Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Recommended for all ages.

So this book was recommended to me by an avid reading youngster who knows I love fantasy novels. This is the ultimate fantasy story that everyone has imagined at some point - what if there was a portal between the world inside a book and our world? What if characters could simply slip between the two worlds? How would it change us and how would it change them? And most importantly, how can you stop it?

These are the questions that Meggie asks of her dad throughout the novel, and these are the questions that must be answered if the world as we know it is to survive.

Funke has tied all the loose ends up in a very kid-friendly way and I guess that's my main problem with this book. It all seemed a little TOO fairy-tale-ish for my liking. Yes, I know it's a kids book, but I want my fantasy novels to really transport me to a different time and place.

I didn't get that this time.

I don't even know if I should read books 2 and 3 in the series...

I'm not really feeling sorry for myself, but when you invest the time and energy into reading a book this thick, you want it to be worthwhile. Are books 2 and 3 really worth the time?

Recommended for kids of all ages. Adults, you may be disappointed.

Democracy in America - Alexis de Tocqueville

Recommended for people who enjoy heavy political tomes.

Okay, so this book is extraordinary for one main reason - it sums up the entire American consciousness, politics, religion and social customs in a way that really made me think. My favourite chapter explored the ways historians in a democratic country write in comparison to those in an aristocracy.

I won't go into detail here - the type of readers interested in this book will probably already know it. This entry is here purely to remind me to reread it and keep it in the back of my mind for future reference.

The 10pm Question - Kate de Goldi

Recommended for ages 8+.

I finally tracked a copy of this book after so many people recommended it to me. It's a nice quick read about a dysfunctional family and the way in which Frankie, the protagonist, comes to terms with his family, friends and himself. Other than that I can't say that it left me moved.

Author De Goldi wanted to write "about the complexity and hilarity in the everyday business of being human" - something I think she really did achieve. But I also think it takes more than this to create a truly memorable story about personal difficulty and achievement.

If you've read this book, tell me: what did you like so much about it???

The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

Recommended for ages 8 to adult.

This book reminded me of how much I LOVE good fantasy novels. It has everything that a gripping book should, and more. The plot is original and developed in a realistic manner. While complex, Pullman has you keep in mind that there will be at least 2 sequels in which all will be revealed.

This first book, His Dark Materials sets the scene and provides much of the background knowledge that (I assume) will be required for the later books. It tells of the birth and early years of Lyra and the origins of the curious alethiometer. It paves the way for the further development of the unsatisfied relationship between Lyra's powerful mother and father. And it gives us a powerful understanding of the symbiotic relationship humans have in this universe with their daemons.

Pullman's writing style is clear and easy to follow, although he doesn't paint some of his most interesting characters in enough detail. I wanted to know how Lord Asriel got to be so evil, and why Mr Scoresby is so like Hans Solo. Too many characters and worlds are introduced for Pullman to give us a detailed explanation of every character, but I think he should've thought of that at the time of writing and either pared the character list down, or chosen to focus on the characters surrounding the protagonist Lyra. At any rate it is an exciting plot with loads of other-worldly action.

Recommended for ages 8-adult because none of the themes are too dark, nor is the language too verbose. Particularly recommended for Obernewyton lovers. 

Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli

Recommended for girls of any age.

Stargirl is the story of the most beautiful soul who lands among the students of the very ordinary Mica High School. Calling herself Stargirl, the new student sets out to transform the world with songs and homemade cards.

At first the other students are shocked, then curious about Stargirl, but before long they come to hate her 'otherness' and her ideas about kindness. Shunning her, they also shun her boyfriend, Leo, who is the narrator of the tale. It is not until Leo shows how gutless he really is that Stargirl is able to leave a lasting impression at the school.

Spinelli has produced an engaging novel which is fast and easy to read. As a reader, you simultaneously love Stargirl's authenticity while knowing you would react in just the same way as Leo and his peers. It's a sobering thought.

It's a pretty girly read. You have been warned!

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

Recommended for ages 12-adult.

Charles Dickens appears on just about every "Top 100" book list you can find, and for a good reason - the guy was a masterful storyteller. He weaves a magical web of language that makes his books as enjoyable to listen to as comprehend. You don't have to understand the complex plot of this book to be mesmerised by his metaphors and turns of phrase. And the guy is pretty funny too - more than once I burst out laughing at his expressions (not a good look if you're in the USA Social Security offices like I was...) 

In A Tale of Two Cities Dickens crafts a dramatic tale of espionage, adventure and love. Although I found the first half of the book slow-going (owing to my increasing exposure to the {for the most part} simple and poor-quality novels available today), the dénouement and final conclusions of this book left me reeling. It deals with the almost-forgotten codes of decency, gallantry, justice and family by exposing a time where each struggled to survive: the French Revolution. You will love Dicken's central characters: Lucie, Charles, Mr Lorry, and ultimately even the incorrigible Sydney Carlton. You will gasp in horror at the sinister Madame Defarge and her knitting. And you will cry (more than you did in the Hunger Games series) bitter-sweet tears at the courage of the little seamstress and the knowledge she carries to the guillotine.

Lots of young adult fiction works today dramatise and heighten their suspense and romance to the point where it is almost unbelievable. Dickens doesn't. Instead, his portrayal of human emotion is sincere and often understated. He chooses to show, rather than tell you how much his characters love and hate one another, and in doing so sets himself apart from his weaker counterpart authors. Let yourself be caught up in the turbulence and uncertainty, the terror and treason that is the French Revolution.

Recommended for kids over 12, because of the language complexity more than anything. Stick with it until you have gotten into a 'Dickens groove' and can really enjoy it.