Review of I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Jude and Noah are the twins of a dreamer and a realist. They grow up within these poles never knowing that their world would break. When Noah is 13 he falls in love with a boy. When Jude is 13 she does something terrible to Noah. And their mother does something terrible to them. And their father to their mother. In a few years Jude will wake up and see their messy lives and will try to piece the world together again.

Lots of people - myself included - Jude and Noah have a strange fascination with the bond between twins. I have had the pleasure of befriending a few twins and while they fight like any other siblings, they are always each other’s protectors. Jandy Nelson creates the twins’ relationship with their games, traditions, ghosting their similarities. Following their lives, Nelson captures something very special - as close as I will get to understanding that ethereal connection.

I greatly enjoyed this highly acclaimed read. While it had the humour and lightness inherent in teen fiction, the characters had depth and matured as the book went on. As promised in the blurb, I did at one point laugh and cry at the same time. I loved both completely different POVs, especially Noah’s way of labeling the still images of his life. This is a book I will be recommending to everyone to not only read but to buy. It looks so pretty on the bookshelf :D

Favourite quote:

“What is bad for the heart is good for the art.”

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Hello and happy holidays! Here is a little gift guide for your bookish gifting needs this year.

For the trend follower
Colouring books, most people will admit to owning one these days. To make your gift special though, choose a themed colouring book such as the Harry Potter colouring book for the Potterhead or a famous landscapes for the traveler.

For the series lover
There are heaps of fantastic series ending this summer. The final books of the Obernewtyn chronicles and the Lunar Chronicles are top picks for my YA loving friends.

For the internet kid
All of the Youtubers are releasing books at the moment. I'm most looking forward to reading Tyler Oakley's Binge and Miranda Sing's Selp Helf, two books sure to provide a bit of backstage access to fans and much laughter.

For the classics collector
Keepsakes are often overlooked as gifts but getting someone a story that they already love is a foolproof gift idea for a collector. The Harry Potter illustrated edition was released recently as well as many classics,

For the knick knack friend
Go into any good bookstore's gift section and you are sure to find a nerdy gift. Whether it's a miniature Game of Thrones figurine, a waterbottle with the orange Penguin Classic cover of Lost Girl, or a calico bag with the eye of Big Brother. I love so much of this merchandise.

For the funny one
Comedien books are also a great gift idea. Some of my favourites include Amy Poehler's Yes Please and Miranda Hart's Is It Just Me. A recent bestsellers I would love (hint hint family) is Aziz Ansari's Modern Romance.


If you have any more suggestions, leave them in the comments. Enjoy the festivities :)

Mockingjay Part 2

I went to see the final HG movie with my sister this week. This final film promised big action, a final hunger games with the Capital as the field, and some decisions about Peeta and Gale. Katniss has just recuperated from a near fatal attack from Peeta and now must take her place as the Mockingjay on the frontlines of the war. However, President Coin has other ideas for her as does President Snow.

It was a fantastic adaptation from book to screen keeping the important scenes untouched, like the ending, and strengthening minor storylines, such as with Gale, through the movie format. Fans of the book will be impressed, as will fans of the movie franchise. As a loyal fan of the books, I was just so happy to see the final battle realised and Katniss and special someone fall in love.

Jennifer Lawrence is inseparable from Katniss Everdeen onscreen. She is fierce and selfish. Scared and kind. Katniss is one of the most complex heros you will find in young adult fiction. The cast of secondary characters including wonderful Primrose, sassy Haymitch, and cruel genius of Plutarch populate the realistic dystopia. I always recommend the Hunger Games books to non-readers as thrilling and complex storylines sure to interest a wide audience.

Review of 1984 by George Orwell

Status: read and returned to friend.
Rating: 3/5.

I love a good dystopian, particularly one created by a master. 1984 is a dark dark place for Winston and his fellow comrades. Winston feels isolated from the messages of Big Brother; his work "correcting" records at the Ministry of Truth, which actually involves Winston erasing history, prevents him from swallowing the Party's preaching. Simply by doubting the Party, Winston commits thoughtcrime. He must be caught.

Orwell injects fear into each scene, a feeling of being watched by Big Brother and the inevitability of capture. The beginnings of love in the meadow scene was like the drip of light in a dark forest. He uses words precisely. For instance, Winston describes himself as gelatinous; tired, transparent, nervous, shaking. Orwell certainly uses juicy language to keep you entertained throughout a relatively slow-moving plot.

Orwell's world is so thorough, it includes new language, government, ways of thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the world. The ending, however, left me unsatisfied. I didn't expect a happy ending - Winston's pessimism did not lead me to hoping - but I did not really understand the ending. I think it requires a reread at some stage.

Favourite quote:
Almost as swiftly as he had imagined it, she had torn her clothes off, and when she flung them aside it was with that same magnificent gesture by which a whole civilization seemed to be annihilated.

Review of Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot

Status: read and sitting next to my other Princess Diaries books.
Rating: 3/5.

Mia Thermopilis, POG (Princess of Genovia) herself, is back in the building! Long time no see Mia and Michael! Hiiii Lilly, I have missed the sass. Aww Tina, hello lovely. And Lana... well, I haven't missed you. The crew is back together! As I acknowledged in my latest book haul, I knew this was a money grab book from the start, a novel not intended to change the ending but to build a bridge for the Princess Diaries fandom to the inevitable spin-off series.

Mia's family drama is as always a delight to read. Oh the first world problems and the humour that ensues. Grandmere and Mia's father also play key roles in this book which I really enjoyed. Grandmere has also bought a new lady friend for Rommel the poodle, which doesn't really work out as she had hoped. And of course, as the title reveals, we do get a beautiful proposal and wedding :) *Sigh* Eleven books later and here we are.

In this book we also have quite a bit of romance however it was mostly alluded to; I expected a bit more maturity from the themes in this book but most problems and sexual themes were kept very surface, despite Mia's age and the expected maturity of the fandom. The plot wasn't exactly brave or surprising, thus, while I enjoyed the novel, I would not place it highly compared to the other books. Book 10 is one of my favourite finale books and so it has stayed.

Favourite quote:

I'm completely demanding an autopsy on my grandmother's brain when she's dead so I can see what I'm in for as I age.

Review of I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Status: read and back on my shelf.

Rating: 5/5.

I am Malala had me hooked from the first page. The story begins as any great story begins, with a birth and a family. From the outset, it is clear that Malala's relationship with her father is integral to her life story. Respect in their relationship, is always mutual. 

The thing that most impressed me was Malala's confidence. No not her confidence, her no nonsense honesty. In interviews, when asked how she has the boldness to confront world leaders about controversial topics, she says she doesn't do it for her, it is bigger than her. She finds the confidence because she must step up for her fellow people. 

What's more, she shows that everyone can learn from others. Malala is insatiable for knowledge. She is never satisfied with herself and often looks to her father and other great leaders on how to improve herself. Her father learns from his daughter too (though her brothers seem to not learn all that much haha from her). I feel I have learned to love learning through Malala. 

My favourite parts of the book were when Malala describes her life in Swat Valley. Malala captures the essence of her valley and explains it simply, aware of the possible cultural differences between herself and her readership. The importance of stories, particularly religious stories, is emphasised. She perfectly describes the real fear of your home becoming a dangerous place at night. The anxiety of her fellow classmates sneaking to school. 

That is what the book says. There are rules worth breaking despite threats and there are things worth saying despite nerves. Just as there are books worth reading despite the time of night. I highly recommend this book as an important an amazing story.

Favourite quote:

'It doesn't matter if I can't smile or blink properly,' I told her, I'm still me, Malala. The important thing is God has given me my life.' Yet every time they came to the hospital and I laugh or tried to smile, my mother's face would darken as if a shadow had crossed it. It was like a reverse mirror - when there was laughter on my face there was distress on my mother's.

A book to watch

Book review of I am Malala coming very soon. In the meantime, watch the trailer and be awed. Is it strange that I read the book hearing Malala's voice reading it to me?