My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I was really excited to find this book available on Net Galley. I’d previously read and loved Beautifully Damaged and while its sequel wasn’t quite as good I’d put that down to the fact that it was a sequel rather than an original.

This story starts really well with young girl Teagan, recently orphaned, being sent to stay with Mrs Marks a friend of her Grandparents. Feeling frightened and alone amongst strangers she meets Kane, who has also been adopted by Mrs Marks after his mother abandoned him. He is a couple of years older and is the sweetest boy ever. He does everything he can to make her feel welcome and the two become inseparable. As they grow older their relationship develops from friendship to romance and they seem to be made for each other.

When Tea heads off to college Kane stays behind and little by little they start to drift apart until a family secret comes from nowhere to split them apart. Tea is devastated as she loses not only the love of her life but her best friend and her new family. With the help of close friend Simon she has to find a way to continue and make a new life for herself. When Mrs Marks becomes suddenly ill years later she is forced to return to her childhood home and all of the painful memories associated with it. While there she discovers the real reason for her split from Kane and she has to decide whether to fight to regain her soul mate or walk away.

Overall I thought this was a really nice story about family and love. I thought the younger years were particularly well written as, despite the tragic circumstances that forced her there, life with her adoptive family seemed idyllic. I loved the pranks and games and young Kane was just so cute I wanted to adopt him.

Where it went a little bit wrong for me was when Teagan returned later and all of the secrets were revealed. It was at this point that I struggled to connect with the characters. I’ve seen a few reviews from other readers that suggest I am possibly alone in this as they cried and laughed and rooted for Tea and Kane. For me however, the dialogue and narrative just didn’t seem natural and I couldn’t feel it. Emotions and thoughts were over analysed and described in detail. I’d much rather characters showed their emotions rather than stating them. Maybe it’s a cultural difference between the UK and US but I’ve never met anyone who speaks about their feelings in such detail.

As far as the characters went they didn’t seem overly complex despite their troubled backgrounds. The stand out for me was Simon who was funny, sensible and the best friend you could possibly want. It would actually be good to see him get his own story as I think it could be something special. Teagan and Kane were ok but for me the relationship lacked the spark and I didn’t feel the supposedly deep connection between them.

There are a few unexpected twists in the story which keep it interested and I would definitely recommend it to those who like a story of second chances and love overcoming obstacles but it didn’t quite work for me.

Book Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 Ali@abookishlife2 Comments

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure what to make of this book. I did enjoy it but I’m not sure I should have if that makes any sense.

It’s described as Gone Girl meets Thirteen Reasons Why but if you are anything like me and haven’t read either of those that doesn’t really help.

Basically it’s a young adult mystery/thriller about a girl called June who on returning to school finds out that the girl who used to be her best friend (Delia) has died. The circumstances around her death are kept very quiet but it soon leaks out that it was suicide. Feeling shocked and more than a little guilty at not being there when her friend needed her June tries to reconnect with Delia’s life to understand why she did what she did.

After meeting Delia’s current group of friends and ex boyfriend, Jeremiah, June becomes convinced that this was more than a suicide and starts to investigate.

I won’t say anymore about the plot as I suspect I’d give something away but it’s safe to say there are quite a few twists throughout the story including a major shift in direction that I didn’t see coming around the halfway mark. It definitely kept me guessing and turning pages to find out what would happen.

There are a few parts that border on the unbelievable and I found myself wondering about the adults and the police in this town who seem at best absent and at worst incompetent. It seems completely ridiculous to me that a teenage girl could die and there would be no investigation. It also seems a little odd that the school would just announce it and provide no support to the students who knew her. However if you can ignore these points it is quite gripping.

The narrative mostly follows June’s investigation but includes some flashbacks over the period of their friendship to give you an idea of their relationship. These were definitely an integral part of the story but I found it a little disconcerting the way that it seemed to jump from first to third person narration particularly as there was no obvious reason for it.

Almost all of the characters are troubled in some way and could be considered either the outcasts or the cool rebels who like to smoke, drink and do drugs while their parents don’t really care. June comes across as quite isolated and very lonely right from the start while Delia is unpredictable and out of control. Their relationship is fascinating and I thought it was good to see some more complex and darker characters that despite their issues you could empathise with. There were some secondary characters that I would have liked to know more about and I think there could be room for a sequel (or prequel) to give more of their story.

There are some quite mature themes, sex, drugs, abuse, suicide etc that make me question how suitable this book would be for younger readers but they are probably no worse than some of the young adult fantasy books out there. It was definitely a different read for me and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Egmont Publishing/Electric Monkey for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fifty Shades of the Giver – A mini book film fest

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 Ali@abookishlifeLeave a comment

So I took a break from reading over the weekend and decided to watch a few films based on books (basically a mini book film fest). I am a big movie fan but as a rule I find that films are never as good as the book they are based on. I almost always try to read the book before watching the film so that the film doesn’t influence my reading experience. I will quite often use the trailers at the cinema as a source of new books to add to my to be read shelf.

Anyway first up, mostly because it was early on a Friday evening, was The Giver. I have to admit I haven’t actually read the book this film is based on. I do have it on my to be read pile but I’ve somehow never really got to it. Having watched the film I’m not sure I’ll bother. It’s an interesting enough plot. Dystopian future where everyone is assigned a role in life, information, behaviour and language is controlled and everything seems fairly dull. The main character is assigned the privileged role of receiver of memories but what he learns shakes up his views of society. Overall I found the whole thing a little dull and ended up only half watching and half playing games on my tablet which is never a good sign. Overall I’d probably give it 2 out of 5.

Once it hit 9pm I figured it was safe to watch Fifty Shades of Grey. OK I know the books are really bad but I kind of love them and have read them more than once. I was therefore both excited about and dreading the film but I figured Jamie Dornan is somewhat attractive so if the worst happened at least I could ogle him. I have to say I’m not sure about the film. It did hold my attention which at the moment is quite unusual for me (see previous paragraph on the Giver) but most of my time was spent comparing to the books. I think I can kind of understand why there were so many disagreements between the author and director. The relationship comes across quite differently in the film and I’m not sure I like it. I also found some of the scenes a little cringeworthy and felt embarrassed for the actors. It’s not a film I’ll be rushing to watch again but if they ever manage to make the sequel Fifty Shades Darker I’d definitely be interested in seeing where the story goes. 3.5 out of 5.

So, into Saturday and I was in the mood for something a little lighter. I spent the afternoon watching Chalet Girl which is not based on a book (as far as I know) but is fab so thought I’d give it a shout out. What’s not to love about a girl overcoming loss and fighting to make it in a new extreme sport while smart mouthing a load of posh folks. It would definitely be a 5 out of 5. I also came across Gone with the Wind which is another film I love. Unfortunately I didn’t have a spare four hours to watch it so only saw a little bit but it would also rate a 5. [As an aside I’m a big fan of Clarke Gable but I heard a rumour years ago that he had really bad breath so now whenever I watch him, particularly in kissing scenes, I can’t help wondering if it is torture for his poor co star and that’s why they look so overcome.]

Saturday evening and I decided it was time for some more young adult fantasy so watched the Mortal Instruments and Divergent. The Mortal Instruments gets a lot of bad reviews but I kind of like it. It’s missing some of the humour from the books and I’m not sure I like the casting of the secondary characters but Lily Collins is great as Clary and the effects are pretty good. It’s a bit disappointing that they aren’t making the rest of the books into films but at least there’s a TV series to look forward to. 4 out of 5. Divergent should be a really good film and I remember being excited when I saw the trailer for it years ago but for me it doesn’t quite work. I just don’t think the casting is right and it seems like they’ve gone for the safer option to get a lower rating and missed out a lot of the violence. The training just isn’t as extreme and there isn’t the same level of threat as in the books which makes it a little dull. 3 out of 5.

The final film of the weekend was Jurassic World. Jurassic Park was one of the first films I can remember going to see in the cinema with my family so I’m very attached to the whole series. Jurassic Park is also one of those rare films that I think is better than the book. The special effects just make it so much more real and alive than my imagination can manage. Jurassic World is set years after the first film, with the park having been up and running for a while. There are a few nods and references to the original but dinosaurs are at risk of becoming extinct again as visitors want new and more exciting attractions. This leads to a genetically modified dinosaur (like that would ever be a good idea) which then escapes and runs wild through the park killing whatever is in its path. I love a good disaster/monster movie and therefore loved this film for the most part. There were a couple of parts where it felt like the makers, in a similar way to the owners of the park, were trying a little too hard. Can we make the monster bigger and scarier than what’s come before? What would happen in a fight between this dinosaur and that one? Who would win? I still enjoyed it but sometimes less is more. 4.5 out of 5.

So other than starting to watch Under the Dome yesterday that was the end of my book related viewing. Has anyone else seen any of these, what did you think? Any recommendations for future book related film fests?

Book Review: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices 1) by Cassandra Clare

June 27, 2015June 27, 2015 Ali@abookishlifeLeave a comment

My rating: 3.5 / 5

This is yet another of the books which has been sitting on my to be read list for ages. I read and loved (for the most part) the mortal instruments series so was looking forward to and dreading the infernal devices.

It sometimes seems to me that when an author writes a fantastic book or series they stick to the same formula and milk it for all it’s worth. This isn’t true of all authors but it has happened often enough to make me wary.

In this case I have to admit I’m undecided. The setting of Victorian London is very different from the contemporary New York of mortal instruments and the whole book has a very different feel to it despite the similarities. One of the things I love about Cassandra Clare is the way she describes people and places. She gives you a great feel for a place and creates just the right atmosphere without being overly descriptive. In this, London feels dark, miserable and mysterious throughout making everything seem very sinister.

For Tessa, newly arrived on the ship from America, London definitely seems that way. Following the recent death of her aunt she goes to find her brother (and only remaining family) Nathaniel. Arriving she is met at the port by the Dark Sisters who she is told have been sent by her brother to collect her but all is not as it seems.

At the same time shadowhunters Will and Jem are investigating a series of demon related deaths. In the course of the investigation their path crosses with Tessa’s and she is drawn into a world with vampires, demons, warlocks and other creatures.

I liked the start of this book a lot as it took you straight into the action and you got an instant feel for the main characters. Will, young shadowhunter, was impetuous, brash and generally a bit of a show off with poor Jem left to watch his back and be the voice of reason. Tessa, I liked for the most part. She obviously cares a lot about family and friends and will do almost anything for them. She is smart, courageous and while not strong she tries to fight and stands up for herself. Most importantly she loves books and there are a lot of references and quotes which being a lover of books I liked.

I felt there were a lot of similarities between the characters in this and those in mortal instruments. Will and Tessa in particular are very similar to Jace and Clary although I have to admit to me they seemed poor imitations. There are a few differences, with the main one for me being the lack of humour. Will is angrier and darker and Tessa distrusting and lonely. It was Jem who really drew me in and fascinated me. Mysterious, clearly ill and yet always calm and despite being the same age as the others much more mature and wise.

Overall for me however something fell a little short with this book. After the promising first few chapters I found myself losing concentration and having to re read pages. I think it was probably just a little longer than it needed to be. I also felt like the chemistry was missing from it. There was no spark between Will and Tessa. Finally I found it hard to take the monsters seriously. To me they seemed like something from an episode of Doctor Who, basically supposed to be scary but a bit naff and kind of funny.

I have to admit I’m not sure I’ll be rushing to read the rest of the series.

Book Review : The Princess Bride by William Goldman

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 Ali@abookishlife2 Comments

My rating: 5 out of 5

This book was sitting on my to be read list for what felt like ages. I have to admit I was scared to read it. Why? Because the film is one of my all time favourites. I’ve probably seen it about a hundred times and sad though it is I know every word off by heart. How could the book ever match up? It was to quote numerous characters “inconceivable”.

Happily it turns out I was wrong. The book is very similar to the film. The central story is essentially the same and tells the story of Buttercup, a rather silly but beautiful girl, and Wesley, the long suffering farm boy who loves her. It has all of the same elements including romance, sword fights, kidnapping, piracy and torture. At some parts the dialogue is word for word the same as in the film and I’m sad enough to know this having watched it innumerable times. I have to admit in reading the book I couldn’t help but imagine the same actors playing the parts.

There is a bit more of a back story in the novel for my favourite characters Fezzik (the gentle giant) and Inigo (the swordsman out to avenge his fathers murder by the six fingered man) which I thought was really good. In addition instead of the story being interspersed with Peter Faulk (who will forever be Columbo to me) reading the tale to his sick grandson, in this we get William Goldman’s supposed “abridgement notes”. These notes by the author are intended to give some of the background to the story and the original author. Some of these are quite funny and definitely add to the experience of reading the book but I have to admit I found some a little long winded and somewhat bizarre.

Despite some of my slight reservations over these parts I loved the book as a whole and I’m so glad I finally read it. I think this is probably one of these books that everyone should read and it definitely deserves a 5 star review.

Book Review: The Piano Man Project by Kat French

June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 Ali@abookishlife2 Comments

Can you fall in love with a character in a book? I can’t eat, I can’t sleep and he’s all I think about. Yep I think I’m in love with Hal.

In Kat French’s second novel The Piano Man Project, Hal is Honey’s new neighbour. Honey (short for Honeysuckle) works in a charity shop attached to a care home, is in her late twenties and has never met a man who has, how shall I put it, made the earth move for her. Her two friends, horrified to hear she’s never experienced the big O, decide urgent action is required to help her meet the right man. This starts the piano man project. A man who plays the piano must be sensitive and good with his hands right?

Her friends go out in search of the elusive piano player but Honey can’t stop thinking about new neighbour Hal. He’s grumpy, rude, drinks too much and ignores her most of the time leaving her talking to his door but for some reason she can’t stay away and I couldn’t blame her.

The pages with Hal just sizzle. He may be grumpy and rude but as a character he was just so appealing every encounter left me feeling decidedly hot and bothered and desperate for more.

Honey was also a great character, described in the book as a combination of Marilyn Monroe, Bridget Jones and Uma Thurman (in Kill Bill) she has a big heart and a bit of fire that leads her to fight for what she cares about. There were definitely sparks flying between her and Hal and she did well at holding her own.

There are a couple of sub plots going on, the care home is threatened with closure and a family secret is revealed to the elderly sisters who volunteer in the shop, but for me the main draw was the relationship between Honey and Hal.

The writing throughout is fantastic and I found myself fighting not to laugh out loud or shed the odd tear when reading on the train (I suspect I was making some strange reading faces so apologies to my fellow commuters).

I have previously read Kat French’s first book Undertaking Love but for me this one was so much better. I wish I could give more than 5 stars and would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Rating: 5 stars plus

Introducing I Wuv Books

June 17, 2015November 5, 2015 Ali@abookishlifeLeave a comment

I’ve wanted to do this for ages so here it is. My very first post in my very first blog.

Thought I’d start with a little about me. Hello, my name is Ally and I’m a book addict. I’ve tried to fight it but it’s a losing battle. I just love books too much. They have taken over my spare time, my home, my commute and my life. As my friends and family are fed up listening to me going on about what I’m reading I thought it was a good time to find a new audience.

I do not discriminate. I love all kinds of books and while I have my favourite authors there is nothing better than finding a great book by a new author. I like to rotate my way through different genres although with my addictive personality I can get a little obsessed with certain types of books (at the moment it’s books based on fairytales).

Going forward I’ll be posting reviews of the books I read and I hope you’ll be interested in reading them. I’m also happy to accept recommendations so if you’ve read a great book recently let me know.