New Book: Addition

Title: Addition

Author: Toni Jordan

Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts. The letters in her name (19). The steps she takes every morning to the local café (920). The number of poppy seeds on her orange cake, which dictates the number of bites she'll take to eat it. Grace counts everything, because that way there are no unpleasant surprises.

Seamus Joseph O'Reilly (also a 19) thinks she might be better off without the counting. If she could hold down a job, say. Or open her cupboards without conducting an inventory, or leave her flat without measuring the walls.

Grace's problem is that Seamus doesn't count. Her other problem is . . . he does.

As Grace struggles to balance a new relationship with old habits, to find a way to change while staying true to herself, she realises that nothing is more chaotic than love.

First thoughts: Reading this for yet another school library project. The task is to select a social or ethical issue and read a novel based on that genre. I understand that mental health is a very important problem, but I admit I know very little about it... Therefore I took the opportunity to learn as much as possible about it. My novel focuses mainly on OCD. I've never come across this novel nor it's author but let's give it a go!

A quick note: format change

After months of frantic reading, reviewing and writing up, I have finished my school project. However! This doesn't mean I'm stopping blogging. For the meantime, I am going to continue but I want to inform you of some of the changes. 

1. I won't be posting as frequently. (exams are coming up at an alarming rate)
2. The posts won't be broken down into as many parts. I'm thinking 'new book', 'interim' and 'concluding' responses. That way, hopefully, I won't ramble or waffle on. 
3. The genre is no longer fixed on historical fiction - it can be anything! The freedom!

Happy reading, Kate x

Concluding Response: The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald certainly doesn't feed it to you on a spoon - the reader has to do a lot of digging between the lines - making an overall air of mystery. Plot-changing events happen so quickly; you might blink and miss them. If I hadn't seen the film first (whoops) it would have been very unpredictable. I'm going to say it again: there is an astonishing quantity of content concentrated into only 170 pages of text! I also found the setting and time period fascinating - I've never read anything of that time. Thoroughly enjoyed it - just as much as the film, if not even more so! It's crying out for a prequel (maybe there is one (I'm not sure)). 
Definitely recommend (it's an American classic after all) but READ THE BOOK FIRST!!!

Happy reading, Kate x

P.S: Perhaps, I might look into reading another of his books - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

Interim Response: The Great Gatsby

So much has happened in such a short space of time! The plot is very fast paced, yet at the same time very rich in detail and description. I love all the added snippets of information that the film didn't provide. The style of writing is quite complex (as is to be expected of such a great classic) but overall is easy(ish) to follow. The characters are incredibly vivacious, curious and mysterious - especially Gatsby! Eager to continue ....

Happy reading, Kate x

New Book: The Great Gatsby

Title: The Great Gatsby

Author: F.Scott Fitzgerald

Written: 1925
Set: 1922

Midwest native Nick Carraway arrives in 1922 New York in search of the American dream. Nick, a would-be writer, moves in next-door to millionaire Jay Gatsby and across the bay from his cousin Daisy  and her philandering husband, Tom. Thus, Nick becomes drawn into the captivating world of the wealthy and -- as he bears witness to their illusions and deceits -- pens a tale of impossible love, dreams, and tragedy.

First thoughts: I'm going to plead guilty to a book crime.... I watched the film first. It is usually regarded as a sin to do so, but the film was extraordinary (and very tempting)! Despite that I have been meaning to read this for AGES and the opportunity has arrived! I have high expectations.....

Happy reading, Kate x

Concluding Response: The Book Thief

I have just finished the final page of 'The Book Theif' and am genuinely sobbing into my duvet... The ending is so cruel it rips at your heart strings!

The plot is a mesh of tightly woven threads that create one grey cloth of human suffering, joy and friendship.

I might mention that this book is over 500 pages long, and over the duration of the story, you really do bond with the characters. It's incredible how attached you can become to a fictional family!

I would urge you to read this magnificent book if you haven't already (and if you have, REREAD IT!!).

There's not much more I can say because I fear I'm slightly emotionally unstable at the moment.. But anyways,

Happy reading, Kate x

Interim Response: The Book Thief

Absolutely engrossed in this book!

This novel is narrated by Death, which very promptly hooked me - right from the first pages. This unusual narrator brings a very blunt but honest reality to the plot. I am also really liking the layout and structure of the story - it's separated into parts which announce their contents on the beginning page. These parts are then separated into chapters, whose titles are like a keyhole into the chapters contents. Throughout, there are snippets of information interjected into the text. These range from 'reassuring announcements' to translations to subtle hints of the future...

The story shadows Liesel (a young girl) whilst she arrives, settles in and eventually loves her new foster home in Mulching, Germany. She swiftly creates close bonds with her foster parents and a boy named Rudy down Himmel street. I find all of the characters have such rich and complex personalities, that when woven together in each other's lives, create a quirky and unpredictable plot.  Liesel is taught how to read by her dear papa - Hans Hubermann. With her new found ability she (despite her childhood innocence) soon develops into a mischievous book thief! Each part is the name of one of the books she obtains.

Symbolism plays a key role - 'colours' and the Nazi flag regularly crop up... I love Markus Zusak's vibrant yet twisted writing style!

Must get back to reading...
Happy reading, Kate x

New Book: The Book Thief

Title: The Book Thief 

Author: Markus Zusak

Written: 2005
Set: 1935

'Narrated by Death, the book is set in Nazi Germany, a place and time when the narrator notes he was extremely busy. It describes a young girl's relationship with her foster parents, the other residents of their neighbourhood, and a young Jewish man hides in her home during the escalation of World War II.' - Wikipedia

First thoughts: I've been eager to see the film for ages and didn't actually realise it was adapted from a book... So here goes... I have a feeling this one is going to be interesting!

Happy reading, Kate x

Concluding Response: Diary of a Young Girl

I feel like my interim response is going to be more in depth than this (I covered most of my thoughts). I might add though that I really admired Anne's style of writing - for a girl of her age, it seems very complex and mature. I also admire her philosophical approach to things - particularly towards the end when she expresses her views of Hitler, Britain and the war generally.

The end is so abrupt it almost takes the wind out of you! After her last entry, a short conclusion summaries what happened to her and her family after their annex was discovered...

Now, I feel really driven to visit Amsterdam (the location of the annex) and the museum dedicated to her life and diary. Very moving.

I haven't got much else to add, except I recommend to give it a read!

Happy reading, Kate x

Interim Response: Diary of a Young Girl

So far, I am thoroughly enjoying this read. In a strange way I can really relate with Anne, in terms of her family conflict. I can empathise with Anne entirely - my parents and I are constantly falling out over very trivial things. In being a diary, it makes for a very personal read...

Almost as a reward for making it half way, you are greeted with some photographs of Anne herself, her family, her friends and other members of the annexe. They serve as a very personal reminder of the fact they were real people who actually had to live in such a confidential way.

However, it does feel like it's dragging on a bit - I wouldn't say it's very gripping, nonetheless I want to persevere to the end. I guess it mirrors the constant boredom and length of the time they spent cooped up indoors...  It is such an insight into both a teenager's mind (of that time) and the conditions in which they had to survive during the war. It really makes you think about how you might act in her situation.

Happy Reading, Kate x

New Book: The Diary of a Young Girl

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank

Written: 1942
Set: 1942

Anne Frank, a young girl, finds her life completely changing when her family is forced into hiding from the Nazis in an occupied Germany, during World War II. To amuse herself she keeps a diary of her time there. She shares her experiences and thoughts about the people, the events and the arguments in their secret annex...


First thoughts: I have heard so much about Anne Frank and I can't believe its taken me this long to finally read her almost biographical 'story'. Highly eager to get started...

Happy Reading, Kate x

Concluding response: Lies We Tell Ourselves

*SPOILER ALERT* - Do not read if you are reading or are going to read the book. 

I’m not going to lie , the ending was disappointing… despite it being a harrowing story I don’t believe the finale it proved it justice. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wouldn't have been something I would have chosen myself but I'm glad I followed the recommendation of my school librarian! There are two main themes – integration (obviously) and homosexuality (yes that was the spoiler - sorry). Sarah and Linda, despite they're colour and statuses, form an unlikely bond that is so unique but dangerous, they must keep it a secret. The way the author changes the narrative makes for an intimate read.  The language used was not particularly challenging and the plot was easy to follow. You will come away from this novel with an insight and probably a lot more knowledge of exactly what happened. 

Interim Response: Lies We Tell Ourselves

So far this novel has been a real eye-opener! I was aware of the struggles that happened during the integration period however I had no idea the bullying was this extreme (I’m not even sure bullying is a significant enough word!). It’s fascinating to see both sides of the story regardless of the fact the opinions are very conflicting – the narrative changes between Linda and Sarah frequently. I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t yet got to the ‘plot twist’ but you’re in for a shock!! 

Introduction Response: Lies We Tell Ourselves

So far the negro students have managed to enter Jefferson High School despite the mob of violent white pupils that greeted them on their arrival. Throughout their day they have to persevere through a multitude of abuse - both verbal and physical. So far I've only read through Sarah's narrative. The introduction is so gripping! Curious to find out where this leads...

New Book: Lies We Tell Ourselves

Title: Lies we tell ourselves 

Author: Robin Talley

Written: 2014
Set: 1959

This is a compelling story narrated by Sarah, a black 17 year old, and Linda, a white girl also 17. We meet them on the first day of Jefferson High School's integration of the races. We experience the trauma Sarah goes through in order to attend a White-Only high school. But we also see the events from the view of Linda - whose father is the editor of an anti-negro newspaper. The two girls find themselves involuntarily entwined in each others lives. But no-one can know the truth about them...

First thoughts: I know very little about this next book -I have never heard of the author or the title. I can only deduce from the cover and blurb that it is about two girls during the risky period of integration in America. This was recommended by the librarian of my school so let's give it a go!

Happy reading, Kate x

Concluding response: Between Shades of Gray

Wow!!! This sounds so cliche but that genuinely it was the most touching book I've every read! Everything about it was .... I can't even find a word... OK, maybe a phrase would be better... an emotional rollercoaster. 

Before reading, this I knew nothing about the deportation of the Lithuanians - it was kept a secret by the soviets for years and years! It matches the scale of the inhumanity the Germans inflicted on the Jews - most people know what happened to them - but why is it that we don't know anything about this!!! Their suffering is unfathomable. You could not imagine it to its full extent unless you were there. However, the descriptive language played a key role in presenting the information -  It was absolutely captivating and beautiful.  In a way, I now feel like it is my duty to tell everybody this harrowing story, which is why I would recommend it to EVERYONE.

I loved the messages portrayed - of love over hate, community is everything, hope is the strongest motivator not fear .etc. The characters had fascinating backgrounds and personalities. Everything about it was touching and compelling.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be enlightened about what really matters in life - it will make you look at the world differently. I hope all this waffling helped to persuade you to give it a go!

Happy reading, Kate x

Interim response: Between Shades of Gray

Firstly, sorry I haven't posted in ages... I haven't got a good excuse... 
Secondly, this is going to be very quick as I'm writing this whilst I'm reading, and if you don't mind I want to return back to its tight grip...             As you may have gathered this book is addictive! 

The plotline is so thrilling, harrowing and unexpected! I love how the theme (and title) of grey is carried throughout. You get so connected to the characters, even the evil ones. But for me the most soul-touching thing, is knowing that these events really DID happen to real people. People actually HAD to go through this. The suffering they experienced is unimaginable, but they could never share this with anyone (except you)!  As the reader you feel like they're sharing part of themselves with you. It's only you and them - it makes for a very personal read. 

Anyway please excuse me whilst I return to my book!

Happy reading, Kate x