Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

Published by Andersen Press Limited, 2015

Genre: Young-adult/ middle-grade

Pages: 183

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was a bit of an impulse buy and not one that I was planning at all but when you are delayed in an airport for 5 hours with only a small WHSmith, I think it is necessary to buy a few books to cheer yourself up. And when they are buy-one-get-one-half-price how could I resist?

As this was an impulse buy, I didn't realise it was a middle-grade book, assuming it to be YA until I picked it up and noticing the simplicity in the writing, it dawned on me. I am not normally one to read middle-grade books and I don't think I have actually read one since I was in middle grade (or primary school for us English folk) but I found myself really enjoying the simplistic writing but, actually, a very heavy plot line. 

Told from 12-year-old Jack's point of view, when his parents adopt 14-year-old Joseph who has had a tough life, is angry at the world and has a three-month-old daughter; one who he has never met but is desperate to be apart of her life. This is a really beautiful story about friendship, family and the tough reality of life. I will admit, if you cry at books at all, get the tissues ready as this one really got to me and I was stuggling to read because of the tears! 

It is a sad book and I am wholly impressed that Gary D. Schmidt managed to depict such an emotional story in 183 pages. But I think it was the straightforwardness that comes from being told from the mind of a 12-year-old, without all the added drama, which made it so hard-hitting. I think it is one of those books that talk about those situations in life that rarely happen to you, but do happen to others and may well happen to you one day and that insight is quite shocking but important to read about as these things do happen. 

So overall, I would completely recommend this book to anyone who likes real-life fiction that deals with heavy topics but are also easy to read and enjoyable, with both highs and lows. It is beautifully written and feels as though you really are being told from the mind of a 12-year-old boy living what happened in real life. 

I gave this book a three out of five-star rating as, whilst I wasn't blown away by it, it wasn't a bad book either, a solid middle book. What I really liked about this was that the plot was really different from a lot of other fantasy books, focusing more on the magical elements and building on the culture, religion and general world of the island Skane. 

For those who don't know, A Shiver of Snow and Sky is about an island where the sky changes colour: green meaning that their Goddess is happy; blue as a warning for snow and a storm; and then red means a deadly plague about to be brought upon the inhabitants of Skane. When the sky once again turns red, Òsa goes on a quest to seek out the Goddess in hope to stop this plague from killing her neighbours and the people she loves. There are also some pretty evil, murdering monsters also trying to take over the island...

For me, I really like character-driven books as when a book has some really amazing characters who I connect with (*cough* Six of Crows *cough*), I fall completely in love it and cannot get enough of it, never wanting to stop reading about them. However, I feel that the character building just wasn't quite there with this book and not on the same level as the world building. Maybe it was because it wasn't a very long book as it was told from a dual perspective of Òsa and Ivar, I felt that I didn't get enough time to get to know that characters. There is no doubt about it, they are both strong and brave protagonist but there just wasn't much else to them.

It has to be said that the writing was beautiful, building vivid images of the world and what it would be like to live there. However, in some places, I found it to be too overly dramatic at points when it really wasn't necessary which in turn made the more dramatic points feel less exciting and the tension was lost. It did take me a while to get used to Lueddecke's writing, as it was quite a slow paced and took a whilst to get into the main action of the book. I believe this is her first book so I would be interested in seeing how she develops as a writer in her second book which I have heard she is working on. I am intrigued to read more of her work as I do want to see whether or not the characters become more three dimensional and how the world develops.

What are your thoughts on A Shiver of Snow and Sky?

Fancy being Instagram friends? I am going to do a follow for follow so just comment on my photo of A Shiver of Snow and Sky telling me you came from this post! 

So I caved. I bought Turtles All the Way Down. When this was released on the 10th October, it was absolutely everywhere and still is. It seemed everyone on my Goodreads was reading it, it was all over Instagram and Twitter, booktube, which is probably why I caved into that side of me that is always saying I need to buy more books. I went ahead and bought it, even though I said I wasn't going to because (apologies to those who love everything and anything by John Green) when I read the only other two books of his, I really did not like them. As I read them so long ago now I can't even remember the specifics as to why, I just have the vague memory of not being very impressed with the plot or the characters and found his whole style to be too wordy, which it true for Turtles All the Way Down is too, but somehow it didn't hinder the book for me as much as it did for the others.

But I am so glad that I gave in and bought it as 1. it was surprisingly cheap when I spotted it on Amazon, especially for a lovely hardback, 2. I love the cover with the bright orange, and 3. The message behind this book is so important and eye-opening, I can't recommend it enough

For those who don't know, Turtles All the Way Down is about a girl, Aza, who struggles daily with OCD, a mental illness that prevents her from doing things like eating her lunch without her mind constantly worried about the microbes surrounding her. For someone who doesn't struggle with OCD, I can only give my own view on the subject from an outside perspective, but this insight into what it is like to live with such an illness that is so incredible and realistically portrayed by John Green, is something everyone should have. Not to sympathise with those who deal every day with similar illnesses, but to gain some kind of empathy for what it is like to live with and some perspective.

Which is why I gave this book 4 stars as whilst the plot itself wasn't all that great, lacking a bit of something to really make it stand on its own two feet, the powerful depiction of Aza's life made this novel one that will affect some and help many others. To broach a topic which many people shy away from, John Green is once again shining the light onto what needs to be discussed instead of avoiding it. The more people who do so, the better it will hopefully become for those who they themselves suffer from mental illness, or knows and cares for someone who does, as the archaic view of ignoring those who struggle with mental health can destroyed, instead making way to discover new ways to help.

At the end of Turtles All the Way Down, John Green left some websites for those who were affected by the topics of the book, either worried for themselves of those they care about, and I thought I would leave them linked below for anyone else who might be in need of them. 

Thank you so much for reading, if you read and enjoyed or disliked Turtles All the Way Down or it affected you in any way, comment below your thoughts. 

UK

www.mind.org.uk

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.headmeds.org.uk

www.elefriends.org.uk

www.place2be.org.uk

www.getconnected.org.uk

www.supportline.org.uk

www.samaritans.org.uk

AUSTRALIA

www.kidshelpline.com.au

www.lifeline.org.au

www.thesamaritans.org.au

www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

www.sosbsa.org.au

NEW ZEALAND

www.depression.org.nz

www.lifeline.org.nz

www.samaritans.org.nz

www.youthline.co.nz

SOUTH AFRICA

www.childline.org.za

www.lifelinesa.co.za

I feel that October was I very good reading month for me, and just a good month in general! If it wasn't for the increasingly darkening days, which are getting colder and colder, October would be my favourite months of the year, with the trees turning all autumnal colours and the festive season beginning with the build-up to Halloween and the knowledge that there are only two months left until Christmas! I am one of those people that as soon as Halloween is done, it is time to get into the Christmas mood, start singing those favourite Christmas tunes we all love and planning presents to buy my friends and family. It is also my last official Christmas at home before I head off to University (obviously I will be back for future Christmas') so I plan to make the most of it. 

If any of you follow me on Instagram and look at my stories, you will have seen a few days ago I also got to see London Grammar play at the O2 Academy in Brixton and it was so amazing! The lead singer Hannah Reid has the most amazing voice that on CD sounds amazing but in person was phenomenal. When she sang, with no instrumental back up, the beginning of Rooting For You (which also has a very high note) I was blown away. I haven't been to many gigs before and this was completely worth standing for hours and the travel into London. If you like their music, definitely go and see them as you will love it! I also got a signed poster which I am going to have framed have to get framed before I put it on my wall as all my other posters seemed to get completely shredded to pieces! And I have no idea how it happens...

So back to the books... Out of the five books in my October TBR, I managed to read three which isn't too bad at all, but I also managed to top that and read an extra five books! Wow, I didn't realise it was that much! I think this has to have been my best reading month all year, mainly due to the half term holiday when I pretty much read for the entire week straight (the dream right?) fitting in three books and the first half of another. Below, I have given my star rated and a general overview of what I thought of each book as well as leave links to my full reviews (or when the post will be published for those coming in the next week or two) if you want a read of that too! 

NORTH AND SOUTH BY ELIZABETH GASKELL 

Started: 15th September

Finished: 5th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 530

Thoughts: So you may be thinking that this may not count as most of the time I spent reading it was in September but I only read about 80 of the 530 pages in September, marathoning the rest in the first week of October. I had some incentive to get through it with some new books I bought and desperate to start reading! But, that is not to say that this was boring, no no no, I just find that when reading Victorian classics I to have to concentrate a  lot more than with YA books, thoroughly reading each page as they are much denser than so it takes a lot more time to read. 

I absolutely loved this book, mainly told from the point of view of Margret Hale, who began the story living with her rich aunt in the social scene of London, but when she returns to live with her father and mother in the countryside, they have to move from her childhood home into the industrial city of Milton-Northern. Margret was such a normal character- her opinions and the opinions others had of her is what I imagine others having of me and I really related to her. I also was very excited for the possible romance between Margret and Mr Thornton, willing for it to happen all throughout the book, never know if it was going to happen or not (and I won't tell you if it does as you'll have to read it to find out for yourself!). 

I also loved the insight into what it was like living in the industrial era for the people involved and those more removed from it. If you are studying English literature at A Level, especially if you are studying any Victorian literature, I would say this should be a must read as it will give you so much context into what it was like to live during that era as it was such an accurate retelling of life at that time. 

WE WERE LIARS BY E. LOCKHART

Started: 7th October

Finished: 7th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 225

Thoughts: I have a full review up of this already which you can read here! This was one I have seen a lot and I have heard very good things about E. Lockhart so when I saw this beautiful cover in Waterstones I couldn't resist. Well, I did for 24 hours but then I had to go back. And it was worth it as it looks oh so beautiful on my shelf and was one of the best books I read this month. It was one that whilst reading it, I wasn't too sure, even when I finished it (sobbing my heart out may I add) I still didn't sure if I liked it. The following few days, it kept popping into my head, and I found myself thinking about the characters and that twist that completely changed the story. That's why I decided on it being an amazing book. I keep recommending it to anyone who will listen as I want to talk about it with everyone and see what they think of it! 

THE GREAT GATSBY BY F, SCOTT FITZGERALD

Started: 12th October

Finished: 14th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟

Pages: 191

Thoughts: I really wanted to fall completely in love with this book as so many people do but I just didn't. I didn't particularly like the narrative writing style and when I was finished I was just left feeling a bit meh. I don't know if maybe I missed something and if I re-read it I'll enjoy it more, I don't know. I tried reading it a long time ago but put it down after a few pages and never picked it up again as it just didn't catch my interest. I just found it a bit boring to be completely honest. I do want to try some more of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work as he is such a renowned writer and maybe I will prefer some of his other work or after reading more of his style, I'll enjoy it more. 

THREE DARK CROWNS & ONE DARK THRONE BY KENARE BLAKE

Started: 15th October

Finished: 20th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 407

Thoughts: Last week I posted a joint book review on both Three Dark Crowns and One Dark Throne which you can read here if you're interested! I wasn't blown away by the first book. I found it incredibly slow with little to no action in the first half to three quarters. It took me quite a lot of willpower to keep pursuing it as I kept getting distracted, however as soon as the action started in the last third, I speed through it and cliffhanger at the end is really what saved it for me and brought that star rating up to a three, giving me the encouragement I needed to get onto reading the next one.

Started: 21st October 

Finished: 22nd October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 450

Thoughts: Much more action-packed than the first one, with more development into the characters, I did enjoy this book a lot more and is a far more solid three than before. The ending wasn't as good and didn't leave me as eager to read the next book but the romances greatly improved and I much prefered the pace and general writing of the book. 

HEIR OF FIRE BY SARAH J MASS

Started: 23rd October

Finished: 25th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 562

Thoughts: Oh ma word. I LOVED this book so much and it is the best of the three Throne of Glass books I have read so far. In fact, I loved it so much, I went a bit trigger happy with a book depository order buying all three of the next books. Meaning I can just power through them as I cannot stand the waiting! Of course, the fifth book had to arrive before the fourth and is now sitting on my shelf just taunting me, but I can see that it is much bigger and when I see the books increasing in size in a series I am really enjoying, I get very excited as it means more time with the characters and the amazing world!

I feel that the world, the characters and the plot was taken to a whole new level with so much more development, especially Celaena who was baddass to start with but the emotional side of her is explored so much more and I just loved seeing that. Also, can we take a moment to just appreciate Rowan...wait... Ok, we can move on now. 

The only thing I would say was a downside was that the parts from the witch's perspective were a bit boring and I found myself counting down the pages, eager to get to the next chapter. But even that isn't enough to bring the star rating down to a four as it was just so dang good. I really hope Queen of Shadows lives up to this one! 

TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN BY JOHN GREEN

Started: 25th October 

Finished: 26th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 286

Thoughts: I did it, I jumped onto the I love John Green bandwagon. Even though this book is EVERYWHERE: bookstagram, twitter, booktube, the shops, I wasn't planning on buying it. I read The Fault in Our Stars a few years ago before the film came out and (I apologise to those who absolutely love this book and have a hundred copies) I just didn't like it. I can't even remember why now but I just remember really not being a fan, so I really wasn't going to read it. But then I saw it on Amazon for only £7 and, I challenge any of you resisting a new hardback release for only £7, I just couldn't resist. And I am surprisingly thankful that I did as I ended up giving it a four-star rating!

John Green takes subjects that tend to make people uncomfortable, death, mental illness, topics which are normally avoided or brushed under the carpet, and makes sure everyone is talking about them. The protagonist in Turtles all the Way Down, Aza, struggles with OCD and whilst I don't suffer from mental illness so can't say from personal experience, I image John Green has managed to create a very realistic portrayal of what it is like to live with this illness. More and more people are discussing mental illness, either from their own experience or supporting those who suffer from it, and I think that it is so important for us all the keep pushing to get away from that negative stigma that has surrounded mental illness for so long. Books like this, that place it into everyday life and reflect the reality of it, that will help to break up that stigma. 

What stopped this becoming a straight out five out of five was that the plot lacked a bit. It is understandable as the emphasis of the story is Aza dealing with her OCD, but there was just something missing.

I will have a full review up on the 6th October.

A SHIVER OF SNOW AND SKY BY LISA LUEDDECKE

Started: 26th October

Finished: 28th October

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Pages: 341

Thoughts: The synopsis of this book is really what sold me and I had to pick it up. Ósa lives in the very cold island of Skane where the lights in the sky tell the word of the Goddess. When they turn red, Ósa has to find a way to stop a plague and beasts from invading her village and threatening those she loves.

I kind of have the same feeling towards this as I did the Three Dark Crown series: it was good, but not amazing. I think it was mainly the writing style as some bits didn't really flow and I found the dialogue a bit stiff. The plot, however, was unique and different from anything I have read before and the romance wasn't too stuffy. It is Lisa Leuddecke's first book and I am hoping that with the second one, the writing will flow a bit better and the dialogue will fit the characters more as I would love to read the next one which I hear she is working on at the moment!

I will have a full review up on the 10th October.

And there are the eight books I have somehow managed to read this month! I have a feeling that November won't be as successful on the reading front, especially towards the end of the month as I have the dreaded mock exams during the first week of December so will sadly have to prioritise that.

Who has decided to take part in NaNoWriMo? I was really wanted to but I'm only eight chapters into outlining my idea and with school deciding to up the amount of work, I just don't think I will have the time I want to have to dedicate towards it. I love hearing about how everyone else is going and watching writing vlogs so I am so excited to see how everyone else gets on and if you're taking part, good luck!

What was your favourite book you read in October?