One Hundred Names - Cecelia Ahern

‘Ps I Love You’, ‘If You Could See Me Now’, ‘A Place Called Here’; three of my many favourite titles, each written by the uniquely talented Cecelia Ahern. An Irish born author who succeeds with her creative imagination. Designing original ideas that excite her readers through granting them an exclusive look at a world where they can use her words to face their fears, answer some of life's unavoidable questions and relate to her characters emotional states. She has taken me to a world where imaginary friends are real and a place where everything that’s ever gone missing, including people, end up. ‘One Hundred Names’, however, is a little bit more realistic. 

‘One Hundred Names’ begins in an emotional place. Kitty Logan, a journalist whos career has been faulted by a scandal, is to loose the woman who taught her everything she knows about writing to cancer, something a lot of people can relate to. Whilst at her bedside Kitty curiously asks ‘what is the one story she always wanted to write?’ Kitty finds the answer consists of a list of one hundred names, no explanation or connections between these people. Kitty returns to the hospital to quiz her friend but is too late. Back at work she is assigned the task of writing the story for her friend and this is where the books pace picks up. 

We follow Kitty through her rare ups and many downs with finding these one hundred people and solving their connections. I found myself reading into late hours of the night to discover the secrets Ahern teases you with. After each chapter I thought I’d cracked the code only to read on and find that none of my guesses were right. It is a fantastic book to keep your mind ticking!

On our journey we meet many more of Ahern's wonderful characters and learn their individual stories; from a shy, retired woman to a man who hears other peoples prayers. These intriguing characters in Kitty's world made me plead for Kitty to befriend them. But there were those who I wanted to reach into the pages and strangle!! This is an important component in any book, I find; the authors ability to make readers react to their words. To trigger an emotion from each reader about each character. The best authors know how to excite their readers to the point that they are trying to hide their grin, that stretches from ear to ear, whilst on the public bus to work. Sadden them to the point of crying in bed, surrounded by snotty tissues. Relieve them with a happy ending, adding in plenty of surprises to keep them on their toes, wanting to know more. All very key features that, I think, makes a book good reading material. And whilst Ahern succeeds these things in this work, for me, it is not Ahern’s best. It was too realistic for Ahern. She needs to revert back to her dreamlike story lines that immerse readers into a fictional creation that leaves them wondering how she comes up with such fantastic ideas and unthinkable twists. Although this isn’t shown as much in ‘One Hundred Names’ I would still say it’s worth a read due to it’s unexpected ending which tugged at the heart strings and left me with one final feeling; hope. 

Cecelia Ahern, in my eyes, you are up there with the great writers. You continue to please me with your words and every time you announce a new book I wonder (excitedly) what it will possibly be about! So, if you ever fancy a good read and enjoy comedy, romance, mystery and relatable story lines, but also have lots of imagination to spend, pick up ‘One Hundred Names’ or any of Ahern's collection. You won't be disappointed.