Tag: books

July Favourites!

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Books

I haven’t read as much as I’d like to this month, partially because I’ve been focusing on my new job (although more on that later). Also, I read books that I didn’t particularly enjoy which is a shame. I did, love the few I did get too. On my holiday I managed to read George R.R.  Martin’s latest novel, set before A Song of Ice and Fire, thankfully this was only around 300 pages and a good start to a new series. I also got to read Dreadnought by April Daniels (review here), which I will recommend to absolutely everyone because you need to read it NEED to! Next up was One of Us Is Lying, think Breakfast Club meets murder mystery. I really enjoyed it and it’s definitely worth a read. I also read Big Little Lies, personally, I don’t think it’s worth the hype but my friend did take some pictures of me reading it…

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Watching

Of course, I’ve been watching Game of Thrones, I can’t believe we’re over a quarter of this season through already. At this point, I honestly have no idea who will end up on the Iron Throne but I have some idea of who we’ll be saying goodbye to this season.

Fashion and Beauty 

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I cut off my hair! Yep, I booked the appointment walked in and got the wonderful Millie to take it off and I’m so much happier for it! I also went and bought my new ‘out there’ coat from Zara in the sale. Spray paint, sequins and bright pink fluffy material, it was more than a coat it was a signal, I’m here world! I also picked up 3 new dresses from H&M for work in cute colours and designs. And finally, not specifically beauty but I have been getting back into the gym with Abbie. Healthy body, healthy mind, right?

Holiday 

This is the last time I’ll mention it for a while I swear…or at least I’ll try. Of course one of my favourites this month was my trip to Majorca! You can read about it here.

 

General

I’ve had so much going on this month, so to squeeze it into a few pictures! I started my new job and only a few days later went to house sit for my Mum caring for the Fur Babies Lottie and Ed. It wasn’t just a big month for me, my baby sister turned 16, left school and had her prom she looked so beautiful and I can’t quite believe how she’s growing up.  It’s also been a collecting month with San Diago Comic Con pop vinyls (super hard to get) released and I was so happy to be able to get my two Harry Potter ones I’d hoped for, I also have pre ordered a few of wave 3… I’ve also had some great events a leaving Tea Party, going to see The Addams Family Musical and Abbie’s 23rd birthday!

 

Top 5 posts: 

Top tips for flying alone 

The truth about being in a long term relationship 

Book review: Dreadnought by April Daniels 

10 things I’ve realised since graduating

Taking chances and making calls  

 

 

 

Book Review: Alice in Brexitland – Lucien Young

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‘You don’t have to be mad to live here but it helps’

Every day in the news all we hear is Brexit, Brexit, Brexit, for young Alice it’s something she’d rather forget. Lucien has taken a classic about a young girl falling into a crazy world and, well, put her in our crazy world instead. Based on the Lewis Carroll classic Alice in Brexitland is political satire at its best and the best part? No one is safe!

I love a bit of Satire and after seeing copies in the shop I knew I wanted to give it a try. While I wasn’t a big lover of the original novel as a child, this is an absolutely brilliant new take. All of the original favorites The Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts (our very own current Prime Minister, Theresa May), White Rabbit, Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dee, the Cheshire Cat and Caterpillar have all been transformed into the hot shots who were in the fight for Europe one way or another.

Another part that I absolutely loved was the illustrations that accompanies the tale not only are they incredibly well done, they’re also hilarious… I don’t think I’ll be able to view Borris Johnson the same way again!

I gave Alice in Brexitland 4 stars. While this is a short review for a short book I can guarantee it will create a lasting impression. There’s a lot of doom and gloom at the moment in politics, so if you’re a little bit fed up (aren’t we all) or the drama and want a quick read, a bit of fun and ridiculousness then this is the book for you, there might even be another political figure who’s in the firing line…

As always thank you to Netgalley, Lucien Young and Ebury Press for this in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Dreadnought – April Daniels

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After witnessing a superhero fight between the ultimate hero, Dreadnought and a new unknown villain, Danny’s life is going to change forever. As Dreadnought dies he gives Danny a gift like no other, his powers and the body he’s always longed for. Daniel, becomes Danielle.

Yes everyone, we have a transgender superhero and about time too! I heard about this book from CeCe at Problemsofabooknerd over on Booktube and immediately went and put in a request to Netgalley,which I was lucky enough to be granted. I wanted to read this on holiday and did so in less than 24 hours. If that’s not enough to get you excited for this book, then I don’t know what is.

Daniels is a brilliant writer, she doesn’t make this a disney-type happy story. Danny has to deal with a lot through the novel and her transition. She deals with transphobia, an abusive parent and sexism after transitioning, all of that on top of getting some of the most powerful super powers ever known. Just what a 15-year old needs to deal with while going to High School.

One of the best things about this novel, which has been mentioned before, is that this sets out to show that superheroes aren’t instantly good and uncomplicated people. Within the novel Danny does struggle with the judgements of others because of their own prejudices because her transformation includes a transition of gender. This was really interesting as it challenges the idea that superheroes all being instantly accepting. On the other hand, Daniels also explores that not everyone with powers wants to be a well known super-hero, something that not many of us would have considered.

I have so much love for Danny and another character, Calamity, although I won’t spoil too much other than she’s an amazing character and persona, I could see her in my head so clearly. The relationship that evolves between them is just something that the novel needed. I cannot love it any more than I already do.

If you love superheroes, action and diversity then Dreadnought is one for you. I gave this wonderful novel five stars, a rare score but it truly deserves it. So much has been packed into this book to set up a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series, Sovereign which is released THIS MONTH. I honestly can’t contain my excitement to see what’s going to happen next to Danny after that ending.

As always thank you to the publisher and April Daniels for this copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Review: Nutshell – Ian McEwan

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‘So here I am, upside down in a woman. Arm patiently crossed, waiting, waiting and wondering who I’m in, what I’m in for.’

This is honestly one of the strangest, yet intriguing books I’ve ever read. Told from the perspective of a foetus about to be born with the mind of a middle-aged man. If you want the weird and wonderful this is definitely the book for you. In the past I’ve only read McEwans On Chesil Beach for my AS Level, I thought that was incredibly strange until I read Nutshell. That said, I have no doubt that it’s one of the best written I have ever read.  What struck me was how utterly unlikeable all the characters outside the womb were. Truly awful people but that just made it event better to read. You don’t want these people to succeed, you want the foetus to have a better chance at life and keep the

What struck me was how utterly unlikeable all the characters outside the womb were. Truly awful people but that just made it event better to read. You don’t want these people to succeed, you want the foetus to have a better chance at life and keep the intelligence he seems to have. Of course, this is NOT a realistic novel there aren’t babies who can formulate thoughts like this but you’re so absorbed in the story you don’t care.

I’ve been told since reading that this was based on Hamlet, a play I haven’t read. Whether it was or not the way in which the novel is written is incredible. There is a rhythm to it that kind of makes it feel like you’re reading poetry which is never a bad thing. McEwan also makes you think about the world around you with the things that the ‘baby’ hears and considers. It’s hard to explain more than that.

I gave this novel 4 stars, only for the fact that sometimes it can be quite difficult to follow. That said, I couldn’t stop reading and had it out at every opportunity I could. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a curious mind or who is up for something new to read. I’ll definitely be picking up more of his novels too!

Feminist Friday: The ‘Girls’ in modern thrillers

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Have you ever noticed a trend in modern thrillers? The Girl on the Train, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl or the other couple of thousands I found when I typed in ‘The Girl’ into a thriller search. I can hear some, what’s the problem? Are you making a mountain out of a molehill here?! When this was initially pointed out to me I wondered the same thing but it goes deeper than that. In all of the books that I’ve read with a similar title, there is no ‘girl’, just a grown woman. So, why are publishers so persistent in presenting them this way?

Now, it could be as simple as this is a catchier title, but I’m not buying it. It seems to go further. When we hear the word girl as a society there are connotations of weakness, naivety and childishness. I know for a fact in ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on the Train’ both of these characters aren’t seen as reliable narrators, which is only added to the fact that they are referred to as ‘girls’ in the title.  If we switch this, trying to find instances of men being called boys is incredibly low. Which just screams inequality to me.

I’m aware that this isn’t a huge issue, that this isn’t the most important thing that feminism should address but it is an issue. It just shows how there is a, sometimes unconscious, bias against women in our everyday language. I’m not a linguist but even I can see that by branding these women ‘girls’ we are doing women a disservice. If you’ve ever read Gone Girl for example, Amy is not a one-dimensional character, far from it, nor is Rachel from The Girl on the Train.

It’s definitely something I think we should be mindful of. Call these characters what they are, women! It’s just something that has been playing on my mind. As always let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Book Review: The New Girl: A Trans Girl Tells It How It Is – Rhyannon Styles

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Imagine feeling lost in your own body. Imagine spending years living a lie, denying what makes you ‘you’. This was Ryan’s reality. He had to choose: die as a man or live as a woman.

Rhyannon is brilliant, to put it simply. Throughout her life she has been a light in what sounds like quite a bland place to live for someone so fabulous. After being assigned male and named Ryan at birth, Rhyannon knew she was different. From her earliest memories she wanted to be a girl. At the age of 30 her dream finally came through, this is her story.

I’m a huge fan of reading about people’s journeys and how they have faced adversity. I listened as Rhyannon narrated her story, the highs and the lows and what it was like growing up in a small town and labelled ‘gay’ to living in the city and realising who she really was.

What makes this stand out for me is how Rhyannon adresses her family and their reaction to her transition. I appreciate the honesty that she has about how she and her family differed about her being Trans, how families can struggle and feel the need to grieve the person they thought they knew. I feel this could really help young people who go through a similar experience not feel so alone.

The only issue I had with this book is that it seems to be divided in two, but not in an obvious way. Rhyannon has decided that she would first tell her story in relation to happiness and light-heartedness but later reveal her ‘b-side’ as she calls it. With this there was a bit of a risk that people would give up before that point, I know I wondered if the story was sugar coated until I got to this point. It’s not a case of wanting misery, rather I wanted to know more about how Rhyannon felt prior to transition.

I gave this 4 stars. I found Rhyannon to be intelligent, insightful and show her feelings well throughout the book. There is also humour in the book as Rhyannon looks back and considers both the good and the bad in relation to her experience. I’d definitely recommend for an informative read.

Sunday Seven: My Holiday Reading Shortlist!

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Aside from spending time with my boyfriend and exploring, the thing I’m looking forward to most on holiday is having time to sit and read without distraction! I’ve had a few ARC copies sent to me that I want to sit and get through as well as one or two newer releases that I want to pick up! So let’s take a look through my shortlist.

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The Summer of Impossible Things – Rowan Coleman 

In the blurb there is talk of time-travel, family bonds and some form of secrecy, it sounds like a great next read and I’ve heard great things about Rowan Coleman.

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A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms – George R.R. Martin

I’m going to admit that I haven’t gotten through all of the Game of Thrones books because, well you could hold a door with them (get it…yes my jokes are terrible) but I’m up to date with the TV show so know enough. I took a look through this, not only is it shorter but it’s also illustrated! I can’t wait to go and pick this up before I go away.

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See You in the Cosmos 

This is a young teen book but seems interesting. Music, space and family are all included in this book. I’m not sure what initially made me want to read it but I think it’s going to be a heartwarming novel.

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Dreadnought – April Daniels

I am so stupidly excited to read this book. This is another YA novel but this time focusing on Superheroes, Gender and saving humanity. Sign me up.

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One of Us is Lying – Karen M. McManus 

This seems like a The Breakfast Club meets murder mystery. The Breakfast Club is one of my favourite films so the whole idea of these teenagers who are so different coming together could go really well. I’m hoping it goes really well.

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The Best of Adam Sharp – Graeme Simison 

I LOVED The Rosie Project when I read it a few years ago and I’m so excited that there is a new direction that Simison is going in and I’m excited to read his style of writing again.

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The Power – Naomi Alderman 

We were going to read this for my new book club, but on a vote, we decided on another book. This really seems intriguing with female power and a fear of it being the central point, I’m really hoping to pick this up at the airport.

 

What are you looking to read this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Book Review: The Girl Who Beat ISIS – Farida Khalaf

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Frida was a normal young girl, a loving family, friends and getting a good education in Northern Iraq. When her father taught her how to use a gun, she never thought she’d need it. Little did she know ISIS were advancing and before long they would take her town as well as her and her friends.

Books are starting to come through of that it is like being held by ISIS and Farida’s story is both heartbreaking and an eye opener into what some of these young women go through. This is not an easy read at all, but it is an important one. There is so much that as a wider world we don’t know, see or understand. It was an honour to read her story.

The one thing that comes through, again and again, is the strength that Frida has throughout the horrors of being held by ISIS. She fights in every way that she can against the men that hold her physically, mentally and in her faith. It’s incredible how despite everything that she goes through she keeps true to her faith no matter what.

I’m not able to say that I enjoyed the book because that seemed wrong. I appreciated it. I felt glad to have to read Fatima’s story and I have to recommend it to everyone. I would have liked to have heard more about her life after she escaped and how she’s doing now, but I understand why she didn’t.

I gave this a well deserved 4 stars ****.

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.

 

 

Easy ways to read more!

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Each year I set myself a target of the number of books I’d like to read, normally it’s 100. That said since graduating last year things have changed in my life and trying to get through books has been a lot more to fit into my life, I’m obviously working 5 days a week (which really cuts into your reading time). A lot of people I speak to say they just don’t have the time to read more, so I thought I might help.

 

Always have a way to read with you 

Physcial book, Kindle, eBook, it doesn’t matter! You never know when you’ll have time to spare. You can also read on laptops, phones, iPods, tablets, you name it! Get reading!

Set time in your day to get a couple of pages in 

I like to try and read either at the beginning of my lunch break or before I go to bed at night. It doesn’t matter if you read one page or ten, giving yourself that little bit of time means you’re reading!

Audiobooks are your friend! 

I love audiobooks. I have a monthly subscription with Audible which allows me to get two audiobooks for £15. They’re great when you have a lot to do. I can listen at the gym, while driving, while cleaning. Personally, I like to listen to memoirs rather than fiction, but that’s my personal preference and there are SO MANY too!

Get a library card 

Anyone remember the tune from ‘Arthur’, our favourite Aardvark ‘Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!’. If you don’t have much money to spare on books, your local library is a great place to start reading without the cost!

Attend a local book club or meetup

I’ve started going to a new local book club, meaning I can talk about books and get new reads. It also gives you a reason to read, a lot of the people in my book club are trying the group so that they have the motivation to read! Sounds good to me.

Enjoy what you read! 

If you don’t have a lot of time don’t feel bad about stopping a book you’re really not enjoying! Find something you enjoy and get stuck in!

What are your tips? Let me know in the comments below!

May Favourites!

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We’ve gotten to May! I don’t know about you but this month we’ve had a bit of a heatwave. The summer is definitely getting there (although as I write this it’s raining, typical). So with another month done and dusted for 2017 let’s get stuck in.

Books 

I’ve had a little bit of a reading slump this month and struggled to get into fiction in particular so this month I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs and general non-fiction. I’ve fallen in love once again with Hannah Witton as I mentioned last month I love her videos and picked up her first book which is about sex and relationships although it’s aimed at a younger audience it’s a great read. I also read Drew Barrymore’s memoir Wildflower (review here) and it was an eyeopener into her life, when I knew little about her. I also enjoyed Luisa Omielan’s first book What Would Beyoncé Do?! Named after her hit stand up show, it was both funny and touching read my review here. I also looked at my feminism shelf and just felt so proud to have all these wonderful books in my possession, I can’t wait to get through them all!

Music

Ed Sheeran was incredible and going with my Mum made it all the more special.

Watching 

I finally finished Game of Thrones and my jaw dropped. I won’t spoil it for anyone but now class GoT as required viewing for all. I also went to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, it wasn’t as strong as the first film but I’ve still had the soundtrack on repeat. Also, Baby Groot is life.

Lush Cupcake Face Mask
Can certainly ‘Slay All Day’ with these
All the cuteness
Vintage Vibes
Gok knows his stuff
Ann Summers Babe!

Fashion & Beauty 

I’m finally adding in a Fashion & Beauty section, I know shock horror. This month I’m repping Lush’s Cupcake face mask which is the first lush face mask I’ve ever used and was great on my face and didn’t make it angry (everything makes my skin angry). I’ve also been in LOVE with Lottie London matte lip glosses and wearing them every day because the colour sticks well and the tones are great for an everyday look. I’m also featuring some beautiful vintage inspired fashion, a bag I made myself and my new dress from VJ Vintage Treasures in Basingstoke! Lastly, two of my new bikinis one from the Gok Wan for Sainsbury’s range and the other from the wonderful Ann Summers as I am now an Ann Summers babe!  Rocking those curves.

My lovely Wickett
Chilling in the sun
Mmm Thai!
Ice Cream for life
In for the chop!
With my Sammy!

General 

First of all, shout to the Ice Cream man who parks up in the work car park when it’s boiling! I’ve definitely been feeling the sun this month laying out with my best friend (pre IKEA trip, another favourite). I also experienced my first Thai meal with work and absolutely LOVED it, I’m nervous about trying new food because of my IBS but I definitely made the right descision. Also, from working I caught up with my friend Sammy who also happens to work for the same company I’m temping for and has become my permanent lunch buddy. And finally my hair got a much needed cut, my Wicket is still adorable as always.

 

 

Finally… 

Miss VJ Vintage for May!

I’ve been named Miss VJ Vintage for May! I’m so excited to wear this sash for a wonderful local shop and thanks to everyone who ‘liked’ on Instagram!

What were your favourites this month? Let me know in the comments below!