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Edition: Paperback, 208 pages, published February 4th 2016 by Hot Key Books
Synopsis: We all have a mind, so we all need to take care of our mental health as much as we need to take care of our physical health. And the first step is being able to talk about our mental health. Juno Dawson leads the way with this frank, factual and funny book, with added information and support from clinical psychologist Dr Olivia Hewitt. Covering topics from anxiety and depression to addiction, self-harm and personality disorders, Juno and Olivia talk clearly and supportively about a range of issues facing young people’s mental health – whether fleeting or long-term – and how to manage them, with real-life stories from young people around the world.
With witty illustrations from Gemma Correll.

Before I start – this probably isn’t going to be a mini review, but more of a discussion or chat. As this is more of a non-fiction/guide, there are no characters etc to explore, but I definitely want to talk a lot about this one!

Saying that, I don’t know where to start or how to describe this book. It’s not one you can rate using a star system as such – I think it’s kind of beyond that, actually.

The easiest way to say it is this book really opens your eyes. It’s important, and it needs to be read by everyone in the whole world. You shut that back page wanting to hand it around to everyone you know and tell them to read it. You could say it teaches you…it teaches you some of the most important lessons you could ever learn.

I want to start by telling you guys something. For the past few months I’ve been struggling with extreme mood swings (literally hour to hour) and anxiety. I’m due to start college in just a couple of weeks now and it’s really affecting me day-to-day, making me nervous about things I would normally do without batting an eyelid. It’s going to be a difficult month for me, but I’m trying my best to get through it and for the first time in my life, I believe I will be able to.

But this book has really helped – because it’s made me realise that maybe I will need, somewhere along the line, to talk to someone about my anxiety. That it’s okay that I feel that way sometimes, and there are people out there who will – and want to – help and support me.

All that aside, back to the book!

Put simply, it isn’t an easy read – but I don’t think it should be, either. It talks about a lot of difficult subjects – and it is difficult to get through a few parts if they’re close to your heart. But Juno does an amazing thing with her writing…she makes it easy to read, easy to digest even, and funny. Not funny ha-ha as such, but witty. She has a way with words that is perfect for this kind of book.

There is just one more thing that needs to be said – whether you suffer (or have suffered) with any of the things talked in this book, know someone who has, or just want to learn more about your mental health…you need to read this book. Go on, do it, now. Go read it.

Are you still reading? Go, I said. Go.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 434 pages, published August 1st 2015 by Usborne
Synopsis: All Evie wants is to be normal. She’s almost off her meds and at a new college where no one knows her as the girl-who-went-crazy. She’s even going to parties and making friends. There’s only one thing left to tick off her list…
But relationships are messy – especially relationships with teenage guys. They can make any girl feel like they’re going mad. And if Evie can’t even tell her new friends Amber and Lottie the truth about herself, how will she cope when she falls in love?

I was lucky enough to meet the lovely Holly Bourne on Sunday at YALC! I’ve had my eye on her books for a while, and YALC finally pushed me to read one of hers. Turns out I’m very glad I did!

The plot…I loved it! I won’t give too much away, but I really liked that the ending of this book wasn’t perfect, at least not 100%. It gave (and showed) hope, and honestly, I think that was the best way this book could have ended!

The characters…omg Evie! I loved her! She was just such a real teenager, and the fact that she made so many mistakes was awesome! She doesn’t hold anything back, and that makes the book very relatable – I almost felt like I was inside Evie’s head. And to get OCD like that, to understand her mental health so easily…Bourne has skill for that.

The writing…as with the rest of the book, it was so real and relatable. The reason I felt so close to Evie was all because of the writing. It was just…awesome.

Something I liked…the fact that I felt everything. Every up and down, consideration, thought, embarrassment, feeling. Every emotion, I second hand felt.

Something I disliked…I don’t think there really was anything! If anything, this book felt so real it was slightly underwhelming. It was, basically, a diary. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing…it just wasn’t as, perhaps, incredible or shocking as other books.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 4 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 304 pages, published June 2nd 2016 by Walker Books (first published June 4th 2015)
Synopsis: Kaz is still reeling from being dumped by the love of her life… Ruby is bored of hearing about it. Time to change the record.
Three days. Two best mates. One music festival. Zero chance of everything working out.

What a great read! I’ve wanted to pick this one up for quite a while now, and it didn’t disappoint.

The plot…I really liked it! It’s not too fast-paced but it also keeps you firmly gripped to the characters and story.

The characters…I admit, I felt mixed about them. They were both bitchy throughout the book and inconsiderate of those around them…but I think that’s kind of the point. No one’s perfect, and we all make mistakes. But that’s okay, and it doesn’t mean we’re bad people. However, I felt both Kaz and Ruby were…oblivious in some parts. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing (as I’m sure it was intentional), that’s just partly how I feel.

The writing…I loved it! As with the plot, it’s simple and easy to read but it’s also got a lot of depth and meaning behind it. Yeah, this book might not have been the most poetic.  But it was raw, relatable…and real. Sometimes, we always need to be reminded we’re not alone, and that book made sure of that.

Something I liked…the setting. A book set at a music festival? Full of action and fun but also reality? Like the toilets not having paper and the tents being squished together? Bring. It. On.

Something I disliked…nothing, really! Sure, little things niggled me, like the whole Ruby/Kaz being bitchy thing. But in the end, that’s life, and that’s exactly what this book was about. Best friends can get through anything. Everything. No matter what.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 336 pages, published May 5th 2016 by Macmillan Children’s Books
Synopsis: Last summer, Gottie’s life fell apart. Her beloved grandfather Grey died and Jason left her – the boy to whom she lost her virginity (and her heart) – and he wouldn’t even hold her hand at the funeral! This summer, still reeling from twin heartbreaks, Gottie is lost and alone and burying herself in equations. Until, after five years absence, Thomas comes home: former boy next door. Former best friend. Former everything. And as life turns upside down again she starts to experience strange blips in time – back to last summer, back to what she should have seen then . . .

During one long, hazy summer, Gottie navigates grief, world-stopping kisses and rips in the space-time continuum, as she tries to reconcile her first heartbreak with her last.

Wow! What a book to hopefully (?) finally get me out of this long time reading slump! If anything can, it’ll definitely be this one.

The plot…what a book. Yes, I’ve got to say it does flit about a lot, but so that’s what makes it different, unique, special. This book does kind of involve time-travel, but that’s the awesome thing about it! I definitely wouldn’t let the idea put you off, if you’re planning on reading it.

The characters…ah, I could relate to Gottie in so many ways. Her mood swings and the way she changes so much, I totally just got it. I mean, I don’t have screenwipes etc, but everything else…she is my spirit animal!

The writing…oh wow. How do I use words to describe such an incredible use of, well, words? This book was like the most delightful chocolate cake, layers and layers of gorgeousness. It was relatable on one level, but then it was also amazingly poetic. I admit, I wrote a lot of quotes from this one.

Something I liked…the setting! I don’t often find books set in my humble little country, so I’m always pleased when I do. And such a cute little place, one I’d love to visit if it existed in real life…yep, a real version of Holksea sounds pretty darn good to me. Oh, and the Book Barn too? Please?

Something I disliked…nope, nothing. This book was like one of the lovely cakes Thomas baked in this novel…sweet and perfect.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 288 pages, published May 5th 2016 by Corgi Childrens
Synopsis: Audrey can’t leave the house. she can’t even take off her dark glasses inside the house.
Then her brother’s friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again – well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she’d thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable.

I picked this book up at my local supermarket last week with the intention of it being a quick read that wouldn’t blow me away. As it turns out, I couldn’t have been any more wrong!

Yes, this one might be short, but that doesn’t stop it being touching, lovely and inspirational. Everything you could want from a book!

The plot…is smooth. That might be a weird way to describe it, but I honestly felt like I was gliding through the pages as though I was dancing on ice. It felt easy, and free.

The characters…how do I even begin to describe how much I related to Audrey? To put it simply, she is not the only one who suffers from social anxiety. Although I’ve never been quite as extreme as her, there have been points when it’s been close. And only now, after first realising I had social anxiety 6 years ago (and having to come out of school because of it) am I managing to finally overcome all of my fears.

The writing…was so easy to read! I felt just like I was Audrey’s friend, and I couldn’t stop reading. I really wanted to find out the next part, and the next part. In the end, it only took me around a day to read this book!

Something I liked…erm, this book?! How do I put my finger on one thing? Okay, maybe that’s easier than I’m making out…because Linus is adorable.

Something I disliked…nothing. Absolutely nothing! What an incredible read.

All I can say is this: if you have ever suffered from any sort of anxiety or depression…read this. God, at least peek at the quotes. Trust me, you’ll soon see what I mean about this book.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

“I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 416 pages, published May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury Children’s
Synopsis: Feyre is a huntress.
She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price…
Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy’s kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captor’s body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked – but his piercing stare draws her ever closer. As Feyre’s feeling for Tamlin begin to burn through every warning she’s been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows.
Feyre must find a way to break a spell, or lose her heart forever.

Wow. I honestly don’t know how to get my words out about this book. I’m shocked, overwhelmed and emotional right now. I don’t think my heart has leapt back from my throat yet.

The plot…is full of emotion and very captivating. Although I anticipated every twist and turn, I could never guess what exactly was going to happen. The book evolved so much in only a page, a second in time and your entire thoughts about the story could change completely.

The characters…were perfect for the story. I adored Feyre, her strong will and undying love for what she believed in. She is so brave in a world she knows so little about.

The only negative I can say about the characters, is I admit I did get a little mixed up with Tamlin and Lucien at first. But, obvious to those who have read this book, that confusion quickly went away.

The writing…is incredible. Poetic and full of life, it really brings the story into your head and ensures you simply cannot let go.

Something I liked…the characters and more specifically, the emotion. I spent the last 20-30 pages clogged up with tears ready to spill at any slight move in the plot. My throat felt hoarse afterwards from holding that emotion in, my head pounding from the shock of certain events.

Something I disliked…to be very harsh, I found parts of this book a little…patchy. Patchy being the only word I can find to describe it, although I am likely over-exaggerating. But I did find this book would flit a lot – between tense stories and more relaxed filler pages, heavy emotion and gentle thoughts, action between fighters and action between lovers. The plot would be fast-paced and specific, but then loose and a little…flat.

Because of this, there were times when I found it easy to be involved in the story and would think about it non-stop, and other times when I could leave the book for hours without having a single thought about reading it. Basically, the book didn’t flow perfectly and could be described as a little ‘bumpy’.

My rating is…

 ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons

Although I’m hoping to read A Court of Mist and Fury soon, it probably won’t be until next month due to money issues as usual!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Disclaimer: I have been provided with a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: There is no chosen one in this story.
Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day.
Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter.
Change can be good. It can bring new opportunities, new friends and a life you never thought possible. Change can be bad. It can bring you people determined to burn your city to the ground.
It all depends on the decisions you make.

This book has simply blown me away, and I really wasn’t expecting it!

The plot…is fast paced, enthralling and made my heart pound. I haven’t felt this involved in a novel for a while, and I still feel lucky to have been able to feel so close to such amazing characters and an incredible story.

The characters…made this book relatable. I love the great mixture of contemporary and fantasy in this novel, it was perfect. But the thing that made this book so good for Young Adults is the characters. They’re just like you and me, but they’re enhanced. Different. Gifted. That doesn’t mean they’re not relatable.

The writing…I am in awe of J.A. George for what she has created with Gifted. What an amazing mix, a lovely sweet-and-sour combination that really, really worked. I am a lover of contemporary but have recently found joy in fantasy, so the two are perfect!

Something I liked…as I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, is the contemporary/fantasy mixture. I have never read a book quite like Gifted, but that’s what made it such an enjoyable read. I love a good, different novel, especially with such a fresh and engaging plot!

Something I disliked…nothing! There’s a small, petty part of me that would have liked slightly more romance between two characters I won’t say the names of…but apart from that, I adore this book!

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

Like the sound of Gifted? Take a look at the intriguing character interview Jessica provided me with here!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Edition: Kindle Edition, 373 pages
Synopsis: The world is divided between humans and cyborgs.
Scarlet Lock is neither.
She is a soldier created to kill on command. But her memory has been erased and when she awakens in a government facility she soon discovers that this new world is a dangerous place, full of government secrets and cruel experiments performed in the name of progress.
With the help of a group of cyborgs, Scarlet will fight to uncover the truth and transform the future of the new world she now lives in.
Eternal Darkness is full of suspense, action and romance and will make readers question what it means to be human.

As I haven’t read many dystopian novels, I found it really interesting to read Eternal Darkness and find out another view on how our world could be one day.

The plot…was compelling and complicated, but in a good way. I felt like this book was a beautiful house with many nooks and crannies to be explored, and I wanted to find out about every single one of them!

The characters…I felt mixed towards them. On one hand I really liked Scarlet and felt very intruiged to find out more about her. But there was a part of me that really didn’t like the instant attraction between certain people and didn’t understand the moods and views of others.

I also couldn’t help but find some characters very confusing. There was just a lot of them, and I found it hard to keep track of who was who…which unfortunately made me feel a little disconnected from the story at times.

The writing…what can I say? I couldn’t fault it! It fit perfectly with the book and plot, matching the fast paced plot changes and compelling story with ease.

Something I liked…the plot. Honestly, Eternal Darkness could be the next big dystopian series. I enjoyed it that much. Overall, the complicated but intruiging plot made the book for me!

Something I disliked…only really the confusion with characters at times. Maybe it would have helped to have had less characters or more viewpoints?

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Edition: Paperback, 237 pages, published September 6th 2012 by Walker
Synopsis: At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting — he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments.

The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.

Although I love everything I’ve read of Patrick Ness so far, I was a little apprehensive with A Monster Calls. I just really didn’t know what to expect, but trust me, again, Ness delivered.

The plot…is basic, but I loved that. It’s easy to follow and allows you to feel fully involved in the story and everything happening in Conor’s head. It allows you to slowly learn more about Conor and his life as the story continues at a perfect pace.

The characters…are so right for the story. I felt a lot of connection to both Conor and his mum throughout this story, which was obviously all down to Ness’ amazing writing, which brings me on to…

The writing…can Ness ever fail? What a beautiful, poetic but down-to-Earth book. Although I found this book very poetic, I didn’t feel like it was looking down on me as I kind of felt with Red Queen. It was right there on the same level, and that was perfect.

Something I liked…gosh. Everything. I actually can’t pick out a singular thing or topic, because the amazing thing about Ness’ novels are that everything, everything, works together perfectly.

Something I disliked…absolutely nothing. Sure, grandma got on my nerves sometimes. So did dad. But they’re meant to, so me not liking them shows just how great the characters came across!

My thoughts…again, wow. A Monster Calls is a touching, moving but humble novel that struck me right in the heart. It’s a masterpiece, and one everyone should read…if only to learn that stories are never just stories.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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