I have not been posting many book reviews this year, I guess sometimes I just don't feel strongly enough about the books I have been reading. At the start of the month I set my yearly Good Reads goal, this year I have set my goal to 50. Last year I set it to 25 but that was about midyear. I have decided to do monthly reading updates over here on my blog, to share with you guys what I have been reading a few words on each book.
The books I have read this month are:
1) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
2) Sugar Rush by Julie Burchill
3) The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
4) Love on the Dole by Ray Speakman
5) A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare
Two of out five of the books are for plays, and two of the novels I read was for study purposes. I did a book review on The Hate U Give at the beginning of the month, the link is here. All of these books were really interesting, I read the majority of them in one sitting.
The Hate U Give
A brilliant book, coming of age type of story. This book holds such a powerful message, this book hit every emotion possible. You follow a strong protagonist go through traumatic events, you see a story of racial hate and struggle. An eye-opening read. It has been a very long time since I fell deeply into a book, I couldn't walk away from it. I finished this one in one night, I was enticed by every single page. I cannot remember the last time that happened to me.
This book has been adapted into a film, I have not seen the film just yet but I am looking forward to seeing how similar it is/isn't to the book.
I would rate this book:
Overall: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Sugar Rush
I think this was my least favourite read out of all of them. I thought I would delve in further to the Coming of Age genre. I felt a little old to read this book, it is quite young and contemporary of its time. This book was released in 2001, and the culture and nature of the book is very of its time. I did enjoy that the book was set in Brighton, a city I have come to know and love within the last year and a half. I loved reading about the city in a fictional world. I admire the book is set in Brighton, I have been trying to use setting more in my own writing. This book is about a girl who changes schools, it shows you the contrast within the class system. The difference between private schools and public schools. I definitely found myself relating more to the working class aspect of the novel. It was a good read, but it definitely is for a younger audience than myself.
I would rate this book:
Overall: ★★★
Characters: ★★
Plot: ★★★
The Picture of Dorian Gray
I have read this book many times, I think I even studied it at one point. It is such an interesting read, a classic piece of gothic literature. I read this piece for part of my coursework for my 19th-century Literature module at University. I compared this piece to Jane Eyre, about the topic of love. There are many things I could say about this book, it is beautifully written, I really like how the descriptions bring the book to life. I think what I like the most about this novel is the concept of never growing old, I love seeing Dorian become more and more corrupt. I love the theme of madness, the book is multi-dimensional in so many ways.
I would rate this book:
Overall: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Love on the Dole
I read this play ready for semester 2 for my Twentieth Century Literature module. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. The majority of the books on my course have been set in a middle-class society, so this was a refreshing change. This play is set in a working-class society, and you see the daily struggles of having no money and people out of work. I found myself absorbed into the pages. It has a northern feel to is, it is set in Manchester. I enjoyed reading the accent, it felt real. As if I had just journeyed back up North. This piece was such a refreshing read, especially for something we are studying. I cannot wait to start to lecture on this one. I love reading plays, it feels like no time has passed at all. I liked how the story was based on characters and their lives, and how poverty and money can affect a relationship, and what extent people are willing to go for money. I read this one in one sitting.
I would rate this book:
Overall: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
A Midsummer Night's Dream
I will forever love this play. I love the whole aspect of fairies and even Greek mythology. This play is short and sweet. I don't really care for the love tiffs between the mortal characters, I always enjoy the quarrels and happenings going on within the fairies. Puck is such a menacing character, loveable in every way. This play is just fun to read, light-hearted fun. I have read this one before, but I have been eager to read it again. If you just need a little pick me up, this is a good play to read.
Overall: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★
---
Five books isn't so bad for the first month of the year, I do hope I read more as the days go on. I know I will have to read more for my studies so there won't be a lot of time for pleasure reading but I will try! The next book I will be reading is the screenplay of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!
