Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
This book is a work of art. I had an absolute obsession with it last year. Perhaps the style of writing could be difficult to get used to if not used to reading fiction from a similar period however, after a chapter or so it is easy. I began to love it a few pages in, probably because of my belief that it describes the most acute emotions so perfectly. The use of language when depicting them really is exquisite. I reread it about three times and each time unintentionally selected quotes relevant to my own life. Although it does seem to have a fairly steady pace to it over all, the storyline is great and it seems to capture internal emotional conflict and struggles really well. After reading the first few chapters, it definitely became something I read more and more frequently. I also noticed that my own essay writing at school was improving as a result of reading this, it introduced me to more complex vocabulary which I could apply to my own work. It is a brilliant read and I would recommend it in any circumstance.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
When describing this, 'Feminism' should be a key word. Despite being a fictional novel set in a dystopian society, this book tackles so many themes still recognisably present today. It succeeds in articulating them in such a mesmerising way. You can truly feel yourself becoming steadily more and more horrified by the events that could occur in that society. Within the story, stark contrasts are provided between what was once the present and what currently is the present without once losing form or feeling unnatural. Every element to the story line increases your interest and heightens the tension and uneasiness that is continually being built up with additional information. It is well worth the read.
Sunday Morning Coming Down by Nicci French
In my last post about books I mentioned the first book from this series and strongly recommended it as a good read. This is the last book and again, I would recommend this equally as much. Whilst it is difficult to read so many books by the same author in quick succession because you may tire of their writing style, I found that with these books you recognise that but continue to read on anyway. It is a great page-turner. I particularly liked this one because it introduced some more disturbing and thought provoking themes and, I am a strong believer that if a book doesn't stir some emotion or provoke thoughts then it isn't worth the read. Personally I thought that the previous six books were leading up to a far greater finale than what actually happened. Compared to the really nail biting moments in the other Frieda Klein novels, this ending seemed to take the easy way out. None the less it was a great read.
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
Even though this was a very short and easy read, it is still a book that has given me so much to think about since. It is about a character called Holly Golightly who today I think you'd describe as very "edgy" or straight out of tumblr. She is someone with quite a controversial personality, perhaps the type of person that people nowadays aspire to present themselves as on Instagram. She draws in those around her, is very sociable with an active love life, she is quirky but also mysterious. There is not anything absolutely insane that happens in the storyline but you still remain captivated by her. I got my copy of this in a book swap shelf in Vietnam and it contains short stories in the back. These caused me to think just as much, perhaps even harder than Breakfast at Tiffany's did. The included short stories also by Truman Capote are House of Flowers, A Diamond Guitar and A Christmas Memory. They are equally as valuable.
