Waiting on Wednesday- Carry On- Rainbow Rowell

I love Rainbow Rowell.  Her writing is so wonderfully readable, she's not afraid to explore topics outside the ordinary and from following her on twitter I've discovered she's a proper, fully-fledged fangirl.  This all appeals to me.

 

I've loved her other releases and ran a Rainbow Rowell week on Books with Bunny last year, but I cannot wait for Carry On.   Can't it be October 8th already?

 

 

The Blurb
Simon Snow just wants to relax and savour his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he'll be safe. Simon can't even enjoy the fact that his room-mate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can't stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you're the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savour anything.

Based on the characters Simon and Baz who featured in Rainbow Rowell's bestselling Fangirl, Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.

Carry On is released on October 8th 2015, published by Macmillan Children's Books.

Landline- Rainbow Rowell RAINBOW ROWELL WEEK

 

Landline is out today!  So whilst I do the happy dance and the fangirl squee, why don't you read my thoughts on Rainbow's latest release...

The Blurb

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

The Review

I was very fortunate to be able to read Landline prior to release.  As a huge fan of all Rainbow's previous novels I had ridiculously high hopes for this one.  Hugely high.  Like Empire State Building high. 

I'd set aside an afternoon purely to read Landline, and I was well armed with chocolate biscuits and a cup of tea.  Perfect.  It took a while to get going, in fact I actually put it down because I wasn't immediately feeling it.  Georgie irritated me, Neal irritated me, their relationship irritated me- I just felt overwhelmingly....irritated.  As an outsider looking in I wanted to bang their heads together and tell them that for any marriage to work there needs to be compromise because it isn't all hearts and flowers, it's bloody hard work. 

Then the quirkiness kicked in.  The landline.  And I wasn't sure what to think.  It was a fresh idea, totally original, but I wanted angst, emotion, moments that would make my heart pang and my stomach lurch.  And slowly, through the conversations Georgie has with young Neal, the reader learns about their relationship.  That was what I'd been waiting for, that insight into the human condition which Rainbow conveys so well.  From then on I was sucked in, loving seeing the juxtaposition of Georgie and Neal's time together from students to 'old marrieds'.  It was realistic, a world away from the way marriage is portrayed in a lot of fiction.  In fact, at times it was painful to read- I cried twice whilst reading, proper gut wrenching cries.

It's difficult to summarise my feelings about this one.  I didn't enjoy it, but I did appreciate it.  It did touch me, and I invested more in the characters as the plot progressed- I can see me thinking about this book in the future and recalling the message it sends.  For me it didn't have the immediate impact of Rainbow Rowell's previous works, but I know that the more I mull it over the more I will see.  It's one of those books that needs digesting. 

And I really wish I had that yellow rotary phone in my life.

Attachments-Rainbow Rowell RAINBOW ROWELL WEEK

 

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (OK- late last year on this here blog) I reviewed Rainbow Rowell's Attachments (you can read that post here).  Unlike Eleanor and Park, Attachments is aimed at an adult readership and I'd say it has less crossover appeal.  That's not to say that it isn't a good read, because it totally is and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lincoln, Beth and Jennifer.  I just can't imagine teens relating to it in the way that adults would.  Which is fine, because that isn't the aim.

And that made me wonder- how is it that some authors manage to connect with readers of all ages, whilst others end up pigeonholed into one genre?  I'm not talking about cross over fiction as such, more about authors who are adaptable, able to mould themselves into a writer of both adult fiction and children/YA's fiction.  

For example, I adored Judy Blume's books as a child and was beside myself with excitement when I discovered she'd also written novels for adults.  However, although her adult books were perfectly readable they didn't speak to me in the same way her YA titles had, and I was left disappointed.   I wanted that same level of fun, the same angst, the same chaotic friendships and relationships as I'd enjoyed in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Just As Long As We're Together.  And I didn't feel I got it.

With Rainbow Rowell, her books for teens appeal to me as much (if not moreso) than her books for adults, yet there are striking similarities in her inimitable style across both genres.  She doesn't seem to change depending on her audience.


Her characters are quirky, or outsiders, or normal people.

There's lots of dialogue.

She strikes the balance between humour and disquietude.

The plot is unique, but the books remain character driven.



For me these are the key elements of a good book, regardless of the target readership.  What good is a fantastic story if you don't give a damn about the protagonist(s)? The multitude of dialogue contributes to a pacey read, the kind you can't put down.  And her books are emotive.  Whatever she writes, you'll feel. 

And that's why I can't help but love her books.  Because when I turn the last page, whether it is of a book aimed at teens or adults, I feel like I have lived and breathed every scene. I've been on that bus, picked up that phone, written that fanfic, not just been a passive bookworm wrapped up in a duvet in a bogstandard terraced house. 

Rainbow Rowell is magical.  When I grow up I want to write books as brilliant as those she writes.  Books that touch peoples hearts and open their minds.  But most of all, books that people enjoy.

Eleanor and Park- Rainbow Rowell RAINBOW ROWELL WEEK

I reviewed Eleanor and Park for the blog last year (read my review here) but I wanted to write a post talking about exactly why this book is so amazing.

It is all about

 

 

and romance, and the power of the mix tape.



Because it is set in the

 

 

 these mixtapes contain the musical magic of bands like

 

 

which let's face it is pretty darn amazing.

 

There's a great big dollop of

 

 

 

and amazing quotes like this...

 



 

 

and this...

 

 

and this...

 

 

which will make you laugh, and cry, and FEEL.

 

Totally adorable, right?

 

By the end of it you'll be like-

 

 

 

and

 

 

You'll love Eleanor and Park as much as they love each other.  And THAT is why it is one of my most favourite books in the whole wide world.

 

 

Don't let the YA audience keep this one for themselves.  Because love is timeless, and love stories as beautiful as this don't come around that often.

Rainbow Rowell week!

RAINBOW ROWELL WEEK

It's Rainbow Rowell week here on Books with Bunny and I am unashamedly going to fangirl my little heart out!

So, for the few people who have been living under a rock and aren't yet familiar with the genius of Ms Rowell, allow me to fill you in.  She's American and writes contemporary novels.  Actually, that doesn't do her justice.  She's American and writes AMAZING contemporary novels.  Her characters are often 'geeks', into computer games, pop culture, graphic novels and I love a good geek, it must be said.  Her books are filled with romance, angst and humour, and one of the things I like best about them is that they really stay with you long after you've read the final page.  They are books with characters you can relate to and that you will truly care about. And Eleanor and Park- I invested so much in that book that I still don't think I recovered.  It is one of my favourite books ever.

Rainbow is also fantastic at twitter (you can find her @rainbowrowell).  She interacts with her readers A LOT (this can't be said for all authors) and tweets about all kinds of random stuff.  And Sherlock.  She really loves Sherlock. 

I will be reviewing each of Rainbow's books over the course of this week-
Tuesday- Eleanor and Park
Wednesday- Attachments
Thursday- Landline (Release day!)
Friday- Fangirl

Hopefully my love for these books will shine through because they are totally awesome.

Luckily for Rainbow Rowell fans in the UK she is coming on tour, and there are still tickets available for some of the events.  I am absolutely devastated not to be able to go and see her but the closest event to me is eighty miles away and I don't have the money to travel that far at the moment.  Sob.  If you are able to go you should, and do a bit of extra fangirling for me.

UNITED KINGDOM TOUR

July 10-14
GLASGOWThursday 10^th July – 6.30pmWaterstones
153-157 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow   G2 3EW
T: 0141 332 9105

LIVERPOOL — SOLD OUTFriday 11^th July – 6:30pmTicketed author talk and book signingWaterstones
12 College Lane
Liverpool   L1 3DL
T. 0151 709 9820

LONDON – YA LIT CON
Saturday 12^th July – from 12noonYA Lit Con at London Film & Comic ConAuthor panel event and book signingEarls Court 2, Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Warwick Road
London    SW5 9TA
For tickets and further information visit: http://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com/

CARDIFFSunday 13^th July – 2pmWaterstones
2a The Hayes
Cardiff   CF10 1WB
T: 029 2066 5606

LONDON — SOLD OUTMonday 14th July – 6:30pmIn conversation with Bim AdewunmiWaterstones
203/206 Piccadilly
London   W1J 9HD

LONDON – – SOLD OUT
Tuesday 15th July – 6:30pm
In conversation with Bim AdewunmiWaterstones
203/206 Piccadilly
London   W1J 9HD

BIRMINGHAMTuesday 29th July – 7pmWaterstones
128 New Street
Birmingham B2 4DB

Attachments- Rainbow Rowell

Having read and adored Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park earlier in the year (see my review here ) I was nervous to pick up Attachments.  What if it failed to live up to my high expectations?

I needn't have worried.

Attachments is set in 1999, when the internet and email were still novel and the millennium bug was a cause of real concern.  Lincoln works at a newspaper office, monitoring emails for inappropriate usage.  Beth and Jennifer, colleagues at the newspaper, email back and forth, talking work, life and a cute guy.  Lincoln knows that it is voyeuristic and inappropriate, but he can't stop himself from reading their exchanges.  Before long he is falling in love with someone he has never met...

My own experiences probably added to my enjoyment and understanding of Attachments. I met my now husband on an internet forum way back in 1997, when meeting people online was still a bit weird.  Rainbow Rowell transported me back to that excitement, the constant checking of my inbox to see if there was a new email waiting.  I found myself totally relating to Lincoln, reliving the overwhelming 'feels' I had way back then. 

Rainbow Rowell taps into her characters insecurities, quirks and obsessions, giving readers an almost alarming insight into their true selves.  There are very few authors who manage to touch me as much as she does. Without giving too much away there was one part of the novel that had me in tears, revealed in a way that physically made my heart ache for the characters involved.

Overall, I loved Attachments.  The characters are real and believable, the plot unique , the romance acutely painful and beautifully portrayed.  A humorous and heartwarming read, I didn't want it to end.

8.5/10

Attachments is out now, published by Orion.

Eleanor and Park-Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park is a rare find for me- a book that I stumble across without reading any hype, any book reviews, seeing any posters for it.  A book that is sat there on a shelf just willing me to pick it up.  I read so many book blogs and follow lots of publishers, publicists and authors on twitter, and most books I read are recommendations I get from these fellow bibliophiles.

I was drawn to Eleanor and Park by the cover, simplistic and classical in style, yet with a contemporary feel.  The strapline 'You never forget your first love...' appealed to me and for some reason I just knew that I'd love this book.

I did.

Eleanor, a flame haired misfit from a dysfunctional family, meets pop culture fanatic Park on the school bus.  Slowly but surely they progress from reluctantly sitting next to each other to that first frantic love that consumes you whole.  Very much focussed on emotions, this character-driven novel made my heart sing.  There isn't much of a plot, other than following the relationship of the two protagonists, but it doesn't need anything else.  Relationships started via mix tapes is very much something I can relate to, and the power of music is eloquently illustrated.  I found myself longing to be Eleanor, discovering The Smiths for the very first time, desperately racking my brain for the emotion I felt the first time I heard The Queen is Dead.  Rainbow Rowell managed to transport me back to being a teenager; acutely painful, yet with opportunity stretching out before you.

Eleanor and Park has a similar feel to The Perks of Being a Wallflower (which I have previously reviewed here) or Love Story, an intense novel about love, lust and desire and how they can be affected by outside pressures of dictating family and judgmental peers.  I know that if Eleanor and Park had been released when I was a teenager I would have been shut in my room reading a well thumbed copy over and over.  This generation is so lucky to have such a wealth of high quality fiction that encapsulates the awkward adolescent years.  I'm really quite envious. 

The ending was the only disappointment for me.  After the soaring love portrayed throughout the novel I felt almost cheated and unfulfilled.  If there had been just one more chapter to fully 'finish things off' it would have been a nigh on perfect read for me.  However, I'd still highly recommend this book, particularly to 14+, although I am sure this will also have a large crossover following.  It is a heart-wrenching read and I know it will stay with me for a long, long time.

Eleanor and Park is out now, published by Orion.

9/10