favourite books of all time

Before I start, I have just become aware of the little swiggly line that has formed under the word 'favourite' (and 'swiggly', might I add). I must point out that this line annoys me endlessly, since despite the fact that I have set my PC to the setting 'English UK' it still seems to not pick up those spelling mistakes. I am not American, and therefore I pronounce tomato 'tomahto' not 'tomayto' and I spell colour and favourite with a U.

Moving on;

Of course, as hard as it is to pick, every reader must have their favourite when it comes to books. I read so many books, I find it ridiculous to pick just one favourite- or even just a few- yet there have been a few standout books to me over the years. I'm sure I am forgetting many books on this list, but perhaps that is just my subconscious informing me of my true favourite picks. Either way, I'm sure this post will be edited multiply times.

Here we go; (note- not in order)

1. Pretty Little Liar Series by Sara Shepherd

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Little_Liars_(book)

Ever since I was 11 and I stumbled across 'Flawless' (the second PLL book) while in Borders, spending my birthday money, I've been hooked. Flawless was perfect- despite being out of sequence it still made sense, enthralling me in the scandalous (note: scandalous is my favourite word, full stop.) secrets. It continues to baffle me how there is a logical, and real-life (no fantasy creatures or spirits, etc) reason behind all of these mysteries. I feel this adds a layer of allure to the book- it's real life, none of it is made up, and all of it could happen to me. It was just the right level of inappropriate- it didn't swear often, but when it did, it used all of the cruel vocabulary- and it's adult themes only made it more appealing. I felt so guilty reading the book, despite the fact I actually hadn't done any of the things mentioned. After all of this, I wanted more. I didn't quite understand some parts of the book, and after further research I discovered that there was actually a book before it in the series. To my enjoyment, it also ended on a cliffhanger; meaning there just had to be more. So without further ado, I recommended the book to my friend- who actually found the first book for me at a library and lent it to me.

One of my other friends was also in on the series, so we organised to save money and borrow books off of each other. This all happened in 2010- when most of the books had been already released. I managed to read the first four books by Summer (only purchasing one, might I add). Over Summer I visited the US, where I raided another Borders and purchased the remaining (including hard back Wanted, which had only recently been released). And, a year after reading all of these, thinking the series had ended, I was casually wandering around my local library when a new PLL book caught my eye. So the series continued! Of course this book was just as good as the others, and the next book will be released sometime this month. I simply cannot contain my excitement. 

The TV series, is a whole other story. I do not like it. I have seen one episode, and I attempted to watch the rest- but I feel the show does not do the books justice. The plot line is completely different- so perhaps if I hadn't read the books I would enjoy it more. But since I have read the books, they are immensely different. My biggest disappointment was how some of the characters were changed. The character of Emily! Completely not how I imagined her. (Or her picture as a doll on the front of the books.) Whenever someone posts a facebook status; 'im in loveeeee with pretty little liars <3' I'm always sure to comment; 'Read the books, they're better.'

2. Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

Image: http://www.faber.co.uk/work/beautiful-malice/9780571259823/

I read this book only recently, and it was definitely one of the best books I've read in a while. Firstly the setting of the book, Australia, is not one you see often, so that was a nice change from all of the American cities I couldn't place on a map to save my life. Secondly the format of the book, how it's written so it gives clues- some chapters set in the future, some set in the present, some in the past is intriguing, and mixes it up. Thirdly, and most importantly, the plot. While often I crave a mushy book with an obvious plot (boy meets girl, girl likes boy, girl and boy get together in the end) this book brought something new and exciting. It incorporated love with mystery, and I must say, everyone knows a girl who is now or will turn out to be just like Alice- a manipulative psychopath that can make you feel so special, then tear you down in an instant. The book doesn't take hours to get onto the interesting, yet doesn't reveal everything too soon- it strikes the perfect balance. Everyone can relate to this book- and then everyone can't at the same time. I loved it, and it's one of those books when it was so perfect, I'm glad it didn't have a sequel. 

More coming later, so stay tuned!

readers rant

Well hello, pretty little readers! As a welcome to my blog, I have decided to form a little, nonsensical rant (that I wrote at midnight, by the way) about my view on books, reading, and life in general.


I have been searching for a creative outlet to all of the ranting and reading that goes on inside of me, and this seems like the perfect centre for all of that. I plan to feature my opinion on new books, old books I enjoy, books-turned-failed-movie rants, and a whole lot more on this blog.

So if you haven't gathered that I'm a book lover already, well, I am. I love books, but I'm very opinionated and picky about my books. I'm a proud member of the local library system which is easy to get too, and I spend hours wandering around aimlessly inside the endless buildings of local libraries, pestering the costumer service clerks and amusing myself with the electronic borrowing system. Oh, books give so much meaning to my life.

Excuse this endless post- it hasn't even begun yet. Hang in there!


So, continuing.

Ah, how I love the book. From the rough texture of the beautiful page as you rub your fingers across it, to it's musty, comforting smell, I strongly believe nothing can ever beat the feel of a book in one’s hand. Of course the dimension of technology and all is amazing and innovative, yet somehow my greatest fear is that all of this new-found greatness will undermine and replace the true meaning of the book. A book is not something that can be experienced on a futuristic device such as an iPad or computer screen, and therefore the Kindle depresses me.

Reading in itself is a whole different story. Reading is what separates humans from animals. Reading the key to a room of intelligence, the intelligence to learn from mistakes, discover new things, which brings me back to the depressing Kindle. Books unlock education, as well as a whole new world of joy and fear, suspense and fantasy, horror and love. I read and write as who I wish I was, as what I wish my life could be. It isn’t a form of denial- it’s a creative form of acceptance and brings with it a whole new outlook on life. What happened to those days when illustrations were the epitome of art, drawn by hand using darling materials you could almost feel? While photography is inspiring, it is also damaging. Photography leaves no room for imagination, it simply exists- that and nothing else. You can edit a picture, of course, but does it really change? An illustration or drawing replays a whole story in one’s head, the plot can be enhanced and continued by the reader and interpreted by each individual in society. My favourite kind of book is the incredible type you can look back to, just to the scenes of specific liking, or to the scenes you were particularly moved or touched by. The computer makes this task nearly impossible- how are you to bookmark or fold a page?

Reading for school is a different matter all together. I wish to read for my pleasure and that alone, not for anyone else’s enjoyment or under anyone else’s instruction. I do not like to analyse or discuss my recent reading in detail with anyone but myself, and I believe my thoughts should be mine and mine alone, to keep me sane rather than raise my grade. I will choose to read what I want when I want- while broadening horizons and experiencing other genres are important, reading is my escape. I use it to get away, and if all of these rules of how many genres and authors I am permitted to read apply, the excitement and enjoyment is drained from the experience. I do not care to read 20 books by the end of the year- just reading the simple 20 books will get me no where. I wish to slow down and appreciate each book on its own, reading and re-reading, processing my thoughts as much or as little as I want, and judging the beautiful or ugly text at my discretion, and in MY time frame.

And to all of you who cannot stand books (gasp!), there is no need to be so verbal. I do not judge you in anyway, sometimes an escape is not needed, or you have other creative (or non creative) outlets of expressing yourself. I personally believe that the English language is beautiful and the words we speak are glorious- the possibilities of synonyms are endless and breath-taking. However, if this is not your cup of tea, I completely understand. But do me a favour- do not announce that ‘reading is stupid’ or any other pathetic statement since reading is important to some. Sometimes the way the book is written can overcome the plot and make the book worth while- for example Harry Potter. The plot and concept of wizards and fantasy bore me (this is only my opinion, which is visibly disagreed with by many) yet the text and vocabulary used on the page are so incredible I choose to look beyond that.

So, to conclude, I love books. Just a little.