Hey guys, I’m back!
I’ve had quite a reading slump at the start of this month, but that has now ended. I’ve finished 4 books in the last two weeks (yey me), and I thought I’d share them with you guys. I’ll just get straight into it because yous don’t want to read a lot of waffle.
Ruthless Romans by Terry Deary
‘Ruthless Romans reveals the grim goings-on of the greatest empire ever, from the terrible twins who founded Rome, to the evil emperors who made murder into sport. You get gory details about the cruel Colosseum – and the people and animals who were massacred there… and find out how, if you upset them enough, the ruthless Romans would crucify you.’
I started binge watching Horrible Histories on Netflix before it so rudely got took off, and it got me in the mood to read some of the books. Luckily I own 4 of them, so I had my pick. Overall I don’t know what to say about this book that hasn’t already been said about Horrible Histories, it is able to teach you so much stuff while keeping the comedy up. I love the Romans (it helps that I’m from Wallsend, named after the end of Hadrian’s Wall), so being able to learn about the gory facts that ignore the heroic parts about them. You learn enough ‘nice’ facts about the Romans in school, but not a lot about the hard truths. The illustrations inside really top it off, they really help bring the book alive. Not forgetting the jokes. When I have kids I’m definatley going to get them to grow up on Horrible Histories.
5/5 Stars
Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers by J.R.R Tolkien *Spoilers*
‘The company of the Ring is torn asunder. Frodo and Sam continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin. Alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.’
This is not my favourite book of the trilogy, but it is still easily a great book. The problem with it is that it is so slow. There’s no big action point apart from the battle at Helms Deep, and when they encounter Shelob, but even then they’re pretty lacking. I would have liked to read more on Merry, Pippin, and the Ents. I love their scenes in the movies and I’m a little upset they weren’t in the book very much. Especially with Merry and Pippin in general. I probably won’t be reading this books again anytime soon, but that’s just because it takes so long to read, and I hope anyone out there who is showing interest in these books still reads them, they won’t regret it.
4/5 Stars
The Prom by Saundra Mitchell
‘Emma knows better than anyone that Edgewater, Indiana, is not a great place to be gay. She really wants to take her girlfriend – the popular, closeted It girl Alyssa – to prom. How big a deal could that really be? But when classmates find out, the backlash exceeds Emma’s worst nightmares. Meanwhile in Manhattan, Barry and Dee Dee are Broadway stars of yesteryear. When their new show bombs, they need some good publicity- fast. So when they happen to hear about Emma’s plight, they decide to step in and create a prom for everyone – whoever their date is. Sudden Edgewater is the centre of a national news story. As the drama queens of New York take over the sleepy town, chaos ensures. All Emma and Alyssa want is to dance together. Is that too much to ask?’
This was so good! I completely devoured this book in one morning. It was exactly what I needed after the long book that was The Two Towers. It was so refreshing to read an LGBTQ book that isn’t about coming to terms about being gay. The main couple have already been together for a year and a half, which also means they skip past all the awkwardness. What is also great is that it doesn’t tread lightly on the homophobia, it shows how bad it can be out there, and I think it could really put some awareness in a young teen who is still naive about how bad things can get in the read world. Another thing that I like is how the principle fights for what is right for Emma and doesn’t just stay in the background and let bad things happen. I seriously need to see this musical!
4/5 Stars
Astrophysics For People In A Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
‘What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fir within us? Unfortunately today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brigs the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly with sparkling with. This book with reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.’
First thing’s first, don’t be intimidated by this book. If you know nothing about space and think this might be too complex, you have no need to worry. I love space, but before reading Astrophysics For People In A Hurry I knew next to shit (save for some things I picked up from The Big Bang Theory). But now I know some pretty cool things. For example, whipped cream can’t float. A lot of people probably already knew that and are thinking ‘well duhh‘, but like i said, next to shit. Everything you read about in here is so fascinating, it really is a great read. I will admit though, it is a lot. It definatley gives your brain a workout, so I suggest you read it slowly. Please, learn from my mistakes lol. I’ll definatley be picking this up again to re-read certain sections.
4/5 Stars
So that’s everything I’ve read this month. I have tried to read other books, but I’ve had no such luck in finishing them yet, but I plan on finishing them before I pick up another book (for now at least, I have no self control). These are: Visual Dictionary Animals (I’m reading this in segments), Three Dark Crowns (I think I might end up DNFing that book, I’m just not enjoying it), Don’t Let My Past Be Your Future: A Call To Arms, It, Mirror Mirror, Finale, Victoria, and Oblivion. Please do not judge how many books I am in the middle of.
So yeah, that all for now folks. I’m curious as to what book was your favourite this month. And also, what do you think about Three Dark Crowns, is it worth sticking till the end? I’ve been about 170 pages in for 3 months now, but I might pick it back up with enough encouragement.
I’d say follow my Instagram dedicated to books, but I haven’t been on there in a while and I don’t know when the next time I’ll be posting. But I’m becoming a lot more organised on Goodreads if you wanna be buddy chums on there. If I’m not a complete dumbo then hopefully I’ve managed to put a link somewhere, if not do tell me please lol.
Till next time!
booksXemma 
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