2. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult (48 to go!)

I don't think I have enough words in my vocabulary that can praise this novel enough. I could say that it is thoroughly engaging or bloody fantastic but no such exclamation would justify the emotion and feeling from such a talented author.
 My favourite novel was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini but this wonderous novel has managed to top that, almost - dare I say it - effortlessly. It was an absolute tear-jerker and the spark of a raging tumult inside. I fought for every one of the Fitzgeralds; from Kate who suffers from Leukemia to Jesse who just craves a little attention.
  It is so difficult not to find yourself bound to the confinements of Kate's hospital bed and the tight walls of the Courtroom.

Such a wonderful magic has come from the fingertips of this fantastic author, with 'My Sister's Keeper' topping, in my opinion, all other books of hers! It is such a book that I wouldn't refrain from offering anyone (so long as I had a spare copy that was mine that I could always keep safe.)

My favourite character is Brian; Kate and Anna's father. As much as I've tried, I can't imagine the book without him. The ever-loving and ration pacifist was precisely what the novel needed to prevent it from becoming a bitchy gender fight and turned it into a tender, family turmoil.

What I love about the novel most, is the structuring of the chapters. They aren't labelled one, two, three ... (as none of Picoult's books seems to be) but are labelled with each character telling their story at any given lapse. This twist allows for every emotion to be felt and gives a well-rounded approach to the topic. Such a quality, and good execution of it, is not something that you see very often, which makes for the piece to be a work of extraordinary determination and hard-practice.

This is nothing short of remarkable and instigates a deep pang of guilt for the families that you may be fortunate enough to have, the decisions that you may be fortunate enough to make and the lives we may be fortunate enough to lead.

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (49 to go!)

First review of the summer :D

‘Pride and Prejudice’ was very much a novel of deep enjoyment. Written by Jane Austen in Old English the story yields upon the classic fancies of women and, though, only focused marriage and the trials of mistaken love, it is fully engaging and complete with satirical spirit. What, perhaps, may cause a dislike is the length of certain paragraphs coupled with the difficulty of deciphering the content. Such an example may be; ‘…because it required an explanation that would rob him of his borrowed feathers…’ The surface of such clauses may, however, be used to the advantage of the reader. The ambiguities allow for a personal reaction to the piece and a unique recreation of the story for each individual; such is an experience that many more modern novels fail upon. 
  The characters are much to be loved. Such a contrast of colours in the Bennet and Bingley abode as well as later characters introduced, proves that at least one character is bound to prevail. For me this is Lydia. Though far removed from the centre of the novel until later on, her deceptive and unruly outbreak shows something of a contrast of the norm and her inconceivable behaviour gives a proper and thorough look at social standards and expectations. It shows such an oppression of the spirit of women and the self-vanity of many of the other characters. Each, in their own ways, has an opinion of Lydia and much of what is remarked concerns the eligibility of the other members of families and, indeed, the neighbouring towns.
  Many of what is witnessed in the book is juxtaposed with the modernity of our world whereby promiscuity is nothing, it seems, to be ashamed of. This contrast may throw some readers into believing the novel to be ‘petty’ and created on little substance, however, allowing oneself to enter into such a prim world gives better understanding and makes Austen’s work far easier to read and to relate. In modern terms, we can see the model of family of the Austen era to still resemble the 21 Century one. As individuals, we can see secrets and the close knit relationships that often come between the siblings of a family as well as the encouragement of parents in realising that for their advancement in the world, their children must get the best. In such a respect, relating to a character is relatively easy for the formation of individuals is much unchanged. 
  ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a timeless classic that enthuses fantasy amongst the generations of today – a much needed alternative and cessation from the everyday stresses and reality. Taking you to a quiet English town is Jane Austen …