Honestly, this is not my usual genre to read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how this book gripped me. The Missed Kiss is a beautiful tale of love and friendship, full of twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end. The characters are superbly crafted, lovable and relatable.
I quickly found myself immersed in this world that Nicola created, with the pacing of the story and the character development being perfect.
The Missed Kiss is a well written and fun read, that will leave you wanting more. If you’re after a rollercoaster of emotion, grab this book – it won’t disappoint.
(Side note – if you’re a guy thinking about giving this a read, you should certainly give it a try. As I said, romance isn’t my usual genre, but this was so well written that I couldn’t stop reading.)
Conclusion- You can feel the love and emotion that went into this book’s creation. It’s sweet, with a modern edge. Truly a brilliant and beautiful debut novel.
Survival. Zombies. Action. This book has all the usual elements of a Max Brooks bestseller… except this one has blocks… lots of blocks. If you’re aware of the world of Minecraft, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. If not, where have you been?
I was surprised at first when I saw Max Brooks’ name on the cover of this book, but as I delved in, I could see that it suited his style of writing well. The Island is a highly creative piece of writing, with Brooks turning the mechanics of the game into fiction, in a way that can only be admired. It’s paced perfectly, with the classic survival trope of being marooned on an island used as the book’s main plot. This, of course, just works for a book based on the game.
Minecraft: The Island is written in a perspective that reads as a personal account from a journal. The protagonist, the author of the journal, tells of his adventure from the moment he wakes up on the island. With no memories of his life before, he must learn the rules of the mysterious world he finds himself in.
What surprised me most was the amount of philosophy and the number life lessons that Max Brooks has managed to weave into this tale. Clearly aimed at a wide audience, I think this was a great choice, and clearly shows the skill of Brooks as a writer. It may not be the most technically written book out there, but it’s made to be read by the many fans of the franchise. There’s something in here for everyone.
I never thought that I’d be sharing philosophy from a work of fiction based on Minecraft, but my favourite life lessons that this book teaches:
Be grateful for what you have.
Take life in steps.
Courage is a full-time job.
It’s not failure that matters, it’s how you recover.
Keep going, never give up.
Final thoughts: I loved this book. I can’t give it the same score as some of the other books I’ve rated on here, so for that reason, it gets 4/5. It’s fun. It’s well written. It’s highly creative. It’s an easy read for when you need to unwind. I would recommend Minecraft: The Island to any fan of the franchise, no matter the age. Read it if you’re a Minecraft pro or novice, it might inspire your next creation. Read it to your kids, they may pick up some valuable lessons for the future. Read it when you just need an escape, from a world not made of blocks.
2020 was certainly a year in which books were a huge part of my life, with that want for escape and learning being needed more than ever. With that said, here are the top 5 five books that helped me survive the odd year that was 2020.
Diversion to Urasha was the perfect escape into a captivating world of Sci-Fi adventure. I become lost in the beautifully crafted story last summer, and look forward to reading more this year.
“I recommend Laura’s work to anyone that wishes for an easy read and a quick escape from reality. She is a talented individual, that writes with emotion and heart.”
I found this book at a difficult time last year. It helped me change my mind set completely, and put me on the path that I am now. Through it, I found my interest in philosophy. Books are powerful things…
“This book will have you questioning much about your life, but then if you picked it up for the reason I did, you have probably already begun questioning. It is through questioning ourselves about our situation and choice that we can make change, and this book is a perfect stepping stone to that longer journey of discovery.”
…and this book fortified that interest in philosophy. Stoicism is not just an interesting philosophy, but a powerful state of mind that is applicable to everyday life. I am returning to The Daily Stoic this year, as well as picking up some more Ryan Holiday to read.
“If you heed its teachings, I believe that it has the potential to change the way you think about life and its challenges. It could make you stern and resolute in the face of any situation. It will help you find serenity and peace of mind in the chaos of this modern world. I will be re-reading this for years to come and will continue to use it for references and my morning meditations.”
Wow. Just wow. This book empowered me to a whole other level. I’d always struggled with my difference, but Quiet brilliantly highlighted the strengths in those differences.
“Quiet is an incredible book. It was called the most important book published in a decade, and I completely agree. I say this book left me speechless, and it did at first, but after absorbing so much information, I find myself with a lot to say on the subject. Quiet is a book that spoke to me on many levels, and is a book that should be read by most.”
All of these books were worthy of a 5/5 rating from me. You should go check them out!
“It was called the most important book published in a decade, and I completely agree.”
I have always questioned why I felt different to the majority, until recently. I was always quiet. Thoughtful. I preferred the company of books to that of people, so my school life was rather difficult. For this reason, Quiet by Susan Cain resonated with me in a way that left me speechless. I don’t think I ever quite fathomed the amount of research that had gone into the world of introversion and extroversion. I always thought I was odd, and was often made to feel that way, but it turns out that I was just one among many.
Quiet explores the strengths of the introverted among us. Susan Cain delves into the subject, and without fear, questions how change can be made to schools and workplaces to cultivate those strengths. You see, we live in a world that has adapted to the extrovert. In school, we’re taught to work in groups and speak among crowds. At work, we’re expected to be able to make presentations and enjoy team building activities. In our personal lives, we’re expected to attend every social event we’re invited to or be in a perfectly adapted relationship. These are all extroverted ideals that have been popularised by those that speak the loudest, without thought for those that need the quiet.
Cain’s research in this book is deep. From interviews with academics and professors, to personal views and experience, Cain has incorporated a vast amount of knowledge into Quiet. One of my favourite chapters was about the research done with how we grow to be introverted (or extroverted), and how it can be predicted from a very young age. It brings into question the nature versus nurture discussion. Is it biology or experience? Turns out, studies have shown, it’s a combination of both, but we can predict the probability of either. High-reactive children are more likely to be introverted, and low-reactive are more likely to be extroverted.
About the writing style; Cain’s ability is flawless as she switches between fact driven article and personal perspective. Despite it bearing a considerably heavy subject, Quiet is both easy to read and understand, and is thoroughly entertaining. I like how open Cain is about herself and her own experience. This adds much to the overall charm of the book. Cain is clear about her mission and what she wants to achieve through her research. She is a voice of reason among those that may not be willing to speak up.
And I know that many of you reading this can probably relate to Cain, and myself, so here are some strengths that you should consider, if you too are Quiet:
We may not speak as much, but we listen intently. This makes us great empaths and absorbers of spoken knowledge.
We read a lot. From this, we learn at an increased rate and have a greater ability for imagination.
From art, reading and writing, we have a learned focus, that we can apply to other elements of our lives.
We think a lot and have a greater ability to analyse and apply logic.
We are generally more creative.
We find joy from simpler things.
We’re not afraid to be alone.
When we do speak up, it’s for a reason, and we are listened to more intently.
These are just a few to consider and are inspired by the works of Cain and her research. Learn to lean into your strengths, and not fight against them. Realise your weaknesses, but don’t let them hold you back. This is something that I learned a few years ago and will never look back to who I was. In all my quietness, I have learned that I am a strong leader. I push myself because I am passionate about people and life. If you’re introverted, just be yourself. Find your passion and everything else will fall into place. If you’re extroverted, then remember that some of us just enjoy the quiet.
Quiet is an incredible book. It was called the most important book published in a decade, and I completely agree. I say this book left me speechless, and it did at first, but after absorbing so much information, I find myself with a lot to say on the subject. Quiet is a book that spoke to me on many levels, and is a book that should be read by most. Of course, without hesitation, I give Quiet 5/5.
Firstly, this book was not what I had first expected, and I mean this in the best possible way. I like to be surprised as I make my way through a book, and this beautifully written tale is certainly in no short supply of surprises. I was utterly gripped by the darkness of the story. I was captivated by the well thought out and interesting characters. I was enthralled by Hope and her power to wield the stars.
Secondly, on a more personal level, this book and its characters made me reflect so much on my younger years. The long black hair. The band shirts. The gigs. The loud and heavy music. (Yes, I was a metal head. Please… feel free to imagine how I looked in those days.) They were fun times. This may seem like a bit of a tangent, so allow me to get to my point; Melanie does very well to describe the scenes and settings that I am very familiar with. It was nostalgic for me. It was almost like I was back there, probably seen diving into a mosh pit somewhere.
Within the story is woven a few disturbing subjects. You have been warned, but believe me when I say, they are masterfully placed and impactful to the plot. They made me pay close attention to each character. They made me feel involved in their backstory. These plotlines were not placed for simple shock factor, as I find many authors doing. It was darkness, with purpose.
Hope Quest: Blackbird is stylish, darkly-elegant and beautifully delivered, and for this I give it 5/5. I can’t wait to get stuck into book 2!
“Want some YA Sci-fi action that will keep you turning page after page, chapter after chapter, until you’ve realised that time has somehow disappeared? Then you should pick up this book, NOW.
Like a combination of Valerian and Avatar, with a sprinkle of Star Wars, Diversion to Urasha will take you on a wondrous journey, filled with adventure and peril. Meet a diverse group of well written personalities, as they travel through the mysterious landscapes of Urasha. As they move towards their goal of finding an all-powerful artefact, you will become captivated as the characters progress the story through self-discovery, strength and courage.
Laura Hopgood brings this story to life with her brilliant writing ability, immense imagination and entertaining style of narration. Diversion to Urasha is a thoroughly thought-out Sci-Fi adventure with an ending that will leave you immediately wanting to return for more!”
I wrote this review for an older edition of this book, and my opinion has remained much the same for this updated version. I think that the one thing that I didn’t pick up on before was the elements of fantasy that have been masterfully woven into this epic piece. It has dragon-like creatures and an alien race that, in hindsight, remind me of the Dark elves of my D&D days. With sword fights and powerful warriors and deadly monsters, this book truly has it all! And, even more exciting, book 2 is now released, so I can carry on with this thoroughly enthralling journey. I recommend Laura’s work to anyone that wishes for an easy read and a quick escape from reality. She is a talented individual, that writes with emotion and heart. I, once again, give Diversion to Urasha 5/5 stars.
After reading Happy by Derren Brown, I was eager to learn more of the philosophy of Stoicism, in which he spoke so much about. After some research, I found The Daily Stoic to be the starting point of many a new Stoic. Within its pages are 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living, in the form of analysed quotes from great Stoics, such as Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.
Although this book is written to be read one page per day (the pages are dated), I found myself reading three to five (or more) and meditating on each. I think I actually managed to finish it in two months! I will be returning to this book next year, to read a page a day, in aid of keeping my mind focused the wisdom of the Stoics.
I found this book to be a great way to start my day, with a coffee, silence, and a meditation to reflect upon. I feel that The Daily Stoic is a great introduction to this useful and thought-provoking philosophy. If you heed its teachings, I believe that it has the potential to change the way you think about life and its challenges. It could make you stern and resolute in the face of any situation. It will help you find serenity and peace of mind in the chaos of this modern world. I will be re-reading this for years to come and will continue to use it for references and my morning meditations.
For its great and diverse selection of quotes, and well written analysis of each, I give this book 5/5, and would recommend it to anyone interested in philosophy or self-help literature.
It had been a while since I picked up some non-fiction to read, but this book kept me captivated toward the end. It was in my search for a “self-help” book that I stumbled upon Happy. This is ironic, however, as Derren Brown takes a very anti-modern-self-help approach to aiding us in our search for happiness. Brown takes us on a journey through history, as we learn of the ideal of being happy, in its ever-changing form. He has us challenge these ideals, as he discusses old and new psychotherapies, and his personal experiences.
Much of this book is heavily leaned toward giving an introduction into the philosophical stance of the Stoics (or so I felt). This certainly isn’t a negative, however, as it has convinced me to research further into this ancient philosophy, to aid my own self-improvement. Could this be this answer to a happier life in a modern world that’s so chaotic and exhausting? Perhaps.
Brown uses many great quotes in his work, from philosophers and leaders, such as Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca, and puts them fully under analysis. Most interestingly, I found, he discusses with us the fear of death, and its potential hindrance in our life. This book will have you questioning much about your life, but then if you picked it up for the reason I did, you have probably already begun questioning. It is through questioning ourselves about our situation and choice, that we can make change, and this book is a perfect stepping stone to that longer journey of discovery.
In short, this book is engaging, thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining. I would highly recommend this to anyone that is uncertain about their meaning in life, and would recommend this over much of the self-help literature out there. I give this book 5/5.
Lee A. Vockins. 