All The Bright Places | Book Review

This is the first book review to go up on the blog so I’m slightly anxious about setting the tone of all the posts yet to come.

All The Bright Places is the first Young Adult book written by author Jennifer Niven. I have heard a lot about this book from various bloggers and other writers, all who have praised it highly. I was intrigued to read it from the outset and I always know what type of book I’d enjoy reading by looking at the cover and a little bit from other people’s reviews. I know don’t judge a book by it’s cover but I definitely do. I like really simple and to the point book covers, also one’s that make a lot more sense when you finish reading it.

The book is meant to fight against the stigma that comes around mental illness’s and suicide. It deals strongly with bullying, teenage and adult relationships, and also a huge part of it is dealing with labels and coping with loss. I think the book captures the stigma around mental illness’s themselves well, and that there is many different types. It highlights the problems within our current health systems and the way we ourselves as a society deal with suicide and death.

It’s written very simply and nothing in it is hard to understand. I was afraid it was going to be too simple but it’s just perfect, it’s just like being inside both Violet and Finch’s heads, who are the two protagonists. The book is written from the narrative of both of their voices and views, each chapter could alternate the characters.I thought it would become annoying but it genuinely was interesting to be on two sides of the same situation and to be in someone else’s thoughts.

I’m not sure how good I am at summarizing the book without spoiling it so read at your own dismay at the moment. The plot of the story is of two teenagers, Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, who meet at the top of the school bell tower. Both are dealing with their own personal issues and the labels people are giving them after the bell tower incident. Finch is dealing with his continual suicidal thoughts and Violet is dealing with the loss of her sister Eleanor. The pair form a friendship that is almost forbidden at first but turns into something intriguing interesting and ultimately passionate and unique.

I felt so emotionally involved in this book. Violet and Finch’s relationship is interesting in the way it develops and in the way they’re different yet the same and the way they respond to each other. Together they deal with their problems and try and work things out as much as they can. Finch’s character is the most intriguing. He’s constantly evolving and changing himself. He gets bored of things and people very easily and tries to entertain himself by changing his whole personality from time to time. He’s the character you never know what to expect from. You know there’s always going to be something new he’ll be thinking about or  something spontaneous he’ll try. His character paired with the fragile and somewhat shy and timid Violet is just an adventure and surprise waiting to happen.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book and when I started it it did feel like your typical teenage love story written for contemporary young adults. Yet as you continue reading you realize there’s so much more than that in it.  It’s very similar to John  Green’s Fault in Our Stars, as it has been compared to but it’s like its counterpart it has so much more under the surface. It’s very emotional both happy, sad, joyous and heartbreaking.

I would recommend this book as an easy read even though as I read it it got harder to read, mainly because I got so invested and emotional, it’s a very cute love story of the sort but also gives you a lot to think about when you finish about the way we think and care about each other.

Overall I’d give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. ★★★★☆

James Joyce-Letters.

We all know of James Joyce, often argued to be the greatest Irish writer. Well in this blog post we will look at his writing of course, but not his novels of Dublin but of his sexual letters addressed to Nora Barnacle. So sit back and enjoy because this is a entertaining one (well hopefully).

How I came across these letters is quite odd. I was watching a Netflix series called “Addicted to Sexting”, not my choice, but James Joyce’s letters made an appearance. So I looked them up and have found letters from Joyce and they are fantastic. Not that they are expertly written but the contrast between what Joyce is known against what he writes like in these letters is the entertainment.

 

After being said that the letters featured in a show involving sexting, it can be quite obviously deduced that these letters revolve around sex. Just a warning you will probably become a little uncomfortable when reading these because I know did.

 

“At every f*ck I gave you your shameless tongue come bursting out through your lips and if I gave you a bigger stronger f*ck than usual fat dirty farts came spluttering out of your backside.” – December 8, 1909.

Now, where do we begin. What questions would you have? I remember I was left speechless after reading this. I produced awkward laughs because I just could not comprehend what I read. I for one became very uncomfortable with the mention of farts, the language just appears so vulgar and it continues in the letters. In the same letter he mentions her farts two more times and even wishes to smell them, perhaps this is what turns him on? “Arse full of farts…” and “No end of her farts in my face”.

The letters contain vulgar words involving his “prick”, her “c*nt” and plenty of talk about their sex life.If you wish to get a brief view of these letters you can click here for quotes from the letters and here you can get the full letters of Joyce, well several letters in full.

Perhaps Joyce could see that he may offend Nora because he says “Darling, do not be offended at what I wrote.” So maybe he realizes how odd these letters would be but I got enjoyment from them, I hope you do as well!

 

Authors of Classics- Do I have to like them?

The question of the author.

Obviously when reading books, the reader will look at the author’s other works if they enjoy their writing. Having favourite authors is both healthy and unhealthy as it limits what you may think you enjoy but also gives you an idea of what writing style and genre you enjoy. As I have seen posts about whether ‘Classics’ themselves are good, this blog is along the same lines except we will focus on the author. Should we automatically like the author of a ‘classic’?

 

Answer.

The short answer is quite obviously no. I understand why classic books are talked about frequently when the topic of literature comes up but they do not get special treatment over modern books. If you enjoy the writing of a classic writer then of course you can like the author, I have, for example, found a favourite author in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; but not because he is a classic author, but because I find huge value of entertainment in his work. I believe people do not often get the idea that you can appreciate an author for being a good author but still not enjoying their work. On a couple of occasions this has happened to me. Authors which fall into this category for me are Hemingway, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jack Kerouac. Although I can acknowledge their skill when it comes to writing and I can admire the beauty and finesse of some of their themes; for me the books don’t provide entertainment and bore me into putting the book down.

 

Final Words.

I know this is a simple and short blog post but I think its a question that a lot of people, including myself, think about from time to time. I’d love to know everyone else’s opinions! Have fun reading.

‘Classic’ Books – Recommendations.

Hello! This is the first post other than the introduction, so welcome.

CLASSICS.

If you have ever been interested in picking up reading as a hobby, it will be likely that friends and websites will recommend ‘classics’ straight away. Classics are a favourite of mine as they allow me to have a basis of literature. They open doors into genres you may not have liked prior and other book-worms can talk easily about classics. So without further hesitation here is a few classic books that I would recommend.

1) Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte.

We were required to read this for university last year, and never have I ever been so happy to be required to read a book before in my life. The book follows the story of Heathcliff and Catherine in two areas, Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. The story is told in an
epistolary form, third-person omniscient and dialogue from the characters. It is a tragic love story between Heathcliff, Catherine and eventually their future offspring. The story is thrilling from start to finish and I did not want to put the book down. Bronte is a fantastic writer, seen through the use of Gothic elements, the themes of the supernatural, social class, feminism and the dark nature of the character Heathcliff; which makes the story so thrilling and enjoyable. Heathcliff is a character you love despite the fact that he is portrayed as the villain. Perhaps my  favourite villain in a classic book. This would be my number one recommendation for anyone looking to read a classic. It is so good that you feel upset when you finish the book, well I did at least

 

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2) The Phantom of The Opera by Gaston Leroux.

When I decided to read this book for the first time I did not know what to expect because no one has ever recommended this book to me. It is such a shame that this book is not recommended more often to readers as it is thoroughly enjoyable. The story follows opera singer Christine, her childhood best friend Raoul and the phantom of the opera himself, Erik. Erik loves Christine, Christine is thought how to sing incredibly by the phantom and feels indebted to Erik. Erik wishes to marry Christine but she does not have the same feelings. Raoul loves Christine and the feelings are returned. The story deals with how this awkward love situation is created, the situations it creates, the tension caused and eventually the outcome. Leroux is a gripping writer and made it impossible for me to put the book down. As soon as I had a chance I would pick up the book and begin reading. Like Wuthering Heights, I loved this villain also, perhaps I have a soft spot for villains. The book is suspenseful, dark and comedic. If you get a chance I would definitely recommend this book, you won’t regret it.

 

3) Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Recently I received the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes stories for my birthday and they have been my current favourite books. Containing well known stories such as ‘A Study in Scarlet’ and ‘The Sign of Four’ I had such fun reading these stories. When I think of classics I would think of Hemingway and Dickens, etc. but never of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and that needs to change. Doyle creates some of the most sensational crime novels to ever exist in these stories. We know of the two main characters, Sherlock Holmes and his friend and assistant, John Watson. The stories show intelligence, fantastic writing skill and dry humor which is hard to find in novels in my opinion
. Very rarely have I guessed the correct solution in his stories which is part of the fun of reading these stories. The writing is descriptive, the use of dialogue is exceptional and the varying characters in the stories are amazing. I would never have thought of reading ‘Sherlock Holmes’ when first reading classics because, like ‘The Phantom of the Opera’,it was not recommended to me. That is why it is on this list. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Also when you finish and you wish to sink your teeth into more Sherlock-esque writing
try Anthony Horowitz’s ‘Moriarty’ which focuses on the counterpart of Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty. Perhaps watch the BBC series and compare the stories and TV  series adaption as I have, which adds to the entertainment of reading these books.

 

Final Words.

I know the list is short but I do not want to overload a post, perhaps in the future lists will be longer and opinions and summaries condensed to accommodate longer lists. I hope you enjoyed reading this list. If you have read any of the classics recommended, then let me know what you think. I would love to know your opinions! Also have you any recommendations for the blog then let us know!

 

Have fun reading!

 

Welcome To UncoveringBooks!

Hello to anyone who has stumbled upon this blog!

This is the first blog post on this blog and it’s going to be a short introduction before getting started. This blog will contain book reviews, study tips, book discussions and basically as much rambling about books as you can imagine. It’s going to be a space where we can write about books and how we feel about them and other things that contain and relate to literature, can’t be too sure what it’s going to be like yet. It’s going to be a mix of classic books and analysis and also newer releases and their relevant attributes.

This blog will be run by myself, Leigh and my blogging partner Jack so it will be one or both of us writing at a given time. I’m not sure how often we will post or if we will keep up with it but we think it will be a lot of fun to do as writing is a big hobby of ours. Plus both of us study literature at University so we should always have something to say!

I haven’t quite figured out how to use WordPress yet so please bear with us until we figure this out and hopefully it goes well. I’d love to hear from other literature blogs as I’m not sure how to find or follow any so if you have any advice please let me know!

Hope to see you all reading soon!