Book Review of 'The Grownup' by Gillian Flynn

Title: The Grownup
Author: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Date Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 67

Plot: This is a short story written though the eyes of an unnamed narrator. She makes her living faking it as a psychic, praying on the gullible minds of lonely housewives and young mothers looking for excitement. On the side she does some illegal soft-core sex work. One day the unnamed narrator meets a woman called Susan Burke. Susan moved to the city one year ago with her husband and 15 year old stepson Miles. They live in an old Victorian house called Carterhook Manor. Susan is convinced that some malevolent spirit is inhabiting their home. The narrator doesn't believe in the supernatural or exorcism. However when she enters the house for the first time she begins to fell like like house is watching her, waiting for her to let her guard down. 

Thoughts: I found this book yesterday hidden on the self of my local bookstore and to say I freaked out was an understatement. A new Gillian Flynn story? Another terrifying world I could get lost in? Without a shadow of doubt I bought a copy and dug into it as soon as I got home. 

I finished this book in about 30/40 minutes. It was terrifying! By the time I got to the last page I was too scared to move. The plot twists in this book are incredible. I've read enough Gillian Flynn novels to know nothing is ever black and white with her, but every time the plot twist sneaks up on me. 

This novella is perfect for Halloween, it's a very fast read but it will chill you to the bone. Flynn's character's are real and raw. By the end of any of her novels you are wishing you could talk to every character to get their side of the story. 

'The Grownup' will leave you wondering what happened next....? It'll keep you up all night tossing and turning, scared to turn off your light. If that doesn't scream Halloween Read, I don't know what does. 

5/5 stars for 'The Grownup' by Gillian Flynn. 

Book Review of 'A Work In Progress' by Connor Franta

Title: A Work In Progress
Author: Connor Franta
Publisher: Keywords Press
Date Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 212

Plot: This is an intimate memoir of the life Connor Franta lives behind YouTube and Instagram. Connor shares what he's learned on his journey from small-town boy to internet sensation. Within the pages of this memoir Connor talks about his struggles with identity, body image and sexuality in his teenage years; and his decision to pack up his life in his mid-western town and move across the country to the bright lights of LA. 

Thoughts: I loved this book. It was everything I expected it to be although it was 100 times more beautiful. I loved Connor's writing style. He was so true to himself throughout this book. While I was reading it I felt like Connor was telling me each story personally. The photos within this memoir are beyond beautiful and inspired me so much to pick my camera up again and start snapping. The stories are personal and heartwarming. This memoir is a must-have if you're seeking inspiration and motivation to start living the life you have always wanted. 

4/5 stars for 'A Work In Progress' by Connor Franta.

Book Review of 'The Girl On The Train' by Paula Hawkins

Title: The Girl On The Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Publisher: Doubleday
Date Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 316

Plot: Everyday the train Rachel takes into London stops at the same row of houses, everyday Rachel gets to watch a few seconds of two strangers lives play out in front of her. Lives that seem perfect. One day Rachel see's something that changes everything and it's her chance to finally be involved in the lives she has watched from a far. 

Thoughts: I went into this book knowing that it has been compared to Gillan Flynn's 'Gone Girl' and if you know me you know that book is my everything. I am OBSESSED. And if you're a long time reader on my blog you'll know I try to find a way to praise Flynn in every blog post. This book is good... Great even, but it is not Gone Girl. 

The writing is great, the characters are complex and raw - they are flawed and real and I loved that. The plot was exciting, yes it dragged out a bit in the middle but I struggled on till it got up and running again and the twist at the end was a bit predictable. But I still enjoyed reading this novel. It was everything a thriller should be and it was an excellent first novel for Paula Hawkins. I will defiantly be picking up her next work. 

I would recommend this book if you're Gillian Flynn fan, a lover of thriller novels or just starting out reading thrillers. It was a fun journey (no train pun intended) It's a fast read and it will keep you up at night wanting to know how it all plays out, but don't go into it expecting it to be the next best thriller.

4/5 stars for 'The Girl On The Train' by Paula Hawkins. 

Book Review of 'You're The One That I Want' by Giovanna Fletcher

Title: You're The One That I want
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Publisher: Penguin Group
Date Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 372

Plot: Maddy stands at the back of the church, dressed in white. At the end of the isle stands her best friend Rob - the man is she about to marry. Next to Rob, stands her other best friend Ben. Maddy is thorn, having to choose between two of the best men she has ever known. Does she love Rob enough to marry him and spend the rest of her life with him, or is does she love Ben enough to risk losing years of friendship over? 

Thoughts: This book gave me all the feels! I caught myself smiling while reading this far more than I should have. It's such a beautiful light read that will leave you feeling loved up by the end, and if you're anything like me in need of a cuddle.

This was my first Giovanna Fletcher novel, although I have read her blog many times mostly due to the fact that I'm a McFly fangirl and I love her baby Buzz - he's so cute! But I love her writing, it flows so nicely and it was so easy to read. A perfect book for when you're trying to get out of a reading slump. Which it helped me a lot, so thanks for that Gi!

I loved the characters in this book. Although the plot wasn't exactly page turning and it was quite predictable it was still nice to see how it would play out. Ben made me smile like an idiot and broke my heart at the same time, knowing that sweet and loving fictional characters are not real. BOYS IN BOOKS ARE BETTER! I got way to involved in this book. It turned into a thoughtful discussion at the dinner table with my mum, 'Who Ben should be with.' 'If Maddy deserved both amazing guys to be in love with her.' These discussions mostly ended with my mum telling me I'm emotionally invested in novels and fictional lives.

I can't wait to get my hands on Giovanna's debut novel 'Billy & Me'. I'm sure I'll have it firmly in my grasp within a couple of weeks, if not days. 'You're The One That I Want' is a perfect summer read, if you've read it, let me know if you're  #TeamRob or #TeamBen!

Giovanna's third novel 'Dream A Little Dream' is set to be released soon so keep an eye out for that. I'm sure it'll be just as heartwarming! 

4/5 stars for 'You're The One That I Want' by Giovanna Fletcher. 

Life Lessons from Nick Miller

I spend a lot of time watching reruns of the show 'New Girl' purely based on the fact that I am madly in love with Zooey Dechanel (My yearbook quote in secondary school was "sometimes I cry because I'm not Zooey Dechanel" and I still fully stand by that) I am insanely jealous of the amazing friendships on that show and NICK MILLER. 

Now to a lot of people, Nick Miller is an annoying, unmotivated character who acts like a child and doesn't take anything seriously but that is not the case with me. I love Nick. I think he's sweet, caring, an amazing friend and absolutely hilarious. Sure he's had some set backs - dropping out of law school, has a dead end job, can't hold a relationship longer than a few months but there is a bit of Nick in us all. Nick has done stuff, he's wrote half a book about zombies! 

I've learned a lot from Nick while watching this show. Like how talking about your feelings is overrated, how adulthood is different for everyone, aging is underrated and how to kiss. I'm sorry I have emotions and get that fuzzy feeling in my stomach whenever Nick kisses Jess. What I'm not sorry about is that I'm still waiting for a kiss like that to happen to me in real life. 

Nick has some of the best lines in the show and I never pass up the chance to quote my favorite fictional character *cries in corner because Nick Miller isn't real* My friends don't understand my love for Nick but they don't have to, they just need to accept it. 

And when I found these glorious 'inspirational' Nick Miller quotes on the internet I had to post them on my blog. Everyone gets a little creativity block now and then, let these quotes inspire you to live like Nick.

Basically what I did with guys...

What I say to people when they ask what I've been doing since college...

It's not even funny how true this is...

 I found these on BuzzFeed and it's honestly the best thing I've found on the internet. The article link is here if you wanna check out the rest of the pictures and get inspired.

Book Review: 'Flowers in the Attic' by VC Andrews

Title: Flowers in the Attic
Author: VC Andrews
Publisher: Fontana
Date Published: 1979
Number of Pages: 423

Plot: Siblings Chris, Cathy, Cory and Carrie are pulled away from their perfect lives when their father suddenly dies in an accident. In over whelming debt their mother has to try to get back into her dying father's heart, but without him knowing of her four children. So she locks them in the attic of her childhood home promising them they will be let out soon. But as the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months the children start to face the terrifying realization that they may not be let out of the attic after all.

Thoughts: Let me start by saying, doesn't that plot sound great? Yeah, I thought so too. Well that was until I got passed the first couple of pages. To get straight to the point, if you want a book that is badly written, has terrible character development, and no plot then I would highly recommend 'Flowers in the Attic' by VC Andrews, but if you want a book that is well written, has good character development and actually has a story line than I suggest any other book than this (and that's coming from someone who read and at some point, enjoyed, 'Twilight')

I couldn't finish this book. I gave up on page 208 or so because I couldn't hack it anymore. It was so god damn boring. The narrator was a boring 12 year old girl who had no clue about anything and her older brother irritated me more than my own older bother! Don't get me started on the mother and the grandmother. UGH!

After reading a lot of mixed reviews online and I mean A LOT I'm glad I gave up on this book, personally I don't want to read about consensual incest, I get enough of that in 'A Song of Ice and Fire.'

Over all I 100% hated this book. I would not recommend. Sorry not sorry.

1/5 stars for 'Flowers in the Attic' by VC Andrews. 

Reading Slump and April Book Haul

For a couple of weeks now I've been in a reading slump. I can hardly remember the last novel I read the whole way through and didn't give up after the last couple of pages... "I Hate Myselfie" by Shane Dawson, I'm pretty sure was the last book I read and enjoyed and didn't give up on.

What the hell is happening to me?

I have a fully stocked bookcase of beautiful, unread novels but no motivation to read any of them. I'm buying books like they're going out of fashion only to have them pile up on my bookcase and window sill. I'm serious, it's getting crazy. I need someone to stop me because I have no self control!!

The pile of unread books wouldn't look so bad if I wasn't given twenty two Terry Pratchett books. TWENTY FREAKIN' TWO!! How could I say no to all those lovely books that needed a new home so badly?

This insane book buying is all down to the fact that I have no Gillian Flynn novels to read. I'm being totally honest, I wish I could remove all of her books from my memory only to relive them again because I haven't read a crime/thriller novel as good as Flynn's and that's making me really sad.

I bought "The Devil You Know" by  Elisabeth de Mariaffi. The reviews online and in the book say it's got the wit of Gone Girl and is in vain of Sharp Objects - here's hoping I find another favourite thriller writer. Along with de Mariaffi's thriller, I added "Flowers in the Attic" by V.C Andrews to my list. I haven't heard a lot about this book but it's the one I'm book excited to read! That is if I can get out of my reading slump.

Added to this months collection is "All I Know Now" by Carrie Hope Fletcher. I know this book is meant for a teenage audience and I'm two months away from no longer being a teenager, but I feel like I'm not a very successful adult. Are any of us though? I couldn't not buy this book! Carrie is a fellow book worm, musical theatre nerd and lover of cake and tea, she is my kindred spirit. And even though I've already read this book, I had to buy the physical copy of "I Hate Myselfie" by Shane Dawson.

 

Solar Eclipse

This morning there was a solar eclipse over Ireland, and most of Europe. Being a writer and somewhat vampire, I tend to stay awake long into the night writing and reading, so this morning at 9am I pulled myself out of bed, grabbed my camera and waited for the celestial event to begin.

Something amazing like this really makes you think about how awesome the universe is. The final frontier and all that great star trek stuff.

'Scott Pilgrim' by Brian Lee O'Malley

I first seen the Scott Pilgrim movie back in 2010 and loved it! I was a total fangirl for Michael Cera, and to be fair I still am. So after loving the movie and the awesome soundtrack, I finally got around to reading the graphic novels.

I forgot how amazing and how funny the Scott Pilgrim franchise was. There was times when I was reading these graphic novels and I was laughing out loud. Scott is so funny and so normal and the stuff he says is so real and it was exactly what real people would say! I didn't like Ramona when I first started reading but as I made my way through the novels I started to love her. I loved how she didn't give a shit about what people thought about her. I liked how her character developed. I felt like I could relate to her because all she wanted to do was get away from her past and start over. I loved how Young Neil and Stephen Stills were named after Neil Young and Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, an awesome rock-folk band from the 70's! But out of all the characters in this franchise that I loved; Wallace Wells is my favorite. I need a Wallace Wells in my life! He's so sassy and sweet. I've only read four of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels so I still haven't finished the series. 

Along with reading Scott Pilgrim, I read one of my friend's favorite Brian Lee O'Malley's novels, which was 'Lost at Sea.' Personally I didn't like this at all. I found the story completely pointless. It didn't make scene to me, even after I had the story line explained to me. Granted there were some parts of 'Lost at Sea' that I liked. Some of the things the main character said was very thoughtful and it would really make you think about a lot of stuff.. Oh and cats! There were a lot of cats in this graphic novel, which I liked.  

Book Review: 'I Hate Myselfie' by Shane Dawson

Title: I Hate Myselfie
Author: Shane Dawson
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 10th March 2015
Number of Pages: 240

Plot: This book is of a collection of twenty original essays written by Shane Dawson. Each story dives deeper into his personal life and less about his life on youtube. You get to see the real life Shane Dawson, not the guy in front of the camera.

Thoughts: I bought this book last night on my Kobo, I didn't even know it had just been released when I bought it ... I guess my subconscious knew and wanted me to buy it! But I don't regret it at all. I was a bit iffy when I was downloading it. I thought it might just be another way for book companies to make money off popular youtubers, but I've been a Shane Dawson fan since 2008. Yup all the way back before every popular youtuber was a hot British guy, and because of that I wanted to support the guy that's always made me laugh when I was having a bad day. I got about three chapters into it when I remembered that Shane had read the audio book and without a second thought I downloaded that and read along with him through the whole book. It was great! I can't count how many times I was crying with laughter. Every story was so raw and real and with every story I felt like I got closer to Shane, during some stories I could remember the vlogs he posted about that topic, so it felt like I was listening to a friend talk about everything he'd been through. Every story was just as rude and offensive as Shane's youtube videos but still so sweet and heartwarming. I even cried like a baby during chapter six - Denny's and Death. I can remember that vlog so well! Shane's writing was lovely to read. It flowed so nicely, his way of telling his stories came off so easily and it didn't feel like the stories were forced! I mean, you couldn't make up some of the shit that happened in this book, it was so crazy!

I would recommend this book to every Shane Dawson fan, or even people who don't like Shane, because this book is really him. He doesn't sugar coat anything and he doesn't try to make you feel sorry for him. This book is inspiring because Shane has worked so hard to get where he is today and I'm so proud to call myself a fan.

5/5 stars for 'I Hate Myselfie' by Shane Dawson

'Bloodlines' by Richelle Mead

After investing my teenage years into Richelle Mead's writing, the 'Vampire Academy/Bloodlines' stories are finally coming to a close. Be still my beating heart, I can't take it.

I was a bit iffy going into the 'Bloodlines' series at first. I wasn't too fond of the characters, I thought it might drag out the series and it would get stale very fast, but that wasn't the case at all! I became invested in the expansion of the Moroi and Dhampir world as soon as I fell in love with Sydney Sage - which was within the first chapter.

I was not a fan of Sydney in the VA story but through 'Bloodlines' she has grown up and become such a strong character and of course, I have a weakness for strong female protagonists.

I won't drone on about the plot to these books, but reading of the 'Vampire Academy' series before these is crucial. So you better get on that!

The last of the 'Bloodlines' books is due to come out the 10th of February. I'm patiently waiting for the postman to give me my beautiful copy so I can complete my collection. (Although I hate the cover art of the whole series with a passion, but I try not to think about them too much, or I'll go crazy.)

As for more Richelle Mead news, she's due to release a new a standalone novel in November. Anyone who's a fan of Richelle knows most of her books are based on some kind of folklore and this novel is no different. Titled "Soundless" it centers around a remote Chinese mountaintop village that has not spoken for generations. I don't know about you but I would read Richelle's shopping list so I'm beyond excited for this.

Even Betty loves Sydney & Adrian

Book Review: 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Fylnn

Title: Sharp Objects
Author: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books
Date Published: 2006
Number of Pages: 254

Plot: Camille Preaker works as a crime journalist in a small Chicago newspaper, after a brief stay at a psychiatric hospital due to self-harm she is sent back to her small hometown to research the disappearance of two young girls. While back in Windgap, the life Camille has tried so hard to forget comes rushing back to her. Wicked carved across her hipbone. Nasty on her kneecap. Baby-doll scarred into her leg. Words carved into Camille's skin was her way of dealing with a troublesome childhood which still haunts her well into her adult life. As Camille uncovers more and more about the young girls she notices a few too many resemblances with her dead sister. She knows if she is going to survive being back home she's going to have to come face to face with the demons she been dodging her whole life. 

Thoughts: In my eyes Gillian Flynn can do no wrong. Oh wow! The second I started this novel I was hooked. If there was ever a book I wish I could remove from my memory only so I could read it and be blown away all over again it would be this one and Gone Girl - also written by Flynn. I loved everything about this novel. I loved the damaged characters. I loved the soul sucking town. I loved the darkness behind what was happening. Every time something would start to make sense, Flynn would completely switch it around. When I wasn't reading this novel I wished I was reading it. The story was so well thought out and well written that it has stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

4/5 stars for 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn.

photo source: http://weheartit.com/entry/147584939/via/littlelphxnt

Book Review: 'The Rain' by Virginia Bergin

Title: The Rain
Author: Virginia Bergin
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Date Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 384

Plot: It's in the rain... and just one drop will kill you. Two weeks after the first deadly rainfall our main character Ruby has to trek across the country to find her dad. The water is infected and the last of the drinkable water is running out.

Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book. I really wanted to like our main character Ruby. When I first heard about this novel, about the plot I thought it was going to be great! An epic survival adventure. I love apocalyptic stories, 'The Walking Dead' 'I Am Legend.' But this book was not that. There was no epic tale. There was no epic anything. Our main character Ruby spends more time thinking about how many boys she can kiss and how many sparkly dresses she can pack on her journey across the country. When she is meant to be searching for clean water to drink, she instead goes shoe shopping. I was disappointed by this story. I'm so used to reading about strong female characters - Rose, Tris, Katniss, etc, etc that Ruby made me cringe. I get that she was meant to be 'normal' teenage girl, trying to survive the only way she knows how, but that way was wearing heels and thinking about the beautiful Casper McCloud. Not about surviving the deadly rain.

I feel that this story could have been so much better if Ruby was a bit more... badass I guess. If she stopped acting like a silly teenage girl started acting like this shit was serious!

 Needless to say, I didn't enjoy this book. I had to force myself to finish it. There was many times I'd turn on my e-reader and think "Why am I forcing myself to read this?"

I don't like writing reviews like this because I know the author worked really hard on this novel but that's my opinion. If you've read this book, did you like it? and if so are you going to pick up the second installment 'The Storm'? It's due to be released February 26th 2015. I for one will not be picking up the sequel.

2/5 stars for 'The Rain' by Virginia Bergin. 

The Extrordinary Adventures of Purrlock Holmes

Nick-named 'Black Betty' by my dad

Witches cat

Recreating The Reichenbach Fall from 'Sherlock' season two

Best buddies Red and Purrlock

On January first last year I found Miss Purrlock Holmes. A scared little kitten who couldn't find her way on a dark and stormy night. I begged my parents to let me keep her but they kept telling me no. We already had two cats and there was no need for another one, but my dad being the cat lover that he is soon fell in love with the little fury thing.

Between vet visits, loosing one of my other cats and many, many treats Purrlock became the leader of my house. She rules the roost. She has brought a love of life back into my seventeen year old cat, Red and every chance she gets she jumps on his back and the tuffs of hair fly! There was been countless fights between the two of those but they always end up cuddling.

So much has happened in 2014. I lost all my friends. I fell in love. My beautiful niece Alissa was born. I fell out of love. I wouldn't change anything that happened in 2014 for the world and I'm so glad that at the end of every day I got to come home to a little black kitten who loved me no matter what.

She spends the day sleeping in the sunlight and the night getting up to whatever extraordinary adventure awaits her.