GUEST REVIEW: Solitaire - Alice Oseman

GENRE: Contemporary

PAGES: 400
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

This book is released in July and can be preordered in store now for a £3 deposit.

Find out details for the Solitaire launch party in Birmingham here.

SUMMARY

In case you're wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year - before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people - I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now. Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't.

REVIEW

Oh God, I don’t even know where to start. I’ll begin with saying that this book is definitely a ten out of ten, and that I couldn’t fault it even if I tried. 

The protagonist, Victoria Spring (or Tori as she prefers to be called) is not a brave, out of this world character. But rather a real teenager that suffers through the days the same ways we do. I found that this was the main message of the book, not love or bravery or being above average, but being a teenager in this screwed up world, and how Tori grew as a person. She was so easy to relate to and I found myself on multiple occasions thinking to myself “That is literally me” or “THANK YOU for expressing my thoughts so perfectly!” The fact that she is so pessimistic and hates pretty much everyone, and simply can’t care makes it so easy for me to just relate to her. I also dislike many people at my school, I generally don’t get along with many people and just like Tori, I’d rather just sleep and blog. 

Michael Holden. Michael is one of those boys that you are likely to encounter at some point in your life. He’s not a strong, cool dude who everyone seems to love (I hate people who everyone loves), he’s a boy who is also trying to figure himself out, and figure the world around him. He’s real and honest. He’s also crazy and a bit weird, but that’s what made me love him. Lucas, Becky, Charlie and Nick are also very interesting side characters who make the book all that more interesting (and can I please have Becky’s hair??)

I loved that no one in this book seemed to be completely fine; no one seemed to have a perfect life either. Everyone had something going on, they all made mistakes, and that reflected life so perfectly. Even Solitaire, a blog that everyone suddenly started following and loving, made silly mistakes (like almost killing some people)- showing that even a strong figure that people look up to will make mistakes, and this reflected life so perfectly. 

The fandom mentions and school references (like PEE, ugh.), made the book even more real and agh, I love this book so much.

I did guess who was behind Solitaire quite early on (and got it right, whoop!), but the element of mystery was always there, and I was always second guessing myself and wondering whether I was just an idiot ha!

The ending of the book was not perfect, there was no real closure. But that’s what I loved most, the sheer honesty of it. Problems don’t get solved when you find romance or when you make up with your friends, some problems take years to go away, and some never do. 

I cannot recommend this book enough, go and preorder it ASAP if you haven’t already. Alice Oseman is going to be famous, I just know it. 

Also, follow Alice’s blog ( http://chronicintrovert.tumblr.com/ ) and her twitter. ( https://twitter.com/AliceOseman )

Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me the book, follow them on twitter too!( https://twitter.com/HarperCollinsCh )

- Maryam

Coming in July

We KNOW how exciting this month is for releases, I mean look at the top 6 just for starters! Click through to see more titles, and let us know if there is something you like the look of.

  

   

Solitaire Book Launch Party!

We can now officially announce that we are so lucky to be hosting the Launch Party for Alice Oseman's Solitaire!

You might not have heard of this book yet. It's brand new. We announced it at our TFIOS party and here's what Alice had to say:

"Hello everyone!

I’m Alice Oseman, I’m nineteen years old and on the 31st of July, the amazing people of YA Birmingham are hosting the book launch for my debut novel, Solitaire. It’s going to be extra fabulous and you are all invited.

Solitaire is a coming-of-age story about a very pessimistic and very sarcastic sixteen-year-old girl named Tori Spring, who hates everything and is probably in love with her laptop. It’s also about an online group of prankers who decide they’re going to wreak havoc at Tori’s school. Tori Spring does not advise that you buy my book, but I strongly disagree. It has lots of awkwardness, many spectacular school pranks, a very annoying boy with glasses named Michael Holden, some Sherlock-style mystery-solving, numerous Tumblr references and teenage bloggers who get a bit carried away with themselves. It is definitely not a love story.

As you can imagine, I am very excited about all this and would love it if you could come to my launch, even if it is just to watch me drinking lots of wine and hyperventilating from excitement. I will draw pretty pictures in your copy of Solitaire, should you decide to buy one. And I’ll love you forever.

Hope to see you there!

Love Alice xxxxx"

We really think you're going to love Solitaire. If you've read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and loved it, then I guarantee you will adore this because it's 10 times better. And British. How many books open with an argument about Harry Potter Fandoms?? 

At 19 years old Alice really is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they can't get published. Come along to the launch and meet Alice and our big YA Birmingham supporters. She'll tell you about the book and answer any questions you have about the book and about writing.

We're going to have loads of lovely cakes and plenty of Diet Lemonade (and maybe something a little stronger for over 18s). You'll get your books signed and doodled on publication day and be part of something really special. I'm not joking when I tell you that Alice is going to be a massive star. 

See more about it on the Waterstones website

Find out more about YA Birmingham's events.

Visit Alice Oseman's blog.

The launch is on the 31st of July at 7pm. Tickets are just £1 and are available in store or on 0121 633 4353. This is your chance to meet an amazing up-and-coming author before anyone else!

YA Birmingham is proud to support Alice and Solitaire, young and British authors, and awesome literature on the YA scene. 

REVIEW: Solitaire - Alice Oseman

PAGES: 400
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

This book is released in July and can be preordered in store now for a £3 deposit.

SUMMARY

In case you're wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year - before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people - I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now. Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't. This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.

WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!!

No, seriously. It's going to be huge.

REVIEW

Full of wit, cynicism, sarcasm and humour, Solitaire is a fantastic début novel and I'm incredibly jealous that Alice Oseman is only 19! Accurately depicting modern teenage life, this book is relatable yet original at the same time. I really loved Tori's narration, and as the plot advanced it was fascinating to read her thoughts on the situation she was in, and I liked seeing how her friendship with Michael Holden developed. The Solitaire aspect was fascinating, I guessed who was behind it pretty early on but it was still great seeing what they would come up with next! I would recommend this to fans of Rainbow Rowell and John Green, it really is awesome!

- Gem.

Alice Oseman casually showing off her first novel.

Watch this space for an equally awesome giveaway!

REVIEW: Landline - Rainbow Rowell

PAGES: 320
PUBLISHER: Orion
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

This review refers to an uncorrected advance copy, which is due to be published 03/07/14. Although this is one of Rainbow Rowell's adult novels, it is suitable for older teens.

SUMMARY

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and he still loves her - but that almost seems besides the point now. Two days before they're supposed to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells him that she can't go. She's a TV writer, and something's come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - he is always a little upset with her - but she doesn't expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her. When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she's finally done it. If she's ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It's not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...Is that what she's supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

REVIEW

Landline follows Georgie, an American sitcom writer with 2 kids and a husband, Neal. When Georgie lands the chance to write her dream series it means leaving Neal to take her children to his parents on his own. With their relationship already strained, the time without Neal makes Georgie start to look at their relationship and what he means to her.

One evening when Georgie stays with her mom she tries to call Neal from her old yellow landline - and when he answers it's not who she's expecting. Right guy, wrong time. She somehow manages to connect with him in a past state, just before he proposes to her. Georgie has to ask herself - should she try to put him off from proposing believing that she can't make him happy, or are they destined to be together no matter what?

Georgie is such an awesome character. She's not your typical skinny, pretty popular girl. She's kind of like Tina Fey (who happens to be my hero) and lounges around in Neal's old Metallica t-shirt, whilst forgetting to go to work. She has a really dry wit and sometimes is just plain hilarious. Although there is a technical love triangle between herself, Neal, and her best friend Seth, she never has eyes from anyone other than Neal. Nothing about their love is what you'd normally read in these books, it's so much more real. Rowell talks about how love is about compromise. It can never be perfect - no one is ever a perfect match - we're people, not jigsaw pieces. Rowell exposes love - she gives it room to grow without sugarcoating. 

It's a very dialogue-based book so you'll totally fly through it but it's so awesome. It's clever, witty and so truthful. Of course it has a heartwarming romance, but it feels so true to form. Georgie's soul searching allows us to watch them fall in love, question everything about their relationship and how love is supposed to feel, and in the end...? Well you're just going to have to wait and see for yourselves.

So what would you do or say if you could speak to a past version of your partner? Although it might not ring true for younger readers without much life experience, there's a lot of lessons to be learned and it's nice to see something that isn't a horribly overwrought Disney romance. 

Relationships aren't perfect. They're a compromise and something to be worked at all the time. But with love? Anything can work out.

You are all really going to love this.

- Bex.

REVIEW: Flirty Dancing - Jenny McLachlan

PAGES: 256
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

This book publishes July 2014.

SUMMARY

Bea Hogg is shy but fiery inside. When national dance competition Starwars comes to her school looking for talent, she wants to sign up. It's just a shame her best friend agreed to enter with school super-cow Pearl Harris. Bea will fight back! But when school hottie, Ollie Matthews, who also happens to be Pearl's boyfriend, decides to enter the competition with Bea, she will have more than a fight on her hands. This warm, nuanced, hilarious story about friendship, fortitude ...and dancing is impossible not to fall in love with. Jenny's voice is fresh and convincing, and she handles both darker and lighter elements of the story with equal panache.

REVIEW

I found this book really enjoyable and incredibly funny! Bea is a wonderful character; It's really easy to relate to her fun loving home character and quiet at school character. Having been paired with the schools best looking guy and her ex-best friends love interest for a televised national dance competition is enough the terrify anyone, but when Bea is forced to put up with snide remarks and bullying from Mean Girl Pearl (Ha!)

It's interesting to see that as the story progresses she really develops as a person and she realises that "Though she be but little, she is fierce!" just like her nan always says! This is the kind of book you sit down and read all in one go (as I have done today!) and it will make you laugh out loud and smile throughout.

Perfect for fans of Holly Smale, Jacqueline Wilson and Louise Rennison.

- Gem.