The Wonderland Ban (How to keep oneself busy till then)

Hi, guys, so in a much better mood this week. I now have a giant pile of book packages which is probably the best indicator of my need to stop buying books.

There's more coming too.

I currently own 131 unread books and I've included the series I own as if they were just the one book. As you know I own complete series which I've never read any of them (such The Monroeville Vampires Series and there's currently 13 of them). I didn't add the series I thought it was kinda unproductive as I need to catch upwith/finish these series as much as to get through my currently large unread collection. So it really the same goal as the books.

Sometimes like I acquire books without thinking. For examples, I recently ordered a book thinking it was the cheap Hardback version. Its turns out its over expensive paperback. I could have got it somewhere else cheaper and would have arrived soon as well. The thing is that it clearly said paperback. I was just out of it when I order it and slightly impulsive. So instead of a deal, I got cheated. Oh, well. You have luck with books and then you don't.

Also with library and recently ARCs, I borrow/request them without thinking about the time I have. I want them so I take them and then struggle to read them all in time. And I usually read three avenge size books a week.

Hmm...

So this brief brings us to my "Alice and Wonderland Day Ban" or Wonderland Ban for short. It basically means I'm not buying any books till my Birthday which happens to be the day that Alice is meant to have went to Under Ground (or wonderland as most call it). So no books till the 4th May 2013, I know how will I survive for ten weeks ( or two months, a week and two days) without buying any books. I even have plan to shame myself by keeping a whiteboard with the number of unread books I own (131), the days till I last brought a book (Fuck, that's like 70 days by the end). I also have pre-order books coming in March, so that should help and I need to save for important things.


I also my college stuff is rather mess (Yay, we going to back to negative, but true negative). I got myself in this mess. Something I've always done is lie. All I do is lie. So when I face with the question how are things going with the project, I just nodded and mumbled okay. In truth, I'm terribly behind and I feel like crap because my body hates me (when its feels like it sometimes). Sometimes it my own fault, I just didn't do the thing or went down the wrong road and should have done a u-turn. I also avoid things that I don't like.

I have realised that Moodboards are my emery. I will never like them, and don't get much from them.

It might be,  because I'm dyslexic and already a really visual person. I mean I already sort of see things in my head, hell I can even vision stuff I saw years ago. Its still all in my head. I can bring back. I only need a picture if I want to copy it in close detail and even then I don't want

What I'm basically saying is that I can form a moodboard in my head and have complete idea there. Another thing is it kinda annoying as someone who actually does design as a job, doesn't have time to all this complicate research and so far I already knew a lot about things that they made us go into detail about.

I'm actually going to be rather buzy in the next months. I've enter my novel into a contest to be published by Random House. Its only an ebook, but the price is still petty epic and it also gives me some motivation to finish it. Its the same novel as my June Camp NaNoWriMo or The Stranger. You can see the first three parts (Prologue and first two proper chapters).

There is currently a good chance I might be doing a theatre production. I'm saying might as I plan to go to the meeting, but I might hate the whole thing or something. So I don't want to go into details till I know I'm definitely doing it. Though, it is a musical I'm very familiar with.

So in summary this basically what I plan to do with my self while I'm still a teenager:  reading, designy arty college stuff; writing a novel to a proper deadline and possible drama.

That all look great on UCAS when I -currently planning to- apply to do English and Film.

So my four old self happy because I did go to "art school"; now my young teen self can be happy that I am going down the possible scriptwriting/something to do with film route; all selves are happy because I'm going after books and now if only if I can please the actor in me somehow.

Book Review: Adorkable by Sarra Manning

 I hate both the main characters, they're both prejudice, shallow and their judgement is always questionable.Still its a very readable book.

Jeane Smith's a blogger, a dreamer, a dare-to-dreamer, a jumble sale queen, CEO of her own lifestyle brand, and has half a million followers on Twitter.  

Michael Lee's a star of school, stage, and playing field. A golden boy in a Jack Wills hoodie.  

They have nothing in common but a pair of cheating exes. So why can't they stop making out?

I like to start out by saying that this is how Jeane Smith describes herself (in third person because that what you do on the internet)on her blog. She describles her self as "a dreamer" and "a dare-to-dreamer". This really bugs me as there the same thing, to be "a dreamer" you've got to "dare" to be one and it just adds nothing.

This is obvious YA Romance novel, so mainly about the Jeane and Michael relationships. So the characters should make the book. To be bluntly honest, before I even finish Chapter One my opinion was that they're both deserve each other as they're both arseholes. Jeane little Goth comment was really where I got my distaste of her. You know she meant to be an outcast but makes fun of other outcasts. She sort of does that a lot. She also is very much not a dork. She seems rather fake in her weirdness. I mean I just don't buy it all.

Michael is petty much the popular cliché. Likes only people who wears labels.

 Also there was no cheating exes. Basically, their girlfriend and boyfriend at the start of the novel, like each other and because frankly the starting relationships were in terrible states, they broke up and start seeing each other. The exes are both rather boring and I didn't care if they show up again. Jeane attitude as having made her ex-boyfriend is my favourite thing that made her so very unlikeable.

Oh, If you wondering, I still think they're both petty much arseholes after reading the whole book.

However, even though the main characters are completely unlikeable -Actually the only characters I like is Michael's family. How could they have gone so wrong with Michael?- This book is really readable, it like you just need to know what these idoits are going to do next.

Also there actually a few good things about this book, such as the point of view changes each chapter between Jeane and Michael which really work for this book. You also get to see how they lie to themselves straight away with conflicting versions of events.

 It also petty realistic portrayal of teenage life (once you get past Jeane is big deal on the internet and the Guardian is meant to really like her). There's sex, underage drinking and a really boring party.

So I gave this book a 3/5 stars because I did enjoy reading it. So I guess I recommend this to anyone who likes observing idiots and doesn't care if the main characters are that likeable.

My whole life is just a "However"

Its gonna be one of those depressy ranty I hate life sort of blog post this week. I'm sorry, I had this whole other thing plan, but that didn't work out all. I just couldn't writing anything creative.

I also don't feel perpendicular like reading. I've only been doing it since I'm that bored and its a form of procrastination.

I've been having odd notions (truths) lately again, such as that I'm that anti-social I don't even have friends online.

Though, seriously there only one person I'm remotely close to and I met her in real life but I haven't seen her over a year (and 4 days). I don't think we really talk online any more. Or maybe I'm just actually craving proper human contract. Who needs real friends when I have books?

God, I'm actually like Sherlock with the whole only one real friend thing. Fuck that depressing.

I'm not saying I want whole lot friends. I just want someone to hang out with and someone to bug into going to town. I have my family but thats not really the same thing. I just don't talk. People give me openings and I walk away from them. Partly because after six years of not really speaking I've got use to it and just don't understand how talking works. In theory I do, but even online I don't. Thats why I feel stupid commenting on things.

I've been stupidly buying again. I've decided that I'm going to act like I'm completely broke next month. That I don't have a penny to my name, because honestly I don't really. No more spending money on things that I don't need nor really want.  Sure, I like the sound of these books I've been buying

My life is such a tip and I'm one that whose made that way. I could blame my whole dyslexic/selective mutism/austism/whydon'tyoujuststoplyingtoeveryone but thats not going to help the situation.

I'm just a mess at the moment and I need someone to slap me or hug me who the fuck knows what actually going in my head. I know I'm just ignoring the things that need to be done.

Though, its not like this is a cry for help, because god knows if I thought if anyone (I know) would see this I wouldn't be posting it with something that clearly states my name.

Book Review: Mind MGMT Volume 1 by Matt Kindt

Its the cover that gets you.

I bring to you my thoughts on collection of 6 comics that is Mind MGMT volume 1. Yeah, I just generally see more comic/graphic novel stuff as it been a while.

 Reporting on a commercial flight where everyone aboard lost their memories, a young journalist stumbles onto a much bigger story, the top-secret Mind Management program. Her ensuing journey involves weaponized psychics, hypnotic advertising, talking dolphins, and seemingly immortal pursuers, as she attempts to find the flight’s missing passenger, the man who was MIND MGMT’s greatest success—and its most devastating failure. But in a world where people can rewrite reality itself, can she trust anything she sees?

It basically about this true crime writer trying to find material for her next book and basically her last chance before agent gives up on her. She investigating a plane fight where all the passengers lost their all memories.

The investigation leads into people with strange abilities and strange weird going ons.

I don't feel any strong feelings towards this graphic novel. I wasn't really that motivated by the plot or really at all cared about the main character (maybe its because she a Ginger). I'm not completely certain why.

I didn't perpendicular like the art,this might have been a factor, but it kinda grows on you after awhile. The colouring was just really wrong to me.

My favourite parts was the narration that goes on throughout the book, especially the times where you have no idea who the narrator is.  Also I quiet liked the case files, where you told the background of certain characters.

ALSO FORESHADOWING, who doesn't love foreshadowing (and random capitalisation).

It didn't leave me up all night wondering, however its good read and think the right person might love it. I'm just not its soul reader.  I gave it out 3/5 star and recommend it to people who like conspiracy side to mystery. 

Book Review: The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick

 I was slightly disappointed by this book as it  was totally not what I was expecting from the summary on the back of the book. But then I was distatched by the cover (it had a bookmark ribbon in it) and the whole Dead Days thing.

The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are dead days, when spirits roam and magic shifts restlessly just beneath the surface of our lives. A lot can happen in the dead days.

Accompanied by his servant, Boy, (who has no name and no past) Valerian, the magician, must save his own life, or pay the price for the pact he made with evil so many years ago. But will his sorcery be any match against the demonic power pursuing him?

Set in dark, dangerous cities and in the frozen countryside of a distant time and place, 'The Book of Dead Days' conjures a spell-binding story of power, corruption and desperate magic.

I was really intrigued by thinking of the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve as being dead. As these days you do kinda muddle through those days. The thing is that these days actually pays no real part in the plot of novel. It claims it does by separating the days over the week that past during the work. It could really be any week during winter. I was expecting something to do with ghosts invading someone during these Dead Days. There is some magic like aspects in the book, still just I think that first part of the summary was very misleading, as there is no "Spirits".

The actual plot of the book was quiet good. I liked Boy and his relation with Valerian was interesting. Couldn't care less for the love interest though.There was some character stupidity, but that's to be expected with lives in the balance.

The setting was interesting. It this historical, timeless sort of city, that seen better days. The tunnels under the city were cool. Also who doesn't love a book that includes a visit to Graveyard in the middle of the night. Two visits actually.

Its also has an acceptable cliff-hanger. It has a proper ending but does tense you enough to want you to read the next book to find out all the answer. I'm not in hurry to get my hands on the sequel, however I will get it eventually.

Overall, I gave this book 4/5. While structurally good, there was just something lacking when it came to connecting to the characters, the value of the mystery mainly over comes that.

P.S. I'm not sure if that's a good review or not. I should probably start annoying some trust worthy people.

Review: Animal Farm: A Fairy Story by George Orwell

I really hate the fact that all Classics are lumped togather as though that's a genre, and that there time period and actual genre don't matter. The most annoying about this trend is that its done by readers. So which brings me onto reviewing this lovely (that's probably the wrong word) little novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell. I'm going to try to review this book (other classic novels I end up reading) as though it like any other book I've read. So with that here's the given summary.

 Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose slogan becomes: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Published in 1945, this powerful satire of the Russian Revolution under Stalin remains as vivid and relevant today as it was on its first publication.

I only have a brief Knowledge of the Russian Revolution, so I can't actually make a specific point about its full satire nature and more of relevance toward kinda the nature of Politics in general which I do know enough about to capably vote. 

So obviously Animal Farm is about a group of animals that take over a farm. Obviously. Orwell uses the different type of Animals to show different classes of people. The Humans are symbol of the old ways, the pigs are new politic leaders, sheep are the blind flowers, the donkey as the disillusioned oldie and it kinda gets more specific when comes to the horses (restrains self from making a Horse Meat Scandal joke). 

It basically about the nature of Politics and how masses are typically manipulated. The good example of this which I can't say because it kinda spoiler. Also that the leaders may be more concerned about themselves than each other. 

Just general points here, there is a lot of characters and does get a bit confusing by the end trying to keep up. Even though satire about Russian they is something very British about it. Making plans in pubs, farm animals and "The Beasts of England" do that.

I recommend to anyone who like History and politics (I guess should tell my sib about it then) and I gave it 4/5 stars. Its sort of depressing as its reminds that people can be terrible and that can't truly trust your leaders. It is probably one of those books everyone should read and it is quiet short.

The Death of the Wander Shop (His Master's Voice leaving the High Street)

So I went to my local HVM yesterday. Guess what? Its shutting down. Frankly, its like all the HVM are shutting to me without the spoilers (Remember Woolworths?)

I actually went to the Grand Opening of my local HVM. I hadn't actually moved down here yet, but Son of Dork were going to being doing a signing. For those who do not remember the short life of said band. It had James from Busted in it, which was why we went to the signing. My sib just loved Busted (I did too, but she was the bigger fan) and had soft spot for James. Also that one album was petty good, in the cheesy rock sense (Oh, yes there such a thing as Cheesy Rock, its like pop ones but with guitars, real drums and possible parental advisory warnings).


It will have only been there Eight years and it probably be empty for two years if its like Wooworths (seriously there's one is same place as HMV was empty that long and the one nearest me once again empty after a brief fring with Pound King). I felt rather depress walking about it, probably for the last time. The realisation that my kids will never see a music store, just full of CDs, and dvd and odd books. No random merch. Fucking Tesco Extra is probably the closest they've ever get while being followed by security horse (That's my theory of the near future). I really am going to miss HMV, mainly for the aimless wandering about. I guess with the lost of Woolworths and HMV, the wanderer shops are gone.

THE RECESSION KILL MY CHILDHOOD. Well, the two stores that  heavily featured in it.


Though even with being sad over the situation, didn't stop us joking about it. Such jokes/ideas as entering the store with a dogs size coffin; asking to pre-order a game; trying to use my loyalty card and several others that no longer come to mind. I guess I will never get to complain about Paramore being in the Metal section.

I know it was petty obvious that HMV couldn't last, it and Woolworths were the Internet store before it took off. Everything they sell can be sold over the internet easily and other issues the music industrial is having with lack of people actually paying for music.


So in summary its sad that HVM is struggling (and soon to be gone for me), its probably inevnerable for it and its likes to disappear from the High Street. Now there's only supermarkets that sell CD and dvd. *sigh*

Review: Undone by Cat Clarke

I was incredibly excited for this book since I found out about it, being quite the big fan of Cat Clarke. I loved both her other novels.  Before I start to gush, lets have the straight up summary that's on the back of the book.

Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it.

Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself.

Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down.

As I take quite the interest in covers, I just want to start by saying I love this cover, but while matching the plot, its had annoying issues. Its looks like a blonde, little girl (it meant be a teen, but at first glance it looks like a kid) in a dress. This matches no one in the book. No one. Its shame really, as Clarke had the good luck with the other two books with covers that make sense. Okay, it might slightly match someone, but why put them on the cover is beyond me. But the font is petty.

Now for the actual important part.

 "Undone" is beautifully heartbreaking. I had tears in my eyes though most the last hundred pages or so. Basically, Jem gets her a letter with three names on it which she presumes is a list of who outed Kai. She then take upon herself to get revenge in her last year of life. Because Jem had decided to kill herself a month after Kai, but it is stopped by twelve letters (one for each month of the year) written by Kai. So now new plan is to get revenge and then kill herself on the anniversary of Kai's death.

The letters from Kai were a highlight (though very camp) and good look into Kai and Jem's friendship. Though, somethings he asks Jem to do are bit stupid. The whole blonde hair annoyed me, as soon as she does it I was hoping she dyed back to black or at least her natural colour before the book finished.

I also really dislike the mum (though I'm petty sure you're meant to), she so happy to ignore her daughter's problems because she now blonde and wearing "standard" make-up. I think those things are petty clear warning signs.

Jem to get her revenge becomes part of "Team Popular" so that she can find out their weaknesses. I think the first two revenges were fitting, but I never really understood the last one. She really seemed more at rick as well with that one. I also I think they could have been better spread out, as during the first and second one I got bit impatient, same with the third one, trying to figure what she was up to. I guess the last one was petty obvious, once things were in motion, but I just didn't understand how that was bad. There were bigger humiliations that she could have done, and it was bit half arsed.

That's basically all I can say without spoiling it. I gave it 5/5 stars but I don't think it was as brilliant as Clarke last two books. I still highly recommend it.

Driving is no longer for the Youths

I have gave up my driving lessons. This is because I can't afford to drive. I can actually afford the lessons, but I'm no longer insured to drive because its frankly too expensive.  There also the cost of taking the theory and then the practical. I know I've already paid the fifty quid for my provisional. Well, I guess I have a ID for the sake of it.

I spend £80 every month for my lesson which actually quite cheap, but that 36.36% of all the money I get for my bursary. I've not give up completely on driving. I'm just disenchanted by it all.

Its annoys me so much that its Sexist to give women lower rates because in percentages woman are the safer driver, but it okay to be give young drive outrageous rates because theres a high percentage that says that Young people are worse drivers. If that sexism, then that must be ageism. Well, it doesn't take a genius to realise that Young Driver are always new driver and won't have the same experience as our non-young counterparts. Its not the fact that new driver that are getting (extremely) higher rates. Older new drivers are not given the same rates.

So basically, no one (unless your parents are loaded) will be able to afford to drive until they well into their twenties.

So thats what bugging me this week, we could take bets for next week.
Will it be rant, an odd piece of creative writing, book related or odd rambing because I couldn't think of a topic to write on.