Book Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (No Spoilers!)

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Author: Jesse Andrews

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.

Review:

I'm not going to structure this like I normally do my reviews as I'd rather keep this review shorter. There were things I really enjoyed about this novel and there were things I think just did not work like they may have been intended to. First up: I really appreciated that the story dealt with mental illness in a really unique way. It didn't try and be something it wasn't and have a 'deep and meaningful' story coupled with the terminal illness (even though I don't actually think there's anything wrong with doing that and I do enjoy those stories, it was just refreshing to see something else). I think there was some really gorgeous moments in the story near the end (I actually teared up in one scene) that were nicely intersected between the more humorous parts, which holds up most of the novel. I felt like the humour in the prose was really well done but the dialogue (predominantly from Greg) just did not always work and felt forced too much. 

In general, I would've enjoyed this novel more had I liked Greg more. He was my main issue with the story which isn't great since I have to read from his perspective. I just didn't feel connected to him as a protagonist and he frustrated me a lot. I was way more drawn to Earl and Rachel, to be honest. Overall, I thought the book was alright. I didn't love it like a lot of people do, but I did enjoy it for certain things. I'm also interested to check out how the movie turned out since I've heard such good reviews.

Anyway, remember how that was meant to be short? Oh well. Have any of you read this book and if so, what'd you think? Agree or disagree with me? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

#24in48 TBR!

Hey guys!

So, I'm sure you're almost sick of hearing about #24in48 and #CRAMATHON by now but alas, I have another TBR for you to read. One reprieve is the fact that I'll only be participating in #24in48 because it's just a bit more loosely structured and more in-line with what I want to do this weekend. If you don't know what I'm talking about then go check out this page here for more information of the #24in48 read-a-thon !I also just love these sort of things which really push me to get heaps of reading done in a short amount of time! I'm not sure whether I will go with the official timezone or in my own timezone just yet but I'll keep you posted. 

Now, for the TBR!

#1: Chronicles of Narnia Book #2-7 by C.S. Lewis

This is a bit of an impulse read because I didn't intend to read this series this month. Then I listened to the audiobook for Magician's Nephew tonight and I'm on a roll now so why stop there? I've just got my hands on the audiobooks for the rest of the series and I'll probably switch between those and the actual books I have, too.

#2: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

I don't really see myself finishing this one on top of the Narnia novels but I would like to make a dint in it at least. I'm just under halfway at the moment and I'm aiming to just fit in maybe a few 100 pages at most. We'll see!

So, that's my TBR. It doesn't look like much until I remember that my first point is 6 novels! Oops! But are any of you guys participating in the #28in48 read-a-thon this weekend? What are some of the books on your TBRs? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

Audiobooks Are My New Favourite Thing

Hey guys! Today I'm bringing a bit more of a discussion post to because I want to talk about audiobooks. Or specifically why audiobooks are my new favourite thing! 

Until about a month ago, I'd only listened to two audiobooks and I only did so because they were autobiographies/memoirs that were narrated by their authors (they were Mindy Kaling's and Grace Helbig's books, if you're wondering). I'd always thought that I wouldn't be able to get into a story when it's not my head voice reading it. Boy, was I wrong! 

So, a big reason I decided to give audiobooks another shot is that I travel a lot. I've been on planes a whole bunch the past couple of months and I always find it hard to read a book for long periods of time on a plane unless I'm really into it. I also drive a lot where I clearly can't read. Then I thought: audiobooks. They make reading a lot easier and I can use them even when I'm doing other stuff. For example, I went to Melbourne last week (which is just over a two hour flight away) and I managed to read/listen to an audiobook both there and back. That was almost a whole book since I had it on 1.5x speed. 

I just feel like audiobooks are really convenient if you're like me and have lots of other stuff to do but want to read a lot, too. You can listen while you're driving, commuting, doing errands and heaps of other stuff! As long as it doesn't require too much of your attention, you're good!

Now, I know audiobooks can sometimes not be the cheapest thing, but neither are books. A really popular site to listen to them on is Audible (first month free trial is A+) but I also urge you all to see if you're local library has some. I'm really lucky that the town I live in has an online database where you can borrow audiobooks and eBooks from. OverDrive is a great site/app to look into for this! Give it a look!

So, what are your guys' thoughts on audiobooks? Do you find them handy or do you struggle, like I used to, to get into audiobooks because it's not your voice reading it? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read

Hey guys! Today I’m bringing to you a Top Ten Tuesday post. If you don’t know what Top Ten Tuesday is, check out some info here! This week’s topic is hyped books we haven’t read yet. So let’s get going!

#1: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir [Goodreads Link]

This one isn’t too bad (unlike some of the ones I’ve yet to mention) because it's relatively new but I still feel bad not having read it yet. This book is gaining some serious hype in the online book community lately and I am just dying to get my hands on it. As you know from my July TBR, I’ve got a huge goal for this month but I really, really hope I can squeeze this baby in somewhere. Or at least some time soon.

#2: Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson [Goodreads Link]

If you've been following this space for awhile, you might've seen that this was on a TBR a few months back. But you guessed it! I didn't read it. As a fantasy lover, it feels like a crime that I haven’t read any of Brandon Sanderson’s works yet. He is so widely acclaimed in the fantasy genre and I just need to take the leap. This series, in particular, has gained a lot of hype, especially recently. And there’s nothing really stopping me reading Mistborn. I have the first novel sitting on my desk as I type this but I just keep having some other book I need to read first. I swear, I will get there eventually. I mean soon!

#3: Paper Towns by John Green [Goodreads Link]

I’m including this because, even though this book isn’t usually the first one people talk about in reference to John Green, it is obviously gaining a lot of hype at the moment with the movie so close to being released. Now, let me say, that I have a complex relationship with John. I absolutely adore his work on Youtube and with Hank and all that jazz, but am sort of on the fence in regards to his novels. Now, I’ve only read two so bear with me. I read TFIOS way back in 2012 and absolutely adored it but, after two years, the next book I picked up of his was Abundance of Katherines and I really, really did not like it. Since then, I haven’t wanted to read another one of his novels in case I dislike that, too, because I really do want to like them.

#4: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs [Goodreads Link]

I hear about this all the time online (especially Booktube) and it sounds fascinating. I really want to read it but I swear I never see it at any book stores or the library; I can only ever find Hollow City. I know I could just order it online but I never seem to remember it when I’m doing some online shopping, to be honest.

#5: Shatter Me trilogy by Tahereh Mafi [Goodreads Link]

Okay, well, I’ve read the first one but I haven’t read the rest of them. This series has been hyped a whole bunch online and I seem to see it everywhere. I was convinced I would love it so I loaned all of the books out on a whim from the library one day and I just really disliked Shatter Me, I’m sorry. I can’t see myself continuing the series, no matter how much people tell me that it gets better. I have too many other goods books I’d rather get to. Also, I really wish I liked these books because I adore Tahereh so much. I hope I like her new novel coming out!

#6: The Martian by Andy Weir [Goodreads Link]

Okay, this one I really, really want to get to! I kept seeing this on the booktube and I was only mildly curious about it because I didn’t really know what it was about. Then I learnt it was to become a movie so I had a look at the trailer and it just really made me want to pick up the book right then, so well done, movie creators. I hope I get to this before the movie release, though.

#7: The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey [Goodreads Link]

Okay, so this one got huge hype when it came out and I really wanted to get into it. It somehow got pushed back on my TBR and then the second book of the series came out and got some really awful reviews and it kind of made me hesitant to start the series at all. I do intend to get to it someday and maybe all of negative stuff that’s came out will mean I enjoy it more because I have lower expectations. Who knows?

#8: Vicious by V.E. Schwab [Goodreads Link]

Man, this book gained some serious hype last year. It seemed like everyone and their mother was talking about it and I just never find the time or the drive to check it out. I haven’t really heard a lot of bad things about it so I don’t know what’s stopping me. It’s one of those books I really, really want to get to but I just never seem to be in the mood to pick it up. One day, I’ll push myself to do it, I promise.

#9: Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan [Goodreads Link]

If you saw my July TBR, you already know this. So many people love these books and if they are as good as PJO was, I’m sure I’ll love it too. I just have to start it first to find out.

#10: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare [Goodreads Link]

When this was released last year, everyone went crazy but I sort of felt meh about it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed The Mortal Instruments series, but primarily the first half. I feel like books 4 and 5 were a huge dip in the series and I really did not enjoy them. So, when CoHF was released, I wasn’t really feeling it. I still bought the book but it has just sat on my shelf for the past year collecting dust. I do intend to read it because I have heard good things, but at the moment, I’m in no rush.

What are some hyped books you guys haven’t read yet? Have you read any of the books I mentioned and think I should get to them ASAP? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

Book Review + Discussion: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars [Goodreads Link]

Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

General Thoughts (NO SPOILERS):

This book has often been described as Titanic set in outer space and, honestly, that description is perfect for how the novel begins but it diverges from this relatively quickly. This book is told from the switching perspectives of Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen who survive when the spaceliner they were aboard crashes without explanation. Unsure if there were any other survivors, the two have to set out to try and now survive on this mysterious planet they have landed on that poses more questions than answers. I didn't know much before going into this novel, so I wasn't expecting most of it at all. It was a really interesting concept and the mystery kept me intrigued. I really enjoyed it but I just don't think everything clicked 100% with me. It was a little too "insta-love" for my taste but I can definitely see why it's gaining a bit of hype. I will still continue with the series!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

July TBR

Hey guys! How quickly is this year going? Well, we're now officially on the downhill half of the year and it's time to really get caught up on our Goodreads goals. I don't know about the rest of you but I am super behind. I may have read a solid 28 books so far this year but I should be around the 50 mark by now. So, since I'm on uni holidays for majority of July, I'm going to be a bit ambitious with my TBR this month! 

#1: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan [Goodreads Link]

I'm slowly but surely ploughing my way through the Wheel of Time series and I have a (very ambitious) goal of trying to finish before the end of the year (I know, I know). I've actually already started this one but I intend to have it completed in the next few days.

#2: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes [Goodreads Link]

I know little to nothing about this series but I have heard SO many good things about it that it seems right up my alley. So, I borrowed the first book (and the second if I end up really liking it) from the library the other day and I cannot wait to get to it. 

#3: The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan [Goodreads Link]

Yep, the whole series. I am committed. So, near the end of last year, I finally finished off the Percy Jackson series but after marathoning the last 3 books of the series, I just wasn't feeling jumping right into the HOO series right then. But now I feel like I've had a long enough break and I really want to jump back into this world. I have heard amazing things about this series (not so much the ending but oh well) and I just cannot wait to get into it.

#4: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews [Goodreads Link]

I thought I'd chuck one short one on this list. I've heard a bunch of good reviews for this book and with the movie release just around the corner, I thought now would be as good of a time as any to give this book a shot. The trailer for the movie also looked really nice so I'm hoping to like the book.

Okay, I'm going to leave it at that for now. That's a solid 8 books, which is my minimum reading goal for this month, although I would like to do much more. I do have some other books I want to read that I might get to this month but I'm not too sure at the moment so I won't put them on the list.

So, what have you guys got planned for this month? Are you planning to read any of the same ones as me? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

June Wrap-Up

What is this? A wrap up? Is this real life? Yep, you're not going crazy! I am actually doing a wrap-up! I was really good at doing these on my previous account but I've gotten super slack with them this year. But no more! I think it also has something to do with the fact I haven't been reading as much and haven't felt like doing a wrap-up because of that.

But enough rambling. Let's get to the books!