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 Who are we, as unpublished people, to criticise?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!