Books To Read This Summer

Whenever the seasons change people start thinking of books to read on the beach, so I have decided to jump on the band wagon and read through my list of literature (which I am behind on anyway) to help you decide what might interest you. But since the introduction of our male blogger, @The_Gent, I figure that it has to be more than just ‘Beach Reading’, or ‘Park Reading’, or ‘South Bank Reading’. Now that we are getting a more extensive male audience I feel I might have to include ‘Reading on the Toilet’ or ‘Reading between World Cup matches’. So I will endeavor to read girl books and boy books, kids books and boring books, funny books and sad books…. I might even trial out a tandem blog post with The Gent to review twice as many books for you. That’s how nice we are!

So, here goes with the first three books….

‘Yes Man’ by Danny Wallace.

“I, Danny Wallace, being of sound mind and body, do hereby write this manifesto for my life. I swear I will be more open to opportunity. I swear I will live my life taking every available chance. I will say Yes to every favour, request, suggestion and invitation. I will swear to say yes where once I would say no.’

Humour, compassion and romance can all be found in this cracking real life story, so if you have never read a Danny Wallace book I would urge you to beg, borrow or buy a copy of ‘Yes Man‘.

This hilarious book has been made into a Hollywood movie starring Jim Carrey, however even if you have seen the film you can read the book and still be surprised as many of the best stories have been left out. The book is set in foggy London town, presenting us with situations we can nearly all relate to (along with some I only hope we will never be able to) and follows Danny’s antics as a strange man on a London Bus convinces him to say ‘yes’. To everything.

As a reader you will see him get into and out of trouble, sometimes more smoothly than others but always with a laugh out loud giggle along the way. Seriously, the first book to ever make me howl with laughter on the tube, much to the entertainment and concern of the public around me.

“Danny Wallace does things few other people would and writes about them in ways that few people could. He’s as funny as Bill Bryson used to be.” – Nicholas Barber, “Independent on Sunday”.

‘Yes Man’ by Danny Wallace is currently available from Play.com for £5.49.

‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ by Charlotte Ward

“Most break-up bibles are full of the same old stories of woe, wrack and ruin…

1. Crying into large glasses of Chardonnay

2. A huge amount of retail therapy and some unwise ‘break-up’ haircuts

3. Dividing up meaningful CDs and shoving photo frames face down in drawers

But what if ending your relationship was actually the best thing that ever happened to you? What if…

1. You only got together because he was your ‘Transitional man’

2. You dumped him because you just don’t fancy him anymore and a syndrome commonly known as ‘The Repulsion’ had set in

3. His mother hates you and never stops reminding him about ‘all the other lovely single girls’ he went to playgroup with…”

In her latest book, Charlotte Ward can help you dissect your latest break up, however traumatic, and set you back on the road to recovery. Covering heart break of all ages, shapes and sizes, this book is full of real life stories from people who have been or are going through break ups and Charlotte candidly shares her own stories, no matter how cringeworthy. So if you have recently been ditched, or are thinking about doing the ditching, this book is the perfect read for you. Heal your wounds by singing into a hairbrush and drinking as many bottles of wine as you need, but this book will coach you through every step of the way.

‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ by Charlotte Ward is currently available from Play.com for £5.99.

‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer

“Moving from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, to the wet and windy climes of Forks, Washington, to live with her dad, 17-year old Isabella ‘Bella’ Swan expects that her new life will be as dull as the town. Whilst the rest of her classmates seems particularly drawn to the pale, dark-haired teenaged girl; the boy she sits next to, Edward Cullen, is particularly frosty, even repulsed by her. When a near fatal accident brings the two together, a reluctant but ever-growing bond forms, blossoming into a romance. However, ‘Bella will soon come to realize why it’s so dangerous to get close to Edward.” – Play.com

Now I know half of you are thinking that this an obvious choice and the other half of you are probably thinking that you are fed up of hearing about this stupid Vampire rubbish. Well I can officially say GIVE IT A CHANCE. If you have not yet read this book get hold of a copy and try it. For me?

This breathtaking fiction novel is a brilliant start to a series that will keep you turning page after page right into the early hours of the morning. It is incredibly addictive and exceptionally powerful. The romance is entwined with the reality of the life that Stephenie Meyer has created for the folk of Forks, whilst having an exciting, secret and dangerous world that you learn about and explore with Bella.

I was advised to read these books by @mullies, they were bought for me by @The_Gent and I have now shared this 8th wonder of the world with almost everyone I know. A bit extreme? Yeah maybe, but anyone I know who has read them was instantly hooked. My only bit of advice would be this: if you have something else in your life that you need to do then don’t start reading this book. You will be captured by it and completely consumed by the incredible love story. So only one question remains; will you be Team Edward or Team Jacob? (You might have to watch the movies to have an educated view, but the books should definitely come first.)

‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer is available from Play.com for £3.99.

So that is my three for today, but there will be more coming. I have been sent an extensive list by the wonderful people of Twitter and know that The Gent has some suggestions of his own. However, if you have any suggestions please do let me know in the comments below and I will try my very best to get as many read as I can physically manage!

The prices for the above books are quoted on 26th April 2010 at 9am and are from Play.com. They reserve the right to change their prices at any time, without notifying us. Therefore, if the price on their website is different it’s not our fault! I bet it’s still cheap as chips though.

This post was written by Teeny Tiny Leanne. Follow her on Twitter, or check out her acting portfolio or The Teeny Tiny Party Company website.

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Leanne

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