Book Title: The Innocent Man

Book Author: John Grisham

Genre: Nonfiction

Quick Synopsis: Involves two murders and four suspects:
Murder One
Debra Sue Carter was raped and murdered in 1982. The police visited the scene and deduced it was two men just because of the violence of the attack. Glen Gore said he saw Ronald Williamson at the club that Debra worked at, the Coachlight. In fact, Ron wasn't at the Coachlight that night, he was at home with his mother watching videos until the early hours of the morning. Police needed a second man and decide Dennis Fritz was it, though the two hadn't spoken in months. Throughout the book it seems as though everything is concocted by the police, eventually getting Dennis put in prison for life and Ron sentenced to death in 1987. Only in 1999 were they both exonerated. It describes the lives of them both, before, during and after the convictions and pardons. The system treated neither fairly and Ron was found to be mentally ill, the guards teased him, in more than one place, and by many people.

Murder Two
Denice Haraway just disappeared. They got Tommy Ward to confess and frame Karl Fontenot. Originally, Tommy visited the station with the intent of clearing his name, and they asked him to return in a few days for a lie detector test which he readily agreed to. Between the first interview and the lie detector test he had a dream. After taking the exam they said he had "flunked" it, when in fact he had not. Eventually after 5hours of interrogating he decided to just go along with their story, telling them about the dream. They concocted a story of the dream, and recorded only this bit of the interview with Tommy Ward, without the fact it was a dream. They coerced Karl into doing the same. They confessed to raping and stabbing her to death. Both are now serving life terms.

What was right with it?: The writing drew me in, and I though John Grisham doing nonfiction might be a little weird, but the way it's worded and the whole story is really good.

What was wrong with it?: For me, nothing. It was much better than anticipated.

Marks: 10 out of 10

Recommended Age Of Reader: 15+ there's some gory things in there.

Reviewed By: Beth UnusualOne

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From a distance you look like my friend,

even though we are at war.

Book Title: Hiroshima

Book Author: John Hersey

Genre: Non fiction

Quick Synopsis: Basically, the author John Hersey visited Hiroshima, Japan,  a couple years after the first atomic bomb was dropped there. He interviews six different people, and he tells all of their stories throughout the book.

What was right with it?: The imagery used was fantastic. I could almost see it happening as I read the detailed accounts. Also, the fact that knowing this was an actual event and these are actual people made it more interesting. It really makes the reader question life, as well as their own morals.

What was wrong with it?: Absolutely nothing, but it wasn't perfect.

Marks:  8 out of 10

Recommended Age Of Reader: 13+

Reviewed By: eruption1001

All in all a great book. It took me three days to finish, while reading an average of about an hour and half per day. 150 pages. You should definitely read it.

Book Author: Albert Camus

Genre: Fiction

Quick Synopsis: This is a collection of short stories written between 1945 and 1955. Each one focuses on the life of an individual and how that person sinks into a slump of boredom and dissatisfaction with the dullness of everyday life and then realizes that nothing is going to change this and they learn to live with it and enjoy life's moments of contentment.

What was right with it?: It is very realistic. I could relate to each story's main character in some way. You will quickly associate the dullness in your own life with the lives in the book and it is refreshing to hear an author end the book with a realistic but pleasing outcome- realization that life has to be taken "as is" and that it is "absurd" as Camus put it. It is comforting somewhat. Also, the prose is very smooth and the stories are the perfect length.

What was wrong with it?: Each plot is somewhat similar, but then again, he is talking about realistic people, not people with crazy lives (though the one character has some pretty bizzare stuff happen to him).
Marks: 9/10

Recommended Age Of Reader: Anyone could read this book. It's not hard to "get" since IMO Camus' Absurdism philosophy is pretty simple to grasp.

Reviewed By: "Rickenbacker"

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Listen to Penderecki.

Book Title: Dime Store Magic  

Book Author: Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Fantasy

Quick Synopsis: Leader of the American Coven, guardian to the preteen daughter of a black witch ... it's not the lifestyle twenty-three year-old Paige Winterbourne imagined for herself, and it's wreaking hell on her social life.  
But she's up the challenge.  When half-demon Leah O'Donnell returns to fight for custody of Savannah, Paige is ready.  
She's not as prepared for the team of supernaturals Leah brings with her, including a powerful sorcerer who claims to be Savannah's father.  Cut off from her friends, accused of witchcraft, Satanism, necromancy, murder...Paige quickly realizes that keeping Savannah could mean losing everything else.  Has she finally found a battle she isn't willing to fight?  

What was right with it?: Everything. It was so realistic. Witches, werewolves, sorcerers, everything is so realistic!

What was wrong with it?: Nothing

Marks:  10 out of 10 Asolutely brilliant!

Recommended Age Of Reader: 13+ Some mature scenes

Reviewed By: Sunshine Buddy

Post edited at 12:40 pm on July 20, 2007 by Sunshine Buddy

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Bamber Bridge Click daily please!

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Title: The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

Book Author: Mark Haddon

Genre: Mystery/Autism fiction

Quick Synopsis: Christopher Boone is a 15-year old autistic savant in Swindon, England. He hates being touched, cannot tell a lie, or understand metaphors or jokes. He is a whiz at math and enjoys puzzles. When the neighbours dog is killed with a pitchfork, he seizes upon it as a puzzle and math problem in hopes of understanding something that makes no sense to him. This begins a journey for Christopher that takes him places he never imagined, both physically and emotionally.

Whats right with it?: Mark Haddon who works with autistic children has created a unique character to tell a story of an autistic child. I quickly came to sympathise Christopher Boone and makes the book a delightful and different novel. Parents and friends of autistics can also learn a great deal about how to interact with us in a way that makes us comfortable from the book. Instead of Christopher's parents forcing him to learn to hug or maintain painful physical contact to fulfil *their* needs, they learn to communicate their love (and to let him communicate his) by gently but firmly touching one another's fingertips. There is much more than that to the book, though. The story itself is filled with innovative twists and turns that bring it far beyond the "mystery" category -- or any other genre. What I like most about it is the fact that it provides a different perspective on the flaws and foibles of man, where adults can often act as childish and petulant as the children. I should not have waited so long to read it and it should be on everyones reading list.

Whats wrong with it?: There is not really a lot that I found wrong with it but I did feel that it slightly avoided most of the furnishings of high-literary enterprise as well as the conventions of genre, confuses the reader to shocking effect.  

Marks out of 10: 10/10

Recommended age of the reader: The novel is being marketed to a YA audience, but strong language and adult situations make this a good title for sophisticated readers of all ages.

Reviewed by: Tasmin aka minmin

“I do not tell lies. Mother used to say that this was because I was a good person. But it is not because I am a good person. It is because I can't tell lies”.

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I really don't see why everybody likes this book.  I read it and I hated it.  It was so dull.

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RIP Kyle Anthony Cooke &Anna Svidersky
&Shelby Nicole Howard. I miss you all, dearly.

Book Title: Moby Dick

Book Author: Herman Melville

Genre: Adventure & Essay on whaling and whales

Quick Synopsis
The book tells the story of a whaling voyage which turns into a vengeance pursuit after Moby Dick, the dreaded whale that took the Captain's leg. Captain Ahab vows to slay the creature or die himself.

What was right with it?
I liked the fact that almost half of the book describes the sperm whale, giving detailed info on the animal. Vivid imagery (beauty of the sea) and psychological insight (characters aren't flat) give the novel a decent depth. Although hidden in between the lines, there are jokes that I appreciated and that made reading more interesting.

What was wrong with it?
It hit me how contradictory was hunting and admiring whales at the same time, as presented in the book. Sometimes I found the language challenging, though this may be because English isn't my mother tongue. Apart from the fascinating descriptions of the whale, the author seems to get carried away at times and wander off into complex references to mythological characters and motives.

Marks: 7 out of 10. Good reading (if you are interested in whales, add 1 point).

Recommended Age Of Reader
17. I think younger readers will soon get discouraged and feel lost among Melville's numerous references to worldwide literature of past times.

Reviewed By: Save the world

Book Title: Black Wind

Book Author: Clive Cussler

Genre: Adventure & Action

Quick Synopsis
A Korean businessman plans to use a biological weapon on a massive scale to help his affairs. Only Dirk Pitt and the family, Dirk Pitt Junior and Summer Pitt, his sister, can stop him.

What was right with it?
Occasional historical, technological and biological details are quite interesting. However it is written hastily, the novel is coherent and easy to read. Good time killer.

What was wrong with it?
Throughout the book, I got the feeling that Cussler was hurrying towards the end. It seriously lacks imagery, characters are merely drawn (you don't learn anything about their feelings or thoughts) and dialogues sound artificial. I mean, one can't keep joking in every other sentence, especially if it isn't funny. This could be because I read Polish translation, yet again, the author should refrain from giving his characters this fake, carefree attitude. One the example of Black Wind, he seems to be more of quantity than quality writer. He doesn't make you think, nor does he leave any trace in your memory, after the book is read.

Marks: 5 out of 10. Average reading.

Recommended Age Of Reader: 14

Reviewed By: Save the world

Book Title: The Children of Hurin

Book Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Genre: Fantasy

Quick Synopsis
The title is quite exhaustive as to the content. It tells the story of Hurin's children, Turin, Nienor and Urwen. The streams of their lives are presented on the pages of the book.

What was right with it?
This story's main virtue lies in its connection to all the other books written by Tolkien. It enlarges the magnificent world created by the author and makes it even more vivid. It feels almost as if this realm was real, thanks to the great imagery and its detailed description throughout Tolkien's stories. Furthermore, the book certainly gives the magical feeling that fantasy books are supposed to bring up to the reader. It is very substantial to mention wonderful drawings by Alan Lee that appear between the chapters. They help imagination, but at the same time don't interfere with what you imagine a character or a place would look like.

What was wrong with it?
What many fans of Tolkien complain about is the length of his books. Seeing as for some even the Lord of the Rings is a short one, The Children of Hurin, being a one-night read, left me seriously unsatisfied. I think the story would be more enjoyable if there were more descriptions of the scenery, such as in LotR, for instance. Also, I believe that in some time there will be another publication like that, with the name of Tolkien's son under his father's, that instead could be put together and published as at least a little thicker volume. Let us see what Christopher does.

Marks: 7 out of 10. Good reading (add 1 point if you are particularly fond of Tolkien's books).

Recommended Age Of Reader: 14

Reviewed By: Save the world

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Book Title: Chain Mail - Addicted To You

Book Author: Hiroshi Ishizaki

Genre: Young Adult / Thriller  

Quick Synopsis: This book has been translated to English very well. It's the story of three teen girls, all living in Tokyo, who get an email from another girl asking them to help write an online story.  It's a thriller about a teen girl getting stalked by a guy.  It is fun, and they all enjoy it at first, but soon, things go wrong and real life starts to mirror what's happening in the story. It quickly turns into a nightmare for one of the girls.    

What was right with it?: It's very addictive, and you will find that you won't want to put it down. It's very clever, as not only do you follow the girls writing it, but you're following the 4 characters in the story they're writing too. If you have never read any Japanese books before, this would be a good place to start.  

What was wrong with it?: Nothing really. There's some references that you might not get, like some drinks they have and the cultural differences that you have to come to speed with. But it's not tha damaging, and you will soon pick it up.    

Marks:  8 1/2 out of 10    

Recommended Age Of Reader: I would suggest anyone could read this book

Reviewed By: Sarah SomeoneLoveMe

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Book Title: Summer Sisters

Book Author: Judy Blume

Genre: Young Adult / Older Teen

Quick Synopsis: Another good example of where Judy Blume has ventured into the 'older' reader market. This book picks up the life of Vix, a typical teen in an American school - her  
family life is somewhat messed up, has a sibling with health problems, and is always being
asked to help out, not that she minds. She is randomly asked by a girl called Caitlin to go with her and her family to their cabin in the summer - and what would be a one off turns into an annual event, where the girls grow older and change, not always bringing them closer.  

What was right with it?: Some of the scenes are very charming, with the girls 'experimenting' with their sexuality early on in the book, and then drifting the other way, and getting boyfriends where their relationships are not always plain sailing.  The book often leaves you smiling, because you can relate to many things, and at other times, you want to reach in and shake on of them as you can see what's happening and you don't want them to get hurt

What was wrong with it?: I think very little. My simple complaint was that it's not long enough, and there should have been a sequal.  The ending leaves you asking many questions, which is teasing. I wish a sequal had been made  

Marks:  10 out of 10  

Recommended Age Of Reader: Any age, be aware of some sexuality issues raised

Reviewed By: Sarah SomeoneLoveMe

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Book Title: The Hours

Book Author: Michael Cunningham

Genre: Fiction

Quick Synopsis:  
Interlinked stories of three different women during one day of their lives. Virginia Woolf, Clarissa Vaughan and Laura Brown struggle to survive in the world of choices that shouldn't have been made and love that could have been more fulfilling.

What was right with it?
The book is deeply emotional and thoughtful. The division of action into three main plots adds curiosity to the whole story, as well as provides an interesting ending. I liked the characters, with their carefully and precisely presented personalities, thoughts and fears. Thanks to the detailed descriptions of the surroundings, or rather due to pointing out single, yet important details, the author lets us bury our heads into the story and feel as if we were there, walking by the character. I never got the feeling of boredom and remained interested throughout the book.

What was wrong with it?
The only thing I can think of applies to my general attitude towards literature and cinematography. It is not as much connected with the book itself. I miss strong, decisive and at the same time plausible characters that overcome any obstacles thrown to their feet. Cunningham's novel does not give me one, at least none of the main characters.

Comments
I read The Hours for the first time 4 years ago, but I did not even get past half of it, because at that time I was in a very bad mood, the book seemed depressing and I could not stand reading it. What's interesting, after 4 years, now, it did not have any sort of a similar effect on me, nor do I regard it to be an exceptionally sad story, as I once did.

Marks: 8 out of 10 (maybe even more if you are a fan of Virginia Woolf). Very good reading.

Recommended Age Of Reader: 16

Reviewed By: Save the world

Post edited at 11:03 am on Aug. 3, 2007 by Save the world

Book Title:Angels and Demons

Book Author:[/b[ Dan Brown

Genre: Thriller/suspense/ Religious

Quick Synopsis:This prequel to Dan Browns The DaVinci Code, takes you on the main Character, Robert Langdon's first Thrill chase to stop a secret society from blowing up Vatican City with a newly invented Antimatter.
What was right with it?: This book contains Edge of your seat suspense. There is not a moment from beginning to end that you are anxious about the Characters safety and waiting to quickly finish it to see what happens.
What was wrong with it?:The only thing that i could think of being wrong with it was that it was fallowed up by the DaVinci code.  I'm not saying that is is a bad book, I'm just saying this one is way better.
Marks:  10 out of 10
Recommended Age Of Reader: This is recommended for anyone in high school or higher or any age that is capeable of comprehending the content.
Reviewed By: http://lilguardchic86.showmember.com

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I R PrincessLilla.  This name gives me Magical Yorie powers!

Book Author: Scott Turow

Genre: Thriller

Quick Synopsis
A courtroom story full of surprises, describing the investigation on murder of peculiar circumstances, and the following trial. Rusty Sabich finds himself in the middle of all that, and the reader is observing the situation through his eyes.

What was right with it?
To begin with, this book is one of seldom cases that made me admire the author's intelligence, clearly visible in his writing. It is neatly constructed and sensibly develops with every chapter. Actually, the story needed to warm me up before I got caught in, but it happened right after twenty pages. Extremely intriguing. If you have read my previous reviews, you may have noticed that I pay scrupulous attention to the way characters are drawn. And so, Presumed Innocent gave me wonderfully sketched ones, their passions, fears, thoughts and, in general, personalities precisely and convincingly presented. I especially enjoyed the description of obsessive love given by the author. As it reminded me of my own experiences, it seemed that more credible.

What was wrong with it?
It is better to say, why not 10? That is because on my scale 10 stands for a masterpiece or a book that seriously affected my thinking and, as excellent as the story is, it is neither of these. Although I praise everything about the novel itself, there still could be more to it. It could leave a trace on me, a mark saying, the time he flipped the last page, he changed. I realize I am talking about something close to my vision of perfection here, but still.

Comments
I can't believe that this book spent years on my shelf without me even considering reading it. How fortunate that I eventually did.

Marks: 9 out of 10. Excellent reading.

Recommended Age Of Reader: 16

Reviewed By: Save the world