Motherland – William Nicholson
If you are an amateur book reviewer like me, what do you do when you read something by an author you have loved for years, but really don't like their latest effort? Do you write a great review because you like the author... or do you tell it like it is? For the first time ever I have just been put in this position, and I have to say it's the second option, and f*ck the consequences.
Read MoreA Cottage by the Sea – Carole Matthews
Regular Book Boy readers will know that I have a secret love for the 'Chick Lit' genre. I blame it on being exposed to the amazinng works of Freya North and Lisa Jewell. Yes, I may be a 30-year-old man, but the combination of a person seeking their perfect partner, coupled with a great storyline really strikes a chord with me
Read MoreThe Universe Versus Alex Woods – Gavin Extence
When I finish a book and think about what I'd give it out of five, a number of boxes need to be ticked. It needs to be a good story... It needs to be well written.... It needs to have believable characters.... It needs to bring about some kind of emotion.... And it needs to make you think - basically it needs to be a book which will live in your thoughts long after you finish it... That's The Book Boy's secret for a 5/5 mark, and this lovely little book by Gavin Extence gets all five - it's simply perfect.
Read MoreWorthless Men – Andrew Cowan
Worthless Men is an apt title for this overly-complex pretentious book about life in a rural English city in 1916. With the farmers driving their cattle in from the country, the whole city eagerly awaits a trainload of injured Tommies coming back from the front. A vivid portrait of wartime life it is not. Worthless by name, worthless by nature.
Read MoreThe Pre-War House and Other Stories – Alison Moore
Last year there was one book which stood head and shoulders above all the Man Booker Prize nominees. It was called "The Lighthouse" by Alison Moore. It was so poignant and so beautifully written to see Hilary Mantel win for the second time felt like a kick in the teeth. Yet losing to 'Old Peculiar' hasn't kept Alison down...oh no...if anything her literary star shines even brighter. This collection of 20 of her short and award-winning stories are so powerful they'll leave you reeling.
Read MoreAnd The Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini is a master storyteller. I remember reading "The Kite Runner" back in 2006 and bursting into tears in the final chapter. I was on the London Underground at the time and remember it well, as it was the very first book which brought me to tears. Unfortunately this one brought me to tears - tears of boredom. It's dull, drab and instantly forgettable. It makes me sad to say this, but I have to be honest!
Read MoreClose My Eyes – Sophie McKenzie
In all my years of reading books I don't think I've ever come across a book which has annoyed me so much I felt compelled to 'dog-ear' each and every page just to prove a point. I have to say that this book by Sophie McKenzie is a great story, but let down by Sophie's shockingly shockingly awful prose. This book is so bad I actually wanted to poke my own eyes out, it was THAT frustrating.....
Read MoreThe Radio – M Jonathan Lee
Are you taken for granted by members of your family? Or so you know someone who puts others first, someone who makes sure that everyone else is happy before they even think of themselves? If you do, then "The Radio" will speak to you on a number of levels - a black comedy so dark, so funny and so heartfelt you'll finish the final page and think to yourself: "Wow, now what an amazing read that was!"
Read MoreWOOL – Hugh Howey
It's not often I finish a book and think to myself "Cor blimey, this is a modern masterpiece - I wish I had the first edition in hardback, it'll be worth a few bob!" And it's not often I come across a book so superbly crafted and superbly written it's hard to discuss it without revealing some major spoilers...
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