Advantages: Well developed characters, interesting, compelling story Disadvantages: A little graphic at times,
Although the age-old adage is don't judge a book by its cover, I am not a huge believer in this. I feel that in the modern world where there is such a vast amount of literature out there, the cover of a book has to be important in your choice of whether to select that book from the pile to then read the blurb (unless the book has been recommended in which case the cover is most likely unimportant.
Hope has a very simple spine, in a blue-y purple with the title Hope written in black, squared letters, the author's name (Glen Duncan) in white in the same fount though smaller. There is also a grey scale picture running through the letters which at first glance doesn't look like much, but on closer inspection turns out to be two naked figures, one male, one female, as a profile shot, showing the two chests and torsos pressed against each ...
Advantages: Quirky, charming, emotive vocals, great songwriting Disadvantages: None
Regina Spektor follows in a long line of kooky female singer songwriters - Kate Bush, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos to name but a few - and in my opinion when it comes to singer songwriters, the wackier the better. Begin to Hope is her third studio album and second major label release and should have been the album that catapulted her to worldwide fame. Although I'd be pushed to say it quite achieved that (after all, how many of you are reading this thinking "oh yes, Regina Spektor, I know her well") it did give her a more widespread following, with airplay on Radio Two and even a slot on Jonathan Ross's chatshow.
Regina Spektor was born in Moscow but grew up in New York, and this cultural mix is reflected clearly in the eclectic mix of styles she employs. She has a strong background in classical piano which is a massive strength in her ...
Advantages: Well written, interesting, good characters Disadvantages: None
Even though I have a huge pile of books in my bedroom waiting to be read, I can't resist accepting the big piles of books my mum brings me everytime she comes to visit me! When she came last month for my birthday, she brought with her another 4 books, 2 of which were by the author Lucy Clare, whom I hadn't heard of before. After browsing the back of the books to see which I liked, I decided that Hoping for Hope sounded different to the usual books I would read so that is the one I read first.
Liddy Claver is sure that her weight gain and fatigue are symptoms of the menopause, after all she's about to turn 50 but she decides to check it out with her doctor. But Liddy gets the shock of her life when her doctor informs her it isn't the menopause - she's pregnant, and due in just 2 months. Liddy is horrified - she's got 3 grown up ...
![All Hope Is Gone [PA] - Slipknot](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/850/All_Hope_Is_Gone_Slipknot__6929850.jpg)
