Reading for You!- Kate

Being a part of a large book community I think it is sometimes easy to feel that your reading is inadequate, whether it is how fast you read or what you are reading. I went through a stage not long ago when reading was starting to feel like a chore. I think this started when I created my TBR (to be read) Jar. If you haven’t heard of a TBR Jar, the general idea is that you put all the titles of the books on your shelf that you need to read into a jar and each time you need something to read you pick a title out of the jar and you read that, but if you don’t want to read it you give the book away.  I really liked the idea of this to help you pick up the books you forgot about. I gave it a solid try but it just didn’t work for me. Sometimes you just aren’t in the mood for some books and that’s totally ok.  I have picked up books before, tried to read the first chapter and absolutely hated it. Then picked it up again a few months later and absolutely loved it! Sometimes you need a sappy love story and sometimes you need a story where the protagonist totally kicks arse!

Reading is meant to be fun! It’s meant to be something you do for yourself, unless it’s required reading (blehh).  Read what you want to read, if the only books you like are Twilight that’s awesome! Don’t be ashamed of what you enjoy because there is someone else who loves it as well! Flaunt it! (Secret life lesson; no matter what you are doing someone will have a problem with it, so do what makes you happy! as long as it’s legal….)

I have never read a classic, and it makes me feel bad sometimes. I feel like I’m not a proper reader if I haven’t read a classic. But who made that rule? No one!! I read YA and I enjoy YA so that doesn’t make me any less of a reader than someone who reads exclusively classics, or every genre. Neither does how fast I can read a book. If you enjoy reading you are a reader I don’t care if it takes you a year to finish it! Keep going and don’t feel bad! Sometimes I wish books would last a year, sometimes I need a solid week to get over a book because I loved it so much.

Basic summery of what I just said; if you enjoy reading that is awesome! I don’t care what you read or how long it takes you to read it, keep reading and enjoying it. Don’t let it become a chore!

REVIEW: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

HEY, AND ALSO, WHAT'S UP?

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane 

by Neil Gaiman

(Spoilers)

★★★★★

Review by Tayla Lauren

(Discovering The Books Of The Universe)

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane Neil Gaiman 240 pages

10.36 @ The Book Depository (April 2014 Edition)

NOTE: Please forgive my very unstructured review. 

I put this book down thirty seconds ago, and already (like all of Gaiman's novel's that I've had the pleasure of reading) I have an overwhelming urge to pick it back up again and re-read cover to cover. Gaiman's latest novel, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is no different. Gaiman (as always) has presented readers with a unique and gripping storyline that will most certainly stay with you for a very long time. As this is Gaiman's first 'adult' novel in eight years, one would expect it to be slightly rusty--I think not. 

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane shows readers a tale told through the eyes of a seven year old boy, (whose name is only ever mentioned once in passing as 'George'--'Handsome George' to be precise) in a reality such as our own, however with a slight twist of fate that seems less out of the ordinary than it would normally be. Although our story opens with George as a fully grown man, living a life of his own before returning to his own home town to revisit the house which he spent a long, frighfull summer with Lizzie Hempstock. 

Neil Gaiman's wonderful and intriguing writing style draws readers into his story, into a world much like our own. Lettie Hempstock is a peculiar girl from the end of the lane. After discovering his first dead body, our male protagonist (a boy of only seven years of age) is drawn into a strange string of events--seemingly unattached in their happenings, but conveniently placed throughout the story. Our hero is not of regular consequence--he is not an attractive teenage male, but a small bookish boy filled with curiosity and questions. A refreshing setting. 

With the arrival of a new 'Nanny' for George and his sister during their parents working absence, new danger unfolds, which he finds himself in a struggle to escape. Ursula, the live-in Nanny, is the epitome of childrens fears of all carers besides their own flesh and blood--and lives up to those nightmare-ish feelings during the course of the story. With important side line characters including Old Mrs Hempstock and Ginnie Hempstock, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane leaves many questions unanswered as to the exact nature of these people. 

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is told through the eyes of a child and beautifully portrays the innocence of a young mind. Through even the darkest and most shocking of scenario's (ones that would leave older people feeling lost, confused or even a great deal of hatred) are brushed over and almost unthought of by George. Gaiman writes this in a way that it can be easily interpreted by his readers, however still heartwrenchingly beautiful and tragic. 

“Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. Truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world.” 

-  The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman, 2013

Overall, this novel oozes a theme of innocence and interpretation of a child's mind. Gaiman even speaks at length throughout the course of the novel, the innermost workings of the mind--an adult's mind is blank, they don't explore, they have no interest. A child's mind, however is constantly working, always seeking out new and fascinating courses. 

Although this book is of the sci-fi genre, it felt--through Gaiman's brilliant writing--as if it was real. As if something like this was completely plausible, just as a previous children's release of his, The Graveyard Book (which I read and love love loved) seemed to be. 

I will definitely come back to this book, over and over and over and over just as I have to all of Gaiman's work's that I have read throughout my life. I gave The Ocean At The End Of The Lane a 5 out of 5 stars, and it is so very, very deserving of that. I look forward to any and all of Gaiman's releases in the future, as well as reading many of his other works that I have not finished. 

This book is a must read. Read it now. Stop what you're doing right now, go out and buy it. You won't regret it. 

All the best,

Tayla. 

REVIEW: My Life Next Door By Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door

by Huntley Fitzpatrick

5 out of 5 stars

Written by Kate H.

(Discovering The Books Of The Universe)

My Life Next Door By Huntley Fitzpatrick 394 pages

AUD $12.37 @bookdepository.com 

This beautifully written contemporary is about 17 year old Samantha Reed, the daughter of the very meticulous Senator Reed and neighbours to the Garrets. Senator Reed despises her laidback neighbours, so what happens when her ‘perfect’ daughter falls for one of the many ‘less than perfect’ Garrets?

This story doesn’t just follow the ups and down of the unexpected couple but other aspects of their lives. I found it refreshing to not just focus on their relationship, but to actually go in depth with the other aspects of their lives i.e. work, friendships, school and family. Because of this the relationship didn’t feel rushed even though it happened quite early on in the story.

You couldn’t help but fall in love with the Garret’s, their laid back loving family that you just wanted to be a part of. You got a feel for each member and fell in love with them instantly, the family dynamic was beautiful.

This book was relatable and I think it faced a lot of issues and it really went into detail about how the characters dealt with them and how they overcame them, which I thoroughly enjoyed because it didn’t feel like Fitzpatrick was just trying to stuff in as much drama as possible. It flowed nicely and felt natural.  I felt everything the characters felt and I loved it.

This was the first contemporary I have read in a long time that I have felt ended really well.  So of course I am a bit apprehensive about the sequel that is due to be released in the coming months.  But in saying that, I am excited to see what happens next.

I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about this story, I absolutely loved it and am giving it 5 out of 5 stars, I definitely recommend picking this up. I can’t wait to pick up more of Huntley Fitzpatrick’s work, her writing is absolutely gorgeous. 

REVIEW: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend
by Marie Lu

4 out of 5 stars

Written by Katie W.

(Discovering The Books Of The Universe)

Legend by Marie Lu 305 pages

AUD $18.65 @bookdepository.com

Legend is a intriguing dystopian beginner novel of the trilogy by Marie Lu,  where the world is at war with itself and there are two sides that we know of. The first side is the republic  who have everyone in LosAngeles, California believing that they are good and that they are here to help, that all of their twisted ways are all for the peoples benefit. Then we have the colonies who are outside countries or places that are fighting against the republic for land. However the  colonies are not the only enemy the republic faces. The republic faces treason amongst people within their own city, one of the main groups is the patriots  whose aim is not mentioned through out the novel. The republics biggest threat however seems to be Day, a young rebel who just aims to help his family who is suffering from the plague, and when he unsuccessfully  attempts to gets a cure and ends up throwing a knife into  a solider to escape who coincidentally  is Junes brother. Therefore june goes on a enraged undercover mission to find day and get him arrested for his brothers death. A long the way she discovers more about day and after his imminent arrest she discovers he isn’t the one who killed her brother and how the republic has be deciving them all.

The themes and plot behind Legend was intriguing and  fascinating and the world that Marie Lu created was nothing but magical, however  she doesn’t go into enough detail or really any detail of explaining how the world had broken down and gotten to that stage. Why the republic tortured people and unnecessarily killed them as well as never explaining what had caused this effect , we as readers were really left to only imagine what had happened. The novel however didn’t focus on the back stories it was mainly focused on our two main characters whose point of view is switched between chapters, I enjoyed being able to see both Junes and Day’s point of view however their voices both sounded very much the same, and sometimes got confusing.  Switching between point of views did work in a positive way as well, it allowed us as the readers to see and feel what both characters had planning and what they were experiencing, which was nice throughout most of the book .

I did feel as though Legend was missing a few major plot twists, there was never a major climax and when we finally reached a potential climax it always ended and went onto the next chapter of the book. We never fully experienced the pain and anguish Day felt over losing his mother or brother as his thoughts barely ever focused on the one topic for too long, therefore creating a rushed feel to the book.

The overall plot and storyline of the book however was AMAZING! There were some extremely great and well thought out ideas in legend  and the characters June and day were almost perfectly thought out.

Overall I did enjoy this book and I think most fans of dystopians would, it is only slightly below the divergent trilogy and the hunger games trilogy, it is certainly a book that could have gone more in depth however it had a intriguing world, amazing plot and great star characters. It is a short read and is defiantly worth the time to read because it is a book that will be difficult to forget any time soon.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars as I felt it just wasn’t up to the epic novel genre it could have been however it was still a fantastic quick read. 

REVIEW: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl 

by Rainbow Rowell 

(minor spoilers)

5 out of 5 stars

Written by Katie W.

(Discovering The Books Of The Universe)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 480 pages

AUD $11.89 @bookdepository.com 

Rainbow rowell a genius and god among YA writers, has yet again out done herself. Rainbow rowell has written three immensely popular YA books: Eleanor and park, Attachments and my personal favourite Fangirl. I only a few minutes ago finished this book which can only be described as a work of pure art!

To summarise this book is a task which I myself find immensely difficult without either breaking down into a blubbering mess or giving away far too many spoilers.  This is not just a book as it has the power to make you both laugh and cry and experience emotions most books can not create over an entire series.  The basic outline of Fan girl is we follow a young 18 year old starting her freshman year at college and her entire world changes. She starts off as a socially inept, nerdy and dorky girl who is obsessed with writing fan fiction about 

Baz and Simon and slowly but surely this book turns into one of the most relatable and touching YA love stories of all time! The story of Cath and her way to discovering what true love is a touching and heart-warming story. Fan girl shows us all of the stereotypical sappy love stories we love however rainbow Rowell develops and builds this novel into yes a sappy love story but one that is so relatable that it feels true, that you never want to stop reading and that you wish and aim to be cath.  

Fan girl has had a lot of hype surrounding it over the past couple of years and the audience surrounding her books has grown immensely, this said I can proudly say that if Eleanor and park didn’t win you over fan girl are sure to! Cath is heading off to college with her twin sister and like most of us awkward people around the world, found this experience very daunting and terrifying. The book grows and develops without flaw! As soon as you start this book, beware as there is no putting it down without running the risk of major withdrawal symptom.  If there was one thing that I will take away from fan girl it is the moments that (SPOILER) Cath and Levi shared, these two showed me that true love isn’t easy but it also isn’t difficult, that it is spontaneous and beautiful and that no real relationship can be truly complete if you can have an unquestioned emergency dance party.

The character development and how Rainbow Rowell build her characters was nothing less than impeccable she created characters that felt real, all of her characters had at least the tiniest bit of someone you knew whether it was a distant cousin or a neighbor or even your best friend. Rainbow Rowell created a truly beautiful novel which was never too realist however never fake at all.

The ending of the book wasn't what I thought it would be, it didn't feel like the ending, it felt the beginning of something between Cath and Levi that was truly striking and makes you want to know what happens next.

I would encourage anybody and everybody who is a teenager or above to read this novel as it will teach you above love and hope and to never give up and to just overall live a spontaneous life.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it is a book I will come back to and re read over and over again and I will proudly recommend it to anyone . 

REVIEW: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher *SPOILERS*

HEY, AND ALSO, WHAT'S UP?

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

★★★☆☆

Review by Tayla Lauren

(Discovering The Books Of The Universe)

Thirteen Reasons Why Jay Asher 288 pages 

$10.87 @ The Book Depository (2010 Edition)

NOTE: Please forgive my hasty review. It has little to no structure or depth. 

(Very) Recently, I finished reading one of Jay Ashers most critically acclaimed novels, Thirteen Reasons Why and since turning the final page, I've found myself unable to form a structured review. Originally, I purchased this book through The Book Depository after hearing a fair amount of hustle and bustle throughout the Good Reads community. 

I wouldn't say that I am necessarily disappointed in the book, however, I am not in love with it either. In the end, with all of the positive reviews I'd heard about this particular book, my own opinion had been inflated, and expectant. Nevertheless, on with the review. 

To summarise, this book is not an angsty teen love story. It's a down to earth telling about a girl who committed suicide, told through thirteen reasons recorded onto tapes and send out to the people that correspond with each reason. The novel focuses on Clay Jensen, number nine on Hannah Baker's list. 

The rules are as simple, there are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully neither one will be easy for you. We open with Clay returning home from school to a package with no return address, full of thirteen double sided tapes recorded by Hannah, who only weeks before had taken her own life. Hannah was the kind of girl, to most of the student body, that you knew a lot and also nothing about at the same time. Rumors were her complete identity. That is, until she died. 

The whole idea of this novel is intriguing and has a message that will stay with you for a very long time. However, the complete set out of the story was uncomfortable and appeared to drag on. Although I couldn't put the book down, I became impatient and frustrated. Not in a way that made me just want to finish the book, but in a way that I hoped that the story would divert onto a different path, or would stay on the same one for a while longer. Asher was creative in hinting different aspects of later stories at the beginning of the novel, being able to tie them off later on, however felt repetitive. Much of the second half of the text requires you to recall previous characters from the beginning of the story who you might have otherwise forgotten (which is good), which leads to a large number of characters whose stories are focused. The novel is set over a period (for Clay) of one night. Clay has very little character development due to this, and the time period which is set gives little to the ways of an expansive storyline. 

With the subject of the novel in mind, the story lacked comedy of any sort, or any personal relationships to characters that I would otherwise fall in love with. 

(Spoiler-ish bits)

The ending of the novel, to myself, was very short lived. It was expected that Clay would have some sort of revelation towards Hannah, or the way that he would view other people who might possibly be going through a similar experience to what she did, and then look to help them. Instead, our leading male runs down the hallway after a girl who wears loose fitting clothing which he talked to once on a bus, but knew a little about previously in his life.  

Overall, this book is one that I did appreciate. The story and message are things that I will always have a place for in my YA heart, and Hannah's tapes will be things that I will recall whenever I see someone else in a tough situation. This book is a definite/recommended read for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbotsky.

I gave Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher a three (3) out of five (5) stars. 

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