2015 Book Challenge: how far did I get?

You may remember early last year I posted about a book challenge, where I wrote about the books I was planning to read during the year. Now, it's safe to say I completely failed that challenge! Between having little time because of school work and finding new books I'd much rather read, I didn't get too far down the list. So instead I thought I'd write a bit about the books I did read as well as those I planned to read:

Books from the list (which isn't many)

The Girl On The Train - I decided to read this after seeing lots of amazing reviews of it on Amazon. When I started reading it, I was quite disappointed. The plot was confusing, it wasn't interesting and I didn't feel sympathy for the characters (even the alcoholic who's partner left her). However, I persevered with it because thousands on people can't have given 5 star reviews if it wasn't good, and I'm happy I did because it got SO much better. Although I probably wouldn't read it again, I really enjoyed it. I would recommend anyone who likes dark, murder mystery books to read it, but only if you have the patience to get through the not so great beginning!

The Host- after a year of this book sat neglected on my bedside table, I finally got round to reading it. I can't say I was that impressed with it, infact I was so tempted to give up half way through. But considering I've been reading it on and off for a year I decided to push through and just finish it. I'm glad I did, because the plot thickened and it actually wasn't too bad, but I wouldn't read it again. And it definitely wasn't as good as the Twilight series (yes, I have read and enjoyed the Twilight books- the films on the other hand.... hmm) 

The Little Coffee Shop Of Kabul- this was recommended to me by a shop assistant at Waterstones, and I loved it! There were some difficult concepts in it as it is set in the unstable and war stricken place that is Kabul in Afghanistan, but it was beautifully written and quite moving, actually. If you liked The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns, I would definitely read this.

The Maze Runner- another one on the original list! Apparently it's a 'must for Hunger Games fans' and I do see why, but I personally don't think it's to the same standard. I did really like it (if I didn't I wouldn't have read the first two books in 4 days) but the way which the characters spoke was SO annoying. Not only were there loads of made up words, but every other word was some sort of swear word, which was just irritating. But I got over it eventually.

Books not on the list

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult - this was quite long and took a while to get into, but I loved it! It's about the massive ethical dilemma that is created between two friends when the elderly man (Josef) confides in Sage that he was a SS Nazi during the Holocaust, but also that he wants help to die. The ending was a massive plot twist, and although I wanted to know what happened, it was such a good book that I didn't want it to end! Whether you're into historical fiction or not, it's a really enjoyable and interesting book which I would recommend. 

Do You Think You're Clever? - this is a book my dad bought ages ago and has loads of different questions people get asked at Oxbridge interviews. Some of the questions were so weird and I don't know how people came up with answers on the spot, but it was really interesting and got me thinking!

Harry Potter (the first, second, third and fourth ones)- during October half term I had a random urge to read a Harry Potter book, and that I did. I forgot how short the first two books are. I finished both in about 3 days! Years on, I still love them. I've just started the 5th one.... you can tell how I spent my Christmas holidays.

Elephant Moon- I bought this on a whim, as it came up on my recommended list on Amazon. It is amazing how the novel is based on a true story, although it's not very well known. I'm part way through reading this and it seems good so far, I am looking forward to reading the rest.

Okay, so I didn't get very far down the list, and I read more books which weren't on the list than that were. But actually now that I've written them all down, I actually have read quite a lot this year! Ten and a half might not seem like very many books, but it is compared to last year, where I literally read 4 books- including the two I read for my English exams. With the longest summer of my life coming up this year, maybe this'll be the year to smash my book record.

To read this year (any recommendations welcome): Midnight's Children, Elizabeth Is Missing, The Prince Of Mist, Freakonomics, Go Set A Watchman, Go Ask Alice, the Noughts and Crosses and Divergent series (again)... and a lot more, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Happy reading and happy 2016, folks.