Books are important in our lives. There's always a good story ready to be discovered and when you do, you've found a whole new world; realistic or not. England ranking #7 in the stats for 15 year-olds who read and #15 for Americans, it shows that not many of us read, and like it or not, it is a crucial skill. Reading opens up our minds and imagination, it gives those who are struggling another world to put their mind to for a while, it gives masterminds inspirations, and it likes to take up my entire Saturday (how selfish?!).
Anyway, enough babbling, Frosty and I (Bitesized) are going to kindly recommend our favourites and material worth reading and hopefully do some book 'give aways', just keep following! [Number of stars given will be done in '*', for example, five-out-of-five would be *****]
Our current reads:-
Bitesized: ~When God Was a Rabbit, ~Wuthering Heights, ~Wild Swans
Frosty:
Content:
> The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins. *****
> Before I Go to Sleep - SJ Watson. ***
> Forgotten - Cat Patrick. ****
> Uglies - Scott Westerfeld. *****
> The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffeneger. *****
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The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins.
The Hunger Games (you may have seen a film trailer) is about a adolescent girl (Katniss) who has to look after her mother and sister (Prim) from the age of eleven (when her father died in a mine-shaft explosion. Every year, a television show to remind how powerful the officials are, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to take place in what they call 'the Hunger Games' where you either win, or die. It all happens when Prim's name is drawn out, Katniss takes her place. The boy who was drawn out to join with her for their district was someone who saved her life from starvation when she was young. Little does she know his real reason for why he did it..
This is the second book that has made me unable to do anything else until I had finished it. It may seem like a book for a thirteen year old but I guarantee if you gave it to an adult, they would give you the same reaction that I have.
I strongly recommend you give this book a try. :D *five out-of five*
£4.50 at Waterstones if bought online: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/suzanne+collins/the+hunger+games/6327620/
~Bitesized.
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Catching Fire - Suzanne Colins - (P.S, don't read this if not read The Hunger Games)
Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games. Katniss is still alive but her friends and family won't be because of her rebellion act if she doesn't do as President Snow says. She's forced to marry Peeta (and I won't say anymore or it will completely ruin it) and by the end of it, he is left behind. Peeta being Peeta shows his love through protecting Katniss, providing her with her favourite bread (buns topped with cheese) and finding her when she is lost. New characters who turn into alliances to be trusted or killed.. All rests in the hands of Haymitch and his plans. Is there a District 13? Have the Capitol been lying to them about their existance? I think I've given too much away now..
A new form of protection is there for Katniss to learn whilst she's growing up in this sequel which is probably why this is my favourite out of the three. The story is exciting with never ending cliffhangers. So worth reading if you can get past the first few chapters without being bored (didn't happen to me but apparently that what most people think). Words cannot explain how much I love this book. Just read it. *five-out-of-five*
£4.79 at Waterstones.co.uk, £7.99 if bought at store:
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Before I Go to Sleep - SJ Watson.
Before I Go to Sleep is about a middle aged woman (Christine) who suffers from amnesia, but it isn't just any type of amnesia.. Waking up everyday to not have remembered anything from her past except from tiny snippets of what happened before her graduation days, Christine is imprisoned from her memory, from the truth and from the man who claims to love her. Can a journal help her keep her life together? Or will everything be written in it be an unknown lie?Although bits of this book I didn't really care for, the overall story was thrilling and I couldn't wait to know the ending. Pay close attention to details because if you miss a line, some bits may be confusing. *three.five out-of five* (mild Adult parts)
Half price (£3.99) if bought online from WHSmiths: http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=35496113
~Bitesized.
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Forgotten - Cat Patrick.
Forgotten is similar to Before I Go to Sleep but is more suitable for teenagers. London, who suffers from an accident wakes up everyday not remembering a single thing of her past but she remembers the future like it happened yesterday.. Each night she writes down her reminders and events; if she doesn't, how does she remember her boyfriend? And why can't she remember him from her future? Can she help change the fate of others? And who's that person she has dreams of burying?This book, to me, was a lot more interesting to read than Before I Go to Sleep. Certain chapters sent my heat rushing and chills down my spine. At the end of the book, it made me frustrated because I knew there was no more of it to read as I was keen to know her fate but then the book would have been quite thick to go that far into her future. *four out-of five*
£4.89 at Waterstones if bought online: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/cat+patrick/forgotten/8225670/
~Bitesized.
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Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Uglies is a story set in the future and is the first in a triolgy. It's about a society that lives in a world where people are ugly until their 16th birthday when they get cosmetic surgery that turns them 'pretty'.
The book follows the story of a girl names Tally and begins on the last couple of weeks before her 16th birthday. Tally is all set on becoming a pretty until she meets a girl called Shay and the world as she knows it is turned around completely! Will Tally ever become pretty or will her special circumstance change her world forever?
This book is a fast paced page turned that will keep you hooked til the end, better buy them all at once because you will find yourself at some very frustrating cliff hangers
£5.39 online at WHSmiths: http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=9781847389060
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The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffeneger.
From the age of six, Clare met a man (Henry) in her playing field who she believes to be able to time travel. From a young age, Henry discovers he suffers (or not) from a gene malfunction which enables him to time travel. Clare has known Henry since the age of six yet Henry waited until he was an adult to discover her. Little did he know she already knew everything about him. Little did he know that she is the love of his life. Using the power of time travel, he tries to make up for his wrongs by cheating at the lottery, kissing Clare for the first time at the age of seventeen and other crazy things. One day, he sees himself time travel, but only to also see him have been shot. Does he die? And if they had children, would they time travel too? Or would it time travel away from the womb? And what if he really does die?
If you saw the movie and thought it was good, then you will be amazed by this book. If you saw the movie and didn't like it, you have to read this book. If you haven't seen the movie (and possibly want to see it) then you have to read this book (first before you decide on watching the movie.. After reading the book, the film is quite a disappointment).
Sorry for the long description. It's a thick book but so worth reading. It definitely has a sweet but bitter atmosphere that pulls you in and makes you feel that you're part of their lives. It covers romance, longingness (I know it's not a word), loss, depression, a different culture
and the fiction of time travelling which is an excellent element to this
novel. Audrey Niffenegger is somewhat of a genius (and I don't say that for many authors). EVERYONE should have a chance to read this book. It's already published as a future Vintage book (note: slight sexual content and swearing). *five-out-of-five*
£4.79 at Waterstones if bought online:
~Bitesized.
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Just letting everyone know that I can't spell ;)
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