My A-Z of books

G was such an easy choice, this man... John Green.  The first of his books that I read was Paper Towns which had been recommended to me by a colleague of mine.  We both used to work at Waterstones so were pretty hot on recommendations but John Green had passed me by (I hadn't discovered the rich seam of Young Adult fiction at that point).  I was immediately hooked on all of John Green's books, he is such a great author and someone who I would consider to be an awesome influence for young adults.  His YouTube channel is amazing, in particular his exploration of the cost of healthcare in America.  

John Green is a decent human being, and for that reason alone you should read ALL of his books.

Here is a recap of my A-Z so far:

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F

Alternative advent calendar #8

1. Lost Christmas by David Logan

A couple of week's ago I noticed an article on the Guardian website featuring Eddie Izzard, in it Izzard talks about Lost Christmas as he is starring in the adaptation of it.  Lost Christmas is a young adult book and follows the life of Goose, whose one seemingly insignificant action leads to devastating consequences.  Mysterious stranger Antony (to be played by Eddie Izzard) enters Gooses' life when he is at his lowest ebb and the two go on a 'journey of discovery' together.  Have I made this sound naff enough?  It's not but there is no hiding the fact that this is a 'journey of discovery' type book.  I don't think this book will blow you out of the water but it did bring a little festive cheer, it's young adult fiction and sometimes that means the plot is predictable but no less enjoying.

2. My Family and Other Disasters by Lucy Mangan

Pfft.  I have never read the work of someone so highly regarded by their editor whose articles are so dreary and hateful of almost everything.  Not hateful in a racist, sexist, ignorant type of hateful way, but more a stark, condescending observation of people who might have fun, or feel joy.  Mangan pities these people because clearly these people are stupid for they don't like to stay in their flats or homes reading books like she does.  Jeeeez this one got binned.

3. A Week in December by Sebastien Faulks

This one isn't crossed through because I didn't enjoy it, I didn't finish it because my Kindle arrived and it was unceremoniously shoved back on the 'to read' pile whilst I revelled in the soft glow of a backlit e-reader *cozy*.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Ahh John Green, I'm resisting the temptation to go all misty eyed and I'm stopping myself staring off into the distance whilst I think about how much I love his books.  Once again Green has written what can only really be described as a modern classic.  The subject matter will make you cry, you will care about the characters, you will enjoy the story, if you haven't read his books before but do on the basis of this or any of my previous recommendations you will thank me for it, and most importantly you will have found a new favourite author.  A quote for your viewing pleasure:

"You don't get to choose if you get hurt in the world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you.  I like my choices.  I hope she likes hers."

If you have 3.47 minutes to spare watch this video of John Green recommending books.

5. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

So I tried describing this book to MozzyMr and when talk of detectives consulting with ghosts and the whole idea of a London filled with magic came up he thought it sounded bobbins.  WRONG!  I loved this book, it's like Harry Potter for adults based in London not Hogwarts, expect it's nothing like Harry Potter and there is lots more murdering afoot.  I was delighted to find that it isn't a stand alone book it's part of a series of three, hazaar!  Put this book of your Christmas wish list you won't be disappointed!

6. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Sensing a John Green theme?  Will Grayson, Will Grayson has me caught up with everything that I am aware of John Green writing, so frankly the man needs to step up and release another book.  This time in collaboration with Levithan the two authors explore the lives of teenage boys Will Grayson, and Will Grayson.  The first Will Grayson has Tiny, his overweight but uber fabulous out-and-out gay best friend, whilst the second Will Grayson is only just coming out whilst dealing with a case of serious cyber bullying.  Green in all of his books deals with some of the very serious issues that teenagers face, but writes about them in such a normal and human way, not in an overtly Hollywood 'look how they've overcome adversity' type way *insert montage here*.

Books 1, 4, 5 and 6 listed here would make great Christmas reading so if you have a bit of spare cash, treat yourself to one of them, if you're stuck for something to buy as a gift buy a book, one of these or any book!  Buy them from an actual book shop where you can go and talk to people who really love reading and can tell you what they've enjoyed reading.  I know I bestow the virtues of the Kindle but I won't give up the smell of a new book for anyone and will be pressing my face into an actual book or two over the Christmas holiday!

Ermahgherd Kernderl!

Ermahgerd!  My brother bought me a Kindle Paperwhite for my Birthday and it arrived today! Hazaar!

First book on it? The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I'll let you know how it goes...

A Month of Reading

I feel I need to start this post by saying don't judge me!  There is a whole heap of young adult fiction contained within this post which quite often makes people scoff but this month of reading is a gold mine of fantastic reads which with the summer just around the corner you might want to consider...

1. Double or Die by Charlie Higson

A number of years ago an ex-colleague of mine recommended and lent me Silverfin the first of the Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. I never thought it would be a book she would read so thought I would give it a go and was very glad I did, it was great. I quickly purchased Bloodfever the follow-up but at that point Double or Die was in hardback and on principle I won't buy hardback books they're just too expensive. 

Wanting a quick read I thought I would give Double or Die a try. Crikey, it's just a bit action packed, very far-fetched but ultimately great.  The good thing about young adult fiction is an absolute disregard for what can't happen and as the young James Bond gets chased, and chased and escapes and escapes in more and more ridiculous scenarios I loved every page. Higson keeps the slightly kitsch elements of the original Bond's but thankfully without the sexist Pussygalores etc.

2. Hurricane Gold by Charlie Higson

I told you I liked the young James Bond's.  As I was nearing the end of Double or Die I got slightly edgy and nervous that I didn't have the next book in the series to immediately move on to.  Hurricane Gold provides a ludicrous villain, fast cars, horrendous but inventive ways to die, guns, gore, and lots of page turning goodness.  Buy it, do it now, off you go....

3. Looking for Alaska by John Green

You may remember I read Paper Towns by John Green in last month's A Month of Reading, and I LOVED it.  You might have guessed from this post already that when I like an author I tend to rush out and buy all of their books and read, read, read (thank god I don't like Patrick O'Brian I'd be broke) and John Green's books are great!  Looking for Alaska is an exploration of beginnings and endings. What I love about Green's books is that he writes about teenagers and their lives in such an ordinary non-Skins way and doesn't pretend that life as a teenager isn't mostly boring and filled with the complicated relationships with friends and family.  I can't say too much about the plot because I don't want to give much away and I do want you to go out and read this book.

4. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Ahhh the exquisite pain of a heart broken teenager.  Colin; anagramer, prodigy, and dumped by 19 Katherines works his way through the heart break with friend Hassan on a road trip (Hassan is one of the best characters I've come across).  This wasn't my favourite John Green book, but that's like saying it's not my favourite cake, it's still cake damn it which means it's still great.  Once again Green's characters are full and normal and funny and smart, the story is something everyone can, on some level relate to and I will eat my imaginary hat if you don't enjoy this book.

That's it for me  and this month of reading, allotment season is kicking off so I suspect my consumption of literature is going to nose dive.  But I'm very excited to say I have been chosen to be a World Book Night Giver!  But more of that later...