Skip to main content

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Publisher: David Fickling Books


Date of Publish: January 1st 2015


Suitable for which gender: Unisex


The book consists of two protagonists who are both suffering from two big secrets. There is David Piper; who wants to be a girl and Leo Denton; someone who just wants to be invisible. Somehow both of these two individuals come together and become very good friends in the process.

It is really interesting as there is not much regarding the subject of the transgender community in modern YA fiction, in a way Ms Williamson has got some guts to base story around this topic. Not because it is wrong, but rather misunderstood. It has heartache and pain, as well as joy and happiness, which not only they experience, but you as well. I think that the time that it has come out is perfect, as it is an ever changing world, which has shown to become more aware of people around us and accepting everyone for who they are. We must always think about these issues like, imagine if you felt like you were stuck in the wrong gender?

The Art of Being Normal catapults you into the modern world with issues that you could have never imagined. Ideas that would usually be cast off without a second thought, are brought together to bring you more of an awareness to the world around you. It brings more of an understanding towards the characters from the reader – making us think, what if we were in their shoes? What would we have done the same or differently?

It demonstrates the fact that these things are not through choice that we decide to take action for these types of decisions, and it is really hard to make it because of peer pressure and how people are going to look at you. The book makes you empathise with the characters because it will be such a life changing decision which could make or break you.

This could easily be on my list for the best of 2015 – and we are not into the second month yet! The only real criticism that I can give is that it is too short – I enjoyed it so much that I wish that there was more to read! This is definitely going to be one of those books where I do an annual re-read! For the first time this year, I am giving Lisa Williamson the honour of being the book rated five stars and i am so proud to give this to her specifically. In my heart, this book has already won the best of 2015 and now I cannot wait for the next thing that comes out by Lisa Williamson.

Fun fact: Did you know Lisa Williamson was the actress who played the mother in John Lewis’  Monty the penguin Christmas advert last year?

Rating:*****

Next week, i will be reviewing an ebook by Kevin M. Kraft called MOMO, which you are now able to buy off lulu.com
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

Mary Jane, is a novel that I have been keeping an eye on for quite a while now. It has always been a part of my reading list and only until now have I had possession of a copy. I just wish it didn’t take me so long to read it. Because without a doubt, I think it is probably the best book I’ve read this year. Set in the 1970’s it follows a fourteen-year-old girl who becomes a summer Nanny to the Cone Family. Even though the Cone Family seem to be a respectable bunch on the outside, they are quite the opposite with their messy family dynamics. However messy they are, Mary Jane becomes an important and well-loved member of their family. Drastically different from the home that she was bought up as a single child with parents who care about appearances in their community. Over the summer, Mary Jane’s world begins to open up as she begins to realise what her future would entail and what she wants from it.  There isn’t much that I can fault in this book. The characters are not perfect, c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann

  SYNOPSIS As far as Phoebe is concerned, love is to be avoided at all costs. Why would you spend your life worrying about something that turns you into a complete moron? If her best friend Polly is anything to go by, the first sniff of a relationship makes you forget about your friends (like, hello?), get completely obsessed with sex (yawn) and bang on constantly about a person who definitely isn't as great as you think they are. So Phoebe isn't going to fall in love, ever. But then she meets Emma...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sunburn by Darren Dash

This is the cover of the recently published book "Sunburn" by Darren Dash (yes, it actually does feature a character getting burnt), which was published earlier than expected on the 1st May. This truly seems like a momentous event. This author has probably influenced my reading patterns the most, since I first picked up a book just for leisure. He is truly an inspirational guy. The cover itself is very sinister. The mix of reds and oranges as well as the sun connotes that the sun plays an antagonising role in the story. Maybe even a factor to all of the characters downfall. The simplicity makes it very intriguing as well as making it feel very uncomforting. Simple but well executed. This demonic masterpiece does not fail to disappoint even the most biggest of horror fans. Set in a perfect setting, the characters are strong, that even the smallest mistake they make can be very vexing. It focuses on three characters: Dominic; Curran and Martini. Who despite...
1 comment
Read more

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

I'm sure that most of you have heard about how there was an amazing astronomical event that happened yesterday in Europe. I was so lucky to experience the solar eclipse . I'm just so sad now that I won't be able to see it again like it for the next 11 years.  Also one of the annoying parts about it was that you couldn't look directly at it, otherwise you vision will become bad. The problem is, with such light intensity, you can't help but look at it. (I may have accidently done it!)But all is not lost; at least in November I will be able to experience a partial lunar eclipse. And I don't need any special eye wear for it, because it happens in the night time! The word for this week that is the most unique is: Syzygy -- I chose this word to correspond with the events that have happened this week in Europe. This means that with having three letters being Y, it is meant to describe a rare astronomical event (which in this case would be the solar eclipse), w...
Post a Comment
Read more