lauraloves Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 2011 Book 2 - CS Lewis - The Screwtape Letters my main thoughts for this book are in my reading thread. Age Rating - 14+ Recommendations The Great Divorce - CS Lewis The Alcamist Gulivers Travels - Jonathan Swift Quick thoughts - I really enjoyed this book and think I'm going to have a look at the recommendations too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted March 19, 2011 Author Share Posted March 19, 2011 2011 Book 3 - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne Age Rating - 12+ Recommendations - Private Peaceful - Micheal Murpurgo Synopsis - The story of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence. My Thoughts - This is possibly the saddest book that I have read this year. I don't really want to say all this much as I don't want to give away much about the plot. The book centres around a 9 year old boy Bruno, and how some events of the second world war are seen through his eyes. This book is a brilliant read and for once I agree with the age rating that the UTBG Challenge has given. Rating - 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I thought that was an excellent book. I think it should be read in all year 5 classes at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 I thought that was an excellent book. I think it should be read in all year 5 classes at school. I think it should aswell It really gives a childs perspective on the holocaust. I did find it a very sad book though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Hi Laura! I managed to find a cheap copy of the Ultimate Teen Guide Book the other day. I was so thrilled! Now I can read all the little reviews myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 Hi Laura! I managed to find a cheap copy of the Ultimate Teen Guide Book the other day. I was so thrilled! Now I can read all the little reviews myself. YAY just a quick health warning . . . stay away from the recommendations section! I keep adding to my wishlist because of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 YAY just a quick health warning . . . stay away from the recommendations section! I keep adding to my wishlist because of it! What a troublesome book! With that one and this forum combined, your wish list will explode by the end of the year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 YAY just a quick health warning . . . stay away from the recommendations section! I keep adding to my wishlist because of it! Uh oh! Well, I'll try to skip the recommendations, but I do have a thing where I feel like I have to read all of the text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Reader Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I have just done a quick run through the list and have read 53 of them. I would say only about 10 (including Harry Potters) of those 53 are YA though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 What a troublesome book! With that one and this forum combined, your wish list will explode by the end of the year My wishlist for this year is already bigger than last year and we are only in april! Uh oh! Well, I'll try to skip the recommendations, but I do have a thing where I feel like I have to read all of the text. Same as me Kylie! I don't feel like I've read a book properly unless I've read every word! I have just done a quick run through the list and have read 53 of them. I would say only about 10 (including Harry Potters) of those 53 are YA though wow youve read more than me so far! I agree though, some books such as War and Peace I would definiatly not class as YA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 2011 Book 4 - The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkein Age Rating - 12+ Recommendations - The Lord of the Rings - challenge book The Merlin Conspiricy Eragon - challenge book Cronicles of Prydain Synopsis - The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar. Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a rather unwilling presence at the Battle of Five Armies are just some of the adventures that befall Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of children's fiction. Written by Professor Tolkien for his own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when published. My Thoughts - I had never read this book as a child, and I'm kind of wishing that I had now. I'm a fan of Lord of the Rings, but I'm only just getting round to reading the books, some kind of sin I know! I read The Hobbit first and I really enjoyed it. It was very easy to read, and once I picked it up I found it very difficult to put down again! The world that Tolkein has created is so complex and almost beautiful, I can't understand how one person can create such a world. It almost felt as though it was real, just how it was written! A fabulous book to read and would recommend it to anyone, young or old. I would have definitaly read this book, its just a coincidence just how many reading challenges that this book is on! Rating - 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 2011 Book 5 - The Secret Garden Age Rating - 12+ Recommendations - A Little Princess by the same author The Railway Children - E. Nesbit Ruby Holler - Sharon Creech Synopsis - Mary Lennox was horrid. Selfish and spoilt, she was sent to stay with her hunchback uncle in Yorkshire. She hated it. But when she finds the way into a secret garden and begins to tend it, a change comes over her and her life. She meets and befriends a local boy, the talented Dickon, and comes across her sickly cousin Colin who had been kept hidden from her. Between them, the three children work astonishing magic in themselves and those around them. My Thoughts - This was a re-read of a much loved classic for me. I loved this book when I was younger, it to me was just like magic. And reading it again now that I'm older has not got rid of any of the magic for me. I love the little story, it is hard to believe that it is 100 years old. it is fully readable and should be a must read for anybody! Rating 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I'm not at all surprised to see that The Secret Garden is on this list Good times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 I'm not at all surprised to see that The Secret Garden is on this list Good times! Gotta love a bit of The Secret Garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 2011 Book 6 - The Lord of the Rings Age Rating - 12+ Recommendations - The Simarillion (same author) Unfinished Stories (Same author) Farseer trilogy (challenge book) His Dark Materials (Challenge Book) Deryni Novels The Hobbit - (Challenge book) READ Synopsis - Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power -- the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring -- the ring that rules them all -- which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. Since it was first published in 1954, 'The Lord of the Rings' has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. My Thoughts - I did slightly cheat on this challenge book, I read the three separate books as I thought that reading the whole book in one go would really stetch my mojo! I really enjoyed reading this series, a fantastic story and anyone that hasnt read itt really should! I can definitaly see why it is on the list and would definitaly recommend it! Rating 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 2011 Book 7 - The Day of the Triffids Age Rating 14+ Recommendations - The Kraken Wakes (same author) The War of the Worlds (challenge book) Hatchet - gary Paulsen (challenge book) Jurassic Park (Challenge Book) Synopsis - The triffids are a monstrous species of stinging plant; they walk, they talk, they dominate the world. The narrator of this novel wakes up in hospital to find that, by missing the end of the world, he has survived to witness a new world. But the new world that awaits him is fantastic and horrific. My Thoughts - This is not a genre of book that I usually read, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. The idea that this sort of thing could happen does scare me a little bit, but I didnt find the triffids actually scary! I found the book itself was easy to read and its a relitivly short story, but there is an awful lot of story crammed in. I liked the search for Josella and how bill never gave up looking for her. I found it interesting as I thought I would reflect how the human population would react. This was my first 'world ending/changing' book but I will definitaly read more! This is a really good book and I highly recommend reading it if you havent already! Rating 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Shelock Holmes Books Novels 1- A Study in Scarlet 2- The Sign of the Four 3- The Hound of the Baskervilles TBR Pile 4- The Valley of Fear Short Stories 1- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 2- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes 3- The Return of Shelock Holmes 4- The Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes 5- The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Sally Lockhart Mystery Books - Phillip Pullman The Ruby in the Smoke - TBR Pile The Shadow in the North The Tiger in the Well The Tin Princess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 2011 Book 8 - A Prayer For Owen Meany: John Irving Age Rating - 14+ Recommendations - The World According to Garp - John Irving (challenge book) Lake Wobegon Days - Garrison Keillor This Boy's Life - Tobias Wolff (challenge book) Synopsis - ‘If you care about something you have to protect it. If you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.’ Eleven-year-old Owen Meany, playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire, hits a foul ball and kills his best friend's mother. Owen doesn't believe in accidents; he believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is both extraordinary and terrifying. My Thoughts - I didn't really like this book, I found it quite heavy going, it is over 650 pages long and to be honest I thought it could have been cut by a couple of hundred pages. However I am glad that I read it, as it is on my challenge lists! I can't see why it is rated over 14, the only thing I can think of is that it is quite heavy going! Rating - 2/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Great reviews Laura, but can I ask, where do you get the age recommendations from? I was just discussing books with my 10 year old daughter this evening and she wants to read The Night Circus but not wait till I've read it to see if it's ok for her, an age rating would be really useful on books.. :-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Sorry, I just read through some of your thread and realised the age recommendations are in the book, think that might be a good buy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Sorry, I just read through some of your thread and realised the age recommendations are in the book, think that might be a good buy! Its a really good buy, and yes the ages recommendations are in the book! However some of the age recommendations are a little off because War and Peace is recommended 14+ I think! I don't think id like to tackle that now and I'm almost double that hehe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Thanks Laura, I've just ordered the 2010 edition from Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thanks Laura, I've just ordered the 2010 edition from Amazon. must check what edition I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 The 2010 edition is white, I think the earlier edition is black, Amazon has both, the newer version is the cheapest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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