This is the story of a solitary young woman drawn into an online world run by a charismatic web guru who entices her into impersonating a glamorous but desperate woman.

When Leila discovers the website Red Pill, she feels she has finally found people who understand her. A sheltered young woman raised by her mother, Leila has often struggled to connect with the girls at school; but on Red Pill, a chat forum for ethical debate, Leila comes into her own, impressing the website’s founder, a brilliant and elusive man named Adrian. Leila is thrilled when Adrian asks to meet her, and is flattered when he invites her to be part of “Project Tess.”

Tess is a woman Leila might never have met in real life. She is beautiful, urbane, witty, and damaged. As they email, chat, and Skype, Leila becomes enveloped in the world of Tess, learning every single thing she can about this other woman–because soon, Leila will have to become her.

I found parts of this novel to be quite confronting, and other parts had a quite sombre tempo.

It may have been my head space, but I had issue sympathising with the choices of the main character, Leila. She’s an awkward sort, and that’s how she is supposed to be, at times painfully so. I know this is intentional, so in that sense she was written really convincingly.

Having swerved close to the gravitational pull of an online ‘leader’ with charisma coming out of their ears, I know how easily it can be to be groomed and flattered into questioning your choices just to gain the pat on the head. Hence the confrontational feeling I experienced.

We flip between current or quite recent happenings in Leila’s life and looking back at the journey through Red Pill and the two story lines connect up in a round about way. At the heart of the story is the morality battle of suicide, which should never be something that makes you comfortable.

The thing that drew me in to enter the online competition to win a review copy of Kiss Me First was the book trailer… which connects to your Facebook through an app and will give you goose-bumps. You peek inside the world of Leila, as if you were she. Quite unnerving, but extremely effective.

Take a step outside your comfort zone and give Kiss Me First  a burl. I’d love to know what you think of it.

http://www.panmacmillan.com/kissmefirst

https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoggachAuthor

Imprint: Picador

ISBN: 9781447233190
Number of pages: 256

1 July 2013

It’s rare to read a book that touches you so deeply that you immediately want to know everything about the author, and despite Google-searching for hours, the information found does not suffice. For me, that book was How I Live Now. With the upcoming release of the film starring Saoirse Ronan, I thought that it was about time I revisited the novel that had impacted me so deeply.

Daisy is a fifteen year old girl who doesn’t belong. Sent away from her dismissive father and stepmother, she finally finds a place that she might be able to make her own with her maternal aunt and cousins. They’re unlike anyone she has met before or likely will again. Isaac is intuitive; knowing things that shouldn’t be possible for him to know. His twin, Edmond can read minds. The youngest, Piper, has a way with animals that surpasses anything human.

They live a carefree life with their beloved pets in the English country-side. For the first time, during the idle summer days of gardening and lazing by the river, Daisy feels like a part of something. Especially, and increasingly, when she’s around Edmond. But a war is looming ahead of them and every day brings it closer to their door.

There is so much to say about How I Live Now. It is beautiful, terrible, haunting, lyrical. Reading it is physically, desperately painful. Putting it down is impossible.

But that’s a lot of words without a whole lot of information. So, what I really love about this book is that it is literary and poignant and entire classrooms could talk about the nuances of it for months and still have more to say. All this, and it’s written for young adults.

Meg Rosoff has an incredible way of juxtaposing situations to accentuate our understanding of them. The war, when it comes, is brutal, destructive and incomprehensible. On the other side of that, the balance is Daisy’s budding relationship with Edmond. It is everything that the war is not; tender, positive and plausible. There are a lot of intelligent readers who want to know why Daisy and Edmond had to be cousins and it bothers me that they can’t see how much weaker the story would be if that had been changed. As a society we will judge two people for having fallen in love with the wrong kind; but we ignore war. The simple beauty of Daisy and Edmond’s love contrasted to the cruelty of the war makes us re-evaluate those views.

There are multitudes of ways that Rosoff has made me consider my opinions and beliefs, but she doesn’t preach. Her gorgeously evocative writing and phenomenal characters drew me into the world and kept me there. She is one of the rare few unapologetic writers. Daisy, in many ways, is self-interested and caustic. Her interest in the world only emerges when world events begin to affect her. All of her flaws, nuances and imperfections are spread across the page for all to see; no excuses, no apology. It works. Daisy’s loyalty and the way that she grows through the novel round out her flaws until we like her all the more for having them. There is something about imperfect characters written well that makes them unforgettable.

I could go on, but you are so much better off finding more out for yourself. If you’re in the mood for a bittersweet story as wonderful as it is painful, pick this one up before the movie comes out.

  How I Live Now – Meg Rosoff

 Penguin (August 5, 2004)

 ISBN: 9780141319926

Absolutely love these covers! They’re totally girly and rocker chic! Bonus points for looking good on my book shelf!

I read The Ghoul Next Door during the End of Summer Read-A-Thon I hosted on my blog Turning Pages, a while back and really enjoyed it! The Ghoul Next Door is the second instalment in the Monster High series, and it’s been almost a year since I read the first book… so reading the second book was WAY over due!

When I first started reading, I felt a little bit overwhelmed. There were just a lot of things going on, and I was quickly confused. The book is told in three different points of view; always switching back and forth between chapters. (Duhhh Lisa!) After just a few chapters, I got the hang of things and was right back on track. I’ve never read a book that had more than two points of view, so it was interesting to see how this would pan out throughout the entire story. In the end, I actually found this really enjoyable, as the reader I got to see each angle of the argument, and what each of the characters were thinking.

The Ghoul Next Door starts with Frankie Stein losing her head at Merston High monster themed dance! The group of friends thought it would be fun to go as themselves for a change, but things don’t always go as planned! Not only did Frankie lose her head, but it was caught on tape, and now the entire city of Salem Oregon is on a monster hunt to look for her!

Locked in their houses, and only allowed to leave when it’s time for school, the RADs are tired of being held captive. Frankie begins to strategise a plan for Normies to accept RADs for who they are. Frankie hopes that RADs will be able to be themselves, and not have wear make-up to cover up their identity!

Melody Carver is ready and willing to help the RADs for two reasons; she knows what it feels like to be criticised for being herself, and her boyfriend is a RAD.

But on the complete opposite end of things, Bekka (the mean girl) doesn’t mind exposing the RADs and who they are. Why? Because she isn’t going to allow someone steal her boyfriend and then just let them get away with it!

With Bekka trying to expose the RADs in a negative way and with Melody’s friendship with Bekka, many RADs are suspicious that Melody is just trying to get on their good side, but might actually be working with Bekka.

While all this is going on Cleo is working on her fashion photo shoot!

The Ghoul Next Door ends differently than I assumed it would, but on happy terms, that I won’t be giving away. Overall I found the characters to be fun and interesting,  as well as the story! I loved that Cleo brought fashion into the story, I liked the Frankie was so weird, and wanted nothing but to be accepted by Normies and I thought it was very nice that Melody wanted to help her friends, and be a part of this thing.

I’m excited to read the third book, and see what the monster friends next adventure is!!

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast… and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilisation begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behaviour is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other… if they can only stay alive.

Hardcover, US, 304 pages

Published January 29th 2013 by St. Martin’s Press

The Prey, the sequel to The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda was able to keep me on the edge of my seat. Throughout the story there is a constant feeling of suspense and need for the characters to keep moving.

It is possible to read the sequel without having read the first book, but as usual it’s not something that I would recommend. 1) The Hunt was awesome and 2) you get a really good layout of the world building and characters in the first book.

The Prey starts off from exactly where we left book one. Gene and the humans are running from the vampires. In this world the vampires rule and the humans have been sectioned off and it is a rarity and a treat to feed on them. The vamps are highly intelligent, have their own schools, businesses and lives in the cities. But can smell pure human blood from miles away, and the urge to hunt is unstoppable.

Gene and his companions are not only looking for safety from the vampires, but also Gene’s father who has disappeared. As they try to make their escape I was fascinated by the gadgets and cleverness of the vampires in their pursuit. The vampires always seemed to be one step ahead as the humans make their way down river, hoping for safety.

There were several aspects to this book that both had me shocked, awed and sometimes grossed out as I read. Firstly the vampires were intelligent, gruesome and very animalistic. Next you have this strange cult-like civilization that is bordering on insane and creepy at the same time.

I really loved the new characters that were brought into the story. The non-stop fight for survival and the friendships forged through their struggles, a As well as this constant feeling of not knowing who to trust really, kept the story engaging. I wasn’t sure how the story was going to end, but it was amazing and very fast paced. 

Hello everyone!

Today my post will be the first of a bunch I’m calling my ‘Beginner Series’. It is for everyone who is interested in getting into make-up, but is not very familiar with it. Before we get into the more complicated tutorials, I want to make sure we are all on the same page. So I am going to give an overview of the different types of make-up there are, and how to tailor a routine to match the composition of your features, skin type, and most importantly style! I will also be going over some simple make-up tips and tricks I’ve found to be very useful.

This week, I’ll be talking about coverage. This includes primer, foundation, concealer, tinted moisturiser, pressed powder, translucent powder and more. Don’t worry if this sounds confusing: I’ll break it all down soon.

First off, you must be familiar with your skin. How do you know if you have oily, dry, or combination skin? It is pretty easy to tell. If your skin looks constantly ‘shiny’ and feels greasy, it is oily. If it has to be moisturised all the time and is prone to flaking, it is dry. For me, I have combination skin because it can be both. Some people, like me, have sensitive skin, meaning it can react badly to certain products. Other people (also like me) are prone to acne. Once you know your skin type, you will be able to buy products that will suit you best, and your skin will thank you!

 * A note about sensitive skin and acne: it is sometimes impossible to tell whether a new product will react badly with your skin or not. It may be necessary to switch brands several times until you find a product that suits you best. Don’t give up hope! You’ll find something that works for you. Promise! Also, although you may wish to hide all your unsightly red bumps under layers and layers of concealer, that can worsen the issue. If you must wear make-up over it, be sure to wash your face VERY THOROUGHLY before bed and apply a topical cream.

 Zits suck!

I find I like to wear much less make-up in the summer than the winter, because I usually end up a sweaty mess and make-up just makes things worse. So take into account the time of year and the climate of where you live. However, if possible, ALWAYS buy foundation or moisturiser with SPF of 15 or higher built into it. Your skin can still get damaged by the sun even on the coldest winter days, so be sure to protect it from those harmful UV rays. Your future self will thank you!

Also, some people swear that primer is the best beauty product out there. I have not shared their enthusiasm. I’ve tried a few different brands and all it does for me is make my face feel slimy and like it can’t breathe. But I still recommend giving it a try, in case you find it works really well for you.

 Anyway, back to the different products. Let me break it down for you.

 Oily/Combination skin: Although some people recommend using pressed powder, I find that it makes oily skin look ‘cakey’ and it feels thick and suffocating. I recommend a light layer of foundation made especially for oily skinned people and a dusting of translucent powder to banish shininess.

Products I recommend: Revlon Colourstay combination/oily skin foundation, Marcelle hypo-allergenic translucent face powder

 BEST. FOUNDATION. EVER.

 Dry skin: It is very important to make sure you stay moisturised. Invest in a good, deep moisturising lotion to apply before any make-up. There is a product called ‘tinted moisturiser’, which is essentially a moisturiser mixed with foundation, which I find is perfect when my skin is feeling dry and I only want a light coverage. It can be rather expensive though and I still recommend a faint dusting of translucent powder to set your make-up, just make sure to keep it light.

Products I recommend: Revlon Colourstay normal/dry skin foundation, Alba Botanicals kukui nut body lotion, Marcelle hypo-allergenic translucent face powder, (or Revlon tinted moisturiser)

Most underrated beauty product in my opinion! 

Now, you’ve got the lotions and potions, but how are you supposed to put all this on your face? Here’s a step-by-step guide for flawless skin!

–       First off, be sure to cleanse your skin and make sure you don’t have any make-up on. PAT don’t RUB dry. Patting helps prevent wrinkles.

–       If your skin is dry, now is the time to moisturise! Use regular or tinted moisturiser.

–       Next, if you are going to apply foundation, you do it now. There are sponges, brushes and other tools for application. I find my fingers work best. A good rule of thumb for foundation is to start with a very light layer and build on areas that need more coverage. Be sure to blend REALLY WELL with your fingers, especially around the hairline and neck. The most important foundation rule is to make sure you have a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly. If you are unsure, ask the make-up lady at the store to help you find a suitable shade. Because your skin tone can change with the seasons, it is advisable to get two bottles, a lighter and a darker one, and mix them when needed.

–       Now concealer. I haven’t bought this product for years and here’s why … I LOVE Revlon ColourStay foundation, which happens to come in a bottle with a screw lid. A bit of the foundation gets trapped around the lid and thickens, and that makes a PERFECT concealer, since essentially all it is is thick foundation. Killed two birds with one stone, and my wallet thanks me.

–       Now for translucent powder or pressed powder. I definitely recommend the former, unless you are going out on a fancy date and don’t plan on doing anything that might muss up your perfectly made up face. For the rest of us, doing normal day to day things, translucent powder is definitely the better option. It banishes shininess and ‘sets’ your foundation, meaning it won’t rub off or smear all over the place. Use a generic powder brush for this one, and be sure to blend well, especially around the hairline and neck.

That’s pretty much it! And remember, the sexiest attribute a woman can have is confidence! If you have any questions about this article, feel free to email me at bpesexy@gmail.com.  

Up next: How to find a killer eye makeup look that fits your personality and style!