1. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
2. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
3. The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
4. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon
5. You Are What You Eat by Gillian McKeith
6. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
7. Trace by Particia Cornwell
8. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
9. The Dark Tower by Stephen King
10. The Full Cupboard Of Life & No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
*This top ten is taken from the Ottakars Top Ten Bestsellers! By Clicking on their name you can read reviews of the different books available in store and also on the top ten listed above.
This week i am reading The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks. It is the Scottish writers first novel, and was first published in 1984. It is quite difficult to put into words how i feel about this book. It is a monologue of a teenager who in his past has murdered three people, his name is Frank and he is sixteen. He lives in a world of almost twisted fantasy and the book is slightly gruesome in parts. I really find it hard to describe this book and so i am going to use some quotations from newspapers and magazines which are found in the book.
"Iain Banks has written one of the most brilliant first novels i have come across for some time. His study of an obsessive personality, written with clarity and attention to detail that is impressive. One can only admire a truly remarkable novel." Daily Telegraph
"If you are squeamish or easily frightened, then leave The Wasp Factory severely alone. The novel is saved from sheer beastliness by its black humour and its message. Read it if you dare." Daily Express
"A gothic horror story of quite exceptional quality. It is macabre, bizarre and impossible to put down. There is a control and assurance in the book, an originality rare in established writers twice the author's age. This is an outstandingly good read." The Financial Times
I agree with the Financial Times, because this book is like a magnet, once you've gotten into it, it absorbs you and you want to know more about this twisted boys mind and life. I haven't finished yet and so don't expect any spoilers. I will advise people considering this book that if you hate complex monologues with hidden meanings etc then perhaps this book isn't for you. This is the same for people who are squeamish, there are some pretty sick memories and ideas in Frank's mind.
Visit Iain Banks Homepage to find out more about his works
