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Friday 28 February 2014

New Adult: Mini Book Review

A week ago, I had written a post explaining the hype around the up and coming genre: New Adult (read here). Besides just doing some google searches as my research, I also managed to read a few books in order to cement my thoughts about them.

I have to say, I have reached a verdict on New Adult (watch below), and it really did help that I read those few books.



The books I've read are: My Favourite Mistake - Chelsea M. Cameron, Rule - Jay Crownover and Fallen Too Far - Abbi Glines.



My Favourite Mistake: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17348308-my-favorite-mistake

Rule: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17200687-ruleFallen Too Far:

Fallen Too Far: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18048577-fallen-too-far

Book Depository Affiliate: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=0861

If you've read any of these novels tell me what you thought below! Or recommend me a New Adult novel you think I should read

Tuesday 25 February 2014

TOP FIVE: Male Protagonists

This was actually so hard to choose considering I haven't read many male POVs. I kind of tweaked it a bit to fit my reasonings, but finally I managed.

So here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3jINIDjMGA

Thursday 20 February 2014

City of Heavenly Fire Snippet Release

Author of The Mortal Instruments series, Cassandra Clare was generous enough to gift fans a small excerpt from the last instalment for the series. Clare released the snippet on Valentine's Day on her Tumblr page.

“Julian,” said Jia, in the same gentle voice, “would you do something for us? Would you take up the Mortal Sword?”



Clary sat up straight. She had held the Mortal Sword: she had felt the weight of it. The cold, like hooks in your skin, dragging the truth out of you. You couldn’t lie holding the Mortal Sword, but the truth, even a truth you wanted to tell, was agony.

“They can’t,” she whispered. “He’s just a kid —“

“He’s the oldest of the kids who escaped the Institute,” Jace said under his breath. “They don’t have a choice.”

Julian nodded, his thin shoulders straight. “I’ll take it.”

Robert Lightwood passed behind the podium then and went to the table. He took up the sword and returned to stand in front of Julian. The contrast between them was almost funny: the big, barrel-chested man and the lanky, wild-haired boy. 

Julian reached a hand up and took the sword. As his hand closed around the hilt, he shuddered, a ripple of pain that was quickly forced down. Emma, behind him, started forward, and Clary caught a glimpse of the look on her face — pure fury — before Helen caught at her and pulled her back.




To be quite honest, I have no idea what that was about, but I'm guessing die hard fans were really excited. City Of Heavenly Fire is due to release May 27th, 2014.

(Source: Cassandra Clare's Tumblr)



Wednesday 19 February 2014

TOP FIVE: Unread Authors

Ok, so I do read a lot of books. But even if I keep on reading and reading, I never manage to get to some of the best and well known authors there are. When I thought about this topic, I struggled a little to pick five. Not going to lie, I did some research - you know, google search: top 100 authors.

Anyways! Here's my top five unread authors guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fkhY_NRHh4

Wednesday 12 February 2014

New Adult - A New Stage In Life (?)

I'm not sure when this became a new genre in the reading world, but I'm only just beginning to explore it now.

If you don't know New Adult is a genre that aims to cover the transition from Young Adult to Adult fiction. In a typical plot, it'll combine a passionate love story with deep and emotional topics such as rape, family problems and other scarring issues you can think of. Not so explicit as adult Erotica, New Adult does expose readers to sexual intimacies between characters of the novel.

I really do want to find a concrete definition but apparently there isn't one yet, and I'm not willing to believe Wikipedia (yet). You just need to understand that's it people in 20's beginning to explore "adult" things. Think Twilight fiction, only better written and thought through and I guess thats it. Another way to think about it is "College Romance".

Doesn't sound that exciting right? The hype around it begs to differ. More and more readers are now delving into the genre, seeking a little more excitement than the usual YA but not really ready for whats in store with Adult function. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea but I can see why it's so addictive for many people.

Firstly, it gives teenagers the ability to read mature content that's appropriate (enough). Erotica is always such a taboo, especially during the teen years but New Adult makes it possible for readers to do some further exploring. Although I do know a couple of people who have freely admitted to liking Ffity Shades of Grey. And secondly, it's different. Whilst romances in YA novels are cute and sweet, there's nothing as thrilling as reading about a passionate relationship. Especially if there's been an immense amount of tension that's built up till the right moments.

I have to admit, I was really hesitant with this genre. I had no idea what it is so I had to do some research and then I looked up novels that have been popular. I actually think the front covers exaggerate the story a lot. They all don't leave much to the imagination and look controversial, but the stories are a lot more than just sex.

In the end, I had to read it for myself. I'm actually surprised by how much I did enjoy the novel. It's not the best type of story, but it was entertaining. I managed to finish off the novel in 3 hours because I was pretty much captivated by the stereotypical love line between the characters who couldn't admit to their attraction for each other. Now that I think about, it's actually quite relatable. The characters go through most things that people in their 20s do, including emotions that a lot of us try to hide.

I'm not sure I'll continue to read New Adult novels. It was great while it lasted but there are other novels I'm a lot more interested in reading. Still, if I ever feel the need to get a little excited over somebody's love life, I know where to go.

Popular reads include:

  • Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

  • Ten Tiny Breaths - K.A Tucker

  • Pushing The Limits - Katie McGarrie

  • The Vincent Boys - Abbi Glines


If you've ever read anything from New Adult, tell me what it was and if you enjoyed it or not!

 

Monday 10 February 2014

Counting Down: My Top Five

4. Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan


Plot: 

Meet Will Grayson and will grayson. Yes, they are two different people, unknown of each others existence. Will tries to float through life without being noticed - a feat that is barely manageable considering his best friend is name Tiny, but is larger than anything and very much gay. will has no reason to really live, besides a developing online relationship.

Their coincidental meeting one night leads to a story of maturity, acceptance and identity.

Reason:

As a collaborative novel,  I find that Will Grayson, Will Grayson provides a bit more than what John Green usually has in his novels. I am a big fan of his writing and do enjoy his other novels but I think WG, WG  is probably the best.

Whilst Green wrote the chapters for Will, Levithan was the brain behind will. Their writing really complimented each other though, with the transitions being seamless yet, able to differentiate between both characters. I found though, that both Will's acted only as a vehicle for the meaning of the story. Instead, it's Tiny - Will's best friend - that really stole the "show" and became my favourite character. Tiny embodied the values and morals that readers will learn once finishing the novel, and he was such a vivacious character. Probably the one most memorable character out of all of Green's novels is Tiny.

I would have to say the reason why I loved WG, WG so much is because of its story. As a coming of age story, WG, WG is very much relatable for high schoolers. Both Wills experience identity crisis although in their own ways and struggle to really fit in somehow in their life. If you don't identify with one "Will", you might with the other.

The concept of parallel lives is also quite interesting. I mean its not that easy to walk down the streets and find someone with the same name as you. Is it?

Overall, WG WG has a message that should speak volumes to YA readers. It's touching and has great characters. (Although in this novel the female characters aren't that great, so that's a minor problem). I loved the ending and would have to say Tiny is an inspiration to live by.

Also, just a minor warning. If you're quite conventional in regards to homosexuality then I have to tell you now, this novel does cover that issue quite a bit. If you're not okay with it then maybe this isn't for you.

Favourite Quote:

“In my kind of falling, there’s no landing. There’s only hitting the ground. Hard. Dead, or wanting to be dead. So the whole time you’re falling, it’s the worst feeling in the world. Because you feel you have no control over it. Because you know how it ends.”

Monday 3 February 2014

January Wrap Up

So I managed to do quite some reading this month. A lot actually, which is good considering I need to get a head start on my 2014 Reading Challenge.

For the first time this month I did an unboxing video, which was so fun and now I realise why many booktubers do it as well. Although I'm going to have to say I probably won't ever be buying as many books as I did this month.



I also took part in the Bout of Books 9.0 Readathon, which lasted a week. I really did try hard to finish all books I was planning to read but things kind of got in the way?



All in all, I think it's been a splendid month.



Reviews For This Month: