Review! (Woohoo!) - The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams

Title: The Boy in the Dress.

Author: David Walliams .

Genre: Kids, Humour.

A few starting notes:

I saw the BBC adaptation of the Boy in the Dress last year, so took my chance to borrow the eBook from the Welsh libraries service.

 

This is suitable for ages 9 or 10 up, maybe a little younger, or a little older, depending on what kid is actually doing the reading.

 

Premise:

Dennis is your normal 12-year-old boy living a normal, boring, life. Except, inside, Dennis is a bit different. But who's going to accept a 12-year-old boy in a dress?

Best bits:

I'm not entirely sure this could be more British unless the cover featured a bulldog drinking tea. This is just amazingly British - particularly in terms of humour - not surprising, I suppose, when it comes to David Walliams.

 

In the tradition of the legend of children's writing, Roald Dahl, Walliams doesn't speak down to kids and/or readers. He's along for the ride, down to taking a moment to look up details of football (soccer to the Yanks.)

 

The kids are going to love the gross bits - all the snot and the farting is like catnip to 10-year-olds. And Walliams manages to keep the balance and not go too far with the icky stuff.

 

Of course, mention must be made of the fantastic pencil-scratch-style illustrations of Quentin Blake, who was Roald Dahl's primary illustrator for many years.

Not so great bits:

There's very little to argue against with this book - although I can see how more conservative readers may be put off by the premise of a boy in a dress.

 

There's occasional use of the slightly-homophobic slang insult 'woofter,' which may insult some people.

 

Verdict:

I really did love this book; it was fun, entertaining, engaging, and genuinely good-hearted and well-written. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone.

Buy Now UK - Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Goodreads Challenge - The Final Days

3 Days, 3 Books - I can do this!

I will get you Goodreads Challenge - you will not defeat me!

 

 

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Goodreads Challenge 2015 - One Month Left

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Straight James/ Gay James Now Available For Pre-Order

James Franco's poetry chapbook Straight James/Gay James is now available for pre-order in the UK. The book is released on 1st Jan 2016.

You may/may not remember my full review of this book - but I will say that I really loved it.

Full Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and will receive a small commission if you choose to use any of my links to make purchases.

Full Review - Buy Now - Goodreads – Author's Facebook

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My Picks of 2015

2016 Bookish Resolutions

 Reading Resolutions

1. To read 200 books (Goodreads Challenge) - I've decided to use the same target number as my 2015 Challenge because it seems to be just right for the speed I read. I can always revise it up or down as needed. I started 2015 with a target of 50, and moved it from there.
2. To read at least 20 books for the Charity Reading Challenge 2016.
3. To read widely - neither genre, nor popularity, nor age range shall limit my reading! Huzzah! (Ok, I may have had some coffee... Reading Addicts like coffee *nods sagely, grins maniacally*)
4. To read at least 5 books in Welsh - I learn languages best by reading (not that much of a surprise) and I'm always looking for ways to improve my Welsh (it is not an easy language to learn,) so I figure reading at least five kids' books in Welsh, from beginning to end, will give me a helping hand.
5. To never, ever, stop reading in print - I have an eReader now, but that does not  mean I'm going to let myself get carried away and abandon the magic of actual, physical books. I will always prefer print and paper, and this resolution is there to remind me of that.

Blogging Resolutions

1. To blog regularly.
2. To always be open, honest, and genuine in my blogging and my reviewing.
3. To never lose sight of why I started this blog - which was to have fun, feel a bit more like a person again, enjoy reading, and encourage others to do the same.
4. Try to find ways to promote reading - sometimes I feel like blogging involves a lot of preaching to the converted, I want to make readers of non-readers.
5. To not get stressed! - If I don't finish a post by a certain time, it doesn't matter! This is my blog, and I shouldn't be stressing about it.

Like this post? Try these:

Reflecting on 2015
Charity Reading Challenge 2016
Goodreads Challenge 2015 - One Month Left

Changes To Mobile Version

Hi! Just to let you all know, I've been encountering a few problems with the mobile version of 'Diary of a Reading Addict.'

To make sure all posts are readable, and to serve my mobile readers the best that I can, I have converted my mobile site to a simpler template. This should mean that my posts are readable, as well as being mobile compatible.

If you want the full effect of my blog design, I recommend you view the desktop version, which has an awesome star background that, try as I might, just doesn't work well on mobile.

Review Time! - Shirley Link & The Safe Case by Ben Zackheim

Title: Shirley Link & The Safe Case. (US.)

Author: Ben Zackheim.

Genre: Kids, Crime.

Series: Shirley Link (#1)

A few starting notes:

I grabbed this on special offer to read on my new Kobo, on a fairly random whim.

 

I'd say this was suitable for anyone over nine or ten, and possibly even younger. The protagonists are about 14, but the content and style definitely feels more suited to a slightly younger audience.

Premise:

Shirley Link, kid detective and expert at deduction, is called in by the principal of her school to solve a crime which may put his job on the line.

Best bits:

Shirley is pretty much Sherlock Holmes in 14-year-old girl form. This actually works pretty well - clearly teenage girls lend themselves to sociopathic character traits very easily. I actually really enjoyed Shirley's snarky attitude - though she's not a 'nice' person exactly.

 

This book was generally nice and light and fairly entertaining. Which was perfect for my Christmas dinner induced chill out in front of the TV with Kobo in hand.

Not so great bits:

I think that the mystery itself could have done with some beefing out - a few more clues, maybe some more involving red herrings, and just a smidge less 1960s style Scooby Doo, (not that I don't totally love Scooby,) and it would've been so much better.

Verdict:

Light-hearted and very entertaining, this was a decent start to the series. I can imagine 11-year-old mystery hunters loving it.

Buy Now UK - Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Merry Christmas!

Have an awesome Christmas everyone! Hope it's good for you and yours.

Nadolig Llawen i chi! Merry Christmas to all of you!

I shall see you after all the mince pies and goodies (no turkey or other meats for me - vegetarian!)

So, I've just got some last minute wrapping to do, and some cards and pressies to deliver.