Book Review: Eliza and her monsters by Francesca Zappia

4/5 stars
THERE ARE MONSTERS IN THE SEA

Firstly, I adored this book. I devoured it in about three or four sittings after being in a reading slump all week. Even though it's over 400 pages, it didn't feel drawn out; everything that happened had a purpose.

I loved the unique formats included in this book - texts, emails, comments on forums, Eliza and Wallace's notes to each other, the comic pages. It puts the book right into the present moment where more and more people spend time online rather than interacting with their offline friends and family.

I thought it was going to be a too obvious cliche story of one character falling in love with the new kid but the romance was revealed slowly which meant exploring each character as they explored each other. I also liked the subtle touches that linked Eliza, Wallace, their online friends with the comic. I liked the usernames of each character and the meanings behind them.

This book covers a lot of issues without being too obvious. Eliza and Wallace both have anxiety, they can not speak in public or spaces of large groups. They'd rather pass each other notes or stick to talking to their online friends. I liked that Eliza got therapy for her anxiety because, as a reader, you know that she'll be okay beyond the end of the pages. Some of Eliza and Wallace's issues were relatable for me (and no doubt many readers) and I was impressed with how they were addressed.

I was expecting it to be more about mental health than fan fiction and fan art but overall I loved the storyline. I also didn't like the way Eliza was treating her parents and brothers even though they hadn't done anything terribly wrong towards her (abuse etc).

You can find Francesca's other books and artwork on her website.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Book Review: Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher!

I just finished Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher and it was fabulous! 5/5 stars!

You might know Giovanna as "Gi" through her YouTube channel and her marriage to Tom Fletcher (band member of McFly and McBusted) Her personality definitely shows through in this story especially as it's set in Essex which is also where Gi is from.

We follow Lizzy as she goes through a break up after being committed to Ian for ten years. It is a story of self discovery and I love that the ending was not as predictable as I thought it would be. (I accidentally spoiled myself by reading the name at the top of the final chapter!!) I also love that the characters were each explored on their own as Lizzy interacted with them. For example, Lizzy's Dad tells her that he is gay while they are running together.

To begin with I felt cautious about reading a book about a break up as I broke up with my own boyfriend quite recently, however, this book gave me hope that there's life after loss and you are your own person without anyone beside you. Lizzy finds herself and has her own interests.

Kazia x

As a side note:

I will be publishing book reviews as and when I finish books but I plan to do this at least once a month. I am quite a slow reader but when I get into a book and have a free afternoon I will get through it that day! (Is anyone else like this?)

I have added a link to a blog that guides you through YA book releases in 2018. I love lists and wish I could make one as efficient as this - I will definitely be looking at this list throughout the year to guide my reading choices and my book reviews. http://wanderingsofabookbird.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/your-guide-to-2018-ya-releases.html

I have also already published this post on bloglovin' which you can find the link to here but it didn't post on my blog! (Technology, hey?)

5/5 stars! Heartwarming and empowering!

Book Review: They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera (+ My Audiobook Experience!)

I am currently listening to They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera and this is the first audiobook I have consciously listened to. I have around three hours left.

This book follows Rufus and Mateo who both receive a call to say that they have 24 hours to live. It is told from a dual perspective and also includes a few other characters' perspectives. 

* FINISHED *

This book was incredible! Incredibly emotional. I gave this book 5/5 stars. (Let me know how you choose star ratings - I feel like I am giving EVERY book 5/5 stars! Maybe I'm only reading amazing books)

I loved the voices of the narrators and how Rufus and Mateo were so defined as characters.

The relationship between these two boys/teenagers starts as a friendship and the way it develops is so interesting. It seems so natural for them to learn so much about each other in a short space of time compared to their closest friends.

The development of the other 'side' characters is great too because we learn about their backgrounds and their motives for their actions. They aren't just 'side' characters, we (at least I) would love to read more about each of these characters - Amy Du Bois, Peck (even though he makes me so angry!!), The Plutos, Lydia, etc.

I think this book is character driven which I enjoyed and I was on edge the whole time to know how Rufus and Mateo would die and whether the title was going to be misleading or not. It's safe to say, my heart broke within the last few chapters but I fully understand why the events happened and it didn't go in the direction I'd predicted for myself.

Adam replied to my tweet!

Kazia

Book Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

5/5 stars

We follow Starr as she witnesses the murder of her best friend Khalil and her fight for justice. This book was incredibly moving and I loved the writing style; the way Starr spoke as a black person in her black neighbourhood and as a black person in a school where she is surrounded by white people. It is a commentary on how people make judgements based on where you live and your skin colour.

I loved how Starr's love of basketball was woven into the story which made her a much more interesting character. She goes through a lot of change during the course of the book, learning about her relationships with friends and family. Her family dynamic is at the forefront of this story, unlike many YA novels where the parents do not seem to exist at all.

That's it for now

Kazia x