How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

The first time I read this book was when I was eleven. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have read it at that age. Mainly because re-reading at the age of sixteen I realised I had pretty much remembered it incorrectly, making me wonder if I had understood it in the first place. Regardless, my local library clearly though it suitable to be placed in the children's section. It also didn't stop me naming it as my favourite book in my Year Six leavers journal.

So, when the film came out in 2013, I had naturally forgotten the existence of this novel which had me so entranced five years before. Let me tell you, when I saw the trailer play on television it felt like a lost child had come back to me. Especially as I practically jumped out of my chair like "I've read that book! I've read that!". I would then see the novel in ASDA and immediately purchase it. Rereading it I would soon realise that although I knew it was good book when I was eleven, I now understand that it is an extremely excellent novel. Of course I wouldn't watch the film until November 2014, where I would fall in love with the story all over again. Not to mention stay up until 2am scared out of my life because the notion of World War Three is terrifying. I have a very wild imagination and it's a real burden sometimes.

Regardless of the fact I can't do anything without feeling terrified (I have friends that love horror movies and it's a real issue. Why can't you love happy films where blood isn't appearing every five seconds WHY), How I Live Now is not only about the outbreak of a third world war. It's about relationships, survival and ultimately the fact that bad things don't happen for a reason - and when they do occur, you just have to deal and live with it. That is something I truly admire about the protagonist, Daisy. I will admit, I think that characteristic is more obvious within the film, but still admirable. Too often, something terrible happens and people just give up. Although, the only time I see this in my real life is within coursework essays and what not, not exactly the same as a war.

Another thing I like about the story? The inclusion of 'sensitive' issues. So little novels, any type of media really, fail to include topics that exist within the world, specifically anorexia. Which is hinted within the story. Another sensitive issue that is not hidden - falling in love with your cousin. Whilst this is an extremely hot debatable topic, it does happen in the book. I don't resent this story line, but that's not to say I agree with it. I suppose, this just follows the aspect I mentioned earlier - things, not necessarily bad, happen and we have to move on.

Finally, I would like to apologise if this seems a little rushed and all over the place. I'm trying to write this as quickly as possible so I can begin writing my extended project, an independent research project that results in a 5000 word dissertation. I know in my future life I'll look back on this and laugh because I'll have to write 20000 words or whatever, but it's extremely important that I get it done to a high standard. This is the first time I've done anything like this independently, without a teacher guiding me and helping. Scary times (not really). My history coursework is also meant to be handed in this week. Also, update: I applied to university a few weeks ago and all five have replied with offers, so yay I guess.

Have you been checking out the Indiependent? I personally feel like my music taste is getting better because of it, even though I only write about books and Doctor Who.

Okay, I must leave you now. Goodbye,


Ps. I've had this blog for over a year now, whoa! Who knew I could continue this for so long? Thanks for reading my blog posts that are sometimes excellent.
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Cat Clarke

Check me out using pictures.

There becomes a time, in everyone's life, where they have to discuss Cat Clarke.

Or at least in my life there is.

And that time is now.

I've come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of people in the world:

•  Those who know of Cat Clarke's existence and completely adore her YA books
• Those who have no idea who she is.

I've converted at least two people. It's not enough. I need to convert more people into becoming the first type instead of the second. 

Probably shouldn't have used the word convert but more people should read her books.

I feel like as an author she is very unappreciated. She's not even verified on twitter. Not that being verified on twitter is a necessary thing to happen of course. In my mind she is as good, if not better, than those who are verified, yes I'm looking at you Sarah Dessen and John Green (Not that I'm criticizing them of course - I adore their books too). Also after freaking out after Undone I figured she is just a generally nice (oh there goes my year nine English teacher complaining because I used the word nice) and pleasant person. 

How nice is that? I actually wasn't expecting a reply, nor a reply to my friend and I freaking out. (The other author who tweeted me, Ally Carter - but I can discuss that some other time)



Now to the reason I'm writing this instead of my history homework (yes I know I'll do after this shh)

Cat Clarke's books. 

Entangled 

Torn

Undone 

I have no recollection of why I chose to buy Entangled from the bookstore, but I did. Maybe I thought the cover looked pretty. I basically read Entangled within about two days and then proceeded to bug my best friend to read it. Which she did. 

Now why you should read it: It's a very very good book. But why? Because it makes you feel emotions. If a book doesn't make you feel emotions it isn't doing it's job right. But which emotions? All of them. Entangled also made me think. Who is this Ethan person? Why is he so creepy and weird? Why is she is a white room? Of course I'm not going to tell you here. Go get the book. When those answers are revealed, it's like an epiphany, and I'm not joking. They also made my stomach drop about fifty feet because of course that's why he's called Ethan. The fact the first line is 'I met Ethan the night I was planning to kill myself. Pretty inconvenient, when you think about it' is just brilliant. In fact I think that's why I bought the book - because of the opening line. How much personality is written in that line? A whole lot. It's also pretty humourous considering the subject. All her YA novels are written like that, full of personality and humour that when something terrible happens you just want to rip out your organs. That may be an exaggeration but read Undone - you'll get it. 

Speaking of Undone, that is far by the best novel I have ever read - and I'm not even kidding. I rarely stay up all night to read a book (mainly because I love sleep to much and I enjoy writing the endings in my mid) but I think I stayed up till about 3am reading Undone. Don't get me wrong-I did try to sleep but I spent too much time gritting my teeth into my pillow because that book is tense. I couldn't bare waiting the hours I would spend sleeping, I just had to read it. So there I was 3am, under the covers finishing the book. I have never felt so emotional after a book. By emotions I felt literally nothing. I was so shocked, my emotions had just stopped. It took me a while to get to sleep that night. Good job I had no school the next day. 

Now if you're one of these people who refuses to read a book because it's sad firstly, get a grip and secondly, being sad over a book is the best bit. If you get so emotional over a book your tears are real, the book is more likely to stay with you, mainly because you continue to think about it for the next few days so much you can't read another book. Which is exactly what happened after reading all three Cat Clarke novels.  

Now, if you've read this I command advise you to buy at least one of her books. I doubt you'll regret it. Especially if you're now wondering about the white room and Ethan you should buy it. Not go googling because spoilers are bad.

Bye!!

P.S I love spoilers but with TV shows, not books.

P.S.S I hope this blog post has led you on the path to becoming the first type of person the better type