Book Review: 'All I Know Now' by Carrie Hope Fletcher

I've mentioned Carrie a few times on this blog, because she is a Youtuber who not only got me into watching Youtube, but also continues to inspire me to be me and to write. Along with the rest of her following, The 'Hopefuls', I've been looking forward to the publication of her first book since she announced it in May 2014. It is a non-fiction book which acts as an advice-bible, predominately for teenage girls but has something within it for everyone- no matter your gender or age.

I pre-ordered a Hardback copy for half price (£6.49 I think) from Waterstones. My dad wasn't able to pick it up on the day of publication and I was ridiculously disappointed haha. But he picked it up the next day. It's taken me a week to read, but only because I've HAD to break away to study for exams. Otherwise, a night or two would have done it!

The book is spit up into sections and set out like a play or show, with acts etc. (because Carrie is also a West End actress!). Each section covers a different area of life- love, friendship/relationships, self-confidence, stress, mental health and many more sub-topics are all given their own place in its pages.

What I loved about 'All I know Now' is that Carrie does not claim to be a professional councillor or doctor or to know all the answers, she's fully aware that what she writes is only her advice. But after going through the ups and downs of being a teen, she's found herself at a very content point in her life and chosen to share her advice for reaching that place with an audience who already view her as their 'Honorary Big Sister'.

The style of her writing is very informal and lade back. She writes almost as though she was making another of her popular vlogs. 'All I know Now' actually began as a blog and her tone and structure remind me quite a bit of my own blogging style: writing for myself but also for others.

It is clear that Carrie made the decision to be very honest in this book, as she shares a handful of her own experiences in an attempt to remind us all that we are not the only ones who suffer anxiety, embarrassment, heartbreak etc. However, in no way is she too open, there is nothing shocking or deep in there!

I think its fair to say that some parts of the book are a little bit cliché, or the kind of advice we hear time and time again, but not a lot of it. And those parts that are work perfectly well alongside Carrie's fresh ideas and takes on different situations. It's like, you may have heard similar advice before, but when it's all there in front of you, in one place and backed up with real stories and examples, it forces you to think differently.

What I especially admired about Carrie's approach was her metaphors! She comes up with some hilarious ones, and others which you almost struggle to follow. But each and every one of them is very accurate, and its a gift to be able to relate real feelings to something else and effectively describe it.

A lot of what Carrie had to say struck a very real chord with me, because I have, at times, struggled with channelling the best person I can be as being the person I am. I don't know if that made sense? But basically being a good person with positive relationships, self-confidence and the motivation to chase my dreams (cheesy I know!) is something that I do find difficult at times, as I'm sure is the case for most people. I know that life isn't easy, especially when your still trying to work out what kind of a person you want to be and I think that's why I'm allowing Carrie, who I admire a lot, to give me the advice. I think it's almost easier to accept it from someone you don't know and hopefully reading 'All I know Now' will be the light switch I needed to make necessary changes to continue on the happy path. One day I hope to thank Carrie for that help.

Ok, enough with the deep! Haha. 'All I Know Now' is a great read for any age- there were elements I thought both my sister and mum could take from it too. If you're just looking for a wee push to find your feet or even just fancy a wee giggle at what life throws at us then pick up your beautiful copy (wow I didn't even fangirl over how gorgeous a design of book it is, with illustrations from Carrie herself!) today!

Catriona xx

Book Review: 'Girl Online' by Zoe Sugg (a.k.a Zoella)

I read this book, which I bought months ago on my Kindle, in little snippets of time I found throughout last week, and then in one particularly long reading session last Friday night!

I heard about this book because I enjoy watching YouTube, and while I've only watched a handful of Zoella's actual videos, the Youtubers I do follow on Social Networking lead me to this relatively recent book! Around the time of its publication, there was a lot of talk about how it had been 'Ghost Written' meaning that Zoe had considerable help in writing it, so much so that there are many parts she didn't write. Whether, or to what extent, that is true never really fussed me. I mean, she was a first-time author and obviously the name of a famous YouTuber is going to sell more copies than any other name. She's still an incredibly talented woman who has worked her butt off to put together a novel and get a publishing contract. Who are we, as unpublished people, to criticise? Its not like she didn't acknowledge her supporters at the back of the book.

Anyway, back to the novel itself. Brief Summary: Socially Awkward Penny suffers from anxiety, but when she and her family end up taking a last minute New York trip with her parents' company for Christmas and New Year, she meets Noah and he just seems perfect. How will the pair's feeling develops, and what are the consequences of distance and secrets?

Pictured: Author & Youtuber Zoe Sugg (plus 'Girl Online' cover)

Ok, so that brief summary turned into more of my own blurb for the book haha, but you get the drift.

I really enjoyed the book as a light-read, and thought that the fact that it dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and techniques for dealing with these things was very useful. I was also fairly glued to the book because I'm a hopeless romantic and it was perfectly soppy ;)

However, unfortunately I did predict some of the key 'shocking twists' very early on, and therefore found it to be quite a predictable read. My friend had told me before-hand that it was quite unrealistic, and I would definitely agree with this, but hey, a girl can dream right?
 Wouldn't we all love the man of our dreams in New York and for our wee blog to be a massive hit that got 300 comments and went viral? Haha xx

Overall, definitely worth it as a fun read with cute and quirky characters, particular Penny and her best friend Elliot, and good on Zoella for powering through the initial criticism, but maybe not a particularly high-level novel

Book Review: 'Q: A Love Story' by Evan Mandery

So one of the things I enjoy doing, when I have a few free minutes, is to watch Youtube. With limited time, I don't follow many channels on a regular basis, but probably the only person who I have watched every single one of their videos is Carrie Hope Fletcher. An actress, singer, writer and avid reader, I really trust her book recommendations.

I have a list of books she's mentioned in videos and so when I fancy reading something I know nothing about, I take a title from the list and order it on my library app.

It has taken me stupidly long to get through this relatively average sized novel..  mostly because I've had NO TIME and not enough motivation to read.

It doesn't mean the book was bad, because it wasn't. But it wasn't the cute easy-read love story I was expecting and I've also had a tough few weeks motivation-wise in general.

But it has finally been completed and enjoyed.

I chose this book because the blurb intrigued me. The lead female's name is Q, and the reviewers comments suggest it would appeal to anyone who enjoyed 'The Time Traveller's Wife', which I really did.

Despite it's title, this novel hardly contained Q at all, and wouldn't really be what I would class as 'A love story'. The book was more about self-discovery and the interesting concept of time and day-to-day decisions.

I liked the use of real-life science and philosophy because it linked nicely to my RMPS course and therefore I could appreciate it. However, it did make it a little more of a confusing read than I'd initially been expecting.

The principle character (whose name I must know, or have known, but honestly cannot remember in this moment because it was written in first person and consequently of very little importance) is a little frustrating for me at times, as he is so easily led by his 'future selves' and cannot make his own decisions, even when he notices the pattern of impossible solution which was excruciatingly obvious to me as a reader from a very early stage. I therefore became a little bored with the penultimate section of the book because it was overly repetitive and therefore kind of predictable

But, as a whole, I really enjoyed the book. The characterisation, particularly of the hero, was .well created and I felt I could relate to the idea of wanting the best possible outcome but hating the process of altering your lifestyle in order to make that happen.

So, although a few of the ideas were a bit far fetched and long-winded, I really enjoyed this book. It was the complete opposite of what I expected, so may be for any of you too, but worth a read anyway!

Film Review: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Hi all!

The other week when I was in ASDA with some friends, I saw that they were selling this film on DVD for £5 and I was in the mood for an impulse treat! So I bought it, but I've been too busy (or tired!) to watch it... until Friday just past!

I came home from Orchestra rehearsals and just wanted my bed but I decided to sit up a while and watch this film! I read the book by Stephen Chbosky (who also directs the film!) in July 2013, but it has taken me until now to finally watch the film! My friend had told me that it was one of her favourite films, AND Emma Watson is probably my favourite actress, so I was extremely keen to watch it for numerous reasons!

It was worth the wait! I was tired, so I plan to re-watch it when I can focus a bit better... well I'm sure I'll re-watch it several times since I now own the DVD! I think I might even re-read it since I own the book too.

It was bizarre seeing Emma Watson play this character, as it is so different from anything I've ever seen her in before. Although she was as perfect as always (ok, I may have a teeny tiny girl crush on her haha!) I'll be honest and say I don't think the role of Sam, as was in the film, gave her the opportunity to achieve her full potential and it isn't my favourite performance of hers.

Logan Lerman (Charlie)

But that was sort of the magic of the film: it was simple, but at the same time meaningful. Yes, it was another 'growing up' story, but I'd argue it was unique, and all the while I was thinking that Chbosky had taken a totally different angle from the likes of John Green.

I adored Logan Lerman's (pictured left) portrayal of principal character Charlie. He achieved the perfect level of awkward and he is very cute (in my opinion!).

The character of Charlie had experienced trauma as a child that left him very mentally unwell, but aside from this his experiences were relatable- feeling low, feeling lonely and just trying to get through the days sometimes. His integration into a welcoming friendship group made me glow inside, and I genuinely felt that there is hope for everyone, for every outsider. I personally am lucky to have a wonderful group of friends, but I sometimes find new company awkward and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' addressed the 'fitting in issue' fantastically.

Perhaps my favourite character was Patrick, played by Ezra Miller. He was just so individual a character that you can imagine him being a real person, not a stereotype put in to every story to keep it going, if you know what I mean!? Another issue dealt with was finding your feet with homosexuality, because Patrick is gay and in a secret relationship that leaves him later feeling embarrassed and ridiculed. Although I think that the book I recently reviewed 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson.' was a superior addressee of homosexuality and the difficulties for young boys particularly, I think that the result of its presence in this film was less about the homosexuality itself but the humiliation present between peers in every high school in the world.

On the topic of relationships and love, TPOBAW also successfully deals with uncertainties of romantic feelings. Sam wants to be loved, but has made her fair share of mistakes along the way. In Charlie she sees a friend, a brother... and the ideal love? Or not? Charlie is undeniably devoted to her from the start, but Chbosky doesn't try and pretend its as easy as happily ever after. Charlie is a newbie to the dating scene and his first kiss, for example, is a central scene.

Admittedly, the luck of Chbosky's character's is still immensely better in terms of romance than I, for example, am yet to experience, but at least he doesn't try and pretend it's as easy as boy meets girl, or boy meets boy or girl meets girl!

I could, surprisingly, say much more about this film. In some ways, I think it tries to cover too many issues, but mostly I feel that every element finds a slot and the viewer can easily accept that none will be explored in detail. As the DVD blurb says:

 "THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up."

"THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope- and the unforgettable friends that help us through life."

Now I'm off out to meet some of my friends.. xx

Book Review: 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' by John Green and David Levithan

Just finished this book about half an hour ago, so hoping the details are still fairly vivid in my memory, but we'll see!

Having read two other novels by John Green novels, I have wanted for a while to read more. My sister bought 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' a year or more ago but I didn't really remember about it until I was looking for something to read. It took me a while longer than it usually would to get through it, due to study for prelims (which are all done now... yay!), but there was no rush.

Brief Summary: two will Grayson's meet coincidently. Both at similar stages of their lives and fighting different battles, the novel follows them through good times and struggles with the aim of providing truthful conclusions on the topic of love: romantic, family, and friendship.

I'd never read a novel by more than one author before, or at least not as far as I can remember. It turns out that Green and Levithan wrote alternating chapters, each in charge of bringing to life one of the Will Graysons, but I didn't realise this until I was close to completing the book which indicates that the novel flowed and interlinked well.

One of the two Wills' chapters were written entirely in lower case. This annoyed me to start with but soon just became a natural part of the reading of the book- and was exceptionally useful when I lost track of which Will was narrating!

The main theme that grasped me in the novel was that two of the characters (one of the Will Graysons and the ginormous best friend, ironically named Tiny, of the other WG) were gay, and this was a topic which played a major part in the storyline. Having never actually read a book from the point of view of a homosexual character (again, as far as I remember!) this was very interesting for me, and a nice change. I felt that difficulties for young gay boys and their coping mechanisms, not that I'm an expert on the topic, were dealt with well and made for an interesting read.

Furthermore, mental ill health was a fundamental pert, and this always interests me when its handled sensitively. The descriptions of the character in question's difficult episodes was so vivid and realistic, at least for someone unable to entirely understand what it must be like. What I liked about it was that, although mental illness helped the reader to relate to the character, it did not become so central to the plot that I would go as far to say that that was what the book was about, because it wasn't.

The book was about growing up, finding your feet, and friendship, for the most part. It mostly related well to actual teenage life. I would say that I was slightly disappointed by the ending, as I found it a little bit cliché/cheesy and felt that the authors tried a bit too hard to impart wisdom, as opposed to allowing the reader to naturally draw their own meaning from what was a powerful overall story line.

But the entire thing certainly had me hooked and I would highly recommend- particularly if you're in your teens or struggling with love, relationships, mental illness or your sexuality.  It may be my favourite John Green novel so far, but they're all so different it's very difficult to make an accurate comparison. Either way, it's fairly fabulous.