edition cost me just £1.99 from Waterstones. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Self help, true story 💫 If you fancy a quick read that's something a little different and will make you think differently about the value of life, Dr. Mind is it. The true story of the author, Burbuqe Raufi's miracle battle with cancer, Raufi describes the mental process she went through, which she believes to have cured her. I'll admit that at first I was sceptical, but whether the word cancer strikes a cord with you or not, this is a beneficial read which teaches you that the key to #happiness is definitely positivity and nothing should be taken for granted. Less than 80 pages, I read this in one afternoon. One point I will make is that English is not the author's first language and so this book, written straight into English, is quite an achievement. However there are some issues with the language and I believe a further edit would have been beneficial. I don't think this detracts at all from the meaning or the message though, the English is completely understandable, only lacks the natural flow of a native speaker at times. It's definitely worth a look - find it on Amazon, both hard copy and kindle edition available. 💫 Thanks to @burbuqeraufi for letting me read it and providing the image 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Classic fiction 💫 Bleak House is a very broad novel telling a large number of stories in one. Told using two different narrative styles, the main character Esther Summerson's first person account and the unknown narrator's third person commentary, it focuses mainly on the baffling Court and Chancery, the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce and those effected or affiliated. Also sometimes considered the first ever detective novel, Bleak House gains a further storyline half way though, following Inspector Bucket as he solves the #murder of the frightening lawyer Tulkinghorn. As always Dickens gives us some great characters, both humerus and tragic, in this commentary on a flawed society. One of the larger Dickens novels, it is not to be tackled lightly and with such an expanse of characters and connections it takes a good memory (or a sneaky charcter list) to stay on top of this lengthy tome. However, it is definitely worth it if you are a fan of Dickens or the classics, there's a lot to be learnt even today about the danger of false hopes and the worth of authority. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ��️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: historic fantasy 💫 I was encouraged to read Mortal Love by Elizabeth Hand whilst studying the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and I can see why as it features many familiar names and faces of the period. However, this novel is mainly a fictional construct centring in the modern day on the mysterious Larkin Meade and the pull she has on men. Attempting to understand the power of the muse on the mind of the artist, this novel jumps between characters, time and place, meaning that it takes a while to get into. Hand is incredibly strong on description, focusing constantly on touch, taste and of course colour. There are many dream like passages where we enter the psyche of the inspired or mad (or both) artist. While, again, these passages show exceptional written skill, I found the scale of the images, sounds and scents at times difficult to process and frankly, I didn’t have a clue what was going on or how the story was all going to link together. I do think that that was Hand’s intention however, and by the end the pieces do begin to lock in perhaps with the exception of a few loose ends. Regardless, I would definitely read this novel again to take in the scale of the detail and the subtleties of the storytelling. I definitely get the feeling that I missed more than Hand omitted! I’d recommend this to anyone interested in art history and the PRB but also it is just a classic fantasy novel so anyone that loves a little bit of magic. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: fantasy fiction 💫 [SPOILER ALERT] I've heard mixed thoughts about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the newest Potter instalment and the very first Potter play. When I read it a few months ago, however, I loved it! As someone who has read a lot of plays, the change in form didn't set me back, although I do think that's something that might put a few people off. Story wise, I can agree that the concept of Voldermort's child was awkward, forced and just typical of a sequel, but I was so pleased that so many of the characters we loved were cleverly able to make a comeback. As a stand alone piece of writing I think it does work but it is of course intended to be performed, using a lot of visual trickery and effects. If anyone is worried that reading it first will spoil their watching experience I can assure you that there are so many aspects of this play that seem to me to be impossible to perform that there's no way it has ruined my excitement to see it, in fact I would be fascinated to do so. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

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[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Informative 💫 Something a little different to what I normally review, this beautifully illustrated book by Ann Shen takes the reader through 100 inspiring women from history and their stories. Although slightly more tailored to an American audience, the women in this book all deserve their place, from some of my personal favourites, Ada Lovelace and Joan of Arc, to a few like Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun and Nora Ephron who I wasn't previously aware of. Each woman is beautifully painted by Shen and comes with a perfectly sized diddy history of their achievements. I'd recommend this gorgeous book to any 'bad' girls out there who need a little inspiration. Definitely makes me proud to be a woman. 💫 @anndanger

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️️⭐️/5 Genre: true story, murder mystery 💫 In this investigation, Kate Summerscale presents all the evidence and information known about the murder of 4 year old Francis Saville Kent in June 1860 and its investigation by detective Jack Whicher. A true story, this novel gives a glorious insight into the difficulties faced by early detectives and also the shocking secrets kept by the most respectable of the middle-classes. Full of photographs, maps and the real statements of those who were there, this book allows you to draw your own conclusions and give your judgement on the outcome. The perfect whodunnit and eerily real a must for crime fans and Victorian enthusiasts. 💫 @bloomsburybooks-blog

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Historical Fiction 💫 The first thing we learn about the protagonist of this novel, Martin Strauss, is that he is going to 'lose his mind'. He is, he says, slowly losing his memory and this is the story he needs to tell before it's too late. Told partially by Strauss and partially as the story of Houdini's rise to fame, this novel seems simple, we think we understand. It's not until the massive twist ending that we see the truth and that we have misinterpreted almost everything. Although at times blandly written, this the cleverest book I have ever read as Strauss leads you on whirlwind journey through his lost mind as the man who killed Houdini not just once, but twice. Anyone with an interest in Houdini or stage magic MUST read this novel, as well as anyone who loves to guess an ending - you'll never guess this one. Galloway himself is a magician. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Murder mystery 💫 A few years ago I was lucky enough to meet Kate Williams and so I was keen to delve into her first novel. Written in the first person this book has the perfect dreamy, spine tingling narrative, it is incredibly atmospheric and keeps the reader firmly on edge throughout. I would say that I was not wholly satisfied by the ending, it has the key (spot on) plot twist but to me the explanation felt a little rushed. The abstract, distorted nature of the text also left me confused at times. I would, however, definitely recommend this novel to anyone with an interest in Victorian London, the Ripper murders or just a good thriller but be prepared for something a little different in a wonderful way. 💫 @penguinclassics

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Classic 💫 Of course Dickens isn't everyone's cup of tea but The Old Curiosity Shop is definitely a great one to start with if you're coming to Dickens for the first time. One of the easiest and most enjoyable Dickens novels I've read, it's funny, complex and somehow magical. A strong sense of good always overcoming evil makes it reminiscent of a children's story, but underlying themes of a abuse, addiction and violence land it clearly on a shelf for adults. Perseverance is sometimes key in places but this novel features, I would say, some of the best characters in Dickens (Dick Swiveller and the 'Marchioness' were definitely my favourites) which makes it well worth a try. 💫

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Classic fiction 💫 If all you know of the story of Oliver Twist is what you've gleaned from TV productions and the film 'Oliver!' then you are seriously missing out. So much of this book has been cut and cropped out for screen adaptation and some really brilliant characters and storylines have been lost. Another of the easier Dickens' novels to read, this book is so enjoyable and addictive. Dickens' characters are always so entertaining and loveable, whether good or bad. However, as with all Dickens novels it is quite long and at times takes a bit of perseverance, but I would say this novel in particular is a really good entry into Dickens, as a story (we think) we all know. Everything you love from the TV adaptations and more! 💫 @penguinclassics

[diddylittlebookreview]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: philosohical gothic fiction 💫 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is thought provoking, intelligent and powerful as a work of fiction and also as a philosophical text. In just under 200 pages Wilde covers almost every subject from women to art, beauty to religion, whilst also dragging the reader into the story of Dorian and his downfall. A study in #decadence, aestheticism and excess this novel follows the moral ‘be careful what you wish for’ after the beautiful Dorian wishes his portrait would age instead of him. What follows are twenty years of anxiety as Dorian’s corrupted soul and evil deeds are projected onto his portrait while he remains unchanged. At times the passages on philosophy and aestheticism can be hard going but the ending of this tale is perfect and so so satisfying. A must read for fans of the gothic, sensation or Victorian literature. 💫 @penguinrandomhouse