Raven:Stay where you are and then leave

A novel by John Boyne

Publication date: September 26, 2013
Publisher: Doubleday Childrens

Pages: 247

Targeted Audience: Young Adult (And adults) 

Summary: The day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight - but he broke that promise the following day. Four years later, Alfie doesn't know where his father might be, other than that he's away on a special, secret mission.

Then, while shining shoes at King's Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name - on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered and confused, Alfie realises his father is in a hospital close by - a hospital treating soldiers with an unusual condition. Alfie is determined to rescue his father from this strange, unnerving place . . .

If you X-rayed me right now, you would see shards of my heart all over my chest. So before beginning this review, WARNING!: YOU WILL BE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED BY THE HANDS OF A PAPERBACK!

Moving on.

I love history. It's something that surprises people for some reason. I might not know everything about history but I love knowing more about it. There is the appeal of the unknown. So I guess that is one of the reasons why I picked up this book from the library shelves. 

I loved this book the moment I read the first line. The story is told through the POV of a 9 year old boy and I believe that it's really difficult to write it cause after you grow up, you mostly don't remember what you knew and what you didn't know when YOU were younger. So it was really cute how he used to interpret certain things and the author has done a great job at it *claps*. 

1914- The year the first world war broke out. Alfie Summerfield made his dad promise not to go to the war, but he broke that promise later that day. Georgie Summerfield would go to war and not even his weeping wife could stop him.

Joe Patience- Georgie's best friend, who refuses to go fight a war just because the government wants him to. He is a man who sees no peace through war. And as expected, he is insulted, tortured and left to fend for himself.

Alfie Summerfield- Who goes to school only on days when they teach his favorite subjects and the other days he earns money by polishing shoes in Kings Cross Station. 

Four years have passed and talks of the war finally ending have begun, yet Alfie's mother refuses to tell him why his father hasn't returned. She says he is working on a secret mission. But Alfie knows this to not be true. And one day as he was polishing shoes in the station he saw his fathers name on his customers file. 

Apparently his father wasn't on a secret mission. He was in a hospital. 

Then why had his mother lied to him? Whatever the reason, now Alfie has only one thing on his mind. And that is to rescue his father.

If you actually think about it, it's pretty obvious what kind of a hospital his father is in. But I was so indulged in the happenings of the book that I didn't realize it until the author told me (as in, until I read it).

As I said, this book is written from a child's point of view so the emotions that older people feel isn't something that a kid completely understands. So when Alfie talks about a particular thing or a situation and if you are really paying attention, those things will make you laugh or break your heart. Because it's been said the way he sees it. There is no sarcasm, no running around the bush. The happy or sad facts are just thrown on your face and it hurts guys, it hurts worse than an author describing the characters distress. The author has used such simple yet solid words that dig a hole in your heart forever. And I loved it.

Every page made me cry or laugh. I mean, it was terrible! No book has ever affected me like this. I am not lying when I say that the left side of the book made me laugh and the immediate right side made me cry. I AM NOT LYING! Or exaggerating. It literally happened. I don't like people seeing me cry. So when I cry over characters I just keep my eyes closed or look up for a second or two and I'm done. But it wasn't like that. In this case, before I could turn away the tears were already rolling down. And usually I read on my way to school, on the bus! You can just imagine the number of people looking at me cry.

Now time for a little rant. 

I knew I would fall in love with Joe Patience. I just knew it. The way he was described as, since the beginning, just caught my attention and I knew I would fall for that heartbreaking bastard! He rebelled the government and his views were so similar to mine. I just... GODDAMMIT! Does everyone love a good rebel or is it just me?? 

This guy here, plays a clarinet (though I think the saxophone is sexier, I still like the clarinet), is a reader (his house is stacked with books, why wouldn't I want to marry him??), And he is just bloody awesome. 

I cried for him. I mean I cried just for him, the character only. Not the plot or what was happening. Just for him. After the end of chapter 10, I just closed the book, lay my head down and cried *insert loads of tissue usage* 

To be honest, I don't know what it really was that made me love him so much. But whatever it was, I just wanted to get inside the book, knock on his door, hug him as soon as he opened his door and then give him a red rose saying that he was the bravest man ever and that he shouldn't let himself down just because certain stupid women think that only men who do go to war deserve them. He is a hero to me.

You guys probably want me to shut up so I'm going to talk about the rest of the things that I want to mention. 

I really love how Alfie believes that it's absolutely normal for a girl to be president even though his own mother laughs at him. I'm kind of a feminist (to say I'm truly feminist would be wrong). 

The description of the hospital and all the troubles of those patients will make any grown person cry. I also marveled at how Alfie was able to get in and out of the hospital so easily. He is one smart boy.

Most people talk about how honorable they felt when they fought for their country, but this book shows you the invisible scars that war leaves on people. And I think that is what people need to understand. Just because a person's face isn't readable does not mean he/she doesn't feel any emotion or in this case, just because you don't visibly see the harm of the war does not mean it's not there.

I have noted down certain quotes from the book. I haven't been able to find this book on any bookstores but I'm planning on ordering it online because I really need to have it with me. It may not be the same as it was the first time but I still feel those emotions in me when I see it.

"It's a big wide world, isn't it? said Georgie. "Do you think they all hate each other on other planets too?" (I had to stifle a cry at this part)

"Of course I was afraid. What kind of fool wouldn't be afraid, going over to some foreign country to dig out trenches and to kill as many strangers as you could before some stranger could kill you? Only a lunatic wouldn't be afraid. But it wasn't fear that kept me from going, Alfie. It wasn't because I knew I'd be injured or killed. It was the opposite of that. It was the fact that I didn't want to kill anyone." (OH MY JOOOOOE! *cries Niagara falls and incinerates into the sun with pain*)

He'd done it for the best reason in the world. For love. *Ambulance needed*

The ending of this book left me scarred with happiness... if that makes any sense. I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. Maybe you all won't feel the same emotions that I felt. But still do read it, it's worth it.

I'm very stingy when it comes to rating books. But this one gets a five without a moments hesitance.

Don't you love these Raven feathers? (thanks to Beez for helping me pick them... not literally. I meant choosing)

Beez: How to fall in love

Cecelia Ahern

She has just two weeks. Two weeks to teach him how to fall in love – with his own life.

Adam Basil and Christine Rose are thrown together late one night, when Christine is crossing the Halfpenny Bridge in Dublin. Adam is there, poised, threatening to jump. Adam is desperate – but Christine makes a crazy deal with him. His 35th birthday is looming and she bets him she can show him that life is worth living before then. 

Despite her determination, Christine knows what a dangerous promise she’s made. Against the ticking of the clock, the two of them embark on wild escapades, grand romantic gestures and some unlikely late-night outings. Slowly, Christine thinks Adam is starting to fall back in love with his life. 

But has she done enough to change his mind for good? And is that all that’s starting to happen?

[Lets go bananas, bananas..]

I've just finished this book and I'm laughing a little crazily. 

This is also a proof of the fact that I'm crazy because i have my exams and yet I'm reading books and writing reviews and laughing like a person gone bat shit crazy.

That I am.

So what do i say about this book?

Meh, meh, nyeah.

That's exactly how i feel about this book.

I'm like in a rant mode now so be prepared.

When i started this book i quite liked it. Christine, the protagonist is the wacky lady who's just seen a guy shoot himself in his head and then changed her life coz watching a guy kill yourself in front of you is a life changing experience (no sarcasm there, hones.).

And then she meets Adam. Uhh, who's about to just from the H'appeny Bridge. So Christine sees this as her chance to undo her mistake with the previous guy (the one i mentioned above, the one who shot himself in the head). And so she begs him to please give her chance till his birthday (2 weeks later) to make him want to live again.

Now this might sound a little more than cracked (it does to me to), but Cecelia Ahern has the Stephenie Meyer effect and it doesn't feel so ridiculous when reading the book. In fact the first part is quite fun actually. Basically Christine just keeps doing these crazy thing and you wonder whats wrong with her, but you admit you've fallen prey for Adam's cheeckbones, so you don't do much and go along. 

And for bonus there are a lot of funny parts including one in which Christine dips her chin in cake icing and so gets a dripping Gandalf beard (i might be exaggerating). 

There are so many things wrong with this book. But did i mention the Stephenie Meyer effect? 

So in the end most of it is okay.

It makes you life and enjoy the insanities of living in a make believe world. 

Basically a rom com.

That's what this book is. A total rom com. 

I was enjoying this book until the point.

The the point I'm referring to is when she so pathetically dramatically tells Simon (the guy who shot himself in the head), that she is 'in love with Adam'.

GET OUT.

Why do i have a problem with this, you might ask?

After all it was obvious they'd fall in love and she was in love with him, i agree.

BUT DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE A PART OF HER TELLING THAT TO A DEAD- ALMOST DEAD- GUY AND THEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORM HER INTO THAT BLONDE PATHETIC HOPELESS LADY FROM A ROM COM??

JUST. NO.

There was so much i thought was wrong after that. I guess i just can't wrap my head around the fact that somebody can be so hopeless and pathetic and stupid and send the novel into free fall.

After that i didn't like the book much and everything was so predictable and i felt like personally throttling Christine for being the above mentioned. 

As side notes, i really enjoyed Christine's crazy family but i did not like the Detective and his daughter story part or Amelia's story. 

I also didn't like her ex husbands part all that much but at times it was comical, but why the fuck did she marry him?

Its like before the guy who shot himself in the head, this Christine didn't know how to think. 

Sad life really.

And then after that she becomes Miss WhackHead but that's the part i like best after. Then after that comes, you know, the dreadfully awful stage of pathetic blonde from rom com. 

After the incident, i felt the book lost a lot of direction and structure and became unreadable at certain levels. Ask Raven, I've droned on enough. 

But see in the end i did not hate this book. The ending is soo cliche rom com that i could have told you that would happen before reading it. But it wasn't bad. Like compared to the free fall. And it was really sweet and it fit perfectly. So i gracefully forgave Christine for becoming the pathetic person she had become and wished her well on having her lovey dovey love story.

So i guess the bad part is from after the incident to after they do it.

I'm literally telling you everything but i needn't even do that but i wouldn't really recommend reading it.

Just someone make into a really funny and cute and whacky film and I'll watch it.

No i did not hate this book, i just didn't love it, sorry Cecelia Ahern.

There are some books of Cece i love but others no so much. This would go into the latter. If you want to read more Cece then read P. S. I love you (really soo good and magical), The time of my life (crazy yet completely fun), A place called here(ditto),The gift(i can't explain why but i really liked it).

So if ye want to read a rom com with its fair share of sweetness and if you can handle people falling pathetically in love and if you like guys named Adam with cheeckbones(if you dont, get out.), then totes read it.

(it honestly is not as bad as i made it sound)

3 stars :(

Lots of love and cupcakes,

Beez.

Raven: Fangirl

A novel by Rainbow Rowell

Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: St, Martin's Press
Pages: 445
Targeted Audience: All Fangirls (new and old)

Summary: From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.
A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?
And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Alright. 
I am ready for this.
Let's begin.
So... I-uh...I really... I just... Damn man! I am not ready! And I don't think I ever will be. Recently I have read so many beautiful books like 'Me Before You', 'Between the Lines', Addition', 'Pivot Point', 'The distance between us', and many many others but this book... This book is on a whole new level.

Now I am going to be honest with you here. Beez was the one who suggested that we should read this book since we have been fangirling over Sherlock, Doctor Who, Supernatural and Loki for a pretty long time. (Not that long actually. Just a few months)

So we start reading this book and it doesn't speak out to us. I mean, when you start reading a good book, the first page itself grips you in its tentacles and pulls you in but this book did not do that. We read like twenty or so pages and gave up on it. But then we read a few reviews by other people on this book and almost everyone loved it and so we decided to start off again and we kept reading and kept reading and kept reading...

For me, I was entranced by the book as soon as Reagan started talking to Cath. Her character was just so vibrant and hilarious. I have a bus mate who is exactly like her so I always kept imagining Reagan as that girl and now whenever I see her (My bus mate) I can't stop snickering! Reagan is a very intimidating person. Usually I don't get along with people who intimidate me but she and Cath got along so well that I couldn't help loving her.

Oops! Before we get into characters, the blurb. 
So Cath and Wren are twins. They have an awesome Geek dad and their mom left them when they were kids. Wren decides to go to college in Lincoln which is pretty far away from Omaha and Cath is forced to go as well.
Wren and Cath love each other (I mean they are twins! They grew up together) but Wren wants to have her own identity and so she does everything from cutting her hair to getting a different roommate in college. However, Cath doesn't want to let go of her sister. She does not like change. All she wants to do is sit in her room, put her glasses on and write Simon Snow fan-fiction and give Simon and Baz (The two main characters in the Simon Snow books) THE best ending ever. 

Simon Snow: It's just like how Harry Potter is to us.

Cath has a huge number of people who follow her fan-fiction and since she just loves writing she chooses 'fiction writing' as one of her subjects in college. And now she gets to learn from an awesome fiction writer called Professor Piper who thinks fan-fiction is plagiarism. 

The problem: Cath can't let go of Simon and Baz. She is losing her sister but gaining an awesome guy in the process. And as you can see, there is more 'change' than she can handle. 

Now lets continue with the characters.