The Wish List by Eoin Colfer. It might be a bit of a young book for you, but I remember crying at the end when I read it. I waaaas 11 I think. It's a great story.
Ohhh, I was thinking of doing English at uni but it made more sense doing art. Seen as though I got an A in that and a C in English Language. I ought to post more in here, Dom is quite the fine looking man.
I didn't notice that until my mum showed me a youtube vid of it. And I went to the gig as well.
btw, your date for the Manchester gig is wrong in your sig. Just so you know!