GUEST REVIEW: This Book Is Gay - James Dawson

GENRE: Non-Fiction
PAGES: 272
PUBLISHER: Hot Key
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

A funny and pertinent book about being lesbian, bisexual, gay, queer, transgender or just curious - for everybody, no matter their gender or sexualityFormer PSHCE teacher and acclaimed YA author James Dawson gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT. Including testimonials from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, this frank, funny, fully inclusive book explores everything anyone who ever dared to wonder wants to know - from sex to politics, how to pull, stereotypes, how to come-out and more. Spike Gerrell's hilarious illustrations combined with funny and factual text make this a must-read.

REVIEW

I didn't really know what this book was about really, well I had a general idea, but I was so happy with what I got. This is such a great book that I think it should be required reading at all schools. It would help any young people that are wondering about their sexuality and also it could help other people to understand people from the LGBT community. 

Not only is it helpful it was also quite funny. Yes at times it had to get serious because some of the issues in this book are very serious and it wouldn't have been the same if it didn't. One example is the chapter on HIV. I obviously had my prejudices about this and I thought I knew all about it but this book told me otherwise and now I know better. I really loved that it was illustrated too because that always just adds more to the book and makes it a little more special especially after the seriousness. 

Honestly I feel like this is such a helpful book to anyone who feels like they are unsure about their sexuality and/or gender which makes its a total 5 star book. Also even if you aren't unsure or curious about your sexuality/gender you should still pick this up and give it a read because there is nothing wrong with understanding other people a little better.

- Hannah.

GUEST REVIEW: Love Letters To The Dead - Ava Dellaira

GENRE: Contemporary/Fantasy
PAGES: 336
PUBLISHER: Hot Key Books
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

It begins as an assignment for English class: write a letter to a dead person - any dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain - he died young, and so did Laurel's sister May - so maybe he'll understand a bit of what Laurel is going through. Soon Laurel is writing letters to lots of dead people - Janis Joplin, Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, Amelia Earhart ...it's like she can't stop. And she'd certainly never dream of handing them in to her teacher. She writes about what it's like going to a new high school, meeting new friends, falling in love for the first time - and how her family has shattered since May died. But much as Laurel might find writing the letters cathartic, she can't keep real life out forever. The ghosts of her past won't be contained between the lines of a page, and she will have to come to terms with growing up, the agony of losing a beloved sister, and the realisation that only you can shape your destiny.

REVIEW

I received a free copy of this book from Hot Key Books in exchange for a honest review. This does not affect my review/opinions in any way. Thank you Hot Key!

I read Love Letters to the Dead during exam week and I seriously regret it. No, I don't regret reading it, I just regret reading it right before an exam.

Because... it's one of those books that stays on your mind for a long time. In that respect (and that respect only), I'd compare it to The Book Thief.

Because... it makes you think. Laurel's history is one quite similar, yet so different to my own. And I wonder, if I'd ever have written letters, or done anything like this, what difference it would have made to me.

Because... it shows what words can do. What they can do to heal. What they can do to help. What they can do to hinder.

Because... it has gorgeous writing. Dellaira captivated me throughout the book, and it never stopped. Even when I should have been thinking about chemical formulas, I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

Because... I loved it. Many are saying it is too much like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and I guess certain elements are similar, but this book, to me, is completely unique. It's absolutely beautiful, both on the inside and out.

- Charli.

GUEST REVIEW: Say Her Name - James Dawson

PAGES: 304
PUBLISHER: Hot Key
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

This review refers to an uncorrected advance copy, and is due to be published on 05/06/14.

SUMMARY

Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe is not the kind of person who believes in ghosts. A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of 'Bloody Mary': say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear...But, surprise surprise, nothing happens. Or does it? Next morning, Bobbie finds a message on her bathroom mirror...five days...but what does it mean? And who left it there? Things get increasingly weird and more terrifying for Bobbie and Naya, until it becomes all too clear that Bloody Mary was indeed called from the afterlife that night, and she is definitely not a friendly ghost. Bobbie, Naya and Caine are now in a race against time before their five days are up and Mary comes for them, as she has come for countless others before...

REVIEW

It's Halloween and a few girls from Piper's Hall Boarding School for Young Ladies, joined by a cute boy or two from the village, are telling ghost stories. Bobbie- smart and practical and shy- doesn't believe in the paranormal so isn't afraid to join in on the "Bloody Mary" say-her-name-in-a-mirror-and-she-shall-come-and-kill-you game. Bobbie, Naya- her hilarious wish-she-was-my-best-mate best friend and cute local boy Caine volunteer, knowing it's just a silly story.. Or is it?

The next day Bobbie finds a message written on the bathroom mirror "5 DAYS" and a constant drip drip drip that has no apparent source, and from then on things get weirder and weirder, and it appears Bloody Mary is very real indeed. Why is she after them? Can they stop her? Or is Bobbie just going crazy? In a race against the clock, Bobbie leads her friends on a journey to find out the truth around Bloody Mary and how to stop her from taking them before it's to late. But is there any way to stop her? 

Prepare too be scared, very scared, by this new and genius twist to an old ghost story. I honestly couldn't see a way out for Bobbie, Naya, and Caine! It keeps you hooked from the spooky start, and along with lovable characters and tear jerking moments, the story made me too scared to look in the mirror in fear or seeing her! You get a really good image in your head- it's written in a way that you can't help but see play out before your eyes. All in all, if you're looking to laugh and be slightly terrified at the same time, then you'll enjoy this book!

- Maddy.
maddyreads.blogspot.co.uk