Carnegie Elizabethans
All That It Ever Meant
This book was one of the most unusual reads so far. The main character (Mati) is born to two young parents from Zimbabwe, who move to England for a better life. Mati is an excellent story teller, and incidentally summons Meticais, a mysteriously well-dressed listener, for her to tell her story to. The majority of the novel follows their road-trip after her mothers death to Zimbabwe, for the funeral. However, little is revealed until the final chapters of their reasoning for the journey and what actually happened to Mati. In the plot twist, the reader learns that Mati also died in the car accident, whilst arguing with her mother, and the understanding of how her family cannot see or hear her or Meticais finally becomes evident. I found this novel really engaging and thought provoking, and the narrator (Mati) a lovable character. I really enjoyed the ending to this book, but in the opening and middle of the saga, the storyline became hurriedly muddled and it was hard to follow what was going on, until, of course, the final chapters. It made it more difficult to continue reading, as I found it never reached the awaiting climax. Still, it was entertaining, if a bit misleading, and a lovely way to discover Zimbabwean culture.
Emily
King of Nothing
I thought King of Nothing was alright, but I didn’t really enjoy it that much. Anton’s story was interesting, and I get what the book was trying to show about friendships and acting tough, but it just didn’t grab me. Some parts felt a bit slow, and I didn’t really connect with the characters. I liked a few moments especially when he started to change, but overall it wasn’t really my kind of book.
Zack
The Things We Leave Behind
I enjoyed the things we leave behind as I loved the characters, and the journey that they went through.
However, I think I expected it to focus more on the dystopia. I found it was too slow-paced for me and I felt like it begun to lose focus, and became a little random.
I appreciate the representation of what was going through Clems mind and how trauma can affect younger children.
Charlie
King of Nothing
King of Nothing is a bold, funny, and emotionally honest look at teenage identity, friendship, and masculinity. Anton's voice leaps off the page, full of self-doubt, and heart and Lessore captures the pressure of trying to be someone you're not just to fit in. The dialogue is sharp and full of slang, which adds authenticity but might be tricky for some readers to follow. Still, it's a powerful, relatable read that shows there's strength in vulnerability and value in being true to yourself.
Zack
King of Nothing
I like this book as it delves into how external influencers can affect our lives, both positively and negatively. It shows that it is up to us who we choose to be influenced by.
However i found the language a little cringe, and not especially funny.
Charlie
King of Nothing
'King of Nothing' by Nathanael Lessore is a compelling novel about the teenage struggles regarding friendship groups and popularity. Towards the beginning of the book, I found that the main character, Anton, was deliberately written as unlikable, and that the sexist and disrespectful themes made it difficult to read at first. However, towards the later chapters, after Matthew heroically saves his life, it made the character development more evident and satisfactory. From about half way through, the book became unputdownable, and I began to really enjoy the character dynamics and the way it ended happily. I think that it was excellently written, and a pleasant read, and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys a contemporary read with a great ending.
Emily
Little Bang
This book was a very interesting read, unlike anything I've experienced before. The story is split in two between Sid and Mel, who experience teenage pregnancy. The name 'Little Bang' refers to the nickname for the growing baby, who is aborted in the end chapters. I found this book intelligently written, but not particularly my preferred genre. The unique dynamic between the lovable characters was the highlight, but the centre chapters were very lengthy and mostly made up of immaculately detailed conversations, which made it significantly harder to read in larger chunks. Overall I think the storyline is successful and the emphasis on different views regarding abortion effective, however it may appeal to slightly older readers who could potentially find it more relevant. I would personally recommend it to anyone with a particular interest in real-life political issues abroad, and how religious notions can counteract such opinions, or someone who enjoys a controversial read!!
Emily
Glasgow Boys
This book was really enjoyable. It covers the short period of several years between two foster children, Finlay and Banjo, after their fallout three years previous. They both met at St Andrews's care home, a station before being assigned to a foster family, and the silent, sullen Finlay became almost immediate friends with his unexpected room partner, Banjo, who is suffering with withdrawal and violence. The unexpected pair both come from difficult backgrounds, and have never experienced the love of a family. However, it all comes crashing down when Finlay admits to Banjo that he's gay. Long story short- they both stop being friends, and Finlay ends up on the verge of suicide.
But, most of the book is about their lives after the shocking ordeal, and how Banjo settles in with his new foster family, and Finlay survives a nursing course at university. The incredibly lovable characters, Alena, Julie, Carlos, Rhonda, Akash and more made this an interesting and relevant novel. I particularly liked the relationship between Banjo and Alena, both going through difficult circumstances.
I found it a bit slow at the beginning, but it was well-worth it in the end! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt, emotional read and the unusual dynamics between friendships and different types of love.
Emily
The Things We Leave Behind
I enjoyed the book as it explored topics that I have never read about before and it explored the hardships and difficulties of life. I thought that the plot was amazing and liked how it switched between the therapy sessions and what she had to cope with and go through. The story is sorrowful and meaningful whilst having a beautiful ending. I would say that if I was to write a book similar to this, I may develop the sister more and share more of the memories of Billie in the book because Billie seemed like a lifeline to Clem as the protagonist was a rather worried and introverted person. Overall, I thought this was a fantastic read and would recommend it to others any day.
Isabelle
The Things We Leave Behind
In The Things We Leave Behind, I really liked the relatability of Clem and her Scottish story. I like how its not very fictional as it is set in London and about the Civil Unrest is something that can actually happen instead of being a thing that is way far from the truth. I really like the thought of giving clem her notebook so she can Reminisce her old memories and gives a sense to the reader that there is still some happiness in her life as the story gets darker, its like a beacon in the darkness of her story.
My main point is that the character development of Clem is is very moving and shows how much she changes throughout the book.
Zack
Little Bang
I loved the beginning of lLttle Bang. It was funny and engaging. However I felt as the story developed and the plot thickened, it began to plateau and lose its earlier momentum. There was a rough patch in the middle in terms of reading, but i suppose this is reflective of the rough patch in the book as well. Towards the end, I felt it picked up again and it was nice to see the main character, Mel, gain confidence in herself and for Sid to come more into his own and develop his own dreams and future.
All in all, I liked the character development and how it takes controversial themes and struggles and brings them into a more down to earth, normal perspective where you feel you could relate. But I did feel that it lost some of its charm after a while.
Charlie
The Things We Leave Behind
This was a really emotional and personal read. The main character, Clem, goes through such horrific hardships. It is set in an ulterior universe where the UK is going through unrest due to a tyrannical president, and is on the brink of war. Clem is forced to leave England as an immigrant, and has to make the lonely, dangerous journey across the sea to Scotland. The unfortunate circumstances she is put in and the way she rises above them, makes it a heart-wrenching read, with the shocking plot twist in the final chapters. I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys emotional fantasy.
Emily