Sunday 15 May 2016

Solitaire by Alice Oseman : Review

Solitaire by Alice Oseman
Publication date: July 31st 2014
Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books
Genres: YA, contemporary, romance, mystery

In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story.

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.

Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.

I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.

I really don’t.

This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.


My Thoughts
This was the weirdest book I have ever read, without a doubt. I was sat in class and it was pretty quite as I yelled 'Psychopath. Absolute psychopath'. It was one of those books where you felt like you had to say what you were thinking otherwise it wasn't true.

The main character irritated me so much. She was super miserable and pessimistic and I couldn't really see why. she had a pretty lucky life. her brother had an eating disorder which is obviously awful but seriously there is no need to be that depressing. Aside from Tori, the rest of the characters where great. I might be a little in love with Michael, he was amazing.

The plot was weird and messed up. the way Alice described something left me so confused to what was going on. I didn't see much need for the finale. It was a bit pointless.

In conclusion. I didn't really like this book but it was well written. it was just the story wasn't for me. I think I will try to borrow her next book form the library rather than buying it. I'm going to give this book 2/5 with both stars.

Sunday 8 May 2016

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider : Review

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider
Publication date: May 26th 2015
Published by: Katherine Tegen Books
Genres: YA, contemporary, romance, sad

From the author of The Beginning of Everything: two teens with a deadly disease fall in love on the brink of a cure.

At seventeen, overachieving Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Part hospital and part boarding school, Latham is a place of endless rules and confusing rituals, where it's easier to fail breakfast than it is to flunk French.

There, Lane encounters a girl he knew years ago. Instead of the shy loner he remembers, Sadie has transformed. At Latham, she is sarcastic, fearless, and utterly compelling. Her friends, a group of eccentric troublemakers, fascinate Lane, who has never stepped out of bounds his whole life. And as he gradually becomes one of them, Sadie shows him their secrets: how to steal internet, how to sneak into town, and how to disable the med sensors they must wear at all times.

But there are consequences to having secrets, particularly at Latham House. And as Lane and Sadie begin to fall in love and their group begins to fall sicker, their insular world threatens to come crashing down.

Told in alternating points of view, Extraordinary Means is a darkly funny story about doomed friendships, first love, and the rare miracle of second chances.


My Thoughts
Extraordinary Means is one of the saddest books I have read in years. My friend gave it to me for my birthday and I didn't speak to her for the rest of the day once I had finished it because of how traumatised the book had left me.

The characters where incredible in this book. I loved all of them. They were very realistic in their flaws and characteristics. My favourite character was Charlie, he was probably the least interesting which for whatever reason made me instantly love him.

The plot was obviously very hard to read at point because of the severity of TB. I thought it was great how the character would joke about how they were going to die because I think it would be something you would do. I know I definitely would.

In conclusion, this book will wreck you but it is worth it. I learnt loads from this book and cared so much for the characters. I'm giving this book 3.5/5.

Sunday 1 May 2016

Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach : Review

Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach
Publication date: February 23rd 2016
Published by: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: YA, contemporary

“I’ve got some questions for you. Was this story written about me?”

I shrugged.

“Yes or no?”

I shrugged again, finally earning a little scowl, which somehow made the girl even more pretty. It brought a bloom to her pale cheeks and made sharp shelves of her cheekbones.

“It’s very rude not to answer simple questions,” she said.

I gestured for my journal, but she still wouldn’t give it to me. So I took out my pen and wrote I can’t on my palm.

Then, in tiny letters below it, I finished the thought: Now don’t you feel like a jerk?


Parker Santé hasn’t spoken a word in five years. While his classmates plan for bright futures, he skips school to hang out in hotels, killing time by watching the guests. But when he meets a silver-haired girl named Zelda Toth, a girl who claims to be quite a bit older than she looks, he’ll discover there just might be a few things left worth living for.


My Thoughts
Tommy Wallach's first book 'We All Looked Up' was one of my favourite  books of last year. I loved how it united all walks of life, so when I saw his next novel had come out I bought it without even reading the synopsis and started to read it straight away.

The plot for this book is a bit all over the place, I think the point of the synopsis is to intrigue you while also completely throwing you off what the book is really about. And I don't understand why because I could think of a million and one better ways to sell this book that what they have done. Any way that is not the point of the review.

'Thanks for the Trouble' is about Zelda and Parker, who meet at a hotel after Parker tries to rob her. Zelda tells Parker she is going to kill herself by jumping off the golden bridge and Parker tries to tell her that there are more things in life left to live for. That's the main plot of the book but sometimes it went quite off track and added in extras that where definitely not needed.

The characters in this book where great, each very individual and unique but still 'realistic'. My favourite character was Alana, she was super spunky and a bit of a nerd but still had a social life, which most authors don't add to a nerdy character. Tommy Wallach is amazing at character building I obviously knew this from 'We All Looked Up' but he blew me away once again with his incredible characters.

I loved how the book was written. I had never read a book that was written as a college essay and I loved it. If anyone has any other books written similarly to this one please tell me. It was great how he manage to break the fourth wall while still making it part of the story.

The ending was the best part of the book. It left you feeling like the book had really given you something. The way nothing changed yet everything changed and he summed it up so perfectly in the last paragraph or two.

In conclusion, 'Thanks for the Trouble' wasn't as spectacular as 'We All Looked Up'. It was still a great read that made you think about who you let into your life and how we shape other people. I will be buying/reading his next book for sure. I'm giving this book 3/5.