Book Review: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Why do book titles keep reminding me of Fall Out Boy titles?

The road trip of a lifetime...

One girl could change four lives forever...Mysterious Leila, who is on the road trip of a lifetime, has a habit of crashing into people's worlds at the moment they need someone the most. There's Hudson, who is willing to throw away his dreams for love. And Bree, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday-and a few stolen goods along the way. Elliot who believes in happy endings...until his own goes off-script. And Sonia who worries that she's lost her ability to love. Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. But Leila's trip could help her discover something bigger - that sometimes, the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way...

This is basically someone story told by mostly other people. Though it is in third person narration, do get into each character's head and sense of them all.

 If you only read the first part of this story Leila come across as a Pixie Dream girl. She kinda is, that she blows into people life and shakes them up but she has depth and through the whole thing I could tell that there was something else going on with her. She also tells lies about herself so you know secrets and mysterious.

The plot is a bit crazy in terms of what would be the chances in real life of that happening and a tiny bit too happy ever after. However, life can be like that. It deals a lot with death, grief and the open road. 

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for matching interior. I really enjoyed this book and I liked the themes. The characters were likable and I enjoyed the journey we went on.

I got this book off Netgalley for review and it being published by Mira Ink on 1st August 2014.

Book Review: The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick

 I haven't this disappointment in a name since finding out what the J stood for in Homer J. Simpson.

In the morning you should think
You might not last unto the night
In the evening you should think
You might not last unto the morn

Boy has survived the terrors of life with the magician Valerian, dark magic, and deadly chases, but he is still on the run. Now, as the City lies frozen, he is captured and incarcerated in the Emperor Frederick’s palace. Boy is transported to a world of splendor, and wealth beyond his wildest imagining. But beneath its golden veneer, this world is full of madness and cruelty, closely guarded secrets, and terrifying revelations.

 So this is the sequel to The Book of Dead Days which was a book I really liked. I didn't like this one as much as I found the characters continued to be weak and I didn't enjoy the plot as much this time. 

The plot this times involves Boy trying to escape repeatedly from people and we get answers to the questions from the last book. However, they were kinda underwhelming. Finding out who the serial killer made me go what, more than it made sense. It became clear early on what the solution would end up being as well.

I gave this book four out of five stars for winding stairs. I can't remember why though, which proves that you shouldn't wait months before writing a review. While I liked this book, it is sort of bland in my memory. I'm glad I read it to have finished the series but it definitely not as good as the first.

The Last E-Fan

It is hot here, annoyingly so. I'm sick of it. I spent most of today in bed refusing to move in the heat. It was actually cooler today than has been, so my room was hot but not too hot I had to flee it when I had the fan on.

My parents brought the last electric fan that was in CD yesterday, it's tiny so I remain to have the largest fan in the house which it probably a small-medium size one. For the record, I do not include giant industral size fans in this analyze if I did then, my fan would be small.

I went to that Film Club meeting thing. I'm playing a doctor, never be one but I can kid on to be one.  We going over the script on this week and then next we meant to film for 4 days. I don't know what else is going to go down. Something about a witch and evil dolls. Disappointingly, it is meant to be a sequel to the horror film they did last year. We see how it goes.

I've been walking today, I tried to run but my body just doesn't like running so I walked for over an hour which my dog loved. I'm going to do it almost everyday, along with the my trampolining. I still want to go back the 25 minutes every day, but it so impractical when you have to go someway on a long haul and I don't know what my routine is going to be like once I start college. Still no definite word on what happening there.

 See ya all next week, where things end when I get bored.

Book Review: Season to Taste by Natalie Young

This is the best Cook Book I have ever read, though I can't follow any of the receipts without the risk of a life sentence.

Always let the meat rest under foil for at least ten minutes before carving...

Meet Lizzie Prain. Ordinary housewife. Fifty-something. Lives in a cottage in the woods, with her dog Rita. Likes cooking, avoids the neighbours. Runs a little business making cakes. No one has seen Lizzie's husband, Jacob, for a few days. That's because last Monday, on impulse, Lizzie caved in the back of his head with a spade. And if she's going to embark on the new life she feels she deserves after thirty years in Jacob's shadow, she needs to dispose of his body Her method appeals to all her practical instincts, though it's not for the faint hearted. Will Lizzie have the strength to follow it through?

 I really like this book. What's not to love about a book about a middle-age woman forcing herself to eat her husband in affect to get rid of the body. Before those without the taste for gore and horror leave, this is not what this is book about. It's more about relationships and being unsatisfied with life. While there is no  gory details, the idea of eating of a foot did sicken me a little but the feet of the living can be petty disgusting.

The book is formatted into three points of view, it is mostly a third person narration. We also have Lizzie notes to herself (though those are in second person) and the first person point of view of a neighbour boy. It really worked for a story and really enjoyed the notes.

 This is of course a character driven book with flashbacks. I didn't hate either Lizzie or her husband by end of the book which is weird since one murders the other.

Overall, I gave this book five out of five stars for undelivered cakes. I enjoyed the writing style and was an interesting idea and who doesn't want to escape to Glasgow.

I requested a this book off BookBridgr for Review and it is published by TinderPress.

BookTube-a-Thon Troubles

Hi, guys so this is the week of the summer BookTube-a-Thon and it has not gone well. Sure I've read ive books as of today, but I've spent most today reading the book I should have finished yesterday instead of the 678 page book I should finish today to be in track.

I didn't get a lot reading done at the start of the week. I finished reading a book I started reading a book that I started before the readathon. Only read a comic book on Monday and then I did stuff on Tuesday and Wednesday, it took me two days and a bit to read one an average  size book. That is not how to have a successfully read-a-thon. I've made up for it but I don't think I'm going to read the 7 books I'm meant/wanted to. I have a backup scheme for tomorrow but I'm not happy about as it involves library books and this was meant to be a all Mount-TBR operation.

I saw my first offical niece for the second time this week which the event on Tuesdays, on Wednesday something happen. On Thursday, I went into large town and then local town to see carer person. Yesterday I read. Today, I woke up just in times to go and pick my sister up from her charity gig.

I had a dream on Thursday that Gerard Way was in my full bathtub fully clothed, mouthing the lyrics to his own songs which he was blasting from a MP3 or something. I think this came from the fact my alarm was going off and it was a MCR song.

My little brother just came into my bedroom saying his TV wasn't working. The thing is though that is not his TV, it mine and it's been in there for a few months since I stole his because mine broke and he hasn't even realise it's not the same TV. I told him we're tell mum and dad when they wake up.

I have a film club thing meeting on Monday so that something to look forward. I'm going to go now and read as fast as I can. See you lot next time.

Book Review: The Rain by Virginia Bergin

Because films just don't include the important detail of bathroom habits during the apocalypse.

One minute sixteen-year-old Ruby Morris is having her first proper snog with Caspar McCloud in a hot tub, and the next she’s being bundled inside the house, dripping wet, cold and in her underwear. Not cool. As she and Caspar shiver in the kitchen, it starts to rain. They turn on the radio to hear panicked voices – ‘It’s in the rain . . . it’s in the rain . . . ' That was two weeks ago, and now Ruby is totally alone. People weren’t prepared for the rain, got caught out in it, didn’t realize that you couldn’t drink water from the taps either. Even a drip of rain would infect your blood, and eat you from the inside out. Ruby knows she has to get to London to find her dad, but she just doesn’t know where to start . . . After rescuing all the neighbourhood dogs, Ruby sets off on a journey that will take her the length of the country – surviving in the only way she knows how.

The thing is about this book is that unusual in that the main character in no way or form should survive the apocalypse. Ruby has survive mostly from luck. She is not at all practical, she wastes drinkable water a lot. I guess it would be highly unlikely if she didn't have practical people around her. It interesting to have apocalypse from that point of view.

I feel like they run out of liquid too soon. I mean they run out of any form of water the next day after the run came. I guess it could just be greatly unfortunate that grocery day was tomorrow when it suck. I also don't think the science is quite all there. Certain things don't make sense, like why does it only effect the humans so explosively and there nothing at all to indicate that the water is infected at all. There's probably a science thing that could at least test it, but we don't really meet anyone with that skill set. This the start of series so hopefully we get those answers. Also who cut off all the phone lines.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for murderous neighbours. This book had it funny moments with featured reference to that if this was Hollywood movie and of course mostly it was just tragic as everyone dies in the world and there no water to be had. The story could have ended where the book does but I am glad there is going to be a sequel and plan to read it.

I got this off Netgalley for Review. It is being published by Macmillan Children's Books on 17th July (tomorrow).

Having an Empty

The parents have left us for a week, it's not a full one as they was drama about the car which has ended up with me having my own car that I cannot drive by myself. I really must start studying for my theory properly. Having the house to yourself is always awesome even when that house still contains a sibling and five pets. We messed with our parents by almost having them believe we had a party whilst they were gone.

We should be able to joke about that as we're both not really party, party people. Our parents ain't really jokey people which is strange since all their kids do is make fun of each other.

I haven't read much, mainly because I've found myself watching documents about the effects of WW2 with my sibling.

I left my computer in the living room, on this post and came back to find this written by my sibling obviously "It was at that moment I realised I was a very gay little boy. I went over to Adams house and told him. He said he was a gay little boy too. We were very gay together." I wonder why she never just told me and who is Adam I wonder.

It also the weekend of T in the Park and because I'm writing this on Saturday, it petty obvious I'm not there nor I'm going at all. *Sigh* There always the BBC footage and next year. Next year and a castle. I just have to enjoy the Edinburgh Book Festival and the castle that there this year, when it comes to festivals. T didn't actually look that good, it was very selective. The headliners are good but not much else.

It's raining outside right now, the bad person that I am hopes it raining at T. I went out on my trampoline, proof that you don't need to be a music festival to listen to music whilst jumping like idiot and become soaking wet due to the rain. 

I'm tired now and have videos to film (e.g. BookTube-a-Thon TBR) so I'm off to mock my sibling and enjoy a empty living room.

Book Review: Glimpse by Kendra Leighton

This is actually the second book inspired by Alfred Noyes’ The Highwayman and only read it with this book.

The highwayman came riding –
Riding – riding –
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door

Liz just wants to be normal. Her life is anything but.

Seven years ago Liz lost her mother and ten years’ worth of memories. When she inherits the infamous Highwayman Inn, she hopes the move will be a fresh start. Then she meets Zachary. Zachary who haunts her by night and in dreams; who makes her question everything she is and wants to be; who seems scarcely real – yet makes her feel so alive.

 I like the plot of this book. It also takes the stance of that seeing ghost would actually be a pain in the arse. The way the ghost work is a interesting take with just a parts of them being visible and more of overwhelming feeling when they're present. I think that was probably my favourite part of the book.

The character were all quite distinct but the plot does relay too much on characters being basically insane. Liz's issues with her mother was good addition. The romance was alright, I'm never person to ask about this so it all I can think to say.

The plot is okay, there a few things that let it down. Liz is bit too clueless in the name of the plot and
 the ending is a bit dodgy in the moral sense. I can't say anything else about that without it being a major spoiler.

Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars for bowls of bones. The ghost are awesome but there was one rule I didn't get. Things were a bit slow and there was a few plotholes such as why did certain characters do the bidding of a certain character in the first place. It is worth a read if you're into ghost and sort of retelling of poems.

I got this off NetGalley for review. It published by Much-in-Little

Book Review: Adaptation by Malinda Lo

If you make out with an alien is that bestiality?

Flocks of birds are hurling themselves at aeroplanes across America. Thousands of people die. Millions are stranded. Everyone knows the world will never be the same. 

On Reese's long drive home, along a stretch of empty highway at night, a bird flies into their headlights. The car flips over. When they wake up in a military hospital, the doctor won't tell them what happened.

For Reese, though, this is just the start. She can't remember anything from the time between her accident and the day she woke up almost a month later. She only knows one thing: she's different now. Torn between longtime crush David and new girl Amber, the real question is: who can she trust?

I really like this book. Opens with birds falling from the sky which is a good visual and indicate what the rest of the novel will go. This is a book that involves aliens, secret government groups, conspiracy and of course dead birds.

The plot works and is layout perfectly. There are some fast pace moment as well the calm before the storm.

Reese is likable enough, there is love triangle sort of. Though, I liked it because the romances don't really overlap each other. Two corners of the triangle are girls which is nice to see in a book that's not just about romance.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars for mangled birds. This is the start of a series and I will definitely continued with this one and I'm going to check out the rest of Lo's works.

I got this book for review off Netgalley and is published by Hodder Children's Book. It's out now.

In the Twilight Zone

I have started watching The Twilight Zone; I have seen the odd episode before from it being randomly on TV and watched a few online due to cult following. You're be surprised how many Twilight Zones have been referenced and parodied since it aired. I'm only through the seconded half of the first season and there are two that I've seen directly parodied. Also it clearly influenced a lot of stuff and  I really wished we had a modern version of the Twilight Zone.

What else has been going on you might wonder? Well, if you follow me on Twitter religious -which I highly doubt anyone does- you would know that I'm going to the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year. The tickets are brought and the hotels are booked. YAY! To be honest it's not as good as last year which was Graphic Novel themed. This year it sort of Future of Scotland themed and there always other stuff going on. I'm going for three days, I was initially going for 4 but do cost and actually willingness to get up that day. I'm getting up there by bus so it is a bit of a trek.

I'm going on the 9th, 17th and 24th August and basically going to all the YA events on those days. Getting to see some of my favourite writers, a lot of which you can find on this blog. It's not as good as last year for me as last year was graphic novel themed and it had the likes of Grant Morrison there. If I could go the same way as I can this year, I wouldn't have the ability to go to all the events I wanted to anyway. I have dragged two people into coming with me. Frankly, I would have went alone if I had to.

My life is all excitement right now, I even burnt things today, those things were dead parts of trees. I for once did not film as I have enough footage of fire and trees which I have only briefly displayed in a video book review.

I also broke my Book Buying Ban, I finally stopped my denial about it. Especially since I blatantly broke it again today. I don't want to talk about.
 
 I'm going to go now, probably to read, stare out at the stars and wonder when the book Fever will strike again which is only a matter of time in the Twilight Zones.

Book Review: The girl with all the gifts by M.R. Carey

This shares similarities with The last of Us.

NOT EVERY GIFT IS A BLESSING

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class.

When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite. But they don't laugh.

Melanie is a very special girl.


This is a zombie book, but has a unique spin. Mixing education with the living dead.

There are 5 characters that are the main focus. There are idiots in their own special ways. I suppose it would be a true zombie if someone didn't get themselves almost killed with their own stupidity. I didn't get attached to any of them, whixh is fine with this sort of book but I guess it does take away from the suspense when you don't care who lives and dies.

The science is of course questionable once you think about it, but then does have something that is known to take over other animals. The ending was okay. We left with questions about things that don't matter in the end.

 The book is written in third-person, switching focus between the characters. I like the writing style.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for humping zombies.I enjoyed this book and would recommend if you like zombies book set well into the the Apocalypse.

 I got this off NetGalley for Review. It published by Orbit and is out now in paperback.