January Wrap Up and February TBR!

Hello! I know it’s a little late but I thought I would talk about the books I read in January, and what I plan to read in February. I read 6 books last month, which is a great start to the year, and I’m very happy with it.

January Wrap Up

Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant by Veronica Roth

The first 3 books that I read last month was the Divergent trilogy. I really loved the series and it was a great way to start the New Year.

You can read my more in depth review of the whole series here.

The Humans by Matt Haig

The fourth book I read was The Humans, and I absolutely adored this book. I would encourage everyone to read it!

I won’t talk too much about it because I have a full review here!

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I’d heard so many good things about Rainbow Rowell but I had never read any of her books until this one and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t write a whole review on it because I didn’t feel as though I had anything to say about the book and there are so many already.

I liked the characters, although Eleanor got on my nerves sometimes, but I felt the book was too short. The romance and other parts of the story happened too quickly and I feel as though they could be expanded on more and there could have been more detail.

Nonetheless, it was a good book, and if you’re thinking about reading Eleanor and Park, it’s definitely worth a try.

I gave it 3/5 stars.

One Million Lovely Letters by Jodi Ann Bickley

This was the final book I read last month (although I technically finished it on February 1^st, I’m counting it for January) and it was such an inspirational read. If you haven’t heard of Jodi and her One Million Lovely Letters project you need to look it up right now! www.onemillionlovelyletters.com

Jodi is such an inspiring person and this book is absolutely beautiful!

I gave it 5/5 stars.

February To Be Read

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I had been looking forward to reading this for so long! I really liked If I Stay and this book sounded amazing. It was released 29^th January and I started reading it as soon as I finished One Million Lovely Letters, so although I have actually read it, it’s still going on my TBR.

The Rosie Project and The Rosie Affect by Graeme Simsion

I have been wanting to read The Rosie Project for so long, and with Valentines Day coming up this month I think now is the perfect time to finally getting round to it!

And that's it! Overall, January was a great month of reading, I enjoyed all of the books and I’m really happy with how many I’ve read so far. In February I'll hopefully be reading more books than I have planned, especially with a four hour train journey home and another four hour car journey back to Chester, but I don't have any books that I'm desperately planning to read.

Let me know in the comments or on Twitter what your favourite books of January were and what you're reading this month! 

Thanks! 

Most Anticipated Films of 2015

Hello! Today I wanted to talk to you about the films that are released in cinemas this year, which I can’t wait to go and see. I’m sure I’ve missed some off this list, and there will definitely be a few films out this year which I haven’t seen the trailer for or I don’t know much about them yet.

Nonetheless, these are the films I want to go see in 2015 as of 26^th January 2015.

Big Hero 6

30^th January

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with Disney, and am in love with Marvel. So a Disney/Marvel crossover is my idea of heaven. I’ve been excited for this film for so long and I was really disappointed when it was released in the US October/November but we have to wait till January in the UK.  

Full UK Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etEkugzg8zA

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Cinderella

13^th March

Yes, another Disney film. I’m a little bit apprehensive about this one but the trailer looks magical and I’m trusting Disney to make a beautiful adaptation. Also, if this is good it means I can get excited for the live-action Beauty and the Beast adaptation starring Emma Watson! 

Full Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McQ_cCBaiac

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1661199/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Insurgent

20^th March

I only read the Divergent trilogy earlier this month, and I haven’t actually seen Divergent yet, but one of the things that pushed me to reading the series was the trailer for the Insurgent film. It looks so good and I’m sure Shailene Woodley is amazing as Tris.

Full Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suZcGoRLXkU

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2908446/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Avengers: Age of Ultron

24^th April

We got the teaser trailer for this back in October and since then I have been so excited for this film! The teaser is fantastic and I loved the “I’ve Got No Strings On Me” song of it. It’s a big “F*** YOU” to everyone who ever doubted Disney taking over Marvel. There are just so many parts of it I can’t wait for. I’m not going to go into detail because that could be an entire blog post on it’s own.

Full UK Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Nq1WlvriE

Extended UK Teaser Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqkR0SwFN_4

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395427/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Paper Towns

19^th June

I still haven’t gotten round to reading Paper Towns by John Green, but I really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars – both the book and the film, so I’m sure I won’t be disappointed by this.

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3622592/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Minions

26^th June

Who doesn’t love the Minions from Despicable Me? I am getting really tired of film companies stretching out children’s films to get as much money as they can from them, (I mean, for Shrek, we have 5 full-length films, 6 short films, 2 TV series and a musical!) although I am still really looking forward to seeing Minions; I think it’ll be really funny and sweet.

Full Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eisKxhjBnZ0

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2293640/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Ted 2

10^th July

I love Seth McFarlane. I think Family Guy, American Dad, Ted and A Million Ways to Die in the West are all amazing and hilarious (and The Cleveland Show wasn’t too bad either). I’m really happy that he’s making another Ted film and I can’t wait to see it!

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2637276/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Ant-Man

17^th July

I must admit, I’m a little bit cautious about Ant-Man. The only things I really know about him came from The Ultimate Avengers graphic novel collection I own, and I must admit I didn’t really get him. I didn’t realise he was also Giant Man, and the Wasp, and a doctor, and other characters. I was very confused. But I’m keeping my mind open, I didn’t expect anything from Guardians of the Galaxy but now it’s one of my favourite Marvel films.

Teaser Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEVE3KSKQ0o

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478970/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Inside Out

24^th July

This is the last Disney film, I swear. Inside Out looks as though it could possibly be the best Pixar film so far, maybe. I’m so excited to see how Pixar have managed to depict the human brain and human emotions as actual characters. I feel so proud when I watch a new Pixar film and I can see how much they’ve grown and developed since their first few shorts and, of course, Toy Story.

Full UK Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MC3XuMvsDI

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Fantastic Four

6^th August

I love the old Fantastic Four films and I can’t wait to see the remake. I think the casting is great, although I am a little disappointed that Chris Evans isn’t playing the Human Torch – I would of loved a Avengers/Fantastic Four cross over where he was both Captain America and the Human Torch, not only would it have been great to have twice the amount Chris Evans screen time, there could have been a few comedic moments in there too. I guess we can’t have everything.  

Teaser Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BVs-KCSiA&feature=youtu.be
IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1502712/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

20^th November

This is possibly the most anticipated film of 2015 for me, and I can’t believe I have to wait so long! I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Mockingjay Part 1 so much, I didn’t really like the book and I didn’t feel like it needed to be split into two films. I thought it had the perfect amount of detail in the film, and it ended in a great place. Jennifer Lawrence will be incredible in this, as always. I am so excited for this film!

IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951266/?ref_=nv_sr_6

That’s it! Please let me know in the comments or tweet me if you think I’ve missed something, and tell me what your most anticipated films of 2015 are!

The Humans by Matt Haig - Review

“Maybe that’s what beauty was, for humans. Accidents, imperfections, placed inside a pretty pattern.”

Good Reads Synopsis

Our hero, Professor Andrew Martin, is dead before the book even begins. As it turns out, though, he wasn’t a very nice man--as the alien imposter who now occupies his body discovers. Sent to Earth to destroy evidence that Andrew had solved a major mathematical problem, the alien soon finds himself learning more about the professor, his family, and “the humans” than he ever expected. When he begins to fall for his own wife and son--who have no idea he’s not the real Andrew--the alien must choose between completing his mission and returning home or finding a new home right here on Earth.

My Thoughts

The Humans by Matt Haig is possibly my new favourite book. It’s definitely in my top 5. I’ve heard many people say that certain books have changed their life, but before reading this, I’d never thought that about any book before.

Matt Haig got the idea for this book whilst he was suffering from anxiety and felt separated from the rest of the world. He used his own experiences of this time to emphasise how Andrew Martin felt while trying to understand and fit into the human race.

This book is beautifully written, with some amazing and inspirational quotes. It is so easy to get into and has a remarkable plot. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s embarrassing and most importantly, it’s fascinating. The character development of the alien who takes over Andrew Martin’s body is achieved brilliantly; as he learns more about humans, his opinions change and he slowly begins to understand what being “human” is about. Although the main character is literally from another planet, I found him to be relatable and also loveable. 

“Don’t aim for perfection. Evolution, and life, only happen through mistakes.”

It also has an interesting take on human life and behaviour; it points out everyday things, which we seem to be normal, and points out the strangeness in them. This book really makes you think about your everyday life and things that you do everyday but, from an outside perspective, don’t make that much sense.

“If getting drunk is how people forgot they were mortal, then hangovers were how they remembered.”

It also celebrates the best parts of the human race. Haig talks a lot about love and how that makes humans unique and makes up for all the bad things in a humans life, like death, pain and grief. It makes you appreciate not just the human race more, but your own life and experiences, whether they are good or bad. As a dog lover, I loved the importance of Andrew Martin’s dog, Newton, through out the story. Martin quickly grows fond of Newton, and takes more comfort in being with him than humans. This is something I’m sure many people have felt before, I know I’ve had many days where I would much rather be with my dog all day than actually be around people.

“Dogs are geniuses of loyalty. And that is a good kind of genius to have.” 

I’m giving this book, 5 out of 5 stars. It was a fascinating read, which really opened my eyes to some things that we do everyday but doesn’t make sense. One of the biggest messages that I got from the book is that we should try hard to be as happy as we can be and love the people around us. I would recommend this book to everyone, even to people that don’t read. This book really is life changing.

“Your life will have 25,000 days in it. Make sure you remember some of them.”

You can watch the trailer for this book here http://youtu.be/zX8V2OFHHbQ