Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole

Juan Pablo Villalobos

(Translated by Rosalind Harvey)

Down the Rabbit Hole is narrated by Tochtli, son of a Mexican drug lord. Tochtli lives in a palace, has a collection of hats, and is either a genius or just very odd. And right now, more than anything else, Tochtli wants a Liberian pygmy hippopotamus. (Watch this video and you'll want one too) Tochtli may not get to go to school, or have any friends his own age, or remember his mother, but what money can buy he gets.

This is the story of Tochtli's quest to obtain a pygmy hippo. Somehow Down the Rabbit Hole is enchanting, bleak, funny and depressing all at once. Tochtli is a fantastic protagonist, better I would argue, than Jack in Room (Emma Donoghue) or Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon). The voice is consistent and believable and the plot doesn't suffer from the child narrator. The short length of Down the Rabbit Hole doesn't detract from the quality of writing and, if anything, adds to the pace of the novel. I've also been reliably informed that the translation is excellent.
I loved this book. Really, really loved it. It's the kind of book which you won't forget quickly and will want to recommend to all your friends. I'm not the only person who thought that either. Down the Rabbit Hole has been nominated for the Guardian First Book Award 2011 and the Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize. It's also a really lovely book in terms of design, and well worth the £10 RRP.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

Down the Rabbit Hole is published by And Other Stories, a grass-roots independent publishers. Do check out their website and their other publications.

Care of Wooden Floors

Care of Wooden Floors

Will Wiles

Care of Wooden Floors is Will Wiles' debut novel. (Not that you can tell that it’s a debut.) It's slick, clever, and very very funny.  The main character remains nameless throughout the novel, which adds, rather than detracts to the charm of the book.

Our hapless protagonist is invited to house-sit for his university friend, Oskar. Oskar is a successful composer, an organised man, happy and in control of his life. His flat is pristine and perfectly put together with expensive leather sofas, well-behaved cats and, of course, the faultlessly polished, extortionately priced wooden floors. On the contrary, our narrator is disorganised, messy and rather aimless.

Our narrator arrives anticipating a brief break in which he can relax and devote himself to writing his magnum opus. And his holiday would’ve been the quiet and productive experience he’d expected if he’d been a different man entirely- perhaps a similar character to the man whose house he was supposed to be looking after. But our narrator was not his host, Oskar- and this is where the problems begin.

Oskar, although absent from the flat, makes his presence felt with a series of exacting instructions on how to properly look after his property. Notes are placed in the most unexpected places- so the finding of the commands becomes a bizarre treasure hunt. By far the most detailed of the notes is the instruction on how to care for wooden floors. Our narrator thinks he will have no need for this information, until he spills red wine onto the kitchen floorboards. This disaster is only the first of many.

It is the sort of book which makes you squirm as you read. You become so aware of the inevitable destruction of Oskar’s perfect home that you wish to scream at the narrator, telling him to stop before it’s too late. Alas, your voice is not heard.

And, actually, you don’t want the narrator to stop at all. You want to read about the nightmarish quality that house-sitting has attained, you’re desperate to find out how on earth the narrator is going to get out of the mess of his own creation, and you need to find out whether Oskar is human, or some form of omniscient being.

Give it a read. You know you want to. 

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

Many thanks to the fabulous HarperInsider for the reading copy. 

Before I Go To Sleep

Before I Go To Sleep

S J Watson

This was recommended to me by a colleague at Waterstone's. I borrowed her proof copy, then purchased a (signed, first edition) copy as soon as it was released. 'Before I Go To Sleep' has been one of the biggest novels of 2011, and is another debut novel from an extremely talented writer. S J Watson is a graduate from the Faber Academy Writing Course, and it obviously worked well for him! (If someone would like to pay for a place for me, I would be happy to accept their generosity)

'Before I Go To Sleep' tells the tale of Christine, an amnesiac, who wakes up every morning to discover she is 20 years older than she thinks she is. That she has forgotten everything of the previous 20 years of her life, and that she will almost certainly never regain these memories. Christine will be spending the rest of her life waking up to discover that she is not who she thinks she is. Luckily, her husband is loving and patient, prepared to help her and support her. Things could be worse. Then she discovers the diary in which she has been secretly documenting her life, and hiding it from her husband. Is her husband the loving man he seems to be, or is he a more sinister character?

'Before I Go To Sleep' is categorised as a crime/thriller novel, so crime fans will love it, but for those who are wary of the genre this is a brilliant book to start with. The novel is well structured, and the characters are convincing.

Read it, it's awesome.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

The Night Circus

The Night Circus

Erin Morgenstern

This is one of the best debut novels I have ever read. (Possibly, even, the best debut novel that I will ever read) Erin Morgenstern's first foray into fiction is a decadent, delicious tale of a circus. This is a circus which only ever appears at night, and arrives with no warning. It is a circus like no other.

Part love story, part magical adventure, this novel twists and turns bringing new surprises at every corner. It is richly written, combining a well composed plot with dramatic descriptions and convincing characters. It is a beguiling and evocative tale, which introduces you to a world that you will never want to leave. Although set in the late nineteenth century it is somehow a very modern tale, with even the antiquities embellished lovingly with magic. 

'The Night Circus' has been compared to Harry Potter, which I personally feel is rather unfair on 'The Night Circus'. (Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter) 'The Night Circus' is so much more than Harry Potter. Where magic in Harry Potter is commonplace, and, almost dreary, the magic in 'The Night Circus' is utterly stunning. Furthermore, in 'The Night Circus', anyone who can afford the admission fee is welcome to enter the parallel universe where you can enter a tent and see the whole world change. 

In case you can't tell, I loved this book. I haven't felt so involved and invested in a story for a very long time, and I would thoroughly recommend it to everybody. I have tried to avoid revealing the plot, simply because I think you should discover it through the book itself, rather than through my half-hearted attempts to demonstrate the brilliance of this novel.

This novel isn't released until the 15/09/2011 but I would suggest that you preorder it from here www.waterstones.com or your local bookstore.

Many thanks to Random House for the proof copy.

Just Listen

Just Listen
Sarah Dessen

'Just Listen' is my favourite of Sarah Dessen's books. Like her other books it is well written with convincing characters and an involving storyline. 'Just Listen' tells the tale of Annabel, the girl with a seemingly perfect life; she's beautiful, bright, with a bustling social life and a supportive family.

Except her best friend has spent the summer spreading rumours about her and turning her friends against her. Except her sister has just been diagnosed with a serious eating disorder. Except that her mother is pushing her into continuing her modelling career, when right now, all Annabel wants to do is hide.

'Just Listen' is a great book for teenage girls. It tackles adolescent issues in a tactful and respectful manner without being pious and preachy. Annabel is a wonderful character, and is easily relatable to. The message of the novel is encapsulated by the title and, in the end, Annabel is saved from having to hide by someone who is willing to listen.

Buy it for your daughters and read it for yourself from www.waterstones.com or your local bookshop.

(Plus the covers of Sarah Dessen's books are totally awesome.)

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins

'The Hunger Games' is a young adult novel set in a dystopian world. Katniss Everdeen is our heroine, and she's just been propelled into the deadliest reality TV show to ever exist. The narritive is fast-paced and tense, portraying the inhumanities of a totalitarian society in graphic detail.

Katniss lives in District 12 where the inhabitants work in the coal mines and spend their free time preoccupied with the sordid business of staying alive. Life is tough, and it is made even tougher by the annual event of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a sport devised by the Capitol where two children are chosen at random from each of the 12 Districts which comprise Panem. Only one tribute from the chosen 24 will leave the Hunger Games alive. The 23 who don't escape will have their deaths, and the last of their lives, televised for the amusement of the Capitol. Katniss is one of the chosen 24....

'The Hunger Games' is an absorbing thriller which is great for getting teens reading. (It's great for adults too!) The characters are well drawn, the writing is solid and the plot is brilliant. You will be left wanting more.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

PS. It's the first of a trilogy!
PPS. The sequels have already been published and are 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay'. It's probably worth buying them all at once, rather than suffer from the suspense of waiting for the next installment.

The Crimson Petal and the White

The Crimson Petal and the White
Michel Faber

This hefty tome tells the tale of Sugar, a Victorian prostitute. Although the novels principal protagonist is Sugar the narration touches upon the lives of the characters who appear on the peripheries of Sugar's life. The narration is intrusive, with our omniscient, yet absent, narrator frequently referring to us as "Dear Reader". 'The Crimson Petal and the White' has been called the novel that Dickens would have written if he could... high praise indeed.

Sugar is labelled as the prostitute who would do *anything* her clients may request. Yet she is not an uneducated woman, and is only a fallen woman due to her mother pushing her over the precipice into prostitution at the tender age of thirteen. Sugar dreams of improving her status in the world, and is the authoress of a vicious novel consisting of several gory man-slaughters (man being the key word). She believes the only way she will escape the whorehouse is by her own intelligence, until she meets William Rackham....

This is a wonderfully involving book, and includes a fantastic portrayal of the various versions of the Victorian female- pious and hysterical (Agnes Rackham), worthy yet blasphemous (Emmeline Fox), and of course, the whore (Sugar). The page count and the sheer weight of the book is intimidating, but don't be afraid to give it a go, for I'm almost sure you'll enjoy it.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

(Thanks to Mel for recommending and purchasing a copy for me, I owe you one.)

Thirteen Hours

Thirteen Hours
Deon Meyer

A South African crime novel which greatly impressed me! 'Thirteen Hours' is set in Cape Town, on the western coast of South Africa and the area is described impeccably. Police Detective Benny Griessel is trying to save an American tourist's life- her friend has already been murdered. Except he doesn't know where the girl is, or who her attackers are. Benny needs to find the girl before they do, otherwise the police force will be searching for a corpse. And this is a corpse which could greatly damage the South African tourism industry.

'Thirteen Hours' is a brilliant, gripping novel. It touches upon larger issues of bureaucracy and corruption while still containing the minutiae of everyday police life. The time frame of the novel means the plot races along and keeps you eagerly turning the pages right up until the dramatic climax. Griessel is a wonderful character, and again, a typical detective with a drinking problem and emotional baggage. The novel is a fantastic and accurate portrayal of the rainbow nation. If you're looking for a new crime writer, give Deon Meyer a go- you won't be disappointed.

Buy it from your local bookstore or here from www.waterstones.com

Case Histories

Case Histories
Kate Atkinson

'Case Histories' is Kate Atkinson's first crime novel. It is excellent; well written and absorbing. 'Case Histories' is the story of three seemingly unconnected crimes but as the plot unweaves it becomes more apparent that everything in this world is truly interlinked. The cunning private eye is a typical detective; ex-policeman with baggage (an ex-wife and murdered sister), a slight drinking problem, and a strong moral compass.

This is an involving novel and a fine example of "literary crime" (that's fine as in good, not as in okay). It's a detective story with an excellent, likeable, detective, and the other characters are correspondingly strong and well drawn. 'Case Histories' doesn't lose any of the thrill factor due it's distinctly high-brow origins, rather, it's enhanced by them.

I really enjoyed this book and have gone on to read others in the series and been similarly amused. I'd definitely recommend it for crime fiends who fancy something a little bit different!

Buy it from your local bookstore or here on www.waterstones.com

(Case Histories has just been adapted into a drama on the BBC. Check it out on iplayer!)

The Wasp Factory

The Wasp Factory
Iain Banks

Mr Iain Banks' debut novel exploded onto the scene when it was first published. Critics condemned it as "vile" "repellent" "unpleasant" "sadistic" and as "a silly gloatingly sadistic and grisly yarn". (Interested yet?) 'The Wasp Factory' is also brilliantly written and utterly absorbing. And it's just had it's twenty-five year anniversary- it's certainly stood the test of time.

'The Wasp Factory' tells the tale of murderous teenager Frank, who is deeply superstitious with a bizarre and overactive imagination. Frank is almost a serial killer, with three murders under his belt at just sixteen. This is a deeply addictive story which shows the inner workings of his macabre mind. 'Ware the twists and turns of the novel, it will shock and surprise you.

Give it a go.... You'll (probably) enjoy it!

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

(Plus, I've met Iain Banks (when he was being Iain M Banks) and he was very sweet! And patient with my gushing about how awesome his books are.)

Dracula

Dracula
Bram Stoker

'Dracula' signified the dawning of the vampire novel. 'Dracula' was first published in 1897 and became an instant hit. It has been shaping the vampire story ever since. Pretty much anything which is vamp related has been formed by the original vampire myth of 'Dracula'. But, a warning is attached, this isn't 'Twilight'. It's far better.

'Dracula' tells the tale of Jonathan Harker who unwittingly ends up working for Count Dracula himself. Harker eventually discovers Dracula's true identity as a murdering, blood-sucking fiend. He manages to escape the vampire's lair, but immediately falls into feverish delirium. Meanwhile, in England, Dracula has made his way into the homeland, and is preying on the beautiful Lucy and enslaving madmen. The plot thickens.

'Dracula' is definitely one of the easiest classics to read. It is also one of the classics that should be read. A decidedly Gothic story which is sure to thrill and excite.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

Unsticky

Unsticky
Sarra Manning

'Unsticky' tells the tale of Grace Reeves, a skint twenty something fashion journalist with an addiction to designer anything. The aforementioned shopping habit is the reason that Grace can't afford to eat anything but bananas and noodles, and is also responsible for the threatening letters from bailiffs. Grace thinks she's hit an all time low when she gets dumped (on her birthday) in the middle of her favourite shop. Then she meets Vaughn- older, sexy, and most importantly, filthy rich. After chocolate cake, and a Marc Jacobs handbag, Vaughn offers Grace a wage in return for her services as his mistress. Naturally, complications ensue.

'Unsticky' is Sarra Manning's first adult novel and it doesn't disappoint. It is grittier and more real than the average chick-lit novel with a believable, if slightly sulky, protagonist. 'Unsticky' is a light read, and it is a "girl's" book, but it's also funny and enjoyable. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

I, Lucifer

I, Lucifer
Glen Duncan

So, the Devil has written a book. And it's a fucking good book too. Lucifer has been given a second chance at redemption- the catch being- that he has to live a virtuous life for a month in a human guise. (Fat chance of that.) Satan inhabits writer Declan Gunn's substandard body and partakes in every earthly delight available.

This is a book that reminds people that it's fun to be bad. 'I, Lucifer' is a book which shows people that actually, there's a reason most people don't follow the Christian dictates of morality, and that the Devil isn't that bad really... until he's overseeing your torture in the pits of hell. It's a novel of decadence including drugs and prostitutes, drinking and the pleasure of a 99 ice cream. It's funny, and clever, and a really good read.

Check it out.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookstore.

The Passage

The Passage
Justin Cronin

This isn't a book about vampires. Actually, it is a book about vampires, but not like we've ever seen them before. It's a book about a crazy US army experiment gone wrong, which creates a viral vampire disease, which leads to an apocalypse. We follow the few who survive the first wave of the disease. 'The Passage' is utterly addictive, and it's awesome, all eight hundred odd pages of it.

It's not a book which you can just put down. It's more of a book that someone has to tear out of your hands while you're trying to get to the end. 'The Passage' is a must read for those who like sci-fi, or epic novels, or conspiracy theories, or think the end of the world is nigh (due to us meddling humans). Anyway, my point is that you should give it a go as I'm pretty sure you would enjoy it.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

The Bitch Goddess Notebook

The Bitch Goddess Notebook
Martha O'Connor

A story of three best friends who don't fit in. Outcasts in high school (who wasn't?) these girls look after each other as best they can. Normal teenage trials and tribulations abound, mixed with more traumatic experiences- the key events being an affair with a much older married teacher, an abortion, and revenge gone horribly wrong. 'The Bitch Goddess Notebook' flashes from their adult lives back to their personality-shaping teenage encounters.

The book gives a realistic, if slightly dire, view of teenage life, with drinking, drugs, sex and self-harm all explored. It also shows the strength of friendship and how some bonds last for life. Pithy, witty and touching, this book shows how life takes funny turns when you least expect it. It is a great read, especially for those who had a less than perfect time at high school, or who recognise the role of the outcast.

Buy the book here at www.waterstones.com or at your local bookshop.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak

'The Book Thief' is the inspiration for this blog name. It is a beautiful wonderful book which everyone should read. Set in Nazi Germany it tells the tale of Liesel, a girl who lives with foster parents on Himmel Street. She is the book thief, and the star of a novel narrated by Death himself. Her foster parents are kind people, who gradually take the place of her real parents- communists who probably were killed by the Nazi regime. Liesel's foster parents hide a Jew in their basement, and try to save his life.

'The Book Thief' is a lyrical masterpiece which writes about the power of books, and the words within the books. Originally marketed as a children's book, it has now also moved into the adult fiction category. Perfect for anyone aged ten and older.

Please read it.

You can buy 'The Book Thief' here at www.waterstones.com or at your local bookshop.

The sooner you buy it the better.