Paper Towns - 4/5

So I've already talked briefly about another book by John Green on here, but since I recently read Paper Towns for the first time I thought I should give it a once over on here as well. This young adult novel is told from the perspective of a young man named Quentin 'Q' Jacobsen and his adventures, particularly those concerning his next-door neighbour and estranged friend Margo. The book deals with typical teen novel themes such as love, insecurity and high school politics, but also looks into darker elements such as suicide, death and abandonment, both emotional and physical. 

Spoilers ahead

A Dance With Dragons - 4.5/5

I can't believe I finally caught up. I started this series with so much skepticism that I wasn't even convinced I would finish the first one, let alone finish all of them. So less than a year and five massive books later, I am officially 100% a huge ASOIAF fan and I can't wait for the next book to come out. However, before that, I still have this review to complete... as always, spoilers lie ahead so beware. This is also going to be super long!

A Feast For Crows - 3/5

So after the life damaging experience that was A Storm of Swords, I had high hopes for the next book of the series. I was aware of the geographical split and despite losing out on some of my favourite characters because of it, I was optimistic anyways. In hindsight, I think I set the bar way too high for this book and enjoyed it less as a result. There were definitely less tears though!

DIY Couture: Create Your Own Fashion Collection - 4.5/5

Here's something a little different! I have to admit, when i'm not reading one of my favourite things to do is sewing, and I'm just starting to get into dressmaking (if any of you follow me on tumblr you've no doubt seen some of my recent attempts - I think I'm improving a bit?) with my brand new sewing machine. So when I saw this book being reviewed by one of my favourite fashion bloggers (the amazingly talented Stacie) I knew I just had to have it. 

A Storm of Swords - 4/5

In the third book of the epic series A Song of Ice and Fire so much happens oh my gosh. I'm not even sure how to review this, as I think this has to be the most action packed book of the whole series so far. I read it as two separate books as per usual for the UK editions, but I will be reviewing them both together so be warned - SERIOUS SPOILERS AHEAD. 

A Clash of Kings - 4/5

In the second book of the epic series A Song of Ice and Fire the story really starts to change from the TV series that I love so much - and actually manages to be even better. Following directly on from the ending of the first book in the series, this novel follows the many characters through a multitude of events, both good and bad (but mostly bad, let's be honest, these characters have miserable lives).

The Fault In Our Stars LIVE! Tour Review

(photo credit goes to http://smallsister-inc.tumblr.com/) 

So this is a little different, but last month I was lucky enough to meet the fantastic John Green, one of my favourite YA authors and attend one of his book tour events for The Fault In Our Stars. It was a brilliant night and an all-round good experience, and i'd like to share a little of it with the readers of this blog.

This tour was to celebrate the lauch of The Fault In Our Stars in the UK, and it certainly did it justice. John was joined by his brother Hank who is his partner in the YouTube channel 'Vlogbrothers', a wildly successful video blog project which has been running for a number of years now. This particular night of the tour was in Manchester at an incredible location called The Monastery. No prizes for guessing what made it so great - it is in fact a real monastery,  which definitely makes it the first time I've ever sang along to The Proclaimers in church.

The night began with a few short speeches and a book reading by John, made wonderfully ironic because of the setting (if you're familiar with TFIOS you will understand - the event took place in the 'literal heart of Jesus' of the church!), and then continued with a whole host of fun sing-a-longs led by the wonderfully talented Hank, a Q&A session, question 'Tuesday' and finally a short personal meeting with the brothers. Everyone received a free signed copy of the book on entry and lots of other merchandise was also available - I treated myself to a tour t-shirt. The atmosphere was like nothing I've ever experienced - everybody there clearly loved the book and the author so much, and Vlogbrothers has built up a very friendly and close community over the years. Everybody felt like a long-lost friend and treated each other as such, and I am so thankful for John Green for bringing us all together and making this event happen.

The Fault In Our Stars is currently at #5 on the Waterstones Bestsellers chart, and a very well deserved place it is too. It is a book about life, death, sickness and health, and it will break your heart just as it broke mine, and you will consider it a privilege anyway. I recommend it 100%, just as I recommend John Green's other books. They are all beautifully written and will stay with you for a long time after reading. I am so lucky to have had the chance to not only read it, but also to attend this event and meet the brilliant author behind it.

There's only one thing I can say to end this piece, readers: DFTBA.