Apple and Rain Blog Tour: Inspiring Teachers

There were two reasons for why, when I was asked to participate in the blog tour for the Apple and Rain paperback, I replied within moments of seeing the email.

 The first: I absolutely adore Crossan's writing. No matter how much time I had spent staring at the white hardback edition in the bookstore, I hadn't yet managed to pick up Apple and Rain, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Whilst I still like the simplicity of the hardback, I can't help but prefer the bold colour of the new edition; not many people have missed it when I've been reading in class! It's no surprise that, since receiving the copy, I've spent the nights curled up reading it. I've been willing to read anything Sarah has written from the time I discovered Breathe!

Second: I saw a suggestion for what the post could be about - inspiring teachers - and knew it couldn't have fit better with my own experiences at school. I'll admit that I almost live in the English Department, in my own seat beside the radiator, and it's been the teachers there that have inspired me to pick up a pen. It's those that will spend the extra hour after class talking about daily life - what happens outside those four walls - or those that will lend you a copy of a John Green novel they enjoyed, that make an impact. I was introduced to the quote that has shaped the past two years by my English teacher, and been inspired by her support to want to do the same. I guess I've had my own Mr Gaydon! You can see when a teacher cares about what they are teacher, and like Sarah, I can't contemplate why we're still holding back creativity.*

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Have you seen the new ad on TV with that guy from Educating Yorkshire in it? The ad encouraging people to train as teachers? It’s fabulous. It makes me want to get back into the classroom and inspire a whole generation of young people to be their very best selves, to live fully, to dream bravely. And yet, I’m not sure the ad tells the truth about what it means to be a teacher in this country at the moment. I’m not sure it reflects what the government wants from teachers and students. I’m not sure how easy it is these days to be an inspiring teacher.

In my latest novel, Apple and Rain, a teacher called Mr Gaydon promotes poetry in his classroom in a way that’s fun and exciting and completely non-threatening. He gets his students interested and makes them see that poetry belongs to them. My protagonist is transformed by this process. So why did I include Mr Gaydon in my book? Well, I created this impassioned teacher because that’s how I feel poetry should be taught – as something which appeals to our emotions first and intellects second. We allow students to enjoy music before studying it, to ponder paintings before explaining the symbolism, but poetry is taught backwards – it begins as something to be puzzled over and examined, something to feel frightened of, and then we ask students whether or not they enjoyed the poems we’ve taught. And I don’t blame the teachers for this.

As I intimated, I was a teacher myself for ten years, and I know how hard it is to be penned in by a curriculum that leaves very little space for fun. Everything that’s taught is then tested, so how can teachers feel free to let students love poems before understanding them? To feel their musicality before examining the structure of the language? There simply isn’t the time.

And this is where the government comes in. Change the way we teach students and test them. Give teachers time to inspire. Leave space in the curriculum for fun and laughter. Maybe that sounds frightening. What about the unruly teachers, won’t they waste this time, fail to teach young people anything useful? There is that risk. Obviously. But I’d say a very low percentage of teachers would abuse a system that asked them to teach what they love.

When I lived in New Jersey I taught at an amazingly progressive school founded by a smart, warm woman called Suellen Newman where the teachers were encouraged to write their own curriculums and teach their passions, which we all did. The result? Mayhem! No, that's a joke. It was amazing! Teachers were happy and students thrived. Grades soared and the young people were roused to set up their own clubs, societies and interest groups, everyone taking responsibility for his or her own learning. The motivation stopped coming from the teacher and started coming from the students themselves who simply wanted to learn for learning's sake. And what more can we ask of young people than they take ownership of their own educations. Is it a fantasy? I don't think so. I've seen it happen. And maybe if the government eased up just a tiny little bit on teachers, it could happen in the UK too

***

It's the Apple and Rain paperback's book-birthday today(February 12th)! Make sure to pick up a copy - if only to be able to own that cover on your shelves!

 

Any memories of an inspiring teacher?

Share them in the comments!

 

*I was a Year Seven taught Harry Potter to a soundtrack of this parody. I know that was not on the syllabus!

Book Review: 'This Song Will Save Your Life' by Leila Sales

For months, This Song Will Save Your Life has been waiting on my shelf, lost amongst the other contemporary titles that are also unread. Desperate for a quick-read, during a break from A Song of Ice and Fire, I decided to pick this up. I loved it.

"You think it's so easy to change yourself.

You think it's so easy, but it's not."

All her life Elise Dembowski has been an outsider.

Starting a new school, she drams of fitting in at last - but when her best attempts at popularity fail, she almost gives up. Then she stumbles upon a secret warehouse party. There, at night, Elise can be a different person, making real friends, falling in love for the first time and finding her true passion - DJing.

But when her real and secret lives collide, she has to make a decision once and for all: just who is the real Elise?

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It's difficult to do a book like This Song Will Save Your Life justice. This novel is both powerful and poignant; the author tackling issues including self harm and suicide with ease throughout. Sales is able to create an honest and heart-wrenching novel, one that is a must-read for those struggling on the sidelines, written with an understanding of teenagers - and how we really feel - that I have never read before in YA. Whilst challenging us to accept ourselves, this also has hints of humour, creating light-hearted moments amidst the serious topics that are dealt with in Leila Sales' most recent release.

Elise, the protagonist, is desperate to be someone else. She wants to have a friend to eat lunch with; somebody to talk to; a seat in the middle of the bus. Simply, she doesn't want to be alone. And I could recognise these feelings as being similar to my own. This Song Will Save Your Life begins a few days before schools starts, with Elise studying how to become popular, having never been able to fit in. And, as she took notes on how smiling at a person will make them like you, I realised how relatable character; one whose problems are not sugar-coated. I loved her character; the conflicting personalities she had, from how she felt in school compared to Start(the warehouse nightclub she stumbles across). Her character's voice is smart and sharp, with added wit, her story capturing what it feels like to find somewhere you belong.

"Popularity rewards the uninteresting."

Start is introduced a few chapters into the novel; and this saw the addition of vibrant and fun characters to the plot. The rock star outfits, rhinestone pumps and packed dance-floor create Start, the crowd inside it made up of DJs, singers and band members. With this came Vicky, Pippa and Char, and Sales was able to show us that they were human. Just like Elise. Away from Start, I really liked how Elise's parents and siblings were written-into the novel; especially when I was reading about how they reacted to her giving up. It was great to see that how parents are affected in these situations wasn't avoided.

Leila Sales' writing is unflinching; the author handling current issues, such as bullying, that affect many young people, honestly. There was no glamourising, and as a reader, I really appreciated that. In some YA novels, it can feel like tough-topics are thrown in, but This Song Will Save Your Life could challenge multiple self-help guides instead. I cannot praise Leila Sales enough. Whether Elise is feeling angry or frustrated, upset or uneasy, Sales is able to execute it, and I loved how 'real' her characters felt. There are life lessons to be learnt in this novel, with quotes from the characters written down amongst those from other favourites.

Music plays a huge part in this novel, the author introducing me to Blur and Oases, the novel filled with songs from most decades on the set-list at Start. Elise's knowledge of DJing, and how it was written, was never over-complicated, so amateurs - like myself - could understand, and the novel still be believable.

Overall, I cannot praise this novel enough. It's honest, heart-wrenching and has the right amount of humour, making this a novel I loved.

5 Stars

So, have you read 'This Song Will Save Your Life'?
Have you heard a Blur song before(unlike myself)?

Tell me in the comments!

Book Review: 'Fangirl' by Rainbow Rowell

Over the past few months, I've read countless five star reviews featuring books by Rainbow Rowell, whether they were about Fangirl, Eleanor and Park or, more recently, Landline. So, imagine my excitement when after months of them being seemingly non-existent in the UK, I started to find her novels in my local bookstores. Of course, I had high expectations of my first read from this author and, thankfully, it met all of them.

Cath and Wren are identical twins and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair anymore - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fanfiction she writes where there's romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.

Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realising that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible...

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Fangirl is an almost perfect YA Contemporary read, with exactly the right blend of humour and heart. A captivating and cosy read to curl up with, this novel is one any teenager will be able to relate aspects of their own life to, with a cast of characters to fall in love with; such as secondary characters Levi and Reagan. Rowell's simplistic yet stylish writing style is enviable, as she weaves her way through a tale of fanfiction and friendship, adding sections of Carry On, Simon(Cath's fictional fanfic) effortlessly into her novel. Rowell's art form seems to be in characterisation; making sure they all dealt with real-life issues throughout the novel. An absolutely addicting standalone novel, this is the soundtrack of a compulsive reader's life.

Whilst reading this novel, I developed a strong relationship with the set of characters Rowell has created; not wanting to leave them behind at the end. With detailed descriptions and distinguishable traits, they soon became real. Cath's story tells of not only moving away from home and making new friends, but also the struggles that follow that. In Fangirl, her fears and faults and are also depicted; soon only the world she wants to live in is that of Simon Snow. The World of Mages becomes a place Cath can escape into to - and any avid reader will be able to recognise a part of themselves in this. It is not possible to write a review of this novel without applauding Rowell for creating the likes of Levi - whose character is so witty and full of warmth. With him, it soon becomes certain that this is also a laugh-out-loud book. There characters are so human - and that's why I loved it.

For anyone with siblings, this is a must read. The relationship between Cath and Wren is a breath of fresh air; finally there is a realistic fictional family out there! There are obvious differences between these twins - especially as Wren seems to 'steal the spotlight' in their daily life. There's jealousy too, an all-too-familiar feeling between brothers and sisters, as in Wren and Cath's case, one adjusts more quickly to life at university. Personally, I adored how these two characters in particular grew throughout the novel - Cath going from somebody suffering from anxiety, hiding away in her dormroom, to a young person full of confidence. Wren is described by Cath as having the "better umbilical chord" and I fell in love with this reference - it summed up her free-spirited sister perfectly.

 

The storyline is brilliantly plotted; the writing is captivating; the fanfiction is enjoyable, apart from a few 'slip-ups' now and again. I loved the biography of sorts that is Cath's first year at university - and can't wait for my next read by Rowell!

4.5 Stars

So, have you read 'Fangirl'?

Do you read/write fanfiction yourself?

 

Tell me in the comments!

Book Review: 'Love Letters to the Dead' by Ava Dellaira

With exams, I haven't had much time to read. In the past month, I've only finished one book, which is why there haven't been that many reviews lately. That one book was Ava Dellaira's debut and, with there being a review from the author of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' on the front, I had high expectations.

Sometimes the best letters go unanswered.

 

It begins as an assignment for English class; write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain - he died young, and so did Laurel's sister May - so maybe he'll understand what Laurel is going through.

 

Soon, Laurel is writing letters to lots of dead people - Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, Amelia Earhart, Amy Winehouse...It's like she can't stop. She writes about her new high school, her new friends, her first love - and her shattered life.

 

But, the ghosts of Laurel's past can't be contained between the lines of a page forever. She must face up to them - before they consume her.

 

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'Love Letters to the Dead' is an unflinching novel about grief, guilt and growing up, all told in the format of letters to those we have already lost. Ava Dellaira's debut novel has an idea I continue to feel envious of, with her writing filled with the brutality we come to accept in this world. Laurel's voice was full of anger and, full of her frustration. However, I still found myself feeling disappointed. It fell into the traps that its predecessors have found themselves stuck in before: trying to be the next John Green or Stephen Chbosky. Dellaira's voice is one we need on the literary scene: untamed, unapologetic and unsuspecting. But, her debut just became mediocre.  I can't write this review praising the idea, or applauding her ability to handle a tough-topic - which are great - when I know that this could have been better.

The plot, for the most part, is good. Throughout the novel, there is endless suspense, and as a reader I clung onto this; wanting to know what happened the day Laurel's sister died. Dellaira builds up tension slowly and steadily, making it worthwhile to keep turning the pages until the end. At times, though, I was distracted, desperate to finish this novel so I could read others waiting on my shelf. There are numerous letters where hardly no events take place, and when it came to these, I couldn't immerse myself in this novel. Thankfully, the ending is raw and honest; and this caused tears to form in my eyes. Dellaira left no loose-ends when tying up her plot; those final few pages beautifully written.

Despite the writing being muddled with metaphors on every page, which does become tedious after a while, Dellaira deals with serious topics in her writing, including bereavement. Set during a time when our main character has just arrived at High School, there are also topics that many of us will be able to relate to, with relationships and sexuality included at points in the book. Admittedly, it does feel like young people have been stereotyped when reading; each of us seemingly spending most of our time sneaking out to attend parties, where we drink and take drugs. Serious topics are executed well, and it taught me some clear life-lessons.

In terms of the characters, I did find myself struggling to distinguish between them. Hannah and Natalie, Laurel's new friends, are extremely important in discussing LGBT issues, but I found myself flicking back to descriptions of them. They were really similar, and within a huge cast of characters, their personalities weren't as appreciated as they could have been. Laurel is also difficult to relate to at times, and I found myself questioning her actions, particularly during her first relationship. From what I've heard, the strong subject-matter is making a huge difference to other lives, so maybe this one just wasn't the read for me.

Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.



For older readers - 3 stars.

Have you read 'Love Letters to the Dead'?
If so, what were your thoughts?
If not, will you be picking up this book?

Tell me in the comments!

Sophie
x

'Looking for JJ' by Anne Cassidy

You may have seen my recent discussion about Serious Topics in Books and I definitely think this is one of the toughest topics to deal with in YA. Although, it's definitely worth the read, especially since the sequel has just been released!

Three children walked away from the edge of town one day – but only two of them came back…

Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago, though it’s still hard for her to believe it’s real. She’s making a go of things, putting all that behind her at last- but Alice’s past is dangerous, and violent, and sad, and it’s about to rip her new life apart.

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‘Looking for JJ’ was a thought-provoking, powerful and at times controversial read that explored a topic we continuously hide from, and attempted to answer a question we never know the answer to, “Why would a child murder another child?” Writing about a tough-topic, Anne Cassidy executed Alice Tully’s story brilliantly, with a simplistic writing-style that was emotional and moving. This book was not only bold and brave, but was a tough and tragic read. I applaud Cassidy for the way she never focused on the crime, instead building her story about grief and guilt, and whether Tully deserved to live the life she had. This character-development at the beginning really helped the story as it moved into looking at what happened six years ago at Berwick Waters. If the story had been told differently, I’m not sure we would have cared about Alice as much as we end up doing so.

Never did I think I would be able to empathise with a murderer. Never did I think that, when I picked up this book, I would connect to a character like our main protagonist Alice Tully; and I was soon proved wrong. In the novel, Alice refuses to think about the past, and what events took place there. She doesn’t want to look back and re-live what she knows will make her feel overwhelmed with the guilt of what she’s done. Cassidy writes Alice in a way that makes her so real, with the fact that she wants the every-day life we all live – or may want to live in the future. With a boyfriend, a job, and a place in University, it’s what you would want for yourself. Even so, with flash-backs to the past that tell her story, this was nothing except honest and raw. You would expect to hate – understandably – Alice Tully, although you don’t. Instead, you understand that she was unlucky. That she was, and still is searching for exception, and no matter where she hunts for it in her past, she can’t find it. When our main-character does have it though, she becomes desperate; and she won’t let go. Like I mentioned before, you realise that she is not the same person, and wonder if people can change.

I’ve read so many books where the character has felt no remorse for their actions, and have been oblivious to having done anything wrong. It was refreshing to see emotion, and regret.

Although not perfect, this book is heart-wrenchingly truthful. Cassidy, I’m glad to say, is not one that hides from difficult topics, and really making you think about them; neither is she scared of making us question ourselves, or teaching us a life-lesson we’re never going to forget. With an idea such as this, you have to take into account that this has, at times, been reality. The author doesn’t want the excitement that comes from an episode of CSI, instead we keep reading because we want to know, “Who is Jennifer Jones?” and “How did this all happen?” as, finding out who she is turns out to be quite the surprise. I won’t say that this wasn’t a page-turner, because that’s exactly how I would describe it. Despite the tension slipping at some parts of the novel, the time where I wanted to get to the next chapter, I thought that overall, the flash-backs were so interesting, and the plot itself was strong. A slightly slow few chapters in the middle was made up for by a captivating-ending, where you see the side of humanity that changes their perception of somebody within minutes.

Four Stars - For older readers

 

This book was published ten years ago, and because of the recent release of the sequel, "Finding Jennifer Jones" I was provided with a copy of this book, for review, by Harper Collins and Hot Key Books.

Have you read this novel?

How about the sequel?

Do you like books that handle tough-topics?

Tell me in the comments!

Book Review: Leopold Blue by Rosie Rowell

Leopold Blue was the first Contemporary novel I read this year, and it was very-different when compared to the books in this genre that I read in 2013. It dealt with politics, and other beliefs, as well as the equality between white and black people.

'No adventure or tragedy had come my way, nor ever would, not in Leopold...Despair hovered in doorways and oozed down telephone receivers. It formed a film over the eyes of those who had lived here forever, who would and could never leave. It was contagious...Without some miraculous intervention, I was in danger of getting stuck here, being me, for the rest of my life'

 

South Africa, 1993, and Meg is a restless fifteen-year-old in the midst of smothering social and political turmoil. When your own mother is campaigning to educate people on how not to die, your own personal anxieties are belittled. Your life made trivial.

 

Then Meg befriends Xanthe. Self-contained, rebellious and achingly cool Xanthe, and she begins to glimpse a life outside of her family. But by stepping away from her mother and into Xanthe's world, Meg is caught up in the chaos of adolescent longing and the pain of betrayal...And she soon realises that all that glitters is hardly ever gold.

 

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'Leopold Blue' is set in a very important time in history; one that many young people are oblivious to, but should be reading about. This was a setting that was very prominent when reading Rosie Rowell's debut novel, especially after the recent death of Nelson Mandela, who was mentioned throughout the book. This was also a novel that not only tackled politics, and this was widely-discussed, but also the way that South Africa was changing during the 1990's and the belief that black people were not equal to those who were white began to end. Rowell writes this stylishly, perfectly capturing life in Leopold, a small-town that our main protagonist, fifteen year-old Meg, fears she will never be able to escape from.

 

Meg is a character that will be familiar to all teenagers who pick up this novel, if not for the fact she has to deal with peer-pressure in her attempt to finally keep the friend she finds, endless arguments with her parents who keep her from 'fitting-in' and the jealousy she feels for a boy called Simon, who's A Grades have meant she has always been compared to him. Meg, when we first meet her, has no friends. She's restless. In a town that runs deep with family-history and ties, with beliefs and traditions that have been there for what seems like forever, Meg's mum makes it difficult for the family to be a part of the community. This was also another aspect of the novel that was an interesting look at the difference between our times, and the 1990s. Her mum has a different-outlook on Leopold, and is trying to campaigning to help people with AIDS, a life-threatening disease but, the town dislikes her for it. Whilst reading, you wonder why Meg is so critical of her mum's choice to try and save lives, but shockingly, something like this separates them from the rest of town.

 

Xanthe is rebellious, outgoing and uncontrollable, and when she is seated beside Meg at school, after recently moving from Cape Town, its clear she is different from the other girls. Not scared of being the centre of attention, Xanthe is very much a force to contend with throughout this novel, and Rowell writes honestly about what it is like to show that you are 'cool' in front of your friends. We can all relate to the way Meg is desperate to keep the first friend she has had, and to follow-her into situations she would rather avoid.  There's peer-pressure, and the need to simply 'fit-in' when Meg is used to not doing so. From missing a school class, to taking drugs and drinking under-age, our main character is willing to go-against those that she loves, including her younger sister, Beth, to not feel lonely again.

 

There's jealousy, anger and upset; friendship, family and feuds. Rowell's debut is a coming-of-age novel that is all about finding-yourself and the pressures of being young. It does have some strong language, which does only make it more believable, and 'Leopold Blue' could have been made better by there being more of a background of life in South Africa, in 1993. The political-side of things is interesting and intriguing, but there were some parts I couldn't understand, as I have never looked at this period of history before. There's no doubt that other teenagers may feel this way. Some parts of this novel were slow-paced, but I could still relate to the characters throughout.

 

4 Stars to Rosie Rowell's Debut!

Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing me with this review-copy, in exchange for an honest review!

 

Book Review: My Brilliant Life & Other Disasters by Catherine Wilkins

Life is sweet!

 

Jessica's got her best friend back(mostly), her comic is about to be launched(in the playground) an her nutty Aunt Joan has come to stay. The only ink blot on the landscape is Scarlett, Amelia's super-cool, super-annoying cousin, who just so happens to draw cartoons too. What?!

 

Soon Jessica is fighting for her cartoonist life. It's a good job she has enormous badger on her side.

 

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One of my ARCs when I began blogging was 'My Best Friend & Other Enemies', the first book in the series which I rated really-highly. So, I was looking forward to a light-hearted, laugh-out-loud, packed full of wit, type-book in it's sequel. Despite all of that being there, I found that I didn't enjoy it as much as the first novel; whether I felt this because some of the pacing was quite slow, not all - there were points where I was pretty amused by the jokes thrown in, or because I've grown-up slightly and I know that this would make the perfect read for any 9-12 year-old who is just beginning to get into reading. Although, this novel definitely had some great messages to learn inside it, from the world of our main-character Jessica; it was packed with life-lessons on arrogance, confidence, jealousy and friendship, all of which are really important.

Catherine Wilkins' writing really does reflect the life of an eleven year-old, and it's definitely a honest reflection of what Primary School is like - as I was there only a few years ago! Of course, it wouldn't be the series I initially loved if not for the over-exaggerated, and hilarious, competition between neighbours over who's child is doing better in school, and the representation of love/hate relationships in your family when they won't buy you Kit Kats and your Dad always has to offer your Mum a cup of tea to calm her down. These smaller-aspects of the novel were my favourite parts of this book - as you could see the author wasn't forcing all the humour at you, and trying to continuously leave you laughing, but instead family-life is just a funny thing - and rightly so. You can relate to the family in this book, and the neighbours you may know, to the characters in this book, and it makes it easier to picture.

The storyline itself was great - it begins where the first book left off - Jessica and her friends are publishing(Printing) out a comic that will be spread around the school, and despite it only being popular in the playground, you get a sense that it is something bigger, and it really brings you back to how school is really the only thing you know when you're young(not that I'm old, or anything!). I was glad to see the continuation of a storyline that saw Jessica being left-out by who she thought was her best friend, because a new-girl, Amelia, joined her class, was still there. Jessica overcoming how she felt towards Amelia was definitely a hard-task for her, but also not just 'running back' to the friend who left her alone was something I wanted to see, and did see. This novel was about friendships and honesty, and shows how people may not believe you. Jessica's arrogance, as I mentioned above, became annoying, for lack of a better word, something I think was purposefully done to give a clear-message that you should always be modest and stay grounded, or you will loose those around you.

Admittedly, I did have a few problems with this book; and I was a little disappointed by the fact it didn't have the same originality as the refreshing first book. Some times, despite being able to relate to Jessica's family-life, I noticed the same situation had happened only a few chapters ago, or that the same joke was being recycled, and I wanted something new! There were parts in the book when I wanted something to happen, where Jessica would realise how arrogant she had become and start to resolve things, or for more excitement, as there wasn't much of that until the final chapter, where I liked what happened and wished I had seen more of that wit in the previous one hundred and fifty pages. I'm not, by any means, saying this is a bad book. As it's not. There's no doubt you will find yourself laughing throughout, or that it will teach you a few life-lessons no matter how old you are.

 

3 Stars

 

Thank you to Dom at Nosy Crow for providing me with a free-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: 'Every Day' by David Levithan

Every day I am someone else.

 I am myself - I know I am myself -

but I am also someone else.

 

It has always been like this.
 

 

Each morning, A wakes up in a different body. There's never any warning about who it will be, but A is used to that. Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. And that's fin - until A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin's girlfriends, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with - every day...

 

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'Every Day' is the first of David Levithan's books I have read - and I know in the future, I won't hesitate to pick up another. This novel had a fantastic premise, that was completely new and fresh in a world where we see so many ideas again and again. Levithan uses writing that is really packed with wisdom and, mostly life-lessons, to tell A's story; where all the faults in society are there before your eyes. Rhiannon, Justin's girlfriend, was a strong representation of how hard it can be to accept someone a little different from us into our lives. With A switching lives every-day, I slowly felt guilty for judging people because of the way they look or act - because, let's admit it, we have all done this. Levithan though, uses this brilliant concept along with romance and excitement, to create a novel you won't be able to put down.  

 

When reading, I could clearly see A coming across through what is said. Levithan's writing brought him alive in what opinions he had and his actions. There's also the fact that this book was honest and raw - willingly opening your eyes to a very judgemental society we are a part of. Where the author is so smart in this novel is where he used emails to let the characters move their story along. I always like finding things like this in a book; as it's a simple way to let the characters communicate, anywhere. An extra-character we don't expect to make an appearance also uses email, showing that this was though-out and care-fully plotted. I think, at one point or more than that, we had to image ourselves in A's position. No set body, no family, no friends that last more than a day. It's difficult to just think about.

 

A lived in the bodies of every possible 'type' of person, and in every possible situation you could face in a day. This made the romance aspect a huge part of the novel and, I can't help but say I'm still deciding on what I thought of it. I liked the way Rhiannon could over-look it at times, and when she struggled at others. I loved her vulnerability through it all and how much A cared about her. What I didn't like as much was how it did slip into 'stereotypical territory'  

 

I admit, about one-hundred pages into this novel I did believe it would be one of my favourite books of the year, and the only reason it is not is because it had aspects of, like I said above, the 'stereotypical, 'boy' chasing the girl. Obviously, there are inverted comma's around the 'boy' because A didn't t have a gender. This book should have avoided this - as I enjoyed reading about how A was conflicted about what he should do - only to willingly cause a lot of trouble in other people's lives.

 

 

Packed with writing full of wisdom and a completely original plot - 4 stars!

 

Mini Reviews: Amber & Resist(Breathe #2)

'Resist' by Sarah Crossan

Everyone knows that life beyond The Pod is possible. But they are trapped - each breth controlled by the Ministry.

 

The Grove was rebels' chance of freedom. Now the Ministry has destroyed it and survivors must search for hope elsewhere. Alina lead the way to the only remaining Resistance base, Sequia. There she uncovers a radical plot that could wipe out the Pod...and all those in it.

 

Together with Quinn, Alina must escape Sequoia and save the people they love.

  

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I've been anticipating Resist for a long time, especially since Breathe has a high-ranking place on my favourite books list. Sadly, though, I found myself disappointed when I started to read this book.

 

I'll begin by mentioning the cover; the green completely reflects the environment and what the Resistance is fighting for. Sadly though, the main focus - and heart - of the series was lost in this sequel, with the writing feeling forced at times. The romance, between Bea and Quinn, involved too many cliché lines for me personally, and I felt I lost my connection with them because of this. I really wanted to love this book, by sadly my expectations fell short.

 

Resist is once again told from multiple narratives, this time adding a new character called Ronan into the mix. I adore this style of telling a novel, even so, I wish the main characters could have come-together more often and made choices regarding The Pod and Resistance. Crossan is able to, something that makes her a really talented writer, create four distinguishable characters with very different experiences despite living in the same world. Alina, Quinn and Bea, our three main protagonists that have followed us through from the first book have all grown, despite still being the people we first met at the beginning of Breathe. Alina is strong-willed, fighting for her right to Breathe and is undeniable loyal, something that is admirable in this heroine while Bea is intelligent, witty and has the strength to continue despite her parents' deaths. Despite not being the number one fan of the plot, no-matter what I was rooting for these characters. Quinn and Ronan have complicated story-lines in which their characters cross-paths which I would have definitely have liked to see become more in-depth.

 

Whilst I struggled to immerse myself in this book during the first three parts, the final two were much stronger. Finally, I found heart-racing and fast-paced action, in which I found the style of Crossan's writing that I loved from the first-novel seeping through. There was a lot of tension built up in these closing one hundred pages, and I couldn't put the book down. Resist left me constantly wondering and waiting, I never did know for sure what would happen next! There were some loose-ends when it all came to an end; I can't help but question what happened to my favourite side-characters!

Resist was much more mature than the initial book, something I wasn't expecting and found myself feeling slightly uncomfortable reading. So, as for the sequel, I do recommend it for slightly older readers, leaning towards 13+.

Thank you to Bloomsbury for proving me with this copy in exchange for a review!

'Amber' by Julie Sykes 

How do you live by the rules if you don’t know what they are?

A teenage girl wakes up with no memory of who she is or where she has come from. The only clues to her identity are a dead mobile phone in her pocket and a beautiful amber necklace around her neck.

 

Suddenly, 'Amber' has a brand-new life, a brand-new name and a whole lot of questions. Disturbed by strange visions and powers, she struggles to understand the rules that everyone seems to know. How can Amber make sense of the person she seems to be? Does she even want to be that person anymore?

And by falling in love with her new friend, Dan is she breaking the one

rule that really matters?

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From the gorgeous cover(Which I must admit is one of my favourites) to a captivating plot, Amber is a gem-stone of a novel! It has a perfect mix of genres: fantasy, contemporary and romance, with some time-travel thrown in, all coming together to make this un-putdownable. I will admit, while reading, there was a point where I thought I had over one-hundred pages left, but really there were only forty! I didn't leave this book long before picking it back up and continuing!

 

Our main protagonist, a teenage girl who names herself Amber because of the necklace she finds around her neck after she wakes up with no recollection of who she is. Amber is plagued by strange visions and powers that feel so naturally yet, it comes to a point where she realises she must hide them. The way Sykes has written this allows us to get snippets, and small pieces of information handed to us, like she is constantly teasing the reader. This only made me become more intrigued; while also creating a balance of Amber finding a new-life, making new friends, and discovering herself. In many ways, being thrown into a situation you feel out-of-place in is something many young people can relate to. Although, Amber must do this, and find herself when she has no-idea who she is or what she might have done in the past.

 

The writing is the book allowed time for each new setting to be given a detailed description, as well as match the voice of a teenage girl. It was completely creative, bringing new inventive ideas into a genre I have read many times, as well as throwing in a love-interest and 'villains' to make this plot even better. Amber was completely packed with suspense and surprises, the excitement is there throughout. I spent most of the weekend I read it in with my head buried in this book!

This book has everything that I was expecting and more; an intriguing plot, a rule-breaking romance and hidden secrets bringing in the suspense. Definitely one that anyone will find an enjoyable read!

 

Thank you to Amber from The Mile Long Bookshelf for my amazing new rating system!

Thank you to Curious Fox for another review-copy as part of Team Fox!

 

Book Review: Model Misfit(Geek Girl #2) by Holly Smale

Harriet Manners knows a lot of facts.

• Humans have 70,000 thoughts per day
• Caterpillars have four thousand muscles
• The average person eats a ton of food every year
• Being a Geek + Model = a whole new set of graffiti on your belongings.

But clearly she knows nothing about boys. And on a whirlwind modelling trip to Tokyo, Harriet would trade in everything she's ever learnt for just the faintest idea of what she's supposed to do next.

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When this came through my letterbox, I was so excited to start reading. As I turned the first few pages, I soon remembered why I loved the first book so much. Filled with witty-humour, personality and a whole host of characters to love, Model Misfit is a fun-filled continuation of the Geek Girl Series that became something I couldn't wait to pick after a long day!

At the beginning of this book, Harriet Manners is taking another step towards her own metamorphosis: she is spreading her wings. A new baby is on the way, her model boyfriend Nick has dumped her and she feels thrown to the side now her best friend Nat is going to France for the school holidays. The only thing she has to look forward to is spending the days with her delighted stalked Toby. Now approaching her sixteenth birthday, Harriet is growing up.  Since the final pages of Geek Girl, she has gained more confidence yet she is still the fact-filled, dinosaur-obsessed, geek with the graffiti-covered bag we all love. This time, she's not afraid to stand-up to Alexa by pointing out a grammar mistake - readers will be willing her on at this point! I really enjoyed this novel - and wanted more as soon as it came to an end.

I felt I got to know a lot more about other characters who have such large personalities - Wilbur especially. He became a father-figure to Harriet in many ways, a very vibrant, exaggerated one! Toby, possibly the most caring stalker in existence, is receiving all my affection! Sweet and charming, I applaud Toby for being the hero of this whole book. I will have to comment on Nick here, who is best known for being Lion Boy. It took me over 300 pages of this novel to decide what I really thought of him, as after you realise how his and Harriet's relationship ended, you may find yourself ranting to your parents...

Smale's writing is one of my favourite aspects of this novel. She has an ability to thrown in humour completely naturally and have you laughing-out-loud in every-chapter. Her writing completely reflects Harriet's personality yet, is so simplistic you can just enjoy this book and be happy to. You feel like you have a relationship with these characters, and realise that you're completely connected to their lives. I went through moments where I would be angry at a character, next I would be sitting jaw-dropped(you'll realise why at the end) and then willing another on. I couldn't help but share the facts I was reading with anyone I could find - and looked forward to what I would find out next.

The plot in this novel had constant twists and turns, and definitely kept you guessing! On the other side of the world, Harriet continues to struggle with modelling. Although, it comes together at the end and you instantly realise how smart Smale was when it came to planning this novel. Everything tied-up at the end like a boxed-gift covered in dinosaur wrapping paper - and it shows it had brilliant plotting! The way it all worked, the little hints but never too much, made an even better ending.

The only reason I haven't given this book five stars, is not for my lack of enjoyment. I did feel like things were over-done at times. Wilbur's 'quirks' were over-used and I liked them in the first book for how they were an added-extra. I found when they were repeated constantly on a page, they lost that naturalness! Also, I would have loved to have seen Harriet looking around Tokyo more, as it's such an interesting city!

4 Stars - A must read for fans of the first novel, and anyone who is looking for a light-hearted and fun read!

Book Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

The monster showed up after midnight.

As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

 

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

 

It wants the truth.

 

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Patrick Ness is a master story-teller. After reading and loving the first two book in the Chaos Walking trilogy, when I saw A Monster Calls on the shelf at my local library, I instantly picked it up. This novel was the final idea from Siobhan Dowd who sadly passed away after a premature death of Cancer. I only sat down to read the first few pages but less than a day later, I was sitting in my room speechless, tears pouring down my face. This was one of those rare times that I felt numb: where I just sat there for a while to contemplate what I had just read. A Monster Calls is a quick read(215 pages) but one that leaves an impact long after you've put it down.

 

 

A Monster Calls captured me from the very first page and held my attention until I turned that final one. To describe the book in three words I would use beautiful and compelling yet tragic. It tackles difficult subjects in a way that is so clever and effective, dealing with grief, loss and finally letting go at the end of a fight. I was, to sum it up, completely spell-bound by this novel.

 

Conor is such a strong character, and one who forces himself to bury down his own emotions to help his Mother, who is going through another lot of treatment for Cancer. But, Ness didn't write about him so Conor could be heroic, he wrote about him so his actions could reflect what it would be like to have a relative with an illness. Conor forced himself to believe that his Mum would get through, and was scared about admitting the truth of how he felt. He was angry, frustrated, worried. And one of the best characters to read about. For me, he was much more believable than if he was taking it in his stride and showing no emotion.

 

 The Monster who visits Conor was a fantastic element in this story and, you're never told what the truth the Monster is searching for is. He needs Conor to tell him, and this sets out for a powerful scene between the pair. The Monster was to me, a type of metaphor, a type of symbol. At first you find it frightening - what is this Monster and what does it want? But, as the meaning for his part in the book becomes clear you can understand why he came walking. He was responsible for so many plot twists, so smart on Ness' part. I loved them!

 

The thing that surprised me the most about this novel was how versatile Patrick Ness is as an author. Taking an idea from another author who sadly could not write the tale themselves is a hard task - you want to be able to tell the tale they set out to, but put your own style to it. Ness takes this idea and makes a book that everyone needs to read. Young or old, this novel is all too-real of the type of experience you have when a member of your family is effected by Cancer.  

 

This isn't one to be labelled as just an YA novel, this is a story. And this is the way they should be told. Beautiful, moving and un-putdownable. It's also filled with sinister illustrations that I loved turning the page to look at. Though, some of the lines I felt were a bit cliché at times.
4.5 Stars.

Book Review: Shipwrecked by Siobhan Curham

I read this as part of a read-a-long for 'Fandom Freak Out' with Jack and Zoe. It was a lot to just talk about the book and I now have friends to anticipate the sequel with. Also, a big thanks to Siobhan Curham for joining in with our conversations and following the read-a-long!

 

I jump at the sound of a whispered voice over my shoulder. But when I turn around all I see is sand, and the towering, green wall of the rainforest. I guess it must have been the breeze, but I can't help shivering. I have the weirdest feeling that we're being watched.

 

Grace Delaney and her fellow dance students are en route to perform on a South Pacific cruise-ship when a freak storm hits and they find themselves stranded on a seemingly deserted island.

 

With the tropical heat rising, passions and tensions swell to breaking point. And the island itself is quietly steaming with a terrible secret...

 

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Shipwrecked for me, was like eating my favourite ice-cream. I knew I should stop(as I was participating in a read-a-long of four chapters a day), but I just couldn't put it down. It's was bursting with different flavours of character and the surprises thrown at you resembling the Chocolate Flake they sometimes add!

The concept in Shipwrecked was such a refreshing idea, that was also highly entertaining! From a gripping plot, to laugh-out-loud moments and a heart-thumping romance this is definitely a Saga I will continue to read as the books are released over the next few years. There was betrayal, hidden secrets and mysteries all thrown into a novel packed full of different genres: contemporary, fantasy, romance and adventure.

There was a huge cast of characters in Shipwrecked: dance students you could love and hate alike. Our main protagonist seventeen year-old Grace really does grow throughout the novel and by the end was clearly able to stand up to her at times judgemental peers. Grace was relatable, determined and caring - despite being self-conscious and uncomfortable in her own skin, just like all teenage girls are from time-to-time. I admit, it did take me a few chapters to begin to enjoy her point of view and narrative, especially when she was comparing herself to other girls who her own boyfriend could be interested in. Dance was her escape from a broken-down family and you get the chance to dig-deeper into this.

 

With so many personalities, you'd think it would be hard to remember them all. But, I found I could remember them with ease: Grace's boyfriend Todd and her 'best-friend' Jenna; the spoilt, Daddy's girl Cariss; The Flea, a light-hearted, fun friend; Belle, who was struggling away from home and was definitely 'outside of the group' and the non-English speaking Cruz. It's hard to talk about his character without giving too much away, but he was so interesting. His whole demeanour, the way his character works with Grace and the slight hints of romance all lead to something bigger. It's true to say the island is home to all emotions as tensions rise. There's blame, anger and betrayal, secrets and romance. It is literally chilling!

 

At this point in the review, I'm shocked that I haven't commented on Curham's writing style. It was so vivid and imaginative - allowing you to easily picture the scenes with whatever atmosphere the author feels like throwing at you next. Which I loved - as there were always surprises to keep you turning the page. I applaud Curham for the way she handled this novel, being so different from her previous books, I was really impressed! 

 

The few reasons that this book received a four star rating from me because of the problems I had with the romance that is in this novel. Without giving too much away, I thought it all happened too fast and didn't really build-up. It just happened between what I felt were two strangers.

 

There are still a few weeks of Summer of left so, I suggest you go and get this book as soon as possible! Even on a rainy day, you'll definitely feel the heat!

 

4 Stars - For ages 13+

You can also enter a giveaway to WIN A SIGNED COPY of 'Shipwrecked' HERE.

Book Review: Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja

This is my first book review for Team Fox! I'm so excited to be a part of an amazing team of bloggers - and it's great to be able to discuss the same books, as we're all receiving the same books for review!

Fifteen-year-old Molly actually lives in the residential wing of her local mall, and mysterious twins Jewel and Jasper have just moved into the flat upstairs. As Molly grows closer to them, she becomes more determined than ever to find out their secret – and so do her other friends. Will their prying spoil Molly’s chances of happiness? - Synopsis from Curious Fox

 

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Diary of a Mall Girl was perfect summer-read: relaxing, quirky and fun! This was a laugh-out-loud book with interesting characters and a plot that kept you on the edge of your seat. Diary of a Mall Girl is told through diary entries written by the main protagonist Molly whom, at the beginning of the novel, says her life is "absolutely over." The diary entries were such a refreshing way of telling this novel, instead of a simple first-person narrative. I loved how Plaja set out the diary entries so you could have Molly slip off half-way through writing it because she needed "a moment to collect her thoughts." This was such a realistic touch to add to this novel and I fell in love with Molly's character. As for her 'so-called friends' I would definitely be willing to go out shopping with her on a Friday night.

 

The setting - The Lillies eco-mall was a fantastic choice. I loved how it was used and being able to imagine all of the boutiques and shops. There were places that kept appearing throughout the novel that I could picture and while the girls were out shopping, I couldn't help but want to walk the mall in their shoes.

 

Molly is someone every teenage girl to relate to - apart, in my case, from the love-triangle thrown into the plot. There were things I could recognise from her world that are completely evident in mine. For a start, I struggle with friendships and trying to fit-in: then there's the fact of exams that the teenagers in this novel are revising for. 

 

I loved the other characters in this novel. Jewel and Jasper were perfect for creating suspense as well as having interesting personalities and lives I wanted to know more about. Jewel was a secretive yet smart character, who was really intelligent and observant. I loved hearing what she would say to Molly in terms of advice but also how inexperienced she was when it comes to social-situations. I think this made her character much more realistic. The romance between Molly and Jasper was something that I was rooting for - and when it finally worked out, I couldn't help but smile. They were your typical teenage-couple but also had their own problems to work through. I couldn't help loving how they always seemed to be in a wrong-place, wrong-time situation. Molly having to think about her feelings for Jasper and find out how to interpret them was a lovely thing to see. It was something all teenage girls can relate to: struggling to work-out how they feel. And I'm glad to say Molly was no different!

 

Ameera and Wendy I found always wanted attention. They didn't like the fact that Molly was anything more than a 'Mall girl' or someone to keep them company when the other couldn't. I was thrilled to see her finally leaving them and finding Jewel. They always believed they were superior to Molly and had the right to know and interfere with everything in her life.

 

The one problem I did have with this book: the reason I rated it 3.5 stars, was the fact I felt the narrative was too young. At the beginning, when I read the first few pages I was under the impression that the main character was eleven(pre-teen) not the fifteen year-old Molly was. I would have loved to see a more mature side to Molly and at times, I found that I struggled to read the arguments between the three friends because they were cringe-worthy.  I don't know whether it was just bad-timing when it came to reading this novel. I enjoyed it, and would love to read a sequel but found I couldn't rate it any higher after recently reading 'The Bone Season.'

 

Rating: 3.5 Stars

For ages 11+

 

Thank you to Curious Fox for providing me with this book in return for a review.

Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale



"My name is Harriet Manners and I am a Geek"

Harriet Manners is a Geek. She knows a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a "jiffy" lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per day. She knows that bats always turn left when exciting a cave and that peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite. But, she can't understand why she has the work Geek drawn in red marker pen on the outside pocket of her school satchel or why everybody at school hates her. So, when she is spotted by a top-fashion agent she grabs the chance to reinvent herself, to be part of her own metamorphosis. Even if it means stealing her best friend's dream, incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa or repeatedly humiliating herself in front of the impossibly handsome Lion Boy who she met under an table.Even if it means lying to the people she loves. Venturing from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her stalker Toby, Harriet begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her anymore than the real world did.

As her old life starts to fall apart, will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything?

Geek Girl was a book about going through your own 'metamorphosis' when you know a lot about everything but yourself. Told through the eyes of fifteen year-old Harriet Manners who, as she admits herself, is a Geek. Harriet is a completely relatable teenage that you will love to follow just like her very own stalker Toby. Throughout the book she struggles with friendship, trust and being who she really is, just like every teenager feels. With ups and downs, along with awkward moments and embarrassing habits Harriet is a realistic character you will enjoy every minute with. But, this was not your average coming-of-age novel. It was full of humour, handing you a book that is full of laugh out loud moments. Harriet herself is honest, smart but also full of personality. A character that I loved and was constantly hoping things would go right for. When you pick up this book you can't read a whole chapter without at least laughing once and anybody who has read it will put money on that.

Holly Smale creates a highly entertaining read that you won't want to end. The characters in this novel are one's you want to be able to constantly read about. Along with funny and witty moments, I also learnt a lot from this novel. Harriet is always sharing interesting facts throughout the book that you will remember and want to share with whoever will listen. It was a fun, fab read that also had interesting and quirky personalities that filled the pages alongside Harriet. The writing(and book itself) was full of character, emotion and humour. Every part of the novel had twists in the plot-each turning Harriet's life upside down. There were also thrilling moments or one's that were so sweet they would make you sigh.

This novel also gives you an insight into the world of fashion. A really competitive industry with young girls going up against eachother, full of jealousy and hatred. One of a dreaded, high end fashion designer. Or a place full of over-the-top, fashion-obsessed, advisors. And a gorgeous colleague nicknamed Lion Boy.

You will take a lot away from this novel, and I personally found myself having a lot more confidence when I put it down. Geek Girl was a book that will make you proud to be a Geek-or like what your own interests are. It was funny, entertaining, interesting and emotional and when it finally comes to an end you will miss the characters you'd shared the journey with. A book I loved! For ages 11+ ****

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