Book Review - Zelah Green: One More Little Problem

Synopsis
My name is Zelah Green and I'm a Cleanaholic. It's the summer hols and I'm on major Flirt Alert. I've joined mysortaspace.com and ever since I've been getting emails from loads of boys. Boys are Dirt Alert AND Germ Alert. Don't even talk to me about kissing...The rest of my life's a bit rubbish too. That's because: my dad is moping about the house missing his girlfriend; my ex-best friend still isn't speaking to me; my grumpy weirdo Satanist friend has turned up to stay; my cleaning rituals are are taking up way too much time; and, most importantly, the guy I really like, Sol, has disappeared off the face of the earth... 


My Review
Zelah Green suffers from severe OCD, i read the first book in this series sometime last year in which she goes to a sort of rehab to get help for her 'rituals'. At the start of this book, Zelah has her summer planned, her OCD isn't as bad as it was, she has a list of things to do and is looking optimistic, but that doesn't last. Caro, a girl she met in the first book turns up on her door and asks to stay, Zelah doesn't really like Caro but can't really say no. She needs to help her, but this will cause major problems to her, Caro doesn't seem to understand her need for cleanliness at all times. What with Caro staying, her Dad's girlfriend going out of the country, and her dad pottering about in the garden like a hippy, Zelah's stress levels begin to rise, causing her OCD to escalate into epic proportions.
I found these books quite interesting, not many books tackle the issues of OCD and similar problems that a lot of people suffer from. I don't know much about it, but these books help you to understand what others are going through. Zelah clearly doesn't like her life being controlled by what she calls 'Dirt and Germ alert', her constant need for cleanliness and having to do star jumps at the top and bottom of the stairs every time she goes up or down them, in reality drives her mad, but she can't help it. It's wired in her brain.
I think this book should be read by all, maybe even added to some school syllabus, as it's useful for sufferers to read about others who share their illness, and for people that don't suffer from it, will gain a new level of understanding and hopefully respect. There is a lot to learn from this book, but don't get me wrong, it's not just one big lesson, the story is captivating and exciting, and the characters really come to life. It is well written and flows nicely.

My Rating
I would give this book 7.5/10, you should definitely give it a go, you might learn something, and if not, you've still read a good story.

Book Review - Ghost Town

Synopsis
When Claire is ordered to repair the systems that protect Morganville, it's not just cutting into her study time, it's a life-threatening problem. If there's one thing this vampire-infested town is serious about, it's security. But achieving the impossible only brings a whole new set of problems, and the upgrades have unexpected consequences: people inside the town are slowly beginning to forget who they are, even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment - before she forgets how to save Morganville... 


My Review
It's been quite a while since I read the other books in this series, but that didn't matter, within minutes of picking this book up I was right back there, back in Morganville, it was like returning to see old friends. Let me just say Rachel Caine is a LEGEND! her books are so gripping, funny, moving and fast paced. I can't get enough of them, her characters come to life on the page and this book had me gasping (at one point i actually gasped loudly and shouted 'no' everyone in the room turned to look at me!), crying, laughing and staying up until one in the morning to finish, i just couldn't stop reading. 
Myrnin has a big part in this book which I am so happy about, because Myrnin rocks, he is my favourite character, and some of the one liners she gives him are fantastic, all the usual characters also appear, Oliver, Amelie etc, but with memory loss you see a whole different side of them!
When Claire is told she has to repair the machine that controls Morganville security, she thinks it's impossible, she does manage it, but things don't go the way she planned, people start to forget who they are, Vampires turn wild, people go crazy and the town starts to fall apart. Can Claire fix the problem before she too forgets who she is.
 With some very moving scenes, dramatic fights and laugh out loud moments, I bet you won't be able to put it down either.
Can't wait for the next installment. Please Rachel Caine, give us another one! :D


My Rating
I would give this book 10/10, it has pride of place on my shelves and is just fantastically superb.

Book Review - The Devil Rides Out

Synopsis
Birkenhead, 1973. The eighteen-year-old Paul O'Grady gets ready for a big Saturday night out on the town. New white T-shirt, freshly ironed jeans, looking good. As he bids farewell to his mum, who's on the phone to his auntie, and wanders off down the street in a cloud of aftershave, he hears her familiar cry: 'Oh, the devil rides out tonight, Annie. The Devil rides out!' The further adventures of Paul O'Grady - following on from the million-copy-selling At My Mother's Knee - are, if anything, even more hilarious and outrageous than what has come before. As Paul struggles to get to grips with unexpected fatherhood and bereavement, he searches high and low for a job that lasts and somehow finds himself getting married in the process. Work takes him from an abattoir to a children's home, from a hospital to a nightclub, and from penthouse to pavement. Along the way, he takes his first-Savage steps on stage, tastes the exotic delights of Manila and invades Poland ...
 
My Review
I know, two biographies in a row, it's unheard of for me, but they both turned up at once and had request lists (I got them from the library) so had to get them read.
I read Paul O'Grady's first autobiography last year when it came out and quite enjoyed it, and it finished on a bit of a 'whatever will he do' moment, so i looked forward to reading this one.  
This book covers approximately 7 years of his life, from 18 - 25. He talks about all the different jobs he had, and blimey he's been around a lot. I saw a softer side to him as he talked about working in a home for severely disabled children, never would have imagined him doing something like that, but from reading it sounds like he was good at it, and i say good on him. It also takes you through his introduction to the drag scene and the stirring of Lily Savage.
This book had me giggling throughout and was well written. I am surprised at how many details he could remember.
A good read, and I am hoping there will be another one to come.

My Rating
I would give this book 7.5/10. A good read with some laughs!

Book Blogger Hop: November 5th-8th

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy-for-Books and is an awesome way to for book bloggers to interact and find each other. Such a wonderful idea! There's a new question every week that all the participating blogs have to answer. This week's question comes from Vicki who blogs at The Wolf's Den:

"What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?"

 

As I am a fairly new blogger, building up the number of people following me is quite important and everytime i log in and see the number has gone up it does make my heart flutter a bit and i get excited, so of course if i lost followers i would be disappointed and a little upset, but i have to remember it's not personal, and people change. 

I haven't stopped following a blog yet, but i only follow ones i really have an interest in. I am now following quite a few, but i will look at there updates in my dashboard and visit a variety of them and even leave comments. I think that is the key, only follow ones you are really interested in, not just for the sake of it in the hope they will follow you back.

 

 The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, go back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added

If you've stopped by my blog from the hop, welcome, it's great to have you here, please feel free to look around, and follow. I will then visit you in turn. :D

Book Review - Life & Laughing

Synopsis
Michael McIntyre has become Britain’s biggest comedy star. His debut stand-up DVD was the fastest selling of all time, only to be eclipsed by his second that sold over 1.4 million copies and was the 2009 Christmas number one. He hosts his own BAFTA nominated BBC1 series, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and won the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-up in 2009 following his record breaking fifty-four date Arena tour. But how did he get there? Michael reveals all in his remarkably honest and hilarious autobiography Life and Laughing. His showbiz roots, his appalling attempts to attract the opposite sex, his fish-out-of-water move from public to state school and his astonishing journey from selling just one ticket at the Edinburgh Festival to selling half a million tickets on his last tour. Michael’s story is riveting, poignant, romantic and above all very, very funny.



My Review
I didn't realise it was national non-fiction day, but I read a n/f book today, by coincidence. I don't really read non-fiction and what i do read will be autobiographies and even then i have to have a real interest.
I have always liked Michael McIntyre, whenever he's on TV I'll watch and I have both his DVD's and so was interested in reading his autobiography to find out how he got there.
The book does exactly what it says on the cover, it's about his life and I was laughing! 
Michael covers all aspects of his life from birth to school, puberty to adult hood and everything in between. It tells you about his dating experiences (or lack of them), his parents and his struggle to find success. I found the book very gripping and read it speedily. I laughed out loud in several places, and got a real insight into his life. I admire him more now i know how much he went through to get where he is. Nothing was easy but he didn't give up.
Give this book a try, i guarantee you will laugh your socks off.


My Rating
I would give this book 8/10. A great read, give it a go.

30 Days Of Gratitude (2)

This is a weekly event run by 'Readings of a Busy Mum'

So I decided to tell you all what I'm grateful for once a week every Monday. This will be things that make my life a little easier and happier.

This week I'm grateful for:

Comfy Chairs!

As I read soo many books, I need somewhere comfortable to sit, so I am grateful for comfy chairs.
I love the sofa in my house, as I can curl up on the end of it, with my book resting on the arm, and just sit there for hours.
Just think of life without chairs you can crash out in with a good book, it just wouldn't be the same :D




What are you grateful for? I would love for you to tell me or take a picture, blog it and link me up there's nothing more than a little shared gratitude!

Book Review - Torment

Synopsis
In Torment fallen angel Daniel and his mortal love Lucinda think they are safe but evil forces are massing against them. As Luce learns more about her past, and discovers that the lives she’s already lived hold the key to her future happiness; she starts to wonder if Daniel has told her the whole truth. What if his version of events isn’t the way things happened? What if that means that she’s really meant to be with someone else? 


My Review
As i struggled a bit with book 1, I wasn't overly enthused to read this one, but thought i would give it a chance and I'm glad I did. For me this book was sooo much better than the first. I was immediately hooked and couldn't read it fast enough. Swept away to a special school in California, Luce tries to find out more about her past and what Daniel really means to her. Whilst there she learns more about the Announcers (Shadows) and meets some new friends. I loved Shelby, her quick wit was great and Miles is a sweet heart. There is quite a bit of intrigue and as Luce discovered her past, i was as interested as she was. Some moments in this book surprised me and some I managed to guess as I went along. 
I did get confused at some points as to who was on what 'side', what with Truce's and different creatures and alliances, i had to really think about who did what, but once I had got it in my head, the book flowed. 
I can't say too much as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but the book gives you a much better insight into a lot of characters, and the Ending, OMG, the Ending!!! was amazing, cannot believe i have to wait until next summer for 'Passion'. After finishing the book, i just sat there going 'ooh, omg' I need the next part!!

On another note, my copy of the book had a special chapter, it was from Book 1, 'Daniels First Sighting' which tells you about the day Luce turns up at Swords & Cross, but from his point of view. It was very interesting, and I think it should be put in all editions. Fans of the book would love it. 

My Rating
 I would give this book 8.5, a definite must read!!! :D 

Book Review - Ghostgirl: Lovesick

Synopsis
Before she can rest in peace, Charlotte Usher must return to the tragic site of her death: High School.
On the brink of Dead Ed graduation, Charlotte and her fellow classmates learn they have one last mission to complete before gaining entrance to the much-anticipated afterlife: Observe one designated teen with an unexplained problem and help said-troubled teen by Prom.
For the life of her, Charlotte can't imagine why she has been assigned to help Damen, last year's Homecoming King and her former fatal crush. To make matters worse, her boyfriend Eric is sent to look after her best (breathing) friend Scarlet, who has since ditched her goth girl image for a girlier look that turns more heads than just her boyfriend Damen's.
Charlotte would die (again) for love. But when her only chance at an afterlife means having to face the dreaded, all-too-familiar pains of being invisible, it may be too much for her to handle. 

My Review
I was so excited to have a third part in this series and grabbed it as soon as i could. I had to know what happens to Charlotte next, and when she is so close to Graduating and moving on, she finds she has to go back, and not only does she have to go back to High School, she has to help her former crush Damon. This isn't as easy as it sounds, first she has to know what he needs help with, and when it all becomes entangled with all the other kids problems and their helpers, things can get messy.
I really enjoyed this book as much as the others in the series, if not more!
The writing again is excellent and the story is exciting, it's nice to see the characters (both dead and alive) grow, Eve is still my favourite but is more angsty in this book, she isn't sure of who she is or what she wants from life, but knows her friends are there for her (well sort of in Charlottes' case)
This book really tied up some loose ends for me from the first too books, and had a really beautiful ending. Everything is neatly tied off, but at the same time poised for a sequel, should Hurley wish to write one. (Here's hoping she does, as I can't get enough)
The artwork/illustrations are once again beautiful and the overall look of the book is gorgeous.


My Rating
I would give this book 9.5/10, you really should read it, but read the whole series, it's sooo good!

Contest you should check out

Great contest for a Blog Design. If like me, you aren't that great at the behind the scenes blog stuff, this is a contest for you.
Just pop over here at The Book Worms


Also 'Fallen Angels' contest, you should check out, to win 3 signed YA Angel Fiction books. just go here

Life Is Good Award

I was awarded this by The Book Bee. Go check out this blog! Thanks Book Bee

Rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked to let them know about the award.

Questions:
1. If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?
No, I don't mind blogging under my name, it's who I am!
2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side:
I have to have the last word on the phone.
3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
A girl with a lot going for her in her life, but still seems a bit unsure of where to go next.
4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Oasis Summer Fruits
5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
Curl up on my bed with a good book, a film  and some Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream.
6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in life? What is it?
I want to write a novel, have started it, but is taking quite a while, never have enough time to do it.
7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?
I was the shy person, i would sit at the back and do my work quietly, never raised my hand or messed about.
8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see?
The day i went to London last year on the train, this was a big moment for me as i had a terrible  fear of trains, but i managed to conquer it.
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?
No, i find it quite easy to share my true self.
1o. If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I would sit down and read, i hate talking on the phone, so impersonal, and i LOVE books, easy choice really.

The Recipients:
1) Frazzled Book Nommer
2) The Book Worm Is Here
3) Book Noise
4) Down The Rabbit Hole
5) Book Hounds
6) The Diary Of A Bookworm
7) Forever Young
8) Sarah Reads Too Much
9) I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
10) Reader Recommended
11) The Ladybug Reads
12) The Book Buff
13) A Dream Of Books
14) Reading World
15) Lori's Reading Corner

You all Rock!!!