Let It Snow - Book Review | Day 8: 12 Days Of Blogmas

Hey everyone. With less than a week till Christmas, there are only so many things you can do to get festive: stuff your face with festive food, watch back to back Christmas movies or spend far too long Christmas shopping. However, one thing you may not have thought of is a Christmas read. I have been super busy lately, so I haven’t actually finished the whole of this book but I thought I’d tell you about it, so you can give it a read (or start to) this festive season.

Book Review: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Hey,

So today’s my monthly book review post. Sorry it’s a little late but I was behind on my reading. However I have just finished ‘An Abundance of Katherines’ by John Green and I wanted to tell you all about it.

So, being honest here, all through this book I wasn’t overly impressed. I love John Green, I think most of us do, and his writing really is amazing but this novel isn’t one of my favourites. I loved ‘The Fault in our stars’ and ‘Looking for Alaska’, but this wasn’t the same standard for me.

An Abundance of Katherines is a romantic story, sort of, that really takes you on a journey. Colin, the main character, is taken along a route where his friendship, life choices, romances and actions are really tested.

I found this book really made me think. It touches on some deep subjects but keeps light-hearted throughout. An Abundance of Katherines is written well, and includes footnotes as a unique touch. I loved these as they really added something to look out for! They also linked so well to Colin and his character, so made it feel more real to read.

My favourite part of the book was definitely the end. Along the way, I was reading, not absorbed but not too bored. Alternatively at the end, I really felt Green had written it with so much more emotion. The last few pages really made me happy, and I felt I connected with the true Colin finding himself. I would love to know if you agree, if you’ve read this.

I would still recommend this to John Green fans, or mostly any readers. I would say though, that you must be prepared to read on even if it feels a little dull- it does get better! I think this would be great if you’re a teen who feels a little lost, that you want a purpose, that you want to be known or remembered. I would give An Abundance of Katherines 3/5 stars but it was still a good read!

So that’s my review. It’s quite short but that’s all I feel I want to say. Have you read An Abundance of Katherines? Let me know your opinion on it. Also if you have any requests, just drop me a comment and I’m sure to check it out! Have a wonderful week, stay smiling,

Book Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Hey it’d time for this months book review, and this month it is John Green’s ‘Paper Towns’. I decided to read this because I am really liking John Green’s writing, and my sister recommended it. I am also hoping to read some more John Green in the future.

Paper Towns is a very different book. It meddles in the genres of romance, detectives and action. It tells the story from the view of ‘Q’ or ‘Quentin’, a boy, and is all about the disappearance of one of his friends ‘Margo’. Margo leaves clues, of her location, that he must piece together, but in this journey Quentin must also discover who the real Margo is.

The story twists and turns and you really understand the emotions of Quentin. He is on the verge of a breakthrough but, at the same point, he is also contemplating giving up.

Overall I liked this book but I didn’t really love it. I don’t think it compares to the Fault in out Stars, or Looking for Alaska, as I found it took a while to pick up and bored me at times. Therefore, it took me longer to read and didn’t grasp at my imagination. I would still say the book is written well but the style of Quentin’s view is a little dull.

Paper Towns is split into three sections and the first and last are defiantly the best. I read the last section in just a day, as the plot really takes off and encourages you to read on.

I would say Paper Towns is great for John Green fans or teens, especially if your looking for something that isn’t just the same old romance or a novel predictable to it’s genre.

To buy Paper Towns, go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Towns-John-Green/dp/140884818X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405186317&sr=8-1&keywords=paper+towns+john+green.

Sadly this review was short but sweet, as I didn’t really have a lot to say about it. Have you read Paper Towns, if so what did you think? Comment down below and have a great summery week,

Looking for Alaska

So in the month of May, I decided to read ‘Looking For Alaska’ by ‘John Green’. I chose this book because, one, it is written by ‘John Green’, author or the Fault in our Stars and incredible writer, and, two, it looks like a beautiful book. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, by my copy of Looking For Alaska is so pretty that I guessed the book must be pretty incredible too.

Looking For Alaska is a story written in the eyes of Miles, a boy from Florida. When he decides he is moving to a boarding school, he does not know what to expect. In Looking For Alaska we see Miles build a new life and deal with its highs and lows. This book makes you think about deep subjects, whilst still being funny and lighthearted.

Looking For Alaska has confused me. I normally say I like –this book- because… or I liked the subject of –this book- because it made me think of… but with Looking For Alaska, I really don’t know.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Although I've read John Green before, this being his debut book, it still seemed different. The book isn’t written in chapter, nor is it not separated. This book just seemed fresh and interesting, whilst the topic was something I haven’t really read before.

Looking For Alaska, much like ‘The Perks of being a Wallflower’, seems to me as a good book for teens, as it approaches the subject of growing up and finding your way in life. I often have thoughts about what we do and why we do it, what really is the point, and I think this book shows you how Miles finds his.

This book is not an easy read. It can be quite tricky to really think about the deep ideas that the characters suggest. It is not an easy romance, boy get girl and everyone is happy, yet it touches on the point of love. It is not a story filled with hopelessness, yet at points, it seems, each character contemplates it. So really, Looking For Alaska is a novel about many things- and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Looking For Alaska reminded me of real life, to be honest. It was written so well that I felt the feelings and understood how important emotions, such as lose, can impact a persons personality so much. How it can change their long-term views, short term views and the relationships with friends and family.

Overall I really like this book and I would recommend it. It is defiantly a teen book and is not suited for anyone younger than this age, but it could suit older readers. The book is written differently in my opinion, to many other books, so may also suit people who don’t read much. I give this book 4/5 stars and it has defiantly earnt its place on my bookshelf.

Have you read Looking For Alaska? Do you have any book recommendations or reviews? Please share in the comments below! Thank you, as always,

Book Review- The Fault in our Stars by John Green

January, with all its other gifts of motivation and blue Monday depression, gave me my list of 2014 challenges. Although most are long term, I found myself eager to begin- one of which was to read The Fault in Our Stars. I can now successfully say I’ve done that and I am so happy I ceased the challenge to read such a lovely novel.

After my sister’s persistent persuasion to read this book, and my hopefully three attempts on chapter 1, (it’s always hard to get into a book for me), I began to read. It was a night I couldn’t sleep, so reached for something to distract my mind, a book a finished about a fortnight later. As New York Times’s bestseller, I expected the book to be good, as well as all it’s popularity- and this book went up to this standard and beyond.

So the book: I don’t want to give away spoilers so there are NO SPOILERS here, for all those who don’t want the plot ruined (and TRUST ME you don’t!). This story is stupendous and immaculately written. I absolutely loved the story, it was a trip full of emotions, good and bad, heart touching moments, chapters that nearly bought me to tears, (which, on a side note, I didn’t but was close to… I never cry at books), paragraphs that made me laugh in public or even moments that melted my heart. It was brilliant.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as it doesn’t need to relate to you for you to see it’s genius. The Fault in Our Stars is a story that I’m sure you will love. As a 14 year old teenager, at a point where I have been feeling my current days have only revolved around school work, I found this book as a haven to me. I feel, through John Green’s impeccable writing and faultless descriptive style, I have actually lived the lives of the characters, felt the whirlwind of emotions they did too and driven the journey that Hazel (main character) has.

The wonder of this book is simple. It reminds you. It reminds you how lucky we all our and how wonderful we can make our lives. It shows everyone and anyone how your life can be basic or influential to billions, and matter the same. The Fault in Our Stars also reminded me to really appreciate living life. It’s the details we should remember, as well as the bigger picture.

Overall I am SO happy I have let this book nest into my mind, and let Green’s writing open my eyes to everyday life. When reading this book my stress’s are gone and I finish it believing that how awful life can sometimes feel, in the end of the universe it won’t bother anyone, so why let it bother me? The novel has given me so many moments and quotes that will cling to me heart and I never want them to leave.

I’d love to hear what you think if you’ve read the book, any books you can recommend or any books you want me to review. I do hope you take the notion to read ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ now, right now. You wont regret it!!! The book is available in most bookshops as well as sites like Amazon.com. Thank you