Girl Online: On Tour by Zoe Sugg (or YouTuber Zoella)

Hi- long time no see!

Today I will be discussing the book Girl Online:On Tour by Zoe Sugg. This is the sequel to Girl Online, so if you haven't checked that out yet, then that would be great, although you are welcome to continue reading this as there will be no spoilers.

Girl Online: On Tour is all about when Penny Porter goes, well, 'on tour' with her boyfriend, the world famous musician Noah Flynn. She encounters some interesting people along the way, as well as developing some new friendships, visiting exciting places but however learning harsh truths and uncovering lies.

While on tour, Penny is also being threatened with messages from a mysterious TheRealTruth. This all leads to a bit of a shocking realisation towards the end of the book. I really liked this part because it shows that Penny does have the guts to stand up to the people who hurt her.

So this review is spoiler-free, I can't put into too much detail about what goes on in the book. There are some changes to the characters during the book, so I am going to address those now.

Elliot: Elliot and his home life has changed drastically since the last six months. His mum and dad have come to terms with his sexuality and they realise that they should listen to him more often. He also has a boyfriend, Alex.

Noah: We see that Noah has not changed a whole lot since the last book, but since embracing that he will now lead a life as rock star, he has been cautious with going to busy places with Penny but also trusting people too easily because he is an optimistic person (and I am in in no way saying that this is a bad thing ).

Penny: The thing that sticks out to me most about Penny is a) she is becoming more able to handle small situations and take control of what she wants and b) I can see parts of Zoe Sugg in her. This is a great feature of not only Penny's character but the whole book- from the fairylights, mentioning of ASOS and even the whole general feel of the book reminds me of the things Sugg likes.

Overall, I thought the story was not as good as Girl Online, but I think the characters have matured, the story was cohesive and not too "simple" and THE COVER IS PURPLE!!

Zobo!

Too Much Work

Hi,

I have had so much work to do in these last couple of weeks that I haven't had a chance to update on this blog for a while and as much as I would have liked to. Sorry, I was going to do a a review on a book but I just haven't had enough time.

Good news though-  the holidays are coming. Just this week to go and then I am free for 3 WEEKS! :)

I just get so, so frustrated when I am are piled with tests and assignments that are all due in about a 2 week period. I haven't had the most positive frame of mind at the moment, so I think the holidays will be my 'recovery period.'

Yeah.

Zobo!

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Hi there!

So, yesterday I had a big surprise.... you know, just LEAVING MY IPAD AT SCHOOL OVER THE LONG WEEKEND. I am doing okay with out it. I'm not the sort of person who is addicted to screens; I actually get tired of them pretty quickly, but it has some work I need to edit on it so it's just  annoying. And I was playing this addictive game that I was planning on finishing but oh well!

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a young adult/adult fiction novel that is a unique blend of crime, sci-fi and fantasy. It follows the story of Thursday Next, who is a detective who specialises in work and cases involving famous novels and books. It just so happens that amidst her old partner showing up again, moving back to her home town and a strange vision from the future that Acheron Hades -a mastermind criminal- literally kidnaps Jane Eyre.

Thursday Next is on the case!

This book is so unique and I have never heard of anything similar. It is such an odd mix of genres that actually fit pretty well together. The world inside the book is just like reality, only curious things can happen and the impossible is possible- and quite normal, too.

Thursday is a witty character who has a sharp sense of the world around her. She can sense when something is wrong and although she is business like in some aspects, her personality also shines through as thoughtful, humorous and slightly apologetic about some choices in her life. I liked reading about her and her journey through life so far. It was also good to read about a character who was in their 30s, rather than in their teens.

Thursday is also a Crimean War veteran, so her work as a literary detective demonstrates some of the leadership qualities that she possesses.

There are no other characters who I really connected to. There are many characters throughout the book and Thursday is really the only protagonist. I did like Rochester, even though he is only in the story for a few chapters.

One part of the story I really enjoyed was seeing the inventions that Thursday's Uncle Mycroft created that include bookworms-yes, bookworms. That was a fun chapter that was interesting to read.

I like how smart the book is. It isn't overly complex but it is very enjoyable to read and comical. The way everything weaves together- the Jane Eyre story and Fforde's own story that he has created.

Lastly, the cover was what made the book stand out to me in the first place. It is really retro looking and looks really good.

The ending of the book is satisfying and there are more books in the series.

Overall, a very good book that is great to read if you are looking for something original and different.

Zobo!

Birthstone Book tag!

Hello!

I have seen this tag floating around and it looks really cool and different. I immediately decided I wanted to do it so here it is. Of course, if you wish to do the tag too you are welcome to. The 'Birthstone Book Tag' was created by Jay G.

1. January(GARNET): Associated with warding off negative forces and dark energies - Name a book with the darkest/most evil character you can think of- this one is actually hard because so many books have horrible characters. I am going to have to say Mayor Prentiss from the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. Yeah, he was bad.

2. February (AMETHYST): Purple is associated with royalty - Name a book with regal qualities... You can base this off of characters or choose the King of all books- Oooooh.... I feel like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has such a regal feel to it. Apart from the fact that it was published in 1813, it just as an air about it that is 'proper'. XD

3. March (AQUAMARINE): Washed out - Name a 'wishy washy' character, a character who is not strong or a follower- I am going to say Bethany from the book Halo in the Halo series by Alexandra Ardonetto. I found her irritating at times but I guess she was an okay character. I haven't finished this series.

4. April (DIAMOND): A diamond in the rough - Name a book that you loved but is not well known- Hiding Edith by Kathy Kacer. I remember getting this when I was about 9 at a school book fair and I loved it. I have read it so many times. I don't think it is very well known, but it is a great little book.

5. May (EMERALD): Said to balance energy - Name two characters who balance each other well- Erika Yurken and Alison Ashley in Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein. This classic Australian book includes these two girls who balance each other out really well. Even though they generally dislike each other, they bring balance to the book.

6. June (PEARL): Associated with loyalty - Name a character who is loyal to the end- SNAAAAAAAPE.

7. July (RUBY): Blood red - Name a book that made your blood boil, one that made you angry- Okay, I have two answers- a) The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George was frustrating and the ending was disappointing. b) Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin made my blood boil in the most terrific, amazing, awesome way.

8. August (PERIDOT): Pale green (it pales in comparison to other gems) - Name a supporting character who you like better than the main character-  Okay- I love Percy Jackson. I think he is really cool and I think his sarcastic remarks are funny but Annabeth is just awesome! I think I like her a little more. Just a teeny weeny bit.

9. September (SAPPHIRE): Blue like the ocean which is calming - Name a book that had a calming affect on you- Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. It's just a really easy book to read. You can just be anywhere and just get sucked into it without biting your fingers off from suspense. 

10. October (OPAL): Iridescent - Name an iridescent book, this can be a book with a beautiful cover (Shiny? Lots of colour?) or you can base it off of a character (Quirky? Colourful?)- Beautiful covers: The Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children trilogy by Ransom Riggs and Tandem by Anna Jarzab.

11. November (TOPAZ): Associated with resilience - Name a book with a character who rises to the top in a time of adversity- I don't have a definite answer for this question. Probably Todd Hewitt in the Chaos Walking trilogy, previously mentioned in Q#1. He certainly shows that he has courage. 

12. December (BLUE ZIRCON): Associated with friendship - Name a book with a friendship you want to be part of- I can't go past our three magical friends- Harry, Ron and Hermione. 

So that was the Birthstone Book Tag. I had heaps of fun answering the questions and I will post a book review soon-ish.

Zobo!

Books+Camping!

Hello! I disappeared for a while.... I was just really busy I guess.

I am going camping for five days (FIVE DAYS WHAT?!) and I have never ever been camping before. So, I am kind of nervous, excited and reluctant because I like my Wi-Fi and my double bed and a TV.

But, what I will be taking is some books! There is a chance that it may rain, so reading, playing cards, talking and eating will be the things I will do to pass the time- if that situation arises.

The first book I will be taking is Girl Online: On Tour by Zoe Sugg. I am about 1/4 the way through and I am still growing to like it. I think maybe a couple more chapters and the plot will really get more twisted. I am taking this book
because it's a funny, light-hearted, relatable book that will lift my spirits if I am not feeling the best.

Purpose of first book: To make me feel awesome.

The second book I am taking is Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I don't have too many pages to go before I finish this book, but it is really inspiring and Strayed is in the 'wild'- living in a tent and hiking the PCT. I am not going on a camp for a few months- only five days- and it will be way more comfortable and less painful than what Strayed endured, but I think it will keep me motivated and pushing on.

Purpose of second book: To inspire me to try my best!

I will be taking a little book light so if I really can't sleep at night I can just snuggle underneath my sleeping bag and read.

That is it for a while!!!

Zobo!

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Hello,

Reaction after finishing the book: No it can't finish here! There are so many questions left unanswered! This is so unsatisfying. Please, PLEASE let this not be a stand-alone book! What happens?!

Wolf by Wolf is a historical fiction novel by Ryan Graudin. The year is 1956. It is set as if the Nazis have won the war 10 years earlier. The main protagonist isYael, a young girl who has a painful history of experimentations and loss during the years of war. She is part of the resistance, and her mission is simple but deadly- kill Adolf Hitler.

The novel follows Yael as she takes part in a motorcycle race to get close enough to Hitler so she can assassinate him. But will she get there? And what awaits her through her mission?

This book is so stunning. It is action packed, suspenseful, heartbreaking and you get so close to some of the characters.

First of all- I love the writing style. It is jam-packed with metaphors and meaning. It is very poetic, but at the same time, informative. It's the kind of writing style that I would personally like to adopt. I think it really is a big factor that makes this book whole. The first thing I usually take note of in a book is the writing style, and the writing in his book is superb.

Yael is such an expressive character and she has a great voice. Without giving too much away, she is so brutally honest about her feelings during her time in a concentration camp and being subjected to needles and chemicals. Yet you can tell she has a lot of secrets that she keeps from others but also the reader as well.

Another character in this book, Felix, is so gosh-damn annoying that I just wanted to leave him far behind. And Yael does. He is not a love interest, but,personally, I thought he was a very irritating character who spoiled a lot of things for Yael. He did, however, help her out a couple of times, so he gets a small bit of respect. I like it in a book when the author can make you have such strong feelings and thoughts about a character.

There was a good balance between action packed and the more calm parts in between. The more active parts of the story were still so exciting and gripping.

The story also switches between past and present for Yael. I like the fact that they included these flashbacks. They really do explain a lot about the wolves that Yael will always have with her, that haunt her but also comfort her.

The twists and deception in this book are so mind-blowing, especially the last major one. I was astounded.

This book sparks a lot of questions, a lot of what if? this and that. The 'author's note' even explains that that is what was running through Graudin's head when she wrote the novel and about history itself. A good book, in my opinion, in a book that makes you think. This was definitely one of those stories.

About my reaction after the book finished: I was looking to see other reviews on the book to see what others thought of it and I saw that it had a sequel, called Blood for Blood. I am so excited. It comes out October 16 2016, so I will be on the lookout!

Overall, Wolf by Wolf is a very empowering story about a teenager's will to survive at all costs, and the cause and effect of a war that changed the world.

Zobo!

On the Spine Blog Trailer

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