Film Review: Begin Again - John Carney

**** - 4 Stars
Begin Again... What can I say about this film? Begin Again, written and directed by John Carney is just the most perfect film you could ever watch when its the end of the world. This film, starring great actors and actresses such as Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Adam Levine and Hailee Steinfeld is just brilliant.
It has the perfect mix of movie and music. As movie/musicals go, this is by far the best one I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, I love all the classics such as The Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, etc., in fact - the more cheesy, the better but in terms of modern movie/musicals, we've not had such good luck. We've been left with things like Disney's High School Musical trilogy and contemporary musical versions of things like Cinderella.
This, for me, however, is just so perfect. It highlights music that no one appreciates anymore because we are living in an industrialized music industry full of teen singers with no talent and nothing to say. The music industry has become so much about the fame and fortune that people are forgetting why we have music. This is a perfect reminder for us all and is so uplifting, you can't help but love it. If there was any musical I'd say you have to see before you die, its this one.
I love cinematography and visual arts and I also love music and how Carney combined these two things to make you see the world in a different way is just perfect. It makes you see the world the way it ought to be seen.
I invite you all now to grab your phone or your iPod or whatever else you use to listen to music and go outside for a walk. Just listen to the music and take the time to look around you at all the beautiful things going on. There is always something. But, there is one rule!! DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE TO TEXT, TAKE A CALL, TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH TO POST ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, SNAPCHAT OR EVEN MYSPACE!!! We rely too much on technology and we forget to appreciate that the world around us is absolutely beautiful and wonderful and amazing. So, take some time to just appreciate the little things in life. Also, I invite to watch this film because there is no way you cannot love it once you've watched it.
I love the cast, the music, just EVERYTHING about this film. 4/5 stars.

Read On. Get On. Sharing the power of books...

Save the Children works in 120 different countries.
They help save children's lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfil their potential.
Help them, help children by donating and spreading the word!

As all of you know, I'm a huge book lover and have been from a very young age and was lucky enough when I was growing up, to have been taught how to read and had books accessible for me to read.
However, there are some children in the UK who do not have the same privileges. In 2014, 1 in 4 children are leaving Primary Education, without the ability to read, or read well. That is 40% of UK children leaving Primary Education with very limited reading skills!! What makes the problem worse is the lack of people that know that the problem even exists, let alone that it is this serious.
However, you can help!! Save the Children have launched a campaign to help fund schools with books for children to read and help make sure that children are leaving Primary Education with a basic skill that seems to be becoming neglected. This campaign is called Read On. Get On. Save the Children want to ensure that by 2025, every child in the UK is reading well and this basic skill which they are going to need throughout their life.
But they need your help.
The first thing you can do, like I'm doing now, is spread the word. Tell people about it and let them know what's going on. It doesn't have to be on a blog or on Youtube, etc., just by word of mouth or by posting about it on your Facebook or twitter account, spreading the word in your local community.
This leads me onto the second thing you can do. Donate. Hold a fundraiser in your local community to raise money for save the children or you can donate through the links I have below. I hope that even if you can't donate, you will spread the word about this campaign as it's more important than ever that we don't loose these basic skills that seem to be getting lost the more modern technology becomes a part of our lives. Thank you for reading!!!
Spread the word!!

To donate £5 text BORROWERS to 70008 (UK ONLY)
A report on the current situation and how you can help
Terms and conditions of donating from your mobile
 

Book Review: Fifteen and Screaming - Fleur Beale

First published 1995
Harper Collins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited
Copyright © Fleur Beale 1995

**** - 4 Stars
I have to admit, I got this book among 23 others that I picked up for a dollar from my library at school and didn't have high hopes for it. It's almost 20 years old and didn't look to be much.
I was - however - pleasantly surprised by this book. It has a lot more to offer than you would think and it just goes to show that the phrase 'don't judge a book by its cover' is always a good thing to keep in mind when reading books.
Fifteen and Screaming by Fleur Beale is a New Zealand based book by a New Zealand author and tells the story of 14 year old Elizabeth Marianne Pratt (or 'Lily') who has responsibility thrust suddenly upon her when her mother becomes seriously ill.
Living on benefits, Lily has to learn to take care of her 7 year old sister, learn to cook, clean, manage money problems and care for her mother - all the while dealing with normal teen problems such as having freedom, going to party's, sex, friend problems and keeping up with her school work, making life very difficult and stressful for such a young girl.
When I was reading this, I couldn't help thinking that I am almost to the stage of my life where I will be moving out of my family home and living by myself, paying bills, going to University, etc., and I don't think I would be able to cope with and face the struggles that a 14 year old does in this book. It also reminded me that this is not at all unrealistic. There are many young adults and children all over the world that have to take on these responsibilities because they have parents who can't.
Not only is this book well written, but it also highlights some very good points and was a really enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book!!
4/5 stars for Fleur Beale.

Where you can buy this book...

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Bloomsbury Publishing

Copyright © Text J.K. Rowling 1998

Copyright © Cover illustration Cliff Wright 1997

First published in Great Britain 1998

**** - 4 stars. It's been a few months since I posted my review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but I finally got around to reading the second installment of the Harry Potter series. As you know when reading Harry Potter books, I base it on J.K Rowling's work alone - not compared to other writers. After reading this book, I realise just how good it was and and just had to give it 4 stars.

It is a brilliant, witty book that I laughed aloud to many times. Although many people I have met are not a huge fan of the Chamber of Secrets - namely a certain character by the name of Gilderoy Lockhart - I have to confess, this is one of my personal favourites in the series.
If you have never read the Harry Potter series, I would highly recommend it. Although a children's series, it is the most magical a well written set of books I have ever read and I am glad to have been a child who grew up with Harry Potter. Anticipating the next book and seeing the posters for the next film every few years. Crying at the deaths and feeling the loss of a certain part of my life finally ended after all those years. I still completely adore these stories and can't wait to share the magic with my own children. 4 stars out of 5 for J.K. Rowling. Thank you for making my childhood!!!
' It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' -- Albus Dumbledore: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling.
Buy Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Book Review: Laura's Star - Klaus Baumgart

LITTLE TIGER PRESS
An imprint of Magi Publications
This paperback edition published 2000
First publicated in Great Britain 1998

***** - 5 Stars
I recently acquired more bookcases for my room as my supply of books is ever-growing. While I was sorting through and organizing books, I found one that was given to me as a christmas present about fourteen years ago. Laura's Star.
Laura's Star by Klaus Baumgart is the perfect book for a little girl. A story of 'a lonely girl' who
finds a star that fell to earth, hurt. The star becomes the girl's friend and she no longer felt sad as she knew that whenever   she needed a friend or she felt sad, that little star would always be there in the sky.
If you have kids, they will honestly love this book! It was publish by Little Tiger Press in 2000. If I can find links to this book anywhere, I will put them down below.
5/5 stars for Klaus Baumgart! This book made my childhood all the more magical.


'Laura didn't feel sad any more, for her star was back where it belonged. Each night when she went to bed, she could whisper her secrets into the darkness, knowing that the little star was somewhere out there, listening.' -- Klaus Baumgart. Laura's Star.

Laura's Star - Amazon

Oooops...

Hi everyone!! Today isn't a book review, I'm just writing this to say how sorry I am that I've been M.I.A for the past month or so. As a lot of you will know if you watch my Youtube videos or possibly from this blog, I am currently in Y12 at school and over the past month or so, school has been getting really busy in preparation for exams (that start next week - ahhh!!) and so, I've not been able to upload videos or blog posts in a while. The other issue is that my computer has well and truly died on me and so, I can't upload any videos at the moment because I have no way of editing and uploading them. I promise that as it nears the end of my Finals and my computer gets fixed, my posts will become a lot more regular but for now, I am just managing with whatever time - and resources - I have at my disposal.
I really love blogging, its a lot of fun and I miss being able to do it. Plus the feedback I get back from blogging and making Youtube is always really nice and supportive so I don't want to stop. Its just a case of time at the moment because - obviously - my schooling comes first. No matter how much I love blogging, reading, make up, music, etc., I need to get school done for personal reasons. Although I'm not planning on going to University in the near future, I'd really love to finish school because I would feel like I've achieved something personally.
I hope I will be able to post some more reviews on random things I've been loving in the foreseeable future but until then, I love you all and I'll see you soon! ;)

P.S. If you wanna see what I'm up to, all my links to social media and Goodreads and in the side bar!! 

Book Review: The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome - Maxine C. Aston | Lara Pass

The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome
- Maxine C. Aston
The National Autistic Society
First Published 2001

Maxine Aston has explored the relationships of adults with Asperger Syndrome as part of her academic research, as a qualified couples councellor specializing in this area, and from her own personal relationship experience. She knows what she is writing about. She uses quotations and real life examples to illustrate her points and  has a compassionate understanding of both perspectives. Her insight is extraodinary and her positive attitude and strategies for successful relationships make this an essential guide for couples and counsellors. - Dr. Tony Attwood. 
**** - 4 Stars
This book is brilliant. Although the content of the book is, admittedly, a little grim, it is extremely informative and touches on each aspect of Aspergeres Syndrome just enough.
The delicate way in which this was written is perfect and it is plain to see that Maxine Aston is sympathetic to this particular subject which makes it easier to read, I suppose.
The only reason I gave this four stars and not five is because the language is a little hard to wrap your head around if you are not an 'academic'. I am aware that this is primarily an academic book but it is also an information book for people that are in a relationship with/have relationships with people with Asperger Syndrome and I think in that respect, this book is lacking in identifiable language but otherwise, an amazing read and very informative. If you know someone with Asperges, this will really help you out! 4/5 Stars.