Amy Powis's Blog, page 12
January 5, 2020
Book Review: Dear Evan Hansen By Val Emmich, Justin Paul, Benji Pasek & Steven Levenson
Title: Dear Evan HansenAuthor: Val Emmich, Justin Paul, Benji Pasek, Steven LevensonPublisher: PenguinSource: NetgalleyRating: 4/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
From the show's creators comes the groundbreaking novel inspired by the Broadway smash hit Dear Evan Hansen.
Dear Evan Hansen,
Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why...
When a letter that was never meant to be seen by anyone draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family's grief over the loss of their son, he is given the chance of a lifetime: to belong. He just has to stick to a lie he never meant to tell, that the notoriously troubled Connor Murphy was his secret best friend.
Suddenly, Evan isn't invisible anymore--even to the girl of his dreams. And Connor Murphy's parents, with their beautiful home on the other side of town, have taken him in like he was their own, desperate to know more about their enigmatic son from his closest friend. As Evan gets pulled deeper into their swirl of anger, regret, and confusion, he knows that what he's doing can't be right, but if he's helping people, how wrong can it be?
No longer tangled in his once-incapacitating anxiety, this new Evan has a purpose. And a website. He's confident. He's a viral phenomenon. Every day is amazing. Until everything is in danger of unravelling and he comes face to face with his greatest obstacle: himself.
A simple lie leads to complicated truths in this big-hearted coming-of-age story of grief, authenticity and the struggle to belong in an age of instant connectivity and profound isolation.
Book Review:
I have been a fan of Dear Evan Hansen since I found the musical randomly on Spotify in 2017 but it has only just opened on the West End in London so when this book was announced it is safe to say that I was excited. The book was, therefore, a good read but was definitely a twist in direction after listening to the songs.
I don't really know what I was expecting from the plot of Evan Hansen especially as I had only listened to the songs and I knew that Evan had anxiety but I didn't realise that was how the plot developed. I think that to some extent that the plot was a little bit surprising and I don't think that I was fully down with it. I just don't really agree with how Evan uses Connor's death but that was the only thing that I disliked.
As someone with social anxiety, I did connect a lot with Evan's anxiety and did think that it was portrayed quite well in the book and it many respects this was one of my favourite parts of the book. I do feel like I connected to Evan with this, even though he was a little bit annoying at times. Another part that I really liked was seeing the songs in the text and it definitely made the show come to life.
I think that having read the book, it will be interesting to see how the show differs which I can't wait to see...
The Verdict:
Dear Evan Hansen is a great read for anyone who is waiting for the musical to come near them or someone who just wants to be found.
Have you read Dear Evan Hansen or seen the play? Let me know in the comments below what you thought of it.
January 4, 2020
I Have To Live (Part 3/3)
*This was written in December and is a series of three blog posts that I am publishing together. The thoughts in these blog posts may not affect how I am feeling now and it is safe to say that I do feel mentally better than I once did.*
I just feel like everything that can go wrong has. I think that this is hard because only last night did I find that I was facing what happened over the summer. I spent a lot of it depressed. Spending days at a time crying. Thinking that I was going to die. But I didn't.
It was strange because even though I wanted everything to stop for a little while, I didn't want to die but it felt like I couldn't live either. I was going along. Dealing with one thing after another. Trying not to relapse. Not again. Protecting myself because I was scared. I keep describing it to myself as it's like I was carrying so many plates and they all smashed into a million pieces and I have been trying to pick them up ever since.
I have to admit that I haven't. I haven't picked up the pieces some of them are left on the floor. Hidden under a rug so I don't have to look at them but they are still there.
I think that because I can't pick them up I can't carry on. It has lead to so many mistakes that I regret deeply and I have never felt like this before. I hate myself for being so reckless and careless because it affected me to such a degree and now I feel scared.
Scared that people will see me in light that I tried to hide. The part of me that not the best and they see me as someone careless and untrustworthy. Descriptive words that no one wants to be called.
So I ignore them. It gets worse. The worst it could be but I have no choice to do it. Because I have to. Because the whole point of living is making mistakes and fixing them. No one knows how to live and we all have to fix it and are making our own way.
I have to make my own way. I have to pave my own path and fix everything. Whatever the consequences. I have to do better. But more importantly, I have to live. It may be hard but I have to. Because who are we if we don't make what we have out of life.
I have to live. Live my best life. Do everything to my full ability. I have to live.
I just feel like everything that can go wrong has. I think that this is hard because only last night did I find that I was facing what happened over the summer. I spent a lot of it depressed. Spending days at a time crying. Thinking that I was going to die. But I didn't.
It was strange because even though I wanted everything to stop for a little while, I didn't want to die but it felt like I couldn't live either. I was going along. Dealing with one thing after another. Trying not to relapse. Not again. Protecting myself because I was scared. I keep describing it to myself as it's like I was carrying so many plates and they all smashed into a million pieces and I have been trying to pick them up ever since.
I have to admit that I haven't. I haven't picked up the pieces some of them are left on the floor. Hidden under a rug so I don't have to look at them but they are still there.
I think that because I can't pick them up I can't carry on. It has lead to so many mistakes that I regret deeply and I have never felt like this before. I hate myself for being so reckless and careless because it affected me to such a degree and now I feel scared.
Scared that people will see me in light that I tried to hide. The part of me that not the best and they see me as someone careless and untrustworthy. Descriptive words that no one wants to be called.
So I ignore them. It gets worse. The worst it could be but I have no choice to do it. Because I have to. Because the whole point of living is making mistakes and fixing them. No one knows how to live and we all have to fix it and are making our own way.
I have to make my own way. I have to pave my own path and fix everything. Whatever the consequences. I have to do better. But more importantly, I have to live. It may be hard but I have to. Because who are we if we don't make what we have out of life.
I have to live. Live my best life. Do everything to my full ability. I have to live.
January 3, 2020
The Interlude (Part 2/3)
*This was written in December and is a series of three blog posts that I am publishing together. The thoughts in these blog posts may not affect how I am feeling now and it is safe to say that I do feel mentally better than I once did.*
Sometimes not everything goes your way. You think that everything is going to change but it doesn't.
You think that you are going to put yourself first but you don't. These problems come before you. Because of the fact that they seem worse than you so you don't say anything. Because if you focus on someone else then you don't have to focus on you.
You know your getting worse again. You feel the same tendencies come back. You thought that they had gone but they were lying dormant waiting for your lowest moment.
You stop sleeping. Your thoughts the same as they were. No one likes. You have done badly. You're a failure. You've done wrong.
You've forgotten what to do. How to break the spell so you try your best. Do everything you can to survive.
So you just survive. You don't let everyone know how you are. So you carry on. Knowing your listening to everyone else.
But not yourself. Definitely not yourself.
Sometimes not everything goes your way. You think that everything is going to change but it doesn't.
You think that you are going to put yourself first but you don't. These problems come before you. Because of the fact that they seem worse than you so you don't say anything. Because if you focus on someone else then you don't have to focus on you.
You know your getting worse again. You feel the same tendencies come back. You thought that they had gone but they were lying dormant waiting for your lowest moment.
You stop sleeping. Your thoughts the same as they were. No one likes. You have done badly. You're a failure. You've done wrong.
You've forgotten what to do. How to break the spell so you try your best. Do everything you can to survive.
So you just survive. You don't let everyone know how you are. So you carry on. Knowing your listening to everyone else.
But not yourself. Definitely not yourself.
January 2, 2020
Relighting My Fire (Part 1/3)
*This was written in October and is a series of three blog posts that I am publishing together. The thoughts in these blog posts may not affect how I am feeling now and it is safe to say that I do feel mentally better than I once did.*
To be honest, this is the first time I've truly written something in months. It sucks. Like really sucks but I don't think that I can do it if I don't really love it.
So why now?
Well, somethings changed. I have that spark again. My fire has been relit. This feels good again.
Writing feels good again.
I think another reason was that I finally have the motivation to do it again. Not for anyone else but me. Because that is who I should write for.
Me.
Who you might be asking why I have been gone? Why have I not written anything in months?
Well, that's a hard question and all I can say is that it is complicated. I wasn't OK and I for the most part I am and when you feel like that writing something even a simple text can seem like climbing a mountain.
This doesn't feel like a mountain. Maybe a small hill but I kinda like it. I like writing and I like having written this.
I think one of the other reasons was I had loads of ideas but decided that I wouldn't write them down. They remained just distant memories in my brain. Parts that remained like capsules ready to be opened one day or forgotten to be opened although.
But it feels different now. I want to find them again. Write them down and never stop. Ready to rise for the pyre.
Like a Phoenix from the flames with there fire burning. Burning bright.
To be honest, this is the first time I've truly written something in months. It sucks. Like really sucks but I don't think that I can do it if I don't really love it.
So why now?
Well, somethings changed. I have that spark again. My fire has been relit. This feels good again.
Writing feels good again.
I think another reason was that I finally have the motivation to do it again. Not for anyone else but me. Because that is who I should write for.
Me.
Who you might be asking why I have been gone? Why have I not written anything in months?
Well, that's a hard question and all I can say is that it is complicated. I wasn't OK and I for the most part I am and when you feel like that writing something even a simple text can seem like climbing a mountain.
This doesn't feel like a mountain. Maybe a small hill but I kinda like it. I like writing and I like having written this.
I think one of the other reasons was I had loads of ideas but decided that I wouldn't write them down. They remained just distant memories in my brain. Parts that remained like capsules ready to be opened one day or forgotten to be opened although.
But it feels different now. I want to find them again. Write them down and never stop. Ready to rise for the pyre.
Like a Phoenix from the flames with there fire burning. Burning bright.
January 1, 2020
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020
So since the start of the Popsugar Reading Challenge started in 2015 I have taken part every year and this year is no exception. I have never completed the challenge fully and I don't think that I will this year but I'm going to try. I will try to update this throughout the year but as I saw last year this may not be the case. But without further ado, let's look at the prompts...
A book that's published in 2020A book by a trans or nonbinary authorA book with a great first lineA book about a book clubA book set in a city that has hosted the OlympicsA bildungsromanThe first book you touch on a shelf with your eyes closedA book with an upside-down image on the cover: Skyward Volume One by Joe Henderson et al. A book with a mapA book recommended by your favourite blog, vlog, podcast, or online book clubAn anthologyA book that passes the Bechdel testA book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it: Blackbird Volume One by Sam Humphries et al. A book by an author with flora or fauna in their nameA book about or involving social mediaA book that has a book on the coverA medical thrillerA book with a made-up language: Eternal Empire Volume One by Jonathon Luna and Sarah Vaughn A book set in a country beginning with "C"A book you picked because the title caught your attentionA book published the month of your birthdayA book about or by a woman in STEMA book that won an award in 2019A book on a subject you know nothing aboutA book with only words on the cover, no images or graphicsA book with a pun in the titleA book featuring one of the seven deadly sinsA book with a robot, cyborg, or AI characterA book with a bird on the coverA fiction or nonfiction book about a world leaderA book with "gold," "silver," or "bronze" in the titleA book by a WOCA book with at least a four-star rating on GoodreadsA book you meant to read in 2019A book with a three-word title: Cast No Shadow by Nick Tapalansky A book with a pink cover: A Girl Is A Shapeshifter by Jasmine HigginsA WesternA book by or about a journalistRead a banned book during Banned Books WeekYour favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Advanced, 2020 Edition
A book written by an author in their 20sA book with "20" or "twenty" in the titleA book with a character with a vision impairment or enhancement (a nod to 20/20 vision)A book set in the 1920sA book set in Japan, host of the 2020 OlympicsA book by an author who has written more than 20 booksA book with more than 20 letters in its titleA book published in the 20th centuryA book from a series with more than 20 booksA book with a main character in their 20sPrompts Completed: 5/50
Are you doing any reading challenges this year? If so, let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
A book that's published in 2020A book by a trans or nonbinary authorA book with a great first lineA book about a book clubA book set in a city that has hosted the OlympicsA bildungsromanThe first book you touch on a shelf with your eyes closedA book with an upside-down image on the cover: Skyward Volume One by Joe Henderson et al. A book with a mapA book recommended by your favourite blog, vlog, podcast, or online book clubAn anthologyA book that passes the Bechdel testA book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it: Blackbird Volume One by Sam Humphries et al. A book by an author with flora or fauna in their nameA book about or involving social mediaA book that has a book on the coverA medical thrillerA book with a made-up language: Eternal Empire Volume One by Jonathon Luna and Sarah Vaughn A book set in a country beginning with "C"A book you picked because the title caught your attentionA book published the month of your birthdayA book about or by a woman in STEMA book that won an award in 2019A book on a subject you know nothing aboutA book with only words on the cover, no images or graphicsA book with a pun in the titleA book featuring one of the seven deadly sinsA book with a robot, cyborg, or AI characterA book with a bird on the coverA fiction or nonfiction book about a world leaderA book with "gold," "silver," or "bronze" in the titleA book by a WOCA book with at least a four-star rating on GoodreadsA book you meant to read in 2019A book with a three-word title: Cast No Shadow by Nick Tapalansky A book with a pink cover: A Girl Is A Shapeshifter by Jasmine HigginsA WesternA book by or about a journalistRead a banned book during Banned Books WeekYour favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Advanced, 2020 Edition
A book written by an author in their 20sA book with "20" or "twenty" in the titleA book with a character with a vision impairment or enhancement (a nod to 20/20 vision)A book set in the 1920sA book set in Japan, host of the 2020 OlympicsA book by an author who has written more than 20 booksA book with more than 20 letters in its titleA book published in the 20th centuryA book from a series with more than 20 booksA book with a main character in their 20sPrompts Completed: 5/50
Are you doing any reading challenges this year? If so, let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
December 31, 2019
Favourite Books of The Year (2019)
So it is officially the last day of 2019 and where has the year gone. Seriously. Anyway with this comes my favourite books of the year and I have read 135 but here are just my top 11 so let's get started...
Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry
I think this one was so hyped up that it definitely grew on me. I really loved the characters and loved reading about the exploration into religion something that really isn't explored a lot in YA. It made me think so much so I just loved it and can't wait to read more from her!
The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie
As someone who has taken part in #UKYAChat for the longest time, I was so excited when Lucy announced this book and was so happy that I loved it. This book, whilst dealing with some heavy subjects which it does well, is so fun and I loved every moment I spend reading it. The characters were so lovable and I can't wait to read the second book in the series. I mean who doesn't love a bookish book.
All The Lonely People by David Owen
I have loved all of the books that David has published and All The Lonely People is no exception. I really enjoyed the characters and I think that they were really complex in so many ways. I think that the book is really timely and is so relevant today. The book made me really emotional and it is a book that I keep thinking about even though I read it in the summer.
T
he Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
I have to admit that it did take a while to read this book, mainly due to my own personal reasons but I don't think that this took away my enjoyment of the book. The book was so well put together and I respect this book from a writing standpoint because each character is written in a different tense and can imagine that this is quite difficult to do but she pulls it off and I respect it so much. I so liked the characters and was interested to see where the story went.
The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt
So it is probably a bit weird the reasons why I liked this book so much but it is mainly due to the fact that it connects to the book that I am currently writing. More than that I really loved and connected to the characters and was super interested to see where their personal journeys would go. I did just really like it and hope that I too can write something like this.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks
I read this at the perfect time and at a time where I was trying to get back into reading again so it is safe to say that I loved this book. It gave me a really fluffy and warm feeling something that I always want from a good read. The characters were also really great and I loved the ending.
The Northern Lights by Philip PullmanI think that everyone and their Mum has read this book but clearly, I was really late to the party. I think that initially I was going to give this 4 stars but I just kept thinking about the book and it stayed with me for the whole year. I also just appreciate that Philip Pullman was pushing what it means to be a YA or MG book. I also love the characters and the world.
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
I had read The Hate U Give last year and I wanted to read more of her work as a result and it was safe to say that I loved On The Come Up. Angie Thomas writes such honest and raw stories with such likeable and complex characters that I can't help but love her books and this one is no exception.
Orange Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano
I had heard so many great things about the Orange series and I finally read them this year. While I loved both of the combined volumes this year I did enjoy the first volume a little bit then it's the sequel. I think that I loved exploring the series at the beginning and was really taken over by the concept so was more surprised when I first read it. I related hard to so many of the characters and just wanted to know what happened. I did just love it.
The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
I loved Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon and had this book on my TBR for years but I finally read it this year as the film was being released this year. I really did love The Sun Is Also A Star as I really loved the characters and the romance between Daniel and Natasha. I also just adored the writing and the whole timespan of book. The little moments that we see revisited in the book are also just great and I loved it.
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
I love all of Alice's books and Heartstopper Volume 2 is no exception. I love Nick and Charlie so much and I do really love their relationship. I also really loved how Alice explores Nick's sexuality in the book and of course, Nellie is also the star of the show. I just get warm and fluffy feelings when I read Heartstopper and I just can not wait to continue the rest of the volumes even though I could read it online...
So there are my favourites for the year!
What are your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
Heretics Anonymous by Katie HenryI think this one was so hyped up that it definitely grew on me. I really loved the characters and loved reading about the exploration into religion something that really isn't explored a lot in YA. It made me think so much so I just loved it and can't wait to read more from her!
The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy PowrieAs someone who has taken part in #UKYAChat for the longest time, I was so excited when Lucy announced this book and was so happy that I loved it. This book, whilst dealing with some heavy subjects which it does well, is so fun and I loved every moment I spend reading it. The characters were so lovable and I can't wait to read the second book in the series. I mean who doesn't love a bookish book.
All The Lonely People by David OwenI have loved all of the books that David has published and All The Lonely People is no exception. I really enjoyed the characters and I think that they were really complex in so many ways. I think that the book is really timely and is so relevant today. The book made me really emotional and it is a book that I keep thinking about even though I read it in the summer.
T
he Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
I have to admit that it did take a while to read this book, mainly due to my own personal reasons but I don't think that this took away my enjoyment of the book. The book was so well put together and I respect this book from a writing standpoint because each character is written in a different tense and can imagine that this is quite difficult to do but she pulls it off and I respect it so much. I so liked the characters and was interested to see where the story went.
The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt
So it is probably a bit weird the reasons why I liked this book so much but it is mainly due to the fact that it connects to the book that I am currently writing. More than that I really loved and connected to the characters and was super interested to see where their personal journeys would go. I did just really like it and hope that I too can write something like this.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks I read this at the perfect time and at a time where I was trying to get back into reading again so it is safe to say that I loved this book. It gave me a really fluffy and warm feeling something that I always want from a good read. The characters were also really great and I loved the ending.
The Northern Lights by Philip PullmanI think that everyone and their Mum has read this book but clearly, I was really late to the party. I think that initially I was going to give this 4 stars but I just kept thinking about the book and it stayed with me for the whole year. I also just appreciate that Philip Pullman was pushing what it means to be a YA or MG book. I also love the characters and the world. 
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas I had read The Hate U Give last year and I wanted to read more of her work as a result and it was safe to say that I loved On The Come Up. Angie Thomas writes such honest and raw stories with such likeable and complex characters that I can't help but love her books and this one is no exception.
Orange Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano
I had heard so many great things about the Orange series and I finally read them this year. While I loved both of the combined volumes this year I did enjoy the first volume a little bit then it's the sequel. I think that I loved exploring the series at the beginning and was really taken over by the concept so was more surprised when I first read it. I related hard to so many of the characters and just wanted to know what happened. I did just love it.
The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon I loved Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon and had this book on my TBR for years but I finally read it this year as the film was being released this year. I really did love The Sun Is Also A Star as I really loved the characters and the romance between Daniel and Natasha. I also just adored the writing and the whole timespan of book. The little moments that we see revisited in the book are also just great and I loved it.
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman I love all of Alice's books and Heartstopper Volume 2 is no exception. I love Nick and Charlie so much and I do really love their relationship. I also really loved how Alice explores Nick's sexuality in the book and of course, Nellie is also the star of the show. I just get warm and fluffy feelings when I read Heartstopper and I just can not wait to continue the rest of the volumes even though I could read it online...
So there are my favourites for the year!
What are your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon,
Amy
December 30, 2019
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2019 Wrap Up
So for the last couple of years, I have been doing the Popsugar Reading Challenge and 2019 is no different. I think that this year is more challenging as the prompts are a little weird but I am always up for a challenge. So let's see the prompts and see how many I completed.
Book Becoming a Movie in 2019: The Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman (OK so this is a TV Show but...)Book That Makes You Nostalgic:Book Written by a Musician (Fiction or Nonfiction): Book You Think Should be Turned Into a Movie: Jack of Hearts by L. C. Rosen Book With at Least One Million Ratings on Goodreads: Animal Farm by George OrwellBook With a Plant in the Title or on the Cover: One Shot by Tanya Landman (There is a tree on the cover)Reread of a Favorite Book:Book About a Hobby: Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertBook With "Pop," "Sugar," or "Challenge" in the Title:Book With an Item of Clothing or Accessory on the Cover: The Cruel Prince by Holly BlackInspired by Mythology, Legend or Folklore: Once & Future #1 by Kieron Gillen Published Posthumously:Book You See Someone Reading on TV or in a Movie:Retelling of a Classic:Book With a Question in the Title: What Magic is This? by Holly BourneSet on a College or University Campus: America #13 by Gabby RiveriaAbout Someone With a Superpower: Renegades by Marissa MeyerBook Told From Multiple Character POVs: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay KristoffSet in Space: On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden By Two Female Authors: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks Title that Contains "Salty," "Sweet," "Bitter" or "Spicy"Set in Scandinavia:Takes Place in a Single Day: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola YoonDebut Novel: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Book Published in 2019: The Year After You by Nina de PassFeaturing an Extinct or Imaginary Culture: All The Lonely People by David Owen Recommended by a Celebrity You Admire: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Book with "Love" in the Title: I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maureen GooBook Featuring an Amateur Detective: A Study In Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro Book About a Family: Fire Colour One by Jenny ValentineWritten by an Author from Asia, Africa, or South America:Zodiac Sign or Astrology Term in the Title: The Wicked & The Divine by Kieron Gillen Book That Includes a Wedding:By an Author Whose First and Last Name Start with the Same Letter: The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman A Ghost Story:Two-Word Title: Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry Novel Based on A True Story: War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi Book Revolving Around a Puzzle or Game:Your Favorite Prompt from a Past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge: A Book With A Season in the Title: A Winter's Promise by Christelle DabosAdvanced:"Cli-Fi" (climate fiction) Book:"Choose Your Own Adventure" Book:An #OwnVoices Book: On The Come Up by Angie ThomasRead a Book During the Season it is Set In: The Opposite Of Always by Jason A. ReynoldsA Lit RPG Book:Book with No Chapters/Unusual Chapter Headings/Unconventionally Numbered Chapters: Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa Two Books That Share the Same Title (1): Orange Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano Two Books That Share the Same Title (2): Orange Volume 2 by Ichigo Takano Book that has Inspired a Common Phrase or Idiom (e.g., Big Brother from 1984):Book set in an Abbey, Cloister, Monastery, Vicarage or Convent:I have to admit that I completely forgot about doing this so I am actually happy to see that I completed a lot of the challenges. I admit that I may have bent some to fit but the most are quite accurate. I also hope to do it next year as well so look out for that!
See you soon,
Amy
Did you do any reading challenges this year? If so what are they? How did you do? Let me know in the comments!
Book Becoming a Movie in 2019: The Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman (OK so this is a TV Show but...)Book That Makes You Nostalgic:Book Written by a Musician (Fiction or Nonfiction): Book You Think Should be Turned Into a Movie: Jack of Hearts by L. C. Rosen Book With at Least One Million Ratings on Goodreads: Animal Farm by George OrwellBook With a Plant in the Title or on the Cover: One Shot by Tanya Landman (There is a tree on the cover)Reread of a Favorite Book:Book About a Hobby: Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertBook With "Pop," "Sugar," or "Challenge" in the Title:Book With an Item of Clothing or Accessory on the Cover: The Cruel Prince by Holly BlackInspired by Mythology, Legend or Folklore: Once & Future #1 by Kieron Gillen Published Posthumously:Book You See Someone Reading on TV or in a Movie:Retelling of a Classic:Book With a Question in the Title: What Magic is This? by Holly BourneSet on a College or University Campus: America #13 by Gabby RiveriaAbout Someone With a Superpower: Renegades by Marissa MeyerBook Told From Multiple Character POVs: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay KristoffSet in Space: On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden By Two Female Authors: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks Title that Contains "Salty," "Sweet," "Bitter" or "Spicy"Set in Scandinavia:Takes Place in a Single Day: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola YoonDebut Novel: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Book Published in 2019: The Year After You by Nina de PassFeaturing an Extinct or Imaginary Culture: All The Lonely People by David Owen Recommended by a Celebrity You Admire: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Book with "Love" in the Title: I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maureen GooBook Featuring an Amateur Detective: A Study In Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro Book About a Family: Fire Colour One by Jenny ValentineWritten by an Author from Asia, Africa, or South America:Zodiac Sign or Astrology Term in the Title: The Wicked & The Divine by Kieron Gillen Book That Includes a Wedding:By an Author Whose First and Last Name Start with the Same Letter: The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman A Ghost Story:Two-Word Title: Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry Novel Based on A True Story: War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi Book Revolving Around a Puzzle or Game:Your Favorite Prompt from a Past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge: A Book With A Season in the Title: A Winter's Promise by Christelle DabosAdvanced:"Cli-Fi" (climate fiction) Book:"Choose Your Own Adventure" Book:An #OwnVoices Book: On The Come Up by Angie ThomasRead a Book During the Season it is Set In: The Opposite Of Always by Jason A. ReynoldsA Lit RPG Book:Book with No Chapters/Unusual Chapter Headings/Unconventionally Numbered Chapters: Fans Of The Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa Two Books That Share the Same Title (1): Orange Volume 1 by Ichigo Takano Two Books That Share the Same Title (2): Orange Volume 2 by Ichigo Takano Book that has Inspired a Common Phrase or Idiom (e.g., Big Brother from 1984):Book set in an Abbey, Cloister, Monastery, Vicarage or Convent:I have to admit that I completely forgot about doing this so I am actually happy to see that I completed a lot of the challenges. I admit that I may have bent some to fit but the most are quite accurate. I also hope to do it next year as well so look out for that!
See you soon,
Amy
Did you do any reading challenges this year? If so what are they? How did you do? Let me know in the comments!
December 29, 2019
Book Review: A Very Large Expanse Of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: A Very Large Expanse Of Sea
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.
Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.
But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.
Book Review:
Like many people, I read the Shatter Me series in its heyday and although I was not the biggest fan, I still loved Tahereh Mafi's writing and wanted to read more by her. Enter A Very Large Expanse Of Sea. It had been getting lots of good reviews and the plot sounded right up my street so I decided to read it. I can safely say that I really enjoyed A Very Large Expanse of Sea and can't wait to see what Tahereh Mafi writes next.
One of the reasons why I liked the book was obviously the writing. Mafi is such a great writer, her writing is lyrical and tells so much of the story itself. It flows so well and has Shirin's voice shine through. I think that it highlights Shirin as a character so much, with her sharp nature and she is often trying to protect herself. I think that this leads to a different main character that we often see in YA and I, therefore, thought that it was really well done. I do sometimes think that Shirin was a little bit cold at times and this did affect me to some extent.
As well as Shirin I really enjoyed Ocean as a character and think that they complement each other really well. He was sensitive and compassionate and I think that their relationship helped Shirin and Ocean in their own separate ways which were nice. Their romance was also quite cute which is always nice for a YA book to have a good romance.
I also think that Tahereh Mafi draws a really honest portrayal of what it was like to be a teenager after 9/11. This is something that Tahereh Mafi herself went through and can put on the page. I think that the issues are dealt with head-on and I respect her so much for writing about it.
The Verdict:
A Very Large Expanse Of Sea is an honest and raw portrayal of what means to be a teenager in the 2000s. Tahereh Mafi is a great writer who will dominant YA for many years to come.
Have you read A Very Large Expanse Of Sea? Did you like it? If not, do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
December 28, 2019
Book Review: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: The Poet X Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.
Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.
But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.
So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.
Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.
Book Review:
The Poet X is a book that has received critical acclaim since and before it's release and I was eagerly waiting to read it. The Poet X definitely lives up to the hype, being a raw and great debut that everyone has to read at least once.
I have read and loved verse novels in the past so when everyone was raving over this book I was excited to jump on the train and read. I think that for me it did take a little while to get into the story but when I was there, I was completely sucked in.
I think that Xiomara is a character that is fleshed out which is a verse novel is so hard to do and Elizabeth Acevedo does this so well considering that it is a debut novel. I think that through the novel, you feel Xiomara as a character and spend most of the book rooting for her the whole way through. Her parents are not the best in the world and you are just rooting for her to get out of the situation.
I also felt connected to her in ways that she sees her body as these were feelings that I had now and that I definitely felt growing up but maybe not to the extent that she felt in the book. There are so many views that Elizabeth Acevedo gets through so clearly that her words are so powerful and jump off the page. Basically, if you had not read The Poet X then I recommend that you pick it up. It is YA at it's best.
The Verdict:
The Poet X is an excellent verse novel that encapsulates the feelings of growing up. It is a must-read.
Have you read The Poet X? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments below.
December 27, 2019
Book Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: The Cruel Prince Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.
As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
Book Review:
The Cruel Prince has been a book that everyone in the YA book community has read already with everyone excited about the release of Queen Of Nothing although as per I am late to the party. Very late in fact. Although even though the hype was really strong with this one, I really enjoyed The Cruel Prince and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I have always been a fan of faerie stories so it was always a given that I would enjoy the Cruel Prince but I did, however, I feel like it definitely took me a long time to get into the story and I don't feel like it is an all-time favourite unlike some other people in the community. This may be as I have read a lot more books centred on faeries in the past but I did still like it.
I think in the beginning part of the book, I was gunning for Jude and Cardan, just because this was what I heard from many fans of the series and had pervious thoughts about what was going to happen in the story so was a little surprised to see what happened but I did like how they were introduced and how their relationship developed.
A lot of the book is centred around the characters and this was something that I did really enjoy from the book. The characters were fleshed out and I really liked that. Jude, especially I really liked as a character. She was not afraid to show her emotions in the book and be vulnerable. She was also complicated and strong and was a great narrator in the story. There were also so many other characters that Holly Black definitely makes you root for and dislike and she does this so well. Her writing is great and I can't wait to read more from her in this series or another book altogether.
The ending of the book was also just a lot to take in. It was definitely from a plot twist in the book that I generally was more engaged with the story and connected to it a lot more. It takes a lot to pull something like that and I respect Holly Black so much for doing the plot twist. It definitely makes me want to read the next books in the series to see what happens.
The Verdict:
The Cruel Prince is a twisty-turny story that will keep you on the edge of the seat waiting for the next book.
Have you read The Cruel Prince? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments below.
