All Of This Is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor Review

3*/5*

I received this book in my Book Box Club subscription box. It was my first box to come from this company and, although I was impressed with the other goodies that came in the box, I was not really a fan of All Of This Is True. The theme for this box was ‘Bad Girls’ which intrigued me, and as the box was half price I thought I would give it a go.

All Of This Is True is a novel centered around 3 best friends, a mysterious boy, and an up and coming writer. The 3 friends are obsessed with a book by Fatima Ro and become good friends with her after attending a book signing near their town. It becomes clear very early on that Fatima has published a second book, based on secrets the girls and the mysterious boy, Jonah, had told her.

The book is interestingly laid out, with some chapters written as dialogue from an interview, some as emails published in a newspaper and the rest are excerpts from the novel Fatima published about the group. I was unsure of how well the story would flow with the change in writing every few pages however I found that the story flowed very nicely and was actually a very easy read.

My main issue was I didn’t like ANY of the characters. Marni came across as delusional, Penny a coward, Soleil naive, and Fatima a narcissist. They were all quite bland and one dimensional which left it really difficult to empathise with any of them.

The so-called ‘plot-twists’ you could see coming from within the first 50 pages, which was frustrating. Yet despite the amateurish writing style, terrible character development and so on, I couldn’t put the book down – and I have no idea why.

Overall, I was disappointed as part of me was expecting something more intense and instead, everything just felt mediocre.

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman Spoiler Free Review

5*/5*

Neal Shusterman has only gone and done it again! I was really worried that this series could succumb to the curse of the sequel but I was so wrong.

Thunderhead is the second book in the Arc of the Scythe series and the follow up to one of my favourite reads of the year, Scythe. The first in the series followed the apprenticeships of Citra and Rowan, in Thunderhead we see the characters one year on from the Scythe finale.

In the previous book we had excerpts from different Scythe journals but in this one, we get small glimpses into the thoughts of the Thunderhead. I didn’t think I would enjoy this change but I absolutely loved seeing the Thunderhead’s development and it’s perspective on humanity.

Citra’s development has been steady but Rowan steals my heart on every page, how much more can the poor guy take. Xenocrates is till the pain in the ass he was in the first book but I didn’t exactly expect him to change.

The first 50% of the book I would probably give a 4/5 but that second half, oh my goodness those last few chapters…it’s taken me a few days to process so I could write this. If you have not read this series then I strongly recommend you do, even if it is for the sociological implications of living in a near-perfect world.

Don’t wake me up until the next book comes out in 2019!

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard Spolier-free Review

3*/5*

13 days. It took me 13 days to finish this book. Forget the battles in the book, it was a battle to finish it.

War Storm is the 4th and final book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. The first book was an incredible read but with each book it felt like the story went downhill. War Storm kicks off with the Mare, Cal and the others dealing with Cal’s betrayal in King’s Cage, echoing the previous book’s motto; Trust no-one. Even after this betrayal, Mare and the Scarlet Guard still have to fight alongside Cal and his silver supporters, setting their own feelings aside with the hope of defeating Maven and his Lakelander alliance.

I found Mare marginally less annoying in War Storm as she finally became a leader and stopped thinking about herself for a change but Evangeline was the stand out character for me. Her character progression was by far my favourite in this series. However, I felt disappointed with how things played out for the other characters. Cameron was left on the sidelines, Gisa could have done so much more, Farley became a bit one dimensional, Cal somehow went from a warrior to a toddler and Maven deserved a bang rather than a fizzle.

For me, this book did not do the series justice. I wanted and expected more than what I got, especially in the epilogue. I don’t want this to turn into a rant about all the things I didn’t like because some parts were actually quite good. Mare overcoming her fears to meet with Maven and Iris was a highlight for me and Iris was a good addition to the storyline and really came into her own.

I think one of the reasons it took me so long to read was that the chapters were incredibly long. There was no “I’ll just read one more chapter before I go to sleep” when a chapter is going to take you 45 minutes to read. I also found many parts of War Storm repetitive. I understand you need a little recap at the beginning of the book to remind readers what happened previously but that shouldn’t take up 50% of the book.

I’m glad this is the last in the series, I don’t think I would want to read another but I am happy I made it until the end.

6 Books I Own But Haven’t Read Yet

I think I have mentioned recently on this blog that I have, only in the last few months, got back into reading. That doesn’t mean I stopped buying books though! So I thought I would compile a list of books that I have had for over a year (one for 9+ years!), enough so I can add one a month to my TBR. Here we go…

1. My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

I have had this maybe 11 months (not quite a year I know) and I honestly bought this because the cover looked INCREDIBLE and it is described as a hybrid of the movies Beaches and The Exorcist which sounds amazing. I believe it is a YA Horror that was published in 2016.

Goodreads description – A heartwarming story of friendship and demonic possession. The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby. Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries–and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil? Like an unholy hybrid of Beaches and The Exorcist, My Best Friend’s Exorcism blends teen angst, adolescent drama, unspeakable horrors, and a mix of ’80s pop songs into a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller.

2. I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

In complete contrast to the book above is this funny romantic debut novel. I read another of Kelk’s books, What A Girl Wants, and I really enjoyed it so I was hoping this would be a similar lighthearted read, but i just never got around to it.

Goodreads description – Get ready to meet Angela Clark as she flees the world’s worst wedding for a new life…
It’s official. Angela Clarke is in love – with the most fabulous city in the world.
Fleeing her cheating boyfriend and clutching little more than a crumpled bridesmaid dress, a pair of Louboutins and her passport, Angela jumps on a plane, destination – NYC.
Holed up in a cute hotel room, Angela gets a New York makeover from her NBF Jenny and a whirlwind tour of the city that never sleeps. Before she knows it, Angela is dating two sexy guys. And, best of all, she gets to write about it in her new blog (Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out). But it’s one thing telling readers about your romantic dilemmas, it’s another figuring them out for yourself …
Angela has fallen head over heels for the big apple, but does she heart New York more than home?

3. Not That Kind Of Girl – Lena Dunham

I used to be obsessed with Dunham’s TV show Girls. I bought this book because I enjoyed her sense of humour on the show and thought I would enjoy reading this. I remember it being controversial when it came out but I want to judge for myself. She is an outspoken feminist which I respect and hope she wrote about in this book.

Goodreads description – “There is nothing gutsier to me than a person announcing that their story is one that deserves to be told,” writes Lena Dunham, and it certainly takes guts to share the stories that make up her first book, Not That Kind of Girl. These are stories about getting your butt touched by your boss, about friendship and dieting (kind of) and having two existential crises before the age of 20. Stories about travel, both successful and less so, and about having the kind of sex where you feel like keeping your sneakers on in case you have to run away during the act. Stories about proving yourself to a room of 50-year-old men in Hollywood and showing up to “an outlandishly high-fashion event with the crustiest red nose you ever saw.” Fearless, smart, and as heartbreakingly honest as ever, Not That Kind of Girl establishes Lena Dunham as more than a hugely talented director, actress and producer-it announces her as a fresh and vibrant new literary voice. 

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I was going through all of the books on my kindle and I don’t even remember buying this one! I’ve heard very mixed reviews from people about this series so I am interested to know what you thought if you have read this. I do love getting into a series when there are already a few sequels (i’m very impatient lol) so will give this a go soon.

Goodreads description – Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price …

5. Only Ever Yours – Louise O’Neill

I went into Waterstones 3 years ago to buy a book that I hoped would kick start my love for reading again. I got a chapter into this I think, put it down and just never picked it up again. I absolutely loved the premise so I’m really excited about getting around to reading this…finally.

Goodreads description – In a world in which baby girls are no longer born naturally, women are bred in schools, trained in the arts of pleasing men until they are ready for the outside world. At graduation, the most highly rated girls become “companions”, permitted to live with their husbands and breed sons until they are no longer useful.
For the girls left behind, the future – as a concubine or a teacher – is grim.
Best friends Freida and Isabel are sure they’ll be chosen as companions – they are among the most highly rated girls in their year.
But as the intensity of final year takes hold, Isabel does the unthinkable and starts to put on weight. ..
And then, into this sealed female environment, the boys arrive, eager to choose a bride.
Freida must fight for her future – even if it means betraying the only friend, the only love, she has ever known. . .

6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I have loved every television and movie adaptation I have seen of Jane Eyre but I have never read the book, I am a terrible human being I know. I have owned this book for maybe 9 years and not read it!!!! Time to change that.

Goodreads description – Charlotte Brontë tells the story of orphaned Jane Eyre, who grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane’s natural independence and spirit – which prove necessary when she finds employment as a governess to the young ward of Byronic, brooding Mr Rochester. As her feelings for Rochester develop, Jane gradually uncovers Thornfield Hall’s terrible secret, forcing her to make a choice. Should she stay with Rochester and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions – even if it means leaving the man she loves? A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre dazzled readers with its passionate depiction of a woman’s search for equality and freedom. 

There we have it 6 books, 6 months left and a lot of reading to do. These 6 will be mixed into my TBR lists from July onward – but which one should I start with first?

Anya x

The Hardest Game of ‘Would You Rather’ for Book Nerds

I just saw Kristin Kraves Books do this and she got the idea from Thrice Reads and I just had to take on the challenge for myself. They found these questions in a Buzzfeed article  and it looked interesting so I thought I’d give it a go.

1. Would you rather have a friend who loses your books, or one who dog-ears them?

I am one of those terrible people that if I can’t find a bookmark/receipt/bus ticket/sweet wrapper/anything flat then I will dog-ear. Just enough so I don’t lose my place, unlike my step-mother who folds the entire page in half…she is going to hell.

2. Would you rather secretly love a book everyone else hates, or secretly hate a book everyone else loves?

I don’t think I would keep my opinion secret either way but if I had to pick I would probably go for secretly loving a book everyone hates.

3. Would you rather be stuck on a very long plane or train ride without a book?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A very long plane journey would probably have in-flight entertainment so I’m going to say plane. I love looking out at the clouds as well whereas on some train rides the view is not so great.

4. Would you rather have dinner with your favorite author or your favorite character?

Favourite character…but don’t ask me to pick one!

5. Would you rather date a character you have a crush on or your crush from real life?

I’m sorry Hermione and Gilbert Blythe but I have got to say my real life crush ><

6. Would you rather have your favorite book turned into a movie, or your favorite movie turned into a book?

Both are risky but if I got to consult on the movie it would be favourite book turned into a movie.

7. Would you rather read a book with an annoying cliffhanger, or one where your favorite character is killed off?

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Cliffhanger, I will not go through another character death heartbreak again!

8. Would you rather lose the ability to read any new books, or the ability to reread books you’ve already read?

I’d rather lose the ability to reread books, I don’t reread very often so this is an easy one.

9. Would you rather live in a library or a bookstore?

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Living in a library would be a lot cheaper haha

10. Would you rather lose your place or get a paper cut every time you read a book?

I read quite a few books so I choose to lose my place, i’ll find it again 🙂

11. Would you rather have to always read in the dark, or always read books with tiny text?

Read in the dark…i’d just use a few nice scented candle or a back-lit kindle.

12. Would you rather read by a fireplace, or on the beach?

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Fireplace, no contest here! I am a big fan of hygge and curled up with a book in front of a fireplace sounds 100% perfect.

Feel free to have a go at these yourself!

My thoughts on 13 Reasons Why – Season 2

So whilst this post is not entirely book related it has obvious book connections so here we are.

I, like a lot of people, was anxious when Netflix announced a second season had been commisioned for 13 Reasons Why, a show based on the book of the same name by Jay Asher. The first season had made such an impact on wider society; people were actually talking about suicide and rape and not in hushed voices. Some saw the show as controversial and I think this only helped the conversation progress further. I was worried a second season would take away the social impact but I was more worried that Hannah’s story would be dragged out and lose its integrity. I had no need to be worried.

In this second series, we again follow each character’s story over 13 episodes. Hannah Baker’s parents have taken Hannah’s school to court, claiming that they did not do enough to help Hannah and this, in turn, led to her suicide. As each person is put on trial, either in defense of Hannah or in defense of the school, we find out the stories behind the ones Hannah told and the secrets she tried to hide.

After watching the first episode I was sceptical; it wasn’t until the second or third episode that I realised what the writers were trying to achieve. Season One (and the book) we listen to Hannah’s story through her own words left on cassette tapes but essentially Hannah was an unreliable narrator as we all know there are two sides (minimum) to every story. Season 2 focuses on the secrets Hannah did not tell us and how the events leading up to her death were experienced by the other characters.

This season is just as important, if not more so than its first. I realised that I had got so caught up in Hannah’s original story that I believed her every word. When other parts of her life were brought to light in this series, it made me question everything she had said on the tapes. If she was twisting the truth on this aspect of her story then what about the rest?

I am not going to ruin this story for those who will watch it, I’m not that person, all I can say is give the second season a go if you have seen the first or read the book but please DO NOT watch this show if you will find it triggering. At the beginning of the first episode and at the end of every episode there is a website (13reasonswhy.info) to go to if you need help, alternatively there is some information below – please don’t ever feel like you are alone because someone will listen, you just need to reach out to the right people.

United Kingdom – 

Samaritans

DIAL: 116123 (free)

http://www.samaritans.org

United States – 

Crisis Text Line

If you are in crisis, reach out for help. Text REASON to 741741.

http://www.crisistextline.org

Free, 24/7, confidential.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

DIAL: 1-800-273-8255

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Australia- 

Lifeline

DIAL: 13 11 14

http://lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service

DIAL: 1300 659 467

http://suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Canada- 

Suicide Prevention

Find the number for your local crisis centre at:

https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

For all other countries please visit 13reasonswhy.info to find information specific to you.