Amy Powis's Blog, page 13
December 26, 2019
Losing Contact and Coming Back: My Social Media Journey
So this seems like the right way to start this series as I have been putting it off for so long. I started to think about the idea in July but as you can see I didn't really write it.
I guess this really explains my whole blog post but it is a little bit complex than that.
So all of it started when I got my job about a year and a half ago. Before that, I would spend hours and hours on social media just browsing and browsing and partaking in the odd twitter chat and talking to people sometimes but then it changed.
I was and still am working 3 or 4 days a week, 8 hour days with a half an hour break and spending a lot less time on social media. I was treating my time on there looking at memes and looking at Instagram rather than continuously refreshing my twitter feed.
I was still blogging but less than I was before. It felt like while I wasn't there everything had changed and I was trying to find a way back in but I couldn't.
I think it was this that made it so hard to keep up. The world that I had found so much comfort in before I had been out of the loop that when I wanted to say something it was different. I wasn't the same as I was before online.
I think that I was also going through so many changes in real life that meant than putting myself online felt different. It was too much for my brain to handle. Keeping up with two different worlds it seems is a lot harder than it looks.
As I mentioned in my first post, my mental health hasn't been that great so of course, for months I did not want to put my struggles online. It was too much for real life so I went off the grid.
I think for me it is a weird thing to 'come back' because I was never really gone I was always there but no one could see. I think that I know what I want to use social media for and I think that I have honestly lost interest in likes and how many followers I have. I just want to be me and be myself while keeping up with the bookish news and doing this because let's face it, I like and I want to do it.
So I'm sorry this is a bit of a mess but I hope that it makes some sense...
See you soon,
Amy
I guess this really explains my whole blog post but it is a little bit complex than that.
So all of it started when I got my job about a year and a half ago. Before that, I would spend hours and hours on social media just browsing and browsing and partaking in the odd twitter chat and talking to people sometimes but then it changed.
I was and still am working 3 or 4 days a week, 8 hour days with a half an hour break and spending a lot less time on social media. I was treating my time on there looking at memes and looking at Instagram rather than continuously refreshing my twitter feed.
I was still blogging but less than I was before. It felt like while I wasn't there everything had changed and I was trying to find a way back in but I couldn't.
I think it was this that made it so hard to keep up. The world that I had found so much comfort in before I had been out of the loop that when I wanted to say something it was different. I wasn't the same as I was before online.
I think that I was also going through so many changes in real life that meant than putting myself online felt different. It was too much for my brain to handle. Keeping up with two different worlds it seems is a lot harder than it looks.
As I mentioned in my first post, my mental health hasn't been that great so of course, for months I did not want to put my struggles online. It was too much for real life so I went off the grid.
I think for me it is a weird thing to 'come back' because I was never really gone I was always there but no one could see. I think that I know what I want to use social media for and I think that I have honestly lost interest in likes and how many followers I have. I just want to be me and be myself while keeping up with the bookish news and doing this because let's face it, I like and I want to do it.
So I'm sorry this is a bit of a mess but I hope that it makes some sense...
See you soon,
Amy
December 25, 2019
Announcement: 12 (Or So) Days of Blogmas
So after a random thought to me yesterday while I was working a 10-hour shift on Christmas Eve I had a random thought to do 12 blog posts that occur in the 12 days of Christmas! That's right, 12 days and 12 blog posts. OK so maybe a little bit more around 15. This is something that I did before so I wanted to do it again
So why?
Well that's a good question? It turns out that I am very behind on book reviews and there is a lot of posts that I would like to do before the end of the year so this gives me the opportunity to do so.
I have also not been posting that regularly in the past year. This is partly because of university and work as I am so busy to do blog posts and it is Christmas so although I should be doing university work, I need some time off so I am doing some posts. My mental health has also taken a beating this year and it is with this that I have taken some time off the internet to focus on me. I have been trying to pick up the pieces seen in my mental health and it is a struggle but I think that I am getting there. Slowly. Yes but I am trying.
So anyway...
There will be a lot of variety of posts from my favourite books to a variety of book reviews.
So stay tuned! I am very excited about this and hopefully, it will be successful. Hopefully...
Hope you have a nice Christmas and happy holidays!
See you soon,
Amy
So why?
Well that's a good question? It turns out that I am very behind on book reviews and there is a lot of posts that I would like to do before the end of the year so this gives me the opportunity to do so.
I have also not been posting that regularly in the past year. This is partly because of university and work as I am so busy to do blog posts and it is Christmas so although I should be doing university work, I need some time off so I am doing some posts. My mental health has also taken a beating this year and it is with this that I have taken some time off the internet to focus on me. I have been trying to pick up the pieces seen in my mental health and it is a struggle but I think that I am getting there. Slowly. Yes but I am trying.
So anyway...
There will be a lot of variety of posts from my favourite books to a variety of book reviews.
So stay tuned! I am very excited about this and hopefully, it will be successful. Hopefully...
Hope you have a nice Christmas and happy holidays!
See you soon,
Amy
October 28, 2019
Book Review: War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Penguin Books and Darkroom Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: War Girls Author: Tochi Onyebuchi Publisher: PenguinSource: Sent by the publisher and Darkroom ToursRating: 3/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria.
The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky.
In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life.
Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together.
And they're willing to fight an entire war to get there.
Acclaimed author Tochi Onyebuchi has written an immersive, action-packed, deeply personal novel perfect for fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Marie Lu, and Paolo Bacigalupi.
Book Review:
I was really excited to read the book, when I discovered the book was part of the tour as it was compared to Black Panther although I didn't really know what it was about. I was, however, surprised by how much I did enjoy the story.
I did, however, find it slow at the beginning. There was a lot of world building which was slow going at first but when I got going I really enjoyed the book. I also did find some problems with the flashbacks but they didn't take away from my feelings on the book.
I think that one of the reasons that I connected to the story because it is a story of two sisters. I liked seeing both of their point of views as it showed the terrible sides of war and although one of the plot points is creepy to read about. It highlights the realities of war.
I think the book also does not shy away the realities of ar especially child soldiers which are a main point of the plot. I also think that it is really important that the book talks about the Biafran War and draws attention to it as it is a history that more people should know about.
Basically the book is really good which kept me engaged and had really good characters about an important issue.
The Verdict:
War Girls is a must read for YA fans blending fact and fiction perfectly.
Have you read War Girls? Do you want to? Leave it in the comments below!
Title: War Girls Author: Tochi Onyebuchi Publisher: PenguinSource: Sent by the publisher and Darkroom ToursRating: 3/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther–inspired Nigeria.
The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky.
In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life.
Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together.
And they're willing to fight an entire war to get there.
Acclaimed author Tochi Onyebuchi has written an immersive, action-packed, deeply personal novel perfect for fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Marie Lu, and Paolo Bacigalupi.
Book Review:
I was really excited to read the book, when I discovered the book was part of the tour as it was compared to Black Panther although I didn't really know what it was about. I was, however, surprised by how much I did enjoy the story.
I did, however, find it slow at the beginning. There was a lot of world building which was slow going at first but when I got going I really enjoyed the book. I also did find some problems with the flashbacks but they didn't take away from my feelings on the book.
I think that one of the reasons that I connected to the story because it is a story of two sisters. I liked seeing both of their point of views as it showed the terrible sides of war and although one of the plot points is creepy to read about. It highlights the realities of war.
I think the book also does not shy away the realities of ar especially child soldiers which are a main point of the plot. I also think that it is really important that the book talks about the Biafran War and draws attention to it as it is a history that more people should know about.
Basically the book is really good which kept me engaged and had really good characters about an important issue.
The Verdict:
War Girls is a must read for YA fans blending fact and fiction perfectly.
Have you read War Girls? Do you want to? Leave it in the comments below!
October 22, 2019
Book Review: In Search Of Us by Ava Dellaria
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: In Search Of Us Author: Ava Dellaira Publisher: Hot Key BooksSource: Sent by the publisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Angie considers herself unremarkable. She likes history and science, running hard, grilled cheese with burned edges. But today, everything will change.
A photo in an old box, in a drawer. Of her teenage mother with a boy she's never seen before - and yet Angie instantly knows it's her father. The father who died before she was born. But Angie begins to understand that there are things she has not been told. Things that Angie now need to know, more than anything.
And so she sets off in search of her father's story. Her mother's story. And her own story. Because she comes to realise, the missing pieces always matter.
Book Review:
Like a lot of people I had heard of Ava Dellaira because of Love Letters To The Dead, but when I got an opportunity to review her second book I was really excited although I haven't really heard that many people talk about it. Overall, In Search Of Us is an entertaining and heartfelt read that deserves to be read by everyone.
I don't really know what I was expecting when I picked up the good really. Even though I had had it on my TBR for a while, it was really the audio book that made me pick it up and it was a great choice because the audio book was amazing. I think that it was this low expectation that made me really love this book because I really did not know what to expect.
I think the thing that I loved about the book is that it actually cares about the parents,
The Verdict:
In Search Of Us is a great and unique YA story chronically two generations of a family. Whether you read YA constantly or want to try something new, In Search Of Us is perfect for everyone.
Have you read In Search Of Us? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
Title: In Search Of Us Author: Ava Dellaira Publisher: Hot Key BooksSource: Sent by the publisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Angie considers herself unremarkable. She likes history and science, running hard, grilled cheese with burned edges. But today, everything will change.
A photo in an old box, in a drawer. Of her teenage mother with a boy she's never seen before - and yet Angie instantly knows it's her father. The father who died before she was born. But Angie begins to understand that there are things she has not been told. Things that Angie now need to know, more than anything.
And so she sets off in search of her father's story. Her mother's story. And her own story. Because she comes to realise, the missing pieces always matter.
Book Review:
Like a lot of people I had heard of Ava Dellaira because of Love Letters To The Dead, but when I got an opportunity to review her second book I was really excited although I haven't really heard that many people talk about it. Overall, In Search Of Us is an entertaining and heartfelt read that deserves to be read by everyone.
I don't really know what I was expecting when I picked up the good really. Even though I had had it on my TBR for a while, it was really the audio book that made me pick it up and it was a great choice because the audio book was amazing. I think that it was this low expectation that made me really love this book because I really did not know what to expect.
I think the thing that I loved about the book is that it actually cares about the parents,
The Verdict:
In Search Of Us is a great and unique YA story chronically two generations of a family. Whether you read YA constantly or want to try something new, In Search Of Us is perfect for everyone.
Have you read In Search Of Us? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
October 20, 2019
Book Review: D. O. G. S. by M. A. Bennett
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Hot Key Books and Darkroom Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: D. O. G. S.Author: M. A. Bennett Publisher: Hot Key BooksSource: Sent From PublisherRating: 4/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
After the dramatic events of the last few weeks, Greer Macdonald is trying to concentrate on her A levels. Stuck for a play to direct for her drama exam, she gets help from an unexpected quarter . . .
A priceless lost play, buried by time, is pushed under her door. It is Ben Jonson's The Isle of Dogs, a play considered so dangerous in Elizabethan times that every copy was burned . . . except one. As the students begin to rehearse it, events become increasingly dark and strange, and they lead Greer back to where she never thought she would return - Longcross Hall.
There she discovers that not only is the Order of the Stag alive and well, but that a ghost from the past might be too . . .
Book Review:
After the cliffhanger of S.T.A.G.S., I have been eagerly awaiting the release of D.O.G.S. as I wanted to know what happened and was happy that the wait was very much worth it! Overall D.O.G.S. was a great sequel to S.T.A.G.S and I have even more waiting for the next book.
I was excited to read the book because the idea of the play interested me. I was excited to see how the plot around it unravelled and the direction it went. I was even surprised that the Isle Of Dogs was a real play which leads to some googling. I think that the play was well placed in the story and it is surprising that it even had happened in the first place.
I also think that M. A. Bennett's writing is easy to read which is a great thing and lent itself to such a fast-paced plot which I wanted to race through. The book also has lots of pop culture references in it which I also really enjoyed and added to the story which helped contextualise it.
I also really enjoyed the characters in the book especially Greer as she was a great character to connect with and to follow her story. All the characters that we introduced in the book were also really fleshed out and added to the plot itself.
I also love the story of STAGS and want to see how far it goes because of that ending.
Title: D. O. G. S.Author: M. A. Bennett Publisher: Hot Key BooksSource: Sent From PublisherRating: 4/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
After the dramatic events of the last few weeks, Greer Macdonald is trying to concentrate on her A levels. Stuck for a play to direct for her drama exam, she gets help from an unexpected quarter . . .
A priceless lost play, buried by time, is pushed under her door. It is Ben Jonson's The Isle of Dogs, a play considered so dangerous in Elizabethan times that every copy was burned . . . except one. As the students begin to rehearse it, events become increasingly dark and strange, and they lead Greer back to where she never thought she would return - Longcross Hall.
There she discovers that not only is the Order of the Stag alive and well, but that a ghost from the past might be too . . .
Book Review:
After the cliffhanger of S.T.A.G.S., I have been eagerly awaiting the release of D.O.G.S. as I wanted to know what happened and was happy that the wait was very much worth it! Overall D.O.G.S. was a great sequel to S.T.A.G.S and I have even more waiting for the next book.
I was excited to read the book because the idea of the play interested me. I was excited to see how the plot around it unravelled and the direction it went. I was even surprised that the Isle Of Dogs was a real play which leads to some googling. I think that the play was well placed in the story and it is surprising that it even had happened in the first place.
I also think that M. A. Bennett's writing is easy to read which is a great thing and lent itself to such a fast-paced plot which I wanted to race through. The book also has lots of pop culture references in it which I also really enjoyed and added to the story which helped contextualise it.
I also really enjoyed the characters in the book especially Greer as she was a great character to connect with and to follow her story. All the characters that we introduced in the book were also really fleshed out and added to the plot itself.
I also love the story of STAGS and want to see how far it goes because of that ending.
October 17, 2019
Book Review: S. T. A. G. S. by M. A. Bennett
Title: S. T. A. G. S.Author: M. A. Bennett Publisher: Hot Key BooksSource: Bought MyselfRating: 4/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.
It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin' shootin' fishin'. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.
But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry's parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports - hunting, shooting and fishing - become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school...
Book Review:
I had heard a lot about Stags as last year it was doing the rounds at YALC last year which made me want to pick it up. When I did pick it, I was gripped from the first page finishing the book in a couple of hours. Stags is a truly fast-paced, thrilling YA read that everyone should read.
Stags take on middle-class ideas and class in general which was something that I really did love in the book and I think that it was handled really well. It also worked really well in the story itself especially as it developed.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters especially as this developed over the course of the story. There were obviously characters that you were made to dislike so this is understandable.
The main draw to STAGS is the plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I really wanted to find out what happened and the end of the book was definitely surprising and I didn't expect it. This leads me to really want to read the sequel and I can't wait for it to come out!
The Verdict:
Stags is a truly unique, fast-paced read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Have you read S.T.A.G.S.? If so what did you think of it? Leave me know in the comments below.
September 19, 2019
Blog Tour The Wrong Side Of Kai Guest Post: Estelle Maskame's TBR List
So it is my turn on The Wrong Side Of Kai Blog Tour and I have a guest post from Estelle Maskame which is her TBR (To Be Read) list. So now over to Estelle...
On The Come Up - Angie Thomas
I absolutely loved The Hate U Give so I’ve been looking forward to reading more from this author because her writing style is so engaging.
Fangirl - Rainbow RowellThis one has been a long-term item on my TBR shelves. This book was huge a few years ago and has so much hype, so I’ve been meaning to get around to it for a while now.
The Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
I know, I know... Am I even British? I’ve owned the entire series for a couple years now, but have yet to tackle such an intimidating stack of books. I swear I’ll do it soon though!
Into The Water - Paula Hawkins
A non-YA TBR addition. I do love a good thriller every now and again, and this one comes highly recommended to me by my mum. I just hope it’s not as addictive as The Girl on the Train because that one kept me up all night!
Opposite of Always - Justin A. ReynoldsI’d never heard of this book until it caught my eye in Waterstones recently and was sucked straight in by the blurb. A boy who’s stuck in a loop of time while he tries to stop his girlfriend from dying? Count me in!
Scared Little Rabbits - A.V. GeigerI’m not sure if A.V. Geiger is published in the UK, but I was lucky enough to receive an American ARC of her latest book and I am SO excited to dive into it. It’s a YA thriller and if it’s anything like her previous novels, then I’ll devour the whole book in one sitting.
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper LeeAgain, another book I feel as though I should have read years ago. I’ve been dying to find out what all the hype is around this book and why it’s such a classic.
Thank you to Estelle and Ink Road for the guest post and opportunity to be on the blog tour!
Find out more about The Wrong Side Of Kai here...
Vanessa Murphy doesn't do relationships.
With a father who doesn't notice her, it's easy for her to sneak around with her latest fling, Harrison Boyd. But when an explicit video of Vanessa hooking up with Harrison is leaked the morning after she ends things with him, her life is thrown into chaos.
And Vanessa wants payback. Enter Kai. With his own vendetta against Harrison, Kai proposes revenge, and the two pair up to ruin Harrison Boyd's life. At first, they are nothing more than an illicit partnership. Teammates working towards the same mission.
But – between late-night stakeouts and crime committing – Vanessa is drawn into Kai's life. And, as the two grow closer, she finds herself letting Kai into hers.
Goodreads
Amazon
On The Come Up - Angie ThomasI absolutely loved The Hate U Give so I’ve been looking forward to reading more from this author because her writing style is so engaging.
Fangirl - Rainbow RowellThis one has been a long-term item on my TBR shelves. This book was huge a few years ago and has so much hype, so I’ve been meaning to get around to it for a while now.
The Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
I know, I know... Am I even British? I’ve owned the entire series for a couple years now, but have yet to tackle such an intimidating stack of books. I swear I’ll do it soon though!
Into The Water - Paula Hawkins
A non-YA TBR addition. I do love a good thriller every now and again, and this one comes highly recommended to me by my mum. I just hope it’s not as addictive as The Girl on the Train because that one kept me up all night!
Opposite of Always - Justin A. ReynoldsI’d never heard of this book until it caught my eye in Waterstones recently and was sucked straight in by the blurb. A boy who’s stuck in a loop of time while he tries to stop his girlfriend from dying? Count me in!
Scared Little Rabbits - A.V. GeigerI’m not sure if A.V. Geiger is published in the UK, but I was lucky enough to receive an American ARC of her latest book and I am SO excited to dive into it. It’s a YA thriller and if it’s anything like her previous novels, then I’ll devour the whole book in one sitting. 
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper LeeAgain, another book I feel as though I should have read years ago. I’ve been dying to find out what all the hype is around this book and why it’s such a classic. Thank you to Estelle and Ink Road for the guest post and opportunity to be on the blog tour!
Find out more about The Wrong Side Of Kai here...
Vanessa Murphy doesn't do relationships.
With a father who doesn't notice her, it's easy for her to sneak around with her latest fling, Harrison Boyd. But when an explicit video of Vanessa hooking up with Harrison is leaked the morning after she ends things with him, her life is thrown into chaos.
And Vanessa wants payback. Enter Kai. With his own vendetta against Harrison, Kai proposes revenge, and the two pair up to ruin Harrison Boyd's life. At first, they are nothing more than an illicit partnership. Teammates working towards the same mission.
But – between late-night stakeouts and crime committing – Vanessa is drawn into Kai's life. And, as the two grow closer, she finds herself letting Kai into hers.
Goodreads
Amazon
August 29, 2019
Three Hallows Book Club August Post: 5 Reasons To Read The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie
So this month, the book that we all have been reading The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie. Instead of doing a full book review, here are five reasons why you should read the book...
Number 5: Great For The Summer
Even though summer is on its way out, The Paper & Hearts Society is perfect for this time of year with the summery plotline based around road trips. If not I can still picture myself curling around the fire wishing that I could reread the book again.
Number 4: It's funny
The book tackles some really hard-hitting issues such as toxic friendships and bullying which I definitely did not expect when I first read heard about it about, but it handles the issues really well. I feel like to counter this, Lucy does incorporate some humour into the book. At YALC, she said that it was writing what she thought was funny in the book and it definitely paid off as I found myself laughing throughout.
Number 3: The Characters
So there are a lot of characters in TPAHS and all of them are great, except you know the one that you are not meant to like. From Tabby to Ed to Cassie to Olivia to Henry, all of the characters are so lovable and I can't wait to read more about them in the sequel. Weird opinion but I o just really love Ed.
Number 2: Road Trip!
So like a lot of bookish people I love a good road trip book but TPAHS takes it a little bit further as it is a bookish road trip. I loved seeing the different location especially Bath as I had been there the year before but I loved reading all of the locations. It was just great!
Number 1: A Book about books
As well as a good road trip book, I love a good bookish book and this is what TPAHS is. From all of the different references from Angus, Thongs to Nimona to a mention of Alice Oseman, I was just so in love with all of the references and I would have dreamed of a book like this when I was a teenager and am still happy it exists today!
Here is a summary of the book...
A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie - about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in and let your weird out! It's time to join The Paper & Hearts Society ...
Tabby Brown is tired of trying to fit in. She doesn't want to go to parties - in fact, she would much rather snuggle up on the sofa with her favourite book.
It's like she hasn't found her people ...
Then Tabby joins a club that promises to celebrate books. What could go wrong? EVERYTHING - especially when making new friends brings out an AWKWARD BUZZING feeling all over her body.
But Olivia, Cassie, Henry and Ed have something that makes Tabby come back. Maybe it's the Austen-themed fancy-dress parties or Ed's fluffy cat Mrs Simpkins, or could it be Henry himself ...
Can Tabby let her weird out AND live THE BEST BOOKISH LIFE POSSIBLE?
Perfect for fans of Holly Smale and Super Awkward.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
Rachel
Alex
Have you read The Paper & Hearts Society? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
Number 5: Great For The Summer
Even though summer is on its way out, The Paper & Hearts Society is perfect for this time of year with the summery plotline based around road trips. If not I can still picture myself curling around the fire wishing that I could reread the book again.
Number 4: It's funny
The book tackles some really hard-hitting issues such as toxic friendships and bullying which I definitely did not expect when I first read heard about it about, but it handles the issues really well. I feel like to counter this, Lucy does incorporate some humour into the book. At YALC, she said that it was writing what she thought was funny in the book and it definitely paid off as I found myself laughing throughout.
Number 3: The Characters
So there are a lot of characters in TPAHS and all of them are great, except you know the one that you are not meant to like. From Tabby to Ed to Cassie to Olivia to Henry, all of the characters are so lovable and I can't wait to read more about them in the sequel. Weird opinion but I o just really love Ed.
Number 2: Road Trip!
So like a lot of bookish people I love a good road trip book but TPAHS takes it a little bit further as it is a bookish road trip. I loved seeing the different location especially Bath as I had been there the year before but I loved reading all of the locations. It was just great!
Number 1: A Book about books
As well as a good road trip book, I love a good bookish book and this is what TPAHS is. From all of the different references from Angus, Thongs to Nimona to a mention of Alice Oseman, I was just so in love with all of the references and I would have dreamed of a book like this when I was a teenager and am still happy it exists today!
Here is a summary of the book...
A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie - about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in and let your weird out! It's time to join The Paper & Hearts Society ...
Tabby Brown is tired of trying to fit in. She doesn't want to go to parties - in fact, she would much rather snuggle up on the sofa with her favourite book.
It's like she hasn't found her people ...
Then Tabby joins a club that promises to celebrate books. What could go wrong? EVERYTHING - especially when making new friends brings out an AWKWARD BUZZING feeling all over her body.
But Olivia, Cassie, Henry and Ed have something that makes Tabby come back. Maybe it's the Austen-themed fancy-dress parties or Ed's fluffy cat Mrs Simpkins, or could it be Henry himself ...
Can Tabby let her weird out AND live THE BEST BOOKISH LIFE POSSIBLE?
Perfect for fans of Holly Smale and Super Awkward.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
Rachel
Alex
Have you read The Paper & Hearts Society? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
August 27, 2019
Three Hallows Book Club July Post: All The Lonely People by David Owen
So I have had a rough couple of months mentally that great so I'm behind on the Three Hallows post although I actually read it last month and spoiler alert I loved it. Anyway here's the review...
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: All The Lonely People Author: David Owen Publisher: AtomSource: Bought/NetGalley Rating: 5/5 stars
(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Everyone tells Kat that her online personality - confident, funny, opinionated - isn't her true self. Kat knows otherwise. The internet is her only way to cope with a bad day, chat with friends who get all her references, make someone laugh. But when she becomes the target of an alt-right trolling campaign, she feels she has no option but to Escape, Delete, Disappear.
All the Lonely People is a timely story about online culture that explores the experience of loneliness in a connected world, and the power of kindness and empathy over hatred.
Book Review:
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
Rachel
Alex
Have you read All The Lonely People? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: All The Lonely People Author: David Owen Publisher: AtomSource: Bought/NetGalley Rating: 5/5 stars(Amazon|Goodreads)
Book Summary:
Everyone tells Kat that her online personality - confident, funny, opinionated - isn't her true self. Kat knows otherwise. The internet is her only way to cope with a bad day, chat with friends who get all her references, make someone laugh. But when she becomes the target of an alt-right trolling campaign, she feels she has no option but to Escape, Delete, Disappear.
All the Lonely People is a timely story about online culture that explores the experience of loneliness in a connected world, and the power of kindness and empathy over hatred.
Book Review:
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
Rachel
Alex
Have you read All The Lonely People? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
