The Host - Stephenie Meyer.

"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love." Play.com

I thought I was going to love this book. I loved Twilight except for the last book. But, I decided after seeing this book get loads of good reviews I'd purchase it. The first time I picked it up was just after finishing the twilight saga. I found myself unable to get into it, so I put it away for a couple of months.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I picked it up and found I was really enjoying it. It started off so well and I was sure I was in for such a great time reading this book, but then suddenly it became repetitive and boring and felt it was about 200 pages too long. I felt as though I was reading the same pages over and over again. Nothing was happening. I wasn't attached to the characters, so much so I didn't care about any of them, I found myself beginning to hate Jared, Ian and even Jamie, and wanderer was just annoying.

For me there just wasn't enough going on. I was reading page after page waiting for something exciting to happen. By the end of the book I was so worn down by the book, I didn't care what happened to the characters in the end.

Just wish I could have enjoyed it more, but it didn't work for me.

1984 - George Orwell

Author: George Orwell
ISBN: 978-0-141-18776-1
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 326
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin

"Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal."

I purchased this book after it was recommended to us by a friend at our flying club. I came home and went straight onto the net where I saw so many good reviews for this book. It sat on the shelf for a couple of months and when I did eventually pick it up, I was hooked.

It's about a man called; Winston Smith who is a Party member and works for the Ministry of Truth, re-writing political history. He finds himself questioning the Ministry and rebels against it.

In the book it talks of a world where no one is safe, you must watch what you think, what you do, how you act, in fear of being reported to the Thought Police, you can trust no one, not even your own family, your own child..... Everywhere you go and everything you do is seen by those who are watching.. I won't go on as I'll end up giving the whole book away.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. I am so glad I read it. Some of it does resemble the world today and the way it is heading.

The Notebook (Blu Ray)

This has to be my most favourite romantic movie ever! It's always the one that has me in tears at the end too.

The story is about how Noah meets Allie. They fall head over heels in love with each other, but Allie's parents do not agree and decide to leave their summer holiday early. Both Noah and Allie are left devastated and seven years pass till they meet again. But when Noah finds Allie she is engage to be married to another man.

I could go on about this movie, but I won't. I've already given some of the plot away but there is more to this movie that I haven't shed light on. It's a real tear jerker and totally for those who love sloppy slushy romantic movies. I have even heard it makes men shed tears too.

The Blu ray quality of this movie isn't anything spectacular. It still has that grainy look but in some parts like in the outside it looks amazing, like when the doves fly over the river etc. Then you see the blu ray quality in it. Still worth having in your collection though.

Wanted (Blu Ray)

I'm not really a Angelina Jolie fan, but anyway I decided to watch this last night, and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed! I really like James McAvoy, he's had some good acting parts in the last few years - Atonement & Lion Witch and the Wardrobe.

This movie was packed with action and I loved the special effects, a bit like the Matrix.

The movie is about a man who has no meaning to his life, he knows his best friend is sleeping with his girlfriend and hates his boss at work. Then suddenly he life take a new turn and he finds himself in the company of new people with a difference. I won't say more than this, as it really is a good movie. I knew nothing about it when I sat down to watch it other than it was very far fetched but I knew to expect that, after seeing an ad on the Cinema for it.

The Blu ray quality is stunning on this movie. Highly recommended.

Eden Lake (Blu Ray)

I watched this movie last night, and thought I was in for a really good horror movie. What I saw left me with a really nasty taste in my mouth.

The movie is about how a couple set off for a weekend lovers trip to Eden lake where they find themselves confronted with hoodies. It turns nasty and they find themselves fighting for their lives.

I really didn't like this movie and the reason why, is because it was to close to home. It's content is pretty much how Britains Chav society is like today and the way it is heading. It was too realistic with the way how some children are brought up with no family values these days, and no respect for others. Also with the issue of knife crime in the UK.

It's also worrying this is a movie some kids would look up to. Thankfully we did not allow our youngest son watch this.
Not a movie I will watch again.

Black & White 2 (PC Game)

As you can tell, I'm not doing much reading lately. I'm just not in the mood to read. So in the last few weeks, I've been watching movies and have been playing this addictive game! :)

In this game you are a God, and you have followers. You also have a Creature that takes care of your peoples needs by collecting wood and ore for houses , as well as wheat for food. You have to start off by making houses, and armor facilities for your warriors to go and do battle.

As you Progress through the game you have to win other lands, and fight other Gods. You have the choice of being good or evil. So will you win a land by going to war or will you entice the people of the other land to join yours through your kindness and ability to build a magnificent city? It's so much fun!

I just finished this game, first time ever lol. I really enjoyed ity and highly recommend it.

I have another game on it's way called 'The Settlers: Rise Of An Empire' I can't wait! Here's the cover of the game.

Hancock (Blu Ray)

I watched this movie last night. I had heard some mixed reviews about it. But I loved it. I loved how unsociable Hancock was and how destructive he was, he was quite funny. It was different to see a 'Super Hero' with a difference, one who did everything the opposite to the Super Hero's we know Superman, Spiderman etc...

Then half way through this movie there's a twist, and the story changes. I liked this second half of the movie, as much as the first. I laughed throughout this movie and even felt a bit teary.

Will Smith has been making some really great Movies lately. He is becoming to be my favourite actor.

The image quality and special effects on this Blu Ray are stunning.

Highly recommended. 5/5.

Across The Universe (Blu Ray)

I know this isn't a book, but I watched this on Blu ray last Thursday and I absolutely loved it. It's a musical that is filled from start to finish with Beatle's hits.
It isn't your normal fluffy slushy musical and certainly not just for the girls. In fact I thought it was suited for both sexes but leaned more towards the boys this time.

It's about a boy Jude, who decides to go and find his father in America. There he finds love. There's some ups and down and some really moving moments. I loved it. I'm not going to say more than that, as otherwise I'll spoil it.

Every song was great to listen to, and I found myself with a huge smile on my face every time a song began. Bono from U2 and Eddie Izzard, and Joe Cocker all appear in this movie, not as themselves. They were brilliant!

If you love the Beatle's you will love this movie, if you love Musicals I think you'll love it too, if you're the kind of person who isn't so into musicals, give this one a try, I think you may just like it.

5/5

Don't you just hate it when...

You can't get into the book you're reading? I have tried to read The Host, but didn't feel like I wanted to read it so have put it back onto my TBR pile. Then tried Contact by Carl Sagan, I thought it started off OK then I found myself not being able to take any of the story in. I never used to worry about putting a book down, but putting Contact down made me feel so guilty! I know it's a good book, I love the movie. But may be I have to face I don't get on too well when it comes to reading Sci Fi? Saying that, I'm now reading 1984 by George Orwell lol.

Kafka on the Shore Haruki Murakami

Author: Haruki Murakami
ISBN: 978-0-099-45832-6
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 505
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage.

"At fifteen, Kafka Tamura runs away from home, either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister. And the aging Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction, finds his highly simplified life suddenly upset.Their odyssey, as mysterious to us as it is to them, is enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerizing events."

My son got me this book for xmas, and in the front he wrote a little note saying he thought he'd get a book that was a little different this time. Well, he was right about that, as this book was very different to what I would normally read.

The book was good, and I did enjoy it although there were a couple of issues in the book that were a bit risky, don't want to say what, as I don't want to give any spoilers away. But when I first started to read this I thought it was a young authors book, but it isn't. It is explicit in places. You can tell it's been written by a male author.

The book is basically like two stories in one book, so you get to read about two characters journey's, and also two worlds, but they both have something to do with what happens.

Kafka, a 15 year old boy, runs away from home to escape his father, and to find his mother and sister. He finds himself at a Library where he makes friends with the owners. I really felt his part in this book, his struggles as a teenager, all the frustrations etc a teenager may feel etc.

Mr Nakata an old man, can talk to cats and can cause fish to fall from the sky. He was my favourite character, I totally adored him.

In all this was a really good book, that was really good from start to finish. I am pleased I read it and I'll be reading more from this author.


4/5 stars from me.

SOUL ON THE STREET - WILLIAM ROACHE

Author: William Roache
ISBN: 978-1-84850-015-0
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 300
Format: Paperback
Publisher: HAY HOUSE

"As a young actor, William auditioned for a TV drama that was likely to be running for only a few weeks. Now, 47 years later, he is the only original cast member and the soap's success has established him as a household name. Over the course of that time, William's character Ken Barlow has been married four times, twice to Deirdre, and had a series of tumultuous affairs. This gripping story will appeal to fans of "The Street" and will make inspiring listening for anyone interested in personal development."

I first heard about this book when I saw Mr Roache on TV talking about his new book, and with me not really being a fan of his what made me sit up and listen was watching him talk about some of his spiritual beliefs. From that moment on I was interested and wanted his book. I looked at reviews online which praised it, and so when my sis asked what I wanted for xmas, I asked her for that. I am so pleased I did.

Being a biography, this book starts off with William telling you about his childhood, his schooling etc and his life into adulthood and how he came to be an actor in Coronation Street. He talks about some of the people he has worked with in the show. There are some personal things he brings up in his life which I found quite sad, like the loss of his daughter Edwina. But as the book goes along, most of all I found it to be a book of a good heapful of spiritual medicine. As William talks about his beliefs and the huge impact his beliefs have had on his life, I found myself being drawn in and I found it hard to put the book down. I just wanted to read more and more. It's such a positive read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in William Roache as an actor to get a better sense of who he is and how he became famous. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is interested in spirituality. It was an inspirational read for me, and certainly something I needed to read right now.


I would highly recommened this book to anyone interested.

5/5 stars from me.