Books I'm Glad I Was Recommended

Hey guys, today I want to share with you 5 books I have been recommended or inspired to read by some of my favourite BookTubers/friends.

1) The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien (inspired by Sam from Sam's Nonsense)

Although Sam doesn't make BookTube videos anymore (you should definitely still check out her old videos though), she is definitely the person who inspired me to actually pick up the LOTR series. She raves about this series so much and I'm pretty sure she's reread it as much as I've read Harry Potter!!

I'd obviously seen the movies and knew it was a book series but I had always been put off because I'd heard it was a really difficult read and very high fantasy and it is those things. However, watching Sam's videos intrigued me and made me think I was missing out. I'm glad she inspired me to read it as I enjoyed the first one a lot! Thanks Sam <3 p="">

2) Looking For JJ by Anne Cassidy (inspired by Hannah Tay)

I was watching a video from some time ago that Hannah did where she was talking about Anne Cassidy as an author and how fantastic she was. She actually talked about a number of her books in this video and I was particularly drawn to this one. I reserved it at my local library and when the book came I devoured it as it was incredible!

Looking For JJ follows a young girl who has been released for juvenile detention and has been given a new identity. A young girl was murdered by her friend and this book explores how, why and if you can move on from that. It's a great read and one I would highly recommend myself. Thanks Hannah!

3) Gone by Michael Grant (inspired by Amy from TwoPaperGirls)

Again here is another channel that doesn't upload anymore but Laura and Amy's channel was one of my favourites about a year ago. Amy especially (the redhead on the left), always talked about the Gone series as one of her favourites. I decided to give the first book ago and am so pleased I did!

It's a dystopian novel about what happens when everyone over the age of 15 disappears and the politics of what happens when everyone else is left to fend for themselves. Great read so thanks Amy!

4) The Giver by Lois Lowry (inspired by Cece from Problems of a Book Nerd)

Cece is a big BookTuber that I have followed for a long time and I adore her channel. She makes some fantastic videos with lots of LGBTQIA+ content. I watched one of her videos where she talked about her favourite books of all time and she mentioned The Giver by Lois Lowry. The way she raved about it made me instantly want to read it. I was not disappointed. 

The Giver is a dystopian sci-fi story that follows Jonas who is living in a world where he is being trained as the Receiver and he learns lots of dark secrets about the seemingly perfect world he's living in. It's a really short book as well as being brilliant, so I read it in one sitting (a perfect readathon pick)!!! Thanks Cece!

5) Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh (inspired by Nicole from A Beautiful Chaos of Books)

As you all will probably know, I adored Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh and I've been raving about it since I read it! Something else I love is Nicole from A Beautiful Chaos of Books; you may know if you watch my YouTube channel that I love this girl and I can't sing her praises enough. I heard Nicole talking about this book so I added it immediately to my TBR. Then the beautiful Charlie Brook sent me a copy and we buddy read it together, so a double whammy of wonderful recommendations!

This book is a courtroom thriller and a fantastic one that is definitely a contender for my favourite book of the year. It's gritty and so unexpected so I think everyone will love it. Thanks Nicole!

Would you like me to do another one of these? Let me know as I have lots more!!

Until next time, happy reading!

Review: The Swimming Pool by Louise Candlish

Swimming Pool

by Louise Candlish

Published by Michael Joseph Penguin UK: May 5th 2016

Hardcover: 400 pages

Goodreads

Amazon

Star Rating: 5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads:

'I can't take my eyes of the water. Can you?'

It's summer when Elm Hill lido opens, having stood empty for years. For Natalie Steele - wife, mother, teacher - it offers freedom from the tightly controlled routines of work and family. Especially when it leads her to Lara Channing, a charismatic former actress with a lavish bohemian lifestyle, who seems all too happy to invite Natalie into her elite circle.

Soon Natalie is spending long days at the pool, socializing with new friends and basking in a popularity she didn't know she'd been missing. Real life, and the person she used to be, begins to feel very far away.

But is such a change in fortunes too good to be true? Why are dark memories of a summer long ago now threatening to surface? And, without realizing, could Natalie have been swept dangerously out of her depth?

My review:

Before I get started, you should know that I read The Disappearance of Emily Marr by Louise Candlish in July last year and adored it. That book was a contemporary with a touch of mystery in it. So when I found out that Louise Candlish also writes psychological suspense thrillers, I was astounded and then unsure if I would love it as much. Well, no worries there because I adored it! This book is amazing and in my eyes Candlish can do no wrong.

This book follows Natalie and Ed Steele, both teachers, who work and live within a wonderful, if slightly distant neighbourhood. Natalie feels a bit left behind and not sure of herself. She is working in a public school whereas her husband is doing private tutoring and she feels judged by the people around her. However, she soon meets Lara Channing, an incredibly sophisticated and charismatic childhood actress and model and although Natalie has nothing in common with her, she soon starts to fall for her charms. But something is not quite right.

You might be forgiven for thinking from this description that this book is a contemporary-style book about friendship between different women but that is not the case at all. This book's third main character is the swimming pool itself. Lara helps to open the lido that has been closed for a long time which is where Natalie's anxieties start; her daughter Molly suffers from severe aquaphobia due to something that happened in her childhood and she wants nothing to do with the water.

There are so many elements and surprises in this book that just when you think you know where it's heading, it changes course again and becomes something completely different. It has twists and turns and so much suspense and foreboding. You don't quite know where to turn but it all makes sense everytime you get there.

My favourite part of this story was that the first chapter hints of something that will happen at the end without names, places or a clear understanding of what that thing is. So throughout the book as you read it, you start to think you know who the people involved are or what it means, but trust me, you will be very sorely mistaken!

This is a truly wonderful thriller that deserves so much more hype than it has.

Until next time, happy reading!

Feminist Books

Hey guys, today I wanted to share some of my favourite books with feminist themes. Here goes!

1) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

This book follows a slightly autobiographical storyline based around the character of Esther Greenwood. She is searching for her identity as a woman; she's trying to establish her career all while struggling with her mental health. 

One of the main themes throughout this short book is the idea of the sexual double standard. Esther talked about the idea of women being expected to be virgins when they get married but she struggles a lot when realising that the men she is seeing are not held to the same ideals. She really hates this and quite a bit of the story is her struggling with it. 

2) The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

It should be said that Alice Walker preferred the term 'womanist' to feminist but generally this book is about a black woman named Celie who is writing letters to God to try and get her through her difficult life. She has been raped and beaten throughout her young life and is now trapped in an unhealthy marriage.

This book has a huge disparity between victimised and successful females. The successful women in this story most often have gained their success by teaming up with the other women. But the victimised women are not aided at all; they are routinely subjected to rape and abuse and the men in this situation are not expected to be faithful in their marriages. Again there is also a strong theme of the double sexual standard.

3) Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This set of short stories is a letter Chimamanda wrote to her friend when that friend asked for help raising her newborn baby girl as a feminist. This has some great ideals and it also brings into view some more specific feminist ideas based on the Nigerian culture that Chimamanda is part of.

The main theme throughout this story is that there is a lack of equality between the sexes and Chimamanda give fifteen pieces of advice that help to combat that in raising a child in the twenty-first century. 

4) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is without a doubt my favourite classic of all time. I think Charlotte Bronte is a complete genius and I adore her writing. This book follows the titular character who starts off life with a lot of sadness. She is treated terribly by her aunt and then similarly at the boarding school she is sent to. She then goes to Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr Rochester, to be young Adele's governess. There she learns about love and lots of things ensue.

Although the ending of this book may not be completely within feminist constraints, I think it is completely realistic to accept that there are strong feminist themes in Jane Eyre as a character. At numerous times throughout the book, Jane refuses to let situations happen which try to take away her independence, she is incredibly sympathetic to her fellow women and constantly talks about women being able to feel as men feel. 

5) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen as an author has been seen as a feminist author throughout her novels but I think one of the best and most interesting portrayals of these principles is in Pride and Prejudice and more specifically, the character of Elizabeth Bennett.

The main points of Elizabeth's feminism for me, shows itself when she refuses to accept marrying merely for money or financial gain and power. Instead she wishes to be married for love, as a man would be able to do no matter the social status of her potential suitor. I love Elizabeth's character because she is definitely a go-getter and is happy to go for what she wants.

These are some of my favourite texts with feminist themes but let me know which ones you love.

Until next time, happy reading!

Harry Potter Tag

Hey guys, today I have decided to do the Harry Potter Tag!! I did one on my BookTube channel last month but wanted to do a different one on here. I saw this on Jenny In Neverland's blog Hope you like it!

1) What house are you in?

I am a very proud Hufflepuff! When I first took the Pottermore test, I honestly thought I would be in Ravenclaw but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I also have lots of BookTuber friends who are Hufflepuff so it works out really well.

2) What is your Patronus?

I got a hare! Apparently it's because I'm a bit of an oddball and my eccentricity and honesty are my best features. I could believe that too so I think it's another great choice!

3) What is your wand?

My wand is a 9" cherry wood wand, with a unicorn hair core. Apparently it shared Neville Longbottom's wand makeup.

4) What would your boggart be?

I think I would have to copy Ron and it would probably be a spider!

5) What position would you play in Quidditch?

I used to be Goal Defence in Netball so I'm going to say I'd be a Keeper.

6) Would you be a pure-blood, half-blood or Muggle-born?

I think I would be a pure-blood as both my parents have read the books and seen the films therefore I think I qualify!

7) What job would you want to have after leaving Hogwarts?

I would like to never leave Hogwarts and instead become a professor but I confess, I don't know what subject I would want to teach.

8) Which of the Deathly Hallows would you choose?

I would choose the Resurrection Stone honestly, I would definitely be tempted. I'd love to see my Great Nan again and all my childhood dogs.

9) Favourite book?

Definitely Goblet of Fire!!

10) Least favourite book?

Chamber of Secrets but only because I've read it so many times.

11) Favourite film?

I would say Goblet of Fire again but I also really love the final Deathly Hallows film. The finale battle is incredible viewing.

12) Least favourite film?

Prisoner of Azkaban, I don't love the repetitiveness of the Time Turner.

13) Favourite character?

This changes all the time but for today I will say Professor McGonagall. I adore her strictness yet admiration with her students.

14) Least favourite/most hated character?

Other than the obvious, I surprisingly really hate Ollivander. I find him super creepy in both book and film and I'm not a fan.

15) Favourite teacher at Hogwarts?

Other than obviously McGonagall, I'd be lying if I said anyone other than the amazing Hagrid!

16) Least favourite teacher at Hogwarts?

UMBRIDGE!!!!

17) Do you have any unpopular opinions about the series?

I hate Ollivander; I wish Neville had been the chosen one; and Albus Dumbledore has some serious issues and I'm not his biggest fan.

So there you are guys, that is my answers to the Harry Potter tag. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

Final Girls

by Riley Sager
Published by Dutton: July 11th 2017
Hardcover: 342 pages
Goodreads
Amazon
Trigger Warnings: rape, suicide, addiction
Star Rating: 4/5










Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie-scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to - a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.
Now, Quincy is doing well - maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won't even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. 
That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy questions why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death comes to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.


My Review:

Before reading this book, I was honestly unsure about it as Charlie Brook wasn't the biggest fan. But I decided to give it a go and I was not disappointed in the slightest.

This book feels like a strange horror movie of the B-variety but it's still great anyway. At the start it definitely has a much slower pace to the rest of the book so it might need a bit of investment to get through to the good stuff but I promise it's worth it! Final Girls is also the obvious trope for the 'one that got away' as the main protagonists have previously endured some pretty horrendous ordeals. However it doesn't get any easier for them.

Quincy is trying to forget about her past especially as she has amnesia from the event itself. She doesn't remember any of the details of what happened to her but she does know the outcome and she has lots of memories of her friends who were murdered. She has to take medication and regularly sees the man who save her life, Coop but she is running a baking blog and is trying to move forward. However, all that starts to unravel when another of the Final Girls, as depicted by the media, dies in potentially suspicious circumstances and Samantha (the third girl) shows up. The question then becomes what does Sam want?

I love the way this book was laid out and I felt like it really kept me guessing. The good thing for me was that this book has multiple twists and just when you think you've worked out the twist, something else happens. I did guess a few of the twist moments but still found myself surprised by the final outcome. It's also a story where no matter what happens, you still find yourself second-guessing which can be a fun experience.

The one downside to me and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of the full 5 was none of the characters were likeable or endearing to me. I don't always have to like the characters in a book to enjoy the reading experience but because I was supposed to be so invested in Quincy and her life, I found that a little challenging because she was essentially another carbon copy character. The plot to this book is far more interesting and well thought out than the individual characters are so if you enjoy plot-based over character-based books, you will have a fabulous time reading this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would recommend to any light horror/mystery fans who don't want anything too heavy or gory! 

Until next time, happy reading!