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Merissa (13583 KP) rated Double Negative in Books

Dec 17, 2018

I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours as part of their blog tour, in return for a fair and honest review.

Wow, this book packs a punch in more ways than one. It is tough and gritty and doesn't spare your feelings as you read through. You will be neck deep in teenage angst, abuse, drugs, body issues, bullying but also friendships, teamwork and mentorship. This book covers it all and in such a way that you won't be able to stop turning the pages. You will need to read "just a little bit more."

One thing I will say is that I actually found it quite hard to read at the beginning before I got used to Hutch's 'voice'. I actually found it quite painful which is funny when you're not actually reading it. I was very pleased with him as he started to correct his grammar!

As he changes his attitude and takes up 'swimming', I found the book progressed in a wonderful and heartwarming way. His relationship with Maggie in particular brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.

I thought the whole book dealt with subjects usually swept under the carpet and in a rough, in your face, dignified and respectful manner. Does that sentence not make sense to you? Read Double Negative and it will make perfect sense!

Kudos

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Mar 24, 2020 (Updated Mar 24, 2020)

Check out this fascinating interview with Lisa Johnson, author of the emotional and heartfelt biography POSTCARDS FROM LONNIE on my blog, and enter the #GIVEAWAY to #win a signed copy of the book - two winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/03/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-postcards.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
It all started on Christmas Day 1993. Lisa and Lonnie were sitting on their mom's rickety yard swing, when Lisa's curiosity took over. She asked Lonnie questions about his life on the street, about being homeless. To her surprise, he answered honestly, humorously, and thoughtfully.

That conversation continued throughout the next four years as Lisa wrote questions on postcards addressed to herself, then mailed them in packets to Lonnie at the flower shop on his corner. He wrote his answers and mailed them back. Lonnie answered a lot of questions and even asked a few, too. His detailed, matter-of-fact responses gave Lisa an unfettered view of a population living on the fringes of society and the issues they face every day.

Postcards from Lonnie is a dialogue between Lonnie, who speaks through the postcards, and his sister, who not only learns a lot about her brother but also about herself. Intimate and revealing, this is a unique family memoir and a universal story of love, respect, family, and ultimately hope.
--
#LSBBT #LoneStarLit

Kudos Comment

Amy Norman (1048 KP) rated The Orphanage of Gods in Books

Apr 17, 2020

The Orphanage of Gods

Helena Coggan | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an absolute tour de force, and powerhouse of descriptive language.

The book is gripping from the start, it is fast moving, and keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. I haven't picked up a book this quickly in a while, and finished it faster than most.

However, so much happens throughout the book, and it builds and builds towards the ending that it almost felt like a bit too much happened, and I wasn't entirely sure where it would end. I feel like it could have been stretched out over two books, so we as an audience could have had more time to relish the story and appreciate the characters.
Please don't get me wrong though, I savoured every minute of it, and the ending was suitable and satiated my needs.

As I mentioned, the descriptive language was different to a great many books I've read, but it didn't feel forced or jarring, as some do when it feels like they threw a thesaurus at their writing, just to mix it up a bit.
The writers age did leak through a few times, but I am an older reader, and think this is perfectly suited to the YA audience.

Highly recommend, it is a fantastic read, and the only let down is that there wasn't more of it!