Tuesday 10 July 2012

Summer Sun; Holiday reads

As many of you are lucky enough to be going away (or not live in the cold, wet UK) I thought I'd do a post covering all the latest popular books that everyone seems to be raving about. I love taking books to read with me on the beach. As I've had quite a bit of time on my hands I've managed to read the books before actually going away!



Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
I can't not mention this, over the past few its gained popularity (and noteriety!) for it's raunchiness! The fact this came up in Amazon's 'Erotic Adult fiction' tells all! The story follows Anastasia and Christian Grey, she is a young unexperienced girl seduced by him, a rich entrepeneur who has a penchant for S&M, with the same tired personality traits attached to Mr Darcy; aloof, proud, arrogant yet mysterious. Its not particularly well written or realistic. The erotic scenes are at times cringey and the characters unrelatable. However a story develops and it is interesting at times, and after all the hype I don't think you can't not read it! Theres also 'Fifty shades darker' & 'Fifty shades freed' to look forward to!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
After the success of the 2011 film starring Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain I became interested in the book felt this should be included. It is narrated, mainly by Eugenia Phelan who has returned to her family's cotton farm in Mississippi in 1962. All her peers are married and abusive/racist towards their black maids. She doesn't agree with this and begins to write a book of the maid's experiences which is when the story also becomes narrated by Aibileen and Minny, two black maids. I found it funny, ironic and and not patronizing in terms of trying to deliver what life was like, for both sides, as civil war breaks out in Mississippi. I couldn't put it down.

A Storm of Swords Part one: Steel and Snow by George R.R. Martin
There is no way I could have not included this in my summer reading list as an avid fan of 'Game of Thrones', based on this series by Martin. It is the first part of the third volume. [PLEASE NOTE; MAY BE SPOILERS TO THE SERIES]. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, his rival, Stannis is defeated, Daenerys is trying to get across the continent to claim the throne with her dragons. Tyrion's life takes an expected turn, as does Sansa's. Rob stark wears his crown of the North and weds his bride all while the undead are stirring beyond the wall. I chose this as the first to read as it follows on from where the second series ended and I'm lazy in this regards; I never read the previous books, so I have nothing to compare it to. It is written well and it is long, very long but readable. I would recommend this for all fans of the show and those interested in this kind of genre.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This was also included in my list after the 2012 sucessful film and I felt I had to read the book and see what all the fuss was about it had been dubbed the 'next twilight'. A dystopian novel set in future America, divided into twelve districts and controlled by the 'capital'. Once a year a girl and a boy from each district are chosen at random to compete in 'The Hunger games' a televised event where they must fight to they death until there is one surviver. If they do not compete, the 'capital' punishes their area. It shows how banal and ridiculous reality tv is to an extreme as Collins uses these games to make real the world she has created. It is narrated by Katniss Everdeen the protaganist who I found hard to like at times and the novel is not the written with any flair or particularly interesting description. But it is still a good read, and aimed at younger teenagers after all.

Before I got to sleep by S J Watson
Recommended by amazon to me, I read the reviews of this pyschcological drama and felt it had to be put in my basket. Listed among the popular reads for 2012 I can see why. Some have compared it to the films; 50 First Dates and Memento. I disagree, yes it is about memory loss on a daily basis, but the sinister undertones are based in a domestic suburban setting which gives it an eerie feel. Christine wakes up each morning not knowing her life, her husband Ben must help her relearn it each morning. Unknown to Ben, Dr Nash has taken an interest in the case and calls up Christine each morning to direct her to her secret journal that only the two of them know about.  Ben acts suspicious and Dr Nash is creepily always avaliable and advocates her discoveries. Its a great read with a twist I couldn't guess. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks for reading, do any of you have holiday reads or books you really want to read.? Have you already been away- did you take anything to read?

Please comment/subsribe if you liked this post :)

26 comments :

  1. I love the way you describe 50 Shades of Grey. At last an honest opinion! :)
    The Style Diagnostic

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    1. Haha thanks, I was hoping I didn't sound too pessimistic about it :s
      Daniella x

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  2. heya x

    I've read 50 shades and hunger games, i need to check out the other ones you have recommended! x

    www.divagirlstrikesagain.blogspot.co.uk

    Natali Crystal xox

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    1. Hi, thanks I really enjoyed reading the others :) I liked youre review of fifty shades of grey!
      Daniella x

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  3. I've read all three hunger games books and loved all three. I want to read The Help and I need to see the film as well xx

    http://ateeniebitofthisandthat.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. After reading the first one I want to buy the next two, as its how life is after the games isn't it? Looking forward to reading it :) And The Help film(& book!) are really good I'd definitely recommend them
      Daniella x

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  4. I have to say I'm not on the band wagon of 50 shades of grey but just love reading. Infact I'm thinking of starting a book club if your interested?

    Tanesha x
    www.tanesha-marie.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I love reading too :) I was such a bookworm when I was younger but I find it harder to get into books these days, I'd love to join a book club!
      Daniella x

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  5. oooo i loved reading this post! I read the hunger games last week, i bought it for my holiday but couldn't wait to read! I agree, it wasn't particularly amazingly written, but i found myself not being able to put it down! :)xo

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    1. Thank you! I bought it for my holiday too, but ended up reading it last week (my hols in august!) I found I couldn't put it down either, I'm looking forward to reading the next two :)
      Daniella x

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  6. hunger games is such an amazing book :)
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/
    X

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    1. I really liked it, I enjoyed the film too :)
      Daniella x

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  7. I love The Hunger Games, just finished Catching Fire now I'm on to Mockingjay xx

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    1. I've just ordered the next two, looking forward to reading them. Just waiting for the postie to deliver them now :)
      Daniella x

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  8. Interesting post - I've only read the top two. Thought 50 shades was awfully written, and cringey like you say. The Help was great though :)

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    1. Thank you. I agree Fifty shades was terrible- but I jumped on the bandwagon! I love The Help (and the film too!)
      Daniella x

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  9. great post! love the hunger games but oh my god game of thrones is amazing. i had to follow because of this :)

    anansays.blogspot.com x

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    1. Thank you! Yes I love Games of Thrones I only ordered the book on a whim because I love the tv series so much, Looking forward to series three!
      Daniella x

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  10. I'm on the first Game of Thrones book right now and I'm loving every page of it! Still haven't gotten around to 50 Shades of Grey.

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    1. I need to order the full series of Games of Thrones after reading this one (tv and book haha!) I loved it!
      Daniella x

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  11. I'm currently reading the hunger games - i like this list - i may just purchase x

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    1. Its a good book. I've jsut ordered the other two in the series. I would defintely recommend all those above (with the exception of Fifty shades!) I loved reading all of them
      Daniella x

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  12. Hello!

    I really love your blog and I've nominated you for a *drum roll please* "Liebster Blog Award!*

    Check my blog out, I've linked your page in one of my posts xx

    Natali xox

    www.divagirlstrikesagain.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you! Thats so nice of you! I'll check it out:)
      Daniella x

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  13. I wasn't too impressed with 50 shades of grey. I jumped on the bandwagon as I saw all my friends talking about it (and indeed read it on holiday lol) but I just found the story to be a bit shallow and obscure, and too sex-filled! Every time I thought the story would develop a bit further it just ended in another sex scene haha.

    Alice

    http://secretsofawannabecharlotte.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I agree completely I definitely jumped on the bandwagon! And the story is one dimensional and bland- and cringey!
      Daniella x

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