The Ghosts of Heaven - Marcus Sedgwick

RATING: ★★★★☆

People who live in the UK might have heard about the YA Book Prize: it's an award for the best UK young adult book and the winner will be announced in March. However, there is already a shortlist with 10 of the best UK YA books of 2014. Up until March, I will read each of these books (one a week) and post a review - I'm reading the books in the same order as the YA Book Prize twitter account is. 

It's here! THE LAST BOOK of the YA Book Prize shortlist. Number 10. And wow is the last one a roller coaster ride!

Plot

Usually, I copy the plot summary from Goodreads in this part but today I'm not going to, because there is no plot summary for this book (or not one that I would be happy to post). 

The Ghosts of Heaven is basically a collection of four short stories that can be read in any order you want (I read it 2-4-3-1) and that are all extremely different yet still linked together. The central theme is the spiral, hence that gorgeous cover, and what the spiral signifies for different people at different times. There are historical stories and futuristic stories and we follow everyone from mourning fathers to young confused girls. Each story is a roller coaster on its own and put together it's even crazier.

Eery feeling

I've never read a book by Marcus Sedgwick before, but I have heard amazing things about his writing and based on this book, I must agree. All of these stories are extremely unsettling but it's hard to pinpoint why exactly. They're not Say Her Name kind of stories, but they leave you feeling eery and lost and confused and just.... weird. Really weird.

And I think that's because Marcus is such an amazing writer. He drops little hints here and there that unsettle you a little bit, but it's the combination of all those things, and his amazing characters, that make you feel so completely freaked out by the end of the stories. I mostly had this feeling after the fourth story, which was totally non-relatable in topic, yet spoke to me on a really deep level and I'm just amazed at how he managed to do that.

Characters

Because the four stories are so incredibly different, there's something for everyone in this book. I personally didn't care much for the characters in story one and two, but I loved the characters in story three and four. And just like me, other readers will have their preferences and opinions about it. 

Which is exactly why this such a great read! There's literally something for everyone and because not all stories read like YA stories per se, even adult readers will enjoy this book. I would also like to see a person read this book and not get crazy unsettled. I dare you.

Rating

This book is a solid four out of five for me. I really appreciate the creativity that went into a book like this - it's unlike anything I've ever read. Story four might be my favourite 'short story' ever, but some of the others didn't quite do it for me, so I can't give this book a five. However, if you want to read a completely innovative YA book that will make you question your own life, do pick this up - it is amazing.

Cambridge book stores

About three weeks ago, I decided to go on an impromptu trip to Cambridge with my roommate.
I thought I had never been (though my parents told me I've been plenty of times when I was little) and wanted to see what kind of city it was and what kind of bookstores they have!

So I present to you a special bookstore review: the bookstores I visited in Cambridge. 

Heffers

The first - and my favorite shop of Cambridge - is Heffers bookstore. Now, the name is super weird but don't let that put you off from an amazing store! I took so many pictures there, that I've put them into a slideshow to make sure this whole post is not only pics!

Doesn't it look pretty? That's my roommate modelling some things for you guys :) 

The best part of Heffers was the amazing Young Adult section. They had so many YA books there and most of them in both hardcover and paperback. I'm still on my bookbuying ban, so I behaved, but it was very hard!

Recommended for: I'll recommend Heffers for people who like popular books and good deals because they're cheap. It's also perfect for an afternoon with children (just look at that kid's section!).

Waterstone's

It is no secret that I have a weak spot for Waterstone's, so being in Cambridge I just had to check out their store. 

What I learned is that every Waterstone's in Britain looks alike - they just vary in sizes. But that doesn't mean I loved this store any less, because they're just all awesome. I always look at the classics in Waterstone's, because I feel like they always have an amazing collection.

And this store didn't disappoint! SO MANY CLASSICS. ALL SO PRETTY. Especially those gorgeous metallic Fitzgerald books you can see in the front there. I love those. Overall, this store was smaller than Heffers and not that impressive for me because I have Waterstone's Piccadilly on my doorstep, but they still have AMAZING books.

Recommended for: People who are used to the Waterstone's system and people who are looking for many editions of a classic novel!

Cambridge University Bookshop 

Now this bookshop is a little bit different - it's an academic bookshop and I mostly went in there to see if I could find anything that would help me with this Shakespeare essay I have to write.

(The weather took a turn, so all the pictures are darker!) This bookshop was closer to the schools and it was such a different store than I expected because it did not just have academic books, but also 'normal' reading books.

In that picture for example, you can see an early version of The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald (the red and black book on the top)! How cool! I almost bought it, but the 40 pounds that it cost just completely put me off. It's still really cool to see though.

Recommended for: non-suprisinhly, I would recommend this store for academics, students or people who want to continue learning. Or anyone who's looking for a special book.

G. David Bookseller

Now the wildcard of the bunch: a second hand bookshop hidden in a small street in Cambridge.

That's all you can see from the store, so you really have to look for it. I found it online right before we left and decided that I had to see it. And I wasn't disappointed.

These are just a few of the gorgeous books that were outside and the inside was even crazier. I couldn't take any pictures, because it was so small and so busy, but there are just books everywhere! Old books, new books, popular books, barely known books - you can find everything here.

And I did break my bookbuying ban in this store:

I have a weak spot for the orange Penguin classics and Little Women is one of my mother's favourite classics, so I have wanted it for a while already and this one is just perfect. It's classic and gorgeous and a nice size to carry in my bag - I'm in love with it!

Recommended for: I'd recommend this store for people that don't mind digging for their books. It's pretty unorganised so make sure you have time to explore the whole store. If you do, you might find a pretty special book in there!

So with the breaking of my bookban, it was also the end of the Cambridge trip. I'm sure there are a lot more bookshops in Cambridge, but I only had a day so these are the ones I saw. If you're ever going to Cambridge, you should definitely visit all four of these and let me know what other bookstores there are!

February Wrap Up

Find out what I read this month!

Trouble - Non Pratt

RATING: ★★★★★

People who live in the UK might have heard about the YA Book Prize: it's an award for the best UK young adult book and the winner will be announced in March. However, there is already a shortlist with 10 of the best UK YA books of 2014. Up until March, I will read each of these books (one a week) and post a review - I'm reading the books in the same order as the YA Book Prize twitter account is. 

Trouble by Non Pratt is the 9th book I’ve read of the YA book Prize shortlist and let me tell you - they definitely left some of the best until last.

Plot

In this dazzling debut novel, a pregnant teen learns the meaning of friendship—from the boy who pretends to be her baby’s father.

When the entire high school finds out that Hannah Shepard is pregnant via her ex-best friend, she has a full-on meltdown in her backyard. The one witness (besides the rest of the world): Aaron Tyler, a transfer student and the only boy who doesn’t seem to want to get into Hannah’s pants. Confused and scared, Hannah needs someone to be on her side. Wishing to make up for his own past mistakes, Aaron does the unthinkable and offers to pretend to be the father of Hannah’s unborn baby. Even more unbelievable, Hannah hears herself saying “yes.”

Told in alternating perspectives between Hannah and Aaron, Trouble is the story of two teenagers helping each other to move forward in the wake of tragedy and devastating choices. As you read about their year of loss, regret, and hope, you’ll remember your first, real best friend—and how they were like a first love.

Dual perspective

It seems like the British writers are big on giving their readers more than one perspective. Just like Lobsters, Salvage and Goose, Trouble follows the perspective of two very different characters. Hannah is an insecure teenage girl who is desperate to feel loved - which eventually leads to some pretty controversial decisions she makes. Aaron is new in town and wants to fit in, but he’s not sure where exactly he wants to find in. So both teenagers are looking for their place in the world, like most teens are, but both go about it in very different ways.

The strength of this particular book is that the perspectives are both done so successfully. I must admit that I cringed a bit when I read the back of this book - it sounded very 16 & Pregnant and I wasn’t sure how that was going to translate in a great book. But, it’s not 16 & Pregnant at all. It’s realistic. Raw. Both voices are so real that you can’t help but relate with both of them. It might be harder for boys to relate to Hannah’s pregnancy struggles, but I think it’s important they try. And for girls, Aaron is very very easy to relate to - he might be a guy but I definitely had some of the same struggles when I was a teenager.

Educational theme

I don’t want to bore on about the pregnancy theme, but I think it’s important. With all the talk about teens and censorship, what should we do about a teenage pregnancy book? 

In my opinion, everyone should read this book because of the way it handles the theme. It doesn’t promote teenage pregnancy, Hannah is pretty damn upset she’s pregnant and things definitely don’t go according to her plan, but it also doesn’t condemn it. At no point is Hannah judged by the author or does he come across as “slutty”. I think this is the strength of a British author like Non Pratt, who is more free compared to American authors, to discuss such a controversial themes in such a realistic way. Getting pregnant was a shit decision and it has a major impact of Hannah’s life, but she also becomes a mother and has a beautiful baby growing inside of her and I love the moments the book just focusses on that fact and lets Hannah enjoy the beauty of it. 

Non Pratt can WRITE.

And that’s what’s so great about Non Pratt’s writing - it combines the serious theme with small beautiful moments. It’s not all serious, or all fluff, but there are definitely moments of both in the book. She handled the theme in a wonderful non-preachy way and that’s a great talent.

Added to that, you just fly through the book! The writing is so captivating that you can’t stop reading the story at any point. I finished the book in one day and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Rating

So no surprise, this is another 5 star book for me. Trouble didn’t impact me as much as Only Ever Yours did, but I still really loved reading this book. It has a great message and it’s honestly just a wonderful read. If you want something gritty, but with fluffy moments, then pick up Trouble and you will not be disappointed at all.

Find out about the other 8 YA Book Prize books I reviewed!

Prodigal and Riven reveal!

Remember when I reviewed Sherry Ficklin's Queen of Someday and loved it? Well she has a new series, with co-author Tyler H. Jolley and I have the pleasure to show you guys the trailer of book 2 and 3 in that series!

Welcome (back) to the TIME WAR...

Books 2 & 3 of the best selling Lost Imperials series

Releasing 5/5/15

from Clean Teen Publishing

Individual digital editions will be available everywhere e-books are sold.

Click on the cover to read more!

   

Exciting news! Prodigal and Riven will be available in 2 special combined print editions!

Barnes & Noble and other retailers will feature a standard combined print edition:

and Amazon.com will offer an exclusive flip book print edition!

PRODIGAL:

STEIN has been with the Hollows for as long as she can remember. Taken as a child, she has no memories of her past, and that's always been fine by her. Until the day she stumbles across a hidden journal containing the devastating truth about her paternity. Now everything she thought she knew, and everyone she thought she could trust, has changed. The truth about who she is and where she came from is a secret so deep, it will rock the Hollows and the Tesla Institute alike.

RIVEN:

ETHAN is left with a serious problem after what should have been a routine mission. He's fractured, a break between mind and body that leaves him at the mercy of his Rifter abilities, which are quickly tearing him apart. He will have to trust the only person who might know how to fix him, a mysterious Rifter named Stewart Stills, who seems to have a special connection with the time stream.

Want to know more about The Lost Imperials Series? Check out below:

In a battle for control of the time stream, the past and the future will collide, either saving mankind, or destroying it. The Tesla Institute stands on one side of the battle. Controlled by the mind of one of the greatest inventors in history, the Institute recruits gifted, young time travelers called Rifters. Those who survive his training are sent into history with the mission to preserve the time stream, recruit more of their kind, and better humanity through subtle, controlled event manipulation. Standing in the way are the Hollows, a rogue group of Rifters who have vowed to put an end to the Tesla Institute, at all costs. They steal, cheat, and bend history to their own ends. Using children stolen from time as their personal armies, they fight not only for control of time itself, but also for self-preservation.  

You can find, EXTRACTED, book 1 of The Lost Imperials everywhere books are sold.

February Classic: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The 2015 Classics Challenge set up by Stacey over at The Pretty Books. The goal is to read one classic a month and to blog about the experience. I've always wanted to read more classics and since I'm in a monthly classics book group, I thought this would be a great way to combine the two! This month, I've read Lord of the Flies, a book that I've wanted to read for years already.

WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS CLASSIC + WHY I CHOSE TO READ IT

I'm not sure when I discovered Lord of the Flies - it's one of those books that everyone has always read and yet I had no clue what it was about exactly. February is a short month, and a very busy month for me too, so I wanted to pick an easy-read classics (not realllyyyy the point of this challenge, I know). Lord of the Flies is short, only involves kids and has had great reviews so why not read it?

WHAT MAKES IT A CLASSIC

What doesn't make this book a classic? The writing is amazing and timeless - though the children are written like they're adults - and the moral of the story will never grow old. It shows the hideous side of human beings and how we fall apart as a group when there's no fixed structure. Even though the book focuses on kids, it doesn't take long for every reader to realise this could happen to them too.

WHAT I THOUGHT OF THIS CLASSIC

I'm kinda conflicted about this classics. It started off really slow and boring - I was confused by all the boys and they all seemed the same to me. However, about 50 pages in it, the action really starts and each boy develops a distinct personality. I loved it from that point on and read it in one go. Certain events even almost made me cry, which is very rare!

I wasn't extremely fond of the writing style. As I mentioned before, the kids are basically adults and there are a few unnecessarily descriptive paragraphs. But those things definitely didn't ruin the book at all for me. 

WILL IT STAY A CLASSIC

Yes. Yes. Yes. The message of this book is so timeless that there is no way this will ever not be  classics. As long as people and society doesn't suddenly do a 180, this book will always be a classic.

WHO I’D RECOMMEND IT TO

Anyone, but especially younger teens and teenagers. It can teach them so much about the world and I honestly think it could encourage them to change it. But if you're older and have never read it before, do pick it up.

New video!

Hello everyone,

this is a new kind of video - not a review but a little book game!

I also added the link of my youtube to my sidebar so make sure to check it out every Friday to stay up to date with my videos!