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A Christmas Feast and Other Stories - Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde's A Christmas Feast and Other Stories is a collection of short stories. This novel is full of Christmassy activities such as cooking, shopping for a new dress, Christmas carols, snow in Scotland and gingerbread houses. Follow Fforde's characters as they tackle all the multi-tasking at Christmas time and some try to right their wrongs. Through these 12 stories, heartbreak is mended, friendships are made, and the cliché, "Never judge a book by it's cover" is illuminated.

  A Christmas Feast and Other Stories by Katie Fforde is a somewhat underwhelming book. The female characters in most, if not all, of the stories are essentially the exact same character. Although the leading ladies have different hobbies and jobs, they all have the same personality. They are all frivolous and obsessed with being with a man at Christmas time. The characters are fickle and very two dimensional. However, at the beginning of the book Katie Fforde does say, "you might have time to read while you're waiting for the mince pies to brown", and that is true; the stories are short and easy-going for such a hectic time of year but unlike the novel's title, it is not "A Christmas Feast".

OPENING LINES

"Evie's overloaded trolley slid slowly but unstoppably into the trolley next to her. She'd been wishing all the way round that she'd tested it for wonkiness before she set off and should have changed it the moment she realised it wouldn’t steer. Now it paid her back for her inefficiency by crashing into a trolley that seemed a dream - a perfect dinner for two: a packet of pheasant breasts, a bottle of champagne and some potted shrimps. Evie was very fond of potted shrimps."

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After Helen - Paul Cavanagh

Helen Donnelly passed away over a year ago, leaving behind her husband Irving and teenage daughter Severn. From the moment Irving set eyes on Helen in her father's bookshop years before he knew he was infatuated. Now, their teenage daughter has disappeared with a book which may uncover her parents' secretive past. Irving, an unassuming history teacher has to follow Severn's trail of clues and in turn revisit his tumultuous past with his impulsive late-wife Helen. He uncovers secrets in order to rebuild a relationship with his daughter.       

                  Paul Cavanagh writes delicately and gives an insight into life after the death of a parent. The novel is enticing and exciting with twists and turns along the way. The book is from Irving's point of view, the change each chapter from past to present allows you to observe the character changes from the beginning. It is a witty book with powerfully moving moments throughout. Cavanagh has created a novel which includes, love, laughter, life and death, and he has delved deep into all of the characters to make each of them as complex and as real as the next. Overall, a teasingly, addictive novel of a heart-warming story.    

OPENING LINES

"I began teaching again one week after Helen died. The principal at my school, Abbie Sullivan, was willing to let me stay out longer. I still had to be in shock, she insisted."

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The Elusive Moth - Ingrid Winterbach

This book follows the character Karolina Ferreira, who goes to a town called Voorspoed in South Africa to study the insects, primarily the rare moths, there. However, Karolina spends little of her time studying and more of her time bonding with the locals, drinking whisky, playing snooker and dancing. After the deaths of people in town, Karolina is suspicious as to whether or not the deaths are connected. Obsessed by this, Karolina finds herself driving all conversations on to the occurrences in town and as murder takes place, friendships are made and broken and lovers meet, the town is likely to erupt with all the tensions. 

  Ingrid Winterbach does a full and wholly satisfying character study of Karolina Ferreira. She delves deep into the past and present life of Karolina which allows the reader to fully connect with her. Within in the mere 184 pages, Winterbach manages to portray the ventures of an entire town and her writing is enthralling. With introductions to many menacing characters who you look forward to reading about, the tension throughout the text builds. The book holds lust, secrets, murder and riots and overall, is ultimately captivating.

OPENING LINES

"Long ago, Karolina Ferreira had had a dream: of a promenade by the sea with a row of palm trees growing down the centre, and the body of a man, hacked in two, with blood spurting from it."

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Not That Kind of Girl - Lena Dunham

Not That Kind of Girl is the autobiography of Lena Dunham and it is brilliant. I've seen all the episodes of Girls that are out, and they have complex, interesting characters, crazy stories and you find yourself at some points thinking, "Really?" Similarly with this book, there are points where you are restraining yourself from shouting, "NO WAYYYY". You can see the similarities between Lena Dunham's upbringing and the friends she had, to the storylines and characters in Girls. 

Not That Kind of Girl is full of hilarious insights into what it is like for people and growing up, and how to become wholly separate and individual from others. The yearning for being different, but trying so hard that you eventually become the same. The book has beautifully heartfelt moments when Dunham writes about her Dad, her sister and her love of her life, Jack. It is so sharply honest that you find yourself reflecting on your own "embarrassing" stories, and wondering whether or not, they're nothing but funny anecdotes and stepping stones. It allows people to accept their mistakes and understand that being yourself, no matter how weird, is better than being anything else. 

There is no review of this book which will do it justice. It’s ferociously funny, shocking and honest.

  OPENING LINES

"I am twenty years old and I hate myself. My hair, my face, the curve of my stomach. The way my voice comes out wavering and my poems come out maudlin. The way my parents talk to me in a slightly higher register than they talk to my sister, as if I'm a government worker that's snapped and, if pushed hard enough, might blow up the hostages I've got tied up in my basement."

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Before I Go To Sleep - S.J. Watson

Before I Go To Sleep is a brilliant thriller.

I saw the film before reading the novel. I thought the film was so amazing that I wanted to read the book. I'm quite thankful that I did it this way round actually because looking back on the film after having read the book it is clear how much was missed out.

The novel follows the story of a woman called Christine, who suffered an accident about 20 years prior to where the book begins. Due to the accident, Christine has been left with amnesia and wakes up every day thinking she is in her 20s and surprised by the man she is sleeping next to (actually her husband Ben). Slowly, with information and pictures given to her from Ben, she begins to piece together her past, and tries to come to terms with her current life. That is until she falls asleep and forgets everything again!

Luckily, Christine has a doctor called Doctor Nash, who encourages Christine to keep a journal which he will phone and remind her of daily. This will allow her to hold on to memories for longer than a day, he hopes. However, what if what Christine is writing down is making her lose trust in her husband or her doctors. Christine begins to worry that she isn't being told the truth about her past and as her memory strengthens, can she trust the people around her with what she knows?

This book is the definition of a thriller and I would suggest for anyone to read it, even if you don't particularly think you enjoy thrillers, I think this book is for everyone. It's enticing, heart-breaking, empowering and explosive. Action, thriller, romance all wrapped up into one.

OPENING LINES

"The bedroom is strange. Unfamiliar. I don't know where I am, how I came to be here. I don't know how I'm going to get home."

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This is the third John Green novel that I read after TFIOS and Looking for Alaska, and it was swell.

Once again, captivatingly real characters and hilarious moments throughout. John Green's writing is so easy to read and heart-warming, I'd suggest to anyone to read his books.

Unless, of course, you're this weird old man who came into the library today and started yelling about how Romance novels should be burned. Then maybe not you, sir.

But everyone else should read his writing is heart-warming and heart-breaking and full of HEART. Really, it's charming and can inspire people to be exactly who they want to be.

It follows the story of Colin, a young adult who has gone through his whole life only being in relationships with Katherines. 19 to be precise. He and his friend escape their hometown for a while in search of freedom from Colin's recent heartbreak and for adventure. Encountering other people, different jobs and excitement along the way, it is somewhat of a coming of age novel. ALSO, just gonna add the fact that all of the John Green novels I've read all contain a strong female character, I just dig that man.

OPENING LINES

"The morning after noted child star prodigy Colin Singleton graduated from high school and got dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl name Katherine, he took a bath." 

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Incendiary - Chris Cleave

To start with, the idea of starting a novel with the words "Dear Osama." are slightly daunting for most readers but when the book goes on to describe a terrorist attack that occurred at the Arsenal stadium killing hundreds of people, this part is the most unnerving for me. I LIVE IN NORTH LONDON. C'mon Cleave!

This book follows the story of a young, working-class woman whose four-year-old son and husband were killed in the horrific attack. The blast occurs very early on in the novel and the story unravels from there. There is lust, betrayal, heartbreak, love and death all interlinked within this book.

It is an interesting book, with some points that stand out prominently. For example, at one point in the novel, Prince William appears to console and comfort victims of the blast and it's insightful to have a reaction, from such a prolific figure within society, albeit a fictional one. "He had this strange expression on. It was far away and sad. You could see him thinking to himself well I suppose I am prince of all this then. I am the prince of this poor blown-up kingdom and one day all these blown-up people will be my subjects and I'll be able to do nothing for them. I'll live in palaces pinning medals on to lawyers and architects while these people watch their tired faces get older each morning in dirty bathroom mirrors. It was that sort of an expression."

OPENING LINES

"Dear Osama, they want you dead or alive so the terror will stop. Well I wouldn't know about that I mean rock n roll didn't stop when Elvis died on the khazi it just got worse."

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Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher

Ketchup Clouds is really good.

It's enticing right from the start, actually, right from the blurb and it's addictive.

It follows the life of "Zoe" through the pen pal letters that she sends to a murderer on Death Row. She encloses no return address in these letters but they contain so much more. They include the story of the murder "Zoe" committed.

This is what makes the story so enthralling. You spend 90% of the book trying to figure out who she killed.

All of Annabel Pitcher's characters are likeable which is so bizarre in a novel containing two murderers. One of my favourite characters in the book is Zoe's younger deaf sister, Dot. She's hilariously funny and loveable and the book even includes a diary entry from her. THANK GOD. An insight into the mind of a five year old.

This book is a culmination of death, love, betrayal, loss, forgiveness and the strength of people when we're together, as well as the problems we face without others to rely on. Its use of dry comedy, with bouts of beautifully delicate romance is perfect for anyone who enjoys novels by John Green or David Levithan. Enjoy peepz.

OPENING LINES

"Ignore the blob of red in the top left corner. It's jam not blood, though I don't think I need to tell you the difference. It wasn't your wife's jam the police found on your shoe."

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How To Talk To A Widower - Jonathan Tropper

How To Talk To A Widower follows the life of, surprise, surprise, a widower. His name is Doug and he married the love of his life, Hailey, who has a teenage son called Russ. After Doug and Hailey married, Russ quickly fitted in nicely to their 3-person family and Doug enjoyed being the cool step-father. However, after the death of Hailey, Russ' real father takes him and Russ begins to rebel.

Throughout the novel, you follow three main characters, Doug, Russ and Claire (Doug's twin sister), with many other equally interesting characters on the periphery. All of their lives have come to a point where change is needed, and these three lost and lonely characters, empower and inspire each other to take control of their lives and be stronger and happier.

It brings romance, fighting, attempted murder, adultery and love together in a inspiring novel. Never give up. You can always change the future, even if you think you're stuck.

OPENING LINES

"Russ is stoned, you can see it in the whites of his eyes..."

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The Death of Bunny Munro - Nick Cave

This book is depressing in so many ways, and terrifying as well as hilarious. Nick Cave is a wonderful writer who delves deep into the characters in this novel, even the few fleeting characters who maybe only appear in one scene.

We follow the life of Bunny Munro, who is a drug-fuelled door-to-door salesman, who is addicted to sex. Right at the beginning of the novel, Bunny Munro finds himself having to deal with the suicide of his wife, who was suffering from mental illness. This leaves Bunny being the sole parent of Bunny Junior, and the last remaining role-model. As Bunny takes his son with him on his sales trips, they both encounter super-natural visions of the late-mother/wife. These parts of the novel are terrifying.

As the title suggest, this isn’t going to be the reformation of Bunny Munro as a character who’ll ultimately break-through his addictions and become the father all readers want him to be, but it is 100% a must read.

But can’t help feeling sorry for Avril Lavigne and Kylie Minogue throughout it.

OPENING LINE

“I am damned,' thinks Bunny Munro in a sudden moment of self-awareness reserved for those who are soon to die."

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The Pearl - John Steinbeck

The Pearl is a novella written by John Steinbeck, and it's enticing and easy-to-read and captures so much within it's mere 90 pages.

It's the story of Kino and his wife Juana whose child Coyotito is stung by a scorpion and needs medical attention, but because Kino and Juana are poor, they cannot afford the treatment. Therefore, they search for pearls in the ocean and come across the most beautiful pearl anyone has ever seen. However, The Pearl doesn't bring the wealth and happiness that they expected and soon Kino and his family are looked upon by others as lucky, and the rest of the area are jealous of their pearl. The Pearl is another representation of evil within beauty, which is most commonly seen in Lord of the Rings (The Ring/PRECIOUS). It is something that should be a beneficial factor, but slowly causes the owner to deteriorate from their natural self. It's an exciting novel including murder, love, chases, hate and so much else, and it's proof of John Steinbeck's genius.

If you're thinking, "Oh damn, I wish I had a copy of this to read because it sounds so awesome", then you're in for a TREAT. This book is available online on epub, so happy Google'ing people.

OPENING LINES

"Kino awakened in the near dark. The stars still shone and the day had drawn only a pale wash of light in the lower sky to the east. The roosters had been crowing for some time, and the early pigs were already beginning their ceaseless turning of twigs and bits of wood to see whether anything to eat had been overlooked. Outside the brush house in the tuna clump, a covey of little birds chittered and flurried with their wings."

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This is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper

This is the first Jonathan Tropper book I read this summer, and it's probably the best one I've read overall. It's funny, depressing, heart-warming and an emotional thrill ride. Although Jonathan Tropper is a good writer, I wouldn't especially rush to read another one of his novels, although, saying this, I did then read two more of his books after this one.

This book follows a Jewish family who all have to reconnect after the death of their father. Siblings, wives, girlfriends, parents, neighbours all crash together in their act of sitting shiva. Secrets unravel and people break-up and make-up. It contains almost everything!

However, the low point of the book is that, yes, there are funny parts throughout the book, but I don't know if Jonathan Tropper has written them in the funniest way.

As a lot of people may know, This is Where I Leave You is being released as a movie this year, with an a-list comedy cast including Adam Driver, Jason Bateman and Tina Fey. Without a doubt, I know they will make the moments of the book that aren't necessarily LOLTASTIC, funnier than I ever thought they could be, and definitely not a film to miss!

OPENING LINES

"Dad's dead," Wendy says offhandedly, like it's happened before, like it happens every day.