Hello people of the internet. It’s been a while since I’ve done a book related post. For a long time I was in a bit of a book slump and despite valiantly trying, I could not focus on a book for love nor money. But then October seemed to be the turning point for me. My enthusiasm for reading returned and I managed to read a total of 11 books. Not too shabby, I think! The books I read are as follows…
- Always and forever, Lara Jean – Jenny Han – 3 stars
- Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier – 5 stars
- Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets (American edition) – J.K. Rowling – 5 stars
- The boy in the striped pyjamas – John Boyne – 5 stars
- This lie will kill you – Chelsea Pitcher – 4 stars
- The tiny wife – Andrew Kaufman – 3 stars
- It’s not ok to feel blue and other lies – Scarlett Curtis – 5 stars
- Harry Potter and the philosophers stone (Mina Lima edition) – J.K. Rowling – 5 stars
- Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe – Benjamin Alire Saenz – 5 stars
- Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams – 3 stars (Sadly did not finish).
- Love Frankie – Jacqueline Wilson – 4 stars
Out of all these books, only 2 were re-reads! That’s quite an achievement for me! I am a bit guilty of buying books, getting excited to read them…but instead caving in and reading a book I’ve already read before. I don’t know why I do it, but this month I’ve not given in and only re-read the Harry Potter books because they are new editions I have obtained!
So, in this post I am going to talk briefly about 4 of the books I have read foe the first time this month:
It’s not ok to feel blue and other lies
Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe
Queenie
Love Frankie
If you want to read my thoughts on the other books I read this month, head to my book based instagram (@thatthrillergirl) where you will find thoughts on all the books I read.
3 of these books I am going to talk about were my favourites I’ve read this month (excluding Rebecca, but I talked about that in a post recently, so thought I would leave that out). One of these books I didn’t finish, which I know is a controversial opinion so I am going to explain why. So, let’s get cracking!
It’s not ok to feel blue and other lies – Scarlett Curtis – 5 stars
This is the book the world needs right now. It is a collection of essays, stories, songs, poems, sometimes even some art work, all with one central theme: mental illness. Within this book, people have shared their experiences with mental illnesses – whether it is their own mental health they have suffered with, a loved ones, their experiences with the mental health support and services, the works. The book has a piece for everything. It has covered all aspects of mental health and mental illness. The good, the bad, the shame and stigma that still surrounds mental illness, as well as a lot of discussion as to why this is still a problem we have and how we can try and remove it. The pieces in the book are very good at breaking down stereotypes of mental health and mental illness. The passages in the book have come from a hugely diverse range of people from all walks of life all with differing experiences. It is open, honest, and really quite brave. It takes a lot to write about mental health and/or mental illnesses and have your writing published for the world to read. But I feel this is an important book for today and for people to read.
It is quite a heavy book to read, that goes without saying I feel. But at the start of the book, there is a disclosure passage with trigger warnings, and then every individual passage has their own trigger warnings if necessary, so you know which ones you need to avoid by the use of them. But as I said above, I feel it is an important book to read, whether you suffer from a mental illness or not. If you do, I found it a comfort to read others experiences. I found it reassuring to know others feel the way I do, can put into words what it is like, and to know I am not alone. If you don’t suffer from a mental illness, this can still be such an important book for you to read, as it can help build an understanding on mental health and mental illness, which in turn can help with supporting loved ones who may be suffering.
At the end of the day, books like this are what get people talking which is what we need. To end the stigma, we have to talk so people no longer suffer in silence.
Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe – Benjamin Alire Saenz – 5 stars
Oh my goodness me, did I love this book. I had seen this book everywhere, and then finally managed to get a copy. I had heard so much about it, so much hype and so I was intrigued to read it for myself and make my own opinion on it. Whatever I was expecting, it was so much better. It’s not necessarily a huge story with drastic twists here, there and everywhere. There are a few big plot points within the book, but largely it is a tale of two boys friendship, and how they impact each other. It is a beautifully heartwarming story.
Aristotle and Dante are both a little lost – in life, and themselves. When the two become friends, their friendship changes both of them, and we read how they try and discover who they are and what their place is in this world, together.
I adored this book so much. I found myself getting attached to Aristotle and Dante so quickly and feeling my heart fill with love and break for them both so many times. It is beautifully written, it brought me joy, it made me cry. It felt, to me, like a warm hug in book form. And without giving too much away, this is the kind of book I wish I had read when I was a teenager feeling so many of the emotions Aristotle and Dante go through. It would have been a comfort to know others go through such a range of emotions, that this is normal…and it would have been a reassurance to know I’m not alone in what I was experiencing. I can only hope other young people who may be having these struggles find some solace in this delightful and moving novel.
Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams – 3 stars
I’d seen this everywhere, being read and raved about by everyone, so was really looking forward to reading it for myself, seeing what it was that had everyone talking about it, and making my own opinion. Sadly, I could only read to halfway through the book, then I had to stop reading. Even reaching the halfway point was an emotional challenge for me. I felt for Queenie as a character, I really did. My heart broke consistently as she as she made decisions that were detrimental to her mental health, as she got treated far worse than she deserved and as you read how she is suffering because of this. I wanted to carry on reading, on the hopes she finally gets treated like she deserves and on the hopes she realises her own worth. But the book was missing one big thing for me that I am, quite shocked, is not actually present: trigger warnings.
The book covers some very sensitive and intense themes which are at times quite explicitly written about and quite heavy, distressing, and hard to read. There was no pre-warning of this at the start of the book, or anywhere for that matter. At first, I carried on reading with the hopes it would mellow out. When it reached halfway, I couldn’t carry on as sadly the cons were outweighing the pros of reading the book, and I had to ask my friend who had already read it to tell me how it carries on and ends.
It makes me genuinely sad I didn’t get to experience this book in the way so many others did, so I can’t join in with the discussion of the book, share my opinions too, understand why everyone has loved this piece of literature so much. But sadly, that is the way it is. I would say, if you’re thinking of reading the book, do a little read up on what the content is, as like me, others may need pre-warning of the content first. Anyway. Where I couldn’t finish and enjoy this book as much as I hoped, I’m sure many people did, and will continue to enjoy it and have a much different experience.
Love Frankie – Jacqueline Wilson – 4 stars
I full realise and appreciate: I am not the target audience for this book. However. I was so keen to read a book by my favourite childhood author, that centralised around an LGBT character, that I ignored the fact I am older than the book is aimed at, and decided to read it anyway. I am so glad I did. The book was adorable. I liked how the book was about Frankie realising she was gay, but that wasn’t the be-all and end-all in the book. It was a big deal to her in the book, yes, but the book also felt more just abut her coming to terms with her feelings – how it feels having a crush on someone, and experiencing that delightful feeling of first love (we’ve all been 14, we’ve all been there). Most of all, I can just imagine how reassured young readers may feel, to read this book and know whatever they may be feeling – it’s normal. The book gives a beautiful message that liking girls, boys, both, neither…whatever you’re feeling – that is okay and valid. I really hope kids and young people get to read this and see themselves in Frankie, and they find some comfort in that. It’s a really sweet book and I’m glad kids everywhere will be able to read this heartwarming book from such a renowned children’s author.
And there we have it! I’m so happy I’m now out of my book slump, and that I’ve had such a jam packed month of reading, with a real variety of books. I just hope this carries on into November and I get to discover more stories to lose myself in, especially with the way the world is at the moment!
As always, stay happy and healthy as possible, and take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
One Show at a Time 