The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness

I was born into all that, all that mess, the over-crowded swamp and the over-crowded sematary and the not-crowded-enough town, so I don’t remember nothing, don’t remember a world without Noise. My pa died of sickness before i was born and then my ma died, of course, no surprises there. Ben and Cillian took me in, raised me. Ben says my ma was the last of the women but everyone says that about everyone’s ma. Ben may not be lying, he believes it’s true but who knows?
I am the youngest of the whole town, tho. I used to come out and throw rocks at field crows with Reg Oliver (seven months and eight days older) and Liam Smith (four months and 29 days older) and Seb Mundy who was next to youngest to me, three months and a day older, but even he don’t talk to me no more now that he’s a man. 
No boys do once they turn thirteen. (page 9)



This book is an emotional rollercoaster. I’ll put that out there as a disclaimer. I picked it up after seeing it mentioned in book tuber videos and on Tumblr, not thinking too highly for it. However I am now 100% sure that Patrick Ness has just become one of my new favourite authors. 

The novel is based around the character of Todd Hewitt who has grown up in a place called Prentisstown, in the New World. Essentially a group of settlers moved to the new world as part of some religious movement as far as my brain can comprehend although really the only link to religion is Aaron, the incredibly creepy and terrifying to picture, preacher. In the new world there is something called the Noise which means that you can hear everyone’s thoughts, be that the thoughts of the men in the town, to those of sheep who pretty much only say “Sheep”. However Todd’s world ends up turned up on it’s head when he finds a small patch of silence in the swamp near his home. He finds a girl. This doesn’t sound weird… but there are no other women in Prentisstown. 

This novel confused me to begin with. Ness’ choice of spellings really made me focus on what I was reading. It also makes perfect sense. In a first person novel where the narrator is uneducated, the spellings should be inconsistent and incorrect. It didn’t quite click to begin with but throughout I found myself adjusting to this new way of reading and I found it really refreshing. It also links in with the unravelling that happens throughout this novel. There’s a lot of information that everyone else knows which we don’t learn until the very end and it means that we don’t learn what’s happened until Todd does. This makes Todd a really unreliable narrator which becomes really interesting to read. 

Most of the Noise is written in this beautiful script and really breaks up everything you're reading
When picking this book up, I thought that the knife would be metaphorical. It’s not but it is. It is so not a metaphor as it’s a physical object which becomes increasingly more important. But it acts as a metaphor in as much as we can relate to Todd not wanting to let go of what he knows to be true from his past, in many aspects making this a novel about Todd growing up. This is hinted at through Todd’s complete devotion to the 13 month calendar and his counting down the days until he is a man, at least once in every chapter. 

As far as the emotional rollercoaster goes it’s very tense. A lot of the time you spend hoping nothing bad will happen to the protagonists as you learn more and more things come out that you can piece together and you learn from the past experiences as the book progresses. There is no letting up. It’s a long old book but it passes quickly. Every event is so fluid and time feels rather irrelevant towards the end. Everything else in the world feels irrelevant by the end of the novel. 

Overall I am incredibly distraught I put myself on a book buying ban. The cliffhanger is hideous and I just want to know what happens next. I intend to plough through all I can in an attempt to get the next two books from the trilogy read before I go to university at the end of September. 

Total pages - 479
Total read time - Untimed (last 210 pages in around 2 hours)
Rating /10 - 8.5

Recommend - Yes (beware if you’re a lover of dogs)

Elizabeth Is Missing - Emma Healey

What was it I came for? The loaded shelves frown down at me as I circle them, and the blue and white linoleum stares up, dirty and cracked. My basket is empty, but i think I’ve been here for a while; Red is watching me. I read for something: it’s heavier than I was expecting and my arm is pulled down suddenly with the weight. It’s a tin of peach slices. That’ll do. I put a few more tins in my basket, tucking it’s handles into the crook of my arm. The thin metal bars grind against my hip on the way to the counter. 
“Are you sure this is what you’re after?” Reg asks. “Only you bought a lot of peach slices when you came in yesterday?”




Healey’s debut novel was not only a Sunday Times bestseller, but won the Costa book prize in 2014, and it is thoroughly deserved. I had seen this around Waterstones a few times on my shopping trips and had read that it was meant to be a wonderful book. So I picked it up a week or two ago, despite my fear of becoming forgetful myself, and today I finally got around to finishing it, 

Written in the first person, we see life through the eyes of Maud with early Alzheimer’s disease and she is determined that her best friend Elizabeth is missing. She has a not in her pocket that tells her so. This was something I felt made this such a deep book to read in so much as I had to keep coming back and forth between paragraphs a few times, rereading certain bits of information, just to make it clear in my head exactly what Maud had noted down for future reference. This also makes her a really unreliable narrator; which I found really refreshing. For Maud there is nothing really that she is 100% sure of. She even debates with herself as to whether Elizabeth is missing or not. 

Another really beautifully done element to this novel is the overlapping stories. Maud’s current life mixes with memories of her childhood after the second world war. We learn about her older sister also went missing and we hear about how as a child they searched for her and the information from that often trickles into her every day life, confusing her ideas about Elizabeth. Sometimes, in fact, I had to re read a page or two to work out what time period I was in, especially nearer the end, as Maud’s state of health declines. 

I think the other characters in this novel are less to be desired. I think my favourite of all of the secondary characters would have to be Katy, her granddaughter. There is a lovely moment of showing the differences between generations of people, where Katy calls Maud “a traitor to her generation” for not liking Vera Lynn. Katy’s mother Helen isn’t a bad character, I just feel like I didn’t get to know much about her. I know that she is particularly frustrated with her mother but other than that there were only brief moments of clarity showing her relationship with Maud and how they had grown up. 

This novel has a little bit of something for everyone I think. There’s not only crime and thriller elements but there are sections which are funny and bits that are sad; although for the first time I didn’t cry reading this contemporary novel. But really I think it shows family bonds and the strength of friendship, although I don’t advocate any of Maud’s actions throughout the book when trying to work out if you’re friends missing; I’d probably just leave that for the police. 

Total pages - 275
Total read time - 6 hours 
Rating /10 - 6

Recommend - Definitely if you have the time, if not leave it for a sunny/rainy/slightly cloudy day

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

No - Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men. 



The Great Gatsby is my first classical read. I’ve put it down as a classical novel on my list as it’s one that’s studied for Literature courses all over the UK. I wasn’t in a class that read Gatsby and was always rather jealous as I had heard great things about the novel itself. So when I came to write my list, I knew that Gatsby had to be read. 

On starting reading I knew that Fitzgerald’s language was something I could get along with. It’s very fluid and easy to read; most of the events are easy to follow, at least until the end where I struggled a little. It’s quite ‘flowery’ language; everything described so that it is possible to be drawn into 1920s Long Island and experience everything with Caraway. 

I feel like however the only real character development comes through Caraway. This is possibly just because of the first person narration through the novel, but then again it can be seen as a social criticism that people put on a front when they become wealthy. Social critiques are shown all the way through this novel from the character dialogue at Gatsby’s parties to the fact that Daisy, not only has the success that people desire in the typical american dream, but also this unmistakeable beauty. It is shown throughout that Gatsby believes he can buy not only success, but the love of this one beautiful woman. 

I also feel that this book really does show the strains of relationships very well, and how they develop over time. From that of Jordan and Caraway, the sweet turning sour relationship, to Daisy and Tom Buchanan, the “I’ve never loved you I’ve always loved another” relationship, to Daisy and Gatsby. I don’t feel that Daisy and Gatsby would ever have been a suitable couple at any point, due to Gatsby’s almost stalker-ish tendencies; I mean, not to say that buying a house over the bay from your 20’s sweetheart isn’t romantic but… it can be seen as kind of weird to hide in the bushes of her home, or to formulate a plan so you can see her by inviting yourself to tea with a mutual friend. I think most of the relationships shown by Fitzgerald are volatile and quite toxic in places, mostly because of this constant urge to have financial security vs love. 

However Gatsby is quite an easy read, fairly quick as well. I suppose that in the future I will pick this book up again and re read it and all of the explanations will make sense and I’ll take more away from than i have at the present moment. I don’t know if I’d call it the great american novel, not that I have read a lot of American literature, but I would say that Fitzgerald appears to have captured a summer in an affluent, maybe even immoral, area of American history. 

Total pages - 180
Total read time - 3 hours 
Rating /10 - 6
Recommend - Maybe, old sport, unless you’d prefer to watch the film 

For more information and in depth discussion on The Great Gatsby, I'd recommend Crash Course; Literature with John Green 

The Great Gatsby Part 1
The Great Gatsby Part 2

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry - Gabrielle Zevin

Precarious stacks of Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) and galleys line the hallway, and Amelia feels the unusual flash of despair. The tote bag that is embossing her shoulder has several additions for A.J’s piles and a catalogue filled with other books for her to pitch. She never lies about the books on her list. She never says she loves a book if she doesn’t. She can usually find something positive to say about a book or, failing that, the cover or, failing that, the author or, failing that the author’s website. And that’s why they pay me the big bucks, Amelia occasionally jokes to herself. She makes $37,000 per year, plus the possibility of bonuses, though no one who does her job has made a bonus for a very long time. (Page 10)



This is a book or people who love books and love reading. Set in a bookshop on Alice Island, Island Books is run by A.J. Fikry; a grumpy, lonely, nearing middle aged man. One day he goes down to close the shop up for the evening and finds a two year old girl called Maya sat on the floor of the children’s section with a note attached to a stuffed toy asking him to look after her. 

It is such a beautifully written book that Zevin had produced here. Not only is it funny in places but it speaks to people of all ages, and it has this universal message about love and happiness. All of the characters take a long time to come around to the idea of happiness above all else but when they decide that this is the best path to take the world seems to become a brighter place. But of course there are sad twists as always in novels, twists that aren’t expected and caused some tears on my part. However this novel has heart. I think it speaks to me as a reader because it’s a focus on relationships and different kinds of them. There’s not only paternal relationships between father and daughter, but the showing of a lack of maternal role model, a one sided relationship where the love is unequal, love in later life, and that “We are what we love. We are that we love."

The characters are simply a joy to get to know as well. We get a glimpse into all of the characters at some point or another, including not only A.J the bookshop owner and Amelia the sales rep, but the chief of police Lambaise and A.J’s sister in law Ismay, her husband Daniel etc. All of these characters add to this story, either in humour or tension and I personally love the “Chief’s Choice Book Club” development throughout and the relationship this leads to. 

In addition to this each chapter offers up a reading suggestion and a little review from A.J himself, intended for his daughter to read. It offers a nice selection of short stories, novels and poems, which I’m sure would be good fun to read through at some point, because surely Zevin wouldn’t include books she didn’t enjoy herself?

Overall I think this is the perfect book for a sunny afternoon or a cosy morning. It’s fun, light and easy to read, funny throughout with touches of sadness. Definitely a quick read you’ll wish you hadn’t sped through. 

Total pages - 260
Total read time - 3 hours
Rating /10 - 7
Recommend - Yes

The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

On the step of her new husband’s house, Nella Oortman lifts and drops the dolphin knocker, embarrassed by the thud. No one comes, though she is expected. The time was prearranged and letters written, her mother’s paper so thin compared with Brandt’s expensive vellum. No, she things, this is not the best of greetings, given the blink of a marriage ceremony the month before - no garlands, no betrothal cup, no wedding bed. Nella placed her small trunk and birdcage on the step. She knows she’ll have to embellish this later for home when she’s found a way upstairs, a room, a desk. 
     Nella turns to the canal as bargemen’s laughter rises up the opposite brickwork. A puny lad has skittles into a woman and her basket  of fish, and a half-dead herring slithers down the wide front of the seller’s skirt. The harsh cry of her country voice runs under Nella’s skin ‘Idiot! Idiot!’ the woman yells. The boy is blind, and he grabs in the first for the escaped herring as if it’s a silver charm, his fingers quick, not afraid to feel around. He scoops it, cackling, running up the path with his catch, his free arm out and ready. (Page 7)

Can we just discuss how beautiful this cover is?

I had seen rave reviews of this book before, being The Sunday Times number one best seller and all that jazz, so I thought it was about time I picked it up and had a read. I am not the world’s biggest lover of historical fictions and this made me a little sceptical as to whether I could appreciate what was being written about, or whether I would find myself enjoying this book at all. However in terms of appreciating a novel set in 17th century Amsterdam the amount of information given by Burton is outstanding, from a glossary of common words, salary comparisons and sample expenditure list of a wealthy Amsterdammer in the back, to frequent bible citations throughout, and a photograph of a cabinet like Nella’s in the front of the novel. Once I’d discovered these I felt more than caught up enough to be able to start reading. 

From first glance this book may seem simply about a young girl, Nella, becoming the wife of a wealthy merchant sailer. However things all change when she is presented with a cabinet replica of the home she is now living in. Her husband, Johannes, calls it a 'distraction' but in fact it acts as a really beautiful metaphor throughout for the idea that things can change and there are always secrets behind drawn curtains. Slowly throughout the novel Nella receives small parcels from a miniaturist to fill her cabinet. These are anything from small blocks of marzipan to unasked for gifts such as a cradle and replicas of each person in her home. 

The arrival of all of these unasked for gifts gives Burton’s novel a really eerie feel. I felt as I was reading it that I had no real control over the events that were taking place. I had to completely surrender, much like Nella, to the whims of this miniaturist sending these gifts, which when pieced together lead to discovering the secrets that the Brandt family holds. But whilst being eerie it’s also beautifully written. The dialogue reflects the characters beautifully; Marin’s cold and pious exterior, Meerman’s sense of exaggeration, Nella’s growing knowledge etc. 

For the first part of the novel I wanted things to speed up a little quicker. It is very much about learning who people are and what they’re doing, finding out as much as you can about the current state of affairs before the pace really begins to pick up at the end of the first ‘act’ (I’ve chosen to call them acts as there are individual chapters but they are split over 5 or so larger chapters or acts in which more and more is revealed and Nella becomes more and more independent). From the second act it all speeds up incredibly quickly. I spent a lot of time thinking that I finally understood a character or a situation before everything changes again. In fact, had I been looking thoroughly all the way through I may have been able to see some of these situations arising, and maybe that is cause for a second read. 

Overall the characters are beautifully written, with a mixture of people you love and people you come to find revolting in the way that they betray friends and act as if they are a king among paupers. Despite not loving the genre I found myself really enjoying this read, despite the tear jerking ending which I should have expected. 

Total pages - 416
Total read time - untimed 
Rating /10 - 7.5

Recommend - Yes

How to Get Out of a Reading Hole

I'd not really come across a reading hangover until I started to try and read all of these books in such a short space of time and this week has been the worst for me. So I've decided that I'm stuck in a reading hole... And I need to get out of it. 

 Put the Book Down

 There is no point in trying to keep reading when all you want to do is a) sleep, b) tidy your room c) check youtube/twitter/instagram. Sometimes it's best to just take a break and come back to what you've got to read. Definitely recommended practise before starting a new book.  If you aren't going to be starting a new book, but are in your reading hole mid way, write a short summary of what's happened so you don't forget. 

 Go For a Walk

 Sometimes going for a short walk can really help to clear your mind. Especially if it's just boredom you're struggling with. I find just a walk around the block can really help to free your mind of any anxiety or stress, which in turn gives you some space in your brain to contemplate complex sentence structures, much like those used in Hardy's work, or just to deal with the twists and turns of certain stories. This time can also be used for your social media, especially with smart phones, and you can check up on everything before you get home and curl up with your book. 

If a walk doesn't help...

 Do Some Other Exercise

 Exercise is really good for taking things off your mind. So if a short walk doesn't do anything for you maybe it's time to find something new. Yoga is amazing for your body but also for your soul (cliche I know...) I'm also a huge fan of swimming as a sport. Not just going along and treading water with some friends but proper length swimming. Both of these encourage you to focus on your breathing which stops you from worrying too much about other things too much.

Have a Shower/Bath

 Showers and baths are my favourite things to do when I'm struggling to get through a book. Quick and easy hop in the shower, or take some time to yourself to really make the most of a bath. I like to sit with my Netflix on and catch up on some tv that I might be watching at the time or I just lay there with a nice Lush Bubble Bar in the water. It's just a really nice way to calm you down and clear your brain of anything that might be worrying you. 

Make Tea and Have Biscuits

 I hate reading on an empty stomach. It's just another distraction. And besides, tea is calming and biscuits are yummy. My favourite at the moment is english breakfast tea with rich teas. It's a nice little treat to get you all cosy and ready to read. If not tea and biscuits I fully endorse ice water and lemon with a banana or assorted fruits. 

 So there are some of my tips and tricks for getting yourself out of a reading hole to get you, and me, back into reading again. If there are any other tips and tricks there are that you've found help, feel free to leave them below. I feel like these tips are easily used for revision purposes as well, for those of you reading this when you should be revising. 

 Keep Reading, 
Kelly

All I Know Now - Carrie Hope Fletcher

"Everyone is feeling exactly the same about themselves. Not you. They all think they’re standing alone on a stage in the spotlight and everyone else is in the crowd, scrutinising their every move, when really we’re ALL standing on the stage but the lights are off and there’s no one left in the audience to watch you. The only pressure to make a good impression and be memorable is coming from yourself, so take the heat off a little bit. Also it’s it’s any comfort, your first day at school probably won’t be as difficult as my first day at school..."



As of writing this post, Carrie Hope Fletcher has 567,784 subscribers to her youtube channel; ItsWayPastMyBedTime. I was a little skeptical, I have to put my hands up and admit it, when I heard that Carrie would be writing a book. I've been a subscriber of hers for quite a while and I find her videos to be enlightening and entertaining. I was worried that this would be “just another youtuber book”. I actually made this observation to a friend of mine who was reading it, and she told me to give it a chance. In all honesty, I guilt tripped myself into buying this book at 11:45pm last night. 

And on starting it all of my opinions changed. I was expecting vague advice and what I was given were anecdotes of a girl who, despite all of the acting professionally, had gone through of lot of similar experiences to me. It was a breath of fresh air to hear all of the things I had told myself affirmed by someone slightly older and wiser. For anyone picking this up in the hopes that Carrie’s book will provide you with tips on getting into show business, good luck but there aren’t any. For those looking for words of wisdom from the honorary big sister of the internet generation, it is the closest thing to perfect. 

What I thought when reading this was that for someone starting secondary school this is a wonderful book to own. Unlike books handed down from parents or from the library, or even parents sitting down to talk to their children, it is full of advice for the current generations talking about the internet and various things to do with social media (including a chapter on internettique which I want to make a thing immediately). It also comes from someone who is proving that, however tough life is, there is always a silver lining, and life is what you make of it. However Carrie doesn’t recommend doing everything via the internet, and specifies that some things are better done face to face. 

I was worried that I was going to jump into this book and find stories that no one could relate to about having a famous brother and working in show business. Instead what was given to me made me smile and filled me with confidence about life for my future. I don’t think that my age was really the target for this book (19) but reading it forced me to answer some questions; Am I happy with the choices I'm making? Could I have made a better decision? But ultimately it made me look at myself different. 

I can safely say that coming away from this book I have grown to love myself a little more. I know now that none of the bad things that have happened in my life were ever because the world is against me, and I know now that it’s okay to be single and date myself for a while ( a phrase which I have grown to love). 

Total pages - 288
Total read time - 5 hours
Rating /10 - 7.5-8 
Recommend - Yes (for those looking to reminisce or for those growing up in the modern world)

(Oh and Carrie, if you read this, I kinda hope in the future you’ll write another All I Know Now; maybe if/when you’re married and have children, just to help us out as we grow up with you.)
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )