Paper Towns by John Green

*Posted in 2014, Edited in 2016*

So this is my first and last review of the year.

I read a book from the one and only the astounding John Green.

Alas, my high expectations were not met this time.

Before I get the storm of hatred electrifying me with a 1000 volts of fury echoing in the stars (See what I did there). Allow me a chance to explain myself.

The plot:

The story begins and zooms in on a typical unimpressive group of individuals. Gaining my approval for immensely interesting, non-interesting characters. These rather unremarkable teenagers dream to be approved by the popular.

Our main character Quentin starts off with talking about the miracles we all get in live. How his miracle was, in fact, his neighbor, Margot.
One night they go on an adventure that changes his life forever and the next day changes it even more.

I know that might not be the most thorough plot description but for those who have not read the book yet, and who still intends on reading it after this review. That should be enough to give you an idea of what happens. Also, somewhere you will find black Santas. This is an important part of the story. It is also not a spoiler so do not fret.

My experience

The story started off with a great tempo and with even greater humour.
Then all of a sudden it started to drag. Slowly but surely metaphors became the bread of the story. It began swimming in all forms strangling me and dragging me along forcefully. Only to then suddenly throwing me down a slide of action and adventure just to be halted again by the metaphors and inner monologues.


It took me more than a month to finish it.

I was truly overwhelmed by this book and at the same time underwhelmed by Margo's paper town analogies.


There were some great quotes as to be expected from the esteemed John Green.

"You keep expecting people not to be themselves."


There were some very long paragraphs...
Sometimes I thought it would never end.

Sometimes I did not want it to end.


The verdict:

It's good but you get better.


If you could identify with the metaphors then your experience would have been vastly different then mine.

My rating for this book is a 3 out of 5.

1 = I thought it would never end. I felt like I was being punished.
2 = It was okay... It only felt like torture reading it every now and then.
3 = I'm a bit unsure where I stand with this book. It possibly underwhelmed me or I possibly enjoyed       it slightly. We might never know.
4 = I applaud the author. It was phenomenal. It gripped me. It taught me something I can carry with
      me.
5 = I will re-read this book again. I want to meet the author. I want a signed copy. I will be talking
      about this experience for weeks.


 Snow

Department 19 by Will Hill

There is a place that does not officially exist.

There is a disease that is  spreading. Humans are being infected all around the globe and the only thing keeping them safe is Department 19.

Tales that  you have heard since childhood legends that you have always assumed only belongs in storybooks, films  and  among camp fires.

What if I told you they were all true?  Vampires, monsters,werewolves (not zombies that's just absurd). Would you believe it ?

Jamie Carpenter is an ordinary teenage boy he has a bit of a temper. He likes to kick chairs and scream at adults but , you would too if your dad was a terrorist who betrayed your country.

Then one evening everything changes when one of the oldest vampires attack his house and his rescued by some unfamiliar monster (just kidding) Frankenstein.

Experience one of the most violently thrilling books ever written about the supernatural. With Chapters jumping from century to century. Run in to infamous persons like Scot Fitzgerald. Written in third person  giving you such an exciting horror movie you wouldn't believe how fast the pages start to turn.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

This book should not be missed.

I do not recommend this book if you are squeamish of blood and generally do not like violence

Daugther of the sea Mira Zamin.

 The next book I have for you today is...

(Dum-role)


Daugther of the sea by Mira Zamin.

 Don't let the cover fool you this story is no old lady sob story this is a magical , magical beautiful heart tugging novel.


I was enchanted from the first page. The sophisticated style it was written in it was so delicate yet strong. So soft but it punched you in the stomach. I loved this story.


I read this book by accident if you must know but I am so glad I did.


Calista, a young Roman aristocrat is forced to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather. Not only does Calista not trust this man but she fears that he is hiding something , something very dark and disturbing.
One night that gave nothing away that would have indicated it could change their lives a war breaks out and from a sophisticated lady with numerous slaves, Calista and her family are dumped at the bottom of the foodchain.

Will Calista be able to escape ? What is it about the boy at the beach that looks so familiar? What does the strange dreams mean that she keeps having about a city stored under the sea?


Themes :

Love VS Hate

Jealousy VS Loyalty

Rich VS Poor

Power VS Family


Something awesome :

In this book there are greek gods. So you get to live in the Greek culture.

What I didn't like  :

Some characters were too weak. 
The ending left a few loose ends.


Recommendations :

Anybody who loves fantasy , Greek fables , and who has conspiracy theories of what happened to Atlantis...



Rate :

(****)  Four stars :)

The ending was not strong enough but I just loved the vocabulary in this book I wish this book's speech was the nature of my tongue!


Dive into the mystery of Greek legends.

=)*

Sonder Chocolate Charlie

Sonder Chocolate Charlie
Marga Jonker

Dink gou aan jou passie. Dink gou waarin is jy goed? Verbeel jou jy was in ongeluk en nou wanneer jy naby aan jou passie kom, val jy flou.


















Verbeel jou jy was in 'n ongeluk wat jy nie kan onthou nie...


Dit is wat met arme Nell gebeur het in die Desember vakansie. Nell bly op 'n perdeplaas en sy is 'n WP perderuiter. Nell en haar perd ,Chocolate Charlie, was in 'n ongeluk en nou kan sy nie eers die asem van 'n perd op haar voel nie of sy val flou.

Wat is die geheim agter die perd wat Oupa Sallie by die meubelwinkel gekoop het? Sal Nell haar vrese kan oorkom of sal sy verewig swart sien as 'n perd naby is. Sal Nell weer 'n ander perd kan lief hê of sal Charlie altyd by haar spook?



 'n Mooi verhaal oor 'n meisie wat moet leer hoe om haar vrese te oorkom en weer moet leer om perde te vertrou.


Temas :

Vrees VS Braaf wees

Aanvaarding

Nuwe liefde


Waarvan ek nie gehou het nie:

Soms was dit soos 'n mode tydskrif in plaas van 'n storie.


Ek gee dit :

**** (4 sterre )


Ek sal dit aanraai vir jonger lesers en vir alle perdeliefhebbers. Dit is 'n mooi oorspronklike verhaal vol spanning en ek het dit baie geniet.

Die boek is geprop vol raaisels wat jou hande sal laat blaai tot die einde.



=)*

(WARNING NEW WRITING STYLE)

Beautiful Disaster  

Jamie McGuire

Okay this book is good.

It was an easy read and a fun one. I'm not going to lie it had me squealing like a grade 8 (yes I know that's embarrassing).

Okay the plot ...

It's that typical relationship you find in a trailer in Texas: I love you!  I hate you! You break glass you scream and curse and then... ;)




Travis Maddox  the best fighter on campus and also the ultimate bad boy. The player, the heartless, the man every girl wants to be with and the man every other boy wants to be. The boy every girl wants because they know he is going to screw them and treat them like trash (Because nothing attracts us girls more than a douche bag or am I right ladies).

Then one day from high above the white pigeon doth came ...Will this girl finally be able to make his heart beat again or will her dark past keep them apart?


THEMES

LOVE vs Hate
Love VS lust
Jealousy
Friendship
Family
Alchol
Fight

Recommendations :

I'd say 17 and up. The setting is in the student life and this is mostly a chick book (If you read line 3 you'd notice "squeal" ;) )

What I hated :


Okay why if it made me squeal did i give it a(SPOILER :p RATING : 3.2 )
BECAUSE the way it was written

:(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





You get the idea :)


It was to desperate and to specific!!

I had every detail handed to me on a silver platter from the beginning! Come on leave something for the imagination this book was basicly a big slut that just wanted to show itself immediatley to me. I mean for example : if you look at someone do you see something hidden in their eyes the day you meet them ? Do you notice every detail in their frown and describe it with 5 words??? NO!!!! The only reason it aint a two is because Travis is just plain hot :) and the story line was excellent so it was still a fun read even if there were too many adjectives.

Rating (yup you guessed it) :

*** (sad whistle noise...Sorry Travis)


=)