Day Nine - A Quiet Kind Of Thunder by Sara Barnard

Hey everyone! I read a really good book today which I'm dying to tell you about. The book is called A Quiet Kind Of Thunder by Sara Barnard. Here is the blurb:

Steffi doesn't talk. 

Rhys can't hear.

They understand each other perfectly. 

Love isn't always a lightning strike. Sometimes it's the rumbling roll of thunder...

My Review: 

This was a truly heartwarming tale and I really loved following the story of Rhys and Steffi. Whilst Steffi and her condition weren't quite what I expected, I felt that it gave a little sense of realism to everything. 

For starters, I really loved the basis for this story and how much research has clearly gone into the making of this book. Whilst I know very little about selective mutism and social anxiety, I found that Barnard's portrayal made Steffi seem so very human by giving her dreams and ambitions like every other person. 

Steffi and Rhys' relationship is adorable but I like that they don't get along perfectly all the time. In their positions, it would be unnatural for thing between them to be hunky dory at all times. However, I feel like the fact that they both so desperately want to make things work between them is even more important, well I think so at least. 

I cannot express quite how much I love this book. It's one of my favourite teen fiction novels and I think that it sends out a really important and hopeful message. Things do get better.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think ?Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Eight - Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Wow, it feels as if I haven't read a novel in ages and even this one is really short! I still seem on target for my 100 book goal however so all is well.

The novel that I read today was Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, my first novel of this kind in a while. Here's the blurb:

When MI6 recognises his potential, Alex Rider is armed with secret gadgets and sent on his first mission. But the teenage spy soon finds himself in mortal danger. His first assignment may well be his last...

My Review:

I was wary of the length of this book when I first picked it up a few days ago. I thought that nothing interesting could possibly happen in so few pages, but boy was I wrong. This book was stuffed to the brim with never-ending action and I was gripped before the first few pages were over. 

Although I expected Jack to be a much bigger part of the book, I absolutely loved the character of Alex. He was smart, brave and witty (the perfect combination for a spy) and I loved the resilience he showed pretty much at all times. I liked how wise he was but I think oddly my favourite thing was that he never killed anyone. It just seems to make sense; I mean, what fourteen year old has the constitution to kill a man?

In terms of the plot, I like how it kept the reader guessing. There were several points where the story could have plausibly ended but I liked how there always seemed to be another twist to reel you back in. 

This book has the perfect spy story, but obviously with a twist. It's what really makes this book stand out from the crowd.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Four - (All The Wrong Questions) Shouldn't You Be In School? by Lemony Snicket

Hey everyone! The second novel that I read today was the third instalment of the All The Wrong Questions series, Shouldn't You Be In School by Lemony Snicket. Here's the blurb:

Do you smell smoke? Young apprentice Lemony Snicket is investigating a case of arson but soon finds himself enveloped in the ever-increasing mystery that haunts the town of Stain’d-by-the-Sea.

Who is setting the fires? What secrets are hidden in the Department of Education? Why are so many schoolchildren in danger? Is it all the work of the notorious villain Hangfire? How could you even ask that? What kind of education have you had?

Maybe you should be in school...

My Review:

I read the first two instalments of All The Wrong Questions perhaps over a year ago and I was excited to finally sink my teeth into the third novel. However, whilst I still enjoyed the book, it was disappointing in comparison to the earlier two. 

The characters have always been difficult for me with this series. Whilst Lemony is just about verging on relatable, he talks in a way that is very mature and I find it easy to think that he is thirty as opposed to his true meagre age of thirteen. This can lead to him becoming easily alienated from the reader. The other characters however do not fare nearly as well. S. Theodora Markson, for starters, is an incredibly irritating character. She's irrevocably stupid and acts more like a child than Lemony does. All of the others are complete throwaways and I can barely tell the difference between them, let alone form some sort of connection. 

The plot, however, does have a lot more merit than those who drive it. Whilst relatively chaotic, thanks to the odd narration, it was at least interesting and there were plenty of exciting twists and turns. 

If anything this book certainly makes for a good mystery novel, although the lack of resolution is becoming increasingly frustrating, and it's a certain shame that the characters haven't been better developed.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Four - The Museum Of Heartbreak by Meg Leder

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I read two books today! It seems that I'm on fire. Sadly, however, the books weren't quite as good as this year's first three, but still interesting enough.

The first novel I read today was The Museum Of Heartbreak by Meg Leder. Here is the blurb:

Welcome to The Museum of Heartbreak... Penelope is sixteen and has never been in love. So when handsome, charming Keats sweeps her off her feet, she can't believe her luck. But then comes the gut-wrenching, soul-destroying realization that happy endings don't always last forever. Suffering from a broken heart, Penelope creates The Museum of Heartbreak, a collection of objects documenting the ecstasy and devastation of first love, friendship and growing up. Sometimes letting go of the past is the only way to find your future...

My Review: 

It was certainly a bold, quirky idea which was what first drew me towards this book but I'm not entirely sure that it paid off. I can't say that I hated the book; it was alright but that was all it was. 

The characters were a mixed bunch really. If I had to pick a favourite then it would probably be Miles or Grace and certainly not Penelope. I found her tiresome and a tad pathetic but still not quite as bad as Keats. I absolutely loathed him and I'm not sure whether it was the ridiculous name or his terrible personality but I absolutely couldn't stand him. 

I wasn't a massive fan of the plot either but that probably wasn't helped by my hatred of Keats. I just didn't see any basis for her crush on him and why she stuck with him for more than ten minutes simply confused me even further. Their relationship was all too clearly doomed from the start. Finally, whatever was going on with Eph and Pen simply drove me up the wall. It was obvious from the first few sentences that he was head over heels for her and that made their back and forth even more annoying. How could she be so blind? 

Perhaps, I come off a tad harsh. The book was pretty good; it was simply predictable and, dare I say it, far too cliche for my tastes.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Three - Night Owls by Jenn Bennett

Hey everyone! I can't believe quite how quickly these finished books are piling up but again I seem to have hit the jackpot where enticing plots are concerned. I've yet to read a bad book this year!

The novel I read today was Night Owls by Jenn Bennett, a book that I've been meaning to read since last summer. Here's the blurb:

Meeting Jack on the Owl - San Francisco's night bus - turns Beatrix's world upside down. Jack is charming, wildly attractive ...and possibly one of San Francisco's most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight rides and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who this enigmatic boy really is. But Jack is hiding much more - and can she uncover the truth that leaves him so wounded? 

My Review:

A beautiful love story that had me on the edge of my seat through every twist and turn. When I first began reading this book, I can't say that I was bowled over. It struck me as yet another typical good girl meets bad boy story, but it wasn't long before I was drawn in deeper and was allowed to see the more thoughtful tale sitting just underneath the guise. 

The characters at first seem superficial and although I definitely took to Beatrix quicker than Jack, I certainly liked neither of them. However I found that the more I read, the more I understood each character and I found myself liking Jack even more than Beatrix. I quickly began to understand why he does the things that he does in the novel and I found it easy to empathise with him. 

The book itself was well-written and I liked how realistic the narration was. So often first person novels sound too much like the adult author trying to sound younger, but with this one I could quite clearly see Beatrix in my mind and the narration matched what I had imagined. 

The plot was equally as incredible. I liked that it didn't end quite as stereo-typically as it could've done, but I also commend Jenn Bennett on her portrayal of broken families, how they fall apart and how we must try to put them back together again.

Finally, as always, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day Two - Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Hey everyone! Another day, another novel, but again I couldn't help myself. These cold winter days are absolutely perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire and ploughing through yet another thrilling read.

The novel I read today was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan; I was nervous about reading this book but I'm certainly glad that I did. Here's the blurb:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.

My Review:

I originally read this book probably a good seven years ago but since it had faded into patchy memories. In fact, I quickly realised that I had mainly remembered the movie and not the actual story plot. I wasn't all that convinced about re-reading it either but a friend who had been obsessed with the series for years finally got me to give it a try. 

I can easily say that I was most pleasantly surprised even to the point where I think I enjoyed the book more the second time around. The story was even more thrilling than I remembered, proving time and time again that the book always far surpasses the movie. 

The narration was perfect and I could easily believe that I was being spoken to by a twelve year old boy, something that is often so difficult to find in first person novels and the reason I usually choose not to read them. I loved the small witty remarks made throughout which really brought the book to life without trying to turn it into a comic fest. 

The plot itself was engaging and moved forward at a good pace for an adventure-style novel. There was never a dull moment in this novel and I found myself, at times, almost unable to turn the page for all of the excitement. 

The characters were also well-placed, although perhaps a tad mature or wise for their ages at times. They were easily likeable and the relationships between each character were well-formed. I especially liked the lack of romance in the story as I feel that far too many fantasy novels focus on the romance side as opposed to the real drive behind the plot. 

Overall, it was a really well rounded book that I don't believe should be branded as only for children.

Finally, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!

Day One - The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Hey everyone! It's the first of January and I've already finished my first novel. It was completely un-put-downable! So, that's already one check on my insurmountable list of books to read this year and I'm excited to move on to the next one. (I've chosen to read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief next so expect an update on that in a few days)

The book I read today was a Teen Fiction by Nicola Yoon called The Sun Is Also A Star and by Jove was it good! If you haven't read the book, then here is the blurb:

The story of a girl, a boy, and the universe. 

Natasha: I'm a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I'm definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won't be my story. 

Daniel: I've always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents' high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that date has something much more extraordinary in store - for both of us. 

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

My Review:

 Tragic. Hearbreaking. Romantic. Inspiring. From the moment that I picked up this book, I knew that it was all of this and more. It made me smile. It made me weep but it also made me hope. It made me want to love with such a passion that Natasha and Daniel did. It plays on your heartstrings. It lulls you into a false sense of security and then pounces like a lioness on her prey. And yet, although I should've known what was happening, I was more than happy for Nicola Yoon to whisk me away to fairy land with this delightful tale. 

However, not only was this book a page turner but it also showed some really promising talent from it's brilliant author. The style is quirky and for the first thirty pages I found myself thinking how I would struggle to finish the book because of it. It's certainly funny how things change. In truth, the short, fast-paced chapters that were dispersed between Natasha's POV, Daniel's POV and others in between only managed to reel me in further and I found myself loving the little extras on irie and the train driver. 

Despite all of the skill involved in producing such a novel, it was the character's that truly reeled me in and their hopeless love. As a romantic myself, I have no trouble believing that such could happen and it did seem that the two were truly meant for each other. Daniel's endearing eagerness and Natasha's fire were the only catalysts need to spark something truly magical. I found myself being able to relate to both character's with a natural ease and that really was a pleasant surprise. 

I love this book simply because it's not just another teenage love story. It's filled with raw passion and deals with incredibly important issues that teenagers have to face everyday: racism, culture differences, abandonment and that crucial lack of the oh so happy family we see on TV. For me, this is a fine example of the perfect teen fiction novel.

Finally, I'd love to hear all your opinions. Have you read this book? If so, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions for other good books? Don't be a stranger!