The Pen and Inkpot

Neil Jordan has created a fascinating world within the novel Carnivalesque. This is the most unique story I have read and I promise you that you will never read another book like it. I picked out this novel at the library because it has such an interesting concept, but it ended up as not quite what I had expected.  To Andy and his parents, it just looks like another colourful carnival, with its flashing lights and circus tents. But when Andy ventures into the Hall of Mirrors, something unexpected happens. In a confusion of reflections, one of Andy's reflections walks out of the Hall of Mirrors to join his parents and go back home, leaving the real Andy trapped in the mirror himself. Just like that, he is transported to the amazing world of carnival life where time and gravity don't exist. Meanwhile, Andy's parents struggle with the emotionless shell of their son that replaced him. When mysterious things start to happen in Andy's coastal, Irish town, he starts t

This is actually the first biography that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Written by young education activist, Malala about life as a Pushtun living in a village in Pakistan. Although it wasn't written in a gripping style, the events told the story without fancy descriptions. What struck me most about this novel is how true it is. I now have a new understanding of how lucky I am to have peace in my country and freedom to get education.   Malala grew up in the Swat Valley in Pakistan while the Taliban roamed the streets. Her school was shut down and women forced to stay inside. Her father were some of the few people who stood up for their religion and education rights. Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban on her way home from school. In this novel, Malala tells the story of her country and the life she endured living in Pakistan.  I felt foolish not having known about the fighting in Pakistan. I knew that there was fighting, but I hadn't realised that

I have been told that this novel is just a copy of Divergent and other dystopian novels but I found it not so similar. The vague idea is the same, but once you actually read the novel, you will find it is not like Divergent at all. Red Queen was interesting and entertaining yet predictable and frustrating at times. Mare Barrow has been cursed with red blood and lives in a town of fellow Reds. She steals to provide for her family while her sister basks in success at an apprenticeship. Those with silver blood rule over the reds with their special powers, sending them to fight the war and watch displays of Silver strength. Mare knows that she has only made things worse for her family, but when she meets a stranger on the streets, suddenly her world gets flipped around. Being a royal is not easy though, and power is a game in which no one can be trusted.  (May contain vague spoilers) The storyline is entertaining and the idea is well mapped out. The plot goes very deep and

Merry Christmas! It's the most wonderful time of the year, but also the most busy time of the year. There is a lot to do in December and buying Christmas presents is one of them. In this post, hopefully I can make Christmas shopping a little quicker and easier for you with a few ideas of Christmas presents you can buy online or at the shops and suit even the fussiest family members and friends. A diary or calendar Many people use a paper diary and paper calendar to keep track during the year (myself included) and soon we will be needing a new one! A nice looking diary or quirky calendar is something you know that they will use and enjoy all through the coming year. A onesie No matter if you have one already or not, everyone can use a new onesie. They come in all styles and suit all personalities. From fluffy bunnies to rainbow unicorns, you can find some pretty cool onesies online and they are guaranteed to get a lot of use. A hamper Can't decide on wh

I must admit that I did not have high expectations for this book since I have read many books like it in the past, but found the ideas in it quite original. There were some aspects that were cliche and the romance was a little bit pathetic. On the other hand, the characters and new society that have been created make an entertaining read. In a way, this book was halfway between Divergent and Harry Potter. The story begins with a girl who never felt like she fit in. Her mum was locked in a mental asylum for trying to kill her when she was six. She is left with her aunt and brother and could never seem to keep up in school. One day, when a mysterious boy turned up at her school, perhaps she would finally find out whether her mother was right when she had called her a monster. I feared that this trilogy would come too close to its dystopian relatives Divergent and the  Hunger Games but it turns out it was more similar to the Hobbit. I don't want to spoil the story too