Book title: Ironman

Book author: Chris Crutcher

Genre: Young Adult

Quick synopsis: Bo Brewster is training for the Ironman race--running, swimming, and biking several miles.  In the meantime, he has to deal with many issues. He has to overcome problems with his father, control his anger, learn to accept that one of the most respected people in his life is homosexual, unravel the mysteries of love, and still attempt to do well in the race.

What was right with it?: Awesome story. Chris Crutcher writes the truth, that's why so many of his books are controversial. It's my favorite book, so I'm probably a bit biased. Everything was right with it.

What was wrong with it?: See above question. I'm biased...

Marks: 10/10

Recommended age of reader: 13+, at least. There is quite a bit of strong language and controversial topics. You were warned.

Reviewed by: Robert89

Post edited at 8:27 am on May 28, 2007 by Robert89

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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
-- Albert Einstein

Book Title: Flowers in the Attic
Book Author: V.C. Andrews
Genre: Suspense
Quick Synopsis:
It seems the perfect family. Mother, father, sister, brother and two new twins on the way. When the father dies in a car accident the family falls apart. Mother Corrine has a wealthy family and takes her children to the manchin where secrets, lies and cruel torture fill the lives of the young children.

Locked in a single room for years the four children learn about their incestuous relationship between their mother and father and why they are rejected by their own grandmother. Their life locked away and their future are sure to glue you to this book.

What was right with it?: Sentence structure, very easy to read. The story was amazing and simple, yet complex.
What was wrong with it?: Nothing.
Marks:  ___ out of 10 10/10
Recommended Age Of Reader: 16+. This book not only has swearing and sexual content but is also based on incest.
Reviewed By: Fluffay Bunnay

Post edited at 11:44 am on May 28, 2007 by Fluffay Bunnay

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"im just typein to fast i no how to spell thank u!!!
and wow my name is just so cute u have to put it on ur thing" -Airel

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Book Title: Flowers in the Attic
Book Author: V.C. Andrews
Genre: Suspense
Quick Synopsis:
It seems the perfect family. Mother, father, sister, brother and two new twins on the way. When the father dies in a car accident the family falls apart. Mother Corrine has a wealthy family and takes her children to the manchin where secrets, lies and cruel torture fill the lives of the young children.

Locked in a single room for years the four children learn about their incestuous relationship between their mother and father and why they are rejected by their own grandmother. Their life locked away and their future are sure to glue you to this book.

What was right with it?: Sentence structure, very easy to read. The story was amazing and simple, yet complex.
What was wrong with it?: Nothing.
Marks:  ___ out of 10 10/10
Recommended Age Of Reader: 16+. This book not only has swearing and sexual content but is also based on incest.
Reviewed By: Fluffay Bunnay

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BEST.  BOOK.  OF ALL TIME!

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I hope I live to tell the tale.

Book Title: Airframe

Book Author: Michael Crichton

Genre: Thriller

Quick Synopsis: The story starts with a flight to Denver from Hong Kong - the pilot requests ambulances waiting for when they land, and when they do, there's a large portion of passengers injured and 3 are dead.  The book follows the investigation into what happened in the air, what caused the turbulence to be so bad, and who is to blame?  Who is going to try and cover up anything that might cost money?

What was right with it?: Well, firstly if you know nothing about flying or operations, you will by the time you have read this.  It cleverly teaches you about aviation skills as you read, so that by the end of the book, you will know quite a lot about flaps and turbulence etc.  It's not for the weak, you do need to be willing to learn as you go along, or you will be lost in the jargon.  It's exciting, and you're quickly emotionally sided with the lead investigator, she is being fair and trying to help, but always being dragged back by the suits who don't want her to find blame with the 'company'

What was wrong with it?: Books are a very personal thing, this books is often said to be one of Crichton's weaker works, yet I loved it.  I found it to be really interesting, and an insight probably into how huge business' would operate at a time of trying to avoid paying out any money for compensation.  It's technical, so you need to be able to absorb terms and phrases. Just don't take it to read on the plane if you go on holiday!

Marks:  7 out of 10  

Recommended Age Of Reader: Any age, but possibly 16 plus, due to the complexity of it

Reviewed By: Sarah SomeoneLoveMe

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Fine
Ignore me today, if you want to
But, tomorrow I may be the only friend you got
And I won't be there for you

Book Title: Invisible Monsters

Book Author: Chuck Palahniuk

Genre: Fiction

Quick Synopsis: Our narrator is an ex-fashion model who's run in with a shotgun on the freeway leaves
her without a jaw. While in recovery she meets the ultimate drag queen in Brandy Alexander, who is only one surgery away from being a woman. Together with the charismatic  Alfa Romeo they travel across America in pursuit of self discovery.

What was right with it?: Everything. It's insight into today's society and the human mind is amazing. It's witty and funny. It's satirical and disturbing. But, that's definitely a good thing.

What was wrong with it?: It's written in the language of fashion magazines. Meaning it jumps around to different events and back and forth in time a lot. Some readers may get confused, but as long as you're paying attention you shouldn't have a problem.

Marks:  10 out of 10

Recommended Age Of Reader: Age really has no bearing on maturity, so I'm not sure I can say that there is an age limit for this book.

Reviewed By: DancinOnTheMoon

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"Men have forgotten this truth", said the fox, "But you must not forget it.
You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

Book title: Who cares about English usage?

Book author: David Crystal

Genre: Grammar

Quick synopsis: A book about some of the idiosyncrasies of English grammar, based on the experiences of the author hosting a radio show about language.

What was right with it?: It was very, very funny and incredibly interesting. Very short but very sweet. A great read.

What was wrong with it?: Precious little!

Marks: 9/10

Recommended age of reader?: Unless you're offended by grammar, I'd say this is universal.

Reviewed by: Fern Periwinkle

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One drop is lonely
Two drops okay
Three drops can make a spray
Four drops get carried away

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Book Title: Invisible Monsters

Book Author: Chuck Palahniuk

Genre: Fiction

Quick Synopsis: Our narrator is an ex-fashion model who's run in with a shotgun on the freeway leaves  
her without a jaw. While in recovery she meets the ultimate drag queen in Brandy Alexander, who is only one surgery away from being a woman. Together with the charismatic  Alfa Romeo they travel across America in pursuit of self discovery.

What was right with it?: Everything. It's insight into today's society and the human mind is amazing. It's witty and funny. It's satirical and disturbing. But, that's definitely a good thing.

What was wrong with it?: It's written in the language of fashion magazines. Meaning it jumps around to different events and back and forth in time a lot. Some readers may get confused, but as long as you're paying attention you shouldn't have a problem.

Marks:  10 out of 10  

Recommended Age Of Reader: Age really has no bearing on maturity, so I'm not sure I can say that there is an age limit for this book.

Reviewed By: DancinOnTheMoon

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I might enter this in a bit, I've just finished reading a great book

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i've been working on a piece that speaks of sex and desperationnnnn

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Quote: from DancinOnTheMoon at 9:36 am on May 29, 2007

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 Book Title: Invisible Monsters  

 Book Author: Chuck Palahniuk  

 Genre: Fiction  

 Quick Synopsis: Our narrator is an ex-fashion model who's run in with a shotgun on the freeway leaves  
 her without a jaw. While in recovery she meets the ultimate drag queen in Brandy Alexander, who is only one surgery away from being a woman. Together with the charismatic  Alfa Romeo they travel across America in pursuit of self discovery.  

 What was right with it?: Everything. It's insight into today's society and the human mind is amazing. It's witty and funny. It's satirical and disturbing. But, that's definitely a good thing.  

 What was wrong with it?: It's written in the language of fashion magazines. Meaning it jumps around to different events and back and forth in time a lot. Some readers may get confused, but as long as you're paying attention you shouldn't have a problem.  

 Marks:  10 out of 10  

 Recommended Age Of Reader: Age really has no bearing on maturity, so I'm not sure I can say that there is an age limit for this book.  

 Reviewed By: DancinOnTheMoon

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Best book evur. Seriouslyy.

I might enter this in a bit, I've just finished reading a great book

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I'm going to have a look for that one...it looks good.

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One drop is lonely
Two drops okay
Three drops can make a spray
Four drops get carried away

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I'm going to have a look for that one...it looks good.

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Book Title: The Wasp Factory

Book Author: Iain Banks

Genre: Gothic

Quick Synopsis: This great read of a book is a narrative told by sixteen-year-old, Frank Cauldhame. It is set in Scotland and explores the very life of Frank, which is by no means what somebody may call 'normal'. He speaks about his past and what he enjoys most, protecting his island. It all builds up to the rather unexpected, shocking twist at the end.

What was right with it?: The fact it's so difficult to put down. It's the sort of novel that you may find revolting in places, but because of how well written it is it's still a great read.

What was wrong with it?: Some parts are repulsive and squeamish, but it's all worth it.

Marks:  8 out of 10

Recommended Age Of Reader: 15+, it's graphic and wouldn't be suitable for younger readers

Reviewed By: Rosaur

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i've been working on a piece that speaks of sex and desperationnnnn

Book Title: The Testament of Gideon Mack

Book Author: James Robertson

Genre: Scottish Gothic

Quick Synopsis: Set in modern Scotland, in a wee community near Aberdeen. The story of faithless minister Gideon Mack and his life changing experience with, according to him, the Devil. Writing after this meeting, Mack's testament explores faith and relationships - the effect this has on his life, and how everything is changed after his meeting with the Devil. The testament leaves you with the question - did Gideon Mack meet the Devil, or is it simply the thoughts of a man's descent into madness?

What was right with it?: It was wonderful. There's a good balance between Gideon's life and explanation of what's going on in it, and the eventual meeting with the Devil. It's not over the top, there is no fiery hell hundreds of feet below the earth and the Devil is not a horned creature with evil in his eyes.

What was wrong with it?: It took a bit of getting into. The meeting with the Devil isn't actually the main, drawn out event in the novel. Everything is leading up to it though, but the actual event happens nearer the end of the book. This took me by surprise, but it was still wonderful!

Marks: 9 out of 10, I'd really recommend this book.

Recommended Age Of Reader: Any

Reviewed By: Amy amiee

Post edited at 9:14 am on Sep. 8, 2008 by amiee

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shelves in the closet? happy thought indeed!

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Quote: from Periwinkle at 3:52 pm on May 29, 2007

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 I'm going to have a look for that one...it looks good.

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You really should. It's definitely in my top 5 list of amazing books. I also had a weird experience to this book. I remember listening to a song my Panic! blah blah (god forbid) and realised that the song was linked to the book in numerous ways. It was surreal.

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I love Panic! and that song, Time to Dance, is based on Invisible Monsters. Actually they have quite a few Chuck P. references in thier album.

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"Men have forgotten this truth", said the fox, "But you must not forget it.
You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

Book Title: Kafka on the Shore

Book Author: Haruki Murukami

Genre: Hard to tell, Surreal.

Quick Synopsis: The novel follows the life of an adolescent runaway through rural and urban japan as he tries to escape from his dark and sinister Father. His journey takes him a small town, where he finds a somewhat unlikely friendship in a transgendered librarian, and embarks in a relationship with the ghost of his Mother (yes you did read that right ).  

The second storyline focuses on an elderly man with learning difficulties, acquired during a suspicious childhood incident in the second world war. Although he is left rendered unable to complete even the simplest of everyday tasks, he is able to talk to cats, and is constantly found to be at the center of a series of surreal situations.

What was right with it?: The book really is fantastic, but through personal experience of lending it to friends, you will either love or hate it. Murukami brings his unmistakable and unique surrealist style of writing to a strong and controversial storyline and the end result is a read that you will find difficult to stop thinking about. The plot has so many different facets, you could quite easily read it 5 times over, and still be as fascinated with it as you were the first time.  

What was wrong with it?: Murukami certainly doesn't shy away from controversial topics, and this book manages to tackle incest, homosexuality and violent animal cruelty with a distinctive and uncompromising frankness that may leave some readers reeling. If you can look beyond the sometimes shocking face value of the literature then you will be able to appreciate the book fully, but if not then i would suggest steering clear.

Marks: 10 out of 10, without a doubt.

Recommended Age Of Reader: 16, because the book will sometimes jump straight into graphic sex scenes, without warning. A certain level of maturity is also needed.

Reviewed By: Laurie (dissilusioned)

Post edited at 5:27 am on May 30, 2007 by dissilusioned

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"I'm the molester
The coolest mole in the hill." - Matt.
لوري