‘If Only it Were True’ – Marc LevyI understand that this book sold millions of copies, but it was definitely not for me. I actually laughed out loud at the sad parts because it was too melodramatic for my liking. If anything though, this book gave me the confidence to work toward completing my novel, because if this can sell millions I’m hoping mine could sell at least a few copies.
‘Not that Kind of Girl’ – Lena Dunham (audiobook) Here’s the thing, right? I don’t consider myself a Lena Dunham fan. I liked her show ‘Girls’, but I never thought I’d read her autobiography or anything. I really wanted to try borrowing an audiobook on this app I got and hers was the only one I had any minor interest in reading that was checked in. So I borrowed it. It was alright. Very graphic, and, uh, a bit bizarre? I didn’t take any life lessons from it, but it was a decent first audiobook to listen to. I wouldn’t read another Lena Dunham book but I’d definitely use the audiobook app again!
‘The Rest of Us Just Live Here’ – Patrick Ness I liked the story, but I wasn’t so keen on all the weird supernatural stuff thrown in? Maybe it was all supposed to be a metaphor? But it felt out of place to me and I think the message and impact of the novel would have had more gravitas if it hadn’t had deer with glowing blue eyes, ya know?
‘How to be a Woman’ – Caitlin Moran (audiobook) All the praise. I agree with 87% of what this woman says about culture and feminism and everything.
‘Ozland’ – Wendy Spinale The conclusion to the Everland trilogy. I really wanted to love it because I loved the other two, but I won’t lie, I was mildly disappointed with how rushed it was. There was interesting things happening, but any new characters weren’t given enough time and the rest of the characters mulled over the same rehashed lines from the previous books. We know Doc’s feeling guilty, we know Pete is angsty, we know Kat is evil, etc. More time should have been spent building up on the attack that came to such an abrupt end. So in conclusion, my favourite book in the trilogy is still ‘Umberland’.
‘Attachments’ – Rainbow Rowell What a treasure Rainbow Rowell is. I LOVE her quirky writing style and I LOVED this novel. I related a lot to the main character and the entire plot was just as whimsical as it feels to watch Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in ‘You’ve Got Mail’ (which I obviously watched as soon as I finished reading the book).
‘Where Am I Now’- Mara WilsonI’ve followed Mara Wilson on Twitter for a few years now, so I know she’s pretty blunt and funny. Some of the stuff shared in the book about her childhood was appalling, and it’s a reminder of how messed up Hollywood can be to child stars. All the kudos to her for stepping out of something that felt toxic and aiming to do what she really wants in life; to be a storyteller. I liked the fact that she didn’t smooth over anything: be it her mother and Robin Williams deaths, her sexuality or her awkward comedy gig that bombed, etc. She put everything bluntly as she does so on Twitter. Keep it honest. Keep it real.
‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: Library of Souls’ So I did it. I finally finished the trilogy (and then I found out there was a fourth novel. Ugh). I liked this last book a great deal more than the second, and maybe even enjoyed it more than the first. I liked how dark it was and I liked how Devil’s Acre was comparable to stories told of the underworld. I still think it’s disappointing how the film turned out considering the book screams Tim Burton in style. It would have been interesting to see how this third book translated to film.
‘Ocean at the End of the Lane’ – Neil Gaiman Can’t say I loved it. It sort of lost be two thirds of the way through. I liked the atmosphere and the fact that it was this dude reminiscing this weird memory from his childhood, but otherwise I just found it pretty “meh”. I’ll stick with ‘The Graveyard Book’ and ‘Neverwhere’.
‘Sea Witch’ – Sarah Henning I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Some of the writing slacked off and repeated near the end, but I still got caught up in the twists and turns it took you on to discover just how the sea witch came to be. A super fun (and surprisingly dark) read.
‘Wishful Drinking’ – Carrie Fisher Obviously this was amazing. I love how Carrie wrote how she talked. It was like reading a conversation or interview, with all the wit, sarcasm and honesty as you can imagine from such a fantastic human being. Guaranteed to make you feel great about being odd.