Ask the passengers by A.S King

Ask the Passengers
A.S King (just wanted to mention, the whole name spells out ASKING.)
Age recommendation- 14 plus
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Ask the passengers is a filler book. You know, the book you read to fill in some spare time, if you have an extra hour. Lots of other people have said this book touched them in SO many ways. Now, I've read MANY lgbt books by now, and all of them I have liked more than this. (except maybe Good Moon Rising, but that's another story)
I did like ATP. It is a good book.
But you can only be "touched" by so many books.
I liked the way she gave love to passengers on planes- original, no?- and the way that love she sent linked to the passengers own stories, which at times I liked a LOT more than the actual story. I liked Astrid's feelings- the times when she was confused, and angry and she was letting out those feelings.
That was some beautiful writing.
NOW. What wasn't?
I didn't really get attached to any of the characters...
Dee was like Paige in PLL. She's always there, pressuring people and annoying the heck out of you.
Every time she entered the story, I would just be like-
                                              

Astrid was okay, but a little bland. She didn't have much character, and was a bit like most MC's in lgbt novels lately- only focused on the love interest and NOTHING ELSE. AT ALL. She also complained WAY too much to be likeable. So, to be honest, I never really felt sorry for her at all.
                                        
                                          

Kristina was a favourite. Even though she was more of  a background character, I would LOVE to read a book with more about her.
I was actually convinced she and Astrid would end up together at many points.
Ellis was also a really good character. She had the sort of spark that interests me. Even though she was stupid sometimes, and "Small Minded," and she messed up, I liked that about her. It made her so much more realistic than Astrid.
Astrid's parents are very difficult. Claire, her mom, is very cold towards Astrid. It is hinted (and outright said) that Astrid did something to upset her mom, and she messed up and is a "failure" in Claire's eyes. I wish the book went into more detail about that, and I was fully expecting an ending scene where there's a flashback or at least Astrid and Claire talk it out. But no, I didn't get that, which was very disappointing.

Her dad, Gerry, is described as a "druggie" and isn't a very good parent, and pretty much lets Astrid do what she wants, so they get along more. That is not responsible parenting.
The book, as most lgbt books do, had the usual template-
girl meets girl, secret relationship, self realization, something happens to make everyone find out, then BAM. Conflict with parents and friends.
I really hoped and still wish it had been more original.
The passengers were, by far, the best parts of the book, and I was often looking forward to their parts. Their stories were beautiful and realistic. Often pretty sad, too and it shows you how seemingly normal strangers can have a lot more going on. I thought it very symbolic, how in the end, Astrid decided she didn't need to give away all her love anymore, showing that she now loves herself and others  more. I really liked the last part of the book, which links a passenger and Astrid-

Jessica, the passenger, has obviously been sent to a de-gaying camp, after her parents finding out about her relationship, with a girl named Marie. Here it is:

"I wrap my love for Marie in a tight ball of mental swaddling. I wrap it in a soft, flannel blanket, four, ten, a hundred times. I wrap it so well that nothing can hurt it. And then I look out the window and I toss my love to whoever might be there to keep it safe.
Maybe if you catch this love, you can keep it safe? I ask them. Maybe somewhere down there knows what to do with it while I go and get brainwashed by people who hate me?"

And then, the fact that straight after, is Astrid's part---

"Dee says, "What?"
I try to think of what just happened, but I can't explain it. All I know is that a huge, overwhelming feeling of love has just landed in my heart, and I have to keep it safe for a while."

Is that NOT a GORGEOUS ending???? I actually teared up at the beauty of it (just a little bit) and while it's cheesy, it's a really cute ending.

Now, there is a discussion guide at the back, so I am going to go through the questions.

Q1. How would you describe Astrid's relationships with each of her family members? In what ways are these relationships dysfunctional, and in what ways are they healthy? Even though Astrid gets along best with her father, would you say that her relationship with him is any less dysfunctional than her relationships with her mother and sister?

A. WOAH, WOAH WOAH! Isn't this supposed to be one question? And yet you just piled about five on me!! I would say that Astrid and Gerry's relationship is just as dysfunctional as her relationships with Claire and Ellis, but I think the real thing to ask is Do Claire and Ellis have a good relationship? Because I definitely think that is the most dysfunctional of the lot.

Q2. Throughout the book, Astrid makes references to what "they say" and what "they think." Who do you think "They" are? What do you think "They" would say after reading this book?

A. I  think Astrid  thinks They are the in the town, but I think They are maybe actually the voices in Astrid's head, doubting herself and her relationship with Dee.

Q3. Why does Astrid send her love to the airplane passengers flying above her? Do you think the passengers are truly affected by Astrid's love? Is Astrid somehow impacted by the passengers, other than her finding solace in talking to people who can't talk back to her and judge her?

A. I do think they are impacted by Astrid, as they often mention feeling love, and after Astrid asks them things they start to think about those things. I also think Astrid is impacted by them- how I don't know exactly, I am not Astrid, but I know she is.

Q4. Sometimes people's external perceptions of others don't match those individuals internal truths. Which characters in the book does this concept describe?

A. Actually, it describes everyone, fictional or not. I guess in this book, which IS fictional, it best describes "Them." Which, as I mentioned before, is not just townspeople, it is Astrid herself.

Q5. How do Astrid's secrets change over time, and what impact do they ultimately have on how she handles speaking about her sexuality?

A. She starts being able to tell a couple of people, to the point where she can tell people in bars, people she doesn't know well. Eventually she grows as a person, and as she accepts her sexuality, she wears it better.

Q6. How do people define Astrid, and how do these definitions change over time? How does Astrid define herself, if at all? Do you think definitions are a useful or detrimental tool?

A. People first think of her as weird, but they aren't particularly unfriendly. After time, they label her as the "Gay Girl" of the school. Astrid does not define herself. She can tell people she is gay, but she thinks of herself as a person, and she doesn't define herself by her sexuality.

Q7. Do you think the ultimatum Dee presents to Astrid about coming out is helpful or harmful? What does it tell her about Dee?

A. You should not come out unless you feel ready and safe, and Dee was making Astrid uneasy. I don't know what Astrid thinks, but it tells me that she should kick Dee to the curb. I understand Dee was impatient, but she was pressuring Astrid, and being annoying.

Q8. How does Ask the Passengers use the Allegory of the Cave as a metaphor for Astrid's journey toward publicly acknowledging her sexuality?

A. I am afraid I do not understand. If you mean about that guy Astrid imagined in places, sorry but I still don't know.

Q9. A key theme in this book is the power of loving oneself. How does Astrid's journey toward this goal provide perspective on who you are and the relationships that you have with others?

A. Like I said before, the book did not really inspire me or anything. But I guess it might help someone to understand how to act towards themselves and others.

Now I am FINALLY done and can go back to reading a Roald Dahl book. Happy reading everyone, and I will be back soon :)

xoxoxo, ARIA\EMMI

The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

The wishing spell
Kurt Hummel Chris Colfer
Five stars

This book is pure magic. I picked it up seeing it was by Chris Colfer (amazing actor, that man) and was thinking it might be an okay time waster. It turns out Chris is as good as writing as he is at acting. From page one of the prologue, I was absolutely hooked. I was reading it in Science class and once had it taken off me. 

I honestly never wanted to put it down- I even went trick or treating with it in my arms. I read the last 30 percent in one long session with no breaks, and the back  story of the Evil Queen made me tear up a little. I loved how all these amazing fairy tales were woven in together. USA today said it best- "There's more magic in Colfer's magic kingdoms than Disney had dreamt of."

I loved the fairy tale characters (apart from Red) and i think I liked Goldilocks and Froggy the best. Goldilocks was an amazing fearless warrior, and I adored that about her. 

I admired that the book had so much humour, it was always making me laugh. I related to Alex a lot in the way that I love books, and I am not exactly the most popular person in the classroom ever. But Alex had a lot of character growth through the book, and I loved that. Conner was hilarious. Like him, I find it hard to listen in class- maybe I will try the rubber band trick? The situation with the troll girl who had a crush on him was SO funny! I could just imagine his face! XD 

I agree about fairy tales being ruined these days, with cartoon singing animals and wrong endings. I HATE the little mermaid film in the sense that they changed the ending of the original story, which, while sad taught a very good lesson. In the Disney film all we are taught is that we should change ourselves for men and we will live happily ever after. What a load of rubbish. 

There were definitely bits that had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat. I loved all the action and battle scenes because they were so well written. The whole book felt very three dimensional, and I am glad because it is very hard to find that in a book these days. 

Some bits were a bit predictable- the curvy tree, walking fish, Goldi and Jack and things like that, I knew would happen. But there was absolutely a lot I didn't see coming.  The twins home situation was so sad, but I loved that they all had each other, even if they were a bit distant sometimes. I think this is a middle grade book. Is it? It reads like one, a bit like Harry Potter actually, and my library copy says older fiction but... I don't know. There were a couple of references that weren't very childlike.... 

I don't know if a sequel was necessary, I did like it the way it left off. But I will be reading it soon, and hope it is as amazing as the first book.

5/5

Stacking the shelves #3

So this is a bookish meme made by Tynga, as I have stated in my other posts. :)
I shall show you my exciting stash I have this week!

I have got You're the one that I want, the sixth gossip girl novel from online for only FIVE DOLLARS. My library didn't have it :/
I have also finally found the Warm Bodies prequel, The New Hunger. I am actually halfway through :) it's awesome.
Mates, dates and inflatable bras because I've had my eye on it awhile and I had room on my library card so.... Yeah.
The second Alphas book: Movers and Fakers. Looks intense XD
Never a perfect moment looked interesting in the library and I think it's chick- lit so why not??
And one I have been meaning to read for a few months- The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants. Which kind of has the weirdest plot everrr but okay... ;)

I'll have a review for Keeping you a secret up soon.
See you !! :D
Aria/Emmi

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard

The Perfectionists
Sara Shepard
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
FIRST OF ALL CAN I JUST SAY-- THAT COVER!!! :0

In Beacon Heights High, Nolan Hotchkiss is king. His charm, wealth and good looks are deceptively seductive, and many are the students whose lives and reputations have been ruined by it. All while Nolan continues to reign, unquestioned and undisrupted. Until now, that is.

Mackenzie, Ava, Julie, Caitlin and Parker seemingly don't have much in common. Each has their own friends, dramas and goals. But one thing they do share: they all have a deep hatred of Nolan Hotchkiss. And they all think it's about time he paid for what he's done. They come up with the perfect murder - a hypothetical murder, of course. It's all wishful thinking ... until they wake up one morning to find that their wish has come true. Nolan has been killed - in exactly the way they planned. The thing is, they didn't do it. So who did?

I really, really loved this book. It was filled with mystery, intrigue, romance *blushes* and I was kept in suspense the whole time.
I loved most of the main characters, who each have pretty interesting backstories. Out of all of them, I liked Ava the best, as I got to know and understand her most. She felt like a real person that could be in my Tech class at school. I love that she is bold and such a strong person. She went through a lot of awful stuff and I think she had the worst outcome of all the MCs in the end of the book. I adored Ava and Alex's relationship- it was sweet and sincere. They said "I love you," and truly meant it. However, the other relationships were pretty boring. THERE ARE LITERALLY TWO LOVE TRAINGLES.
I couldn't care less about Carson and Julie, because as strange as it is, I totally ship Parker and Julie. <3 Whenever they had a total BFF moment I was all

I hated the Mac-Blake-Claire love triangle. To be honest Mac was really the only character I didn't like or connect to much. She was very... two dimensional.
The Josh-Jeremy-Caitlin love triangle, on the other hand....

There was actually a guy you could root for, as Josh was a douche the whole time. #TeamJeremy XD
I do have to say, though, that Caitlin wasn't a favourite either....
Julies backstory was amazing. I don't acre about popularity much (quality over quantity) but I completely understand how she would like to have friends, after what happened at her old school. Parker was a very interesting character too. I really liked reading her chapters of the book. The fact that her mum blamed her for everything with her dad was truly awful, and I felt her pain. Even though the book was third person, I managed to connect and get to know 3\5 characters so that was good :D
I do kind of wish there had been more story behind Caitlin's brother, Taylor, though. It was kind of glossed over, you know? I get that its Caitlin's point of view and she didn't really understand what was going on, but at least a few full passages from Taylor's journal would be nice. I actually thought for a bit that the girls HAD killed Nolan. But then I found out they just drew on him so yeahh xD that kind of cleared things up. The book had a few similarities to PLL, but it was mostly just the familiar theme and The Perfectionists definitely stood out as an original book. (Except that it is practically the same story as  Get Even by Gretchen McNeil but they were both published around the same time so I can't really blame anyone for that. Just a coincidence I guess. And they both did have lots of differences anyway.)
The start of the book seemed to be ALL about Nolan and what a pig he is, so it was nice when they slightly ventured away from him and focused on the fact that someone may be trying to frame them for his murder. I am so glad there is a second book, The Good Girls, because I NEED to find out who killed Nolan, and much like in Get Even, nothing much was resolved.
The book never ceased to be thrilling or shocking, and I definitely enjoyed every second of it.

the spoiler sessions

My current theories on who killed Nolan and Granger

(and more!)

1. Claire is the killer. She was nervous when the police were interviewing the students. And it's very Sara Shepard to make the least suspected be the bad guys (Mona Vanderwaal from pll and Ethan from tlg)

2. Parker came back after the girls left and killed Nolan, and it was erased from her memory.

3. Alex killed Granger, thinking he was in a relationship with Ava (and getting revenge on Ava by pinning it on her)

4. Elliot Fielder. There has to be more to the guy. I think either he is framing the girls, or he is actually trying to protect Parker.

 

 AND NOW, THE WAIT FOR BOOK 2 BEGINS.

XX, Aria\Emmi

 

 

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns 

John Green

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ 


Who is the real Margo?

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew...

I am going to start this review by saying this is not a fangirling review. Quite the opposite. Sorry.

The start of this book, the adventure with Margo was PERFECT. So how did things go so downhill?
Well for a start the characters are the same as in Looking For Alaska.
The main character who is socially awkward and unpopular is in love with the cool, trendy girl who is different to everyone else, and then goes on a mission to find her, with his humorous and kind of strange best friend.











There's also the girl who for a second people think might be a love interest but they don't end up being the love interest after all. COME ON. That is the exact plot for Looking For Alaska!  In the middle of that sentence I forgot whether this was a review for LFA or Paper Towns!
I think with these two books you can only love ONE. And I felt that Looking For Alaska was a superior version. Much more superior. I stopped thinking as Q as an actual person- his ONLY interests are Margo and a video game. He has no background, no personality and no interesting facts. And Margo is just an annoying copy of Alaska. I'm sorry- I didn't love her.










 Most of this book I had to DRAG myself through because UNLIKE Looking For Alaska, this book was BORING. It even got painful after a bit.













Things I did like about the book... Come on, there has to be a reason you gave this a 2 instead of one- ok, I liked the start as I stated before. And I loved the road trip part until they found Margo. The ending was SO cheesy! Happy endings just don't work for John Green. You could FEEL the awkwardness. And I also liked that the humour was good. It wasn't forced or too try-hard. The book actually made me laugh around the road trip part. Ben and his bladder.... XD

Do I recommend this book? Sure! Read it all you like. I'm just saying that I didn't like it because I liked Looking For Alaska so much, and the book was a total copy of it. I will likely see the movie even though Margo is supposed to be curvy with chestnut hair, not stick thin and barbie like (no hate please!) but maybe Cara's acting will make up for that? John said she was good and the casting for TFIOS was perfect so... *shrugs* I trust him on this choice. And he couldn't have chosen a better Q.

2/5 for being a bit too much like LFA but having humour.  

Until the next time, xx Emmi\Aria

Alphas by Lisi Harrison

Alphas
Lisi Harrison
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

At OCD the losers are tormented.

At Alpha Academy, they're sent home.

Skye Hamilton has scored an invitation to the ultra-exclusive Alphas-only boarding school where beta is spelled LBR . What happens when the country's best, brightest, and hawtest begin clawing and scratching their way to the top?

In year eight, I picked up a book called The Clique, and I loved it. It was witty, clever and interesting with likeable characters. And Alphas is even better. 
I liked that the girls weren't nearly as silly as in the clique- no, "LBR" "ermahgawd" "pretty committee" or petty cat fights. This is Harrison at her best.
From page one to the end, I was captivated by the book. I loved the characters- Skye, Charlie and even Allie at the end- and found he book humorous and realistic.
But there was one problem,  with two words.
Love. Triangle.

It was obvious there would BE one, but I was upset at Allie through most of it- she was so horrible to Charlie, saying she was a spy and all the rest. 
But all the characters had really good backstories- Skye, and her need for people to notice her, Charlie and her devotion to Darwin and feeling guilty for what she had to do to get into Alpha academy and Allie and her secret of identity theft. I had hoped she would be found out. I really hated Allie through most of the book- she was needy and pathetic. She was okay in the end, though not exactly loveable. She is still crazily insecure and scared. 
As for the recurring cast- perfect. Triple was a pretty awesome frenemy, and Renee was a pretty cool one, too. But Renee was almost Massie-like, which worries me a little. As in, in the second book, what if I open it to find that Skye has become Dylan Marvil and Charlie is suddenly Claire Lyons? But I trust Lisi to NOT have made that mistake. 

The love interests were okay. There weren't obvious ones other than Darwin after all. I hope the second book will say more about the other brothers, and maybe Charlie can end up with Darwin and Allie with someone else?? 

The only real issue with the book was the length. I hope the next one is at least 300 pages. I need moreeee! 

The book itself was pretty readable and easy- a fun read that does teach you a few things about being yourself- from when Skye realises she has just danced for others and not herself. You need time to do something for yourself and this book said that clearly. 

5 stars!

Book Review Request!

I  got a message from author Suren Hakobyan asking if he could send me a copy of his book, Edge of end, in exchange for an honest review! :D so that should be up once  finish the book!
byee!
-Aria