The long awaited "The Radio" Review

Full of charming characters and humour 'The Radio' brings us an entirely new twist on life. 

Jonathan Lee welcomes us into a family which, like many, has it's secrets and dark stories. We watch as characters grow into new shoes and become much bolder. 

Written in a smooth flowing way this book traps you and keeps you intrigued to know more. 

I enjoyed the comedy element of this book. It was genuinely a laugh out loud read. Although there are some heavy moments that prick your eyes with tears, these are significant to the story and, once you get through them, the book reveals a really lovely tale. 

I just have to mention George is such a loveable character. Everything about him makes my heart warm. I can't wait to read more about the Poppletons! 

Relatable characters who you can picture living next door, laugh out loud moments injected with the blues and an ending that you do not expect. An all round great read written by a fantastic author. 

Matt Haig - The Humans

Humans embark on journeys everyday to ‘find themselves’. Haig’s character, as far as I’m aware, has gone the furthest yet. Most would travel, learn a new language, pick up a new instrument or just read a book and develop a change. Haig’s character however takes a different route; a roller-coaster of emotion, and we get to witness the right and wrong decisions being made on this 'trip'. At one point I literally talked to the book, pleading for the character to choose the other option. Haig has created a manual to life and has produced something quite unique that really does send your head spinning and heart beating. 

When a thought to be impossible mathematics problem is solved by a professor on Earth, it does not seem to go down well with others in outer space. Professor Andrew Martin of Cambridge University wakes up naked on a motorway unsure of everything. He hates everyone and everything in this world. He thinks clothes are pointless and the food is gross. Even his wife is too horrific to look at. Lucky for him he needn’t be there long to complete his mission. But what happens when he finds a friend in a dog named Newton, reads poetry by Emily Dickinson and discovers the beautiful harmony of peanut butter and bread? 

My first impressions were that it’s such a relatable book. Everyone can pick this up and learn something from it. It is a funny read too, reading about what an alien might make of planet Earth. I actually found myself nodding along to the opinions on things such as magazines, human bodies, capitalism, the weather and “the things we do to make us happy that actually make us miserable.” I couldn’t help but agree. I really wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did but when Haig’s character starts defining things found on Earth like cows and photographs, you really do have to chuckle along. 

As the story goes on though it becomes heart warming, special and you find yourself needing to know more. My only critique in fact is that it was maybe too long towards the end when you really just want to know what happens. But maybe that’s just me - cut to the chase. Haig does write beautifully though so even through my impatience I learnt. One of my favourite lines that highlights his brilliant technique for writing; “She smiled a sad smile, and blew a brown tide of ripples across the surface of her drink.” A simple thing to happen yet such a wonderful description. A mesmerising way to make an ordinary moment, extraordinary.  

I could go on and on, picking out clever lines and favoured parts but instead I will just recommend you put it on your reading list. It’s a wonderful tale and incorporates surprise, love and humour. My three favourite things to find in the pages of a book. It isn’t truthful, but Haig is honest throughout. After reading you may question things around you, see things differently, love more, hurt less. I guarantee whatever it is, you will feel something. It is a powerful read and I thank Matt Haig for sharing this story with us. 

5/5

Have you read it? What did you think? 

Please leave me a comment below :) 

The Best Parts Of My Bookshelf

So as a reviewer my interest falls mainly on books/films/music and I guess I wanted to go through each of these - at different times - and discuss my favourites. So this blog entry brings you the three top titles on my bookshelf and why. 

Maybe it should be entitled "Why Cecelia Ahern is my Favourite Author" because most of my favourite titles come from her mind, but I'll just pick my favourite book by her (tough decision) and discuss that one, and then move on to a different author. But just so you know this is going to be difficult... 

Top Title Number 3 is Matt Haig's The Humans. This book is borrowed which sadly means it cannot live on my shelf forever but I am certainly considering buying my own copy to keep for when times get rough. Because Haig writes as if he knows all your problems and helps you through them with his words. 

Professor Andrew Martin solves the seemingly impossible mathematical problem but disappears. Found wandering naked along a motorway he seems different. Even his wife and son find him to be inhumane. Can he prevent himself from killing all those connected with his findings? Is peanut butter really invented by such a terrible race? The Humans is the reason for the phrase 'weird and wonderful'. 

Top Title Number 2 has to be Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games Trilogy. 

Being part of the poorest district doesn't benefit anyone, especially Katniss Everdeen when she is called up to fight in a battle where 24 go in but only 1 returns. 

My heart stopped quite a few times whilst reading this book. The lead roles are relatable and I pictured myself in Katniss' position countless of times as I watched her story unfold. What would I do in that situation? Who would I trust if I was her? I fell in love with this book, and that love only grew after reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay. It's got action, emotion and romance all packed into one. 

But the crowned winner, Top Title Number 1 is Cecelia Ahern - If You Could See Me Now. 

Elizabeth Egan leads a busy lifestyle, running her own business whilst looking after her sisters son, Luke. She doesn't have friends and a man is the last thing on her mind. 

Ivan, fun loving, spontaneous and always seeking an adventure to embark on, finds himself befriending Luke and soon enough Elizabeth too. He helps her rekindle with aspects of her life she considered to be lost. But is Ivan too good to be true?

This heart warming and imaginative tale is what Cecelia Ahern is all about. Leaving you hanging onto every word and never wanting the stories that she writes to end. I found myself reading this book again and again and every time experiencing a different emotion. I would happily read it more too because it just doesn't get boring. It's a beautiful piece of fiction that I love having on my bookshelf, close to hand. 

So there you have it. My three top titles on my bookshelf at the moment. Each different from one another in so many ways but all fantastic reads carrying ingenious twists, which I recommend you discover when you get the chance. 

What are your favourite books on your shelf? 

Leave me a comment below :) 

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.

Divergent - Veronica Roth

Divergent, a title so strong the words printed inside the pages have to grip the reader with tense instances of suspense and thrill. A challenging task but one Veronica Roth succeeds with distinction. Here’s why:

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the world was separated into five factions? Five categories to choose from when you reach the age of 16. Do you stay with your family and obide by the rules you grew up with, or challenge your comfort zone and explore a new race? Abnegation, Dauntless, Erudite, Amity and Candor, where would you belong?

Roth allows us to experience such a contrasting world in her book ‘Divergent’. We are educated about each faction’s history and reasoning for belonging in this new, post-war world. What each district provides to create a world so defiant against war, but there’s always someone who wants a fight. Written through the eyes of sixteen year old Beatrice, we witness her making her decision which makes and breaks a lot of aspects in her life. Despite Beatrices’ best efforts to just be in her faction, she is confronted with challenges and occurences no sixteen year old should have to face during her grueling initiation process.There are moments of fantastic, nerve-wracking, nail biting moments on every other page where we question if Beatrice will survive. We meet interesting characters along the way who we grow to love and hate as they each play an effective role in Beatrices’ life. ’Divergent’ will make you question what you would do if you were in Beatrices’ shoes; could you locate and utilise inner courage and bravery to fight or would you be cowardice and bow down to authority?

The story reveals Roth’s fantastic imagination and clear brilliance for writing, however I must add that I found a flaw. The ending. For me, it felt too quick and easy considering the beautifully gripping build ups. I am not left yearning to know what happens next. For some you will love the ending, for me it was rushed. I would still recommend the book however, especially to those who enjoy being immersed into a whole new, futuristic, post-war world. So read it. It’s one way of experiencing a plan of action designed to keep the world at peace.

Picture a life full of choices, chance and challenges and that is what you will discover when reading this book. Roth’s writing grants us vivid images and breath taking moments as she takes us on a journey through the factions.