Book Review | John Murray | Code Name: Papa

Code Name: Papa: My Extraordinary Life while Hiding in Plain Sight

*WARNING*
Pick up this book and you will be stuck between the pages right to the end.

This book was sent to me for free. I received this book from the publisher. I accepted this book in exchange for an honest review.

Author: John Murray
Title: Code Name: Papa
Genre: Memoir, Biography, Non-Fiction, Thriller, Autobiography

Pages: 326
Price: £13.75

Started: 15th February 2017
Finished: 10th March 2017

Synopsis: Who'd have thought a bright, but fairly ordinary young man from middle class America who got just above average grades, dated the same girl throughout high school and went to church most Sundays, would grow up to eventually head a very secretive band of brave individuals - both men and women - who regularly put their lives on the line because they wanted to protect the rest of you. Yet that's what we did, often sacrificing our personal lives (four marriages for me, all in the book) and our health (countless broken bones, major surgeries, even death) to do it.
Meanwhile, you're just going to have to call me 'papa' like everyone else around the globe has through most of those wildly unpredictable and dangerous years. 

Review: Firstly, I would like to thank the author for writing such an amazing book based around his life. Secondly, I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. When I accepted this book for review I was not sure if I would enjoy it as I had not read a memoir before. I was always much more into fiction than I was in things that had been in other people's stories about their life. Once I started to read this book I found that I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was enjoying this book and that feeling of interest lasted right up until the last page of the book. This memoir is full of adventure, danger and action that kept me hooked. This is a non-fiction thriller that kept me gripped from start to finish. I found it near impossible to stop reading and put the book down. This book has broadened my reading interests and made me more open to memoirs but also it made me think about giving other genres that I tend to avoid a chance as I might just enjoy them after all. Trying new genres is a good way to broaden your reading horizons and if you don't enjoy the new genre then at least you gave something new a try. I definitely want to invest more time into reading memoirs. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys memoirs and non-fiction thrillers. I also suggest just giving this book or any out of your book comfort zone just to try something new and you just might experience something new that you enjoy. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Ben Phillips | Sorry Bro!

Sorry Bro!

Author: Ben Phillips
Title: Sorry Bro!
Genre: Humour, Computer, Internet, Biography, Pranks, Facebook, YouTube

Pages: 224
Price: £8.00

Started: 9th January 2017
Finished: 9th January 2017

Synopsis: So recently my bro Elliot's been learning to read, and it gave me the idea that I should write up our story ... that way, he can relive everything I've put him through. And this is my book! It's a journey filled with laughter (mine), tears (Elliot's) and even romance (Hello , Georgina!) and goes from a childhood in sunny Brigend to 10 million followers across the world. There's also exclusive pranks, spitball targets (of Elliot's face obviously),  comic strips, guides to creating your own videos and more. Now, if you're sitting comfortably, follow me into my wonderful world and Elliot's shit life ... Sorry Bro!

Review: This is a book by Ben Phillips who is famous on social media for pranks. When I saw that he was releasing a book I immediately pre-ordered two copies and got the limited edition signed copies. I knew that I would enjoy this book as I am a huge fan of Ben and Elliot. I find Ben's video's completely hilarious. It was really interesting to find out how Ben got into making these pranking videos. I enjoyed the layput of the books and all the images that were included. This book is a quick and interesting read and I found the exclusive pranks in the book laughing uncontrollably to myself. In my opinion this is a truly amusing book and I think that fans of Ben and Elliot should own a copy of this book if they don't already. This is the type of book that should be read on a bad day as it would certainly bring a smile to the face of the reader (at poor Elliot's expense).

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Marilyn Phillips | The Daughter We Didn't Know We Had | Goodreads Giveaway Win

The Daughter We Didn't Know We Had

Author: Marilyn Phillips

Title: The Daughter We Didn't Know We Had: The Tears, Fears And Joys Of A Mother Of A Transgender Child

Genre: Biography, Family And Lifestyle

Synopsis: When your beautiful son comes to you and says he has had feelings of suicide, your heart skips a beat. You do whatever it takes to get him help. When your beautiful son comes to you and says he wants to become a woman, your world is suddenly turned upside down. A million thoughts invade your mind. Fear becomes your constant companion and tears swell up inside you every time you think of what could be waiting ahead. You can't help feeling pride in your child for showing the kind of courage that would be needed for their long road ahead. You watch as your family struggles to come together and stay together in what will be the most trying of times.

Review: This is an excellent read and I just could not put the book down. Before I knew it I had finished the book within hours of me starting to read it. This is an inspiring story that would be an helpful read to anyone going through this situation or to the family of someone who is transgender. Throughout this book there is a strong sense of heart warming support within this family network especially whilst they are facing difficult times and decisions that may lead to a lot of negative reactions from people outside of the family. I think that it is excellent that they stuck together as this would be a great barrier against any negativity they may have had to face. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an excellent read and enjoys a happy ending for real people dealing with real issues. I love this book as it shows that love and support are enough to get a family through the hardest of times.

I would like to thank the author and her family for this book, it really is such an excellent read, and for sharing such a personal and difficult story with complete strangers as a way to show your support to your daughter and to try and help others who are possibly struggling with being transgender. 

Rachel, congratulations on having the courage to make the decisions that were right for you and having the support of your family. You have such an amazing family and you are just amazing. Be sure to stay strong and beautiful. 

Marilyn, Thank you so much for posting that giveaway and I am so glad that I won and had a chance to read this excellent story. I am posting this review as a kindness to you so that others may see and buy your book and receive any help that it may encourage them to get. I will be sure to treasure this book and pass it down through the generations to come. I hope that if one of my children turn out to be transgender that I handle it with as much love and support as you did. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars