Book Review: Goose by Dawn O'Porter

Dawn O’Porter has done it again. She has managed to write a book so realistic, so cringe-worthily believable that it could ring true for girls up and down the country.


Set a year or so after the end of Paper Aeroplanes (the fantastic first book in the series), Goose explores the harsh reality of friendship, growing up, relationships and growing apart. How will Flo and Renée deal with their upcoming exams? Make important decisions about their future AND find the time to cope with the most problematic issue in a straight teen girl’s life: BOYS!


I would have loved this book to have come out when I was 17. The age where the adult world seems to be just around the corner, and the comfort of school life is slipping ever further away. It’s a weird age between wanting to be treated like a grown-up, and trying to savour the moments of absolute silliness and immaturity.
I was absolutely thrilled to have won an advanced copy from Hot Key Books and devoured it in a day. I’ve already told all my girl-friends to read it when it comes out on April 3rd.


Based partly on Dawn and her friends’ life on the Isle of Guernsey, Goose is a wonderful read full of laugh out loud, embarrassing and truly heart-warming moments that even a woman in her mid-twenties can relate to.

One particular moment had me laughing for a full half an hour. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but once you’ve read it you will understand completely.


I’m a huge fan of Dawn O’Porter, so it wasn’t a shock that her writing is so funny and poignant. An interesting aspect of Goose was the topic of spirituality. Flo, after a horrible time losing her beloved father, finds solace and comfort in her local church, but Renée cannot for the life of her understand why. This new addition brings a whole new element to the plot and really adds even more depth to the complicated characters, making them even more relatable.


This read is a must for girls aged 17 upwards.
Seriously, go out and pre-order it now and you will not regret it.


It’s perfect for the summer holidays, lying on the beach, or even just on a rainy day here in dear Ol’ Blighty. Wherever you read it you will be thoroughly entertained.

Let’s be honest, us girls never grow up when it comes to boys and our best friends, now do we?

Goose by Dawn O’Porter is published by HotKey Books and on sale from April 3rd 2014.

Book Review: The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth

Did you know that the sections of the Bible were named after testicles?
or that people inject sausage poison into their faces to look better?

If you knew these facts then you have obviously read the fantastic The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth.

Having studied linguistics for two years I have become increasingly interested in the history and origin of words, and when I saw this book I knew it was going to be right up my street.

It was both hilarious and utterly informant. Mark's use of tongue in cheek language makes it such a user friendly read. Even the most anti-learning person would be enthralled by this delightful book. You actually learn some mind blowing facts that, one time in your life, might become very useful. Definitely some quotable anecdotes perfect for the dinner table to impress some of your learned friends.

I read this on my Kindle, but I definitely will be purchasing a hard copy. It's a book to last the years and definitely one to go back to. Mark Forsyth has another book called The Horologicon which I have yet to read, but I am aware that there is a "box set" of the two books. It is on my purchase late.

This book is absolutely deserves a 5 star rating. It's would be a great gift for anyone studying English or Linguistics.

Have you read The Etymologicon? What was your favourite word meaning?

Emma

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - Book Review

After seeing the hype and anticipation about Donna Tartt's long awaited (after 11 years since her last book!) 3rd novel, I was excited yet anxious about picking it up. My god, the front cover is beautiful.

At 700 pages it has to be the longest, and most drawn out, book I have ever conquered and I was very pleased with myself when I had completed it.

With such high expectations and praise created with the book's launch I was expecting to be taken on an exciting thrill ride that would enthral the senses. Unfortunately I was left bored and frustrated.

I gave the book 3/5 stars.

The book had a great plot. Teenage boy is involved in terrorist attack in NYC, his mum dies. He acquires/steals a very famous and expensive painting from the bomb site and his life is changed forever. His life spirals out of control, with drug/alcohol abuse and the criminal underworld just around the corner. With such an intriguing story I expected much more than what I read. I wanted more action, more suspense. All I found was drab, unbelievable twists that were more like a damp squib than a firework.


The main characters became increasingly annoying and very unlikeable. Where at first you feel sympathy for Theo, by the end you just want him to get what he deserves.
The story was full, I mean pages full!, of descriptions of meaningless items and settings. Although you can obviously see a reference and homage to Dickens, this incessant babbling made it such a chore to read. The book could easily have been cut down by 300 words, at least.

This story could have been fantastic, heck it could have been a classic, but I feel that the editor did not really do his/her job properly. Most reviews seem to be popular, so maybe I am in a very small minority who just didn't "get it".

I may return to the book in the future, as I feel it does have more to give.
Have any of you guys read The Goldfinch?
Does your views mirror mine, or were you completely mesmerised by Tartt's work?

Would love to hear your views.

Emma

Double Book Review: Attachments and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I recently, well when I mean recently I really mean in the last month, finished Rainbow Rowell's first two novels Attachment and Eleanor & Park.

These books have created a rather big stir in the BookTube community as well as bloggers alike, so of course I just had to read them.

Attachments

Beth and Jennifer are best friends working their local newspaper. Although in different departments they constantly communicate through their internal work email, however this is against the rules.
It is a very well known fact that everyone's emails are screened, they don't know who does it, but they do know that people are given warnings and reminded that certain language and conversations are not appropriate usage of work emails. This does not deter the two girls, and they go ahead like nothing is wrong. 
Lionel is the screener. He hates his job, he is under-challenged and even though the pay is good, his life is beginning to get him down. That is until Beth and Jennifer's conversation is flagged up on his computer screen. He can't help but smile when he reads about their daily life, and he becomes attached, almost obsessed with learning all about their interesting lives.

Lionel creeped me out, I guess it was his secrecy, but his behaviour was beginning to become obsessive and rather stalker-y. If this was in real life and I had a friend that behaved like Lionel I would be seriously worried about Beth/Jennifer's safety!
It was an easy and interesting read, but nothing I would rave about. The characters are relatable and the use of Email as a way of communicating story was a nice change to first person narrative.

Star Rating: 3/5


Eleanor & Park

Set over one year Eleanor & Park tells the story of Eleanor, a new girl at school who just doesn't fit in and doesn't want to, and Park who may not be a total jock but gets by just fine by keeping quiet and a low profile. A modern day Romeo and Juliet, or so they would have you think, their love isn't an easy one. Eleanor's family life is disruptive and unhappy, while Park's is practically idyllic. It portrays a realistic painting of first young love and the difficulties of teenage life.

This book has been given such rave reviews online that I was so excited to pick it up.
I must admit, I was rather disappointed.
Eleanor was annoying as hell, and tried to push everyone and everything away. She was afraid to show emotion and just frustrated me so much. I guess that was what RR was going for, but it was not a good way of making Eleanor readable or likeable.

It was very realistic, and sometimes sweet, but the characters, particularly Eleanor, were selfish and egoistic. Not a very enjoyable read if you don't like that sort of thing.

Star Rating: A very small 3/5

Have you read either of these books? What did you think?
I'm very weary to read Rainbow Rowell's latest book Fangirl, as I was just not impressed with her previous, but I expect I will give it a go.

Happy Reading.


 

Book Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness

4 1/2 Stars

I have read my fair share of YA Dystopian novels, most of which contain a female protagonist running from a suppressive regime. Fighting for the little guy, doing what's right.

This book was a surprising relief from what I had learned to expect from this type of novel. 

Centered around Todd Hewitt (yes, that's right...a boy!), The Knife of Never Letting Go pulls the reader into a world where all the women have died, Todd is the youngest member of society, and all the men can hear each other's "Noise". Basically everything they think, want to say, have said/seen in the past is constantly on show for the rest to hear.

When Todd goes out into the swamp in search of apples he stumbles across something that he never thought he would ever find: silence. His world will never be the same again. 

Ben and Cillian, the only parent like figures he has ever known, force him to flee town and go on the run. For what reason, Todd does not know. 

Todd has to grow up quickly, even though according to his culture, he doesn't become a man for another 2 weeks. He struggles with his morals, loyalty and conscious battling things he thought he would never have to. 

This book is exciting, fast paced and somewhat un-put-down-able. With tinges of romance and some gory action scenes The Knife of Never Letting Go is suitable for everyone.

My favourite thing was his relationship between Todd and his dog Manchee.

Did I mention that because of the Noise everyone can hear what animals are saying too? 

Yeh, dogs can talk!

If that's not an incentive to read this book, I don't know what is.

Has anyone else read the other two books in this series?

I am really looking forward to starting them. I was definitely left on a cliff, hanging. 

Emma

Book Review: Death Comes to Pemberley - P.D. James

This book is perfect if you love Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice in particular. 

Unfortunately I wouldn't be classed as a fan of either.

I still enjoyed this book thoroughly, however.

Having read Pride and Prejudice as well as seeing the movie, it was a great transition and it was as if Jane herself had written a sequel. 

Every time someone asked what I was reading, and saw the author, exclaimed that they had heard of P.D. James. Must admit, I had not. 

I was promptly told that some of her work had been made into TV shows, which explained why people recognised the name.

It leads on from the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy (Spoiler if you haven't read P&P) as well as her sisters, and centres around a gruesome murder that occurs on the Darcy's land. Suspicions are high, confusion is in abundance and the story goes somewhere you never thought it would. It keeps you guessing and thinking right until the end.

Death Comes to Pemberley successfully continues the world famous story of Pride and Prejudice and the relationships between the characters are 100% accurate.

Actually, we see different sides to the beloved characters and it makes you think about P&P in a different light. What we we thought about certain people after reading Pride and Prejudice may not be how you feel once you read Death Comes to Pemberley.

After reading this I am not sure if I would read any more of P.D. James' work, crime fiction is not really my cup of tea. I cannot fault her talent, and this book was highly entertaining, but give me some romance/comedy any day.

Happy Reading.

Emma. 

Book Review(s): Divergent Series - Veronica Roth

Hello Readers,

I decided to wait until I had completed both books before writing a review, it's important to compare and contrast I think.

Divergent Good Reads Blurb:

"In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all."

I thoroughly enjoyed Divergent, the characters were strong, believable and real to life.
Roth successfully built the setting and story with great depth and it really sucked you into the life that Tris has to live in.

There was a certain air of The Hunger Games throughout the book, with a large "montage" of training and evil Dauntless competitors. It was very enjoyable to read, and great for all you Dystopian novel lovers out there.

Insurgent on the other hand, was a bit of a disappointment. Though it has been said that the 2nd book in a trilogy is seen more as a filler than anything else, it seemed as if this was the case.

Characters came and went, and the change in scenery nearly every chapter became quite confusing at times.
At some points new character were introduced, and then killed the next page. There was not enough development and you weren't given a chance to form an opinion on some characters or learn about their past.

Perhaps I like more descriptive literature rather than plot driven books, but if you want your reader to engage and have some sort of emotional reaction to the characters there needs to be more than one sentence on them.

I am hopeful the next book, unnamed and said to be released in 2013, will focus on character development and answer the questions and un-explained plot lines when the series concludes.

Star Rating

Divergent: ****
Insurgent: **

What did you think of the series so far? Are you looking forward to the next instalment?

Happy Reading!

Emma