Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Hello.

I hope somebody is listening.

I'm sending out this call via radio signal - long outdated, I know, but perhaps one of the few methods of communication the City has forgotten to monitor - in a dark and desperate cry for help.

Things in Universe City are not what they seem.

Published by Harper Collins Children's Books in February 2016

Pages - 410

Summary

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret - not even the person she is on the inside.

But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for the first time she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken.

Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’ dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past…

She has to confess why Carys disappeared…

Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets.

It’s only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it’s only by being your true self that you can find happiness.

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

*****

What a clever plot. I loved discovering the truth behind Universe City and I really wish I'd thought of it first.  I hadn't read Alice Osman's previous novel, Solitaire, but I heard so much about it that I was desperate to read this one. 

The characters in this book are diverse, very much representing the teenage society of today. This book made me feel hopeful. It felt like a blue print for society going forward.

I loved the relationship between Alex and Frances. It was brilliant to experience a relationship based on friendship instead of sex.  It's clear that Alex and Frances are very fond of each other, but it's not remotely sexual. 

This book made me think. It made me view things differently. 

It showed:

•  That love has no boundaries. You can fall in love with anyone in the world regardless of their sexuality or gender. This book shows many kinds of love, all beautiful in their own way. 

• The darker side of YouTube fame. It doesn't sound like it is all it is cracked up to be and the trolls and threats you get aren't worth the bother.

• That reality fame isn't that glamourous. So many people want to be the next Zoella and Alfie, when really their lives aren't that different from anyone else's. OK, they make lots of money but they also have absolutely no privacy. It's like they are practically owned by their viewing public. 

• That true friendship will always get you through the dark days. 

I can see why the YA community are giving this book a lot of love. It's current and deals with situations that they can relate to. Mental health issues are dealt with sensitively. The portrayal of exam stress is spot on; that underlying pressure to get excellent grades in order to live a prosperous life are still the norm, when it's  actually possible to achieve a career without them. Not everyone is academic and there are other options.  The stress of living on social media 24-7, which is a growing problem among the teenage community. 

I didn't really know much about podcasts before this, but I'm now curious to listen to Welcome To Night Vale, which I believe inspired this book. 

An excellent photograph of the teenage community of today. 

Easy by Tammara Webber

Pages - 304

Ebook published by Razorbill on the 13th September 2012, paperback published by Razorbill in January 2013.

Book own copy.

I had never noticed Lucas before that night. It was as though he didn't exist, and then suddenly, he was everywhere. 

Goodreads Summary

Jacqueline seems to have a knack for making the wrong choices. She followed her boyfriend to his choice of university, disregarding her preference. Then he dumped her. She chose a minor she thought she could combine with her music studies, but she's falling behind. And then, leaving a party alone one night, she is attacked. If it wasn't for the timely intervention of a stranger, she would have been raped. Now she must make a choice - give up and give in, or toughen up and fight on. Only the support of the man who is tutoring her and the allure of the guy who saved her from the attack convince her that it's worth fighting on. Will Jacqueline now have to make a choice between them too? And can she make the right decision? It's not easy...

********

When you hear the term New Adult bandied around you are most likely to hear this title and author closely linked  to it as the author is thought to be one of the leading authors in this genre. I am aware there are mixed feelings and views on the New Adult label and that this book in particular has been dismissed by some people for being just another hot teen romance with no real story. Well let me tell you straight, this book is not just full of sex, far from it and it has a much deeper theme to it than people are probably aware of. 

This book deals with rape and whether or not sex is consensual which is rather a hot topic in itself recently and the author handles the topic in a mature and thoughtful manner. This book is about empowering women, showing them how they can take control of a situation. The strong use of self defence within the story had me questioning why teenagers are not taught this at school; isn't this a life skill that would benefit so many?  Jacqueline is very quick to realise how she can protect herself and others and reduce any immediate danger. 

The first chapter is rather a shocker and left me feeling really uncomfortable. If Lucas had not appeared from nowhere, the outcome would have been a totally different story. From that point on Lucas appears to be every where. Jacqueline discovers how often their pathways cross and quickly becomes attracted to his ways. Lucas is a tattooed hero of hotness. Seriously, he can ignite a room just by gazing through a window. He doesn't pressure Jacqueline into anything, which just makes him even more swoon worthy. He makes her ex boyfriend, Kennedy, look so shallow and full of crap. He is such a mundane character, he doesn't deserve to be mentioned. How Jacqueline ever thought that Kennedy was the love of her life, I honestly don't know.

The character arc for Jacqueline is amazing. By the end of the book she is a totally different person - she is maturer, more level headed, able to stand up for herself and capable of making her own decisions. With the love and support from Lucas, she finally becomes the person she is supposed to be. 

I really really loved this book and it helped to lay the cement down for my new love of New Adult books. The romance was intense and exciting. The growth in the characters was rapid and thorough, heightened by the well paced plot which swayed through predictable and unpredictable territories. This book can easily be read in one sitting, because you find yourself so absorbed in the story that life outside no longer exists.This book definitely rates five stars in my eyes and one I would insist people read.