Kirstiekins Blogs: bookreviews

Showing posts with label bookreviews. Show all posts

BLOG TOUR || T IS FOR TREE - GREG FOWLER

Wednesday

I am so happy that Ink Road Books invited me to take part in the T is for Tree* book tour. This is an A, M, A, Z, I, N, G, - AMAZING! novel about friendship, and the hardships that children and teenagers with disabilities face.

"Eddy knows he's not like other teenagers. He doesn't look like them. He doesn't think like them. Eddy's not even allowed to leave his bedroom - except on shower day. He doesn't know why: all Eddy knows is that he's different".

I love books/authors that aren't afraid to tackle darker subjects within their writing, so of course, I jumped at the chance when I was asked to review bestselling author, Estelle Maskame's latest novel, Dare to Fall* which focuses heavily on the subject of grief.

At just twenty years old, Estelle Maskame has published no less than four novels - the popular Dimily trilogy, and now the wonderful, Dare to Fall.

Wow.

As a history lover, I was intrigued by this book before I even read the first the page. I have spent a large part of my academic career learning about the second world war, and the effects the Nazi regime had on the people of Europe. However, everything that I have learnt did not prepare me this heartbreaking story, surrounding a Jewish family from Berlin, and the lengths they would go through to stay safe.

IT STARTS WITH A SUICIDE AND ENDS WITH A DEATH

Have you ever seen the movie Foxfire? A new girl moves to town, she's a bit of a bad ass, starts a girl gang with a few typical loser types, adored by those in her clique, et cetera? Well, Girls on Fire* is nothing like that, except it is. Now think of the early 90's movie The Heathers - Winona Ryder classic, arguably one of my favourite films of all time; well the book is a little bit like that too. And the movie Thirteen, Definitely thirteen - only these girls are not thirteen, they're not on a murderous rampage, and they really aren't what they seem.

Thursday

I am so glad that The Dry is my first book review of 2017. I was invited to take part in the blog tour a few months ago, and have been waiting with anticipation ever since! After hearing so much hype about the book from a friend of mine, I eagerly awaited its delivery to see if the hype surrounding Jane Harper's debut novel was worth it, and let me tell you - it was. Reading The Dry has been the highlight of my January, and here's why!

Friday

Every morning Rachel watches Jason and Jess eat breakfast in their garden from the comfort of her commuter train as it stops just outside the suburban town of Witney. However, one morning Rachel sees something she wishes she hadn't and suddenly Jess becomes Megan, and Megan is missing.

Thursday

Like a lot of other people, I discovered The 100 through the CW's hit show of the same name. I binge watched the first two and a half seasons in about four days, and then had to wait for new episodes each week. Imagine watching thirty-six episodes in a row, and the last one you watch is the one with THAT Lexa scene - I did not know it was coming, I was not ready.

BOOK REVIEW|| Once Upon a Time - Out of the Past

I love graphic novels; I especially love them when I find one that isn’t about superheroes, and the drama of their superhero lives, so I was very happy to find out that Marvel had created Graphic Novels based on one of my favourite TV shows, Once upon a Time. My friend, Cat, who is one of the best gift givers ever found this copy in Amsterdam and bought it for me for me last year, however as I have been so busy I have only just gotten around to reading it.

“There’s no rewind, or erasing, or unmaking. The things that happened, they are you, you are them. You can escape, but you can’t get away. Just the way it is.”

I don't think I can explain how excited I am about this book. I don't usually read Crime-Thrillers as they aren't my thing, but when I was given the opportunity to read and review Find Her*, I couldn't say yes fast enough.

I was at work when it arrived. My mother rang me to tell me that I had a package, so I bribed her to bring it down to me so I could open it. I pretty much tore it open and (much to by bosses dismay) started to read it immediately. I was hooked by the first page.

If you're looking for a new crime-thriller novel to sink your teeth into? Then you should definitely check out Find Her!

“Depression is like a heaviness that you can’t ever escape. It crushes down on you, making even the smallest things like tying your shoes or chewing on toast seem like a twenty-mile hike uphill. Depression is a part of you; it’s in your bones and your blood.”

This is another one of the books that I had on my 'To-Read' list for longer than it actually took me to read. I bought it back in October with a gift voucher my brother gave me for my birthday and aimed to read it a week or so later, but as always I ended up deciding to read other books instead. I was intrigued by the blurb, books about mental health and suicide have always interested me so I figured this would be a great read.

(I may or may not have used it as a coaster a few times, which is why the cover is a little dirty)

What is it about?
Sixteen-year-old Aysel is Haunted my her father's violent crime. Her mother has a new family and will barely look at her, her friends have distanced themselves, and the other kids at school think she is weird. Aysel is alone. That is until she finds herself on Smooth Passages, a website that helps people find suicide partners; when someone from the next town over requests a partner, she can't help but reply...

My thoughts
I was expecting a lot more from this book, maybe because I had been wanting to read it for a while and had built it up, but it left me feeling incredibly let down. I feel like it's a cop out when anyone says this, but, I honestly think that although it was a great premise, it could have been put together in a better thought out way. There was enough plot to drive the narrative, but the characters came across as being a little two dimensional. In all honesty, I only read it to the end because I wanted to see if they actually went through with it.

It's a YA novel so I didn't expect it to venture too far into the darkness, but I did hope that it was going to go further than what it did. The writing, on the other hand, is electric. Her vivid descriptions of what it is like to live with depression and suicidal ideations, especially from the mind of a young person are powerful, believable and undoubtedly full of raw emotion. There are some great one liners and paragraphs that really resonated with me which makes me believe that the author has a real understanding of depression and suicide.

“Maybe we all have darkness inside of us and some of us are better at dealing with it than others.”

Why should you read it?
It is a real eye opener to teen depression and suicide, especially to those who have never suffered from either of them. It definitely is a good read. It is not a mushy-gushy love story which I particularly loved as love stories irk me with a passion. You should read it if you enjoy books of a similar theme such as It's Kind of a Funny Story, Go Ask Alice, and I'll Give you the Sun.

“And this time, I can feel my hand. I can feel everything. And I want to keep feeling everything. Even the painful, awful, terrible things. Because feeling things is what lets us know that we’re alive.
And I want to be alive.”

Trigger Warning: Depression, Suicide, Death.

If you are struggling please call the Samaritans on 116 123

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts below.

Kirstie xoxo

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Friday

A few months ago a friend of mine read an essay online called, The Opposite of Loneliness. He said it was deeply moving and made him think about his own life; he also told me to read it and I told him I would... but as usual I completely forgot about it. It wasn't until the #SassyBooks book club announced that their September read was a book of the same name that I remembered it and decided to look it up. No surprise that they were one in the same!

Marina Keegan is described as an American author that passed away five days after graduating from college in 2012, but she is more than that. The Opposite of Loneliness is a collection of her short stories and personal essays, all of which were chosen by Anne Fadiman (her college professor and friend) after Marina's death. She is remembered as the talented writer that died after her graduation, but for me that doesn't do her justice. She wasn't just a writer, she was a story-teller, she had, and still has, the capability to draw people into a world and make them feel, she has the power to delve into the mind of a complete stranger and make it feel like you are the only person in the world that matters. She is not her death, she is her words, her beautiful descriptions, her understanding of the human soul, and so much more.

What is it about
The book is a collection of short stories and essays, all of which explore human emotion; from the old woman that strips off to read to a blind man, to Marina's personal essay on having Celiac disease, each piece leaves you feeling - feeling what? Well, that's up to the individual reader, but for me, the more I read on, the more I wanted to escape my life and become a better human.

Within the short amount of space that we are given to learn about her characters, their lives and their stories, we end up learning more about ourselves through their very creation. What would we do in that situation? How would we react to this? and most importantly, how will our present effect our future?

In the short story, Reading Aloud is the line 'aging is harder for beautiful people' and a first I thought nothing of it, but I came back to it and I kept coming back to it. She was right. In those six words, in a singular short story, she has opened up an entire world of debate, understanding and discovery. Whether she knew it or not, Marina was a genius.

Should you read it?
Do I even need to answer this? Haha! Yes. Yes, you should. If you get a spare moment read her essay, The Opposite of Loneliness, and then try and not want to read more.

You can buy the book on Amazon, and all other places where books are sold!

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Thursday

I fucking love this book. I don't usually swear on the blog, what with me trying to be semi-professional and all that, but I feel that fucking is the only suitable adjective that can be used to describe, Yes Please.

I downloaded the audiobook earlier this week, thanks to a free audible trial, and started listening straight away. If it isn't known to you, I am very old fashioned when it comes to literature; if it's not in book form, then I don't wanna know. I don't do kindles, and until earlier this week I avoided audio books - I much prefer holding the book and reading the words for myself.

I always thought audiobooks shouldn't be considered as 'reading', simply because you are not actually reading, but I made an exception for Yes Please. I had already heard so many great things about it, all of which are more than true, (it's laugh out loud in the middle of a crowded bus funny, and it makes you think, like, REALLY think) but what sold it for me for was the fact that, Amy Poehler was the one who was reading it!

When a world famous comedian writes a book, you know it's going to be funny. When a world famous comedian reads their book to you, you know it's going to be even funnier. And that's what Amy Poehler did. I can't imagine having the same reaction to so many parts if Amy hadn't been throwing her voice or making sound effects or adding her own opinions. I urge you all to read the book, but I am encouraging you all to start an audible free trial, download the book, and listen to it. Listen in the car, on the bus, in the shower, or whilst you're supposed to be doing something else.

What is is about?
Well, It's a memoir. And in this memoir, Amy Poehler talks about her life, her career, her ability to time travel, and how all of this relates to who she is. Yes, I said time travel, and no I am not lying.

She tells us stories from her past, the history of the UCB, how she got into comedy and what it is really like working on Saturday Night Live, all from her private audio-booth at the bottom of Mount Rushmore. There are readings from her friends and family, sound clips from Parks and Rec, and a whole lot of laughing from start to finish.

Should you read it?
No. Don't read it. You would be stupid if you read it. LISTEN TO IT. Curl up under a blanket with a hot chocolate and listen to the soothing sound of Amy reading you her novel! If you're still undecided, you can sign up for a free thirty-day audible trial and download Yes Please (or any other book) for free!!

For fans of: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, SNL, Bossy Pants, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

I am thinking of adding a few more audiobooks to my collection, is there any that you would recommend?

PS. Shout out to my cracked iPhone screen!

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Wednesday

Five years ago I read The Kite Runner (also by Hosseini) whilst studying for my English Literature A Level, and I loved it. I loved it so much that when I saw A Thousand Splendid Suns in Waterstones, I bought it and vowed I would read it after I had finished whatever novel I was reading at the time - as you can probably guess, that did not happen. I didn't read it until almost three years later (last week) and I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I loved it so much that I have been recommending it to everyone, including my mum; she never usually pays attention when I am gushing about books, but for some reason she listened this time and she loved it too. Go mum!

I'll Give You the Sun has been finding its way on and off my wishlist for the past few months. After reading the blurb, I was absolutely certain that I wouldn't like it, but everyone that I spoke to had me thinking otherwise - gushing review after gushing review, I was curious to see what the fuss was about; and now I know.

I was hooked before I started reading the first chapter.

Friday

How do you review a novel that has already been classified as one of the greatest horror novels of all time? No matter what I say, the opinions of previous reviewers are going to prevail. But pretend for a second that The Shining wasn't written by possibly the greatest horror writer this side of 1950 and isn't nearly forty years old. What if it was a brand new novel published this year, written exactly how we know it to be, by a new up and coming author? Say for instance it was Jayne Doe's debut novel, would it still be as widely recognised as what we know it to be today? Probably not. Not because Jayne Doe is a terrible writer, but because it'll be thirty-eight years behind the times, will have a lot more competition, and because let's face it, well recognised women horror writers are few and far between.

Monday

I wanted to like this book, I really did.

After reading, and hearing so much praise of, Outline, (which was shortlisted for The Baileys Prize, and written by a woman that works at my university) I went to my local Waterstones, picked up the book, and began to read it whilst lounging in my garden, that very same afternoon.

Friday

Voted Graphic Novel of the Month by the Observer and on the New York Bestseller List for two weeks back in August 2014, Through the Woods is a compromised of five 'mysterious and chilling' stories, based on classic fairytales. Each story, combined with its remarkable illustrations, creates an eerie feeling, that can only be described as inspiring. Though some of the tales use a minimalistic approach to narrative, her syntax remains delightfully harrowing - but this could be due to her artistic abilities, and the way she has chosen to lay out each page; with most of the other graphic novels I have read emphasis has been drawn to the images, but Carroll has taken it a step further and has treated the words as if they are also images. No, not images. Art.

Wednesday

I really enjoyed reading this novel

Craig Gilner is a teenager from New York city, who one night decides to commit suicide by throwing himself from the Brooklyn Bridge. He is bright, academic, has a loving home, and a mismatched group of friends, but he is far from happy. His friends call it 'Craig-ing out', he says that he is fine, but in reality it is a different story - he doesn't really know what's wrong. He doesn't really know what's right either.

It took me a while to read this book. One: because I find it so hard to concentrate on anything for more than three seconds at the moment, and two: because although it is written in a light hearted manner, it made me think. It made me think a lot. What would I do if I were in that situation? I would be lying if I said the thought of suicide hadn't crossed my mind - in fact, we would all be lying if we said the thought of suicide hasn't crossed our minds. But thinking about it, and actually acting upon it, are two separate issues.

The novel opens up by giving the reader some backstory, as to who Craig is, and why he feels the way he feels. We become privy to his meetings with his doctor, conversations with his friends, and the thoughts inside his head, right up until the moment, he doesn't commit suicide. He instead calls a suicide hotline, and checks himself into his local hospital. It is at the hospital where the story really comes alive. Vizzini's vivid description allows the reader to see what the hospital is really like, from the people he meets (and lends shirts to) to the food he finally manages to eat in the cafeteria.

It was interesting to read about a mental hospital/psych ward, that isn't written about in a negative light. Craig actually finds help, and clarification during his time there, he puts his life and his problems into perspective, and comes out with rational answers for the problems he has been battling. It's so refreshing to read a YA novel about mental health, with a positive outcome!

It really is, kind of a funny story.

Should you read it? Most definitely!
You can buy the book, here!

The author, Ned Vizzini wrote this novel in the space of five days after he spent some time in the psych ward of Brooklyn Methodist hospital and it has been said that the novel is based around his own experiences there. Sadly, although Craig, the novel's main protagonist sought the help of his local suicide hotline and got the help he needed before he had the chance to act upon his thoughts, Vizzini did not. It was reported on December 19th 2013, that he had committed suicide. His work within his local community will not go unmissed, as he frequently visited schools to talk about the importance of writing and mental health.

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Friday

I have been reading a lot of graphic novels recently, something that I have been meaning to do for a long time, but never got around to doing so. I wanted to start reading them when I was around fifteen, but never really found any that interested me - all I could find were the standard superhero, good versus evil bullshit, and at that point in my life, that is not what I was looking for. I love super heroes as much as the next person, but I wanted more substance, more passion, more life. Of course after browsing for about ten minutes, I gave up and returned to the Horror/Science Fiction/Fantasy sections, and never spoke of my failed attempt to branch out again.

It wasn't until a few years ago when I was reading up about the Cannes film festival that I had my interests in graphic novels peaked again. I came across the film 'Le Bleu est une Coleur Chaude' - Blue is the Warmest Colour, and discovered that it had been based on a French graphic novel. I was determined to read it, but as I do not know French, and I could not find a translated edition, I came to the conclusion that it just wasn't meant to be, and settled for watching the film - with subtitles. I fell in love with the film, I thought it was brilliant, and it made me want to read the graphic novel even more. And then, as I do most things, I forgot about it. I became fixed on something else, and Blue faded to the back of mind.

Saturday

Think of all the crazy things you have wanted to, but then didn't.
Think of all the crazy things that could have happened to you, but didn't.
Think of every single crazy situation that you have envisioned happening, but then didn't actually happen.
Now, put all of that together, into one crazy ball of crazy, and I doubt it will even come close to the amount of crazy that Burroughs writes of, in his memoir 'Running with Scissors.'

The novel - almost a sitcom within itself, opens with Augusten as a young child, and follows him into his late teens, where after a series of tragic events, skips out on the life he has for a chance of a better one in New York City.