Reading Critically

The world we live in is wonderful. It's bursting with billions of different people, each one with a story to tell. Fiction explores new worlds and new stories--essentially, books have the power to open our eyes to people and experiences we've never imagined before. 

If this planet is so diverse, then how come only a few peoples stories get told? Can you honestly say that the books you read are as representative as they could be? I can't. Novels centred around people who aren't just straight, white, and cis-gendered aren't as common as they should be. Fiction is definitely getting better, but it's not there yet.

It's not just a case of representation. A book may have a diverse cast yet be problematic in an entirely different sense. It could be the way they portrayed, or the things they say... to put it simply, there are thousands of reasons why a novel could be dubious in its portrayal.

There is definitely an argument to say that fiction is just entertainment, and in a way it is. That doesn't change the fact that it influences our lives. I don't think any of us would read if it didn't. And that is exactly why I think it's important to read critically rather than passively.

I don't think it's patronising to say that as human beings we're impressionable. The media is all around us, and fiction is yet another way that we gather information and form opinions. Say, for example, a novel depicts a cast of female characters that instead of supporting each other, label each other 'sluts' and backstab their friends just to win the attention of a man. That's not positive, and yet it's everywhere in fiction. Yes, a book is just a book, but if the ideas they present are negative the impact it might have would be extremely harmful.

If we don't read books and carefully scrutinise whats being said, who will? If you read something that has elements of racism--take Bronte's Jane Eyre as an example--and don't call it out, then that says just as much about you then it does the text itself. I'm not saying that you can't enjoy something that has flaws, but if you don't even acknowledge the problems with the book, then that's just lazy. I'm definitely guilty of reading passively in the past and even now I'm not perfect. I just think it's important to make an effort.

I'm aware that I speak from a position of privilege. I'm straight, white, middle class, cis-gendered, British... aside from the fact that I'm a woman (which, lets face it, is still a disadvantage even in the 21st century) I'm about as privileged as it gets. It's so easy for someone like me to forget that not everyone is like us, but if the people society tends to favour don't act critical towards things, then nothing will change. It's not always a case of boycotting a book because of its flaws, but simply being aware of them.

The world we live in is prejudiced enough as it is. Surely we shouldn't just be standing by when we see something problematic, no matter how minor it is? The only way for things to get better is for people to be critical.

In the end it might be 'just a book', but if it wasn't for the stories I've read I wouldn't be the same person I am today. I'm interested to hear what you think--should we always try to read critically, or are there instances were books are nothing more than entertainment? As far as I see it, words are powerful, and powerful things are the ones that should be criticised the most.

Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY BY OSCAR WILDE
Publisher: Random House
Format: Paperback
Series: No
Pages: 194
Date Finished: 21.01.16
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: Dorian is a good-natured young man until he discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deep into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, he apparently remains physically unchanged by the stresses of his corrupt lifestyle and untouched by age. But up in his attic, hidden behind a curtain, his portrait tells a different story...

“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”

To put it simply, this novel is fantastic. Not only is the prose absolutely beautiful, but it explores themes that most authors wouldn't dare to (especially in the stuffy, oppressive Victorian era). The Picture of Dorian Gray is bold, daring, thought provoking and philosophical. It's no wonder that most of Wilde's contemporary didn't give it the best reception.

Dorian Gray follows an eponymous protagonist who essentially trades his soul for eternal youth and beauty. The portrait of him painted by his friend Basil Hallward bears not only his age but a visible sign of the sins he commits. As well as being a fantastic novel it also has elements of being a social commentary, sometimes even using very dark cynicism to highlight the flaws of Victorian society.

“I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.”

Some characters are more likable than others, though they all feel extremely real. Along with most of the classics I have read (which, sadly, isn't many) I did struggle to deeply connect with the characters in the same way I have with other novels. However, that doesn't change how beautifully crafted they are. Each one serves a purpose, from Henry Wotton to Sibyl Vane. Some were sexist, some were sympathetic, and others were downright evil.

Perhaps my favourite thing about The Picture of Dorian Gray is how Wilde's life adds to the narrative. I have to admit that I don't know much about Oscar Wilde, though I do know that he was gay. The homosexual undertones to the novel are quite frankly a delight to read. They're so blatantly obvious (at least they are to me, reading in the 21st century) and it's just wonderful. Fuck you, Victorian homophobia. This book is a work of art, and I like to think that it's sticking it's middle finger up at oppression.

“Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.”

I genuinely see myself wanting to reread this in a few years. The prose is so good it made me want to drool, and every other sentence felt quote worthy. It wasn't overly challenging to read, and whilst there was one chapter that dragged I was hardly ever bored. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic that's lasted the test of time, and I completely understand why.

“Some things are more precious because they don't last long.”

Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE BY BENJAMIN ALIRE SAENZ 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Audiobook
Series: No
Pages: 359
Date Finished: 19.12.15
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. 

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

I don't really know what to say about this book, other than the fact that it felt alive. The characters had a life of their own, and it wasn't one of those contemporary novels that, no matter how enjoyable, has a detachment from reality. Everything about Aristotle and Dante feels like it could happen in real life. It feels like it already did.

“Words were different when they lived inside of you.”

The prose in this novel lent itself perfectly to being read as an audiobook, and I definitely recommend enjoying it that way. Lin Manuel Miranda's narration took the words of the page and completely immersed me in the world of Ari and D0ante. I'd be lying if I told you the reason I read this wasn't because Miranda was the narrator (he just happens to be my favourite human being. Ever). That aside, I can't form into words how magical this novel is.

I completely understand why it's won so many awards. It's powerful, and manages to be profound without becoming overly pretentious. Even though I can't relate to the two main characters on certain levels, I am beyond happy that this book exists. In terms of representation, this is the kind of book we need. Aristotle and Dante explores the themes of race and homosexuality, two things which are arguably underrepresented in YA at the moment. Books like this one are important, not just because it's a fantastic novel because it tells the stories of characters which don't normally get a voice.

“I got to thinking that poems were like people. Some people you got right off the bat. Some people you just didn't get--and never would get.”

Speaking of the characters, I bloody loved them. Aristotle and Dante both feel like real people, and the connection between them never felt as if it was fake. The supporting characters were just as great--I loved that family was an important theme, and that we got to know the parents of both characters as human beings, not just as 'mum' and 'dad'. They fleshed out the story and gave it its heart.

I can't quite give it five stars only because it took me a while to get through, partly because when I stopped listening I didn't feel a sense of urgency to continue the story. That aside, this is a beautiful novel that, in my opinion, everyone should read.

“I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand.”

Review: A Room With a View by E.M. Forster

A ROOM WITH A VIEW BY E.M. FORSTER
Publisher: Penguin
Format: Paperback
Series: No
Pages: 221
Date Finished: 31.12.15
Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: "But you do," he went on, not waiting for contradiction. "You love the boy body and soul, plainly, directly, as he loves you, and no other word expresses it ..."

Lucy has her rigid, middle-class life mapped out for her until she visits Florence with her uptight cousin Charlotte, and finds her neatly ordered existence thrown off balance. Her eyes are opened by the unconventional characters she meets at the Pension Bertolini: flamboyant romantic novelist Eleanor Lavish, the Cockney Signora, curious Mr Emerson and, most of all, his passionate son George.

Lucy finds herself torn between the intensity of life in Italy and the repressed morals of Edwardian England, personified in her terminally dull fiancé Cecil Vyse. Will she ever learn to follow her own heart?

A Room With a View by E.M. Forster is a little novel that manages to tackle a great number of themes in its few pages. From the summary it may seem like a frivolous story surrounding a love triangle, but that is almost definitely not the case. Ultimately, it criticises the many flaws of society in 1908, it's date of publication, and presents many ideas that have significant merit, even today.

"I want you to have your own thoughts even when I hold you in my arms."

The novel follows Lucy Honeychurch, firstly during her holiday in Italy and secondly back at her home in Surrey. Essentially Lucy has to choose between George Emerson, a man considered beneath her in terms of class yet someone she could live a passionate life with, and Cecil Vyse, a wealthy yet generally boring and selfish man. There are definitely other aspects to the novel such as the elements of social critique and the cast of varied characters.

A Room With a View is a book I'm required to read for my A Levels. I'm not honestly sure that I would have picked it up otherwise, and whilst I am glad that I did I wouldn't be surprised if months of in depth analysis eventually kill it for me. I did quite like it, yet my general attitude towards Forster's novel isn't full of praise simply because I didn't fall in love with it. It is a great work of literature that can definitely be analysed in detail, but in terms of enjoyment it didn't blow me away.

“Life' wrote a friend of mine, 'is a public performance on the violin, in which you must learn the instrument as you go along.”

Perhaps the best element of the novel was Lucy herself. Starting out naive, Lucy's bildungsroman saw her develop as a character and by the end I would definitely call her progressive in terms of assertiveness and gender equality, something I enjoyed. She became honest and strong, and one of the final scenes between her and Cecil was just wonderful to read.

Cecil, one of the love interests, comes across as the kind of person that is just asking for for a punch in the teeth. He's dry, boring, sexist, controlling, and selfish, and as much as I dislike him that's exactly why he's a great character. He represents many of the flaws with the era, and contrasts against Lucy and George on many aspects. 

“No, he is not tactful, yet have you ever noticed that there are people who do things which are most indelicate, and yet, at the same time, beautiful?”

Whilst I definitely preferred George, and liked where his character was going, I felt like Forster didn't give us enough time to get to know him as a character. That's where I think the novel fell short for me--I wanted to truly see Lucy falling for him, not be told that she did. More depth from his character would make the romance work a lot better, and then I think I definitely would've pushed the rating up higher. I'm not saying that George is underdeveloped, but rather that I just wanted to see more of him.

Overall, this is an excellent novel that just failed to make me fall in love with it. In terms of the prose alone I would give it five stars, but I didn't enjoy it enough to warrant it that. That be said, I'm definitely looking forward to writing essays where I can rip apart Cecil for being a patriarchal idiot. That's always fun.

“Men were not gods after all, but as human and as clumsy as girls.”

Bedtime Book Tag!

Erin over at The Book Archive tagged me to do this at the beginning of December and I'm finally getting around to it. This tag is perfect for me, considering it's physically impossible for me to fall asleep before midnight and I spend most nights awake until ridiculous hours of the morning.

A BOOK THAT KEPT YOU UP ALL NIGHT

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

This was one of those instances where I put the book down at 1 A.M, then picked it back up again five minutes later because I just had to finish it. 

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU SCARED TO SLEEP 

Can I pass on this one? I really don't get scared easily, and I honestly can't remember a time that a book has terrified me. 

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU GO TO SLEEP

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I've never actually fallen asleep because of a book, though I read this last year and despite loving the Muppet version, it was honestly one of the most boring things I have ever read. I know so many people love it, but it definitely wasn't for me. 

A BOOK THAT LEFT YOU TOSSING AND TURNING ALL NIGHT IN ANTICIPATION OF ITS RELEASE

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Even though my love towards this series has diminished over time, I was beyond excited for its release. When my preorder arrived I couldn't have been happier. 

A BOOK THAT IS YOUR DREAM BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND SHIP OF TWO SEPARATE BOOKS

Hmm. I just don't ever end up shipping characters from different books together. Something about splitting up current couples or taking a character out of their world makes me uncomfortable. 

A BOOK THAT WOULD BE YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE TO LIVE IN

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I know this is a weird answer, but I couldn't stand to live in the Victorian period. I would absolutely hate it. It's full of patriarchal oppression, sexism, poverty and classism. There is no way I would ever trade places with Jane. 

A BOOK THAT REMINDS YOU OF NIGHT TIME

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

I know a lot of this book occurs at daytime, but when I think about it I always imagine Celaena creeping around at night. Midnight is in the title, after all. 

A BOOK THAT HAD A NIGHTMARISH CLIFFHANGER

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

To say why this cliffhanger was bad would be to spoil the entire series, but oh my god I would've killed for a few more pages (or chapters).

A BOOK YOU ACTUALLY DREAMED ABOUT

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

I've had multiple dreams about Harry Potter over the years. The one that sticks in my memory was where I was Voldemort's niece fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts. My brain does weird stuff sometimes. 

A BOOK MONSTER YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO FIND UNDER YOUR BED

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I don't really get scared by reading books, but if the woman in black appeared under my bed I'm pretty sure that I would be completely and utterly terrified. 

I can't think of anyone to tag, so feel free to do this tag if you want to! Thanks again to Erin for tagging me! 

2015: A Year in Review

2015 is over? Nope. I refuse to believe it. Come back in a few weeks and then we'll talk about new year.

In all seriousness, I can't believe that 2015 has come and gone. I've had a pretty good reading year, and although I haven't read as much as I wanted to in the latter half of the year (A Levels are slowly killing my soul) I did manage to read 66 books. Yay! Here's what that looks like broken down:

Books: 43

Graphic Novels: 2

Rereads: 21

According to Goodreads, this is what my stats for 2015 look like. 

Although a vast majority of the books I read this year were rereads (I actually read the Throne of Glass series twice this year), I'm pretty happy with all the books I got round to reading considering that it's been very busy. I don't know if I'll have more or less time in 2016, but either way I'm still looking forward to finding some amazing new books to read. 

2015 FAVOURITES

There have been so many great books that I've read this year and I couldn't possibly rank them all, so instead I've decided to choose a couple of categories and select a book for each. 

FAVOURITE BOOK OF 2015 

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

FAVOURITE COVER OF 2015

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

BIGGEST SURPRISE OF 2015

Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR OF 2015

Sara Raasch (author of Snow Like Ashes)

 NON BOOKISH THINGS 

Here are a few of my favourite places/things/memories from 2015, including
my Hamilton/Buffy obsessions, prom, my trip to North Carolina and one of
my favourite albums!

So, 2015 is definitely over. Woah. I still can't process that properly. Still, all I can say now is that I hope you have a great 2016!

Things I'm Thankful For in 2015

I can't believe 2015 is over in less than two hours (I can believe that I have no New Years Eve plans aside from reading, however). So much has changed in the past twelve months and I'm struggling to work out how time has gone so fast. I've always hated New Years Eve because it makes me feel overly nostalgic. It has a sense of closure to it, and I just don't like it.

This year, I'm determined not to be so mopey. I'm not going to wallow in self pity or make resolutions that I definitely won't keep. Instead I'm hoping for an amazing 2016, and although this year hasn't been perfect I've still made lots of memories that I'll definitely look back on fondly. These are just some of the things that I'm grateful for in 2015.

STARTING MY BLOG

Okay, so technically my first blog post is dated 30th December 2014, and I know that there were a couple of earlier ones that I deleted. Even so, I began to frequently use this blog around April 2015 and that was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I know I've been absolutely hopeless at posting regularly these past few months, but because of this blog I've made so many great friends and read so many amazing books.

LEAVING BAD FRIENDS BEHIND

At the beginning of 2015, I had a completely different group of friends to the ones I have now. I'm not saying that they're bad people but they definitely weren't the right friends for me, and I was not the right friend for them. I felt like I had literally zero close friends and that majorly sucked. Most of my old friends went to a different place from me to do their A Levels, and in all honesty I'm not sad that we don't talk anymore. I feel so much better now I'm not surrounded by people I couldn't be myself with, and 2015 really was the year where I decided to let go of people who made my life worse rather than better.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 

I know that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is just a TV show and putting it on the list of things I'm thankful for is kind of trivial, but I honestly don't care. It's been just over six months since I cried my eyes out over the ending of Chosen, and I'm still just as obsessed with the show. Buffy is just one of those shows that made me care so deeply about the characters, has something important to say and  inspired my writing. Buffy, I love you.

MEETING MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR

Meeting Sarah J. Maas and getting my books signed was just amazing. I'm so grateful that I got the opportunity to meet her, and I hope that hers won't be the last book signing I get to go to.

PASSING MY GCSE'S

It's pretty self explanatory why I'm glad I did well in my exams. In all honesty I didn't revise as much as I should have (the night before my physics exam I decided to read the entirety of The Order of the Phoenix instead of doing revision) but thankfully I still got good grades. It's also such a relief to know I'll never have to study science or maths again.

MAKING NEW INTERNET FRIENDS

I'm so thankful for the wonderful people I've spoken to and the friends I've made in 2015, whether it be through Twitter or this blog. Where would I be without the conversations I've had on twitter with Erin and Rebekah? Internet people are honestly so great, and I'm grateful for every tweet and each and every blog comment.

MAKING NEW REAL LIFE FRIENDS 

Like I said earlier, I didn't start out 2015 with the best group of friends. I'm now ending it having people in my life who I can completely be myself around. I'm beyond thankful for the two people I met in my politics class who tolerate my weirdness, and the acquaintances from my old school who I've started to become close with. Surrounding myself with positive people is honestly one of the best things I've ever done.

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

As with Buffy, it may seem trivial to put Lin Manuel Miranda on this list. Considering how much I love and adore Hamilton, the word trivial doesn't come into the equation one bit. I've also fallen in love with In the Heights and 21 Chump Street, and can't wait to watch Moana (his next project). The obsession with Hamilton has also brought me closer to two of my friends, and that alone has made the tears worth it (I can't be the only one who cries over the last song. Lin also wrote music for The Force Awakens, so that's another reason to love him.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH BOOKS

It's not a surprise that there have been some wonderful books that I've read and loved this year. I'm grateful for each and every one of them. Queen of Shadows, Uprooted, Vicious, The Raven Boys, The Hero of Ages, The Wrath and the Dawn, Maya's Notebook... The list goes on and on.

I just want to say a final thank you to every person who made my 2015 memorable, and to the people who I can't wait to spend 2016 with. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Reading on a Budget

Books are expensive, especially if you want to keep up with new releases. I definitely have a book buying problem, but I also have very little money to spend on reading. Because of this I spend a lot of time trying to find cheap books and rarely buy them at full price. I thought I'd talk about how I try to get my books for as little as possible, and maybe one of the things on this list could help you too.

When I was a kid my dream wasn't to be a princess, but to have a library
like this. Nothing has changed.

THE LIBRARY

Libraries are amazing. If you want to know why, read this post that the wonderful Erin wrote back in September. If you don't have much money, they're the best place to go to get books. I understand that sometimes you really want to own a favourite book, but for me the library is my go to place for books I want but don't need. Besides, if you use and support your local library you're stopping it from closing, meaning that more and more people can read for free.

EBOOKS

EBooks are so much cheaper than regular books, and you don't have to pay for postage. The kindle store frequently reduces the price of books to just a couple of pounds, and you can even get a lot of books for free. I've started reading a lot more eBooks lately because of this. I know that buying a kindle is really expensive, but if you have a smartphone you can download the (free) kindle app and use that instead. Even though I do prefer reading physical books, I'm not going to turn down a better deal.

AMAZON MARKETPLACE

I use Amazon a lot, but 90% of the time I buy used books from their marketplace. Most of the time you can get a book in good condition for a fraction of Amazon's already cheaper price--there are so many books that you can get for a penny. I've saved so much money using this, even if you have to pay for postage. 

CHARITY SHOPS (E.G. OXFAM)

Otherwise known as thrift stores if you're American. The selection is limited but you can pick up used books for a couple of pounds. I bought a hardcover copy of The Book Thief for £2.50 from my local charity shop. It was in perfect condition. You have to be prepared to spend a while sifting through rubbish (I swear that most of the books in my local charity shop are either Fifty Shades of Grey or The Life of Pi) but there are always gems waiting to be found.

BORROWING BOOKS

I hate lending out books to someone unless I trust them not to damage it, but borrowing books from friends/family is a great way to read without spending any money at all. Besides, you then have someone to fangirl with. 

Review: The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

THE PENELOPIAD BY MARGARET ATWOOD
Publisher: Canongate BooksFormat: Paperback
Series: No
Pages: 199
Date Finished: 13.11.15
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Now that all the others have run out of air, it’s my turn to do a little story-making.

In Homer’s account in The Odyssey, Penelope—wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy—is portrayed as the quintessential faithful wife, her story a salutary lesson through the ages. Left alone for twenty years when Odysseus goes off to fight in the Trojan War after the abduction of Helen, Penelope manages, in the face of scandalous rumors, to maintain the kingdom of Ithaca, bring up her wayward son, and keep over a hundred suitors at bay, simultaneously. When Odysseus finally comes home after enduring hardships, overcoming monsters, and sleeping with goddesses, he kills her suitors and—curiously—twelve of her maids.

In a splendid contemporary twist to the ancient story, Margaret Atwood has chosen to give the telling of it to Penelope and to her twelve hanged maids, asking: “What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to?” In Atwood’s dazzling, playful retelling, the story becomes as wise and compassionate as it is haunting, and as wildly entertaining as it is disturbing. With wit and verve, drawing on the story-telling and poetic talent for which she herself is renowned, she gives Penelope new life and reality—and sets out to provide an answer to an ancient mystery.

“Now that I am dead, I know everything.”

I'm currently studying Classical Civilisations for one of my A Levels, and a huge part of our course centres around Homer's The Odyssey. If you weren't aware, The Odyssey is an epic poem that follows the journey of Odysseus as he tries to make his way to Ithaca (his home) from the Trojan wars. To put it eloquently, he kills a lot of shit and shags his way around the Mediterranean.

Personally, I don't find Odysseus a very compelling character. Even though he yearns to get home to his wife Penelope, that doesn't stop him sleeping with at least two other woman (a witch and a nymph, no less). He's also rude, abrasive, selfish, arrogant and occasionally foolish. I understand that The Odyssey was written in a different era, but that doesn't change the fact that Odysseus still pisses me off. 

Maybe that's why I love The Penelopiad so much. It's a relatively simple story, retelling The Odyssey from the point of view of the woman Odysseus sought to return to: Penelope. Instead of focusing on the hero who killed monsters and men alike, it tells the story of a strong woman using her own wit to stop the advances of hundreds of suitors. It gives justice to the twelve maids that were cruelly murdered in The Odyssey for crimes that a modern day audience would barely batter an eyelid to. In short, The Penelopiad is as wonderfully feminist as it is enjoyable. 

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”

It is so wonderful to read a novel devoted to Penelope. She's one of my favourite characters in The Odyssey, however Atwood creates her into a well rounded and developed heroine. She's surprisingly sarcastic and sassy (which I just loved), yet still closely resembles the Penelope we're all familiar with. Every characterisation feels true to the original and I loved it. 

One of the best things about The Penelopiad is how Atwood interprets and adapts aspects of The Odyssey. Characters are given more agency, and certain situations are shown in a new light. 

"Odysseus was the guest of a goddess on an enchanted isle, said some; she'd turned his men into pigs -- not a hard job in my view."

If I have to give any criticism to The Penelopiad is that I don't think it would work very well on its own. It's more like a short companion to The Odyssey that presents the poem in a feminist 21st century perspective rather than a novel on it's own. There are wonderful references to The Odyssey however that do really enhance the narrative. 

I'm saving the best part about The Penelopiad till last. As much as I love The Odyssey, it bothers me a lot how the twelve maids are treated. Essentially I feel like it's unjust, wrong and downright disgusting. It makes the feminist in me want to punch someone. But not in The Penelopiad. The way Atwood handles it is just beautiful, and I am so, so glad this book exists. The fact that Melantho, one of my favourite characters in The Odyssey gets her own justification makes me so happy. 

"I had the highest confidence in him, and considered him to be a sea captain who could not fail."

If you've read The Odyssey you'll appreciate how bloody hilarious that last quote is. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Wishes I'd Ask The Bookish Genie to Grant Me

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the theme is wishes that we'd want the bookish genie to grant us. This isn't a hard one for me, considering there are so many bookish things that I need (I surpassed want a long time ago).

A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST LIBRARY

I've had this dream ever since I was a little girl, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was on everybody's lists. Beauty and the Beast was my favourite movie as a kid, and is still my second favourite Disney film to this day (Tangled for the win). Whilst most children fantasise about becoming a princess or being a movie star, my ultimate goal was to have a library like the Beast gives to Belle. Ultimate goals.

NONE OF THE THRONE OF GLASS SQUAD TO DIE

It probably won't surprise you that one of my biggest worries is one of the core cast of Throne of Glass characters dying later on in the series, particularly my one true love Rowan Whitethorn. I could say this for any book series that I love, but I think that I'd cry the most if Sarah J Maas killed off one of her main characters.

A NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK

I mean what I'd really love is a seven book long series about the marauders, but I'd take anything that I was given. This one doesn't really need an explanation.

DECENT REPRESENTATION

I really, really want to see more representation of different genders/races/sexualities/ideologies in books. It's definitely getting better, but at the moment I really don't think that fiction is diverse enough. I don't just mean putting an Asian character in for the sake of diversity--rather, I want characters from different walks of life to be fairly represented. I may live in a Tory country, but I don't want the entirety of fiction to be filled with mostly white middle class men.

ANOTHER BOOKSHELF

Okay, I don't really need this but right now my shelves are absolutely overflowing. It takes considerable effort to find space for one more book and right now I wouldn't say no to another bookshelf.

A NEW MELINA MARCHETTA BOOK

Melina Marchetta is one of my favourite authors and I would die with happiness if she published another book sometime soon. I would read it no matter what genre it was, and I'm pretty sure that it would instantly become a new favourite.

A WAY TO CATCH UP ON MY TBR PILE

I own so many unread books at the moment, and there is little I wouldn't do to be given a TARDIS or something so I could catch up with all those books. Ever since I started my A Levels in September I've had little free time to just read and that's making me really sad.

MEET J.K. ROWLING

I'm sure she gets told this all the time, but I really want to go up to her and tell her how she literally shaped my childhood, and how she is the reason that I want to be a writer. From what I can gather by her twitter account and all the charity she does, JK Rowling also seems like a wonderful person.

BUFFY TO BECOME A BOOK SERIES

Now I know there are Buffy books out there, but what I really want is the book version of the TV show. I know you couldn't possibly include everything that's in the show, but I would sell my soul to read something that has the same emotion and same feeling that the show did. Also, who wouldn't want to read about a certain blonde vampire?

TO BE ABLE TO READ MY FAVOURITE BOOKS FOR THE FIRST TIME AGAIN

Oh, there is so much I would give to be able to read certain books again without any memory of reading it before. Imagine reading "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much" for the first time, knowing nothing more than the title of the book you were reading. I really, really wish that was possible.

#WritersLifeTag

I've you've read any of my blog posts before you might know that I love to write, so it'll come as no surprise when I say that I got so excited when I was tagged in this. Rebekah @ Wings Made of Words was the one that tagged me and you should definitely check out her blog if you haven't already as she's amazing.

WRITE FUEL: WHAT DO YOU EAT/DRINK WHILST WRITING?

I don't eat anything specifically whilst writing but if I did, it would have to be Cadbury's Oreo chocolate. It's honestly like heaven in the form of a chocolate bar.

WRITE SOUNDS: WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO WHILST WRITING?

I listen so much music whilst writing that I'm probably going to do a whole post about this one day. I listen to a lot of movie scores/classical music when I write but there are pretty much songs of every genre on my playlist. For example, I've been listening to a lot of The Rolling Stones to get into the mind of one of my characters, but for another I've had Tchaikovsky on repeat. I also listen to a lot of musicals, rock, country and Disney (I'm not ashamed of this). along with practically every other writer out there, my go to track is Outro by M83.

WRITE VICE: WHAT'S YOUR MOST DEBILITATING DISTRACTION?

This is an easy question to answer: The Internet. Every time I go to write I get distracted by Twitter (or those Buzzfeed quizzes that are a wonderfully addictive waste of time). I do procrastinate a lot, but I do work on my WIP every day, even if it is just theorising a scene in my head that may or may not get written down.

WRITE HORROR: WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU WHILST WRITING?

I can't think of anything in specific, but probably those numerous occasions when I've got 50K into a novel to realise that I'm taking it in the wrong direction and have to start again. Even if that may be a good thing for the story I'm trying to tell, it really is frustrating.

WRITE JOY: WHAT'S THE BEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU WHILE WRITING OR HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE THE SMALL VICTORIES?

Finishing a draft for the first ever time, without a doubt. I've only done this once, but last NaNoWriMo I wrote 100K in twenty nine days, finishing my WIP. You don't know how amazing it feels to say that I've actually completed a novel (even if it was a load of rubbish). Another thing that I love is when an idea I've been struggling with for months just clicks together. I don't really celebrate aside from giving myself a few days off, or by allowing myself to write furiously in solitude.

WRITE CREW: WHO DO YOU COMMUNICATE OR NOT COMMUNICATE WITH WHILE WRITING?

I don't really share my work with people much and at the moment I don't have someone that I talk through my WIP's with, but I'm very vocal in complaining to Twitter about how hard writing is. Though when I'm just trying to get a lot of writing done I shut myself in my room and don't talk to anyone until I'm done for the day.

WRITE SECRET: WHAT'S YOUR WRITING SECRET TO SUCCESS OR HIDDEN FLAW?

Okay, if you're looking for writing advice ignore what I'm about to say. The only time I've ever completed a novel was last NaNoWriMo. I wrote 100K in twenty nine days. The reason I wrote so much? I had mock exams and was procrastinating revision. Yup. That's my secret: write when you're not supposed to. Oh God, I'm such a terrible student.

WRITE-SPIRATION: WHAT ALWAYS MAKES YOU PRODUCTIVE?

I tend to get most of my inspiration either from Pinterest (my one true love), music or from reading/watching TV shows. Pinterest is probably the big one considering I spend an ungodly amount of time on there, and the board for my current WIP has 860+ pins on it. I'm also inspired a lot by history and mythology (the idea for my current WIP stemmed from the Hades and Persephone tale in Greek Mythology). If I'm ever feeling particularly unproductive, I go to these things.

WRITE PEEVE: WHAT'S ONE THING THAT WRITERS (OR YOU) DO THAT'S ANNOYING?

Um, one thing I find annoying is when certain writers assume that their way of outlining/writing is the only way to do it, and the best for everyone. What could work wonders for me might absolutely kill your novel. Everyone has a different writing process, and just because it isn't yours it doesn't mean that it isn't valid.

WRITE WORDS: SHARE ONE SENTENCE FROM A PROJECT. PAST OR PRESENT.

You honestly don't know how hard it is for me to find a sentence that I like which doesn't feature a violent murder or vulgar language (aka two of my favourite things). I should never, ever write for young kids unless they want to see mummy and daddy decapitated or something.

Anyway, this is taken from my current WIP currently called The Kingdom of Empty Souls.

“You don't just love a girl like Raena,” he said. “You burn with her.”

 So that was the #WritersLifeTag! Thanks so much Rebekah for tagging me! Honestly, I'm not sure who to tag myself, so if you want to do this please give it a go.

Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

SAINT ANYTHING BY SARAH DESSEN
Publisher: Penguin
Format: Paperback
Series: No
Pages: 448
Date Finished: 08.10.15
Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behaviour culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlour, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

“The future was one thing that could never be broken, because it had not yet had the chance to be anything.”  

The most honest thing I can say about this book was that it was nice. The romance was nice, the story was nice, the conflict was nice--I can't think of anything inherently terrible about Saint Anything, but I can't think of anything that great either.

Saint Anything tells the story of Sydney, a girl whose elder brother is in prison for drink driving, subsequently paralysing a boy from the waist down. From this summary I expected the book to deal with the dark stuff more than it actually did. Of course it mentioned it, but honestly I just wanted more. All the gritty, realistic elements of the book just felt a little lacklustre. So many elements were set up and I felt that they were all barely resolved, and if they were it was in a big showy chapter at the end.

Sydney's main problem aside from her brother is that she feels invisible. The thing is, we're never actually shown that, only told it. Being a teenager I've obviously felt invisible before so I should've sympathised with her but I just didn't. It wasn't as if Sydney was whiny, but I felt no connection to her whatsoever.

“It was unrealistic to expect to be constantly in the happiest place. In real life, you're lucky just to be always somewhere nearby.”  

Another thing that bothered me was Ames. He's this really creepy guy that ends up assaulting Sydney. Whilst this could have been a really powerful subplot, I don't think it was handled all that well (it still wasn't handled badly) and was a little unnecessary to the story. Again, I thought the resolution of this aspect of the books as week. Also it's the first time I've read a book where the character has the same last name as me, and of course it had to be a creepy pervert.

I liked most of the characters, but in the same way I like the colour yellow. It's alright, I suppose, but I don't love it. I don't really care about yellow. Sydney felt a little bland, and the whole cast of characters had a few defining traits each and nothing more to them than that. Mac and Sydney had a cute relationship, but any idea of romantic tension fell flat on its face. Their story went something like they meet, they like each other, they flirt, they kiss, they live happily ever after. The fact that Mac was the brother of Sydney's best friend could've upped the tension but it barely did.

It may sound like this book was rubbish. It isn't. I flew through it and had a good time reading it. Like I said at the beginning, all the good things were just nice. I can't go into the specifics about what I liked because in all honesty I'm not really sure. Everything was perfectly average. It's a shame because I've heard so much about Sarah Dessen and I really wanted this book to shine. I don't think it will stop me from picking up her other books, but I'm certainly in no hurry.

“When faced with the scariest of things, all you want to do is turn away, hide in your own invisible place. But you can't. That's why it's not only important for us to be seen, but to have someone to look for us, as well.”  

Review: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

THE DREAM THIEVES BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Paperback
Series: The Raven Cycle #2
Pages: 450
Date Finished: 07.10.15
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…  

“In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them.
Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness.
Her raven boys.”  

I have been completely and utterly sucked into the world of The Raven Cycle. I can't stop thinking about the characters and the world and the mystery even when I shouldn't be (basically I daydream instead of pay attention in class). To put it simply, I've found a new series to get addicted to.

Side note: do you think there's a rehab for book addicts?

I really, really liked The Dream Thieves. The tone and the atmosphere of the book is a strange blend of edginess, magic and wonder. Stiefvater's writing style really is beautiful, and I'm at utter awe about how well paced her writing is, and how beautifully all the different POV's weave together.

The Dream Thieves has a slight focus on Ronan, one of my favourite characters. We're invited into his strange world where his dreams come true as well as shown the reality of his dark, haunted past. I loved it. I love him. Through Ronan and the rest of the characters, Steifvater deals with some really serious issues that compliment the fantastical backdrop perfectly. She doesn't force anything down your throat, but the way the characters and their issues The Dream Thieves are presented is nothing short of realistic.

“And Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war.”    

I loved Ronan's interactions with Kavinsky, one of the most interesting characters in his book. If I'm honest I worked out his secret the same way I did with Adam's in The Raven Boys--I thought it was a detail that I missed, not a real secret. That aside, Kavinsky was like Ronan's mirror reflection. He was what Ronan could become, and seeing the parallels were a great and somewhat alarming addition to the book.

Like with the first book, I love exploring the tensions and relationships between our core cast of characters. In The Dream Thieves they get even more developed. I can't wait to see how things unfold in Blue Lily, Lily Blue. Yet again I want to use the world realistic. There isn't any melodrama--Stiefvater ups the tension without sacrificing the rawness and the humanity of her characters.

 “She wore a dress Ronan thought looked like a lampshade. Whatever sort of lamp it belonged on, Gansey clearly wished he had one. 

Ronan wasn't a fan of lamps.”  

Just as much as I love Ronan, this book made Gansey quickly become my favourite. There's something wonderful about him that I can't quite explain. I hate to say it but Adam is beginning to annoy me. His character is fantastically developed and well written, but his actions are a tiny bit frustrating.

Perhaps my major criticism with this book is that although the climax was big enough, I wanted more. When I wanted dynamite I got fireworks--everything was well done and beautiful, but I just wanted more. Also, there were points where I felt a little confused about the plot, especially about Adam and Cabeswater.

“I wish you could be kissed, Jane,' he said. 'Because I would beg just one off you. Under all this.' He flailed an arm toward the stars.”      

Romance is only a very small subplot in The Dream Thieves but I thought it was handled perfectly. From the outside you could dismiss it as yet another book with a love triangle, but in reality it's a lot more than that. Blue makes her choice and she doesn't hang indecisive between two boys. The friendships are not put after the relationships. And, more importantly, the slow building romance between Blue and Gansey is just amazing to watch unfold.

I said exactly the same thing in my review of The Raven Boys. I enjoyed reading this enough to warrant it five stars, and it was only a few elements that made me give it four instead. I probably should, considering that I can't stop thinking about these damn characters. I don't really think that I want to stop.

“While I'm gone," Gansey said, pausing, "dream me the world. Something new for every night.”  

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things I Want to Quit

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the theme is the top ten bookish things that you want to quit. I've only got eight things on my list today, partially because I can't think of anymore and also because I have four essays to write right now (if anyone wants to write me an A grade essay about the Bolshevik takeover, I'll be forever grateful).

BUYING BOOKS THAT I DON'T REALLY NEED

My name's Emma and I'm a bookaholic. I have gotten a lot better in the past few months, but I do have a habit of buying books for the sake of it and not because I really, really want to read them. For example, if I'm in Waterstones and they have an offer on, I will buy extra books that I don't really want just so I can get money off (even though buying extra books makes it more expensive. Stupid, I know). I'm definitely much better at this than I used to be (probably because I can't afford to buy that many books), but it's still something I'm working on.

NOT FINISHING SERIES'

I do this all the time. It's not like I don't intend to finish a series, but more like it takes me ages to even get round to it. I do prefer a series to a standalone novel, but they are such a big commitment and I have so many books on my TBR as it is. Still, I'm determined to actually finish something soon.

READING TOO FAST

I read books very quickly, mostly because I set aside time to read it in one sitting. However, if I get really into a book I want to get through it and absorb the story as quickly as possible, causing me to not take in the words properly. I then have to go back and reread passages, or realise hundreds of pages later that I've missed something really important.

PUTTING BOOKS DOWN AFTER A COUPLE OF CHAPTERS

In the past year or so, I've developed an annoying inability to start something and commit to it. You don't know how many times in the last month I've read a few pages of a book only to put it down about ten minutes later. I hate doing this because it means I'm less likely to read the book when I'm in the mood for it, so I might have to force myself not to put a book down after at least a hundred pages.

USING RANDOM ITEMS AS BOOKMARKS

Right next to my bed I have a pot that contains at least fifteen bookmarks (and counting). Yet why do I often use the nearest object to me as a bookmark? I've used a leaf in the past (I still haven't finished that book, and last time I checked the leaf had dried in the pages), but more often than not I'll use my phone or a spoon. The reason why I want to stop doing this? Ramming massive objects in my book damages them, and it means all the pretty bookmarks I own go to waste.

GETTING TOO STRESSED ABOUT KEEPING MY BOOKS NEAT

In my Classics class I gave my copy of The Odyssey to a boy in my class so he could find a quote. He gave it back to me about a minute later and had completely broken the spine. As you can possibly imagine, I was furious. Whilst I don't want to ruin my books on purpose, I'm trying not to care so much about keeping them in perfect condition if an accident does happen.

SPENDING MORE MONEY ON NICER EDITIONS

I kid you not when I say that it's not unheard of for me to spend far more money on a beautiful edition of a book rather than buying the cheap, uglier one. Even though I don't mind buying used books (the Amazon Marketplace is my second home), I've wasted so much money just because I prefer the colour of one edition to another.

AMAZON

I'm not saying that I want to quit Amazon altogether, but rather that I want to support real bookshops more. It's no secret that bookshops are closing, and why fund the wonderfully cheap and convenient corporate devil when I could buy books from a company that actually needs the money?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Read If You Like Sarah J Maas

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the theme is the top ten books to read if you like this super popular book/author. In true Emma fashion, I decided to talk about the books I recommend if you like Sarah J Maas. I've really been trying not to mention the Throne of Glass books that much, but it's the same situation as me mentioning Buffy whenever I can. It's just got to be done. Saying that, I feel like I mention the same books in pretty much every single top ten Tuesday I do. They're just reeealllyy good, okay?

                   

SNOW LIKE ASHES BY SARA RAASCH | REVIEW

Snow Like Ashes reminds me a lot of the Throne of Glass series, mostly because of the heroine Mira. She's not exactly like Celaena, but they share resourcefulness and spirit. If you love Sarah J Maas's strong heroines and characters who are trying to claim back their lost kingdoms, I'd definitely recommend this book.

FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK BY MELINA MARCHETTA

Again, I recommend this one if you like Throne of Glass. Just like Celaena lost Terrasen to Adarlan's rule, Finnikin lost his kingdom of Lumatere and spent either ten or eight years (I forget) in exile before trying to claim it back. There's fantastic heroines as well as the backdrop of a gritty fantasy world--if you like those things I suggest you read this. Like now.

CRUEL BEAUTY BY ROSAMUND HODGE

If you like A Court of Thorns and Roses and are looking for book recommendations, Cruel Beauty is the first book I'd force you to read. It's another Beauty and the Beast retelling that is just as much a romance novel as it is a fantasy one. I absolutely loved this book and I'm certain all fans of ACOTAR will too.

THE FINAL EMPIRE BY BRANDON SANDERSON

It's no secret that my love for this trilogy knows no bounds. It's an adult fantasy novel surrounding the concept of what would happen if the dark lord won. The Lord Ruler kind of puts the King of Adarlan to shame as far as terror goes. It follows a group of thieves trying to overthrow him, and those overthrowing elements remind me a little of Queen of Shadows. Only a little, but I'm going to take every opportunity I can to force people to read this book.

THE WRATH AND THE DAWN BY RENEE AHDIEH | REVIEW

A retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn has a similar (ish) romance to ACOTAR. I adore this book, mostly because of the morally ambiguous characters and wonderfully plotted romance. I'm pretty sure any Sarah J Maas fan will adore this.

                  

KETURAH AND LORD DEATH BY MARTINE LEAVITT | REVIEW

Keturah isn't really like Sarah J Maas' other books, but I think that if you like the fairy-tale aspects then you'll love this one. It reads like a well developed fairy-tale and I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of it. It has elements of Scheherazade as well as Beauty and the Beast, and I really wish it had been read by more people.

UPROOTED BY BY NAOMI NOVIK | REVIEW

Uprooted isn't that much like ACOTAR, but if you liked the latter I'd definitely recommend this one. They have surprisingly similar premises although the plots are totally different, but they both have steamy romances, a slightly creepy fantasy world and a fantastic heroine that you can't help but root for.

THE WINNERS CURSE BY MARIE RUTKOSKI | REVIEW

If you like the political elements of Throne of Glass then you should definitely read The Winners Curse. I didn't love it, but I still think that it's a really great book and I think that fans of Sarah J Maas will enjoy it.

VICIOUS BY V.E. SCHWAB | REVIEW

Vicious isn't a high fantasy novel, but if you fancy reading a novel where everyone is as twisted as Rhysand or as morally ambiguous as Celaena, then you need to read this book. It's absolutely fantastic, and I can't praise it high enough.

THE DEMON KING BY CINDA WILLIAMS CHIMA

I've only read the first book in this series, but from what I can remember it's a fantastic young adult fantasy that I can just see Sarah J Maas fans loving. Still, I really need to read the rest of the books in this series as I've heard nothing but good things.

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Paperback
Series: The Raven Cycle #1
Pages: 421
Date Finished: 27.09.15
Rating: 4/5
Summary: Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey’s spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why – either he is her true love or she has killed him.

Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower – a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour.

Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can’t imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them?

“My words are unerring tools of destruction, and I’ve come unequipped with the ability to disarm them.”

I want to take you back five years or so to this period of my life known as the ‘Twilight phase’. Granted, I was never obsessed with Meyer’s novels, but the first time I read them I actually liked them. From Twilight, I read The House of Night, Fallen, Evermore and a bunch of other paranormal novels. I like to think of that period of my reading life ‘the dark ages’, mostly because I know that if I reread those books I would almost definitely loathe them.

It took one book to scare me from paranormal YA novels: Teardrop by Lauren Kate. Reading that book was like swimming through mud.

Flash forward a few years to when I heard about The Raven Boys. I told myself that I wouldn’t read it, because the tagline wouldn’t look place in one of those dreaded paranormal books I began to loathe (if our heroine Blue kisses her true love, he dies). The glowing reviews couldn’t persuade me. In the end, it took a lot of praise from the wonderful Erin to persuade me to give it a try. 

To put it simply, this book is worth its weight in gold.

“She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.”  

The Raven Boys is everything I want in a paranormal novel. It follows Blue Sargent--a sixteen year old girl from a family of psychics who has the ability to amplify other people’s powers—and four boys from Aglionby School, otherwise known as raven boys. We’re introduced to a girl whose told that her kiss could be fatal, and a boy whose trying to discover as much as he can about things called ley lines, and a mysterious Welsh man called Glendower. Along with a slightly disturbing Latin teacher who goes by the name of Barrington Whelk (believe me, I know), everything comes together in an intricately woven plot.

For me, the characters were the shining star of this book. Each one of them felt real, complete with their own problems, faults and desires. I loved them all, especially the wonder that is Ronan Lynch. There’s something about him that just makes me want to give him a big hug and tell him everything is okay (even if he’d probably punch me for that). I think he’s one of the most developed characters in the book—Gansey and Adam probably come second. I really loved the dynamic between the four raven boys, although personally I feel like Noah needed a little more development (though I can kind of understand why he wasn’t given much).

Even though Ronan was probably my favourite, I think I'm a little in love with Gansey. He has his flaws, but he's so refreshingly well developed. The relationship between Gansey and Adam was probably the most interesting. I really like how Stiefvater dealt with the differences between an extortionately wealthy boy and his friend who has to manage multiple jobs just to stay in school. 

“Gansey had once told Adam that he was afraid most people didn't know how to handle Ronan. What he meant by this was that he was worried that one day someone would fall on Ronan and cut themselves.”   

And then there’s Blue. I really like her, I do, but personally I feel like her character doesn’t dazzle like the others do. Do you ever feel that the main character can sometimes feel a little bland compared to the others? I’m not saying that she’s two dimensional (because that would be an outright lie), rather that I just wanted a little more from her.

Whilst it could be argued that there is a love triangle going on, in this first book at least I don’t feel like there is. In the first chapter Blue is told that Gansey could be her true love, but although they have great chemistry there isn’t actually any romantic feelings between them yet. There’s no love at first sight, or lengthy paragraphs about the beauty of each others’ eyes. I’m pretty sure that Blue won’t end up with Adam, but I like the fact that she isn’t really torn between him and Gansey. Yet. This book is not a romance novel first and foremost, and I think that just adds to its strength. 

“They were always walking away from him. But he never seemed able to walk away from them.”  

  I really enjoyed the fantastical elements of The Raven Boys. It’s clear that Stiefvater has done her research, and honestly it’s a pleasure to read. Not all of my questions got answered in this book which is just fine, and I’m still a little unsure of the implications of that thing with Adam at the end. The things about they ley lines and Glendower are really interesting and I can’t wait to find out more in The Dream Thieves (which I’ve already ordered because I need to know what happens next).

If I’m being nitpickey I’d point out that Noah’s secret was a little too obvious for me. Honestly, I guessed it straight away and assumed that it was already made clear in the story, but I’d just missed the sentence where it’s explicitly stated. Sorry for being vague (I’m trying really hard to avoid spoilers here). I still think it’s a cool aspect of the story, though.

The Raven Boys is a novel with multiple subplots and multiple layers. I think that’s why it hasn’t fallen into the Twilight trap. Stiefvater could’ve easily made it a novel about a girl torn between two friends, knowing that she can’t kiss either of them because he’ll die. Instead she chooses to weave together multiple narratives and raise the stakes on multiple levels. I loved that. 

“Fate," Blue replied, glowering at her mother, "is a very weighty word to throw around before breakfast.” 

Maybe the reason I tend to stay away from paranormal YA novels is because they’re often very annoying. You know what I mean—misunderstandings are the only thing pulling the plot forward, and the characters ignore the obvious just because it makes it easier for the author. The Raven Boys wasn’t like that. You don’t know how nice it was to read about people who have a healthy respect for the police, and about a heroine who doesn’t do the stupid thing. I’m pretty sure that Bella would’ve kissed Edward by page forty five, thus killing him. Maybe that’d be a good thing because really, how many stalker vampires do you want to watch you sleep? The correct answer is no because it’s fucking creepy.

I know everyone says this, but Stiefvater really does have a beautiful writing style. It’s so lovely to read, complete with witty dialogue and well-constructed scenes. I absolutely adored the scene when Blue first met the raven boys, and the bit where Ronan punches Adam’s father.

The Raven Boys isn’t a perfect book but I still loved it. I enjoyed it enough to warrant it five stars, though recently I’ve been trying to save my five star ratings for books that really, really deserve them. Unfortunately The Raven Boys just fell short of that top spot, though I don’t doubt that its sequels will get better and better. I feel like Stiefvater set everything up perfectly, and I can't wait to find out what happens next (in three to five business days. Thanks, Amazon).

"I found it."  

"People find pennies," Gansey replied. "Or car keys. Or four leaf clovers."

"And ravens," Ronan said. "You're just jealous 'cause" - at this point, he had to stop to regroup his beer-sluggish thoughts - "you didn't find one, too."

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Autumn TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and this week the theme is the top ten books on my fall/autumn TBR. It's no secret that my TBR pile is obviously as high as a house, but because I just started my first year of A levels I probably won't be able to get to as many as I initially planned. Still, ten is a reasonable number, isn't it? I've tried to choose a wide selection of books on my TBR as well as the books I want to read ASAP.

                   

THE MARTIAN BY ANDY WEIR

I've never read anything like this before, but The Martian is being made into a movie with Matt Damon is coming out soon, so I really want to read this. I've heard nothing but good things so I really think that I'm going to enjoy this book.

THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Okay, so I actually started reading this book yesterday. I originally wasn't going to bother reading it, but after seeing so much praise I couldn't resist. The plot sounds like it could get a little Twilight-wish (if the girl kisses her true love, he dies) although the reviews make me suspect its amazing.

INK AND BONE BY RACHEL CAINE

Okay, so I heard a reviewer on Goodreads say that this book is a mix of Harry Potter, The Book Thief and Fahrenheit 451 which sounds bloody brilliant, if you ask me. I bought this a couple of months ago and I still haven't gotten around to reading it, but I really hope that I'll like it.

HIGH-RISE BY J.G. BALLARD

This year I signed up to a thing called English Extension where every week, my English teacher gives a lecture about a specific book/play/poet. I read Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende because of a recommendation from that class, and that's also where I heard about High-rise. It's supposed to be a bit like Lord of the Flies set in a high-rise building, only a thousand times more disturbing. Um, sign me up?

ICE LIKE FIRE BY SARA RAASCH

I absolutely adored Snow Like Ashes, and its sequin comes out this October. If you love YA fantasy (or if you want to be persuaded to love it), I'd definitely recommend reading the first book. Argh, I'm so bloody excited for this book.

                   

WINTER BY MARISSA MEYER

I read the first three books in the Lunar Chronicles last year and thought they were fantastic. Although I've kind of forgotten everything that's happened in the first three, I'm still so excited for the release of this book.

FARENHEIT 451 BY RAY BRADBURY

I think I bought this book second hand over a year ago, and I still haven't read it. I definitely want to get to it this autumn. If I'm honest I'm a little bored with dystopia, but I have a suspicion that this is more fantastic literature than the kind with a love triangle between a girl who doesn't know she's beautiful, her best friend and the 'mysterious' bad boy.

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES BY SABAA TAHIR

Oh man, I really need to read this book. I've heard nothing but excellent things, though to be honest I'm a little worried that it's too hyped up. Still it looks right up my alley and I can't wait to get round to it this fall. I definitely will. It's not like I'm behind on reading or anything.

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC BY V.E. SCHWAB

I feel like everyone has read this book but me. Well, maybe not everyone (I'm looking at you, Erin). I've been saying I'm going to read this soon for SO LONG and it just needs to happen. I have no excuse. This autumn, it's definitely going to happen.

THE ODYSSEY BY HOMER

I have to read this book for my Classical Civilisations class. I've already started it but considering I only have to read it gradually, I'm nowhere near finishing. Still, I really hope to get through it all this autumn. I quite like it so far, even if Odysseus shags his way around the Mediterranean.

Mini Reviews: The Princess Diaries Books 8-10

If you've read my reviews before, you'll probably know that I pride myself in having the mental age of a pre teen and unashamedly love The Princess Diaries even if they're not the best written books in the world. I first read them when I was eleven, though because book eleven was released earlier this year I decided to reread the entire series before picking it up. I've reviewed the second and third books, as well as books four to seven in the form of mini reviews.

AFTER EIGHT

Pages: 228

Date Finished: 17.09.15

Rating: 2.5/5
This book was unfortunately a little 'meh'. It wasn't as funny as the previous instalments, and the only thing driving the plot was melodrama. Whilst After Eight did deal with important issues, I wasn't really a fan of how some things were handled (thank god Michael loathed the term 'precious gift' just as much as I do). There wasn't any substance, and I felt that the whole book was lacking.

Negatives aside, it's almost impossible not to get sucked into this series. I read it in one sitting (rather than doing homework. Oops) and I know for a fact that all I'll be able to think about tomorrow is Mia and Michael. I still love them both as characters (even though I want to shake some sense into Mia most of the time), and the supporting cast really is great. I have to say that I found myself agreeing with Lilly a lot in this book, something that I never thought I'd normally do.

Grandmere has been giving Mia hints about sex for the past few books now, and it was really funny to see Mia finally understand what she was talking about. And, yet again, Buffy and Lord of the Rings references are always appreciated.

I think the reason why the book was unsatisfying is because it had no climax, or no resolution. There were just a series of events that felt necessary for the series to progress. Maybe this series is mean to be binge read, but this book wasn't really contained in itself like the others were.

Of course I'm going to continue with this series despite the fact that my heart is broken (J.P. is not my friend). I don't understand how a book so average can be such an addictive page turner.

TO THE NINES
Pages: 269
Date Finished: 18.09.15
Rating: 3.8/5
Wow, this book was way more satisfying than the last. Even if I still hate JP, and even if it wasn't as funny as the earlier books, I still really enjoyed it. Do you know why?

In To The Nines, the book wasn't focussed completely on romance. Yeah, a huge chunk of the book focussed on heartbreak, but there was something else driving it forward: Mia. Finally, finally she is starting to become less melodramatic and more assertive. She's finally growing up and it was wonderful to read. Faced wih a serious and life changing decision towards the end of the book, I feel like she made the right choice. Not for her, but for Genovia.

I felt like this series declined in quality towards the middle, but this Is where it's picking up again. I do miss the humour, but Mia is no longer that silly fourteen year old. She's beginning to grow into herself. I feel like her character arc in this book was surprisingly satisfying, as were her reactions with the other characters. Despite the arguments, each of them had a valid point of view.

Another aspect of the book I really enjoyed was the character of Lana. I'm happy that she's transitioning from the standard high school mean girl to someone who actually has real feelings.

I said that After Eight didn't really feel like a contained book. However, To The Nines actually does. Though, I do want more character development with a lot of the side characters. As much as I love them, they're beginning to feel like caricatures of themselves, if that makes sense. I mentioned this in my reviews of the other books, but I still want more when it comes to showing, not telling.

This book wasn't perfect, and this series certainly isn't the best written of all time. That doesn't change how invested I am in the lives of the characters, and how fun they are.

TEN OUT OF TEN
Pages: 400
Rating: 4/5
Date Read: 19.09.15
All I want to say right now is aaawww. Or in the words of Mia: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!!!!!!!!!

Ten out of Ten isn't a perfect book. It's not the best written, and it's certainly predictable. You know what? I don't care. I don't' care that this series isn't considered top notch literature, or that it's just a 'silly kids book'. All that matters is that I had an absolute blast reading it.

This book starts just under two years after the last. I know that it had to for the plot to work, but I find it hard to believe that Mia went that wrong without writing in her journal, even if it was to work on her novel. That aside, in this book everything finally comes together.

I loved seeing Michael back. He's certainly one of my favourite characters, and it's no secret that I ship him with Mia real bad (as far as I'm concerned, J.P. can go rot in hell or something). They just have chemistry, and the way their relationship progressed just felt so organic. Also, seeing them interact again was ridiculously cute, and I can't wait to read the eleventh book as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Mia finally feels grown up, and it was really nice to see her laughing at her younger self (thank God Cabot doesn't take Mia's view about the 'precious flower' thing. Ugh). I also loved how she became friends with Lana, and how Lana actually appreciated her too. Speaking of Mia's friends, it's so great to read about the whole gang. I just love them all so much, okay?

One of my favourite aspects about this book was the novel Mia wrote. It's funny, because her rant about why romance books are just as important as more 'serious' fiction mirrors exactly what I've been thinking over the past few weeks. Whilst it's probably a little unrealistic that someone would get published at eighteen (I hate to say it, but the extracts from her book weren't' that great), I'm so happy that she's finally chasing her dreams.

Without making this post too lengthy, I'll just say that this is a really satisfying to the series (not including the eleventh book, as it only came out this year). Yeah, it isn't perfect, but I care for Mia, Michael and all their friends. That's enough, isn't it?