UEL English PEN Society Book Reviews

In my 'reading out my closet' collection I have to include The Famous Five books by Enid Blyton, which were extremely popular in my country and I've read every single one of them as a child.
The books follow the adventures of Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina or George as she likes to be called, who face different kinds of detective situations - think of them as a Scooby Doo gang (they even have a dog).
The reason why I wanted to include these series is because APPARENTLY they caused a massive controversy according to some of my Early Childhood Studies classes. There have been uproars about the books in regards to racism and gender stereotyping - presenting females as weak and males as strongest.
A couple of years back there was also a very controversial post where one Slovenian mom addressed the issue of her daughter reading the books and copying everything the characters are doing - like eating unhealthy, wanting to be a boy etc.

My interest in Little Women came from a Friends episode, when Rachel spoiled events of the book to Joey. I shared the same feelings as him when I was reading it as well, so well done Friends for spoiling a book to everyone.

Please Stop Laughing at me was one of the most painful reads I've ever encountered, probably because it's extremely close to my heart. The keyword of this story is BULLYING.
It follows the life of the almost naive Jodee, who just wanted to learn and be smart and have friends - this doesn't work out. Because of her ability to learn she encounters a variety of bullying from her peers, which forces her to switch schools several times until her parents got fed up with it.

It's amazing to see how backstabbing teenagers get and how they have no clue about their powers to hurt someone and to scar their mind. It clearly presents how school can go from heaven to hell in one day and it's interesting to see how Jodee has dealt with it. Words have consequences and I'd just like to say to the parents to try and see the bigger picture and to see what the kids are doing to each other.

She is now touring around the schools and talks about bullying. I'll let her story speak for itself - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eByfR2jeFtk

Of course, Jodee Blanco isn't the only person that's ever encountered bullying, but she's one of the few that openly speaks about it and tries to help people. Don't be an ass to somebody else and let them live.

xoxo Mandy

The next 4 reviews will be the final addition to this readathon from my part. I've never thought I'd actually be able to read so many books and I finally read most of my home library. If anyone is stuck on finishing their books I'd really recommend for them to do something like this - plus it helps us with our writing!

Why am I adding an autobiography into this? Because this is my absolute favorite thing anyone has ever written about the life of a celebrity. It pictures a perfect misunderstanding of how everyone things being a celebrity is such a cool thing - Geri Halliwell describes it as living in a bubble. You're being ripped to shreds and yet you still have to pretend you're strong and that you inspire people.

Her life story is quite shocking, but her quirky writing brings out some laughs as well. She gives us some insight on what happened in the Spice Girls from the audition stages, to the end, but also explains the negative effects of the celebrity life. It shows her battle with food and money and everything in between.
At some point it even discussed the big prince Harry mishap, and how apparently he had a picture of Baby Spice in his bedroom.

It's definitely a very light read and won't go over your head too much, but it's nice to get an insight on the celebrity life everyone adores so much.

xoxo Mandy

Another major book of my childhood, Jo March was definitely part of the reason that I realised I could actually pursue my passion for writing.
Have another image, this is from the 1994 film of "Little Women", the prequel to "Good Wives".

The book follows the exploits of four sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. It is said that the four girls represent some of the basic traits a woman should have; Meg=doting and obedient, Jo=passionate and determined, Beth=kind and compassionate, Amy=talented and elegant.
Meg is married to Jo's best friend's tutor, and they have twins together; Demi and Daisy. She is blissfully happy being John's wife, although sometimes feels selfish in wishing he earned slightly more.
Jo is my favourite by miles. After realising her best friend is in love with her, she flees to New York to help him gain some closure and her some experience. She is a writer and has no time for gossip and nonsense.
Beth was sickly with scarlet-fever in the last book and is still quite weak, but she has no goals to leave home, being perfectly happy to remain with Marmee and Father.
Amy has serious ideas above her station, and is delighted when their Aunt March chooses to take her to Paris. She enjoys art and thinks she will marry rich one day.
This is the second in the series, and I would honestly recommend reading all of them.

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

After becoming borderline obsessed with the recently-adapted musical of Dahl's masterpiece, I decided to re-read this wonderful book. I'd forgotten how much I adore it, one of the best compliments I've ever received is someone comparing me to Matilda.

Matilda focuses on a young girl with extraordinary mental capabilities. She has been born to the least understanding family possible, by a stroke of bad luck both of her parents are hideous human beings.
She starts school, only to find that the headmistress is even more atrocious than her parents, but finds comfort in her teacher, who instantly recognises her as being brilliant.

GODDAMNIT I DON'T WANT TO POST ANYTHING THAT MIGHT SPOIL IT, SO HERE ARE SOME STILLS FROM THE FILM.


Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.
P.S. Matilda totally has a happy ending

I've just stumbled upon this gem of book a few days ago after being a huge fan of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in my teenage years - I read it in a few hours after receiving it. This book makes me love and at the same time hate Ann Brashers so much.
The writing style  has matured an awful lot and fits into the story as the four friends that we know as Bridget, Lena, Carmen and Tibby are also now mature 30 year olds, who have drifted apart from each other. When they were teenagers, they shared 'magic' pants (mysteriously the pants fit all of them despite their different size) which they sent among them during their summer adventures. They believed the pants kept on bringing them back together, but once they were lost, the sisterhood drifted apart.

I like the way Brashers stayed true to the characters and presented their personalities in a way even an adult could relate to them - personality wise she hasn't changed them and you could predict how a character would react if you've read previous books.

I'm not gonna lie though - this is one of the few books that made me bawl my eyes out in the first half - I'd never expected in a million years for Ann Brashers to take on such a challenge and delivering such a plot twist - as I was reading the book I had to google some facts to make sure this was actually happening. The first half of the book is quite dark and expresses some raw emotions which will surely make you cry or at least leave you feeling a bit shocked. As the story progresses, it delivers more explanation and therefore somewhat lifts the mood of the book.

I will probably reread the entire series now, to see if there were any hints given about this in previous books, but Sisterhood Everlasting has truly left me speechless. If you're a fan of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, you won't regret it!

xoxo Mandy

THIS IS THE LAST ONE THAT'S OUT SO FAR. PLEASE WRITE MORE BOOKS ROSS CAMPBELL.
This is Trilby, she's definitely one of my favourites.

If I didn't already love these books enough, Ross Campbell helpfully put a map of Wet Moon (the town) in the front of this book. I love being able to orientate myself within a novel.
This book starts off with Fern's birthday sleepover, she's turning 21 and never had a beer before. Penny decides she's going to keep the baby, and nobody knows where Trilby is.
When she's eventually found by a passerby, the doctors have to perform immediate surgery, and then she slips into a coma. OH GOD I HATE MYRTLE SO MUCH URGH.
Audrey decides to tell her parents that she's gay after Slicer threatens to out her to them. They react exactly as she thought they would.
The doctors decide to bring Trilby out of her coma, she's okay but weak.
ROSS CAMPBELL, WRITE MORE PLEASE.

Trigger warnings; coma, homophobia, violence

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

This is Natalie, still totally a babe even with a huge scar.

Natalie's not exactly in a great position, but she is lucky that Unknown showed up before Myrtle could actually kill her (I'm assuming this was her intention, she's pretty violent). The others are all watching the softball game so have no idea what's going on.
Fern is planning a sleepover for her birthday as she's never had one before, and everyone keeps seeing weird things in the swamp (Malady sees a giant alligator, Glen a giant boar).
Turns out Beth isn't as nice to Audrey as she seems, they argue and she pushes her to the floor. Fortunately Audrey tells her to leave straight after and she does, leaving Audrey confused as to whether she still like her, or whether she should pursue Kinzoku. Natalie works with Mara for her project, photographing her. The two talk as they work on the shoot, making small talk, which is actually kind of nice.
AND THEN, OH GOD I HATED READING THIS BIT URGHHHHH, Trilby gets attacked. Like. Really serious. Myrtle is now on my black-list.

Trigger warnings; violence, domestic abuse

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

This is Audrey! Bit of background; she lives with a guy called Splicer (who steals her food) and babysits for extra money. She's also adorable.

Some of the girls play baseball (I think it's baseball, I'm pretty atrocious at any sport related knowledge), and the book opens with some of them practising (Audrey and Beth are a little bit cute). Trilby and Cleo are preparing to go to comic-con (mass nerd gathering, it's rad), Glen made their outfits. Not sure if I've mentioned Glen, he's kinda on the outskirts of the group. And his boyfriend's adorable.
Natalie and Mara are hanging out more; Mara learns about Natalie's sisters, who are conjoined twins (joined at the heads). Mara also agrees to go to comic-con with Trilby and Cleo, Myrtle can't go because she's working. Audrey loses one of the girls she's meant to be baby-sitting, but finds her...in bed with her house-mate, eiwww. Mara and Cleo kiss, which is kinda super-awkward but they both sort of like it.
And Cleo gets a job! Yaaaaaay! Her first day is kind of shitty, but hey, whose isn't? She and her colleague (Zia) almost get mugged on the way home, but a masked vigilante who refers to themself as "Unknown" shows up out of nowhere and knocks the guy out. Cleo then goes to surprise her sister, only to arrive just as Vincent (ex-vomit-inducing-boyfriend) leaves. Penny had no idea she dated him due to Cleo trying to keep it a major secret.
It's not baseball, it's softball. My bad.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger orgy; Natalie gets her face slashed open by Myrtle (she doesn't know it's her), everyone's warming up for a softball game, and Martin's getting ready to meet Trilby's parents.

Trigger warnings; violence, drug-use, underage sex.

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

Kinzoku is rad, okay?

Cleo and Trilby head to the tattoo parlour together (Cleo gets a design that Myrtle drew, whilst Trilby gets something subtly Star Trek) and Trilby tries to persuade Cleo to hook up with Myrtle.
Proof that Martin and Trilby are adorable; he totally knows what her tattoo is, but promises not to tell anyone. He also lets her put eyeliner on him when they go out to a club (squeeee), unfortunately the night is somewhat clouded by Cleo pretty much knocking a guy out for bumping into her whilst moshing.
Poor Audrey doesn't seem to know what to do, when Kinzoku sees her with Beth, she punches Beth straight in the face (while she's eating a sandwich and everything, I mean, come on, there are limits). Audrey tries to break it up, and ends up going home with Beth and sleeping over at hers.
Cleo and Myrtle later get officially "together" and Myrtle meets Cleo's family.
Cleo's sister Penny is pregnant and not so sure on who the father is, but it transpires she's (unknowingly) sleeping with Cleo's ex-boyfriend.

Trigger warnings; self-harm, violence, cats going missing.

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

I'ma just give you some art with each review. YOU'RE WELCOME, YOU UNCULTURED SWINE. This is Malady, one of Cleo's flat-mates.

The book begins with a flashback to highschool, showing us how eager Mara was to please, and how abrasive Cleo was. Rather a role-reversal given that now Mara is violent and unrelenting, whereas Cleo is far more meek.
Audrey has a new neighbour, Kinzoku, would she instantly hits it off with, despite the fact she's been pining after Beth, a girl who took weeks to call her back. Cleo has a black eye from running into another girl (Myrtle) outside of class, and decides to bleach her hair blonde, a decision she toys with regretting for the rest of the novel. Trilby's getting closer and closer to Martin (one of Audrey's friends she insisted she wouldn't like), and Mara narrowly escapes beating the shit out of her ex-love's new lady by being distracted by a "Cleo eats it" sign. Keeping up?
Cleo and Myrtle get progressively closer as the novel goes on, so much so that Cleo tells Myrtle the tragic tale of how her and mystery vomit-causing boy parted ways (man, it was brutal).
Cleo and Trilby go round to the house (more like a mansion, damn) of Fern, Penny's employer, by her invitation, in order to sniff out anything dodgy. They find nothing, but actually get on pretty well with Fern.

AND RIGHT AT THE END, MYRTLE KISSES CLEO. DAAAAAAMN. Cleo isn't 100% sure who/what she likes.

Trigger warnings; self-harm, being dumped

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

Before I start, let me just say how highly I recommend you go and check out Ross Campbell's artwork right now. No? I'll post a little sample here then so you're not missing out. This is the main character.

Wet Moon follows Cleo Lovedrop, an American teenager who's not really sure of anything except that she really wishes she wouldn't vomit whenever she sees a certain young man. Feeble Wanderings starts off with Cleo moving into a new house in order to start at a college (she studies English and Literature). She moves in with the mysterious Natalie and the semi-friendly Malady, both of whom have already been living at the house for some time.
We meet Cleo's close friends; Trilby (secret Star Trek fan, shh, don't tell anyone), Audrey (adorable and either vegan or vegetarian) and Mara (kinda super abrasive and angry a lot after discovering the boy she was dating is now with a girl she has pretty low opinions of). Cleo keeps a diary, and this is shown in the book in handwriting passages, a clever way of tying it in. The gang also keep discovering little signs around the town reading "Cleo eats it", which nobody seems to be able to explain. Cleo and her half-sister Penny get on about as well as you'd expect, but Penny's employer Fern has taken an almost unhealthy interest in Cleo, which worries Penny a little.

Trigger warnings; feelings of isolation, medication, self-harm

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

This was a book that I discovered in my creative writing module handbook (we had to analyze a small part of the book) and I found it very intriguing, especially since I work at a place that has to deal with scents (but I am in no way a murderer :)) Its dark imagery is absolutely fascinating and even though the plot is far from ordinary, the reader is able to imagine the places and people quite clearly.

The book is based in France in 18th Century and it starts by introducing the main character, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, who is born with a strong ability to smell everything and everyone around him. He becomes an apprentice for a perfumist(?) who taught him how to create perfumes. As he created different scents, he was determined to find the ultimate perfume - which he later on discovered was coming from a woman. He is determined to capture that scent, no matter what it takes.

Even though I wouldn't classify this novel as a horror story, there were times when it was quite graphic, but there were other times where the story seemed to drag on. Nevertheless, it is still an amazing, different story, especially if you're into historic books.

Happy reading!

xoxo Mandy

In order to avoid being monotonous, I figured I should be reading something other than graphic/novels written/drawn by British and American authors/illustrators.

So, allow me to introduce you to Hans Koppel, Scandinavian and not afraid to be brutal.
I'm not sure what it is about them, but they can really write atrociously close-to-home sexual assault scenes (see also "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo").

"She's Never Coming Back" centres around a woman who peaked in high school and treats her husbands pretty shittily. She goes missing (much to his anguish), apparently having abandoned him and their seven year old daughter. Little do they know, Ylva is being kept closer to home than they think, and in more a bizarre situation that they could have imagined.

A novel that proves what you do in high school can very much come back and bite you in the arse, "She's Never Coming Back" is gritty and has twists that make you put the book down and do a little scream to yourself.

TRIGGER WARNINGS; violence, degrading language, rape, adultery.

I'd definitely recommend this one, read it in a day because I didn't want to put it down at all!

Until next time (probably soon, getting back into my reading groove),
Emerald Elizabeth.

Hardened ex-policeman, jaded and recovering smoker, seeks ticket to America to avoid personal issues and escape memories of his past.
If main character Jack Taylor had written a lonely hearts ad, it would probably read something like this.
Except, it wouldn't. Because of the wonderfully blunt narrative voice used in this novel, you're bullshit-free, pretty refreshing given the normal emotional spiel that comes along with crime/horror.

The devil is toying with him, and Jack knows it. SO, he comes up with an excellent plan of smoking lots, drinking more and trying to figure out how to escape Satan.

A clever mix of English and Irish language, this novel is pretty funny in places.

Trigger warnings; violence, death, mutilation.

Would recommend.

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

ASDFGHJKL, I LOVE THIS BOOK.

I've read this book before, but it's on my reading-list for one of my modules for next semester, so I got to read it again!
An interesting mix of Sci-Fi and Horror, it's a far cry from the usual helpless babes in bikinis or mad scientists playing with genealogy.

Situated in a dystopian future where the human race has essentially been wiped out, this novel follows Robert Neville, "the last living man on Earth" as he battles the vampiric beings the rest of mankind has become.
Definitely heart-stopping in places as well as accurately portraying the isolation and loneliness that would come with being the last one of your race, do not read this novel if you're looking for a quiet night in with a chilled-out book. I (stupidly) started re-reading it at approx. one a.m. in the house ON MY OWN. Queue texts to boyfriend (at his home and already asleep) with increasing levels of panic. Had to use the loo in the middle of a particularly scary bit, and took a lightsaber with me.

As previously stated, a super-clever mix of just enough science to make sense and horror that will keep you needing the light on (if your imagination is as active as mine!).

Trigger warnings; loneliness, sexual-deprivation, violence

Would SO SO SO definitely recommend.

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

Additional; don't watch the film. Not nearly as good, and only barely linked to the story.

Holy shit, this book was awful.
It's not often that I want to actually stop reading something before I've finished, but good lord, this was bad. Literally the only reason I read until the end was because of the readathon.
The front cover bills it as "groundbreaking erotica". I'm not even joking, not even one little bit of this book was erotic. The only 'groundbreaking' bit was a scene where the protagonist has a snake inserted into her (AND LIKES IT), and even that was different for all the wrong reasons.
There are several things that should never be included in a romantic-fantasy novel (using the word 'novel' here in the loosest possible sense), and one of them is CHILDREN. There is a scene in this book where a child's paintbrush is used in a distinctly un-artistic way.
I mean, is nothing sacred?!
The final straw for me was a chapter involve a live snake. Jesus H. I hurried through the rest of the book, and now doubt I'll ever be aroused again.

Trigger warnings; piss-play, forced sexual actions, BDSM, animal cruelty

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.

ADDITIONAL; if anyone wants the book (and the sequel, they were on offer) LET ME KNOW. YOU CAN HAVE IT. FOR FREE. IT'S AWFUL.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

I've finally jumped on the bandwagon and read all three Hunger Games books, so join me on this review saga.
In my humble opinion, the first book of the trilogy was the best one. It had the best dialogue,  best quirky lines and wasn't revolved so much around the silly love triangle that every  teenage book seems to have.
What I love about The Hunger Games is that it presents tough political views in a way that teenagers could understand it.
It's set up in the USA future, in a nation called Panem. Panem is split into 12 districts, district 1 being the richest and district 12 being the poorest. Each district holds a special 'talent', such as mining, fishing, hunting etc. and they are the providers for the ultimate evil, the Capitol, which is presented as a more diverse version of New York.
The Capitol controls the districts, and makes sure no one rebels, by running annual Hunger Games, where two kids (one male and one female) from each district fight against other districts and each other and only one can be crowned a winner.

Katinss Everdeen volunteers to take place in the Hunger Games for her sister Prim, and therefore saves her life. Through her eyes, we truly see the evil that happens in Hunger Games  - most of the contestants show no mercy and don't mind slitting throats of 10 year olds. Allies are formed in order for the contestants to be stronger and lovers are created in order to appeal to the public (the entire games are filmed and shown in every district). Appealing to the public means that  you get potential help from sponsors, who might or might not save your life and help you win the games.

There is a lot more to the story, but as it is full of details it is best if you just trust me on this one and read the book.
There is lots of crying and holding your breath in the first book, so if you are looking for a thrill that is read by adults and teenagers (and is not 50 Shades of Grey), go read Hunger Games!
Stay tuned for part 2 and part 3 review!

xoxo Mandy

By S. Adler with L.J. Spagnola

I'm a pretty big fan of rock and roll. So, when I saw Steven Adler's (drummer of Guns N' Roses) autobiography in my local library, I was pretty stoked.

After reading it, I now feel kind of emotionally-drained. It's crazily honest, even about the stupid shit that he used to get up to. If you read this book, likelihood is you'll end up throwing it across the room at times shouting "WHY STEVEN WHY?!". Then you'll go pick it back up and want to cuddle him and stop him doing heroin.
Honestly, I actually laughed and cried with this book. Say what you will about Adler, but he's talented, charming, and downright sweet. He doesn't try to slag off the other founding members of Guns N' Roses, he states brutally what their faults are, but none are as mentioned so much as his own.
This is a man who knows his vices, who understands his demons and who is currently facing them head on.

Keep rocking Adler, don't you stop.

Trigger warnings; drugs, sex, addiction, depression

Until next time,
Emerald Elizabeth.