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Showing posts from August, 2020

My TBR List for September 2020

  Recently, I have been going through some of the books which I have bought either not so long ago, or have been on my pile for a very long time. So, I have decided that today I will be going through some of books which have made their way onto my pile in the last couple of months. THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY BY MATT HAIG Really excited about this one. Heard that there was rave reviews and have only received this in the post two days ago! I've read books by Haig before and they always are deep and interesting. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE BY LIZ FENTON AND LISA STEINKE This story is simply one that I stumbled upon on Goodreads. I don't tend to see anything of interest when looking around Goodreads, but this one seemed different as it has been described as it very own Groundhog Day. PLEASE DON'T HUG ME BY KAY KERR This book stood out to me because of Autism Spectrum Disorder (represent!) and DOUGHNUTS! The idea that the story seems to be thought-provoking is just the cherry on the cake! PEAC...

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

It is fairly well-known that throughout many people's lives one company has had influence in many childhoods is Disney. Disney is a company which owns so many franchises throughout the world and the best of it is showcased at their resorts. This is one of the many childhood dreams to go to such a place like this for any child or adult for that matter, but what if things are not what they seem?  Rothenberg creates a fictional version of a resort, similar in kind to all the theme park resorts that we have all come to love throughout our lives, but it holds a massive difference, robots. Not just ordinary robots either. Robots that act in a way that makes them just as human as the actors that perform alongside them. In particular it focuses on seven particular robots, known as the princesses, which have been designed in a way that satisfies every dream that a visitor asks for as soon as they enter through their doors.  But trouble is brewing. Things are changing. Memories are comi...

Heartstopper Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman

A long time ago back in 2014 I reviewed Alice Oseman's book 'Solitaire' which gave the impression that this universe is vast and in no ways done yet. We got to know a little about Tori Spring, but what about the story between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson? Well, we have it now and it is glorious; captured in the pages of a comic book which Oseman had drawn herself. Oseman captures themes such as being gay at school and sometimes how bullying might ensue because of their lack of knowledge. There are close friendships and diversity that I don't think I have ever seen before on this level, such as the mention of transgender people, bisexuality, lesbians and of course gay men. In particular this focuses on the love story between Charlie and Nick and how they became to be such a powerhouse that they are in the universe. It's real, it's relatable, it's completely brilliant. I've never been one to really read comic books in this way. I have comics and bought t...

The Bro Code by Elizabeth A. Seibert

For a while now it seems normal to have a book which relates itself to the teenager. Mainly, relating to school and sometimes the pitfalls of romantic interests. It's one of those genres that has fluctuated the market with the likes of Twilight all the way to Percy Jackson and back to others such as Eleanor and Park. It seems like a formula that works on so many levels, yet there is no indication that this trend will die anytime soon. Seibert sets her characters out with the idea of there being a 'Bro Code' between a clique of guys known as 'Bros'. I know, very original right? This follows the many rules that the 'Bros' must abide by in order to stay within the clan, but also be a part of their way of life with their friends. However, one of the rules (which is also the one which seems to stick out the most, as well as being the main device to move the plot) is to not date another Bro's relative, especially if it is their sister. Well, we can see how thi...

Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds by Darren Shan

It's been a while since Darren Shan has written a children's book. Focusing more on his adult audience these last few years it seemed like this was the avenue he would have stayed in. However, I'm glad he made the transition back. I can't believe how much I have missed him doing a children's book until now. Covid-19 is at least good for one thing. I get to start on a new series that I can't wait to read. This first book in the serial seems different from previous children's books that he has written in the past. Almost mysterious and part of a realm that is more metaphysical rather than anything. Yet still enchanting in a way that makes look at the world in a new-found way In some ways it kind of reminds me of Plato's cave in the sense that there is something more to reality than what most people let on. Something that can be seen to be incomprehensible to the person that has not experienced The Merge and will never understand the importance of it. Once ...

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

                                                      Poston continues her comic con serial of books based on her take on fairy-tale retellings. There has been Cinderella, Prince and the Pauper, but now she shines a light on her interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. It is clear from the beginning who are the main characters in this book: Rosie and Vance. Vance, if you have already read the previous book, The Princess and the Fangirl, you would see his introduction to the Starfield fandom at ExcelsiCon. Introduced as being a bad guy and not very likeable, this seems like the perfect character in this world to become the Beast of this tale. Rosie on the other hand, seems like the perfect Belle type person. Has a great love of books, lives with just her Dad, as her Mum has died, but just as loved. Struggling to live and having to take on work so that both...

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

'Romancing Mister Bridgerton' is part of a serial of books, which this particular one is the fourth instalment. However, in my opinion, it can be read as a singular entity, as I have come to find that I accidentally started this series on the third book, 'An Offer From a Gentleman'.  In the Bridgerton series, Quinn delves deep into high society of the ton and the peaks and troughs of being on the 'marriage mart'. The Bridgertons consist of eight siblings, each named after the next letter in the alphabet: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth. However, in the context of this book, the sibling which the story is based is on Colin.  However, the other main protagonist in the book is Penelope. Penelope is someone who is considered to be one day a spinster, rather than married off to anyone of interest to the ton. In fact, it is assumed by her mother that she will grow old and look after her when she is much older. But this is not ...

Fat Girl Finishing School by Rachel Wiley

Personally, I'm not one for poetry. It was never a strength of mine when at school, as it was hard to decipher what could be seen as being metaphorical to the literal meaning. But I really wanted to try something new on this occasion.  I fell in love with this cover and when I looked at the description of body positivity and feminism, I was entranced into this new world I never have really wanted to step into before. Fat Girl Finishing School is composed of several poems talking all about the fear of being in a public place and being ridiculed for your weight, to the idols that Wiley has come to love even from the beginning of her childhood, where there was not as much positivity for women of certain bodies. It is also a very personal piece allowing for us all to get to know what really is most important to Wiley and how she has the opinions that she does and how they have come to formulate together. Which is quite fascinating to see.  There is one particular poem that I have ...

How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

Unfortunately there are still people out there who still do not feel as though coming out the closet is a good thing. In the case of Amir, this seems the case, especially with his Iranian Muslim background and  the fear that his parents will come to disown him when they finally find out. This sets a series of events that lead to blackmail and an spontaneous decision to travel the world and get away from all the hate back home, while still trying to save face with his family. There are some points in the book that feels as though there could have been more detail about certain characters, rather than simply talking about them in passing. This is so then it is easier for the reader to understand the motives to why certain characters act the way that they do. Otherwise, what is truly the point of going through a book without any real development of characters? I think there is not really enough pages to be able to show any of this detail, as it is quite a small book in general. When i...