Review || The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

The Lie Tree is a dark and powerful novel from universally acclaimed author, Frances Hardinge. It was not enough. All knowledge- any knowledge - called to Faith, and there was a delicious, poisonous pleasure in stealing it unseen. Faith has a thirst for science and secrets that the rigid confines of her class cannot suppress. And so it is that she discovers her disgraced father's journals, filled with the scribbled notes and theories of a man driven close to madness. Tales of a strange tree which, when told a lie, will uncover a truth: the greater the lie, the greater the truth revealed to the liar. Faith's search for the tree leads her into great danger - for where lies seduce, truths shatter ... 

I admit I always find it difficult to write book reviews, especially when I'm currently reading a book and my mind is involved in that world. I tend to forget quite a lot of information about the book, but honestly, Lie Tree is one that is hard to forget and I think fully deserves the positive review that it's about to receive. This book is also going to be one that's hard to review purely because of it's brilliance. How can you dull down this bright, shining sun to a thousand little fairy lights in order to explain why it's brilliant? 

The first thing I want to write about first is its vivid, complex plot. I found it difficult to summarise this in my Goodreads review, as it seems to weave quite effortlessly several different plots/themes without it being confusing, without any of them taking the focus off another, without over-doing or over-dragging the story at all. 

It seems to be a historical-fiction detective novel, where Faith tries to research the mystery surrounding her fathers' death and the history behind the tree and of all the characters surrounding her. It speaks about lies and the truth, and their significance, and how even the things that seem obvious aren't obvious at all. It covers undying love and loyalty, as even when Faiths father in his life treated her the way that he did, she never stops being loyal to him. It never dwindles or dies, and in the relationships with other characters (not just Faith with others, either), you can see this is an ongoing theme. It seems to cover revenge, hot-headed and cold revenge in all its brutality. It's a feminist masterpiece, as it focuses on how women have been invisible throughout history and Faiths pure determination to not let the fact she's a girl bordering on a woman stop her from achieving what she wants. 

Not just that, but the characters have amazing depth and complexity. They're real. They pop out at you, they take their own into your mind and create themselves. I feel like Frances purposely put description to a minimum as we don't even know Faith's hair colour for a majority of the book. That's one of the many things that amazes me about this novel. Appearances hardly seem to matter - ironically.  

The settings were equally vivid, and really added that darkness and despair feel to the book. It added that creepy aesthetic that really pulled the whole thing together. It's hard to believe this book had been categorized under "Children's Literature" because the skill of this is up at a level I expect adult, 900-page books to be. I was blown away, I found it unputdownable and you bet your butts I'm going to read other books by her - even though this one has frequently been described as her best to date. 

Overall, I rated this a 4/5 stars (only because some parts of this book didn't make sense, but the amazing of the rest of the book blinded this completely) and would recommend this to anyone. It has something in it for everyone. If this can be used a Bible on how to present female characters, that would be wonderful. 

Book Review || The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge

- MIDDLE GRADE SCIENCE-FICTION - 

When Albie's mum dies, it's natural he should ask where she's gone. His parents are scientists and they usually have all the answers. Dad mutters something about quantum physics and parallel universes, so Albie gets a box, a laptop and a rotting banana, and sends himself through time and space in search of his mum. 

What he finds may or may not be what he's looking for, but he does learn the answers to some big questions. 

This book has a really close resemblance for me to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, which as you should know by now is one of my favourite books of all time - they are both middle grade and both have a focus around a young boy who's mother is sick with cancer. In Albie's case, this mother has already died and he wants to invent a Quantum Banana Theory to visit parallel universes so he can find one where his mother is alive, with the help of a slightly insane cat called Dylan. 

This book caught me by surprise. When I saw it in store, I automatically had high expectations not just because of the beautiful book cover but because it's science-fiction and middle grade. Any chance I can to read about quantum physics, I will take, even if I don't know that much about it. I just find it really interesting, and I'm beyond happy that Mr. Edge could write something like this to help teach the younger generation about science.

It takes you on an adorable little adventure through parallel universes of what could have happened with hilarious little scenes here and there, and the adorable is too much, okay, it's just too much. But in a great way.

I'm honestly surprised this book doesn't have more recognition because it honestly, hand on heart, deserves it. Thank you, Edge, for giving me this delightful thing.

(Go on, it's only 180 pages - you know you want to!) 

BookTalk: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini || Forgiveness

No idea why it's taken this long to read this, considering it's been sitting in my room for a few months and maybe even a year. I've been recommended this left, right and centre but I had expectations for it that I just didn't feel like reading at the time. The only way I can describe it is that I thought it was going to be a historical document on the Taliban, Afghanistan/Iran/Pakistan, and refugees. Even though this was true to some degree, this book wasn't even about what I thought it was about and it took me into a whirlwind of surprise and I really needed to discuss it before my mind exploded. 

In case you haven't read it (and if you haven't, this isn't going to be spoiler-free so I'd suggest you leave now unless you don't care about spoilers and want to know about the book and this probably isn't the place for you either, it's going to be a whole lot of just 'what I thought') or just need a recap, this book is about two boys who share a home and a friendship. There's Hassan, a boy who has undying loyalty and kindness and is also the servant's son. Amir is the narrator of this story, a boy who is a lot less loyal and a lot less kind. One day, something beyond awful happens to Hassan and this story covers the consequences of this event. The first part here is set in Afghanistan in 1975, and by the end it is set in America in what appears to be the current day. 

Basically, what I thought this book was going to be about was that the Taliban arrive like a marching band on the day of the kite tournament and they take Hassan and do terrible things to him, and Amir was going to have to try and find him and he failed so when he leaves the country to find refuge, he wants to come back to try and get redemption for this mistake. It wasn't that far off, but it was incredibly far off. 

What actually happens is, on the day of the kite tournament, Amir wins. After he wins, his kite is cut and Hassan does what he does best and runs to catch it. Of course, he does, because Hassan is brilliant in so many ways. I think it's because he was taking a while, but Hassan runs to find him. He does find him, and he's surrounded by their worst enemies. I forgot the other two boys' names, but because they don't appear again in the rest of the book they aren't relevant. The one that does the real damage is called Assef. 

This is the part where I almost slammed my book down in anger and called it quits, because it's quite hard to love a book when you hate the narrator - although I didn't end up hating him for very long, I seem to have a weakness for main characters who are assholes.

Assef rapes Hassan when Hassan stands up for Amir and says he wouldn't give up the kite for anything. He just accepts being raped by Assef, because he wants to stay loyal to Amir. The worst part about this is that Amir had watched the whole thing from the sidelines, and we later find out that Hassan knew this and still stayed loyal, but didn't step in and instead chose to ran. This is the second book that has ever made me cry (the first being "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness), although it wasn't really crying, it was more like my eyes watered and I had to stop reading for a moment to collect myself - but I'm going to count it. The part that made me cry was when Hassan walks back to Amir with the kite in his hands and blood dripping down his legs. Amir didn't even have the courage to make him feel better, he did nothing. 

Later on - unclear when, could have been weeks or months - Amir frames Hassan because Amir wants Hassan and his father, Ali, to be gone. Amir's dad (Baba) and Ali have been best friends since they were kids, so not only was he destroying the friendship he had with Hassan and ruining any chances of ever being friends with him again and even just admitting to the truth, he broke the friendship between Ali and Baba too. Amir does this by putting his watch and money he received for his birthday underneath the mattress. Even worse, on Amir's birthday, Hassan and Ali give Amir a gift that cost them a lot of money and seeing as they are servants I imagine they don't have much. 

This did teach me some things that I have been thinking about lately, though, about the art of forgiving other people and forgiving yourself as well as being kind and grateful for what you have despite your dire circumstances. 

I think it's important to forgive other people so you can let go of your past pain and move on. It's not about whether they deserve it or not. It's about letting go of the anger and the want for revenge, so you can move on with your life and put that negative energy to some good. If the people in this book, like Hassan, can learn to forgive the harshest of crimes then I'm sure you can forgive and forget, too. 

Very much how I saw the rest of this book was like an act of atonement, almost. Amir spent so long trying to forget what it was that he did, and ignoring it, before he eventually reached the age where he was in his forties and he properly paid for what he did as a child and made it up (ish) to the son of Hassan. There was a lot of metaphors and hidden messages and meanings I picked up behind the whole Amir and Hassan's son thing, but what I am choosing to focus on here is that it is possible to forgive yourself and atone for what you did and doing bad things doesn't always make you a bad person. Doing bad things and feeling remorse means that you cared, and you're not entirely a bad person in there after all. I really liked that message which I personally got from it. 

I have wanted to make a blog post on forgiveness for a while, but I wasn't sure where to start considering I still haven't really forgiven myself for what I've done in the past and I sometimes think I never will. It's a journey we all have to take on sometimes, and one that you don't have to do alone. 

Also, this book does talk about the very important topic about Muslims/Afghans seeking refuge after the Taliban 'invaded' Afghanistan. Very much like ISIS in Syria, these people need help and I thank this book for bringing to light what should have already been in the light - that people all need help, and the act of a few does not equal the act of all. If you are against Muslims or refugees entering another country for any reason, I hope you have read this book and changed your mind.

- Thank you for reading, and until next time, Loz x. 

There's so much I can say about this book but I think I'll leave it there until next time! 

Collective Toy Haul: Beauty and the Beast Pop! Vinyls

I have wanted Pop figures for so long, you guys, and recently I freaked out because I saw some from my favourite movie ever, Beauty and the Beast. They are just adorable and it would have been a crime to not have bought them, right? Right! I was also considering buying Wall-E (and deeply regret not buying him...a future purchase, for sure). I just want all the Disney pop figures, that would be awesome. Anyway, lets not ramble on too much, here they are!:

He even has his little arms on his waist in the sassy pose! He and Lumiere (my next purchase, probably) are my favourite together. I love the detail he has. The cute little 'hair'style, the little clock ticking moustache, I love him so much. His home, and Miss Potts and Chips home, is in my little library where I thought it was appropriate to put Beauty and the Beast characters. 

These two were a lot smaller then I thought they were going to be, even though on Amazon I was told that they were going to be smaller then they looked on the website, I thought it might have been a bigger edition because it was two but it wasn't. I still adore them, I actually think them being smaller really adds to the adorable. Little Chip is minute!

They're very sturdy, I feel like they won't break easily. They have so much little detail and colour added to them. I think my next is certainly going to be Wall-E and something else! Stay tuned!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets #2 - Squibs and Ginny.

This book is the first time I have ever actually felt sorry for Filch. He has to deal with not being magic surrounded by people who are, including the greatest wizards and witches like Dumbledore and Hermione Granger. I don't know if it's possible for a squid to advance to basic magic, I'm a fan of Harry Potter but I'm not educated on all of it. Part of me hopes that he does find a way to become magic somehow. 

There's also writing on the wall in blood and in the movies, of course, it was easily wiped off but in the books it's half impossible to remove. Of course we know it was Ginny, but did she really do it without magic then if she can't remove it? I don't know, it always amazes me how much the movies left out.

How did you like these parts of the book?

See you next time

- Loz x

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets #1 - Dobby the House-Elf.

Hi, I'm finally back with another Harry Potter book and update posts! This time, I will really need to update every few chapters to keep my thoughts on the book written down. I kept forgetting to do it what with all the other posts I was trying to get done, but what with my posting-everyday-in-August coming to an end really soon, I think I'll try to be posting one of these every few days! And it's not really much of a marathon, is it? 

Anyway, I'm up to chapter four, I believe, and we have just been introduced to Dobby. I want to say what my first impressions of him are, and I would love to know what you thought about him. I actually didn't really like him. I felt pity for him, what with the description of him being ugly and in dirty clothes and having a horrible family to keep him, but I mostly just felt mad at him for doing that to Harry. On the assumption that he is an eavesdropping type of Elf (otherwise how would he have known Harry would be in danger that year?), he must have known all about Harry's situation, too? At least once he did find out, he should have put a stop to it. I mean, he seems to really care about Harry's safety so what he did with the cake and the making noise seemed a dumb thing to do on his part in terms of keeping Harry safe. 

He also seemed very invasive of Harry's life, like he had a right to keep hold of Harry's letters and make him stay away from Hogwarts.

Of course, my fondness for him grew over time but I can't remember if that happened in this book or the later books. We'll soon find out!

What was your first impression of Dobby?

- Loz x

Review || "Alfie: The Doorstep Cat" by Rachel Wells.

(this one is kind of an old review, I'm currently in the process of writing and editing a Star Wars novel review but it's kind of hard to write about as it could offend a lot of people if I write it wrong and it also seems dumb that I, a person with no knowledge of Star Wars before that book or even science-fiction novels, would be writing a review/book talk on something like that...anyway, irrelevant, sorry if you hate the late upload posts but at least it's getting uploaded at all, right?!)

This book is basically about a little cat named Alfie who's owner dies from old age. Her daughter comes around and says that she wants to put Alfie in a shelter because they can't stay with her, and Alfie decides to take his life into his own hands and runs away. He lives in a harsh homeless cat world for a short while, before he comes across a street that needs him as much as he needs them. Alfie doesn't want to dedicate his time to one owner because that's going to be hard if he has to go through it all again, so he decides to have multiple owners. 

Lets just cut right to the chase. I DNF'd this book. It wasn't even bad, I actually found it very interesting from the start but Wells gives away so much information that the curiosity that kept me captivated throughout it was lost and I had no drive to finish it. I barely even passed halfway, and I wasn't going to write this review because I was still sure I was going to finish it...but I just can't. Sorry, Rachel, I think you can do better.

The writing was dull. It was dull from the very first page. Usually, this isn't a make-or-break for me. Sometimes, the plot line or the characters or something can be strong enough to keep me reading. After taking English Literature for three years, at this point, I'm just used to reading boring books that I ended up being pretty happy about reading. This book had an interesting premise, and that was enough for me to think this book would be worth it.

So, you get some interesting characters here. A girl who is heartbroken because of a divorce, a man who is lonely after moving away from his life in Singapore, a woman with a husband and a newborn with depression, and a small, sweet little family from Poland. Problem? Their stories were told practically instantly. This book should have been half the size it was. I'm kind of curious about the ending, but I can just look it up. The story had seemed to be told by halfway through the book. The characters also had no personality. I'm aware that this was written from the perspective of a cat, but it was written by a human - the development could have been better. They were also the kind of people I had seen before, I was expecting more of an in-depth explanation to them, but it just didn't happen. Characters really are a make or break for me.

There was also no plot line whatsoever! 
The plotline really was as simple as Alfie becoming homeless, finding a street, and they all warm up to him and that's that.

The premise of this book could have been something a lot better then what it was. Instead, you have something mediocre that I guess would be okay to read if you were into these types of things, but I'm not. I expected more.

Sorry this wasn't up to my usual standards, in the topic of cats I received a two month old kitten for my birthday as my aunts' cat, Sybil, has some kittens and they couldn't keep them. She needs a lot of attention, I barely had time to sleep and write this (is this like a taster of how parents' feel?!). But, thank you for reading, I'll see you all next time.

- Loz x

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone Update #2

I'm on page 140 of 331, just about to start the chapter where Harry Potter meets the potions master up front for the first time, but I came across an intersting comment on my Facebook Page the other day. Usually, when I think of Potter books, I think of how Rowling wrote them like she was writing them for us and that when we grew up, we would be at the suitable age to read the next one. That's how I thought they were released. But them someone posted some 'mini reviews' and said how the book was suited for the age that Harry was in that book - I don't know why I never thought about it that way, but I didn't, I'm pretty sure everyone else has probably already thought of that, though. 

Anyway, I like how Ron is presented in the books far more then the movies. In the movies, he was a bit of a prick. For example, in "Goblet of Fire" when they were talking about the Yule Ball, he basically made fun of a girl because she was fat - and it made me think that in the movies, he never really liked Hermionie because of herself, he liked her because she was beautiful. In the books, I think I felt differently about that, although I can't be sure. 

Harry is also way more sassy. He still makes me laugh out loud! 

How are you getting along, if you're reading with me? If now, how are you enjoying it? 

- Loz x

The Boyfriend Tag.

Sorry for the messed up fonts and stuff in this, I hope adding the names helped and it's still relatively easy to read. I tried fixing it but it doesn't want to work with me and I don't really have the time to try and fix it (I'm meant to be writing an essay right now, it's due in tomorrow morning) - enjoy.

You're out to eat, what kind of dressing does she get on her salad? 

Austin - Simple, she doesn't. She hates dressing!

Loz - And salad. Unless it's fruit salad.  

What's one food she doesn't like?

 Austin - Any kind of red meat.

Loz - *nods in agreement* 

 You go out to eat and she orders a drink, what drink is it? 

Austin - It's Coca Cola. Or TEA.

Loz - I would fail as a British person if I didn't drink excessive amounts of tea.  

 What size shoe does she wear?

Austin - Aw hell... I don't know shoe sizing. She has small cute feet... eights maybe?

Loz - Thank you. They're a six and a half, seven, in UK sizing. xP now you know.  

If she was collecting anything, what would it be? 

Austin - Books! Lots and lots of books. And make-up.
Loz - Also, maps and cups, I love maps and cups.

What is her favorite type of sandwich? 

Austin - Chicken and Bacon with seasoned mayo!
Loz - Yep! I also really love any sandwich with chicken in it.  

What would this person eat everyday if she could?

Austin - Chocolate.
Loz - I agree. Cinema popcorn is a close second.  

What is her favorite cereal? 

Austin - Special-K with chocolate I think?
Loz - I think you're thinking of Special - K and also mini chocolate chip Wheetabix. I talk about both of them a lot. 

What's her favourite music?

Austin - Acoustic covers for sure!
Loz - Yes!  

What's her favourite sports team?

Austin - The national book club team.
Loz - Yes, I don't much like sports! Sorry, sports fans.  

What's her eye color? 

Austin - The prettiest shade of dark blue that you've EVER seen.
Loz - Awe, thank you :3 I don't know what my eye colour is honestly, so that one is up to you.  

Who's her best friend? 

Austin - Some loser called Austin. She's always talking about him.
Loz - much to your displeasure.  

What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn't? 

Austin - Tanks and planes. That is all.
Loz - If you do tanks and planes quite often, I think we might have to see a doctor soon. And a therapist.  

Whats her heritage/where she's from?

Austin - She's an adorable Welsh girl who can't speak a bit of it! She was nearly born in Germany, and spent plenty of time living there.
Loz - Thank you!  

You bake her a cake for her birthday, what kind of cake? 

Austin - R E D   V E L V E T
 Loz - Yes, I love red velvet, or angel cake (which is just three coloured layers of sponge cake and cream frosting inbetween each layer).

Did/does she play any sports?

Austin - She MAY have played Volleyball in the past? I cannot remember.
Loz - I played no sports in the past. I had to do sports as part of school, which was things like netball, basketball, volleyball, running, hockey, walking, things I hated and hoped to never do again (except walking...obviously).  

What could she spend hours doing?

 Austin - Reading, writing, listening to music, and youtube videos.
Loz - Can't forget bugging Austin!

What is one unique talent she has?  

Austin -  She is a fantastic writer, and DAMN can she read fast. She also knows how to make me feel like the luckiest guy alive, so... that too. ;P
Loz - Shucks, thank you! I don't believe I have a talent though :3 

Thank you for reading, I hope it didn't make you throw up and I don't have any blogger friends to tag so if you want to do it then go ahead and do it!

The Girlfriend Tag

You're out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

 Loz - Ranch, I feel like he eats that on everything, so why not on salad too. 

Austin-  C O R R E C T

What's one food he doesn't like?

 Loz - Uh...I honestly don't know. He probably wouldn't eat human remains under normal circumstances. 

 Austin- Well, you're not WRONG. My least favorite is steak, honestly.

You go out to eat and he orders a drink, what is it?

 Loz - Apple flavored slushie's. 

Austin- Damn. Right.

What size shoe does he wear?

 Loz - A size...eight, I think? Maybe nine, I've never seen his feet properly. 

Austin- Size nines, wide. My feet are FAT.

If he was collecting anything, what would it be?

Loz - Lighters! I hope cats in the future. 

Austin- I already do collect lighters, so right! I plan to collect vinyls in the future. And yes, most likely cats.

What is his favorite type of sandwich?

Loz - I'm not sure that he likes sandwiches but if he does, then probably some type of meat or...he puts crisps (chips, for you Americans) into sandwiches sometimes, would that count?

Austin- Honestly? Not a huge sandwich fan, but if I do, grilled cheese. With chips. 

What would this person eat everyday if he could?

 Loz - Me, obviously. 

Austin- Yes. ;)

What is his favorite cereal?

 Loz - I don't think he likes cereal. If he does, he hasn't eaten a single bite of it in our entire relationship. 

Austin- Fruity Pebbles, but I can't remember the last time I even had any, so, you aren't really wrong!

What's his favorite music?

Loz - Music from games and stuff that sounds like dubstep, it's awful.

 Austin- Classical, Classic Rock, SOUNDSCAPE AND ELEVATOR MUZAK, what Loz said about game music, but only certain kinds. I hate dubstep as a side note, but she thinks some of what I listen to sounds like it. I can see where she's coming from, but it's NOOOOOT.

What's his favorite sports team?

 Loz - He doesn't like sports. Yay!

Austin- I think E-Sports are hilarious and I love watching them.

What's his eye colour?

 Loz - Most of the time, it's a pretty beautiful hazel color but it changes to a green/blue sometimes. 

Austin-  Yeah, what she said, excluding calling them beautiful.

Who's his best friend?

Loz - Aside from me, it's probably ... huh, I don't know, it used to be Blake, so maybe Valerie or ...I don't know his friends, haha. 

Austin- You're right, it's you, but other than you, it is indeed the VALERIE. Russian LOSER.

What is something you do that he wishes you didn't?

Loz - Get really angry at random times. 

Austin- That, or talk with a certain SOMEONE. 

What's his heritage/where is he from?

 Loz - Ohio. I don't think he's ever moved out of Ohio, either. 

Austin- I'm from Ohio all my life, but I'm partially American Indian (My great-grandmother was Indian, fully, Cherokee I believe), like half Irish (My great-grandfather was from Ireland), and the rest of me is German.

You bake a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake?

Loz - A cool colourful one. Maybe ice cream cake. 

Austin- ICE CREAM CAKE ACCEPTED. And colorful is perfect. 

Did/does he play any sports?

Loz - Not that I'm aware of. 

Austin- Played some football and golf when I was in middle school, that was it. I like tennis though. 

What could he spend hours doing?

Loz - Playing games, talking about games, tanks and planes, annoying me, sleeping, listening to music. 

Austin- Welp... you got me there. 

What is one unique talent he has?

Loz - He's REALLY good at packing, he's a great writer, he can make people laugh when he's in a bad mood, he's good with computers...I know I was only meant to write one, but he has many. 

Austin- Oh shucks, I'm only good at packing because of moving so much, my writing skills are awkward at best! I do like making people laugh, and I do like working with computers, thank you!

Book Review: The Worst Thing About My Sister by Jacqueline Wilson. (contains spoilers)

Yes, I know, this is a child's book and I'm an eighteen year old adult but hey, things meant for children often help me with my extreme anxiety so I thought I would give this book a go. In case you are considering getting this for your niece/nephew, daughter/son, etc, then please do read on! 

THE WORST THING ABOUT MY SISTER. 

 

1. She's super-duper girlie and prissy and pink. YUCK! 

2. She always tells on me when we have a fight. 

3. She stole my special night with Dad, even though everyone knows Toy Story 3 and chips are MY favourites. 

4. She laughs at my animals - even though she can't go to sleep without her Baba! 

5 - She NEVER sticks up for me. 

 

 It's quite unusual, I feel, for Wilson to write about a book where siblings are not the best of friends and instead are written as the worst enemies. This is about a girl called Marty, who I'm guessing is about nine or ten, and her older sister, Melissa, who I'm guessing is twelve although they appear to go to the same school, so maybe younger, it was never specified. When Marty attends a party in her mothers' homemade dress, she becomes popular meaning she needs a room for where she sows and keeps the dresses - Marty loses her Marty Den and moves in with Melissa.

Speaking of their mother, she was the worst kind of person I would ever have the misfortune to meet. She often does something I am strongly against, and that's gender role-ing. She stays firm on the idea that girls should wear dresses, smell of roses and sweets and be covered in pink, and that girls have to be a good role model for everyone else and always behave well and not act like themselves just to please other people and that girls can't have a job that is not traditional...she also cared way too much about what other people thought of her and that was often more important then her own daughters' feelings. Boys, though, they could do whatever they wanted. Even though people like her exist in the universe, I like to think they're a rare kind of parent and it made her situation worse then what it could have been.

It also hits other topics like bullying as well as feminism, and how you should tackle them. Like Wilson, I am a firm believer in that you can't ignore people who hurt you or make you feel like less of a person or make your life much harder then it should be. Marty, instead of ignoring them like most people would tell you to do, threw eggs at her bullies (don't worry, it's followed by a rant by how this is dangerous and harmful but it has a good message). 

It also says that even though the relationship with your sister is a rough one, you wouldn't be without them as the harsh ending had explained. 

As always, Wilson has written yet another (although short) quality book that I recommend if you wanted to buy for a child you know or even yourself if you're anything like me and find a guilty pleasure in enjoying these kinds of things. I'll give this a five out of five as I can't really fault it, and I'll see you next time!

The Life of the Autistic - Depression, Anxiety and Stress.

Really stupid things bother and stress me out, make me anxious and depress me. Although I am aware of this, it doesn't make it go away, it doesn't change anything. There's only a few things right now that are bothering me, on top of the normal teenage hormones that every teenager has.

I have huge anxiety problems, one of the biggest is change in routine and being unable to build a routine. As I have mentioned several times, I'm going to England to see my family on Tuesday/Wednesday. That right there is one thing that stresses me out, not knowing whether we are going on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. My mother has already come to explain to me that she can't give me the exact day and has told me the reasons why that is, but it doesn't change anything. I feel extremely nauseated over this, I haven't been breathing properly over the past few days, anxiety attacks are going back to being common and boy...the chest pain is probably the worst right now. 

I can't pack everything right now and yes, I am fully aware it's a week away and packing right now isn't needed but I like to be ready for things, I like to know what's happening. It seems simple but all the clothes need washing and I need some clothes to wear for this week and it's bringing on so much anxiety, and I just want to go to a corner, shut the door and scream while pulling my hair out (yes, caused by the autism) which I have a feeling might happen sooner rather then later at a really bad time, as usual. 

My phone bill isn't paid and if we don't have the money to pay it by the time England comes around, it's going to make things so much harder - my boyfriend Austin lives in Ohio, quite the while away from the UK and if there's anything wrong with the Internet and something happens, I always use my phone and will go to Austin to help myself calm down because he always knows exactly what to say and gives the most useful advice for how I can fix what's wrong or how I can make things better and without having that little safety net, it's a huge anxiety trigger for me. I know, I know, another teenager obsessed with her phone but honestly, I don't care what other people think about that (obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be making this post), it's something that I need to help me. 

Along with the above, I am not in the best home situation. To put it nicely, I have a very bratty younger sister who likes to make things harder on all of us. She's putting a lot of pressure and worry and anxiety on top of me, and all of the anxiety I already had is just making me super depressed. I am not diagnosed with severe depression, so just putting it out there that my main problem is and always has been anxiety, especially socially. My mother is also very very busy and most of my life, I am not ashamed to admit that I have relied on her for most things so during times like this when I need her to be consistent and to know things, she can't do that for me and it's probably driving her as well as me crazy.

My exam is in a month and as you probably already know, autistic kids have a lot of problems with revision/studying and everytime I try to do it, I can't remember anything and I freak out and get too anxious and angry to continue - then the fact I will probably fail the exam if this continues just makes me want to cry because if I try to tell anyone about this, they tell me things like "All you have to do is work hard. You get what you deserve!" but I am trying hard, I really am. I'm not getting anywhere. 

There's also a few personal problems going on with me, too, that I haven't even told Austin about so I'm obviously going to leave that out of here...

Basically, I won't be blogging for a little bit. I might be a couple of days, a couple of weeks, a couple of months, I don't know. It won't be until I have a steady routine going on, and I'm in a situation where I can come up with ideas. I will still be writing a lot of drafts on here as I always do because I do love writing, but they have bad spelling and they're not structured, I just don't have the energy to fix them so they're worthy of being published. I hope you can understand. I will see you when I can.

The Bookalicious Tag!

I found this tag where I found all the other book tags I have either published or am soon to publish. Unfortunately I am using a computer where Wattpad is blocked, but if I can link her soon, I will. 

1) What percent of books do you get from the library and what percent do you get from elsewhere?

 I get 0% from the library and most of my books from Amazon (both new and used section), bookstores like The Works, Waterstones and WHSmith, and sometimes charity shops - I prefer to own the book then borrow.

2) What charecter would you want to be and why?

Hermione Granger -  because she's smart, a bad-ass, and most people are scared of her.
 

3) What is your favourite book from your childhood?

 Hmm. This one is hard. Probably The Witches by Roald Dahl.

4) What is your favourite book?

I don't have one, there's too many to choose from. 

5) Which series do you have the most books for?

 Probably the House of Night books. I think I have about eight of them. If not, then Game of Thrones (which I still haven't read yet)

6) Do you buy used books?

 Of course. Unless it's a book I really want to buy new, which can be quite often.

7) Who is your favourite/hottest boy or girl?

 I think it's probably ... huh, I don't really know. It used to be Simon from "City of Bones" by Cassandra Claire until he did that "I'm going to date a girl that looks like a model!" that so many people tend to do and he really lose his appeal then.

8) What is your favourite book cover?

 "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by...someone who I can't remember right now, but I have spoken about this book so many times before that hopefully you remember it!

9) What is your favourite type of book cover?

 Where it just has artwork and pictures or just a cool colour scheme, the title of the book, who wrote it and that's it. No other words.

10) What was the first book you read?

 I honestly can't remember, it was probably a book by Michael Murpurgo.

11) What is your favourite book to movie adaptation?

 "Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban" and also "Hugo", the movie from "The Invention of Hugo Cabret"

12) If you could only read three books for the rest of your life, what would they be?

 Probably the first three books from the Harry Potter series, honestly, or maybe one childhood book.

13) What is the longest book you have read?

 "The Passage" by Justin Cronin and "IT" by Stephen King - they were both around 1000 pages each.

14) If you were to write a book, what would you title it and why?

 "The Missing Puzzle Pieces" - because it would be about autism, and that's just what I would like to title it, or something similar.

15) How many books did you read last month?

 Not very many. I think it was only two, both of which I have reviewed somewhere.

16) What is the last book you read?

 "The miniaturist" by Jessie Burton.

17) Do you fantasize yourself in books you like?

 Hell yes. Most commonly, in "The Maze Runner" series.

18) What is your favourite book store?

 Waterstones, but it's too expensive, so I prefer The Works - accept most books, they don't sell there, but you can get five or six not very well known books for £5 (I guess that would be ten dollars). Some of them have proved to be really good!

19) Hardback or paperback?

 Paperback, no competition.

20) Do you have more then one copy of the same book?

 Hell yes. I have three different versions of "Alice in Wonderland", for example.

21) Would you rather read about vampires or werewolves?

 Werewolves. I'm not that interested in either, really, but werewolves because of Professor Lupin.

22) Do you own more then 150 books? If not, would you? 

The last time I checked, I had almost 200 and it's still rising. I hope to fill a whole room with books eventually.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to link your blog.

The British Tag

Austin can't really join in with this, seeing as he's American and I'm the British one...well, he could, but it would make no sense. Why is there not an American tag? Is it because America sucks? ;) 

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day? + How many sugars?
 
I fail my British buddies by hardly drinking tea, I usually only drink tea when I've ran out of my favourite drink, Coke, but when I do, it's five to six cups per day (I know, I know...) with a tablespoon of sugar, and a little milk. Sometimes, no milk, depending on how I feel that day. 

 2. Favourite part of your roast

 The meat, if it's chicken, and Yorkshire puddings! Not too fond of roasts, either,  as those are the only two things I eat from the plate. Oops.

3. Favourite dunking biscuit

Shortbread, always. Although I do like malt milk sometimes. I don't know what else to call it, but I think that's their actual name.

4. Favourite quintessentially British pastime?
 
 I used to really like watching the soaps, but at some point (among with everything else), I just stopped caring about it. Yes, I promise I'm British.

5. Favourite word?

Hmm..."Make", probably. I know it's not really a British word, obviously, but still.

6. Cockney rhyme slang?

Stuff like "Innit?", right? I've never really spoken like that, and I'm not fond of the idea of speaking like that, either. I'm not judging people who do talk like that, or who like it themselves, it's just not my thing!

7. Favourite sweet
 
Dolly Mixtures (I have no idea how to explain them), or Flying Saucers (which are just sweet paper filled with sherbert). 

8. What would your pub be called?
 
 Ooh, um...maybe something like the Black Cat, and it would have cat decorations inside and cat-themed events. I might even let my cat wander in and out occasionally. Sorry, people who are allergic to cats!

9. No.1 British person
 
 My one and only friend, or if you mean celebrity, Emma Watson.

10. Favourite shop / restaurant
 
My favourite shop is a discount book store called The Works, or the other two bookstores, Waterstones and WHSmith's...I also really like Peacocks and Wilkinson's. My favourite restraunt is Weatherspoon's, it's like a pub, it's awesome. 

11. What british song pops into your head?
 
The theme song to Gavin and Stacy. 

12. Marmite.

No. I just hate marmite, it's disgusting.

Thank you for reading! I don't have anyone in particular that I want to tag so if you want to do it, go ahead.

The Sick Book Tag!

Hello there and welcome to another book tag I found on Wattpad, and this particular one I really liked for some reason.  I hope you like it too!

1) Diabetes - a book too sweet, like really sweet!

Hmm...the book that is popping into my head right now is "Wonder" by R.J Palacio.

On the assumption that you did not mean romantic, this book was insanely sweet - it starts off pretty traumatic and upsetting, but as you go deeper into the book, your heart just warms up and receives the biggest hug. I also just heard this might be a movie soon, and I am pretty exited if that's true.

2) Chicken Pox - a book you read once but will never pick up again. 

I was going to pick a book that I would pick quite often for the book I hate the most, but because of how often you're going to see that in future book tags, I picked something different: "Trust in me" by Sophie McKenzie. Not because the writing style or even the plot was bad, I actually quite liked it, I just have so much empathy/sympathy and things were described from the crazy guy in such detail that I just couldn't handle it and I won't be picking it back up ever again.

3) Influenza - a contagious book that spreads around like a virus. 

Probably every YA book in existence I feel is way over-hyped when it's pretty much the same story over and over again - not that I don't like YA's, because I do, but you must admit that they have their flaws.  Just for irony purposes though, I'm going to pick "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. The movie version of this really sucks when you compare it to the books, honestly.

4) The Cycle - a book you read every month, year or often. 

 I really want to pick the first Harry Potter book, but I am aware of how cliche that is. So, instead, I'm going to go with a book by Jacqueline Wilson, "My sister Jodie"

5) Insomnia - a book that kept you up all night. 

This was mostly by choice but I decided that I was going to stay awake for most of the night with my boyfriend until it was finished. I did enjoy it, and now that I have the rest of the series, I really should re-read it soon and continue with the series - "Gone" by Michael Grant. I haven't seen the movie for this and I don't know if I should, what do you think?

6) Amnesia - A book that's forgotten and failed to leave a powerful impression on your memory. 

 This is actually quite the list I have to choose from, so I'm just going to pick one at random and say the first book in a series by Dan Wells, "I am not a serial killer". I really loved the book at the time but on later reflection, I decided I did not.

7) Asthma - A book that took your breath away.  

 Without a doubt, "The invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brain Selznick. The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous, the plot is amazing, the whole story was just breathtaking and it's the most beautiful book I own. The movie, "Hugo", is equally as beautiful so if you don't want to read this book, at least watch the movie!

8) Malnutrition - A book that lacked food for thought. 

 Again, I have so much to choose from so I'm probably going to pick the later books from the House of Night series - a series that I loved, but it started to get terrible after a certain point. I also hate how it switched to a bright orange cover after something like eight books of black and dull colours. Ugh, I hate series that change covers so drastically halfway through the series, it makes my shelves look terrible!

9) Travel sickness - a book that took you on a journey through space and time.  

Hmm. This one is a tough one, I'm going to have to think about it. Ooh! "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs. If you haven't read this book, then I really recommend that you do, it's amazing!

Thank you for reading! If you have done this tag, I would love to read it. What do you think about my thoughts, what are your thoughts? 

All photos taken from Google searches or Goodreads. 

Book Review: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton - spoiler free

There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed...

On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. Though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true. 

As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household she realizes the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands - but does she plan to save or destroy them?

I really wanted to love this book but I have to say, it was a little disappointing. I'm going to start with the positives simply because I feel like I never do that and say Jessie Burton is a great story-teller, and she has a wonderful way with words. I couldn't really put this book down, and I found myself reading this in times I probably shouldn't have been. 

Saying that, I entered this book with a lot of high hopes - mostly because I mis-read the back and thought the dolls were what came to life, not that the dolls were just a reflection on their life. Oops. I wanted to know the story of the miniaturist and even when the book had long been finished with, I felt like I still had more to read, like there was a whole section cut out of this book. The answer to the miniaturist was something so small and simple, I didn't see the point in it being there at all. 

 

I loved the focus on the oppression of women, coloured people and the homosexual in the late 1600's in this book, and how much we have achieved (even though sexism, racism and homophobia is still very much a problem). It gave me a new focus on the 1600's, apart from the fact that I felt Burton's description on some things were a far too modern take on it - some may like that, some may not. 

It was also hard to believe the love between the small Brandt family because Nella was there for around four months, and to me, that wasn't really long enough for Johannes and Nella to form any sort of real connection, especially giving Johannes' circumstances and the small fact that they probably spoke no more then three or four times.This didn't stop me from loving the little they had between them, though.  I can somewhat feel the bond she had formed with the other members of the household, though, as  she spent quite a lot of time with them considering.

As for the characters themselves, I don't think Cornelia/Otto had enough character development in order for me to judge them. Nella gets annoying (REALLY annoying) the more you read the book, and personally, I really liked Marin and I hated how much Nella and Johannes butted into her privacy constantly. Even the most level tempered of people would probably get sick of that, too.

Also, the book was bordering melodramatic, and in some cases I could appreciate that, but it wasn't realistic and I couldn't really be sucked into that. 

Overall, I gave this book a 3.5.

The Ultimate Book Tag!

I got this tag from a blog called books with bite, where the original creator of this tag is credited if you want to check them out. Anyway, I was in search for an Easter book tag for when Easter comes around and although I don't much care for that holiday, I like to do seasonal things just for fun and when that didn't happen, I stumbled across this one! For Easter, I think I'm just going to make up a book tag, but if you have an Easter book tag that you know of, please do share it with me, and if you've done this book tag or similar book tags, link your blog!

Do you get sick while reading in the car? 

Yes, and I hate it! Most of my family do not live in walking distance, nor is the school I go to everyday, so as much as I would love to read in the car and how much reading I could get done that way, I can't because I will probably throw up.

With author's writing style is completely unique to you and why?

Well, I think every writing style is different in it's own way but...I don't really know, one that stands out the most for me in my small book collection is James Dashner (author of The Maze Runner series), just because it's the kind of writing where you can't peel your eyes away from the page, you just become trapped inside his writing right until the book is finished, which I feel like is a rare quality to find in writers, and part of the reason as to why The Maze Runner series is one of my top five favorite series.

Harry Potter series or the Twilight saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer. 

Harry Potter, no question!

1. I grew up with Harry Potter, so I feel a close connection to the characters and to the writer.

2. The amazing plot and amazing character development.

3. The message of Hermione Granger - you can have beauty, brains and still be a bad-ass, too. You can have it all!

Do you carry a book bag? If so, what's in it (besides books...)?

I don't really know what a "book bag" is, is that an American term that I'm not familiar with? I do have a schoolbag by Anna Smith though (it's pop art designed!), with the current book I'm reading called The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, my journal, my Gruffalo pencil case (filled with colored pens, black pens, highlighters, an eraser, and my beloved pencils), my school/reading book, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, my purse covered in flamingo's and it's adorable, my two school diaries, the latest issue of National Geographic (March 2015), and my English book!

Do you smell your books? 

A little bit too much.  I find myself, on more then once occasion, just flipping the pages as I read it so the smell of freshly bought paperback drifts upwards. 

Books with or without little illustrations? 

I love both, but I love my imagination more. I like them at the start of chapters, but that's really where I like to keep it. Maybe little illustrations for numbers instead of the numbered pages, things like that, but nothing that really gives much away. 

What book did you love while reading but later discovered it wasn't quality writing? (example - loving the Twilight series, then reading the HP series, and then thinking Twilight was a little bit of a joke). 

I don't know what the series was called, but it was by Dan Wells, the first book was I am not a serial killer and although I really love the memory of how much I loved that series back when I was sixteen before I was active on Goodreads, blogged and so this was before I took anything in about the book. It was just the little things in that book that I thought was terrible, such as the "every girl is a sex object" theme, but of course he's a serial killer, so maybe that makes sense, but I realize not just this theme but his repetitive writing, his not-fully-formed plots, etc, it all summed together in my head for me that although I used to love it, it's a horrible series to me now. 

Do you have any stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!

Like the previous writer before me has stated, I don't have a childhood story that I can remember, but I do have a romantic one (and one that, perhaps, you should look away and skip to the next question if you don't like people writing in books...). This was a while ago, me and my boyfriend have been together two years now and we're long distance (he's in USA, I'm in the UK), so he sent me a book, the first book in the Lemony Snicket series and he had written in the opening page of the book a very sweet letter and don't worry, it was written in pencil! 

 What is the thinnest book on your shelves? 

Probably Dustbin Baby by Jacqueline Wilson. 

Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author? 

Yes and no. I do enjoy writing but I've never been able to complete so much as a short story, despite having a whole world setup in my head for a future book since I was very young, maybe about eight, and I had drawn maps for it, developed the main characters, and thought of so many different plots that could take place in this world. As much as I would love to be a professional writer, I don't think I'd be able to handle the pressure and having just one job that involves not leaving my home, I would hate too much. Although if I could travel while I could write and having the money I make from being an author be enough to support me and my future dogs, then yes, it's something I would like to do. Sorry, I'm sure that answer could have been shorter!

When did you get into reading? 

Sorry for the mini-violin moment, but this is honestly how it happened. During primary school (so when I was 7/8), I was quite badly bullied and always have been mostly because of the autism, and maybe this next thing is also because of the autism, but I found great comfort in hiding in the library and just reading and reading until lessons came back on. I also wasn't in the best situation at home, so my books were a great escape for me, and they have been ever since. 

What is your favorite classic book?

Hmm...I haven't read many classics, but probably The picture of Dorian Gray which I was first introduced to two years ago, Perfume which I had a book review up on last year but unfortunately I re-read it, decided it was crap and deleted them all, but I did really like that one too, or Black Beauty, even though that was ridiculously sad.

In school, was your best subject Language Arts/English?

Do they really call it Language Arts in other places? That's wicked! But anyway, yes it was. Funny story, I used to read the House of Night series under the desks while everyone else was on their phones, and the teacher didn't tell me to put it away and focus on the lesson, he would pretend he never saw it and let me do it anyway. But, yes, it was...sixth form English, not so much. 

If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated, what would you do? 

I would say thank you, and then I'd keep the book until I found someone who would like it, or I would give it away to a charity. 

What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter and The Hunger Games? 

Well, it used to be The Maze Runner series, but that got very popular very quickly, so I don't have an answer for this one. 

What is a bad habit you do (besides rambling) when filming? 

Probably not looking at the camera when I am talking, not positioning the camera in a flattening area, and not speaking loud enough for the viewers to be able to hear me but it's something  I am working on. 

What is your favorite word?

I HAVE SO MANY! I love 'make', 'whatnot', 'look like' when spoken together, actually most words with a K in it!

Are you a nerd, dork or dweeb? Or all of the above? 

Is there really that much of a difference?

Vampires of fairies? Why? 

Neither, they're usually portrayed in a really boring and dull way. With the exception of Dracula. 

Shapeshifters or angels? Why?

I like both, but probably angels. They're usually shown to be devils in disguise, though, and I wish people would create an original angel somewhere. 

Zombies or vampires? Why?

ZOMBIES! My dad has been obsessed with zombies ever since...well, before I can remember, and I guess being around it so much influenced me more then I thought. Plus, vampires suck. 

Love Triangle or Forbidden Love? 

I hate both. I just don't like romance in books, I feel like too much romance happens in real life and I would much rather read about something that won't, and probably never will, happen then something that happens every single day. 

AND FINALLY: full on romance books or action packed books with a few love scenes thrown in? 

Again, neither, but I much prefer the action packed books with a few love scenes thrown in...although I would prefer no love scenes at all. 

I hope you enjoyed this ridiculously long book tag, so if you want to do this too, please do and please share the link to me so I can see it, thank you!