Nicola Yoon: Everything Everything - review

Author: Nicola Yoon
Publish Date: 1 September 2015
Genre: Realism, romance
Audience: Young adult

'Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddy, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. Maddy is certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's almost certainly going to be a disaster.'

I had heard numerous good reviews about 'Everything Everything', and since it was mentioned on the first Zoella Book Club list I've been extremely eager to read it. My friend Bex kindly gave me her copy which she was going to donate, and once I'd got my hands on it I was itching to delve in. 

Unfortunately for me, this book was a huge disappointment. Firstly, I read it in two days, but not because it was gripping or moreish; to put it simply, I just wanted to get it over with! I wasn't interested by the vast majority of the actual text in the book, with a lot of sentences seeming unnecessary to the plot and easy to skip over. I am normally a fan of short and disjunct writing, but in this instance it just made the novel much more tedious. 

In addition, I didn't feel emotional attachment to a single character. Some characters, such as Madeline's nurse Carla, had potential, but there was simply not enough interaction or background information to feel connected to them - and this is a book where you really have to feel connected. The protagonist Madeline became increasingly irritable as the plot progressed, as her and Olly's dialogue remained the same, pretentious reflections that are so overused in young adult fiction.

I liked the premises of the plot, but not a single element was padded out sufficiently. The illness Madeline suffers from was barely explained despite being the focal point of the story, and the action was too fast-paced to be believed. Think your typical 'boy meets girl - they run away'.  The 'dramatic' plot twist and the cliché ending were entirely predictable, and one which simply made me roll my eyes in annoyance.

Believe it or not, there were some aspects which I liked about 'Everything Everything'. The pages of diagrams added a fresh break from the mundane writing, even if they did quicken the already fast-moving story. The drama between Olly and his father was well-described, and it was possibly the one thing in the novel which had me wanting to know more. As a sucker for chaos theory, I loved the brief addition of that at the end, but I do wish it would have played a bigger part from the beginning.

In conclusion, 'Everything Everything' was a very disappointing read from start to finish. The characters were lack-lustre, and the plot was incredibly predictable and cliché; everything felt like it held potential, but nothing was ever fully explored. If I've learnt one thing from this book it would be - don't always believe the hype!

Continue reading Nicola Yoon: Everything Everything - review

Holly Bourne: How Hard Can Love Be? (The Spinster Club, #2) - review

Author: Holly Bourne
Publish Date: 1 February 2016
Genre: Realism, romance
Audience: Young adult

Ever since reading the stunning 'Am I Normal Yet?', I have been extremely excited to delve back into the world of The Spinster Club. 'How Hard Can Love Be?' centres around Amber's story, and I was looking forward to discovering her story and past in greater detail. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed, which is unusual for me from a Holly Bourne book.

Amber's family past was explored further in 'How Hard Can Love Be?' after being hinted at in the previous book, and it was refreshing to see her interact with her mother. The feelings she felt towards her mother were realistic, and portrayed a more sensitive side to Amber after seeing her tough and careless nature in 'Am I Normal Yet?'. Whilst there were particular personal matters that were handled with sensitivity, I did feel that her mother's alcoholism was displayed with a slightly cliché sense of drama.

Another aspect of this novel which I enjoyed is that despite Amber being placed in an entirely unfamiliar environment - the USA -, her relationships with the new characters were realistic and well-established; this also makes you as the reader comfortable with the unknown setting because the characters are likeable and easy to accustom to. Having said that, of course I yearned for the moments where Amber would Skype Lottie and Evie, because those 3 have such a naturalistic and authentic chemistry that I can relate to my own friendship group. However, I did feel like Amber's relations with the love interest Kyle did appear slightly underdeveloped; this was most probably intentional to highlight the 'whirlwind' aspect of their romance, but I felt like I could not connect with him as much as I would like to.

My main issue with 'How Hard Can Love Be?' is how clichéd the plot appeared - an unlikely romance between the typical jock and the conventionally unattractive girl, featuring hindering parents and a spontaneous road trip. Whilst it was still a very moreish read thanks to Bourne's superb writing, it was a stark contrast to the heavy realism featured in 'Am I Normal Yet?'. In addition, Amber's excessive pining to be with Kyle did get very repetitive, and despite the issue being fully understandable, the mundane whining only made me annoyed at her character, and not sympathetic!

In conclusion, I did enjoy 'How Hard Can Love Be?', but there were too many niggling annoyances which stopped me liking it as much as Bourne's other works. The idea of the plot had potential, and the new characters were well-rounded and likeable, but for me, it conveyed far too many young adult clichés, something which I usually commend Bourne for straying away from. It wasn't that I disliked the book as such, but not being able to connect with the main characters was something which highly damaged my experience. However, I am still very excited to read the final instalment 'What's A Girl Gotta Do?' to discover the third of the Spinster Club girls Lottie, and I hope that I can connect with her character and her story more than I could with Amber, to obtain the Holly Bourne reading experience that I know and love.

Next read: 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë

Continue reading Holly Bourne: How Hard Can Love Be? (The Spinster Club, #2) - review

Stephen Chbosky: The Perks of Being a Wallflower - review

Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publish Date: 1 February 1999
Genre: Realism
Audience: Young adult (and above)



(N.B. This book deals with heavy and potentially upsetting issues such as suicide and sexual harassment)

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' was recommended to me by my friend Bex as it is one of her favourite novels of all time (you can check out Bex's wonderful blog here). I thoroughly enjoyed the film a few months back, and so after finding this at a car boot sale I thought it was due time!

I have read very, very few books which are written in epistolary form, but this style immediately felt perfect for 'Perks'. As neither you or Charlie know who the letters are addressed to, it somewhat makes the experience much more personal, and I felt connected to Charlie from the get go. The letters themselves are so raw and honest that it's hard to believe this is fiction; it accurately depicts school, home, AND personal life, with no unnecessary sugar coating, yet packed with emotion.

Another thing I adored about this novel was the authenticity of the secondary characters. Sam and Patrick are two very genuine friends to Charlie; they support him despite his flaws, yet they have their own issues too, which provides engaging and emotional action alongside Charlie's everyday life. It is hard not to instantly fall in love with Sam and Patrick as you can feel the fondness Charlie holds for them from the very beginning, and their differences highly compliment one another. Upon research, I discovered that both characters were influenced by many people Chboksy knew in his adolescence which certainly shines through in their realistic nature.

The writing style of 'Perks' is one that is lacking from YA novels of the same content - it's not pretentious, but it's not dismissive. Despite the odd inspirational (and incredibly beautiful) quote, it is simply real and incredibly easy to identify with. Charlie brushes over the parts he thinks are unnecessary, and he TELLS you that; likewise, he goes into a lot of detail into the things he considers important, and then apologises for the rambling. It gives you a definitive idea of his morals and priorities, and allows the sensitive topics featured to be handled with the utmost care, adding just that extra layer of feeling which 'Perks' revolves so heavily around.

In addition, I felt 'Perks' wrapped itself up perfectly. Not everything was resolved, but that only highlighted its authenticity towards life. There was sufficient character development all round, and Charlie's road to self-discovery ended at a deeply emotional, yet necessary point. Despite knowing the ending from watching the film, it was still as heartbreaking as I'd hoped it would be, leaving me full of angst but with an added burst of love and compassion for the characters.

In conclusion, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' is an emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end. Everything about this novel is genuine: the loving friends, the broken home life, the heartbreak and angst. This is quite simply an intensely beautiful read from the onset, and I have no doubt I will be re-reading it in the future.

Next read: 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks

Continue reading Stephen Chbosky: The Perks of Being a Wallflower - review

E. Lockhart: We Were Liars - review

Author: E. Lockhart
Publish Date: 13 May 2014
Genre: Realism, romance, mystery, thriller
Audience: Young adult


This is my second read off the Zoella Book Club reading list, and MY GOD was it incredible. Both the reviews and blurb made me extremely excited to discover the mystery that lies within this book, and it did not disappoint.

The first thing that must be praised is the superb writing. Lockhart weaves unique metaphors into heart-breaking moments, leaving you wondering what is real and what is not. This distinctive way of personifying events is unlike any other I have seen in YA novels, and adds a mysterious yet emotive depth. In addition, the increasingly frequent line breaks add pauses and repetition, creating an intense amount of emotion to strung situations. I am aware that the writing style is one that many have found infuriating, but I absolutely adorted it as I felt it added an extra layer or meaning and oddness to the unsual atmosphere.

Secondly, it was very easy to form huge attachments to the side characters without knowing a great deal about their background or personalities. They felt incredibly important, despite not having massive amounts of dialogue, and it was easy to gage a sense of their priorites and motives. These side characters weren't exactly relatable as such due to the setting of the novel, but they were delicately and sensitively handled.

The sheer immense mystery and tension that features in 'We Were Liars' is something that I think is severely absent from current YA novels. Throughout the whole book I was theorising the ending, and the characters' refusal to let the main character know what had happened was so infurtiating that I was desperate to reach the end. Speaking of the ending: IT WAS INCREDIBLE. As always, I will give no spoilers, but I simply cannot believe I did not suspect that. Looking back on events, it is so blindly obvious, and I think a re-read will be needed to spot everything that I missed! Having expressed my frustration at myself, I must say it was especially pleasing when everything clicked into place, and a satisfaction that I haven't experienced with a novel in a while.

The use of fairy tales to reflect the current situation was also something that I found unique and enchanting. It added an extra layer of surrealism, and fitted with the plot's intertwining themes of beauty and tragedy. In regards to the overall theme, I loved how the idyllic set-up slowly becomes corrupted as it corresponds with the main character's perceptions of reality.

I am aware that this review is slightly vague in its details , but I am making a conscious effort not to give away a single thing that might spoil the plot as this is a novel that requires you to go in completely blind - hence why I did not even mention that characters' names! In summary, 'We Were Liars' is an insanely addictive novel; unlike anything I've ever read before, it entwines an intense mystery with typical YA themes, creating a unique and unforgettable reading experience. In other words, "there's not even a Scrabble word for how I'm feeling right now"...

Next read: 'On The Other Side' by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Continue reading E. Lockhart: We Were Liars - review

Jennifer Niven: All The Bright Places - review

Author: Jennifer Niven
Publish Date: 6 January 2015
Genre: Realism
Audience: Young adult

(N.B. This book deals with heavy and potentially upsetting issues such as suicide and mental health issues)

'All The Bright Places' is the first book I have chosen to read from the Zoella Book Club list, and I was thoroughly excited to read it having heard incredibly good reviews. Unfortunately, I am left feeling rather confused about whether I really enjoyed this novel or not.

First of all, something that vexed me throughout this read was the portrayal of the two main characters Violet and Finch. Their personal stories and background were engaging and relatable, but they were implemented into your stereotypical, 'quirky' teenagers. For example, they went on spontaneous road trips at 3am, and their lives revolved around quoting dead poets such as Virginia Woolf. Thus, it made it very hard to develop a deep connection with the protagonists.

Unfortunately, this issue managed to dictate my whole opinion on the book, seeing as the plot is nearly dominated by these two characters as they travel around Indiana for a school project (e.g. the impulsive road trips). In addition, the mental health issues are not romanticised as such, but they didn't feel realistic or relatable - in fact, I would go as far as to say it was rather clichéd at times. This was extremely disappointing to see in a YA novel, particularly after having read the raw truth that is 'Am I Normal Yet?' by Holly Bourne.

Having said that, the last 100 pages or so did make me feel incredibly emotional, despite having a loose connection with the characters. This is most probably down to the superb writing style which features throughout the novel; it was engaging, and did make me want to read more. The ending was somewhat predictable, but it felt conclusive. Casting aside the 'quirkiness' of the situation, the clues and subsequent road trip felt fitting to the rest of the novel, and it was the first time I felt a serious connection towards both Violet and Finch.

Furthermore, I really liked that it was split into two narratives - seeing as Violet and Finch were the only two dominant characters in the novel, it was appropriate to be able to have a first-person perspective from both. The subheadings on each chapter were also a really pleasant touch as it reflected their priorities in the given moment; for example, Violet goes from counting down the days to her graduation, to simply documenting the date once she is fully involved with Finch. And there is another praise in itself - the character development for Violet was outstanding as she is broken and mended time and time again, with what felt like a satisfying and realistic outcome for her character.

In conclusion, I did enjoy 'All The Bright Places' to an extent - it was beautifully written with a conclusive ending and fulfilling character development. I was prepared to get over the lack of originality due to these factors, but unfortunately the 'quirky' characters and unrealistic teenage situations niggled me too much, preventing me from fully enjoying what is a very beautiful and promising novel.

Next read: 'We Were Liars' by E. Lockhart

Continue reading Jennifer Niven: All The Bright Places - review

Holly Bourne: Am I Normal Yet? (The Spinster Club, #1) - review

Author: Holly Bourne
Publish Date: 1 August 2015
Genre: Realism
Audience: Young adult

(N.B. This book deals with heavy and potentially upsetting issues such as OCD and anxiety)

In the words of Evie Crane: CRIKEY. After absolutely loving 'The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting' I knew that I had to read some more Holly Bourne as soon as possible, and thus 'Am I Normal Yet' became my next YA read. AND HOLY SMOKES THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE.

From the outside, Evie Crane appears your 'average' teenager. But as well as dealing with the everyday issues of sixth form and pining for a boyfriend, Evie suffers from severe OCD and anxiety. The thing that striked me as most remarkable about this book is the sheer sensitivity in which these issues are dealt with; it is not clichéd or romanticised (in fact, it makes a point to fight against these stigmas), but it is the raw truth of how a mental illness can damage your whole being. The disjunct narrative plays a huge role in this as Evie's story is bombarded with 'BAD THOUGHT', really helping the reader to experience and engage in the immediacy of the situation. Holly Bourne's experience as a journalist for The Mix, along with the dedicated research she has undertaken clearly pays off here, as the whole novel feels like a genuine, real-life experience.

As well as the authenticity of the mental health side, 'Am I Normal Yet?' feels a fully relatable experience simply from the day to day lives of these girls. Whilst this is almost definitely down to the novel being released only last year, the relevance and pertinence of the conversation topics still astounded me. Aside from the odd cheesy - and potentially cliché - moment, I felt like this group of girls could very easily be my friends, which really helped improve the reader experience.

In particular, the mentions of feminism were extremely refreshing for a YA novel, and were areas that I have discussed with friends (such as the Bechdel test) which again boosted this novel's relevance. Not only that, but the feminist theories included were fresh and engaging, and I really believe that this series will be a great way to introduce unaware teenagers into the world of feminism - particularly as the concepts are discussed shortly and sweetly, making them easy to understand. The Spinster Club featured is also such a fun idea and it is exhilarating to hear that this series has inspired the formation of these across the country!

In conclusion, 'Am I Normal Yet?' is truly stunning; it is one of the most refreshing and genuine YA novels I have read in a long, long time. It contains the perfect mixture of romance, friendship, and personal issues, whilst being educationally stimulating in the feminist department, and made me feel every emotion possible (yes...I cried). I mean THAT EPILOGUE! I simply cannot wait to dive into the next two books which centre around the other girls Amber and Lottie, and I'm sure they will be just as invigorating and moving as this superb novel was.

Next read: 'All The Bright Places' by Jennifer Niven

Continue reading Holly Bourne: Am I Normal Yet? (The Spinster Club, #1) - review

Bernhard Schlink: The Reader - review

Author: Bernhard Schlink
Publish Date: 1995
Genre: Realism
Audience: Adult fiction

I actually finished this book around a month ago but I have only now gotten round to writing about it! I decided to read 'The Reader' as it was part of my wider reading list for English Literature, and the theme of forbidden love is one that I typically enjoy.

However, this novel offered me so much more than I could have ever wanted. The story is set in war time Germany and features heavy content surrounding the Holocaust. Nazi Germany is a period of history which I find absolutely fascinating, and so this made the book a lot more engaging for me.

Another aspect I really enjoyed about 'The Reader', is its structure. The novel is set out in three parts, and each part is extremely distinct - part one follows Michael's affair with an older woman named Hanna; part two follows a trial which convicts Nazi officers of their doings in the Holocaust; part three portrays Michael as an older man and his connections with his past lover Hanna. This structure made the book unique for me, but also added interest. In addition, each chapter is relatively short so the story is fast paced but still easy to follow.

The characters of Michael and Hanna are extremely real, helped by the superb writing of Bernhard Schlink. I felt empathy for both as the novel takes an unexpected turn, and moments in the third part are extremely touching for multiple reasons. The author also takes - to an extent - an intrusive role at times, which questions the morals of both forbidden love and the Holocaust, giving the reader a much more immersive and engaging role instead of the usual back-seat observer.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Reader' for a multitude of reasons; the writing, the character development, and the plot were all truly superb. It provided an exceptionally captivating experience as I was forced to evaluate the rights and wrongs of a devastating incident, whilst following an intriguing love story between two very different people.

Next read: 'Legally Blonde' by Amanda Brown

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Zoë Heller: Notes on a Scandal - review

Author: Zoë Heller
Publish Date: 5 June 2003
Genre: Realism
Audience: Adult fiction

I chose to read this novel as it was featured on the 'Wider Reading' list for my English Literature AS due to its central theme of forbidden love. The strong focus on a student/teacher relationship is contrasted with the protagonist's suppressed lesbianism, and both topics considerably took my interest throughout the novel.

One of my favourite parts about this novel is the way the story is told. Despite focusing on the relationship between teacher Sheba and her student Steven Connolly, the tale is solely narrated through Sheba's close friend and colleague Barbara; this form of narrative allows a vast amount of bias to creep through, making the novel both humorous and subject to interpretation. It also manages to create dramatic irony through the characters' actions which adds immediate depth to the novel's plot.

Another aspect of 'Notes on a Scandal' which really grabbed my attention was the quality of writing. Not only did it carry the story effortlessly, it had me hooked from the beginning to the very end as it weaved flashbacks with the present, and cruel realities with idealised fantasies. The situations which the characters' are faced with are extremely intriguing, and make you stop and think about the morality and integrity surrounding them.

What let me down, however, was the ending - don't worry, I won't give any spoilers. The last chapter or so entailed a predictable and inevitable ending, and the climatic section was incredibly enthralling despite, as a reader, knowing the outcome from the beginning. However, the novel ended on a particularly ambiguous note which didn't exactly leave me wanting more, only frustrated at its anti-climatic nature.

Having said that, the last few lines were very intriguing; for most, a whole new theory is uncovered which perhaps changes the atmosphere of the whole novel. I possessed knowledge of this aspect before I began reading, and I could definitely recognise moments which backed up this notion - for those concocting their own theory at the end, I highly suggest a re-read.

Overall, 'Notes on a Scandal' was an enjoyable quick read in which theories were conjured up and morals were thoroughly questioned. The anti-climatic ending did spoil the overall aura to a certain, albeit small, extent; however the writing style and narrative is absolutely superb and completely satisfies this intriguing tale.

Next read: 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink

Continue reading Zoë Heller: Notes on a Scandal - review

Holly Bourne: The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting - review

Author: Holly Bourne
Publish Date: 1 August 2014
Genre: Romance, realism
Audience: Young adult

(N.B. This book deals with heavy and potentially upsetting issues such as self-harm and mental illness)

I had heard lots about 'The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting' from various reviews online, and after the slight disappointment of 'Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls', I was absolutely craving for some quality YA.

And this novel did not disappoint. 'The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting' has everything I needed from a YA novel. The plot's intertwining sub-plots are complex and carry depth, and all loose ends are satisfying tied up in a powerful, impacting conclusion. There also features a few very real, hard-hitting themes that young adults may find extremely easy to relate to such as mental health and self-harm; the author (Holly Bourne)'s occupation as an online advice journalist for The Mix allows this aspect to appear as realistic as possible.

The writing is similarly superb. Interesting, it is 3rd person narrative, and yet it has the same impact as if it was in 1st. Thus, the protagonist Bree is still deeply understood through her inner feelings, yet as a reader you have the chance to learn things Bree hasn't, making it easier to sympathise with the situations.

What stops this book reaching near perfection is the ending. I will not spoil anything, but it did feel heavily clichéd and predictable, which was a disappointment after the unexpected twists that had occurred throughout the sub-plots. Whilst it did tie up loose ends, it created large uncertainties for Bree's future which also added o my dissatisfaction. Having said that, it did not take too much away from the experience as a whole, especially as the last few lines pack quite a moral punch.

In conclusion, 'The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting' is an essential YA read; it has forbidden love, it has identity crisis', and most importantly, it has relatable teenage drama. I can safely say that I have fallen in love with Holly Bourne, and will definitely be reading more of her novels in the near future!
Next read: 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoë Heller

Continue reading Holly Bourne: The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting - review