White Teeth, Zadie Smith

Halfway through the book I thought that it was a good and interesting insight into different cultures, but it didn't get my blood pounding or give me that 'I have to know what happens next, right now' feeling. I enjoyed reading about the different, but similar, cultural identity struggles the characters went through, but there wasn't any opportunity to really learn and understand these internal struggles, as Smith quickly moved on to the next character just as I was getting into it.

The book also felt quite long, with the feeling that not much was really going on. It felt like two books, split in two by the arrival of the Chalfens. Could have easily been half as long. So much waffle I got bored at the end. The end also really annoyed me, introducing new characters in the last 70 pages and then doing nothing with them.

Halfway through I was set to give it a reasonable 3/5, but it was too long with no real reason for it. This isn't a book I'll be keeping.

2/5

NB: Entered into the Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2012 under Muggle Studies, as it deals with race, multi-culturism and different religions quite well, and again as Muggle Studies is about learning about a different culture, I thought it would fit in well.

Mushroom Magnets

Not sure if you've figured it out yet, but I like to make video game based things. These are two mushrooms from Super Mario made into cross stitch magnets. I'm going to make a whole load of these for my fridge one day!

Wyrd Sisters, Terry Pratchett

Found this one a little difficult to get into, but once I did I didn't really stop. Another good solid Discworld novel, with a good few laughs. Not sure about one part of the story, felt it was a little contrived and didn't really work, but all in all it was funny and enjoyable.

3/5

NB: Entered into the Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2012 under History of Magic, as the book is about witches (the Wyrd Sisters).

Life of Pi, Yann Martel

A really good book that I wish I had studied at school or college. It takes a little effort to get through the first part, but the rest of the story makes it all worthwhile, and helps you realise the importance of the first 30-odd chapters. Gets you thinking at the end, and brings up all sorts of discussion points.

4/5

NB: Entered into the Hogwarts Reading Challenge 2012 under Arithmancy, as the book includes a number in the title (pi = 3.14159265). It could also fit into Muggle Studies as the book deals with religion, and I feel that religion would be taught in a Muggle Studies class.

Happy World Book Day!

Happy World Book Day! I'm so happy that I'm back into reading again, and am currently enjoying Life of Pi (he's been shipwrecked now so it's got a little more interesting!).

This is one day I look forward to for when I have children. I have already started a collection of books for my future children. I even kind of want a £1 token to buy a book with, even though I have no child to buy one for!

Happy reading everyone!

Nay x