Showing posts with label the fault in our stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the fault in our stars. Show all posts

Friday, 15 March 2013

“We read to know that we are not alone.”

                                    
As some of you may know from reading my blog, is that I love to read it is my absolute favourite past time and I get so much joy from it. I have made friends through a mutual love of reading and of the characters inside the novels; not only that but it has improved my imagination, my empathy and understanding of topics that I would never think to discuss. To some reading is a chore but to others it is a way of escapism and a way to relax, it is a way to put your emotions into something else other than your own life and for many it is a way of making people feel like they are not alone. 
As with most things I have my favourites which include titles such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Divergent/Insurgent, which although all follow the same sort of genre follow completely different plots with completely diverse characters and with them all comes with fresh emotion and an experience that I've never had before. I can connect to the characters and feel their happiness, their sadness, I mourn when they die and I feel elated when my favourite characters finally end up together and get a chance at happiness (usually in these types of books their happiness is short lived but you still get the idea)
Out of the very many books I have read during my lifetime, I have also enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars which discusses an issue which could be slightly taboo and although it didn't affect me as much as it has affected the whole of the internet it was still a moving and well written book. I loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower because it related to a lot of feelings that most teenagers have but never feel the courage to speak up about. I am currently reading City of Bones and I can already tell that it’s going to be up there with my favourites once I have finished. On a softer note I have really enjoyed books written by Milly Johnson and although they are they are predictable and soppy they are great for easy reads; my favourites from her are The Birds and the Bees and Here Come the Girls, my mum loves her writing and because of this I have every book she has ever written at my disposal so when I'm feeling cheesed off they are brilliant to loose myself in for a few hours. 
For my English literature last year we were given Of Mice and Men to read for our exam and I read it within a few hours, I (unlike most of my peers) really loved the book as I am the type of person that loves to find hidden meanings and discuss the importance of the novel, I love talking about what could have impacted them to write about what they have and this book is a perfect way to do this. Due to my liking for this book I have extended my library to other classics such as The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Emma and I'm even debating whether to read a Shakespeare novel.

books that have been reviewed or mentioned in previous posts:


Thursday, 17 January 2013

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
Seeing as this book is incredibly hyped about I was very excited to read it. John Green is such an awesome person (I know this from watching VlogBrothers on YouTube) but I have read Looking For Alaska and although I enjoyed it I was left feeling a little bit let down, and unfortunately that is exactly what happened with The Fault In Our Stars. I finished the book in one sitting none the less but it wasn't a book that touched me like I was led to believe, I did however, cry but it wasn't the "ugly sobbing" that is often connected with this book it was more of a silent tear and I don't think it was even in the bit that I assume everyone else cried in, I shan't say which bit as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone who wants to read it.
I think that anyone who has been through or knows anyone who is going through the trials and tribulations that comes along with cancer then this would be a brilliant book for as I feel like it tackles a normally very taboo subject very well, however, I feel like part of the reason why I didn't connect with the characters on a deeply emotional level is because I am fortunate enough to not have met anyone who has had to deal with cancer at such a young age. 
Despite it not being a book that will stay in my heart for years, I would still recommend it as it is a good read just don't expect to be blown away like I thought I was going to be.
6.5/10

New books make me happy


Nothing makes Emma a happier camper than getting new books; here are a few of the recent ones that I have brought.



My kindle is on the top because I purchased The Life of Pi - Yann Martel on there for a bargain price of 20p! I'm really hoping that it meets up to the hype.
The most recent purchase was The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness, which is a part of a trilogy called Chaos Walking, I really, really hope this book is good as I've wanted to read it for absolutely ages.
Next, is the incredibly hyped about The Fault in Our Stars - John Green I have actually read this already so expect a full review on it soon! Click here to read my thoughts!
A random purchase is Fated - Alyson Noel I have no idea what it's going to be like as I have never heard of the author or the book before but it looks like a really interesting story.
This was a spur of the moment buy Night School - C J Daughtery and I'm not sure I'm entirely happy that I got it because after reading the first two chapters I can tell it’s going to be written in a way that adults who really have no clue what teenagers talk like write a book trying to relate to us, even though, I will give it the benefit of the doubt before casting my final judgement.
I actually have the first in the quartet of these books but I've not quite finished it, but I am really enjoying it so I have already brought the second one called Pretties - Scott Westerfeld, I hope it's as good as the first one!
Finally, this last book is not even mine, I have borrowed it from my friend Molly but it is the McFly - Unsaid Things... Our Story, I'm only about a quarter of the way through it but I love McFly so if you are a fan then this is the perfect book for you.