Book Haul: July 2014

The summer continues, and so does my chance to binge read as much literature as possible! Here are the titles that I picked up in July, and my opinions on them pre a good thorough reading. How organised of me.


Title: The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books


First Thoughts
Chaos Walking, old friend, welcome back into my life.

It's been a while, and I've read widely, but now I'm all set to take the plunge back into the world of Todd and Viola. I've always loved the concept of the Noise, which Ness has previously portrayed wonderfully, and I look forward to discovering how this continues to play a role in the story.

Is Viola still Alive? (I assume so) And will Todd ever escape the clutches of Mayor Prentiss? (He'd better do) Well, it looks like I am about to find out. Here we go...


Title: More Than This

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books


First Thoughts

We've all thought, at some point in our lives, whether there really is 'more than this'.

In this book, so does one dead boy. Newly drowned, he finds himself deserted and alone, posing this question to the world.

Ness, you have intrigued me, and I shall read this book until my intrigue has been quenched, and I turn the last page.

Title: Fahrenheit 451

Author: Ray Bradbury

Publisher: Harper Voyager



First Thoughts
I am enraged that Bradbury has written a character whose paid job is to make books burn, and smoulder out of their forbidden existence. It's outrageous!

To destroy a book is to erase a fragment of our race's precious knowledge and culture, and obliterate the lives of those who live between the fragile pages of a book. To me, that is absolutely unforgivable.

Book burnings have happened in our world. They are one of humanity's greatest crimes, and as far as I can tell, this book is full of them. I await this read with hopes of racing through the words in a manner that only an infuriated passion could fuel. I can't wait.


Title: The Girl with all the Gifts

Author: M. R. Carey

Publisher: Orbit


First Thoughts

'Not every gift is a blessing.' Ooh, a thriller, how exciting.

Melanie is different. Living her life in a cell, she is also dangerous, but how and to whom I do not yet know.

I've imagined the plot of this one to follow a young girl with supernatural powers, too strong for her to control, without bringing humankind into some kind of great peril. This speculation seems a bit predictable, and I highly suspect that I am wrong...

What is Melanie's gift, and why has she been locked up?


Title: The Encyclopedia of Early Earth

Author: Isabel Greenberg

Publisher: Jonathan Cape


First Thoughts

I've heard beautiful, beautiful things about this one.

A graphic novel written and illustrated by the hugely talented Isabel Greenberg, this is book with many stories to tell, each detailing the fictional Early Earth. Featured is a storyteller, a star-crossed romance, and a journey that takes one young human halfway around the globe.

The artwork that I've already seen is highly promising, and I look forward to diving into this ancient world. Isabel, I'm ready to go on a journey!


That's everything this time round. Safe to say, this seems like one of my top hauls to date, and I've been so crazily excited to get reading. Reviews will follow!