EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING by Nicola Yoon

“Live life in a bubble? Or risk everything for love? Maddy is allergic to the world. She hasn’t left her house in seventeen years. Olly is the boy next door. He’s determined to find a way to reach her.”

What is the book about?

Maddy is a seventeen year old girl who has never left her house. She has an incurable disease that means that she is allergic to the world; anything could trigger her illness and lead to her death. Maddy has lived a melancholy life in her perfectly white room, each day exactly like yesterday and just like tomorrow. Until one day a new family moves into the house next door. Maddy tries to ignore them but the boy is not like anyone she has ever seen before. Maddy knows that hoping is pointless and that there is no way she will ever get to lead a normal life, but Olly is determined to find a way to reach the mysterious girl from next door. After a while emails and messages are no longer enough. However, the more she gets, the more she wants. Maddy knows that wanting and wishing will only lead to more and more heartbreak, but she can't help it. Until she met Olly, Maddy had never realised that she was never really living. Maddy might finally get a chance to really be alive, but at what cost?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The first time I saw the book I was already desperate to dive into its pages and start reading. The cover looked beautiful and, even though the blurb was quite short and simple, it gave me enough information to leave me with overwhelming need to open the book and see what I would discover in it pages. Once I finally began to read I was completely captivated by the wonderful pages and, by the time I looked up, it was already hours past my bedtime. The chapters in Everything, Everything aren't like ordinary chapters: most are short, some are emails, and others are quick one sentence spoiler reviews of books. Although the chapters aren't like usual ones, I still enjoyed them immensely and every second was amazing. The start of the book was perfect and it was very fast paced, even from the very first page. I finished the book quicker that I thought I would and when I reached its end it felt like I had just begun reading a few minutes ago, when in reality it had been hours. I loved Everything, Everything from the very beginning and I loved it all the way to the end.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don't know exactly who my favourite character was because I liked so many characters for so many different reasons. One of the characters I liked was Carla because of how wise and kind-hearted she was. She was there for Maddy through everything and gave her so much love and friendship. She was there to be her nurse, but ended up being a second mother to her. Carla knew how Maddy felt and bended so many rules to make sure that she was happy as well as safe. Carla gave Maddy so much advice and made her life so much better. Carla is one of the sweetest characters I have ever read about, but she was also a fierce one and, although she was extremely caring, I know that she wouldn't let anyone mess with her or with anyone she loved. Another character I liked was Olly. I loved how strong he was and how he protected his family, even when he was also hurting inside. He was an extremely wild character at the start, never still and always moving, but he knew how to comfort people. Even though he himself was broken, he was always there to help his family and pick up the pieces. Olly had a lot of great qualities, but his loyalty to his family was the one I loved the most. The last character I liked was Maddy. She had been in her house all her life and didn't know anything about the outside world (except what she had learnt from reading books), but she was brave enough to start living her life for real and took the opportunity to discover what she has missed. She might have been a bit careless and might have let her heart lead, but in the end it was the right choice and her head might have kept her from it. In the beginning she seemed too clean and perfect, but reading more I saw how she changed into the person she wanted to be, not the person she thought she needed to be.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There are a lot of good parts in the book, many of them sad and others happy, however the best part is undoubtedly the ending. I have read a lot of books, and I have read a lot of endings, and I know that this book has a perfect ending. It leaves you with a longing for more but also gives you the closure you need to put the book back on the shelf and start a new one. This ending was happy but sad at the same time, and left you with the feeling that the characters story is not over. I know they the book has come to an end, but the ending left room for more and, although I won't be reading about Maddy and Olly anymore, I have a feeling they have a wide future filled with adventures they will go on without me. I can't say very much about the ending without ruining it, but I think it was very well planned and I would not change anything about it. I enjoyed many other parts of the book, almost every single one of them, but the ending was towering over all the other amazing parts and it made a wonderful book even more incredible.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I think that Everything, Everything is one of the most comforting books I have ever read. This is actually the second time I read it and I enjoyed it just as much, or maybe even more, than the first time. One of the reasons why I loved the book was because it’s perfect. Everything, Everything has all the elements that make a book amazing and leaves you feeling a little lost in the world. It's written as if the author knew exactly what all readers have wanted. Short and sweet chapters, but also deep and depressing ones that make you question life. The emails, pictures and chapter titles made the book fell complete. The best thing was the few pages with only sentences on. It's every reader’s worst nightmare to read a spoiler and when we are so impatient to skip to the action and discover the next parts, our eyes always slip and we spoil everything for ourselves. However, the one line pages meant that no matter how shocked and anxious I was, I did not skip anything or spoil anything for myself because I had to turn the page to discover what happened next. Another thing that I liked about the book was its fast pace. Most chapters were extremely short and all of them had a different meaning so, no matter how much I told myself that I was only going to read for a few minutes, I always found myself looking up hours later completely puzzled at where I was and what time it was. Time always flies when I'm reading, but Everything, Everything was a completely different experience. One last thing about the book is just how comforting it is. After speaking to one of my friends, I discovered that it wasn't just something I felt, but that Everything, Everything is a comfort book that helps you escape the world immediately, even if it's just for a few hours. As soon as I finished it, right away I wanted to restart it and go through experience for third time. With most books, you only get the feeling of comfort and loss the first time you read it, but Everything, Everything was different and, although it was the second time I read it, I was still completely in love.

Would you recommend this book?  

I am 100% sure that anyone who picks up this book will enjoy it. I particularly recommend it for 13+ readers and those who enjoy romance. It's a wonderful read for anyone who is in need of a fast paced escape.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A marvellous, comforting and romantic read.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

ALL THIS TIME by Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott

“Can you find true love after losing everything? Kyle and Kimberly are the perfect couple. At least that’s what Kyle’s always thought. But when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle’s entire world is turned upside down – literally. Their car crashes, and when Kyle wakes up he has a brain injury. Kimberly is dead. No one in his life could possibly understand…Until Marley. Marley is suffering from her own loss, a loss she thinks was her fault. As Kyle’s and Marley’s feelings for each other grow stronger, Kyle can’t shake the sense that he’s headed for another crashing moment, just as soon as he’s started to put his life back together. And he’s right…”

What is the book about?

Kyle and Kimberly are the perfect couple. A jock and a cheerleader. The couple everyone wants to be. At least, that's what Kyle thinks. He thinks Kim is the one and he never wants to let her go. So when she tells him that it's time they go their separate ways, he doesn't know what to do. Angry and desperate, Kyle tries to show Kim exactly how much he loves her, but then his whole world turns upside down and he finds himself in a hospital room. There was a car crash. Kim is dead. Kyle doesn't want to carry on living. Kim can't so why should he. He doesn't think anyone could possibly understand what he is going through. Until he meets Marley. Marley isn't like all the other girls Kyle has known. But she understands. She knows. Marley has gone suffered her own sad story, he own loss, one she feels responsible for. As Kyle begins to put back together the pieces of his messed up life, his and Marley's feelings for each other grow, and Kyle can't shake the feeling that something is about to go wrong. That everything is too perfect. And he's right. How far will Kyle go to save the girl he has come to love? And will it be enough? Can Kyle and Marley really find love after losing everything?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had just finished Five Feet Apart and was really for another heart-breaking experience. I really don't understand why I put myself through these books but here I am reviewing another beautiful, sad book that I don't think I will ever forget. One thing that made me think of buying All This Time was the cover. The covers of Five Feet Apart and All This Time had both been absolutely gorgeous and magical when I first saw them and, obviously, I immediately wanted to buy them. The blurb was also amazing and as soon as I read it I was already anxious to find out more about Kyle's life and the mysterious Marley. When I began to read I was immediately captivated by Kyle and Marley's world and I felt like I was really there with them. The book was quick to start and soon I was already in tears and on the edge of my seat waiting for the next disaster to strike. Even in just the first few chapters, the book had already left me with a rollercoaster of emotions: crying one minute and laughing the next. I enjoyed every minute of All This Time and it was almost as it I was simply absorbing the story into me; I know this book will always be a part of me and I don't think I will ever forget it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was undoubtedly Marley. She was probably the strangest character in the series, but I always like the strange ones. The first thing that stood out about her was her love for stories. Now, when I'm reading a book, the second I see a character that likes to read or enjoys telling stories, the immediate become my favourite. So, obviously, Marley was already up by one when I learnt this about her. The second thing was how, even though she was suffering from her own life-changing loss, she helped Kyle to open up and share his experience. She might not have been ready to tell anyone about her own sad story, but she helped someone else recover a bit and she didn't push him into it. The third and final thing was that she was a really beautiful character. Not just on the outside – although Kyle sure did emphasise her looks – but also on the inside. She gave Kyle a new life when she wasn't even really living her own. She helped others when she was suffering on her own. She risked everything for others and, the saddest thing about the book was that, she did it all while believing she was responsible for her own tragic experience. She gave someone hope when she thought she couldn't ever be happy. She gave someone a new life when she wished her own would end. Marley was one of the most inspirational characters I have ever read about and I wish I could have the same effect she had on people. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were a lot of incredibly beautiful and amazing parts I could have chosen in the book. There were lots of sad parts and a number of happy parts. However there was one that towered over the rest: the first time Kyle and Marley met. There have been many books with many couple and many interesting introductions but I don't think any can top this one. This part pretty much sums up what Marley and Kyle thought of each other and what they were really like. The first words Marley spoke were also so beautiful: “Once upon a time there was a boy…” I will never forget her words and the everlasting effect they had on Kyle. Kyle's first thought on Marley were basically: who the hell is this girl and how in the world am I already falling in love with her. I think it's hilarious that this is how he reacts and how he sort of already knows he is falling hard for this girl. Later on in the book we discover that Marley's first thoughts were: this boy will understand. In my opinion, I think it also shows that Marley knew she was already falling in love with Kyle and that he would be the first person she would open up to. Marley was Kyle's happy place and Kyle was Marley's happy place. She would be there for him and he would be there for her. They would be there for each other. Forever. I think it is amazing that you can see when a couple is meant to be from just one scene. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, All This Time is one of the most astonishing books I have ever read. I liked everything about it and there is nothing, not even a single word that I would change. One of the things that I liked about it was its fast pace because I found it so easy to be travel back and forth between my two realities: real life and books. It was so simple to slip into Kyle and Marley's world because of how quickly things happened. I was taking in the words so quickly I was desperate to find the next sentence and soon I realised that there were no more. Another thing that I liked about the book was the rollercoaster of emotions that it took me on. I cried on 3 different occasions and laughed at multiple moments. At one point, I was so utterly shocked by what just happened, I had tears streaming down my face and repeated, 'what in the actual world just happened', for a full 10 minutes (still reading obviously). There are only a few books I can claim have made me cry more than one and I am very proud to say that this is one of them. I enjoyed the experience immensely and I was sad to see it end. One last thing that I would like to mention was the ending. Even during the very last chapter, All This Time kept me on my toes. At the end I was so anxious to read what happened next that I skipped whole paragraphs to get to the end and, in the process, ended up spoiling certain bits and almost dying from the shock. I was clutching the book so hard, even on the last page, that when I was finally ready to out down the book, I had imprints on my hands and, unfortunately, the cover was slightly bent. It was an honour to get the opportunity to read All This Time and I am really sad that the book had to come to an end. I hope to read others like it and that other people get to go through the same adventure that I did. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% recommend this book, specifically for readers over 14 with a love for romance. If you are looking for a reason to cry, this is definitely a good book to try. If you want to go on a wild romantic rollercoaster, then All This Time is perfect for you. And finally, if you are looking for a magical story, then don't hesitate to pick up this book.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A sad story that will make you cry, laugh and then cry again.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

ATTACK OF THE BUZZLES

What is the book about?

Badlaw has stolen power from Nok’s planet and all the plants and animals are fading. Only Nok can save them…

Who was your favourite character and why? 

 My favourite character was Nok because he was an alien and had powers.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

 My favourite part of the book was when Nok made the buzzles better because they were not sick anymore.

What did you think of the book and why?

It was good because they helped the buzzles and it was fun.

Reviewed by Fabiola Gutierrez Reviriego

FIVE FEET APART by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

“Can you love someone you can never touch? Stella Grant likes to be in control – even though her totally out-of-control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. What Stella needs to control most is her distance from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions. The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. In one week he’ll turn eighteen, and then he’ll be able to unplug himself from all these machines and actually go see the world. Will’s exactly what Stella needs to sat away from. But now six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment. What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts form breaking too?”

What is the book about?

Stella Grant and Will Newman both have cystic fibrosis, a disease that keeps them from living with the freedom most of us take for granted, but they both act in very different ways. Stella lives to be in control, even though her lungs are totally out of control. The thing she has to control the most is her distance from other CFers because one wrong move and she might find her life ending quicker than expected. Stella takes her treatments and medication seriously, giving herself more time, and most importantly her parents more time with her. Will Newman is the complete opposite. The only thing he wants is to finally get out of hospital and stop letting his messed up lungs dictate where he spends the rest of his life. Will knows it's only a matter of time before he dies and he isn't going to let anything stand in his way of actually living. Will is exactly what Stella needs to stay away from, but of course he's the one she wants. At first she doesn't understand why she is helping this boy out with his treatments and trying to keep him on this planet for longer, when clearly he doesn't care what happens to him. But soon six feet no longer feels like safety for either of them. It's a punishment. But what if they could steal back some more time and space that their broken lungs have stolen from them? Five feet apart couldn't possibly be so dangerous, if it keeps their hearts from breaking too…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Five Feet Apart had been on my never-ending list of books to buy for quite some time and when I finally got it for my birthday, I was ecstatic to begin. There was a lot that made the book stand out to me. For one, the book cover was beautiful and made me think that maybe the book would be wonderful too. The blurb was also very interesting and I really wanted to see how Stella and Will's love story turned out. One last thing that convinced me to try the book was the amount of incredible review and comments on it, and once I started reading it I completely agreed with them all. The start was amazing and the story flowed really well. I was in love with the book from the very beginning and I cannot believe how quickly it ended. It was very fast-paced from the very first page and I soon reached its end, regretting how quickly I read it and wishing to forget it all so I could experience it all over again. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Stella because of how in control she was. I think her control over her medications reminded me of how I like to be in control and to have everything as close to perfection as possible. I liked seeing how brave she was and how she coped with not being able to control her lungs. She wanted to keep living not just for herself, but for her parents. She saw how she kept them sane and if they lost her, they probably would even be able to take care of themselves. One of the best things about Stella was how she helped Will and wanted to keep him alive, even though she knew she was risking her own life to do it. She was willing to risk her chance for more time all for him, and didn’t regret her decision for a second. This was one thing that made me see that she wasn’t just a control freak, but that she actually cared about other people and wanted others to get the same opportunity she had; she wanted them to live. Stella learnt a lot from Will, but she also taught him a lot and gave him the chance to give his medical treatments another try and to actually attempt to live for longer than most people thought he would. Stella gave him hope. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The book had a lot of good parts, some sad and others happy, and I enjoyed every single one. However, one that I enjoyed above all else was Will’s birthday surprise. I can’t say much about it because it is a surprise but there was a lot about it that made me choose it as my favourite. One thing about it was that Will had never really had any opportunities to have fun and just relax, as he had spent his whole live moving from hospital to hospital. I liked that he got to celebrate his birthday properly and that at least he would now have a happy memory in a hospital. Another thing that I liked was how much was risked to give Will a good birthday and how the others didn’t hesitate, even though there was a lot to lose. The moment didn’t last very long but it was a short amount of time where they were happy and where their disease didn’t dictate how they celebrated and who they celebrated with. It was one of the rare happy moments in the book, but it was one of the happiest.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall Five Feet Apart was absolutely incredible and there is nothing that I could change to make it any better. One thing that I really liked about the book was that it was written from 2 perspectives. I really loved hearing both Stella and Will’s points of view and getting to see both their reactions to certain things. It was funny to see how they reacted differently to certain things but also how they both kind of denied their feelings for the other. It was very cute to see how they both coped with having to be apart and to see how they both helped the other change and become a better person. Neither of them would have been the person they were at the end of the book without the others help and I really enjoyed getting the chance to see that. The last thing I would like to mention is the ending which I both liked and disliked. The thing that I liked about it was that it was probably the safest and best way to end the book and it left me with hope that Will and Stella would be able to find their happy endings. I liked that it skipped to 8 months later as I was able to see how they were doing and if they were really living their lives as they had wanted. What I didn’t like about the ending was that it left me wanting more and left me feeling empty. I wanted a lot more for Will and Stella and, even though I knew it wasn’t possible, I wish the book could have ended a little differently. The ending was both sad and happy and, as a whole, the book was incredible.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book, particularly for readers over 14. It is a really incredible book and if you enjoy impossible romance then this is certainly the book for you. I know that anyone who picks up this book is sure to enjoy it and end up in tears.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical, impossible romance from five feet apart.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego