5 BOOKS YOU HAVE TO READ

Hello.

I've decided that my next blog post will be 100% dedicated to something I really enjoy doing.
Reading.
This particular post is focused on my top 5 favourite books so far.
I see a lot of people wanting reading recommendations I've been asked a couple of times what my 
favourites are, so i decided the easiest way to structure it, answer those questions and recommend a couple of unknown favourites to some more people would be to put them all in one place.
side note i plan to do regular(ish) updates on other books i recommend as i have quite a few 
scheduled to read  

In no particular order, this is my top 5 books so far.

1. NOUGHTS & CROSSES - MALORIE BLACKMAN

This book is probably one of the most important books to me and has without a doubt shaped the way I read and choose books from that day forward.

I'd recommend ALL of her other books including the rest of the noughts & crosses series, the stuff of nightmares and pig heart boy. Seriously this woman is so so so talented when it comes to writing.

Anyway.

This book is based on racial discrimination, terrorism threats and general teenage pressures.

I found it not only incredibly exciting and tense throughout, but i also found it really emotional and to me personally, that is my ideal book.

The emotional bits are really unexpected and they're just so well timed and interweave so seamlessly with plain, cruel violence. I constantly recommend this book, Blackman's writing or the whole noughts & crosses series to everyone to the majority of those I've spoke to that have read this, view it as an equally incredible book.

2. LOOKING FOR ALASKA - JOHN GREEN

I'm unusually skeptical about authors who have received mass media attention in a short space of time, as i usually find that the books are predictable, unoriginal and typical.

But with Looking for Alaska I can honestly say I was impressed.

I had initially only read The Fault in Our Stars before this by John Green, and although i felt a huge emotional attachment it lacked certain features to make me really feel "wow".

I know this is quite an unpopular opinion, don't all verbally attack me at once.

Although TFIOS wasn't my favourite of John's, i did cry like a 

baby when it ended.

Looking for Alaska did seem slightly predictable in my eyes and if you decide to read it or have already read it, i'd love to see if you thought 

the same let me know in the comments.

If you're looking for a different kind of romance that focuses on dark topics and some sadness instead of only considering happiness and the happy endings, then i'd definitely recommend Looking for Alaska.

3. HEROES - ROBERT CORMIER

Okay today was a big day for me regarding this book.

I'm reading this book in English as part of my literature course. 

And I was mad keen to get myself through it and discover what would happen to the characters i had grown so suddenly attached to.

I made the leap to finish the book myself and all i can is wow.

I am literally stunned at this and after initially not believing this was a book for me, i am heartbroken it's over.

This book not only provides you with accurate historical content, it informs you of the hidden brutality surrounding war.

I found it not only suspenseful and interesting, but also incredibly emotional and dark.

After researching a little about the author Robert Cormier, I am lead to believe many of his books are similar and that i would be interested to try them too.

Unless you're planning on studying this within a curriculum at school/college or fancy being one step ahead, i thoroughly suggest everyone reads this and learns a little bit more about the idea that war cannot be forgotten, moved away from and that many struggle to find pride 

in their war-time actions.

4. CITY OF BONES - CASSANDRA CLARE

Okay, I'm going to attempt not to loose my cool here.

But The Mortal Instruments series may or may not be the greatest things to happen to me within reading right now.

I physically cannot get enough of them.

Although i'm only putting a recommendation for one of the books, (the first one of the 6 book series). I recommend you read the complete series. 

I'm currently mid way through the series, and I am mind blown.

The book appears to be a book of typical fantasy content, when in reality i believe its completely the opposite.

I find it new, refreshing and something that stands out from the typical vampire/werewolf scene the post-twilight buzz created.

Not only does it include some of the most detailed and kick-ass fight scenes, it has the element of hidden romance, friendship and hatred which i adore as i'm able to dive head first into the emotional side and be thrilled by the suspense and action from the more dramatic fight scenes.

I would recommend this to anyone who is ready to welcome a completely new world of fiction and is prepared to be scarred emotionally by the heart ache that is The Mortal Instruments.

5. THE BOOK THIEF - MARKUS ZUSAK

This last recommendation is a bit of a cheat.

I'm currently mid-way through this book but I couldn't help including it in my recommendations from the second i got into the book.

This book not only considers incredibly difficult topics from the point of view of something that many find difficult to process.

I find that this book challenges many different perceptions of war and death and looks at war from a small girl in Germany's point of view.

This book has left me feeling inspired and blown away by the use of language to convey realistic emotions that many feel on a regular basis.

The idea that this focuses on the point of view of someone who is seemingly unaffected by war gives off the impression that is a global problem that although is altered by age, social status and colour, is also a problem that concerns everyone, even the most vulnerable and seemingly unimportant of people.

Each of these books has had  significant effect on a specific time in my life and i could probably go on for hours about their significance and how much of an impact each of them have, but i'd prefer it if people created their own ideas of the significance and managed to style their own lives around them and figure out the impact its had on themselves personally.

I really enjoyed writing this and although it took me a while, i'm glad it's done.
I hope this is something i can do regularly and if you take on board any of my suggestions and would like to share your own personal views, feel free to leave a comment. Thank you.

WHAT IS INSPIRATION AND WHERE DO I FIND IT?

Hello.

I find first impressions awkward, confusing and stressful because of my tendency to over analyse.

So my first post on this blog will not be an introduction as I will most likely present myself in a very unappealing light and scare off any potential readers which could be roughly translated into failing which i don't take much pride in.

Anyway.

I attend secondary school so i'm prone to over reacting, stressing, procrastinating and worrying.

So it's only natural that I embrace these qualities and exploit them regularly with the excuse "but i'm a teenager".

Don't deny it, I know you do it too.

So, inspiration is key for me to get anything done and to focus fully on the task at hand.

But first, what is inspiration?

To me, inspiration is something that drives, empowers and motivates me regularly. 

And what I definitely knew and understood, is that I withdrew inspiration from successful people that i admired; which is the typical source of inspiration.

I aspire to become successful in career paths such as music & writing. So I'm regularly inspired by the bands/performers I enjoy, and the books I read.
See how it works?

But inspiration is a personal thing. It's usually something that people are not necessarily comfortable with sharing for a number of reasons, but is still something valuable to them. You with me? Good.

So what does it really 'do' to a person?

Well I'm a firm believer in the sense that inspirations and secondary influences DO shape a person for the better or for the worse.

And that an inspiration could very well change your life plan, your aspirations and choices from here on out.

I'm completely unaware of the ages that this will be reaching, and I hope one day they vary from young to old.

But right now I'm taking a guess that the majority will be teens.

So all I can say is, inspiration is valuable and is a weapon in disguise.

And with everyone weapon comes authority and power over an individual.

But unlike other weapons, inspiration seldom has consequences.

So if you're looking for something free, easy and helpful to actually unlock secret ways at getting back at people who've made you feel down constantly and pretty much told you that you'd never be able to achieve, then this is the perfect revenge that results in doing good for yourself and quietly teaching them a lesson, that will not hurt them in the physical sense, but will hopefully prevent them from broadcasting a hateful attitude on others.

You don't need to have a physical or cruel revenge on someone, just proving them wrong is revenge in itself.

side note - i'd like to say thank you to anyone reading this right now and that i hope you found some sort of pleasure from reading my writing.

i aim to keep up with this blog and hope to achieve at least 1 post per week.

i'm excited at what i can achieve with it, but obviously, it involves you and i'm thrilled you took the time out of your day to read.

if you have anything to say, feel free to comment and i'll get back to you whenever.

otherwise, thank you for giving my writing the time i hope its worthy of and i hope you have had or have a good day!