Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes Review

For the YA Bookclub of the Wilde Readers group on facebook run by Louise Pentland, It was decided that we were reading Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes by Holly Bourne. This books looks at the stigma of mental health and lets us explore characters of different mentak disorders. 

The book focuses around the very likeable character of Olive. She is an undiagnosed teenager who has worried parents with her mood swings and emotions. She is given the opportunity to go to a centre which will help her find solutions to her problems and talk about her health for a period of 4 weeks. Within this centre we meet friends, lovers and frenemies who also are all very likeable characters... well sort of? (Read and Find Out!)

Now, I am quite funny with books surrounding this topic as they make me quite anxious as its a topic I sometimes feel uncomfortable reading about especially because of recent anxiety and panic attacks etc. Bourne talked about this subject perfectly and I admire her passion. 

My one thing that I was unsure about however was the bittersweet ending... (again, read it as I am not spoiling) I feel like I needed more and I am hoping for a sequel! Holly if you ever read this... please do a sequel. I loved her spinster club series so I would love to see a continuation of this. 

Final Thoughts.... so many final thoughts. I love the characters, the story but most importantly the message that this book presents to the wider audience that read it. I felt almost comforted by this novel as it allows you to feel not singled out and that others face problems too. This could possibly be my favourite book by Bourne ( It's tied with the second spinster club book!) and I cannot wait to continue the great work she produces.

This book has earned 5 Stars from me and I totally recommend it.

★★★★★

Thanks for Reading Today! 

Ross

Anxiety Updates: September 2018

Anxiety is a topic, I like to openly discuss here on the blog as its one of the ways that I cope with the issues that it brings me. This month, my anxiety has been quite high! I started uni, met new friends, changed hours at work and also there has been a lot of arguments at home. 

Lets start with Uni and New Friends. My anxiety the first week of Uni was horrible and resulted in a panic attack on the Thursday. I was so upset and angry at myself for not making any new friends because I was too nervous to talk to anyone. This made me want to quit uni and not return as I could not face 4 years of this feeling, however, the Friday was a godsend. I have a mentoring family and its where I have met one of my best friends Chloe. She is super nice and thankfully accepted me into her group. They are all really lovely and I can't wait to see our friendships grow over the next 4 years! After that week, I have attended classes and lectures and its genuinely not been as bad! Everyone seems really nice, except one group who I caught searching people on facebook and laughing at their profiles, and I cannot wait to make even more friends.

My work hours are making me an emotional wreck. I am currently covering 5am shifts as one member of the team has had some personal problems. It really is messing with my head. Its causing me not to sleep as I know that some people who work in the mornings do not like to work with my team. How awful is that! I genuinely love talk so I try to seem friendly at all times, however, some members of this morning shift just don't seem like nice characters. I had to do my old shift as well one of the days and that was even worse. The team I work with are hard to take on especially after escaping for 2 months. I also really don't enjoy the managers who are on this shift. Career change? I think so.

Home... It's just been horrible. Everyone keeps fighting over the dog who I love so much! Apparently I don't like him? I don't know but they keep targeting me. My sister is also getting more and more cheeky as the days go on and I am finding it difficult to tackle. I am also the target of weight comments constantly and It makes me so upset. Home is a place I am meant to escape my anxiety but I just can't! Im coming home and sitting in a room not talking to anyone and crying. Its not helping. I love them all so much but I don't know how much longer I can take.

There was also another 2 situations that I am not comfortable talking about... I was so stressed about these 2 situations that I ended up getting so drunk and being sick up the street. Lets just say past experiences still haunt you and new experiences make you think that you'll be single for eternity? Please get better!

So this month was okay... not the best or the worst.

Thanks for Reading Today!

Ross

Room by Emma Donoghue Review

For the literacy module of my university course, I had been told to read Room by Emma Donoghue as I will be assessing the language of the main character. I realise this book has been around for a while but I would still like to share its story.

Lets start with our main characters. Jack is 5 years old and lives with Ma in "Room". This is all he has ever known and he has been born and raised in this confinement. He thinks that this is the whole world and the people he sees on TV are fake and make believe when really, outside of room is a whole new world for him to explore. Ma was taken when she was younger and hasn't left. This is the story of their lives and how it drastically changes. I won't say no more as this will ruin it for you all.

 The novel is told in the perspective of Jack who obviously doesn't know a lot and the only knowledge that he knows is from his Ma and TV. He talks about objects as if they are people such as 'lamp', 'chair' and 'rug' and also explains everything that he sees including when he does the toilet and wakes up in the morning. This truly let you feel like you were inside a child's mind. 

This book helped me understand a child's mind more and will be helpful for the next few years of my life as I embark on my journey of teaching. This allowed me to see how children can really be vulnerable and how I could help to change their life by being a role model.

Old Nick is another character who was brilliantly written and honestly creeped me out. He is so weird and scary and I'll let you read on to find out why. This book really opened my mind into the world of those who have been abducted or taken. It freaks me out that their could be people right now (there probably is!!!) who have been taken from their homes and are kept away for someones pleasure. This is such a big social issue and is something that we must look out for.

The full book was engaging and I had to keep reading on and I would totally recommend it.

My final score was 5 Stars! 

★★★★★

I hope you all enjoy this book if you ever choose to read it and also keep safe in all situations in our scary world!

Thanks for Reading Today!

Ross

Starting University

So today, I embark on my next adventure!

I am starting University!!!

Lucky for me, I managed to gain my conditions in my English Exam and also my HNC Overall Grade which allows me to go to uni and become a primary teacher!

My excitement is overpowering all other emotions as I am just so happy that after 2 years of hard work, I am finally reaching one of my goals which I have since I was back in primary school!

I am going to be attending the University of the West of Scotland which has been one of my top choices over the years. With high student satisfaction rates for my course, I knew this was the perfect choice. I don't know anyone who is going this year so I'm getting a wee restart to my life. I cannot wait to meet new friends and to work my hardest to make my family proud but more importantly myself proud! I cannot wait to bring you all along in this journey!

Book blogs will recommence soon, as-well as some album reviews and more chit chat blogs.

Thank you for reading today!

Ross.

Sweetener Album Review

Sweetener

Ariana Grande

Track 1: raindrops (an angel cried)

Beautiful Vocals and packed with emotion. As much as I would have liked this song to be longer, I appreciate how its been left at such a short song as it really allows you to admire her vocal talent.

Track 2: blazed ft Pharrell Williams

I love Ariana's parts in this song and I actually really like the chorus with all the amazing harmonies...

however, Pharrell wastes this song for me... I don't particularly like his sections or his voice which makes me dislike the track. 

Track 3: the light is coming ft Nicki Minaj

This song isn't for me as much as I love Nicki and Ari's collabs. This has nothing on Bang Bang or Side to Side. I like Ariana's Verses but I dislike the talking chorus, Nicki's rap and The guy talking really annoys me. I appreciate their efforts though.

Track 4: R.E.M

Vocally this track is gorgeous. I really enjoy the verses in this song and I have to say her harmonies are wonderful especially on the 'Bum, bum, bum". The chorus is alright, not that creative but I still enjoy this song.

Track 5: God is a woman

This has to be one of my favourites from the album. I love the chorus and I love how it showcases a lot of her vocals. This took me a while to enjoy but it is a bop! Her live performance of this was beautiful. 

Track 6: sweetener

I loved this songs chorus until it reached the... bop it instructions? It just wasn't too creative...

Its a sweet song and her vocals are shown well in most parts of the song. Not my favourite.

Track 7: successful

The first time I listened to this one, I wasn't a fan if I'm honest, but after listening multiple times, this is one of the better tracks on the album. The chorus is brilliant and perfect to have a dance to. I really like the vocals on this track too. Great tune.

Track 8: everytime

This is a different vibe from Ariana and I really am digging it. Its not her usual pop hit!

Once again, I am loving her vocals throughout but the stand out of this song has to be its fantastic chorus. I really enjoy this one.

Track 9: breathin 

Possibly my favourite song from this album. Her verses are well written as well as the chorus.

I like the pre chorus and her vocals shine throughout this number. The chorus is catchy!

I love this song from Ariana.

Track 10: no tears left to cry

I love this song. This is a song which showcases her style and those vocals are on point.

This is another favourite from the album and the song was well written.

This is a bop and it deserves its success.

Track 11: borderline ft Missy Elliot

This one... I have some mixed feelings. I don't think her vocals shine through on this track.

I don't get excited when this comes on and I don't really like the chorus.

The song is very... one note.

Track 12: better off

This is a nice little song, it allows her vocals to be heard however, once again this song seems very one note. It doesn't head anywhere. I need to say though, harmonies are fantastic! 

An average tune.

Track 13: goodnight and go

This is a nice tune also. I love the start of the second verse. however, not really a fan of this songs chorus. Her vocals are gorgeous but I just need something more. Its missing something.

Track 14: pete davidson 

I love her vocals on this! Just not that creative. 

It's cute!

Track 15: get well soon

One of the better songs on the album, I get old Ariana vibes from this! I like the tribute to Manchester attacks and the harmonies are on point. The lyrics are fantastic and she really shines vocally in this song. A brilliant ending to this song.

So overall, I have mixed feelings about the album as I don't think it is her most creative album.

Her vocals are great, it just needed some more bops. It had variety however, there are a few songs which sounded the same and get confused in my mind.

Final Rating: ★★★☆☆

3/5 star rating.

Thanks for reading today!

Ross