It's one of my main goals to read more and a bigger variety of genres this year and I feel this months Recently Read is a mixed bag of some great books. It's been a great start for this year of reading and I'm excited to share with you this group of books.
I Was Here by Gayle Forman*
When I heard this was being released I knew I'd have to pick it up and then when I had the chance of receiving it from the publishers Simon & Schuster I jumped at the chance to read and review another Gayle Forman book. A brief synopsis; Cody has a best friend Meg who committed suicide unexpectedly which left Cody questioning how well she actually knew Meg. It's a story about mourning as well as romance and mystery as Cody tries to find out while Meg killed herself. To me this isn't "just another suicide story" but something more than that and, overall, I really enjoyed the book. There was a few issues I had with it though starting with one that's probably my misunderstanding but it actually took me a few chapters to realise Cody was a girl even though two girls are shown on the gorgeous front cover. I love a love story as much as the next but for me I connect more if it's relate able but the romance in this story really wasn't and I felt it was slightly unrealistic but, like I said I really enjoyed this book and much preferred it to Gayle's other books If I Stay and Where She Went. I really recommend this book especially to those who have read some more of Gayle's other work.
The Kill Order by James Dashner.
I've mentioned this few times before and that this is the prequel to The Maze Runner Series; this is the first prequel I'd ever read so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was looking forward to reading it as I thought it would help answer any final questions I had. To star with, it was a little hard to get into but I soon got into the flow and enjoyed, just like the other books, how action packed it had been. One problem I had was another misunderstanding but much bigger than just a gender. (This maybe a small spoiler for the first book) In the first book in the series, Thomas mentions that the names they were given we nonsense names- named after important people so when the characters names in this prequal were Mark and Trina I thought they must be Thomas and Tris and that is the feeling I had all the way through the book and,oh how wrong I was. This misunderstanding did disappoint me when the book was finished because the answers I wanted were far from answered ad while I now have an understanding as to where the illness came from, I still have unanswered questions. I don't think there has ever been a prequel part two but how I wish there would be one as there is a gap between when this book finishes and when the Maze Runner starts. I wouldn't say this is one to run out and by but if you're a loyal Maze Runner reader then it's one to read to get a little more of the back story and I'm happy I did read it it just wasn't my favourite.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
I'm not much of a reader of classics but this was set as one of the exam texts for my AS English and so I had to read it but I thought I would share my thoughts with you still and say that I love it! It's the true story of the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb and it follows the killers after the murders happens and what they do. Being a text I'm doing in English, I've analysed the book in detail and while most people said this makes them hate the book, I actually haven't started to hate this book at all and I love it and how Capote's writing even gets you to sympathise with a killer. This, I feel has opened me up to a whole new genre of crime/thriller as I loved reading about the detectives uncovering new evidence and trying to solve the case. It's also opened me up to reading more of the classics including Truman's other book Breakfast at Tiffany's but I gave up after losing my place which is a pathetic excuse and so I will be trying to read it again soon. I feel this is a book everyone should read no matter what kind of books you'd usually read as, I feel, it will open you up to other genres just like me.
A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
I put this book on my Christmas list not thinking much of it and when I received it, I completely forgot what I'd read about it and so after reading the blurb and having a quick peak inside I thought that this would be a nice easy read to finish my next load of books off and it really was. It was a simple love story and one that incorporated a hard of hearing character which I loved as it wasn't something I'd seen included in the book before. It's about Gabe and Lea who everyone can see they like each other except each other. It's not from the point of view of either main character but the people around them from friends, to their English professor to the bench and a squirrel. It's such a unique spin on a very simple love story. One thing that annoyed me about this book was the "villain"; it was too obvious that the author was trying to make her the enemy and seem mean and it kind of annoyed me. Also, there wasn't much character description and so I couldn't really visualise the characters as much as I would of like to.I read this in two days and I could of read it quicker if I hadn't been busy as the text is quite large and being 250 pages so I think it's perfect for teens getting in to reading but also one for those suckers for a good love story or just want something really easy to read. Also, if you loved Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, I feel this is similar with the English class as well as the characters.
So that's it for another Recently Read and it was a real mixed bunch and I think the next one will too. What have you been reading recently? I'd love some recommendations!
Hope you're doing great,
Products marked with an (*) indicates that I have been kindly sent the item to review. My opinions are in no way influenced by the company and that all thoughts are my own.
Post a Comment