Well with winter night's days getting shorter and wetter, it's soon going to be time to hide in doors with a good book. So here are my top picks on must reads this winter.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
So an obvious choice, and if you've been hiding under a rock for the last few years and aren't away of this literature and film craze shame on you. It's still one of my favourites and is still one I go back to over and over again.
It's hard to talk about Gone Girl without giving too much away, as there a few major plot twists that come out of no where to shock the reader. This is why it has become so popular and such a huge success. Ben Affleck started in the 2014 film, and it was a very true to the book, although I think the biggest twist is still better in the book.
The narrative follows Nick search and the police investigation following the disappearance of Amy on the couple's fifth wedding anniversary. This alternates with every other chapter being told from Amy's point of view through her diary entries of her life with Nick, from the day they met, as well her thoughts of men and women.
Pros:
I'm a huge fan of plot twists like in films Fight Club, Se7en and Momento (no spoilers here, don't worry) so when I heard Gone Girl had a great one I was sceptical at how good was it going to be and was I going to figure it out. I did not and didn't have it spoilt for me so it was complete shock! You flip flop between who you like loathe and who you sympathise with and keep guessing right until the climax.
Cons:
Critics of the book has said they disliked both Amy and Nick as they are unlikeable characters. Flynn has said in interviews that you are not meant to like Nick or Amy, and both characters have terrible qualities about themselves, but this make it interesting to learn about them. (So if at first you don't like them, don't worry your not meant to, but they are so fun to read about). Also many felt the ending was unsatisfying, but then this is dealt with in the film if you need better closure.
My final thoughts are that I love discussing this book with people who have read it because reading it as a man and as a women is a totally different experience, which is not covered in the film. It really goes in to depth about men and women's relationships with each other and what to expect when going into marriage.
So an obvious choice, and if you've been hiding under a rock for the last few years and aren't away of this literature and film craze shame on you. It's still one of my favourites and is still one I go back to over and over again.
It's hard to talk about Gone Girl without giving too much away, as there a few major plot twists that come out of no where to shock the reader. This is why it has become so popular and such a huge success. Ben Affleck started in the 2014 film, and it was a very true to the book, although I think the biggest twist is still better in the book.
The narrative follows Nick search and the police investigation following the disappearance of Amy on the couple's fifth wedding anniversary. This alternates with every other chapter being told from Amy's point of view through her diary entries of her life with Nick, from the day they met, as well her thoughts of men and women.
Pros:
I'm a huge fan of plot twists like in films Fight Club, Se7en and Momento (no spoilers here, don't worry) so when I heard Gone Girl had a great one I was sceptical at how good was it going to be and was I going to figure it out. I did not and didn't have it spoilt for me so it was complete shock! You flip flop between who you like loathe and who you sympathise with and keep guessing right until the climax.
Cons:
Critics of the book has said they disliked both Amy and Nick as they are unlikeable characters. Flynn has said in interviews that you are not meant to like Nick or Amy, and both characters have terrible qualities about themselves, but this make it interesting to learn about them. (So if at first you don't like them, don't worry your not meant to, but they are so fun to read about). Also many felt the ending was unsatisfying, but then this is dealt with in the film if you need better closure.
My final thoughts are that I love discussing this book with people who have read it because reading it as a man and as a women is a totally different experience, which is not covered in the film. It really goes in to depth about men and women's relationships with each other and what to expect when going into marriage.
Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
Again another biggie that you shouldn't have missed but if you have check it out.
This was JK Rowling's secret book under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, which had publishers who had declined her kicking themselves when it was revealed to be her. The second in the series Silkworm came out few year later, and I sadly thought it was a disappointing and dull. (So give the first one a read and maybe skip the second, review to come on the third one)
Cuckoo's Calling follows the investigation to the famous supermodel, Lula Landrys death (a Kendel Jenner/Cara Delevigne-esq character). Convinced her sucide was murder, her adopted from John hires ex-army turn private detective, Command Strike to investigate.
Strike's backstory, as the illegitimate son of a 70s rock legend, his beautiful but deadly ex-fiancee and his troubles in Afghanistan, make him a rich and detailed protagonist which make you compelled to follow.
The case its self deals with issues of celebrity, and ask the question who was the real Lula Landry who died that night? Was she a selfish spoilt party girl, a depressed suicidal druggy, a loving daughter and sister, a girl struggling with her identity.
We meet many rich and influential friends, her druggy musician boyfriend, fashion designer bestfriend, bereaved brother who all tell different stories who the real Lula was and what really happened. But who is telling the truth?
Pros
The book has a great set of characters, who are rich in detail and really interested (even if you don't like them.) I really enjoyed the idea and themes of fame, and the 'relationship' the public they feel they have with celebrities based on unreliable media account. Every character has a piece of the puzzle and no character is irrelevant.
Cons
This is probably is big one, is the end reveal. I can't go into it without giving away spoilers, but the reason why things were done seemed a bit mundane when compared with everything else. That being said it is still very enjoyable and I've re-read it a few times.
Again another biggie that you shouldn't have missed but if you have check it out.
This was JK Rowling's secret book under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, which had publishers who had declined her kicking themselves when it was revealed to be her. The second in the series Silkworm came out few year later, and I sadly thought it was a disappointing and dull. (So give the first one a read and maybe skip the second, review to come on the third one)
Cuckoo's Calling follows the investigation to the famous supermodel, Lula Landrys death (a Kendel Jenner/Cara Delevigne-esq character). Convinced her sucide was murder, her adopted from John hires ex-army turn private detective, Command Strike to investigate.
Strike's backstory, as the illegitimate son of a 70s rock legend, his beautiful but deadly ex-fiancee and his troubles in Afghanistan, make him a rich and detailed protagonist which make you compelled to follow.
The case its self deals with issues of celebrity, and ask the question who was the real Lula Landry who died that night? Was she a selfish spoilt party girl, a depressed suicidal druggy, a loving daughter and sister, a girl struggling with her identity.
We meet many rich and influential friends, her druggy musician boyfriend, fashion designer bestfriend, bereaved brother who all tell different stories who the real Lula was and what really happened. But who is telling the truth?
Pros
The book has a great set of characters, who are rich in detail and really interested (even if you don't like them.) I really enjoyed the idea and themes of fame, and the 'relationship' the public they feel they have with celebrities based on unreliable media account. Every character has a piece of the puzzle and no character is irrelevant.
Cons
This is probably is big one, is the end reveal. I can't go into it without giving away spoilers, but the reason why things were done seemed a bit mundane when compared with everything else. That being said it is still very enjoyable and I've re-read it a few times.
The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly
One of my all time favourite book! You may have heard of it, as into a hideous ITV drama a few years ago which was a total mess! I do recommend giving it a read as it is truly gripping and thought provoking.
Like Gone Girl this has two narratives, this one flicks between the past (Karen aged 21) in the summer of 1997; and the present (Karen aged 31) when her partner Rex comes out of jail for murder.
Karen aged 21, is a come-of-age story, about finally finding out who you are and who you want to be. She's graduating university a straight lace, straight A student who's never really lived. Until she meet the bohemian and intoxicating Biba! I think most girl's can relate to when you were young and you made a friend that was cooler than you were and how that made you feel. Well that's Karen's relationship with Biba, who comes across as the real protagonist while Karen is the narrator. Karen also falls for Biba's brother Rex, who is the protector of both girls.
Karen aged 31, is now a controlling and paranoid woman scared for the safety of Rex, and their beloved daughter Alice, once Rex gets out of jail. Someone is after them, watching the house, calling them at home. Karen is determined to find out who is prevent them from ruining her family, but she also has to reconnect to Rex have 10 years apart, and readjust to life with him.
Pros
Completely gripping! Both past and present are so interweaved and secrets revealed in the present are answered in the past. I love how nothing is explained until much later in the book, to keep you guessing and trying to figure it out. The first chapter says Rex comes out of jail, but why? Who died? What is the relevance of X? Why is Y do important?
And unlike Gone Girl and Cuckoo's Calling the ending is electric!
Cons
Critics of the book have dissed Biba's character as annoying and have said it's unrealistic that
Karen would become such close friends with her over the course of a few months. I completely disagree, I have had friendships like that in my late teens, where you meet are instantly best friends and think you'll be friends forever. It's a story of that experience, which if you haven't had might be hard to believe it exists.
My only real disappointment was in Rex. He's a nice enough guy, but is not as well rounded and as detailed as the girls, in the '97 he comes across and lazy and seems but be there just to be Karen's love interest. Also the book's ambiguous title is explained on the last page of the book, which is a kind of a spoiler, but it's called that for a very good reason.
All of these are available at Waterstones and if you've read any of them and loved them/hated them, let me know in the comments below.
The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly
One of my all time favourite book! You may have heard of it, as into a hideous ITV drama a few years ago which was a total mess! I do recommend giving it a read as it is truly gripping and thought provoking.
Like Gone Girl this has two narratives, this one flicks between the past (Karen aged 21) in the summer of 1997; and the present (Karen aged 31) when her partner Rex comes out of jail for murder.
Karen aged 21, is a come-of-age story, about finally finding out who you are and who you want to be. She's graduating university a straight lace, straight A student who's never really lived. Until she meet the bohemian and intoxicating Biba! I think most girl's can relate to when you were young and you made a friend that was cooler than you were and how that made you feel. Well that's Karen's relationship with Biba, who comes across as the real protagonist while Karen is the narrator. Karen also falls for Biba's brother Rex, who is the protector of both girls.
Karen aged 31, is now a controlling and paranoid woman scared for the safety of Rex, and their beloved daughter Alice, once Rex gets out of jail. Someone is after them, watching the house, calling them at home. Karen is determined to find out who is prevent them from ruining her family, but she also has to reconnect to Rex have 10 years apart, and readjust to life with him.
Pros
Completely gripping! Both past and present are so interweaved and secrets revealed in the present are answered in the past. I love how nothing is explained until much later in the book, to keep you guessing and trying to figure it out. The first chapter says Rex comes out of jail, but why? Who died? What is the relevance of X? Why is Y do important?
And unlike Gone Girl and Cuckoo's Calling the ending is electric!
Cons
Critics of the book have dissed Biba's character as annoying and have said it's unrealistic that
Karen would become such close friends with her over the course of a few months. I completely disagree, I have had friendships like that in my late teens, where you meet are instantly best friends and think you'll be friends forever. It's a story of that experience, which if you haven't had might be hard to believe it exists.
My only real disappointment was in Rex. He's a nice enough guy, but is not as well rounded and as detailed as the girls, in the '97 he comes across and lazy and seems but be there just to be Karen's love interest. Also the book's ambiguous title is explained on the last page of the book, which is a kind of a spoiler, but it's called that for a very good reason.
All of these are available at Waterstones and if you've read any of them and loved them/hated them, let me know in the comments below.