Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart

Another day, another book that has been read.

This week, the book I have been reading is ‘Genuine Fraud’ by E Lockhart. The book itself is written in a different format to other books, due to it being backwards. This means that the second chapter is a week before the first and so on.

The synopsis:

Imogen is a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat.
Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete. 
An intense friendship. A disappearance. A murder, or maybe two. 
A bad romance, or maybe three.
Blunt objects, disguises, blood, and chocolate. The American dream, superheroes, spies, and villains. 
A girl who refuses to give people what they want from her.
A girl who refuses to be the person she once was.

Review:

*WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD*

First thing I have to say is none of these characters are likeable at all. Not Imogen, or even the main character Jules. The book is written in third person, but the narrator is completely unreliable- is that a bad thing? No! If anything it’s more fun for a book like this one where nothing makes sense. But the writing is thrilling even though there is barely any action scenes. The book itself is not too memorable but fast-paced with moments that make you look like the shocked pikachu face – in a good and bad way!

One of the greatest parts about this book is that there are a lot of discussions about women in society and them having to conform to certain social conventions. In the beginning the reader is told about various women in society with a main focus on Imogen who’s boyfriends and parents continuously try to turn her into something she’s not. Some of these themes weren’t taken far enough in my opinion and it often felt as if Lockhart was recycling words you always hear as a woman or in the previous chapters. Although the book does deliberately set out to subvert the tropes it criticised, showing another dimension to the readers.

One of the most annoying things about the book is that the suspense that is created at the beginning just goes??? It becomes SO obvious early on what has happened and as a result the whole book becomes SO predictable. Pretty sure I guessed every single ‘reveal’ which made the reverse story-telling obsolete. Like seriously, the ONE event I really wanted to know how it occurred and the motivations behind Jules character is revealed so early on? The book was pretty much POINTLESS after that. The last 100 pages, is trying to build up why Jule even got into the situation but the further on the read the less it makes sense.

Like this whole book was supposed to be about Jule and her characterisation/motivations- It wasn’t very interesting. This character has been done so many times before and her motivations didn’t even make that much sense. As a reader, you aren’t sure whether you should sympathise with Jule or not and it’s just messy writing. Jule isn’t complex or very interesting and it made the story not as intruiging as other books like Gone Girl or Girl on a Train which had interesting female leads.

All in All, although the book is marketed as a mystery, it is anything but.

THRILL- ❗️Lacking.

INTEREST-🦴 – Dry and nothing to keep you going after the big reveal in the middle.

READING-🦑 Shockingly easy to read- the ink is basically still wet by the time you’re done.

x

Shann

Hustlers Review

Throughout my time in lockdown not only has the number of streaming services in my name gone up, but so has the number of films finally getting crossed off my to watch list.

The film I am reviewing today is Hustlers which is a true story about Strippers in New York who drug men after the recession hits to get back the money they lost.

Now, I was really excited to watch this film because:

A. Jenifer Lopez
B. Lily Reinhart
C. Strippers
D. True Story

However, the film which received a 6.3 IMDB rating was a slow starter.

Even though this film is based on a true story none of the characters are very relatable, deep or earn your sympathy.

Now, anyone would think that Hustlers would be a good criminal based story because of the truth of it all, but sadly it was not, as it falls short on many an areas.

The problem with the film wasn’t the actors or story but more to how it was played out, with the characters having little to no background. Not to mention the scenes jumping constantly make the film confusing as some scenes had very little or no actual reason for being in the movie.

There is a lot of scenes shown in the strip club both backstage, on stage and in the rooms, however, none of these places have a storyline. All the strippers are very connected to each other and aren’t bitchy at all considering they would be competing to get the best money in the room.

This film shows that a feminist movie can be dark and can ruin both male and female characters when not enough attention goes into it. Believe me when I say there is not a single remotely sympathetic man in the movie as they are portrayed as exclusively negative. Therefore, deserving of whatever happens to them in the film and whatever horrible things each woman does to them is seen as totally justified.

If this film were shown with a switch in cast – where the men were women and women were men this film would have been called out for so much and its reviews wouldn’t have gotten as high- I mean 6.3?? Come on.

All in all, it’s obvious this film was set on a low budget and barely had a month of filming. Maybe if they actually tried with a better writer, or made the characters connect more with the audience then the film wouldn’t have been so much of a flop.

 

THRILL- 😑 Boredom from watching the same things happen over and over.

INTEREST-🦴 Why have a bone without meat when you can have one with meat and sauce.

WATCHING- 🦗 hopping over different scenes just isn’t interesting enough for these days.

 

Realistically, I would say not to waste your time on this film but if you do, tell me what you think!

x

Shan

Self-Isolation Boredom List!

So, here you are self isolating. Maybe its because you are classed as vulnerable or have someone in your family who is? Or maybe you haven’t got work due to the Coronavirus so are being selfless?

Whatever reason you are doing this -Well done you!

As a thank you I have put together a self-isolation list of things to keep you occupied in this time!

Hopefully you can find something in this for you to do.

 

THE LIST

• Draw
• Paint
• Colour
• Sudoku
• Word searches
• Write a blog
• Update your LinkedIn
• Write back to those emails you’ve been putting off
• Think about what you want to do in the future – Is the job your in really where you want to be? If not, look into some other jobs you can apply for.
• Read! Yes that list of books you haven’t read!
• Binge watch some TV shows (Blog post on that coming soon!)
• Walk your dog (remember the 2 metre social distancing rule)
• Clear out your wardrobe
• Play with your dog/cat etc
• Paint your room/house
• Tidy your room
• Tidy the garden – its a mess from winter so theres gonna be stuff to do!
• Make a playlist to listen to
• Complete a puzzle
• Play with an old toy
• Sort out the attic
• Find a hobby? Knitting, Sewing, cooking, baking etc

 

But most of all…

 

KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND BE SURE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE

 

x

Shann

How to:Wash clip-in extensions

This is something I have a lot of experience in as I am on my 4th pair of clip in hair extensions. 

Firstly you should make sure your extensions are real human hair and not fake.

Personally, I found this way better but some people prefer to use a bath or sink.

Firstly I put my hair extensions onto a bottoms hanger, like this:

After your hair is secure on the hanger, this may take clipping you hair into other pieces.

Now find somewhere to hang them, I have hung mine on side of the shower.

Rinse your hair thoroughly in warm water making sure you turn the hanger around to get to the back of the hair.

After rinsing, put on your shampoo of your choice, for blonde hair I use Touch of Silver shampoo. 

Put the shampoo through the hair, rubbing it in well making sure you don’t pull the extensions from the hanger. Turn the hanger around and repeat.

Rinse the shampoo out on both sides. And proceed with your conditioner, using fluid motions. It is best to comb through your hair while the extensions have the conditioner on. However, do not put your fingers through them as they turn out clumpy.

Rinse out the conditioner with your warm water and then rinse with cold water to close the hair so it will have less split ends.

Your hair should now look like this:

Air drying is how I prefer to dry my extensions. 

If it is a nice day i do recommend putting your extensions out on the line, however if the day isn’t that good you can either:

A) Separate the hair and put them on a towel.

B) Hang them out on a hook or a door handle.

You should not wash your clip in extensions regularly, but instead every 6-8 weeks otherwise the extensions become frail. 

After air drying my extensions for 12 hours, they are ready to do as you wish with.

Although, if you are drying your extensions with a hair dryer then I urge you to use heat protectant spray, this is the one I use: 

It’s Schwarzkopf Heat Protection Spray and can be found in places like Home Bargains and Savers.

Another tip I have is using oils to keep your extensions feeling smooth and looking natural. 

This is only for CLIP IN hair extensions.

xoxo

Shannon

How to find the Perfect Job!

Now before I start this, I should probably mention:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT JOB.

 

There’s always something that gets in the way. But here’s a few tips to make sure the first job you get isn’t your least favourite and that those who employed you did it for the best.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself to ensure you will get the best job you can!

What do/did you enjoy studying?

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Have any of your friends jobs fascinated you?

What job adverts have attracted you?

Why have those adverts attracted you?
-The pay?
-The boss?
-The environment?
-The specifications?

Of all your previous jobs or placements, which did you enjoy the most?

What do you enjoy talking about?

If all careers paid the same, what would you do?

If you could do any job for a day, what would you do?

Now, if you answered these and know what you want to do, then ask whats stopping you?
-Location?
-Pay?
-Lack of jobs?
-Environment?

 

Tips:

Research the job before hand
-Work environment
-Work load
-Turnover in employees

x

Shan

Differently Normal Book Review

Now, I was given Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson a few days ago by my boyfriends mother as she’s a huge reader like me and thought I would like it.

And to be honest, she wasn’t wrong. It is a good book I guess- but here’s a little about it and my opinions before you go and read it!

If you don’t want spoilers- this is your official warning not to read on!

This is a love story. Where a young girl, Maddy, who is around 18 has a life that is controlled by routine due to her younger sister, Bee, having autism making Maddy and her mother have to care for her constantly.

This is one thing I really enjoyed about this book as not in many story lines do they make time to make a well rounded disabled character who is loved and put first.

The other part of this story line includes Albert, who works at the stables that Bee starts going to who falls instantly for Maddy.

Albert has had a hard time with his family due to being recognised as a constant disappointment to his father and brother. Therefore, when he meets Maddy he gets a chance to see what a true family is like and how much they care for one another.

Now this book is said to be for fans of fault in out stars, which makes sense with the love that can only go so far due to Alberts need to get out of the way of his family mixed with Maddy’s need to stay at home and care for her sister.

 

Now for the bad points. This book was very stereotypical and had me rolling my eyes throughout because of how 2 dimensional the characters are.

The thing that makes the characters 2D is the fact they don’t really act or speak in a sense that is much like teenagers I’ve seen- and now this might be due to the fact this book is based in America whereas I am British, but surely some things would cross over?

There is a certain something relatable in both characters but neither is pushed hard enough to actually make a connection. Therefore, this makes the book have a sense of disconnect between the reader and the characters.

And the ending was so very unrealistic much like certain points in the rest of the book which made the book very difficult to read.

The worst part of the ending you ask? Is that most of the drama is off the page and only mentioned in past tense making it hard to have that emotional connection to what happened. But even so, the last 100 pages of the book ended up being those with the most  emotion being shown from the characters themselves even though these aren’t being connected to the reader.

I do believe that if this book connected the reader with the characters more and showed more emotion from the characters throughout that this book could’ve been a lot better than the rating it will receive from me.

Let me know what you think of ‘Differently Normal’ in the comments!

THRILL- ❗️Lacking.

INTEREST-🦴 – Dry and nothing to keep you going.

READING-🦑 Shockingly easy to read- the ink is basically still wet by the time you’re done.

x

Shann

 

 

Why am I an emotional wreck?

Why I’m a emotional wreck?

Good question.

It’s because of Harry Potter.

With the last two weeks I’ve been reading chamber of secrets and prisoner of Azkaban.

Now there’s going to be hella spoilers so:

Now chamber of secrets my favourite book in the series.

The young Harry going to save his to-be wife from the chamber of secrets which he discovers along with Ron Weasley, his best friend.  It’s heart wrenching tale of how emotionally detached people can be and how people going to a new school can feel alone with so much family there. The story is individual and adolescent in its telling and what happens.

Nothing makes me happy more than Ron having his true lines, which he doesn’t get in the film, and being the best friend he was made to be. Encouraging Harry throughout.

The physical fight between Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy is so amazing I can’t understand why they would leave it out of the film! Never mind other things like Gilderoy Lockheart being even more of a dramatic narcissist and turning up to ‘save’ Harry from thinking he’s more famous than Harry thinks he is. I mean Harry not famous enough to give out autographs? Doubtful hunny.

Meanwhile going on to prisoner of azkaban which I’ve just finished with tears running down my face while I sit a pool dying of heat not being able to breath.

This is where we discover more about Harry’s young parents, James and Lily, who were both very young when they died at 21. This is literally what makes this book for me, as i have a strong sense of love towards the marauders era, and what chaos they would cause.

Remus Lupin. Firstly, how could he even look at Harry without breaking down in tears with the friends he’s lost?? What a hero. With his heart of gold, he doesn’t force his knowledge of Harry’s parents onto Harry but instead makes himself a friend of Harrys by actually getting to know Harry for who he is. 

Sirius Black, my heart and soul. He tried his best to save his best friends, James and Lily, by hoping Voldemort would try and find him instead but was tricked and put into azkaban for a murder that hadn’t happened, yet.

Hermione and Ron spend most of this book arguing and this really shows they are diverse characters who stand up for what they believe in even if they go against their best friend. Ron, even though not speaking to Hermione notices that Hermione is over worked and disappearing which Harry doesn’t notice despite still speaking to her. Ron clearly feels something for Hermione to notice these little things about her. Hermione although tackles through this and still tries to befriend Ron while keeping her stance on the argument. Hermione is shown taking a large leap from the rule-abiding teenager by doing things that shock even Ron. She keeps secrets she has to and is the strong independent woman JK made her to be. The is the book where Hermione has started to grow on me considering how Emma Watson and the film crew portrayed her as being flawless, which Hermione isn’t, and she can’t be otherwise she wouldn’t be relatable.

If I was Sirius and Remus in the shrieking shack, I personally would’ve told Harry to back off. They should’ve killed Pettigrew while they had the chance. And Snape for that matter. If Snape was killed by Sirius in Hogwarts when they were in school, Snape wouldn’t have told Voldemort of the prophecy and Voldemort wouldn’t have killed James and Lily. But then the whole Horcrux matter, but I’m sure Dumbledore could’ve solved that…

But the thing that got me in he end was Sirius’ letter to Harry, where he just kills me off with a beautifully wrote letter, about how he wishes Harry could’ve come with him, and then an attachment form of permission to go to hogsmead. 

All in all here’s my review:

THRILL- ❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

INTEREST- 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 

READING-  🦁 (King of the jungle)

‘Don’t let the muggles get you down’

Xoxo

Shann

I want to be a wizard

 

I shouldn’t have started reading Harry Potter again.

I think everyone knew I shouldn’t too.

And yet no-one told me not to.

So I did.

Harry Potter holds a special place in my heart, as the first book i ever read without being forced to for school or a fairytale.

I only read the first Harry Potter in 2010, when I was in year nine and trying to get rid of the stress I felt about the upcoming year. Ever since I’ve been obsessed, held numerous Harry Potter marathons, and visited the Warner Brothers Studios 4 times. 

I decided to read Harry Potter again because my boyfriend had invited me to go to the studios with his family in September, and obviously I couldn’t refuse. And there it started. I had wanted to start reading them since he started reading them last year, after much pushing from me after I found out he never read them before. Obviously that had to change. 

So, then I started, and I should tell you that I don’t really remember what is actually told in the books due to extra reading on Pottermore and several fanfictions which have become a sort of cannon to me.

As soon as I started it all came back to me, the newly finding of being a wizard and what it does to a person, even if that person isn’t you. We follow the Dursley’s for a day before Harry is introduced to us, a young boy, a one year old, who needs a home after losing his parents. 

Rereading the books gave back your imagination. 

Magic is possible when you read this.

Anything is possible when you read this.

Harry Potter is one of the best series I’ve ever read. With diverse characters that have problems, and characters who’s morals are questioned by themselves, like Harry. He wants to live up to his parents, he wants to do well.

The only problem with Harry Potter is the issue that it is so one sided due to it being in Harry’s point of view, and with Harry hating Slytherin’s due to Draco Malfoy and a few choice words from Ron. 

If Harry had been a little more open mind

ed, and let the hat decide, then maybe the series could show how Slytherin’s have a bad reputation, that Harry could’ve remade.

Saying this, the book would not have been the same if Harry hadn’t been the sassy, Slytherin hating, wizarding world saviour. 

The way Harry is written is relatable and something every kid in a bad home dreams about. This is a book you can’t tire of no matter how many times you read it.

After this I have two thoughts.

1) Where is my copy of Chamber of Secrets

2) I need the illustrated copies

I would recommend this book and give it a strong 

THRILL- ❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

INTEREST- 🍰🍰🍰🍰 🍰 

READING-  🐍 Ready to take this book whole!

xoxo

Shann

Doll’s House

So when i first picked up this book, it was because of its amazing back cover blurb: 

‘A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.

Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing- her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

For deceptive Inspector Helen Grace its chilling evidence that she’s in search of a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful – a predator who’s killed before.

And as Helen struggles to understand the killers motivation, she begins to realise that she’s in a desperate race against time…’

This is one of the best blurbs i’ve seen that makes you enthralled with the story but you havant been given away much of the plot or how these are connected. 

I bought this book from ‘The Works’ while shopping, and decided to plow ahead and read it. It wasn’t until I was a little over 50 pages in that i started to realise that this couldn’t have been the first DI Helen Grace thriller as there was unfinished business making its way from previous books to this one. After looking it up, i realised it was in fact the 3rd in the series, so don’t be a me, start from the beginning.

But this book is readable without knowing the back stories of DI Helen Grace and some other characters. You can get into the story and are given hints to what has happened previously, which is good because this book could then be read as a stand alone if you are looking for a quick thrill. 

I enjoy thrillers and think that M.J. Arlidge really tries to get people involved and have guesses of their own, but unlike some tv series you don’t meet the killer until it is found. You don’t meet him in from the eye of the law anyways.

The story follows the flaws of working within law enforcement and echos it throughout the book with blackmail, payoffs and self-preservation, which although i think Arlidge went off the deep end and ended up with too much resting on one person to be the downfall of everything.

Doll House has short and sweet chapters all surrounding different people and in other peoples point of view, including the victim, the murderer, Helen Grace and some other police officers. 

Although this series isn’t as emotional towards the characters, for example, showing how and what they are feeling, it still gives off a huge impact as the suspense and the way the story unravels gives it an extra level.

I would recommend this book and give it a strong 

THRILL- ❗️❗️❗️

INTEREST- 🍰🍰🍰🍰

READING-  🐣 Impatient and wanting to explore.

x

Shann

Vampire Diaries Review

Vampire Diaries destroyed my life.

… Well ok maybe thats a tad dramatic but you would feel the same way if Netflix only let you watch up to season 7! I don’t know why Netflix wouldn’t just put season 8 on there to put me out of my misery! Why would you end it like that.

http://vampirediaries.wikia.com/wiki/The_Vampire_Diaries_Wiki

So those who know me know I’m not someone whose into vampires or that sort of thing, but more of a wizards and witches. (Harry Potter > Twilight). But when I was looking for something to binge watch someone recommended I watch the 8 season series. 

At first vampire diaries didn’t get me attached, Elena was just a little too annoying for me, and I found Caroline or Bonnie way more better suited to the role of the lead since they had better story lines and seemed more interesting.

But without putting someone off by spoiling, Elena is key. She and Katherine, who everyone but Damon hates, contain the best plot I’ve seen in a while in a fantasy series. Katherine might be the most hated person to everyone else but to me she was so relatable and badass that I fell in love with her and her style.

Although, one thing that puts me off the whole series would be the amount of love interests although very entertaining, it is very difficult to keep up with since everyone somehow gets with everyone else without it being weird. Considering I watched all seven seasons within a few weeks I still got confused about who was with who and why someone wasn’t speaking to someone else. 

Although, that wouldn’t stop me watching it, especially if in the 8th season Klaus is in it because he is an utter gem despite everything. 

All in all, 

Please Netflix Plssssssss put season 8 on 😦 

x

Shan