Amsterdam - Ian McEwan 1998 **

One of the worst and most depressing books I have read in a long time. 'Amsterdam' means nothing, accomplishes nothing, and finishes like the author forgot to round it all off. It was sloppily written and completely uninteresting. Boring would be an understatement. The novel supposedly centres on the relationships between certain people when they gather at the funeral of an old friend, but within the first ten pages or so, we have left this story, and gone off into bizarre and dull segments surrounding each character and their awful lives. The book becomes nothing to do with the central character, and more just a random collection of 'snapshots' about some horrible people with no resolution whatsoever. Dreadful book.

Started 26th May
Finished 27th May

Wilt - Tom Sharpe 1976 ***

'Wilt' was a strange book. Some parts were very funny, but then others had me straight-faced.

Wilt is a bit of a pathetic human being. He's Head of 'Liberal Studies' at the local Tech, and finds his life a bit of a mess. His colossal wife Eva whines constantly at him leading him to fantasize about different ways of killing her, and when he finds himself in an awkward situation involving a giant inflatable doll at his neighbour's party, things get really sticky. When he decides in a drunken stupor to get rid of the doll down a man-hole, the police get the wrong idea and start to think it is his wife. Enter hilarity.

I like the plot for this, but as with other Tom Sharpe books, it trails off a bit towards the end. It obviously was a fairly popular book at the time of release as it spawned a number of other sequels so I might give the next novel a try. 

Started 23rd May

Finished 25th May

Porterhouse Blue - Tom Sharpe 1974 **** 1/2

As someone who works in one of the older Cambridge Colleges I can relate to this book in so many ways. It's witty, smart, and above all completely hits the nail on the head with regards to what goes on inside the Colleges. Porterhouse is obviously a 'subtle' nod towards Peterhouse, describing it almost to a tee with a satirical snigger. I just found this book very clever, and there were several parts (including a chapter about escaping contraceptives up a chimney) that had tears of laughter rolling down my face. Hilarious. Will be lending this to friends and recommending it to even more.

Started 21st May
Finished 22nd May

About a Boy - Nick Hornby 1998 **1/2

I think I might have to stop reading Nick Hornby now. Sure he's easy to read but I find his novels so depressing and full of despair that it takes a while to recover afterwards. I've seen the movie of this book so of course I already have pre-set notions of the characters but I must say overall I was disappointed with the general tone of the book. Hornby's characters are so unlikable that you struggle to find any sympathy for them or their personal situations. On this occasion it's safe to say that the film is much funnier.

The Murder at the Vicarage - Agatha Christie 1930 ***

Reading Agatha Christie seems to have become a bit of an obsession. But then again, her writing is so wonderful and unique that you really can read book after book of hers and be amazed at how she comes up with some of her stories. 'Murder at the Vicarage' is a curious book. It has the most red herrings that I have ever come across in an Agatha Christie novel as of now.
A man is murdered in his study whilst writing a letter to an anonymous person. Only a few hours ago, the local vicar was entertaining a group of people and said he thought that anyone who murdered the victim would be 'doing the world at large a service.' And now someone had! Soon after, a number of people confess, but it is up to Miss Marple to solve the case and find the real culprit, and as always, she is more on the ball than any of the other characters.
I prefer Poirot to Miss Marple, but this was still a good read. One more to tick of my list.

Started 9th May
Finished 17th May

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald 1925 ***

For a start, the cover of this classic is meant to be one of the most iconic images in the world. Not sure why, but there it is. Regarding the story - I was expecting a fast-living and exciting glimpse into the flapper era written by someone who was actually there and while it was a good story, it was really nothing like I had expected. The characters didn't seem to flow as well as they should've, the general descriptions weren't as detailed as I had hoped, and I couldn't help feeling rather distanced from Gatsby, Daisy and Tom. It wasn't that they were unpleasant characters, it was more that they didn't seem to have any gripping or outstanding traits or qualities that landed them into these situations. Gatsby himself was a peculiar person, and Daisy was what I would call 'dippy.' I read a review of the 1970s movie adaptation of the book, where the person said that they couldn't understand what the fascination with Daisy was, and why so many men seemed to be squabbling over her. I agree completely. She wasn't a particularly strong character (when you think of someone like Elizabeth Bennett she doesn't really compare) and didn't really have much in the way of 'oomph'.
There was a bit of a shock towards the end of the book, but not enough that it would convince me this was any sort of masterpiece. Glad to have read it though, as am hoping to see 'Gatsby' at the cinema sometime soon.

Started 14th May
Finished 16th May

Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella 2009 ****1/2

After an embarrassing year of not having picked up a book I delved into this on a friend's recommendation and am delighted to report that my reading mojo is back with force. Sophie Kinsella is always fun, and always one of those reassuring authors that you know is going to make you laugh, regardless of what else is going on in your life. 'Twenties Girl' really nailed it for me, partly because it was hilarious and heartfelt, but also because one of it's main characters was from the flapper age which is my favourite decade. An award-winning combination in my opinion. Lara attends her great aunt Sadie's funeral, and almost immediately begins to think she is going mad, for Sadie has started appearing to Lara and Lara alone, in her former 1920s flapper body, as a rather disgruntled ghost. She has one last wish before she can 'move on', and that is to find her favourite dragonfly necklace which she became separated from during her life. It is up to Lara to track it down, without making a fool of herself, and that is easier said than done when you are the only one able to see your new companion.
Very funny, and very gentle. I love these sorts of books, almost like comfort food, you can pick them out at times of need and they will instantly rejuvenate you.

Started 20th April
Finished 5th May