It’s not often I laugh while reading books. I remember last time I laughed aloud while reading. I was eleven years old, nose jammed between the pages It’s not often I laugh while reading books. I remember last time I laughed aloud while reading. I was eleven years old, nose jammed between the pages of ‘Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging’ and I was in a silent library. The rest of the class were perfectly silent. I, on the other hand, had tears running down my face and I was laughing hysterically like a mule. My English teacher, a stern and austere woman came over and had words. I spent the rest of the lesson in silence, not reading.
Good Omens was a far superior experience. No scary English teacher breathing down my neck, and more laughs per minute. I even read it super slowly to conserve the specialness. This is without a doubt the funniest book I’ve ever read. I often scan my book shelf, and find it void of comedy – and mostly full of sad books. I’m not a sad person but I often find ‘comedy’ or ‘funny’ books to be drastically unfunny. The genius of Sir Terry and Neil Gaiman is fucking amazing. ‘Good Omens’ is a laugh out loud book, with fabulous characters such as Anathema Device, Adam, Crowley and Aziraphale. It is so cleverly told, you don’t realise two people wrote this book together. It reads like one person wrote it. There’s no jarring, off putting difference between Gaiman and Pratchett’s styles.
Good Omens is a fantastic, hilarious book. ...more
‘A Gathering Light’/ ‘A Northern Light’ for those in the US, is a story about an intelligent young woman, Mattie, who has dreams of going to universit‘A Gathering Light’/ ‘A Northern Light’ for those in the US, is a story about an intelligent young woman, Mattie, who has dreams of going to university to study English. The novel has two storylines within it, one which starts at the beginning of 1906, and is about Mattie’s life and her becoming a young woman. The second storyline is set in the summer of 1906 and based on one singular day. This particular storyline is entwined with the murder of Grace Brown. The two storylines merge very well and it was an ingenious way to present the story.
The writing is simple and elegant, no fussy long sentences and purple prose. It incorporates Mattie’s love for words easily without being dull, boring and repetitive.
And Mattie. Perhaps one of the most successful characters I’ve ever read with the I’m-a-poor-clever-girl-who-has-massive-modern-dreams-and-aspirations-to-go-to-college trope. She was just clever and bookish enough to be interesting and obviously smart but still naïve enough to be a believable teenager. You saw her make mistakes and you gasped as she made them, and you were desperate that she didn’t do certain things (like marry Royal) and change her mind. I did whoop at the end of the book, but since this book kept me up till midnight, I did a very silent, whispery whoop.
It certainly deserved its Carnegie medal, and it is one of the first YA books that has truly made an impression on me for over a year (but then again, there was Buffalo Soldier…). ...more
Patrick Ness is certainly in the higher echelons of YA writers, along with John Green and JK. Adults can read his books without the –shock, horror- o Patrick Ness is certainly in the higher echelons of YA writers, along with John Green and JK. Adults can read his books without the –shock, horror- of reading a YA book. This is literally the best book I’ve read all year. Its twists and turns are unpredictable, characters real and interesting, and it is written so well that it felt like someone was reading it to me. A better realised version of the Matrix....more
I just finished this book and I can't think. All my thoughts are 'THIS IS AMAZING' and 'FAB. FAB. FAB.' and the fact I have to recommend it to everyonI just finished this book and I can't think. All my thoughts are 'THIS IS AMAZING' and 'FAB. FAB. FAB.' and the fact I have to recommend it to everyone I know.
Max is intersex, and after a horrific incident, he's left questioning his identity and who he really is.
I wanted to be friends with Max and Sylvie. All the characters were so well written I understood everyone's motives. Yes, even Karen's. Yes, even Hunter's. (Although I do not have any empathy for him. He should be attacked by acid-snakes.)
It's poignant, beautiful, upsetting and it made me shout out aloud. I recommend this to absolutely anyone. Especially if you don't understand or want to know more about gender and sex please, please read this book.
*Eww, my review's so ramble-y and disorganised. This means I really, really, really enjoyed this book and I 'cannot fathom my thoughts into constellations' (damn, pesky The Fault in Our Stars quote) but that's exactly it.
**This means, you the reader of this review, should probably find this book and read it. ...more
Nothing has struck me more so than Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now. Nothing has felt so personal, so real. Daisy’s thoughts sounded like mine, and often INothing has struck me more so than Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now. Nothing has felt so personal, so real. Daisy’s thoughts sounded like mine, and often I lapsed into thinking that SHE was ME, or I was HER. She did things which sounded like I would do, felt things which I would feel, and the only four strikingly different things from me and her is that 1: She is an American, 2: Her mother died giving birth to her and therefore she has a stepmother, 3: She is romantically involved with her cousin and 4: The Third World War has begun.
Also, the scenery is so similar to where I live. I’ve walked in woodland, down country lanes, swam in rivers. I know which plants are what and which birds are which. This makes the story even more personal for me, despite not living in a war zone, I felt like I knew the surroundings. This is what made me fearful. It made the story more realistic. It made survival and the war and everything seem like it could happen on MY BACK DOORSTEP, which is utterly terrifying, especially when you leave yourself to dwell on that matter.
After the end of Part Two, I couldn’t start to read any other book. I couldn’t write a review. I had to collect myself, and not cry in a crowded room. The ending broke my heart. I had literally no idea what to do with myself. (So I doodled aimlessly. That’s what I did with myself)
Meg Rosoff’s novel is one of the most powerful novels that I’ve read in quite a while. It is completely unmissable.
N.B: By the way, I don’t understand the issue with the incest. I felt that the book was more to do with survival, war, horror, hope, family, love, fear, anger, being scared, scared, scared and trying to fight your way through it than Daisy having sex with her cousin. ...more
I’m trying to compile my thoughts about this book in my head. It’s not happening because I’m overcome, overcome at each individual story and the beautI’m trying to compile my thoughts about this book in my head. It’s not happening because I’m overcome, overcome at each individual story and the beautiful writing. And, I need to mention the complex characters and their relationships with other people in the story, whether or not physically absent (I’m thinking of Maria and Frances). Yes, I adored this book.
I loved the writing because it was unique, and brave, especially for a debut novel. I loved the fact that there weren’t any speech marks. Let me tell you it did take quite a long time for me to get used to it, but in the end I loved it. I felt like I was more there. It had the strange feeling, despite the third person narrative, that I was in that person’s mind, whether it was Maria, Gwen, Laura, Jeannie, Flossie or Rosie. Maybe it could be cheesy-ily said that I felt a certain connection with these women and girls in these stories. I think the characters I ‘connected’ with the most were Gwen, the twins, Jeannie and Esther.
My favourite stories were the Featherstone of Piccadilly and Unknown. ...more
This is a book about coincidence. Coincidentally, I went to Hay-On-Wye literary festival, and met the author and bought this book. (Actually, I’m not This is a book about coincidence. Coincidentally, I went to Hay-On-Wye literary festival, and met the author and bought this book. (Actually, I’m not really sure if that was a coincidence since the trip was planned…) Anyways this book certainly got me addicted. I went to the campsite, and read it for the majority of the afternoon in my tent (when there is rain in Wales, you read.) Then, I came home, and finished the final few chapters. Then, it dawned on me. I really, really loved this book.
I’ve not really been very interested in coincidence. It happens to me, and I say ‘wow’ and I’ll be amazed for a little while, and then forget it ever happened by tea-time. Deja-vu however, has the ability to freaks me out more than coincidence, and I find a Deja-vu incident a lot harder to explain to other people. However, I felt that ‘She Is Not Invisible’, dealt with this aspect really well and explored coincidences and chance in a very clever way. I liked how the number 354 cropped up a few times, and the book itself was full of coincidences, the last page of the book is 354.
I loved Laureth, the main character. She was such a strong young woman, it’s her choice to go across the Atlantic to try and find her father, she’s strong-willed and really cares about the people that she loves. She trekked across New York with only a seven year old brother and a stuffed raven named Stan. And Laureth is blind. She does not let her disability to stop her. She was an excellent character, definitely a role model, and I applaud Marcus Sedgwick for giving me a small insight about what it is like to be a blind teenager.
This book is refreshingly different from his Gothic historical novels, it was less serious. I loved that aspect, I found that there were many humorous points, such as Benjamin’s conversations with his stuffed raven toy. However, this didn’t stop the serious and clever points of the book such as Laureth and Benjamin’s father’s Black Book.
Marcus Sedgwick is one of the best YA authors out there. It is such a shame he is so underrated, as each one of his books I have read have been a gem. ...more
When I’m in the mood for anything quick, delightful, realistic and fun, I go for Sarah Dessen. Her writing is like milk chocolate digestive biscuits (When I’m in the mood for anything quick, delightful, realistic and fun, I go for Sarah Dessen. Her writing is like milk chocolate digestive biscuits (my go to snack food). After the brilliant ‘Along for the Ride’, I sought out, ‘Just Listen’. This book is a true gem. The characters are believable, and unlike other Dessen books I’ve read there was this suspense of what happened last summer. I found Annabel surprisingly relate-able for the ‘girl who has it all’ (guess what? She doesn’t!) However, I think the hero of the show had to be Owen. With his obscure music taste and his honest, and sometimes angry, personality – he was perfectly lovable. I would probably recommend this to anyone, it was a perfect break from my revision and I really enjoyed it....more
When I picked up this book I didn’t expect anything. I didn’t expect a story so real and genuine that it’d swallow me down. Neither did I expect a boyWhen I picked up this book I didn’t expect anything. I didn’t expect a story so real and genuine that it’d swallow me down. Neither did I expect a boy with a voice honest that I now believe that there is a twelve year old living in Brooklyn named Georges. Liar and Spy is a book about Georges who is quite an average twelve year old, although, he has just moved into a new apartment. In that apartment he meets Safer – another twelve-year old who is a self appointed spy. Together they spy on the elusive Mr X. But as cracks start appearing on the surface; is Safer a real friend or is it just a tangle of lies?
Being a ‘Carnegie connoisseur’ (I jest!), I’ve noticed a pattern. Each year I have participated in this award, the Carnegie would usually have mostly older teenage books and then one or two books aimed at twelve and younger. Usually I disliked or didn’t read those, as I found with ‘The Death-Defying Pepper Roux’, (Carnegie nominee 2011), I found it a bit ‘meh’. But, thankfully, not with Liar & Spy. Rebecca Stead’s book is brilliant for all ages, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I love the real sense of mystery in this book, as many questions are slowly answered throughout the course of the novel. I suppose this is what really enchanted me; a book which is set mostly in one square mile in Brooklyn that had so much mystery and so much appeal. Even the spy undertones had quite a magical vibe. I thought Stead’s writing was very realistic and I especially loved being in Georges head – the thoughts and conversations he had were so engrossing.
This book is a definite 5/5 for me. So grab a copy and read ‘Liar & Spy!’ ...more
I’ve finished this book, and now I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve been sitting at my laptop trying to think of what to write (while scrollingI’ve finished this book, and now I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve been sitting at my laptop trying to think of what to write (while scrolling Pinterest). Wow. I’ve just been sufficiently mind-blown by this book.
I had been searching for a book akin to Sally Gardner’s work: historical, fairy-tale-like with a smattering of darkness. And I found it right here! Dortchen Wild lives next door to Wilhelm Grimm, you know the famous half of the Grimm brothers. However, he is young, fresh out of University, and he’s living in poverty. This is Dortchen’s story.
The way Kate Forsyth weaved fairy-tale and historical fact astounded me. As Dortchen told the stories to Wilhelm had some kind of magical property. Old Maria, especially reminded me of some gentle fairy-godmother holding the family together. The father was a complete villain. He is probably one of the most disgusting piece of scum that I have ever read about (in fictional terms). He abused Dortchen and her sisters greatly, and as she eased into womanhood, he became worst, a literal re-incarnation of the Devil. But Dorchen was such a brave, holding-it all together character. She was wonderful, especially in the chapters of her teenage years. She felt very real, and she wasn’t a stereotypical whiney, stuck-up teenager whose only interest is themselves. She was struggling with the transition from childhood to womanhood, and her feelings for the boy next door.
The thing that I loved about this book were the stories that Dorchen told Wilhelm, she told them so beautifully. I think my favourite was definitely Six Swans. However this is one of my favourites anyway due to a fabulous TV series named the Storyteller. It did seem to me that Dorchen’s life was a collection of many fairy-tales, like Cinderella (she could never go to the ball), All-Kinds-Fur (for obvious reasons mentioned in the book) and Rapunzel (She was utterly stuck in her house, and she could never be free.) The love between Dorchen and Wilhelm was utterly perfect for me, slow-burning, and it didn’t consume the entire story. I loved the fact that Kate Forsyth wanted to tell Dorchen’s story, not a love story.
This is a beautifully written book for anyone who wants to know more about the girl who told the Brothers Grimm their stories. ...more
I had read two of Dessen’s books before picking up this one, and I wasn’t very impressed with those two, ‘That Summer’ and ‘Last Chance (or Keeping thI had read two of Dessen’s books before picking up this one, and I wasn’t very impressed with those two, ‘That Summer’ and ‘Last Chance (or Keeping the Moon’). So ‘Along with the Ride’ was the last chance I gave Sarah Dessen. I assumed it would be as so-so as her other previous novels. I was wrong.
This novel is about a young, sheltered girl, Auden, who decides to spend her final summer before university with her father and his wife and newborn child. Auden is an insomniac, and quickly becomes friends with fellow insomniac Eli. He shows her what she missed out in her childhood, like riding a bike.
I found this an extremely good book, it was relatable, and the characters were extraordinarily well rounded. In the beginning I didn’t find myself liking Auden, but later as she made more friends and was more of herself rather than her mother I found myself loving her character. Therefore, I really liked the relationship between her and Eli.
Concerning her parents I found them really detestable, both for different reasons. However I loved this interesting dynamic that was brought to the novel.
I found that it was extremely honest about teenage life and learning to be independent. Finally I understand why Sarah Dessen gets the hype that she deserves. I have hope that I will be reading more of her books in the future. ...more
This was the first book by David Levithan I have ever read and I must tell you I am blown away. The premise is a gay teenager who falls in love. EnterThis was the first book by David Levithan I have ever read and I must tell you I am blown away. The premise is a gay teenager who falls in love. Enter a jealous and confused ex-boyfriend, a ‘friend’ that’s not really much of a friend and a boy whose parents do not allow him to leave the house with another boy. This book was overwhelmingly good. It was well written and the characters were very well crafted, even if they did live in a slightly surreal town. As I found myself falling in love with the book, I found myself not wanting to leave.
I especially loved the relationship between Noah and Paul. I loved all the romantic gestures between them, the flowers they exchanged and their date. I loved how Paul redeemed the situation at the end.
I shall, hopefully, be reading more of Mr Levithan’s work in the future! ...more
You’ve probably heard of this novel, or at least watched the film. It involves a hobbit named Frodo Baggins who has a task to destroy the Ring, a sourYou’ve probably heard of this novel, or at least watched the film. It involves a hobbit named Frodo Baggins who has a task to destroy the Ring, a source of ultimate evil. This was amazing. It was even better than the film, which I adore. I loved the characters which I hadn’t had a chance to meet in Peter Jackson’s film version. Tom Bombadil was among one of my favourites. The entire chapter in ‘The Old Forest’ I adored. I loved the drinking songs that the Hobbits sang in Bree. I also liked Aragorn’s song which foreshadowed his relationship with Arwen. I really liked Legolas’s song as well. I was consistently amazed at the amount that Tolkien had thought out his world, it was so well planed that this read like a biography rather than a work of fiction. I completely adored this book, which makes me excited to read ‘The Two Towers’ as out of Peter Jackson’s films that one is one of my favourite. The only tiny flaw is that sometimes the plot can be dragged out by so much information. As we got out of the Shire, this hardly bothered me at all. Unlike in the film version, Arwen does not take Frodo to Rivendell. I did miss this a little. ( almost 5/5 ) [image] Teee Heee! [image]
I want to say a big thank you to Random House and First Reads for allowing me to win this book. Merci! Danke! Diolch! The Screaming Staircase may possI want to say a big thank you to Random House and First Reads for allowing me to win this book. Merci! Danke! Diolch! The Screaming Staircase may possibly be one of the best books I have read all year. (Note: I recieved this free of charge with First Reads.)
The premise is this: fifty years prior to today; there was a massive influx of ghosts in the British Isles. It is known as the Problem. Only children have Talents, or abilities to see, hear or touch ghosts. Enter the agency of ‘Lockwood & Co.’ a ghost hunting company run by children. They are the dashing yet very arrogant Lockwood, the book smart boy, George and the stubborn, strong willed girl, Lucy. (She has my name!!!! And she is an amazing character! YAY! This makes me feel amazingly special.) The characters are extremely individual, and it is wonderful to see a smart, resourceful young girl as the narrator. Too often in YA (which is mostly what I read) the female characters have to be saved by the boys. Not here. Lucy was a fantastic character I loved her. The quick remarks, and her bravery, considering she was the most Sensitive in the agency. I think she might have been one of my favourite characters of the year. She’s a brilliant role model for all girls, YES even teenage girls. I think Lockwood was another of my favourite characters. Imagine a mash-up of the 10th Doctor and Sherlock Holmes with a smattering of boy-ness and arrogance. Can you imagine it? Yes? Well, that’s Lockwood for you.
Surprisingly I found myself liking George. He was the one Lucy always had arguments with but he was a person who loved knowledge. He experimented with his ghost-jar and resourcefully went to the library to research the cases. And he often was the source of the humour in the book. The humour, by the way, was brilliant, it was quick and witty and just BRILLIANT. Oh wait, I’ve said that before. [image]
Even though this is a book which is aimed at an 8-13 audience (I believe,) as a seventeen year old reading it, the writing or plot doesn’t come off as being juvenile. Quite the opposite actually, the writing is really high quality and uses a wide range of words. The plot is fast paced and believably done. I liked every turn and I hardly ever guessed what was going to happen.
Stroud’s world post Problem is shockingly well done and believable, and the ghosts, particularly the ghost of Annie Ward and the mystery that encapsulated that. This book was perfection. Utter perfection.
And if you’re the type of person that insists on only reading one genre, and you won’t touch ‘children’s books’ because you think they’re childish, then pick this one up. I dare you. I guarantee your opinions will change, this book, although aimed at children, is not childish in the least. So go on. Read this book. I will be awaiting the sequel. ...more
This is how I felt while reading this book. I laughed, I cried, and I felt so happy for the characters (because by this point, they'd become my best friends). I also was quite jealous - I mean who has such a perfect relationship at nineteen (we're talking about Anna and Etienne here).
If you want to know what this is about imagine a modern ‘Lord of the Flies’. Well, a ‘Lord of the Flies’ with less political overtones and more violenIf you want to know what this is about imagine a modern ‘Lord of the Flies’. Well, a ‘Lord of the Flies’ with less political overtones and more violence and bloodshed. I had previously read ‘Gone’ before, and I really enjoyed it. However this time it was almost like I was re-reading it again, as I had completely forgotten most of the major plot points and I hadn’t bothered to continue with the rest of the series.
I was looking for something relatively light and just pure escapism. I didn’t want to analyse every word nor did I want to read about political, complicated, confusing characters. I wanted an easy read. And, boy did I get one. I have no qualms with this book. Everything was perfect with for the mood I was in. My favourite character is Diana; I really did like her, despite her being a bad person for the entire book. She was very manipulative, and clever and you had the feeling she was running the show. I could imagine her being a femme fatale if she ever got out of the FAYZ. Some of the ‘good’ characters I sometimes thought were a bit bland. I didn’t get annoyed at them, but it was a bit ‘meh’ at times.
I thought the idea behind ‘Gone’ was excellent. I really settled into the world of the FAYZ and I got it. I wasn’t confused and there wasn’t too much info-dumping.
All in all I can say I really enjoyed this re-read. I can’t wait to start on ‘Hunger’! ...more
I realised with shock I hadn't written a Great Gatsby review... here it is after I re-read it. After reading this for the second time,I am again astou I realised with shock I hadn't written a Great Gatsby review... here it is after I re-read it. After reading this for the second time,I am again astounded to how beautiful Fitzgerald's writing is. It is among some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read, and believe me, re-reading it was worth it. At first, the novel sways between the extravagance of Gatsby's parties and the mysteries surrounding Gatsby himself. Then, without a moments notice, the plot speeds up to a grand, explosive finale. I would definately reccomend re-reading this novel. (Or reading it if you haven't yet!) ...more
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