10 Things To Do Before You Leave School by Bernard O’Keeffe – Book Review (Blog Tour)

This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review for this blog tour organized by Random Things Tours, thank you so much for the opportunity.

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Acorn Independent Press
• Publishing Date: 5 Mar. 2019

Favourite quote: “So the thing about Hamlet’s madness is he puts it on, he assumes it, as some kind of defence, some kind of protection.”

This book follows Ruby whom dad has died a year ago. She missed a lot of school days and we get to get to experience what she deals with when going back. One day she finds something extremely daunting: an envelope addressed to her and it is in her father’s handwriting. Inside the envelope, there is a list saying ‘Ten Things I Hope You Do Before You Leave School’.

What can I say about this book? It was sent to me at the right time. I read it while being terribly sad, almost depressed and in need of a book that made me feel every emotion. This book made me laugh and cry, which rarely happens to me while reading. I wasn’t able to put it down, everything happened to Ruby and once you get started with the list this story becomes a rollercoaster.

I loved the character development in this book, we can see Ruby as well as Josh and their mother growing up and becoming themselves again at the same time. A great thing about this book is that it manages to bring to light a multitude of important topics, such as self-harm, suicide, bullying, among others without making it feel forced. Another thing I really enjoyed was the fact that you never know if Ruby is doing something because of the list or because she feels like it since she only mentions the topic of the list once she has completed it.

I don’t have anything negative to say about this book, it’s a really good story, with credible characters and a great plot. It didn’t blow my mind but not every book has to blow your mind, right?

I give this book 4.5/5 stars.

I recommend it to everyone going through a rough time but remember this is a book that talks openly about topics that might be triggering to some people.

Bye, keep on reading.

 

 

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Sweethearts by Gemma Gilmore – Book Review

Sweethearts is a fun light read about a young girl named Ingrid, the story mainly revolves around her coming to terms with her sexually and everything that comes with accepting herself. I consider that the main purpose of this book was to let the reader know it is okay to be himself/herself even if it seems difficult at first.

The story follows Ingrid, Summer, Kat, and Amber as they finish high school and decide what to do next with their lives.

I had I few problems with this book:
First, given the fact that not one of the characters is an adult nor emancipated I would suspect there would be parents involved in their lives, even if just for a short sentence but that is not the case.
Second, the writing was not my cup of tea, I get that it is easy to read and all but it lacked a lot of emotional depth overcompensating with descriptions.
Third, dyeing your hair doesn’t give you a new personality. I get that it may give you a little bit more confidence but it doesn’t transform you into an all-new person.
Fourth, the main character is obviously a bully, that would be okay if it was clear that that was what the writer meant, but it isn’t or at least to me it isn’t and that makes the character quite cringy.

Unfortunately, I only enjoyed the portrayal of teen pregnancy, because it talked about serious topics and showed that it is possible for teen parents to get their life together.

Has you can probably tell I didn’t really enjoy the book but the fact that it was quick to read made me not hate it as much in the sense that it didn’t take away much of my time. There a ton of negative aspects to it, more than any strengths I could find. The book kind of fulfills its purpose of trying to make us feel ok with who we are.

I give this book 2/5 stars.
Hope you enjoy it because I didn’t!

Bye, and keep on reading.