9/09/2014

What I've Read Lately





A few posts back I mentioned how I've been trying to get out of my literary rut which has been successfully achieved. In fact, I'd say that I've been reading a lot more lately than just watching TV series to while away the hours. It's funny how things go full circle like that. Anyway, as you can see I've been frequenting the Auckland libraries lately for some friend+booktuber recommendations and in short, they're (almost) all fabulous. I'll let my mini reviews do the talking though from here on in...

Across The Universe by Beth Revis-Despite a reference to The Beatles in the title, this has nothing to do with the fab four. This novel is probably the most out of my typical reading comfort zone. As Tara so aptly put it, this book fits into the dystopian sci-fi genre, for teens. Amy, a 17 year old from America and her parents are cryogenically frozen on a ship, Godspeed where they believe they will wake on a new planet three hundred years into the future. Amy however is woken from her slumber early and all is not as it seems. Now I usually avoid sci-fi books like the plague but I really enjoyed this. I think because it's unlike anything I've read before it was all the more intriguing. If you like The Hunger Games then you'd probably like this too. 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy-Wildwood was a book I picked up in a specialty store in Auckland a few months back and it was quickly added to my 'to read' list. Whimsical illustrations, a story that takes the characters from Portland into an enchanted wood and brilliantly crafted writing. This is for children but it's easily a book I can imagine adults enjoying as well-I know I loved it. I could not put this, or the other two books in the trilogy down. 

It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini-One of my American blogging friends Hannah recommended this book to me in one of our many novel-length emails a long time back. This is the story of Craig, a New York teenager who happens to attend an extremely prestigious school and also battles with severe depression. After attempting to end his life, he admits himself into a hospital where he spends five days in a psychiatric ward. This all sounds rather dark, I guess in many ways it is. However this is not a sad, nor depressing book. It's funny, it's enlightening and it'll make you think. As Vizzini himself battled with depression this book doesn't glamourise the subject and for anyone wanting an insight into mental illness this is such a worthwhile read.

Berlin Street Style by Angelika Taschen-Now this was the book I probably enjoyed the least. It's not awful as such, there was just one too many "style advice" type pages for my liking. I'm very picky when it comes to fashion books. The street style photography and photography throughout though is stunning. If you're a fashionista or someone looking for a book that's just quick and easy to flick through then you're bound to like this.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into what I've been reading. Books are such a huge part of my life so I'm trying to introduce them more to Nana Wintour. Keep an eye out for a lil' book haul which will be up on my blog this time next week. In the meantime, feel free to check out what else I've been reading over on my Goodreads page.

*Have you read any of these books? If not, what have you read lately and enjoyed?

4 comments:

  1. Ooh I really want to read Across The Universe - sounds like something I'd enjoy! I think I've seen Wildwood around, the illustrations look amazing which is probably what I would enjoy more. Sometimes I'm really into reading, but sometimes not :p

    Caitlin | Thistle & Tea

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  2. They're both great! I think you'd really like Wildwood. There's even colour plates (selling point) :P x

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  3. It's Kind of a Funny Story is one of my all time favorite books. It makes me sad that Vizzini lost his battle with depression, he was such a talented author.
    awestrucksky.com

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  4. Isn't it brilliant? I'll be honest, I was hesitant about reading this for the longest time because I thought it'd be too sad but it's such an amazing book. Yeah I found out he'd passed while I was reading this :( such a huge loss.

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