Tag: book blog

Review: The Love That Split The World by Emily Henry

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review7 Comments

25467698

Edition: Hardcover, 400 pages, published January 26th 2016 by Razorbill
Synopsis: Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start…until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.
That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

I just finished this book and oh my life. It is so freaking incredible.

The plot…is more amazing than words could ever say. Suspensful, but still so deep and beautiful. This book managed to create a bridge between suspense, action and one of the best love stories I’ve ever read.

The characters…are beautiful. Relatable but also admirable in a sense that they are very different to the average person. The perfect balance!

The writing…is unexplainable. Henry has this immense talent of connecting the normal bookworm with this world, one that I could not even begin to define.

Something I liked…I’m actually really struggling to point a certain thing out, because all of the different things in this book tie it together to make it what it is. If you’re forcing me, though…of course it’s Beau! Oh, and the ending. It’s just so…perfect.

Something I disliked…hahaha the thought of trying to answer that question is simply hilarious.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons
I would give it so much more if I could!

Alas, my dear reader, I am struggling to come to the end of this review. I just have so much more to say, so much more rambling to spurt out about this beauty.

So I will leave this post with two notes. One is the following letter to this fabulous author. Although I massively doubt this will ever reach Emily Henry, I can only wish and hope – either way I needed to get this out there somewhere!

Dear Emily Henry,

You gave me a gift in The Love That Split The World. You gave me my favourite book of 2016 so far, and one I’m sure will reach my list of top 5 at the end of the year.

But not just that…you gave me love, you gave me hope. You made me feel as though I was being cleansed by the light of a thousand silver stars falling over me like rain.

You made me feel incredible. You made me feel alive.

And that, as a reader, is everything I could ever hope for.

For that, I thank you more than a thousand words could ever say. More than the brightest star could ever express. The only thing I could ever change would be this review – I wish I could make it as beautiful as your book…but right now, that feels impossible.

The second is this beautiful quote. It is one I’ve known for a while but only started to mean more to be the second I finished this book – this is literally the first thing I thought of when I read those amazing final words.


-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

 

 

 

Review: Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Edition: Paperback, published 2008-2010 by Walker
Synopsis: Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him — something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn’t she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd’s gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.

Omg. I literally just finished this trilogy (a few minutes ago) and oh my. I’ve only just stopped crying (the good kind).

What a series. What. A. Series.

Honestly…better than The Hunger Games for me. And that is a massive statement.

The plot…is outstanding. Suspensful, intruiging but with so many underlying meanings, it’s just unbelievable. There is no filling out, no unnecessary parts at all. Everything is perfectly in place for the book to just…flow.

Oh, and one other thing. So many plot twists. Seriously, if you’re going to read this series, buy them all at once. Because if you don’t….you’ll literally be tearing your hair out waiting for the next book, because big cliffhangers here people!

The characters…are so well written and fitting for the story. All of them, every single one, are really needed.

The writing….is one of a kind. A different style than I’ve ever seen before, but that’s the really good thing about it.

Something I liked…is this entire trilogy. Omg. But actually, I’m surprised to say – the ending. It holds so much hope, so much emotion, so much meaning…more than I ever thought mere words could carry.

Something I disliked…was at the very start of The Knife of Never Letting Go, the langauge. Todd, the main character, uses certain words, such as ‘yerself’ instead of ‘yourself’. And for that first chapter, I thought I wouldn’t be able to get used to it. How wrong was I? These books wouldn’t be the same without it.

What I’m feeling right now…is indescribable. Like my heart has just been torn and smashed to pieces, but also all warm and soft like a marshmallow. I feel so mixed up, so amazed and outstanded at the pure skill that is Patrick Ness. The pure…power.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons
Without a doubt.

You need to read this trilogy. There is nothing more to say on the matter.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

 

 

 

Review: A Bitter Pill to Swallow by Tiffany Gholar

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

28645065

Goodreads | Amazon

Edition: Paperback, 330 pages, published January 20th 2016

Disclaimer: I reviewed this book on behalf of Tiffany Gholar, the author. I received a paperback copy in return for an honest review.

The plot…is solid, definite and perfect for the book. Although there is not much action, there is definitely enough plot-twists to keep it interesting!

The characters…were really interesting. I loved Janina, one of the main characters, and I felt I could relate to her in some ways. I found it absolutely outstanding that Gholar has so much skill to make so many characters understandable to the reader.

The writing…is really good, and not just that, but clever. The thing I found the most amazing is the change in writing with each character. This book has several POV & is written is several tenses, and this book is possibly the first I’ve read that not only writes that extremely well, but celebrates it.

Something I liked…is the plot-twist with Janina. I will say no more, people! You better read this book to find out! I found it not only really interesting, but perfect for the plot.

Something I disliked…I don’t know…I’m trying to be find something to critisize, but I don’t think I can’t! And I’m not even just saying that!

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

Honestly, I felt like I could really relate to this book, and because of that I really enjoyed it. I also really appreciated the writing and the research that must have gone in to making this novel what it is.

If you have suffered any sort of mental illness, diagnosed or not, or know someone that has, I really believe you should read this book.

Because it’s not just a book – it’s a life lesson.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

 

 

 

Review: The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

18798983

Goodreads | Amazon

This book has been on my TBR for a while, so I was thrilled when I received it for Christmas through a bookstagram secret santa! I finally got round to reading it the other day, and absolutely sped through it.

The plot…although quite simple (if you only count the two main characters) was weaved together by intricate twists and poetic writing – which although fluffs out the novel, is not unnecessary.

The characters…were very, very written and also extremely clever. I loved the main character, Shazi, and I found it perfect to be written mainly from her point of view, although the different POV really helped the book.

The writing…is really what makes the book. It enables a partly fantasy-filled word to really come to life. I also found the pages literally flying by…I just wanted to find out what was going to happen, get to Shazi’s next part of writing.

Something I liked…specifically, has to be Shazi. I just really liked her, and found I could relate to her personality and way of thinking.

Something I didn’t like…oh gosh. I don’t think I can actually find anything. Everything was…perfect. If you haven’t read this, you need to!

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
5 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

 

 

Review: All Together Now by Gill Hornby

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

25492167

Goodreads | Amazon

This book wasn’t amazing, outstanding or even close to extra-ordinary. But that’s okay. That’s more than okay – because it’s totally what this lovely little book is about.

This book is happy, uplifting and full of joy. And even though it may not be the most popular book in the world, it is definitely important. And I’m so glad I read it.

The plot…was solid. It had a good beginning, middle and end. It was strong, confident and definite.

The characters…were simple but sweet. Perfect for the book.

The writing…is charming. The first but most appropriate word that comes to mind. It is, again, not amazing. But it works – and that’s the most important thing!

Something I liked…is the community vibe. Honestly, if you grew up in a small village/town in the UK, this book is one for you. This entire book is based around community and how important it is, and I really agree with that.

Something I didn’t like…was at the start, the character changes. I’m not against different POV, but they’re just not clearly defined. I honestly like to have a name for each person against their chapters. But this book just didn’t make it obvious enough for me.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽
3.5 out of 5 Moons

Sorry for the slightly rushed review, everyone! I have an exam tomorrow and I need to get some studying in later after seeing Emma, so wish me luck!

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review8 Comments

23437156

Goodreads | Amazon

Edition: Hardcover, 465 pages, published September 29th 2015 by Henry Holt and Company

Synopsis: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

Kaz’s crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

I have read this book with the Book Bloggers Unite! Book club, run by me, Emma and Sophie. Want to join? Find out more here!

The plot…at first, was really, really confusing. I didn’t understand the characters or the plot. But after around the first half, it really picked up. It was extremely thrilling and full of intriguing plot twists!

The characters…as I said above, were at first, extremely confusing. The book is written in alternate chapters, written from the viewpoint of 6 different people. But Leigh has got skills, and she pulls this off (eventually).

The writing…is very good. Not outstanding, and a little confusing, but still amazing. I love the world Leigh managed to create, a world of intruiging heists and interesting people. Beautiful, in a way.

Something I liked…is actually the alternating character viewpoints. It was really nice to see inside the minds of not only one or two people, but six. And not only that, but to be able to pull it off! I really look up to Leigh for that.

Something I didn’t like…was the entire first half of the book. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see the…point. I suppose it was needed for character building, but the first half is told without the characters actually being together, which just doesn’t really make sense. Luckily, the second half – surprisingly but very impressively – completely made up for this.

The book as an object…wow. This is not something I’d normally talk about, sometimes I’ll mention a cover, but this entire book is…so beautiful. I just can’t not mention it!

For a start, the cover is amazing. But not just that, the slipcover feels really weird. Weird in a good way, it’s sort of…soft but rough – and unlike any other book I own. Under the slipcover, the hardcover is really soft, and has a little crow on it.

Also, the spine is beautiful – the dark red lettering against the smooth black is just so lovely. But not just these things…the book is just…really something. It is bigger than normal paperbacks, but there is something really special about that. You are forced to hold it in your lap, and really feel the weight and size of the book as a whole. It makes it an experience.

As well as all of this, the book has black tinted pages on the edges, which softens into the white on the edge of every single page.

But the thing that really got me? Something so unique, it actually surpised me. The font. It’s the same as the cover, but smaller. And I didn’t expect to like it, but I loved it.

My rating is…

☽ ☽ ☽ ☽

4 of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

youtubetwitterbloglovintumblrinstagram

You may also be interested in: Crooked Kingdom Review

Review: The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

21064007

Goodreads | Amazon

Edition: Hardcover, 304 pages, published April 10th 2014 by Picador
Synopsis: For thirty-eight years, Bartholomew Neil has lived with his mother. When she gets sick and dies, he has no idea how to be on his own. His redheaded grief counselor, Wendy, says he needs to find his flock and leave the nest. But how does a man whose whole life has been grounded in his mom, Saturday mass, and the library learn how to fly?

The plot…was solid and effective. It provided a good base for the story, but didn’t involve a great deal of action or other extraordinary feats to make it unique or exquisite.

The characters…were simple. Unfortunately, I found the characters didn’t have much depth or character building of any sort. They did the job, but I think I would have preferred the book with better (and more in depth) descriptions.

The writing…was also simple. Maybe I’m missing something here, but I can’t find much to say about the writing. It did the job for the book, and I found it easy to read, but there was nothing to make it… exciting.

Something I liked…it’s hard to pick out one thing – maybe the settings? I have to admit, Quick did describe beauty quite well, and the settings are quite easy to picture.

Something I didn’t like…the simplicity. It just didn’t show great depths in any areas, something I believe is quite important for a novel. I also didn’t like the way Bartholomew, as the main character, wrote and came across as a child. Yes, even I feel like I’m missing the point here, but I just found him…immature. Especially for the main character of an adult book.

Overall…I was really disappointed. Although I hadn’t read any other writing by Matthew Quick, I have heard great things about The Silver Linings Playbook – so I have to admit I had high expectations. The entire book was just pretty mediocre. Yes, there were a few little things I enjoyed, and I’m still glad I read it, but this is definitely not one of the best books I’ve read.

My rating is…

☽ ☽
2.5 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Email: thebooksareeverywhere@hotmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxTaRxPaXCXsgXs2xC4CIg
Instagram: @thebooksareeverywhere
Twitter: @tbaeblog
Tumblr: The Books Are Everywhere

Review: Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

18130484

Goodreads | Amazon

Edition Published June 6th 2013 by Hodder & Stoughton, 323 pages
Synopsis: Well hello to you, dear browser. Now I have your attention it would be rude if I didn’t tell you a little about my literary feast. So, here is the thing: is it just me or does anyone else find that adulthood offers no refuge from the unexpected horrors, peculiar lack of physical coordination and sometimes unexplained nudity, that accompanied childhood and adolescence?

This one was a re-read for me. Recently, I haven’t been keen to re-read some books but this one just…worked. I needed my Miran-ual and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

If you don’t know who Miranda Hart is, she is a lovely British comedian, mostly known for her TV show, Miranda. I love that show and I’ve (binge) watched it over and over, and therefore I also love this book.

The plot…well, as this book is more of a self-help manual, it follows sections rather than a plot. But it works, because you can either read it in order or just read a section. Sections include dating, music, hobbies, technology, beauty and bodies.

The characters…consist of Miranda and her 18 year old self. I love that she included her as a teen, because it gives us, as the reader, a friend throughout the book. Little Miranda is shown as if she’s listening to her older self talk, and that is a unique way to make us feel not so alone as a reader.

The writing…is really personal. As a part-autobiography, it is a really nice way to read a self-help guide. It also has a lighthearted, fun feel.

Something I liked…is the unique-ness of Miranda as a person. She is also really inspiring for people like me. One of my favourite parts has to be one of the little tasks she presents throughout the book, which says ‘Look in the mirror and say, ‘There is none other like you and for that reason alone you are beautiful’.

Something I didn’t like…I don’t think there is anything, actually. Maybe (and I’m being really petty here just to think of something) is that I think the ‘dating’ and ‘wedding’ chapters could have been combined? I don’t know.

My rating is (without a doubt)…

☽☽☽☽☽
5 out of 5 moons

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Email: thebooksareeverywhere@hotmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxTaRxPaXCXsgXs2xC4CIg
Instagram: @thebooksareeverywhere
Twitter: @tbaeblog
Tumblr: The Books Are Everywhere
Google+: Beth Jones

Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

18007564

Goodreads | Amazon

Edition: 2015, Del Rey, 369 Pages
Synopsis: I’m stranded on Mars.
I have no way to communicate with Earth.
I’m in a Habitat designed to last 31 days.
If the Oxygenator breaks down, I’ll suffocate. If the Water Reclaimer breaks down, I’ll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I’ll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I’ll eventually run out of food and starve to death.
So yeah. I’m screwed.

I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It was not only really good & really well written but also really, really funny.

The plot is full of suspense. But also quite personal. I find suspensful books can be quite focused on the plot, and the characters can be unlikeable.
The characters (well mainly Mark) were so well built, that I felt I was reading an autobiography.

The writing is outstanding. Personal, yet informational. And also really hilarious.

Something I liked…has to be the humour! I didn’t know a book like this could include puns like that. I laughed out loud at points. Not a good one to read in public!

Something I disliked…at the start, was the confusing science. It’s needed, but I found it hard to read. Especially with distractions, such as background noise.

My rating is…

☽☽☽☽☽
5 out of 5 moons

I can’t wait for the movie to come out on DVD so I can watch it! I really feel this will be great on the big screen. I’d definitely recommend this one to any reader, especially if you enjoy autobiography style-writing.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Email: thebooksareeverywhere@hotmail.com
Instagram: @thebooksareeverywhere
Twitter: @tbaeblog
Tumblr: The Books Are Everywhere
Google+: Beth Jones

Review: October 32nd by Larry Rodness

On By Beth JonesIn Book ReviewLeave a comment
Edition: 2015 by Larry Rodness
Synopsis: October 31st. The quaint little town of Elora, Ontario has held its annual Halloween festival for the past 50 years but this year it takes a terrible turn.  A young boy nearly drowns while bobbing for apples. Shortly after, a group of children are attacked by a flock of crows. Local eccentric, Missy Claridge, senses a mysterious connection between the two incidents and warns the town officials to postpone the upcoming festivities. Unfortunately her premonition is ignored and later that evening, all the children in the village suddenly disappear. The townsfolk are baffled.  Soon, every person becomes a suspect as residents frantically try to discover what happened to the children and how to get them back.

Purchase October 32nd Here

I was asked to review this book on behalf of the author. I was given an ePub version in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

Firstly, this book is way underhyped. It’s a cleverly and brilliantly written novel.

The plot is full of amazing twists and turns. I never knew what was about to happen, and that made for a great read full of suspense and expectation.

The characters are very well written. I love the character building for the main character, Alexander. He is very well explained and I found I could see inside his head very easily and understand him, without veering from the main story.

The writing flows really well from chapter to chapter. Most chapters ended on some sort of cliffhanger, which I really liked. It worked, and made me want to read on.

Something I liked…has to be the way this book launches right into the story, but manages to give us a clear impression of the main character at the same time. I actually found this really impressive, as I have been disappointed with books that take too long or too quick to get into the actual story. I also really enjoying the ending. It really wasn’t what I expected, but it really fits the story.

Something I disliked…not much, really. The only thing I can really say is I found this book hard to read with a distraction. You do have to really focus on what’s happening, so for some people certain parts may be confusing if you don’t have your full attention on the novel.

My rating is…

☽☽☽☽
4 out of 5 moons

A great quick read.

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽