Something Like Wonderful

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Rating: 5 out of 5 hearts
224 pages
Released: June 2012
Buy it @ Book Depository


When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

Review

 

When I first heard of this I thought it wasn't really my thing. It wasn't until a friend of mine recommended it and even bought a copy for me. Because of this I thought I should give it a go and I am so very glad that I did because it was so amazing! 

Something that I loved about this book was the humor and the way we get to see romance, friends and family through the eye's of a guy. I read a lot of teen fiction that is from a females point of view, so I liked this and I think Trish Doller needs to be commended for making me not think for a second that this book was written by a woman. I also adored the baby turtles scene, what a fantastic moment to put into a book.

By the end Travis felt so real to me, I wanted to be able to write him a letter telling him how much I loved his story and that I'm glad that he shared it with us. But this is fiction and he is not real so of course he would never get my letter. 

Living in Australia I don't think war has the same effect on us as it does in America. I don't know many people in the army and I don't know anyone who has had to go into another country as part of a war, so this book opened my eyes to how damaging it can be to have to go through that.

It's amazing how such a short story can effect you so much. I will whole hearted recommend this book to everyone now! The cover is a bit off-putting but you need to look past that for the story within that will change you. 

On the cover

When I first saw this cover I thought "Gee get a room"! It's so off-putting to see people making out on the cover of a book, I wouldn't normally pick up this type of book because of that reason. After reading this I see why they put the dogtags on the cover too. There was a dust cover on the book so I ended up taking that off and reading it without it.

What I'm reading next: Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

 

D.I.Y Christmas

There's isn't long til Christmas so I thought I'd share a few D.I.Y Christmas ideas I found through pinterest. I haven't had a chance to try anyone of these yet but there's always next year! Enjoy!

 

Chocolate or Candybar Christmas wrappers 

~ These are so adorable and such a simple gift idea, who doesn't like chocolate?

Glitter Santa Key

~ Kids love the magic of Christmas and this is a fun craft idea to help bring Santa to life. Leave a key for him to get into your house instead of coming down the chimney (or if you don't have a chimney)

Winter Warmer

~ A very cute and easy gift for hot chocolate lovers. 

Christmas Gift Wrapping

~ Sick of the boring christmas wrapping? The above link will take you to a blog with lots of gorgeous christmas gift wrapping ideas.

Christmas Salt Shakers

~ These would be a great little Kris Kringle gift to give to someone as they're unique and handmade. They would dress up anyone's home.

Have you got any Christmas D.I.Y ideas?

There aren't always perks to being a wallflower

The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts
231 pages
Released: February 1999
Buy it @ book depository

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Review 

I watched the movie and adored it, once I finished I wanted to watch it all over again. It was amazing! So because of this I HAD to read the book and see if there were any differences. I did really enjoy the book, but not as much as the movie. Of course there was more detail in the book and certain scenes and issues were explained a lot more.

I liked the writing style - the book is written in letters from Charlie and as the book goes on you can see how Charlie's own writing gets better, which I think was done well.

Then there's Charlie and his band of misfits. I felt connected to the characters so much more since already watching the movie. I think I brought along those feelings I already had for them all from seeing the movie that it was hard to imagine them any other way. They all touched my heart in one way or another.

There were so many mature themes running through this: homosexuality, drugs, under-age sex and sexual abuse. It was unexpected when I first watched the movie because I didn't think it had such deep issues in it. I don't really recommend anyone under the age of 15 reading this.

It's a shame that the author didn't write anything else because this was so good - I guess maybe it was a one hit wonder or he thought why not quit while I'm ahead.

On the cover

I don't particulary like this cover. It is a bit old fashioned but I love the title/author font. The other cover I've seen is the movie cover, which I like better probably because I loved the movie.

What I'm reading next: Something like normal by Trish Doller

 

Wishlist #6

1. Ladybug & Flower Tea cup, Saucer & Spoon ~ $27.99

2. "On the Patrol" Harry Potter Sticker ~ $2.30

3. Cute Bunnyclub Hand Painted Brooch ~ $35.00

4. Rainbow Dash Hooded Onesie ~ $39.99

5. Spook's Revenge by Joseph Delaney ~ $14.33

1. I love drinking tea and this is gorgeous, There's so much detail and is a lovely collectible.

2. How cute are these Harry Potter stickers! You can also get this design on a t-shirt.

3. Who wouldn't want to be a part of the cute bunnyclub. I know I would and would be proud to wear this brooch.

4. OMG! This onesie is awesome and I want it so badly! I would never get out of it haha.

5. This is the final book in a series that I have enjoyed a lot. It'll be sad to finish such a great series.

What's on your wishlist?

Epic storytelling at it's best!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

Rating: 5 out of 5 hearts

418 pages

Released: September 2011

Buy it @ book depository

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

 

Review

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is so beautifully written, I read it in about 3 sittings which could've been less but unfortunately I had to sleep and work. Laini Taylor has given a whole different take on the old fashioned feud between good and evil - Angels & demons.

Karou was such an interesting character, how can you not love someone with blue hair and able to kick anyone's butt with her mad fighting skills. She is a girl with lots of secrets, but there are also a lot of secrets going on that she doesn't know about. There's a lot of mystery shrouding Karou's birth and where she comes from. It was written really well and kept me guessing until everything was revealed.

I LOVED the backdrop of Prague - I felt like I have travelled there by the amazing way Taylor described all the different places. Anyone who has been there before may feel like they are reliving some of their moments there (sadly I've never been).

There's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so I have already reserved the next book at the library, The third book comes out in April next year (2014) so I won't have to wait too long to finish the trilogy -  thankfully! I'm glad I finally got round to reading this because it has lived up to all my expectations, maybe even surpassed my expectations.

On the cover

This is the cover I'm most used to seeing on the Internet, which I think is so awesome!! But I haven't actually seen it in person. I always wondered why the mask is blue but after reading I know. There are two other covers floating around that I've actually seen which is the one above and another one that looks like it has a door on the cover. All of these covers mean something to the story but I like the one of the left the best.

What I'm reading next: The Perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chboskyc

Fruity Nails

I saw these kawaii fruit nails by Nancy Mc, check out her picture. I thought why not try to re-create them. Mine didn't come out anywhere near as cute as hers, but hey I was happy! I think I like the apple and banana the best.

These were very difficult to paint as I didn't really have the best tools for the job. My nails aren't all that long and they are thin, so there's not a lot of room for painting the fruit.

Which fruity finger do you like best? 

Take me down the Jelicoe road anytime

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts

300 pages

Released: August 2006

Buy it @ Angus & Robertson

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham 17, finally confronts her past. Hannah, the closest adult she has to family, disappears. Jonah Griggs, moody stares and all, is back in town. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Review

Melina Marchetta has this way of drawing a reader in and making them fall head over heels in love with her characters. I don't know how she does it! Her books always seem to start off confusing, this one wasn't any different, and before you know it you're sucked right into the story like nothing else in the real world matters. I was almost halfway through and was going to give up on this because it was just too confusing, but I went on because I have read so many good review, and oh my I'm am SO glad I kept going!

Marchetta's characters feel so real, by the end of the book I feel like I know them and could text them to catch up and hang out. It's hard to tell you exactly what was going on in this book, so all I will say is read this NOW! Or you could wait until the movie is released, there's no knowing when it will come out so you should just read it. My only problem with books being adapted into a movie is that I hope they can capture the chemistry between all the characters.

My only issue with this book (other than the confusing beginning, which made sense by the end) was the mystery behind Taylor's background and who her father was. I slowly guessed what was going on, which if you've read my reviews before you will know I hate when I guess things before they are revealed. But Marchetta was good at keeping little things secret and didn't reveal until later, so she kept me guessing a bit. Because of those small faults I give this 4 stars. I am now a huge fan of Melina Marcetta and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

On the cover

I love this cover, it's so vibrant and suits the story perfectly. I'm assuming that's the Jellicoe road and the faded person could be Taylor because she is stuck here but also in the past.

What I'm listening to next: The lightning Thief by Rick Riordan