How to spot the interesting.

Hey there,

So I've been looking at some of my blog statistics (now that I actually have some haha) and my most popular post is called Writing letters. If you haven't checked it out yet click here. I won't go into the reasons why I wrote it but I do want to talk about why it might have been popular. Guesses anyone? (I am now looking intently at the computer screen expecting your voice to somehow come out)

The best conclusion I could come up with is that this post was a little personal and a little reckless: you got to see some of my inner thoughts and I shared them at the risk of someone I actually know finding them. I'm wondering if you'd like these little posts about my life to continue.

I consider myself to be quite an observant person. I notice body language and oddities and interesting accents and such. The world, to me, is a very interesting place. I'd like to share some of these observations with you in an attempt to brighten your day and help you spot the interesting too.

Leave me your comments about this idea. What should we call it? Spot the interesting, observations, thoughts from places? Leave me your blog links too so we can share the love around. Ciao!

Review of The Distance Between Us

Hey guys! Welcome to another little book review of The Distance Between Us by Kasie West (click here to see Goodreads). Sorry I haven't blogged in a while because apparently law school means a lot more textbook than novel reading. Sigh.

I read this in about 3 sittings because it is one of those books that just makes you feel happy and alright with how life is playing out for you. It is the story of Caymen Meyers who works in a doll-shop in a town of rich people while not actually being rich. Her mum's experience with Caymen's father has taught her one thing: rich boys are trouble. Lucky for us, trouble strolls in, all arrogant and handsome by the name of Xander Spence. This is a slightly Cinderella story with a very cute prince, a lot of hilarious characters and a whole bunch of awwwwwww.

The story-line is quite straightforward and is fast-paced. This is one of the main reasons I got hooked so easily, that and the aforementioned awwwwwwws. It is perfect for a light read with a bit of humour, a bit of unbelievable things that we all wish could happen to us and a crisp ending. It felt finished, I had fun and I could forget about how hard life actually was for a while.

Like Sarah Dessen, the author chose to introduce some depth into the story through the college dilemmas of someone who can't afford it and a single-parent family struggling to make ends meet. It was by no means a Dessen masterpiece but this book was a solid effort. I had a little bit of issue with the ending but, you've got to be expecting a little bit of corniness.

All in all, this was a light-hearted read which is great for unwinding after a long and hard day. I gave this book a 4 star rating because it made me awwwwwww. Let me know if you've read it and how you're going on the Goodreads Challenge (I am failing miserably >.< ) Ciao

Favourite quote:
"Caymen."
Please don't turn it into a nickname.
"Good to meet you. Caymen."
Five points.

The best plot twist since Snape turned good

Alright. So this little show called Teens React on Youtube got some teenagers to react to The Fault in Our Stars trailer, a trailer that you lovely people may remember I posted here not too long ago. I try not mention books over and over because I know it doesn't really serve much as a recommendation, but can I just say.... please watch this video if you are a fan of the book, movie, author, Youtube or life in general. No spoilers but the plot twist at the end of the video made my little fangirl heart sing.



Let me know your thoughts and what your reaction would be if this happened to you. Ciao!

Review of A Tale of Two Cities

I've been reading this book for quite a while now as some of you may know (it was getting quite stale on my Goodreads shelf) and today I will tell you why, also why I will reread this at some point in the future.

Reading at the beach. I am a nerd.

A Tale of Two Cities has a small cast of characters, the most famous of which you clockwork princess fans out there will recognize as Sydney Carton. Pretty much, it starts with a slightly mentally ill prisoner known as Doctor Manette who has been imprisoned in the Bastille for political reasons. He is released by the caretaker of his estate, Mr Lorry the banker and his young daughter Lucie. A few years later these three are witnesses to a political conspiracy with a man called Charles Darnay. His lawyer is Sydney Carton. During the trial, everyone falls in love with Lucie- as you would expect- and she ends up getting married *no spoilers as to who.* They live a quiet life until the French Revolution when Charles Darnay is again accused of treason, this time to the new Republic of France and the doctor's mental trauma from his years in the Bastille begins to resurface.

Previously I hadn't flirted with Dickens although I had assumed he was an amazing writer, why else would he have lasted so long? I was blown away by the rhythm and movement of his work. There was a beautiful line on every second page. The imagery of for instance Madame Defarge and the Vengeance strangling enemies with their knitting lingered. Closer to the end when we see all the ladies in court knitting during the beheadings, Dickens paired the knitting with the horror. A row of stitches. 52 heads.

I really struggled getting through this book not only because of the subject matter -tragic and bloody- but also because of the length. Not much seemed to happen in each chapter and each were quite long. Also, I never really connected with Lucie or Charles nor with their love story. The character formation was lacking for me especially as I am so used to seeing much stronger and central female characters.

The satisfaction I got from finishing this book though was monumental. This has taken me almost as long as Game of Thrones, I feel like my vocabulary and reading skills have really been developed and I really challenged myself to read something outside my comfort zone. Additionally, the ending was absolutely incredibly done. I take my hat off to Dickens for tying up all the loose ends, even some introduced pretty late in the plot. It was like he had been painting something bit by bit and only at the end did he show you the big picture. Storytelling at its best. Bravo good sir.


Favourite quote:
"O you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?"

Let me know what you think of Dickens and any other book recommendations. Ciao!