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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K Dick |
Written in 1968, this rhetorical commentary set in a dystopian world is strangely accurate in its predictions of modern society and especially technology. "Advanced" humans have recolonised on Mars, abandoning war-ravaged Earth to lesser beings and to Androids whom Rick, a bounty hunter, is ordered to destroy. You have to read it to make sense of it! It raises many moral questions concerning the autonomy of the individual and the boundaries between real lived experience and that of artificial intelligence.
(bwl 79 Winter 2016) |
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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman |
I was very interested in this story, told from Eleanor's perspective, and enjoyed that you were with her in the present despite the events that shaped her remaining a mystery until much later in the novel. She lives by routine and order but when seemingly minor events disrupt that routine, a more complicated person emerges. I felt empathetic for her, a socially awkward indivudal, portrayed through insights - with at times the author's subtle humour - into her response to everyday situation.
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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Enduring Love by Ian McEwan |
This novel has a compelling first chapter, plunging you into the middle of events. It is very descriptive, exploring the theme of obsession and the nature of love, addressing De Clérambault's Syndrome. You find yourself questioning Joe's sanity, whose perspective the novel is told from, and doubting your narrator. There is a dramatic point towards the end that came as a shock, highlighting McEwan's ability to write well - definitely worth reading.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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English Dictionary by J.B. Sykes |
The English Dictionary is very useful to anyone of any age and any ability. It is useful in the sense that you can discover new words, find out meanings of words and what context you should use them in. I recommend the Collins or the Oxford Dictionary to people of all ages.
(bwl 31 September 2005) |
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling |
This is the best book in the series by far with a good main plot and excellent twists and side stories. J K shows different personality traits in all characters including Harry, Ron and Hermione while those from previous books fit perfectly into the story, creating a sense of tension and suspense throughout. Some points at the beginning are slightly boring but don't be put off because all in all it is a fantastic read.
(bwl 41 August 2007) |
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a truly amazing book. Following on from the already famous first five books, the 6th one is by far the best. The excitement, the mystery and the feel of what you are reading is a wonderful sensation. To be able to read this book is an incredibly high privilege, and having read all the others, I was amazed that this one could be any better.
(bwl 31 September 2005) |
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J K Rowling |
I have finished the fifth Harry Potter book and I think it was worth waiting for, it was just as good as the other books. I feel it was descriptive, exciting, entertaining and from about the six-hundredth page onwards sad as well.
(bwl 20 September 2003) |
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Inferior: The True Power of Women and the Science that Shows it by Angela Saini |
Throughout history science has been the prerogative of white, middle-class males regurgitating their worldview based on their perceptions, and ignoring the female and a large proportion of the global population. Saini writes in a fascinating prose although perhaps her own unconscious bias comes through. The book is rather brief, possibly attempting to cover too much material without delving into enough detail on specific matters. This may make it more accessible to the general reader, but I felt it undermined the grim reality explored. I think I will be doing some further reading.
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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Inkheart and Inkspell by Cornelia Funke |
These are the first two books in the Inkworld trilogy. The third book has not been written yet. Meggie is a 10 year old girl who lost her mother (Te/Resa) when she was younger and lives with her father (Mo). The books are about a book called Inkheart and the characters in it. Little does Meggie realise just what goes on in the Inkworld and just how much trouble she and her father are in . . . I really liked these books because there is lots of mystery, discovery and adventure. I enjoyed them also because one of the main characters was about my age so I can see the story from her (Meggie's) point of view.
(bwl 33 February 2006) |
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Into the Water by Paula Hawkins |
I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel by the author of The Girl on the Train (bwl 82). Inevitably the two books will be compared but this one is not so much a suspenseful thriller but rather an analysis of a small town's history, exploring witchcraft, suicide and murder, perpetuating ongoing uncertainty surrounding the latest mysterious death in The Drowing Pool - the mystery is further confused by the multiple perspectives of the narrative, causing difficuly in trusting any of the characters.
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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La Belle Sauvage - The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman |
We accompany 11-year old Malcolm on his first intellectual, and subsequently his physical journey. It's over ten years since I read Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and I was immediately drawn back into the fantasy word of daemons and Dust, although I did not relate to Malcolm in the same way I remember doing with Lyra. This story did not have the same level of depth and complexity that I recall, but did explore some dark themes and ideological criticisms.
(bwl 88 Spring 2018) |
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Northern Lights by Philip Pullman |
Lyra is a small wild orphan who lives in Jordan College, in another world Oxford, where she is looked after by the Master, the Staff and the Scholars. She plays with Roger, the kitchen boy, and roams the rooftops and attics. She is a plain and ordinary girl until one afternoon, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, decide to enter the Scholar's meeting room unseen, and on their own. Suddenly, Lyra's life is flipped upside-down.
(bwl 31 September 2005) |
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Saiorse the Grey Seal by Don Conroy |
Saiorse loses his family when humans invade their island and he strays from the shore, though trying to survive the sea on your own isn't easy. The main characters are: Saiorse and his family, Seafra, An Orca, Lutra and Gyprus. I thought it was a brilliant book. The illustrations made the story easier to understand and gave me a real picture in my head. I recommend the book for 9-11 year olds.
(bwl 27 December 2004) |
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The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman |
I really enjoyed the Amber Spyglass and I think it is a good read for both children and adults. The story is thorough and interesting as Will and Lyra continue their journey through the different worlds, encountering many strange beings. They discover a lot more about life than anyone has ever done before. They end up stuck with a hard decision and an almost impossible task. What will happen? . . .
(bwl 32 November 2005) |
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne |
The story is told through the perspective of Bruno, a young boy, who meets a Jew through a concentration camp fence. Because he's innocent and oblivious to everything going on, you have to work out what is happening from what you know. It's a good read for all ages but perhaps even more touching for younger children, who don't know much about that time. However, I felt it wasn't quite as brilliant as everyone says.
(bwl 48 November 2008) |
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The Collector by John Fowles |
This novel captures the obsessive nature of a butterfly collector who turns his interest to girls; he possesses a country house after winning some money and lives alone. Added to the fact that the author used to collect butterflies (involving killing and pinning them) the whole story becomes even stranger. You are always uncertain as to what will happen, although it is likely to be irrational! An excellent read.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Color Purple by Alice Walker |
This book explores the issues of segregation and poverty, as well as exploring Africa from a missionary's perspective. The story begins with a dismal situation, and the protagonist finds herself passed from her 'Pa' into marriage, treated with disrespect. The story is slightly strange but demonstrates development of character and the effect events can have on someone. It was very interesting and very readable, partly due to the short chapters, which were easy to skip through.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne |
In 2008 (aged 14), I reviewed Boyne's 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' (bwl 48) and was not very impressed, perhaps due to all the hype! This book had the opposite impact. A daunting six hundred page read, engrossing from middle to end. Overall, I adored this story of teenage pregnancy; growing up; adoption; religion; gay rights; the AIDS pandemic; and politics in Ireland and beyond. I was in Dublin in 2015 in the run-up to the gay marriage referendum and this story hit home - I imagined I lived in a "modern" society, so it's harrowing to discover the history of Ireland, geographically next-door to the UK, and to realise that this sort of oppression occurred in my life-time and is still prevalent in the West.
(bwl 101 Summer 2021) |
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The Help by Kathyrn Stockett |
This book explores segregation in America and a white woman's attempt to help 'the help'. Two maids and one white woman tell the story, enabling the reader to understand all opinions. It was unputdownable and excellently told from beginning to end. Stockett's skill has enabled me to gain historical perspective on a major issue as well as an emotional understanding of the people at the time by relating to her characters, which were all believable.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe |
An incredible book written about an incredible woman's experiences during WWII. Her positivity is inspiring - although obviously based on a horrific part of history, it's amazing to read about the strength of the human spirit and the meaning even a few books can bring to people in the worst of situations. Surprisingly the writing was more captivating than many English novels and, if I hadn't known, I wouldn't have guessed this was a translation from Spanish. Definitely one of my favourite novels.
(bwl 93 Summer 2019) |
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The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver |
This is an amazing story, certainly one of my favourites, exploring a missionary family's life. The American family is made up of four sisters and their parents. Most of the novel is set in Africa and each character deals with their situation in an entirely different way. The reader receives multiple perspectives. The book describes the culture extremely well and is clearly well researched. It is very moving and appears realistic. Favourite read of 2010.
(bwl 60 Spring 2011) |
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The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson |
The main character is called Annika and she is an orphan found by a young cook called Ellie while she is on a walk with her fellow housemaid, Sigrid, who works for the same professors as Ellie. When she is older a woman comes to their house and claims she is the mother of the girl, but things don't turn out as well as expected.
(bwl 28 February 2005) |
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The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
Captivating and difficult to put down, linking characters in an intelligent way while maintaining an intriguing plot, this is Settlefield's debut novel as well as the first of her writing I have read and I definitely want to read more. There is a gothic element and obvious parallels with classics like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights but the story is unique in the way it is written, in a mesmerising style that is very obviously written by a reader.
(bwl 95 Winter 2020) |
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Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo |
Its genre is adventure. Gracie and her best friend Daniel live on an island. She is led into great danger when he persuades her to visit the Birdman even though this is forbidden by all the parents. The Birdman is deaf and the children want the islanders to believe he is a nice man. I liked the fact that when they were in real trouble you did not know what was going to happen next.
(bwl 24 June 2004) |
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