tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57755169727054711142024-03-05T15:34:03.674+00:00Shannon BookwormHi! I'm Shannon, a 20 Y/0 blogger and marketing student with a love for reading. Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-25646812679626266412022-11-18T09:50:00.000+00:002022-11-18T23:03:39.809+00:00Announcement: Book Bloggers Secret Santa! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hi everyone! So Christmas is fast approaching and I really enjoy hosting the Book Bloggers Secret Santa every year so I can't wait to do it again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I really love the book blogging community and feel that this is the perfect way to help make friends with bloggers, increase that sense of community and also fill you with that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you give someone a gift you know they will love! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can find all the details on the rules of the Book Blogger Secret Santa and also how to register to participate! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Keep an eye out on my social media, links in the right sidebar of all the places where you can follow me, as I will be talking about the <b>#BookBloggerSS</b> on there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I hope you will join my secret Santa event and feel free to comment below !</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLP6M86i3BqOybSZZbvGJ4Mlzj4az9G_kKhneHuSCtUWy-RaHyPMDxjKc0hqSZOrhjORTlhg43ePiMX6cLYh_4NuUiaz0z1E9Of4HxSU106rX05XOyQigtew75-FjmZ5QKci2D6OK42qjk/s1600/1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLP6M86i3BqOybSZZbvGJ4Mlzj4az9G_kKhneHuSCtUWy-RaHyPMDxjKc0hqSZOrhjORTlhg43ePiMX6cLYh_4NuUiaz0z1E9Of4HxSU106rX05XOyQigtew75-FjmZ5QKci2D6OK42qjk/s400/1.png" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4arbWVmYKmECy67zoA1q06x2llH3UNiU86wgN2BOIP2W-EZIdCuOshZSrC3Ws3PCu9RZiKUSi7BAhwlw3iwOQFnC_GxlrAtjJsqZ2XFm76gS2kZ8ZOJHVgYgg7wNtgw8DvOMK9ZdzMVk2/s1600/How+To+Register.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4arbWVmYKmECy67zoA1q06x2llH3UNiU86wgN2BOIP2W-EZIdCuOshZSrC3Ws3PCu9RZiKUSi7BAhwlw3iwOQFnC_GxlrAtjJsqZ2XFm76gS2kZ8ZOJHVgYgg7wNtgw8DvOMK9ZdzMVk2/s400/How+To+Register.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br />Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-69185489105094461812021-02-18T14:39:00.005+00:002021-02-18T14:39:45.994+00:00Review: Spacehopper by Helen Fisher<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_KS8ywICEgGP-VGEPuqyiOfXUzJUgXcrXSXgSccos6ngxkP11TumCzCMk3qmkT9uDu0sZXCzIfkuZBA9pBlhNbdCORt7Ffd5i84_IAu1dww2UN4Cz5MSM-1zmEJyQQOi0ShVgFq90XQC/s475/spacehopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_KS8ywICEgGP-VGEPuqyiOfXUzJUgXcrXSXgSccos6ngxkP11TumCzCMk3qmkT9uDu0sZXCzIfkuZBA9pBlhNbdCORt7Ffd5i84_IAu1dww2UN4Cz5MSM-1zmEJyQQOi0ShVgFq90XQC/w261-h400/spacehopper.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publication Date:</b> February 4th 2021</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publisher:</b> Simon & Schuster</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Source:</b> Copy for review</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52353535-space-hopper" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Space-Hopper-Helen-Fisher/9781471188671?ref=grid-view&qid=1613658197746&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository </span></a>]</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Blurb:</span></b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">They say those we love never truly leave us, and I’ve found that to be true. But not in the way you might expect. In fact, none of this is what you’d expect.<br /><br />I’ve been visiting my mother who died when I was eight.<br />And I’m talking about flesh and blood, tea-and-biscuits-on-the-table visiting here.<br /><br />Right now, you probably think I’m going mad.<br />Let me explain…</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Although Faye is happy with her life, the loss of her mother as a child weighs on her mind even more now that she is a mother herself. So she is amazed when, in an extraordinary turn of events, she finds herself back in her childhood home in the 1970s. Faced with the chance to finally seek answers to her questions – but away from her own family – how much is she willing to give up for another moment with her mother?</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekaFzPymmTSz52OgXvtE6zBRMRKOoycFEv23Irh_14n1Bl2fJl7QWQuHZXfIhVIEwm6dzUA-tKtJEEij4UKZM7NqFMQEkPqotTz2t_l7R9bd8bNxH4Hf9O6F_zRFJPLafBesK-6B827QK/s3000/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekaFzPymmTSz52OgXvtE6zBRMRKOoycFEv23Irh_14n1Bl2fJl7QWQuHZXfIhVIEwm6dzUA-tKtJEEij4UKZM7NqFMQEkPqotTz2t_l7R9bd8bNxH4Hf9O6F_zRFJPLafBesK-6B827QK/w640-h150/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A huge thank you to the Kaleidoscope tours on Instagram for allowing me to take part in their <a href="http://www.instagram.com/shannonbookworm" target="_blank">bookstagram</a> tour for this book. </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">First of all, I just want to talk about how striking this cover is. It is so beautiful yet subtle. Showing that sometimes less is definitely more in book cover design. I really love how it ties into the story and how it looks on my shelf. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel has to be its characters. From our main characters Faye who not only gives us an insight into the tired working mother running a family of small children while also maintaining a relationship with her husband, we also get to see so many other wild and vibrant characters. From Faye's husband who is training to become a vicar and dealing with his faith, to Faye's friend Louis who is hilarious and wild. Louis was one of my favourite characters in the novel as he is so much fun, a wonderful friend to Faye and also there to keep her grounded and delve out some truthful advice. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Louis was also a wonderful character to read about as he gave such deep insight into life as a blind man, and also a gay man. Reading the novel we see so many instances where people intentionally, and unintentionally, belittle or insult Louis as a result of his disability. When in a cafe, the waitress asks Faye what Louis wants instead of addressing him. The second hand rage we feel as Louis deals with these instances also goes to teach the reader how to not interact with blind people and not view them as just their disability. Louis was one of the best characters I've read in a long while and I would adore to read a novel just about him...hint hint Helen Fisher! </span></div><div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The plot of the novel itself, I was skeptical... I am not the biggest fan of alternate reality or time travel books or movies but this was written well. Although I found myself sometimes passing through the novel passively, the plot definitely picked up toward the latter half of the novel and ended with such a perfect sense of completion that I had to rate this well. The feelings of longing that Faye feels for her mother and how her childhood memories were all she had to cling to was so well written. Fisher has truly captured so many aspects of real human life onto the page that by the end of the novel you feel so close to the plot and characters yourself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The representation of Louis and disability was also very welcome to see in an adult contemporary novel. I feel as though I don't see this enough so I welcome any recommendations in the comments. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Overall a great read that will take you on an emotional and heartwarming journey of one woman who just wants her mother. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog54Ku4aymw_VTnV3rwzSt8e4YhcYns9DGVLmXNonwh02m64hbz_u6eGgZxFiCK9cPAt6aScK9_RvhGrYO6elw2cMS90TpM3xREwodMpA9NLXEazfz-aYE_NylzG1P1ZNSp2rMICju1GI/s3000/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog54Ku4aymw_VTnV3rwzSt8e4YhcYns9DGVLmXNonwh02m64hbz_u6eGgZxFiCK9cPAt6aScK9_RvhGrYO6elw2cMS90TpM3xREwodMpA9NLXEazfz-aYE_NylzG1P1ZNSp2rMICju1GI/w640-h150/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn-s-w47go0irEKhhaH-_sYTJZbz_C1rIl4wtFazP7bj0hqjK4wI_e7PeODTaTqDahN6Kn5eaNMBZtZfmxw4gP0Uaciikq_Wg2nn6y7Vs5WrAncXytA_08bgaXO4c_-A7E3SmOye-Lysv/s3000/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn-s-w47go0irEKhhaH-_sYTJZbz_C1rIl4wtFazP7bj0hqjK4wI_e7PeODTaTqDahN6Kn5eaNMBZtZfmxw4gP0Uaciikq_Wg2nn6y7Vs5WrAncXytA_08bgaXO4c_-A7E3SmOye-Lysv/w640-h150/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-22300367345913317032021-02-01T20:34:00.001+00:002021-02-01T20:45:57.306+00:00Review: Last One To Die by Cynthia Murphy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NGg1lTP1y2XyBCW-mKlkjX13Oc5_P0aA25i-AmawsNLP9MoDti10MrDeix7knt0IRwiDRr5WNJ17FbORspjTDfkEPRfZEuWZit4o8rI7n49E5cR6v0qXwX3d-wGig7qz50TwTPE7o-sm/s475/last.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NGg1lTP1y2XyBCW-mKlkjX13Oc5_P0aA25i-AmawsNLP9MoDti10MrDeix7knt0IRwiDRr5WNJ17FbORspjTDfkEPRfZEuWZit4o8rI7n49E5cR6v0qXwX3d-wGig7qz50TwTPE7o-sm/s320/last.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /> <b>Publication Date:</b> January 7th 2021</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publisher:</b> Scholastic Publishing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Source: </b>Review Copy for Tour</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55579526-last-one-to-die">Goodreads</a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Last-One-Die-Cynthia-Murphy/9780702304934?ref=grid-view&qid=1612212314002&sr=1-1">Book Depository</a> ]</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Blurb: </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i>Young, brunette women are being attacked in the city of London.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">16-year-old, Irish-born Niamh has just arrived for the summer, and quickly discovers that the girls being attacked look frighteningly similar to her.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Determined to make it through her Drama Course, Niamh is placed at the Victorian Museum to put her drama skills to the test, and there she meets Tommy: he’s kind, fun, attentive, and really hot! . . . Nonetheless, there's something eerie about the museum.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">As the two strands of present-day serial attacker and sinister Victorian history start to collide, Niamh realises that things are not as they seem. Will she be next?</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfXLmTDVZQ-hwBFqC9vm2qEKEYQnr5u4piFzs07iy5kvstcC8smbAhDpg1XSLx9RwaJTPJemdzog14KcES_niPlrJnfgwraVgvV82nsqAfXAHSEMQJUSH9uRQU9Zlt7jRlHdESNYYnRl2/s3000/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfXLmTDVZQ-hwBFqC9vm2qEKEYQnr5u4piFzs07iy5kvstcC8smbAhDpg1XSLx9RwaJTPJemdzog14KcES_niPlrJnfgwraVgvV82nsqAfXAHSEMQJUSH9uRQU9Zlt7jRlHdESNYYnRl2/w640-h150/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you so much to the publisher and Kaleidoscope tours for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my review. </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This book came to me at the perfect time as I have been loving YA thriller novels lately, especially after devouring some of Karen McManus's book. Last One to Die had me hooked to the underlying suspenseful plot while also having moments of fun, great friendship and drama school antics. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One thing I really enjoyed about this novel was our main characters passion for acing and drama. Niamh has come from Ireland to London to enroll in a summer course to potentially pursue her dream of acting at the school in the future. I love reading books where the main character has a passion for something, Niamh's passion leapt from the page and made me warm to her. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The characters in the book were very well written and fun. My favourite character was definitely Niamh's friend Jess. Jess was such a bright and three dimensional character, she immediately welcomed Niamh into her friendship. Their friendship really brought a fun and refreshing break from the murder suspense aspect of the novel. </span></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved the setting of the drama school and London. London is somewhere I love to visit and seeing the city from Niamh's perspective as she visited many iconic places was fun to read. The setting of Niamh's work where she was employed as a Victorian tour guide in costume was brilliant to read. I love period dramas and all things period, so reading about her job and learning history of the old building she worked in was greatly interesting. The library and history aspects were wonderfully written and engaging. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I definitely was kept guessing the identity and reasoning behind the killings the entire novel. You start off thinking its person A, then B and suddenly you've nearly uncovered motives for everyone in the book. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Although this book was a lot of fun, I felt the writing was sometimes a little juvenile and slow. I felt my interest being piqued and waning before being hooked. This roller-coaster of interest made me reduce the rating as I felt the pacing and intrigue could have been kept steady throughout the novel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The ending of the novel also went in a direction that I didn't fully expect, enjoy or think was well fleshed out. For me the book could have been a hundred pages longer to really make the ending work for the reader. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Suspenseful, fun, great characters. I will definitely be reading more of Cynthia's work in the future. </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit25fNadOBJwG2Cf2BZMewVoG8TQe9Rm1RgCcBl2mIRUUqfvmbPn5y8XLCqgBKS6ggAK_xLYDad6ibtooGnF2B8fY2H2_9MFM7ydDSDvUTAY9ARopmC5T0LQ9eQVPBj8SFSPJPFslCvPAh/s3000/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit25fNadOBJwG2Cf2BZMewVoG8TQe9Rm1RgCcBl2mIRUUqfvmbPn5y8XLCqgBKS6ggAK_xLYDad6ibtooGnF2B8fY2H2_9MFM7ydDSDvUTAY9ARopmC5T0LQ9eQVPBj8SFSPJPFslCvPAh/w640-h150/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCB-PWgqUwAq3lICOWd8o_fRCTJgJRQPd9zoDc7Y2_bWLS_V_MlvzluOzAFZFmWHoICZn7dqq8fMrJEBIoeOYYxbT1ghTOC_Y9nYi4FyZWTNYf9nYE4tY5FGCU9vecArX7MPZKsaFLVAq/s3000/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCB-PWgqUwAq3lICOWd8o_fRCTJgJRQPd9zoDc7Y2_bWLS_V_MlvzluOzAFZFmWHoICZn7dqq8fMrJEBIoeOYYxbT1ghTOC_Y9nYi4FyZWTNYf9nYE4tY5FGCU9vecArX7MPZKsaFLVAq/w640-h150/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-14756552074080404872020-11-08T12:48:00.003+00:002020-11-08T12:48:50.403+00:00Review: Sorta Of Like A Rockstar by Matthew Quick <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnd7bKeNHh8P1OhUHFVf6OChJR6iqFL2fUjmp5ZXC6sMFTvegqPUStgTcamTDRseYSRhOlwFAQjqjtAwqZsuVXPe8WkUD8ynsaYtt5vaIxu6YaZ7hQdn-RELsGMsV-QeVm423bOzd3Tuz/s214/18760003.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="140" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnd7bKeNHh8P1OhUHFVf6OChJR6iqFL2fUjmp5ZXC6sMFTvegqPUStgTcamTDRseYSRhOlwFAQjqjtAwqZsuVXPe8WkUD8ynsaYtt5vaIxu6YaZ7hQdn-RELsGMsV-QeVm423bOzd3Tuz/w210-h320/18760003.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publication Date:</b> January 2014<br /><b>Publisher:</b> Headline Publishing<br /><b>Source:</b> Borrowed from library </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18760003-sorta-like-a-rock-star" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Sorta-Like-Rock-Star-Matthew-Quick/9780316043533?ref=grid-view&qid=1604839617245&a_aid=Shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Blurb: </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Amber Appleton has a lot to be thankful for.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">OR</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Amber Appleton has never had it easy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Both are true. On the one hand, she's got the best friends a seventeen-year-old could ask for and a loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy. On the other, her mum frequently has too much to drink, Amber's never quite sure where her next meal will come from and ever since her mum's latest boyfriend kicked them out, Amber and her mum have been living in the back of a school bus.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Amber has always found it easy to be upbeat, to find the light in the darkest of situations. Until, that is, an unimaginable tragedy occurs. Forced to rethink her way of life, can Amber remain a rock star of hope?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This is the story of a very special teenager, whose faith and hope is tested to the limit.</span></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-i4oq7CBJb6PdRB6KdMxZNRmKbkl8sDezK2g_fh6Yr_29ry16HsRlf44cIXw4mHYmAZv7z1FlNOVbwmYwz8uXE3hmph8yvbbykNKKm8__CN_4l_CFW-EBbNtdFk7Y9RcRBrxXrlIrMqy/s3000/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-i4oq7CBJb6PdRB6KdMxZNRmKbkl8sDezK2g_fh6Yr_29ry16HsRlf44cIXw4mHYmAZv7z1FlNOVbwmYwz8uXE3hmph8yvbbykNKKm8__CN_4l_CFW-EBbNtdFk7Y9RcRBrxXrlIrMqy/w640-h150/1.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This book was one I had not heard of until the <a href="https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1142584-all-together-now">Netflix movie adaptation</a> was announced. When I then looked into it more it sounded great so I requested a copy from my library asap. What was a fast paced and often heartfelt read, just didn't hit the mark with me that I had anticipated. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Matthew Quick wrote one of my favourite, and underrated, novels Forgive Me Leonard Peacock. So that fueled my high hopes for this novel. Although I did very much enjoy the book, its main character and felt it dealt with difficult topics such as grief well, I just didn't feel myself loving it. </span></p><p><span></span><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The book deals with a lot of topics in Matthew Quick's skilled and emotive way. We see out characters thrown into difficult situations facing grief, loss, addiction, homelessness, bullying and many other trials. Our main character Amber is a strong willed person, although she often thinks she is not and has had to grow up very quickly due to the circumstances she was placed in by her mother. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The way addiction and homelessness was dealt with in the book was really stark and quite sad. Often we think of homeless people as sleeping on the street, not often thinking that homelessness can strike from having to escape an uncomfortable situation and then move to temporary accommodation. This occurs in the novel as Amber and her mother flee an ex partner whose alcoholism, combined with her mothers own alcohol problems, leave them no choice but to leave and sleep on the school bus driven by her mother for work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The dark themes of the novel are somewhat lifted by Amber's never ending optimistic outlook at life. She constantly strives to brighten the days of everyone around her, no matter the person. She has strong faith in god and allows it to guide her and lift her to help others around her. From her volunteering at a care home, teaching Korean women to speak English through singing and visiting a Vietnam army veteran for company when writing poetry. This introduces a wide and colourful cast of characters into the book that leap from the page. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The book was a lot of fun to read while also showing the reader how you can encounter many tragedies and losses but still encounter love and hope everyday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Although this book didn't hit the mark for me, I did very much enjoy. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKqzyhWGgjEmPtLn48D3ngJKmIRXMEhC5qDsTwy5oiF129rqV7zLJnazVPIs32VEaCEx94Rksm7njQ-96mhSg5btQRnFzldEHV3ztxQCUWsgFKG8bd31KqpVhgzaI9adzGQ_zFKmQ1DH/s3000/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKqzyhWGgjEmPtLn48D3ngJKmIRXMEhC5qDsTwy5oiF129rqV7zLJnazVPIs32VEaCEx94Rksm7njQ-96mhSg5btQRnFzldEHV3ztxQCUWsgFKG8bd31KqpVhgzaI9adzGQ_zFKmQ1DH/w640-h150/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFNnQxiobHvR9gUzaqFpaTGfsmqLGNnffocTwAOkW9dffsQPaBbgN5W-6nzLWpQoQuAl_YPaenCOZ0msfcsHE2Ia-KFZKTbNF1xtKeYL4f3irVJ882VKi8RPmwoMFXzLA9pbB8_vYR0Ry/s3000/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFNnQxiobHvR9gUzaqFpaTGfsmqLGNnffocTwAOkW9dffsQPaBbgN5W-6nzLWpQoQuAl_YPaenCOZ0msfcsHE2Ia-KFZKTbNF1xtKeYL4f3irVJ882VKi8RPmwoMFXzLA9pbB8_vYR0Ry/w640-h150/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-66099881846064497252020-10-24T16:11:00.001+01:002020-10-24T16:11:21.636+01:00Review: Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIaGL2EbHav1hhGjk0mNI2KxV7pem4E1VjXvhu3IPZGq-3b_zxOL9O_pqkltln0_a94VJ0dPfwoydBqRPQz5ZKmkzJvGQgneRV9HAh3bp2tXH1h3fwLlzPyJGURH3FuWaVJbMtZY2tb1r/s2048/midnight+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIaGL2EbHav1hhGjk0mNI2KxV7pem4E1VjXvhu3IPZGq-3b_zxOL9O_pqkltln0_a94VJ0dPfwoydBqRPQz5ZKmkzJvGQgneRV9HAh3bp2tXH1h3fwLlzPyJGURH3FuWaVJbMtZY2tb1r/w240-h362/midnight+sun.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publication Date</b>: August 4th 2020</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Publisher:</b> Atom Books</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Series: </b>Twilight #0.5</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53287484-midnight-sun?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Opa0xBub35&rank=5" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/MIDNIGHT-SUN-Stephenie-Meyer/9780349003627?ref=grid-view&qid=1601889917044&a_aid=shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Blurb: </span></b></h3><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span id="freeText12015135671734658647" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in <i>Twilight</i>, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, <i>Midnight Sun</i>.<br /><br />This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxGXCPtu-ahenVMR4gXP4rDyID1OQfK9ftjPs2YlXkFfjDYhXY3lWw0QHqGSZkuppPDvR4n49PFSaCiIlislInQsq5Imw91NdzSMhRqlzN7hoHCpd0LZnRwS-3zeq1wTE6HOLZBQ4OiWh/s3000/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxGXCPtu-ahenVMR4gXP4rDyID1OQfK9ftjPs2YlXkFfjDYhXY3lWw0QHqGSZkuppPDvR4n49PFSaCiIlislInQsq5Imw91NdzSMhRqlzN7hoHCpd0LZnRwS-3zeq1wTE6HOLZBQ4OiWh/w640-h150/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As you guys probably know, and can assume, I was a big <i>Twilight</i> fan when I was 13/14. A big <b>BIG</b> <i>Twilight</i> fan. So when I heard that this book was coming out, I mean c'mon who didn't lose their shit at seeing that timer countdown on Smeyers website. I pre-ordered this straight away. </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Though let me start off by saying that even when I was 14, ten years ago, and was a huge <i>Twilight</i> fan..I was never really very interested i reading Midnight Sun. The whole thing of just re-reading Twilight but from Edwards perspective just didn't appeal to me that much.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So I did go into this book curious to see if I'd be surprised by realising that this book would actually contain lots of new scenes and be way better than I had expected... I sadly wasn't proven wrong. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This book really was just <i>Twilight</i> again. I was a little disappointed but I also know that how can she re-do the story and change what she is basing this book off. Reading the same plot again in full was very boring. I really had hoped it would't be but oh boy it was. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another thing that kinda surprised me was how much my opinions of characters had changed from when I first read the series ten years ago. To many of you that wont come as some surprise, as in ten years the way you view the world and the people in it changes a lot as you turn from teenager to adult. But for me I thought I would have some different views, but not that my views would be changed entirely. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For example, when reading the series years ago, I was hugely in love with Edward. Like massively. Now reading <i>Midnight Sun</i>, I realise how awful Edward is. He controls Bella, gaslights her, makes comments to make her feel bad and overall just hates women. Edward Cullen really hates women. It's crazy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He also makes constant reference to him being a monster and being so overly dramatic. He is so filled with self loathing and emo-drama that as a teen I probably read as "broody, emotional" boy but now I read as pathetic and manipulative. </span></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One thing I did enjoy from the book was the extra "Cullen Content" as I'm calling it. When we read twilight from Bella's perspective, we don't get to see the other Culllens much as she is just focusing on Edward and only see them as his family in scenes. In this book we get to see their family interactions, how their relationships with each other work and how much of a real family unit they are. We get to see sides to characters that we have never seen before, such as Emmett. Emmett was amazing in this book H is such a good friend and brilliant brother to Edward, always trying to lift his spirit and include him in family sports activities so he doesn't spend too much time on his own. His love for Rosalie is so strong too. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also loved seeing Rosalie in this book, who was probably one of my 14 year old self's least favourites but now I'm like damn she really is THAT bitch. She so amazing, strong, filled with protective love for Emmett, family values and absolutely hates being immortal. She is one of the best characters in the book, even though Edward for some reason makes belittling thoughts about her. I also never knew that Carlisle turned her into a vampire so she could be Edwards "mate" because i felt Edward was too lonely. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Carlisle and Esme content in this book was immaculate. They were amazing parents and I touch on this a lot more in my reading vlog so check that out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thing I hated about the book: Edward, Edward, Edward. He brought down the tone of the book so much. He finds himself as being so self important that it turns the reader off him so much. He thinks he is better than everyone, not only human but vampire. He constantly refers to himself as a monster which was getting very boring upon reading it for the 27th time and the constant references to the Hades/Persephone metaphor was so boring. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The book really highlights the weirdness of Edward stalking Bella also, he even mentions it in the book himself..and yet he keeps doing it. Edward in this book is awful. He manipulates Bella, tries to emotionally hurt her so she will stay away from him, constantly describes killing her and drinking her blood and is just generally not the best. The way he talks about women in the book too was really shocking, his views are very misogynistic. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One thing I was very surprised about was Edwards extreme hatred for Mike Newton just because he fancies Bella..Can other men not find Bella attractive? She's not your property. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMmV3SIf1gPpJKNVtPHXlFU4QVK5PlmkUT5aWCvTQm9oMY8WmYqdP9GZgXrt_BLuNm_u3yZFmf-0f42hxrfL41MyS87eflwRYKcuBJyEbXl7ZPIwRxuMxOcMIRhVSYVPSxsUhRsJUAFq0/s245/yuch_gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMmV3SIf1gPpJKNVtPHXlFU4QVK5PlmkUT5aWCvTQm9oMY8WmYqdP9GZgXrt_BLuNm_u3yZFmf-0f42hxrfL41MyS87eflwRYKcuBJyEbXl7ZPIwRxuMxOcMIRhVSYVPSxsUhRsJUAFq0/s0/yuch_gif.gif" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It got so tiresome reading from Edwards perspective because of how angry his outlook on the world made me, that I tried to just fly through the last quarter of the book. The 400 page difference between Twilight and this TOME is just Edward talking crap. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Overall, if you were a big Twilight fan back in the day, I recommend reading this just for the extra Cullen content that there is in the book. But, if you were not, don't bother. This book doesn't change anything with the story, doesn't add enough to justify the huge book. Honestly, it was a ride and I'm glad I read it to experience it but nah it was not a good book at all. Stephenie Meyer's writing hasn't improved at all in the last 10 years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Check out my Reading Vlog on my full thoughts and reaction on my Booktube channel. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOPPf3GH-1oDtOJHBDFW8XtYxKzxCdT-A8kqKgcyKT1VdXk8TkpHhUo8TIa9HSOLLUBogOvOnxQprk_mwNNhlrOp3R3sG2LXUKGFjWTYlBugXnAr0yBOoG0Pld2Xmo0o89hCp79Ztf4bb/s3000/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOPPf3GH-1oDtOJHBDFW8XtYxKzxCdT-A8kqKgcyKT1VdXk8TkpHhUo8TIa9HSOLLUBogOvOnxQprk_mwNNhlrOp3R3sG2LXUKGFjWTYlBugXnAr0yBOoG0Pld2Xmo0o89hCp79Ztf4bb/w640-h150/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayzGSnfHugkrQrDweHCxLfaUP7RFnw3M4N0y9qrskizr7qtU7Cn6P0Frko4Orq17c6t2Smt5B3obx28X_8xLba97ZACfcCA_bbdMa27M3oUZauP8rVycGgzuSgcu6njKNNtpWj4rPfw4H/s3000/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayzGSnfHugkrQrDweHCxLfaUP7RFnw3M4N0y9qrskizr7qtU7Cn6P0Frko4Orq17c6t2Smt5B3obx28X_8xLba97ZACfcCA_bbdMa27M3oUZauP8rVycGgzuSgcu6njKNNtpWj4rPfw4H/w640-h150/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-80262123970388767272020-08-05T12:15:00.002+01:002020-08-05T12:28:35.048+01:00Review: Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver<div><font face="helvetica"><b><br /></b></font></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgWNUFpe-60_r3tc3VqspfdxmgSOm-sacTtgTbAUCu14S4qMPSTMHlYsvbCn_eL_LUEQxZ6wWXjrPiAJXgtaq_z3LN9y-j5iCWOgAcgw9FMYt60Azo7LLsa1r-AWghucA46k0oQGlsGj2/s475/chelsea.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgWNUFpe-60_r3tc3VqspfdxmgSOm-sacTtgTbAUCu14S4qMPSTMHlYsvbCn_eL_LUEQxZ6wWXjrPiAJXgtaq_z3LN9y-j5iCWOgAcgw9FMYt60Azo7LLsa1r-AWghucA46k0oQGlsGj2/s0/chelsea.jpg" /></a><b style="font-family: helvetica;">Publication Date:</b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> May 2020</span></div><div><font face="helvetica"><b>Pu</b></font><b style="font-family: helvetica;">blisher:</b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Electric Monkey</span></div><div><font face="helvetica"><b>Source:</b> Review Copy from publisher</font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51899697-chelsea-high"><font color="#ff0000">Goodreads</font></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Chelsea-High-Jenny-Oliver/9781405295048?ref=grid-view&qid=1596626854213&sr=1-1/?a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><font color="#ff0000">Book Depository</font></a> ]</font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="trebuchet" size="5"><b>Blurb: </b></font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Norah Whittaker’s upbringing has been charmingly unconventional: she’s grown up on a houseboat spending her days fishing, cherry picking and helping her mum out at her vintage market stall. As well as laughing at her chaotic dad. But when her dad’s latest get-rich plan ends up getting him arrested, everything changes.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><font color="#181818">Grandparents (incredibly rich ones) that Norah never knew had existed enroll her at exclusive Chelsea High. There are polo lessons, ski trips and parties photographed by Tatler, not to mention Coco Summers, Instagram sensation, who is determined to make Norah feel utterly unwelcome. Luckily there is also handsome Ezra who is cast opposite her in the school play.</font></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But is he enough to persuade Norah that she belongs?</span></font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvHbDB3JRPE5tINpCcT-XigxdPmqRon6LvnQI26RHtWiw1Xn1_-lES5Mj6_GZHat2JcBzRAMWGf-y3l_KuJXaf6hJmPsrlMlEubZdlzcG8TjvvCO6EAcxx3lv-_ZimBzwA0XYF8Py0QSj/s3000/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvHbDB3JRPE5tINpCcT-XigxdPmqRon6LvnQI26RHtWiw1Xn1_-lES5Mj6_GZHat2JcBzRAMWGf-y3l_KuJXaf6hJmPsrlMlEubZdlzcG8TjvvCO6EAcxx3lv-_ZimBzwA0XYF8Py0QSj/s640/1.png" width="640" /></a></div>A big thank you to Electric Monkey for inviting me on the blog / <a href="www.instagram.com/shannonbookworm">bookstagram</a> tour for this book! I hadn't heard of this book before but having been in a little bit of a reading slump, and reading lots of contemporary earlier in the summer, <i>Chelsea High</i> sounded perfect for me!</font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><i>Chelsea High</i> centers around Norah, a teenage girl whose life has been turned upside down by her father losing the money that their fellow inhabitants on their island invested into his movie. As her dad begins to be prosecuted, Norah must leave the safety of her island community to move to London where she is introduced to rich grandparents she has never met, who enroll her in the prestigious <i>Chelsea High</i>. </font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">I really liked Norah as a character. She was very authentic, goofy, funny and the reader could really feel her emotions coming through the page as she tried to deal with all the ups and downs happening in her life. I really enjoyed her relationship with her grandparents, watching that blossom and grow was lovely. The romantic aspect of the novel, with Ezra, was something I felt wasn't fleshed out in the best way. I felt it was semi rushed and there wasn't an awful lot of development and growth for what I look for in a romance. I prefer a slow burn, but I am looking forward to how they progress in the next novel. </font></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">I also loved the family scenes with Norah and her parents .. wow a YA books where the parents are present / alive! But their relationship, the stress of the trial and their adapting and leaning on each other in scenes was so lovely. Norah's mum was so strong a character and I loved the carboot sale Saturday scenes. </font></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="helvetica">The students of Chelsea High were a little bit of an issue for me. I felt the "posh" stereotype was a little overdone and most of the "bitchy, posh" students there sort of blended into one for me and I often found it hard to distinguish between Verity, Emmeline, Tabitha etc. </font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">One character there was no issue with standing out was Coco. Typical mean girl type, Coco was often infuriating in the novel and was the bane of Norah's new life. Coco definitely is the ultimate mean girl, the way she owns the school and everyone in it. My favourite scene was definitely the pool scene from near the end, if you know you know. </font></div><div><font face="helvetica">I would be interested to see if her character develops or changes in a way in the upcoming books. </font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">The book did really bring what I was looking for at the time, but I just didn't find myself connecting to it in the way that would make it a new favourite. I did feel it being a little rushed in places and somewhat "stereotypical" in terms of character portrayal and the "posh" school stereotypes. But this book was definitely so much fun. I really enjoyed reading it and can't wait to read the sequel! </font></div><div><font face="helvetica"><br /></font></div><div><font face="helvetica">Highly recommend for a fun read, not just for summer, but would make a perfect autumn / rainy day read too. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Lt69DlhfbAziMuD7UTYTzbwg7Elw8Q0h8WO-L3i-WVB9hznsDchn64TUvZWlCix-H9IivK8REB8i_MHXqVu5e4GFKJiXLfvrZRP8ohnhaDmKoSrKis_0xyBtOHX03Rho8OvheeBHEdQj/s3000/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Lt69DlhfbAziMuD7UTYTzbwg7Elw8Q0h8WO-L3i-WVB9hznsDchn64TUvZWlCix-H9IivK8REB8i_MHXqVu5e4GFKJiXLfvrZRP8ohnhaDmKoSrKis_0xyBtOHX03Rho8OvheeBHEdQj/s640/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GgzVscaBbkS0sWCn0dFJ1owtkP44qwJqr6g7pA8wO3yqkKVZHV8-egQ65GCTZT2T-hcF9KloOUMVRP7U3Hb-zDmHcG_oky3jYHCMYjzCIeRxWeKmLyuPuoBc5mY8-6jqVBQMOsYmh-1b/s3000/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GgzVscaBbkS0sWCn0dFJ1owtkP44qwJqr6g7pA8wO3yqkKVZHV8-egQ65GCTZT2T-hcF9KloOUMVRP7U3Hb-zDmHcG_oky3jYHCMYjzCIeRxWeKmLyuPuoBc5mY8-6jqVBQMOsYmh-1b/s640/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></font></div>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-82942014000664914442020-06-23T16:01:00.000+01:002020-06-23T16:31:27.640+01:00Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8SoPB4vpM0fMkTtusbkIviKVozsKgHHGna8bH0mTjGbgFItSoTsRI4k13sD9l7vBaEseT_7cbhoIoaGrFlSXUcPJPMkXOst5RJUU_aroPz7dAAYues_x7dtHel2T8G0ZPRVuk6z4qmjD/s1600/tbosas+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8SoPB4vpM0fMkTtusbkIviKVozsKgHHGna8bH0mTjGbgFItSoTsRI4k13sD9l7vBaEseT_7cbhoIoaGrFlSXUcPJPMkXOst5RJUU_aroPz7dAAYues_x7dtHel2T8G0ZPRVuk6z4qmjD/s400/tbosas+cover.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> May 19th 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Scholastic Press</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Own</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51901147-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Ballad-Songbirds-Snakes-Suzanne-Collins/9780702300172?ref=grid-view&qid=1592923966295&a_aid=Shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blurb: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15284034276637086978" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to out-charm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.<br /><br />The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined -- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Okay so..if you've not heard of this book, you've been living under a rock. (P.s check out my <a href="https://youtu.be/98Rp1pkawow">reading vlog</a> for this book on my <a href="https://youtu.be/98Rp1pkawow">booktube channel</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is a prequel to <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20hunger%20games"><span style="color: red;">the hunger games trilogy</span></a>, following president snow as a teenager growing up in the capitol in the times of the 10th hunger games. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coriolanus Snow in this novel is young, poor and hungry to prove himself so he can then provide for his struggling family. Coriolanus enlists as a mentor in the hunger games in the hopes of achieving a scholarship to university. He is paired up with the District 12 tribute, traveller and singer Lucy Gray Baird. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lucy Gray is a louder than life, cunning but charming character. Her positive outlook on life counteracts Coriolanus's negative. Combined with Coriolanus's ambition to succeed in the games with his tribute, he and Lucy work to make her chances the best they can be in the games. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I feel that there was supposed to be some desire for the reader to enjoy the "<i>romance</i>" between Lucy and Coriolanus but I did not. At all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The relationship between them begins as a way for Coriolanus to better himself and bring glory back to his family name. Therefore his whole reasoning for their relationship to succeed, is for his gain. Every move in their relationship, is a game of chess to Coriolanus where he must keep moving forward to win. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The power imbalance in their relationship also made me very uncomfortable throughout the novel. Coriolanus is coming from a position of power, even though he is poor- he is capital poor, not district poor. He also comes from an education and a life of more resources available to him than Lucy could dream of. The power imbalance therefore makes their relationship non-equal. Coriolanus has this albeit invisible upper hand in their relationship. Therefore I could not support the relationship at all. It made me very uneasy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A character that I really enjoyed in the novel was Sejanus. He was a great character- the biggest cinnamon roll in the book but also at the same time, he could be a little <i>yikes</i>. Sejanus was definitely that guy who sees all the wrong in the world and wants to be the one to make a change, but ends up going about things in the wrong way. He was definitely the "<i>Gale</i>" of the book - since I know people have been comparing Lucy to <i>Katniss</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sejanus was my favourite character in the entire book. His friendship with Coriolanus, which was begrudgingly accepted by Coriolanus who viewed it as a way to exploit Sejanus's much richer family assets, was actually sweet. You could see Sejanus just wanted to do right, to have a friend and live in a good world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sejanus and Coriolanus was definitely the ship of the book for me...no question. They fit together so well, Sejanus was clearly in love with Coriolanus and especially in the beginning of the book when Sejanus comments that Coriolanus keeps "<i>saving him</i>" and Coriolanus says "<i>I can't help it</i>". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tbh, I really wanted Sejanus and Coriolanus to be a couple but hey ho, at least we got to read like <b><i>1 sentence about a gay couple</i></b>...representation I guess? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Side note:</i> Sejanus's mother- what a fantastic warm character. I loved her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book really did so great in showing us the beginnings and origins of the games as we know them. We see that even though it is the 10th games, there is still a "new" atmosphere around the games as they are still experimenting and trying out new things. I found the capital mentor & tribute dynamic interesting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the most captivating parts were definitely the scenes with Dr. Gaul as she experiments and tries to find even more evil torture methods for the tributes. She is so creepy and terrifying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed the references to <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20hunger%20games"><span style="color: #0b5394;">the hunger games books</span></a>, or what we would typically know from those books- like the Katniss flower popping up, familiar names like Heavensbee, Crane etc., </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also Tigris in the novel was interesting, I never realized she was Snows cousin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although there was so much I enjoyed about the book, I did feel my attention waning at times. Not so much full on boredom, but more just reading through some parts so I could get to a more exciting part if that makes sense? I definitely felt there were exciting scenes, and not so exciting scenes, with some feeling a little dragged out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall I very much enjoyed this book. If you are a big hunger games fan like I was, then I really think that reading this book will add to your enjoyment of the series and not detract. Really interesting character and political driven novel by such an amazing author. I would absolutely love if someday <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20hunger%20games"><span style="color: red;">Suzanne Collins</span></a> released short stories on each of the tributes we are familiar with, such as <i>Johanna Mason</i> or <i>Finnick Odair</i> on their experiences in the games and the affect on their lives afterwards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out my <b><i><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://youtu.be/98Rp1pkawow">reading vlog</a></span></i></b> for <i>The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes</i> on my booktube channel <i><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-K02QiKuM5h_lTlgE3D6ag/"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>here</b></span></a></u></i>!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-36571794094161021422020-05-11T12:00:00.000+01:002020-05-11T12:00:09.681+01:00Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlYbFXmVIDoIINe7h9zFp_nxBreUcNcJwrfV_ZJAj83zeWujMobde_R83XpJ6r6ESvd10OctEvvehEx7gOSyeNWJNNUUBt3QXJzV6afYJEyO-KPlHwkPam8YuJtY_96fN6kZ1r4ZK13ZD/s1600/normal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlYbFXmVIDoIINe7h9zFp_nxBreUcNcJwrfV_ZJAj83zeWujMobde_R83XpJ6r6ESvd10OctEvvehEx7gOSyeNWJNNUUBt3QXJzV6afYJEyO-KPlHwkPam8YuJtY_96fN6kZ1r4ZK13ZD/s400/normal.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Faber & Faber</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> August 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Own </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41057294-normal-people"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Normal-People-Sally-Rooney/9780571334650?ref=grid-view&qid=1588981182095&sr=1-1/a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blurb</span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers—one they are determined to conceal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This book is one I had been meaning to pick up for the longest time. It had been recommended to me by <b><u>everyone</u></b> and the BBC making a TV show of it definitely pushed me over the edge to picking it up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was so glad that I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I had to describe this book in one word: raw. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is just so extremely raw - emotionally, physically and in writing style. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Relationships really drive this novel from its core. Whether from the characters relationships with themselves and with each other. The characters grow over the course of the novel in many directions. The novel takes place over many years from Connell and Marianne being in secondary school to going to college to their adulthood. This long journey of the novel really gives the reader a more complete and long view of their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of my favourite characters in the novel was Connell's mum. Connell and his mother have such a loving and caring relationship. His family is working class and his mother is actually the cleaner for Marianne's family. Connell's mum is so straight-talking, opinionated, unapologetic, caring ad warm. She is one of the best mother characters I've read in a book ever. Connells mum calls him out on his bad behavior, praises him, looks out for Marianne and shows her real maternal love which she had never experienced. Their relationship is so beautiful and well written. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marianne and Connell's relationship is the centre-point of the entire novel. We see them begin their relationship when in school. They begin having sex in secret as Connell is ashamed of Marianne as he is popular at school and she is described as the "weird girl" and has no friends. Their relationship in secret then breaks off as they go to college. Throughout the novel they drift apart and find each other many times, always an ebb and flow of their energy's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their relationship is extremely raw and emotional. They let their true feeling be shown to each other and become truly naked showing themselves. The progression of the novel showing their characters emotons growing and changing throughout the novel was extremely personal to read about. I almost felt as if I was intruding on them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marianne and her family was such an uncomfortable, sad and emotional aspect to the novel. Marianne's family is cold, hurtful, abusive and vile. The first time Marianne hints at this, she reveals to Connel while they are in bed that her father used to hit her. As the story progresses we see more into Marianne's fammily life. Her brother Alan is extremely emotionally and physically abusive towards her while her mother watches and allows it to happen. Marianne's mother is cold, allows Marianne to be abused by her brother because she "deserves it" and constantly puts Marianne down. The abusive and cold family home Marianne comes from deeply affects her life, how she views herself and her relationships with men throughout her life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marianne's relationships with men is so damaged by the abuse she has suffered. We see this in all her relationships from Connell to Jamie and Lukas. Marianne views herself as nothing, insignificant, cold and pathetic as a result of the emotional abuse she has suffered. She feels empty, and therefore allows men to take control of her and hurt her because she feels deserves it as that is what she has become conditioned to feel. The growth of Marianne from this feeling to searching for her own happiness and her own life without the toxic feelings from her family was beautiful to read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connell's own personal internal journey was also fantastic to read about. In the beginning of the novel we see him as this popular boy in secondary school who everyone wants to be friends with, until he goes to college and finds himself on the outside of every social group and essentially without friends. This swapping of places with Marianne, who is now thriving in Dublin is hard or him. We also see his mental health journey and his own internal journey as he discovers himself, what he wants from his life and how he can make his own happiness with himself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beautiful progression of human emotion from all of the character in this novel which rads as extremely personal and raw to the reader. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The theme of socio-economic class divides in Ireland was also very well written. Marianne is from a rich family, and her higher economic level is truly cemented in the scene when Connell mentions their difference, as he is poor, and she said she has never noticed. Connell is rightly struck by this, and slightly hurt, as she is so privileged she doesn't even recognize the difference in their positions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As someone from Sligo, I absolutely loved the descriptions of places, from Skreen to Riverstown and all the other little mentions that struck me about my hometown. It made me feel so much love for the place I call home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ending of the novel was something that stuck for me as I really didn't enjoy it. I just wanted something a little more and felt the brisk ending dampened the final couple of scenes for me as I felt the story of these characters needed a more rounded ending. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The overall visceral, raw, emotional tone of the novel is one that struck me to my core. I was moved by each chapter truly and was thinking about the novel long after turning the final page. The novel does strike you with an aching melancholy and sadness that truly portrays the novels theme of constantly striving for something but never quite getting what you want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will definitely be recommending this, and reading it again in the future. <b>*Actual Rating 4.5 stars*</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-89031247000726203022020-05-08T23:27:00.000+01:002020-05-09T00:39:32.306+01:00Review: Weightless by Sarah Bannan<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5O4EV4e148rX-nUjCWQGSf9lKyraWuNSYt6yn1RV5kEl4jn7tw_6oqi-psZjuUubcgoOB_LYoHzK8jmi-x98FWGeKoJr9DjnxEpBmxA3JB1yzvC_GchDI6hY7i3_LN7qNdCKkRHbVY3_/w268-h400/weightless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5O4EV4e148rX-nUjCWQGSf9lKyraWuNSYt6yn1RV5kEl4jn7tw_6oqi-psZjuUubcgoOB_LYoHzK8jmi-x98FWGeKoJr9DjnxEpBmxA3JB1yzvC_GchDI6hY7i3_LN7qNdCKkRHbVY3_/w268-h400/weightless.jpg" width="268" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Bloomsbury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> June 2015</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source:</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Owned </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24464167-weightless"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads </span></a>] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Weightless-Sarah-Bannan/9781408856314?ref=grid-view&qid=1588976881074&sr=1-2/a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blurb:</span></b> </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When 15-year-old Carolyn moves from New Jersey to Alabama with her mother, she rattles the status quo of the junior class at Adams High School. A good student and natural athlete, she’s immediately welcomed by the school’s cliques. She’s even nominated to the homecoming court and begins dating a senior, Shane, whose on again/off again girlfriend Brooke becomes Carolyn’s bitter romantic rival. When a video of Carolyn and Shane making out is sent to everyone, Carolyn goes from golden girl to slut, as Brooke and her best friend Gemma try to restore their popularity. Gossip and bullying hound Carolyn, who becomes increasingly private and isolated. When Shane and Brooke—now back together—confront Carolyn in the student parking lot, injuring her, it’s the last attack she can take.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This book has been sitting on my shelf for a super long time, I am pretty sure I got it around the time of its release so basically 5 years! I have been trying to knock off some books on my TBR in quarantine so decided it was finally time to read this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book centers on how a small town is rocked by the arrival of a new girl - Carolyn. As the town falls over themselves to first get to know Carolyn because she is the "shiny new toy" then then begin to turn against her just as quickly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing I found a little jarring about this book was the writing style. The novel is written in the "we". So the reader of the novel is reading from the perspective as the entire town as a collective we. This was very jarring and difficult to get into the writing flow in the beginning but I became more comfortable with it as the story progressed. This was a very interesting take on the novels point of view as it goes to show the reader just how complicit each and every person was in the rise and fall of Carolyn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The novel is definitely one that I would recommend to parents and teens. This is because if how Sarah Bannan has not only written the bullying aspects of the novel so well, but also the "complicit by non-action" seen in the novel. Every person is guilty as a result of bystander effect. The whole town has countless opportunities to make things better for Carolyn, and actually recognizes this but still continues to do nothing. This was such a striking theme of the novel as the reader is essentially apart of this "we" and it makes you feel so helpless to aid Carolyn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sarah Bannan also excels in highlighting the sexism that exists in high schools / secondary schools. Carolyn is recorded having sex with the video being posted to the internet. Only Carolyn is blamed, not the boy she was with. The "Hot List" is also extremely sexist and objectifying. It features ranking the hottest girls in the school, no boys here also. This is further displaying the sexism, cruelty and bullying of teens online by their own peers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed the plot of the novel and how deeply it went into characters, relationships, sex, gossip, bullying etc., I found myself reading the majority of the novel in just one day. The constant theme of girls and weight throughout the novel was also an uncomfortable thread. The girls place so much importance on their weight, having too much or too little, dieting etc. It is a constant sub-theme throughout the novel further showing the pressures placed upon these girls by their society and peers to look a certain way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters were really well written. Although we read mostly as a collective "we", the reader is also introduced to some of the key players in Carolyn's rise and fall such as Brooke, Gemma, Shane. I really enjoyed seeing the progression of characters from good to bad, bad to good. Relationships from perfect to sour and twisted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bannan also incorporates essays, Facebook posts, social media posts and notes to further illustrate just how the bullying and gossiping follow a person well beyond the classroom and into their home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A really well written novel showing how damaging "doing nothing" can be. Bullying, sexism and hatred bubbling over in a small religious town who don't take kindly to strangers. Although not a perfect novel, I felt the pacing and structure was a little off for me, a great book for teens and parents alike. </span><br />
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Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-69783061358624022332020-05-05T12:04:00.001+01:002020-05-05T12:04:44.286+01:005 Emotional Stages Of The Stephanie Meyer Countdown Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDivbXSi-uQqJW6hZVWnlzzMxMeXpf-Gy2K9pKdN3JjEkPcGW4lyTzXLpWLgni9CKFUNpQLbKF-gPxhta_wpWzMDpnDFzYOSvjT4BDa0vuzvoWCDmJcLjAvIz4hBHMHqteggKr7I6M14w/s1600/Blog+Headings+%25284%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDivbXSi-uQqJW6hZVWnlzzMxMeXpf-Gy2K9pKdN3JjEkPcGW4lyTzXLpWLgni9CKFUNpQLbKF-gPxhta_wpWzMDpnDFzYOSvjT4BDa0vuzvoWCDmJcLjAvIz4hBHMHqteggKr7I6M14w/s640/Blog+Headings+%25284%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stage 1: Shock / Confusion </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is this countdown? What is it counting down to? What does this mean...new books? And also, who is even checking Stephanie Meyer's website in the year 2020?? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKrRVs811LXnMIBTpl0LUVBYT9WnwEXCCzHneUtdRs_RNtP9AldPsB2BXc7xgc4VpBtjj7OKjcWvWsgNCpnlFaOQKrNAX01VDKmdFfxtbh4FIVAYrtAZ4rYQB95QfZbE508fs0RoxdY5F/s1600/confusion.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="480" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKrRVs811LXnMIBTpl0LUVBYT9WnwEXCCzHneUtdRs_RNtP9AldPsB2BXc7xgc4VpBtjj7OKjcWvWsgNCpnlFaOQKrNAX01VDKmdFfxtbh4FIVAYrtAZ4rYQB95QfZbE508fs0RoxdY5F/s320/confusion.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stage 2: Hope</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait does this mean we are going to finally get a new book? The long promised Host sequels? What else could it be! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stage 3: Anticipation</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my god finally the time has come for her to release The Host sequels that got pushed back. Wow her best book, finally getting the series and </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long running character development</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Wanda deserves </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUrm-QDx27j_tt3P6Mg45KNsi60DuEY_-C6bDwQwOdguXIwhdGE4Q-vk0ZZ9daF-0Nsbr6AyR7qaYHVO2btUoxrez-r9L0t1OuBNaJOquYp4Etgf4UHWYaMliKC-qqUVdE57RLp37pfsa/s1600/confident.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUrm-QDx27j_tt3P6Mg45KNsi60DuEY_-C6bDwQwOdguXIwhdGE4Q-vk0ZZ9daF-0Nsbr6AyR7qaYHVO2btUoxrez-r9L0t1OuBNaJOquYp4Etgf4UHWYaMliKC-qqUVdE57RLp37pfsa/s1600/confident.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stage 4: EDGE OF OUR SEAT DURING COUNTDOWN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my god!! 5 minutes to go, 2 minutes to go - I am so excited to see the new Host covers! I wonder if she will redesign the covers for the whole trilogy instead of that stupid eyeball cover </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time quick better refresh the page- wait.....what is this?!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stage 5: Disappointment</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Wow</u>. I mean, I truly let myself clown myself. Just when I thought Stephanie was about to save us from quarantine with some Host series development...<b>nope</b>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7y6Kj56wqaiZO8sPt5khRgz6XJfpgxaAZKjp0vIh9ViqH_xbx_AEFWzwfJmd6WBsdbOvzaJ67OHr77UnV_ze5uU2YCiuffR-ADnHPrKWqsbRrWuQ2HdniPqzUW1eRWOSGpNyH8jwhvQn/s1600/brain%253Dmalfunction-spongebobreaction-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="499" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7y6Kj56wqaiZO8sPt5khRgz6XJfpgxaAZKjp0vIh9ViqH_xbx_AEFWzwfJmd6WBsdbOvzaJ67OHr77UnV_ze5uU2YCiuffR-ADnHPrKWqsbRrWuQ2HdniPqzUW1eRWOSGpNyH8jwhvQn/s320/brain%253Dmalfunction-spongebobreaction-gif.gif" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ghN5XbCh49PmLAo7T-EjTfTQU3aacPMC9Ad7I-xvC6UdNO3be9fK7r1d0pYJDHnJPN-xs4JphjJ-TVu9vidVVaVoOUKvr4l2L0mDY_lgzrAx4A97_y2pmvtZOIzcvCi6ktzSHUw6IcSb/s1600/exhasberated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ghN5XbCh49PmLAo7T-EjTfTQU3aacPMC9Ad7I-xvC6UdNO3be9fK7r1d0pYJDHnJPN-xs4JphjJ-TVu9vidVVaVoOUKvr4l2L0mDY_lgzrAx4A97_y2pmvtZOIzcvCi6ktzSHUw6IcSb/s1600/exhasberated.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's your thoughts on the announcement? You excited for Midnight Sun or do you think 3 books retelling the same book is enough?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally I was super hyped for The Host sequels as I think its the best book she's ever written but I am disappointed. </span><br />
<br />Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-55553736621198820702020-04-23T12:00:00.000+01:002020-05-08T23:27:34.882+01:00The Baby by Lisa Drakeford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAE4a2XCz9Wv42mVeFpXcQ7MirocxcSFaJtVX11hq7-XnPVt39YRDey5HGcGTlJgvWGJ2ggG5ohJlQjmc-JGPV9v5iC7OQ4XDF2AIDKJRg5yLLtJIdrZP7KIVAm3voXR8SStp-6at6h3M/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="227" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAE4a2XCz9Wv42mVeFpXcQ7MirocxcSFaJtVX11hq7-XnPVt39YRDey5HGcGTlJgvWGJ2ggG5ohJlQjmc-JGPV9v5iC7OQ4XDF2AIDKJRg5yLLtJIdrZP7KIVAm3voXR8SStp-6at6h3M/s400/baby.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Chicken House</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> July 2015 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Own </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25054761-the-baby"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Baby-Lisa-Drakeford/9781910002230?ref=grid-view&qid=1587467895493&a_aid=Shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Olivia opens the bathroom door, the last thing she expects to see is her best friend Nicola giving birth on the floor – and to say Nicola is surprised is an understatement. She’s not ready to be a mum, and she needs Olivia’s help. But Olivia has her own problems – specifically her bullying boyfriend, Jonty, and keeping an eye on younger sister Alice. And then there’s Nicola’s friend Ben, who’s struggling with secrets of his own …</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This is one of the oldest books on my bookshelf so I decided to read it for the <a href="https://thereadingrush.com/"><span style="color: red;">Stay Home Reading Rush</span></a> for the <i>book-read-in-one-sitting</i> challenge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to read this book as soon as it came out but it turned out to be one of those books that you somehow forget about and they gather dust on your shelf. So I decided that in quarantine I'm going to try to read some of my <u><i>oldest TBR books</i></u>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book centers around the mystery of Nicola giving birth at her friends birthday party in the bathroom. No one knew she was pregnant and no one knows who the father is. The rest of the book is based around the fallout of this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something I really enjoyed about this book was the all encompassing view it gave the reader.We got multiple POV's from the whole cast of characters across months. This was the perfect way to help the reader unpack the complicated situation of the novel and get to know the characters in depth. Characters I started off not liking, once I got to their chapter and learned more about them I found myself warming to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nicola was definitely my favourite character. I really loved reading from her perspective and her situation. She was the most interesting and compelling character for me. Although I would have liked more from the characters and for the book to be longer so that we could get even more from the story unfolding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot to the novel was entertaining. I liked the mystery aspect, the characters and the in depth portrayal of relationships throughout the novel. Yet, this novel just didn't pack enough of a punch for me. I'm not sure why I felt a little disconnected from the novel, possibly due to it feeling a little short for me as I would have liked more. I also didn't enjoy the ending of the novel at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall the novel portrays teenage relationship, sex, pregnancy, friendship and struggles in a fantastic and realistic way. Yet for me the novel didn't have that x factor or gripping nature for me to give ti any higher of a rating. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-31044484566672243512020-04-20T22:50:00.001+01:002020-04-20T22:51:39.546+01:00Review: Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CT9CSeo7UA0-SArIBYyWE7U1OkJbZhYw-YoRcwRAF26BpjKi_5VaFXKovqPkaLOOfIS3AOi-cPk8wfSUZpDaVXVUK2PctOoUl_TPXGYwHtPdgOiS3SQoybElCFtoOjhADRglqlhMIwXm/s1600/queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CT9CSeo7UA0-SArIBYyWE7U1OkJbZhYw-YoRcwRAF26BpjKi_5VaFXKovqPkaLOOfIS3AOi-cPk8wfSUZpDaVXVUK2PctOoUl_TPXGYwHtPdgOiS3SQoybElCFtoOjhADRglqlhMIwXm/s400/queen.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> O'Brien Press</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> June 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Review Copy from Publisher</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42442934-queen-of-coin-and-whispers"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Queen-of-Coin-and-Whispers-Helen-Corcoran/9781788491181/?a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> </span>]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold ... Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Faced with dangerous plots and hidden enemies, can Lia and Xania learn to rely on each another, as they discover that all is not fair in love and treason?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In a world where the throne means both power and duty, they must decide what to sacrifice for their country – and for each other …</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Thank you to the lovely people at <i>O'Brien Press</i> for sending me an advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my review. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was very much looking forward to this book as it received a huge amount of publicity even in 2019 which is a long time before its release date. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The novel centers around Lia who has now inherited the throne and will become queen of the kingdom. As Lia ascends to the throne, dangers begin to surface in every aspect of her life. She hires Xania as her Whispers aka her personal protector and spymaster. From here their relationship begins to grow, deepen and become romantic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The representation in this novel is just next level. The novel features wlw, mlm, bisexual characters and gay characters throughout. I really loved this aspect as in this world all sexual preferences and relationships are normalised. So I loved reading about these relationships and the interaction between characters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the slow-burn romance in this novel. If you look for slow-burn romance with plenty of yearning, this is the book for you. The romance between Lia and Xania was so well written. Everyone of their interactions was so true to character and the subtle flirting was so fantastically written. I also really enjoyed the navigating of the power imbalance in the relationship as Lia is powerful as she is queen and Xania is not very well off economically. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another aspect I enjoyed was the portrayal of Lia's ambition. Often times a woman's over-ambition is usually attributed to a villain, see Lady Macbeth, vs a main character being meek and mild and humble. This novel turn this trope on its head as we see Lia hungry for the crown, the power and the ability to have influence over the court and her people. Her ambition and drive for power makes her character even more interesting and is fantastic to read about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although the relationship was so well written, I found the plot of the book to be a little boring at times. I felt the world building was rushed as we didn't have much of an introduction into the dynamics of the world and the kingdom itself. I also found myself skimming a lot of the pages to just get to the next sapphic moment in the novel. Although there were some twists and turns, especially towards the end that I really enjoyed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The writing style was engaging but I did feel a little distant from the novel itself. I often found myself feeling distant from the plot, the world and political aspect of the court and kingdom. The dialogue in the novel was fantastically written and engaging. The characters were wholly three dimensional and vivid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall I enjoyed this novel and highly recommend if you are looking for sapphic, wlw, fantasy novel. The book is definitely character driven over plot driven in my opinion. An exciting, romantic novel with great characters. Can't wait to read more of Helen's novels in the future!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-85827313409088718282020-04-10T13:00:00.000+01:002020-04-10T13:00:04.629+01:00Review: What's A Girl To Do by Holly Bourne <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> August 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Usbourne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Series:</b> <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20Spinster%20club">The Spinster Club/ The Normal Series</a> #3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Own</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29740718-what-s-a-girl-gotta-do"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/What-s-a-Girl-Gotta-Do-/9781474915021/?a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i>HOW TO START A FEMINIST REVOLUTION:</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">1. Call out anything that is unfair on one gender</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">2. Don't call out the same thing twice (so you can sleep and breathe)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">3. Always try to keep it funny</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">4. Don't let anything slide. Even when you start to break...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Lottie's determined to change the world with her #Vagilante vlog. Shame the trolls have other ideas...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This is the 3rd book in the <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20Spinster%20club"><span style="color: red;">Spinster Club</span></a> series. If you know me, you will know this series is one of my favourite series of all times! Check out my reviews of the other books, <i><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2016/02/review-am-i-normal-yet-by-holly-bourne.html"><span style="color: red;">Am I Normal Yet?</span></a></i> and <i><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2016/02/5-reasons-to-read-how-hard-can-love-be.html"><span style="color: red;">How Hard Can Love Be</span></a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book centres on Lottie, who is one of my most outspoken and bubbly of the trio. Lottie's book is one I was so looking forward to reading, but for some reason I let myself get busy and didn't have time to read it. So it sat on my shelf for years but due to <b><i>~quarantine~</i></b> I now have ALL THE READING TIME!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lottie's book was just as funny, feminism filled as I was expecting. The novel centers on Lotties activist campaign #Vagilante where she is going to call out every piece of sexism she sees for an entire month while creating an online video series documenting the campaign. She recruits budding videographer Will, who is handsome but "definitely not a feminist". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way in which our favourite Spinster sisters were portrayed over this book was so interesting. We see our girls changing as they look to the future- as they are nearing the end of school and will be beginning university soon. I really liked reading Lottie's want to go to Cambridge and achieve her dream of being prime minister but also battling with the feeling of leaving her friends and comfortable safe space behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way the girls friendship is so pure makes me so happy. The girls build each other up, comfort each other and also know when to call each other out. The spinster club is so amazing. Their scenes just made my heart burst with joy as they make me so happy. They're definitely the characters I wish I could pull out of the book and make my friends in real life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two new characters introduced in this book I fell in love with entirely. Firstly, lets talk about Will. Will. Oh, wow. Will was on one hand infuriating because he refused to accept the term "feminist" and described himself as "believing in gender equality". And yet he was also devastatingly handsome and cheeky and quirky. I really loved seeing him and Lottie get closer and closer and how Lottie was jumping between being infuriated at him but also acknowledging his hotness. Lottie and Will bounced off each other as they were both confident, so stubborn and love arguing. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other new character we were introduced to was Megan. I absolutely loved Megan and her relationship with Lottie. Megan is holding a pain which Lottie thinks is her responsibility to unlock and help with but sometimes it's not the most helpful way to do this. I really enjoyed how Lottie welcomed Megan into their inner circle, and seeing Megan open up and become happy compared to where she was in the beginning of the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The feminist side of the plot was everything I had hoped for and more. Lottie's book was always going to be packed full of feminism. Her #Vagilante campaign was so fun, but also eye-opening. The cream-pieing and the horn honking definitely brought some humour but I was also surprised by things I hadn't even realised were sexist. Sexism is so deeply ingrained in our society that most of the time we overlook it without realising. I absolutely loved the feminist, female empowering Lottie we got to see in this novel and really wish I could have my own Spinster Club - cheesy snacks essential. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall this book was a laugh out loud, feminism filled end to the Spinster Club trilogy and was everything I could have hoped for and more. Holly has created such amazing three dimensional characters that I honestly wish I could pull from the page into my life. Holly's books are always thought provoking, funny and truly connect with the reader. Could not recommend a better series of novels.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-29919726156899896672020-04-07T17:01:00.000+01:002020-04-07T17:05:34.199+01:00Sex in YA Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2rvK0_fSrdLmpwB7SOnDR2jJboWaj1dtnqmzcCdg8_3EzM2Rkr2WS2cDUqlkbfrkHvHvK7Hy1n4VFfgv15MOCdCHGZlAN74EdPTbE23j8E2WIAAsZIVmaVQlPS_95TIAC9zIVZHkII44/s1600/Blog+Headings+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2rvK0_fSrdLmpwB7SOnDR2jJboWaj1dtnqmzcCdg8_3EzM2Rkr2WS2cDUqlkbfrkHvHvK7Hy1n4VFfgv15MOCdCHGZlAN74EdPTbE23j8E2WIAAsZIVmaVQlPS_95TIAC9zIVZHkII44/s640/Blog+Headings+%25283%2529.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So if you follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/Shannonbookworm/status/1247132750051708929">Twitter</a>, you've probably seen <a href="https://twitter.com/Shannonbookworm/status/1247132750051708929">my thread</a> looking for books with positive realistic representations of sex in YA books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Representing any issue in YA books needs to be handled well. You can't breeze over and sugar coat a topic because that is inauthentic and unrealistic. Teenagers and young adults know about sex, they may be having sex. Therefore mis-representing it in books is not "sheltering" them its harming them as they need a realistic view of relationships.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In real life there is no "fade-to-black" movie moment and it really irritates me when a book or movie does that as they don't want to portray the real moment to teenagers or young adults.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Teenagers relationships are just as valid. Therefore I'm glad there are some books which represent sex, love and relationships in a realistic way for teenagers. Representation really matters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1) <u>The Classic</u>: Forever by Judy Blume</span></b> (<a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2015/08/review-forever-by-judy-blume.html">REVIEW HERE</a>)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AspynyUgQdbS3kGi4WXQYIJ3NZfwRUFs29KpnWUtVgTxYBKFujOCIvMhbGiv5W4zf7tBoudwVySBZtbpHxWSi5-JVtG0XgjyZppboSMXxioudJkxlwpa_bk1u-djqbcQj1dawF85mWr7/s1600/41HSzXclLvL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AspynyUgQdbS3kGi4WXQYIJ3NZfwRUFs29KpnWUtVgTxYBKFujOCIvMhbGiv5W4zf7tBoudwVySBZtbpHxWSi5-JVtG0XgjyZppboSMXxioudJkxlwpa_bk1u-djqbcQj1dawF85mWr7/s320/41HSzXclLvL.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The representation is not only realistic in this book but is probably one of the first books for many people that they read where sex was displayed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This novel centres around first relationship between Katherine, the main character, and her boyfriend Michael. As they fall in love for the first time they begin having sex. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way the relationship progresses is written so well and the sex scenes are realistic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book shows sex in a realistic light, bleeding when you lose your virginity, it hurting, it sometimes being disappointing and the fact that just because you fall in love doesn't mean it will last forever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A must read (although I find the boyfriend Michael to not be great and it is a little dated because its 50+ years old)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2) <u>Gay Rep</u>: Release by Patrick Ness </span></b> (<a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2018/07/review-release-by-patrick-ness.html">REVIEW HERE</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This novel is an extremely underrated brilliant book from Patrick Ness - who I adore! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book centres around one crazy day for our protagonist Adam Thorn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adam is gay, but struggling to let his family know as they are extremely religious. The sex portrayed in this book between Adam and is boyfriend is realistic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ness doesn't shy away from writing the sex in a realistic way, he writes the emotion involved, the conflict Adam feels between feeling scared of his family being ashamed of him but also his love for his boyfriend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sex scenes are very realistic, but whats more is the love and relationship emotions Ness writes so well. This book really shows a happy, healthy sexual relationship between two teenagers in a realistic and positive light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3) <u>Bisexual Rep</u>: All of the Above by Juno Dawson </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBctzR9VKtHvBYkfwy7N9YB-vB-0E-R7DMAE0TflmE-eL0fASnmrmbhJiJqy8xt3hAWQMQBEpxuPNkM6qMpj2QSL-T0Y4ZfG5BW3BPwwZGbskyBZ3ZF9Q6TiI0cMkm-ff6Mq67JevuIsz/s1600/all+of+the+above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBctzR9VKtHvBYkfwy7N9YB-vB-0E-R7DMAE0TflmE-eL0fASnmrmbhJiJqy8xt3hAWQMQBEpxuPNkM6qMpj2QSL-T0Y4ZfG5BW3BPwwZGbskyBZ3ZF9Q6TiI0cMkm-ff6Mq67JevuIsz/s320/all+of+the+above.jpg" width="209" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is one of my all time favourite novels EVER! So much so, that I can't even formulate my thoughts as I keep writing a review and then deleting it because its too <i>"JUST BUY THIS" </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the sexual representation in this book is so well written. Our main character Tori is a mixed race bisexual teenage girl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the course of the novel she falls in love for the first time, has sex with both girls and boys and finds her happiness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sex scenes and the way the relationships are written and progress are just perfect. The sex scenes are equal parts awkward first time fumbles and realistic representations of being in love with your partner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book and its characters is just so well written, if you read only one book from this list - please make it this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4) <u>Awkward Realistic First Time</u>: Lobsters by Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4EPNGsO_e7gAjHW9QD13uKeqtYqdG6MJbaz0DGMZDZzGvKjA_wgBlnXakukqQTIhw-8XN-hKOc6QQHaJwGGzPKAkGetDH7vt5euij7jfUwOD4B5qSV0X7u_eYUFVW1acx0AP-AQOuBEg/s1600/lobsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4EPNGsO_e7gAjHW9QD13uKeqtYqdG6MJbaz0DGMZDZzGvKjA_wgBlnXakukqQTIhw-8XN-hKOc6QQHaJwGGzPKAkGetDH7vt5euij7jfUwOD4B5qSV0X7u_eYUFVW1acx0AP-AQOuBEg/s320/lobsters.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book gets so many things right and is just JOYFUL </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lobsters centers around Sam and Hannah, two teenagers who want to spend their summer trying to lose their virginity before they go to college / university. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The misadventures of them meeting people, trying to lose their virginity is just so very entertaining. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sex scenes and the relationships are so well written and three dimensional. The book covers all things from first times, premature ejaculation (the couch scene had me wetting myself), toxic friends, bad relationships and pressure teenagers feel to lose their virginity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So well written and probably one of the funniest books I've ever read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5) <u>1st Book I Read</u>: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was the first ever YA book I read that featured sex when I was a teenager. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The novel centres around Isabel, an angry teenager who drink, parties and has sex. Isabel was such a raw, realistic character you're immediately sucked in by her. She pretends to be 18 so she can begin a relationship with Smith an older guy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The portrayal of sex and relationships in this novel is well written and very realistic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This is a book that I will definitely need to re-read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part 2 of this post <i>coming very soon</i>! Please leave your sex-positive YA book recommendations in the comments because I want to see more positive representation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Happy reading! </i></span><br />
<br />Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-82857750115801577142020-03-23T11:27:00.000+00:002020-03-23T11:27:06.195+00:00Review: Mrs Hinch: Hinch Yourself Happy by Sophie Hinchcliffe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLx2S2Om3amoKK4d0KQXHq7Z3Ae153i-lCLoprd4fkithyphenhyphenAemylEe_qpWauIeCWTkEgamx9VeU6fgiVXKuyAeen2I5ZVnc26OjSmHfUzwwvwmgnrbCWFq3txxOtww0tSlnEiIEe2eCXj/s1600/hinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1084" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLx2S2Om3amoKK4d0KQXHq7Z3Ae153i-lCLoprd4fkithyphenhyphenAemylEe_qpWauIeCWTkEgamx9VeU6fgiVXKuyAeen2I5ZVnc26OjSmHfUzwwvwmgnrbCWFq3txxOtww0tSlnEiIEe2eCXj/s400/hinch.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> April 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael Joseph</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Purchased</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43201779-hinch-yourself-happy?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=g97IEMpCSO&rank=4"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Hinch-Yourself-Happy-Mrs-Hinch/9780241399750?ref=grid-view&qid=1584713424541&sr=1-1/?a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ]</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blurb: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Cleaning (aka "hinching") doesn't have to be a dreaded chore -- not when Mrs Hinch is here to show you her sparkly ways!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Often called the "British Marie Kondo," Mrs. Hinch is a domestic guru who has taken the world by storm with her infectiously addictive charm, clever tidying tips, and passionate belief in the healing power of cleaning. In </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Hinch Yourself Happy</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">, she makes cleaning glamorous and fun, and explains how it's a brilliant way to taper anxiety and manage your mental health.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Inside you'll find out: How cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress Mrs Hinch's must-have cleaning supplies Step-by-step guides to hinching your home And so much more!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Qd05LBzIrt7BrB1dhjIp0ZV61ybzzpTG1EG_1gp9t9yo6CiHlSXooC4xGl1bNFL4ysowHw5yNckMcEOJID7xUFPu9uTYhjm9p6ANW_7NomeErQPOcoYDpMzn9Zkm5JhPa_zZfM4-jzu/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1600" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Qd05LBzIrt7BrB1dhjIp0ZV61ybzzpTG1EG_1gp9t9yo6CiHlSXooC4xGl1bNFL4ysowHw5yNckMcEOJID7xUFPu9uTYhjm9p6ANW_7NomeErQPOcoYDpMzn9Zkm5JhPa_zZfM4-jzu/s640/1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sophie Hinchcliffe is probably more well known for her Instagram account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrshinchhome/?hl=en">@MrsHichHome</a> or as Mrs Hinch. Her cleaning and decorating of her home has become hugely popular across the internet and the world amassing millions of followers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But what people connect with most of all is just how authentic and real Sophie herself is. I really enjoyed the book as it give a great insight into Sophie's own life and her rise to insta-fame. Sophie is so candid in the book, she discusses her own personal life, growing up as a child, her anxiety and battle with her mental health and how her medical issues have impacted her life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sophie comes across so transparent and honest in her novel which really draws the reader in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really loved the insight we got into Sophie's life and how she discussed her mental and physical health. She really lets her followers into her life in a big way and shows us her bad's and goods and how she deals with her anxiety. The book gives great tips on how to be comfortable in yourself and your own skin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book also gives great tips on cleaning, obviously as that is her thing. Sophie has little tips for getting on top of cleaning and on a budget. Sophie also gives great tips on budget home decor and life. One thing I really admire is that even though she has become such a household name, she still shops on Ebay and in the Poundshop most of the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall the book is great for fans of Mrs Hinch and those who are new to her. The book doesn't just give tips on keeping your home clean and happy but also life, mental health and self image. A wonderfully heart warming book that would make a great gift.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYJZKJtopa5weJVam0daM-1dowKri8LVk3BB9ShYo41xbAGrXT3Z3B_fL5n3thvno4UemqyTLql04EVBHfudz9Br0i41h54AB95aWNrd1iKXx19Ji3-OhyphenhyphensQcxAX6GnR8s2yum3Rzo3dX/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYJZKJtopa5weJVam0daM-1dowKri8LVk3BB9ShYo41xbAGrXT3Z3B_fL5n3thvno4UemqyTLql04EVBHfudz9Br0i41h54AB95aWNrd1iKXx19Ji3-OhyphenhyphensQcxAX6GnR8s2yum3Rzo3dX/s640/2.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv1CV2YO3V5hdFqGuWGpd2DMisZunIQXR8l8xZ4XXY0opgfrVg3FG1Cv5TLXsxzApusFht5C6ibABu9LE3AV_9t1jWVQjQDSPixkwf264YKtB8zkXJusIcj6AVSiqRyiU6SJrWaWQDfTG/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv1CV2YO3V5hdFqGuWGpd2DMisZunIQXR8l8xZ4XXY0opgfrVg3FG1Cv5TLXsxzApusFht5C6ibABu9LE3AV_9t1jWVQjQDSPixkwf264YKtB8zkXJusIcj6AVSiqRyiU6SJrWaWQDfTG/s640/7.png" width="640" /></a>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-67802901926924865102020-03-19T15:36:00.000+00:002020-03-19T15:37:17.587+00:005 Books About Pandemics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipn8GKOd-YENK_TL7ty92-aCLVP2QxxAY2FhHwzOoLq_I0Feq4uKu6O4k3cpkEG6GMJbbHypKm4o8OfkugZ1r2zPBQvfVTkmU1rPdR18svUw4NAP6H8QilAsHjFpT6f6SaE9AKVa3pwVF/s1600/Blog+Headings+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipn8GKOd-YENK_TL7ty92-aCLVP2QxxAY2FhHwzOoLq_I0Feq4uKu6O4k3cpkEG6GMJbbHypKm4o8OfkugZ1r2zPBQvfVTkmU1rPdR18svUw4NAP6H8QilAsHjFpT6f6SaE9AKVa3pwVF/s640/Blog+Headings+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the world currently tries its best to deal with the Cov-id 19 breakout, there are a lot of us spending more and more time inside. Whether that be because we are working from home, social distancing or self isolating ourselves as we are feeling sick - we all have to keep ourselves entertained and occupied in this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've always loved reading YA books about dystopian worlds where there is a virus or disease at the centre of the plot. In these stories, the hero always wins. So will we. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDv_AoT2vWZfaOoo2R9V_I1bBgrzhAucV_oMYKhyKlXRzG6eiEx-xVlBxHAXW_8x2VN6oh3clk3F-1y6pxtToSSL1Cd9364gdauT4oXASGvXy4MntAUa78C_mLPahbm0xe5JJ3y9FV0l/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlDv_AoT2vWZfaOoo2R9V_I1bBgrzhAucV_oMYKhyKlXRzG6eiEx-xVlBxHAXW_8x2VN6oh3clk3F-1y6pxtToSSL1Cd9364gdauT4oXASGvXy4MntAUa78C_mLPahbm0xe5JJ3y9FV0l/s400/download+%25282%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Partials by Dan Wells (</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-partials-1-by-dan-wells.html"><i>Review</i></a></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">)</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Partials-Dan-Wells/9780007465224?ref=grid-view&qid=1584630858239&a_aid=shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/">Book Depository</a>] [<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12476820-partials?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=p5EXadeca2&rank=1">Goodreads</a>]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-partials-1-by-dan-wells.html">Partials</a> is a really underrated book that I never see anyone else talking about. I read it back in 2013-ish when Dystopian was at the <i>peak</i> of its popularity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">3 Reasons To Read This Book:</span></i></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1)</b> The characters are so vibrant. Kira, the protagonist, is so badass. The whole cast of characters is so entertaining. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2)</b> The virus is really delved into in the book. So if you're "science-head" then you will love this. It goes deep into virology and the roots of it. Really interesting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3) </b>The history and background of the origins of the world are so well written. We love a dystopian with a rich thick background *chefs kiss*</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GHKEIfC-sV_6px_2oWAlNFJeeW0XSJ1JMl4lPH2c7r4wQUP2ynpdXA5VzFJZxILIiZy-xyEFZtxFGJQ8SBkqgq9HGHo7clgdXN540LTxstjDIFbS6PX2iVcp7gJTNp4wVNwJA3S7GuHk/s1600/26570741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GHKEIfC-sV_6px_2oWAlNFJeeW0XSJ1JMl4lPH2c7r4wQUP2ynpdXA5VzFJZxILIiZy-xyEFZtxFGJQ8SBkqgq9HGHo7clgdXN540LTxstjDIFbS6PX2iVcp7gJTNp4wVNwJA3S7GuHk/s320/26570741.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Oasis by Eilis Barrett (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2016/03/review-oasis-by-eilis-barrett.html"><i><span style="color: red;">Review</span></i></a><span style="color: #20124d;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Oasis-Eilis-Barrett/9780717169238?ref=grid-view&qid=1584630726494&sr=1-2/?a_aid=shannonbookworm">Book Depository</a>] [<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26570741-oasis?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=HygkjEQ37M&rank=1">Goodreads</a>]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is one of my all time favourite dystopians. The novel centres around a population drove to near extinction after the outbreak of a virus. With the only survivors living in a walled off city named "Oasis"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">3 Reasons To Read Oasis:</span></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1)</b> The characters are not only fantastically written, but have the quirkiest names - Quincy and Kole! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2)</b> Kole is complete <i>book-boyfriend</i> material</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3)</b> Irish author- we support! </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13541378-breathe" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw0or-JeIjGf0JiFuqytYWXKzAVkKeRwb3KYYnD_aH_bY5DSb841eC_0OePfRzq0iVRBmSNAb9xrtIqhUjfNT59JA_v-m9WpJFkg4klfvg5pgDdEX6aO3VIookMsaJYYtyILOD1Kxeuds/s1600/breathe.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Breathe by Sarah Crossan (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-breathe-by-sarah-crossan.html"><span style="color: red;">Review</span></a><span style="color: #20124d;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13541378-breathe">Goodreads</a>] [<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Breathe-Sarah-Crossan/9781408827192?ref=grid-view&qid=1584630642385&a_aid=shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/">Book Depository</a>]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This novel takes place in a world where oxygen is a scarce commodity and humanity has to enter a lottery to be moved inside "the pod", a place with more plentiful oxygen. With an oxygen tax opposed on the lower classes, Alina joins the resistance and ventures to find a place whispered about where oxygen is plentiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">3 Reasons to Read Breathe:</span></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1)</b> Although Sarah Crossan is much more well known for writing contemporary novels, her dystopian writing is captivating</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2) </b>Climate change / dystopian themes are so well written here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3) </b>Purple is my favourite colour and this cover is so beautiful</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZkJ_Ld1xYne8YrSR3XfaZPpl-ETJaAz8QvDX-1hfYaM4ppjRQ02i1MdJF8kWYl2pE13NlrXTlqyuJLLvvQ9EE6kTLL5Q7a0VeVlhjB2hTF1eutWOn-SlLj3lwLG_5PGE26SO_FbXYH9P/s1600/asdfgggghhhhhjkl%253B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZkJ_Ld1xYne8YrSR3XfaZPpl-ETJaAz8QvDX-1hfYaM4ppjRQ02i1MdJF8kWYl2pE13NlrXTlqyuJLLvvQ9EE6kTLL5Q7a0VeVlhjB2hTF1eutWOn-SlLj3lwLG_5PGE26SO_FbXYH9P/s320/asdfgggghhhhhjkl%253B.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">DeadLands by Lily Herne (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2013/03/arc-review-dead-lands-by-lily-herne.html"><span style="color: red;">Review</span></a><span style="color: #20124d;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Deadlands/9781472100900/?a_aid=shannonbookworm">Book Depository</a>] [<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10652356-deadlands?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=87vq2FLGG2&rank=1">Goodreads</a>] </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set in a future Cape Town where people are surviving the aftermath of a war ten years on. Being protected from the zombies created during the war by hooded Guardians who hold a lottery each year where 5 teenagers are chosen and taken away forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lele hates life in Cape Town. When she gets selected in the lottery, she runs out into the DeadLands where the undead roam. She then joins the Mall Rats, a gang of misfits hiding out underground and preparing to stand against the regime. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3 Reasons To Read DeadLands: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1)</b> It's one of my ALL TIME FAVES and I have not seen anyone else talking about it. So please read it and talk to me about it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2)</b> Lele and the Mall Rats are so badass it is insane. They are just so great to read about. You'll instantly fall in love with them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3)</b> Action packed to the brim! This book is one you cannot put down. Bonus point for Thabo- one of my favourite book boyfriends ever, is in this book.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zom-B by Darren Shan </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/ZOM-B-Darren-Shan/9781471158278?ref=grid-view&qid=1584630512422&sr=1-12/?a_aid=shannonbookworm">Book Depository</a>] [<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13528422-zom-b">Goodreads</a>]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp6FHnrcfNZFifw5TAa4VKNLv_GpNEuZORfgsze-mExW0Y2beExwPLYLCr8Jtj552fGvTEXlSvq8DaQPrCrrt_TrHHHSjgx32xJbhB9iYJxDab92kDoT7i9C8Ljq2DawDpJ0IUC6UYF43/s1600/zom-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp6FHnrcfNZFifw5TAa4VKNLv_GpNEuZORfgsze-mExW0Y2beExwPLYLCr8Jtj552fGvTEXlSvq8DaQPrCrrt_TrHHHSjgx32xJbhB9iYJxDab92kDoT7i9C8Ljq2DawDpJ0IUC6UYF43/s320/zom-b.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>3 Reasons to Read Zom-B: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) The viral zombie outbreak was so action packed to read about</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) There is some seriously funny moments among the brains and guts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) The anti-racism theme is underlying but so well written</span></span>
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Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-56539194296985774262020-02-24T22:01:00.002+00:002020-02-24T22:01:33.738+00:00Review: Grief Angels by David Owen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibceGpvEqj6cBiQfHUx3mYoYVzrNKYQ6ezNOXT4eyAyEm1J7xgHfNm1IDNE8-wDydDUSHCFAxHlDrjwUlOGb1PYC47LBuBFIusXoTqqPTLsF8ZA4BN_8ckvJhL7-bYlinw9GFmwW40Ss3n/s1600/Grief+Angels+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibceGpvEqj6cBiQfHUx3mYoYVzrNKYQ6ezNOXT4eyAyEm1J7xgHfNm1IDNE8-wDydDUSHCFAxHlDrjwUlOGb1PYC47LBuBFIusXoTqqPTLsF8ZA4BN_8ckvJhL7-bYlinw9GFmwW40Ss3n/s400/Grief+Angels+cover.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> March 5th 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher</b>: Atom Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Review Copy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47195170-grief-angels"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Grief-Angels-David-Owen/9780349003429?ref=grid-view&qid=1582581641895&sr=1-1a_aid=shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blurb:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15-year-old Owen Marlow is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnSO-kO4sghkf_YP3eQVCAcyGz4ql589DNFa45O5PE029bQY_q5WKzPxC4hcIE5OL3uI0VealzMH-0uaKAQfESBr7w0Wwj-vHZZRDZKIXcRuiuQ8GYm3XjesZjZnErGm_DUwvSueHvS6P/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnSO-kO4sghkf_YP3eQVCAcyGz4ql589DNFa45O5PE029bQY_q5WKzPxC4hcIE5OL3uI0VealzMH-0uaKAQfESBr7w0Wwj-vHZZRDZKIXcRuiuQ8GYm3XjesZjZnErGm_DUwvSueHvS6P/s640/1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Massive thank you to Atom Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book was one of my <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2020/01/most-anticipated-2020-releases.html"><span style="color: red;">most anticipated books of the year</span></a> because I am obsessed with <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/David%20Owen"><span style="color: #0b5394;">David Owens novels</span></a>. Honestly, if you have not read any of his novels (ESPECIALLY <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2017/08/review-fallen-children-by-david-owen.html"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE FALLEN CHILDREN</span></i></a>- MY ALL TIME FAVE) then please please do so! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book touched me so deeply and moved me. I know a lot of people say "this book made me think of life differently" or "this book really connected with me" but when I say this now I really mean it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book deals a lot with grief and identity and mourning. The novel centers around our two main characters, Duncan and Owen. Owen has just moved to a new area after the death of his father. He is not coping very well and is also trying to fit in to a new environment. Duncan is struggling with his identity and how he feels about himself, while also encountering difficulties in his friendships. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both boys really connected with me. Owens has written one of the strongest, most realistic and emotionally beautiful male characters and male friendship I've ever read. The two boys come together and as their friendship grows they begin to let the other in on their own personal turmoils and struggles. This unfolding of secrets, hidden truths and stories all unravel to reveal each boys true identity and their own personal journeys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really loved Owen. He was so sweet and odd and eccentric. He was so caring in his friendship with Duncan, but also not afraid to let him hear some hard truths and I loved his creative side. Duncan was a fun character, I felt his lack of "wanting to grow up and change" is a sentiment a lot of boys have at his age as they are no longer teenagers and venturing to adulthood, but most boys and men do not admit this feeling for fear of ridicule. Duncan's fear to reveal his mental health issues to his friends for fear of judgement was also well written and heartbreaking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Owen learns that there is so many ways to grieve and that often memory romanticizes a person, he is taken on a mystical mental journey which shows how strong his emotional character is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved this book for its portrayal of realistic, emotionally strong men, male friendships, the intricate and testing dynamics of friendships, the many ways grief can affect someone and how they grieve. One of the most beautiful and heart warming male character stories I've read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was the slightly mystical and symbolic nature of parts of the book. If you've read this I am sure you will understand me. Although I enjoyed the symbolism and the meanings behind this, I found it jarring when breaking up the story and sometimes a little bored as I wanted to return to the main events. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But overall, definitely a brilliant, equal parts tear jerking and heart warming story of how two boys become friends and change each others lives so that they may be their true and real selves.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-62393907748608860162020-02-17T22:36:00.000+00:002020-02-17T22:36:33.923+00:005 Ways To Get Free Books! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdgcDi1PO4AoOXPs0mtfP4eT-S9LNx41SGKJozQrTtnp1PEW_i2257HFIjUKwSJ1JoasnaYSgC170hJ4e9Ig-70sCfyHEOdFlSOF9oUhg5GFY-jfswUDpv1yCtIdbivtw8LWUPEIDX3_b/s1600/Blog+Headings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdgcDi1PO4AoOXPs0mtfP4eT-S9LNx41SGKJozQrTtnp1PEW_i2257HFIjUKwSJ1JoasnaYSgC170hJ4e9Ig-70sCfyHEOdFlSOF9oUhg5GFY-jfswUDpv1yCtIdbivtw8LWUPEIDX3_b/s640/Blog+Headings.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes guys you've read that correctly...probably every book-lovers favourite two words.... <b><span style="font-size: large;">FREE. BOOKS. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So as all book lovers know, being a book collector can be expensive. Think of the books, hardcovers are so pretty but super pricey. Not to mention the price of buying new bookshelves! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here is a quick and informative list of five ways you can get your bookish fix without forking out on another loan from the bank .... but seriously though, even though I can't afford lunch I will still somehow pay for the new illustrated Harry Potter edition every time </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1) Your Local Library</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay so this one may seem a little more obvious but the library is such a underrated bookish resource. So not only is there hundred or thousands of books available here, they also get in the new releases and you can also order a book into your library if they don't have it. The library has a budget for this and if they think a book will be popular with others they will definitely get it. If the book you want isn't there they can also get it sent over to your local library from other libraries around the country - pretty cool right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As well as traditional books, they also have graphic novels, large print texts, language courses and even audiobooks you can download from their library catalogue for free! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get to your library right now</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2) Netgalley </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley </a>is fantastic for getting free e-books. <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> provide free books in exchange for a review. Once you get signed up, you don't have to be a blogger or anything, once approved you can begin requesting novels that they currently have listed on the site. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have a Kindle or e-reader, you can pop them straight onto that, or you can download an application for your computer- such as Adobe Reader, and read from your laptop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Netgalley is a fantastic resource to get new released books and also discover plenty of new authors. With every genre of book from <i>kids to cookery, to YA to graphic novels</i> - there is definitely something there for everyone. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3) Book Swaps / Take a Book, Leave a Book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book swaps are the perfect way to get free books, and also get more shelf space! You can hold a book swap with you bookish friends, family members, colleagues or with someone online. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another great idea is the "<i>take a book, leave a book</i>" initiative. A box or container is left in a public place with a sign saying "Please take a book or leave a book". The book lover then brings a book they want to get rid of and takes a book that they like from the box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These have been very successful in work places and also holiday resorts / homes. I think it's a great idea to promote reading and access to books - while also sharing a book you enjoyed but don't want anymore</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4) Sell Your Books To a Second Hand Bookstore</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So by this way you do kind of have to pay but only by means of books you no longer want. I usually do this once a year as I have a lot of books that build up that I have just lost interest in reading or did not enjoy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often you can go to your local second hand bookstore and offer to give them your books in exchange for store credit. You can then use this store credit to buy books from the shop! A great way to pass on our old books and get new ones. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5) Become a Book Blogger / Bookstagrammer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this one is a little more difficult than the above. It's no secret that <i>book bloggers</i> and <i><a href="http://www.instagram.com/shannonbookworm">bookstagrammers</a></i> get sent a lot of books. But to do this, you will have to build up a following before you can contact any authors or publishing companies about reviewing books for them in exchange for a review. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lot of time and effort goes into both of these roles and you need to be prepared to give that in order to build a following, a reputation and receive some free books. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I highly recommend anyone joining the book blogger community, not for the free books but for the warmest and friendliest community of people I've ever known. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So guys, those are my <i>5 tips for getting free books</i>! What are some of your methods of getting free books and do you use any of the ones I've listed above? Let me know in the comments below. </span><br />
<br />Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-25370186829913136712020-01-28T22:00:00.000+00:002020-01-28T22:00:38.804+00:00Most Anticipated 2020 Releases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCdAACqzuN4h5pmh0hTiH98XykEwiPr-zMjUmqqpSO3e96QoIM20aLBgRtLm-r7u-Oe1HM9P_iH4nAsW9QiIypAFtSR_Btivk_VrKpu26DANFdA7p5mKdkveJlCQQ-uFA4xYBI6iHxidc/s1600/MUSCARELLO+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCdAACqzuN4h5pmh0hTiH98XykEwiPr-zMjUmqqpSO3e96QoIM20aLBgRtLm-r7u-Oe1HM9P_iH4nAsW9QiIypAFtSR_Btivk_VrKpu26DANFdA7p5mKdkveJlCQQ-uFA4xYBI6iHxidc/s640/MUSCARELLO+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2020 has so many amazing releases on the horizon. I feel like this might be the year I ACTUALLY read all of my most anticipated releases! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've tried to narrow my list down to ten most anticipated, and 3 bonus mentions...let's get to it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Scheinmel (February 2020) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls at North Bay Academy are taking sides. It all started when Mike Parker's girlfriend showed up with a bruise on her face. Or, more specifically, when she walked into the principal's office and said Mike hit her. But the students have questions. Why did she go to the principal and not the police? Why did she stay so long if he was hurting her? Obviously, if it's true, Mike should be expelled. But is it true?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some girls want to rally for his expulsion—and some want to rally around Mike. The only thing that the entire student body can agree on? Someone is lying. And the truth has to come out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heartstopper Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman (February 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In this volume we’ll see the Heartstopper gang go on a school trip to Paris! Not only are Nick and Charlie navigating a new city, but also telling more people about their relationship AND learning more about the challenges each other are facing in private…</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Meanwhile Tao and Elle will face their feelings for each other, Tara and Darcy share more about their relationship origin story, and the teachers supervising the trip seem… rather close…?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli (February 2020)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone), Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>MAYBE SO</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybe it’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural romance of the century is another thing entirely.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grief Angels by David Owen (March 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15-year-old Owen Marlow is experiencing a great, disorienting loss after his father suddenly passed away and his mother moved them to a new town. None of his old friends knew how to confront his grief, so he's given up on trying to make new ones. There is one guy at school who might prove to be different if he gives him a chance but lately, Owen has been overwhelmed by his sadness. He's started to have strange, powerful hallucinations of skeletal birds circling above him. Owen tells himself that these visions are just his brain's way of trying to cope - until one night, the birds descend and take him to an otherworldly forest. There, he is asked to go on a dangerous journey that promises to bring him the understanding he so desperately seeks - if he can survive it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Love Hypothesis by Laura Steven (March 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Physics genius Caro Kerber-Murphy knows she’s smart. With straight As and a college scholarship already in the bag, she’s meeting her two dads’ colossal expectations and then some. But there’s one test she’s never quite been able to ace: love. And when, in a particularly desperate moment, Caro discovers a (definitely questionable) scientific breakthrough that promises to make you irresistible to everyone around you, she wonders if this could be the key. What happens next will change everything Caro thought she knew chemistry – in the lab and in love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is her long-time crush Haruki with her of his own free will? Are her feelings for her best girl friend some sort of side-effect? Will her dog, Sirius, ever stop humping her leg?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIf8Ac5NG8ftUJK3szdCZXoQZIWqcL-k_OCfOQQp6hNzjv1MJiWP9nhiTOE5IodHPQTfEopuk0gnzZhXjO6PGdyxseFOkDdFGzjvLUa7HnTKAP3hf0JOArFvU4bYKQLJFS3P_d2pVPcOq/s1600/only-mostly-devasted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIf8Ac5NG8ftUJK3szdCZXoQZIWqcL-k_OCfOQQp6hNzjv1MJiWP9nhiTOE5IodHPQTfEopuk0gnzZhXjO6PGdyxseFOkDdFGzjvLUa7HnTKAP3hf0JOArFvU4bYKQLJFS3P_d2pVPcOq/s320/only-mostly-devasted.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales (March 2020)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer love...gone so fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ollie and Will were meant to be a summer fling—casual, fun, and done. But when Ollie’s aunt's health takes a turn for the worse and his family decides to stay in North Carolina to take care of her, Ollie lets himself hope this fling can grow to something more. Dreams that are crushed when he sees Will at a school party and finds that the sweet and affectionate (and comfortably queer) guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will is more than a little shocked to see Ollie the evening of that first day of school. While his summer was spent being very much himself, back at school he’s simply known as one of the varsity basketball guys. Now Will is faced with the biggest challenge of his life: follow his heart and risk his friendships, or stay firmly in the closet and lose what he loves most.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zOId6IilwN7-r_fypskqSECirldSAZs8YpJesuU71nYD3TQBpK4ChXulW1ZxtBwWAYp7IRZeGhkSq_eTKlXeVqZnrozAtJ7xtEHj8MLWL8KsYBM4v-mmz73LQRuK73FLRl8lg7UlD7Fg/s1600/mad+bad+dangerous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zOId6IilwN7-r_fypskqSECirldSAZs8YpJesuU71nYD3TQBpK4ChXulW1ZxtBwWAYp7IRZeGhkSq_eTKlXeVqZnrozAtJ7xtEHj8MLWL8KsYBM4v-mmz73LQRuK73FLRl8lg7UlD7Fg/s320/mad+bad+dangerous.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know by Samira Ahmed (April 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s August in Paris and 17-year-old Khayyam Maquet—American, French, Indian, Muslim—is at a crossroads. This holiday with her professor parents should be a dream trip for the budding art historian. But her maybe-ex-boyfriend is probably ghosting her, she might have just blown her chance at getting into her dream college, and now all she really wants is to be back home in Chicago figuring out her messy life instead of brooding in the City of Light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two hundred years before Khayyam’s summer of discontent, Leila is struggling to survive and keep her true love hidden from the Pasha who has “gifted” her with favored status in his harem. In the present day—and with the company of a descendant of Alexandre Dumas—Khayyam begins to connect allusions to an enigmatic 19th-century Muslim woman whose path may have intersected with Alexandre Dumas, Eugène Delacroix, and Lord Byron.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Echoing across centuries, Leila and Khayyam’s lives intertwine, and as one woman’s long-forgotten life is uncovered, another’s is transformed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Queen of Coin And Whispers by Helen Corcoran (April 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold ... Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faced with dangerous plots and hidden enemies, can Lia and Xania learn to rely on each another, as they discover that all is not fair in love and treason?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a world where the throne means both power and duty, they must decide what to sacrifice for their country – and for each other …</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOf93pxuQfFhXOLYxWJoFWZxJ44Aqq1pMPxOw86anGwJ8cGkscm3g0pU-cmygjhZu2T7w9iGST31qgZCJTYEDnMS6MjjyM0KVQpqGr62uz0RO6_8O_lZPWBkfzTgSX7Sd9VGg2FxKwm_b/s1600/verona-comics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOf93pxuQfFhXOLYxWJoFWZxJ44Aqq1pMPxOw86anGwJ8cGkscm3g0pU-cmygjhZu2T7w9iGST31qgZCJTYEDnMS6MjjyM0KVQpqGr62uz0RO6_8O_lZPWBkfzTgSX7Sd9VGg2FxKwm_b/s320/verona-comics.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Verona Comics by Jennifer Duggan (April 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jubilee has it all together. She’s an elite cellist, and when she’s not working in her stepmom’s indie comic shop, she’s prepping for the biggest audition of her life. Ridley is barely holding it together. His parents own the biggest comic-store chain in the country, and Ridley can’t stop disappointing them–that is, when they’re even paying attention. They meet one fateful night at a comic convention prom, and the two can’t help falling for each other. Too bad their parents are at each other’s throats every chance they get, making a relationship between them nearly impossible . . . unless they manage to keep it a secret. Then again, the feud between their families may be the least of their problems. As Ridley’s anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can’t conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sogIbcVQ7zFz2-a2jJEGbC2xDbsU2iqbKAdcyVdmDPiHwkayHk9jJr5TVJsyhFubJ4d1eUR9iIqqpt0xcgwjXqZ8sGLPGtRLrcymATlEeWbzycFv5Z-Hg17FoeiX1aYQm4F4g8k1Sw4I/s1600/burn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sogIbcVQ7zFz2-a2jJEGbC2xDbsU2iqbKAdcyVdmDPiHwkayHk9jJr5TVJsyhFubJ4d1eUR9iIqqpt0xcgwjXqZ8sGLPGtRLrcymATlEeWbzycFv5Z-Hg17FoeiX1aYQm4F4g8k1Sw4I/s320/burn.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Burn by Patrick Ness (May 2020) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1956 Sarah Dewhurst's father shocks her by hiring a dragon to work the farm. The dragon is a smaller blue rather than the traditional larger reds, though even the reds are now scarce. When the blue dragon, Kazimir, unexpectedly saves Sarah and her friend Jason Inagawa from the attentions of the racist police deputy, Kelby, everything changes. Sarah is part of a prophecy and she must escape the clutches of Malcolm, an assassin from a Believer Cell, the dragon-worshiping cult. When Sarah, Malcolm and Kazimir eventually converge, they are thrown into another universe, where dragons seem never to have existed. Can they save this world and the one they left?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wonderland by Juno Dawson (May 2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alice lives in a world of stifling privilege and luxury - but none of it means anything when your own head plays tricks on your reality. When her troubled friend Bunny goes missing, Alice becomes obsessed with finding her. On the trail of her last movements, Alice discovers a mysterious invitation to 'Wonderland': the party to end all parties - three days of hedonistic excess to which only the elite are welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will she find Bunny there? Or is this really a case of finding herself? Because Alice has secrets of her own, and ruthless socialite queen Paisley Hart is determined to uncover them, whatever it takes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alice is all alone, miles from home and without her essential medication. She can trust no-one, least of all herself, and now she has a new enemy who wants her head...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Loveless by Alice Oseman (July 2020)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYDx1UJ7vTT6Q3sJ27LtWcvSaMRzGnq2LpOJovWWUJqAaL-4KriVLtqzwBVxcGf2aPwd1XRFEVaO5qpk1hCs9PjarjiDGrpQ6PJmaIbG4ad8_-pTMmv3d9nZEP0Ygeb6C5FWJxMJfARGj/s1600/loveless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYDx1UJ7vTT6Q3sJ27LtWcvSaMRzGnq2LpOJovWWUJqAaL-4KriVLtqzwBVxcGf2aPwd1XRFEVaO5qpk1hCs9PjarjiDGrpQ6PJmaIbG4ad8_-pTMmv3d9nZEP0Ygeb6C5FWJxMJfARGj/s320/loveless.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Georgia feels loveless – in the romantic sense, anyway. She’s eighteen, never been in a relationship, or even had a crush on a single person in her whole life. She thinks she's an anomaly, people call her weird, and she feels a little broken. But she still adores romance – weddings, fan fiction, and happily ever afters. She knows she’ll find her person one day … right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a disastrous summer, Georgia is now at university, hundreds of miles from home. She is more determined than ever to find love – and her annoying roommate, Rooney, is a bit of a love expert, so perhaps she can help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But maybe Georgia just doesn’t feel that way about guys. Or girls. Or anyone at all. Maybe that's okay. Maybe she can find happiness without falling in love. And maybe Rooney is a little more loveless than she first appears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Honorary Mentions: </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48656848-afterlove"><span style="color: red;">Afterlove by Tanya Byrne</span></a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49113806-nothing-ever-happens-here">Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46194945-are-you-watching">Are You Watching by Vincent Ralph</a></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-21806052255843641802020-01-12T12:01:00.000+00:002020-01-12T12:01:16.020+00:00Review: Birthday by Meredith Russo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> May 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher</b>: Usbourne Publishing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Source: </b>Borrowed from library</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43474048-birthday">Goodreads </a>]</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blurb:</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Morgan and Eric: born on the same day, at the same time and bonded for life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this moving dual narrative, we meet them every birthday from the age of thirteen, as Eric figures out who he is, as Morgan decides to live as her true self, and as they realize they are inextricably part of each other.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;"> **</span></b>I Just want to preface this review by saying that after I read the book, I discovered the article on the authors domestic abuse and abuse allegations. This has made me remove my purchase link to the novel and in the review I will be discussing the book as a piece of work and not the author.** </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">*</span></b>Trigger warnings in this book eating disorders, trans and lgbtq hate speech and bullying, self harm, body dysphoria, homophobia, violence, alcohol abuse, grief </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book was one I had wanted to read last year but never got round to it. I've been in a great reading mood so far this year so found it at my local library and picked it up. This book very much gripped me from beginning to end and if I sum it up in a word: wow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characters in the book completely make the book for me. The novel centers around Eric and Morgan, two "boys" who share a birthday and an amazingly strong friendship. Morgan is hiding a secret burden, she is a trans woman but is scared to let anyone know. Over the course of the novel we see Morgan struggle as she tries to oppress her gender, lashes out in violence, substance abuse before finally accepting that she is a woman and works towards self acceptance and approaching others . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric also goes on a journey over the course of the novel. He has a very toxic and controlling home life. His father is the embodiment of toxic masculinity who controls everyone in their house, is abusive and constantly trying to put everyone else down to assert his own "manliness". Eric tries to both appease his father, run from him and try to understand him over the course of the novel. We also see the affect his home life has on his hobbies, friendship with Morgan and the way he acts in life. I found Eric to be a wonderful character whose journey was just as touching as Morgans and weaved perfectly around her central story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another aspect of the novel I loved was Morgans mum. We don't actually <i>see </i>her, as she died when Morgan was young, but we hear from her as she wrote Morgan a letter for him to read each birthday before she died. These letters were so emotional and touching, in both good ways and bad. In the letters, as the mum had no idea that Morgan could be trans, she constantly peppers it with mis-pronouns like "I wish I could see the man you will one day be" or references to his future "wife" etc,. These were such heartbreaking moments that often sent Morgan spiraling. These scenes really broke my heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also loved Morgan's dad. He was grieving the passing of his wife so heavily and was pretty much alone in his grief as Morgan wanted to be on his own. He turns to alcohol abuse to try to cope. He tries to reach out to Morgan, to bond with him through what used to be their only shared hobby - football. Morgan has no interest in football anymore. These scenes made me so sad because Morgan was just constantly pushing away her dad's out-reached hand until finally at the end they become closer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that this novel was, in one word, emotional. The novel depicts the gradual growing up of a trans person, from youth to adulthood in a fresh format. I can't comment on how accurate the portrayal of this is, as I have no personal experience with this, but the novel is own voices as Russo is a trans woman so therefore I take it as quite accurate. The characters, the emotions, the lives are all so three dimensional and touching. A really fantastic novel. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-89392024197388006802020-01-08T00:10:00.000+00:002020-01-08T00:10:13.951+00:00Top Books of 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmkVMUfCQQfx7h5m8MuwwLbiSiWVboF7Oe6eTOwiMrTCZxHSp2GQVTC8GHrRVngn2_a2srAdUL09pNFhP-rGTHtHAubT3CDf7nQVL3ZrgNYgw89xLWDvVIlvBy8qtUcKxOO0pjnCpUG6D/s1600/MUSCARELLO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmkVMUfCQQfx7h5m8MuwwLbiSiWVboF7Oe6eTOwiMrTCZxHSp2GQVTC8GHrRVngn2_a2srAdUL09pNFhP-rGTHtHAubT3CDf7nQVL3ZrgNYgw89xLWDvVIlvBy8qtUcKxOO0pjnCpUG6D/s640/MUSCARELLO.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2019 has come to an end. It was definitely A YEAR, but not one for reading.. I only managed to read 33 books as I started a new job, moved out and had a lot of other stuff going on that just left me with very little time to get to much reading. But what I did manage to read, was fantastic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out some of the amazing and wonderful books I read this year. Reviews I have posted will be linked and I'll give you 3 reasons why I loved each book - Let's go!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi89ttbAUgEBZtomcO6KWvTSGRJvRNOwEPo9y9dmgZmI5-DdOk9Ja65xz2TpFrFQajNncye8qaPSbtJfcZ9bndSv7YmAPDkSN03OFpO9q1_Bk8KzLqejmwpfNoOZy_92CUoWjUDwFn3t9/s1600/18335634._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi89ttbAUgEBZtomcO6KWvTSGRJvRNOwEPo9y9dmgZmI5-DdOk9Ja65xz2TpFrFQajNncye8qaPSbtJfcZ9bndSv7YmAPDkSN03OFpO9q1_Bk8KzLqejmwpfNoOZy_92CUoWjUDwFn3t9/s320/18335634._SY475_.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-clockwork-princess-tid-3-by.html"><span style="color: red;">Review Here</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, this year I finally hopped back on the Cassie Clare fan-club. I read the entire The Infernal Devices series and finished The Mortal Instruments series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-clockwork-princess-tid-3-by.html">Clockwork Princess</a> was a fantastic read because:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#1</span></b> The couples - this book provides some great couple and relationship development for so many. From Charlotte & Henry, Gideon and Sophie and our ever loving Jem/Tessa/Will love triangle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#2</span></b> Be still my Jessa shipping heart</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> Thinking about the epilogue still hurts. If you wanna feel pain? Read a Cassandra Clare book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b><span style="color: #073763;">Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli</span></b> (<a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/11/review-simon-vs-homosapiens-agenda-by.html"><span style="color: red;">Review Here</span></a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, this book had been on my TBR for <b><u>years</u></b> and I finally got round to reading it. Boy, was I in love with this <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/11/review-simon-vs-homosapiens-agenda-by.html">book</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#1</b></span> The mystery romance was so gripping to read about</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#2</span></b> This book actually had me laughing out loud. There were so many hilarious incidents and parts that I still find myself thinking about</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> The characters were so three dimensional. Honestly I loved reading about every single character and wanted them to come out of the page. I could honestly read a book about each and every side character. I now need to read everything Becky has and will ever write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-good-luck-girls-by-charlotte.html"><span style="color: red;">Review Here</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book was an unexpected fave. You know when you pick up a book not knowing much about it, and then the next thing you're awake till 3am with the book glues to your hands because you CANNOT STOP READING</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#1</span></b> The characters. Oh boy the characters of this novel are so well written, so complex and multi faceted. The relationships and friendships are so well written I felt so captivated and caught up in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#2</b></span> The plot was hella gripping. I literally could not stop reading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> Girl power. This book even though it is a western is so feminist. I loved the strong women, the girls friendships and how they supported each other in a world that punishes women.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cannot wait for the sequel.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles (Review Here)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read the first and the second book in this series pretty close together so they kinda melded together in my mind but wow did I love them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>#1</b> The main character is a teenage bookseller who is obsessed with books!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#2</b></span> So hilarious. These books are so well written with such funny lines and scenes that will have you laughing your butt off</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> The friendship between the main character and her best friend is so well written and cute. I think they may be my new favourite book friendship pair.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-7kC9gMc0ol_GbgrGLA2RjQmy39p-UESxra89znroHS-vj0_ArdEm-aEghfvkd2F8gvzENV80WvLtVyX7cpBt66iyevwHlz3X95kf0h1I9yVmdBkcsxlGqGQGsnQByOIACAe8B8Mhzb/s1600/38167114._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-7kC9gMc0ol_GbgrGLA2RjQmy39p-UESxra89znroHS-vj0_ArdEm-aEghfvkd2F8gvzENV80WvLtVyX7cpBt66iyevwHlz3X95kf0h1I9yVmdBkcsxlGqGQGsnQByOIACAe8B8Mhzb/s320/38167114._SY475_.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><b><span style="color: #073763;">Internment by Samira Ahmed (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-internment-by-samira-ahmed.html"><span style="color: red;">Review Here</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book blew me away. Completely. It was definitely a book that kept popping into my mind days / weeks / months after finishing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#1</b></span> This book is scary. But it isn't horror. It is scary and frightening because of how close to reality the events off this novel are for so many people and the suffering they face in these "internment camps" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#2</span></b> The author writes so clearly, detailed and doesn't shy away from any of the "hard-to-read" aspects of the life in internment</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> The main character Layla was so inspiring. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">She was so incredibly brave, even standing up against her own loved ones when they were in the wrong, which can be very difficult to do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> A Danger To Herself and Others by Alyssa Scheinmel (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-danger-to-herself-and-others-by.html"><span style="color: red;">Review Here</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This novel is probably one of MY ALL TIME FAVOURITES because I was so completely hooked, a<i> can't-put-it-down</i> read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#1</span></b> The depiction of mental health and the mental health care system was really well written. The novel doesn't shy away from any of the "uncomfortable" truths around mental illness and they are well written</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#2</span></b> This book takes the unreliable narrator trope to ANOTHER LEVEL. Seriously. Keeps you guessing till the very last sentence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> Alyssa Sheinmel is now one of my "auto-buy" authors. This novel completely sold me on how talented of a writer she is and I will honestly read everything she writes from this day forward. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (Review Here)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so if you haven't heard of this graphic novel series, you've been living under a rock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#1</span></b> It explores the LGBTQ experience and "<i>coming out</i>" over an extended course of time. From questioning, to coming out, to life and love after. Where most books finish off there, this story shows the real time experience</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#2</b></span> NICK & CHARLIE ARE FREAKING <u>ADORABLE</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> Everything from the plot, dialogue, drawing style, side characters, humorous scenes and serious scenes are all so extremely well written, well paced and well timed. Honestly I think <i>Heartstopper</i> is one of the most perfect series I've ever read. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale (Review Here)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A brand new series from the author of Geek Girl! Each book in the series follows a different sibling in the Valentines family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>#1</b></span> This book is just as amazing as Smale's <i><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2015/03/review-geek-girl-by-holly-smale.html"><span style="color: red;">Geek Girl</span></a></i> series, while also being so very different. I was worried I wouldn't like it as much as the <i><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/Geek%20Girl">Geek Girl</a></i> series but boy oh boy. Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#2</span></b> The characters are so unique. They're personalities are so different and you warm to them the minute you meet them on the page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">#3</span></b> Hope is the most wonderful, enthusiastic, dramatic and optimistic main character I've ever read. I felt myself laughing when she did something silly, swooning when she was being romantic and then feeling sorry for her and wanting to protect her when something bad happened. Hope is just amazing. You gotta read her book! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Honorable Mentions:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Furious Thing by Jenny Downham [<i>review on way.</i>.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Quiet At The End Of The World by Lauren E James [<i>review on way..</i>]</span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-25258657610770673932019-11-18T23:17:00.000+00:002019-11-18T23:17:29.539+00:00Review: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date</b>: September 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher</b>: Walker Books</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Series:</b> <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20mortal%20instruments">The Mortal Instruments</a> #6</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8755785-city-of-heavenly-fire?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=4EpgWUl6cG&rank=1"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Mortal-Instruments-6-City-Heavenly-Fire-Cassandra-Clare/9781406355819?ref=grid-view&qid=1574118429412&sr=1-1a_aid=shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blurb: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay so, if you don't want to be spoiled for the previous <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/search/label/cassandra%20clare"><span style="color: red;">Cassandra Clare</span></a> books released before CoHF please leave, read the Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments and then return!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Spoilers ahead!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Character development Clary used to be so lost and helpless but is now badass. She really has come into herself and become more comfortable in the Shadowhunter world in the last couple books, especially since City of Lost Souls. Jace has also changed a lot, especially since <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-city-of-lost-souls-by-cassandra.html">City of Lost Souls</a>. After being controlled by Sebastian in <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-city-of-lost-souls-by-cassandra.html">CoLS</a> he had retreated into himself due to the guilt over his actions in that time but this book sees him become more open to accepting help from his friends. Jace finally begins to acknowledge that sometimes he has to let them help, and that they have all become his family. The Clace relationship also was so well written in this book as we see them become closer and stronger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alec has become so much more open and friendly towards everyone. Also Simon & Alec are the bffs I did not know I wanted! His heartbreak over Magnus was so palpably written, and I adored ow everyone else rallied to try to reunite Malec. Isabelle being more open to being vulnerable and letting her emotions out was so refreshing. Isabelle letting her vulnerable side out, wanting Simon to make the first move and taking a back seat. Her and Simon's relationship is so well written. I laughed out loud at the Lord Montgomery stuff. Honestly, Cassie Clare - we need the Simon & Izzy spin off NOW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of Magnus development which makes me really want to pick up The Bane Chronicles and the Scrolls of the Shadowmarket. Magnus weighing up Alecs betrayal in the previous book and their relationship, realising how much he means to him and also realising how connected he is t the characters. I absolutely adored his re-uniting scene with Alec and the end scene. Malec is just one of the best relationships Cassie has written.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also feel like Jocelyn and Luke are underrated. I think when I read this series as an angsty teen, I never cared about them. But now that I'm in my twenties I actually find myself drawn more to the adults of the series. Luke is so underrated- I mean protective, caring adoptive father, owns a bookstore- WE STAN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the scenes of Maia and the wolf pack issues in the novel extremely boring and almost like filler scenes. I don't know why but I was so shocked when Maia said she didn't love Jordan and was planning on breaking up with him. Also her relationship with Bat was so out of nowhere and not developed at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of people say the first half was slow for them but for me I really enjoyed the first half as much as the second half. I felt the first half brought a lot in terms of setting the scene, introducing new characters which will be featured in future novels and also gave some cute character driven scenes before we got down to the bloodshed and action.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second half featured a lot of action. It was almost hard to keep up at times. I actually found the battle scenes to be a little rushed in the writing. I found that usually Clare is very descriptive in these scenes but I felt they were not as vividly written and came across a little bland. This could've been due to the fact there were so many but nevertheless. I felt the big battle with Sebastian was well written, especially enjoyed the scene as he died and became Jonathan for a moment. Really poetic and touching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also one thing that really turned me off the book, and the last one, was how Cassandra Clare keeps pushing the Sebastian wanting to r*pe Clary. For me, this was totally unnecessary in the story, offensive to victim to read and just CC trying to be controversial for no reason. Really did not enjoy that aspect of the novel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One controversial aspect that made me dislike the novel, and please guys don't hate me, but I think some of the main characters should have died *hides*. I found it boring and tedious that Cassandra Clare kept all of the main characters alive, in convenient couples and alive....where was the death? I felt like Magnus was pretty close to death in the prison scene, if he did die and become mortal that would've been a great twist. Am I alone in this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the cameo of Tessa and Jem (Brother Zachariah) being together again broke my heart into little pieces. How they were discussing Jace and Emma also gave me serious feels. Also the demon realm dreams chapter broke my heart into a million pieces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, this review was a rambly rant of my favourite bits of the book and my least faves. This was a good ending the the series and a nice goodbye to some of my longest read characters. If you haven't read any of Cassandra Clare's novels I highly urge you to go read them right now. If you have, please 1. talk to me about them and 2. buy them for your <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2016/11/announcement-book-bloggers-secret-santa.html"><span style="color: red;">secret santa</span></a> or friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-1360573500506920912019-11-10T22:53:00.002+00:002019-11-10T22:53:12.834+00:00Review: Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date: </b>April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: </b>Balzer + ray</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source: </b>Borrowed from library</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547856-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MhOHVmF8iD&rank=2"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Simon-vs-Homo-Sapiens-Agenda-Becky-Albertalli/9780062348685?ref=grid-view&qid=1573426345446&a_aid=Shannonbookworm&sr=1-1/"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blurb:</span> </b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Okay so I have NO IDEA why I put off reading this book despite the rave reviews...I completely regret it. So a preface to this review, if you have this book on your TBR- move that into currently reading ASAP. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book was the most heart warming, funny, happy, marshmallow fluffy book I've ever read. It completely captivated me from the first page and I sped through the book in 2 days. And that's pretty impressive as I was super busy but made the time to read the book because I just needed the joy in my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book focuses on Simon, an "in the closet" teen who finds himself becoming closer and close to a boy called Blue through email. Reading about their relationship and how much closer they were getting was so well written and cute. I loved how Albertalli portrayed their closeted emotions and the inner ups and down turmoil they were feeling in terms of self acceptance. Their conversations were totally adorable and I actually found myself re-reading their emails after I finished the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters of this novel were just completely the most amazing I've ever read. Each and every one of them touched me in a different way and now have a firm place in my heart. I loved Simon. He was such a caring friend, brother and his narrative was perfect to read. I really loved his relationship with Leah and how that was written. I also loved reading about his relationship with is family. The close family bond is so rare to find in YA novels and I loved reading the sibling scenes between him and his sisters so much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot of the novel is mostly driven by Simon writing to blue, learning more about him and wanting to find out who he really is as he falls deeper and deeper in live with him. I found myself becoming so invested and loving all of Simon's wrong guesses as to who it may be. The reveal was shocking to me, which I was glad about because if you know me you know I always guess the secret identity right from the beginning...it's a blessing and a curse!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another thing I loved about this book was that it continued after the "coming out". Most LGBTQ books are so focused around the main character "coming out" to their friends and family's that it just ends. We don't get to see what happens to their life after that. I was so glad that in this book that was no the case. I feel like more books should focus on the life after, not just the coming out, even though that is an equally important and life changing moment. I also loved how the dad apologised for his homophobic jokes before knowing his son was gay and owned up to that being toxic behaviour and apologising. That was great to read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I haven't said it enough, I absolutely loved this novel. I feel like I am just going to push it on everyone I come into contact with because I feel like everyone should read this. It handles complexity of friendships, sexuality, coming out, relationships and being comfortable in your own skin so very well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can not wait to read more of Becky's books asap! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-79327251815401945462019-11-05T20:07:00.000+00:002019-11-05T20:09:32.435+00:00Review: The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date: </b>September 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Little Brown Books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Source: </b>Borrowed from library</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a> ] [ <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Coldest-Girl-in-Coldtown/9780316213097/?a_aid=Shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a> ] </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blurb:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I know y'all gonna hate me, but I've never read a Holly Black book before this one! I know, I know... I picked this book up from my library because I've heard a lot of hype around holly Blacks books and thought this would be a great spooky read for October. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this book takes place in a world where vampirism is a disease that had spread throughout some places in the world. The infected people and vampires are quarantined into "Coldtowns" where they are cut off from society. These coldtowns are broadcast on TV 24/7 as a reality TV show for the population. The novel kicks up a gear when Tana, our main character, has to enter a Coldtown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book was quite good. I did feel it was very well written, the plot was written at a great pace and the setting and characters were vividly written - reading it felt like watching the movie of it in my head. The setting of the novel was quite interesting and I found the idea of quarantined coldtown's to be a quite refreshing addition that I had not read yet in a vampire YA book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters of the novel were really enjoyable but I felt there could have been more character development over the course of the story. Tana was an interesting character, you learned a lot about her life and her emotions. She was a hard on the outside, soft on the inside character. I really liked her relationship with Gabriel and wish that was more fleshed out. I also really enjoyed the character of Aidan and his character journey over the story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another aspect about this novel I enjoyed was that the side characters were incredibly memorable and well written. I loved reading about the other vampires and the people who lived inside the Coldtown. Also the journey to the Coldtown and the people they met along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although the novel was well written, I did feel that there was something missing. I felt that the characters could have been fleshed out more and have had more of a character arc over the course of the novel. I also felt the end of the novel was slightly rushed. The novel could have been another hundred or so pages more and it would have possibly allowed the plot wrap up to be better paced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, a refreshing take on the vampire novel with great characters (and also there's some trans rep here too!). Highly recommend reading this, you won't want to put it down. Super fun read with lots of LGBTQ representation and social media references.</span><br />
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<br />Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775516972705471114.post-84467820345984464382019-10-25T10:31:00.000+01:002019-10-25T10:31:09.266+01:00Review: The Invasion by Peadar O'Guilin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6wHfSUXMNA2YxsrBO6zvVMcS0pvSyFupx3sW5WY6DtoCxstzwx63vkVxxjWi-_oAhAv-THExEVMvLoIV4vLLwpj78VsY0HPfslodUSKZUbjwSev1GcicKIPfpCuJ9T0v1UN9wItLO373/s1600/38592818._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6wHfSUXMNA2YxsrBO6zvVMcS0pvSyFupx3sW5WY6DtoCxstzwx63vkVxxjWi-_oAhAv-THExEVMvLoIV4vLLwpj78VsY0HPfslodUSKZUbjwSev1GcicKIPfpCuJ9T0v1UN9wItLO373/s400/38592818._SY475_.jpg" width="257" /></a><span id="freeText11001119301406094213" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> David Fickling Books</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publication Date:</b> March 2018</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Source:</b> Purchased</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #181818;">Series:</b><span style="color: #181818;"> Greylands Book 2 (</span><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-call-by-peadar-o-guilin.html"><span style="color: red;">Book 1 Review</span></a><span style="color: #181818;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">[ </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38592818-the-invasion"><span style="color: red;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="color: #181818;"> ] [ </span><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Invasion-Peadar-OGuilin/9781910989654?ref=grid-view&qid=1571995681016&sr=1-1/&a_aid=shannonbookworm"><span style="color: red;">Book Depository</span></a><span style="color: #181818;"> ]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">After so much danger, Nessa and Anto can finally dream of a happy life. But the terrible attack on their school has created a witch-hunt for traitors -- boys and girls who survived the Call only by making deals with the enemy. To the authorities, Nessa's guilt is obvious. Her punishment is to be sent back to the nightmare of the Grey Land for the rest of her life. The Sídhe are waiting, and they have a very special fate planned for her.<br /><br />Meanwhile, with the help of a real traitor, the enemy come pouring into Ireland at the head of a terrifying army. Every human they capture becomes a weapon. Anto and the last students of his old school must find a way to strike a blow at the invaders before they lose their lives, or even worse, their minds. But with every moment Anto is confronted with more evidence of Nessa's guilt.<br /><br />For Nessa, the thought of seeing Anto again is the only thing keeping her alive. But if she escapes, and if she can find him, surely he is duty-bound to kill her...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So if you haven't read the first book in this series, <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-call-by-peadar-o-guilin.html"><i><span style="color: purple;">The Call</span></i></a>, you should stop reading this blog post right now and go read it - then come back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This series takes place in an Ireland unlike the Ireland we know now. After a civil war between the Irish population and fae-like creatures called the Sidhe, Ireland has now been cut off from the rest of the world. After losing the war, the Sidhe now punish the population by "calling" teenagers to their banished land, the <i>Greylands</i>, where they revel in torturing them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This series is absolutely breathtaking. For a series that is only 2 books long, it packs a punch that would take other series 6-10 books! The characters are completely three dimensional, the writing style is gripping with a masterfully told story. Heart-pounding action and expertly told horror. Perfect reading for <a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2019/10/5-scary-ya-books-perfect-for-halloween.html">Halloween</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characters in <i>The Invasion</i> are coming to terms with the fallout of the ending of The Call. Our characters think they can now get their lives back on track, but then The Invasion of the Sidhe begins. I felt like this book explored so much more of Anto's character than e had ever gotten to see before. Although the books feature many POV's - usually short chapters from other characters when they are being called, I felt like the first book focused mostly on Nessa whereas this one focused more on Anto I felt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed exploring more of Anto's character, and thought it was so refreshing to read about how he felt he more dependent on Nessa, whereas in most YA books its more often portrayed as the girl being more dependent on the boyfriend. I really loved his character arc, he went completely in one direction and then another and it was so very well written. His exploration of his own wants and morality, what he was willing to do to survive was also really well written. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt like Nessa did not progress much as a character in this novel. Although she already is one of the strongest characters I've ever read already. I think I would have liked more character development, more soul searching journey from her, but still very much enjoyed her story-line too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another aspect the series portrays so well is war. This novel especially shows the all encompassing aspects and effects of war on population- both the attackers and attacked. From the kids perspective to the teaches, the protectors, army, prisoners of war camps, human experimentation to soldier PTSD. All was so well written. It was clear that <i><a href="https://shannonbookworm.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-call-by-peadar-o-guilin.html">O'Guilin</a></i> had nailed his research into the trauma of war, which was palpable throughout the novel. This heavy atmosphere of unrest and constantly being hurt and alert. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although I really enjoyed the novel, I did feel myself distancing from it a little. I didn't connect as much to this novel as I did the first and I'm not sure why. I think it may be due to the fact that I felt the novel could have been longer. There was certain aspects that could've been delved into much more deeply and other parts which could have been glossed over. There was definitely much more of the "<i>Sidhe-return</i>" from their perspective which I would have loved to read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt the ending was a little bittersweet- a flicker of hope. A little left to the imagination. Although the more I reflect on the ending, the more I am glad that the author chose this route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most gory, heart pounding and thrilling series. Also a wonderful example of Irish YA. Perfect for Halloween reading, but also perfect any other time of year..just please read this series so I can have someone else to gush over it with! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Shannonbookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697352268428912846noreply@blogger.com0