The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting
by Holly Bourne
Publisher – Usborne
Release Date – 1st August 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository
Apparently I’m boring. A nobody. But that’s all about to change. Because I am starting a project. Here. Now. For myself. And if you want to come along for the ride then you’re very welcome.
Bree is a loser, a wannabe author who hides behind words. Most of the time she hates her life, her school, her never-there parents. So she writes.
But when sheβs told she needs to start living a life worth writing about, The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting is born. Six steps on how to be interesting. Six steps that will see her infiltrate the popular set, fall in love with someone forbidden and make the biggest mistake of her life.
From the bestselling author of Soulmates comes a fearlessly frank take on school, cliques and crushes.
Do you care what others think of you? Do you admire those who are little Miss/Mr Popular? Do you live your life knowing that if people like you that everything is perfect? That your one of the ‘cool’ ones, part of the ‘in’ crowd… Welcome to the life of Bree and her Manifesto on How to be Interesting!
People like Bree annoy me, she changes herself to be accepted, to be socially appreciated, to be part of the wannabe club! But Bree has her reasons, reasons that will turn your stomach, pity her, agree with her and finally cheer with her! Bree goes to a very exclusive and by all means rich school, with her tatty pink striped tights, dyed pink (or various colours) hair and a notebook full of lists, she isn’t the most noticeable of people, she keeps to herself, she likes being invisible. But the main reason she changes is the number of rejection letters to publish her novel…a novel based on a girl committing suicide probably isn’t the most imaginable or worthy enough to read. So that’s when she started a blog, a blog on her Manifesto on How to be Interesting.
You will meet a variety of people, from the perfect poses, (that’s the popular kids to you) to the likes of Mr Fellows and Holdo. I for one adored Holdo, he was cute and despite the fact he was a major geek, and the characterisation of his appearance, that didn’t for one minute see that he had a good, kind heart. Its people like him, that you know will always stand by you, and you will always return to them, for they have seen you through the good and the bad. Again, the words ‘don’t judge a book/person by its cover’ spring to mind.
Without spoiling it for you, some of the rules Bree puts herself through, her so called ‘plan’ is completely bonkers, and utterly shocking. In realistic terms its far from uncommon and that’s the punch line of Holly’s latest book…It’s REAL! What you will find with this novel is a magnitude of emotions, a rollcoaster of the unknown depths that Bree has gone through, you will laugh, you will smile, you will cry and then you will learn to love. Holly’s writing is addictive there is nothing this lady can’t do and this is only an example of her inspiring writing, especially when I’ve seen this painting to know what she is entranced by…
“Life is so bloody hard. I don’t want the whole struggle to be pointless…. I need to be interesting, Logan, I need to be someone…And she” (The Ugly Duchess painting) “she might have been a total minger, but she was interesting enough for someone to paint her.”
It makes you think though…of your own life, your own happiness and also the people around you. It’s times like these that you know that everyday you go out and you go meet people, you don’t know the half of what their life could possibly be like, but in a instant, I know from experience that you don’t want your life to judged, whether its in the past or present.
Holly has created superb, well researched, companion novel on the realistic society. Full of wisdom, heartache, and honesty, this tops John Green in my book. Holly Bourne is literary sensation to UKYA! Do you have a manifesto of life? (#howtobeinteresting) if I had a manifesto this would be mine; I always lived my life with always be yourself and don’t judge people until you give them a chance to get to know them. But in words I’ll always say – Be Happy, Be in love (maybe not with someone but with life in general) and ALWAYS be YOU!
Rating – 5
Related
I haven't heard of this one and am not entirely sure it's for me but it certainly seems remarkably unique, which is a refreshing change. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Emma!
Thank you Keertana. Its certainly is a refreshing change from many other YA's I've read recently. So I hope you give it a try soon!
OK so I do this thing where I write my comment on the address bar while reading the post and then copy the comment before posting it since I don't want blogger to eat my comments and I swear this has never happened before! But yes, I did just post the comment I posted 10 min ago on a different blog. CAN YOU FORGIVE ME? *CRIES* Ok, here's what I wrote about yours:
Yayyyy! I'm glad Bree grew on you and you liked her character π And heh! Geeks are adorable so I totally understand your crush π I love books that make you think, so I'm glad this was the one to do it for you. And yes, Emma! ALWAYS be YOU π Great review, hon!
Haha, that's sound genius way of writing comments. It beats scrolling up and down ll the time with the review. I do forgive you! HAHA! Bree did grow on me, and I geeks really are very adorable especially in this book. I WILL ALWAYS BE ME, Siri! π Thank you, Siri! π
I started reading your review and started rolling my eyes at Bree, but after reading more and more I realized that she seems like a really great character. I'm really curious about her books and blog and Holdo as well (what a weird name). I'm so glad you loved this one. Great review, Em π
I was exactly same with Bree, she was such an annoying character to begin with but I warmed towards her. I love weird names and even if you haven't read any of Holly's works then you have too especially with Soulmates. Thank you, Tanja! π
Well, this sounds like a great read and with a big emotional journey!
I'm adding it right away to my GR list! Thanks for the recommendation, Emma, cause I had not heard about this one before!
It was an emotional roller-coaster, Pili. I really hope you get to read this one, I really recommend it!
I'm thrilled to know that you loved this book Emma, I was lucky to get a copy from YALC, but haven't been able to read it, with everything being so busy. But I've had my eye on this book for a while now, so I'm glad that it lived up to your expectations and more! Lovely review! π
I did and it certainly lived up to my expectations but in a different way. I felt like I had to compare to Soulmates in the beginning then it took on a whole new journey. Thank you, Jasprit. π
Wow, this sounds absolutely thought-provoking, Emma! I love how it makes you put your life into perspective. Few books are like that, and I'm always on the hunt for reads that will make me want to look within myself and ask what am I living for? Adding it to my TBR!
Faye at The Social Potato
It really is, not necessarily questions my life but puts it into perspective and the things around you. It's true very few do that. I hope you get to read this one soon. Thanks for stopping by Faye. π
I've had my eye on this one for quite sometime since it sounds like a pretty though provoking read and your review totally confirms it. I love how the MC managed to grow on you (eventually) and how you really felt for her! I'll have to pick this one up! Lovely, review
I think that's the beauty of Holly's writing to make it feel personal and connect with the characters so easily. Hope you get to pick it up soon, Lily!