Scarred by Julia Hoban

Scarred by Julia Hoban
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's hard to keep a secret when it's written all over your body


On a rainy day seven months ago, Willow drove her parents home from a party and they had a car crash. Both her parents died.

'My parents are dead. I killed them'

Living without her parents, living with her brother who can barley look at her, Mia has submerged deep under a wave - tidal wave, unrelenting wave of depression. Her only release comes from her silvery friend.


Then she meets Guy, who discovers her secret. Willow is scared. He makes her feel things, and she can't - wont allow herself to feel things.

She is a shadow of her former self. She just tries to survive the day.


MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK.

I did enjoy this book. It is a real portrayal of a person who self harms. It didn't give a perfect case scenario of a girl meeting a boy, and then suddenly, all is well in her life. This is a story about grief and redemption. It is a story about a girl who is trying to live her life without having her parents in it.
'I'll never be anyones daughter'

This story is not just about self harm. It is a story about guilt and forgiveness. I loved the love story between Guy and Willow. I feel it reflects a real love story. Many books create this magnificent, other worldly love story which doesn't exist in real life, making the reader (this reader) sad that they will never experience a love to that magnitude. This was a realistic love. One I could see being true, that I myself may eventually find.



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Overwhelmed

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes I have a lot of books on my shelves or on my kindle that I am eager to read. And sometimes, i get overwhelmed with the shear amount of books. It's like this, I'll got to the library and pick up a book or two, I'll come home only to receive a text message from the kind people at the library, informing me that a book I requested, about 3 months ago, is awaiting me back at the library. Due to the limited time allowed for you to go and pick up the book, or else they'll give it to someone else, you hurry back the next day for said book.

Three, I can handle three, but then you get a book or two on your kindle or you buy a new release and your just so eager to start all of them at once - but you can't of course. So you sit there staring at the steadily growing pile of books, knowing you've to return some of them in the course of a week or two. 

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the amount of books I want to read, that I simply don't read any of them at all. I sit there  saying 'No!' and take a time out. Because when i'm in that state of mind, reading becomes an obligation, no longer the care free thing i venture to for an escape. It becomes one of the reasons for my need of escape. So instead I watch tv or browse the internet - or write on my blog how this overwhelming feeling associates itself with me.

I'm not sure if this is a common thing that some readers experience. All I know is that sometimes wanting to read so much in turn, puts me in a reading slump. And I don't want to be in a reading slump, but I can eerily feel myself slipping already.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by john Green and David Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book - just not enough to give 4 stars (sorry John, sorry David). Whilst reading it I felt I could instantly tell which of the Will Graysons that John Green wrote. Idk it just had that John feel- if you know what I mean? I don't even know if I know what I mean,so it must be harder for you reading this.
That being said, I haven't actually read a David Levithan book yet. I mean to, and I will, I just haven't yet. they don't have any in my library except Are We There Yet, and I don't know if I'll like that book. (comment below please if you think its good, Or just comment if you read this, I doubt anyone will. Which in essence means I'm talking to myself).

I've been ranting on and I haven't even told you about this book yet. Sorry I'm not usually this rambley (it's not a word, I know).

Okay, so there's these two teenage boys who live in different states. And big surprise, both their names are Will Grayson.
Both Wills are very different from the other. I kinda liked the sad Will though, but thats just me and my weird mind, i like to comfort the broken - how cliche? Anyway he is - you know - swinging for the other team, so anywho..

I LOVED Tiny. I just want a big fat Gay friend who is Tiny and who staged these magical musicals and we go on adventures and he sets me up on dates, even though I quite frankly told him I'm not interested in Jane. But he does it anyway and I get annoyed, but its okay because then I might actually like Jane and blah blah blah etc etc you get it.


I literally laughed out loud at this book, which is a hard thing to make me do.


But remember... you can't pick your friends, but you can pick you friends nose!

(I'm aware that that sentence makes no sense if you haven't read the book. So go away and read it and get in the know!)


Oh and Maura is a bitch after what she did. I don't care. It was not nice!


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Enders game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It took me so long to read this, which I dont understand. Well.. after i had begun it, I put myself on a reading ban during the lead up to my exams so that counts for something. Also i never was in the mood to read it. Which also doesn't make sense because when I was reading it, i did infact enjoy it. I guess i'm just weird or something.

My thoughts on this book:

I continually had to remind my self that Ender was a child. Not some twenty-something year old.
At the beginning I found the book quite strange. Like really, you expect a 6 year old to save the entire human race?
I very much enjoyed Enders intellect. It kinda made me ashamed of my own average intelligence. (hopefully average anyway). It took my awhile to imagine the battle rooms and how these fights were playing out, because i'm not as familiar with the essence of movement without gravity and when up isn't actually up, its like west or something.
I liked that we got to look at was happening back on earth abit with Valentine and Peter.

I kinda hated the ending (not the actual ending, the part with the last battle if you know what i mean- i don't really want to spoil anything but it's very hard to explain what i'm referring to without actually spoiling it)

Overall - Yes I enjoyed it, and I'm thinking of reading another science-fictiony book again, as I do not read them frequently.


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Saving June by Hannah Harrington

"If she'd waited less than two weeks, she'd have been June that died in June.

But I guess my sister didn't consider that."

Harper was always the disappointment in the family, the one who could have tried harder. June was always the good, over achieving one, the one her parents were proud of. But June killed herself and left Harper behind.

After the shocking discovery of her sisters suicide, the collapse of her family and the stranger who glares at her. Harper decides to do one last thing for her sister, steal her ashes and bring her to California, where her dream life could have been.

With the help of her friend Laney, and the strange boy who somehow has links to June, the three of them head off on a journey. Along the way there are tears, hookups, knuckle fighting and maybe love. But there are still things Harper wants to know about June, but in the process will she, herself be able to find peace?

I really enjoyed this book. I think the reason why I enjoyed it because I could relate very well to both Harper an June. Suicide affects many people, not just the person committing it. And for those left behind it can seem very difficult to understand such actions. That someone could get that sad, that sadness could invade every aspect of their life to be left with such an option to find a release. Partly why I enjoyed this book so much is because it made me think, made me ponder. And I know many people may not enjoy this book the amount I did, but I think they just don't understand it, or don't like the reality of it. 

This book was about more than just suicide though, it was about life, an living it.

"There is so much beauty in just existing. In being alive. I don't want to miss a second"

I loved this quote. It is easy to get carried away on focusing on the negative aspects in life, in the unfair, unruly, seemingly unrelenting thing it is to exist that we let good beautiful things pass is by. I read somewhere that 'If we continually hold on to things that make us sad, we will never be happy'. And quotes are a big thing to me. I could loathe a book or a poem - or whatever else, but if I find a poignant insightful quote or line or sentence, then reading it wasn't a waste. Writing speaks to me far more than art ever could. And I know a picture can say a thousand words, but I like finding the right words.

I feel I may have gotten a bit off topic. This books isn't just about suicide or being sad. It's about love, making mistakes, forgiveness. I encourage you to read it. I rated it 5 stars on my goodreads account (should probably write a review on there too) 

Let me know in the comments if you read this book, and whether you enjoyed it or not. Also if my review encourages you to read it :)

If I stay by Gayle Forman

Mia is a quiet shy cello player going about her life. Her life is quite ordinary and she lives in a close knit family who love each other dearly. She has a bestfriend Kim, and a rock star boyfriend called Adam. Everything was going okay until one day when the snow fell. On a trip into the city with her family, a truck hits the car which changed Mia's life forever.

She wakes up after the crash, only to realise she can see her body laying crumpled on the ground. She witnessed the horrific consequences of the crash. And Mia has a choice. Whether she chooses to stay alive or dies. 

It's not an easy choice. There's many reasons to go and to stay. 

I really liked this book. It's not very serious all of the time. It's emotional but it has elements to lighten it up and to make you laugh. 

It really makes you wonder what you would do in those circumstances, would you stay? Or would you leave?

Hopefully the choice may be ours to make.

Where Have I been?

 I'm sorry I've been away, but i have some legit reasons my friends. See there's this thing called a leaving certificate that all sixth year students have to sit in order to attend a good college. So I've been away studying sadly. It has not been fun. Fortunately i am now finished! I graduated from secondary school so I've been kinda busy closing this chapter in my life. But I have not forgotten you, my dear readers (seriously does anyone ever read these? ) 

So here's a random collage of my life recently. Hope you enjoy :)

        

 

                 
   

Also I am very excited to announce that my reading ban is officially over!!

So that means expect some book reviews very soon. Also maybe some movie reviews. 

Add comments as to what type of posts you would like to see.

Review on Veronica Roth's Divergent Novel

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I feel like this book deserves a better review than my previous one.

Brief description on the society
In this novel, America is sectioned off into different factions (at least I'm assuming it's America, it is most of the time). There are five different factions. Each faction stands for something else.

Abnegation : Believe in selflessness. They think of others above everything else. They are not allowed to be self indulgent. They are not even allowed to look into mirrors. They dress in all grey.

Candor : Believe in being honest all the time. They wear black and white clothes.

Dauntless :Value bravery and courage. They resent cowardice. They wear black clothes. They are daredevils.

Erudith : Value information. They want to know everything. they dress in blue, because blue supposedly releases chemicals that calm you. And a calm mind is a clear mind.

Amity : Value peace. They think violence and aggression is not the way in which to live your life. They wear red and yellow clothes.


The actual story of this book
Beatrice Prior was born Abnegation. She has tried all her life to fit in to that faction. Unfortunately, she never quite could. At her aptitude test, Beatrice discovers that she is Divergent. She's not quite sure what that means, but only that it is not good and no one must ever find out.
At the choosing ceremony she makes the choice to join (view spoiler)[Dauntless (hide spoiler)]. Although she must survive initiation or risk becoming factionless.

My thoughts on the book
Well if my five star rating didn't tell you already, i LOVE this book. Why you ask?
1) I greatly admire Tris. She seems so small and fragile, and it would be so easy for her to succumb to cowardice but she doesn't. She is brave. After my first reading of this book I wanted to be like her. Sometimes, if i feel like chickening out of something I try to be like her. I can have fears, so long as I do not let them control me.
2) Four/(view spoiler)[Tobais (hide spoiler)]:
I loved him. He's so strong and scary, can be intimidating at times, but underneath is such vulnerability and... i just want to hug him.
3)Veronica Roth:
I loved how she wrote this book. From the very beginning something interesting and exciting is happening and she keeps this up throughout the novel.


IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK THEN I ENCOURAGE YOU TO. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

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Library VS Bookstore

If you're like me, you like to read right? I mean why else would you be here? Also if you're like me you like to read... quite a bit. Unfortunately, my being only seventeen means that I do not have the luxury of purchasing books frequently. A girls gotta have a social life as well you know. So this often results in me using our dear old libraries for my literature. Don't take me up wrong, I love libraries, think they're important not only to the community but to the individual. I mean, without them, I wouldn't have read quite so many of books.

                    But this is the question: Libraries or Bookstores?

Pros/Cons of Libraries

Pros:

• The books are free. You can take them out and read them and it wont cost you anything.
• There is a wide variety.
• If a book has been taken out multiple times, you can kinda guess it must be worth reading.
• You may come across a book that you wouldn't of got if you were in a bookstore, and you might really enjoy it.
• The most amazing feeling, when you're casually strolling through the shelves and you come across a book you've been eager to read. 
• You get given a card. I'm the kinda person who has her purse full of store loyalty cards, a card is a good thing in my eyes. (you may disagree).

Cons:

• Books may not be in the best of condition.
• They may not have a certain book you are looking for.
• Sometimes they have the second book of a trilogy and not the first. That just frustrates me.
• Around four o'clock they get packed with people doing their homework or studying.
• You have a limited amount of time to read the book. You must return it. This sometimes makes me read faster so that I don't feel like I have taken it away for so long.

Pros/Cons of Bookstores

Pros:

• They have newly released books.
• Sometimes they have sales or offers on ( who doesn't like a 3for2?)
• The books are in good condition
• You get to keep the books when finished reading.
• You may not feel the urge to rush the book, because it is yours and you do not have to return it.

Cons:

• You have to pay for the books.
• Sometimes they put stupid stickers on the books that are hard to get off. 
• When there is the same book with two different covers and one is cheaper than the other. WHY?

 So.. That's really my thoughts on bookstores or Libraries, i use them both. If i have money to spend I'll go to the bookstore, if I don't, then library it is.

Some people feel they need to own a lot of books. I don't. Maybe if i found a book in the library that I loved, and knew I'd want to read again, then yeah sure I'd go get a copy, but I wouldn't buy a book just to have it and showcase it in my room like I'm some good person because I read ( I know people like this, that is why I'm mentioning it. Do you know them people? don't you just hate them! If you are one of those people... sorry...)