stitchsaddiction's reviews
1142 reviews

Earth to Alis is an upper YA tale that will not only move the reader but many will relate to the pain, loneliness and struggles of Alis Woodson. It has a long list of trigger warnings and I do caution the reader to check them pit before beginning to read. I especially caution anyone who has recently recovered from any form of depression as it could be a difficult read.

Carlow has woven together a beautiful albeit prudent story that delves into the life of a group of teenagers, especially Alis who struggles with his mental health and bullying in his school. I was captivated by the story after my initial wariness that this would be a hard read, which it is. However mental illness in any form needs greater representation in the media and needs to be handled both correctly and kindly, both of which happen in this debut novel.

Alis comes to life from the page and is so well written that he becomes so tangible that you will feel you can reach out and give him the hug he desperately needs but no doubt would be wary of. I related to his desire to be left alone, his inability to connect because he's been betrayed before and how he struggles so hard with the demons of those around him and the group of idiotic popular kids who revel in causing misery. He deserves so much more and at each turn of the page, as the school trip in Europe travels from Paris onwards bicker among the beauty. That people would reach out to him, to dare break the proverbial wall Alis has constructed so he can see he's worthy of kindness. When he gets them, you will struggle with emotion if you've ever been the weird quiet kid, or the emo etcetera because these friends understand true loyalty and there were moments that Carlow's writing of this new group brought me to tears.

Please once again take note, that alongside this journey of healing and friendship and a found family? Some moments are extremely hard to read. Alis has faced and experienced painful things and has suffered greatly. Again, these made me cry and wish to protect him, to beg him to see what we the readers see of him



. I also desperately wanted to curse the instigators of his torment and I imagine you will too.

This is a hard, but rewarding book that I couldn't and didn't want to,  put down because I wanted so much; to see Alis gain freedom from the darkness that lingers.

This book is badly written and one particular element made me extremely nauseous. There's no need to sexualise a 'young girl'.

There are both not enough words, and too many to describe the debut novel by Daniel Hall; It Was a Riot.

I wrote my review several days after reading this emotional tale of Edward 'Eddy' Taylor whose adult life unfolds during some of the most tumultuous two decades, the eighties and nineties for a gay man living in the UK. With the backdrop of the miners' strike, Section 28 and the horrific crisis that was the spread of HIV and AIDs, we see Eddy desperately attempting to find and be his true self. From being a quiet child living in the shadow of a larger-than-life hooligan of a father shapes, to him wishing to achieve more in his youth as a Doctor? You as the reader walk alongside this gentle man who struggles with his identity in an era where being gay may not be illegal but the hatred from many was still entrenched in memory. 

After all, it had only stopped being illegal in '67.

I cried several times during this book, as Hall's writing will pull you into this gritty time in British history, but there are also moments of levity, joy and true love for Eddy that cannot help but make you smile. 

This story follows Eddy's life from childhood into being an adult, and is one that as I say? Draws on real moments in recent history. I was especially moved by the way Hall's writing of young men whose lives were cut short by AIDs. Each one comes to life from the page, and my heart breaks for each, and every one of them as if they were real. 

Eddy gives his all for his loved ones, for right and wrong and at each page turn, I hoped to see him find happiness. To get the joy and contentment all deserve but this is a book that tells the truth of being a gay man during this time, and Eddy’s tale is a tragic one. I don't often spoil stories, however, I feel this is needed in this case. I think I cried for an hour afterwards, I wanted to pull each and every one of them from the page to the here and now, where there is medication for those suffering from HIV.

It Was a Riot is a must-read, a tragedy and an insight into a dark time in the UK. Eddy Turner deserved happiness, as did many and this book honours each and every AIDs victim who died too soon.

My Dubrovnik Summer Love was my introduction to this author's worm and what a page turner it was.

This is a story of self-acceptance and if self-love in the wake of the betrayal of a husband and the awakening Luisa-Maria finds as she travels to Dubrovnik. What brings this story to life, is the author's in-depth knowledge of Croatia (somewhere I'd love to visit) as Luisa-Maria travels and heals; the reader will feel as though they do with her.

There's an excellent realism in how Luisa-Maria reacts to not only her husband's betrayal and her heartbreak and how she learns to be herself once more. Often a romance lacks the reality of heartbreak, and doesn't show how it takes time to heal even if you do fall in love again.. but My Dubrovnik Summer Love gives us everything, and it's a tale for the summer time, for anyone who wants to see a holiday romance that sneaks up on Luisa-Maria which has you wondering will they give in or not? You'd have to read it to find out if it's happy ever after or not.

You'll find yourself routing for Luisa-Maria and Luka, who I loved because he's the epitome of a good man and you're going to pantomime hiss at Mark for all he does to hurt our heroine. I also imagine, you're going to love how wonderful Croatia comes to life from the page and fall in love with it like I did...

I tried so hard to get into this book but honestly, Mess's manic behaviour made it hard to get into a comfortable rhythm. I couldn't stand the way she acted towards and treated people and felt in the end as though I were witnessing a toddler tantrum.

This is a book that is; without doubt, a must for every primary school in every country.

Why?

Because Dyspraxia needs to be spoken about and children who have this condition aren't just 'clumsy' - it can cause anxiety and emotional distress as they get older. If we can help a child who has it feel less alone, and afraid of something that is hard to understand through books like Jumping Hurdles then it's a necessity.

I read this alongside my eldest son and we were both emotional as my other son is 15 and has been diagnosed with Dyspraxia for only a few years. Before it, we had presumed him to be the clumsy child that some have. This book brought us both back to seeing him struggle, and fight back against it in the same way Bea does in the book. It's a book about a seven-year-old that brought a 17-year-old to near tears alongside me as we turned the page and willed this little girl on in her Sports Day.

But let's move away from the emotions and to other things I love about Jumping Hurdles. The artwork is beautiful with bright colours that catch the reader both young and old, into the ritual most children and parents have in the Summer of sack races, egg runs and somewhat rarer hurdles. (Glad they only appeared in secondary school for me!)

Alongside the central story of overcoming adversity, the book also tells the story of friendship and acceptance from others for being exactly who you are. This also got a few sniffles because children can be cruel just as much as they can accept someone regardless of any disabilities etc.... so showing this reality may make children (and adults) rethink their way of being too judgemental too quickly.

I could go on, but I will just reiterate this. Jumping Hurdles is a must-read especially for children suffering from this disability because seeing yourself on a page can be incredible as well as any child who loves seeing a character succeed (not to always win to be clear) and be happy.

Thank you for making me cry Sarah Surgey!

Heart Wood was my introduction to this author and I enjoyed their world-building that brings both the beauty of the woodlands and the unsettlingly chaotic Stone City. Not only is the world-building wonderfully done that you feel the lushness of over and the cold, deterioration of the other but also the vivid way the characters come to life from the page.

Both are essential to me in bringing a good fantasy book to life because we're so reliant on imagination. Hawthorne is so good at this and breaks from the tradition of many fantasy tales which is wonderful to see.

The storyline and connections with the characters will sweep you away and if you're like me? There might be some tears shed alongside fury, humour and plenty of blushing. This isn't just a love story, but one of revenge, redemption and acceptance. It calls on the humanity of the characters and reader to see that we're all capable of more than has been assumed or dictated.

I loved it.

Woven into the tale are clear signs of characters struggling with their place in society, and, to me? I saw signs of characters struggling with their mental health with moments that reminded me of anxiety. I also liked that we have a character become disabled due to injury and infection and having to adapt to the new way of living. Seeing this gives me hope that we'll see more of both in media as everyone struggles, and disabled people need representation so thank you, Katey Hawthorne. You're going to love many of the characters and cheer on the love stories that take place. I especially loved seeing the LGBTQIA representation being at the heart of the couples which again, is still rare.

Heart Wood has everything, with love, conflict, monsters and mayhem. It's a story that you're going to devour, and when it ends? Dagan and Hendrik's love for one another will linger in your mind.