BOOK REVIEW: The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins

Since its release, it's been hailed as the new Gone Girl. And unless you've been living under a rock for the past year, you'll definitely have heard of Paula Hawkins' thriller/mystery novel, or you're one of the thousands who have read it already!

The book is split between the diary-like narratives of three characters, Rachel, Megan and Anna, Rachel becoming the protagonist of the novel. The plot, very basically, details the hum-drum life of an undeniably troubled commuter in the form of Rachel, who becomes enamoured with a couple, whom she names 'Jess and Jason', that she observes on a daily basis in their home, from her seat on the train to London. Sounds kinda creepy right? Well it only gets more so, when Rachel finds that 'Jess' has gone missing. Unable to distance herself from the couple who are of course complete strangers, Rachel intertwines herself within their relationship and the mystery of Jess' disappearance in order to both help, and satiate her own need for a little bit of purpose in her otherwise turbulent life.

Written in an easy-to-read prose but with a twisting, turning narrative structure, I definitely think that The Girl on the Train successfully walks the fine line between enjoyable leisure reading, and novels that require a little more deeper thinking. After three years of University studying books I was told to and had to read, this was my first book of choice post-academic life. And to be honest, I think it was a perfect choice. It was fun and pretty easy to read, but also kept me consistently wanting to turn the page (or slide to the left on the Kindle) to figure out what on earth was going on. Getting the story from three different perspectives made sure that details which may ordinarily have been left out or simply narrated to the reader through the protagonist were relayed in an exciting and 'omg it all makes sense now!' kind of way, which I much prefer and think makes the process all the more fun.

If you're looking for a book where you don't have to work too hard, or one where you almost resent having to carry on normal life when you could be reading, this would definitely be the book for. Get reading quickly, because the film rights were acquired by Dreamworks back in 2014, meaning a GOTT film could be heading our way very soon. And we all know that the book is always way better than the film, right? 

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Four things the Pretty Little Liars should definitely know by now

Don't get me wrong. I am a massive Pretty Little Liars fan. I think it's a fab TV show. However, if there's one thing that I've learnt after two or three years of watching the show (sorry, not a fan from the beginning), is that the Liars have a few things they seriously should know by now! So here's a tongue-in-cheek list of all the things that I feel Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily really should have learnt in their 5+ years of dealing with the monster that is 'A'.....

Everyone should listen to Spencer. There are countless times throughout the six seasons of PLL where Spencer has acted as the only voice of reason. And while, yes, there are plenty of times when she hasn't too, she's usually got it sussed out before the other three Liars are even halfway there. She provides the answers to a lot of random stuff that helps Aria, Hanna, Emily and herself get closer to the truth about their tormentor. She stopped them from getting electrocuted in the prison Charles was keeping them in. She figured out how to get them out of that prison Charles was keeping them in....need I say more? Guys, when in doubt, look to Spencer.

Whoever you think A obviously is, it most likely isn't. Look, girls, we've been doing this for years. A has been your silent and invisible tormentor for almost your entire adult life. He/she is pretty damn good at hiding and tricking you. So why do always seem to jump to the conclusion that A is the most blindingly obvious person, even after considerable doubt is placed on him/her?! Take Andrew for example. He'd been spending massive amounts of time with Aria. The van A captured the girls in was conveniently still at his house. He has an alibi. C'mon girls, look a bit deeper!

Always tell the police, and your parents, everything. If you are being hounded, tortured and manipulated by a literal crazy person (let's be honest here), don't keep thinking that you are better off keeping it to yourself, and not telling people who actually could help you out. You've been doing that for five years, and that hasn't really worked out so well....

Stop lying! It's simple. If you stop lying about things, A/Charles wouldn't have anything to use against you. Thus, you would stop being pawns in his little games. Sound like a good idea?! For some reason, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily continually seem to think that lying is defo the better option, when, as above, the way they've been doing things hasn't really worked out for them in the past has it? Sorry girls, I love ya, but stop.

*Disclaimer* I love PLL and have done for a long time. I think it's a really well executed show and very clever. This list is not a critique of the writing/producers/actors, etc., just a few funny things I've thought as a viewer. And you should definitely watch the show if you don't already!:)

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