The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

It's hard to write a review if the book your writing about didn't stir up any emotions whatsoever. This is how I feel about The Great Gatsby.
Yes it was well written, and yes there was a good storyline but it was flat. The characters were ok, but the whole time I'm reading it I had to force myself to try and remember what I read last.
It did pick up at the end of the book, as there was a bit of action and drama, but it left you feeling a bit depressed. But not even in a real way, sort of a 'oh, ok, poor guy'.
Maybe the author's intention was to make you feel the way everyone felt about Gatsby. There's this huge hype about him and the book, but you don't really feel anything for him. Same as him in the book. Everyone talked about him and attended his weekly parties but in the end no-body felt enough for him to see him through to the end. That's my insight into this book anyway.

Lesson Learnt:
Don't waste your life chasing an illusion, or you will end up with nothing.

My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

At first I was a bit hesitant to read it as my friend who read it before me said it was very depressing and I wasn't sure if I was in the mood to read something sad. I just started to flip through the first pages and got hooked immediately. You definately didn't have to wait to get into it.

Even though the book was based on a very sad and tragic story, it was terrific.
The characters were outstanding, I loved the writing style used by the writer as you got everybody's perspective and really got to know them individualy.
The storyline isn't something I have really thought about before, and it really opened my eyes to the whole situation and gave me a new perspective. I love books that make you think about topics you haven't been subjected to before and open your eyes.
My favourite character was Anna and it was interesting reading about the relationship she had with her mother. I also sympathised with the mother and even though she was supposedly the bad guy, you could feel the horrifying situation she has had to deal with as a mother.

All in all 5/5.

Lesson Learnt:
I am becoming a donor.

Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I've heard some mixed reviews when it comes to this book and was curious to see what my take would be, and I ended up loving it. It's funny because now that I have to come up with some reasons why I loved it I don't really have a definite answer. There wasn't much action, it just described the lives of a few people and the love between them. I felt like I really understood what the author was trying to get across and some paragraphs really touched me and made me think about marriage in a new light.
The characters were strong and somewhat sombre but I didn't mind it. I actually think that the author did a good job depicting love and how it affects our lives. How it can be the only thing keeping you going, even if it's just an illusion.

I'm not sure if I liked the ending all that much but it wasn't bad. I just did not see the ending that the author chose. It felt somwhat deflated. It would've been better with a more pronounced ending.

Lesson Learnt:
(Direct Quote from book)
'It was against all scientific reason for two people who hardly knew each other with no ties at all between them, with different characters, different upbringings, and even different genders, to suddenly find themselves committed to living together to sleeping in the same bed, to sharing two destinies that perhaps were fated to go in opposite directions. The only possible bond that can keep them together is something as fickle and improbable as love'.

Gone with the wind - Margaret Mitchell

When I borrowed this book from the library I was feeling a bit overwhealmed because it had 1448 pages. It felt as heavy as a brick. So I knew that reading this book would take persistance. However I was pleasantly suprised as it wasn't much of an effort to read. It hooked me from the begining.

I did watch this movie with my parents when I was little and remembered the general plot but only now as an adult can I appreciate all the characters and the authors great depth and writing style. It was very informative in regards to the war and slavery and I enjoyed every aspect of the storyline.

The only negative point I can mention is to do with the ending.
"Spoiler Alert!"
The book did not end as happily ever after, which came as a physical blow and after I closed the book I just sat there stunned that I didn't get my feel good rush as I do from every other love story book. But after a few moments of thought I realised that we come to need the happy endings because we are so used to them. However it's not realistic and I now am starting to appreciate the courage and honesty in which the author wrote this book. I really would have loved to have a sequel written by Margaret Mitchell because you do still think and desperately want to know what happens next.

This book definately deserves to be rewarded as one of the best books of all time. Okay so it doesn't shock you and break any writing barriers, like The Naked Lunch, (which I couldn't even read), but it's got a great storyline, awesome characters and you will be sucked into this book and remeber it forever. When someone says the name Scarlett you will automatically think of this character and remeber how this book changed you. And that in my opinion is what a great book should be.

Lesson Learnt:
Don't complain and be upset at the world because you didn't get what you wanted out of life. The successful people get what their given change it to suit them and fight for what they want. There are two types of people - Fighters or Dreamers. Which one are you??