Wednesday 30 December 2015

Top 5 books i've read this year

Hi Guys

It is my blogiversary today . I couldn't think of any amazing ideas to celebrate but top 5 books I've read this year was one of the blog posts I posted last year. As usual it isn't in any particular order.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This was one of the last books I read in the year. I got it as a Christmas present from a friend and instantly started to read it. I heard a lot about it at the start of the year and was so excited to read it. It is definitely worth the hype. I don't want to go into much detail about the books in this post but my review is here.

Neverland by Shari Arnold
I loved this book. It was so beautiful. Neverland wasn't an action packed book like Red Queen but it was a stunning slow dream-like book that had me captivated from the first page. Words can't describe how much I love this book. I'll be rereading it soon. My full review is here

We all Looked up by Tommy Wallach
 
This book is about the world pre apocalypse. Which gives a really different take on the ever growing trend of post apocalyptic books. It is told from five different points of view and has a really realistic take on everything. I bought this book as a Christmas present for a couple of people. The only thing slightly bad I have to say about this book is that it does mess with our mind a bit. my full review is here.

Half Wild by Sally Green
This series is quickly becoming my favourite series ever. I can't say to much about this book because it's a sequel and it's best to go into 'Half Bad' blind. All I can say is read it, you won' regret it. if you do you have my permission to throw the book at my head.

Who the Hell is Ricky Bell by John Irving Clarke

My best friend lives a couple of hors away from me and when she came I ignored her for the first couple of hours because I needed to know what happened next. I've met the author and I think meeting the author before reading the book always gives you a different appreciation for the book. It's a teenage romance story but unlike most romance story with teens being the main character, it's actually like relationship at that age. My full review is here

Sunday 27 December 2015

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen #1) : Book Review

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen #1)
Publication date: February 10th 2015
Published by: HarperTeen
Genres: YA Dystopian

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart ...


My Thoughts  
This book was phenomenal. It's instantly one of my favourite books of this year and I've had a really good reading year.

The characters in this book were great. They were very realistic I could guess how any of the other characters where going to react, which I think is the sign of a good first person book, to have the same view of the other characters as the main character has. I felt everything Mare felt. Kilorn was my favourite, I thought it was nice that for once in a dystopian it wasn't that the main characters male best friend spent his life looking after Mare but Mare spent her life looking after Kilorn.

The plot kept me constantly on edge. I never knew what was going to happen, there wasn't a singe dull moment in the book. It took a bit of time before the plot really started to pick up but I still really enjoyed those parts. The plot gradually raised throughout the book, so that in the last few chapters I could barely breath from excitement, my heart in my throat.

The only slight problem was the world building wasn't fantastic. It made no sense what so ever in the first few chapter but by the end of the book I had a pretty good idea of the world Mare lived in. I'm not particularly worried about that problem though because in the next book there is meant to be a complete explanation of the world.

In conclusion, you need to read this book. You won't regret it I promise. I'm so excited for the next book which is released on February 9th 2016. I'm giving this a strong 5/5.

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Inside Out Book Tag

Hi Guys

Today I'm doing the Inside Out book tag. This was created by Kristina Horner. The questions are a bit self explanatory but Inside Out is one of my favourite Pixar films, so who cares.

1. Joy - Which book brings you the most joy
I love 'Friendship according to Humphrey' because of how cute it is as a teenager reading it yet you can also see how it sends a great message to children as well.

2. Disgust -Which book disgusts you the most
I tend to stay away from gross books but ''89 Walls' got a bit to gross for me at point. It described some of the slightly sexual scenes in a really grotesque manner. I did have to skip a couple of pages.


3. Fear - What book made you the most scared
Weirdly 'We all Looked up' is the book that scares me the most. The idea that a meteor could hit earth at anytime really freaked me out. I'm not sure I've fully recovered yet.

4. Sadness - Which book made you cry the most
I cried so much at this book, the ending was just so heart-breaking and I wasn't like I was slightly crying. I was full on scream-crying. I think I would have cried less of you told me my dog had died.

5. Anger - Which book made you the most angry
I don't have any books that make me angry I'm general quite a happy person. it takes a lot to get me angry.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Christmas Present Ideas

Hi guys,

It's officially Christmas, so I decided to write a post on gift ideas. Hope this help anyone struggling for any gift ideas.

Book sets
I always ask for these for Christmas, especially if I've watched the films or borrowed the first one from the library. If you don't know what box set to get someone stick to popular YA books such as 'The Hunger Games' or 'Divergent'

Quotes Typography
You tend to be able to get these off websites like Etsy but you can find some in stores. Either go for a quote from a book they love, a popular quote from a book or a quote about books. My personal favourite is  'Do you suppose she is a wild flower' from Alice in Wonderland.

Notebooks
My best friend is an avid writer or otherwise known as a notebook hoarder, she must have over 50 not filled notebooks but you can never have too many right. I personally love the notebooks in paperchase, they have a really wide variety.

Sunday 13 December 2015

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins : Review

 
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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Publication date: September 1st 2009
Published by: Scholastic
Genres: YA Dystopian

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol -- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.


My Thoughts
I went to see Mocking jay part 2 for my friends birthday after only having seen and read the first book but I still loved it. Peeta confused me a bit. I went home a shortly watched the rest of the films and I've just finished reading the second book and I'm  desperate to get my hands on Mockingjay.

After seeing the films first I knew what was going to happen at every point there wasn't many additional scenes that they removed from the movie. Yet it still kept me captivated b the story at all times, I didn't find it boring for a second.

I know loads of peole hate Suzanne's writing style but I love it. I really enjoy books that are writing very simplistically.

I totally fell in love with all the characters especially Finnick. They all had their flaws and the strength and each character was quite different from the next.

In conclusion, I am officially the last person on earth to have read this book. so you are either agreeing with me or shaking your head at every word I said. I don't know why but I just cant give it 5/5 so instead I'm giving it 4/5.






Sunday 6 December 2015

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck : Review

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Publication date: 1937
Published by: Penguin Books
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Depressing

The compelling story of two outsiders striving to find their place in an unforgiving world. Drifters in search of work, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie have nothing in the world except each other and a dream--a dream that one day they will have some land of their own. Eventually they find work on a ranch in California’s Salinas Valley, but their hopes are doomed as Lennie, struggling against extreme cruelty, misunderstanding and feelings of jealousy, becomes a victim of his own strength. Tackling universal themes such as the friendship of a shared vision, and giving voice to America’s lonely and dispossessed, Of Mice and Men has proved one of Steinbeck’s most popular works, achieving success as a novel, a Broadway play and three acclaimed films.


My Thoughts
This book is my second favourite book ever, I love it but I recently had to reread it for class and it gave such a different perspective of it. Especially with everyone else's input on there thoughts on the books. I got into quite a heated debate with my teacher who was saying that George was vicious towards Lennie.

The book is known for it's sad ending but one thing I found throughout the book was that it was filled with hope, that at some points I had a mile from ear to ear. The friendship between Lennie and George is heartbreakingly beautiful, it is so strong and compassionate. I also have a weird love for Curley's wife, who I've decided is actually called Daisy. If you put the novel into context Curley's Wife is an extremely strong character.

The plot is stunning and filled with hints of what is going to happen but placed so carefully that you really have to look. It gives an interesting view of the world.

In conclusion, you have probably already read this book but if you haven't it is definitely with a read but keep tissues with you at all times, it will leave you broken. 5/5 stars.