Fantasy/SciFi
The Host by Stephanie Meyer |
Better known for her Twilight series, The Host is Stephanie Meyer's first novel aimed at adults. The storyline is based around a "soul" called Wanderer who is implanted into her "host" called Melanie. Melanie refuses to die away and develops a strong friendship with the host. It's a futuristic fantasy tale and although it took me about 2/3 of the way through until I worked out what was going on, I would still recommend reading the book. (This could be because of the bite size chunks of time I had to read it in). It did leave me wondering which part of a person is the soul. Just heard that they are making it into a film (release date 2013) which will be quite fascinating. Sheila/November 2011 |
2001 A Space Odyssey by Arthur C Clarke |
Hadn't realised when I read this book many years ago that it was written at the same time as Stanley Kubrick was creating the film. It was one of those books I had an urge to re-read and I wasn't disappointed. The strange tale of a monolith found buried on the moon that then gives off a powerful signal aimed at Saturn. A crew is sent to find out with the help of the inboard computer HAL900. HAL has been built with the latest technology and incorporates a few too many human traits. A great science fiction read, but also an iconic look into the future. I thought the film was more confusing than the book, the music is so well known by all (although probably not realising where it came from). Sheila/October 2011 |
The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis |
Yet another book read as a teenager which I have re-read in recent years. Most people will be aware of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (which is actually the 2nd in the series) due to the recent films, but this was written by C S Lewis at the same time as his friend J R R Tolkein was writing Lord of the Rings. To imagine the writers comparing notes at their local pubs is a wonderful vision. The world the C S Lewis creates is wonderful, engrossing and with strong morals and always with good winning out over evil. The writing is excellent, the descriptions realistic and if you haven't read it for a while, definitely worth reading! Sheila/September 2007 |
Wicked by Gregory MacGuire |
Well, apparently the West End Musical is great, which is more than can be said for the book. I am sure the basic plot would be good if only I could have imagined the people, settings and general environment (even though I have seen Wizard of Oz). However it seemed a mis-match of ideas none of which came together. The plot being how the Wicked Witches of the East and West came to being and how it intertwines with Dorothy and Toto. I confess to skipping paragraphs just to get to the end! It makes you appreciate the imagery created by Tolkein, Lewis, Pullman and how believable their worlds and characters are. Sheila/February 2007 |
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman |
Thought I should put this one on as this really started all the book recommendations. Given as a present by someone to George and languished on his shelf until bored one day, I picked it up.; Brilliant! A parallel world, a fantasy, a story of good and evil, a story of friendship. Read all three (Northern Lights, Subtle Knife and Amber Spyglass) and seen the first play with Tracey. Sheila/January 2004 PS Due to be made into a film to be released December 07 with Daniel (James Bond) Craig and Nicole Kidman as Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter. Should be fascinating (although apparently no references to God?) |
The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkein |
It takes a lot to get into my top three books of all time, but this is (and has been since I read it as a 17 year old) my number one. The Lord of the Rings is written by a master craftsman in a language of a time gone by with the themes that are still relevant today. The story is epic in proportions and simply captivated me. I have re-read the tale of Frodo Baggins' journey to destroy the ring of power many times over the past 30 years. The films just reinforced the images in my head and added a greater understanding of the books. Classic, timeless and a must read for anyone. Sheila |
