LIFE UPDATE // COLLEGE!

  Ahh, it's September! When the dreaded "Back to School" signs start popping up in shops, making sure you have the right equipment, clothes and books for all the right classes. One word comes to my mind when it comes to School/College/Uni : STRESSFUL.  But, I'm not going to think about that. I'm going to think about one word: POSITIVITY.  Safe to say my summer hasn't exactly been all relaxing as I'd like it to be but I'm not coming on here for that sort of sympathy. I've come on here to update you about where I'll be for the next few months!

  I'll be returning to college to take a Level Two ICT course. Not the course I wanted to take but, hey sometimes life doesn't always go our way. Sorting everything out has been so stressful and by the time you're reading this I'll probably be back at college anyway! (I start tomorrow at 9 help!!)

  Now back to the word Positivity. I've been gloom ever since I was enrolled onto my course then I realised, If I'm gloomy all  my college life it'll get worse! So tomorrow I'm going into college with a positive attitude. I won't frown, get upset or be sad in anyway. I will be POSITIVE.

 
   So, blogging will take a SMALL step-back so I can prioritise college but when I can I'll be posting!

   Thanks for reading my ramble, I've hope you've had a good Summer and hope you all have a good year at Work/School/College/Uni whatever you do I hope it's great!


                 Sam
                  BooksAreFun.

Sara Shepard - Ali's Pretty Little Lies Review {Spoiler Free!}

I'm Ali and I'm fabulous!

Pretty Little Liars: Ali's Pretty Little Lies
Rate: 5/5

Before there was A, there was Alison DiLaurentis. Boys wanted to date her, girls wanted to be her, and somebody wanted her dead. . . .

It's the end of seventh grade, and Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the girls of Rosewood Day. Ali runs her clique with an iron fist, and she's got enough dirt on Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer to keep them in line. But Ali's hiding a dark secret of her own, something so huge it would destroy everything if it ever got out. She's desperate to keep the perfect life she's worked so hard to build, but in Rosewood deadly secrets have deadly consequences. . . .

Set in the weeks leading up to Ali's murder, this special Pretty Little Liars tale is told by the prettiest little liar of all: Ali herself. For the first time ever, we see how the mystery began . . . and how Alison DiLaurentis's life ended.

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while but I've been super busy with real life junk but now things have quieted down. Today I'm going to review Sara Shepard's Ali's Pretty Little Lies! This is the exciting prequel to Pretty Little Liars following the incidents leading up to Alison's disappearance.  I read this entire book in one day! I've never read a book this fast but it was just so gripping and a complete page turner!

  This book as I said, follows Alison and everything that happened before she went missing! Everything was kinda tied together still leaving a mystery. On the blurb it says Before there was A there was Alison DiLaurentis.  I loved that; It showed how iconic Alison truly was!

    The book as a whole was completely gripping and I could not put it down! I literally walked around the house with it because I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't, I had to find out what happens! The ending was so satisfying and completely shocking, and I did feel bad for the character.


WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK BEFORE READING 1-8 OF PLL BECAUSE, SPOILERS AND CONFUSION.

Happy reading!

YALC Preparations.

As I'm writing this, I'm getting ready for YALC. I thought I'd make a list off all the things I'm bringing with me to YALC!  This is my first year going and I'm very anxious but excited at the same time. This is my first ever convention I'm going to and I'll be alone until I meet my friends.

1) Food & Drink

Judging by what people say, the canteen at YALC is a bit pricey so I'll remember to bring my own food and drink. Just a bottle of water and a few things to snack on whilst I'm waiting around for signings.

2) Portable Phone Charger

I'll be in YALC but I'll need to contact my dad at all times. And iPhone batteries aren't necessary long-lasting. So, I have a portable charger with me in case there are no plugs for when you're sitting around.

3) Books!

I'm going to be bringing two books and a book to read on the train! Don't bring too many books as you'd probably get caught up and end up splurging on a bunch of books (Especially when they're discounted for YALC!)

4) Money!

Lastly, the most important thing I am bringing with me is Money! Now I don't have my own bank account but I've heard most stands only accept cash so that's a important factor that'll play into it during the day!

And those are the things I'm taking to YALC! I can't wait to meet everyone there and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Lana Del Rey Lust For Life (Album Review)

Hey everyone! So, today Lana Del Rey dropped her much anticipated album Lust For Life! Her first album since Honeymoon in 2016. I am a huge Lana fan so some opinions MAY be over exaggerated but these views are completely my own. I will be rating the songs 5/5 1 being not so good, 5 being very good! Then, I'll rate the whole album out of 10.


Track 1 - Love.

This was the first song Lana dropped to get us hyped for the album. I fell in love with it instantly.  It's just so pure and genuine and I love hearing Lana's soft singing voice.  This song got me very hyped for the Lust for Life album and it was a great lead single.

Rating 5/5

Track 2 - Lust for Life - feat. The Weekend

The next track for Lust for Life album is the track named Lust for Life. I absolutely adore this song. It's just so soft and pure. I can't say I particularly like the collaboration with The Weeknd but the song as a whole was very beautiful.

Rating 4.5/5

Track 3 - 13 Beaches

This was the first song that I haven't previously heard before the album came out like LFL and Love but I really liked this song! It was giving me all the Lana Del Rey vibes I love and the song was well written!

Rating - 4.5/5

Track 4 - Cherry

I heard this was a song that most people were excited to here, me being one of them. I LOVED this song. If I had to pick a favourite, it would definitely be this one. I just loved the passion in her voice and you can tell she meant every word she sung.

Rating 5/5

Track 5 - White Mustang

I like the beat to this, it almost sounds like a ballad and a sad song. I loved the message this song had about Summer and all the lovers. This song was really well done. Overall, I really loved this song.

Rating 4.5/5

Track 6 - Summer Bummer - feat. A$AP Rocky & Playboi Carti

Again with the Lust for Life song, I can't say I like these rappers featuring on Lana's album. I feel her voice is strong enough to cope on it's own for the entire album. She proved this with Honeymoon that has 0 featurettes. I really enjoyed this song.

Rating 4/5

Track 7 - Groupie Love - feat. A$AP Rocky

I know I said I didn't really like rappers featuring on her music however, I did enjoy Groupie Love. I couldn't compare this song to anything else, I could really visualise a music video for this song which is what I love doing with songs that aren't singles yet.

Rating 4.5/5

Track 8 - In My Feelings

Holy cow! This song got me in ALL the feels. (Probably the point by the title) but nonetheless I really loved this song and the darkness too it. I could hear the pain in her voice and ugh, it was just so lovely to listen too.

Rating 5/5

Track 9 - Coachella - Woodstock in my Mind

This was the second song she released I believe, feel free to correct me in the comments but, I really liked this song. It had a message for teenagers at music festivals and it felt a little dark to me not going to lie! But I loved that.

Rating 4/5

Track 10 - God Bless America - And All The Beautiful Women In It

Ahh! This song was again, so good. I don't think there'll ever be a Lana song I dislike.  I really loved listening to this and the message behind it too, I don't have much to say other than it was really beautiful.

Rating 4/5


Track 11 - When the world was at war, we kept dancing

I loved the message behind this and I love how you can relate it to modern day even though it mentions war which happened along time ago, but it could also mean just dancing and being happy with each other.

Rating 4.5/5


Track 12 - Beautiful People, Beautiful Problems - feat. Stevie Nicks

I loved the piano (I think) beat to it, Another song where Lana just sounds so pure and genuine. I really hope this becomes a single. Stevie actually fit really well with the song, I wasn't sure how she would if I'm honest but yeah, she did!

Rating 4/5

Tack 13 - Tomorrow never came - feat. Sean Ono Lennon 

I'm going to say it.. I don't really like Sean's part. I felt I could hear him more than Lana when they sang together which I didn't really like. In terms of Lana's part, I definitely enjoyed it. It's so calming

Rating 3/5

Track 14 - Heroin

Almost done my dudes! Thanks for sticking it out if you got this far :) But, I really enjoyed this song as well! It was very mature and dark and I love this side of Lana and I wished we heard a little more on the album.

Rating 4/5

Track 15 - Change

Okay, I know I said Cherry was my favourite but Change is right up there with it! This is such a BEAUTIFUL track, I really loved the whole message "Change" it had too it. Overall, this song was amazing.

Rating 5/5

Track 16 - Get Free

Ahh last song! My fingers are hurting now haha, anyways. this song was a really great way to close the album. I really enjoyed it.  I don't have much to say other than I really enjoyed it. :) Great job Lana!

Track 4/5

OVERALL ALBUM RATING - 10/10

This album gets a TEN from me. I love Lana and wasn't prepared for this album. It was just SO amazing!

Thanks for reading!

Blogger Recognition Award

I was tagged by the lovely Rebecca at thisbookyplace.blogspot.co.uk! Thanks Rebecca! Basically this tag we had to answer a few questions. (PSA this is my first tag so sorry if it's not that great!)

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

2. Write a post to show your award.

3. Give a brief story of how your blog started.

4. Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.

5. Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to.

6. Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them & provide the link to the post you created.

Blogger Who Nominated You & Their Link

Rebecca from This Booky Place

thisbookyplace.blogspot.co.uk

How My Blog Started?

I've just finished a college course and I'm now free for the Summer, so I really didn't want to sit around doing nothing all day, I wanted to keep myself ocupied and being someone who doesn't like keaving the house often, this was a perfect way!

Advice For Upcoming Bloggers

1. Don't worry about what people think, just make sure that you do it and you love what your doing.

2. Make Friends! It may seem scary and daunting at first, trust me I know but if you meet new people and talk to them, Blogging won't be as scary! Ever since making friends here, I've had the best time!

Tag Fifteen People (I could only do five.)

Zoe - NoSaferPlace.co.uk.

Amy - GoldenBooksGirl.wordpress.com

Rachel - racheyragdoll.blogspot.co.uk

Michelle - www.talesofyesterday.co.uk

A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness Book Review (Spoiler Free!)

Okay guys. Let me just start off by saying this has to be one of the most HEARTBREAKING books I've read in my life! I've just finished it today due to my busy college life - But I finally finished it. And not going to lie, I shed a tear or two reading the final chapters.

The story follows Conor O'Malley and his mum his dying of cancer. He's trying his best to help her and keep his head held high,  With this Conor is also dealing with some boys who go to the same school as him. They use any excuse to pick on him. Then, at midnight. The Monster Calls, but it isn't the same one he's been expecting. This monster wants the truth.

I knew when I got this in the bundle of #ZoellasBookClub this would be a favourite. After reading this, It definitely is.  This book was so beautiful and insightful. And as I said before, I never really get emotional when reading books but I did with this one.  The pack of tissues my friend Zoe from No Safer Place said to get was definitely needed!

Patrick Ness is a beautiful writer who knows how to write things delicately and stunningly. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it gets a 5/5 from me and I want to read it again. Would definitely recommend.

Happy Reading!

"The Perfectionists" - Duology Review (Spoiler Free!)

Hi everyone!! Welcome to my first ever blog post. Thank you for reading! Today I'm going to be reviewing "The Perfectionists" Duology by Sara Shepard. Author of the Pretty Little Liars & Lying Game series.  Sara is known for her long winded YA mystery novels, so it was nice and refreshing for there to be just two books and it wraps us nicely but also leaves open for the idea of a third book. However, this hasn't been mentioned yet. I like to call Sara Shepard the Queen of YA Mystery. She definitely knows how to keep you gripped and hooked onto the series and honestly, I was gripped from the first page. It introduced the characters and the story line really well.

"The Perfectionists" follows the lives of five perfect girls, Julie Redding, Caitlin-Martell Lewis, Mackenzie Wright, Ava Jalali and Parker Duvall. They're five perfect and different girls but have the same hatred for the most popular boy in school - Nolan Hotchkiss.  During of their classes, they all come up with a plan to murder Nolan as a joke but when he ends up dead the exact same way that they planned, they start to get worried that they could be accused from murder. 

This is a classic Sara Shepard book. Death, Gore & Romance. It was a really fun and enjoyable book series to read and the sequel to The Perfectionists entitled "The Good Girls" was a really good way to wrap it all up. I was left very satisfied once I finally found out who the killer was!

Overall, the book gets a rating of 5/5. It was a very thrilling and exciting read. If you don't want to spend hours upon hours reading The Pretty Little Liars series - this is a nice and more mature alternative

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Happy Reading!