This is what happy looks like

I had read Jennifer E. Smith’s novel ‘The Statistical probability of love at first sight,’ and would rate it as something to do while passing the time. ‘This is what happy looks like’ is her new novel, which was once again something that passed the time, but in a pleasant way. It was a good book, but nothing too life altering, but most books aren’t. The great thing about this book though, which makes it stand out from other novels, is that Smith is able to take a completely unbelievable and unrealistic coincidence and turn it into something that you can believe to be real.

Set in the summer holidays, seemingly ordinary girl, Ellie O’Neill’s small town in Maine is the location of a movie, where star and heart-throb, Graham Larkin, is starring. But the two know each other, but not in a way that is conventional because they don’t actually know the identity of the other. It all starts with Graham sending an email to the wrong person and a friendship and feelings blossomed from their emailing.

“Hey, we’re running pretty behind here. Any chance you could walk Wilbur for me tonight?”

“I think you have the wrong email address. But since I’m a dog owner too, and I don’t want Wilbur to be stranded, I thought I’d write back and let you know…”


But now, being in the same town, they finally meet and discovering that her pen-pal is actually incredibly famous, their relationship becomes even more complicated, with having to cope with the horribly nosy paparazzi's and Ellie’s relationship with her mother and absent father.
Like I said, the chances are so incredibly unbelievable, yet you believe it. And we are able to see through this novel, that the famous are really just ordinary people who just happen to have a face that everyone knows.

The novel is peppered with sweet little lines, and is a nice summer read (even though I read it in winter)

6/10 

Technology hates me

I have said this before to many of my friends, but it is official: technology hates me.

It hates me so much,  and I realise I talk as if technology has a brain or thought, but you know what, sometimes my luck (my lack of luck) in terms of technology actually makes me paranoid in thinking: it must have a consciousness, otherwise, how come out of everyone, everything breaks down on me?
For example: when I first got my laptop, on the first week, it got a program malfunction thing, and I had to go to the IT help people at the computer shop to fix it. And that is not the first time computers decide to not work for me,  like when I was at school and we had to borrow laptops for assignments, I always ended up getting the dodgy one that didn't let me log on, or it did but then would freeze and I would lose all of my work. Or the worst of all, was in my end of year maths exam for school, which would go towards my end of year mark and consequently determine which university I was going to, my calculator decided to freeze and I was without a calculator for twenty minutes (in an hour exam) while someone had to go looking for a spare.
I'm sure many of you can relate to some of these experiences too, because I don't think I'm the only one to be this unfortunate when it comes to this sort of thing.

But no matter how much technology fails you, don't do this

But the thing that has triggered me into writing a post dedicated to my undesirable relationship with these machines, is that:
1) last week, the right side of my headphones stopped working, which is annoying
2) but not as annoying as what just happened then: I buy music off iTunes, and two nights ago, I bought a few songs, so last night I was transferring them onto my iPod. And it was while ejecting my iPod from the laptop, my iPod decided to delete all the songs, all the movies and TV series that I had on it. I tried to connect it again and fix it, but nothing worked. My iPod was merely a shell of it's former self. All the memories that were inside of it (all my playlists) are forgotten. While I stared at it with defeat, it stared at me like I was a stranger. There was no recognition in it at all...

Yes, I have just personified my iPod. But no, I am not mad, I just tend to go really metaphorical and unnecessarily poetic when I am feeling like this. It is such a first world problem, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't upset me. I am extremely upset, and it has started to make me realise how much we rely on technology. Even though I don't get on with it, we both depend on each other: we coexist.

And 3) I went to the IT help people again and they couldn't fix it and what happened to it, only happens in a "one in a thousand" chance. Great...

I think it can be said: Zooey Deschanel's Jess really is the medium of true emotions 

Video Games

Last night I just discovered the singer Lana Del Rey, which apparently everyone has heard of, except for me. But she is absolutely incredible, and after listening to a few of her songs, I decided to buy her entire album 'Born to Die- The Paradise Edition,' which was the two albums combined, and I spent this morning listening to all of these songs and absolutely falling in love with her style.
As you might know, my favourite singer is 'Marina and the Diamonds,' who has an incredible voice and a unique sound, and that is another reason why I loved Lana Del Rey, because her songs are idiosyncratic as well, but completely different to the sound that Marina generates. Lana Del Rey, I guess is more jazzy/bluesy/folky/alternative- all of the songs that I've heard (24 of them), are absolutely beautiful and the lyrics are so meaningful and soulful.

Because I've just discovered her, (I don't really know how come I never knew her songs before now) I realise how much I've seriously been missing out on in the music world.
I can't decide which is my favourite of her songs yet, because I love them all, however, I guess the song of the day could be one of the first that I ever heard. So, for today's "Music Monday" introducing... Video Games.
I don't really know that much about Lana Del Rey's personal story, her motivations or her history with music- as I didn't know that she existed less than 24 hours ago- so instead of providing some background like usual, here is the song and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, especially if you were like me and didn't know about this phenomenal singer.

Video Games

Welcome, caller, this is Chloe

I do like easy reads, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, just because I don’t read the classics like Wuthering Heights (which I did borrow once, read the title, started reading another book and ended up forgetting about Emily Bronte and getting a library fine) doesn’t mean my opinion on books should be snubbed off. I love analysing and reviewing, and recommending people different books that I absolutely loved or think is a great way to pass the time. For me, reading is addictive and the more people I can share this addiction with, the better. And this particular novel, ‘Welcome, caller, this is Chloe’ by Shelley Coriell, I was very addicted to it and read it in just a day.

If you were to turn over my copy of the book, there is an extract of Publishers Weekly review, saying “Coriell shows sparkling wit and great skill in creating complex characters with memorable personalities. Chloe’s emotional growth is believable…” But instead of quoting the entire thing because I don’t want to be too lazy, I’ll fill you in with my personal opinion to the novel. I have to agree with Publishers Weekly, that Coriell’s characters all have developed the complexities that make them so realistically believable, and when I read a story, I like believable characters. The story itself isn’t a unique storyline, but the life that each individual person that Coriell has written, allows for this novel to stand out as a good read.

It is about a girl, Chloe, who was popular until suddenly her best friend stops talking to her and spreads a rumour around the student population of their high school, leading Chloe into isolation and having to endure the whispers that happen when she passes people. She has effectively become an “Outcast” like it says in the novel. It is during this time that her school guidance counsellor forces her to join the struggling school radio station, where all the other “outcasts” are found. And their welcome is far from friendly, with only the shy and distant guy, Duncan, is willing to acknowledge her, but soon, Chloe, with her warm, friendly, talkative personality, she is able to turn the radio station around, whilst also having to deal with the struggles happening in her personal life, with her gran’s worsening Parkinson’s, the need to pass her assignment, and her growing affection for Duncan and his own problems.

So, you can probably predict how the ending is going to turn out, but that is okay, because teen reads may have typical endings at times, but despite the wit that Coriell incorporates in her writing (which I love), serious topics are addressed throughout the novel in an insightful and sensitive way. It may not be a classic, or an absolute must read, but ‘Welcome, caller, this is Chloe’ was an enjoyable read and I couldn’t put the book down, because Chloe is such a loveable character.

8/10

The Night Circus

Firstly, I apologise for my absence, I was away for a week and didn’t have internet access, but that meant that I had the opportunity to do a great deal of reading. So be prepared for many book reviews to come.

I had the absolute pleasure of reading the enchanting book ‘The Night Circus’ by the extremely talented, talented and extraordinary Erin Morgenstern. It was such a magical book, with a unique sequence layout, that works extremely well, beginning with one time, then alternating between another, later time and then ending with the two progressing time periods coming together at the end, wrapping up the story in a grand conclusion as the story resolves itself. I don’t think I’m making that much sense, it’s really complicated to explain the format, so I’m just hoping you can trust me enough to just accept that ‘The Night Circus’ is an exceptional novel and a must read, as it truly can be considered a new classic of our times, bringing magic to life, with it’s vivid and luscious description of imagery.

Set in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, there is something romantic about that period, with pocket watches, lace gloves, top hats, delicate fans, manners and elegance (or is that just me who romanticises this period?) but throw in a magical circus- 'Le Cirque des Reves'- with a mysterious ‘Challenge’ underway, and a love that is forbidden (the concept of a forbidden love is so romantic too! It’s official: I need to get out more) and this creates the stunning ‘The Night Circus.’ As soon as you read the first word, you are enraptured with a world that you don’t want to leave.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to instantly fall deeply and beautifully in love with something that leaves you hauntingly spellbound and wanting more. So, for all those romantics out there- whether you are dizzyingly a believer in love or if you are an ‘in-the-closet’ romantic- this is the book for you. Enjoy, be entranced, become a “reveur” and read ‘The Night Circus.’


10/10

From page to screen: 'Vampire Academy'

I have to say I was very disappointed with the film. They were able to explain the concept of strigoi, moroi and dhampiers, but I think that I would rather forget that the movie ever existed and just focus on how fantastic the books are.

Wow, I sound so negative: it's not as if the storyline was lost in the movie or they changed things dramatically, in actual fact, they followed the book pretty well, it's just "something" was missing. And I don't really know what the "something" is, it's just that the "something" wasn't there. It didn't have a certain "life" to it, which I can understand sounds like a terrible attempt of being a pun, considering it is a film about vampires (aka "the living dead"). But all movies, no matter how many dead monsters are in it, has to have that "spark of life," so it is a shame I have to say that this film wasn't a success because of this lack.

Even the advertising doesn't represent what the story is

Another critical, and more specific feature of the film, was the casting. I was severely disappointed with the choice of actor to play Dimitri, who is described as a "complete god"in the books, but I'm sorry, I just don't think that Danila Kozlovsky looked very "god-like" in this particular movie. He didn't look twenty-four like his character was meant to be, mind you neither did Zoey Deutch look seventeen, but she naturally performed Rose's quick witted comments. I'm sorry,  I'm being really critical, but I really can't lie. I didn't think Lucy Fry was an engaging actress to play Lissa, meanwhile I thought Sarah Hyland played a good Natalie, and I think Dominic Sherwood had the potential to be a good Christian, however the script didn't allow for that much character development to occur for him, or any of the other characters come to think of it. Maybe that might have been the "something" missing; the story was there, but the character relationships and complexities wasn't.

This is what you should read- ignore the movie

But let's return to the book itself. 'Vampire Academy' is the first in the series, written by Richelle Mead, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is written through the eyes of Rose, a seventeen Dhampir girl (of human and vampire decent), meaning that her purpose is to protect the Moroi (good vampire), in particular, her best friend Vasilisa Dragomir, from the evil vampires, the Strigoi. Rose is a charismatic and feisty character, which, in the written word, is highly entertaining to read. She is funny and unlike the film, you get to see the complexities of her character and her opinion on others. And St Vladimir's Academy is where they attend school, where she trains to become a guardian, and where she finds herself caught in a forbidden attraction to her instructor, Dimitri. Meanwhile, there are evils- both Strigoi and even amongst their own- that threaten their lives. It is such a good read and I recommend this series to anyone who loves urban fantasy romance, as it fits all the categories perfectly.

Signs of laziness

I am one of the most laziest people ever! And I don't say that lightly- it is actually a very verifiable fact, and here are some of the signs that have shown how lazy I am:

• When I just wake up and log on to Facebook to find that some people were on five hours ago! I look over at the time and it is currently 1pm. And I repeat: I just woke up.
• When I wake up early (8am) and walk to the train station and I feel like an absolute zombie, when a 70 year old man jogs past.
• When I am running in my dream and wake up thinking that is my exercise for the day
• When I feel like I've achieved so much when I make a really nice sandwich. Yes! I've completed all the tasks for today!
• When my friend tells me about their gym work out, and I tell them about the novel I'm reading- it's a "mind work out," and they count, right?
• When the only productive thing I did one day was getting out of bed to have a shower, only just to hop into bed again straight away
• When I can't think of other examples, because my brain is too tired, so instead find some images to make up for it:

And finally, ending on a Disney note:

If I was a Seven Dwarf, I would be Sleepy