Big Stacking the Shelves!

I hope that as I write this, on the 27th of December, you are all full with chocolate and cake and have had a great Christmas. I really enjoyed the last few days and had a great time. Also, I received quite  a lot of books as presents which is always a good thing!

This Stacking the Shelves is going to feature all of the books that I got for Christmas and a couple that I got just a day or two before.

Sorry for the bad quality pic by the way :(

(From the bottom)

1. Gothic Art by Nicola Henderson- I got this from my brother as we are both into art and some of the pictures in here are incredible so I can't wait to try and copy them! If you are into this sort of vampire, witches and dragon type of art then this is great for you! Buy it or look inside here.
2. Dear Me... Edited by Joseph Gallaiano- This was a present from a friend and it features letters that celebrities would write to their 16 year old self.
3. The next five books are The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. This was given to e by my uncle and I can't wait to read this series. I've heard lots of good things about it but let me know if you've read or reviewed these books! Buy them here.
4. The City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments- Book 1)- When I opened this, I was so happy because this is another book series which I haven't yet read- but want to. They look and sound briliant, and I have heard good things, so hopefully I wont be disappointed!
5. A Witch Alone by Ruth Warburton- These books keep popping up on my blog for some reason, but I got this the day before Christmas Eve when I was in Asda and had to buy it as I still haven't finished the trilogy! I'd read the first two books and didn't even realise the third was out, but now that I know I can't wait to read it and see how the story ends. Buy this here.
6. Divergent by Veronica Roth- Yes, I realise that pretty much the whole reading world has read this but finally I have a copy and can read it myself. I started reading just a few pages before the family came over on Christmas day and seem to love it already. You can buy it here.
7. Finally, Banished by Liz De Jager. When the post arrived Saturday morning I was not expecting this and it literally brightened up my day. This is the first proof copy I have received  and now that Christmas is over I cannot wait to get into this world which Liz De Jager has created. P.S. the cover is the most brilliant I have personally seen for a while!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness- Review

Firstly, I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but for some reason, I LOVE this cover. I don't know what it is but there's just something about it. Anyway, the story is one that I really enjoyed too, which is what counts the most.

At the start of the book, I struggled to get into it. I think this was because I wasn't sure where the story was going, but once I was past a certain point, I was fine and started to enjoy it properly. The story was started by Siobhan Dowd, who very sadly had time as an enemy and asked Patrick Ness to complete the story for her. Personally, I think he did a great job.

The story's main character, Connor, is immediately likeable and although to begin with you don't know a lot about him, he becomes more interesting as a character because of this. During the story- and at the very beginning- Connor has a nightmare. It is a recurring nightmare which seems so real yet so unbelievable that he worries about it a lot. It talks to him, grabs him, it happens almost every night. It is just him and his mum at home and he doesn't tell anyone about the nightmare. The way that the book is written in the third person, I was originally annyoyed about. I thought 'the story would be even better if we saw everything through Connor's eyes.' But soon I realised that in third person, I get to make up Connor's character a bit more which I enjoyed quite a lot.

Soon, the book starts to get quite sad. This is because Connor's mum is ill and reading it is upsetting because it shows just how much illness affects the people around the ill person. Even without meaning to, or without being able to stop it. The monster in the nightmare doesn't leave and gets more physical- an all consuming worry that is a permanent resident in the brain of Connor O'Malley. Lots of things have to change for him. As a reader, I thought that this was the best part of the book; a bit into the story where you're not quite sure what's going to happen but are desperate to find out. That is, I find, usually the greatest part.

Overall, the story and ending of the book is one that you will remember. It might make you sad but the greatness of the story will outweigh the sadness. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil what happens for you. Patrick Ness is a brilliant writer- that is all,
I'd recommend this book for people between the ages of 12- 16 but I know that my mum enjoyed this book too!
Let me know if you've read it!
You can buy it from Amazon here for £3.86 or from Waterstones here for £5.29.

Partick Ness has also written 'The knife of never letting go' which I started but never finished, for no particular reason. Tell me if you've read it and think I should read it again?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme where you write about a book that you're looking forward to reading when it is released. It is originally hosted by Jill at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.co.uk/ and I think t is a great idea!
The book that I would like to put in my first Waiting on Wednesday post is Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth. Some might say that this is a slightly biased review because of the author being related to me, but honestly, I really can't wait for it to be released. It is the sort of book that is so realistic that everything seems familiar in a really good sort of way. It means that the characters are relatable and can be imagined into everyday life and situations. Overall, the story is sad, happy, different and brilliant all at the same time and is written in a way that makes you feel as though you know the characters personally and once you've finished the book, you'll forget that they are just that: characters and not real people that you actually have to worry about.
The story is about a girl called Jess who, putting it simply, doesn't have the easiest of lives. She lives in a pretty rough estate with kids that all look down on her because of her weight and other things that people are shallow enough to care about. It is set over just seven days (hence the title) which makes it really different to a lot of books I have read and it also means that a lot of detail can be put into each part of the story. On top of this, it is a dual narrative- written from the point of view of Kez who, on the surface, appears to have it all. This makes a lot of the story contrast which then makes it interesting because you get to view things from a different perspective.Over the course of the book, lots of things happen which change the girls and how they see themselves and each other, and that seems relevant for a lot of teenagers.

It is not to be available until 2015! A long wait, but well worth it. It is being published by scholastic and at the minute, the cover is not yet released.  I can't wait to read it as a proper paperback and also I can't wait for it to get the readers that it deserves!

To find out more about the author, her blog is: eveainsworth.blogspot.co.uk
For updates on writing and other things:@EveAinsworth

Delirium by Lauren Oliver- Review

My mum bought me this and straight away I wanted to read it because my English teacher had recommended it to me also. I really enjoyed it, especially when the story really started to develop and my craving for the sequel got huge.

Delirium is set in an America where love is a disease, and that is what you are taught and that is what is enforced. When you turn 18, you receive an obligatory procedure which 'cures' you from ever getting the disease of Amor Deliria Nervosa and basically from feeling any emotional attachment ever again. There are regulators everywhere who make sure that no dancing happens, that no sign of love or emotion passes between anyone. Boys and girls are separated until they are matched with someone after their procedure who they are made to stay with forever. They hunt out people who show signs of the disease and the consequences are horrific. But... there are people who go against the regime. People who believe love is good and natural and who disagree that it should be eradicated without choice.
The story is from the first person point of view of Lena, who is nearing her procedure and unashamedly cannot wait for the calmness that it boasts. For the end of the fear of catching the disease and the constant watchfulness that is placed upon the uncureds. Until, she meets somebody who might be able to change the way she thinks about the place she lives and the rules which she follows so robotically...

When I first started reading the book, I was sort of half doing other things at the same time because I was super busy then, so I didn't really get into the book properly until a few chapters in. But, believe me, when the plot really kicks in, you will be gripped and have to pay full attention. In fact, it will be hard for you to pay attention to anything else. I'm not sure if I didn't get into the book straight away because of my bad attention or because the book starts quite slowly. I'm not sue, but I do know that if you find yourself in the same position, carry on! The main character becomes even greater as the book goes on and it is such a gripping story in so many ways. I also really, really like the way everything is described in the book in such detail or with such great metaphors and similes. My favourite part is defintely near the end of the book where the action is unfolding and the story starts to get properly interesting. Not that the rest of the book is boring, just that at the end, the story gets so fast-paced and amazing! I would suggest that if you start enjoying the book and think you will want to read the sequel, order it straight away! I waited days after finishing Delirium for the package to arrive and wow, it was harder than it should have been.

I would recommend this book for anyone from ages 13- 18, because I think that it is written in a way that is suitable for a wide age range, but I know that a lot of adults really enjoy the book too, so I guess it depends on the sort of plot that you enjoy as well. :)
The sequel to Delirium is called Pandemonium, which I am currently reading and will review soon! If you've read it, let me know what you thought. Also-unrelated but oh well,- if you've read the Divergent series, please tell me, I'm thinking about reading it soon! The third in the trilogy is called Requiem

You can buy the book on amazon for £4.15:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delirium-Trilogy-Lauren-Oliver/dp/0340980931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383589273&sr=8-1&keywords=delirium
And at waterstones for £5.29 here: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/lauren+oliver/delirium/8179635/

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher- Review

I got this book for my birthday after asking for it because I'd seen it in the bookshop and wanted it straight away. The blurb (hahaha) made me want to read it there and then, and it seemed different to any storyline I had read or heard of before. I hate to say it however, that I didn't enjoy the story half as much as I expected to. Not that it was bad, just slightly disappointing. You could argue that that was because in my mind, I had set  it on a pedestal up there with my favourites, so maybe it was doomed for failure.

The book is, I guess, mainly about a girl called Hannah, except you don't get to ever meet her personally because she committed suicide. Before doing so, she recorded some tapes giving 13 reasons why she committed suicide, and sent them to the people involved in these 13 reasons. What is unique about this book is that it takes place over just one night, which I thought was quite good. You read from Clay Jensen's point of view: from the moment he opens the package with the tapes in, to the moment the 13th tape is finished. You find out how he fits into the puzzle that was Hannah Baker's life and how others shaped her into becoming fed up with her life.
The plot, I thought was genius and I immediately started reading but hit a wall when I realised I just wasn't getting into the book.  I can't really decide exactly why, but I have a few reasons that maybe, when combined, just don't really equal a perfect story for me personally. Firstly, I think a lot of it was down to the fact that you never properly get introduced to the characters. This is completely personal because some people might prefer not to get a description of the characters, however I really love to be able to know everything about every person in a story. I never found out whether Clay Jensen gets on better with his mum or dad, or if Hannah Baker liked the gherkins in her McDonald's cheeseburger. And that, for me is earth shattering information.
Or perhaps I didn't enjoy the story so much because of the way it was written. I can't really explain what it was about it that I didn't really like, but maybe I'm just strange and very particular with style of writing. But... I think the main reason was because I didn't like the reasons that were given for Hannah to commit suicide. I just felt that the reasons were really minute. I understand that suicide can be caused by very small things which all add up and I am not trying to sound insensitive, but for a story I just thought that something drastic needed to happen. There was no shocking moment, nothing that would make me want to recommend this to the whole solar system, and nothing that was really exciting.
Overall, I would recommend that if you still want to read 13 Reasons Why, before you buy it, you could go onto the amazon link below and click on the 'look inside' feature just to see if the style of writing is for you.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-Jay-Asher/dp/0141328290/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382911066&sr=8-1&keywords=thirteen+reasons+why It is £5.24 new from Amazon and the same price in WHSmith http://www.whsmith.co.uk/search?keywordCategoryId=&keywords=thirteen+reasons+why&results=60&page=1

I would recommend this book to 13-16 year olds because I'm not sure if adults would like it very much.
The book has been made into a film, which I found out about the other day, so if anyone has seen it, let me know. :)
Jay Asher has also written The Future of Us.

Hello :) I've never had a blog before but I'm excited about being able to write on here and work on it until it's how I want it to be. I started this blog because writing is fun and interesting and exciting. Reading is too. And to write about something that is equally as enjoyable as the writing part seems like a good idea.

 I feel like sometimes there are so many books that there is nothing to choose. If that makes sense. Because there are too many to choose from, I just leave the bookshop/exit amazon.co.uk/step away from the shelf in my mum's room/remove myself from the library slightly disappointed by my indecision. However... when I finally pick a book or am recommended a book to read, if it's good I want to tell somebody. Usually that's like my mum or aunty or the friend I have who reads also, but I would like to try and tell more people what I thought. Not that my opinion holds any judgement onto whether you would like it or not but it might help you in the very difficult desision of What Book To Pick.

So basically, that's why I called my blog The Blurb, because it will pretty much be a blurb of the book, just less biased, longer and hopefully it will be helpful.

I'm 15 by the way so most reviews will be Young Adult books, but there is almost always an exception to every rule. I would love that if you enjoy the reviews or find them useful, you could recommend my blog to somebody or maybe even follow it!
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