The Books I Like to Read

Trash

Trash is a book wrote by Andy Mulligan which is about three friends that have always been sifting through rubbish their whole lives ever since they could stand and pick things up. But one day Raphael and Gardo find something that has changed their lives forever. The police are desperate to find it and would give anything just to solve a murder. But they can’t run forever.

All In The Title

The front cover captures the audience’s attention quickly because of the Trash floating away into the distance. Also on the front are three mysterious people looking out on a trash heap. Under the Title there is a mysterious phrase, "You never know what you`ll find...” This grips the audience to think what do they find and how does it affect the story.



The author has got the title just right with the single word title "Trash". It has a bigger impact on the audience instead of using Rubbish, Junk, or Thrown Away but with Trash it has a bit of brutality which is more meaningful.

If Andy did make another two books to the series they would be called "Lost" and "Treasure". In Lost Gardo and Rapheal would have lost something of their own, something irreplaceable. They would have to travel far and wide to find their possession. Treasure would be about the boys actually finding something of some value and the owner is offering more than a bit of money. He is offering their lives.

The Cover Says It All

The colours on the Front of Trash are vibrant and attracting. The illustrator has really nailed the colour with the orangey gold sunset with the dark almost black coloured trash. The illustrator has used different sizes of font to show the importance of some parts of the Front Cover. As I earlier explained, the mysterious people on the front triggered me to think, “Who are they, what do they do. What happens?”

I chose the novel on the most important thing about a book. The Blurb. The blurb was gripping and I just wanted to start and finish it that same day. It did not reveal too much but just enough for me to choose it.

The front cover is the selling point for a book and it needs to have vibrant colours, a good title and a little caption. Trash had all these factors. On the front it had bright colours in places and dark in the others. The title “Trash” was in a different font to suite the pictures. Underneath the title there was a little caption. “You never know what you’ll find…” This is a key thing to have because after I read that I turned the book over and read the blurb.

There was one book that I read that the title had a very little part to do with the story. The Book was “Once”. As you can see on the side the book had a pile of burning books which was just about a book shop being burnt down. It did add mystery to the book. The question did lye, why is there a pile of burning books in the middle of a field.

The Blurb Explains It All

For many readers the blurb is a torch in a dark room for choosing a good book. The blurb needs to be gripping and needs to sell the book. Andy has done this perfectly by giving some insight but not giving to much away still giving that sense of mystery. He has used gripping phrases like "Danger snatching at theier feet" and "A deadly secret".

The Blurb on the back same as the front has the three people but their is something different. On another trash heap there is a fourth person who could lead into another story or not.

Blurbs are supposed to be gripping, amusing and something to make this book better than the one still on the shelf. If Andy was looking for someone else to write his Blurb and make his book better than any Harry Potter, this would be mine.

One day, their were two boys, not so different from you and I, were sifting trash leading their boring lives. But one day something changed their lives for ever and they could never be the same. Join Gardo and Raphael in their journey to survive. Be there when they are at their best and worst. Remember, you never know what you will find.

Having Trouble


 A Great spot to read is where ever you feel comfortable. A relaxing time to read in the morning, afternoon and night time. It does not always need to be the local library it can be a long car journey or even on the beach. You will know it is a right place because it must not have any distractions like the dog, the Television or any cars. This is why lying in bed and on the veranda are good ideas. It can be hard to "Get in the Zone" because of distractions or just the part of the book. You need to give your book time and need to plough through it because 10 pages on it might be the best book you have ever read.

If a friend, teacher or a family member recommends you a book, take a shot at it and you dont always need to like it. But it could be the best book you have ever read. It is always good to try new things but in the end it is all up to you to decide.

Try These

There are thousands of brilliant authors out there and all you need to do is find the one best for you. A few good authors are Andy Griffith, Morris Gleitzmen and R.L Stine.

Andy Griffith

Andy has written many hilarious titles like The Day My Bum Went Psycho and the "Just" series. All of Andy’s books are worth reading because they are funny and unique which is brilliant in an author. If you want to laugh until you cry these are the ones for you.

Morris Gleitzmen

Morris is an all-round writer because he writes different genres like war to comedy. Some famous titles from Morris is the Once, Then and Now series, Wicked and Deadly. He has won many awards from the Bilby to the YABBA.

R.L Stine

R.L Stine is a one genre guy and it is Spooky and Horror. He has written the well acclaimed Goosebumps series which there are 164 of. If you want a scare read one of these.

All about the Authors 

1. Have a look at what's on their site. How have they designed their site in a way that tries to appeal to their readers?

On James Roy’s site he has used a unique technique by using a notepad as his site. This of course relates to his love. Reading and Writing. He has used a different style to all the other authors. Michael Hyde has many different pictures of spray panting walls, a market in a different country and creek. These Pictures are all associated with his writing and how does his work. Michael Gerard Bauer has gone for a different approach of comedy.

2. Every writer is different. Choose 2 different authors and find out what makes their style their own and what people enjoy about their writing.

The two people that I’m comparing are Michael Gerard Bauer and James Roy. Michael goes for the comedy approach in his books with funny titles like the Ishmael series which is a smash hit. James Roy is a broader writer. He writes from comedy to factional. For example “The “S” Word” this is about growing up and going through different stages of your life. People enjoy both of these writers for both their talent and styles.

3. Think about the book you're currently reading (or maybe the previous one). Track down this author's website and record a summary about him/her. Perhaps there are some interesting tales they tell about their early writing days.

Andy Mulligan was brought up in South London. He worked in the theater business as a director for 10 years. He later went on to Asia to be a teacher. He was taught English and Drama in five different countries. He has been the runner up for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Andy has taken a break from everything and should be back on his exciting journey of life next September in his beloved Philippines.

Every Picture Tells a Story

Chapter 1

My Life

I'm so lonely, cold and scared. You are probably wondering why I am feeling this way. I think it was a Monday but I don't know. This is a journal on how this all began and it started a little like this.

It’s been tough these last few months. I have not seen Dad because the army man came around and took him to fight in the war. I haven't seen him for 6 months and for mum it’s been a week. Today some of the men were looking at me weirdly, snarling at me. I fear the day they come back and fetch us for enrolment. But till this day I'm still avoiding them when they come around.

I have not had a decent sleep in months. My Younger Brother always worrying about if dad is still with us or not. What is war about and why? Why did dad need to go, he did not start this sham.

Through summer there is a sweltering heat. It Reaches at night the high 40`s but through the day it is unimaginable. My Brother and I have been eating very little of food. It is not much but it is all we have and it will have to do.

It’s hard when you different. Different than the others. I don`t know why, is it because we are, you know black. Throughout the night I here from the neighboring villages’ gunshots and women screaming. The deafening sound of gunshots scares you sometimes.

Chapter 2

Hide

Three days ago I was playing with Kunji in my room when I heard the army men's truck coming. It was night time and I could see the other villages glowing more than they normally did. The Army men came and it was almost like an investigation. They were knocking on people’s doors, yelling and barging through. They did not sound happy. They were coming closer and closer. The bangs on the doors were getting louder and louder. Mum had not been back and it was just Kunji my brother and I. I started to hear gunshots not in the other villages but ours. I could smell fire; they had been burning the village. That wasn't lights that were fire. They are burning everyone off. 

We had to hide but where. They will find me anywhere. I quickly woke up Kunji and packed as much food as I could into my back pack. Kunji kept yelling "why and what are they doing now" he yelled. I grabbed the family portrait and mums necklace. I pushed Kunji and my bed against the doors. We went through the back way of our house and ran for the forest near the village. As we were running away from the village I could hear my friend from next door screaming for help. His name was Tom and he had just came here because his town was raided. I said to Kunji to hide amongst the rocks were we always oust to play but not anymore. 

Chapter 3

The Run for Our Lives

I ran towards Tom's house. His door was jammed. I quickly grabbed the nearest trash can and started to bang my way through. It was stuck I couldn't get through! I heard Tom screaming louder. I had one big push and the door flung open. Tom came running out almost hugging me. “We have to go now"! We said to each other. We were in the clear but that is what we thought. One of the men saw us and started to chase us. We had about 5 men chasing us and they were gaining on us. But we had one thing they did not. Direction. We knew these streets like the back of our hands.

We were choking from the fumes from the fire. We had to just get past the village gates alive then we will be in the go. We could see the men behind us still chasing us. We needed a miracle. Anything would do. That's when I heard the thing that would save our lives. One of the buildings in front of us was falling and if we didn't get past it we would be not live. We ran as fast as we could and as we were running I heard the building creak and start to topple over. We had 30 meters left and we were not going to make it. Tom and I still powered through and we had just five more steps then we skidded under the burning piece of wood and then others from the building followed. Some guns fell and we grabbed one just for protection.

Another man appeared in front of us and because Tom had been in the army he knew how to use a gun and shot the man in the chest, killing him instantly. We ducked through buildings and we could see the gate. We ran outside and got through alive. I kept running towards the rock and Tom followed. Kunji was their waiting for us and we got down very low. "What was that", I said to Tom. "It was either us or him, this is not a game this is war", screamed Tom. I looked over at the village or what was left of it. I can't go back there but where.

Chapter 1

Something

"Hello", I screamed into the empty forest, waiting for a response. "Is there anyone.....” I got interrupted by a rustling in the bushes. There was something, I don't know what but there was something out there. 

Mum and Dad left me at home for the weekend. I wish they hadn't. They had only left a few hours ago when this spooky and abnormal fog rose above the trees. But something came with it. It is usually bright and chirpy. Birds singing and your usual happy scene but today it is far from it. 

I was scared more than I have ever been in my whole life. I reached over to dads shovel and gripped it tightly. 

I could feel the sweat run down my back. I reached for my phone to ring dad and then suddenly I heard the rustling again. This time it was louder.


Before dad left, we had just fished our own little cellar where dad keeps all his wines and alcohol. The door was right underneath the kitchen. There were two ways of getting in. One, through the one outside which was behind the shed and that was not a option. Two the door behind the fridge but the only problem with that was the weight of the fridge. When the fridge gets moved it makes a terrible screech. So I thought I needed to make a division so I grabbed a vase of mums and threw it as far I could. I heard the loud crash down the driveway. I ran to the cellar and moved the fridge as fast as I could. I grabbed the padlock and key and once I was in I locked my self in. I stayed very quiet and didn't make a sound for about an hour. I was peeping through the finger hole where you grab the door and I saw the thing or monster I was running from. This thing was not from our planet. This was worse than a nightmare.

E-literature

Check it Out Here at http://www.inanimatealice.com/ 

1. Does this kind of e-literature appeal to you?

The idea they have is appealing but No way. I’m sticking to the good old novel because of two reasons. 1. It is too distracting and I could not keep my eyes on the words. It is a good idea but not for me at all. 2. Accessibility. A book is always in your pocket and you can’t bring a computer to bed.

2. What features of 'Inanimate Alice' would be attractive to young readers?

The lights and sounds would appear to the younger generation of people like babies and toddlers. The activities are very easy to follow and there are not many words on the one page which is easier to take on. It is sometimes just a big game. I like how you can go through the story and go back to key parts. Some younger readers are people called visual learners which like to see things and this is what

“Visual Learning” is about.

3. Think of some of the possible disadvantages of e-literature.

A major disadvantage to the reader is one word. Distraction. The noise after awhile could be annoying to some and you are too distracted on the lights and sounds that are on around you. Kids would be encouraged to be on the computer longer and that is wrong. They should outside playing or reading a book. 

4. Some would say this kind of reading isn't really that different to traditional reading. Explain.

The reason some would say that is because you are imagining the situation and thinking about it but now it is right in front of your eyes. It is a good way they have done it. This makes it easier for the reader.

5. What other digital forms of literature have you come across?

I have seen only a few. I have seen an eBook where the book is in front of you but you can’t flip the pages it is at just a touch of a button. This also allows you to have other books on it and it can reach up to 1000 books. I have seen sound books which you have a narrator which says the books to you without you actually reading it but it takes all the effort out of reading.

6. For you personally, how does this form of reading compare with the old-fashioned way?

I actually like reading something other than a book it adds a whole different experience to reading. You can increase and decrease font. You can change languages and get many books from right in your bed upstairs.