Read It Or Not: Noughts & Crosses

This book is definitely one that will grab hold of your attention as soon as you turn the first page. I have almost missed by stop so many times on the way to work because of it. I am so surprised a movie has not been made about this. It is such a unique story-line. Well, I say unique because I have not come across a book/film with this particular perspective on the history of mankind.

Noughts & Crosses, to me, is about the politics behind differences in skin colour and the delicate intertwining lives of  Noughts and Crosses (i.e. dark-skinned and light-skinned peeps) but with a very interesting twist. Everything and nothing is flipped in this world. Those of you who have read the book will know exactly what I mean. 

Malorie Blackman is a writer with an amazing talent. If I could describe a world I created as well as she does I would be beyond ecstatic. Although, I will not say that I am happy with the way the book ended. I had to read that last chapter 3 times before I accepted that it was not going to change. 

This book is filled with the power struggles within marriages, friendships, communities and, essentially, the heart. And it poses the following question -  If the world started out differently, would anything be any different? I know Noughts & Crosses would probably find itself in the 'Teens' section of a bookstore but I do not believe it is strictly limited to teenagers alone. I may be desperately trying to cling on to my "youth" but I think anyone can relate to the characters in this book. So, for those of you who have not read it before, do not disregard it based on that fact as I fear you may miss out on a pretty awesome book.

Read it or not, that's your choice.

Yours truly,

Mo x

P.S. This book is part of a series which means that the awesomeness does not end here. I will try to get my hands on copies of the other books and share my thoughts on those too :D

Letters: #5

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A new Letter will be posted on a Sunday until the end of this series.

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Mo x

Dear Katie,

I have finally gotten your letter!! My parents say they have my best interests at heart but they lie. Life is unbearable over here. If I finish writing this letter and was able to post it to you I would be impressed because I swear I am about to have heat stroke and die of dry skin. I never thought I would miss the gloomy weather in England but I do!! I have just come from washing my uniform. And by washing, I mean hand washing. I have to hang my uniform in my room to dry because the last time I hung my clothes outside they never made it back to my room :(

And another bad thing about this place- the food. The so-called "seniors" i.e. students in classes higher than me eat all the good stuff and leave the dregs for the rest of us. I swear, if I knew this was going to be my punishment for attending that stupid party I would never have gone. 

And Gloria has always been a slut! I cannot believe J is even wasting a breath on that witch! You need to get in there hun. Don't let her steal your man! How did the non-date go anyways??? I need details!!! You know I have no love life or friends to talk to here. I am living vicariously through you. It is sad but true.

Miss you loads babe!

F xx

P.S. I can't say for sure if this is covert status but the letter did not look tampered with which is good enough for me. Send my love to J. Hope he bounces back soon

Read It Or Not: Noughts & Crosses

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Now, I know I mega late to this party for the folks of my generation but I am sure there are a few peeps like me who just did not get the memo. So, I am taking on the challenge of reading  Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman with the mindset of my teenage self. Doubt that would be hard to be honest lol.

I have heard a lot of good reviews about this book so we will see what my overall opinion will be.

This is my book for September.

Feel free to join me on this adventure or share  your verdict on the books I plan to read or recommend the ones you love.

Yours truly,

Mo x

Read It Or Not: he's just not that into you

I cannot accuse everyone on this planet of being that person at least once (but I know that I would be right). You know, the person that makes up this fictitious world where the person they currently have a thing for is madly in love with them but just doesn't know how to display their affections articulately. The person that wills a phone to receive a message from their crush until their eyeballs dry out. The person that ignores their crush at a party or can only talk to their crush when they are a bit... "merry". The person that "mistakenly" dials their object of affection's number to randomly start a conversation. The person that convinces themselves time and time again that the reason why the guy/girl they are in love with has not replied, called, spoken to them, asked them out, acknowledged their existence etc is because their crush is currently undertaking a covert operation where they cannot contact a single soul...except the people he/she really cares about. The person that cries into the night because they have just realised that the dark horse that trotted into their life and stole their heart has given their's to another and will not be lending it to them anytime soon.

That person. 

I have been that person before. It is not fun being that person all day everyday. Sometimes it is. Especially when you have got a wild imagination. But mostly, it is quite painful. But have no fear for this book acts as a portable rehab centre for those lovers that cling onto the last shred of hope that the individual of their dreams will snap out of their slumber and realise what they had know all along. Trust me, after this reading this book most hopefuls will come to the conclusion that:

he's just not that into you.

Although it took me longer than usual to finish this book I thoroughly enjoyed it and hated it at the same time. Why? Because I somehow not only found the problems with the men being discussed in this book so glaringly obvious but I was also able to identify with almost each woman who penned the letters to Greg. Boy, the excuses I have come up with is just more proof that I am more creative than I thought. The book is a compilation of letters from women seeking advice about the men in their lives and they are placed in various Excuse categories. There are also fun workbooks for the readers to do at the end of each chapter. Some are quite silly but they make you giggle and get the point across at the same time.

I read this book on the bus to and from work; at the food court as I munched on my Mc Chicken sandwich; at home before I went to bed; and at the gym. Did I get weird looks from people? Yes. Did I care? Nope. 

I have no idea what I thought I would get out of it but I can tell you this:

 Once I finished the book (well, when I got to the part that says that I should not read anymore if I'm a 1st timer) it hit me.

I deleted a number from my phone and made no copy ;)

The authors are Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo and they were part of the Sex And The City's writing team. I love the way they made it clear who was talking in the book. It was like having a conversation with them. Although Greg was giving insight into the mind of the male species, having Liz's opinion on the matter made the whole book complete somehow. I think you will enjoy it. If you are not up for reading, you could always watch the movie based on it or watch Sex and the City :D

Read it or not, that is your choice.

Yours truly,

Mo x