Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling | #Sassybooks April

Hi, I'm back with another #Sassybooks review. This month we decided to read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which I think for the majority of us is a re-read. Don't forget to check out Charlotte's and Hayley's blogs for next month's book choice.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Author - J.K. Rowling
Page Count - 223
First Published - 1997

I have mixed feeling about re-reading this book, I can't remember when I got into Harry Potter but I think the third book was released so quite late in the game really. I originally read these books via copies from the library, funnily enough they didn't have any of the kids covers left so I checked out the adult versions, which had much moodier cover artwork. I think the Harry Potter series was the first set of books within the fantasy genre I read and made me truly fall for the characters and the world they occupied. The fact they are fantasy is really minimal and the books reflect a lot of parallels between the two worlds so it's really easy to relate too. Please don't judge me on this really dog eared copy of Harry Potter, my mum bought it for my sister hoping that Harry Potter would be the book to get her into reading but nope.

On to the story, so you'll already know it unless you've lived under a rock the past 19 years, if that's the case here's a summary. Harry Potter is a young boy who thinks he is as ordinary as they come and has been dealt a bad hand in life, he lives with his Uncle and Aunt in the cupboard under the stairs after his parents untimely death. On Harry's eleventh birthday he finally receives his letter of acceptance to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and that’s when things get interesting. This book will be 20 next year, when did my childhood become so distant I would have been 8 when the first book came out. This book of just over 200 pages is where it all began, the ignition spark for the flame that set the nation a light for the wizarding world and it has a lot to answer for with all the people awaiting their letter to Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Hermione will forever be a big part of a generation of kids lives.

My mixed feelings come form the fact that on re-reading this book I've found that the film has altered my memory on what happened and there where characters all over the place I wasn't expecting, which was rather amusing. I felt that the language of the book was a lot simpler than I remember, but I totally get why as I was a young kid when I first read this book and I'm sure that was Rowling's intention. The stories along with the characters gain experience and become so much moodier along the time line and my most recent memories are of the last books. With that said I truly enjoyed the experience of indulging back into my childhood and the plan is to continue re-reading the rest of the Harry Potter series.

Have you ever re-read the Harry Potter series?

Sam

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Reading Roundup | January-February Book Reviews

Hi, I'd say it's been a slow start to the year with reading. I'm late reviewing the books I've read so far in 2016, during Jan-Feb I managed to read four books one of which was February's #Sassybooks pick. I've reset my Goodreads goal to 35 books which is on average just under 3 books a month, I'm not doing too badly and will be-able to catch up during the summer.

January/February Reading Roundup - Year Book Count4

Infinite Sky

Author - C.J. Flood

Page Count - 274
First Published - 2013

Iris is a young girl who lives with her family on a farm, one day her mum leaves to travel the world. Shortly after a family of travelers move into the unused paddock area of the farm. Iris is mesmerism by them and befriends a boy named Trick. Tensions are high and the family relationship between father, sister and brother starts to fall apart, secrets and out of character behavior ensue. All amounting to a lovely summer romance that goes so very wrong.

I don't want to spoil the book but feel the need to say that there is a death within the story. This maybe wasn't the best book to pick regard my own recent loss of a family member but it was so beautifully written. I bought this book as part of a pack of young adult stories and enjoyed it so much, it's only a small book but it is full of feeling and a really well planed out story.

Divergent

Author - Veronica Roth

Page Count - 487
First Published - 2011

I'm a massive fan of a trilogy so it was about time I finally got around to reading the Divergent series. I feel I want to review these books together once I've finished them all so I'll keep this light.

With all trilogies I always enjoy the first book the most, this is down to the scene setting and the back story, I love learning about the new world in which the characters live. Within this world is a city walled and defended from the outside and unknown. People live in a kind of harmony created by living within one of five different groups known as factions. The factions include Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), Erudite (the intelligent), Abnegation (the selfless) and Candor (the honest). There is also a sixth group known as the Factionless, the people who didn't find their place. The story joins Beatrice who is from the Abnegation faction, as she is about to take part in the choosing ceremony where she chooses which faction she will pledge her future too. 

Insurgent

Author - Veronica Roth

Page Count - 525
First Published - 2012

The second book in the Divergent series takes you deeper into the world and the problems with it. The story contain a lot of conflict and a power struggles which the characters keep getting caught up in. The story gives enough information to keep you wanting to know what happens next and thankfully I had all three books so the cliff hanger endings where endurable. The end of insurgent has a big turn of events that changes everything they know and leaves you wanting answers.

Have you set yourself a reading goal?

Sam

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It’s Not Me, It’s You by Mhairi McFarlane | #Sassybooks February

Hi, I'm back with another #Sassybooks review, I missed last month's so it's great to be back taking part. This month we read a book from the chick lit genre because it's the month of love. This was a nice read that didn't take too long. I was reading a hard back copy from the library and I forget how heavy they can be, don't forget to check out Charlotte's and Hayley's blogs for next month's book choice.

 It’s Not Me, It’s You

Author - Mhairi McFarlane
Page Count - 544
First Published - 2014

The general story is based around Delia's relationship with long standing boyfriend Paul. Delia has everything she wants in life but just wants things to move a little faster than they are and so sets about planning to propose to Paul. She has everything ready and goes ahead with her proposal and everything is great until Delia gets a text meant for someone else. As you might have guessed things suddenly don't go as planned.

The story then goes onto Delia's misadventures in London meeting new people and making a life for herself, something she felt she could no longer do. There are a few intertwined story lines about her work and social life mixed with a fun twist that Delia has a comic series which she revives during this time. The illustrates run within the book displaying her take on the goings on in her life.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it, it's a great story about empowerment and self belief and shows how important friends are. It has a nice balance of highs and lows and some genuinely funny points. I think it's also quite topical at the moment with the proposal role switch, as it's a leap year and traditional for woman to propose on the 29th of February.

Have you read 'It's Not Me, It's You'?
Sam

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November Reading Roundup | Book Reviews

Hi, Today I've got another round up of what I've been reading this month. I've really been putting in the hours as the year is drawing to a end and I'm still a little way from my yearly reading goal. I've managed to read four books, one of which being this months #Sassybooks pick 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' by Emily M. Danforth.

The Hundred-Year-Old Man 

Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Author - Jonas Jonasson

Page Count - 396

First Published - 2012

Allan Karlsson is a very old man, on the day of his 100th birthday he climbs out of the window of the care home where he lives and goes on an adventure. He heads to the local bus station to see where he can go and ends up with a suitcase full of money. The story is told from the perspective of Allen but from his younger and older self in parallel. His present is light hearted and a tale of the suitcase, friendship and running for the police. His past however is much deeper, his life a connection of events deep routed in politics where he was always in the right place at the wrong time. I found this a little confusing as the chapters are really long and it took me a while to remember what had happened previously in both time zones. 

I think the style of writing works for the book, his past does have a big influence on the present and I liked how both elements of the story drew to an end at the same time. I enjoyed reading about the life of this old man, he has a big story to tell but I think these elements where a little drawn out, the fact that everything goes so smoothly for him gets a little boring, I much preferred reading about his present adventure and seeing how that would eventually end.

The Fault in Our Stars

Author - John Green

Page Count - 313

First Published - 2012

I think just about everyone knows this story, I saw the film and really fell for this love story. Hazel is a teenager living with cancer, the kind where it's under control for now but she feels like a ticking time bomb of unstoppable grief at the event of her death. One day at Support group she meets Augustus a cancer survivor. From the moment they meet he does not hide his interest in Hazel and they become friends, the only thing stopping them becoming more is hazel's fear of causing even more grief.

The story is set around Hazels favourite book which has a sudden cliff hanger ending, she wants anwsers from the author about what happens to the people left behind, this leads her and Augustus on a journey to Amsterdam. I enjoyed this book even more than the film, it's such an easy read that just carries you along with the couple on their journey. I finished it in only two days as it's a real page turner and even though I knew how sad this story is it got me emotional all over again.

Authority

Author - Jeff VanderMeer

Page Count - 341

First Published - 2014

The second installment in the southern reach trilogy. Unlike most trilogies where you feel like you are reacquainted with an old friend 'Authority' is like starting a completely new book. The first installment 'Annihilation' is set within area X but this book is set within the government organization building trying to work out what area X is from the perspective of a totally new character.

The story follows Control as he try's to unravel the mysteries of area X with the limited information they have available. The author writes in a very descriptive way that draws out simple elements of the story into much longer sequences which makes the story a little drawn out. A few questions are answered from the first book only to create new ones. This isn't a series I've really enjoyed so far I just hope it all ties together with the final book to make it worth the effort.

 Have you set yourself a reading goal?
Sam

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The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth | #Sassybooks November

Hi, Another #Sassybooks review for you today, this month we read 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post', a young adult novel focusing on the feelings of a young girl who is gay, set in the early nineties when not everyone's sexuality was accepted as openly as it is today. This book has been a real struggle to finish in time as it's just so long, don't forget to check out Charlotte's and Hayley's blogs for next month's book choice.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Author - Emily M. Danforth
Page Count - 470
First Published - 2012

Cameron post is a girl of 12 when her friendship with best friend Irene takes a sudden turn and they kiss. Cameron is both excited and confused by the event right from the beginning knowing she is doing something unconventional and frowned upon. Shortly after Cameron's parents have a tragic accident leaving her an orphan, her first thought is that her parents will never have to know her secret. Following her parents death, religious Aunt Ruth moves to secluded Miles City to become Cameron's guardian.

The story then follows Cameron over the years documenting her self discovery up until the point when Coley Taylor arrives in town, the perfect cowgirl type with a boyfriend. They form an unlikely friendship, which leads to much more and then Cameron's sexuality becomes public information. Overly religious Ruth sends Cameron to 'promise' a gay correction school in an attempt to 'fix' her niece.

The book is split into three sections: Summer 1989, High School 1991-1992 and God's Promise 1992-1993, the sections make the passing of time more apparent. I liked that there where odd little images of postcards and handwritten notes added among the text. The chapters where so long which I don't think helped me on my mission to finish this book. I didn't give myself nearly enough time to really enjoy it, having to force myself to read it to get it finished in time for the review. I fear that if I didn't have a deadline I would have been stuck reading this book for a considerably longer amount of time.

The writing is really lovely and very descriptive but at times the plot line seemed too distant for me to really be interested and submerged within the story. I really enjoyed the concept but I failed to connect with Cameron. She seems almost too laid back about the whole situation of being sent away and doesn't stand up for her own feelings nearly enough. I loved the elements of friendship and generally the young adult vibes but I think the true point of the story, the difference between rights and beliefs was a little under developed.

I'm looking forward to finding out what we are reading in December. Have you read this book?
Sam

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Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne | #Sassybooks October

Hi, Another #Sassybooks review for you today, this month we read 'Am I Normal Yet?' by Holly Bourne. By some weird twist of fate I decided to read this book the week before it was announced as the choice for October. As a result this review has been patiently waiting a whole month to be published and I can't wait to share it with you. Don't forget to check out Charlotte's and Hayley's blogs for next month's book choice.

Am I Normal Yet?

Author - Holly Bourne
Page Count - 448
First Published - 2015

The story is told from the perspective of Evie, a recovering sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The story joins her as she has come to terms with her mental health after receiving psychiatric help and has decided to try to come off her medication. Evie is about to start college and all she wants is to be normal and not the girl who went crazy. This starts her on a mission to be like everyone else 'Normal' doing what any other sixteen year old girl would do.

The story reflects all elements of Evie's day to day life including school, home life and socializing but goes that step further when showing how Evie's mental health makes these normal situation a minefield of conflicting emotions and uncontrollable behavior. Sadly Evie's quest to be normal is her biggest down fall. At college Evie makes new friends and tries to hide her mental health from them thinking they will reject her if they know. This is complicated by the added element of boys, one in particular who I was left hating so much.

One concept in the book I really enjoyed was the spinster club. A club Evie and her new friends create to talk about feminist issues, I thought this was a rather clever way of approaching such subjects maybe a little forced at time but it's great that such issues are being mentioned.

I am a fan of young adult novels and this book did not disappoint. The story is pretty much what you would expect of the young adult genre with teens not making the best decisions on their quest to be more grown up. Written in a very conversational way, I found it quite easy to relate to the characters. There are also some really lovely elements of friendship, self discover and a strong message of self love running through out.

This was a really compassionately written story which made me really connect with the characters and educated me, leaving me with a more informed insight into mental health. I read this book in a few sittings as I was totally drawn into the story. This is one of the best books I have read this year, so much so I made a point of reading more of Holly Bourne's work, which I will be reviewing shortly.

Have you read this book?
Sam

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The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan | #SassyBooks September

Hi, it's that time again. This month's #SassyBooks pick was 'The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories' by Marina Keegan. This is the first non-fiction book we have read, I'm not much of a fan of non-fiction as I prefer to get lost in a story, but I gave it a go anyway. Go check out Charlotte's and Hayley's blogs for next month's book choice.

The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories

Author - Marina Keegan
Page Count - 256
First Published - 2014

The book is a memoir to Marina Keegan, put together by her family and friends after her tragic death at the age of Twenty-Two. She had just graduated from Yale in May 2012, five days after graduation, Marina died in a car crash. The book is made up of a selection of her essays and short stories showing her talent as a writer. 'The Opposite of Loneliness' was her last essay which was published in the Yale daily mail just before her death. After it gained over one million views when the essay went viral.

I didn't think I would like this as it's so small and broken up into so many different parts. I found that I actually really liked this format and would love to find some other stories made up of only a few pages. I've read mixed reviews about this book stating that she wasn't really that good, but I've fallen for her use of words. I think it takes a lot to create a short story and it be enough to satisfy and that's what she did. I personally think this would make a great coffee table book, as you can read something really meaningful in very little time with these pieces.

As for her Essays I think they are insightful and honest, maybe at times a little boring but that's down to not having an interest in the subject. I loved that she could write six pages on the mess in her car (I couldn't do that). The title essay is her putting down on paper her love for the experience and connections she has made during her time at Yale. It's also a reminder to all her fellow students graduating that they are not alone in the blur of feeling about what's next. There is a bit about a fear of never living up to our own "perfect fantasies of our future self's" which I think is a really relate able point.

The circumstances as to why these essays and stories where published is a sad one. You have to ask if this collection would have ever been published otherwise. This is a collection of undergraduate work by a very young woman, who had her whole life before her to improve, grow and become even better. It should not be judged as if she was the best, but that she was really talented in her chosen profession and could have gone a long way.

Have you read this book? would you?

Sam

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All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr | #SassyBooks August

Hi, This is my second month taking part in the #sassybooks book club. If you are unaware of the book club it was set up by lovely Charlotte at Colours and Carousels and Hayley at Water Painted Dreams (go check out their blogs, promise it's worth it). This month we read 'All The Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. I'll be honest when I saw the size of the book I was a little worried that I wouldn't read it in time for the review, thankfully I finished it with a little time to spare. This is a book I would not have read if it wasn't for the book club, so it made a nice change to read a book from a different genre.

All The Light We Cannot See

Author - Anthony Doerr
Page Count - 530
First Published - 2014

The story is told from multiple points of view, but mainly the two characters Marie-Laure and Werner, with some other character filling in major plot points. The story is set in the second world war when the Nazi troops invaded Paris. Marie-Laure is a young girl of twelve when the invasion hits and is forced to flee with her father to Saint-Malo where her Uncle lives. There are elements that make this even harder than imaginable. Firstly Marie-Laure has been blind since the age of six, turning her neighborhood into a maze. Secondly her father has been tasked with carrying an artifact from the Museum of Natural History where he works. His mission is to keep it safe, only he does not know if it is real or fake.

Werner is a German orphan, his father died working in the local mine. He lives with his sister Jutta at a orphanage awaiting the age of sixteen when he will be put to work in the same mine that took his fathers life, he finds the idea suffocating. Werner is a smart and inquisitive child, he finds a broken radio and fixes it, this is without a doubt the catalyst for his whole life. He joins the Hitler youth, which is his only chance of becoming a scientist and becomes a radio expert in the German army.

From reading the blurb I really wanted to get stuck in and see how these characters lives where interwoven when they lived so far apart. This was my favourite aspect of the story, finding out all the little bits of information that linking them together without their knowing until they finally meet in Saint-Malo.

The book although based in history is very much fictional, only using the events of the war as a back drop for the story to unfold. The story is more about the horrors of war from the general public's point of view, this includes people on both sides of the war and how first perceptions of a character based on their origin can be totally wrong, being a German during the war does not make you a bad person.

I found this book hard to read at times due the the amount of German/French words thrown in but it did not detract from the reading experience. The book is really well written and very descriptive, enhanced by the personal view of the world for Marie-Laure. I felt the book slowed in pace towards the middle and then everything happened in the last few chapters tying up as many loose ends as possible. I felt the time line in the book was confusing, it jumps around a lot, the starting chapter actually happens right towards the end of the story. Overall I really enjoyed the story as there where many layers to what was happening, which kept the story interesting even at it's slowest points.

Thanks for reading, I'm looking forward to finding out what next months pick is, if you want to take part check out the fore mentioned blogs for the newest book choice. If you would like to read last months review you can find it here.

Don't forget to check out the other blogger reviews using the hashtag #sassybooks.
Sam

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Only Ever Yours by Loiuse O'Neill | #SassyBooks July

Hi, Today I am reviewing one of a selection of books I managed to read on my camping trip. Firstly I want to explain why I read this book, it's all down to the lovely Charlotte at Colours and Carousels and Hayley at Water Painted Dreams who have created the #SassyBooks book club. I have followed both of their blogs for ages and when I saw they where doing a book club I jumped at the chance to actually have time to read a book by a deadline and take part.

Only Ever Yours

Author - Louise O'Neill
Page Count - 392
First Published - 2014

The story is quite dark in subject matter, based in a dystopian world, the human race has ended up having to create females after a desire for only male offspring. This in itself is a very medieval attitude towards the female gender, that a man is only as good as his heir. So the theory behind the story is that while only males are produced in the natural way, females are still required for the human race to exist. The manner in which the girls are created is not really discussed but a batch of girls are created to fulfill demand for the heirs born in that year. Three girls are created to each heir born so they have a choice between girls. They all have their own model number and are created with attributes that are also numbered. The issue with this is each girl is made perfect but there are so many differences between the girls, how can you define beauty. They live under the shadow of a slogan 'there is always room for improvement'.

The girls referred to as 'eves' live at the school, an institution run by the chastity's, they look after the eves until their graduation, this is when they find out what sector of the thirds they will be in for the rest of their lives. The eves could be considered sisters but are back stabbing and only out to protect their rating, the girls even have lessons where they are compared and the class asked to criticize each other. Ratings are what the eves live for, 16 years of repeated applying of make up and eating 0Kal meals to keep their score at the top. You have to be at the top if you want to be a companion, the other options of been a Concubine or a Chastity don't bare thinking about.

The story is told from the perspective of Freida one of the 16th years, starting at the beginning of her final year before graduation. She has previously been best friends with Isabelle ranked #1 and herself not far behind at #3. Isabelle stops turning up at the nutrition center over the summer and when classes resume she is normally missing or excused. Things are obviously wrong but even her best friend can't work out what it is. Isabelle starts to let the unrealistic standards slip by gaining weight. Freida finds herself betraying her friend to keep up appearance with the other girls. As their friendship falls apart so does Freida's rating as she drops down the ranks.

There is an air of repetition in the book in terms of subject matter which just drives home how boring and monotonous these girls lives are. Never seeing beyond the walls of the school. The girls are taught only how to be pretty and not show emotion, they are told very little about the world they belong too and even less about academic subjects. The girls are never their own person, they are owned in one way or another from the day of creation. It's seen that they owe the realm for looking after them for 16 years and now they must pay back the nation in one form or another.

The subject matter is dark and there are elements of the story which made for uncomfortable reading but that just made the story more intense and as a result I just couldn't stop reading. There is still so much that I haven't even mentioned, the story is very fast paced and I was pretty hooked as very little is given away in some underlying story lines right up until the last few pages. I would highly recommend this book, check out the girls blogs for their reviews and next months #SassyBooks book choice, I can't wait to see what they have picked this time.

Sam

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