We’re six weeks into the Mid Sussex Reading Challenge, and we’ve loved hearing all about the books local readers have picked up so far. In January, we read books that have been adapted into films, and we’ve received lots of fantastic reviews covering a huge variety of different books. In this post, we’ve compiled four book reviews from local readers – did you read any of these books, or perhaps you chose something different? Let us know!
Germania from Haywards Heath read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
Rating: 4 out of 5
The book was about a teacher of a group of ten-year-old girls, who became quite interested in the way she was. What was interesting is that they didn’t learn what they were supposed to be learning. Miss Brodie talked to them about her travels, interesting bits about art, music, and they even went to see Pavlova dancing. They developed new interests when they went to secondary school, but they continued seeing Miss Brodie, gossiping about the art teacher’s painting of Rose looking like Miss Brodie. It was a description of growing up in a period before the Second World War. Quite interesting.
Caroline from Haywards Heath read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Rating: 4 out of 5
Having loved this book as a child it was fun to re-read it. It’s well written, full of adventure and a thoroughly good story. A must read for everyone!
Hannah from East Grinstead read Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Rating: 5 out of 5
Set in the forties and fifties, on the East coast of America (New York City and Connecticut). It centres around one couple in particular – Frank and April Wheeler – and their frustrations with suburban family life, hang ups from their childhoods and finding their place in the world. I really enjoyed this.
Local reader Cheri read Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Rating: 4 out of 5
For January’s challenge I read ‘Wonder’, which was made into a 2017 film starring Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay. I was inspired to read this, even though it is aimed at children, by its mention in a book about reading – ‘Books for Living’ by Will Schwalbe. The story revolves around Auggie, a young boy with a severe cranio-facial deformity caused by a genetic condition, who is going to school for the first time. We follow the journey through his eyes and also through the eyes of the people in his life including his sister and other kids at the school. The book deals with issues of being different, perceptions of disability and bullying, but in a way that pulls out the complexities of different people’s experiences. I was afraid that it might be simplistic and sentimental, but it isn’t – it tackles the joy and pain of Auggie’s situation in a way that doesn’t patronise the reader and encourages reflection. I recommend this book to children and adults alike.
Reserve your copy of any of these books by visiting our library catalogue!
Have you read a great book recently? Let us know by posting in our Facebook group, tweeting us @WSCCLibraries using the hashtag #MidSussexReadingChallenge or submitting your own review.
The views expressed in these reviews are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of West Sussex Libraries.
Mid Sussex Reading Challenge 2020 