Wednesday 28 November 2012

Book Review & Talk: Every Day by David Levithan

Written by David Levithan
Pages: 336
Published: August 2012
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads Synopsis...
In his New York Times bestselling novel, David Levithan introduces readers to what Entertainment Weekly calls a "wise, wildly unique" love story about A, a teen who wakes up every morning in a different body, living a different life.

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.




My Review...
I bet after reading that synopsis, your thinking that you have to read this book. That it sounds so interesting and unique and different! And thats the same reaction I had when I heard about it. Now I really like this book, but I want to cut through the hype, and not get you too overexcited about 'Ever Day'. Trust me its for your own good. 

The things I liked most about this book was the plot. I mean come on! Its so cool, and something Ive never read before. The way the story is laid out, also allows some very interesting and VERY different messages to be shown. Messages I have again never encountered before. The book over all was captivating, and because each chapter was 'A' in a different body and life, it was hard to get bored.

With all the good, came some bad as well. This is primarily a romance book. For some reason I started reading it, thinking it would be more sci-fi, and more action. There is little to none in that department. What this is, is a very, VERY complicated love story. I think it could have been so much more if it had gone in a different direction. But eh, what are ya gonna do? The romance was also annoying sometimes, and it led to a strange ending. I felt like there should be another book, and there isn't. Which begs the question, why there are so many loose ends to this book?

In any case, this book was well written, thought provoking and different.

I enjoyed it very much, and I give it 4 out of 5.

If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan

Thursday 22 November 2012

I Love Twilight

The last Twilight movie is done, and while many will be celebrating its finish. I would like to say why I love it so much.

Twilight is my first love. It was built on a time of innocence and youth. A time of naivety and of inexperience. It was the book that got me to read, that introduced me to the world of books. That led me to all the many amazing stories and worlds I have experienced since. It was like my first love, and it showed me that love existed. That love was not just something people claimed to have, but that I couldn't be sure of until I felt it.

Then with every other love Ive had, more complex, and more intense. It whispered its words to me, and I was grateful for what it had given me. I traced the lines of my life to the first love that changed me. When I have read some of the greatest, and some of my most favorite books since, I thoughtlessly thank the book that began it all.

It may be silly to imagine, that without my first love I would never have loved at all. I could say that I would have eventually found love. But I cannot, because it will always be there. I will grow up, and think back. Think back about the silly little loves I may have had. But my first loves will be the loves of my youth. My memories will be reflected in them. They can not be separated from the joy of easy adolescence. They strengthen these memories, and they are these memories.

Twilight is my first love when it comes to books. It got me to read, and I am thankful to it for all the books I have read since. It is a part of my past life. I remember drinking ginger beer on my bed, with the summer sun setting through my windows. While I read Breaking Dawn, and finished the love that changed my life.

This is why I love Twilight, and all the movies to a lesser extent. I will miss this part of my life, that has now finished. But I will never forget it. And I will never let anyone tell me I should.

Monday 19 November 2012

This or That Book Tag + Quick Update!

Have you seen my latest Tag Video? I also talk about cool upcoming things for my YouTube channel, bookswithdylan

Sunday 11 November 2012

Book Review & Talk: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Written by Veronica Roth
Pages: 487
Published: May 2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance

Goodreads Synopsis...
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.




My Review...
Divergent is one of the most action packed, and fast paced books, Ive read in a long time. Things happen so quickly, you wont even have time to get to the edge of your seat.

The characters are described very well, and let you easily imagine what they would look like. The setting is very dystopian, and very dangerous. It adds to the pace, and makes strolls in the book, a little bit nerve racking. There are some world building holes, but theres 2 more books in the trilogy to fix that.

Some other problems I had with the book, was that it was really hard to like the main character sometimes. The writer made her into a very distinct and unusual person. And so it took some time to get to like her. However, this distinctness was sometimes lost, and the main character took on the usual, dystopian tough girl persona.

There were also some characters who were only skimmed over, and who we didnt get to see in depth, but have no fear, more books are near!

This was just such a fun and engaging book, it was so easy to read. And it was SO fast paced! I definitely recommend it to you.

5 out of 5!

If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan




Thursday 8 November 2012

R.E.A.D is Beginning!

R.E.A.D stands for Recommended Excellence and Awesomeness for Dylan.

The first video will be posted today on my YouTube channel, bookswithdylan.

I have been so excited to share these videos with you, and the time is finally here!

R.E.A.D. is special because I'm reading, reviewing and talking about books that YOU have recommended. The books in this series will be peoples favorite books of the year, and hopefully they will become mine as well.

I hope you enjoy this new part of my channel!

My first R.E.A.D Divergent Book Review


Sunday 4 November 2012

Go Book Yourself

Starting today is the beginning of GO BOOK YOURSELF! An exciting new booktube collaboration, that I am a part of.

The YouTube channel will have
-Tags
-Book reviews
-Book discussions
-A monthly Google hangout with us
-And so much more!

The other collaborators are
Emma
Christine
Liz
Susheela

The first video will be going up later on today, so check it out here: Go Book Yourself

Hope you enjoy this awesome new project.

And remember, Go Book Yourself!

October Wrap Up & November T.B.R.

What I read in October and What I plan to read in November.