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#LoveOzYA Anthology Review: Begin, End, Begin | Part 1

Jul 14, 2017

If you don’t know what Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology is, then where have you been? Begin, End, Begin is an anthology highlighting the talent we have in Australia for young adults.

This anthology features authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Lili Wilkinson, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Will Kostakis and Danielle Binks.

As I wanted to review this anthology, I thought I would do my reviews in parts. A couple of reviews each post and then an overall review of the anthology. Today is part 1.

One Small Step … by Amie Kaufman

Pages: 22
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708652
Other Novels Include: These Broken Stars, Illumiane

This story contains: explosions, the first person born on Mars, a greenhouse, two girls, a small tree called Horace, kissing, difficult decisions about what to do after school, action sequences, and that awkward moment when you try to figure out if your best friend is into you.

One Small Step … :

I’ve read three books by Amie Kaufman now and I just seem to enjoy everyone. I am not a massive science fiction fan. I read it every once and a while and most of the time I don’t love the books. But I adored ‘One Small Step…’ And even though it is a short story, I still every much loved the characters.

‘One Small Step …’ follows protagonist Zaida, the first person to be born on Mars. While time skips back and forth effortlessly, we see what happens to get her in a certain situation.

While there are time jumps, it isn’t hard to grasp when time skips or what is happening. Kaufman also did a fantastic job with world building in such a short amount of time. The world was easy to get to get a hold of and although it was a science fiction set in space, it’s quite unique.

I really liked the relationships explored throughout ‘One Small Step…’ From friendship to romantic. It was great to see both those relationship and character grow throughout.

‘One Small Step …’ explores themes of family, friendship, and love. It’s about survival, finding yourself and not letting others decide for you.

I Can See the Ending by Will Kostakis

Pages: 40
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN:1460708660
Other Novels Include: The First Third, The Sidekicks

Love is never as simple as Boy Meets Girl, not for a psychic teen anyway. Nothing spoils Boy Kisses Girl quite like a vision of Girl Dumping Boy . . .

I Can See the Ending:

‘I Can See The Ending’ was an interesting read. It follows protagonist Adam who can see the future, and when he sees the girl he likes, dumping him in the future. Well, things don’t go to plan.

While I would normally love something like this, I didn’t connect with Adam. I am not entirely sure why. I liked the concept of the novel, a lot. It was great actually. But because of the loss of connection with the characters, I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself into the story.

In saying that I still really enjoyed the story, I liked the character interaction and the inner turmoil of Adam. It was great to see a story, where someone can see the future struggle with the outcomes. To decide if things are worth the risk. If it’s okay knowing what is going to happen and what you do with that information.

Overall ‘I Can See The Ending’ was an intriguing read. It explores the notion of seeing the future, learning that everything is not what it seems, family and friends. It explores learning to live your life and not let things stand in your way. ‘I Can See The Ending’ about finding out who you are and letting life take its course.

Check out my interview with Will in my #LoveOzYA feature last year.

In a Heartbeat by Alice Pung

Pages: 17
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708598
Other Works Include: Laurinda, Her Father’s Daughter

Kim has two heartbeats – one her own, another that she didn’t mean to create – and her mother has hit the roof.

In a Heartbeat:

I had never read an Alice Pung book before I picked up ‘In a Heartbeat,’ and now I am intrigued. ‘In a Heartbeat’ follows seventeen-year-old Kim, who finds out she is pregnant and has to deal with the aftermath of being a pregnant teen.

I really enjoyed this story overall, I like reading stories of teens that do fall pregnant because I think that authors can really delve deep into characters and ups and downs of parenthood.

I loved that we got to see the cultural aspects of a young teen being pregnant and how it does play a part in the way that we live our lives. Kim was an easy protagonist to get along with and it was great to see the interaction between her and her own mum.

However, at times I was confused as to what she was talking about. Kim kept on shifting from mother to grandmother and it took me a while to realise it was the same person. It’s her mother, but her baby’s grandmother. This could have totally been just my fault.

Overall ‘In a Heartbeat’ is a heart-warming story of teen pregnancies and the trails that come along with it. From being a single bother to cultural beliefs. It explores the notion of family, being a teenage and motherhood. It’s one that is really important and it doesn’t take long to read.

Pick up your copy of Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology now, with publication in the US soon.

BUY IT NOW: QBD | Dymocks | Readings | Amazon US

So, I am loving the anthology so far. It’s great to see so many amazing short stories, by Aussie YA authors. It puts into perspective how great #LoveOZYA really is.

Have you read the anthology yet? What did you think? What is your favourite story? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!

High School in Aussie YA | #LoveOzYABloggers

Jul 4, 2017

Today I am participating in #LoveOZYA first #LoveOzYABloggers meme. It’s a fortnightly feature that promotes Aussie YA, with a new theme every time. This week’s theme is High School.

So today I thought I would share three of my favourite Aussie YA books that feature high school. There is obviously a lot more. But, here are some that I have loved over the last couple of years.

There is something that really happens to me when I read books set in Australia that feature high school. It feels like home. And I know that sounds so wired. But for so many years I was reading about a school system that I had no idea about. I just went along with it and tried not to focus too much on the school elements. But, then I started reading YA with Aussie schools and gosh it worked so well.

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: Here we see a real focus on coming of age, of finishing high school and I loved it. The Yearbook Committee follows five very different students as they come together to complete the yearbook for the end of year 12. This book is full of friendships, breakdowns, romance, family and everything else. With a real focus on their last year of school. The reader gets to see the highs and lows of someone leaving high school and going into the big world. Don’t forget to check out my review and my interview with Sarah Ayoub.

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: I really enjoy this one as we get to see those in the middle of their high school journey – sorta. Life in Outer Space follows protagonist Sam Kinnison and his geeky ways. He loves horror movies, writes movie scripts and doesn’t care much for girls, but then Camilla comes into his life – and well, things start to change. The reader is able to witness mundane things in an Aussie high school and it was just great | Life in Outer Space Review, The Secret Science of Magic Review.

When Micheal Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: This one is a little different, although it focuses on racism and asylum seekers, we do get a bit of focus on private schools in Australia. When Michael Met Mina follows protagonists Michael and Mina as they go on a journey of friendship, love, hardships of being different from everyone else. They learn to stand up for themselves, each other and what they believe in | Review.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What are some of your favourite #LoveOzYA books set in High School? Let’s Chat!

#LoveOzYABloggers is hosted by #LoveOzYA, a community-led organisation dedicated to promoting Australian young adult literature. Keep up to date with all new Aussie YA releases with their monthly newsletter, or find out what’s happening with News and Events, or submit your own!

Last 5 Books That I Have Read

Jun 23, 2017

Today I thought I would share the last five books that I have read. Reading was a little slow in the month of May. I just finished from uni, starting my new job at a bookstore and needed a good great. I think I read maybe one book in those weeks. But the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten back into the reading groove. So here are the last five books that I have read.

So here are the last five books that I have read. These are in order from the latest read. You can follow me on Goodreads to keep updated with what I am reading.

One Small Step…: A #LoveOzYA Short Story by Amie Kaufman: I’ve started to slowly read Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology. And one story in and I am already loving it. I’ve read a couple of books already by Amie Kaufman and this one just took me right in. I’ll be reviewing the whole anthology soon, so keep your eye on it. What is your favourite story from the anthology?

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare: I am doing a re-read with Ely from Tea and Titles and though we are a little behind, I was finally about to read Clockwork Prince and just feel in love again. Gosh, I seriously forgot how much I love this trilogy. Check out my review with Ely on Clockwork Angel.

Her Outback Cowboy by Annie Seaton: I find that a contemporary novel is always great for getting out of a reading slump and while I didn’t love this one. It did help me get straight back into reading. It was a quick read, and it’s set in Australia so that was a plus | Review.

Into Your Arms by Chelsea M. Cameron: While this was another disappointing read, I pushed through it and like Her Outback Cowboy it started to get me out of a reading slump. It’s was again a quick read that I cruised through in a couple of hours.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare: This was the source of my reading slump – but not in a bad way. It was just so good that I all I did was think about it. I had so many thoughts going through my head that I couldn’t stop thinking about. And there are still heaps going through my mind, that I just want to talk with everyone about it | Review.

And that is it! What are the books that you last read? Do we share any that is the same? What do you do to get out of a reading slump? What is the book that you are planning to read next? Let’s Chat!

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