FIVE FRIDAY

5 Books I added to my 'Want to Read' list on Goodreads.com

1. Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult

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I picked up both of the Jodi Picoult books in this list from my local health organisation that has a book swap table. I love Picoult's writing so there was no question of me leaving these two behind. Harvesting the heart confronts the challenges and fears that new mothers face. Paige is questioning her ability to be a good mother whilst thinking of her own mother and childhood. I think this will be an interesting read. 

2. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

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Picture Perfect tells the story of a young woman who awakes in a graveyard with no memory of where she is or who she is. She only knows that she is running from something but can't remember what. From what I can gather from reviews, the character is stuck in an abusive marriage that is 'picture perfect' on the outside. I like the depth and reality to Picoult's writing so again, this should be an interesting read. 

3. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale 

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I found this book in either a blog post or article of books that are similar to Harry Potter. I think. I read so much that it could've been from anywhere. However this book sounds brilliant. A school that teaches you how to be and act like a princess. The description sounds like Hogwarts so I am going to keep an eye out for this book. 

4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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This book has so many recommendations, I should really put time aside to read it. I'm put off a bit by the description, however what people have told me makes the book sound exciting and adventurous. I hope that I like this one. I want to like it if that makes sense. 

5. Still She Haunts Me by Katie Roiphe

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This book, I also picked up in a book swap. I feel like this one is an integral part of our literature history. Telling the tale of Charles Dodgson. AKA Lewis Caroll and his relationship with a little girl who inspired him to write his most famous stories such as Alice in Wonderland. I think this is a book that I'll put off for a while and I'll have to wait till I'm 'in the mood' to read it. 

What are you adding to your 'want to read' list? Let me know in the comments below. 

Love Charlie, Xx

Don't Tell Mummy by Toni Maguire and My Thoughts

Don't Tell Mummy by Toni Maguire

First Published: 2007

Publisher: Harper Element

Pages: 343

Rating: 5*

Don't Tell Mummy on goodreads.com

Don't Tell Mummy is available in Paperback for £6.99 and in Kindle Edition for £3.99 on Amazon.co.uk.

You can tell from the Title and front cover of this book that it is either a memoir or a story of childhood abuse. This heart-breaking book is both. It isn't the type of book I normally pick up, but seeing it on a charity table at Tesco for Diabetes, I picked it up faithfully donating my coins into the bucket. I started reading it and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to comfort the little girl in the story and save her from the life she endured. Throughout the whole story I was waiting for her father to be caught and pay his price. 

It is wrong of me to review this book, as it is someone's real life, and a real person suffered at the hands of her parents. It would be cruel and sick to review her life. I am only going to give my opinions on this book that I read recently. The writing in this book is amazing, however, and Maguire used her words effectively to create an environment so real. Her descriptions are so in depth that you feel as though you are sat in the house watching her live her life. My heart sank as every opportunity and ounce of happiness Antoinette received was ripped away from her. 

This book clearly shows the bond children have with their mothers, and despite their wrongdoings, the child will always seek love and compassion, attention and comfort from their mother. I wanted to grab Antoinette's mother and shake her until she finally apologised for being an accomplice to her husband's disgusting and unimaginable crimes against his daughter. I wanted her mother to suffer and shed her denial, and face the reality of what she let happen in her home. I wanted Toni to receive a sliver of closure whilst her mother lay on her death bed. I wished for this child - who I know is now an old lady now. I felt for her and I was disgusted and shocked at the way the authorities, relatives and adults behaved towards a young victim of sexual abuse. 

Even as her mother died, Maguire tended to her every need - sleeping 'on put-me-ups' - whilst her father only visited. Her father and mother created the illusion of a happy family to the outside world. However, Toni's image as a perfect daughter was no illusion and she remained loyal to her mother to the very end, despite the betrayel her mother had enforced on her repeatedly. 

My heart goes out to anyone who had to suffer as Maguire had to. This book made me feel extremely grateful for the childhood I had - I didn't live in fear of my parents and was well-loved and looked after. 

I was so sad for Toni at the end of the book that I both want to, yet I am afraid to read her next book, 'When Daddy Comes Home'. However, Maguire illustrated herself so effectively in her memoir that I feel a connection to her as she revealed her secrets and most personal details. Toni Maguire is a strong, independent, lady who anyone should be proud of. What this lady had to endure throughout her life was unspeakable. I wish she could have another life with a family that loved her and cherished her for the clever, intellectual and caring person she obviously grew up to be. 

If you are affected by the themes and topics in this book:- 

Here are a couple of links you can check out...

Childline - 08001111

Samaritans

Love Charlie, Xx

Extras by Scott Westerfeld Book Review

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

First Published: 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 400

Rating: 4*

Extras on goodreads.com

Extras is available in Paperback for £6.99 or £4.99 on Kindle at Amazon.co.uk

I am so pleased to tell you that Westerfeld has redeemed himself after the disappointing 'Specials'. As with the previous three books in this series, I love the front cover. I think it is the clean cut edges and metallic shimmer highlighting a specific detail. On 'Extras', the pupil of an eye has a shimmery green circuit board which ties in very well with the themes within the story-line.

Extras was a lovely ending to the quartet, and I appreciated the differences between this book and the first three books. Extras is set years after 'Prettytime' was ended and the 'Diego' War. Thankfully, Tally, Shay, Fausto and the Cutters still make an appearance. I have come to the conclusion that Tally's transition into a Special is what triggered my dislike of the penultimate book - Specials. I believe that Westerfeld turned her into a dislike-able character with unfriendly characteristics. I understand that these characteristics are traits of being a 'Special' however it altered my relationship as a reader with the main character. 

In Extras, we have a new main character, 'Aya'. Aya lives in a vastly different world than when Tally was an Ugly. There are practically zero Bubbleheads, fame and reputation are the currency and technology has advanced enormously. I was grateful for the change of setting as it made the series interesting again and there was more to learn.

The final book carried on from the trilogy with themes of conservation, waste, and recycling. There are good messages in this book about our commodified and manufactured culture. I think it is a relevant topic that is emphasised in current media and it fits the context of important issues raised within education.

The ending was abrupt and I admit here that as much as I wanted to finish this series, I wasn't ready for the book to end and was shocked when I reached the last page. Therefore I can wrap up this review saying that I honestly enjoyed the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld despite being disappointed with the third book 'Specials'.

My favourite book was of course, the first one as it set the scene and outlined characters. There is always a lot to learn in the first of a series and as a reader, I felt I was being taken on an adventure - but I also enjoyed the second and last equally. Overall, I would rate the complete series at 3.5*.

I recommend Uglies and the following books!

Love Charlie, Xx

February Picks of the Month

Has January got you feeling Blue? 

For February, I want to recommend books that I think will help you through the cold, rainy season with some positivity and hope. It is still the beginning of the year, and for some of us, the last 31 days haven't gone so well. If you are one of those people this post may be for you. I have three strategies for you to help combat those blue feelings with literature. 

The first book I want to recommend is 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The first strategy is to read about someone who is/has been less fortunate than you, yet they have still found the silver lining. This book is ideal. Ivan Denisovich finds pleasure in small things despite his grim situation and had a lasting effect on me. It is helpful to remember this story when you are having a bad day and reminds you to be grateful for the little things that make your day so much better. This book made it to a Penguin Modern Classic for a reason! There is a message to take from Solzhenitsyn's writing so make sure you savor this one. 

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This book is available for £7.99 in Paperback or £3.79 in Kindle edition on Amazon.co.uk

The second book I want to recommend is 'The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

The reason I recommend this book is because my second strategy is to laugh off the rainy season. This book is hilarious and charming and uplifting. It is everything you need right now! Kinsella's writing is easy to read and this story is sure to make you smile. It also may inspire you to learn something new and to try and challenge yourself. Keep going, you can do it...

goodreads.com          Amazon.co.uk

This book is available on Amazon.co.uk for £7.99 in Paperback or £3.99 on Kindle.

Finally, I want to recommend The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

My final tactic is to escape reality if all else fails and get yourself lost in an adventure. Pick up a series and dig your nose in deep between those pages. The Hunger Games will suck you in and before you know it you will be crying for more. If you haven't read this trilogy before, I am jealous as I would love to read it for the first time again. This one also has the perfect love triangle for Valentines day! <3 Enjoy!

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This book is available on Amazon.co.uk for £3.85 in Paperback or £3.66. If you have Kindle Unlimited you can read this trilogy for free. If you plan on reading all 3 books, it may be cheaper for you to buy the series together in a collection. 

Happy February!

Love Charlie, Xx