Review: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

 

Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a book by Lynne Truss, first published in 2003 by Profile Books Ltd.

We are all taught about punctuation, and how to use it correctly, from a young age. However, we see ignorance and indifference everywhere. Who would think there was any form of punctuation in words such as antiques? Obviously the people who wrote "ANTIQUE,S" on the A120 near Colchester. This book is for sticklers and lovers of punctuation: we are not alone. 

The above is a basic overview of the book, but what really made me want to read it is the joke on the back cover. Thus, I will include it now. 

A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.

"Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. 

"I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up."

The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. 

"Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves."

Underneath that, these words are written: So, punctuation really does matter, even if it is only occasionally a matter of life and death.

♥

As I was preparing for this book, I wrote an article for The Daily Telegraph, hoping to elicit a few punctuation horror stories, and it was like detonating a dam. Hundreds of emails and letters arrived, all of them testifying to the astonishing power of recall we sticklers have when things have annoyed us.

("It was in 1987, I'll never forget, and it said "CREAM TEA'S".)

♥

I was very lucky to pick up this book from a charity box in a beach cafe a couple of weeks ago, and I am very glad I did. 

Although I have discovered I may not be advanced enough in the literay area to understand everything this book talks about; I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

This genre is not normally the type I would choose to read, but the joke on the back really grasped my attention. I love a good laugh, and this book sounded like it would be just that. And I was right, I had a lot of little giggles while reading this (one of them being when I read the CREAM TEA'S joke above).

If you're also a stickler, and are annoyed when you see 'Two Weeks Notice', without an apostrophe, on an advertisements; you really should read this book.

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: My Heart And Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

'I'm getting higher and higher and I feel the swing set creak.

"Be careful," He says.

"Why?" I'm not thinking about being careful. I'm thinking

about one last push, of letting go, of flying, and of falling.

"You aren't allowed to die without me," He whispers.

In one months time, physics nerd Aysel and

popular, handsome Roman are planning to commit

suicide - together. Never mind them being practically 

strangers, they've been drawn together on Smooth 

Passages to be 'suicide partners'.

And yet with their deadline getting closer,

something starts to grow between them -

something Aysel never thought she would feel.

Is there something to live for after all?

Or are they both in so deep they can't turn back?

   I don't quite know how to describe this book to you. It was powerful, it was beautiful. It broke past the walls of where most books have to stop, otherwise it gets to be too much.

But this book was perfect - I haven't read a book I've loved this much for a very long time. Where I desperately want to beg the author to carry on writing, to tell me how the characters lives carry out: What happens after the last page. 

   I can't tell you how much I cherish this book. It was just wonderful (although that single word does not at all even begin to explain how amazing, extraordinary and, again, beautiful this book was).

I more than loved this book, more than adored it. I just can't quite explain to you how I feel about this book.

   You really just need to read it to understand.

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Why we think books are good!

The dictionary definition of a book:

book

/bʊk/

noun

noun: book; plural noun: books; noun: the book

A written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn 

together along one side and bound in covers.

 Although this accurately describes the object of a book, we think this better explains the wonders that are hidden between the pages of a paperback:

Books are full of many things. 

Yes, one of them is words. But lurking behind these are an abundance of unseen treasures, one's that although may not appear immediately, do eventually reveal themselves if you are willing enough to find them.

They teach us many things about life, and send us on a journey of self discovery.

I (Beth) was trying to find my all-time favorite book the other day (you bibliophiles will know what a hard task this is), and I finally decided on; Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, Paper Towns by John Green and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell; when I realized something: good books do not necessarily have a solid happy ending, but when they are full of hope, it eliminates the need for one.

Thus meaning good books give us hope, happiness and optimism. In other cases they will help us, or rather, let us explore deeper and more intimate feelings, such as loneliness, desperation and hopelessness.

Books will never discard of you, you are their eternal companions and friends. They never leave you or dislike you, they simply just be.

   With the serious part out of the way, we would like to show you why we believe you benefit from books. Reading daily can help you in many ways. For instance, did you know this includes:

1. Mental Stimulation

2. Vocabulary Expansion 

3. Stress Reduction

4. Stronger Thinking Skills

5. Better Writing Skills 

6. Free or cheap entertainment (this is where the library comes in)

7. Knowledge

8. Improved Focus and Concentration 

9. Memory Improvement

10. Tranquility and Relaxation

Without books, we wouldn't have these famous and very enjoyable movies;

-The Harry Potter Series
-The Divergent Trilogy
-The Hunger Games Series
-The Twilight Saga
-The Fault in Our Stars
-The Perks of Being a Wallflower
-The Hobbit Trilogy
-The Lord of The Rings Trilogy

(Also, without books, we would not have the shelfie: a much better alternate version of the selfie!)

   We understand if you don't love books. Actually, that is a lie, we do not understand: we sympathise. But we do understand that everyone is different and loves different types of books.

   For instance, if we tried to start a book club in a group, it would probably be over after one series. That series, being of course, The Hunger Games. Our reason for thinking this being because of the books and movies sheer popularity.

   If you were to try and find another book in a different genre, you're not as likely to find people as willing to try it. This could very simply be the fact it's a YA Novel for a range of ages and genders, which in itself is popular. I would like to see you try to find another book series that most people would enjoy.

We have two final tips for you all,

Never, EVER, under any circumstances, trick yourself into thinking you don't have enough time to read. A life without reading is something you cannot even kid yourself into thinking is good. Seriously.

Okay, this is the final and probably most important thing:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Trust me, if you are a bibliophile, you are one of many. If you think you had a unique talent for book sniffing, think again. You may be unique to some, but definitely not to all.

-Emma and Beth

Happy Reading!♥

What book got you to start reading?

   I was working on the third edition of The Fangirl Guide when an idea suddenly came to me. One that I couldn't ignore and just had to immediately drop everything I was doing to do it. (It definitely wasn't because I was stuck on what to say for the other post...) 

   As I said, I'm currently writing the third Fangirl Guide post at the moment, but due to the sheer length it is going to be, I have had to stop and try to rethink how to approach it. Which I'm struggling with. But hey, I'll figure it out (eventually)! And so whilst in the midst of lots of words that weren't quite connecting like how I was hoping, the idea for this post (which is a considerable amount shorter than the other I was working on) suddenly sprung itself upon me! 

I would like to talk about the book that made me start reading.

    Please don't misinterpret what I'm getting at here though. When I say, 'the book that made me start reading', I do not mean I didn't read before hand. I did. But I didn't have such a love for books then as I do now, and I didn't read nearly as much. Not by a long shot. 

   And I'd like to share with you what really got me into books. 

And the book that started all of this madness is:

(This is where the drum roll would begin...)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

   Yes, you can blame Cassie Clare for getting me into reading. 

   As soon as I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. I think it was possibly the first time for me that a book had actually got me entranced by it; I actually really didn't want to put this book down for anything. (I think I drove my family insane with The Mortal Instruments, which is the fantastic series this book belongs to, because I just couldn't shut up about it.) 

I don't think I can explain to you the love I hold for this book, for this series, because I simply just can't find the words. I. Love. It. Not two ways about it. 

   I actually read this book so many times I could nearly remember the first couple of chapters off by heart. (I can't anymore, which really upsets me, but ah well!) That's how much I loved this book. 

   This book will always hold a special place in my heart, for obvious reasons. I honestly love the series to bits, and I'm sure those of you who have read it will agree it's absolutely amazing.

   What's the book that got you into reading? Or were you always addicted to books? Comment down below, I'm really interested to know! 

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: My Now or Never Diary by Liz Rettig

My Now or Never Diary by Kelly Ann is a book by Liz Rettig, first published in 2006 by Corgi Books.

Kelly Ann has been with Chris for a while and he wants to go further. Even though she would once have loved to, now is definitely not the time.

After months of liking - even loving - Chris, she found out he had not just cheated on her, but made another girl pregnant!

How is Kelly Ann going to survive now?

♥

Apparently while exams are nerve-racking for us pupils they are a total bore for invigilators, who make up stupid games to amuse themselves. One is called Chicken: two invigilators walk towards each other down the same aisle and the first one to step aside is 'chicken' and loses. This has occasionally led to head-on collisions, with both invigilators utterly determined to win: things turned ugly when two really dogged players had to be taken to Accident & Emergency suffering from concussion after a long Geography Advanced Higher exam. 

 ♥

When I started to read this book, I have to say, I really didn't like it. I wasn't keen on the fact that this book truthfully constantly seemed to talk about sex. Also, it is written in diary form, and sentences start with 'Told Chris' instead of 'I told Chris'. 

However, after I realized that this book isn't the next Fifty Shades, and I got used to the writing, I actually got to really like this book. It's not my favorite or anything, but actually I quite enjoyed reading it!

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

 

Eleanor & Park is a (beautiful) book by Rainbow Rowell, first published in 2012 by Orion Books.

Park and Eleanor are two very, very different people. 

Park is the boy at the (near) back of the bus. He tries to make himself invisible, and it works. Until Eleanor comes along.

Eleanor is the new girl in town, she has chaotic, red hair and a wild personality. There is no way she can make herself invisible.

But despite this, Eleanor and Park slowly, steadily fall in love. Two very different people come together, through comic books and mix tapes. They fall in love the way you do when you're young, and you feel as though you have nothing and everything to lose.

♥

Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive. 

As soon as he touched her, he wondered how he'd gone this long without doing it. He rubbed his thumb through her palm up her fingers, and was aware of her every breath.

Park had held hands with girls before. Girls at Skateland. A girl at the ninth-grade dance last year. (They'd kissed while they waited for her dad to pick them up.) He'd even held Tina's hand, back when they 'went' together, back in the sixth grade. 

And always, before, it had been fine. Not much different from holding Josh's hand when they were little kids crossing the street. Or holding his grandma's hand when she took him to church. Maybe a little sweatier, a little more awkward. 

When he'd kissed that girl last year, with his mouth dry and his eyes mostly open, Park had wondered if maybe there was something wrong with him. 

He'd even wondered - seriously, while he was kissing her, he'd wondered this - whether he might be gay. Except he didn't feel like kissing any guys either. And if he thought about She-Hulk or Storm (instead of this girl, Dawn) the kissing got a lot better.

Maybe I'm not attracted to real girls, he'd thought at the time. I'm some sort of perverted cartoon-sexual.

Or maybe, he thought now, he just didn't recognize all those other girls. The way a computer drive will spit our a disk if it doesn't recognize the formatting. 

When he touched Eleanor's hand, he recognized her. He knew.

 ♥

If I'm completely honest here, this part of the review is not going to give this amazing book enough credit. Trust me, I want to give credit where it's due, and Eleanor & Park is due so much more. 

I want to tell you that I read this book in under a day (because I did), but I don't think that says much about the book itself. Yes, I loved it enough to want to read on and on ASAP, but I also loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and I read that over a period of days.

Anyway, I love books that are full of cliches and romance, you may have gathered that from me by now. And this book was perfect. 

I'm not going to lie, this book wasn't all happiness and bouncing lambs. But it was perfect, that way. The struggles shown by Eleanor's life were real, and without them the happy parts wouldn't balance properly. You need the dark to be able to see the light.

And that is exactly what this book does, and how it works. It is full of struggle and sadness, but also love, and the most important thing of all - hope. It is full of hope.

As I truly believe I still do not give this book enough justice, I am going to tell you why I picked it in the first place. I picked it partly because, well, RAINBOW. And I picked it because I really, really love the cover. (I'm like that.)

But, I wanted to read this book most of all due to John Green's snippet review on the front cover, and I am going to end with this, because I think it describes the book way beyond my abilities. 

'Reminded me not just what it's like to be young and in love with a

 girl, but also what it's like to be young and in love with a book'

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Guess who's back!

   So I sort of deserted you guys this last week. Sorry about that. This week hasn't been the best for me, but I'm back now! It's been what, seven days since I last posted? Gods. I'm so sorry. And considering the fact I haven't blogged for so long, you guys are probably expecting an overwhelmingly large amount of reviews to have to deal with from me.

But I don't have any. *Cue the disappointment*

   I haven't been reading a lot at the moment. I'll start a book, reading a few pages/chapters, then set it aside and start a new one. I need a book to really capture my attention, to drag me into a written journey filled with beautiful words and surprising plot twists. I need awesome, love-able characters who capture my heart and be awfully sarcastic while doing so. I need...I need a really good book.

And plenty of good books I have. I just don't know which one to read.

   Say hello to the stack of books currently residing on my desk. I have 22 more unread books sitting not-so-patiently on my shelves. As you can see, I have a lot of books to read.

I just can't decide which to start with. 

   This morning, I started reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (see review page to check out Beth's review of it!) and I'm liking it! I'm just worried it won't be able to hold my attention when I come back to reading it later in the day. I'm also reading The Young Elites by Marie Lu, (which is pretty awesome by the way) but I have no desire most of the time to pick it up and actually continue reading it. 

So I need your help, guys.

   I would be more than appreciative to know if you have read any of the following books (this is going to be one big list of books; you have been warned!) and would recommend I read them next. Some of them I started quite a while ago, and never got around to continuing. (Mainly the ones on my shelves.)

Anyways, here is the list of unread books I own:

-Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

-From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas

-Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

-He's After Me by Chris Higgins

-The Young Elites by Marie Lu (I am currently borrowing this from the library)

-The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (I know it's a kids book, but I got it free!)

-Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine (another free one)

-Northern Lights by Philip Pullman (oh look, another free one!)

-The Crazy Things Girls Do For Love by Dyan Sheldon

-Paper Towns by John Green (I still haven't read it!)

-An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (A friend has given me this one!)

Those are just the desk ones. Here are the ones on my shelves:

-Gangster Squad by Paul Lieberman

-The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

-If I Stay by Gayle Forman

-My True Love Gave To Me by Various Authors (I've read the majority of this one)

-The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

-The Death Cure by James Dashner (started, but wasn't brave enough to continue)

-The Kill Order by James Dashner

-Adorkable by Sarra Manning (started, but I didn't really like it...)

-Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

-Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass was just amazing!)

-Insurgent by Veronica Roth

-The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

-Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (read most of it)

-Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

-Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke (I have a beautiful hardcover of this one!)

-The Bane Chronicles by Clare, Rees Brannan and Johnson

-The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

-Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

-Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

   A lot of books to bombard you with, I know. Sorry. 

   If you would recommend any of these for my next/current read, please comment below! 

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: The Look by Sophia Bennett

The Look is a book by Sophia Bennett, first published in 2012 by Chicken House.

Ted has never thought about modelling, she's Freaky Friday, and that's how it's always been. But when a model agency stops her, could this be her big chance? 

Meanwhile, Ava, her gorgeous sister, falls seriously ill. But she still has the Ava spirit and pushes Ted to go for it. 

When they realize the model agency isn't a scam, what will Ted do? 

♥
'Hi, I'm Vince. I'm the head stylist. Now, I understand you two beautiful ladies need my help. 

Calmly and confidently, he places his hands on Ava's shoulders, looking as though he deals with patchy-headed teenagers every day of his life. Serigo returns, clippers in hand, to stand behind me. He looks a lot more comfortable now Vince is here.

'Shaving a head is an art form. It's a ritual,' Vince explains. 'We should have incense and flower ceremonies. Instead we have coffee and Tatler. Anyway, let me show you what we can do.'

He puts the clippers in front of us and shows us the difference between shaving the head completely, or leaving a millimetre or two of hair. I'm about to go for the gentler option, but Ava grips my hand and says firmly that she wants hers shaved off completely. 

♥

When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure, to be honest. Modelling isn't really my thing, and I'm not really a typical girly girl. Also, I realized the writing was slightly like mine (in a different way), and we never think of ourselves that highly (I don't, anyway).

To be honest, when I saw 'model', I wasn't sure if the main character would be someone I would choose to be a friend of in real life (that's what we look for, right?). But when I saw the pink edged pages, I couldn't resist. Who doesn't want to own a book with pink edged pages? 

Anyway, I was wrong about the book. The main character is not what I thought, and neither was the writing, or the book. I'm still thinking about reading it hours after finishing it. Sophia Bennett combines hope, optimism and worries and normal and abnormal parts of teenage life. I loved it.

-Beth

Happy reading!♥

Review: To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

 

To All The Boys I've Loved Before is a book by Jenny Han, first published in 2014 by Simon And Schuster.

Lara Jean's mom died when she was little. All she has left of her is a hatbox, a personal present that she's never had to share with anyone else.

Lara Jean Song keeps letters in this hatbox, her special things. They are letters to every boy she's ever loved. When Lara is (or thinks) she's over a boy, these are her goodbyes. But when the day comes when they are sent out, it turns out that some goodbyes aren't always forever...

 ♥

I wake up in the middle of the night and Margot's not there. Kitty's curled up on her side next to me, but no Margot. It's pitch dark; only the moonlight filters in through the curtains. I crawl out of bed and move to the window. My breath catches. There they are: Josh and Margot standing in the driveway. Margot's face is turned away from him, towards the moon. Josh is crying. They aren't touching. There's enough space between them for me to know that Margot hasn't changed her mind. 

I drop the curtain and find my way back to the bed, where Kitty has rolled farther into the centre. I push her back a few inches so there will be room for Margot. I wish I hadn't seen that. It was too personal. Too real. It was supposed to be just for them. If there was a way for me to unsee it, I would. 

I turn on my side and close my eyes. What must it be like, to have a boy like you so much he cries for you? And not just any boy. Josh. Our Josh.

To answer her question: yes. I think I have been in real love. Just once though. With Josh. Our Josh.

 ♥

I am not going to lie, I loved this book. It's one of those big books that looks daunting if you've only recently been reading short books. But, the cover is very pretty. I love the title font! And it's pretty on the inside too.

But, I have to say, I was kind of (only a teeny tiny bit) disappointed with the ending. However, this is probably because I did really like one of the characters. :/ But, I can see why everything happens the way it did in the book, and I do not criticize the way Jenny Han wrote it. She does have really good writing. Just think though, how do you not have a crush on a fictional teenage guy who works in a bookstore?!

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: The Hit List by Nicki Urang

   When I saw this book, I was really excited to read it. I thought it would be a really good read, sounding just like my cup of tea! 

But I'd be lying to you and myself if I said I didn't find this book rather disappointing. 

   I guess the book just wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I'm not saying I didn't like it, because I did! It just wasn't really what I was looking for, and sort of let me down. 

The Los Angeles Conservatory for the Arts

is supposed to be a new start for Sadie Bryant. She

needs to escape the gossip surrounding her injury and

the betrayal of her ex-partner.

She also needs to rebuild her career as a

solo dancer. So when the school announce the annual

Fall Showcase, that could land her a spot to study in

London, will now require each dancer to have a partner,

Sadie's fresh start seemingly goes down the drain.

Can Sadie learn to trust her partner, 

who only happens to be Luke Morrison, the school

womanizer with the big ego, or will her past ruin her

shots at finally being able to dance?

Sorry, that explanation is terrible! 

Go to goodreads for the actual one: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18035342-the-hit-list

   This book actually was good, it just wasn't what I personally was hoping for. Check it out and see what you think! You never know, you might end up loving this book. 

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Issue 2 of The Fangirl Guide: Movies!!

   As you know, we bibliophiles also LOVE to watch (and criticize) movies. Especially if they are movies of books, such as The Fault in Our Stars and The Duff.

Now, we all know that The Fault in Our Stars is a perfect (and very emotional) movie that we all know and love.

But we're not stopping at John Green. Here is a list of our must-see movies for you to enjoy and fall in love with.

The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One and The Hunger Games: Part Two (When the time comes)
The Maze Runner
Jane Eyre
Avatar
Titanic
The Notebook
Armageddon
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
ET
Mean Girls
Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant (When it comes out)
Star Trek
Indiana Jones
The Duff
Pulp Fiction (The Wolf)
10 Things I Hate About You
Iron Man
Detention
Vampire Acadamy
The Fault in Our Stars
Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2
Hercules (Disney)
Die Hard
Men in Black
Mulan (Disney)
White Chicks
Bridesmaids
Avengers
Ender's Game
Pride and Prejudice

Check back next week for another update!

Happy Reading (and watching)!♥ 

Review: Paper Towns by John Green

 

Paper Towns is a book by John Green, first published in 2010 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Quentin Jacobsen has always loved Margo Roth Speilgelman from afar, but now it's time for Quentin to find out what Margo is really like-not the just the idea of her. When Margo disappears without warning, it's 'normal'. But when Quentin finds clues, and when it becomes a longer and longer time without her living next door, it's time to find her.

♥

"Here's what's not beautiful about it: from here, you can't see the rust or the cracked paint or whatever, but you can tell what the place really is. You see how fake it all is. It's not even hard enough to be made out of plastic. It's a paper town. I mean look at it, Q: look at all those cul-de-sacs, those streets that turn in on themselves, all the houses that were built to fall apart. All those paper people living in their paper houses, burning the future to stay warm. 

All the paper kids drinking beer some bum bought for them at the paper convenience store. Everyone demented with the mania of owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail. And all the people, too. I've lived here for eighteen years and I have never once in my life come across anyone who cares about anything that matters."

♥

The one thing I thought while reading this is it is quite unlike any other John Green books I have read. If it's even possible, I think Paper Towns is actually deeper than Looking For Alaska or The Fault in Our Stars.

No, I'm going to correct myself there. It's not deeper, it's just different. And not necessarily in a bad way. In fact, not in a bad way at all. And thus, I loved this book in a different way to others. But definitely not more or less. Just different. 

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

   This book was...everything I hoped it would be and more. I have wanted to read this book for a very long time, and yesterday, after ordering it from Amazon earlier this week, it arrived! So, in true Emma fashion, I dropped everything I had to do and delved right into it. 

And I loved it.

Becca Chandler isn't having the best year so far,

and when she saves Chris Merrick during a fight, things go

from bad to worse. Chris is different from the other guys at 

her school...really different.

Turns out, Chris can control water, and his brothers 

can control fire, wind, and earth. These boys are dangerous 

and powerful. And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca. 

Then the mysterious new kid, Hunter, turns up, and she 

thinks she can trust him.

But when Hunter and Chris go head-to-head, Becca's

left wondering who's really hiding the truth from her 

after all...

   So I suck at descriptions. That attempt at a 'blurb' honestly does not give this book anywhere near enough credit. Just trust me when I say go and read it. You will love it. 

   I know I did. I just want to pick it up and read it again and again and again until I know it like the back of my hand. (I actually did that once with a book: I could literally remember the whole first chapter :/ .) 

Anyway, get this book and read it as soon as possible!

   I was just wondering, has anybody already read this book? What did you think about it if you have? Comment below! (Please try to avoid spoilers though!)

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Book-haul and TBR: 12 books and counting!

   Emma and I have been lucky enough to receive a variety of books to choose from, and here's the ones I picked! As you know, giving bibliophiles like us books is a BIG mistake. We turn into the Big Friendly Giant, or more in Emma's case, the hulk.

So, here's the list of books I have to read now:

Away For The Weekend by Dyan Sheldon: I read Baby Makes Two by Dyan Sheldon centuries ago, so hopefully I'll enjoy this one!

Matlock by Jon Mayhew: I'm not sure if this is something for me, but I think I'll give it a go!

To All The Boys I've Ever Loved by Jenny Han: THIS BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Now Is The Time For Running by Micheal Williams

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Survival by Paul Dowswell

The Look by Sophia Bennett: IT HAS PINK PAGES!!!

My Now Or Never Diary Liz Rettig

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman: The cover is so pretty -.-

   If you want to suggest my next read, then feel free to comment! I am currently reading PAPER TOWNS!!! I had a book voucher, and I really couldn't resist John Green's beautiful writing!

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: Now is the time for running by Michael Williams

   I got this book for free (along with various other books) courtesy of Beth's 'connections', and I can only say wow.

Deo and Innocent are playing football when the soldiers arrive, looking for food and traitors. When they destroy the only home the boys have ever known, they now only have each other and a football stuffed with a billion worthless dollars.

Here begins the journey of a lifetime, to find safety in a world riddled with soldiers. They only have one chance to cross the border, one chance to escape.

Now is the time for courage.

Now is the time for running.

   If I'm perfectly honest, I didn't have very high expectations for this book when I read the blurb, but I though it sounded interesting enough to give it a go. And boy was I wrong. I was hooked as soon as I read the first page.

   This book was so good! All I can really say is you need to read it. Pronto.

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a (very good) book by Steven Chbosky, first published by MTV Books/Pocket Books in 1999.

Charlie is a freshman, and is by no means the most popular in his new school. He is socially awkward and shy. But also very intelligent. He is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Now Charlie has started high school, he is officially a teenager. This means trying to navigate the world of sex, drugs, first dates, mix tapes and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But, for the first time ever, Charlie wants to see what life looks like from the dance floor, instead of on the sidelines.

♥

"He's something, isn't he?"

Bob nodded his head. Patrick then said something I don't think I'll ever forget. 

"He's a wallflower."

And Bob really nodded his head. And the whole room nodded their head. And I started to feel nervous in the Bob way, but Patrick didn't let me get too nervous. He sat down next to me.

"You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand."

♥

All I can say about this book, is beautiful. The kind of beautiful that only comes from reading a good book or watching the sunrise with your best friend on a crisp, cold, sunny morning. I absolutely loved it. And, if I'm completely honest, I could marry Charlie. Obviously, a lot of readers have a lot of characters they've read and had crushes on. But seriously, I've never really had that. Until now. Even though this book was written in 1999, and is based in 1991, I believe it's still relate-able to modern teenagers. This book is really, really something.

Before I go, I have two pieces of information for you.

-If you're English and don't understand the school system in this American book, high school is from age 14-18 and freshman year is our year 9. 

-This is more of a warning than information. The Perks does have a lot of sexual references (including a mentioning of rape). I found it okay to read, but for those who don't, you might want to skip a few parts.

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

I'm feeling...DUFFY..again!

   I love Kody Keplinger. That's all I can say, really. I've read a book by her before, and I loved it. And now I've read this one (in under 24hrs. Guys, I think I might be officially out of the reading slump thing!) and LOVED it.
 
   I love the characters (Wesley, omigods) and pretty much everything else about this book.

Bianca Piper thinks she isn't the prettiest of her

friends, not by a long shot. But when slimy, man-slut 

school hottie Wesley Rush, who Bianca hates with a 

passion, nicknames her "the Duff", she throws her coke 

in his face.

And with things not being so great at home, she

is in desperate need of a distraction. It turns out

Wesley is the perfect way to do that. But as their

'relationship' goes on, Bianca realises with absolute

horror that the boy she thought she hated is the one

she's falling in love with. 

   This book has an underlying message: that everybody is somebodies Duff. People's perceptions on beauty are completely different, so while one person is a Duff in comparison to another in someones view, another might think the complete opposite. 

I'm somebodies Duff.

You're somebodies Duff.

Everybody's a Duff.

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: AntiGoddess by Kendare Blake

   If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I absolutely adore Greek Myths, especially about the Olympian Gods. You might have noticed I actually use the term 'omigods' instead of 'oh my god' because of them. So if you need to know something about the Greek Gods, come to me! I'm like a walking Greek God encyclopedia.

But that's besides the point. I'm here to write a review about this amazing book by Kendare Blake! (I know I haven't posted in a while, I'm really sorry! I'm back now though, and boy do we have some stuff in store for you!)

He was Apollo, the sun, and he'd burn down anything

that tried to hurt her...

Cassandra lives the life of an average teenager, blissfully 

unaware of the fact that she's a weapon in a deadly war with 

the Gods. She doesn't even know Gods exist. 

Until Now.

The Gods are dying, and with them running out of time

to save themselves, they are desperately clutching at straws

to find the answer to their survival. A survival which depends 

entirely on Cassandra. 

Even Aidan, her boyfriend, isn't what he seems. And he will do

anything to protect the girl he loves from the danger that is so

eagerly awaiting her. Even if that means going to war against

his immortal family...

 
   This book was just...ahh. It was so good! I can't explain to you how ecstatic I was when I came across it when Beth and I went shopping (we actually went in search for The Duff,which Beth so kindly brought for me the other day! Thank-you again Beth!) and instantly, I was just like 'this is my book, I need it'. I think I may have gotten a little too excited, actually, but oh well!

   I loved this book, and am in desperate need of the remaining two books in the series! I would definitely say you should check this book out, even if it doesn't sound like your cup of tea! Kendare Blake's writing will not let you down, trust me.


Now, if you like Greek myths like me, you should check out these books too:

 - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (honestly, this dude is awesome. You can thank him for my love of everything Greek). This is the first book in the PJO series and let me just tell you, all of the books are equally amazing. You should go check them out!

 - Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. To say I loved this book, or rather, the trilogy, would be an understatement. The books are incredible, honestly. I can't tell you the number of times I have read these books. These are marked as must-reads by me!

 - The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. You CAN'T read this series until you've read the PJO series by him, otherwise everything will be ruined. I'm still reading this series, HOO, and I love it, but don't read it until you've finished the Percy Jackson series!

 - And last, but not least, Antigoddess by Kendare Blake. I've already told you why this book is awesome, so I'm not going to say it again!


Go and read! I'll be posting another review tomorrow on....dun dun dunnnnnn.....THE DUFF!

Thanks!

- Emma

Happy Reading!❤

Review: Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan

 

Apple and Rain is a book by Sarah Crossan, first published in 2014 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Apple's mother left when Apple was just a little girl. All she can remember is the goodbye, and that wasn't even directed at her. She doesn't understand why her mother left her like that, but when she finally returns after 11 years away, she has the chance to find the answer. 

But meeting her mother is more bittersweet than Apple thought, and it's only when she meets someone more lost than she is, Apple begins to see things as they really are. 

  

♥

'I wish it would snow,' I said one winter, when there was nothing but hailstones and drizzle. Nana looked up from the scones she was baking. Her forehead was powdered with flour. She said, 'Snow? No thank you. Be careful what you wish for, Apple!' As though anything bad could come from snowmen and a bit of sledging down Cliff Gardens. 

Another time I was brushing my hair, dragging out my knots and complaining. 'I wish I had straight hair,' I said. Nana looked up from her sewing and said, 'Goodness me, what for? Be careful what you wish for, Apple!' As though anything bad could come from sleek locks.

And last spring, when it was raining outside and I was playing myself at Monopoly, I said, 'I wish I had a sister.' Nana held her biscuit, undunked, over a teacup. She said, 'Oh Apple, please, please be careful what you wish for.'

As though anything bad could come from a ready-made friend.

 ♥

As you may or may not know, I also read The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan, and although it was a good book, it wasn't one of my favorites. So, I wasn't sure when I picked up this book as to what I would think. How wrong was I? Very wrong. This book was lovely. Truly. It's very deep and meaningful, and I read it in under a day. Also, it is very unique, which I like. However, some parts reminded me of Jacqueline Wilson, whom I loved when I was younger. 

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥