Book Review #706 - Saving Jazz by Kate McCaffrey

Jasmine Lovely has it all – the looks, the grades, the friends. But when a house party spins out of control, Jazz discovers what can happen when your mistakes go viral ...

We know our kids are at risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying. But do we know how at risk they are of becoming perpetrators? This controversial new novel tackles cyberbullying from a whole new perspective.

My Rating: 5/10

This review is likely to contain spoilers so you have been warned!

This book tackles a very serious topic that is prevalent in society today. The book approached this topic in a very intense and realistic way. 

I loved the small town setting of Greenhead, especially as it was set in my home state of Western Australia and I had actually been to the town which made the book feel even more realistic for me.

The narrator Jasmine at first comes across as someone likable and relatable as she supports her friend who is being cyberbullied. It is not until midway through the book that Jasmine's real role in the whole thing is revealed that I started seeing her differently. 

It was interesting to have the narrator be in that role and not the victim like any other book probably would have done especially the way it was suddenly sprung on the reader. 

After the big reveal, I felt like Jasmine was trying too hard at trying to play at being a victim when this was very far from the case. 

Overall, I loved that this book was brave enough to tackle this type of story especially in the way it did, but I didn't connect to it as much as I expected to mostly because of the way Jasmine tried to be the victim rather than owning up to what she did. 

Book Review #705 - Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

My Rating: 7.5/10

I have read all John Green's previous novels and loved the majority of them and so I had relatively high expectations for this one. I would say that for the most part my expectations were met, although never exceeded. 

Aza was an intriguing protagonist and her battle with mental illness was portrayed really realistically and felt very raw especially as because she is the narrator, it was never glossed over in any way. 

I loved the mystery component with the story although I felt like this took a backseat to Aza's mental health issues throughout and the mystery never really took priority until the end. 

Aza was definitely an introvert and her best friend Daisy was the total opposite and they really balanced one another out thus creating a really interesting friendship. 

This book reminded me of how much I love John Green's unique writing style especially his way with dialogue and how quotable all of his books are. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, not as much as The Fault in Our Stars which retains its title as my favourite John Green novel but it is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2017! 

Book Review #704 - Supernatural: The Roads Not Taken by Tim Waggoner

Whether the reader is new to the Supernatural family or has been with them since the beginning, they’re in for a wild and surprising ride with Supernatural: The Roads Not Taken.

For the first time ever, you can make decisions alongside Sam and Dean Winchester in their quest to battle monsters, demons, and every Big Bad looking to crawl out of the dark recesses of America’s small towns. Open up a local paper in a diner and pick which strange occurrence the boys will investigate first. Jump headfirst into your very own adventure with the Winchester brothers and pick your cover story: will you be an FBI agent, reporter, or bikini inspector? Figure out which lead to follow. Decide whether to split up or stay together. Do you call Bobby Singer for help? And remember, the clock is ticking! If you make the wrong decision, another victim could meet a dark and gory death.

Demons, spirits, and ghouls lurk around every corner, waiting to get the drop on Sam and Dean — and only by following all the clues, interviewing the right suspects, and making the right choices can you lead them to victory. This heart-pounding interactive adventure will be broken down into a series of five original stories, each with branching storylines and multiple endings, all based on the choices the reader makes.

My Rating: 6/10

I used to read a lot of 'Choose your own adventure' books as a kid and loved how you could reread the book numerous times and get a different story each time. This book isn't like that however, as your choices have consequences. If you don't pick the right option each time, you get Sam and Dean killed. 

I have read a number of Supernatural related books now but this book is definitely the closest I have found that captured Dean and Sam's personalities. 

I loved the ending how the four very short stories all connected together unexpectedly. 

Book Review #703 - Billy Slater Autobiography by Billy Slater

During a long and decorated career with the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia, Billy Slater has forged a reputation as not merely one of rugby league’s great fullbacks, but as one of the best players in the game’s long history. Slater’s story is that of a young country recruit with superb natural talent who rose quickly to the top level, playing with the Storm after just one pre-season in Melbourne and starring for Queensland during just his second season in the NRL. But inside the player who has scored so many audacious tries on the game’s biggest stages is a fierce competitive drive and a relentless work ethic, one inherited from parents who worked tirelessly to provide for their two children.In his fourteen years in the NRL, Slater has been confronted by the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, career-threatening injuries, the disappointment of lost grand finals, his early axing from the Queensland team, a game-losing mistake with the Kangaroos and accusations about his allegedly rough style of play. Slater has emerged not merely as a great of the game, but as an even more resilient character, a respected spokesman for his sport, a devoted husband and father, and – in a moment of emotional vindication – a member of the Storm’s defiant 2012 premiership team. Billy’s story is told with contributions from Slater’s family, as well as other rugby league legends like Cooper Cronk, Craig Bellamy, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.

My Rating: 6/10

First of all I absolutely love the cover of this book, especially as I am a fan of both the Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons (my mum grew up in QLD). 

Billy Slater is my favourite rugby league player. He is such an exciting player to watch and comes across as a very genuine, down to earth person. 

His story is a very honest one with a lot of interesting stories throughout from his childhood to when he first met Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. 

The book ends after Billy's successful return from injury in the state of origin match. It feels rather unfinished as the rest of the year was obviously a very successful one for Billy with QLD winning game 3, the Storm being premiers and also it being a World Cup year. 

Book Review #702 - Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

EXILED from her safe home in the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria finds herself in the outer wastelands known as the Death Shop. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent energy storms will. There she meets a savage, an Outsider named Perry – wild, dangerous – who is her only chance of survival. 

But Perry needs Aria, too, and they are forced into an unlikely alliance that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

My Rating: 6/10

This is a YA dystopian series that was popular when it was first released but not one I ever seemed to get around to reading.

First of all I thought that the world building was not as strong as I would have liked it to have been, just even on a basic scale. 

Aria grew up in the pods, an underground area that is protected from the outside elements where they have superior technology. This upbringing made her rather sheltered and privileged.

On the other hand, Perry grew up outside in the elements where everything is about survival. I loved his relationship with his nephew Talon. In fact Perry's whole family dynamic was an interesting element that I hope to see explored in future books.

I found the plot progressed rather slowly. Most of the book is Aria and Perry travelling and so there was very little action for long periods of time. 

Overall, I think I probably would have enjoyed this book more had I read it during its hype, but I still managed to enjoy it and I looking forward to continuing on with series sometime hopefully this year. 

Book Review #701 - Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad's old costume, Elle's determined to win - unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons - before he was famous. Now they're nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he has ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake - until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again?

Part-romance, part-love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom.

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm not really a huge reader of retellings as I'm not really a fan of fairytales at all and I never feel as if the retellings are unique enough.

This book, however, was one I was willing to try as it seemed like an unique, modern, pop-culture heavy story. 

I read this book in one sitting because it was just so much fun and easy to read. I read this book just after I had been to a comic-con and so I feel like that made me enjoy the book even more given that the book is centered around the build-up to a fan convention. 

I loved how this book included all the Cinderella references in really unique, quirky ways like the pumpkin food truck. 

I loved the inclusion of technology and that the romance really centered around it as it helped with the modern feel of the story. 

Book Review #700 - The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #7) by Jeff Kinney

Love is in the air - but what does that mean for Greg Heffley?

 

 

A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation.

 

 

An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love.

 

 

My Rating: 3/5

 

 

It had been a while since I last read a Wimpy Kid book when I decided to pick this one up. I find these books are perfect to read between dense fantasy books. I find it quick and easy to jump straight back into these books.

 

 

Even though this is the seventh book in the series, it still managed to contain the same amount of charm and humour as the previous six books did.

 

This book is centred around Valentine's Day and so even though the characters grew up a little, Greg was still at his immature best and managing to screw things up in ways only Greg could possibly manage.

 

 

I liked how this book centred not just heavily around Greg's school, but also his home life as the previous books seem to just focus on one or the other, or focus on one more than the other.

Book Review #699 - Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. 

But that past has caught up with her. 

Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424 — one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. 

From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. 

My Rating: 3/5

As a casual viewer of the Netflix series (I think I've seen the first 2 or 3 seasons) of the same name, I was interested in this book to see how realistic the show is because fortunately, I know absolutely nothing about the prison experience.

Piper Kerman gives a harrowing account of her experience in a minimum security prison. There were aspects that the show has incorporated well like the strip searches, the showers and even some confrontations with other inmates.

There were so many characters from the show in the book even though most were not mentioned by name, or had an extremely lower role. 

Piper comes across as humble. She was very aware of her privileged background in comparison to her fellow inmates but she used this to help others like doing her bunkmate's coursework. 

One thing I definitely liked more about the book than the show was Piper's partner Larry. I do not like him at all in the show, but in the book he was 100% supportive and kept Piper's networking going, because being incarcerated can really kill your social life.

Book Review #698 - Three Men in a Boat (Three Men #1) by Jerome K. Jerome

Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them to a ‘T’. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather forecasts and tins of pineapple chunks—not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.’s small fox-terrier Montmorency.

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was a hard book for me to review because I had so many mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I absolutely loved the humour! This book had me literally laughing out loud with tears in my eyes at times and it amazed me that a book that is almost coming up to being 130 years old could still have that effect.

On the other hand however, between the witty antidotes the narrative was quite boring with so much information about scenery and history of each little town they passed.

This book also contained a dog which I loved especially as he had a strong presence and personality.