Book Review: Giovanna Fletcher - Billy and Me

Blurb:

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she’s successfully kept for years. It’s meant that she’s had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy – an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy’s glamorous – but ruthless – world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

My thoughts:

There is so much I want to say about this book but, if I did that, I’d ruin the secret so here’s what I can tell you… It’s an emotional rollercoaster and it’s a bloody superb debut novel from Giovanna Fletcher.

Unlike most other chick-lit stories, you know pretty soon that Sophie May and Billy are an item… The question is; will they stay that way? Y’know when you watch a movie and you’re so utterly engrossed in the storyline that you’d rather risk your bladder exploding than running to the toilet and missing something..? ‘Billy and Me’ is like that but in book form – I can easily see this becoming a movie. It got to the point that I was reading it and shouting at the book. Thankfully, I wasn’t in public or that could have been slightly awkward. I did, however, nearly cry on the DLR so be prepared!

Sophie May is a young lady who’s sacrificed certain things in her life and it all comes back to her past. Then along comes love, in the form of Billy. A love so strong and powerful that she starts to leave her comforts behind and face up to the things from her past (not necessarily through choice) that she’s kept hidden for far too long.

I always have my head in a book so, in my head, I’m bound to relate to some of them but none of them have touched me in the same way Sophie May does. There’s been no other story I’ve related to more than hers. Minus the actor boyfriend, of course. It’s more than just because of her past, it’s the way she’s been affected by it. That’s what makes the story so great – no matter what your story, you will, in some way, be able to relate to Sophie.

When I finished the book, I was in floods of tears. I was red, puffy, and snotty, but I was happy. I’d been touched by a book, I felt like I’d gone through everything with Sophie and that’s a testament to Giovanna’s writing ability. I’m a sucker for a book so they do make me shed the occasional tear here and there but this one had me sobbing.

For anyone who thinks that this is about Gi and Tom, I’d tell them to read the book and strip it to its core: it’s about a couple who have to adjust to a big change in their life that threatens to break down the foundation of their relationship. I don’t know about you but that sounds like most relationships to me, not just theirs.

When Giovanna did her book tour, she drew everyone a cupcake based on a word they used to describe the book so I’m going to do the same in the back of my book so that, should I ever lend anyone the book, they can see what I thought of it and maybe add their own cupcake to it too.

(It was supposed to represent all the layers and emotions of the book!)

This book is incredible. I didn't want to put it down and I think this could easily be a series so, with that being said, bring on the next book!

Available from Amazon here: BUY ME! for just £3.85! Bargain!

What would your #billyandme cupcake look like? Tweet me it, @thislittlemell!

Fiction Friday: 'The Fault in our Stars' by John Green

(Book and bed = perfect combo... Maybe not for photos though!)

Blurb:

“Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.”

My Thoughts:

I read ‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green after I saw a quote from it all over Tumblr. I fell in love with John Green’s writing style immediately and it quickly became one of my favourite books. I’d been meaning to read more of his stuff for a while but didn’t – probably because I have the biggest ‘to-read’ pile you could imagine, but also because I’m quite cheap when it comes to buying book.

You can imagine how happy I was when I saw ‘The Fault in our Stars’ as part of Asda’s 2 for £7 deal In fact, the last book I reviewed – 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce – was the book I bought alongside this as part of the deal.

Along with my already declared love for John Green’s writing style, I knew a lot of people were raving about this book and saying it had brought them to tears so I was fairly certain that, even if it didn’t make me cry, I was going to like it. I was wrong. I love it.

The story follows the relationship the builds between Augustus and Hazel after they meet at a support group for children who have, or have had, cancer. The relationship that blossoms is incredibly special and perfectly written, as is the friendships between Isaac, Hazel, and Augustus. It’s touching beyond belief.

It’s nice to see a book that touches on cancer in teens without leaving the reader depressed – there’s always an uplifting, positive emotion sweeping through, regardless of what tragedies might happen.

It’s a tragic love story but there’s much more depth to it than your typical ‘boy meets girl, they fall in love, they fall apart’ story. There’s real hurt in the words, there’s humour that makes you chuckle inside, there’s anger at the harsh reality of life but, there’s also the sense that life is there to be lived, not dwelled on.

The ending made me sob like a baby; not because it was hopelessly sad but because it was a beautiful truth.

What’s your favourite tragic love story?

Tuesday's Treats - The Beauty Parlour and MUA

Last week I went shopping with no intention of buying anything – I just wanted to browse the shops on my lunch break. To my delight, I found one of the nicest smelling body butters I’ve ever come across for £1.49! What an absolute bargain!

I don’t often look around Savers but I’m so glad I did. You get 300ml of product which I think, for the price, is a steal. It smells quite similar to some of the Soap and Glory products (the peachy scented ones). It’s not as strong as the Soap and Glory scent but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Some of the scents that are listed in the ingredients are: Shea Butter, Apricot, Orange, and Patchouli. I put this on after a bath and it leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised and, more importantly, it leaves me smelling absolutely beautiful.

The texture is quite thick so a little bit of this product goes a long way. Usually my legs are incredibly dry and, therefore, itchy but The Beauty Parlour’s Body Butter helps no end!

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I also treated myself to an MUA nail varnish today in ‘Pistachio Ice Cream’ for just £1. I’ve been looking for a nice mint shade for my nails but I was never sure it would suit my skin tone. I figured for £1 it didn’t matter if I bought this one and didn’t like it.

MUA have recently changed the packaging (is that the right word?) of their nail varnishes and it’s definitely for the better. They’re easier to hold when painting your nails and they just look better in general.

It only took two coats to get an opaque colour and, although it looked fairly streaky after the first coat, it evens out in the second. So don’t panic if it looks a little iffy after one coat! It turns out that I love this shade on my nails and I’m glad I managed to find the perfect mint shade without having to spend a fortune. Thank God for MUA!

They currently have a sale on their website so check it out and get your own Tuesday Treat!

What would you recommend as next Tuesday’s treat?

Music Monday: Imagine Dragons - It's Time

In case you don’t know who Imagine Dragons are, allow me to introduce you. They’re a 4-piece American indie rock band who are making quite the splash in the music world.

In 2012, “It’s Time” was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA’s) for ‘Best Rock Video’ and it’s clear to see why! The video is incredible. I don’t often bother watching music videos because I’d rather just listen to the song but this one’s different, I like it!

(Front cover of their album)

“It’s Time” is taken from their album, “Night Visions”, which is such a great album. It proves that there’s so much more to them than just being an ‘indie rock’ band. The album is available from iTunes. There’s a deluxe version for £10.99 which features 21 tracks or a standard version for £7.99 which has 14 tracks on it.

Imagine Dragons are releasing the “It’s Time” EP on 21^st April for £1.99 which features the track and a couple of remixes of it. I don’t tend to bother with remixes so I won’t be checking it out but if you like them, it might be worth checking it out!

The band are currently at 32 in the UK Top 40 chart with “Radioactive” after having spent 18 weeks in the chart so they’re clearly destined for great things. I have a lot of love for “Radioactive” but I prefer “It’s Time” – I literally can’t listen to it without singing along!

If you prefer acoustic versions, they have one on their VEVO which I’ll link below. It’s a great video that showcases their talent as musicians and singers. I can’t get enough of this single right now and I hope you enjoy it too!

What do you think of the track? Are you likely to check out the remixes?

Fiction Friday: 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce

(note to self: learn to take better pictures!)

Blurb:

“When Harold Fry leaves home one morning to post a letter, with his wife hovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other.

He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone. All he knows is that he must keep walking. To save someone else’s life.”

My thoughts:

The first thing I’ll say about this is that if, like me, you think the book sounds like a thriller from the blurb, you’re wrong. It doesn’t matter though because, although it’s not a thriller, it doesn’t disappoint at all.

The Sunday Express reviewer claimed it made them laugh and sob and I couldn’t agree more; especially towards the end. The book follows Harold as he walks from his house to Berwick after he receives a letter from an old colleague of his. On the journey, Harold meets various people, discovers fame, and has time to think about his past and his relationship with his wife, Maureen.

I kept telling myself that the next chapter would be last but it got harder and harder to put the book down. Rachel writes in such a way that you can’t help but get drawn into Harold’s life; you laugh with him, sob with him, share the moments that give him elation as well as those that make him sad.

It shattered some illusions I had about elderly couples (whenever I saw elderly couples together before reading this book, I always assumed that they were happy and had been together for many years – this book proves that’s not always the case) but it gave me some kind of renewed hope about love and relationships. It also proved the kindness of strangers that, sadly, we sometimes forget exists.

The book focuses on more than just a hard walk from one end of the country to another… It focuses on the reality of some relationships and the affect grief can have. It looks at regret and grief but in a way that resolves in happiness.

‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ is dangerously easy to read but worth staying up for. Just make sure you have some tissues nearby… You’re more than likely going to need them!

What was the last book you read that made you cry?

Music Monday: Kodaline - High Hopes

For those who haven’t heard of Kodaline (don’t worry, I didn’t until a few weeks ago either!), they are a four-piece alt-rock band from Dublin, Ireland.  As far as I’m aware, they were previously known as 21 Demands. I’ll be honest, I think Kodaline is far superior name!

Kodaline were nominated for MTV’s ‘Brand New for 2013’ award as well as BBC’s ‘Sound of 2013’ award – which gives an indication of just how successful everyone’s expecting them to be this year. (No pressure, guys!) They released ‘The Kodaline’ EP in September 2012 and released ‘The High Hopes’ EP this month – in fact, this track is taken from it. If the EP is anything to go by, these guys are going to be huge.

‘High Hopes’ is the kind of song that makes you feel relaxed and calm but very much alive at the same time. The lyrics are probably one of the most important things for me when it comes to a good song and there’s no denying the power of these lyrics. They help to create the ‘relaxed but alive’ feeling with ease. Songs tend to be fairly subjective; for me, this song screams of being hurt by a relationship coming to an end and finding yourself rediscovering a hope that you’d momentarily forgotten. For that reason, I think it would be a great song to listen to after a break-up because, yes, you might cry but you’d find yourself feeling empowered too. Well, I would!

The vocals (Stephen Garrigan) are great. He’s got a great range and ultra-soothing tones to his voice. There’s also a hint of vulnerability in his vocals on this track which help to give it that little special something.

Let’s not forget the other three members (guitarist – Mark Prendergast, drummer – Vinny May Jr, and bassist – Jason Boland). They all help to create a sound that’s mildly haunting and yet, somehow, uplifting; a happy melancholy.

Lastly, I cannot review this song without briefly mentioning the video. Steve Rusell did a superb job directing the video; it’s powerful, it’s emotional, it’s haunting… Just like the song.

I predict that we’re definitely going to hear a LOT more from these guys in 2013 so keep your ears peeled! Their upcoming album is available for pre-order now on iTunes HERE for just £9.99 and will be released on 10^th June 2013. If you want to check out their previous EP’s, The High Hopes is available HERE for £1.99 and The Kodaline is available HERE for £1.99 as well. 

What do you think of the song and video? Yay or Nay?

Book Review: Claire King - The Night Rainbow

This novel follows the life of two sisters, Pea and Margot, as they cope with the fallout of the loss and devastation that struck their family a short while ago. Along the way, they make a new friend who, despite their own tragedy, slowly helps to make everything better.

The story is told through the eyes of Pea, aged 5 and a half. At times the narration felt as though it was coming from somebody much older than Pea is supposed to be. Instead of seeing that as a flaw, I'd like to think that's just the author's way of further proving that Pea had to grow up a lot quicker than any child should have, as a result of the misfortune her family suffered. Despite everything Pea has gone through, the narration perfectly encapsulates the optimism that many young children seem to possess. It is this optimism that keeps you turning the pages.

The novel focuses on very few characters, allowing you to learn a lot about each of them. It's this fact that helps to make it so captivating - it's like following the lives of people you know and care about. It also shows the various ways in which tragedy affects a person and how differently people cope with it; for that alone, it is a brilliant piece of literature.

One element of this novel became fairly obvious quite quickly. I'm not sure if that's an intentional act by the author but, either way, it didn't make the novel any less enjoyable to read. Early on in the story, a relationship develops that makes you wonder whether you should continue to read... All I can say is you'll regret it if you don't. This book touches on some of the darkest places a human can find themselves in but the ending shows that there's always hope.

There's something slightly magical about a story that contains so many negative emotions and situations yet can still portray positivity throughout. This novel manages that with ease. It's an absolute delight to read, even if it is slightly haunting at points. It's the kind of book you read and, thanks to the wonderful descriptive nature of Pea's narration, find yourself getting lost in her world.

The book is available at Waterstones for £10.39, from Amazon for £7.19, or on your Kindle for £1.39 (what a steal!!) 

Book Review: 'You're Next' by Gregg Hurwitz

Blurb:

“Every family has its secrets. His might get them killed.

‘I know you, don’t I?’ Five words – that’s all it takes to plunge Mike Wingate and his family into mortal danger. Mike doesn’t recognise the crippled stranger who approaches him at a party… but the stranger seems to know all about him.

What has Mike done? Do they have the wrong man? Overnight, the threats become attacks, and Mike, his wife and their young daughter learn they aren’t safe anywhere – especially not in their own home. But there’s no time for Mike to figure it out, because his enemies have killed before – and he’s next.”

My thoughts:

This book has been described as “outstanding” by Lee Child and, I have to say, I agree. I’ve read some thriller books that have been predictable and you can guess every ‘twist’ that occurs – that’s not the case with this book. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the characters are written in such a way you actually grow to hate the bad guys and become almost attached to Mike’s family and friends.

Two characters stood out for me and they were Mike’s daughter, Kat, and his friend, Shep. There’s something about them, a certain strength, that I admire and envy. Aside from the basic thriller element, this novel manages to encapsulate the beauty of certain relationships.

There’s enough description for you to pictures certain scenes without it becoming too much (like they are in American Psycho). Unlike some thrillers, it’s not too complicated to follow. It’s written in such a way that it flips (occasionally) between ‘Then’ and ‘Now’, in order to build the story and strengthen the characters. This might sound a bit confusing but, I promise you, it’s not.

It was chosen to be part of Richard and Judy’s Book Club – I don’t know much about the other books read but, if this is anything to go by, they must be pretty great. I’d never heard of Gregg Hurwitz before I read this book but I’m determined to read more of his stuff.

What’s your favourite thriller?

The Saturdays feat. Sean Paul - What About Us

The Saturdays feat. Sean Paul – What About Us

I’m going to start this by saying I have become completely obsessed with this song recently, hence why I’ve chosen to write about it, but there’s just one thing about the song that niggles away at me so let’s start with the one negative about this song before we go into the many positives, shall we..?

I cannot for the life of me work out why when Rochelle starts the song singing in an accent that she clearly doesn’t possess when she talks. You know the bit I’m on about, right? The slight Jamaican accent she chooses to sing in for that part only. I don’t get it. Leave the accent stuff to Sean Paul.

Right, with that over with…

Rochelle’s vocals are absolutely incredible on this track. With a voice as strong and consistent as hers, it’s brilliant to see her taking the lead vocals on a track that’s going to be as popular as this. There’s a depth to Rochelle’s voice that works perfectly for this song. Add that depth to her range and you’ve got yourself a job well done.

In fact, all the vocals are brilliant. It’s nice to be able to differentiate between each individual member’s vocals. It makes it a lot easier to see how much both Frankie and Mollie’s vocals have improved since they first started. There’s no denying they’re not the strongest singers in the band but they both bring something that helps to make The Saturdays special – not just pretty faces, after all. It also makes it easier to see what each member brings to the band vocally – strong vocals, great harmonies, sultry voices, etc.

The Saturdays pairing up with Sean Paul isn’t exactly a collaboration I ever expected but it does make sense. They both make music that makes you want to dance until your feet hurt (with the exception of The Sat’s slower songs) and they both tend to bring a bit of summer into the winter months. If you don’t like Sean Paul or you think the track would be better without him in it (crazy!), then you’re in luck because that’s available too. 

This is undoubtedly one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in recent times, especially with the “na, na, na’s” in the chorus. I can imagine it’s going to do super well in the States as well as in the UK. It seems like now is the time for British bands to crack America, just look at The Wanted, One Direction, and now The Saturdays. It’s also a great song to listen to on a miserable day because it’s inevitably going to get you extremely excited for summer and dreaming of a road trip to the beach or something.  We might be listening to The Sat’s first number one here… How exciting!

I’m not sure about the video, it doesn’t really match the song or bring anything to it but it’s still pleasant to watch. The clips of the girls dancing is enough to make me want to learn the moves and join in. The track itself makes me want to go running or work out in some manner. Sadly, I’m too lazy to do either.

The single is available for pre-order on iTunes right now for £1.99 (click here to do so) and is set to be released on March 17^th.

What do you think of ‘What About Us’? Who shines through for you on this track? 

Yay for MUA!

I’m going to start this post by apologising about the picture quality. My camera is old and on its last legs. Right, now on to the post…

Today I popped into my local Superdrug with one intention; to buy MUA’s Love Heart’s nail varnish in ‘I Want U’. Here’s what I ended up leaving the store with:

If there’s one word I could use to describe most MUA products, it would be pigmented. Each of the products I’ve purchased today prove that description to be right, which is always nice. Sorry there's no swatches. I got annoyed with my camera. 

I couldn’t resist buying the Undressed palette. 

There’s been so much talk about how it’s a dupe for the Naked palette (a palette I’ve wanted for a long time) so I’d be crazy not to buy MUA’s palette for just £4. The colours are beautiful and I know I’m going to get a lot of use out of every colour.

The palette is made up of 12 shadows. 2 are matte and the rest are shimmery - some more than others. Shimmery eyeshadows usually scare me but these are my ideal shades and just perfect! 

As you can see, I managed to get the nail varnish I wanted. I can’t wait to paint my nails with this. Orange isn't the usual colour I'd opt for on my nails but this colour is incredible! The brush seems to be better than some of the brushes you get in their £1 nail varnishes as they could sometimes be a bit hit and miss (I still love them though! I actually own about 13!). Maybe when I’ve painted my nails, I’ll add a picture of them at a later date.

MUA are currently running a deal both online and in Superdrug stores whereby if you spend £6 on MUA products, you get a free Artiste collection palette. So because of these two purchases, I got the palette free, yay! The colours are beautiful. It includes 6 marbled eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 1 bronzer, and a highlighter.

My personal favourites from this palette are: chocolate (5th eyeshadow colour), cookie (last eyeshadow colour), primrose (second blusher), bronzed, and shimmer kiss. That being said, all the colours are great!

Finally, I bought a lipstick in Shade 13. I’ve become a little bit obsessed with red lipstick recently. I don’t know why because it’s such a bold colour and I tend to shy away from them but it’s just such a classic look. This lipstick applies evenly and lasts for a while. It’s the perfect shade of red.

I love MUA products. They’re affordable and they have excellent pigmentation and such a range of products. They always seem to have some kind of deal on too which is amazing. Better yet, they keep adding items to their collection… I can’t wait to get my hands on some of the fur nail effect. It looks amazing!

What products do you love from the MUA collection and what would you like to see added to it? 

Book Review: Ben Elton - Dead Famous

Blurb:

One house, ten contestants, thirty cameras, forty microphones, one murder… and no evidence.

Dead Famous is a killer read from Ben Elton – Reality TV as you’ve never seen it before.

My thoughts:

I’ve not been a fan of Big Brother since I was about 12 years old so when I first read the blurb I thought it might be quite a tragic read, despite how many critics seemed to have loved it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, it’s quite heavily based on Big Brother but it has something that Big Brother’s been lacking for many a year now… The element of mystery plus the twists and turns we all love to watch that have been lost over the years.  

The writing style is laid-back and simple to read, making it easy to get through a hundred pages before realising you’ve spent a large chunk of time, sat in one position, reading. I will say straight away, if you don’t like the c-word, this book probably isn’t for you because one of the main characters, Geraldine, is quite the fan of it!

The story follows the murder of a housemate on ‘House Arrest’ a show that, like I’ve said before, is based almost entirely on Big Brother, with a few differences. One being that House Arrest is broadcast on the internet as opposed to television. It takes about 200 pages of the book before you find out which housemate was killed but Ben Elton writes in such a way that, whilst you’re dying to know who was killed, the suspense isn’t the kind that makes you get annoyed. It just spurs you on to read more.

Another clever thing Ben Elton does is to write about characters in such a way that you’re sure you know who killed it but, like the police in the story, you’re not so sure it wasn’t somebody else. The fact that there is no evidence for the police to work with further helps to draw the reader in the book. When you’re reading, every little decision you make about a character is based entirely on what you read, so what better than to read a book when the only way you can decide who the murderer is lays entirely on your ability to read between lines and work people out. It’s amazing.

The ending, and ultimate revelation of the mystery killer, is one of the most captivating I’ve read in a while. Chief Inspector Coleridge captivates the audience of the show but also the reader of the book in a speech that is full of twists and turns and smart ideas.

I know the book’s pretty old now; in fact, it was first published in 2001, I believe, but it’s a brilliant story and, given that so many people still rave about Big Brother, it’s clearly still relevant. It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s well-written, and it’s utterly captivating.

4/5

Review/Goodbye: Kid British - You Against The World

(Official Music Video)

One thing I’ve always loved about Kid British is that they manage to write songs that people can relate to time and time again. They had ‘Part Time Job/Shirt and Tie’ which, let’s face it, we can all relate to. Let’s not forget ‘Lost in London’ – a song that’s all about, well, getting lost in London. I live in London and I still find myself getting lost from time to time. I could go on but I’d rather you all just checked out their music and found elements to their songs that you can relate to.

This track is definitely something most people will be able to say they understand. We all have those moments when we feel like the world is against us and there’s nobody to help us fight back against it. It’s us against the world. This song takes that feeling and somehow makes it seem far more beautiful than it is. It takes that dreadful feeling and turns it into something inspiring. Clever lads!

Every song I’ve heard by Kid British, and I’ve heard a lot, is the kind of song you put on when you’re having an awful day. Y’know, the kind where you just want to get back into bed, crawl into a ball, and wait for tomorrow in the hope that it’ll, somehow, be better? All of their songs have the ability to make even the worst day seem somewhat more hopeful. That’s testament to just how talented the members (past and present) are.

The lyrics are, for me at least, part of what makes this song so uplifting. Okay, sure, it’s about a negative thing but Kid British have, like they always do, made it something that can help you. I’ll be honest, I was a bit sceptical about Dom singing – he’d always been the guitarist for me. Not just that, I was a bit nervous about how the band would sound after James went on to do his solo stuff. This track proves to me that any doubt I had was unjustified.

The vocals are incredible and Dom’s voice brings something to the track that I don’t think anybody else could have done. Adio’s part of the song is pretty immense. Great lyrics + his vocals = recipe for success. There’s something about his voice that gives off the feeling of vulnerability but also strength. It’s great.

The video also has the same kind of vibe as the song which is pretty rare these days. It seems like so many videos are about huge budgets and fancy sets but they never relate to the song in any way. I’m glad to say this one does. 

So now comes the sad news… Whilst I’ve just raved about how much I love this song (and believe me, I really do), Kid British have just announced that they’re going to part and go on to other things.

I remember when I first saw Kid British. It was at the iTunes festival in 2009. I was stood right at the front and had goosebumps the whole time they were on stage. Their vocals were brilliant on the night but so was their stage presence. Kid British don’t just go on stage, sing, and leave. They party on stage just as hard as everyone in the crowd is and I, personally, think that’s part of what makes a great band.

They were supporting Mr Hudson when I saw them but I decided to leave as soon as their set had finished. Partly because I thought I was going to pass out but partly because I really had only gone to see them. I wasn’t interested in Mr Hudson – I wanted to go and see the band whose music always made me want to dance and put a smile on my face.

When I left, I was lucky enough to meet the bassist at the time, as well as the drummer. I also managed to get everyone's autographs which I’ve kept all this time. I figured when they hit the big time, I’d sell them, ha. I’m kidding. I kept them because even though a lot of people didn’t know about Kid British, they were one of my favourite bands, and still are. 

The second time I saw them was eventful to say the least. Pretty sure I remember the police being called. It’s all one big massive party when you see Kid British and what good’s a party if the police aren’t called at least once, eh? I spoke to the lads that night and I remember going home thinking that they were probably one of the most down-to-earth bands I’d ever known of. They were just a bunch of people making music they loved for the fans they loved. Simple as that.

I don’t know exactly why they’ve chosen to go their separate ways. Their website says it’s because they “have seen some changes in the band and also a wider media/industry perception of what Kid British is which have led us to much debate”. All I can say is I look forward to hearing what each of them get up to.

Here’s to the great things to come for all of them! 

Taylor Swift's 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' Review.

Before I start talking about the song itself, let’s talk about the video. It starts with Taylor wearing some of the coolest pyjama’s I’ve ever seen. If anybody knows where they’re from or where I can get similar ones, please let me know. She then fights with her ‘boyfriend’ and tells him to leave the flat that looks like she’s rented it from someone with retro taste or an elderly person. The interior design is definitely not to my taste, that’s for sure!

Next comes something I can’t understand… She starts dancing around with people playing instruments whilst dressed as animals. Why? Okay, so the outfits are pretty cool but that’s not the point – I don’t understand their relevance at all. Anybody care to enlighten me?

When she’s stopped dancing, she finds herself sitting at a table in a café, sarcastically telling her ex about how much she’s going to miss him picking fights. You go, Taylor! Then she goes to the payphone and is suddenly talking to her ex who, on the split screen, is at a club. Boy, he truly does get around, doesn’t he?

Anyway, more video goes on. Taylor remains looking absolutely beautiful throughout. Whilst this video may not be flawless, she certainly is! What I like most is when she’s in the cardboard car like some kind of recyclable Flintstones-esque contraption.

Right, onto the song…

I was put off listening to it for a while because everybody had said it was really catchy and the last thing I wanted was for a song to be stuck in my head for days on end. Eventually, though, I found myself caving into temptation and YouTubing it. (Obviously I only did this for research purposes.) It turns out everybody was right – the song is catchy. The never-ending title might not be but the song is. Admittedly, I don’t know much of Taylors’ back catalogue but it’s clear, even to me, that her sound has changed somewhat over time. Personally, I preferred when she had a bit of a country twang to her music because it gave her something that nobody else really had.

The story behind the song is pretty relatable, I guess. We’ve all had at least one ex who we wanted to make sure knew we weren’t ever going to be together again. Here’s the issue I have though: the fact that she says it so much in the song makes me think it can go two ways. 1) She’s trying to convince herself, her ex, and everyone else around her that she doesn’t want them to be together again – classic symptoms of denial. Or 2) she dates silly people who really can’t take the hint so she has to repeat it to them about a billion times.

The vocals of the song are really good but then I’m yet to listen to a track by Miss Swift whereby the vocals sounded anything but good. I don’t exactly understand why she felt the need to put the bit in the song where she’s pretending she’s on the phone into the single because it just disturbs the flow, if you ask me. That being said, she’s clearly doing well so who am I tell her what to do? The lyrics aren’t exactly ground-breaking and she’s definitely had better but most catchy songs have pretty basic lyrics. I guess that’s part of what helps to make the songs catchy in the first place.

So, in conclusion, this is one of those songs that I don’t want to like because they’re quite lame but then I end up finding myself listening to it a lot because it’s really fun to sing along to, plus it’s upbeat so I can dance around my bedroom to it. It might not be the best thing she’s ever released but it’s obviously going to do superbly well. 

Justin Bieber - Boyfriend

I've never really understood the hype around Justin Bieber. He can sing but he's hardly the most talented male singer on the planet, in my opinion anyway. This song just proves me right. It's awful. I'm fairly certain he couldn't sound more like Justin Timberlake if he tried - although Justin Timberlake's better.

Usually with songs, I try and listen to the lyrics as much as possible but after the "rapping" at the beginning of the song, I struggled to even pay attention to the most of the song. I'm aware that he's young and wants to try new things but he should probably stick to what he's good at - singing. I'm also aware of the fact he's growing up, so he's bound to sound different vocally compared to his first released - 'One Time' - but it seems like he's losing what made him special. I'm not entirely sure what that was in the first place either.

The beat's catchy and it's probably going to get stuck in peoples heads however, unlike other songs, it's not something that's ever going to grow on me.

Overall, it's about a 1/5.

Kids In Glass Houses - Diamond Days

Those Welsh rockers have finally done it again. When I first heard of them, back in '08, their single 'Give Me What I Want' managed to get stuck in my head for weeks, possibly even months. Although I've heard songs of theirs since then, nothing ever managed to repeat itself in my head like that song. Until now.

'Diamond Days' is one of the best songs I've heard from Kids In Glass Houses, ever. In fact, right now, it's one of my favourite songs from the past few years. There's just something about it that makes me want to dance - possibly the fact it reminds me of this song. I could be wrong. Or maybe it's the fact that the lead female in the video (none other than Georgia Horsley; model and girlfriend of 1/4 of McFly) dances at the beginning. I'm easily influenced when it comes to dancing to good songs.

Usually, when I listen to songs, I can't help but listen to the bass guitar. That's not the case with this song. I hear amazing vocals and drumming, when I close my eyes, makes me wish I was in the crowd at a KIGH gig. If anybody could make that happen, I'd love you. Forever. Or at least until the gig was over.

When I like a song, I can list a thousand (slight dramatisation) of reasons as to why. Other than the fact this song makes me want to dance and is catchy as anything, I can't. I think that's part of the reason why I like it so much though. I want to keep listening to it so that I can work out just what it is about it that makes me tick. If anyone has any suggestions, hit me up! All I know is that whenever I open my iTunes, this is the first song I play. If I open YouTube, this is one of the first videos I search for. It's been stuck in my head for weeks now. It's unhealthy and I love every second of it.

Here's hoping the next release from Kids In Glass Houses will be this amazing.

Song of the week.

Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up

I'm not sure what I prefer more - the song or the video. There's been an influx of official lyrics videos from artists recently but this has to be the most creative of them all. Usually it's just the lyrics flying about on the screen - like a funky karaoke. This one, however, breaks that trend. It tells a story that relates to the song and, in some ways, is better than the official video (which can be viewed here). 

As the name of the song suggests, the single is all about not giving up - about doing what you can for that special person, helping them however you can. It's about fighting for what you want and not just giving up at the first hurdle. The melody does this song such incredible justice; it tells the story perfectly. It starts off slow, describing how the other person makes them feel and what they like about them. The melody then gradually builds and becomes more intense, just like the relationship that's being sung about. By the end, the melody is fast-paced as Mraz describes how the relationship might not have worked the way they wanted, but that he's still there for them. It's really quite beautiful.

Mraz's vocals on this track are flawless too. The emotion in his voice is evident for anyone to hear but not so over-whelming that the listener starts to feel as though it's all false. Something else that makes this track so beautiful is the fact it's not overloaded with instruments. For the most part, it is just him and a guitar, telling a story we can all relate to. 

We've all fought hard for something that might not have worked out in the end, but it was worth it in one way or another - that's another thing that makes the track so listenable - we've all been there at some point in our lives, whether it's a relationship or a friendship and it's helped shape who we are today. 

Prior to this single, I'd only heard one other song from Mraz - 'I'm Yours' - and I played the song so much I got bored of it. I've had 'I Won't Give Up' on repeat for days now and it still has the ability to reduce me to tears. This song deserves to become a big hit! 

Sophie Kinsella - I've Got Your Number

Blurb

I've lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. the very same day. Do not Hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive!! :)

A couple of glasses of bubbly with the girls at a charity do and Poppy’s life has gone into meltdown. Not only has she lost her engagement ring, but in the panic that followed, she’s lost her phone too. As she paces shakily around the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number with the hotel staff. It was meant to be!

Except the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back, and he doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, phone messages and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents, can things get any more tangled?

Review

I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this book on Twitter. I don't often win things but, of the few things I have won, this has definitely been my favourite. I've only read two of Kinsella's previous novels and I couldn't put them down once I'd started. This was no different.

There's something about Kinsella's writing style that draws you in and keeps you hooked. Maybe it's because it's so relaxed, or maybe it's because you don't have to Google every other word to know what it means - either way, I love it. 

This book had me cringing, laughing and, towards the end, shedding the occasional tear. It's credit to Sophie Kinsella that, despite the overall plot being fairly obvious, there's still a few twists in there that keep you entertained. In fact, it's fair to say that even knowing the ending before you read it doesn't change your opinion of the book as a whole. Like I said, I even cried at the end. 

That being said, the whole book screamed 'Bridget Jones' to me. The main narrative is a young, female character who, rather clumsily, misplaces her engagement ring days before her fiance's parents are due to fly in. She's then made to feel, albeit unintentionally, as though she's not good enough for her fiance and begins to doubt it herself. Then she meets a man who changes all of that and they fall in love. Maybe it's just me that can see the slight comparisons to Bridget Jones, who knows? 

I initially started reading the book as light reading in the bath but when my baths began to take even longer than usual, I knew Kinsella had done it again. I wasn't going to be able to put the book down until I'd finished... And I didn't. 

There's parts in the book that hit me quite hard. Just as with the main character, Poppy, my mum died when I was fairly young and I refused to talk about it until I met someone who understood (although not quite in the same way as the novel). I also hate confrontation and letting people know how something really makes me feel - just like her. Maybe it's these similarities between myself and the main character that captured my attention so fully, I don't really know. What I do know, however, is that I'm desperately hoping Kinsella brings out a part 2. I want to know exactly what happened after!