Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

Extras by Scott Westerfeld Book Review

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

First Published: 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 400
Rating: 4*


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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. 

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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


Sunday, 31 January 2016

What I Read in January



What I Read in January


So, I managed to read 6 books in January which is 15% of my 40 book target for the year. goodreads.com tells me this is 3 books ahead of schedule so hopefully I'll be able to change my challenge to 50 books before the end of 2016. 


The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

I started the year with The Little Prince and initially rated it 3*. However after a fortnight I re-rated it as 4*. I did this because the book made a lasting impression on me that surpassed the normal length of thinking about a book after you've read it. I still think about it now after a month. This book is a story I will cherish and pass on to my children (when I have children). It is also great for adults and for those who take themselves too seriously. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Once 2016 had started I decided to read a series I got for my 21st birthday in April 2015. I like to wait to read books until I know I'm 'in the mood' and it suddenly occurred to me that it was the right time to read Uglies. Once I started this series I found it hard to put the books down, I recommend this series! Uglies was my favourite book in the series and I rated it 4*. 

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties was the second book in the Uglies series and I loved this book too - giving it a 4* rating on goodreads.com. I was stuck to this book and read it relatively quickly. I loved the characters in Westerfeld's writing as they had great depth and development throughout the story line. The adventure was fun too. 

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

After reading Pretties, I ended the original trilogy with Specials. I'm not going to lie - I was disappointed with this one. It was an awful, impersonal ending to the trilogy, of which the first two books were amazing. I felt like this book was rushed and clumsy. I rated it 3* because I loved the other two books - however if this was the first in the series I doubt I would have finished the book - never-mind read the entire series in one month. 

Help Me! by Donna M Zadunjsky

Before I read the final book in the Uglies series, I read 'Help Me!' to review for Netgalley.com. Initially, I didn't like the style of writing but I came to realise it was effective and helped to provide me with an in-depth look at the character's lives and stories they had to tell. I rated this book 3* and I don't think I would read it again - However I would definitely recommend this book to those suffering from self-harm, depression, suicidal thoughts and friends of those struggling. There were messages of hope and recovery in this book that would be helpful for those in the situation. This book isn't one to read otherwise though, and I believe Zadunjsky could have done more with her writing to help those in need. 

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Finally, I ended January reading the last book in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. I was hoping for great things in this book and I am happy to conclude that it was better than Specials. The story takes place years after the original series, yet Westerfeld effectively links the two times with the reunion of the Cutters and Tally Youngblood. In this book, we have a new set of heroes and a different world. The City they live in is advanced and their currency is reputation. I enjoyed this book and rated it 4*. (Review coming soon) I was sad to finish this series and the ending was abrupt - I wasn't ready for it. 

Dolphin Song by Lauren St John 

2119366I am concluding January by reading a book that I started months ago and was lent to me by a good friend. Lauren St John writes children's books with inspiring messages in them. She teaches us the value of nature and an appreciation of wildlife that we should never forget. If you love adventure and animals, then these books are definitely for you!  

I hope you all had a wonderful January! Keep reading. 

I will post my February Top Picks tomorrow. Let me know what you read in January in the comments below. I'd love to see what you've been reading. 

Love Charlie, Xx

Friday, 22 January 2016

Specials by Scott Westerfeld Book Review

Specials by Scott Westerfeld 

Fisrt Published: 2006
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 350
Rating: 3*



Specials is available in paperback for £7.99 or £4.99 in kindle edition on Amazon.co.uk

This edition of the 'Uglies' quartet is unfortunately my least favourite and I believe it lets down the whole series. Yes, I did enjoy these books, but if this was the first one, I doubt I would have carried on. Now all is left is 'Extras' - the last book in the series. The original trilogy had a final book added as an extra - pardon the pun. 

As with the other books, I love the covers to the series. The clean cut edges and perfection of the photography fits in very well with the content of the books.On this cover, it is the modified spine that has a bronze metallic sheen. This fits in with the 'Special' characters in the story as they have modified everything - their bones are made of super-ceramic, their hearing is extraordinary as is their sight, smell and touch. They are incomparable human beings, and Tally isn't only turned into a special. She is turned into a special special - a 'cutter'. 

I am still disappointed with Westerfeld's lack of sensitivity when it comes to mental health and grief. In this book Tally goes through the traumatic experience of getting a friend who is in a vegetative state, unplugged. But instead of going into detail, we don't feel any of Tally's grief - Westerfeld carries on with the story line as though it is the type of experience we have  to deal with everyday. The theme of self harm is carried way out of proportion, being glorified and idealized. Finally, towards the end of the book she stops cutting herself, yet there is still no advice for those affected by the content in the book. I feel it is irresponsible and unacceptable to take a real life issue and use it in a futuristic, fashion sense. The content becomes quite graphic at points and would be quite triggering to those affected with mental illnesses. I could go on about this forever, but I'm not going to. 


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Excluding the theme of self-harm, and the way Westerfeld approaches it, I really like this series. It wasn't quite up to the same gripping level as 'The Hunger Games' or 'Divergent' but it was just as easy and exciting to read. I think it was the lack of depth in this book, and the fact that the book isn't in first person lets us [the readers] disconnect slightly with the characters. If this book was written first person, we could have had much more of an emotional insight. Yet, the characters emotions within this book were overlooked. As a final in the trilogy, Westerfeld had the opportunity to draw us in and let us go dramatically, which is what he did without the 'drawing you in' part. I was left disappointed and wanting more. I wanted to feel more of a passionate response to the events in the book, yet I felt it was rushed and fast-moving. Before one thing happened, the plot moved on without allowing me to catch up or appreciate each chapter.

Overall, I was discontent with this book. I felt let down by Westerfeld's attempt to draw the series to an end. I am really glad that this wasn't the first book in the series as I wouldn't have had the same reading experience. I really would recommend the first two books, 'Uglies' and 'Pretties' but I think 'Specials' is only one to read if you want to find out what happens in an unsatisfying end. Be prepared to be disappointed.

I really hope 'Extras' makes up for it and pulls the series together.

Love Charlie, Xx 

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

20 Books I've Recently Added to my 'To Read List'


I have added so many books onto my goodreads.com account recently, so I thought I'd do a quick list here so you can see what I want to read. I have selected the last 20 books that I added on to my 'To Read List'. 



 The Memory of Light by Francisco X Stork 
This Young Adult Novel focuses on living life when it doesn't seem worth it. Vicky Cruz wakes up in hospital after a suicide attempt and the book travels her journey of acceptance and recovery. This book sounds uplifting and insightful with themes of mental health, vulnerability, family and strength; and I can't wait to read it. 
This book isn't released until the 26th January 2016. 

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
This is a memoir about the Author's relationship with food and diet, self-image and weight. What woman doesn't relate to everyone of these themes? I really am looking forward to the publication date for this release. The 14th of June on Amazon.co.uk

The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajan 

This book offers an in-depth view of the psychological damage and devastation caused by a 'small' bomb in the Delhi marketplace - killing two young brothers and leaving their friend injured and traumatized. This book give up insight into how the acts of terrorism affect the lives of the family of the two boys that died and follows the friend as he grows up and deals with the physical and emotional scars he has been left with. 
This title isn't released until the 14th July on Amazon.co.uk

Girl Through Glass: A Novel by Sari Wilson
This novel follows a young girls journey from the competitive world of New York City Ballet into the even more competitive School of American Ballet. This debut has themes of aspiration, obsession, perfectionism and relationships. This book caught my eye straight away as I love Ballet and danced for many years throughout my childhood. I can't wait to read this book, and I predict it will be binge-read. 
This title is released on Amazon.co.uk on the 26th January.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
This novel follows the struggles and complications of a sixteen year old's coming out story. A story of friendship, compromise, growing up, drama and identity. This book appeals to me as I am gay and everyone has a different coming out story. I am looking forward to reading this book and I am sure it will make me feel better about my own coming out story. 

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon 
This book follows a young girl's journey to love and enlightenment as she battles with her allergies against the world. She has a rare condition meaning she can't leave her house and meet others. She uses the internet to communicate with her new next door neighbor and he encourages her to want to do things she hasn't been able to. I feel this book will be very uplifting and tell a tale of overcoming obstacles in the light of love. 

The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
This book has been compared to one of my top favourite books 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern. This is the biggest reason I added this book to my 'To Read List' I love YA books about circus'. For twenty years, two circus families have been enemies and rivals, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. When a boy from the opposing family saves the life of the youngest performer in the other family; they end up falling in love in a dangerous and compromising relationship. 

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
This is a contemporary classic that I thought I already had on my 'To Read List'. However it seems I never got around to adding it until recently. This novel tells us an intriguing and perplexing story of how handmaids are valued only for the viability of their ovaries. Offred, a Handmaid can remember how her life used to be before women were banned from reading. I really must get around to reading this book...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
This is another classic that I thought I already had on my 'To Read List' and it is a book that I have wanted to read for quite a while. This is a classic children's story of a boy's adventures in the Mississippi Valley. This is a sequel to Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Tom Sawyer', so I must read that one first. 

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
This is also another classic that I thought I'd already added to my 'To Read List'. I saw this book in a charity shop a few years ago, but was put off reading it because of the violence in it. I regret not picking it up and I will have to purchase it one day. It is a classic that appears on many 'book lists to read before you die', so as an avid reader, I feel I must read it. Fifteen year old Alex and his gang of friends rob,  kill and rape their way through a nightmarish future, until the State put an end to riotous behaviour.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood is a journalistic non-fiction novel telling the story of a multiple-murder. It is an insightful look at the nature of American violence and is powerfully evocative. I should read this book sooner rather than later as it's the novel that made Truman Capote's name. Just so you know, I really liked Breakfast at Tiffany's


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Possession Series by Elana Johnson
0.5 Resist on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
1 Possession on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
1.5 Regret on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
2 Surrender on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
3 Abandon on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Possession series is a thrilling dystopian young adult trilogy with two extra works; Resist and Regret. The trilogy follows a rebellious teen who refuse to follow the set of rules the authorities have outlined. I was attracted to this trilogy by the covers and by the fact that they sound similar to other YA series such as 'The Hunger Games'. 'Divergent' and 'Uglies.'

Cold Awakening Trilogy by Robin Wasserman 
Frozen on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Shattered on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Torn on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
This trilogy follows a young girl who's live is saved by a download. However she realises that it has changed her and she is not who she wants to be. This trilogy appeals to me as like the Possession series above, it sounds very much like my favourite YA dystopian novels. 

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
A self-proclaimed fat girl falls in love with a popular boy called Bo. But when she has doubts at the way she looks, she sets to get her confidence back by doing something crazy. She enters the Miss Clover City Beauty Pageant. This book sounds uplifting and heartwarming, and one that I believe will bring a smile to my face. 
This title is released on the 28th January 2016 on Amazon.co.uk


HELP ME! by Donna M Zadunajsky
This is a book that I have downloaded to review for NetGalley.com, and a book that I hope to read after I finish the 'Uglies' series. This is a coming of age book following a boy called Mick who is struggling with various elements in his life. With themes of Self injury and mental health, I believe this book will be a touching and educating read.  


Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
Behemoth on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk 
Goliath on goodreads.com and Amazon.co.uk
I found this trilogy advertised in the back of the 'Uglies' series by Scott Westerfeld. I don't know whether this series will be 'my cup of tea' until I try it so I've added it to my 'To Read List' anyway. This is a steam-punk series that is based on an alternate World War 1. I thought I'd give it a try as I enjoyed Westerfeld's writing in 'Uglies'. 


 Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
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This is a book that has appeared on many 'books to read before you die' lists. This novel of love and war won the Pulitzer Prize, and creates haunting insights of the American Civil War. I think I'll have to be 'in the mood' to read this book, but I'm excited for when that time comes around. 


The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
This novel also won the Pulitzer Prize, and it is again, a book I thought I'd already added to my 'To Read List'. I recently went through classics that I haven't yet read and added the ones I'd forgot, hence the many books I though I'd already got. This is a story of 'false hopes, thwarted desires and powerlessness', and I hope it is as touching as 'Of Mice and Men which I studied and enjoyed in High School. 


The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
I'm afraid to say that this is yet another one of those books I thought I already had on my goodreads account. It is on many 'books you must read' lists and it is the first in the 'Lord of the Rings' series. The Hobbit is a timeless classic and an introduction into the Middle Earth. I hope to get around to reading this book before summer. 


I hope you liked the last 20 books I added to my 'To Read List'. 

I think I am going to do a 'FIVE FRIDAY' weekly blog post of the last five books I have added to my 'To Read List'. Keep an eye out ;) 
Let me know what books you want to read.

Love Charlie, Xx