No. It was not. Admittedly I was not that eager to sink my teeth into this book as I was disappointed with ‘Breaking Dawn.’ Plus, I don’t what’s so great about R Pattz.

The basic story is parallel to ‘Eclipse’ and if you decide to read this make sure that you have invested in ‘Eclipse’ first. Bree Tanner is a new born vamp who falls for another vamp for Diego. However, she is made to go and fight in a big battle against the Cullen clan on Victoria’s behalf. Told you it was basic.

Firstly, the book is predictable due to the poorly selected title. Come on Stephanie! Isn’t there a better title so that you don’t give the ending away? It’s not difficult. ‘Twilight’ doesn’t give much away. Surely, you can come up with something more imaginative.

Also when it says ‘Short’ in the title it means short. The book is only 192 pages of large font text. So you can read it in a couple of hours. Consequently, the book fails to go into much detail at all. It also doesn’t get too lovey dovey like the main Twilight books. Don’t know whether that is a positive thing. Anyway, I felt like half the story was skimmed over really and there were so many missed opportunities as a result. One character seems to remain nameless throughout as he is referred to as the ‘Spiderman kid.’ Coming up with a name isn’t difficult!!!

Furthermore, the book gives the impression that you must know all the Twilight mythology like the back of your hand as if fails to explain any of it. I feel due to this is due to the arrogance of Stephanie Meyer and her assumption that everyone has read these books and loves them. A basic description or perhaps prologue would be nice.

Also, the first person proves to be promlematic as well. Meyer wrote the Twilight Saga in the first person but this doesnt work for this book. First of all, Bree misses the big battle. Come on, that’s a pivotal part of the mythology. So that was a let down. Plus the ending, it just stops. So can’t really feel for what’s just happened. Perhaps if were not Bree in the first person it would have been somehow improved. Or maybe the third person would have been better?. Who knows?

Despite this, Meyer’s writing style is addicitive as you just can’t put the book down. I hate that! The pace of the book is fast (it would have to be at the shortness) which makes it so readable.

Overall, this book is solely aimed at the Twihard fans of the Twight Saga. That wasn’t me. Meyer’s arrogance leads to this alienation of casual readers. The shortness of the book also gives the impression it was rushed and not really important expect for the financial benefits of flogging a dead horse. Despite this Twihard fans will surely get a kick out of more Twilight action even though Jacob and Edward are barely in it at all.

We live in a time where we are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of marketing and political messages every day. Even if you’re Mr. or Mrs. Under-a-rock, I’m sure you’ll agree that our society of mass-media and quick access to information means that we have to be aware of what these politicians and advertisers are really saying to us.

So, as a bit of a political weenie, I couldn’t help but get my hands on it. And whilst I was surprised at how, ahem, heavy Unspeak is, I can’t help but be happy at my purchase. Why? Here’s why:

1.  Unspeak is critical but refrains from Ad Hominem. Quite frankly, even though I like people criticising my government, I can’t help but feel frustrated at the fact that I’m writing like Carrie Bradshaw*. Sorry. I mean, I can’t help but feel frustrated by so-called ‘unbiased’ commentaries which, truly, are just cleverly-layered attacks on individuals. Whilst Unspeak is certainly an on-the-offensive book, it’s nonetheless true to an, at least somewhat, academic tone.
2. I know that if I were Steven Poole, I would have most certainly strayed and meandered to the point where all meaning was lost. Luckily, though, from the word go (I’m a poet?) he keeps his points educational yet gently concise, without overstaying their welcome.
3. The points are broken down into respective categories and then chunked down to the point whereby they can keep cogency rather then becoming disjointed and broken up. Luckily, too, as my attention span is closer to that of a goldfish egg rather than a human with a big-ass brain, I’m quite thankful for this.
4. Each point, too, builds up on the others. For example, I have reservations over the causes of global warming being solelydue to the activities of man (which would explain, why, for example, over a dozen other rocks are also undergoing the same process as us right now). As a result, I skipped over the ‘climate’ section only to find myself, from time to time, a little confused. Not so much as to impede my “Oooh”s and “Aaaah”s but, you know, enough to make me go “Right. Uhm, okay then.” every now and again. I take this as a strength. Non-fiction that builds on itself. Delicious, as far as I’m concerned.
5. Without coming across too much as a snob, I like the fact that Unspeak makes flippant remarks at the general British populous. Which includes me too, in fact. Like, for example, he cites the result of a poll showing that people thought that approximately 22% of all British people were foreign immigrants. The real percent was, in fact, 8%. His use of other similar statistics is not just humorous but, too, helps highlight the brevity of the overall theme of his points.

Overall, Unspeak is a fantastic gently Orwellian-inspired read that helps you understand the truth behind a lot of our political masters. And with that, Poole argues, can we regain our defence from the unspeak of our modern society.

*”I can’t help but…” is a blatant Carrie Bradshaw maneuver of writing. Hence clearly stealing from her. HUSH.

The book was recommended to me by my cousin, who is constantly reading books that are related to gay men and their lifestyles. I’ll say right off the bat that this isn’t really something that interests me, but my cousin said that this was about homosexual involvement with the Bible. And God interests me. Judge me however you want.

Anyway, I stuck at the book and as I read on, I couldn’t actually put it down.

It seems that the ‘gay and Christian debate’ is something that is still debated and pretty much unresolved in the world. However, I believe that if you read this book and you are Christian and anti-gay, you’ll probably think twice about your beliefs.

The writer, Alex Sanchez, appears to have an explanation for every homophobic reference in the Bible. Not only does he defy Leviticus (in particular 18:22), Sanchez has clearly read and researched the Bible thoroughly to include quotes and come up with cleverly thought up arguments against what many Christians believe.

Sanchez takes away the literal meaning and replaces it with a spiritual, perfectly valid explanation for each anti-gay quote, which is so extremely thought-provoking that it could make even the most devout Christian re-think, even if they don’t admit to it afterwards.

Furthermore, the author portrays a confused, teenage boy simply perfectly. From his language to his speech, the differing emotions he conveys when expressing the lead characters’ confusion is something to be proud of.

Today, when many people think of gay relationships, they think simply of sex. However, Sanchez diverts the book away from this idea and rather keeps it’s story firmly about the love between two people. Of course, it’s not an easy ride and there are a lot of twists and turns along the way. Like, for example, how the main kid already has a girlfriend who he is convinced he loves. Dilemma.

Keeping all these things in mind, Alex Sanchez really does have all the elements that make for a great novel and I recommend that you buy this. Whether you are gay or not. Or indeed, whether you are Christian or not.

Overall Rating:

9 out of 10.

But anyway, this is a book review, not just me spouting a load of Menopause facts at you.

Though I could do that instead if you like…

First things first,‘The Secret Pleasures of Menopause’  is written by bestselling Author and general all-round Menopause know-it-all Christiane Northrup.
(She’s even been on Oprah to talk about it for goodness sake!)

But, ahem, yeah…. She knows her stuff basically.

Her book covers all aspects and problems assosciated with Menopause, from a range of common symptom to ways to beat the blues.
The overally feeling from this book has to be, as Dr Northrup says, “It’s not over!”
She tells readers how they can be healthier, happier and engage in the best sex ever.
Wow, right?

More than just a feel-good read for the Over 50s, to remind them that there’s nothing wrong with getting older.
In fact, if a woman turns 50 and hasn’t had any problems with heart diesase or cancer, she can apparently expect to live until the ripe old age of 92.
Now that’s impressive.

Now, without giving too much away, all that can be left to be said is that ifyou’re struggling to cope with Menopause then this book might just be the answer.

I say, give it a read.

And remember, “Practice makes pleasure!”

However, I genuinely think this book is different.

For all of you who have ever watched Skins, you will know it follows a bunch of teens who are at a local sixth form in Bristol. Unlike other teen shows of this type, Skins is actually written by young people who know exactly how teenagers act in Britain today. (Of course, some of the stories are over-dramatized to make it more interesting.)

The book, released for general sale in the UK on January 7th is the first written exclusively revealing what the troublesome young adults have been up to during their summer holiday.

The cast included in the narrative is actually the second one of the show – during the first two seasons, there was a completely different cast – and they live up to their predecessors entirely.

Back to the book… As I was saying, it’s really quite good. Effy (played by Kaya Scodelario) is at the forefront as always, talking of her trip to Italy with her Mother. Unlike Effy, two characters that rarely featured in the third series of the show were Naomi and Emily. The book is different in the fact that many of the chapters focus on them – something that ‘Naomily’ fans should be pretty excited about.

As always, the self-proclaimed ‘Three Musketeers’ stick together (Cook, Freddie and JJ) with the occasional spat in between. In true Skins fashion, the three of them organize a ’sex-a-thon’ to see who can sleep with the most girls in a set time. I told you it was pretty controversial.

Like the series, the novel stays equally as realistic to the lives of today’s teens: their parents may not realize, but every day life for their children often involves sex, drugs and violence, and this is exactly what Skins tries to explain.

So if you were pondering over whether to buy the book or not, I’d say get it. Many people have said that they didn’t like it, but it’s actually quite interesting to find out what the gang have been up to and also makes you feel more like a part of the gang.

Overall Rating:

Be sure to tune in to season 4 of Skins on e4 this month. (28th January.)

Pretty much every book in the ‘teen fiction’ section in our library sucks. Well not this one.

This book probably sucks less simply because it contains little gay boys and some hilarious inside jokes. Two of my most favourite things in this world.

David Levithan is apparently the author of a variety of gay fiction novels for teens, and one of very few, I would imagine. His stories are realistic, beautiful and extremely well-written – they make it hard for you to actually put the book down.

In his first book, Boy Meets Boy, we are greeted by the stunning first person narrative of a young boy named Paul. The school Paul goes to is extremely gay-friendly: it’s rare to see anyone who isn’t of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered variety.

Paul meets a boy named Noah, whom he is very attracted to. Of course, no teen relationship is drama-free, so the couple hit various bumps along the way. Namely, the fact that Paul kisses his ex-boyfriend Kyle in a moment of madness and sadness.

There should be no reason why straight people, both male and female, shouldn’t read this book: it’s basically the same as any other romance novel. But better. Some of the ideas Levithan creates in his anecdotal metaphors are so original and beautiful, that this book has probably reduced at least a quarter of its readers to happy, joyous tears.

Do I rate this book? Definitely.

Overall Rating:

Okay, so the general consensus among youths these days is as follows: TV GOOD. BOOKS BAD. It seems that anything that involves actually having to concentrate isn’t really cool these days. And this is where Junk changes these views.

Children’s book ‘Junk’ by Melvin Burgess follows two teenagers Gemma and Tar who run away from home and meet a brand new family of people who lead lives of sex and drugs. Sex and drugs? Children’s book? You heard correctly.

What is so great about this book is how the author includes such racy, over-the-top themes in such a childlike manner. He speaks as a young adolescent would with his language, helping the reader to really relate to the story. (Assuming that the reader is between twelve and eighteen years old, which is probably the target audience here.)

Alongside the great storyline, Burgess intertwines the darkness and risks of a life of drugs into his book - a serious topic that is hard to get across to children effectively. The characters develop as the book goes on, making you feel as if you’re really living with the characters for a short while and the settings described through first person narrative really give your senses something to ponder over.

I wouldn’t just recommend this book to children – it is a children’s book that adults will be drawn into. A little like Harry Potter.

In short, this novel is snappy, to the point and fun all at the same time. Pick it up and you won’t put it down.

Rating: