If Only You Knew by Mags Storey

Hey all! Today I review "If Only You Knew" by Mags Storey which was (you'll see by my Summer Reading List) recommended to me by the mother of a friend of mine. I have Susan Barclay to thank for this amazing read.

This book starts off with a mystery. When Jo sees a guy get hit by a car of course the first logical thing she does is tell her sister and together they call the police. But when she goes back to visit her sister the next summer. She finds something that she never expected. She meets a great guy, maybe two or three and gets embroiled in the mystery of the small town of Silverpoint. But when her curiosity starts to endanger her life can she see it through to the end and find out what happened to the guy she saw get hit?

OK, OK, not the best description, the one on the back of the book is better. But it is a great read and keeps you guessing all the way through. Who will you trust? Sam, Kevin or the mysterious Nate, who's got a dangerous past a mile wide (which I won't go into here because spoilers).

This book, I have to admit, when I read the back of the book I was kind of hooked. However, for some reason, I found it really hard to get into, but that's just me. It is an amazing read when you really get into it.

It touches on, and focuses on, the impact that religion has in people's lives and the changes that happen in people's lives to make them turn to (or indeed away) from religion.

Mags Storey is a Canadian Author and she spins a tale of intrigue and romance that is absolutely gripping and she writes in ways that keep you guessing. I strongly recommend that everyone read this book. I think, especially people who are fans of mystery, romance and religion, will love it.

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

Hey all, I'm back from my brief trip to the states (I got the perfect shoes for my FanExpo costume) and it was most exciting. However, that's not why I'm here today. This review is on a book that I just recently finished and actually found quite interesting.

The Lathe of Heaven is about a man named George Orr who is capable of having "effective dreams", basically dreams so powerful they affect the world around them. Well, he starts having drug abuse problems because he's always hopped up on sleeping pills. He wants to stop the dreams you see, he's seen the destruction they can cause, despite all the good they can do. So he gets sent to a psychiatrist that specializes in dreams "Doctor Haber". But will Doctor Haber help George overcome his effective dreams or will he wreak havoc on the world as we (well, they) know it?

Sounds interesting doesn't it. I found this book quite good. I mean, who among us hasn't been fascinated by dreams and wonder if they have the power to predict the future or change it. But that's not the only reason I liked it. The characters are masterfully written, the settings vivid and the plot only thickens with each chapter. This book is a stark contrast to "The Wizard of Earthsea" from a society which could have been in our history, and older society with very little technology, to a futuristic society where dreams can change the world.

I really got into this book, although, at some points, I found Doctor Haver...um...Haber... very infuriating, especially as the book went on. There were some times where I just wanted to smack him over the head with his own files.

Despite the infuriating tendencies of Doctor Haber (but think about it, if you were in his position what would you do?) this book is a wonderful read, exciting, twisting, turning and truly gripping. I think everyone should read this book. I loved it and it's definitely on the list of ones I intend to read again.

Until next time! Also, Camp NaNo's July session is almost over but after that don't forget to keep writing, and reading!

As always you can reach me via the usual channels if you want to recommend a book or two for me to read and feel free to comment with what you think of my reviews as well!

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores by Jen Campbell

Hey again everyone, yes, a second review!

This book is phenomenally funny. Jen Campbell is author of a blog as well as this book and, as you might have guessed, the book is composed of all the weird and wacky, crazy, zany things that customers do and say in bookstores.

From 'Literary Pursuits' to 'Out of Print' (the first and last sections in the book) this book will keep you entertained for hours, hours I say. I came by this quite by accident, actually, I was in Uptown and, there's this little bookstore in Uptown that I like to go to, the one I mentioned had it's 30th anniversary recently(well I say recently but was that really May?) It's in my New Books post here. I was browsing, incidentally that's where I found out that 'The Book of Life' by Deborah Harkness (the third one in the Discovery of Witches series) was out in hardcover. I was browsing and I found it in the bargain bin interestingly enough. Well, I picked it up (and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern) and I left. I spent 2 hours in the Starbuck's down the street reading it (well almost 2 hours but let's not be pedantic) and I laughed the whole way through, though, some things were just a little sad.

I think Neil Gaiman puts it best (from the cover) "So funny. So sad...Read it and sigh"

I think absolutely everyone should read this book, it's funny, it's charming, and good if you're in need of a laugh or two (here blog can be found here) (Yes I'm experimenting with hyperlinks so sue me) Interestingly enough there is one more in this series currently (all the details are on her blog) but there is a third instalment coming autumn 2014)

Read this book and sigh, or laugh, or whatever you make of it. Definitely glad I picked it up.

See you another time readers, until next time keep reading!

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

Hi again guys, it's been a couple of days since my last review, 5 days to be exact and at long last I have come to the end of my journey )well, my next book in any case.

A Wizard of Earthsea is actually a tremendously difficult read. Like any classic, or classic style novel there's tons of exposition and, to be perfectly honest, I found it a bit of a hard read at times. It was good, don't get me wrong, just difficult. I don't know what it is about it that makes it so, it just is, although, there are dragons and, as you know, dragons and magic and quests makes anything worth reading. Despite being difficult to get through (even though it was only 200 pages) it was a great read. I put it down earlier tonight and I really felt like I'd been on Ged's quest with him, from his apprenticeship to the end of the journey.

When young Ged is apprenticed to the great sorcerer Ogion his life changes, after many years of learning from his master he learns that he is to go the great Wizard's School on Roke. While there he makes many friends and a couple of enemies naturally. He is young and prideful and boasts of his power and that leads him into danger. But when he starts to dabble in dark forces, forces he knows not of, what will become of him? Will his pride-fullness and wanton need to prove himself better than any other wizard get him killed? or will it do something worse. Of course you'll have to read to find out.

I really did like this book, I enjoyed it immensely and for lovers of fantasy, especially stories of wizards I would definitely recommend it without hesitation.

I know, sort review today, I continue to work my way through the list (found here if you want to see what I've read/will read) Of course I'm always open to suggestion either in the comments or over Twitter.

Until next time keep reading, and writing!

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

This book is magical. it carves the life of Kate Carver into immortality. Plain Kate grows up with her father, a brilliant woodcarver, in a small village. She learns to carve with him and soon is almost a master carver. She tells her father "I'll be a master carver by 20." But  one day the Skara Rok comes to the village and they look for a witch to blame. Since Kate has witches eyes (one blue, one brown) they look to blame her and she flees for her life. On her journey she runs into an actual witch but she runs away from him, straight into the arms of a travelling troupe of Roamers. She travels with them for a good while and then, just when things start looking up, Kate's life takes another turn for he worse. She flees the Roamers and starts life anew with her cat. Little does she know more trouble is on the way for her, and there's nothing she can do about it. What of the fate of Kate and her little cat? You'll have to read the book to find out.

This book was the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award but despite that it's not just a book for children. I would argue that it's not really a book for children at all but when you re-read Harry Potter at 19 you start to think that maybe that's a bit to intense for children too. But an old enough child might just find it fascinating and wonderful and mysterious to live in a magical world. It is indeed a masterful piece of writing and absolutely gripping. I say, to any who want to read it, do so, it is absolutely brilliant.

Well, that concludes my review for today. If you looked at my Summer Reading List you would have noticed that this book was recommended to me by a friend, or, in this case, a friend's mother, I'd like to Thank Susan Bee for recommending this book to me, it was a truly gripping read and one I'l come back to again and again.

An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England by Brock Clarke

Hello again everyone I'm back! It's the July session of Camp NaNo currently so I thought my reviews might be less frequent but, as it turns out, I have quite a bit of time to read in addition to having time to write.

An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England is narrated by Sam Pulsifer an, albeit slightly accidental, arsonist. After accidentally setting fire to a writer's home (I'm not telling you which one, you have to read the book) his life is never the same. He ends up going to jail for a number of years and when he finally gets out everything's changed. One day, while visiting his parents he finds out that people have written him, while he was in jail, to ask him to burn down other writer's homes. But he has a new life now, he's walked away from his past, or has he? when an unexpected figure shows up at his door his new life takes a nasty turn and secrets from the past are revealed. I'll leave you to find out the rest on your own if you read the book.

Let me preface this by saying that this book was an impulse check-out from my local library. I'd gone there with a list of things to look for (none of which they had on hand but all of which I put on hold) and there it was, on the display shelf, you know, the ones libraries have in the hopes that you'll check out some books that they're promoting. So I thought I'd check it out and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It's very well written and Sam's voice really speaks to you though the pages. Brock Clarke writes a brilliant narrative full of secrets and lies and ghosts from the past come back to haunt our narrator.

All in all I think I would give this book and 10/10. I think many people, literary enthusiasts included, would love it and it also, kind of, serves as a sight-seeing guide, if you go to New England which writer's houses should you see, kind of thing.

I definitely recommend reading this book. As always I am constantly taking suggestions for books to read and you can give me those suggestions via Twitter or in the comments below, if you have suggested a book that I have not yet reviewed, sorry about that, it's more than likely in my pile of library books to read and I will get to it I promise.

Until next time keep reading, and writing!

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

Hey all!!!

As you can see I'm steadily working my way through that pile of, like, 30 odd books (and the director's cut and final cut of Blade Runner. I may review some movies this summer as well, just for the heck of it. Also, as you may have noticed (or not, depending on how close attention you pay) this is my 60th post so it's kind of a milestone, hence my possible movie review start.

Bridget Jones Diary is a witty and funny and totally great. Bridget herself is absolutely hilarious and a relatable character. Her diary chronicles a year in her life during which she wants to find a boyfriend, quit smoking, drink less and lose weight while dealing with her parent's problems and navigating a couple of jobs. I'm not going to tell you how her year ends, it's a surprise, you'll have to read the book to find out. When you think of this book you may think of the movie with Reneé Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant and the book is every bit as good as the movie.

Bridget is funny, poignant and relatable and everyone who reads this book will laugh along the whole way and want to read it again and again. It's really well written and a book that everyone will enjoy.

Until next time keep reading and writing and, if you like a book, or movie, and want me to review it on my blog, comment below or message/tweet me on Twitter.

Until next time readers!

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Hi again everybody, I finally finished another book! (Of course that's not saying much as I still have many to go).

Watership Down is a book about rabbits, it's told in the narrative style of rabbits and its main characters are of the lapine persuasion. I though this was going to be my book club's book for a while but no, I'm sure we'll think of something though.

These rabbits start out living an OK life in the Sandleford warren. However, things are not always as they seem, join Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig and a host of others as they journey from their dangerous warren to a better place where they can make a new life. Now, Fiver is a rabbit possessed of extraordinary powers, mostly of premonition. He senses something has gone wrong and has a dream of the warren being in danger so he goes to their Chief Rabbit to attempt to evacuate the warren that they might all survive. When his entreaties fail he and a small group of rabbits set out, leaving their home, to escape Fiver's prophecy. Now, whether Fiver's Prophecy comes to pass and something does happen to the warren, I will leave for the story to tell.

I will tell you this, on their journey they encounter many perils, will they reach the mysterious destination in Fiver's dream? or are they destined to wander the hills forever? You'll just have to read and find out, really I've said too much already.

An adventure fraught with peril for Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig and their rabbit friends this story is gripping from the off and it only keeps you wanting more.

I give a hearty recommendation for this book any day (and not just because I like rabbits) it's a wonderfully crafted narrative, if a bit hard to get through at times, I won't lie. It's got quite a bit of exposition and the lapine language thrown in but it is a good read and the lapine vocabulary only makes it better and serves to tell the story, without it the story wouldn't be the same.

Now, my reviews may slow down (not that they've been frequent, per se) as it is the July session of Camp NaNo but I will do my best to read a lot and review as often as I can.

Until next time keep reading and writing and for Frith's sake comment and tweet and give me books to read!