Whilst most teachers suggest one because it is easier and less to remember, it is safest to do two texts for two reasons. Firstly, the BoS can still legally write a question asking for TWO related texts and secondly, you have a wider variety of related to talk about in your essay on the day...
The book is not actually that bad, you just need to sit down and read it chapter by chapter. Split each chapter up into its own individual reading and have a chapter summary handy so you know what's 'happening' in each chapter then read the chapter. The book will start to make sense.
There are a...