Let the Great World Spin - Colum McCann

In the dawning light of a late-summer morning, the people of lower Manhattan stand hushed, staring up in disbelief at the Twin Towers. It is August 1974, and a mysterious tightrope walker is running, dancing, leaping between the towers, suspended a quarter mile above the ground. In the streets below, a slew of ordinary lives become extraordinary in bestselling novelist Colum McCann’s stunningly intricate portrait of a city and its people.

Let the Great World Spin is the critically acclaimed author’s most ambitious novel yet: a dazzlingly rich vision of the pain, loveliness, mystery, and promise of New York City in the 1970s.

Corrigan, a radical young Irish monk, struggles with his own demons as he lives among the prostitutes in the middle of the burning Bronx. A group of mothers gather in a Park Avenue apartment to mourn their sons who died in Vietnam, only to discover just how much divides them even in grief. A young artist finds herself at the scene of a hit-and-run that sends her own life careening sideways. Tillie, a thirty-eight-year-old grandmother, turns tricks alongside her teenage daughter, determined not only to take care of her family but to prove her own worth.
Elegantly weaving together these and other seemingly disparate lives, McCann’s powerful allegory comes alive in the unforgettable voices of the city’s people, unexpectedly drawn together by hope, beauty, and the “artistic crime of the century.” A sweeping and radical social novel, Let the Great World Spin captures the spirit of America in a time of transition, extraordinary promise, and, in hindsight, heartbreaking innocence. Hailed as a “fiercely original talent” (San Francisco Chronicle), award-winning novelist McCann has delivered a triumphantly American masterpiece that awakens in us a sense of what the novel can achieve, confront, and even heal.

I really really wanted to love this book, but instead I find myself giving it 3.5/5 stars. Im not really sure why, the writing was very lyrical and McCann is clearly one of the better writers in terms of making you feel like you are actually looking in on the characters through a window and seeing it all unfold first-hand. He also switched well between all the different characters and changed 'voices' to make sure you were aware of their individual personality and story. I guess I just feel that while I was reading it I just got a little bit bored. There was nothing really propelling the storyline along other than just looking at a snap shot of their lives and what New York was like in that era.

Overall it was a heart warming story that I enjoyed, but I wouldn't put it on my favourites of all time list. I would however read another title from McCann as I think he is a fantastic writer.

Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James

When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian's singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed. Now, together, they have more-love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity, or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present. Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, tragedy, malice and fate combine to make Ana's worst nightmares come true.

So now I have finally finished the third (and thankfully final) book in the fifty series. As with the last book, I have mixed feelings about it. The way I look at it, it was a light girly read, but not something I would ever dream would receive the hype that it has. I bet the author is laughing all the way to the bank with that one!

The main thing that confused me about the whole series, is that I don't understand why women are so in love with Christian Grey. Sure he is rich and really really ridiculously good looking, but honestly, if I had a girlfriend who was dating a guy like him in the 'real world' I would try my hardest to convince her everyday to leave the jerk. Seriously, what woman would want someone so controlling and dominating? Sure he loves her a lot and they obviously have passion, but I don't know anyone who would put up with their partner not letting them see their friends. But seeing as this is a 'pretend world' I will go along believing that everything is hunky dory and that it isn't weird at all.

Another pet hate with the series is that the sex got really boring and repetitive towards the end. I actually got sick of reading part of it as I felt like I had read it all before. It's all about quality not quantity Mr James.

All in all I am glad I read it, but I am very happy that there were only 3 books and I don't have to read any more. Would I recommend it to a friend? Sure, if they are looking for something easy that doesn't take much effort to read - but I would warn them not get swept up in all the hype.

Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. 

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades. 

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

These books frustrate me. While I was reading this latest book following on from Fifty Shades of Grey, there were so many time I was mentally banging my head against the wall. In places it felt a little monotonous and the sex scenes we still saucy, but they said the same things to each other every time.

Yes he was damaged and constantly needs reassurance, but it kind of gets a little old when she has to keep repeating that she is 'his' several times in each chapter. And Ana's lack of self confidence can get a little old, but having said that, I still read the book in record time and often couldn't drag myself away. That was what made it so frustrating for me. 

If you liked the first book then you will definitely love this one. The story line became more about the two of them forging a relationship and learning about each other than his 'playroom', so because of this I enjoyed the second book more than the first one, and despite myself I know that tomorrow I will go against my better judgement and go buy the third (and secretly enjoy it). 

Definitely makes the commute to and from work a little more interesting to say the least...

An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington - Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

The companion guide to the hysterical television show of the same name, in which Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant force their arrestingly simple pal Karl Pilkington on a global journey
 
"He'd have been happier in medieval times in a village where you didn't travel beyond the local community."  —Stephen Merchant
A cult celebrity due to his role in The Ricky Gervais Show, the most-downloaded podcast ever, Karl Pilkington has been accused of being a comic creation, so unburdened is he by complex thought—but that is truly just him. The trio's newest project mines Karl massive provinciality: put simply, Karl is not big on traveling. Given the choice, he'll go on vacation to Devon or Wales or, if pushed, eat English food on a package tour of the Mediterranean. So what happened when he was convinced by Gervais and Merchant to go on an epic adventure to see the Seven Wonders of the World? Does travel truly broaden the mind? Find out in Karl Pilkington's hilarious travel diaries.

I have watched a few of the TV episodes before and loved them.  I was very surprised to find that the book is exactly the same as the shows, it even included the dry but hilarious conversations between Ricky, Stephen and Karl. I think having watched part of the series gave me a better understanding of who Karl is as a person and his attitude, the book might start off a bit confusing without this background.

I loved reading about Karl's always eventful trips away, and was ridiculously jealous of the places he got to visited. I thought he gave a comical and one-of-a-kind insight in to each of the places he visited, although I felt that Machu Picchu was a little rushed and didn't have the same level of detail that the others had.  

I loved reading about Karl's trip to each of the 7 Wonders, and this made me want to visit each of them myself even more. A great read for those who love to travel.

The Sekhmet Bed - Lavender Ironside

Queen Ahmose knows her duty: To give the Pharaoh a son. But she is young, and has just watched her closest friend die in childbirth. If the Pharaoh plants his seed in her she will die the same way, in a pool of blood, surrounded by wailing women. She has her husband’s love, but a king must have an heir…and even the Pharaoh’s patience will run out. Meanwhile, a lesser queen – Ahmose’s own sister – has given him three sweet, bright children, all of them boys. Ahmose knows her grasp on the Pharaoh’s heart is loosening.

Desperate, she begs the gods for courage to become a mother. They give her more than courage: she is granted a vision of a shining prince, her son – a gift for Egypt who will bring glory to the land. He will be more than the son of a king. He will be the son of the god Amun.

But when the child arrives, it’s a girl.

Ahmose knows the vision was not wrong. Her daughter Hatshepsut has a male soul, and Amun intends the girl to rule. But the Pharaoh will not scandalize Egypt by proclaiming a female successor, and in punishment, the gods take one of Ahmose’s beloved nephews. Her relationship with the Pharaoh is crumbling. Her sister’s remaining children are in danger. If she cannot convince the Pharaoh to accept Hatshepsut as his heir, everything Ahmose loves will be destroyed.

"In Lavender Ironside's ancient Egyptian historical, two sisters share a husband and a burning desire to be the mother of the next Pharaoh. With accessibly modern prose, vivid detail, and deadly sibling rivalry, The Sekhmet Bed is reminiscent of Michelle Moran's Nefertiti." ~Stephanie Dray, author of the critically acclaimed Lily of the Nile.

I'll be honest, from reading the blurb I thought this was going to be a fluffy Egyptian love story with no real depth, but as I love reading about different cultures and it had received such good reviews previously, I thought I'd give it a go.

I have tried to read one or two books previously about this period of Egypt's past and I could not finish them as they read more like a history book rather than a story. This one was easy to follow, exciting but not too melodramatic, and although I am no historian I felt that the story painted Ancient Egypt in am accurate way. 

I really enjoyed reading it and would love for the story to continue with a second book!

Looking for Alaska - John Green

If people were rain, then I was drizzle and she was a hurricane. 

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A stunning debut, it marks John Green's arrival as an important new voice in contemporary fiction.

I really enjoyed reading this book, but can't help but think that at the end if it all I missed an important point the Author was trying to make subliminally. 

It started off as a normal story full of teen angst and usual school rebellion drama, but when one of the main characters dies, her friends try to solve the  mystery of whether it was a suicide or accident. It followed how they tried to solve this mystery and went at a good pace, but with the last 2 pages to go, like I said above, I feel like I missed something.

Overall I enjoyed John Green's writing style and would read more of his work in the future.

Golden Earrings - Belinda Alexandra

Paloma Batton is the grand-daughter of Spanish refugees who fled Barcelona after the Civil War. A disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet, Paloma lets little get in the way of her career until she receives a visit from an otherworldly being who leaves her with a pair of golden earrings. Sensing that she has been given a quest, Paloma begins exploring her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and 'La Rusa', a woman who rose from poverty to become one of the great flamenco dancers of modern times. La Rusa died while living in exile in Paris in 1952. Her death was ruled a suicide but as Paloma begins to unravel the secrets of the past, she discovers more than one person who had good reason for wanting La Rusa dead, including Paloma's own grandmother. 

Golden Earrings is a story that moves between two great cities: Barcelona in the lead up to the Civil War and Paris in the 1970s. It is the story of two women and the extremes to which they are willing to go for love. It is a story of great passions - and great betrayals - where nothing is quite as it seems.

I love love LOVED this book!

Belinda Alexandra is one of my all time favourite authors and she has yet again demonstrated why. 

The storyline was full of adventure and twists worthy of any dancer, and while it was definitely not predictable, it was easy to follow. I would think I had figured it all out and then a new detail would be expertly woven in and I had to guess again.

The characters were colourful and their stories were told by switching seamlessly from one pint of view to another, one era to the next and back again.

I can honest say that the book was exciting right up until the very last page. I would love to read and re-read this book over again many times.