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I read a lot of books and I write about them on here. Mummy Geek is sometimes a guest blogger....people seem to love her.....Oh and you can find me on Twitter.....@book_geek_says. Shortlisted for Blog of the Year by the 2015 Love Stories Awards...THANK YOU!!

Monday 17 October 2016

Review: I Am Pilgrim

Publisher: Bantam
 
Last of my holiday reads then (I know I've been back three weeks but shush).
 
So, people have raved at me about this book for yonks and I bought it with the birthday voucher I got as I saw my opportunity to BUY MORE BOOKS! And man am I glad I bought this book.
 
So, we are with an secret-agent, we are at a crime scene and from there we are about to find out all about him, his life, how he has become who he is and how the world is going to shit.
 
I am not going to use the character's name as I don't want to spoil anything, so the main man is awesome. He is like Jason Bourne but with intelligence, sass, character, depth, layers and I imagine he's far better looking.
 
The writing style evolves with the novel. It starts off being very politically led and very in depth, you need to concentrate to a degree to follow it. However, as it moves on the action kicks in a bit more and a sense of urgency develops. It turns in to an action led thriller from a politically led thriller and it's awesome!
 
 
But even though the change happens, nothing detracts from how brilliant and gripping and entertaining and absorbing this book is.
 
There are a few things I have to point out in particular:
- The hotel manager and his mental but amazing English is possibly my favourite thing in the book. It's so endearing and so so funny at the same time. I hope you love him too.
- I cried/filled up with tears in public places four, YES FOUR, times reading this book. I hope that shows you how fantastically written it is.
- I exclaimed in horror once. So much so that Boy Geek came running in to the room to make sure I was ok as he thought something horrible had happened to me.
 
So, there you have it. Reasons to read this book, without telling you pretty much anything about the book as I don't want to spoil a single page for anyone!.
 
HAPPY READING
BG
 
P.S. At a hen do a few weeks ago this really dickheadish girl said 'oh I am Pilgrim, I read that a few weeks ago and it's the worst book, it's so unbelievable.' She can sod off...she obviously doesn't get books!

Friday 7 October 2016

Review: Go Set A Watchman

 
So, Mummy Geek read this book and gave me hear copy with a review along the lines of 'it's rubbish'. But, as I read, as many have, To Kill A Mockingbird for my GCSE English and loved it, I had to have a go.
 
I read this on holiday, yes another one, and originally put it in the 'medium read' category of my holiday selection. Man was I wrong, it should have gone in the easy as I read it in a matter of hours.
 
Yes, it was nice to be back with Scout, 20 years after TKAM, and it was nice to see how everyone was getting on, how life had developed and what types of people the characters had turned in to, as let's face it, 20 years can change a thing or two. For the record, Scout pretty much is the person I thought she would be, and yes I am aware she is fictional.
 
But what I didn't like about the book is how unsubtle it is compared to TKAM. The nuances of the first book and the gentle tentative writing was gone that cropped up. I missed them. And no more so than towards the end, say the last quarter, where it all started to feel like a very self indulgent book. It seemed to me as if HL wanted the reader to know what a modern and civil person she was in the 50s yet how understanding she was of others and their lives and perception of the world.
 
 
Overall, not a patch on TKAM and a bit of a let down, despite having heard from more than Mother Geek that it was a bit shit. I am glad I read it though.
 
Cheers
 
BG

Monday 3 October 2016

Review: Dial up for Murder

Publisher: Self I believe
 
A couple of years ago I read The Twain Maxim and thought it was a decent holiday read. Following reviewing that I was asked to read this....due to some things it's taken me a little while but here is the review.
 
I read this on holiday, I took it as my selection of books as one of the 'easy reads' and it certainly fit the bill. The book is all about Peter and how he gets embroiled in the world of computer hacking in the 1980s...yes the 1980s.
 
The novel feels rather spoof like and tongue in cheek for the most part which was good after reading A Brief History of Seven Killings and finishing that just before I picked this up. This book is light, amusing and indeed an easy entertaining read.
 
The tech stuff is as I imagine it would have been in the 80s. I was born in 1986 so have no idea if it's realistic however. But, due to this, the grasp upon the technology was more hard to gather than when I see tech stuff in modern day computery based books and TV shows. That was amusing to be honest.
 
The sex scenes were totally cringe worthy, but I am hoping this is because the book is a bit spoofy in its style.
 
The real downfall for this book was the proof reading. I know this book is self published (I think it is anyway) and I know I am one for typos and errors, but there were a lot in this novel and in some ways that detracted from my enjoyment...probs something to do with my day job.
 
Overall, a decent read, once more suited to a holiday, but not sure I'm keen to read the rest of 'The Hacker Chronicles.'
 
Cheers
 
BG