Sunday, 21 April 2013

Girl Parts - John M. Cusick



Girl Parts follows the story of two boys David and Charlie, David is more of a party boy he has lots of friends online and off. Charlie is totally opposite shy with no friends, and is seen as the weird kid. Both boys live on opposite sides of a man made lake, they attend the same school which is an all boys catholic school. The new school councillor diagnoses both boys with disassociation, and they need to form more substantial empathetic relationships. David's parents decide to get David a companion, a robot named rose.

I really liked most of the characters in this book, it took me awhile to warm up to David he's not a nice lad but I guess he does act like a normal teenage boy (or how I imagine they would act) Charlie is a sweetheart, I really liked him and even the smaller characters I really liked May, Rebecca, they just had a lot of personality even though they weren't in the book much. Everyone acted the way I expected the character to act, nothing seemed odd or out of place.
This book is such an interesting idea and could of gone in many directions, I got through the book quickly and found it easy to pick up, it was never confusing. The story had a great flow, and it kept me interested.
I know some people had a problem with the ending, I have to admit there were a lot of loose ends and normally I hate this but I did feel it suited the story, the end just had a nice warm feel to it.
The book as a whole just felt really sweet it was an easy read with nice pacing and flowed well.
I would recommend this book, I think it would suit someone younger than me I think my brother (14) would like this book, because it focuses on teenage boys and there relationships.
I did enjoy this book, it was entertaining, sweet, and I'm still thinking about the story a few days after finishing the book.


Debating if I should give it 3 or 4 stars, more due to I think someone younger would enjoy the book more, but if someone asked me for a quick read I will suggest this book.


This is John M. Cusick's first novel he has another called Cherry Money Baby coming out soon.

John M. Cusick - Twitter

John M. Cusick - Website

Girl Parts - Amazon UK

Cherry Money Baby - Amazon UK

Monday, 15 April 2013

Mini Book Haul

I plan to read at least 2 of these by the end of the month, I also have part 2 of night school on its way.


The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly


Description

I have given up so much and done so many terrible things already for the sake of my family that I can only keep going.

I do not know what is going to happen to us.

I am frightened, but I feel strong.

I have the strength of a woman who has everything to lose.

In the sweltering summer of 1997, strait-laced, straight-A student Karen
met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress.

She was quickly drawn into Biba's world, and for a while life was one long summer of love.

But every summer must end. By the end of theirs, two people were dead - and now Karen's past has come back to haunt her . . .

The Patchwork Marriage by Jane Green



Description

When Andi marries Ethan she gets a ready-made family in the shape of his daughters Emily and Sophia. Unable to have a child of her own, and crazy in love with Ethan, she has a chance to make the perfect family. But teenager Emily's hostility leaves Andi feeling hated in her own home.



And worse, Ethan, blinded by love for his daughter, cannot see that her behaviour is driving a wedge through their marriage. So when Andi and Ethan's world is rocked by an act of recklessness, Andi knows that their whole future is in doubt.



Can Andi and Ethan heal the rift in their relationship?

Can each of them find enough love to go around?

And how strong can a patchwork marriage ever be?

 

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls) by Ally Carter


Description


Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses - but it's really a school for spies. Cammie Morgan is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways (three of which involve a piece of uncooked spaghetti). But the one thing the Gallagher Academy hasn't prepared her for is what to do when she falls for an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl.

Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, and track him through a mall without his ever being the wiser, but can Cammie have a normal relationship with a boy who can never know the truth about her?


 

Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

Description

"Hello, David. My name is Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you. We are now entering minute two of our friendship. According to my Intimacy Clock, a handshake is now appropriate." DAVID is a rich kid, with a million friends, online and off. CHARLIE is a loner, disconnected from the high school world around him. Neither of them feels close to anybody. Until they meet... ROSE: part girl, part robot, and ALL a boy could want. But can a robotic girl really change the lives of two teenage boys? Before they know it, Rose is teaching David and Charlie how to feel human again.




All a bit random and different, looking forward to Girl Parts the most and Poison Tree the least.
I've heard good things about Alley Carter so I thought I would try one of the series, I don't really know why I chose Gallagher Girl rather than Heist Society but I did so we shall see how it goes.
Patchwork Marriage was a book I came across on Ebay, I like the cover and it was only a couple of quid so why not.
Girl Parts was on one of the BookTube channels I watch, it was given a good review and I really liked the sound of it
 I have Wither and the second Night School on the way to.









Sunday, 14 April 2013

Night School - C. J. Daugherty

Night School - Amazon

This book starts with Allie, she gets arrested again for the 3rd time this year, and her parents are at breaking point and decide to send her to a new school Cimmeria.
At first Allie is angry she doesn't want to be moved away from her friends, but once she starts to adjust to the school and make new friends she thinks maybe she could make a new life here. But something strange is going on.

I loved this book, I really loved this book as soon as I finished I ordered the 2nd one off Amazon and I'm so happy the 3rd is coming out in august.
I really liked Allie and I can understand her acting out, and the fact she suffers panic attacks makes her a vulnerable character. The school is described so well I could imagine it all, and had a fantastic picture of what it all looks like.
You really feel what Allie is going through trying to figure out who she can trust, what are the kids doing in the night school? well I can tell you I was thrown around, 100% convinced I knew what was going on and I was wrong. I was so sure I knew who she could trust, but once again wrong.
This book was so exciting, I refused to put it down, I needed to know what was going on. I'm sure I only stopped reading to cook and eat.
Loved the characters love the relationships they have, loved finding out bits of the mystery as I went along.
I thought the book was really fast paced but not so much you don't know what was going on, the story had a great flow and didn't linger on anything for longer than necessary. I have to admit there were a couple of points where I couldn't remember who one of the characters were but I really don't care as if you can't tell I love this book.

For me this was 5/5

Now I'm off to catch up with house work (ironing pile isn't getting smaller by itself), I might even speak to some real people....I spent so long in Cimmeria yesterday the real world is a bit of a let down :p
 
 
 
 
Need to find more book like this any ideas?

Wednesday, 10 April 2013

BookTube

I listen to a lot of reviews on YouTube, and certainly a good chunk of the books I read come from recommendations off YouTube. I have thought about doing my own BookTube channel but I don't feel I have the time. So instead I did a blog (I'm still trying to figure which direction/how I want to write my reviews) as of right now I don't have many people reading my blog which is fine as I like doing this, so if I have 5 or 500 views it doesn't really matter. Maybe one day I may venture into reviews on YouTube.
So I thought I would list my favourite YouTubers (see I did have a point)

Jennifer Fahy - She doesn't make videos on a regular basis, but I love her reviews.

SableCaught - So frigging smart I can feel my brain cells tingling when I listen.

Booksandquills - Loads of reviews, quality reviews and I love her accent.

The Readables - Again does loads of reviews and I love her style, her videos look awesome.

If anyone can recommend anyone else to me that would be fantastic, honestly I'm addicted to YouTube almost as much as books, when I cant read I'm watching YouTube (I have my phone with me when I shower) yes its that bad.


And the book everyone is talking about at the moment is Wither



Very mixed bag of reviews, I was thinking should I read it but it doesn't matter as I will end up reading it just because everyone is talking about it.

Wither Amazon UK

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe - Shelley Coriell

Amazon Link To The Book


Ok so this book isn't on the kindle. I got my copy off Ebay, for just over £2...and it was the hardcover. Over the past couple of weeks I've been buying a fair few books off Ebay, some I've found cheaper than the kindle copy. The main reason for having the kindle is I have nowhere to store books, but thanks to Ikea I've bought a huge Expedit shelving unit which looks cool and great storage. Plus books really do look cool as decorations.


Anyway lets start the review


This book is about a girl called Chloe, right from the off you know she a bubbly sweet girl always trying to make others laugh. She has a big interest in vintage shoes and works dressed as a burrito. Then all of a sudden after winter break she finds her two best friends aren't speaking to her and are spreading rumors around the school about her. To top it all off a new school counselor scraps her independent study project and encourages Chloe to join her school's struggling radio station with the school misfits.


I really enjoyed this book, it reminded me of a sitcom. I picked this book up and didn't put it down, it was just so easy to read and I found it light hearted and had some fun characters. It always had something to make you carry on reading.

The story had a great flow and kept moving, I found the pace really nice. Everything just suited the book really well and I loved the overall feel.

If you've read a heavy book or you enjoy sitcoms, or just want a nice light read then this could be the book for you.

4.5/5

Monday, 8 April 2013

Getting Warmer :)

Here in the UK after all the random snow and lots of rain its finally getting warmer, which is awesome. The best part is I can hang my washing outside :) I know its sad but its the best thing ever.
All though clothes pegs are a pain in the butt, I get plastic ones that snap wooden ones look all nasty after awhile, I know I should bring them inside but I'm far too lazy for that.


P.S I was watching My Neighbour Totoro (Fantastic Film) the clothes line they use is fantastic (why would I notice this) but I really want one.




 

The Other Daughter - Lisa Gardner



The Other Daughter - Amazon Kindle

The book begins with Russell Lee a murderer who is put to death, reporter Digger is following Russell's story and is desperate to find out if Russell has a family.

The night Russell is put to death a little girl is found in a hospital drugged with no memory, Dr. Harper Stokes is working that night. Dr. Stokes and his wife decide to adopt this girl as she reminds them of the child they lost.

25 years later Digger gets a tip to the whereabouts of Russell's child.


There are a few things I just found unbelievable (can't say too much without spoilers) but I did get past this and it didn't spoil the book for me....but on the other hand it did take me out of the story.

I found it slow to get into but once you get going its very well paced and gave you little clues along the way. I was able to put the book down but I really wanted to find out what was going on and how it would end, I changed my mind to the outcome so many times along the way.

The characters where ok, I can't say any stood out so much, and I didn't like or dislike any, which again may be a huge downfall but the general story I enjoyed.


I would suggest you borrow this book rather than buy but I've heard the author is very good and has better books out there, I might give them a try.

3/5