The Catcher in The Rye - Review

As I said in a previous post, I am doing English Literature as an AS-Level. This will involve book reviews, this is one I have written.

The Catcher in the Rye-

J.D Salinger

With a troubled, lonely and angry teenager being the voice of the novel, this book gives the view of adolescence and problems that could come with it. The title itself doesn’t suggest much of the book, which makes you curious to read it; hence this makes a popular book to read.

Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old who hates school, hates ‘fake’ people and hates most things about the modern life. This is shown from the beginning of the book with him describing his childhood to be ‘lousy.’ This gives the reader an immediate insight into how annoyed with the world this character is. Though this works well in the book, I don’t feel as if his view of life particularly developed much from this. Therefore, personally, I found this quite depressing as it showed many problems with the world rather than positive things that I feel could have be focused on. However, this is quite interesting in a book and is therefore a fresh read.

With Holden hating education, he has been kicked out of yet another school. It is the basis of this, and not wanting to face more of his parent’s disappointment, that he decides to go on his travels...  This led for loads of adventures within the book, as well as the reader being able to learn more about the character.  Though this sounds like it would be brilliant basis of a book, with excitement being at is heart, none of the adventures felt any more significant than the last. Therefore I feel like the book had little plot, apart from a teenager who constantly finds problems with his life. Again, I felt this was quite depressing to read.

Though it was written well, and it felt like it was written by the teenager itself, this book didn’t really live up to my expectations. However I can see why it would appeal to many people. It is enlightening, well written with wonderful language and is just an unusual book. It was, sadly, just not my cup of tea though. 

Top 5 Summer Nail Polishes - Collab

Today I have a post of my 'Top 5 Summer Nail Polishes' This is a collaboration with the wonderful account prettyperfectxoxo. She will be doing her top 5 drugstore makeup items alongside my nail polish picks. I hope you like this post and then check out her perfect account. Enjoy!

These nail polishes are the top 5 I have been wearing this summer. They are in no particular order.

1. My first favourite is by MUA. It is called 'Frozen Yogurt'. It is such an amazing colour and last really well but it is surprisingly only £1. You can buy it at super drug but also here on the MUA website. I definitely

recommend as it won't break the bank just to try it!







2. My second favourite is by Barry M. It is the colour 'blueberry'  from their famous Gelly Hi-Shine collection. Personally I don't feel like like it is as good as people say as it doesn't last that long on me and peels off. (I think the reason for this is because I have had it so long.) So you may wonder why it is on my favourites? Well it is such an amazingly beautiful summer colour so I still recommend. You can find it in boots or superdrug for £3.99, if not you can find it here as the colour gnp5.





3. My third recommendation is from Ciate. Now I know these nail polishes are £9 and may be slightly expensive however I got this free from a magazine a while ago. However it is a wonderful colour called 'Sand Dune'. It makes a tan look even more beautiful in summer. So though it is expensive it is worthwhile unless you can find a similar colour. You can find it here





4. My next summer nail polish is also from Barry M however on me it lasts a lot longer, surprisingly with it being £1 cheaper at £2.99 than the Gelly Hi-Shine. It is in the colour Mint Green and it is the perfect summer colour. Like the other Barry M nail polish you can get it from boots or superdrug but also here as the colour np304.






5. My final favourite summer nail polish pick I believe is sadly unavailable. However it is the colour that I would love to recommend. I personally believe coral and peachy colours are one of the best for summertime on almost any skin tone.







Here is what the colours look like swatched on my nails - they all have only one coat to show how pigmented they are. This is important for me in summer nail polishes as I like to be able to paint them quickly for me to go out an enjoy my summer.

Thankyou for reading and I hope you check out prettyperfectxoxo as I love her account.

Sam x

Little Lies

Little lies is the brand new novel by Liane Moriaty who wrote the Husband's Secret (which happens to be on my summer recommendations list). Liane Moriaty was born in Sydney and it is in Australia where the book is set.

Big problem? Big accident? Big murder?
Whatever the case - one of the parents is dead. The big questions should be - who did what? Who knows what? And why?

Madeleine, Celeste and Jane are all mothers to children in the kindergarten class at Pirriwee Public School. 

Madeleine is a feisty mother,  with a teenage daughter from her ex-husband and a child who will be in kindergarten alongside her ex-husbands other child. 

Celeste is a enviable women, with twins. She is a beautiful women with a rich husband and a supposed perfect life. However for this perfect life she has a lot to pay. How much long can she keep it up?

Jane is a new mother to the town, she is a young single mother who has even been confused as a Nanny. New to this life - how will she cope? 

As experienced parents, Celeste and Madeline attempt to help Jane. How will this surprising friendship affect them all? How can it all end in disaster?

After reading Hunbands Secret and seeing this new book I couldn't wait!! I had such high hopes after Husbands Secret having so many brilliantly written twist and turns. 

I wasn't disappointed!!

Liane Moriaty has now become one of my favourite authors. This book was written brilliantly and the use of different peoples perspectives helped the story move along smoothly, whilst there was still many surprises along the way.

This book creates humour, tension, surprise, happiness and confusion - which I feel is perfect for a mystery book. 

Another thing which makes this book wonderful is the fact that, unlike typical mystery books it has children at its heart. And it is the basis of it being about a kindergarten and the mums, which also gives an insight to different relationships between children and their parents. 

This book was amazing and completely different basis to others I have read. It is a definite recommendation. I give it 10/10!

Please read!!

Liebster Award

I have recently been nominated for the blogging award called the Leibster Award by http://wewillbedreaming1.blogspot.co.uk/ who has an amazing blog and has been nominated herself. So I am sure you are wondering 'What is the award?' Well it is between bloggers to help promote and discover other bloggers.

You have to :

1. Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person that nominated you.

2. Give 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate some bloggers yourself.

4. Create 11 new questions for them to answer.

So here are my questions from Laura and my answers:

1. What makeup item is your fave?

Well I don't actually wear much makeup, however I do absoutley love eyeshadows. My favourite are the sleek eye shadow palettes (especially 'Oh So Special' and 'Storm) and the L'oreal Quad in 'Nude Lingerie'.

2. A song you have on replay?

I have had on repeat my Hyde Park playlist more than anything - including McBusted, Scouting for Girls and the Vamps. But if i had to say a song in particular it is actually between Ghost by Ella Henderson, I Smile by Kirk Franklin, All of Me by John Legend  and Happy Little Pill by Troye Sivan. ( I know this is techically cheating having four but I have them all on replay currently.)

3. Fave high street store?

I think either Primark or New Look

4. Do you cry at films- if so name one that had you blubbering?

I rarely cry at anything like books, films or TV. I didn't even at 'The Fault in Our Stars' however 'The Book Thief' is the only film I have cried at which was recent here is my review of the book and film.

5. Favourite type of blog post to write?

I have only just started but I think favourites and top things, and soon I will be writing a top books series and fav music artists.

6. what made you want to start a blog?

Just talking about it with my friends and also a nice hobby to distract from school and work.

7. What is your fave book?

I don't think I can answer this- uhmm- to name a few (sorry cheating again) 'Book Thief' by Marcus Zusak, Lorien Legacies by Pitticus Lore, Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling and many many more.

8. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA!

9. Favourite scent?

Moringa by Body Shop

10. Lipstick or lipgloss?

If I had been asked this a year ago it would have definitley been lipgloss, however I am slowly getting into things like Revlon Lip Butters. Although it will probably still be lipgloss.

11. How often do you go shopping?

When I have saved up enough money and when my friends or family want to but I would say usually between 1-4 times a month!

Now here is my facts:

1. I am 16 years old

2. I can be really shy and self-conscious

3. I love reading

4. I enjoy watching YouTube videos

5. I play/used to play/kind of still play the piano

6. I really want to join a table tennis or badminton club

7. Although I am shy, I like meeting new people as it makes me feel more confident.

8. I have no idea what I want to be when I am older all I know is I am going sixth form and then want to go university.

9. Elephants and sausage dogs are my fave animals

10. People sometimes think I am either Asian, Italian or French although in reality I am 3/4 English and 1/4 Welsh. Even my mum said she thought I looked Italian and French whilst we were on holiday and my Grandma seems to think I look Asian!!

11. I have the best friends and family I could ask for!. Two of my friends even have blogs: http://wewillbedreaming1.blogspot.co.uk/ and  http://www.daisychains16.blogspot.co.uk/

Now my questions:

1. What are your main ambitions?

2. Who is your fave music artist?

3. Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?

4. What films do you recommend?

5. What are your favourite books?

6. What 3 words do you describe yourself as?

7. Favourite quote?

8. Have you ever seen a musical in the theatre if so what? and do you recommend anything?

9. What do you want to be when you are older?

10. What are your favourite makeup products?

11. Who do you look up to?

I nominate:

http://www.daisychains16.blogspot.co.uk/

http://magpiejasmine.blogspot.co.uk/

http://thriftyvintagefashion.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.wondereads.co.uk/

Sam x

July Favourites

Skincare Favourites:

LUSH Magnaminty - I first got this face mask as a sample to help get rid of spots for prom however I was surprised how well it worked. So after using it as a sample at the beginning of July I have been using the one I brought once a week. It is also self-preservative so you don't have to keep in fridge and lasts longer than the Fresh Face Masks and smells deliciously of peppermint, which is there to help freshen your face. I recommend you ask for a sample first but then the face mask is £5.25 for 125 g or £9.25 for 315g. Although it does cost a fair bit I really do recommend it especially for spot prone skin and it has been a must have for July!! You can find it here

Makeup Favourites:

Tanya Burr Lips and Nails Lipgloss in 'Picnic in the Park.' It is a gorgeous colour perfect for summer! You can find it on superdrug here! It also smells beautifully like strawberry so is fresh for summer.

Nail Polish Favourites:

This month I have had two gel manicures, one for prom and one for holiday, so have loved that, I. It last ages although the first time it did unfortunately start to peel off rather quickly.

Book Favourites:
If you have read my last post you will know that I have been on a mission to read the whole of Harry Potter and then the films, I am virtually finished. It is an absolutely amazing series so will not be just a monthly favourite but a forever favourite I think.

Film Favourites:

This definitley has to be 'The Book Thief.' After reading the book I had been waiting for the DVD, but I am not going to talk about it as I have already done and indepth review of it here. 

Music Favourites:

My main music favourite was going to Hyde Park on 6th July with one of my friends. We saw McBusted, Back Street Boys, Diversity, The Vamps and Scouting for Girls. It was such an eventful day, were nearly caught in the middle of a fight; got drenched; saw a rainbow during 'Five Colours in her Hair' the Mcfly song (how apt); The Vamps Brad got a nose bleed but continued playing and McBusted even played Air Hostess twice! However unfortunately Lawson and Five were also meant to be playing but got cut last minute due to stage difficulties, but I still had an amazing day. I have some photos, from my instagram to show some highlights and the merchandise! 

Random Favourites:

This month was my Year 11 prom and, though it means it will be the last time I see some people, I had an absolutely amazing time. Me and two of my friends even got our hair and makeup done professionally, with one of them even getting a spray tan!

This was how I had my hair done for prom night!

I have also been really happy that I got my first ever job, I have now been doing it for just over a month! This is one of my top favourites of this month as it is a new experience and I am now earning. I have also taken my mum and dad out for a meal, from my first ever pay packet!

*I am going on holiday to Rhodes, Greece on the 29th July so I won't be posting. I can't wait and I am sure it will be one of my August Favourites.

Sam x

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Top Summer Reads!

These are some amazing, varied and cleverly written summer books. They are not written in order as I recommend them all as they all vary in genres. All contain different concoctions of love, hate, mystery, secrecy, humour and general brilliance. ALL are MUST reads. I also have recommendations of many series and other books, however I will do them in another post showing my top series to read.

1. Husband's Secret by Liane Moriaty

Husbands Secret is about a women - Cecilia Fitzpatrick - who is successful, a great mother and a great wife. Until she discovers one day her husband wrote a letter for her containing a deep secret. It is this day that her life begins to get interesting.
This is a great book for a summer read as it contains mystery within it but also details how that even the most perfect family can have its problems. It is an amazing book and, with the hint of mystery, makes for an entertaining, relaxing and interesting read (perfect for summer)!

2. Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

Zoe has a secret! A secret of which she can only share to a criminal on death row by sending him letters. Through these letters, similar to that of diary entries, you learn about her past; her love and her secret. 

In my summary I didn't want to give anything away, but trust me it's a great read. It may seem that I have an obsession with secrets due to my first recommendation also being about secrecy but, though both contain a secret, this is more about a teenager dealing with growing up and making right choices. It is a read of romance, adolescence and a spurs the reader to read more and more. Hence it would be a great read for summer.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath and Wren are twins, who have been through a lot together: from family problems to being obsessive Simon Snow fans. However Wren, the feistier of the two, wants to become more individual. So when they both go college Cath is left alone. Can she do it? Whilst being in college Cath deals with more family problems, reluctantly makes friends and begins to fall in love. All of this whilst writing fan fiction.

So, fangirl is a brilliant summer read and unlike the other recommendations it is more of a rom-com. I have read it recently and couldn't put it down so you should definitely recommend it.

4. Stolen: A Letter to my Captor  by Lucy Christopher 

Gemma has been stolen. She is taken from the airport into the Australian outback by Ty. Ty is unlike stereotypical captors, being incredibly handsome and quite charming. But why her? And can she be forced into loving him back? We find out in the letter from Gemma to Ty!

Stolen is a slightly darker read than the previous recommendations making it an interesting and surprising summer read. It contains obsession, danger and adventure all in the realistically described outback. It is utterly amazingly written and has secrets (yep more secrets) being unveiled on the way. Definitely read this - I couldn't put down!

5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Amy Dunne has disappeared. She disappeared on her fifth wedding anniversary, leaving husband Nick to deal with the consequences. With weird telephone calls, clues and an incriminating Amy's diary - could Nick be her killer?
Admittedly this is a darker book than the others however of all of them it is the most brilliant. I have lent this to so many people. As I said to them - it is a book which really gets you to think, it is a definite mystery book and, refreshingly, you end up HATING every character. However there is a warning - it is for older readers but also I found it took my around 100 pages to get into it but it ends up with  pure brilliance, making you want to re-read it again. It is seriously an incredible book and it is a different kind of summer read that I completely recommend! It is SOOO good that it is being made into a film in Autumn, meaning you should read it in the Summer in time for the film, if for no other reason. Here is the trailer below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=esGn-xKFZdU

My Summer Reads

This summer I have read Picture Perfect by Holly Smale. This isn't my usual type of book, I like mystery, thriller and dystopian normally, however I loved the series. The first two I read at age 14/15  and the main character was also 15 which was perfect. Now I read this at 16 the main character 'Harriet', was also 16 therefore I enjoy the book as I can relate to parts of it, for instance finding GCSE results and beginning Sixth Form. This was a great summer read as it slightly prepared me for finding my results this August!

I have also made it my mission to read all the Harry Potter books this summer and I am currently on book 5 which is the Order of the Phoenix by J.K.Rowling. I have never read them before, which may come as a shock as a book lover, but I never used to be into books when they came out but now I am loving them. I am then hoping to have a movie marathon, of which I haven't watched yet either (I know disappointing) before I go back for Sixth Form.

In addition, I am considering doing English Literature as an A-Level. We have been given some summer reading to do, then book reviews. So I will be posting them on here aswell!

Hope your well

Sam x

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The Book Thief

The Book Thief is written by Marcus Zusak, who is an Australian author.

It is written from the viewpoint of death. This is one of the many things which makes the book extraordinary as it is original and gives the reader an alternative viewpoint of life (and with it death.)

It is set in Germany during World War Two and, though it is narrated by death itself, the book is about the child Leisel Meminger. When she can no longer be cared for by her mother she gets sent off to live with a German couple. During her enticing journey of living with them she learns to read, befriends a Jew and copes with the struggles and hardship of living in Germany in WW2.

This books gives the fresh view of  the war and shows that there is power contained in words and as 'everybody die's', we are all ultimately the same. This provides the message of equality within the book, along with family, love and heartbreak. This supports the time of which it is written in as instead of discriminating it shows some outbreaks of togetherness

The book got me hooked and, though the topic was difficult to digest at times, it was an easy and flowing read. I even got so absorbed into reading that, during the difficult points, I may even have let out a tear or two (which is very unlike me.)

Due to the book being unlike any I have read before, it is one of my favourites. Therefore, without a doubt, I strongly recommend it (in fact I am currently lending it to a friend and have recommended it to many others including my Dad.) This just shows it is a great read for numerous ages as it is written in such an amazing way. However for those of a younger age it may not be that suitable as it does contain emotional distress.

So, it is not a light-hearted read although it does contain snippets of humour. It will make you smile, cry and worry but more importantly engage you into reading more. If I could rate it out of 10 it would be a definite 10.

Please read - it could change your viewpoint of life!


The Movie:

Due to it being and international best selling book, of which it is worthy, it has also been made into a film. It is due to watching this film today that I have written this review. All I can say is it too made me shed a few tears as it was magical representation of the amazing book. Therefore I also recommend.

However, as it was an adaptation, some important scenes from the book had been reordered or completley left out (slightly disappointing me). For this reason if you are thinking of both reading the book and watching the film, I definitely recommend reading it first. However as I said it was still magical as I don't think any film (not even The Fault in our Stars) has made me cry. The actors were amazing and they portrayed the characters brilliantly. Their is Sophie Nélisse (Leisel), Geffrey Rush (Papa), Emily Watson (Mama), Ben Schnetzer (Max) and Nico Liersch (Rudy.)

Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus

Please Watch

Sam x

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