August 2013
Welcome to Fife’s libraries reader reviews newsletter. All books reviewed in this newsletter are available from Fife’s libraries. To find out which libraries have these books, to make a request or share a review, visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/readingroom
What’s New? Judge Dredd by John Wagner On the Road by Jack Kerouac One Shot by Lee Child Books Reviewed this month Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas
Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Bridesmaids by Jane Costello Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro
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Perfume by Patrick Suskind The Prestige by Christopher Priest The Reader by Bernhard Schlink Touching the Void by Joe Simpson Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen We bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee
All editions of Right Guid Read are available on www.fifedirect.org.uk
Reader Reviews Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas William Wilberforce has been fighting to stop slavery for a long time so takes a holiday to revitalise himself. He meets Barbara Spooner who will become his wife. His friends, John Newton- a reformed slave ship captain who wrote the well known hymn and William Pitt- who becomes Prime Minister give him their backing and support in trying to stop this trade in human beings. A remarkable story told about people who were the leaders of their day and who refused to give up their moral crusade against evil. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
Bridesmaids by Jane Costello Evie has been a bridesmaid four times in the past year and wonders if she will ever be the bride.Her friends are Grace ( an overworked lawyer), Georgia (modest, funny, matter-of-fact), Charlotte(plump, shy and reserved), Valentina (long legged, tanned, skinny and self-obsessed) An amusing, light hearted read. Perfect to take on holiday with you. Chick lit at its best as the humour will keep you chuckling through the predictable storyline . This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries
Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro A group of children live together in an English boarding school. It seems idyllic but soon the darker side of their lives become apparent as Kathy tells you about her impending fate and the life that led up to that inevitable outcome. A moving and chilling book with every chapter layered with foreboding as more and more details of being bred as a clone to supply spare parts to the old and infirm are revealed to you. This title is also available in Spoken Word ,Large Print and a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
Reader Reviews Perfume by Patrick Suskind This is the tale of a serial killer in 18th century France. Grenouille has no sense of smell, a unique gift, which leads to a life-long mission to find the perfect fragrance. A pursuit so compelling for him that he is willing to kill without conscience to preserve or distil the most glorious of these perfumes. A great read with a chilling villain who attracts and repulses at the same time, that is at the root of this spell-binding book. This title is also available in Large Print and as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
The Prestige by Christopher Priest The story focuses on two Victorian magicians who are professional rivals. This feud warps both their lives in strange and unforgettable ways. Their descendants meet and piece together the story through an old diary and a notebook. It is both a thriller and a study in obsession. Good characters, an intriguing mystery and an unexpected ending. This title is also available in Large Print, Spoken Word and as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink The story begins with teenage Michael having an affair with an older woman in post-war Germany. He later sees her on trial as she was a concentration camp guard. The secret they share is not told and he has to live with this for the rest of his life. This is not just about the holocaust but also the emotions of ordinary people and how it affects and tarnishes them and any relationship they have with their family and partners. This title is also available in Spoken Word and as a DVD from Fife’s Libraries.
Reader Reviews Touching the Void by Joe Simpson An awesomely true adventure story about two British climbers in the Andes. On their descent, Simpson breaks his leg and Yates desperately tries to get his friend down. Finally Yates is forced to leave him. The story that follows describes how man can survive against ever increasing odds yet shows the will to live is nearly indomitable. This inspiring and harrowing book leaves you in tears and facing the question of what you would have done in a similar situation. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen A travelling circus in post-depression America is remembered by orphan Jacob who trained to be a vet. Jobs are scarce and the management know that the fear of losing it makes the workers be hard on themselves, the menagerie and each other. This historical fiction is based upon real events, drawn from diaries and personal histories. It has humour, romance, emotion, and is unique. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries
We bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee A widower with two young children attempts to return a zoo to financial success. This charts his experiences with his family, the staff and the 200 animals. There are unexpected set backs with escaped animals and inspections from local health officers being just two of them. A heart warming story of how a family realise their dream and battle against the many difficulties that are in the way of a happy ending. This title is also available in Large Print and as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
New Titles One Shot by Lee Child This book is the first to be made into a film- called Jack Reacher. He is ex-army, who likes to live in a quiet, under the radar way yet always gets involved in a thrilling adventure before moving onto the next town. The outcome is predictable but this one has a strong plot with many twists in it. Escapism from the mundane, ordinary world at its best and most entertaining. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries
Judge Dredd by John Wagner Judge Dredd is one of the greatest comic characters. He is the toughest law man of the future which starts in a post holocaust world where his character develops through individual but linked tales, introducing many villains and setting the scene for future graphic novels. The writing and black humour is effective, the tension is always high and the artwork is stunning. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries
On the Road by Jack Kerouac A semi-autobiographical travel account ,with a somewhat grim backdrop of post WW2 America, taken by Sal and Dean. It tells of fleeting romances, drugs, jazz, hard drinking, fast food and introduces you to the colourful and eccentric characters they meet on their various journeys. This is about youthful exuberance and freedom. Reading it you yearn for adventures and the open road. You dream of a better way of life and have high hopes of being free from stifling everyday cares. This title is also available as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.
Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick Pat is suffering from mental health problems. He believes his life is a film being directed by God but all he wants is to be nice. He tries to do this by always looking for the ‘silver linings,’ working hard to improve himself and waiting for the happy ending of his wife returning to him. A funny, sad, uplifting story which is especially poignant in detailing human lives and relationships. This title is also available in Spoken Word and as a DVD from Fife’s libraries.