The One Safe Place

The One Safe Place by Tania Unsworth

After Devins grandpa dies, he runs to the city. It's there that he meets Kat, a homeless girl. Then he meets Roman, who takes Devin and Kat to a wonderful children's home. But not all is at it seems...

I know it might, from the blurb, sound a bit crazy, but this is actually a good book. At the beginning you think 'What is going on?', but you soon work out what's happening. The plot is actually quite clever. The characters are well developed. All in all, I really liked it.

I am going to give it a 9/10
and an age rating of 10+

Every Day

Every Day by David Levithan

Every day, A is someone else. It's been happening since he was born, and he's grown used to it. But then one day, he wakes up as Justin, and meets Rihannon, who he falls in love with instantly. But is it possible to love someone who is constantly changing...

This book is possibly one of the best books I have ever read. O.k. so it's a love story, and that doesn't tend to be my preferred genre, but it really didn't matter. Just the idea for the book is great, let alone the actual writing. As with all his books, it was written wonderfully. I think the characters were well developed.

I am going to give it a 10/10
and an age rating of 11+

Tips and Tricks for Getting Through the Summer Holidays

O.K. I know this is a book blog and this post isn't about books, but if you're like me, you'll get super bored and need something like this to get you motivated to do something this summer.

1. Do a project

        My projects over the summer will include working on this blog and probably something arty or food related. Ideas for other projects include making a sculpture, writing a book or trying to learn five cake recipes off by heart. You can also find ideas on websites such as Pinterest (you'll need an account, but it's free).

2. Go on a course

           There are plenty of fun courses out there for kids. Theses might include multi sport courses, art courses or writing courses. There is really a course for anything.

3. Help a friend out

          Maybe try dog walking, baby sitting or shopping for an incredibly busy friend. And, you never know, you might make a bit of money to fuel other interests, such as shopping.

4. Learn an instrument

          Learning an instrument can be a fun way to spend time. You can do grades, or learn fun pieces. Seeing as its the summer holidays, you could play a summery tune to your family.

5. READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


         You seriously didn't expect this? Really? This is a book blog after all... Most public library around the country are doing the summer reading challenge, or you could just read. The reading challenge this year is based on Roald Dahl. You can learn more about it here.

Hope that list makes the holiday better, and if not, then I don't know what will. (Except maybe better weather. That cheers most people up...)

Geekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind

Geekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy Robb

Archie is a Fully Fledged Geek. He is a level five mage and his favourite shop is The Hovel. He doesn't expect his life to change, until one day when hes down at The Hovel and meets someone totally unexpected. It's a girl...

Ok, so that may have not been the best Synopsis I have ever written, but its a complicated book. The writing style makes you believe its written by a teenager, and I like the IM and EM, which are his Internal Monologue and his External Monologue. I thought it was particularly funny how awkward his step dad was, and how his real dad failed to use correct Text Speak. To sum it all up, this book is basically a fun book for big kids.

I am going to give it a 7/10
and an age rating of 11+

All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Finch is an american teenager who wants to kill himself. Violet has just lost her sister to a car crash. So when they meet on the ledge of the Bell Tower looking out over their school, each think they know why the other is there. Then Finch asks Violet to be his partner in a geography project, and there wandering begin. But even though Violet is getting happier, it doesn't mean Finch is...

All the Bright Places is one of the best books I have ever read. It was written well and I liked the way it was written from the personality of two people that had separate personalities. It was hard to tell that they were written by the same author. I liked the way that at the start of each chapter it would say something like '172 days till graduation'. I liked that even though it was quite a serious book, there were a few funny moments.

I am going to give it a 10/10
and an age rating of 12+ as there are a few slightly more adult parts of the book.

The French Confection

The French Confection by Anthony Horowitz

When Nick Diamond, and his brother Tim, win a trip to France, they think it's going to be an ordinary. But with Nick and Tim, nothing is ever ordinary. To start with, the train steward "falls" under a train. And that's only the beginning.

Another wonderful book by the great Anthony Horowitz. It's full of dark humor. Although its meant for younger kids, I am reading it for a second time. The book is cleverly a mix between a comedy and mystery. I think that it could have been slightly longer, as it is only 82 pages long, but apart from that, it was brilliant.

I am going to give it a 9/10
and an age rating of 9+