Ketchup Clouds

Ketchup Clouds: 

Author- Annabel Pitcher
Page count- 215
Publisher- Orion
Publication date- November 2012

Synopsis

Secrets, lies and guilt. This is what Zoe's life has become, a web of secrets, lies and guilt that's threatening to unravel.

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a dark and terrible secret, one that she is only comfortable sharing with a criminal on death row because he knows all about secrets. 
   Written as a series of letters to 'Stuart' who is awaiting his death after having killed his wife. In these letters is the story that Zoe can't explain.
    And With each passing Letter Zoe's story gradually begin to unfurl. Zoe ends up addressing the prisoner as more of a close friend than a stranger going from 'Dear Mr Harris' to 'My dearest Stu'. The letters alternate between the past and present creating suspense for the reader as the question of 'what did she do?' isn't revealed until the end. 
   What makes the book so powerful is that while it does contain the infamous love triangle of YA novels, it is more a story about a young girl trying to find acceptance and understanding.

My opinion 

I really, really loved this book. Something about it was just so captivating that i was able to completely immerse myself in it. I found it to be one of those 'i'll just read another chapter books' that you finish in a day, the story has such a hook to it and I was itching to find out Zoe's secret. What i really loved was how Zoe established a sort of fondness towards Stuart as the book progressed; opening with 'My dearest Stu' and ending with kisses.  
The letters alternate between the past and present creating suspense for the reader as the question of 'what did she do?' isn't revealed until the end. 
   What makes the book so powerful is that while it does contain the infamous love triangle of YA novels, it is more a story about a young girl trying to find acceptance and understanding.

Let's pretend for just one moment that could actually happen. You close your eyes and I'll close mine and let's dream the same dream across the Atlantic, lighting up the darkness between us. Can you see it, Stu? Can you see us up there, shining in all the black?” 

Throughout the book I found myself wondering what Stuart would have replied to Zoe as the book doesn't show his reply's, I think it would have been interesting to read his reactions to the letters, was he touched by Zoe? Would he have replied if given the chance?
   If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be; enchanting.

                                                              Rating:  7.5/10

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars.

Author- John Green 

page count- 313

publisher- Dutton Books

publication date- January 10th 2012

synopsis 

 16 year old Hazel Lancaster  suffers from terminal lung cancer. Whilst at a support group Hazel meets Augustus Waters fellow cancer kid, and from there the journey begins...
Augustus and Hazel hit it off from the beginning, the magnetism between them is almost palpable, what I love is how Augustus seems to open Hazel up.

"there are books which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal"

Despite Hazel saying this, she shares her favourite book "an imperial affliction" with Augustus, who falls in love with it and becomes equally as obsessed.
Augustus' obsession leads him to using his saved wish from 'the genies' to take him and Hazel to Amsterdam to meet the author of the book.
Although Hazel is quite reluctant to develop a relationship with Augusts, she ends up falling for him while on a trip to meet with Peter Van Houten the author of "An Imperial Affliction". Following their trip to Amsterdam you discover that Augustus' Cancer is back, the next few months in the book become increasingly difficult for Hazel and Augustus who are battling with time, self discovery and acceptance.

My opinion

John Green's "The Fault in our Stars" is equally as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking, it's not your typical 'cancer book' it's about more than survival struggle and leaves a lasting imprint on both your heart and mind.
The way that Green conveys his characters is brilliant and you develop an attachment to them immediately, each of them is presented so strongly that you convince yourself that they exist, and that they are out there somewhere living, laughing, crying.
What I love about this book is that it makes you think, while the plot develops and becomes more and more heart-breaking, you begin finding yourself simultaneously crying and thinking about life and death and the in-between. I spent a good part of the book thinking 'GOD HAZEL YOU'RE SO PROFOUND' and 'WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS??'.


Word of warning this was me at the end of the book:

Rating:  7/10