Recently I Read... Spring 2016 (Part 3)

Here's what I've been reading through Spring 2016...

Dumplin' - Julie Murphy
I'd been so excited for this YA book about Willowdean, a fat girl grieving her Dolly Parton fanatic aunt.  However, whilst it was refreshing to read a book about someone overweight that is comfortable in their skin, I found it so far removed from my own experience of being a fat teen that I struggled to relate.  There were some memorable scenes, as Willowdean and her friend visited her aunt's old haunts and fought to fight societies rigid expectations of beauty, but it fell just short of my high expectations.

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
This was my book group choice as I'd heard fabulous things about it from the book blogging community. The other adults in the group were not as enamoured by it as I was, but I was charmed by Simon as he learns to understand himself and become more at ease with his sexuality.  I was with Simon every step of the way as he sought out the mysterious Blue, who he'd been exchanging emails with.  A heartfelt read.

If You Could Be Mine - Sara Farizan
Sahar loves her best friend Nasrin, but they can never be together.  Iran is not a place accepting of same sex relationships and their forbidden kisses have to stop before someone gets hurt.  This was a fresh idea in YA literature but it lacked depth, possibly because it's a fairly short book and I found it hard to care much about the characters involved. 

More Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin
Back in San Francisco for the second book of the series, and it was wackier and wilder than the first instalment but still with the same quirky and likable characters.  I loved the sleuthing as they try to uncover Mary Ann's boyfriend's past and although it seemed a bit far fetched in places I was gripped to the end.  It's hard to believe this book is as old as it is - it reads as so contemporary.  Funny and touching, Maupin's books are unique and fantastic.

True Face - Siobhan Curham

The Blurb
We are living in the age of the image - the perfect image. From the constant bombardment of air-brushed photos, to the dubious lifestyle choices promoted by celebrities and the obsession with social media, young women are under pressure as never before to project a persona of perfection. And this is having a catastrophic effect, with girls as young as seven developing eating disorders and female self-loathing reaching epidemic proportions.

True Face shows you how to resist the pressure from the 'perfection police' and take off the masks you wear to proudly reveal your true self to the world. In chapters dealing with body image, bullying, social media, love, sex and more, Siobhan Curham encourages young women and girls to be honest, dream big, and create lives that are happy and fulfilling. Keep Calm and Carry On is replaced by a new mantra: Forget the Fake and Keep it Real. This book is a breath of fresh air. Perfect for ages 13+ - and for the Girls fan in her 20s/30s too!

The Review
I first heard about True Face in the summer of 2015.  I've spent my whole life feeling uncomfortable about my body and how I look, and a lovely blogger friend recommended that this book might be helpful.  Off the back of her recommendation, I asked for this for Christmas from my sister in law.

I have to admit that I was initially a bit sceptical.  I don't read a lot of self-help books, I'm not really in the target market for this teen book and my issues are so deeply ingrained that it was hard to think it might benefit me.  On that count, I've got to hold my hands up and say I was wrong.  It really made me consider what I could do to make myself as happy as I could be, in terms of changing and accepting my body and making time for the things that are important to me.

The strength of this book is Siobhan Curham's honesty.  Through sharing her own experiences she conveys how it is possible to take control and change your own life for the better - sometimes through small adjustments, sometimes through larger ones, but all through learning to accept and then love your true self. 

There are reflective activities throughout the book, such as thinking about the things that made you happy as a child - would those things still make you happy now?  Do you still do them?  If not, why not?  As someone who often says I've not changed much in terms of my hobbies and interests, it was a useful exercise and I've changed my routine to make time for more of what makes me happy. 

I'm never going to be an extrovert and I'm probably always going to be one of life's worriers, but taking time to consider what makes me who I am helped me develop a confidence and self-belief that enabled me to push myself in numerous aspects of my life - my work at pre-school, my writing, and yes, my weight loss. 

Recommended for anyone who needs reminding of their own self worth.

True Face is out now.

Say It With Sequins: The Charleston- Georgia Hill

The Blurb

For fans of reality dance shows, this series is strictly irresistible!

Into the last stage of ‘Who Dares Dances’ blasts Meredith Denning, a tour de force! She’s a voluptuous, beautiful Oxford grad looking for a direction in life.

Merry is partnered with professional dancer Daniel, who is still nurturing feelings for a newly engaged Julia. Though it’s not long before these two take their incredible chemistry from ballroom… to bedroom!

With Daniel on her arm and the trophy within reach, Merry finds herself in danger of breaking the habit of a lifetime as she falls heavily for Daniel.

Find out how it all ends the final part of the flirty, fun and FAB-U-LOUS series, Say it with Sequins!

The Review

When I read the first Say It with Sequins book The Rumba back at the start of 2014, I fell in love.  Firstly, because there was going to be a romance series based around a dancing show- how brilliant a discovery that was for a Strictly addict!  But secondly, I came across a character I totally fell head over heels for- the gorgeous Welsh sweetheart Harri.  I'd enjoyed the plot, but found there were a lot of characters introduced in quick succession. 

By the time the second book in the series came out (The Waltz) I was ready to be reacquainted to the characters.  Max and Lucy's 'will they/won't they' was another enjoyable read with a hunky hero to boot.

But it's The Charleston which finishes this series with a bang.  The doubts I'd had about surplus characters in the first two books were wiped away, with short cameos from those with big personalities (the judge who is obviously based on Craig Revel-Horwood for example- genius!) lightening the mood whilst we're also reunited with protagonists from previous books (yes, I mean the lovely Harri, who's preparing to tie the knot).

Merry, a failed comedian, is drafted into the show as a last minute replacement.  Feeling conscious of her height and weight and generally out of her depth, she's paired up with Daniel, the professional dancer who's still lusting after Julia, Harri's wife to be.  The couple work hard and Merry is the surprise favourite to win the show.  However, the show's vile producer Bob has thrown down the gauntlet by forcing the contestants to face their fears.  As Merry bravely tackles a long-held phobia Daniel's loving nature and strong moral standing are revealed.    I loved this moment!  It's the equivalent of when Clark Kent becomes Superman- my heart fluttered wildly and I wanted to cheer for his forceful belief in what's right.  What a hero!

Without wanting to reveal the nature of the plot too much because that's this book's strength, I can only say it's touching and swoonsome with plenty of humour.  Romantic, satirical and wonderfully written, this is the glitterball-worthy performance in the show that has been Say It With Sequins.  Fantastic!

The Charleston is out now (as both an individual title and as part of the Say it With Sequins complete series), published by Harper Impulse.

I read this book as part of the #HIReadathon 2015.  For more information, search the hashtag on Twitter or Facebook.

Only Ever Yours- Louise O'Neill

The Blurb

eves are designed, not made.
The School trains them to be pretty.
The School trains them to be good.
The School trains them to Always be Willing.
All their lives, the eves have been waiting.
Now, they are ready for the outside world.
companion . . . concubine . . . chastity.
Only the best will be chosen.

 And only the Men decide.

The Review

Every so often a book comes along that blows your mind.  Only Ever Yours is one of those books. 

Wow. 

Just wow.

I'm writing this review within an hour of finishing the book.  That's not something I usually do, but I feel compelled to, because it's got so deeply under my skin.  I'm trying to think of the best way to describe it and the only thing I can come up with is 'chilling'.  Vagenda's quote on the cover of 'Mean Girls meets The Handmaid's Tale' is pretty spot on as a description of the content.

The story revolves around sixteen year old girl (eve) frieda (lack of capital initial is intentional!)  Locked away in an all female school, eves are trained to be compliant and good.  They must stay within their target weight range or they will be punished, because to be fat is to be repulsive.  They must never cry.  They must be always be willing.  eves know that by the end of the year their future lives will be decided as they are selected into one of the thirds- companion, concubine or chastity.  Their fate is to be decided by the Inheritants, a group of ten sixteen year old boys who will choose their companions from the cohort of eves.  The whole book focusses on the build up to this selection day from inside the school.

I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy Only Ever Yours because although I've read and enjoyed dystopian fiction before, it isn't generally one of my preferred genres.  However, O' Neill is such a fantastic storyteller with the capacity to paint hideously vivid pictures through her words- I was captivated.  Gripped with horror and intrigue as I turned the pages, I greedily devoured every delicious word. 

I loved the mystery surrounding isabel, frieda's former best friend and megan, the ultra competitive superbitch had me pantomime hissing throughout.  Honestly, she's the epitome of everything I dislike and her character made me determined to become an even more of a staunch feminist than I already am!  And when the #1 Inheritant Darwin is introduced and the girls are vying for his attention- urgh- I was taken right back to the pain caused by adolescent lust and the overwhelming desire to be seen as attractive.

The relationships between the eves were so very believable- the two-faced one-up(wo)manship in the book is the same as it is in many a school, office, club or playground at pick-up time.  It is almost a warning, a brilliant beacon of a warning, of what could happen to women in a world where men have all the power.  The irony that we live in a world where men still do have the majority of power is not lost on me.  Although I highly doubt the world in Only Ever Yours is what's in store for our future, it could be.  And that's what's scary, hard-hitting and emotive about this book.

Originally aimed at a teen market, I can absolutely see why Quercus have repackaged this for an adult audience too.  It's necessary, and a book which deserves to be noticed for it's brave content, original premise and utterly frightening plot.

From the nasty, vicious backbiting of the first chapters through to the disturbing bitter end, Only Ever Yours had me hooked. 

It's one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read a lot.  Everyone needs to read it.  So, what are you waiting for?

Only Ever Yours is out now, published by Quercus.

With thanks to the publisher Quercus, who provided me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.