Like Noughts and Crosses, this is a real page-turner. There’s a lot more hate and less love in this one though. There are more good observations of how black/white people are represented in the media, treated by police etc. It’s written in the same style: very simple, almost like a script. The ending is a cliffhanger but, because I’ve read the third book’s blurb I know what the outcome is. I agree with a book reviewer who condemned it as a lazy ending; I would have preferred a decisive and devastating ending like that of Noughts and Crosses. Still, this is a complusive read and I can’t wait read to the next one.

I read this book for my library book club. It’s a beautifully written and extremely perceptive book. While it isn’t a comfortable read – I found it a bit incestuous in parts – it is throughly engaging and reminded me of The Sense of an Ending because it is a gorgeously crafted tale leading to a shocking climax. I would recommend it.

I read this on the recommendation of Teacher Jo, whose pupils have studied it. It has a lot in common with the Hunger Games: it’s set in an alternative world to teach the reader something about their own world, it’s a thrilling page-turner and the style is very obviously aimed at teenagers.

I enjoyed the book very much but it’s not without its shortcomings; I could see some plot developments coming a mile off (and I usually can’t predict anything in stories) however I didn’t predict the end, even though I really should have. I do prefer a more sophisticated writing style but, having said that, it was nice to be albe to whizz through a book without tripping up on long words. I absolutely loved the love story part of it; that was wonderful stuff, very real. I would definitely recommend this book and I’m excited about reading the rest of the trilogy.

Read this for the library book club. I enjoyed its light, humourous, affable style. There are some archaic words and phrases which were mildy annoying but that’s the only negative thing I can think of to say this book. There is a hidden, deeper level of meaning to this book. Hints are dropped and towards the end it’s pretty much given away, but I have to admit, I didn’t realise the significance of the other characters in the book (apart from Mr Golightly). I think I’d have got more out of the book if I’d had some Bibilcal knowledge, but luckily the book group discussion filled in the gaps for me.

I read this for the library book club. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the meeting due to work but, after reading the book, I did listen to the author talking about it for the BBC World Book Club, which gave me some much needed context.

This is a very unsettling book. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it but it’s very successful at creating a tense atmosphere. I didn’t know much about apartheid in South Africa so I couldn’t imagine the novel being anchored in a time and place. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t feel sympathetic to any of the characters, although I’m more certain that it’s because they aren’t developed enough. The book is only 200 pages long. While plenty happens, I didn’t understand the motivations of the characters until I heard the talk. I’m not sure if Id recommend this as a good read but there is plenty to think about and it’s well written.

This book starts off slowly but luckily for me it picks up around p80 (I only give books a maximum of 100 pages to make an impression on me). The pace accelerates after that, hurtling with breakneck speed towards the unsettling ending. The Little Stranger is a beautifully crafted and extremely creepy novel. It definitely warrants a re-read as, after I listened to the Guardian book club podcast, there is a fair bit I missed the first time around.

Although I don’t drink anywhere near what Jill Stark used to put away, I related to most, if not all, of her feelings during her booze-free year. The book is easy to read. I’d definitely recommend it. The only thing that can get a little bit annoying is the constant barrage of statistics, but I suppose that is her job – she’s a health reporter.

Her honest writing has made me want to take a long, hard look at my own relationship with alcohol…