Okay, second blog. Summer's only around the corner and after all the stress of exams and school and routine is thrown out of the window, I have set myself a goal. It is a goal I definitely won't complete this summer, or even this year. But, I have already started. I have spent all of an hour and a half (which I should have spent studying) skimming and perusing through web pages searching for the top 100 books to read before you die. I've narrowed it down, and I have already read some, that I think are well worthy of being in the top 10. But, I'll have to wait and see, there might be some new hidden jems in there. I'm not going to list all 100 now, but I will tell you the ones I've finished reading already.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The first time I tried to read this, I found it very hard to get into. I thought Austen went into too much detail, and alot of the information was unnecessary, but I was only 13. Two years on, after seeing the BBC adaption and taking the dusty book off my shelf, I read this only about 6 months ago, and I loved it. The honest, gentle manner of this classic drew me in and every time I reread this novel I'd notice something I didn't before.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I read this in school as part of my Junior Certificate curriculum and although I first hesitated at the thought of reading a novel about law, a court case and the Deep South, which I knew was very stereotyped and prejudiced. What I didn't expect from this book was the sheer genius of the plot, the pureness of it's characters, and the realisation of how terrible the black people in South Alabama were treated. I learned alot from this book, not only on a historical background, but on a life aspect. It is a truly inspirational story.

The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
This is my favourite series of books ever. Ask any of my friends or family. I am a Potter nerd. The mystical characters, twisting plot and still undiscovered world of wizardry fills me with excitement and youthful energy. I would advise anyone and everyone to read this novel. It is the best I have found so far.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
This touching story,I read after watching the film. I hate watching the film adaptation before reading the book. It always spoils the plot, the producers feel the need to change half the storyline and especially with this book, I felt more from the movie, as it was my first experience with the story. In my opinion, the plot of the book was better in so many ways, but i wasn't as surprised on finishing the book, but that's just my own experience.

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
This novel didn't appeal to me at all. It was a great idea, but not very well executed, in my opinion. The writer tried hard to make the concept of time travelling a medical condition. It just didn't click with me. Some of the moments were heart-rendering, but alot of the time I just found the story, a little feeble.

The Boy in the Stripped Pyjama's by John Boyne
This tender tale of a young boy deluded, trapped in a bubble of happiness is taken away from his friends to live near his father's work. Little did he know, that it was in the middle of nowhere, near a concentration camp in the Nazi reigning years of WWII. This innocent boy portrays the Nazi's in Germany through untainted eyes. I loved this book.

Hope you agree with me, and if you don't, comment. :)