Book Review: Girl Online - Zoe Sugg

Synopsis: 

Penny has a secret, Under the alias Girl Online, Penny blogs her hidden feelings about friendship, boys, her crazy family and the panic attacks that have begun to take over her life. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets Noah: a gorgeous, guitar - strumming American. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog. 

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.

Review: 

I was so excited when I saw Zoe Suggs new novel on the shelves and I had to get it immediately. I have been watching Zoe’s YouTube videos and vlogs for years now and I thought that because I live in Australia, I wouldn't be able to get the book for weeks! So as soon as I got home I read the whole novel in just four hours. It is such a nice and easy book to read and it reminded me so much of the Cathy Cassidy books I used to read when I was 10. I also found that the book was very relatable as I have always had an issue with anxiety and I heavily related to the panic attacks the main character, Penny experienced.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this book recently because it turns out that this book was partly ghost written but one or two people. I had read this book before the whole uprising of the whole ‘ghost writing’ thing came up so I went into it not expecting much as it was written by a full time YouTube with not much writing experience. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to how much I really loved the novel. I do feel really sorry about the rubbish she has had to put iup with after releasing this novel as I know that she would have out in a lot of effort and time into this novel and people are just pushing it all right back at her.

Anyway I’ll actually get into the review.

The main character of this book is Penny who lives in Brighton and has has a blog where she is completely anonymous and she writes about what happens in her life. Somehow she has a lot of followers who gives her a lot of support and confidence. Her best friend is her next door neighbor, Elliot. He is gay who has parents, or at least his father who does not approve of his sexuality. They attend the same school where here other friends Megan and Ollie attend as well. Megan has been one if Penny’s closest friends since she was 7 but they drift apart when Megan starts getting minor acting jobs and constantly put Penny down and makes her feel unworthy of her presence. Ollie is Penny’s crush who is the typical self-obsessed boy who likes his photo taken and blah blah blah.

Penny’s parents are wedding planners and one day these two people from the US need them to organize their wedding in a matter of days. So Penny’s parents are going to US and they want to take Penny but she doesn't want to go because of her fear of flights and she is scared of another panic attack.  To calm her Penny’s parents invite Elliot. When they get there Penny meets this ‘perfect’ guy who has tattoos, a guitar and a wardrobe of black and grey. That’s probably all I can say about him without spoiling the whole story because he is pretty much the story.

I really enjoyed having a nice and easy read instead of the usual action packed dramatic novels I’m usually into. The book covered many deep issues such as sexuality, anxiety, death and lies but it didn't make you think much of it. Like I said, this novel really reminded me of the Cathy Cassidy novels. This because the story didn't have much death of metaphorical meaning, it was simple and pure. It was also of course about romance but not the difficult and traumatic ones like a John Green novel but more of an easy, happy relationship.

As much as I enjoyed this novel, I found the ending a bit too dramatic and implausible but I was able to overlook. I will also say that you shouldn't go into this book expecting it to be beautifully written with lots of metaphors and descriptive writing. It is simply written but that’s what made me like it so much. Zoe’s personality really shines through in this book and as a viewer; many of the locations were familiar, such as the lanes and Brighton’s pier and beach. I overall, would recommend this novel, particularly to Zoe’s viewers as it is so easy to identify her as the author and it very uncomplicated to read.

Thanks for reading,

Ally xo

Book Review: Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis: 

Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, hew mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried. 

Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black t-shirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor ... never to Eleanor.

Slowly, steadily, through late night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when your young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to loose. 

Review:

I very much enjoyed Eleanor and Park. So much so that I'm going to make this review extra short so I do not give any spoilers what so ever as this is a truly remarkable book. 

As I always aim to be honest in my reviews I will admit that I actually did not like the two main characters Eleanor and Park during the first few chapters. Eleanor was far to bitter and viewed everything to be so dull while Park was so judgmental and accepting. So during the first section of the book I was pretty upset that I had wasted my money on this novel, and because I had purchased it I knew I had to read it all the way. However, my favorite aspects of books is character development, and this story easily has the best development I have ever read. As I said Eleanor wasn't my favorite person to begin with but before I knew it I was Eleanor, I felt everything that she felt. And then suddenly I was in lover with Park's character. I don't think I have felt this mushy since reading The Fault in Our Stars. I did although find the characters of this contemporary novel pretty cliche. They are both the typical misfits in there school. She has crazy read hair and is considered fat, while Park is half Korean and is considered feminine. While I'm on the topic has anyone else noticed ed that most fictitious characters that are described as "unattractive" have red hair? Anyway these misfits end up sitting on the bus together and initially they do not like each other but there relationship forms at the most perfect pace. That's another thing I particularly favor about the novel is that nothing happens to quickly, other than perhaps the ending. I also love how Rowel writes in such a language that is simplistic but effective and breathtaking all at the same time.

This novel is a constant variation between light and darkness and is now defiantly one of my favorite, favorite contemporary novels ever. I truly felt like this story inspired me to be a bit more sincere and has defiantly taught me of a different perspective.

That's all I shall say for this review! If you haven't read this novel please PLEASE do!!!And if you have, let me know what you thought in the comment below :)

Thanks for reading,

Ally xo

Book Review: Looking for Alaska - John Green

Synopsis: 

In the dark beside me, she smelled of sweat and sunshine and vanilla and on that thin-mooned night I could see little more than her silhouette, but even in the dark, I could see her eyes - fierce emeralds. And not just beautiful, but hot too. 

When Miles Halter leaves for boarding school, he goes to seek what dying poet Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps". Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, self destructive and dead sexy, Alaska pulls Miles into her labyrinth, catapulting him into an unimaginable future...

Review:

While writing my review on ‘Paper Towns’ by John Green, I realized that I hadn’t written a review on another book of his, ‘Looking for Alaska.’ I picked up this novel after I had read ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ and was automatically obsessed over John Green’s works. This novel has a huge twist, so I won’t write too much of the plot!

‘Looking for Alaska’ is about a young man named Miles Halter who is also known as ‘Pudge.’ He goes from living with his parents, not having many friends and spending his time reading about famous last words to going to a boarding school in rural Alabama. It is here where he meets a collection of unique companions one of which is ‘The Colonel,’ his roommate, who is somewhat senseless and of course Alaska Young herself, “the hottest girl in all human history.”

During Miles’ time at Culver Creek boarding school, apart from the overload of academic expectations, he encounters a few adventures such as smoking, drinking and the schools tradition of playing pranks while skillfully avoiding the consequences received by Culver Creek’s school principle, ‘The Eagle.’ These practices are eye opening experiences for Miles compared to his perfect, ordinary lifestyle beforehand, however, throughout his entire time Alaska is defiantly the center of his universe. Alaska could easily be described as one who is the complete opposite to Miles but her seemingly non- ending personality lead Miles into a labyrinth of emotions.

The wonderful Green as once again (unsurprisingly) crafted another extraordinary novel that carries the audience into a rollercoaster of emotions. ‘Looking for Alaska’ is hilarious while also being drastically depressing and to be able to do that successfully is a high achievement. I would highly recommend this novel and will treasure it for a long time to come.

Thank you for reading,

Ally xox

Book Review: Paper Towns - John Green

Synopsis:

Quentin Jacobsen - Q to his friends- is eighteen ad has always loved the beautiful and edgy Margo Roth Spiegelman. Nine years ago they discovered a dead body together but now, at their Central Florida high school, Q's a nerd while Margo is uber-cool.

One night, before graduating, Q is basking in the predictable boringness of his life when Margo persuades him to join her in some midnight mayhem and vengeance... and a post for a website turns up: Margo will be in a certain location for the next 24 hours only. They drive throughout the night, racing the clock. Is Q ready for what he might find?

Review:

I first read ‘Paper Towns’ forever ago but recently re-read the novel after I found out that book was being recreated into a motion picture and one of my favorite idols, Care Delevingne, has been casted as one of the main characters, Margo. So, in the thrill of finding this out, I re-read the whole novel but this time imagining Cara as Margo. I am beyond excited to watch the film. 

I didn’t originally write a book review after reading ‘Paper Towns’ for the first time simply because  I was finding it impossible to try and summaries the whole novel in a few short paragraphs. However, this time I am determined.

Basically the whole meaning of the book is about how we misinterpret others and ourselves. This book tells the story of two young teens, Quentin and Margo who were neighbors and childhood friends. However, they discover a deceased body in a park. Since then they have separated and grown up in separate ways. Margo has matured into a popular quirky girl while Quinten has become the typical gamer nerd.  As you can probably imagine Quinten has quite the crush of Margo and the whole story is narrated by him. To his surprise one night Margo randomly knocks on Quietens bedroom window and tells him she wants to take him on an adventure. Unsurprisingly, Quinten does not decline the offer and takes off with her in his mother’s van. The adventure includes several tasks relating to other students who attend their school and only lasts one night. Quinten is returned safely to his bedroom but the next morning he finds that Margo has run away. This is not the first time Margo has run away and so her parents are no as eager to find her nor are the police. However, Quinten feels like this time is different from the way she said goodbye and the way that things happened. So he takes it upon himself to try and find Margo. 

The message about how we misinterpret others and ourselves is woven through the process Quinten goes through to find Margo. Along the way he finds new things about her in the clues she left behind about her whereabouts. He starts to realize that his idea of Margo may not be the real Margo. 

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this novel was Quinten’s growth throughout the book. At the beginning, everything points to Quinten having a very analytical, routine personality and has the perfectly ordinary lifestyle. However, his night with Margo, his character changes dramatically and it constantly does throughout his entire journey to find Margo. 

Overall, the story is a beautifully written masterpiece and the story all gelled together. This novel reminded me very much of his other novel, ‘Looking for Alaska’ however ‘Paper Towns’ take she meaning a step further without death being associated. Leave a comment bellow if you agree!I would highly recommend this novel and it will be staying on my favorites list for quite some time to come!

Thank you for reading,


Ally xox

The Giver - Lois Lowry

Synopsis: 

Intelligence. Integrity, Courage. Wisdom. 
These are the qualities a Receiver of Memory must have. And one more which can only be named, but not described. The Capacity to See Beyond.

Jonas lives safely within the community, a place where there is no war, no hunger and no pain. But when he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, he starts to discover dark secrets that lie beneath the surface if his perfect world. Secrets that will lead him to undertake an incredible journey. 

Review:

I was highly anticipated to read this novel as I had studied over it multiple times at my local bookstore. The concept of the plot interested me every time but for some unknown reason I put off obtaining the novel. I eventually let in and purchased the book and thankfully my awaited buy did not leave me disappointed.

Dystopian novels are a consistent genre on my bookshelves and unsurprisingly ‘The Giver’ is no exception.

The story of ‘The Giver’ follows a young man named Jonas. He is brought up in a strict Utopian community. It is here in this society that the novel takes place. Jonas is about to become a ‘twelve’. In this community the age of the children changes all at the same time. So, for example, all of the children born in a year all turn one the following year. The most important age level for a child in particular is the twelfth as this is when the child is assigned the career that they will have until they are elders. This is done after much research by a committee of elders whom observe each child as they are growing up and then assign the job they would be most suited for. However, when the ceremony comes around he is not assigned to a job…… he is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory. The Receiver of Memory is the one person who revives all the memories of the world for this society.

And so the old Receiver of Memory has to pass down all the memories to Jonas, this man is called the ‘Giver’.

 After being received many memories, Jonas becomes aware if the inner workings of this community and he becomes aware that everything is not as perfect as it seems. He discovers that the people of the society essentially have no choices. They don’t choose their own spouses, their own job or even their own children. He also learns about darker aspects of the community that other citizens are oblivious to. In particular, the term ‘released from the village’. To the community this is assumed to be exile, they are being sent away. But we come to know that the term is a euphemism for something much, much darker. After Jonas is aware of this he becomes a confused and even angry to how people have let this happened. However nobody within the community knows any better. The lifestyles of the community would solve many of our world problems. For example, over population – the community only allows a certain amount of children to be born a year, joblessness- everybody is assigned a job, climate control – everybody rides bicycles. The system of the village has been running precisely the same for a very long time and the most frightening thing is that it actually works. Nobody remembers the way anything was before the systems of society except for the Receiver of Memory.

I will admit, there was part of me that looked back on this novel and didn't believe it was a very effective dystopian novel as there were some fantasy elements and  therefore had some scenarios that were not plausible. But as one who absolutely cannot stand reading fantasy, I did not find these few elements distracting in anyway.

In conclusion, I am very impressed by Lois Lowry’s work.This novel puts the reader in an interesting and unusual perspective while still being logical. I am enthused by my discovery of this novel actually being series and I will defiantly pick up the remaining novels without hesitation.

As always thank you of reading and don’t forget to  leave a comment on what you think about ‘The Giver’

Until next time,

Ally xox

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Synopsis: 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid support Group, Hazel's story is about to be complete rewritten 

Review: 

I would like to start by saying that I have nothing against cancer patients or cancer stories. I have never experience any form of cancer nor witnessed it. Also, there are lots of spoilers in this review. You have been warned.

I can appreciate that new comers to John Green’s work would believe that The Fault in Our Stars was a phenomenal and highly remarkable book. However, after reading many of Green’s novels, I’ve notice that they can get quite repetitive. I have observed that there is usually a typical teenage girl with a mystery or sadness who is wanted by a teenage boy who wants to solve them. Think about it. Alaska and Miles, Hazel and Augustus, Margo and Quinton. The story lines echo each other and are so similar that frankly, they become predictable and boring. I knew about a third of the way through the novel that Augustus was going to die.  Perhaps this is just Green’s writing style, but in my opinion, it is just a formula to get teenage girls hearts.

The Fault in our Stars is now an icon for romance literature and has been labelled as ‘the new titanic’ however I, personally, do not understand how. The romance in this novel came out of nowhere. It was literally ‘love at first sight.’ This may melt the hearts of young girls, and be really sweet and all, but I had to ask myself; Are they in this relationship purely because they both thought they were going to die or did they genuinely love each other? I thought the whole relationship was rushed and not honest.

Another point I should mention is that modern teenagers don’t speak in page long monologues that seem overly rehearsed and not on the spot.  I don’t think Green grasped how today’s teenagers communicate. There were no awkward silences or tense environments which most teenagers in today’s society experience with other people their age.

I also found the couple’s relationship with Van Houten quite odd. It seemed as if the book was warning me about the man the whole time. I honestly thought that Van Houton would abuse Hazel and Augustus. I myself thought it was strange for this man to demand that if she wanted him to answer his question, Hazel was to travel half way around the world regardless of her state of physical health, and location. I was shocked that the pair actually did travel to see the man, and I was even more shocked when the mother allowed the teenagers to visit him alone. Then when the meeting didn't go to plan they kiss in the Anne Frank museum!? As some of you already know I am a keen reader of the Holocaust. I have read Anne Frank’s diary multiple times and found it an extraordinary piece of writing. To have the couple’s first kiss in the annex just seemed ridiculous and even random. And to top it off, the applause?

Sure there were a few faults in The Fault in Our Stars (pun intended) but I did overall enjoy it even though I have made it sound like I absolutely hated it in this review. I do prefer Green’s other books over this one in particular (I will write post reviews for the soon!), but as a whole he has done a terrific job. He crafted beautiful characters and I created a strong bond with them all. I have only pointed out the negative aspects within the novel, which is probably why I sound like I really disliked it.  I felt like this book got a lot of hype and publicity over social media. I do believe that perhaps some only thought it was phenomenal just because everyone else did. Once again, I did actually enjoy this book, I was entertained and I finished it in like three days. I just wanted to point some of the things that were quite conspicuous to me as ‘not quite right’ and wanted to put some ideas out. I want to know what you guys think, leave a comment below!

Thank you for reading,

Ally xox

Book Review: The Maze Runner - James Dashner

Synopsis: 

When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas can remember is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade, an encampment at the center of a bizarre and terrible maze. 

Like Thomas, he Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there. All they know is  that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything to find out. 

Review: 

I purchased The Maze Runner novel series after watching and loving The Maze Runner movie. I know, I know that most people hate when book lovers say “the book was better than the movie,” but I’m going to say it.

The book was better than the movie.

So there's this kid who wakes up in an elevator without any memory of his past other than his name, Thomas. However, when the elevator doors open, he is greeted by a bunch of male teenagers who also have no memories. Thomas discovers that he is trapped in the ‘Glade.’ The Glade is the maze, a chilling labyrinth of tall, concrete walls. Behind these walls are lethal creatures known as ‘Grievers.’ To make matters worse, the day after Thomas’s arrival, a female is delivered through the elevator. For two years, there were only boys who were delivered in the elevator, and they were only delivered once a month. Her arrival sparks up curiosity as since her coming, the deliveries of supplies stop coming, and the doors stay open at night which allows the Grievers to come in a taunt the civilians of the Glade. So basically the whole plot line is the difficulties of ‘solving’ the Maze. This may sound simple and frankly, boring, however, there are many frightening obstacles that disturb their search for the solution.

Little do the Gladers know, they are actually experimental subjects for WICKED. They do suspect that they are being watched and that they are there for a purpose a they refer to WICKED as the ‘creators.’ WICKED tests these teenagers on their reactions to certain variables and their ability’s in times of terror to try and develop a blueprint to cure the flare, a man-made disease that has been leaked and is spreading like wild fire across the world.

The main character is the courageous young boy, Thomas. He has an amazing daring ability to attack any obstacle that that comes his way. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in watching his character develop and getting to know him from the start to finish. The other key characters also share the courageous qualities, especially Thomas’s main companion, Minho. Minho is with Thomas throughout the majority of the story and can be quite a jerk and very sarcastic at times, but together, they balance each other out very well.

Dasher has done remarkable work in crafting this isolated world, jam-packed with tests and variables. I was intrigued to know more and more about the “who is controlling this all” concept the whole time an that’s why I finished it in only two days. I am looking forward to reading the following installments.

I want to know what you think! Don't forget to leave a comment below!
Thanks for reading,

Ally xox