Remembrance

Wednesday 22 April 2015


It's a funny thing, losing a loved one. One minute they're there, and the next they aren't. You're left stranded, waiting for them to walk back through the door when rationally you know that won't happen. You turn to tell them something, only to find that they aren't in the room with you. At least not physically. It's funny. But not in a good way.

They say people deal with grief differently, but you don't realise just how true that is until it happens to you. Some cry, unable to accept what's happened. Others are stoic, slowly processing things. Some need to talk. Others need to type.

On Saturday 18th April 2015, we received a phone call no one wants to hear - let alone make. Grandad had passed away.

A father, husband, brother, friend. Taken away so quickly it's hard to believe it's real. But it is, and things must go on. He'd want that.

It's hard for me to put into words. Please be patient with posts if they aren't on schedule. Please accept if there is influx. Everyone copes differently.
 
19/8/1939 - 18/4/2015

Book Review: Never Odd or Even by John Townsend

Friday 17 April 2015

Never Odd or Even
John Townsend
Genre(s): Contemporary, Crime, Middle Grade
Published: September 1st 20142
Pages: 135
Rating: 1 star

How Eliot solved the biggest mystery in the history of the world (nearly)


I want to say that this book is unique, but I've already read (and disliked) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and An Abundance of Katherines. And I have to say, although I didn't like either that much, they were better than Never Odd or Even, which felt like a combination of the two.

I picked this up from my library purely because it was short and I wanted something light, quick, and easy to read. This ticked all of those boxes, but it failed to tick the most important: enjoyment.

The writing was choppy and didn't flow well, and I though Eliot sounded immature - even for a twelve year old. I understand that he was supposed to be on the autistic spectrum, but the writing style annoyed me. As did the huge font used, but that's nothing to do with the story.

As for the story, I found it to be rather far fetched and unbelievable, which I think was mainly due to the writing style. The characterisations didn't help it, either.

Overall, I'm just glad I borrowed this from the library and that it didn't take me long to read. I would not recommend it.

Gateway Books

Friday 10 April 2015

A while ago, I watched Enchantology's video on this topic, it got me thinking about the books that have opened my eyes to new genres and aspects of reading. I've picked my top five and, as usual, am sharing them with you.





Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Friday 3 April 2015

The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory
Genre(s): Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Published: 2011
Pages: 542
Rating: 3 stars

Mary Boleyn catches the eye of Henry VIII when she comes to court as a girl of fourteen. Dazzled by the golden prince, Mary's joy is cut short when she discovers that she is a pawn in the dynastic plots of her family. When the capricious king's interest wanes, Mary is ordered to pass on her knowledge of how to please him to her friend and rival: her sister, Anne.


Anne soon becomes irresistible to Henry, and Mary can do nothing but watch her ambitious sister's rise. From now on, Mary will be no more than the other Boleyn girl. But beyond the court is a man who dares to challenge the power of her family to offer Mary a life of freedom and passion. If only she has the courage to break away - before the Boleyn enemies turn on the Boleyn girls...

You have to hand it to Gregory, she knows what she's doing when it comes to historical fiction. Even though her books can be long winded with unnecessary parts and her characters can drive you to slamming your head into a wall, she knows her stuff.

As soon as I started The Other Boleyn Girl I got that feeling of being transported back in time. While Mary was a frustrating narrator as times, I enjoyed her voice and felt that it was authentic. The manner in which she spoke, her attitudes, and the flirting all felt very in place for the time period and I felt like I was in a Tudor court. Which is great, because this is part of the Tudor Court series.

While I enjoyed the story, I wasn't too keen on the characters. I kept getting confused as to who was who - mainly because it's been a year since I read the first book and because there were so many people at court! - and generally didn't like the personalities of some of them. Mary was all right, as was George, but Anne I found to be manipulative and extremely cruel. I also found Henry to be quite childish and self important just because he was king. I don't know how historically accurate these portrayals were, so I'll just stick to them in the context of the novel.

Overall, I did enjoy the second instalment in The Tudor Court, but didn't find it to be as good as the first.
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