Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.
FREEBIE WEEK. I saw this as a past topic and thought it appropriate.
For the last couple of weeks, I have seen reviews or people have asked me of books which I know are sitting lonesome on my bookshelf after me splurging on buying them - waiting for the day I will finally pick them up to read. It's actually really bad, the amount of books I need/want to read that I have available to me - yet I simply feel I have no time to read them in my life or that I put the book off seeing another book I want to read in the library. It's bad, I know.
So here are some books that need some attention from sitting unread on my bookshelf waay too long (I do want to read them!):
1. What Happened to Goodbye - Sarah Dessen - I pre-ordered this for its UK release last June. YES. LAST JUNE. I have nothing else to say apart from I am ashamed.
2. Fever - Lauren DeStefano - I bought this only in February yet it feels like it's been gathering dust on my bookshelf for a long time. I read the first book in the series, Wither (review), at the end of 2011 so I was sort of still in the 'OH MY GOD WITHER' mood for the UK release of Fever.
3. The Killables - Gemma Malley - When I heard that Gemma Malley was releasing another book after the success of The Declaration series (reviews for Book 1, 2 and 3), I was very happy and excited. So when at work, this was on sale, I jumped at the chance in my excitement.
4. One Day - David Nicholls - since this release last year and then the sudden surge in popularity following the film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, I had searched high and low for this book at the best price because I loved the idea. Eventually, I found this in a charity bookshop near my college for I think about £1.99/£2.99. Despite my delight for acquiring a copy for so cheap, I am yet to wallow in the cheapness of such a book (meaning I haven't read it yet...)
5. Alone in Berlin - Hans Fallada - Alone in Berlin. One of the novels that had intrigued me for years since starting to study the Second World War. Similarly to One Day, I bought this in the charity shop I worked in last summer after a customer told me it was the best book he had ever read when I was looking at it. I took that as a recommendation.
6. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak - I bought this in Waterstone's infamous 3 for 2 offer that included Never Let Me Go (another one that could be added to this list) and If I Stay (review). I bought this as they recommended it to me for my History GCSE which was partly on Nazi Germany - the setting for this book. I am so rubbish. Here's the 'On My Bookshelf' that I posted it in - click here
7. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han - Ah, the Waterstone's 3 for 2 offer strikes again. I bought this in my first 'On My Bookshelf' meme (click here to have a lookie) which was on 25th August 2010. THAT WAS NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. AND THIS IS STILL ON MY SHELF UNREAD. I wanted to read it because I loved the synopsis and the cover. I can't have loved it THAT much though...(I am determined to read this before the 2 year mark)
8. A Company of Swans - Eva Ibbotson - I have all the Eva Ibbotson books. I wanted all of them because she was so good. Have I read them all even though she is my favourite author? Nein.
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Saturday, 7 July 2012
Adorkable - Sarra Manning
I enjoyed that book but I wasn't totally hooked to her writing despite hearing great things and seeing many of her books in libraries and shops.
Despite this, I was interested by Adorkable from seeing the front cover. Although I don't really like it particularly and would maybe bypass it if I saw it on a shelf, it looked like something contemporary that I would enjoy. The reviews on the blogosphere are what hooked me totally. I wanted to read this book and even considered buying it at work, until I found it alone in the corner of the library where I quickly picked it up.
Synopsis: Jeane Smith is 17 and has used her dorkiness to turn herself into a self-made teenager with a lifestyle brand, blog, half a million followers on Twitter and consultancy business. She writes for style columns and the Guardian about the new type of teenager and unique trends. All this while studying for her AS levels. yet despite having all this cool stuff happening, lots of Internet friends and a cool boyfriend, Jeane feels alone and that no-one quite understands her. So, when she continuously talks to Michael Lee, a popular, well-rounded guy who lives in Abercrombie & Fitch, it is surprising especially as the only thing they have in common is Jeane's boyfriend secretly seeing Michael's girlfriend. So, why can't they stop seeing each other?
Review: If you wanted a a very British novel, I think you've found it. If you wanted a modern novel, you've also found it in this book.
After finishing this book a couple of nights ago, it struck me how much of this book I can relate to and how cram packed it is of popular culture references and of English references in general, some of which I think only those that have visited London would understand. This is truly what I call a British novel for the 21st Century.
In all honesty, I have no idea how I felt about this book at all. I have no strong emotions or opinions for it. I have been putting off this review because of that very reason so I hope the next few paragraphs are something readable and comprehensible.
Characters: A lot of reviews I read prior and after reading this novel said they didn't like the obnoxious and 'I am so amazing' attitude of the main character, Jeane. It's true, she is a bit...'out there', shall we say, but it's what makes her so likeable. Jeane is not your normal teenage heroine. She does not wallow around her house all day waiting for the guy she likes to come along, the same goes when she finds out her boyfriend is two-timing her. No, Jeane is a feminist and an independent woman at that. And wow, some of the things she has done with her blog, Adorkable, most bloggers could only dream of doing. A clothing line, millions of readers and followers all wanting to hear your every word and then writing for big newspapers and making money out of it. So, it may be a little idealistic for any 'real blogger' because I don't think there is any blogger to date who is like this. But Sarra Manning has created Jeane as a 'what if?'. Yes, Jeane could be percieved as irritating and demanding, even by Michael. But I liked that feminist stance about her - she's a YA protagonist of her own.
Michael. Ah, Michael. Well I can see why he could be quite a catch and also why he is someone who Jean would detest. Overall, I did like Michael. There are moments where he really lightens the tone of the book and others when he is a total idiot and he seemed way too sensitive at times. However, it was nice to have an alternative portrayal of both the events and of Jeane. He has a great sense of humour and it was him that made me laugh or smile at various points throughout the novel. I think if the POV had been completely Jeane, this book wouldn't have been enjoyed by so many - she is a bit much at times even just reading about her. In short, Michael added a more realistic view for the reader because he is just a normal or 'stereotypical' teenage guy. Without his POV, I don't think I would have been on the fence as much.
Writing: It seems finally an adult author understands the cliques of teenagers. Once I was telling a family friend of the 'popular' people more dominant at secondary school but still in the background at college now. Their reaction was a reference to the teenage films such as Clueless or Mean Girls which depict an American high school which is run by these cliques or groups that everyone belongs to, headed by the 'popular' guys and gals. However fictitious that may seem, perhaps more unlikely in an English school, it's far from fiction. Anyway, I've seen some reviews slating the use of these two groups that Michael and Jeane belong to - the popular people and the, um, non-popular people.
It is true that probably Michael's 'clique's' reaction was a little exaggerated (Heidi made me want to punch her with hers) but I can understand it when they joke of the perhaps existence of Michael and Jeane's relationship. In short, it is clear Manning understand teenagers and their independence. She understands two groups - those that always shop at Hollister and those that want to be different and go to vintage shops or other high-street chain stores. She gets teenage problems and how they would react. This book shows a pretty spot-on portrayal of teenagers, and that is from one themselves. I don't think it is totally realistic but I think Michael and Jeane represent an exaggerated version of the two different types of teenagers.
Overall, this book is a totally British book. It is also a totally YA book. Plus a book for bloggers. I think only some bloggers can lust over Jeane's internet life. And teenagers perhaps over Michael's - who knows?
The use of 'English words', blogging lingo, teenage slang really make this book what it is and those are the reasons I think people would enjoy it. The cover is bad - sorry, but I would not approach this book if I hadn't seen the reviews and read Manning before. The cover looks like a bad teenage fiction novel - but this is far from that.
Teenagers are misunderstood a lot. But this book shows teenagers aren't those bad kids the media drones on and on about. Manning understands teenagers, like many other YA authors.
Blogger? English? Teenager? Any of those - then, give this a read.
I'm still on the fence about this - I sound like I love this book but it's easier to be positive than negative. So my rating is in the middle.
I give it a 3.5 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.sarramanning.co.uk/
Pages: 387
Publisher: Atom
Challenges: BBC
Other Books by Sarra Manning:
Pretty Things
Top Ten Tuesday: Books for Sarah Dessen fans
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.
I haven't done one of these is so long!
This week's theme is books that people who love Sarah Dessen's books would also enjoy. (HINT: read some Dessen if you haven't already, she's quite marvellous).
I love Sarah Dessen. With a passion (and not in a creepy way). Her books are so good and I love every single one I've read of hers completely. They have a similar plot and characters but I quite like knowing what the end will be like in a way.
My favourites have to be The Truth About Forever, Just Listen and Along for the Ride - but I would recommend any of them. Actually, I would say I like them so much that I simply can't review them on here as I don't think I can do them justice.
So what makes a Sarah Dessen novel? Well, it's normally based around a female teenage protagonist which has a serious issue happening to her (e.g. divorce, death), a very nice looking guy that normally has some sort of friendly relationship with the protagonist - which turns into something more, some amazing friends that you wish you knew yourself and well, a lovely ending. These are just such lovely books to enjoy and sit down and just plain read.
Reviews: Dreamland | Infinity
Here are some books that reminded me of her:
1. Audrey, Wait! - Robin Benway - Audrey, Wait! reminded me a lot of Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby with the music and popular culture references. It's also very similar in plot with a song that means something personal to the protagonist (Remy and Audrey) becomes a huge hit around the world and makes them kind of famous. I just liked the contemporary writing of this book and the amazing characters that as a reader, I really got to know and love. (review)
2. Teen Idol - Meg Cabot - This focusses on Jen who is 'everyone's best friend', much like Annabel in Just Listen before the whole thing with Sophie happens (kind of). Jen has to look after Luke Striker, a famous Hollywood actor who needs to be normal to experience a real high-school environment for a new movie. While Jen doesn't exact fall into Luke's arms by the end, she does fall into someone's. Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen totally both understand what being a teenager is like - completely. (review)
3. Saving June - Hannah Harrington - In my review for this book, I even wrote that the characters are very similar to Sarah Dessen and I still stand by that - especially The Truth About Forever and Just Listen. The plot and storyline constantly reminded me of Sarah Dessen also and I would definitely point this book out to anyone that was a Dessen fan - for sure. (review)
4. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler - This book for me was a massive mix of some of my favourite book such as Saving June, The Sky is Everywhere and of course, the Dessen. This is a real look at teenage problems, especially psychologically. This isn't the best book I've ever read but if you enjoy girly, teenage books, such as Dessen, then this would be right up your street! (review)
5. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin - This is a very fun and lovely read that any female teenager would enjoy. Zevin uses the same type of characters, plot and writing as Dessen that makes this lovely to read. It's also very mysterious as you have to find out what was happening in Naomi's life with her before she hits her head and wakes up remembering nothing. I think I need to re-read this for definite.(review)
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky - Sarah Dessen is one of those authors I think every single female teenager should read and find out how to deal with the problems the protagonists face and because of the romance. However, I, then, read this book last year and realised that every single teenager should read this book - this, for me, is the survival guide to adolescence. Not a favourite of mine, but still, everyone should read it. (review)
7. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - Not only did this remind me of Sarah Dessen but also of John Green - another great author. I think this mostly for the setting as in all of Sarah Dessen's books, and in John Green's, the setting is so vividly described that you can imagine it quite easily which really can make or break a book sometimes - here the setting is the wonderful New York with landmarks mentioned that any tourist would recognise such as Macy's and places they wouldn't (some of which I would like to visit now). David Levithan's writing particularly reminded me of John Green whom he collaborated with for Will Grayson, Will Grayson. (review)
8. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - on the theme of books everyone should read, THIS. Before this year, I had never read a perfect book. Sure, Sarah Dessen was pretty close with Along for the Ride, Just Listen and The Truth About Forever but there was always something that, not ruined it, but didn't quite make it perfect for me. However, this is what I call the perfect book. Read it, and see. (review)
I haven't done one of these is so long!
This week's theme is books that people who love Sarah Dessen's books would also enjoy. (HINT: read some Dessen if you haven't already, she's quite marvellous).
I love Sarah Dessen. With a passion (and not in a creepy way). Her books are so good and I love every single one I've read of hers completely. They have a similar plot and characters but I quite like knowing what the end will be like in a way.
My favourites have to be The Truth About Forever, Just Listen and Along for the Ride - but I would recommend any of them. Actually, I would say I like them so much that I simply can't review them on here as I don't think I can do them justice.
So what makes a Sarah Dessen novel? Well, it's normally based around a female teenage protagonist which has a serious issue happening to her (e.g. divorce, death), a very nice looking guy that normally has some sort of friendly relationship with the protagonist - which turns into something more, some amazing friends that you wish you knew yourself and well, a lovely ending. These are just such lovely books to enjoy and sit down and just plain read.
Reviews: Dreamland | Infinity
Here are some books that reminded me of her:
1. Audrey, Wait! - Robin Benway - Audrey, Wait! reminded me a lot of Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby with the music and popular culture references. It's also very similar in plot with a song that means something personal to the protagonist (Remy and Audrey) becomes a huge hit around the world and makes them kind of famous. I just liked the contemporary writing of this book and the amazing characters that as a reader, I really got to know and love. (review)
2. Teen Idol - Meg Cabot - This focusses on Jen who is 'everyone's best friend', much like Annabel in Just Listen before the whole thing with Sophie happens (kind of). Jen has to look after Luke Striker, a famous Hollywood actor who needs to be normal to experience a real high-school environment for a new movie. While Jen doesn't exact fall into Luke's arms by the end, she does fall into someone's. Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen totally both understand what being a teenager is like - completely. (review)
3. Saving June - Hannah Harrington - In my review for this book, I even wrote that the characters are very similar to Sarah Dessen and I still stand by that - especially The Truth About Forever and Just Listen. The plot and storyline constantly reminded me of Sarah Dessen also and I would definitely point this book out to anyone that was a Dessen fan - for sure. (review)
4. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler - This book for me was a massive mix of some of my favourite book such as Saving June, The Sky is Everywhere and of course, the Dessen. This is a real look at teenage problems, especially psychologically. This isn't the best book I've ever read but if you enjoy girly, teenage books, such as Dessen, then this would be right up your street! (review)
5. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin - This is a very fun and lovely read that any female teenager would enjoy. Zevin uses the same type of characters, plot and writing as Dessen that makes this lovely to read. It's also very mysterious as you have to find out what was happening in Naomi's life with her before she hits her head and wakes up remembering nothing. I think I need to re-read this for definite.(review)
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky - Sarah Dessen is one of those authors I think every single female teenager should read and find out how to deal with the problems the protagonists face and because of the romance. However, I, then, read this book last year and realised that every single teenager should read this book - this, for me, is the survival guide to adolescence. Not a favourite of mine, but still, everyone should read it. (review)
7. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - Not only did this remind me of Sarah Dessen but also of John Green - another great author. I think this mostly for the setting as in all of Sarah Dessen's books, and in John Green's, the setting is so vividly described that you can imagine it quite easily which really can make or break a book sometimes - here the setting is the wonderful New York with landmarks mentioned that any tourist would recognise such as Macy's and places they wouldn't (some of which I would like to visit now). David Levithan's writing particularly reminded me of John Green whom he collaborated with for Will Grayson, Will Grayson. (review)
8. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - on the theme of books everyone should read, THIS. Before this year, I had never read a perfect book. Sure, Sarah Dessen was pretty close with Along for the Ride, Just Listen and The Truth About Forever but there was always something that, not ruined it, but didn't quite make it perfect for me. However, this is what I call the perfect book. Read it, and see. (review)
Sunday, 1 July 2012
On My Bookshelf (22)
This meme for originally inspired by 'In My Mailbox' created by The Story Siren
Other versions are:
Letterbox Love created by Narratively Speaking
Stacking the Shelves created by Tynga's reviews
Showcase Sunday created by Books, Biscuits and Tea
I didn't even do a meme last month so since I am breaking up from college soon, I hope to acquire more books and do more memes on the blog. Anyhow, these are some books I got within the last week.
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Other versions are:
Letterbox Love created by Narratively Speaking
Stacking the Shelves created by Tynga's reviews
Showcase Sunday created by Books, Biscuits and Tea
I didn't even do a meme last month so since I am breaking up from college soon, I hope to acquire more books and do more memes on the blog. Anyhow, these are some books I got within the last week.
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Borrowed:
- Pretties by Scott Westerfeld - I read Uglies (review) last month and loved the idea and story behind it especially as it's taken me years to pick up this series of books. When I went to give Uglies back to the library, I noticed Pretties there, which is the next book in the series. I've heard a mixture of reviews for the sequel but I hope it lives up to its predecessor.
- Strings Attached by Judy Blundell - I read Judy Blundell's other YA novel, What I Saw and How I Lied (review) a few years ago which I liked but not as much as I thought I would. I discovered her newest book when I was doing The Great Gatsby in English Lit and found out it was set in the 1920's. I reserved it but it only came to my local library recently. The plot sounds a lot like Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen (review)
Bought:
- War Horse by Michael Morpurgo - I'd been wanting to re-read this for a while since I saw and loved the movie adaptation in January but failed to get a copy. I was in a charity shop yesterday and happened to wander over to the children's books so see what they had, not expecting much, and found a BRAND NEW copy for £1. Right place at the right time?
Have you read any of these books? What did you think? What books did you get this week?
Looking back at JUNE
Previous months:
February
March
April
May
Again, since April, my blogging has been decreasing and decreasing to a level that I'm not entirely happy with but I kind of have to live with it. The hectic-ness of college and work sometimes makes it impossible to have the time to do a blog post or even read. My day normally consists of going to college between 8:45-4:10. Arriving home exhausting at 5pm and then doing some homework or coursework until dinner and then, I just want to wind down. Then at the weekends, I work at least one day so you can see finding time is hard.
In my life this month, I have visited three universities - Goldsmiths (part of University of London), Bournemouth and Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge. I've fallen in love with the Media course at Bournemouth and with the accommodation at Anglia Ruskin so my choices next year I can tell are going to be quite hard.
On a more positive note, this month I was made a Student Ambassador of my college so I had to direct Year 11's around the college on their Induction Day with a mixture of disgust for some of their outfit choices and joy with how nice some of them were. It's weird because it's only taken a year to be one of the oldest in the college student body unlike 5 years at secondary school. In other news, I have also been awarded an award for Media (not sure what for yet) which I receive on Tuesday and I get an Oscar-like award (whoop).
Blogging wise I've reached 90 followers on the blog! I am so happy and I thank all of you who have not clicked the 'unfollow' button in my lack of blogging - really appreciate it.
February
March
April
May
Again, since April, my blogging has been decreasing and decreasing to a level that I'm not entirely happy with but I kind of have to live with it. The hectic-ness of college and work sometimes makes it impossible to have the time to do a blog post or even read. My day normally consists of going to college between 8:45-4:10. Arriving home exhausting at 5pm and then doing some homework or coursework until dinner and then, I just want to wind down. Then at the weekends, I work at least one day so you can see finding time is hard.
In my life this month, I have visited three universities - Goldsmiths (part of University of London), Bournemouth and Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge. I've fallen in love with the Media course at Bournemouth and with the accommodation at Anglia Ruskin so my choices next year I can tell are going to be quite hard.
On a more positive note, this month I was made a Student Ambassador of my college so I had to direct Year 11's around the college on their Induction Day with a mixture of disgust for some of their outfit choices and joy with how nice some of them were. It's weird because it's only taken a year to be one of the oldest in the college student body unlike 5 years at secondary school. In other news, I have also been awarded an award for Media (not sure what for yet) which I receive on Tuesday and I get an Oscar-like award (whoop).
Blogging wise I've reached 90 followers on the blog! I am so happy and I thank all of you who have not clicked the 'unfollow' button in my lack of blogging - really appreciate it.
Reviews:
Read but not reviewed:
The 39 Steps - John Buchan
Other:
Calling all Maureen Johnson fans! (Event at Waterstones Guildford)
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' a good thing?
Fifty Shades of Grey.
I'm pretty sure it conjures up a mixture of opinions for people, myself included. I'm also sure it conjures up some amazement for numerous reasons, mostly to the fact it has sold a million copies for the Amazon Kindle alone and that it sold faster than any of the modern greats such as Lord of the Rings, Twilight or Harry Potter. I hear some of you cry, Harry Potter!? Totally true.
My question is: why is this book dubbed 'mummy porn' one of the fastest selling books of the 21st Century so far? And is this a good or bad thing?
I work in a bookshop, as I have said before. I remember a couple of months ago when the book was first released in the UK after the successful run in the US, so around March 2012. I was standing at the counter with my American colleague, Alice*. This middle aged woman with spectacles perched on her nose came to the tills, obviously about to launch into a series of questions for a book she wanted. Her question was: 'I'm looking for that book that's big in the US. 'Fifty' something? Do you know it?'
Funnily enough, I did. I pointed to the counter where a few copies had been placed as, well, we didn't know where else to put them. Picking it up, the lady looked at the blurb before asking us did we know why it was popular, what it was about and so forth. After a small conversation, she bought the book and then continued on her way saying she's heard it was 'life changing' from a friend therefore 'it had to be good'.
Ah, the innocent public then. Intrigued to what it was about, Alice and myself were talking about what we'd heard about it which was, well, not much at this point. After a small bit of Googling, we found it was a 'romance bordering erotica' novel. We were pretty intrigued.
It was this moment we picked up the book on the counter and flicked through it. Alice looked at it first and from the horror on her face, it just said it all. So, that was how I found out about the series named 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. We flicked through for another few minutes before replacing it on the shelf and looking at each other in disgust. When I say, EVERY PAGE, I mean EVERY PAGE has some kind of sexual reference.
For the record, I'm okay with sex in books. I'm 17, for Christ's sake, and sat through many awkward sex education classes with boys looking at the girls in fear with the knowledge they'll have to touch THAT and worse, girls can bear children? Shock! Horror!
However, there are extremes in books where the sex is just, too much. I want some real issues, not just an indepth analysis of the event. I can imagine this is what this book is like. For me, erotica fiction recalls the past memories of finding a massive box of Miles and Boon novels in the Oxfam I used to work in and the small half of a shelf at the end of Fiction in the bookshop I work in which is the 'Erotica' shelf. Needless to say, it's a genre that doesn't do too well.
So why the sudden phenomenon of Fifty Shades of Grey? I think we need to realise what this series started out as. Which is fan-fiction of TWILIGHT of all books. Remember that big thing in 2008 when the first movie came out (I was NOT part of it)? This book started out on a fan-fiction website of Twilight. She was forced to leave for the, ahem, racy nature of her books and started her own website 50shades.com. An Australian publisher caught on to the series and made it into an e-book and then when the popularity increased, Random House bought the rights to publish it as a paperback. And the rest is history. Well, it is after a film company then bought the film rights. So, Fifty Shades, THE MOVIE, anyone?
I have a bias view as I find the book unappealing and slightly disturbing that this is the book that grips the world to buy more than Harry Potter or even the Hunger Games. I can certainly think of better literature to have sold a million copies on Amazon Kindle. I have always thought that, since that day in March when I discovered this series. Even when the first flocks of people came in to buy it, it never clicked this was the next 'big thing'. And even if it was, I was still never going to read it.
It was only until last weekend when I was working that I realised the extend of the popularity for the series. We opened at 11:30 with three shelves full right by the front door to the shop with the three books. At around 12:30 and after a huge rush of customers, my collegue at the time came up to the counter with an face of confusion holding a single copy of Fifty Shades of Grey proclaiming 'We only have one copy left'.
That's right, my bookshop sold out of Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker, the second book in the series. Which left us with 50-odd copies of the third book, Fifty Shades Freed. After looking on the system, there were 200 copies on order. 200! It was this moment when I was bewilderment at why this book was chosen by the English population to be one of the most fastest-selling books of this side of 2010 that I realised that perhaps my disgust is a bad thing.
No, I have not had a change of heart and want to read this series because, as many customers have told me, it is 'life-changing' (this is normally answered with a smile and nod thinking 'seriously?'). Despite the numerous times I am asked have I read it, would I recommend it, even by my friends, my answer will always be 'Well a lot of people have been buying it...'
However, in some ways I can't hate this phenomenon too much really. A bookshop is starting to fade from existence with the use of Amazon. Borders have disappeared in America. Waterstones have resorted to an alliance with Amazon to sell their Kindles (my thoughts on that are a totally different blog post). The bookshop, believe it or not, is dying sadly with a cheaper alternative of Amazon taking its place. People are tight with their cash these days so no wonder Amazon is always the first look place when looking for 'that book you want to read but don't want to spend too much'. I admit, I use Amazon but if I can, I try not to.
Anyway, this book has mostly done well online; unsurprisingly with the subject matter, I don't think I'd want people to know I was reading it. But as demonstrated at my work, it also has done well in bookshops with the physical form. So perhaps E.L.James is all we needed to keep the bookshop alive right? This is encouraging more and more people to go outside and buy the book in their local bookshop. I understand the opposite argument would be 'But a million hits online?'. True, but the way I see it, people jump on bandwagons. All the time. People want a book that other people have recommended it, more than just one person.
Could it be said that Fifty Shades of Grey is really what was needed to get people back into reading? From this, they discover new books, perhaps related, go to bookshops, buy from publishers and overall, keep the physical book alive instead of the increase the e-book. I know some people read e-books religiously but in reality, it is keeping them reading and, the way I view this, if that means they keep reading, they encourage others to keep reading which helps the publishers, which helps the bookshops - either commercial or independent. I want to work in the publishing industry, a career I am always told will never last by the time I get around to getting a full-time job. So something like this has to be a good thing to keep a centuries old profession alive in times like now, right?
So what am I saying? I'm saying that despite the fact that most of us turn our noses with disgust thinking the most used book of the London commuters is this erotica fiction rather than some light-hearted romance or dense historical novel, despite all that - this book is keeping the idea of a good old book alive. It is keeping it going for the foreseeable future in my opinion. Because although the whole Fifty Shades of Grey thing will end by the time 2013 rolls around, people still have this book on their shelves or their computer reminding them 'Hey, what about some other books, some company on this shelf?'
I will never read this series. But I have lift my hat up to E.L.James for getting the nation, and the world, reading again. Thanks for securing my future.
Write what you think about Fifty Shades of Grey below or tweet me at @rebeccabooks - I really want to know what you guys think.
*this isn't her real name but you know, it's not fair to proclaim her name on the internet - she's so nice.
I'm pretty sure it conjures up a mixture of opinions for people, myself included. I'm also sure it conjures up some amazement for numerous reasons, mostly to the fact it has sold a million copies for the Amazon Kindle alone and that it sold faster than any of the modern greats such as Lord of the Rings, Twilight or Harry Potter. I hear some of you cry, Harry Potter!? Totally true.
My question is: why is this book dubbed 'mummy porn' one of the fastest selling books of the 21st Century so far? And is this a good or bad thing?
I work in a bookshop, as I have said before. I remember a couple of months ago when the book was first released in the UK after the successful run in the US, so around March 2012. I was standing at the counter with my American colleague, Alice*. This middle aged woman with spectacles perched on her nose came to the tills, obviously about to launch into a series of questions for a book she wanted. Her question was: 'I'm looking for that book that's big in the US. 'Fifty' something? Do you know it?'
Funnily enough, I did. I pointed to the counter where a few copies had been placed as, well, we didn't know where else to put them. Picking it up, the lady looked at the blurb before asking us did we know why it was popular, what it was about and so forth. After a small conversation, she bought the book and then continued on her way saying she's heard it was 'life changing' from a friend therefore 'it had to be good'.
Ah, the innocent public then. Intrigued to what it was about, Alice and myself were talking about what we'd heard about it which was, well, not much at this point. After a small bit of Googling, we found it was a 'romance bordering erotica' novel. We were pretty intrigued.
It was this moment we picked up the book on the counter and flicked through it. Alice looked at it first and from the horror on her face, it just said it all. So, that was how I found out about the series named 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. We flicked through for another few minutes before replacing it on the shelf and looking at each other in disgust. When I say, EVERY PAGE, I mean EVERY PAGE has some kind of sexual reference.
For the record, I'm okay with sex in books. I'm 17, for Christ's sake, and sat through many awkward sex education classes with boys looking at the girls in fear with the knowledge they'll have to touch THAT and worse, girls can bear children? Shock! Horror!
However, there are extremes in books where the sex is just, too much. I want some real issues, not just an indepth analysis of the event. I can imagine this is what this book is like. For me, erotica fiction recalls the past memories of finding a massive box of Miles and Boon novels in the Oxfam I used to work in and the small half of a shelf at the end of Fiction in the bookshop I work in which is the 'Erotica' shelf. Needless to say, it's a genre that doesn't do too well.
So why the sudden phenomenon of Fifty Shades of Grey? I think we need to realise what this series started out as. Which is fan-fiction of TWILIGHT of all books. Remember that big thing in 2008 when the first movie came out (I was NOT part of it)? This book started out on a fan-fiction website of Twilight. She was forced to leave for the, ahem, racy nature of her books and started her own website 50shades.com. An Australian publisher caught on to the series and made it into an e-book and then when the popularity increased, Random House bought the rights to publish it as a paperback. And the rest is history. Well, it is after a film company then bought the film rights. So, Fifty Shades, THE MOVIE, anyone?
I have a bias view as I find the book unappealing and slightly disturbing that this is the book that grips the world to buy more than Harry Potter or even the Hunger Games. I can certainly think of better literature to have sold a million copies on Amazon Kindle. I have always thought that, since that day in March when I discovered this series. Even when the first flocks of people came in to buy it, it never clicked this was the next 'big thing'. And even if it was, I was still never going to read it.
It was only until last weekend when I was working that I realised the extend of the popularity for the series. We opened at 11:30 with three shelves full right by the front door to the shop with the three books. At around 12:30 and after a huge rush of customers, my collegue at the time came up to the counter with an face of confusion holding a single copy of Fifty Shades of Grey proclaiming 'We only have one copy left'.
That's right, my bookshop sold out of Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker, the second book in the series. Which left us with 50-odd copies of the third book, Fifty Shades Freed. After looking on the system, there were 200 copies on order. 200! It was this moment when I was bewilderment at why this book was chosen by the English population to be one of the most fastest-selling books of this side of 2010 that I realised that perhaps my disgust is a bad thing.
No, I have not had a change of heart and want to read this series because, as many customers have told me, it is 'life-changing' (this is normally answered with a smile and nod thinking 'seriously?'). Despite the numerous times I am asked have I read it, would I recommend it, even by my friends, my answer will always be 'Well a lot of people have been buying it...'
However, in some ways I can't hate this phenomenon too much really. A bookshop is starting to fade from existence with the use of Amazon. Borders have disappeared in America. Waterstones have resorted to an alliance with Amazon to sell their Kindles (my thoughts on that are a totally different blog post). The bookshop, believe it or not, is dying sadly with a cheaper alternative of Amazon taking its place. People are tight with their cash these days so no wonder Amazon is always the first look place when looking for 'that book you want to read but don't want to spend too much'. I admit, I use Amazon but if I can, I try not to.
Anyway, this book has mostly done well online; unsurprisingly with the subject matter, I don't think I'd want people to know I was reading it. But as demonstrated at my work, it also has done well in bookshops with the physical form. So perhaps E.L.James is all we needed to keep the bookshop alive right? This is encouraging more and more people to go outside and buy the book in their local bookshop. I understand the opposite argument would be 'But a million hits online?'. True, but the way I see it, people jump on bandwagons. All the time. People want a book that other people have recommended it, more than just one person.
Could it be said that Fifty Shades of Grey is really what was needed to get people back into reading? From this, they discover new books, perhaps related, go to bookshops, buy from publishers and overall, keep the physical book alive instead of the increase the e-book. I know some people read e-books religiously but in reality, it is keeping them reading and, the way I view this, if that means they keep reading, they encourage others to keep reading which helps the publishers, which helps the bookshops - either commercial or independent. I want to work in the publishing industry, a career I am always told will never last by the time I get around to getting a full-time job. So something like this has to be a good thing to keep a centuries old profession alive in times like now, right?
So what am I saying? I'm saying that despite the fact that most of us turn our noses with disgust thinking the most used book of the London commuters is this erotica fiction rather than some light-hearted romance or dense historical novel, despite all that - this book is keeping the idea of a good old book alive. It is keeping it going for the foreseeable future in my opinion. Because although the whole Fifty Shades of Grey thing will end by the time 2013 rolls around, people still have this book on their shelves or their computer reminding them 'Hey, what about some other books, some company on this shelf?'
I will never read this series. But I have lift my hat up to E.L.James for getting the nation, and the world, reading again. Thanks for securing my future.
Write what you think about Fifty Shades of Grey below or tweet me at @rebeccabooks - I really want to know what you guys think.
*this isn't her real name but you know, it's not fair to proclaim her name on the internet - she's so nice.
Theodore Boone: The Accused - John Grisham (#3)
**This is the third book in the Theodore Boone series. I would seriously recommend them so perhaps have a look at the first book, Theodore Boone, or the sequel, The Abduction as there may be a few SPOILERS**
For old followers of the blog, you will know I am quite a big fan in the children's series, Theodore Boone by adult crime writer, John Grisham. I love the mystery, the drama and most of all, the main man, Theodore. He is just so cute and lovely - a topic of many of a friend of mine and I's conversations. Especially with her wanting to be a lawyer too.
So, it's unsurprising as I hovered by this book continuously at work, seeing who would buy it and then after, said friend read it in a couple of days and talked how brilliant it was, I felt it was time for me to get it. And I needed to know what happened next...
Synopsis: Theodore Boone is a thirteen year-old kid lawyer whose already helped provide a major suspect in Strattenburg's biggest murder trial and find his missing best friend. This time, it's Theo's turn to be the victim. After Theo is framed and his bike vandalised, he is accused of a burglary at an expensive computer equipment store with him being the only suspect. It looks like Theo's status and future as a lawyer is at threat so he must find the framer before it's too late.
Review: For any big fans of Theodore Boone out there (if not, you should read it immediately), don't expect the Duffy case from Book 1 to be resolved in this book. I did and entered thinking this was it, done and dusted, end of Theodore.
Well, it isn't. The book opens with the trial starting again and Theo proudly being the only one at his middle school to go to the trial. Grisham gives the impression that this is it and after something happens at the trial, you may think you know exactly what the book is going to be about.
Well it's not. I have a feeling that Grisham is purposefully keeping us waiting to hear the result as the book could be read as a stand alone novel, with few references to Book 1 and practically zero to Book 2. This seems like a sidetrack, a mini adventure for Theo while we all wait to the main story to finalise. In short, I thought this was a trilogy - but it doesn't look like it.
I like this series partly because it's such a light-hearted yet entertaining read. There are points where Grisham makes it clear that that part is memorable, even if it seems that it isn't important for the storyline. This is for a much younger audience that a typical Grisham crime novel but through the young Theo, he gives lessons on life and raises issues that are largely absent from books normally aimed at this audience. The world of the internet for teenagers is explored as well as the internet's use in rumours and bullying - more accurately than other teenage fiction books I have read. There is also the issue of privacy and what is hacking. On the surface, this is merely a mystery novel based around a young teenager with a bicycle, however, looking deeper, it does look at all the problems faced today by teenagers.
There are a few things that I felt seemed a little pointless to include but I may be proved wrong in the next book as I have done before. I was also a tad disappointed compared to the previous books but I think this is because it took me a while to get into it due to lots of things happening. The mystery is still there and the anticipation to find out what will happen but I was still not as excited as I thought I would be to start off with.
This is a must for fans of Theodore Boone and should not be missed. I really love Theo, with his mixture of being a proper teenager, his lawyer antics and his innocence - he is a lovely character to read about. I enjoyed this and am incredibly looking forward to the next book, lets see what John Grisham will throw at Theo next.
I give it a 4 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.theodoreboone.com/
Pages: 271
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Challenges: None
Book 1: Theodore Boone
Book 2: Theodore Boon: The Abduction
So, it's unsurprising as I hovered by this book continuously at work, seeing who would buy it and then after, said friend read it in a couple of days and talked how brilliant it was, I felt it was time for me to get it. And I needed to know what happened next...
Synopsis: Theodore Boone is a thirteen year-old kid lawyer whose already helped provide a major suspect in Strattenburg's biggest murder trial and find his missing best friend. This time, it's Theo's turn to be the victim. After Theo is framed and his bike vandalised, he is accused of a burglary at an expensive computer equipment store with him being the only suspect. It looks like Theo's status and future as a lawyer is at threat so he must find the framer before it's too late.
Review: For any big fans of Theodore Boone out there (if not, you should read it immediately), don't expect the Duffy case from Book 1 to be resolved in this book. I did and entered thinking this was it, done and dusted, end of Theodore.
Well, it isn't. The book opens with the trial starting again and Theo proudly being the only one at his middle school to go to the trial. Grisham gives the impression that this is it and after something happens at the trial, you may think you know exactly what the book is going to be about.
Well it's not. I have a feeling that Grisham is purposefully keeping us waiting to hear the result as the book could be read as a stand alone novel, with few references to Book 1 and practically zero to Book 2. This seems like a sidetrack, a mini adventure for Theo while we all wait to the main story to finalise. In short, I thought this was a trilogy - but it doesn't look like it.
I like this series partly because it's such a light-hearted yet entertaining read. There are points where Grisham makes it clear that that part is memorable, even if it seems that it isn't important for the storyline. This is for a much younger audience that a typical Grisham crime novel but through the young Theo, he gives lessons on life and raises issues that are largely absent from books normally aimed at this audience. The world of the internet for teenagers is explored as well as the internet's use in rumours and bullying - more accurately than other teenage fiction books I have read. There is also the issue of privacy and what is hacking. On the surface, this is merely a mystery novel based around a young teenager with a bicycle, however, looking deeper, it does look at all the problems faced today by teenagers.
There are a few things that I felt seemed a little pointless to include but I may be proved wrong in the next book as I have done before. I was also a tad disappointed compared to the previous books but I think this is because it took me a while to get into it due to lots of things happening. The mystery is still there and the anticipation to find out what will happen but I was still not as excited as I thought I would be to start off with.
This is a must for fans of Theodore Boone and should not be missed. I really love Theo, with his mixture of being a proper teenager, his lawyer antics and his innocence - he is a lovely character to read about. I enjoyed this and am incredibly looking forward to the next book, lets see what John Grisham will throw at Theo next.
I give it a 4 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.theodoreboone.com/
Pages: 271
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Challenges: None
Book 1: Theodore Boone
Book 2: Theodore Boon: The Abduction
Thursday, 21 June 2012
I have something to admit.
I have something to admit.
No, I'm not pregnant.
Neither am I moving to a wilderness with no internet access. EVER AGAIN.
And I'm not starting the plagiarism issue again.
But, I AM finding blogging a tad taxing at the moment.
What do you mean?! I hear you cry. I mean, that I'm just not a big blogging mood or mindset at the moment. The idea of writing a review doesn't thrill me any more (even the comments do - love them!). Yes, getting books with the nice excuse that I am a 'book blogger' is still nice, but now I feel I have changed my reading habits completely. UTTERLY.
Before, I would discover new books and authors in the wonderful land of the library. I have 3 in good distances from my house and work so it's not like I have no excuse to visit them. Two of my libraries are also made of amazingness because they actually update the Teen section regularly with newly released books so, as I receivenot many no ARCs or proof copies, this is the only and best vehicle for me to read the books EVERYONE (everyone meaning the blogosphere. If I meant, 'everyone', I would be rushing for 50 Shades of Grey right now...I'm not, for the record) is talking about.
So, with that in mind, when I visit the library, I don't ponder over the older books there at all, unless I have heard good things about them. Like Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. When the new covers were released recently and some started appearing on the blogosphere, it gave me the motivation and want to read it after years of staring at the cover.
The other annoying thing is my life. I am a 17 year-old student entering the last year of college (or high-school) where I will essay-write, stress and take exams like my life depends on it for one whole year. This time next year, I will know what university I will probably be going to. This time next year I will be done with A levels and preparing for degree-level and ultimately, moving away from my childhood home. Scary, and rather stressful stuff.
So where am I getting with this? Well, our lives are uncontrollably busy. No-one can deny that. For those that are thinking of, I have college everyday during the week. I leave the house at 7:45am and enter back in it at 5pm where I have around an hour or two to do any homework before I collapse from exhaustion on the settee after dinner. My weekends? My social life is non-existent and the little part I do have I have to fit around everything else happening. I plan things like going out for dinner with friends, at least two weeks ahead.
An example weekend? This Saturday, I am visiting a university all day which is a 2 hour drive from my house. And then on Sunday, I am working until 5.30pm when I come home again exhausted to start another exhausting week. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I have no problem with this at all. I like being busy and these things I enjoy doing and want to do so I'm not complaining, just illustrating the fullness of my weeks, months on end.
This is why blogging has gone down hill, especially with doing more independent work for the A levels.
I have no motivation to write reviews at the moment because I am thinking of around a million other things I have to do in the next few weeks of college until the summer while massaging my back as I've been lurched over a computer all day. I would suggest a time off period like for the exams but a) I would not stick to it and b) it would just keep extending and extending until I would never appear again.
I want to keep the blog, there is no doubt about it. It has helped me so much and the prospect of having a little more freedom with it once I'm in university is so exciting.
It's just I don't see how blogging is going to fit into my life over the next year. At all. When did it all become so much?
So. I guess this is an apology for the lack of reviews. You'll get them eventually. Maybe.
*trungles off to do Media coursework while eating and watching TV (a skill I assure you)*
No, I'm not pregnant.
Neither am I moving to a wilderness with no internet access. EVER AGAIN.
And I'm not starting the plagiarism issue again.
But, I AM finding blogging a tad taxing at the moment.
What do you mean?! I hear you cry. I mean, that I'm just not a big blogging mood or mindset at the moment. The idea of writing a review doesn't thrill me any more (even the comments do - love them!). Yes, getting books with the nice excuse that I am a 'book blogger' is still nice, but now I feel I have changed my reading habits completely. UTTERLY.
Before, I would discover new books and authors in the wonderful land of the library. I have 3 in good distances from my house and work so it's not like I have no excuse to visit them. Two of my libraries are also made of amazingness because they actually update the Teen section regularly with newly released books so, as I receive
So, with that in mind, when I visit the library, I don't ponder over the older books there at all, unless I have heard good things about them. Like Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. When the new covers were released recently and some started appearing on the blogosphere, it gave me the motivation and want to read it after years of staring at the cover.
The other annoying thing is my life. I am a 17 year-old student entering the last year of college (or high-school) where I will essay-write, stress and take exams like my life depends on it for one whole year. This time next year, I will know what university I will probably be going to. This time next year I will be done with A levels and preparing for degree-level and ultimately, moving away from my childhood home. Scary, and rather stressful stuff.
So where am I getting with this? Well, our lives are uncontrollably busy. No-one can deny that. For those that are thinking of, I have college everyday during the week. I leave the house at 7:45am and enter back in it at 5pm where I have around an hour or two to do any homework before I collapse from exhaustion on the settee after dinner. My weekends? My social life is non-existent and the little part I do have I have to fit around everything else happening. I plan things like going out for dinner with friends, at least two weeks ahead.
An example weekend? This Saturday, I am visiting a university all day which is a 2 hour drive from my house. And then on Sunday, I am working until 5.30pm when I come home again exhausted to start another exhausting week. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I have no problem with this at all. I like being busy and these things I enjoy doing and want to do so I'm not complaining, just illustrating the fullness of my weeks, months on end.
This is why blogging has gone down hill, especially with doing more independent work for the A levels.
I have no motivation to write reviews at the moment because I am thinking of around a million other things I have to do in the next few weeks of college until the summer while massaging my back as I've been lurched over a computer all day. I would suggest a time off period like for the exams but a) I would not stick to it and b) it would just keep extending and extending until I would never appear again.
I want to keep the blog, there is no doubt about it. It has helped me so much and the prospect of having a little more freedom with it once I'm in university is so exciting.
It's just I don't see how blogging is going to fit into my life over the next year. At all. When did it all become so much?
So. I guess this is an apology for the lack of reviews. You'll get them eventually. Maybe.
*trungles off to do Media coursework while eating and watching TV (a skill I assure you)*
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Delirium - Lauren Oliver (#1)
I found this in the library, drawn by the different cover I found to the other versions I had seen. When I realised what the book was, in fact, the ONE I had seen, I had already read the blurb and pulled in. I was already intrigued for positive and negative reasons - it was time to give it a go.
Synopsis: Set in the future, Lena Holloway lives in a world where love is a official disease that everyone suffers from. Scientists have found a cure that take this (and other) feelings away. Lena is 17, close to receiving her cure. When all teenagers turn 18, they receive the cure with their partners selected for them as well as their job and the number of offspring they will have. It is how Lena's world works and she has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. With 95 days to go, Lena does something amazing. She falls in love.
Review: The book is set in the future as one can possible tell. It is not too far into it as there are references that any reader nowadays would understand. It is at least 100 years as Lena states in the first few lines of the book 'It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected the cure'. So as you can tell, the cure is still relatively brand new.
Despite this being set in the future however, there is this underlying feeling, for me anyway, that technology has reversed or at least is less accessible than now or we think technology will be. For starters, Lena's daily chore is washing the dishes by hand. She mentions only the rich can afford computers. And that they pass the time by reading or testing each other for exams or dreaming of their future partners. Needless to say, when you start to read, subtly Oliver has created a world that although largely recognisable, is very different to our own.
The idea of love being a cure is interesting. This was part of the reason for me being turned off before but throughout reading, it was interesting to see how this came about and how they enforced it. Without a doubt, this world is a harsh state where there are curfews for the uncured and patrols to avoid. Lena lives in a safe haven, waiting to be finally cured and then continue with her life. Each city is barriered so no-one can get in. But no-one can get out either without permission. The curfews for the uncured prevent any wrongdoings, which only the uncured would cause. Also, if 'amour deliria nervosa' is shown in young people, they are whisked off to be cured straight away. Easy. The only people who can fight this scheme won't because they have no emotions and the uncured just want to be 18 to be cleansed of this disease. Again, easy for the government to control.
It is clear that Oliver has seriously thought about the world and it comes through. I liked the stereotypical things for teenagers to do being deemed scandalous to do for Lena and her best friend, Hana such as a house party, listening to music. It really put into context the do's and don't's of the world especially for a YA audience.
So the idea was clever and can see it happening in the future if I'm honest. However, at times it did feel a little far-fetched like 'Would people REALLY allow that?'. And that President that declared love a disease and the subsequent presidents must have been really manipulative to have the people ALLOW it. It felt to me that there was a major disaster to spur this thought however this is never said. Just seemed a little weird that they would suddenly one day declare this.
The novel was overall very addictive with the mystery and plot twists that keep you reading. Numerous times the chapter would end on a cliff-hanger and then the next chapter would start with an anecdote until you found out what happened eventually. I did find myself flicking through the next few pages to see what would happen as I was on the edge of my seat. The anecdotes were effective as a lot of Lena's past was revealed through there which helps to fill the reader in.
The romance. As you can tell from the synopsis, there is romance throughout with Lena and...I don't want to say who because I was NOT expecting it when it happened. Yes, it is partly obvious at the beginning but...oh you'll find out! Anyway, on reflection, to me the romance felt very fast and sudden where hate to love goes very quickly. It just seemed quite unrealistic to me. However, the romance is nice - not over the top or understated but the perfect amount and to this heavy and depressing topic, gives a nice positive feeling as well.
The novel has been praised for Lauren Oliver's use of poetic prose. Meh, I'm not always a fan of it while others rave so I'm probably not the most reliable on this term. I thought it started off very well and creative. However, as the book wore on, I found it a bit boring and tedious especially if it was in the middle of a tense scene. I'm just not a fan of it but in this case, I felt it broke this book up well and made it a bit different.
I read this book straight after Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (review) and for me, they are both so alike in the writing, setting and plot. Both Tally and Lena defy authority both knowingly and unknowingly, they find romance and almost conform to that authority. AND THEY BOTH HAVE CLIFFHANGER ENDINGS. I think Uglies plays more on the world and the problems within it when Delirium puts emphasis on the romance and her own personal struggle. So if you have read either of these books, you should like the other.
Overall, despite my critisms, I did certainly enjoy this book and it has hooked me for the rest of the series. Lauren Oliver has created this original novel that for me played homage to the best bits of other dystopian novels such as Matched by Ally Condie (review) and The Declaration by Gemma Malley (review) - it certainly is a dystopian fan's delight.
I can totally see why Lauren Oliver is such an acclaimed writer in the blogosphere and after reading the first chapter of her debut, Before I Fall, she is definitely now on my radar. With so many questions left open at this ending, I am definitely looking for the newly released sequel Pandemonium.
This is one time when the quote 'It's better to have loved and lost rather than to never have loved at all' rings quite true.
I give it a 4 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/
Pages: 393
Publisher: Hodder
Challenges: None
The sequel, Pandemonium is out now in all good bookshops. The third in the trilogy is out next year.
So, while I was reading this on holiday, I listened to the below song and thought the lyrics went really well with this book, especially the chorus. The song is 'The Way You Make Me Feel' by Steps. If you don't know who they are, they were a British 90's band and also one of my favourite childhood bands - and my first concert! They had lots of hits like 'Stomp' and 'Tragedy'. They recently got back together so I'm having a bit of a Steps-fest and re-visiting all the old songs.
Those who have read Delirium, have a listen and let me know if you agree or disagree. Enjoy! (I love the dresses...)
So, while I was reading this on holiday, I listened to the below song and thought the lyrics went really well with this book, especially the chorus. The song is 'The Way You Make Me Feel' by Steps. If you don't know who they are, they were a British 90's band and also one of my favourite childhood bands - and my first concert! They had lots of hits like 'Stomp' and 'Tragedy'. They recently got back together so I'm having a bit of a Steps-fest and re-visiting all the old songs.
Those who have read Delirium, have a listen and let me know if you agree or disagree. Enjoy! (I love the dresses...)
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Calling all UK Maureen Johnson fans!
Do you live in the UK? Do you like Maureen Johnson i.e. the hilarious Twitterer and writer of 13 Little Blue Envelopes (my review here), The Last Little Blue Envelope and The Name of the Star?
Yes? Well, this is for you then.
As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!
Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.
So, this is the low-down:
Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)
What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here: http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/
If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com
If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!
I hope to see you there!
Yes? Well, this is for you then.
As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!
Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.
So, this is the low-down:
Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)
What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here: http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/
If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com
If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!
I hope to see you there!
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