Books

This page will be used to discuss or list the books I am reading through my Unscheduled Journey of Cancer. I am no good at the ‘blurb’ thing people do. I can only tell you how I felt when I read the book. What I thought of the people in the book that sort of thing. There will be no blurb from me.

The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins. My Score – 7/10

My Opinion – I loved this book for the ease of the read. I didn’t have to think too much, it was all there for me nice and easy to read. What I found quite fascinating was the fact I didn’t particularity like any of the characters but couldn’t put the book down. You know how when you read a book, there is usually at least one person you really like or can relate too but this book, I didn’t really like any person. Don’t get me wrong, I could certainly relate to one of them and maybe that is why I didn’t really like her. I saw a side of me in this particular person in the book that I didn’t particularity like but all the same, I really enjoyed it.

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1984 – George Orwell. My Score – 7/10

My Opinion – This book did my head in! From what I hear, this is a book many teenagers were asked/made to read through their high school years and let me tell you this… if this book had been given to me as a 14 year old to read and write an essay on, I don’t think I would have ever picked up another book again. It is so deep and dark but as a teenager, I would have gotten lost in the book and confused. Even as an adult, I still became a little lost and confused but found my way back eventually. I will say this is an interesting book and reminded me in parts of the Divergent series. I am not sure anyone else will see similarities in anything, in fact, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has read this book and has seen similarities in any other book. The end of this book freaked me out to the point of not being able to sleep and needing a few sleeping tablets to help me.

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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou – 9/10

Love Love Love this book. In all honesty, I don’t know much about this very famous and apparently inspirational woman but this book was a little peak into her young life. This was a quick and easy read but gave so much information about a certain period of Maya’s life. I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her books. There is so much honesty, innocence and life in this little book.

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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs – 8/10

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. I had absolutely no idea what was happening, where we were going but it was fun, well written and even a wee bit out there. I would recommend this to someone who wants to read something a little different, a little mystical and magical that takes you into a new world.  Something I absolutely adored through this book were the photos. Yep, whilst not a biography of any sort, there were real black and white photos through out the book that were amazing. It wasn’t until the end of the book that I found out these are real photos from way back that had been orphaned. Not the people (that we know off) but photos that one buys at a market or online. Photos without a story but these are real people in the photos. That kind of made me sad that these photos have a story somewhere but no one will ever know the real story. I love that the author saw this as a sad thing too and created stories for these photos.

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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce  – 4/10

This book was read in a 24 hour period and whilst it was a nice gentle read, it was often predictable and a little dull. I don’t like to be mean but I know there would be many people who would really enjoy this book but unfortunately, it is not a book that I can say I loved, or even liked in some places. Thankfully there were a few characters in this book that kept me interested enough to follow it through to the end.

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A Clash of Kings – George R.R. Martin – 9/10

I didn’t think this would be a series I would get into. My Sam has watched each and every episode of this series and loved every bit of it. Each time I have walked into his lounge room (yes, we have separate living rooms) what I have seem of Game of Thrones has been horrid. Sculls being crunched, women raped and animals killed. Not my thing…. until I picked up book 1 pre cancer. Pro cancer, I read a Clash of Kings and loved it even more than book 1. OMG, it takes me to places unknown, mum reminded me that these places are fictional but that is not the point. I love and hate the characters. The reason this book didn’t get a 10/10 is simply because the author changes the characters names constantly and I am forever having to refer to the back of the book to remind myself who is who. I know we all have nick names, goodness knows I have a few but geez, for those as dopey as myself, keep the name the same 🙂

Usually, I would read something totally different between such an epic book but I couldn’t do it. I had to go straight to book three.