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Thursday 10 November 2016

REVIEW: The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis


Title: The Sidekicks
Author: Will Kostakis
Publication Date: February 29th, 2016
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The Swimmer. The Rebel. The Nerd.

All Ryan, Harley and Miles had in common was Isaac. They lived different lives, had different interests and kept different secrets. But they shared the same best friend. They were sidekicks. And now that Isaac's gone, what does that make them?





Review


Rather than being a story of each boys lives after the death of their best friend, The Sidekick was a subtle way to explore the depths of friendship, acceptance and grief all in a very short time frame. This contemporary didn't pack a punch, which at first I was slightly disappointed about, but it's more of a slow burning and memorable read that even now I am still mulling over.

I liked that it depicted the bonds of friendship and how it can extend to those who seem so different but underneath all their veneer is still human and share the same emotions as ourselves. There were some really touching moments that I can still remember despite finishing this about two weeks ago. I liked that the different aspects of grief was depicted, and that there is nothing wrong if your own way of coping with loss is not deemed as "normal". I liked that the characters preconceived notions of each other were challenged until they realised that they never really gave each other a chance because they were consumed with their own worlds.

All three characters - Ryan, Harley and Miles - were written with some depth and because their narrative is from their perspective it was interesting to be in their heads and understand how they felt. However, it did become a little disjointed as I jumped from one person to another and I kept wondering what the other character was thinking while being with another. The character I found hardest to connect with was Miles and I think that came down to how his section was written. It was almost script like, which made me feel like I was just a viewer peering into his life and I just felt disconnected. I definitely found Harley to be the most real and personal, and maybe that's because I think Harley and I would've been great friends is he was real (haha).

The Sidekicks is relatable, touching and carries importance about friendship. It works towards delivering a message and I think on this point Kostakis has succeeded in doing that with his writing. It's a short read and worth discovering because I feel like this one will give everyone a different experience.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I've Added To My To-Be-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we list our top ten according to the a topic of the week. Check out future topics here

Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR List
It was so hard to decide on which books to add to this list! I added my most recent purchases along with books that have peaked my interest and want to read ASAP. 
1. Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas
I know, I know. How have I not read this one yet?! But I'm getting there guys, I'm getting there.

2. Zeroes (Zeroes #1) by Scott Westerfield, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti 
I do have high hopes for this series - a group of teenager with super powers who have goes on missions - so fingers crossed it pulls it off. 

3. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 
Such an Aussie YA classic, I really hope that I'll enjoy this - getting ready for sentimental High School moments. 

4. Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow 
I'm surprised this caught my eye because I'm not a huge contemporary reader, but I do feel like this could be a tear jerker. 

5. The Thousandth Floor (The Thousandth Floor #1) by Katherine McGee
Gossip Girl set in the future can go two ways - I'm hoping it's the good way.
6. Learning To Swear In America by Katie Kennedy 
I'm pretty sure this book has nothing to do with swearing but I swearing is part of my vocabulary and I can't just let this one go?

7. Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
Three sisters with three different powers ready to battle it out for the crown. Strap me in peeps, I'm ready.

8. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
Gothic retelling of Jane Eyre?! I'm there. 

A fictional recount of the history of the 70s-90s criminal scene, this appeals to my love for History and Crime History.

Rarely do I read non-fiction but again history buff in me, I really want to check this out because a customer at my workplace actually introduced this to me. 

What Books Are On Your Recent TBR List?

Thursday 3 November 2016

A Very Overdue Wrap Up

It is now the end of October and it's been almost 3 months since I've last shared with you guys what I've been reading/enjoying. Although to be fair I actually haven't read that much. I'm just going to do a collective wrap up of what's been on my blog and the books I've read! 

Catch Up On


Before 2016 ends check out what I enjoyed the most during the first half of the year 

I write all about why Sirius Black is my favourite character and the role he plays in the series 

It was #LoveOzYA during July and I, along with other Aussie bloggers, celebrated it through a blog hop

Get to know me more!

I shared 4 reasons why I love blogging and 4 blogging tips and celebrated with a giveaway!

See what I got up to while I was away. Trust me, there was a lot. 

Reviews 


          

Reading Time


July 
For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund 
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by John Tiffany & Jack Thorne 

October
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan 
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins


I am currently working on more content so hang tight! I feel like August-October is always the month that I disappear from the blogging world and whilst excuses will always be excuses, life really does get in the way! I hope you guys have been fantastic though. I've missed you all!

How Was October For You?