RECENTLY READ #15

23 Apr 2016

I'm on a reading roll! While it's probably not the most exciting to see two recently read posts in a row, it's nice to feel like I'm finally getting some reading done this year.



TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE // JENNY HAN 

★★★

This was a book I'd bought on my kindle back last year, started to read it and got side tracked. Then, when in the need to procrastinate, I decided to delve back into the book. It's the story of 16 year old Lara Jean who lives with her dad and two sisters. When some letters she once wrote to people she loved get sent out, she tries to get things back on track. I liked the premise of the story and I grew to love the YA love story that went along with it. The way the family life was described with her dad and little sister I loved. One of my biggest problems with the story is Lara Jean's older sister who seemed to be nothing more than a pain in the bum. While her intentions were good, the way she was written I just didn't like and found myself rolling my eyes at any mention of her name. Then, when the sort of moral of the story as to why her sister is that way comes around, I'd grown to dislike her so much that I couldn't understand how that really made her that way. Also the, I guess, love triangle that was trying to be created just didn't appeal to me and I just didn't feel it was a strong story line. However, with the cliffhanger left at the end of this book and seeing as I enjoyed certain elements of this book, I'll be sure to pick up the sequel later this year. 

HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE // J.K ROWLING

★★★★★

This is my main goal for the year. Apart from passing my exams and getting into university, this my one aim; to finally read all the Harry Potter books. While many will say I'm not a true fan because I never read the books, I love the Harry Potter films and the world it has created. I read the first two Harry Potter books back when I was 7 (I think) but after losing interest half way through the second one I have sadly only just picked them up again and boy do I regret leaving it so long. I feel like the point of me explaining my love for this book and annoyance for myself is invalid because we all know the awards and credit this book has been given over the years but I just want to say I really loved it. I know that I'm going to carry on kicking myself for not picking this up sooner. The thought that has gone into the smallest of features to create such a unique and realistic setting that is part of so many people's childhood is incredible.

HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS // J.K ROWLING

★★★

Even though I loved the first book, I was still apprehensive going into the second one due to this kind of being the reason I didn't dive further into the book series but as I read on, I kicked myself even harder for judging this book by the film. See, I'm not the biggest fan of this film(I think the basilisk has always scared me) but I, again, really enjoyed the book. The characters continued to develop as well as the plot and some questions I had throughout the whole film franchise I now had answered. My only problem with the book really was the character of Lockhart who added, I felt, nothing more than an annoyance. Aside from that I really enjoyed it especially the character of Tom Riddle and the look back on his time at Hogwarts with the links to him being made much clearer than in the film. So that's two down and five more to go! I can't wait to read the next one. 

IN COLD BLOOD // TRUMAN CAPOTE

★★★

I'd neglected my college reading for far too long and so it was time to read In Cold Blood again for my English resit which is next month(please send help). I'll be honest, this is not a book you can really read four or five times without slightly giving up and just skimming over sections of no importance just as I did. I solidly read the first half of the book but as it hits the final two sections, as with every time I've read it, things start to die down and I felt the book drags out the inevitable for too long but I guess that just reflects the context of the book. Capote followed the Clutter murder case and the capture of the two murderers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. He wrote about the Clutter's background and the two criminals background to tell the story of the murder and the final hanging. It's known that Capote helped Smith and Hickock appeal to courts in order to keep them alive to help finish his story and you can tell that from how long it takes to get to the end. There's a great film about Capote writing this book which you should definitely check out! I also do really recommend the book as it's fascinating to read how the story came about and how little events had a part to play in the end result.

So there's another four books I've finished reading and I'm now on track to finish my 2016 reading challenge for once! Maybe all this English reading is more helpful than I thought.
Have you read any of the books mentioned? What have you been reading recently?
I'd love to know!
Hope you're doing great,
Sarah x

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