Busy Bees

Hello fellow drinkers of tea,

So, as you may have noticed Izzy, Eleanor and I have not been posting on our regular Tuesday's and Saturday's. This is not because we no longer like books and want to write lovely reviews for everyone to read and enjoy. We still love books because books are amazing. And we still care lovingly about you guys. Just because you're you guys.

It's just we are all 16 and doing our GCSE's and for any person who doesn't know what these are: they are the exams that basically decide the rest of our lives, basically. No pressure then, that's what everyone says. We stared wide eyed back. So if we don't pass them, we don't really like to think of the consequences. It's not great, really.

Just to brighten your day.

But, yes there is a but and a good sort too, in a couple of weeks we go on study leave! Yay! It's called study leave because we have to study, but realistically who is going to study 24 7 *Eleanor cough cough* which means that hopefully there will be a lot more time to write amazing stuff for you guys to read!

But in saying that, I know myself that my life revolves around breakfast, school, friends, homework, revision, dinner, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep. Therefore not giving me any chance to read a lot, which is sad because I love reading. I wish I could read in my sleep, actually I wish I didn't need sleep and I could just stay, snuggled under my duvet, reading all night and wake up and look as fresh as a daisy. At the moment I would say I am more like a walking zombie with no essence of 'fresh'. A new level, even for me.

Therefore, back to the purpose of this chat: please bear with us!! After June 14th we will have the longest summer of our lives so far (about 11 weeks, yeah I know!) so we will have soooooo much free time that you will probably end up bored with us...well.

Have a great...March (not too great here, it's snowing, really, it used to be fun now it's just an annoying inconvenient mess of sludge) and enjoy continuing drinking your tea and reading your books.

-Bronte, Izzy, Eleanor (:

Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler reviewed by Izzy

What is this book about?
This book is the story of Ed and Min who fell in love and then broke up. But why did they break up? Min leaves Ed a box of artifacts from their relationship, and meanwhile tells us the story of their break up.

Who should read this book?
Anyone, though I'd say it was a 12+.

How long is this book?
About 350 pages, but the writing is big and there are pictures so it's not a long book.

Marks
Story Line:  7/10
Well written:  4/5
Enjoyablilty:  3/5
Overall:  14/20

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?
Min is so smart and witty. She's that girl you read about and wish you were because most of her one liners are hilarious. Plus she knows exactly the best way to get revenge on a boy. It may seem slightly melodramatic to give a boy a box of their relationship, but I wish I had the balls to do it, don't you?

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Annette. She's a horrible, catty bitch. Is that bad? I think this blog is supposed to be a bit PG, but you have no idea how much I hate her.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
It's really nice. I like drawings on the cover. Plus it's not a photo on the cover. THREE CHEERS FOR DAVID AND MOIRA.

Question 4. What do you think of the title?
I like Why We Broke Up, as it's (obviously) a theme repeated throughout the book which I like, though it does constantly remind you that these two are not getting back together which I think is sad because at the beginning you love them as a couple. She's obviously been taking some lessons from Taylor Swift haha.

Question 5. Favourite quote!
“I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing this letter, the whole truth of why it happened. And the truth is that I goddamn loved you so much.” 

Overall: 
I loved David Handler's writing, the short, snappy sentences reminding me a bit of John Green in Looking for Alaska. I thought the pictures really did add something quite special to the book, and added to the experience, especially since I haven't had pictures in a book for awhile. The ending wasn't quite as tied together as I would have liked, or wasn't quite as neat as normal Young Adult. It didn't have any wow factor for me, but I definitely liked the writing style.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, reviewed by Bronte

What is this book about?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender.

Who should read this book?

This book can be read by pretty much everyone over the age of 8. I loved it and I have friends that loved it as well as parents and younger people I know that all say this novel is amazing!

How long is this book?

374 pages, an average sized book.

Marks
Story Line: 9/10
Well written: 5/5
Enjoyablilty: 4/5
Overall: 18/20

Star Rating:

5 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

I would either have tea with Peeta or Gale. But probably Peeta because I love him just a little incy weeny bit more as he is so amazing yet sweetly innocent. But I would then feel guilty so would probably have tea with Gale to0. Poor old Gale was always disapointed in this book and I don't want to disapoint him too. That would be very mean of me. So, lots of tea for me then, the irony of it is I don't even like tea...

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Hmmm, let me see, I am really sorry but I am going to have to be cliché here: President Snow. I think he would look great with a large amount of tea all over him, staining his all his white hair brown.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

Well, it's simple, eye catching and relating to the book so I think the cover is perfect.

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

I think the title is great as it really makes you think about what this book is about, therefore making you want to read it. I thought it was a fight over food to start with. Imagine The Hunger Games being about a food fight! Haha!




Question 5. Favourite quote!

“I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.” 

Overall:

The Hunger Games is a great book that can be enjoyed by everyone. It has engaging characters that all have their own voice and it is quite easy to really get into the story line. The plot has twists and turns that are set in a place that is different to most dystopian stories. Therefore I would recomend this book to anyone who is bored and needs enjoyment for a day or two. It really does transport you somewhere else.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

Just One Day, Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman, reviewed by Bronte

What is this book about?

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Who should read this book?

This book is a young adult book and really I think that anyone could enjoy it. Age range of about 11 and above.

How long is this book?

368 pages, a average sized book.

Marks
Story Line: 8/10
Well written: 4/5
Enjoyablilty: 3/5
Overall: 15/20

Star Rating:
4 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

This is a close call between Wren and Dee because I love them both, but, I would most like to have tea with would be Wren. Although she is a minor character and only really in the end of the book I feel that she is friendly and would just be really easy to be around and talk to. I also feel that we would have a lot to talk about because she is a little weird, but in a good way. Weird people are often the coolest.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Her Mum. That one is easy. She is controlling and trying to make her daughter live the life that she wanted herself and I don't like people that do that. Its unfair and self centered. However I do praise the Mum at the end but really I would still want to waste a cuppa by throwing it over her.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

I don't really like this cover. Yes she is on a train and that relates to the story but it has no wow factor. Nothing makes me want to read this book from the look of the cover. It's not bad, don't get my wrong, I wouldn't want to throw tea at the cover, but there is just nothing about it thats amazing.

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

I think its a good title and it sets its self up for the next in the series. I also think that, unlike the cover, it is intriguing, what could happen in 'Just One Day'?

Question 5. Favourite quote!

'We are born in one day. We die in one day. We can change in one day. And we can fall in love in one day. Anything can happen in just one day.' - Cute :)

Overall:

Overall a good read. Not amazing, I think some things could have happened and other things changed that would have made to make this a better read. Personally I only read this book because I loved Gayle Formans 'If I Stay' and 'Where She Went' and if I'm honest I prefered those, but that is only because they were fantastic. But I would still recommend this book to anyone really.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

Page to Screen, The Host

Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Film: The Host directed by Andrew Niccol
Compared by Eleanor

Our review of The Host

1. Scenes missing (if any) from the film

There were quite a few scenes missing from the film, but that was of course to be expected as it would be almost impossible to fit every detail of an over 600 page book into a two hour movie. Quite a lot of the beginning was cut out and also the stories that Wanderer tells about her previous lives -on about eight other planets- were not included, which was a shame.

2. Characters missing (if any) from the film

There were quite a few minor characters missed out; however, on the whole, this didn't subtract from the story.

3. Anything added into the film that wasn't in the book that was interesting.

Because Stephenie Meyer’s book is written in first person, we only get to read from Wanda’s point of view so it was interesting to have a couple of scenes showing Jared and his team going out to get supplies and having to escape from the suspecting ‘souls.’

4. Most beautiful scene in the film.

I think this would have to be when Jamie (Melanie's brother) takes Wanderer to a cave he's discovered and there are lots of these cave-glowworm creatures, which look a little like constellations at first. It’s a really nice scene, where Jamie and Wanderer talk properly for the first time.

5. Did anyone drink tea in the film?
Nope, I’m pretty sure that there wasn't any tea drinking in this film. I guess it's just not one of the drink preferences of this particular parasitical alien species.

6. Overall: Book vs film
This film was AMAZING! (Although not as good as the book!) I really think that everyone needs to see it, just because it's such an interesting idea and it's really different to so many of the things out in cinemas right now, whilst still keeping along the popular dystopian genre line. Of course, I would definitely advise reading the book either before or after seeing the film, because it would add so much more overall to the 'The Host' experience! And I loved it so much that I'm going to see it again tomorrow!

Book VERSUS Book #1

Hello tea lovers! Along with our new series of Character VERSUS Character we are also going to do a Book VERSUS Book, which will be the same, but with books. Obviously.

So without further ado:

1. The City of Bones vs The Clockwork Prince

Bronte: The Clockwork Prince
Izzy: The City of Bones
Eleanor: The City of Bones

2. The Fault in Our Stars vs Paper Towns

Bronte: The Fault in Our Stars
Izzy: The Fault in Our Stars
Eleanor: Paper Towns

3. Divergent vs The Hunger Games

Bronte: Divergent
Izzy: Divergent
Eleanor: The Hunger Games (but only just)

4. Beautiful Creatures vs Twilight

Bronte: Beautiful Creatures
Izzy: Twilight
Eleanor: Twilight

5. If I Stay vs Before I Die

Bronte: Before I Die (A close one though!)
Izzy: If I Stay
Eleanor: Before I Die

6. Jane Eyre vs Wuthering Heights

Bronte: Jane Eyre
Izzy: Wuthering Heights
Eleanor: Wuthering Heights

7. Anna and the French Kiss vs Lola and the Boy Next Door

Bronte: Anna and the French Kiss (sorry Cricket...)
Izzy: Anna and the French Kiss
Eleanor: Anna and the French Kiss

8. Die for Me vs Dead Beautiful

Bronte: Die for Me
Izzy: N/A, planning on reading them both sometime in the near future.
Eleanor: Dead Beautiful

9. To Kill a Mockingbird vs Pride and Prejudice

Bronte: To Kill a Mockingbird
Izzy: To Kill A Mockingbird
Eleanor: Pride and Prejudice

10. Along for the Ride vs Lock and Key

Bronte: Lock and Key
Izzy: Along for the Ride
Eleanor: Along for the Ride