Monday 10 October 2011

3 book reviews, lots of learning!

Sorry for the stupidly late review. If your a regular follower of my blog (nicholasthoughts.blogspot.com) you will know I have just started my final year at university and i have a shockingly packed workload, if you mention dissertation I will give you the look of death....
Anyway lets get onto some book reviews :)

The Shack by William Young
OK so this book is about a guy who's daughter gets murdered whilst on a camping trip with friends. A few years later after being angry at god, and grieving he receives a letter from God asking to meet him in the shack where police had found her bloody clothes.
Firstly i must state that I do believe in God so obviously I have a different view to Atheist who I personally think would pick up about 10000 faults with this book. However though i do believe in God i'm not one of those people who are totally OMG I LOVE YOU GOD. I'm your regular 21 year old uni student who loves reading books.
I loved how this book challenged our perspective on who/what God is, i especially loved the walking on water part of the book where it really hit home that you need someone to 'guide' or 'help' you through out life or else you would slowly sink. I can really relate to this book (except for the murdering aspect!) and it has taught me a great deal about life and made me question some of my beliefs on the subject of forgiveness. I really do recommend this book, even if you are an Atheist this book does provide some good topics to think about and discuss with others.

Rating: 5/5

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
One of the saddest books i have ever read. Clay Jenson receives a mysterious package one morning containing a set of tapes. When he listens to the tapes he hears the voice of a fellow student who recently committed suicide (Hannah Barker) and who he had a crush on, she relays to the chosen few named on the tapes the reasons why she committed suicide and why they are to blame.
As the title suggests there are 13 reasons why she comfits suicide; 13 people including Clay are mentioned in these tapes and told how they contributed- no matter how innocent, small or major!
Its really interesting seeing how small events can collect and make someone consider/commit suicide. I do think some of the events were slightly out there and i know people who have been in far worse situations who did not commit suicide, but i do know people are different, so it did open my eyes to what i could do might effect someone else!
I really loved how the book is laid out, as the recording and Clay's comments alternate. It makes you feel like you are Clay and can really emphasise with Hannah and Clay.

Rating: 4/5

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
I love anything by Jodi Picoult, and this book did not disappoint!
It centres around an Amish girl who hides a pregnancy, gives birth in secret and then the baby dies. The dead baby is later found and the police are called in. The girl denies ever having a baby and there starts the media circus surrounding the unsuspecting Amish community who would never hurt a fly to the people who want justice for the baby.
I read this book in 1 day whilst on holiday.... so you can see how absolutely amazing it is! I really do believe this is a must read book for everyone. Jodi Picoult really gets to grips with the ins and outs of the Amish community and the court case to go with it, I really enjoyed this book mainly because of the detailing which is what Jodi does best. The characters have so much depth and felt so real, and believable.
The ending however i hated, i won't spoil it for you BUT its a shocker and i hated it. It would have been so much better to have just left it as it was, but i see where Jodi came from when she decided on that ending- all is not so black and white!!

Rating: 5/5