Review: Diary of a Mall Girl By Luisa Plaja

Name: Diary of a Mall Girl
Author: Luisa Plaja
Author's Website: http://www.luisaplaja.co.uk/
Publisher: Curious Fox
Date published: 2013
Number of pages: 269
Rating: 5/5
When it's available: Now

I really did like this book, it was definitely a fun read. The way that it was written was quite unique - both in the way that the readers voted for what happened next in the story and in the way that it was written as a diary on a computer. I don't think I've ever read a book done in quite that way before and I think it gave it a realistic feel and made it intriguing. The story had those kind of characters who you end up not wanting to say goodbye to and overall it was a really enjoyable book.

Review: How to Keep a Boy as a Pet by Diane Messidoro

Name: How to Keep a Boy as a Pet
Author: Diane Messidoro
Author's Website: http://www.dianemessidoro.co.uk/
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Date published: 2012
Number of pages: 338
Rating: 5/5
When it's available: Now

I thought this story was really brilliant. I found it had an interesting format (being written in the form of an online blog, much like this one!) which made the story different to others. It was also hilarious, I literally laughed out loud at some parts. It was just full of funny moments. But it also had it's sad moments, as quite a few good stories do, but they were written well and were necessary to the story, not just added to make sure the story wasn't all sunshine and lollipops.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters of the story. Of course, there were the positively hateful characters, such as Patricia (ugh) but there were also the wonderful characters that I loved, like Rufus (*swoon*). This book had a lovely storyline with pieces that tied in together and, to be frank, a perfect ending.

Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

To see my thoughts on the play based on this book, click here.

Name: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Author: Mark Haddon
Author's Website: http://www.markhaddon.com/
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2004
Number of Pages: 272
Rating: 5/5
When it's Available: Now

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is an extremely unique book, I don't think there really is another book like it. It's a very clever book, featuring a lot of maths that I didn't understand and facts that messed with my head, but I liked that about it. It made me understand what Christopher's brain was like, knowing things that seem so complicated to me (I got an A at Maths GCSE but haven't taken it any further than that). The actual story was really good, even though it was told in such a different way, I think it had a certain charm to it.
I think I first read this book back in Year 9 English, but we didn't read it in full so I read it at home because my mum had a copy. I remember liking it but not loving it. But then we went to see Curious Incident at The Apollo and I fell in love with the play so decided to re-read the book, which I promptly read in less than a day.