Books I Wish Had A Sequel

This week I'm really working hard on bringing you guys a post each day of the week except the weekend. So that is five brand new content of work from me, all different and all relating to our favourite things in the world; books. So todays topic is books I would love a sequel to. Now all three books are standalones, however, I do sometimes feel that while the ending is nice there is still so much more I want from these books, or another POV I'd like to see. Now my list does only consist of three books but all the books on this list are some of my all time favourites.

I WAS HERE BY GAYLE FORMAN

In 'I Was Here' we know that Megan has committed suicide, we know she's battled with depression which may seem unusual as to why I'd love a story from her POV. Set before her ending in life and after she starts at her new school. I want to see what really factored into her suicide and what her final thoughts were. And while that may seem personal I really feel like there's a lesson to be learned from it.


ELEANOR AND PARK BY RAINBOW ROWELL

We've all mentioned how we'd love a sequel to this story, because the truth is Eleanor and Parks story is not over. Even Rainbow mentioned that herself when I went to a book signing of hers back in 2014 and she mentioned that Eleanor and Park always felt like a duology but the two combining books being set years apart. And it totally makes sense. Do Eleanor and Park finally reconnect? Are they happy with other people? This is the important stuff I want - and need - to know.


THE HATE U GIVE BY ANGIE THOMAS

THUG is one of my favourite books of this year and I know Angie has announced that there will be another book set in the same world, which I'm so excited about because Angie just delivers on a raw, fresh narrative that we don't see often in YA. Now for myself I'd really love to see a story about DeVante and how he copes with leaving the gang and what happens in the gang world, because normally their motto is "Once your in you can never leave". I also want to see what happens with his future as I believe he has some great things ahead of him.



So those are a few of the books I'd love to see a sequel to.
What books do you wish could have a sequel?
Let me know in the comments.

Books That Deal With Mental Illness

Back when I originally started to write this I was feeling very down. I was feeling more and more depressed over a sort period of time and I was having suicidal thoughts. I was struggling with life. My parents were noticing a change but I would just ignore it all and hope it'd go away with time. I was speaking to a friend online who made me see sense and  instead I raised the issues and decided to work on them. I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm happy as I could be, working hard to earn money to save for possibly going to University next year in 2017.

So with the feelings I had at the time, I wanted to visit some of the books that gave me a more positive view on mental health. So that's why I want to recommend some books to you guys. And in case any of you guys are having any negative thoughts, please tell someone. A friend, a family member or you can even speak to online forums: a place where I made so many amazing friends.

Now all of these books are amazing and I highly recommend them but I'm going to put these in order of how they affected me. Both personally and emotionally....



WHERE SHE WENT BY GAYLE FORMAN (IF I STAY #2)

A lot of people who's seen the 'If I Stay' movie don't know that there's actually a sequel in book form. 'If I Stay' is a good book and the movie is just as book, but 'Where She Went' really did something to be. I never connected to Adam in 'If I Stay' but him having grown up by 3 years and sadly dealing with depression in 'Where She Went' made me connect to him so much. I felt his emotions and I understood him completely, it's one of those novels that stay with you for a long time. And to this date I'm still very much in love with it. So much so that I have a necklace with a quote from the novel inside.

"You were trying so hard to be my saviour that you left me all alone."

 

 

I WAS HERE BY GAYLE FORMAN

 

Another Gayle Forman book that absolutely left me a sobbing wreck. This book is a YA Standalone that doesn't just deal with depression but also suicide and while the main character has nothing to do with those mental illness the importance of those factors isn't taken away from the novel. Gayle Forman did her research and wrote a book that everyone could connect to. The last page of 'I Was Here' isn't just a memorial but it's also a celebration of those who have lost their lives to suicide. We don't always get to have out voices but it doesn't mean that it's the end of us. Beautifully written with so much emotion and drama.

 

"I was here."

 

 

 

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER BY MICHELLE HODKIN

 

It's unusual to have a YA Paranormal Romance series on this list but this is one of my favourite series because of how well Michelle Hodkin splits them both up but makes them the same. The series follows an incredibly insane narrator, she's someone you

can't trust. While the book has supernatural things going on, it also stays realistic in the mental health side. It's beautifully romantic but a complete and utter mind fuck. That's what keeps you going with this series.

 

"Thinking something does not make it true. Wanting something does not make it real."

 

 

 

PUSHING THE LIMITS BY KATIE MCGARRY

 

'Pushing the Limits' deals with a lot of different mental illnesses but the main one it deals with is grief. Our main character, Echo is still trying to get over her older brother's death. The one person who she knew she could trust on. However, it also dealt with other issues that were very well written and researched. Its one of the things I love about Katie McGarry, she does physical research into her stories. She goes that extra mile. 'Pushing the Limits' is emotional and brave. It's beautiful and realistic. It's a book that everyone can relate to.

 

“I've already lost a piece of my mind. I can't trust you with what's left.” 

 

 

 

AM I NORMAL YET? BY HOLLY BOURNE

 

I, myself didn't rate this book highly but it wasn't due to it being badly written or the parts dealing with mental illness were not realistic. I had other reasons. But Am I Normal Yet? is possibly one of the best book to read about Anxiety. The way Holly depicts the feelings is so realistic. You feel exactly what the character is feeling and it was nice being able to find a story that I related to so well. The book follows a college student called Evie who's just trying to live a normal life, making friends and dating boys. But the issue is, Evie has anxiety and also suffers with OCD.

 

“Everyone's on the cliff edge of normal. Everyone finds life an utter nightmare sometimes, and there's no 'normal' way of dealing with it... There is no normal, Evelyn.”  

 

 

 

 

What books would you recommend that deal with mental illness?

Let me know in the comments!

Debut Novels | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday was created by GingerReadsLainey

 

 

 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

 

I honestly think that Cassandra Clare is a genius, she can do no wrong for me. City of Bones is her introduction to the incredible Mortal Instruments and I think it's one of her best books. I'd have never gotten into reading if it wasn't for this book. THANK YOU CASSANDRA!

 

 

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

 

I love Katie McGarry, but Pushing the Limits is easily my favourite book by her, and it was her debut novel. It's beautifully written, with a deep meaning. I was compelled by it.

 

 

Slated by Teri Terry

 

Slated is mind-blowingly good. It's intense, fast paced and filled with action. I honestly thought that Teri Terry had written and published a few books before this, but she hadn't. I'm still mind blown over this series.

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

 

I think everyone has read Gayle Forman's first book, If I Stay. It was made into an incredibly stunning movie, but the book is just as good. It's a slow read, but still very haunting. It's glued to the back of my eyelids.

 

 

 

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

 

This is a 2015 Debut, and I can easily say it's a great read. The premise is new, fresh in the YA genre and I know it's going to break a lot of hearts. Just stunning!

 

 

 

What are some of your favourite debut books?

Let me know in the comments.

 

5 Books to Read this Spring

Reading styles change. And so does the seasons, so I thought I'd recommend 5 books that I think would be perfect reading for Spring.

Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen

This book follows Auden, who wants to escape her boring life for the summer. She stays with her father and her new step-mother (Who are expecting a baby). There, at this seaside town, she makes new friends and finds love with a mysterious guy with a harbouring secret. I completely fell in love with this book. It was a cute, fluffy read that left me wanting more.

Angelfall by Susan EE

Angelfall is a YA post-apocalyptic novel that follows Penryn. Her disabled sister has been kidnapped by a group of Angels and her schizophrenic mother has gone off somewhere. All alone and needing to find her sister, she uses Raffe, a fallen angel who's injured to find where they're keeping her. But trust me, this book isn't what you think it is. It's dark, creepy and intense with a kick-ass protagonist!

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

I don't know what it is about Spring that makes me want to travel and visit the beaches, I just do. But Just One Day is literally perfect! We visit England, Paris, Boston and Amsterdam -  which are all amazingly described - and we have an earth shattering romance to compete with August and Hazel (without the cancer and death). I seriously couldn't put Just One Day down.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

No one really want to read about school when it's sunny and warm, but Fangirl is a hilarious novel with Boy x Boy Fan Fiction. It follows Cath who's starting college with her twin sister, Wren. However, Wren wants to move on, be her own person, while Cath doesn't want anything to change. And then she meets her roommate and her best friend, Levi. And so starts their slightly awkward relationship.

Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

Fire and Flood is probably one of the most unusual books I've read in a while. It's basically The Hunger Games meets Pokémon. The book focuses on Tella who's older brother has Cancer. She then gets the chance to enter the Brimstone Bleed: A 4 terrain competition. The winner receives the cure to any disease. I literally loved it. And the romantic interest is so......charming.


Have you read any of these books?
Let me know in the comments.

Review: My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Author: A Bunch of Various Authors
Genre: Christmas / Romance
Publisher: MacMillan's Children
Published: October 9th 2014
Page Number: 359

Rating: 3.75/5

 

Summary:

 

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays.

 

 

 

 

Review:

 

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell - 5/5

 

I absolutely loved this short story by Rainbow Rowell which follows a girl called Mags over the period of 3 New Years parties. Each year is different and the ending is super cute. Rainbow Rowell really captured my attention and wrote great, flawed characters.

 

“You’re a kaleidoscope. You change every time I look away.”

 

 

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link - 1/5

I just did not like this short story at all. The beginning was a little all over the place and the writing didn't do anything for me. Maybe having Rainbow Rowell start the collection was a really bad idea.


Angels in the Snow by Matt De La Pena - 5/5

I absolutely adored this short story. It was great with it following a guy named Shy because men do have slightly different thoughts to women. I also loved how it wasn't exactly a happy-ish ending. It was a mutual ending that fitted the story very well.

“The feeling it gave me was an odd combination of weightless self-pity and excitement. I understood my life was meaningless, and this knowledge freed me up to accomplish absolutely anything.”  


Polaris is where you'll find me by Jenny Han - 4/5

I was so surprised that I enjoyed this short story because it was about Elves. I don't have anything against Elves, but I didn't think it'd work, but it definitely did. The characters were great and very life like. The only negatives were the fact that Flynn could touch Natalie's cheek when she was standing up. Can Elves even reach that far? and the ending was so abrupt. But it was still super cute!

"When I think back on it, I realize it was the first time I ever got to introduce myself. I'd known everyone at the North Pole since I was a baby, and they all called me Natty, because that was what Santa called me. It was my first time being Natalie."


It's a Yuletide miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins - 4/5

I really did love this short story. Stephanie can create some of the best characters ever and she did with Marigold and North. I loved how witty and awkward and fresh they were. It was a little weird with the situation, but all I could while I read it was smile.

"Until tomorrow, Marigold Moon." And he kissed her one last time.


Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan - 0/5

I decided not to read this short story because the past two books I've read by David Levithan I've hated. Detested. That's not to say that you guys wouldn't like the story because it does sound interesting and it is about a gay couple.


Krampuslauf by Holly Black - 0/5

This short story by Holly Black didn't appeal to me at all. I wish it did, because I'm sure Holly Black has a great writing style, but when I think of Holly Black writing a book I think of Faeries and Vampires, not two humans falling in love.


What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth by Gayle Forman - 3.5/5

I really enjoyed this cute story. It was warm, fuzzy and super cute. I love Gayle Forman's writing and the characters Sophie and Russell were perfect together. I got butterflies in my stomach. I did take over an hour to read this because I haven't read anything is about 2 weeks.


Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McIntire - 4/5

AHHH! I loved this short story so much. I was expecting it to be a 2 or 3 star rating, but I absolutely fell in love with the characters and the story. Prankster and the priest's daughter as a pair? You'd never see it, but it was all about forgiving and family and it was the perfect read.


Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White - 3/5

I very much liked this story, but it was also a little generic and predictable. The girl felt like she "lost" her mother when she met Rick, but it turns out that they wanted better for her. I've read it over and over again, but I still enjoyed it.

“But people don't need to remember how it felt to be happy and safe in the past. They need to have hope that they can get there again in the future.”  


Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter - 4/5

I really really enjoyed this short story. I've heard a lot of mixed feelings about Ally's writing style, but I liked it. The characters were great, the writing was great and the whole premise was great. It was just a cute, quick read.

“I sang because that is what I do when I am happy and when I'm sad. I sang because it is who I am when I am being the best possible version of me.”  


The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor - 3/5

This story was definitely a little different, but the writing was so unique, beautiful. I enjoyed the characters a lot and it ended up as a well done Christmas Day read (It's near 1am here on the 25th).

“She wanted to be free, and if she could never be free, at least she wanted to be brave - brave enough not to sell herself, no matter what the payment, or the cost of refusing.”  

 

 

 

 
If you could pick any of your favourite authors to appear in a book like this, who would you choose and why? (pick no more than eight)

Ps, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
 

 

 

My Favourite Books of 2014

So I am pretty sure that 2014 was a great year for reading, especially for me. I had a 3 month reading slump from March - June and I still have managed to read around 116 books, which is just so insane. So, to celebrate coming to the end of 2014 I have decided to show you my top 10 books that I read in 2014.

 

 

10. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness - 5/5

 

9. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 5/5

 

8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer - 5/5

 

7. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - 5/5

 

6. The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter - 5/5

 

5. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare - 5/5

 

4. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - 5/5

 

3. Where She Went by Gayle Forman - 5/5

 

2. Slammed by Colleen Hoover - 5/5

 

1. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - 5/5

 

 

Honorary Mentions

 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman - 5/5

 

This book comes out next month on the 29th and I'm so excited for you all to read it, because it was an outstanding novel.

 

Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott - 4/5

 

I loved how nostalgic this book was. It was written well and I'm so excited for the sequel, Salt and Stone.

 

Wonder by R J Palacio - 5/5

 

This is a book that every child should read because it details the important message of acceptance.

 

"Don't fit in when you were born to stand out"

 

 

What were some of your favourite books of 2014?



ARC Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

"I Was Here,was a beautiful and engaging read. One of my favourite books of the year "

 

Title: I Was Here

Author: Gayle Forman
Genre: Contemporary/Mystery
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Childrens
Published: January 29th 2015
Page Number: 270
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything - so how was there no warning?

But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington.

About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open - until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

 

Review:

 

I know very well that as soon as I open up a Gayle Forman book that I will be in the ride of my life and just like If I Stay and Where She Went, I was. I was compelled from page one and couldn't put it down until I had finished the book in it's entirety.

 

This Young Adult contemporary is a lot darker and mysterious than most. Cody has just lost her best friend, Meg to suicide and something seems off. She never told Cody and that's what she never understood. They were best friends and best friends told each other everything, but Cody had to learn how well she truly knew her best friend.

 

Gayle Forman has written an incredible, engaging book with I Was Here. Cody's voice is strong and distinctive, she lives off trying to find out what truly happened to Meg and it drags you in. You become Cody's eyes. What she see's, you see. What she feels, you feel. It's like the book transports your body into the book and you live through everything. Feel everything.

 

Just like any other Gayle Forman book, the romance was pretty much perfect. I had my instincts on who could be her perfect suitor, but whether she ended up with them was a different story. It's a mix of Young Adult and New Adult, but  it's so much more than that.

 

I Was Here is filled with secret messages. It's not another suicide book. It's a book of letting go of the past - not forgetting - but forgiving. Move on and live your life. Through out the book we have little information about Meg and what she went through and I really delved into her life and lived it, because I have lived it.

 

Depression isn't something that can be sorted out with pills. It takes a lot of courage to admit and get help. It's a lot of hard work, but hard work pays off in the end. It's correct that you only live once, but don't live life like it's short because you'll always wonder what you missed out on.

 

I really really loved I Was Here and I'm excited for Forman's future releases after this incredible book. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants a contemporary book that isn't all school and romance.

 

 

I received this book off the publishers for an honest review.

Waiting on Wednesday: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Waiting on Wednesday: Episode Two

 

 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

 

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

 

Release Date: 29th January 2015

 

Pages: 270

 

Goodreads Summary:

 

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything - so how was there no warning?

But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington.

About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open - until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

 

Thoughts:

 

THAT COVER?! OMG! It's so beautiful and it'll match both my If I Stay and Where She Went covers. Gayle Forman has become one of my favourite authors of all time this year and I need more and more of her writing. What I love most is that her books are never all that long, but they're full of depth and emotion. I'm desperate to get my hands on an ARC copy (Simon and Schuster, if you are seeing this then please consider sending me one. It's my birthday this month.) because I MUST read this book.

 

 

What book are you impatiently waiting for?

Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went (If I Stay #2)
Author: Gayle Forman
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Definitions (Random House)
Published: April 26th 2012
Page Number: 288

Summary:
It's been three years since Adam's love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it ...and three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other. Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, powerful prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Review:

 

I must say that I am pretty nervous reviewing this, because this book was amazing and my words will not give it justice, so just pretend I'm a younger, Welsh version of William Shakespeare who uses modern language and we will all be okay.

 

 

Where She Went isn't a sequel as such, it's a companion. It takes place three years after the events of If I Stay, where Mia had to decide where she wanted to live or die. She chose to live. Adam Wilde is a huge celebrity after Shooting Star's first album Collateral Damage went to number one. However, things aren't as they seem, because Shooting Star are no longer friends, well the other three are just not Adam.

 

Adam is completely different from If I Stay, which is what I loved most because in If I Stay he was a little creepy. Look at the scene where he stares at Mia when she's clearly in a world of her own. And damn, those eyes are giving me the chills, not good ones.

 

 

As well as being a bit of a stalker, Adam was also very gentle. I don't even think he flirted with her and that was weird. He likes her, thinks she's cute, but doesn't flirt with her. Why? With Adam though I think that's what makes him likable. Both Mia and Adam have this passion for music that everyone can relate too.

 

In Where She Went there is a clear growth in Adam. He's a man in this one and not because he's older by three years. He acts like he is gods gift and everyone should bow down to him, while wishing that he never had fame in the first place. He's also very depressive, which once again, I related too since I suffer with severe depression.

 

Mia and Adams love story is definitely an unusual one.

 

“And then Adam Wilde shows up at Carnegie Hall on the biggest night of my career, and it felt like more than a coincidence. It felt like a gift. From them. For my first recital ever, they gave me a cello. And for this one, they gave me you.”   

 

I think we all knew that Adam and Mia would meet up again, I agree with what Mia has said. It's like her parents did give her Adam three years later after everything had changed. From this moment where Adam goes into her performance and they see each other, everything changes. The awkwardness between them both is very raw and real. You feel it and kind of feel sorry for them both. You just want to push them into each other. KISS AND MAKE UP PLEASE!

 

 

One of the weird things about Mia is that she hated Adam. We argue with the ones we love most, so does that mean we hate them without reason as well? My answer would be, yes. Mia had no one left and Adam changed around her. What he wanted to say, he couldn't and Mia saw that. She needed some normalcy and she had none, even from her Grandparents.

 

“I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you.”  

 

 

One of my favourite thing in Where She Went was....actually I'm lying. There wasn't just one thing I loved because I loved everything about this book. From the depression that is Adam to the shit life of the music industry. I even loved the side characters that you never met *Cough* Ernesto *Cough*. Everything was perfect. The songs, the relationship, the feels. I will definitely say that I babbled like a baby. Mia hits you hard with her words and next thing you know you're needing a box of the Feels. Here are some Feels that will hit you hard.

 

 

I mean, who didn't had tears in their eyes at this part. Her life came crashing down around her.

 

 

Too cute. He wrote her a song and begged her to stay, which is kind of the reason why she hated him. She had no one and he made her stay. Adam can you write me a song please? Thanks.

 

If you want to read this book then make sure you're comfortable. Have a cup of tea or coffee, a blanket and a box of tissues because this book will make you laugh, smile and cry. Okay I'm lying. It'll make you cry, cry, cry.

 

Like I said, this is an amazing book. In fact it's my favourite read of 2014 so far and I'm hoping no book can top it. I would compare this book to Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowel (who happened to love both If I Stay and Where She Went). Both books are heartbreakingly beautiful, but at least this one had a happy ending.

 

A MILLION OUT OF FIVE STARS!

 

 

 

Ps, don't forget that If I Stay is in all Cinemas, starring Chloe Grace Moretz.

 

 



 

 

 

Top 5 Wednesday: Author Blurbs

Top 5 Wednesday was set up by Lainey over at GingerReadsLainey. Every week you have a new topic and you pick your top 5 choices for each topic. This is done in Vlogs, but I think it will be great for Bloggers to do as well. Today's topic is Top Author Blurbs. I have a great selection ranging from Dystopia and Contemporary.

So here are my top 5 picks for Author Blurbs.



FIFTH PLACE: Irish Independent for If I Stay by Gayle Forman

"Sometimes painful, other times funny but always touching, If I Stay is a remarkably fresh and compelling piece of work. It's a book with a real heart, a book that makes you feel truly grateful to be alive."  I chose this one because I agreed with everything that was said. If I Stay is a book that makes you feel grateful to be alive, but not only that, it makes you cherish everything you have.



FOURTH PLACE: James Dashner for Divergent by Veronica Roth

"Divergent is a captivating, fascinating book that kept me in constant suspense and was never short on surprises. It will be long time before I quit thinking about this haunting vision of the future." James Dashner wraps everything I would've said in two sentences. It's been six months since I first read it and it's always on my mind. The world building. The characters. The fact that being separated after a war. It's very realistic. Ps, if it does happen let me be in Dauntless.



THIRD PLACE: Jennifer Echols for Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

"McGarry details the sexy highs, the devastating lows and the real work it takes to build true love." Love is something that needs to be worked on every day. There is always something that challenges you and in this book Echo and Noah defied the odds and showed everyone what a real relationship is. It's not about popularity or sex. It's about overcoming each and every challenge together.




SECOND PLACE: John Green for Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

"Reminded me not just what it's like to be young and in love with a girl, but what it's like to be young and in love with a book." Everything is perfect with this blurb apart from the girl part - it'd be boy for me - Eleanor and Park is a book you can fall in love over and over again with. It's beautifully written with flawed, diverse characters. It's exactly what the YA community needed. Two people are aren't afraid to stand out.




FIRST PLACE: Lindsay Cummings for Slated by Teri Terry

"Everything I have been looking for in a book: suspense, mind-bending mystery, romance and just the right amount of Science-Fiction." We all know that Lindsay Cummings likes the darker side of books. But I have to completely agree with her on this one. This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was turning the pages faster than I would eating a bar of chocolate. I was addicted.





I'm always asked what my favourite quote is from Divergent and I always reply with that I have too many because the book is so addictive. But I do have a favourite from it and I'm going to show you it in the form of a GIF. A Theo James shirtless GIF. Enjoy!

 

 

Now let me know down below in the comment section what your favourite author blurbs are. They can be blurbs your blog friends have done, one a newspaper have done or ones that an author has done. Any blurb is more or less a good blurb.

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Definitions
Published: September 4th 2014 (Movie Tie-in Edition)
Page Number: 210

Summary:

For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope.

But life can change in an instant.

A cold February morning . . . a snowy road . . . and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one.

As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

Review:

"The quote from The Fault in Our Stars suits my love for this book. I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. It was that good!" bookbitchreviews.blogspot.co.uk

 

I've read only one other book by Gayle Forman and that was Just One Day, despite the editing issues I fell in love with it. The writing grips you and Allyson was a great protagonist. I admit that I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint.

 

This book - turned movie - is nothing that I'd read. An out of body experience makes it almost cynical to believe, but I'm so happy I picked it up! I had just finished reading a high fantasy book and needed something that I could fly through, but also something that captured my attention. From page 1 I was hooked. The writing was full of gorgeous pro's and you really felt every emotion that Mia was feeling. To her family before the accident, her boyfriend, Juilliard and after everything happened.

 

The thing with this book that made me love it all the more was that even though it was quite a serious topic there were still a few jokes or humorous part in there. I did, of course, smile a lot as well which is easy to do when you read one of her books.

 

The ending really didn't end.

 

It ended abruptly, but I liked that because I knew there was a sequel (I need to buy) and I felt that the ended fitted well. Once again the only problem I suffered was the editing. Definitions is one of the worst publishers EVER!!! If I Stay and Just One Day was full of editing issues; grammar mistakes, mixed words and the flow of the sentences were sometimes cut off.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed it. 4.5 STARS!

Book Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Book Name: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
UK Release Date: 2013
UK Publishers: Definitions (Random House)
Summary:
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Praise for Gayle Forman:

'Read it and weep.' Daily Mail

'Moving and heartwarming.' Guardian

'A book that makes you feel truly grateful to be alive.' Irish Independent

Review:

 

I seriously did not think I was going to enjoy this book because it's based on adventures across Europe, but I actually really did. In fact I didn't even like it. I loved it!

The writing in this book is brilliant! I never felt like there was anything wrong with the writing, it flowed, showed off the emotions of Allyson and the descriptions of each place she went; England, Paris, New York, Boston, Amsterdam was so clear and wonderful that you almost felt that you were there. Until you realise you're not there and then you're left disappointed.

The whole idea of just getting on a train to Paris is crazy, but it worked in this book. It gave me a thrill and seeing Willem and Allyson, or LuLu as he calls her together was like watching Christmas lights being turned on at Christmas, seeing fireworks on bonfire night. It was beautiful and magical. I just kind of wished that they worked it out because they are special when they're together, and I know she see's him at the end, but they need to be together NOW!

My only problem with this book was actually nothing to do with the writing or the characters or anything that included Gayle Forman. The main problem was the editing. You can clearly tell that the editor hadn't done a good job on this book. There were so many mistakes, such as words being the wrong way round, words missing like 'to' and 'the' and there was even an extra " after the person had finished speaking, and it did get on my nerves. But I tried not to think about it too much.

Overall, I give this book a 4.5 Stars! It's definitely one of my favourite contemporaries that I've read, and I was so sure it was going to get the full 5 Stars which is why I wanted it to succeed because only two contemporary books have 5 Stars. I knocked this down by .5 Stars because of the editing. However, I would highly recommend this book. Beautifully written.

Quote:

'Moving and explosive. Your emotions will be all over the place.' Bookbitchreviews.blogspot.co.uk