The Book Explorers
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
This book is outstandingly written. I love the timescale! It starts with a boy named Neon who is 24 seconds away from going to bed with his girlfriend, Aria. From that point, the story moves entirely backward. It rewinds to 24 minutes, 24 hours, 24 days, and 24 weeks, all the way up to 24 months prior, when he first met Aria. This is a truly thrilling reading experience, as it explores their relationship using a reverse timeline.
Molly
Not Going To Plan
This book is written in an interesting way; the lettering is twisted and tugged in various directions, forming shapes that are relevant to the writing itself. However, this means it is quite difficult to read without constantly turning the book. Overall, while I love the storyline, I am not as keen on the shapes made of words.
Molly
Ghostlines
Ghostlines by Katya Balen is a deeply engaging novel set on a remote Scottish island inhabited by puffins. The story follows the main character, Tilda, as she shows Albie, a newcomer to the island, its most fascinating and memorable locations. The narrative is so compelling that I would love to see Balen write a sequel.
The story is a heartwarming journey centered on a young girl’s love for her home. As Tilda tries everything in her power to share that passion with Albie, they find themselves on a treacherous journey to a haunted island. I loved the emotional range of this novel—moving from the happiness of shared discovery to the terror of being stranded. There is also a gripping subplot involving Tilda’s brother, where unanswered texts leave her (and the reader) deeply concerned and intrigued about his fate.
I highly recommend this book because of the intense emotions it evokes. It is a fantastic read that I could hardly put down.
Sydney
Stealing Happy
Stealing Happy is a thrilling, engaging, and genuinely funny novel.
The book tells the story of Sonny Gilmour and his two friends, Jonah and Carolina, who devise a risky plan to steal money to help pay off Sonny’s mother’s debt. What I liked best was the way Conaghan developed the characters; they feel authentic and humorous, which makes the story both memorable and gripping.
It is a highly entertaining read, and I would definitely recommend adding this to your collection.
Raven
Not Going To Plan
Not Going to Plan, written by Tia Fisher, is an extremely informative and moving novel. The book covers a variety of sensitive topics that will resonate with readers of all ages. One of the highlights of Fisher’s writing is her effective use of a dual perspective, which allows the reader to deeply connect with the narrative. At its heart, the novel explores the many struggles students face within the school environment.
Set in Downham High School, the story follows the unlikely friendship between Marny and Zed. The plot focuses on Marny, who becomes pregnant while still in school following a deceitful encounter with a crush. As the story unfolds, it tackles the sensitive topic of abortion and raises awareness about gaslighting in relationships—even among younger couples. One of the most powerful moments in the book is how Marny uses her GCSE Art presentation to spread awareness about these experiences.
I highly recommend this novel because it informs readers about the complexities of sexual encounters and emphasizes that, in many difficult situations, you may not be at fault. It also underscores the vital importance of opening up to friends and peers rather than bottling emotions up. Ultimately, this story may change the way you view both the school system and modern relationships.
Sydney
Not Going To Plan
The book was written by Tia Fisher. It tells a story of a young girl who has moved schools. She gets invited to a party but she makes the mistake of trusting someone who says they have done something- but they haven't.
She ends up finding out that she is pregnant and has an abortion. I definitely recommend adding this book to your collection as it is very intriguing...
Mia
Not Going To Plan
An interesting novel in verse format, it has you feeling like Tia Fisher’s Marnie and Zed are talking to you.
The story follows two teens in their final year of GCSEs, navigating through the ups and downs of Year 11. Zed, a physics genius and loner, meets Marnie, an art enthusiast and Spanish whizz. Both need help with the subject they hate, and it just so happens that they both excel at each other's weaknesses. A mere tutoring agreement becomes an unexpected friendship, and Marnie relies on Zed during the most difficult decision of her life.
The contrast in personalities between Marnie and Zed keeps the story interesting, and the realistic issues of teenage life make the story more relatable and engaging. I would highly recommend this book as it feels mostly realistic and can be relatable for many teens.
Ameerah