Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Published: 7th May 2013

Ok, so I'd heard loads of reviews on this book and they were all raving over this book. So naturally, I was super eager to read this!....this is where it gets a bit awkward. Yeah...I didn't really like this book...

There are 5 stages. A division between humans and the aliens, them. Cassie and her dad get separated from Sammy, Cassie's younger brother, and are taken to a "safer" places. Cassie promises Sammy that whatever happens they'd find one another. When Cassie and her dad get taken to what looks like a camp of some sort, she later finds out that it's not the "safe" place that the soldiers said they'd be taking them and due to a turn of events Cassie runs. She runs for her life. Literally. It's her against them.

This is until we meet Evan, who's hiding out in his family house, where he had to watch each family member die. They form an alliance and they go on a mission to find out where Sammy is, even though Evan is very reluctant, they venture on.

Thoughts:
The beginning was no doubt great!

Behind This Reader, Is There A Writer? [Part 1]

I always enjoyed creative writing. But the strange thing is that when I was younger I never really considered the idea that creative writing can be something that can be pursued as a job, or that I wanted to be an author. It is only recently that it's come across my mind. The reason being that I am currently looking into going to Uni and the various courses.

I guess what you're about to read is an extension of my About Me page. But to all those keen readers out there, do you ever consider writing yourself?

When I was younger I would never write anything and to be honest, I never really read anything either! I had a diary that only lasted a month or so because I got bored of the routine after a while. Whenever I did write, it was for school. My oldest and fondest memory of writing was in year 3 in primary school. We were told to create a story from the idea of "a hole in the fence." Mine was insanely strange and didn't really have any plot to it. I remember writing about going beyond this "hole in the fence" and finding an alien there, where it then ate me and whilst in it's mouth I discovered a bomb...which then, of course, blew up and I died. I also remember in year 5, this story also lead to these characters being eaten. It was based on these different fruit and veg who were trying to escape but (sadly) the human came down and ate them (they later died in stomach!). I remember this story being SO long that whilst my class were watching a film, I was still writing.

Since then, I discovered books! And what a brilliant world they are. I have never been so wrapped up in anything other than the world of books and reading them.

I guess when I say "creative writing", I mean writing stories, in some shape or form. It was probably around when I was 15, half way through year 10, when I sat down in front of a computer to type whatever came out of my head. I remember it was the time when I had just recently finished reading All American Girl  by Meg Cobat and loved the idea of a prince and an every day girl. I titled it "Prime Man" as the main character Sammi falls in love with who she thought was the Prime Minister's son...but then later find out he isn't! Dun dun dun! Haha, it's pretty cringe-worthy stuff, here's a little taster of my awful writing inspired by Meg Cobat:

I need to get away. I can’t deal with the phones ringing in my head and a never ending noise of chatter. Having a load of shots before leaving the club was a bad idea. I practically run out of the office and quickly walk to the park round the corner where I find an empty bench which I sit on. I lean back and shut my eyes, listening to the birds chirp their little hearts out.

“I thought I told you to wait?”

I jumped and I opened my eyes. Brent. He smiled and sat next to me. This is not my day.

“So what happened to you? You just left me there. I had to ask to find out what happened to you and Rebecca said you basically ran out of the door.”

I ignored him. I just wanted him to leave, so I just sat there and didn’t say anything.

“Ah, I see, were playing the ‘I’m not speaking to you’ game. Alright then, I’ll talk to you and you can just sit in mute zone. But I have to warn you I may get annoying!”

“What do you want from me? Do you just want to get laid or something? ‘Cause if you do your talking to the wrong girl.” I fold my arms and wait for his response; he seems surprised by my outburst.

“If I wanted to get laid, I would be able to find another person who will be much more willing than you. No, you intrigue me. I‘ve read some of your articles, including the one about my dad and I’m impressed. None of the shit that other journalists normally write.”

Now it was my turn to be shocked by what he said. I suddenly take in the fact that, although he is the president’s son, he is also an average twenty five year old.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now if you excuse me, I need to get back to work.” I get up and start to walk away. He gets up and walks beside me.

“Are you just going to stalk me or what?” I pick up my pace to try ditch him but I know that he’s not going to. He’s on my heels.

“Like I said, you intrigue me. I was wondering if I could take you out some time?”

“Take me out?” I almost burst into laughter, “Won’t it be bad for your image, being seen with me, a journalist? Where’s your girlfriend?” I look around and the carry on moving.

“I don’t have one,” he slides his hands into his pockets, “And I think that if I was worried about how people see me I wouldn’t be talking to you now.”  

Interesting right....? Realistic? No. I find it so funny when I read back over this! I wrote quite alot and they're all split into smaller chapters, but I never wrote an ending. I had a beginning and middle-ish part, which I couldn't wrap my head around properly...(it involved a love-triangle!) I guess you could say I lost the plot of it all and ended it, unfinished. I have been always troubled by the middle sections of books and therefore never make it to the end! Is it always this hard?

When did you start writing and what you write? Better or worse than my extract?...i don't think it could be worse ;P 
Is there a writer in every reader or is reading just a side hobby and nothing more? Comment below, I'd love to hear all your views :D

Coming Soon: Behind This Reader, Is There A Writer? Part 2!

Book Review: Flat-Out Matt by Jessica Park

Title: Flat-Out Matt
Author: Jessica Park
Published: 25 March 2013

DO NOT read this book or this review if you have NOT read Flat-Out Love.

First off, I need to thank that Jessica Park for writting this amazing cute companion book! I was so thrilled when I heard she was writing this and, like many of her other fans, I had to put my say in on what I wanted in it. Damn! She got it spot on!!

Book Review: The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook

Title: The Almost Truth
Author: Eileen Cook
Published: 4th December 2012

I've been needing to put a review up for this book for a while now. I read it, probably near the end of February and since then I just haven't had time to sit down a write one.

The Almost Truth is the first book I've read written by Eileen Cook...WOW...! I read the blurb of this book and was like, "yeah, this could be alright" and let me tell you, my "alright" was not the word to describe this book. I moment of almost in tears hit me when I was reading this book and I could probably say that if I was emotional, I probably would of cried...I am however rarely emotional during anything so an almost tear is HUGE!! (The only other book which made me almost shed a tear was The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.) 

So this book revolves around a con. Sadie's mum wiped out all of her savings which was the only way she was going to get out of her "hell-hole" and move far away. She is in need to find money. And quick. With the assistance of best friend, Brendan, they set up the best con they can think of. But then this hoax becomes much more for Samantha. She starts living and breathing it. Believing in things she shouldn't. And uncovering something that could change everything.

This book definitely gives you the unlikely twists and turns when reading this book. So if you are thinking this will be a sweet "fall in love with boy and steal money" con, you are so so so so so wrong. Be prepared!

A word of warning if you do consider reading this book: do not read it expecting something realistic. There are somethings that are realistic, but the majority of the book is pretty fictional. The con isn't pick-pocketing or anything minor, it is pretty much a full convention, living and breathing each day with the con-filled air. If you're up for that....you WILL be blown away!

A Visit To The Book Store: London Foyles

I guess you could say that my visits to bookstores are rare for me now. I tend to go for the online book buying because, for the majority of the time, the books are so much cheaper.

I happened to go to Foyles in London yesterday, spending a good while in there. It doesn't sound the least bit exciting for a reader reading this post, but I assure you I have something interesting to go into. The majority of my pulls go into the section of teen, craft and newly found interest of creative writing. On this book visit I held the urge to wipe out my card to buy a tonne of new books. I found it quite an achievement, especially because I have accountless other books which I have on my self that need to be read.

So the point in this post? I'll call it browseing the shelves. I browsed. Adding different books that I want and wish to read.

So my first stop was the crafts section. This consisted of felt crafts, mini porjects using a variety of mediums, crochet, knitting, sewing, beading, quilting, etc. I only found 2 books in this section that were of interest.

These where the two that I picked out from these sections. The one on the left is a dress making book called Stylish Dress Book: Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops written by Yoshiko Tsukiori. The book is very simple, consisting of images of the finished dress at the beginning with page numbers where you then turn to at the back of the book. There are diagram images that explain how to sew the dress together. On top of this, which I thought was an added bonus, at the very back there was a sealed bag slipped in which had the dress patterns! All these dresses are very simple and as a keen costume maker, I found this book held enough detail without confusion. I also tend to create my own patterns for costumes so it was also nice to see that there were made patterns at the back.

Moving onto the second book, Big Little Felt Universe: Sew It, Stuff It, Squeeze It, Fun! written by Jeanette Lim. I have had my eye on this book for a while now, but have never been able to find it so I can flick through it before purchasing. If you are very crafty with felt making and sewing, this would definitely be something you could go and look at.  Everything made is in 3D form, so there's cactus plant, cake, fruit and a few doctor equipments. Everything has step-to-step instructions with fully coloured pictures and then templates (BINGO!).
 
I then swiftly moved onto the teen section of the book store. I never really know why, but whenever I get into any bookstore, I find myself needing to find the authors' books who I enjoy reading. Just randomly sweep over the shelves to find those authors first then I can happily browse. Anyone else do that?...Or just me?

Where You Are (Between the Lines, #2)
Anyway, to add to my to-read pile is Tammara Webber's Where You Are, which is the second book of the Between the Lines series. This book continues to follow Emma and Ried but we are indroduced to the narration of Graham, with the events all after the filming together. It almost picks up from the ending of the first book, and is also the last book in the series that has Emma and Graham as a main character focus.

Starcrossed (Starcrossed, #1)Book number 2 is the first book in the Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini which I've hear tonnes of raving reviews on! I have been very close to buying both the first and second one but held it in. This book is the first of a trilogy and the last book has recently been released! It follows sixteen year old Helen Hamilton who discovers all these myths that aren't just ancient history and meets a boy named Lucas who has a major role in the event that is about to happen. All for Greek Mythology!
Mind Games (Mind Games, #1)

 


Last but not least, I came across the hardback of  Mind Games by Kiersten White. The reviews for this book has been mixed but I have heard many authors who have been reviewing and sharing their thoughts of this book, which have all been very positive. Here's a little summary for ya all:

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey. [via GoodReads]

How can that be all the books you want to read, you may be asking? And the honest truth is that this is only a tiny part of all the books I looked at yesterday. I had to only pick out three books at random because otherwise this post would be far too long - But I hope, if you haven't already, that you check out these books and maybe next time I will do another "To Be Read" post!


One last thing, I posted this glorious picture of a HUGE stack of Sarah Dessen books on twitter, and she retweeted me!

AAAHHHHH! My world collapsed! If she knew how much I loved her as an author and what that retweeting meant...Oh gosh...amazing!
Haha, ok, my excitement over ;P

Let me know what books you've got on your to read pile? Have you read any of the books above? Thoughts?