Review: My Box-Shaped Heart by Rachael Lucas

My Box-Shaped Heart is a powerful story of an unlikely friendship from Rachael Lucas, author of The State of Grace. Holly's mum is a hoarder, and she is fed up with being picked on at school for being weird . . . and having the wrong clothes . . . and sticking out. All she wants is to be invisible. She loves swimming, because in the water everyone is the same. Ed goes to the swimming pool because everything else in his life has changed. In his old life he had money; was on the swim team; knew who he was and what he wanted. In his old life his dad hit his mum. Holly is swimming in one direction and Ed's swimming in the other. As their worlds collide they find a window into each other's lives - and learn how to meet in the middle.

Review: Rachael Lucas has done it again, she has found something which doesn't normally get talked about openly in young adult literature and blown it wide open in this novel. This book is definitely a reminder that we don't know what goes on behind closed doors and that we really don't know what people, specifically young people, are dealing with at home when we come into contact with them and decide how to treat them! This book also serves as a reminder to those who might be dealing with the issues in this book that they are not alone, that there are other people like them and there are people out there who are willing to help them. 

I found Holly and Ed really easy to like as characters. Because of the way the book is structured, you have an instant sympathy for Holly and so that really helps you get to know her and get on here side. Ed is such a sweetheart and the fact that he has something in common with Holly will just make you root for the two of them all the way to the end of the book. The swimming pool is also a major player in this book, it is a salve for Holly and another thing that links her and Ed. I know the value of getting under the water and forgetting everything else that is going on with the world and I am glad that this author has shone a light on that!

Obviously there are a lot of issues dealt with in this novel, there's a definite trigger warning for domestic abuse here, however I think that the way Rachael Lucas deals with these issues, through these young people, is really great and really sensitive. I think that because we are seeing these issues play out in the lives of these young people, they almost don't become the main focus of the book, they are a hurdle which Holly and Ed need to, not overcome, but accept as part of their lives. I just really liked the fact that this author has openly dealt with the issue of hoarding and everything else she covers in this book through the medium of young adult literature. The storyline was gripping, the characters were easy to like and this was a great read. 

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Review: We are Okay by Nina LaCour

You go through life thinking there’s so much you need. . . . Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother.

Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart. 

An intimate whisper that packs an indelible punch, We Are Okay is Nina LaCour at her finest. This gorgeously crafted and achingly honest portrayal of grief will leave you urgent to reach across any distance to reconnect with the people you love.

Review: This book really wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I think I was expecting a much more angsty, issue based read but what I got was beautiful and poetic, dealing with someones issues, yes, but in no way the issues I thought we would be dealing with! The summary of this book says that it deals with grief, but this book deals with grief in a way you wouldn't imagine unless you had lived it and at first I was a little wary of this, but having had time to think about it, this is an extremely clever plot and something which I think is completely unique in the market!

The characters in this book are very interesting too and don't necessary conform to the norms that you might imagine, two girls from the west coast in a university dorm room in New York City might be. I loved that about them. I'm beginning to think that the term 'diverse characters' is getting over used but the characters and the storyline really are diverse in this case.

I listened to this book on audiobook and would really like to see it written down because the writing really was beautiful and poetic, you find yourself forgetting about the storyline sometimes because you are listening to the prose and losing yourself in the description of the settings and the feelings of the characters. The setting description is wonderful, of course, and you can definitely picture yourself walking in Merin's shoes.

The book features time shifts and flashbacks and I think this definitely would have been easier to follow had I been reading this as a physical book and no and audiobook, this was the only part I found difficult, but when Merin is talking about her Grandfather, generally that was in the past and so it was easy to manage by remembering that. I definitely enjoyed this book, given that it was so completely different from my expectations. I think if you are looking for something like the kind of thing Nina LaCour writes with David Levithan, then you will be disappointed, but if you think of this as a unique story in its own rights then this will be a pleasurable read for you.

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Review: Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

It's the beginning of the summer in a small town in Ireland. Emma O'Donovan is eighteen years old, beautiful, happy, confident. One night, there's a party. Everyone is there. All eyes are on Emma. 

The next morning, she wakes on the front porch of her house. She can't remember what happened, she doesn't know how she got there. She doesn't know why she's in pain. But everyone else does. 

Photographs taken at the party show, in explicit detail, what happened to Emma that night. But sometimes people don't want to believe what is right in front of them, especially when the truth concerns the town's heroes...

This book/review has trigger warnings for rape, bullying and non-consent.

Review: this is another one of those books that has been on my wish list for absolutely ages and I don't know why it took me so long to read! I was warned before I started this book that it would be a challenging read and it is an intense book but I wouldn't necessarily say it is right to warn someone of this before they even pick up the book and I wouldn't necessarily say that I agree. Yes this book packs a real punch and I did find it intense but just because it was such a good read I couldn't put it down!

This books is definitely for older readers and concerns an 18/19 year old protagonist. I loved the fact that this book was set in Ireland, it has been so long since I have read a book set there and so i definitely appreciated the setting of it. Although I did read the US edition of this and some of the language changes were definitely unnecessary, I couldn't see some of the Irish characters using some of the US words they were using!

Obviously we have the story of something happening to Emma at a party and her not remembering most of it until her brother points out the photos on social media. For this author to tackle something which DOES happen and which IS commonplace but which is NOT talked about was amazing. This is such a hot topic, people thinking that if girls are dressed in revelling clothing or are drinking too much and having a good time, that they are 'asking for it'. The whole subject of consent should definitely be discussed more and I hope that it spurs people who have read or have even heard of this book to ensure that people know what consent is and isn't. 

Nevertheless the topic was dealt with extremely well in this book because we see it all through Emma's eyes. Emma is a popular girl and so hasn't always been nice to everyone, you could say she was a bit of a bully and yet, because the story is told from her point of view, we immediately align our sympathies more easily. Emma's friends and acquaintances all play a big part in this and yet I didn't really warm to any of the other characters except Emma and her brother. There are also all sorts of family dynamics which are covered in this book as secondary story lines and also as contributing factors and it was great to have something other than just this main storyline to focus on. 

One of the other aspects of this book that I thought really worked and made it stand out from other books concerning this same topic is that it deals with the before and the after, not just the immediately after, but the long term. Emma might not be able to do her exams, she is afraid to go out, she clearly has PTSD and I don't think that people often explore the long term effects of something like this and how it can end someones life and the lives of those around them. 

This was a powerful book, incredibly well written and deals with this subject extremely effectively. I love when a book leaves me asking questions and wanting to challenge what I have heard and what I know and this book did that for me. Yes it was an intense read but definitely a worthwhile read and I urge you to pick this one up whilst being sensitive to the content and prepared to asking the question as to whether anyone is ever 'Asking For It'.

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Review: All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

From the author of Good in Bed, In Her Shoes and Who Do You Love comes a novel about a woman with a dark secret ...

Allison Weiss is a typical working mother, trying to balance a business, ageing parents, a demanding daughter and a marriage. But when the website she develops becomes a huge success, she finds herself challenged to the point of being completely overwhelmed. 

As she struggles to hold her life together and meet the needs of all the people around her, Allison finds that the painkillers she was prescribed for a back injury help her deal with more than just physical discomfort - they make her feel calm and get her through the increasingly hectic days. Sure, she worries that the bottles seem to empty a bit faster each week, but it's not like she's some Hollywood starlet partying all night. It's not as if she has an actual problem. 

Until she ends up in a world she never thought she'd experience outside of a movie theatre: rehab. And as Allison struggles to get her life back on track, she learns a few life lessons along the way.

Review: I've had this book for a while, but after reading Hungry Heart by this author all about her life and writing, I wanted to hear more from her and so I finally got round to picking up this one, boy am I glad that I did!

This book reminded me so much of Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes (one of my favourite authors) although it is definitely set in today's world of smart phones and aniline pharmacies and of course this book is set in the USA. I have to say that I loved the setting for this one, it encompassed everything about family life and yet had the feel of someone still trying to live a life of independence and have it all really. It really does explore the question that we all ask ourselves and are asking by others on a daily basis, can we really have it all?

Allison is a hard character to like because of her thoughts and actions and yet she is such an easy character to relate to because of those thoughts and the fact that she is trying to, and thinks she is doing, the best that she can! I really felt her pain and her struggle and could see why she was continually telling herself things that weren't true. I loved the fact that she was a blogger, that made it even easier to relate to. When you have a job like that or even just a commitment to that kind of entity, it can be really hard to switch off because you are always within reach of a computer and always connected to social media!

Obviously this storyline involves addiction, but the kind of addiction that isn't always explored in mainstream media. We often think of people who are drug addicts living and behaving like those in Trainspotting, living up to the stereotype but Allison proved that there is access to a range of different drugs in many different walks of life and I really love that Jennifer Weiner has brought this to the forefront here in this novel!

This was a really gripping read and I really found myself routing for Allison and her family. I think the issues dealt with are dealt with well and I really loved the way the book ended as well, not giving anything away of course! This was a great read and I can't wait to read more by this author!

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Review: Emmy a And Oliver by Robin Benway

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Review: a book about a boy who was kidnapped doesn't sound very readable or light-hearted but keep reading and I'll tell you why this is actually an enjoyable read. Firstly, I had this books recommended to me and had no idea what it was about but I love the name Oliver and I'd heard good things so I got it on a whim from the library. Can we also take a moment to appreciate the cover. How simple and lovely is it? I love the fact that these fingerprints form a heart and I totally didn't notice that when I first picked this up-so simple, so effective! 

So Emmy and Oliver, two interesting characters, we meet them just as Oliver is kidnapped and then we pick up with Emmy some years later. I totally didn't realise until Emmy said it had happened and was totally stopped in my tracks, the effectiveness of not reading the blurb first! I really liked Emmy as a character because she is strong willed, and independent. There is so much that she keeps from her parents in this book and, whilst that is something you shouldn't do, I do respect her for wanting to have her own life and her own goals and dreams! Oliver is equally independent and so the two mesh well together. He will naturally have a hard time adjusting to life back in the 'real world' or his 'former life' but he is so laid back he seems to take it all in his stride, I love that about his personality. Caro and Drew from the rest of their friendship group, although the parental characters form an important part of this story as well. 

This most definitely the beginning of a coming of age for all of theses character and it is interesting to see the young people grow and develop and see how their parents respond to that. There are a whole host of issues dealt with in this book but I would say the key message here is one of identity. This isnt a novel which is entirely issues based. It is very much character driven and I like that the issues aren't shoved in your face, you don't feel that it is all about them. I also learned quite a bit from this books, I won't tell you what about because of spoilers but be prepare for that too. Of course there is a love story aspect to this and also a hidden message of loyalty. I loved the way the story played out, I loved the ending, it was an easy read and an enjoyable one. This isn't a life changing novel but it is one that will enrich the life you are living today. 

Review: I was Here by Gayle Forman

This characteristically powerful novel follows eighteen-year-old Cody Reynolds in the months following her best friend's shocking suicide. 

As Cody numbly searches for answers as to why Meg took her own life, she begins a journey of self-discovery which takes her to a terrifying precipice, and forces her to question not only her relationship with the Meg she thought she knew, but her own understanding of life, love, death and forgiveness.

A phenomenally moving story, I Was Here explores the sadly all-too-familar issue of suicide and self-harm, addressing it with it sensitivity, genuity and honesty.

Review: this book was a lot darker than I expected and is definitely for older teens and not those at the younger end of the YA market. I like Gay Forman's writing and her storytelling because she doesn't throw the whole story at you all at once, she gently guides you through each scene and adds in other characters slowly, making sure that you are fully aware of twist and turns before moving onto something else and I think that this is why i enjoy her novels so much. It also means that tensions builds up because you really get to know the people on the page and that is why they can be very emotional-this book being no exception. 

This book deals with some major issues. Issues about identity, issue surrounding suicide, friendship, sex and life choices. Again though, these issues aren't thrown in your face, you don't have to deal with them all at once, they are introduced throughout the course of the book end dealt with very sensitively,. The whole issue surrounding supported suicide groups online and neo-nazi forums is a major thing to take on, but Gayle Forman deals with it in a very clever way, she doesn't dance around the issue, she really explores the impact that these groups can have. There were a few uncomfortable moments in the book for me, but they just reflected what main character Cody is dealing with. 

I liked Cody as a character but some of the choices she made did annoy me a little. I did find myself having to remind myself that she is only 18 and therefore doesn't know it all and has to make mistakes in order to grow. She has her best friends interests at heart and really does grow as a person as the novel progresses which i really liked. The other characters in this novel all contribute to the storyline ans it is as much of a mystery as it is a contemporary novel which I found interesting and liked more than I would have expected. Overall I enjoyed the book but I think you need to approach the storyline informed of what issues it is going to throw at you. Now I just need to re-read the rest of my Gayle Forman collection!

Review: Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Are you #ShoutingBack? 

After experiencing a series of escalating sexist incidents, Laura Bates, a young journalist, started a project called 'everyday sexism' to raise the profile of these previously untold stories. Astounded by the response she received and the wide range of stories that came pouring in from all over the world, she quickly realised that the situation was far worse than she'd initially thought. Enough was enough. From being harassed and wolf-whistled at on the street, to discrimination in the workplace and serious sexual assault, it was clear that sexism had become normalised. Bates decided it was time for women to lead a real change. Bold, jaunty but always intelligent, everyday sexism is a protest against inequality that provides a unique window into the vibrant movement sparked by this juggernaut of stories - often shocking, sometimes amusing and always poignant. 

With an Introduction by Sarah Brown, this book is a manifesto for change; a ground breaking, anecdotal examination of sexism in modern day society. Welcome to the fourth wave of feminism.

Review: everyone needs to read this book now! I knew I was looking forward to reading this book but I seriously don't know why I left it so long! I have been aware of the project and the Twitter feed for the project for some time and I had seen this author doing various bookshop tours and appearances on TV but I really wish I had read this book sooner just so I could've been pushing it on people sooner as well.

I struggle to say that i liked this book because I did like it, I enjoyed reading it and hearing all the stories and statistics and found it hugely interesting but I don't like the content of the book. This isn't because it isn't well put together or because it isn't a fabulous read which everyone should buy or at the very least add t their wishlists right now, but its because I find it very sad the amount of sexism that people tolerate, irnore or are completely unaware of. So I love the book and loved reading it but I don't like the fact that it had to be written.

The structure of this books makes for a very easy read. Each chapter has a theme and that theme is explored through entries to the Everyday Sexism projects, statistics and analysis by Laura Bastes. Its the perfect formula and means that every aspect of that particular chapter is explored thoroughly. The Author's voice is strong but not judgmental. It must have been incredibly hard to pull this off without making tons and tons of judgments and coming across as very one-sided when it comes to sexism but this book explores all aspects of sexism including sexism combined with other kinds of prejudice and discrimination and the sexism that men face and the way they feel about sexism directed towards females.

The thing that stuck with me the most having read this book is the aspirations of young people, especially girls and the sexism they face when deciding what they want to do with their lives. As a teacher, I now feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to ensure that the young people I come into contact with realise that they can to anything that they want to do and that they should make it happen!

This book should definitely not be confined to the female audience or to those who would consider themselves a feminist. It is such a brilliant read because of how informative it is and once read, you will definitely feel fired up! If you haven't already done so, this book needs to be added to your basket or at the very least your wish list because it is one of the most important books you will read this year!