„Inferno” Dan Brown

„Inferno” Dan Brown

This book is about expert of symbols - Brooks Langdon, who wakes up in hospital. He doesn’t know how and why he affected there. He possesses a secret thing, which brings him problems. Someone tries to kill him. Brooks escapes from hospital and finds some tips. Does he survive and work out the mystery? does he save a world? Read the book and will know what happened in the end.

For me everyone should reads that books who likes interesting and holding in suspense turns action. "Inferno" by Dan Brown is a journey into the depths of a mysterious Kingdom, full of codes, symbols and secret pass, which will allow you to understand how to really "work" the world. I highly reccommend!

Dagmara Tałaj 

Book Review

I, Robot is a collection of 9 stories about robots. It was written by Isaac Asimov and first published by Gnome Press in 1950. Nowadays it has millions of fans and is well known in most of countries.

Doctor Susan Calvin tells the stories to a reporter during an interview. All histories are about the interaction of humans and robots. The most important thing is that robots are liable to Three Laws of Robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

First story is an introduction to the world of machines which evolved from silenced robots to intelligent creatures, that can’t be controlled by U.S. Robots. In other stories we can read about robots in many situations, f. ex. as a baby sitter, on the space station or as a politician.

Isaac Asimov shows that robots with artificial intelligence are dangerous for humanity. That is because they think that people can’t take care of themselves. The worst thing is that newest robots can look exactly like humans. People won’t be able to distinguish robots from humans.

In my view I’ Robot is a great collection of stories. Some are funny, others are exhilarating, but all of them are very interesting. I couldn’t stop reading this book until the end. I can recommend it for everyone, even for those, who don’t like reading.

Grzegorz Cieśla  

Book Review

Blood of Elves is the first novel of The Witcher’s saga and the third of The Witcher’s series. First and second books – Sword of Destiny and The Last Wish – contain only short stories introducing to the saga. The author, Andrzej Sapkowski, is also one of the most famous Polish fantasy writer.

 

  After the Empire of Nilfgaard attacked the Kingdom of Cintra, granddaughter of the queen, Cirilla, manages to flee from the burning city. Emhyr van Emreis, the emperor knows, that she has a great importance because of her royal blood, magical potential and elven blood in her veins. That is why he sends his spies to find her. The main character is Geralt of Rivia – one of the Witchers. He is a magically and genetically mutated monster slayer for hire. Geralt finds Cirilla and takes her to the Witchers’ keep – Kaer Morhen.  There Ciri is being taught by other Witchers to fight with a sword. During her education, the sorceress Triss Merigold comes to Kaer Morhen. She is called by Geralt to help with occasional abnormal behaviour he has seen in Ciri. Triss realises that Ciri is a Source and advises to seek help with Yennefer, more experienced sorceress.

At the same time, Gerald’s friend Dandelion  is being tortured by mysterious wizard Rience, who is looking for the girl. Dandelion is saved by Yennefer, who engages in a short magic combat with Rience.

In the springtime Gerald leaves Kaer Morhen and delivers Ciri to the Temple School in Ellander. In this temple Yennefer starts educating Ciri in the way of magic. Gerald, with the help of Dandelion and Shani, forces a confrontation with Rience, during which both are injured. Rience’s master intervenes again, opening the portal for him. Last of assassin dies, so Gerald has no source of information.

In my view, this book is a good example of an interesting story about many great people. Fantastic plot, well-created characters and beautiful world aren’t the only advantages of this book.

As far as I am concerned, I can recommend this novel for every reading fan. If you start reading it, you won’t be able to stop for a long time.

Grzegorz Cieśla

10 best new books to read (based on bbc.co.uk)

• Robin Black, ‘Life Drawing’
• Amy Bloom, ’Lucky Us’
  
  
• Lewis Buzbee, ’Blackboard’
• Stuart Dybek, ‘Paper Lantern’
• Alan Furst, ‘Midnight in Europe’
• Mary Gordon , ’The Liar’s Wife’
• Lev Grossman, ‘The Magician’s Land’
• Richard House, ‘The Kills’
• Adam Rogers , ‘Proof’
• Tiphanie Yanique, ‘Land of Love and Drowning’

Why people do not read books ?

Nowadays, people read fewer and fewer books. Fortunately, there are still writers who can intrigue the reader. Many are choosing simpler solution, such as watching a movie, or reading summaries. It is not good ,because people stop thinking and developing. Next reason is that children are not encouraged from an early age. In some families parents do not read their children or read to little or uninteresting items. School shows above all the classics which, in most cases, are difficult, boring and not modern. Especially young people do not want to read ,because they are taking the example of their friends and think that reading is not cool. Another problem is money .Really good books are usually expensive .Not everybody has enough money to afford the expense. Nowadays, we have a lot of modern devices so we are not looking for something more.

Karolina Urbanowicz, Angelika Magoś

The Ruins of Gorlan

Ruins of Gorlan is the first novel of Ranger’s Apprentice series. It has been written by John Flanagan, Australian author. The fictional world of Ranger’s Apprenticeis is exactly the same as in The Brotherband, his other series. That lets every fascinated reader to stay in this world for a longer time.

The World in Ranger’s Apprentice series is similar to middleage Europe. Araluen is a country, where main plot starts. King Duncan is very popular and respectable. Only one person wants to depose him - Morgarath, lord of the bleak, barren Mountains of Rain and Night. His rebellion was strangled fifteen years ago and he was exciled.

The plot starts in one of the most important fieves – Redmont. Young boy named Will is an orphan and lives in an orphanage with other children. The idea to take care of children came from Arald, Baron of fief Redmont. When kids like he are fifteen years old there comes a special day called Choosing Day, when every child becomes an apprentice to a craftmaster.

Although Will’s first choice was Battle school, he becomes apprenticed to Halt as the Rangers. Rangers are the intelligent group of the country and specialize in long range weapons and the art of staying unseen. Will is trained in these skills as he prepares for the annual Ranger meeting called the Gathering, which is where his skills will be tested. At the Gathering the Rangers receive a report that the Kalkara, vicious creatures under the control of Morgarath, have killed important Araluen figures.

Halt and Gilan leave to track down the Kalkara while Will is riding for help. Baron Arald and sir Rodney head out to slay the beasts. They manage to kill one, but are badly injured by the second one. Suddenly, the last Kalkara is killed by Will’s flaming arrow that burns it because of its flammable fur. Will is considered to be a hero and receives his bronze oakleaf medal which identifies him as a Ranger’s Apprentice.

The Ruins of Gorlan is one of the best books I have even read. It is very interesting and engrossing. The plot is coherent and riveting. Every fan of fantasy or adventure books will be delighted by entering this world.

As far as I am concerned I can recommend this book to everybody, who is looking for good and fascinating novel. If you want to experience many adventures with great characters, this is a book for you.

Grzegorz Cieśla

Book Review - "Before I fall"

One of the best books I have read is „Before I fall” written by Lauren Oliver. This is her first novel and, what’s more, for many weeks we have had an opportunity to see it on the first ten  of “New York Times” bestsellers. The book was published in 2010.

http://www.studiosystemnews.com/books-to-film-the-ya-development-list/before-i-fall-by-lauren-oliver/

The main character is Samantha Kingston. She’s one of the most popular girls at Thomas Jefferson High School. She has it all – including the best place in a school canteen and parking spot.  Everybody focuses on her needs and reckons with her opinion. Lots of younger students treat her like a role model - she serves as an example for them. They admire and try to copy her. Sam has got a boyfriend about whom the others can only dream, and three the best friends who could go through fire and water for her.

One day after a big party she and her friends have got a car accident. Sam very precisely sees her painful and unpleasant death but she can’t do anything to stop this terrible feeling. Suddenly, Samantha wakes up in the morning and terrified notices that there is the same day, 12 February, again today.

The author shows us the incredible change of a young, selfish, confident and inward-looking girl. During a few days she becomes a grown woman who starts noticing her mistakes and criticizing own behavior. She tries to take advantage of opportunity and  change herself to being more approachable for the others.

This book is really worth reading. I was captivated by this story and I think that everyone deserves a second chance. I’m convinced that you’ll like it because the featured problem is closely connected with today's struggle of young people with oneself.

Aleksandra Krawczyk  

Book Review

"Przeklinam Cię, ciało" (eng. I curse you, body) is a story that was released in 2005 and written by Wanda Lachowicz.

It tells about young girl who struggles with anorexia and bulimia, because she can't stand the situations which are happening in her life...

http://www.empik.com/przeklinam-cie-cialo-lachowicz-wanda,11969,ksiazka-p

We don't know her name, because she wanted to be anonymous writting the diary. She is very sensitive, she receives the reality stronger than other people do. When her parents get a divorce, everything falls and it seems not to be better never more. She misses her dad so much, but at the same time she hates him, because he left her and damaged her family. The girl falls into addictions - she drinks, smokes and wants to extremely lose her weight. She also doesn't have good relations with her mother - she thinks that the woman doesn't understand her as well as the fact that dad's leaving affected her from the inside. The teenager even starts to sell drugs - she needs money. She is alone at her new school and she still doesn't eat too much. One day she gets to the psychiatric hospital. The doctors try to help her pick up from the bottom in which she has been for months. But, unfortunately, she doesn't have a positive attitude to everything that people do for her...

Will she start living normally and leave the past behind...? Read this book, I recommend it to you today. You probably won't be disappointed and you will take it from your shelf again.

Natalia Korona

The Magicians’ Guild- book review

The Magicians’ Guild is the first fantasy novel in The Black Magician trilogy. This series has been written by Australian writer Trudi Canavan. The Magicians’ Guild is followed by The Novice and The High Lord.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TrudiCanavan_TheMagiciansGuild.jpg

It starts at the beginning of winter. Every year streets of Imardin, the capital city of Kyralia, are purged of the ‘dwells’. Magicians drive them away back to the city’s slums. Young gang throws rocks at them in protest against their aggresion. The Guild’s inhabitants are protected by a magical shield until Sonea, a young dwell, injures Lord Fergun by throwing one the rocks through their barrier. The Guild come of starting blocks with looking for Sonea. Lords Dannyl and Rothen lead the search into the slums. This young girl is in danger, because her uncontrolled magic will harm her, everyone and everything around her. Sonea fears of their reprisal for Lord Fergun’s injury. She flees with her friend Cery, and finally seeks the aid of the shady Thieves. The Thieves are the center of Imardin’s demiworld. They see the value of having their own magician, so they take her under their care. Thieves know that they buy a pig in a poke. It is as possible that she will become their magician as she will blow them up. Sonea is between the devil and the deep blue sea. She has to become Thieves magician, or let the Guild catch her. She sneaks with Cery into the Magicians’ Guild to gain knowledge of how to control her magic. She sees some lessons, but that ones are for more advanced apprentices. She tries to understand something again and again. Even though her attempts are unsuccessful and Sonea continues to lose control of her powers and burns house by house and hideout by hideout. To say it shorter: she puts a spoke in Thieves’ wheel. Slowly but surely, seekers are closer to find and catch her. Finally, after exciting pursuit magicians find Sonea and help her to control magic and try to convince this young dwell to become a magician. That is when she understands that she got the wrong end of the stick, they wanted to help her, not kill.

As far as I am concerned, The Magicians’ Guild is an amazing and encouraging to read the following books beginning of a curious story. The plot is engrossing and it is almost impossible to guess what is going to happen on next pages of the book.

To sum up, I can sincerely recommend this series to everyone. If you are looking for an intriguing and gripping novel, this is groovy choice for you.

Grzegorz Cieśla

"Fifty Shades of Grey" - Book Review

 "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a story written by E.L James. I wanted to read this book when I saw a description of it for the first time. It's charged with very strong desire and emotions... And it became 1st place in the prestigious list of magazine 'The New York Times!"

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/fifty-shades-trilogy/images/33869300/title/fifty-shades-grey-wallpaper

Anastasia Steele studies literature. She is a quiet and secretive person who lives with her friend Kate. One day she

is obligeted to make an interview with Christian Grey - very rich entrepreneur. Extremely handsome and brilliant man awakes in a young girl a lot of conflicting emotions. He fascinates her but, at the same time, she is scared of him and she doesn't know what his intentions are. Anastasia, convinced that her meeting with Christian isn't successful, tries to forget about him. But he comes to the shop where she works and asks her about second meeting...

Young, innocent girl with astonishment discovers that she desires this mysterious and attractive man. Ana starts

to understand what is the real, deep desire. But she isn't alone in her fascination. She doesn't know that Christian wants her on his own conditions and he always must take control of everything...

How will end this fascinating romance? Read the book and you will know. I recommend it to everyone who wants to experience stronger emotions.

Natalia Korona

"Dear John" book review

 "Dear John" , written by Nicholas Sparks, is a book which I read about one year ago. I really fell in love with this story, so I want to tell you something about it.

https://aloftyexistence.wordpress.com/tag/dear-john/

John Tyree is a young guy, who joins the army after he finishes high - school. He gains more courage, he experiences how true, male life looks like. One day he comes to his family town - Wilmington, which is situated in North Carolina, America. During his pass in the army he meets Savannah - the girl of his dreams. She is 2 years younger than him, she studies pedagogics. She is in Wilmington because she builds houses for poor families with her friends.

  Between Savannah and John happens something totally unexpected. They fell in love with each other. Savannah promises to wait for John, until he comes back from service in the army. He also discovers that he wants to create a family with her. When 11th of September comes, John extends his stay in the army. Unfortunately, his partnership with Savannah doesn't withstand this long separation. In the farewell letter she informs John that she fell in love with someone else. But time isn't good for a very deep wound in John's heart. When he comes home after a few years in the army, he dreams only about one thing - to hold his sweetheart in his arms again...

  I cried when I was reading this book. It's very emotional and sad, because it shows how the long distance can embroil two people, who were very important for themselves... I recommend it to everyone, starting on teenagers, ending on adults. Go to the library or bookstore and buy it!!

Natalia Korona

"Black Beauty" - book review

     One of the books I really enjoy (and also my favorite one) is "Black Beauty" - the story about amazing horse with extensive past. This beautiful story is written by Anna Sewell in 1994. We can also watch it on TV, because there is a film based on the book.
      The action takes place in twentieth century. Black Beauty tells us about trust and betrayal. His life isn't always  colorful and happy. He changes his owners many times, he sees how different can be people's characters. Beauty also says about his friendship with other horses and about inseparable bond between him and some people on his way. He must walk very courageously through his life. He has to endure separation with everything what he loves to finally come to an end, be happy again and, even if it is hard, learn to trust people. Of course, he achieves peace at the end of his life in delicious place full of water, grass and sunlight with his owner from the past - Joe. His troubles are over and he is at home.

http://www.konie.wortale.net/442-Black-Beauty.html

        
This story always makes me cry. I really like reading it, despite the fact it is very sad and melancholic. In the film there are beautiful soundtracks, which perfectly fit with the scenes and actors perform their roles well.
I recommend Black Beauty to all horse-lovers... but not only to them. If you are such a sensitive person, your heart will be moved after reading a book about beautiful friendship between people and animals.


Natalia Korona