Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Source: Own
Pages: 183
Publisher: Knopf

Synopsis: The night begins when Nick asks Norah to be his five minute girlfriend to avoid his ex, who has just walked in to see his band play with her new guy. After one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure across New York City with the confusion, excitement and anticipation of a first date.

Review: I'm not sure where to start this review for this book. I guess I have too many emotions and thoughts in my head for this book that I can't quite gather them together and put into a logical review process.

Initially, I thought I wasn't going to make it through. The first few chapters aren't the best part of this book but they are truly needed. I found Cohn's writing style quite hard to read, the same thoughts as when I read Levithan and Cohn's Dash and Lily's Book of Dares.
However, I did get into it eventually and loved it. This is a book that brings the beauty of being young, of being in a city and puts that all together into a story and puts in the shadow of most teenager's love for music. The experiences and thoughts of the two leads are very accurate to someone who is 17 now, these are characters that I believed and made me reminisce slightly of when I was 16/17 (although that was only a couple of years ago but still).

Nick and Norah are great characters, with a host of other brilliant characters in the background. I liked Norah's powerful lead as well as laughing at her sarcasm and humour that is incredibly similar to my own. She's had some bad experiences with boys in the past and through this, she become cynical and afraid almost I guess. I also loved Nick, he is a genuine, honest character and I liked to see his reactions of the events they go through.

I get why some people don't like this book. But the reason for that is all down to this book's originality. The voices of Nick and Norah are very individual and at times I got annoyed at Norah's parts as she has an interesting, cynical, sarcastic voice that can be quite hard to read at some points. This book is very different to what I was expecting. I was expecting a love story, sure, but I was expecting it over a long period, not just a night. But I liked that, it made it immediate and quick and although perhaps in some ways unrealistic, I couldn't care less.

This book is modern, current and a true voice for teenagers. It's not a serious book by far, but I loved that. It's quirky, original and something I will remember for a long time afterwards. NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST is a book that is about young people and for young people and has some of the most individual characters I have read about in a while. This isn't the best book I've ever read but I still really enjoyed it and hopefully watch the movie (on Netflix) very, very soon.

I give it a 4 out of 5


Related Reviews:
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
The Lover's Dictionary - David Levithan
Love Is The Higher Law - David Levithan

Bookshelf at University

One of the big changes at university was the size of my bedroom and the amount of space available to cram all my possessions within it. At home, I have a reasonably size room, including three bookcases dotted around my room. However, with the limited space at university, I knew I wouldn't (although wanted to) be able to take all my books with me.
My halls are one of the smaller ones in Bournemouth but the rooms are still quite big and I've kind of learnt that in any room, if you're clever with the space you have, you can fit quite a lot in (thank god for space under the bed).

My room

My decisions in the books I have at university started by choosing my favourite books. I thought this would be a good way to perhaps start a conversation with one of my flatmates when I first moved in six months ago. I literally had these illusions of strategically placing books around my room and the flat to try and strike a conversation with my flatmates about books. Thankfully and probably for the best, I didn't need to do this - all my flatmates read outside of university work and as one of them said the other day, they ask me for reading recommendations (I've already got one of them into the Divergent series).
I, then, included some of the books I really wanted to read. Now, however, I still have those book I love although my room has kind of become infested with books I really want to read/look pretty/classics I love.

I have two shelves which hold my DVD's and documents on one and then LOTS of books on the other.

This shelf consists of mostly books that are in series and need to be read and the classics I have with me at university as well as my photo album. My ornaments all mean something to me (I really like cats, okay...) so it's nice to have them on the lower shelf where I can see them from my bed. 

The overflow from this shelf have fled to the shelf above my bed which normally holds chocolate, biscuits and my mugs. 

Apart from David Levithan's books at the end, The Fault in Our Stars and Rebecca, these are all to-read's. Yes...I have a lot of books to read currently. You can see a business card for The Crooked Book, which is an independent second-hand bookshop/vintage shop/coffee shop about half an hour from me in Boscombe. IT IS AMAZING. I've only been there once when some friends from home visited, but it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the Bournemouth area and want to do something different from wandering in the shops or by the beach. 

I would love to have massive bookcases in my room but alas, there is little room for those. Although next year, I'm hoping to bring one of my bookcases down to the house we're moving into so more books!

Blog Tour: Author Interview with Joanna Nadin

Today I have something a little different and incredibly exciting happening on Rebecca-Books as I am hosting Joanna Nadin as part of her blog tour for her new (and last in the series) book in the Rachel Riley series! I remember reading some of her books a couple of years ago and they were brilliant, she completely understands young people and I loved that. This book follows Rachel as she prepares to go to university, I'm so looking forward to reading this as I only went to university six months ago. 

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and hand you over to Joanna Nadin herself to answer some of my questions about her book and an end of an era...

Release Day: 6th March 

Publisher: Oxford University Press

1. Hi Joanna! Welcome to Rebecca-Books, it's brilliant to have you here to answer some questions. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your new novel? 

Well, I write books, mostly. And speeches, sometimes. I used to work for the Prime Minister, which, like, I KNOW. I so did NOT fit in on the corridors of power. In fact I once danced down the corridors of power (to Bat Out of Hell, it's a long story) and got caught by a Cabinet Minister. Not my proudest moment. Which is exactly the kind of thing Rachel Riley does. Though not in this novel as she's only seventeen and also she's currently banned from the Houses of Parliament over an incident on a school trip involving her best friend Scarlet and an illegal camera. Plus Scarlet's the one who wants to go into politics. Rachel is going to be an actress and live in a squat in Camden with a tormented poet or musician. If she gets into uni to do drama. And passes her A Levels. And does NOT get distracted by new boy Wilde and his giant sunglasses and leopard-print everything. 

2. This is the last book in The Rachel Riley Diaries series. How did you come up with the idea for the series originally? 

I started off trying to write something more serious i.e. an "issues" book, about broken homes or abuse or general tragedy. Only the thing is I didn't grow up in a broken home and abuse generally consisted of being forced to eat brown bread instead of white and tragedy was not being allowed to watch Coronation Street because it was both Northern and "common"; a double whammy of crimes in my mother's eyes. Which is when I realised maybe there was some comedy to had in the kind of wishing for a tragic life that I indulged in. So Rachel is, in fact, me. Her friends are my old friends. Her family is startlingly similar to mine (I never even got round to changing my brother James's name). Her appalling luck with boys is fairly similar to mine. Though at least she didn't snog anyone who kept pigs. Though she does, at one point, snog someone who has a habit of getting his thing out in class because she thinks he might be a genius underneath the idiocy. He isn't. 

3. What are the best and worst parts of writing for you personally? 

There really aren't that many bad bits. I mean, I get to spend the day footling around inside the head of a teenager, thinking about what I'm going to name my fictitious band, and wondering if Jack will actually snog me down the Duke on Saturday night. Working on your own can get slightly cabin feverish. But that's what Facebook is for. That's like hanging out in the school common room. Only without the saggy sofa with the Yazoo stain or the quarantined microwave or Fat Kylie trying spray tan a Goth. 

4. What advice would you give to aspiring young writers or those wanting to get into the publishing industry? 

Just write. Like playing violin, it's something you will only get good at by practising. So write every day. Even if it's a diary or a blog. In fact definitely keep a diary – it may come in handy one day for a teen novel. 

5. What is the best book you've read? 

That changes on an almost daily basis, along with my Desert Island Discs and who I thank in my Oscars speech (so going to happen one day). At the moment I'm on The Great Gatsby as I'm studying it again for my doctorate. But I'm also going to say Adrian Mole, as without him, there would be no Rachel. Those books gave me hope as a teenager – that I wasn't the only gawky, nerdy, unlucky-in-love thirteen-year-old out there. Which is what I hope Rachel does a tiny bit today. 

6. Are there any plans for your next novel? 

I write a lot of books. Some funny. Some serious. And I'm definitely in a serious phase now. So I have a YA thriller called Eden out later this year - set in drama school in 1988. Then a funny/sad/scary middle–grade book set in a tower block in Peckham out next year. And I'm just starting work on a YA high school novel about changing your identity. Kind of like Mean Girls crossed with The Great Gatsby crossed with Election. That could so work, right?

(Yes a Mean Girls/The Great Gatsby/Election high school novel can DEFINITELY WORK. I'm already excited for this!)

Follow Joanna on: Website | Facebook | Blog | Twitter

This is the first post in a five day blog tour stopping at some of my favourite blogs. Check them out every day this week!

6th March - Bookbabblers

7th March - Amy Bookworm

10th March - Book Angel Booktopia

11th March - What Danielle Did Next

12th March - Fabulous Book Fiend

Mini Reviews: The Hit, Stay Where You Are & Then Leave, Debutantes In Love

This is kind of a catch up of reviews from some of the brilliant books I read during my blogging break at the end of last year. Let me know if you've read any of these and what did you think yourself!

The Hit by Melvin Burgess

I've never read much of Melvin Burgess' books before although I have heard some good things about Junk. I was a bit unsure myself about reading The Hit. The blurb and idea of the novel sounds interesting, something I was intrigued to read yet it seemed like the kind of gritty, urban genre  novel that I just don't enjoy. However, when I saw this in my local library, I thought it was time to give it a go.

Synopsis: A new drug is out named 'Death'. Everyone is talking about it, many are taking it. It gives you the best feeling, the ultimate high. At the ultimate price. Because you have one week. One week of feeling on the top of the world and then you die.
Adam is tempted. His girlfriend, Lizzie, is on the verge of dumping him, his brother has gone. He thinks he has nothing to lose...but Lizzie shows him otherwise.

Review: One of the things I liked about this book was the gritty, harsh portrayal of England that is so refreshing to see in books that is so rarely seen. It is in interesting concept and something in the rapid evolution of drugs in recent years, that you can imagine happening potentially. This is made realistic as the events of the novel are set in a shadow of revolution and change for the future that are beyond Adam and Lizzie's control. Even though the concept is one is liked for the contemporary feel, at times the action and events within the story seemed far from the realism I was expecting, particularly latterly in the novel making this a book that was ultimately quite hard to read at times. I really disliked Adam and Lizzie and their portrayal was far too stereotypical of how people perceive teenagers. The choices they make are stupid and although in some ways, this may be the point of the book, it just didn't make this book enjoyable at times. However, saying these negatives, I have to admit that I did have that urgency throughout reading to find out what happens in the conclusion for Adam and Lizzie and the ending was a good one. This is an interesting, original book that covers a lot of contemporary and controversial issues in today's society, however, in my opinion it could have been done better.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Stay Where You Are & Then Leave by John Boyne

Synopsis: It's four years since Alfie's dad promised he wouldn't fight in the war, and then the following day broke that promise. Alfie has no idea where his father is, making him think he's on a secret mission.
This is until Alfie is shining shoes one morning at King's Cross for a military doctor when he sees his father's name in some dropped papers. Alfie is determined to rescue his father and bring him home finally.

Review: This was one of the last books I read while I was at Waterstones as a proof and wow, it was worth it!
I opened to the first page expecting another version of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas yet set in the shadow of the First World War, something that would make me cry. Yet I was pleasantly surprised! While there is the child narration that characterises Boyne's most famous work, there is an element of mystery and adventure that runs throughout as Alfie tries to find his father.
There is something so powerful about Boyne's writing as he illustrates a world that is vastly different from now. The narration seems so innocent and simple, yet he makes you read between the lines in a way that is incredibly hard to do in some books aimed at children.
A lot of books set in this period normally go two ways: either they are set trenches and show the harsh reality for the soldiers fighting for their country, or they romantise the First World War a little showing those left at home. This book does neither and show a stark portrayal through the eyes of an intelligent, scared young boy and illustrate the true life of those left behind by the soldiers at war. This is a book that leaves you with all this hope and warmth, surprising for a book set in the shadow of war. Yet, there is the shadow of the Second World War looming that Boyne eludes do where, with a quick calculation, many readers will know Alfie will be in his late 20's by then and probably fighting. This is a brilliant book, and I really, really hope that this gets the attention that is deserves.

I give it a 5 out of 5

Debutantes in Love by Cora Harrison

Synopsis: It's 1924 and Poppy and Daisy Derrington leave for London to start their season as debutantes. As they cannot inherit their father's estate, they need to marry for wealth otherwise they will be left penniless. However, money and marriage is not their primary focus when they arrive in London but rather the cinema, music, jazz, parties and gossip that surrounds them while they are there. Trapped in the traditions of their class, the two girls must decide between duty to their family or the flapper lifestyle of the 1920's.

Review: I was a fan of Cora Harrison's Jane Austen series and loved the first book in the Debutantes series. Historical fiction is a favourite of mine, be it serious or not and it's hard to come by historical fiction that doesn't make me want to vomit with details of gore or that is just plainly well written.
As I read in one Goodreads review, Harrison has a knack of taking a book that looks like a fun read full to the brim of historical detail and yes, you do get that. But you also get adventure and chaos mixed with some hilarious moments, and dashes of culture of the time that create a well rounded and constructed book. I loved all those different elements of this book!
This isn't the best historical fiction book I've ever read but it's a lovely, fun read for a lazy afternoon or on holiday when you do not want something too serious! Harrison shows time and time again how brilliant her writing is and I hope there are more books of hers to come in the future.

 I give it a 4 out of 5



Related Reviews:
Debutantes - Cora Harrison
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend - Cora Harrison
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

On My Bookshelf (44)

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

In the last few weeks it's been incredibly hectic with many, many assignments, going home, my birthday and then more work...a lot has been going on! So here are some of the books I have acquired over the last few weeks (since November which was the last time I did one of these...).

Gifted:

My parents and friends pretty much know that books are a safe bet when buying presents for me. I received A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed from my parents and friend, Emma. She said that the latter book is so inspirational and so brilliant, she wanted to share it with me.

I asked and got for my birthday Dissolution by C.J.Sansom, Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan and Cress by Marissa Meyer. Dissolution is particularly special as I was recommended repeatedly by an elderly gentleman that always used to come in at the Waterstones bookstore I used to work at. Looking forward to all of these!

Bought:

I bought Every day by David Levithan because well, I think he is a genius and well, I had a discount. I felt like I HAD to buy Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell when I saw all the raving reviews on the blogosphere from some of my favourite bloggers and as I loved Eleanor and Park also by this author. It sounds amazing!

Related Reviews:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

What did you get this week? Have you read any of these books?

More Than This - Patrick Ness

Source: Borrowed Proof
Pages: 480
Publisher: Walker

There have been times in the last few crazy months where I've been very low about the blogging part of my life. I felt that I'd built this book orientated world around me, working at Waterstones, my A levels and my blog yet it felt like that didn't matter.
However, the day when I was handed this book into my hands to read, that day it made me realise how much I love what I do and how much I love books.
On that day, I was at work and met my friend who had just lost her job at the independent Lion and Unicorn Bookshop, that has recently been shut down. It was a sad time to meet her. This was a place where she had grown up, done work experience at and then had her first job there all while I was over the road at the big chain Waterstones store. She's told me that we're not the reason they've closed although we certainly didn't help but I still feel bad about it all. Anyway, this was the last proof she had received there and they allowed for her to keep it.
The thing about Patrick Ness is that his books have that habit of bringing people together. It was actually this friend that told me to read his Chaos Walking series all those years ago when I'd just become friends with her. I read the first page of The Knife of Never Letting Go, looked at my friend with an expression that read 'Really?' until she assured me I should carry on. And I did. And I realised HOW good his books were. How much I loved reading in general and most of all, that I finally had friends that appreciated reading at the same level I did. It was brilliant. So when my friend handed me this book, it brought together all that.

Synopsis: In one shocking yet chaotic moment, Seth drowns. He is dead. Yet in the confusing moments afterwards, he wakes up in the village he grew up in. Yet the village is now deserted. Houses abandoned, electricity vanished and no traces of people who disappeared a long time before Seth arrives. This is a type of hell, Seth is sure. Until he meets two other young people - Regine and Tomasz - who help try to come to terms with the events that have let them to this moment and discover the mystery behind this abandoned world they now live within.

Review: There are two definite things I love about Patrick Ness.
1) As many, I LOVE his writing, his fluid writing that really puts you in the moment with Seth; the mix of the present and past woven together through the narrative mixed with the different styles of language from the three protagonists that give that distinctive originality of character - there aren't many writers that have the power to that all, and all done incredibly well too.
2) One of the reasons I really love Patrick Ness' writing and himself as a person is his understanding. It's so clear that he understands teenagers and young people and many people will agree with me in saying that there needs to be more people like that around. I've known about Ness' books since I was about 14 and throughout that difficult period of adolescence, it's remarkable how much I can say his books teach you in becoming your own person. Patrick Ness truly made me find friends, the same two people who are my best friends even now, and helped me realise that loving to read wasn't all that bad and that I shouldn't hide it. Anyway, basically, Patrick Ness gets young people. And there are so many party poppers I want to let loose at that statement.

MORE THAN THIS is quite something. There are plenty of issues within this book - sexuality, suicide, depression - which I'm sure some single-minded adult will pick it out as 'reasons why teenagers shouldn't read' or whatever but that is exactly why I liked this book. It's hard to define a genre really for MORE THAN THIS with it being clearly contemporary yet also dabbling in science fiction and mystery to create a novel that is utterly compelling and becomes quite an addictive read. I'll say it now that this book is LONG and for me the first part when Seth is alone, it dragged on a little bit for me. Although soon the narrative starts up and I got kind of hooked on the plot, desperately wanting to know what would happen next.

This book is a lot of things. It means a lot to me for different reasons than others. But apart from that, this is a book that deserves to be tried by everybody, regardless of your normal tastes, walks of life - whatever. This is a book that just needs to be read and shared and read again and shown the love it deserves.

I give it a 5 out of 5


Related Reviews: 
The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness
The New World - Patrick Ness (short story)

Happy 4th Anniversary!

This is something I never thought I would be saying four years ago when I created this blog, so it's incredibly surreal to be celebrating my fourth anniversary. If I think back to this time four years ago, I was going through quite a difficult time, in Year 10 barely 15 years old feeling incredibly isolated by those around me because of my love for books.
Now?
Currently, I sit in my university halls bedroom with my flatmates watching Top Gear in the next room who in merely a few months have become my closest friends. I sit surrounded by books on every available surface in my room. I am at university studying a course which without my love for books, my dedication to my blog and without choosing Media Studies at A level, I would never have gotten in this position probably. It's weird thinking of how much has changed in the last four years both personally and on my blog.

This blog has seen many ups and downs and I know that in the long run, I probably will not be able to sustain it. But I hope I'm showing how much I am trying to make it work, but it's hard. It's hard to find time to read nowadays in our busy, busy lives let alone blog. This blog has seen me through GCSE's, A levels and now, a university degree. Probably if I had more time, I would have a more substantial blog with more followers, more dynamic posts and more of better posts. But I'm happy as it is. And the blogging world and my blog itself has opened up a number of opportunities that would have not have been discovered otherwise.

I want to thank all the people who have helped and supported me throughout the four years I have been rattling on, on here - both those I have never met and those who are continually in my life day by day.
The blogging community is continually under threat and the representation of bloggers have both become more normal in society now as well as deteriorated it in some ways. However, the book blogging community continues to be absolutely amazing and there are some really lovely people around the world that come together to discuss and fangirl and chat and scream and express anything and everything about books. Without any of you, I would never have let my love for books become external and without you, I would not be where I am now. You've taught me a lot.

You guys know who you are, but I specifically want to thank Lucy (Queen of Contemporary), Zoe (Bookhi), Clover (Fluttering Butterflies), Emma (Never Judge A Book By Its Cover), all of whom I have known for a long time and are continually wonderful people I have had the chance to come across. 

I wanted to do something to celebrate and that is happening. I have a few things up my sleeve! But that will happen in a few weeks when I have a bit more time to plan, I think I owe you all a little celebration.

Thank you all once again and let's look forward to the fifth year of Rebecca-Books!

Champion - Marie Lu (#3)

*There may be spoilers in this review for those that have not read the first two in the series, Legend (review) and Prodigy (review)*

Source: Own Book
Pages: 369
Publisher: Penguin
Series: #3 in the Legend series
Challenges: None

I am a massive fan of Marie Lu and her amazing Legend series. Her books are entirely unappreciated for how good they are. So much so that when a customer at work asked for Legend specifically, I got a little bit excited, raced over the section to get him the book and told him how brilliant it was on the way. I think my reaction scared him a little bit.
Anyway, I have been waiting and waiting for the third and final book in the series since THAT ending in Prodigy, I literally had no clue what would take place in the next book. So I was pretty excited for this one to say the least!

Synopsis: June and Day have given up so much for helping the Republic and now the country is on the brink of evolving into something good. June is now in a elite government position as one of the Princeps-Elect while Day is in a high military position. However, just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak threatens the Colonies and war seems to be inevitable. This plague is powerful and deadlier than ever and it is up to June and Day once again to try and save their country.

Review: This series, and this book alone, have done things that many other series have not succeeded in. The first book was like your typical dystopian - horrible divided America, divided poor and rich sectors, two people meet and fall in love and work together to make things better blah-blah-blah (for the record I love dystopia so the whole sameness thing doesn't bother me too much). However, I liked the fact it was military based, that there was an equal share of June and Day - not one dominating in the narration. I loved how political this series is - I just really enjoyed and loved this series. The second book blew the first out of the water, it was just so good. In all honesty, I don't think anything could match up to that second book. But the third book made a pretty good stab at it.

This book takes the reader in a number of different directions, making you try and predict the ending without having much success until the ending finally hits. As by all Marie Lu's books, I was constantly kept on my toes and for a book that I took me a while to read with lots of university work mingling into my reading time, that really helped to make me absorbed into the action when I did return to this book.
There is just something so BRILLIANT about this book, something I can't put my finger on. I think it is the plot and the premise, but mostly I have to credit Marie Lu's way of writing, which is incredible. This series of books are quite short, particularly as I reflect now on what happens within them. Yet she does this marvellous thing where we have all this intense action, chaos and emotion and then it all slows down, quieten down for a moment when there are scenes of intense emotion or sadness or love. It's something I admire quite a lot, her ability to pace a book - such as an action packed dystopia - like that.

Readers are returned to the ups and downs of the amazing characters of June and Day in the beautifully handled duel narrative. Normally, I prefer one or the other when there are two protagonists, but I can't help but loving both of these characters (although I see a lot of myself in June). The addition of Auden and Eden was great too and I loved both of these characters. It was nice to finally have them in the spotlight of the narrative as they've both been in the background for the series. There is a bit of love triangle lingering in the background of the narrative, which normally I would roll my eyes at...but somehow it works. Not entirely sure how, but it just does.

I cannot finish this review without talking about the ending. Oh my. Lu's endings are brutal for the frequent use of cliff hangers, adding to my love-hate relationship with them. I know many don't particularly like the ending to this book and the series, but I think it's perfect, particularly for the relationship of June and Day. It's ambiguous, almost annoyingly so. But there are many hints for the reader to make up their own mind of the overall solution. In my mind, I have a pretty good idea of what happens after the pages end, my own piece of imagination, my own interpretation. I love books like that.

This review doesn't really justify the beauty of this book. It was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and a great end to one of the best series I have encountered. This series is so unappreciated and I wish I could get lots more people reading this series and giving it the recognition it deserves. CHAMPION had the perfect ending in my opinion, as well as a decent beginning and middle! It's sad to say goodbye to the Republic, to June and Day. But at least Lu has done it in a way that shows the best parts of this series.

I give it a 5 out of 5

Other Books by this author:
Legend (#1)
Prodigy (#2)

Welcome to a new 'Rebecca-Books'...

Hello, I am back from the deep clutches of university essays, academic journals and copious amounts of coffee. It's been a bit tough but it's all over now and I want to focus more on the things I was doing before I went to university, like my blog.

I suddenly came to the realisation that I'm going to be entering my last year of adolescence on 6th February, when I turn 19. Which is both really great and really scary. I started this blog when I turned 15, so yep, you do the maths. This blog is 4 years old on 17th February! 
I'm kind of both surprising and incredibly proud that I was able to keep this blog running on and off for the last four years. It's been difficult as I've had to juggle GCSE's, A levels and university amongst blogging, but I'm still here and active.

To celebrate my four years of blogging, I am going to re-invent this blog because let's face the facts, it certainly needs it. And that's when I need your help! Please tell me your thoughts about the blog in the comments below, I have a thick skin so please be honest (although not rude or mean). I want to really improve this blog particularly for those that have followed for a long time and for those bloggers that are my friends (you know who you are).
As you can see, I'm changed my design thanks to the help of my friend Cecilia, who drew the picture (she's amazing at art and graphics) and my flatmate, Matt, who put the header together on Photoshop and generally told me bluntly that he thought of my old design.

I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing specifically for my blogoversary (any suggestions would be appreciated!) but it'll probably be a week of me bombarding you with posts about books and blogging. I may need some help from anyone that would like to guest post, so please let me know if you want to get involved. 
I know for sure that I'm going to do a giveaway...YES FINALLY A GIVEAWAY ON REBECCA-BOOKS. It's taken me 4 years to work up to that...


Anyway, basically I'm back and I have a review, a personal post and a new 'On My Bookshelf' coming up in the next week or so, in between birthday things. It's good to be back!

Realisations

The whirlwind of the last couple of months has just caught up on me and the realisation that a) it's 2014, b) I'm 19 years-old in FIVE WEEKS and c) When did I start completely neglecting my blog? dawned on me.
Normally, I do a variety of 'Yay end of the year, end of my Goodreads reading challenge I haven't completed, yay!' posts. However, sometimes life just needs to get in the way for a bit and we all have to live with that.

It sort of dawned on me the other day how quickly the year has gone and mostly, how much I (and everything within my life) has changed. This time last year I was stressed over Media coursework, English coursework and probably being slowly converted into a walking-talking history book on Tudor History. The time I had this realisation was when I was sitting in my local Wagamamma's. This is the place which I went to with my best friend the day before I left for university, it's the place I celebrated both GCSE and A level results in and the place I went to celebrate getting my first paid job at Waterstones with my parents. However, this time, I was sitting in Wagamamma's with one of flatmates from Bournemouth who I met 3 months ago, buying him lunch and talking about different aspects of my hometown. It's just weird how life can be at times considering innocent, stressed little me in January 2013.
So much happened in 2013 - I applied to university, did my A levels, got into university, moved away from home, worked, stressed, met some lovely people. It's weird to think back to it all.


I want 2014 to be different for this blog. The posts have slowly diminished in the last few years and in all honesty, I have less and less enthusiasm, ideas and time month on month to do anything that can qualify as blogging. I read still, but it takes me ages to finish a book.
I really, really, REALLY still want to blog and be in the book blogging community, it's just very tough at the moment to do that with very little feedback or reward.

In February, this blog will be FOUR YEARS OLD. And I want that to be a time of celebration but also for a fresh start for this blog. I won't be around much in January, I really won't, with exams and coursework pressing upon me.
But February. I promise February. I'm planning many interesting and new things for this blog (hint: makeover) so please, please bear with me. I know I keep saying this, but I mean it. Let me get my life sorted out, and then I'll give this blog the love and attention it needs and deserves.

Until next time guys.