The Giver by Lois Lowry

'The Giver' by Lois Lowry

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

REVIEW

I thought I would read this book as it comes out as a movie sometime this year. I didn't really know anything about the book apart from it was a teen book and a quick read. What can I say, it was ok. It is definitely a teen book 14-18year olds but I can see why adults like the concept of it. The ending leaves you hanging with a lot of unanswered questions - maybe they will be answered in the following books in the series, not sure though if I'll read them! I think it will be better as a movie.

An ok read.

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The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

'The Slap' by Christos Tsiolkas

At a suburban barbecue one afternoon, a man slaps an unruly boy.

The boy is not his son.

It is a single act of violence, but this one slap reverberates through the lives of everyone who witnesses it happen.

REVIEW

I was really looking forward to reading this book - I thought it sounded really good and would bring up some great discussions within my bookclub. Oh how wrong was I........I only managed to read less than a 1/4 of this book before I had to give up!! The concept itself is really good but the author, Christo Tsiolkas I think side tracked - he forgot about the actually slap of a young child and became obsessed by using constant swearing - crude language and constant sex. All the characters are obnoxious unlikable people - how they even had friends is unknown to me - they are all just horrible.

I just wish I had read some reviews for this book - I would have thrown it in the bin instead of attempting to reading it. Some many people gave it 1 star - sorry I disagree, it's not even worth 1 star; A BIG FAT 0 stars.

This book is a complete and utter waste of time, it takes a lot for me to totally abandon a book but believe me it was worth abandoning!!
WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND.

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The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

'The Fiery Cross' by Diana Gabaldon

1771: the Colony of North Carolina stands in an uneasy balance, with the rich, colonial aristocracy on one side and the struggling pioneers of the backcountry on the other.

Between them stands Jamie Fraser, a man of honour, a man of worth. Exiled from his beloved Scotland, he is at last possessed of the land he has longed for. By his side his extraordinary wife, Claire, a woman out of time and out of place, blessed with the uneasy gift of the knowledge of what is to come. In the past, that knowledge has brought both danger and deliverance to Jamie and Claire. Now it could be a flickering torch that will light their way through the perilous years ahead - or might ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes.

REVIEW

Before starting this book I read some of the reviews and was some what confused - a lot of reviews said it was their lest favourite and was a means to an end and others loved it giving it 5 stars. Well I world agree with the 5 stars reviews!!!! I really enjoyed reading this book and when nearing the end I was like 'oh no I'm nearly finished!!' I really felt throughout this book we really get to know more about Jamie and Claire; and Brianna and Roger, and then the relationships between Jamie and Roger; and Claire and Brianna. I loved reading about their lives and their ups and down. There is so much in this book that I think some have over looked - relationships, loyalties, passion, struggles, creating homes, fighting, trails, concerns for those who are living on the ridge, secrets, lies, the past, hope for the future, loneliness, grieving for long away families, war etc

You won't be disappointed by this book. Would highly recommend.