I don’t read all that much (Top 10 Books)

Member Name: little devil

Product:	Top 10 Books
Date:	20/07/01 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: hours of fun reading them

Disadvantages: hours of fun reading them - well stops me going out!

I am not what I would call a book lover, I rarely even read and when I do it tends to be books I am familiar with. I do venture into the world of new books every now and again, on the recommendations of friends, but my bookshelf is lacking and the ones on it falling apart. I suppose I really should invest in some new copies, but well I can’t be bothered.

I decided I wanted to write this op, to show I do have a slightly intellectual side, but then discovered it was a little harder than I thought to think of ten books to make it into my list and then put them in order. I have read so many books in my life I struggled to remember some of them and well lets just say this will be a very wired selection.

I am by no means orthodox and the mixture of genres and authors in this list are a little vast in their difference, but here goes nothing…

10. FOREVER, Judy Blume…

Formalities…
£4.99
Paperback
192 pages
ISBN 03303978OX

The Book…
A children’s book to kick things off, now this is not a particularly good literary classic and I doubt many people would even give it the time of day but it is strangely compelling. When I was about 13 a friend lent me this book to have a gander at and for some reason I kept going back to it, the story is nothing outstanding, it’s just easy to read and a bit of fun.

The story is about a girl named Katherine and her boyfriend Michael, who come across each other at a party. The tale follows their relationship; from the early stages to them decided they love each other and to the ultimate act of love, sex. They seem to have the perfect relationship and go on holiday together and just generally get on so well. However Katherine’s parents decide that the couple need some time apart, that being a whole summer. This is the thing that will test their love and commitment to each other.

Although Judy Blume usually writes
for the younger children I feel this is one for the older teenager, with acts of sex being descried and such, I wouldn’t want my little girl (when I have one!) reading this that’s for sure. There is some explicit, well to that age of reader, content so I wonder how the author coped when she wrote this all them years ago.

Judy Blume’s is a brilliant children’s author, no matter what any one thinks. I find that her books are easy to read and all have an innocence about them (well except this!). She tackles some hard hitting issues, like eating disorders and should not be over looked by teenagers.

Why I like it…
Well this book managed to claw its way onto my list because it is one that has stuck with me from my younger days. I must admit I did feel all grown up reading a book like that in the schools designated library time, and the book soon worked its way around the whole of the female population in the year. It is so easy to read and if you sit down and devote time to it I’m sure it could be finished in a matter of hours. I suppose it’s a matter of personality but I do like this book and it’s simplicity makes it one of my favourites. Plus the author is one of the best around for children’s books!


9. HITLER AND STALIN, Alan Bullock…

Formalities…
£14.99
Paperback
1240 pages
ISBN 0006863744

The Book…
I couldn’t decide if this was cheating, as all the rest are fiction and this is non-fiction, however after reading the category explanation thing I decided to include it anyway, after all I do not only read fiction.

I love history; it has always been a passion of mine and my specialty modern history. This means I am very into the 20th century history and particularly the totalitarian regimes of the USSR and Germany. This book details the lives of the two great men, Hitler and Stalin, and although the t
wo hated each other and never met the book tells their lives together. Events are told in order of date (chronologically) and inter locked together.

I have a new addition, given to me by a friend, which is modified to include the deaths of the two men and the legacy they left behind them. This is a history book, there is no doubt about that but it is fascinating and very heavy going!

There are a number of historical books I love but this just seems to have something over the rest. Now a lot I can say about a book like this really. Bullock is one of the great historical writers he has done lots of biographies of famous people and never fails to disappoint the history buff! I don’t really know a lot about him except he writes some cracking stuff.

Why I like it…
Simply because I love history and am totally into these two men and what they did. The fact that they controlled countries like they did and killed so many fascinates me, sorry to sound a little morbid here! Although I must admit I do have to be in the right mood to read this and actually haven’t looked at it in a while, but I feel the mood coming on…

8. BRIDGET JONES DIARY, Helen Fielding…

Formalities…
£6.99
Paperback
320 pages
ISBN 0330332775

The Book…
Well I suppose with all the hype of the movie we all know the story. This is a year in the life of a single, neurotic thirty something who is desperately seeking the perfect man (someone obviously forgot to tell her he doesn’t exist!). She goes through all the usual things of trying to lose weight, cutting down on the fags and alcohol and choosing between two men.

This could almost be a non-fiction book and the author did exceptionally well to draw the reader into the book. The film was good but don’t over look the book, it is better, even though you have to read it!

Why I like it…
This is jus
t something all us women can relate to, ever fallen in love with the wrong guy, had your heart broken? Well Bridget has and she does some other damn funny stuff along the way. Just highly entertaining.

7. CACHER IN THE RYE, J .D. Salinger…

Formalities…
£6.99
Paperback
208 pages
ISBN 014023750X

The Book…
One of the greatest books around, this is definitely a classic about a young boy who tells his life through school and the time afterwards. It gives an insight into what he thinks of his peers, teachers and family. The book doesn’t rely on one event exploding the story, it is so good that it doesn’t need this. This makes the mind tick over, so is good for me who likes to stimulate my mind every now and again.

This is the best works of Salinger and I feel a book that is so out there on it’s own it will take something special to beat it. A must read for everyone and anyone, no doubt about that!

Why I like it…
No matter how many times I read this book it has the same effect as the first time I picked it up. This is one of the all time favorites and it will always remain in my top 10. It is so beautifully written and has the ability to make my cry, this book gets to my emotions as well as my brain. Excellent.

6. WUTHERING HEIGHTS, Emily Bronte…

Formalities…
£4.99
Paperback
288 pages
ISBN 0140620125

The Book…
The story is about two Yorkshire families who live in remote areas. I don’t quite know what to class it as, it is a romance, a horror story, well it can be anything I suppose it depends on the individual. The reader gets so into the book that you will think about it all the day as you read, and wonder about little bits of the book for months to come, well I did anyway!

This story is full of every emotion and will play on all your nerves and it is truly brilliant and m
agnificent, I urge you all to go read it now! Very well dated, all her times match up and you an go through the book so well and it plays on some of her own experiences, must have been difficult for her to write.

Why I like it…
Well I suppose it has something to do with the fact that my grandma bought the book for me. She always wanted me to read more and so got this one day. Being young I was a little over faced by the size of the text, a little small and daunting, but for her sake I persevered. She kept telling me how good it was and when I finished I realised she has told the truth.

This is just great and a piece of literature all should be forced to read, the setting is perfect and the writing exceptional.

5. ANIMAL FARM, George Orwell…

Formalities…
£4.99
Paperback
112 pages
ISBN 0140126708

The Book…
Having already written an opinion on this I will try to keep this a little brief, well in comparison anyway. The book is primarily a satire of the Russian communist revolution and deeper all revolutions in general. It follows the animals in their quest to set up a utopian state and then the ultimate downfall and sell out of the more intelligent animals for their own means.

The story is very intense and can be appreciated on so many levels it will appeal to everyone, regardless of age or intelligence. It is so well written and easy to read. It is so simple one can be forgiven for thinking it is a fairy tale, and to some extent it is. One of the greatest books out there and again a reference to my time of history!

Why I like it…
This novel is fantastic, I cannot say anything else, it is a prime example of an excellent piece of writing and the historical references just gets my brain ticking over.

I am extremely interested in the time period it satires and am a very politically opinionated little devil. I enjoy this book because it
is so simplistic yet complex at the same time. Brilliantly told and well worth every little bit of my time. I must confess to making notes in my own copy, as I get a little drawn into it and am always picking up on new things. It takes subjects many people see as boring and puts them in a tale that is accessible and easy to read. This is a true classic, what more can I say, everyone should read this at least once.

Basically this is a fantastic novel and is one of my favourites. No matter how many times I read it I love it to pieces. You do not have to be very intelligent or have knowledge of what it is about to read it, the book is self explanatory really. It can be read and pleasured by anyone. I have read it and appreciated the story on more than one level, the first time I read it I was young and took it as a fairy story, but I learned.

4. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Jane Austin…

Formalities…
£4.99
Paperback
304 pages
ISBN 0140620222

The Book…
The story is about a family, the Bennet’s, and the quest of the mother to find husbands for her daughters. However she over looks the fact that they are strong willed and independent and fall in love all by themselves. Elizabeth is the best of the sisters, being intelligent, strong-minded and very aware of her duty to her family. You cannot help but fall in love with her. Her reluctance to give her heart makes her a heroin and the fact that she finds love and is willing to pass it over makes your heart beat.

A thoroughly enjoyable romantic novel it must be read not watched to get the full effect of the story.

Why I like it…
I am really an old soppy romantic girl at heart and this just pushes all the right buttons. I enjoy this every single time I pick it up and it never disappoints, it’s just a classic! There is also one character in the book that relates to everyone out there, I suppose you will see yourself
in someone as you read it, even if you are not willing to admit it!

A novel well ahead of it’s time and an brilliant read, I suppose this is one for the ladies more than the men, but I love it.

3. HOT SEX, Tracey Cox

Formalities…
£7.99
Paperback
384 pages
ISBN 0552147079

The Book…
This book is about the art of sex. Come on looking at some of my opinions on dooyoo didn’t some of you expect to see a porn novel or two? Well sorry to disappoint folks but this is the closest I come, a book which details the finer points about sex, and gives some very thought provoking tips! The title really gives the book away doesn’t it, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know what the general gist of this is going to be.

The book is so easy to read and doesn’t faff about, Cox gets straight into things and gives a much needed does of her sense of humor as she does. What the book actually is, well a series of helpful hints and tips for those of us who are looking for something extra in our sex life, so you can get that elusive orgasmic experience every time.

Why I like it…
Well it’s about sex and gives lots of handy hints and tips. It is so easy to read and simplistic that you cannot go wrong, regardless of gender. It is written from the female point of view and so is a must read for men as well as women, boys if you ever wondered what women really want…

Just a great read, honest.

2. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, Arthur Golden…

Formalities…
£6.99
Paperback
400 pages
ISBN 0099771519

The Book…
Are you like the other narrow-minded people who think a geisha is a prostitute? If you are then sorry but you are mistaken, it actually means artist or something along those lines anyway. I had actually forgotten about this book up until last week when I saw a newspaper article on the
Japanese geisha and I remembered how good this was. This is now my night time reading.

The story follows the life of a geisha; I mean everything that happens to the poor girl. From her beginnings in a little fishing village to the auctioning off of her virginity! It is told in a time period when a lot was going on in Japan, and so influences the book a lot.

This book will open your eyes, I know it did mine, and put you into another world where the culture is very different from our own. Very descriptive and profound, words cannot do this work justice.

This was the first book by the author, who I cannot really remember having read any of his books after this, strange as I would class this as perfection! He trained as a geisha for 10 years (now that’s a lot of research) in order to write this book and so it is very true to life and almost from his heart.

Why I like it…
This book is fantastic, there is no other way I can describe it, it keeps you on the edge of your seat and draws the reader right into the action. I found it a compelling read and extremely difficult to put down! A very close friend recommended it to me, but the front cover put me off for a long time, I am glad to say I gave in and this is one of the best books I have read.

1. WOMEN WHO LOVE TOO MUCH, Robin Norwood…

Formalities…
£6.99
Paperback
272 pages
ISBN 0099482304

The Book…
One that should be read by all women who seem to be in a progressive cycle of getting hurt by men. The basic theme of the book is the author exploring relationships and explaining why some women go for men who will break their hearts. She describes it as a cycle, which we find difficult to get out of.

It details on how love should not be painful experience and if it is then we are guilty loving too much. She details the stages of a relationship of this type and how you can over come it.
<
br><br><br>However it is not only about men, and relationships with humans, it deals with drugs and such, a reason why one friend gave me her copy, because the author kept telling her she was a drug addict!

Robin is a marriage councillor from America who decided that some women seemed to put themselves into relationships where they get hurt. She then wrote a book about her experiences with the added extras of it being from someone trained so very helpful to the ‘sufferer’.

Why I like it…
This book goes straight to the heart and it touches a raw nerve. I can relate all too well with some of the stories in the book and I suppose it makes it personal to me, hence why I associate with and like it so much. I would recommend this to anyone, male or female and know lots of people who love this book too.


Well that’s it, 10 of my most favourite books, no it is not full of what we would class literary perfction, but to me they are all fantastic and have added to my life. I would not have been like I am without the help of the above books and authors. Truly my best reads and I would urge you all to check out at least one of them. Oh and thankyou for your time!

Summary: