Tag: literature

Review: My Neighbor Totoro by Tsugiko Kubo

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review6 Comments

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The beloved animation classic by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro is now retold in novel form. This prestige, hardcover edition features original illustrations by Miyazaki himself, accompanying a story written by veteran children’s book author Tsugiko Kubo. Sure to delight both existing fans and new readers! Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. While their father is working, the girls explore their sprawling old house and the forest and fields that surround it. Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds–and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another.

I can’t even begin to tell you how lovely this book was. I found it so comforting! I started watching Studio Ghibli movies a few years ago, and they really hold a special place in my heart. I’ve come to love the franchise, and when I saw this book I knew I’d want to pick it up. I wasn’t wrong in adding it to my TBR, I got through it in just a day and I adored it!

“The rain kept falling, falling, falling….”

If you’re a fan of the movie like I am, this book is definitely worth the read. Told mostly from the view of 11 year old Satsuki, it explores the challenges of moving to a new house and having an ill family member. It’s lighthearted and extremely gentle, but still nostalgic of the more emotional undertones of the beautiful movie.

This book is extremely cute as a physical item, and is scattered with beautiful watercolour illustrations that are reminiscent of the animation. The story reminded me of Enid Blyton, who I adored as a kid! It really made me think how much I would have loved this book if I’d had it read to me as a child.

“The sound of rain was everywhere.”

I read this in bed, with fairy lights on, while I wasn’t feeling well one rainy day. The countryside setting is described beautifully, and overall the narrative is sweet and calming. If you like the movie/Studio Ghibli in general, this book is definitely worth the read.

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review6 Comments

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Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Before I begin, thank you to the lovely Anna for pushing me to read this book! An old friend gave it to me for my birthday almost 2 years ago and it’s taken me until now to finally pick it up. But I’m glad I did, because I enjoyed it so much that it took me under 2 days to complete.

“Raindrops are my only reminder that clouds have a heartbeat.”

I think the thing I found most enjoyable about this book is it’s so easy to read. The pages literally fly by, because after the first couple of chapters the pacing is steadfast. The short chapters left me wanting to just read another one, making Shatter Me a book I just couldn’t put down. I also loved the cast of characters, from our clever villain to Adam’s sweet little brother. Although Juliette was whiny and cliche, I couldn’t help but understand her situation.

This book kind of reminded me of The Selection series in the ways it made me feel. The insta-love annoyed me a little as it was cringy, but I still couldn’t help but enjoy reading about their story. I just wish I’d read this one a couple of years ago instead, because I would have loved it even more!

“That I have one, too.”

Alongside some of the cringe, I had a few small issues I want to address. For one, why does Mafi not know about commas? I understand that this pushed forward the whole diary/notebook written aspect, but some sentences just really needed breaking up. It didn’t bother me too much after a while, but if I didn’t think it was intentional, it would have just looked unprofessional.

But niggles aside, I couldn’t help but enjoy it. I’ve already ordered the second book and I can’t wait to carry on with the series soon!

★★★★
4 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: The Raven King (#4) by Maggie Stiefvater

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review4 Comments

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All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love’s death. She doesn’t believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

I can’t believe I’ve finished this series. It took me so long to get round to finishing, but it’s all I’ve been thinking of for the past couple of weeks. Take a read of the quote I included in this, because it’s exactly how I felt about this series! The Raven King was ups and downs for me, but I did end up loving it.

Something I disliked..where was Noah? The little sweet thing, I missed him so much in this book. His lack of presence was the only thing I really disliked, and it made me feel Henry was only there to attempt to make up for it. Sorry, Stiefvater, but a Noah shaped hole can never be filled.

“He was a book, and he was holding his final pages, and he wanted to get to the end to find out how it went,”

I do have to say that I unfortunately found the pacing off yet again in this book! But once I got into it, it flew past for me. I found the plot interesting, and I’m glad this one focused mostly on the group of friends rather than villains, and included some really interesting scenes with them all.

Talking of the group of friends, I won’t give spoilers but I ship two different couples in this book 😉 Fans of the series will know how happy I feel! I mentioned in my review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue that I felt each of these books focused more on a different character, but I’m happy to say that I think The Raven King made the group equal. I loved reading about each of them!

“and he didn’t want it to be over.”

I don’t think I can say enough about the characters. It’s just so rare for YA to not focus on romance and actually focus on intimate friendships and friendship groups instead. Alongside Stiefvater’s absolutely beautiful writing and scenes that will stay with me for a long time to come, I feel the characters and their friendship warms my heart the most. That’s what made me truly fall in love with this series.

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (#3) by Maggie Stiefvater

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review5 Comments

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Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.

I just saw on Amazon that I bought this book in May 2016, over 2 years ago. So why the hell did it take me so long to get round to actually reading this series? I’ve got to a point where I can’t imagine my world without these beautiful Raven Boys, and I’m dreading finishing The Raven King and being without this series.

I feel like each of these books teaches us more about the individuals that make up this quirky little group. We had an introduction, we had Ronan and in Blue Lily, Lily Blue, I developed a deep understanding of Adam. There is a passage in this book where Blue explains that the Raven Boys all fall a little bit in love with each other, and I think I can include myself in this. Because the characters are by far the best thing about this book.

“”Don’t tell the others,” Gansey said.”

Although we really needed more Noah in this book, because his cold little self warms my heart with some scenes, my favourite of which is in The Dream Thieves with Blue, and always will be. We also find ourselves with a number of awesome characters added in this book, one of which is Jesse Dittley, who I have to say I just found awesome.

Leaving the characters aside for a moment, I have to force myself to focus on other things. Like the plot, which actually wasn’t half-boring in this book! I feel like this is where it clicked for Maggie, and became more action-packed and paced better. Thank god. Let’s hope she keeps it up for The Raven King.

“”I’m dead,” Noah replied, “not stupid.””

I only have two minor complaints, once again. For one, I want more Gansey please? He is meant to be the main focus of this entire book, but I need more description of him and his life outside Glendower. Or maybe the point is that he doesn’t have one.

For two, Adam’s court scene? Is entirely missed out? I’m presuming it all turned out okay, but I also feel like someone ripped some very important pages out of my book or something.

But these two very minor feelings can’t impact on my love for this series, which burns brighter than it ever has, if you can believe it.

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: The Raven Boys (#1) by Maggie Stiefvater

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review13 Comments

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Even if Blue hadn’t been told her true love would die if she kissed him, she would stay away from boys. Especially the ones from the local private school. Known as Raven Boys, they only mean trouble.
But this is the year that everything will change for Blue.
This is the year that she will be drawn into the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys. And the year Blue will discover that magic does exist.
This is the year she will fall in love. 

I can’t believe I didn’t carry on with this series the first time I read this book! I picked this up over 2 years ago now in 2016 and I remember really enjoying it. However, I didn’t own the entire series and due to that it has taken me until now to finally decide to carry on reading them! I couldn’t remember what happened at all though, so hence I decided to pick the first one back up and re-read it before I continue.

“She wasn’t interested in telling other people’s futures.”

And I’m so glad I did because I feel like I’ve discovered this book all over again! This series is incredibly compelling, and I know it won’t take me long to get through the rest. It did take me a while to start becoming obsessed with the story, but I’m definitely there now and I can’t stop thinking about Blue’s life.

The first thing that came into my head when reading this book is the originality. I have to admit I have never read a YA book like this one, and that is a bold statement to make, and an incredible thing for an author to achieve.

“She was interested in going out and finding her own.”

I have so much praise for the amazing woman that is Maggie Stiefvater. I could go on forever about what I love about this book, but let’s start with her writing. Easy to read but randomly poetic. Very page-turning but also made me stop and think wow how does someone do that?

The only slight issue I had was this book really ramps up like 100 pages in and the pacing was incredibly slow to start with? It honestly took me around half the book to go from ‘it’s okay’ to ‘omg this is the best thing ever’. Aside from possibly Ronan, who I unfortunately found very 2D, I also love the colourful complex cast of characters Stiefvater has created. Blue is so mature, never whines and is all around calm and cool and intriguing. And I found the other boys so fascinating to read about and very vibrant and alive (ahem).

So to sum up, this book is unique and original and unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’re looking for something a little different, I URGE YOU TO READ THIS.

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review9 Comments

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Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. 
Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated–scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought. Because I’ve heard it’s a lot like fanfic, and I thought it might disappoint me because of it. In a way, I ended up loving it even more. Because this book is like Maas’ own love letter for the world she created. It’s like a fanfic for herself, and I’m sorry but how damn cool is that?

“Stars flickered around us, sweet darkness sweeping in.”

I relished this book, because I absolutely adore the world Maas made, and she made sure to show it off with this book. I felt like she took the time to really show us how Velaris looked to her, and I loved that. The winter scenes felt truly magical and so vibrant, I couldn’t stop reading about the beautiful swirling snowstorms.

I also love how this book didn’t rush. The whole thing was about the solstice and their beautiful family. Having the slightly different POV helped me understand their inner dynamics and I’m sure its something I’m going to take into the rest of the series. Also, the solstice really gave me a Christmassy festive feel which was so heartwarming!

“As if we were the only souls in a galaxy.”

The only slight issue I had was the weird sex scene at the end, in which Feyre shows Rhys their future son, and he…um..enjoyed it a little too much for my liking. If you sit back and think about that scene, it really creeped me the hell out.

But for the whole book to only have that one little setback for me, I still have to say I’m going to give it 5 stars!

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review6 Comments

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Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

Can I please just take a second to mention soapgate? Because even though there is so much wrong with it (*cough* fanfic for profit *cough*), it has amused me highly and could not be more appropriate to this review.

I’m so glad that I’m leaving this book with tears in my eyes and love in my heart. Because I was daunted. Tiny letters and 700 pages and bad pacing? I doubted whether I would get through it at all, let alone as quickly. But Sarah J Maas has done it again, she took my heart and ripped it to shreds, but still made me fall in love.

“I would have waited five hundred more years for you.”

As mentioned above, let’s start with the bad pacing. My only downside of this book would have to be the slow pacing at the start. I spent so long having to push through the dreadfully slow parts before hitting the turn-paging last bits of the book. But I have to say, it was worth it to get to the good, turn-paging parts.

Also, the characters! I found it great having Feyre’s sisters in the family and I loved all of their different personalities. So many deeply personal scenes (shoutout to Mor and that scene between Feyre and her in the camp which I loved!), had me rooting for each and every character.

“A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have… the wait was worth it.”

There is no other way to describe it, but everything in these books feels so alive. The characters, the land, the politics, the love…everything is vivid and real and crammed with emotion. The only thing I have to say is that I don’t know if I quite need another 3 books. I’m happy about the novella, but I’m also happy where this book left off. Although I loved them so much that I’m sure I’ll continue reading when the time comes, so who am I to complain?

Also, I cried.

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review6 Comments

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Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.
Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

It’s taken me a long while to finally get around to carrying on with this series, but I finally am! My friend Amy has been reading them over the past few weeks, and she inspired me to pick this series back up. I read A Court of Thorns and Roses a few years ago and I was one of the very few people in this world who didn’t jump on this series. Yes, I liked it, but I didn’t love it like so many others.

But I had a pleasant surprise with this one! Maybe it’s because I’m enjoying fantasy a lot more recently, but I’m in love.

“To the stars who listen”

The world in this series is unlike any other, and I’m really enjoying the politics between the courts. I think I found it hard to follow in the first book, but it’s all making sense now I’m more used to reading fantasy! I’m also really enjoying the romance, because the rollercoaster of emotions in ACOMAF had me crying, laughing, cringing and punching the air. It teared my heart apart and sewed it back together so many times! I really enjoyed the slow build of sexual tension between Feyre and Rhys, and I even found the sex scenes not too bad. The only thing I will say is that they are very unrealistic in parts (*ahem* that lodge *ahem*), but I did find them well written other than that.

“and the dreams that are answered.”

The only downside I have to say is this book is longgg. And not only that, it can be a real slow-burner at times. For most of the book, I was kind of counting the pages, but somehow a few short bursts really made up for it. There is no doubt about Maas’ writing being absolutely beautiful and very poetic, and I found so many quotes and passages that I utterly adored.

So I’m very happy to say that Sarah J. Maas, you have stolen my heart back, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come!

★★★★★
5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: See How They Lie by Sue Wallman

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review1 Comment

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All’s not well at the Hummingbird Creek wellness resort. No one can see in. No one can get out… 
New from the talented author who brought you Lying About Last Summer: a psycho-chiller to wake up your darkest phobias. If you got to live in a luxury hotel with world-class cuisine, a state-of-the-art sports centre and the latest spa treatments, would you say ‘yes please’? 
Well, that’s kind of what Hummingbird Creek is like. No wonder Mae feels lucky to be there. It’s meant as a rich-kid’s sanatorium, but she isn’t sick. Her dad is the top psychiatrist there. But one day Mae breaks a rule. NOT a good idea. This place is all about rules – and breaking them can hurt you…

I’m pretty sure this book was a cover buy, and it’s been sat on my shelf for at least a year. I thought I’d finally pick it up, and I ended up getting through it in just under a day! Firstly, I would like to point out I nearly DNF’d this book, but not because I didn’t like it. I just felt like it wasn’t for me. But I have to say, I am glad I continued and pushed through. Even though this wasn’t the best book in the world, it was enjoyable to a degree.

“Don’t go, I want to say. Don’t leave me.”

I have to say I’m very torn in my opinion of this book, and I think that’s because it’s slightly too young for me. It’s definitely more of an early teen book, and I think I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if I’d have picked it up years ago. For one, the whole concept is one we don’t see often, and I did find it imaginative. I’m not going to say it was out-of-this-world, but I found it interesting enough to carry on reading.

I actually liked the characters, and Mae’s friends. I felt the cast of characters varied and most were well-built. Everyone was described just enough to make it interesting and we still knew who everyone was.

“But instead I stay silent.”

I definitely think one of the problems here is the pace. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was slow, but maybe patchy is the right word? I saw a review on Goodreads that read “Sort of felt like the middle section was all ‘The vitamins…could something be wrong with the vitamins? I think there’s something going on with the vitamins. Could…could it be? Something to do with the vitamins?’” and I couldn’t agree more. In more ways than one, this book is just a little all-over the place and I definitely think it includes a few plot-holes. I won’t go into any more detail due to spoilers, but I will include it as a downfall.

So this book was enjoyable and a page-turner, but not incredible or exciting as such. I’m glad I read it, but I’d say if you’re looking for a cult book, go for Seed by Lisa Heathfield instead.

★★★
3 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

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The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase’s family embraces Samantha – even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha’s world. She’s suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Yes. Yes. Yes. This book is such a good debut and such a pleasant surprise! I’ve been a tiny bit peeved recently because I’ve been powering through books on my shelf and I haven’t really been enjoying them as much as I’d like…until this.

Where do I even start? I’m used to contemporaries, and I have a soft spot for them. But this is a contemporary with one hell of a twist. I was enjoying this book, and about halfway through was left wondering what was happening, a little bored perhaps. It was lovely, fluffy…but that was it. I needed more.

Hell, did Fitzpatrick give me more.

““You have to kiss me,” I find myself saying.”

Some people may say the twist was a little too intense for such a fluffy romance, but I am not one of those people. This book really needed the twist to pull it apart from the rest. But it wasn’t just the twist that I loved. For one, this book includes family and friends and such a large cast of characters, but I loved them all and I thought they were all so well built. Everyone played an important role in the story and Fitzpatrick is so good at creating well-rounded characters. I really liked Samantha, and I actually love that she was a rich girl. She challenged the whole rich girl stereotype and proved there is more depth to the spoilt princess we expect.

This book took me through so many emotions. Boredom, slightly, yes. But also love, confusion, tears, happiness, laughter and so much more. I spent some of this book trying not to cry, and other parts bursting out into giggles. It displayed the rollercoaster of Samantha’s life perfectly.

“”Yeah.” He leans closer. “I do.””

So honestly, the best part of this book was definitely the characters, whom I adored. I loved the big Garrett family and the natural way they were represented. I loved George, who came across with traits of aspergers to me, and made him even more lovable. I loved the dynamic between Sam and her mum, because even though it was heart-wrenching, I think it was written beautifully.

My only criticism? The pace. As I briefly mentioned above, I thought halfway through this book that that was it. And later on, I felt the ending was a little rushed. I just think if the twist had happened a little sooner, with the first half of the book being more compressed and the second half having a little more longevity, it would have been absolutely perfect.

★★★★★
4.5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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