Since I've had my Kindle, I have been reading more than I have done in years. I've re-visited some of my old favourites, and discovered some new authors and new books! In the spirit of sharing, I thought that at the end of every month I'd give a little bit of a review of the books and short stories I've read over the last month, and which one I liked best. I'm a nightmare for dipping in and out of books without finishing them, so I'll only put books here that I've finished :)
Oh - and I didn't realise that I'd read quite so many this month....sorry!!
Life and Laughing: My Story by Michael McIntyre
I really fancied this one, especially after really enjoying Peter Kay's books. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I guess I was expecting it to be funnier, when in reality it is just his autobiography. Nothing wrong in that, and it was certainly interesting to learn more about Michael's parents and upbringing I was just left feeling it could have been so much more than it was...So I'd say only read it if you're a real fan who wants to know what made Michael the comedian he is, rather than expecting a comedic history.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
A book I've been meaning to read for a while, as I have read practically none of the books that always appear on those top 100 lists! I enjoyed it, more than I expected actually, although it was shorter than I thought it would be. The film seemed to be quite a faithful interpretation of the book as well. I do love the idea of books being kept alive the way they are in the story as well.
I, Zombie by Nick Spalding (short story)
I discovered Nick by browsing through the Amazon free downloads list - this was a short story that seemed well rated and intriguing enough and so I downloaded it. It really is a very short story, about the length of a magazine article I guess, about a zombie who isn't quite a zombie yet, but it certainly made me chuckle. I enjoyed the style of writing and the twist on the usual zombie tale. As you can see, I went on to download quite a few more of his books and stories, so you can take that as a thumbs up!
Life...With No Breaks by Nick Spalding
This one is a "proper" book length book if you know what I mean. I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. Quite fitting as the book was written in one sitting. If you like reading blogs then you'll probably love this book. As I say, Nick wrote it in one sitting, and it's just an outpouring of his mind's meanderings, views and stories. I found it akin to sitting with a friend and putting the world to rights, enjoyable and not heavy going at all.
Life...On A High by Nick Spalding
Very similar to the previous book, however this one was written on flights to and from Australia. Once again very easy to read and get into. The perfect book if you're not looking for anything too taxing, you'll end up thinking you know Nick far too well lol!
Unlucky In Death by Dan Dillard (short story)
Another Amazon freebie, this time about a vampire who doesn't like blood - again, very short but it's got a funny little twist, and if you want something just to read during a lunch break it's perfect :)
The Cornerstone by Nick Spalding
Yep, another one by Nick, I'm really pleased I stumbled across him that's for sure. This is very different from the other two books, crossing into fantasy rather than reality. A bored teen stumbles across a very special book in his local library and finds himself transported to another world. I was intrigued by the blurb and as it was only a cheapie I bought it. The story captured me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I would suppose that it's more aimed at the Young Adult market. It's a good read, and has some interesting twists and ideas. I'd recommend it anyway :)
Spine Slaughter by Nick Spalding (short story)
Very silly, but worth a read. Another short story by Nick. In fact I think I'd like to know more about the killer hedgehogs....
World War Z : An Oral History by Max Brooks
I'm never one to turn up a zombie story, and as a film is being made of this book I thought I'd give it a go. It was nothing at all like I expected. The story is told in a series of interviews which allows many different view points to the disaster encompassing earth. I really enjoyed it, I loved the fact that it was in-depth and not sensationalist, almost like reading a report on an actual event. Highly recommended.
Six Seconds (MIRA) by Rick Mofina
The first time I'd heard of or read any of Rick Mofina's books, and downloaded it as a freebie. I can't say the story was the best I've ever read, but it certainly gripped me enough to keep me interested until the end, although the ending is quite easy to see coming, but that doesn't make it a bad read by any means. Worth a read, especially as a free download!
A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
My first re-read of the month!! That's good going for me :) I love Bill Bryson, I love his dry view of the world and his sweet optimism that everything will turn out for the best! This book journals his attempt to walk the 2000+ miles of the Appalachian Trail with his friend. Very funny and one to read if you haven't read any of his books before.
The Mayan Prophecy by Steve Alten
I downloaded this one after seeing a FB friend say they couldn't put it down. I'll agree that it does keep you reading, but some of that is to try and make sense of the story. It centres around the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 and what that means for mankind. It's okay, but the mixture of fact, historical information and sci fi is one that may not work for everyone...This is part one of a trilogy and I'm not entirely sure if I'll bother with the next one.
Next by Michael Crichton
I've read a few Michael Crichton books, but not for a while, so whilst I was browsing through my Kindle trying to work out what I wanted to read, I stumbled across this one. I am rather fond of a scientific/medical thriller type book and this one was about genetics. The therapies, research and hidden problems regarding the world of genetic research. I did enjoy this one, I'd say it was slightly too much, there are tons of side stories in this one, lots of characters to try and keep track of, and storylines that you get involved in but seem to be left loose. Besides that, it's a good book, and I enjoyed reading it, I also enjoyed the essay ending with Crichton explaining the reason he wrote the book and the explanations of his views on genetic testing. Besides, what's not to like about a book with an intelligent, talking Grey Parrot :)
So there you have it, all the books I've read this month. My favourite was Next, and I'd say the one I wouldn't bother with again would be Life and Laughing. Now I just have to decide what to read next month...any suggestions are welcome :)
Oh - and I didn't realise that I'd read quite so many this month....sorry!!
Life and Laughing: My Story by Michael McIntyre
I really fancied this one, especially after really enjoying Peter Kay's books. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I guess I was expecting it to be funnier, when in reality it is just his autobiography. Nothing wrong in that, and it was certainly interesting to learn more about Michael's parents and upbringing I was just left feeling it could have been so much more than it was...So I'd say only read it if you're a real fan who wants to know what made Michael the comedian he is, rather than expecting a comedic history.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
A book I've been meaning to read for a while, as I have read practically none of the books that always appear on those top 100 lists! I enjoyed it, more than I expected actually, although it was shorter than I thought it would be. The film seemed to be quite a faithful interpretation of the book as well. I do love the idea of books being kept alive the way they are in the story as well.
I, Zombie by Nick Spalding (short story)
I discovered Nick by browsing through the Amazon free downloads list - this was a short story that seemed well rated and intriguing enough and so I downloaded it. It really is a very short story, about the length of a magazine article I guess, about a zombie who isn't quite a zombie yet, but it certainly made me chuckle. I enjoyed the style of writing and the twist on the usual zombie tale. As you can see, I went on to download quite a few more of his books and stories, so you can take that as a thumbs up!
Life...With No Breaks by Nick Spalding
This one is a "proper" book length book if you know what I mean. I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. Quite fitting as the book was written in one sitting. If you like reading blogs then you'll probably love this book. As I say, Nick wrote it in one sitting, and it's just an outpouring of his mind's meanderings, views and stories. I found it akin to sitting with a friend and putting the world to rights, enjoyable and not heavy going at all.
Life...On A High by Nick Spalding
Very similar to the previous book, however this one was written on flights to and from Australia. Once again very easy to read and get into. The perfect book if you're not looking for anything too taxing, you'll end up thinking you know Nick far too well lol!
Unlucky In Death by Dan Dillard (short story)
Another Amazon freebie, this time about a vampire who doesn't like blood - again, very short but it's got a funny little twist, and if you want something just to read during a lunch break it's perfect :)
The Cornerstone by Nick Spalding
Yep, another one by Nick, I'm really pleased I stumbled across him that's for sure. This is very different from the other two books, crossing into fantasy rather than reality. A bored teen stumbles across a very special book in his local library and finds himself transported to another world. I was intrigued by the blurb and as it was only a cheapie I bought it. The story captured me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I would suppose that it's more aimed at the Young Adult market. It's a good read, and has some interesting twists and ideas. I'd recommend it anyway :)
Spine Slaughter by Nick Spalding (short story)
Very silly, but worth a read. Another short story by Nick. In fact I think I'd like to know more about the killer hedgehogs....
World War Z : An Oral History by Max Brooks
I'm never one to turn up a zombie story, and as a film is being made of this book I thought I'd give it a go. It was nothing at all like I expected. The story is told in a series of interviews which allows many different view points to the disaster encompassing earth. I really enjoyed it, I loved the fact that it was in-depth and not sensationalist, almost like reading a report on an actual event. Highly recommended.
Six Seconds (MIRA) by Rick Mofina
The first time I'd heard of or read any of Rick Mofina's books, and downloaded it as a freebie. I can't say the story was the best I've ever read, but it certainly gripped me enough to keep me interested until the end, although the ending is quite easy to see coming, but that doesn't make it a bad read by any means. Worth a read, especially as a free download!
A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
My first re-read of the month!! That's good going for me :) I love Bill Bryson, I love his dry view of the world and his sweet optimism that everything will turn out for the best! This book journals his attempt to walk the 2000+ miles of the Appalachian Trail with his friend. Very funny and one to read if you haven't read any of his books before.
The Mayan Prophecy by Steve Alten
I downloaded this one after seeing a FB friend say they couldn't put it down. I'll agree that it does keep you reading, but some of that is to try and make sense of the story. It centres around the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 and what that means for mankind. It's okay, but the mixture of fact, historical information and sci fi is one that may not work for everyone...This is part one of a trilogy and I'm not entirely sure if I'll bother with the next one.
Next by Michael Crichton
I've read a few Michael Crichton books, but not for a while, so whilst I was browsing through my Kindle trying to work out what I wanted to read, I stumbled across this one. I am rather fond of a scientific/medical thriller type book and this one was about genetics. The therapies, research and hidden problems regarding the world of genetic research. I did enjoy this one, I'd say it was slightly too much, there are tons of side stories in this one, lots of characters to try and keep track of, and storylines that you get involved in but seem to be left loose. Besides that, it's a good book, and I enjoyed reading it, I also enjoyed the essay ending with Crichton explaining the reason he wrote the book and the explanations of his views on genetic testing. Besides, what's not to like about a book with an intelligent, talking Grey Parrot :)
So there you have it, all the books I've read this month. My favourite was Next, and I'd say the one I wouldn't bother with again would be Life and Laughing. Now I just have to decide what to read next month...any suggestions are welcome :)
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