Olive is a bit all over the place and so is this writing but honestly I can say that this was, for me at least, such an accurate read on how we get to see Olive’s thought process battling her demons. Her highs and lows were described so accurately that I just understood her actions so well even if the characters in the books sometimes didn’t. The thing that intrigued me the most about the way Olive goes into the camp is that she genuinely WANTS to get better. I’m a big fan of Holly Bourne and everything she writes. This book was no exception. It’s an uplifting story about the power of kindness and compassion.

Smart, funny, and often focused on mental health issues, a new book by her is always a grand event. Here, she portrays Olive as charismatic and unstable. Olive refuses to let the doctors tell her what her diagnosis is, but readers learning of her swing ‘from euphoria to suicidal in one earthly rotation,’ will reach their own conclusions. Do you ever wish your life could be different? Calmer? Happier? That maybe the world could be a kinder place? Thought so. Welcome to the Prime Numbers. A group dedicated to making the world a kinder place. Every small act of kindness makes a small difference. So join us and change the world with us. Because, together, snowflakes create avalanches.The Nottinghill Carnival takes central stage in this story about families, memories and the power of dance and festivals. Author Yaba Badoe tells... Having loved The Spinster Club Trilogy, and how well she dealt with Evie's OCD in Am I Normal Yet?, when I heard Holly Bourne was writing another novel dealing with mental illness, Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes?, I was dying to read it. And oh my god, this book is absolutely incredible. The concept intrigued me immediately. As a mental health warrior myself and having attended group treatment programmes in my youth, I had an understanding and personal attachment to the subject matter. However, I think that may have hindered my enjoyment of it somewhat, as any inaccuracies or problematic things, jumped out at me quite a bit. Anyway, then I was there [in the greenhouse] and the storm was there and I realized just how not normal it was that I'd run out into the garden. And my head felt like it was burning and screaming and full of insects that were exploding one by one behind my eyes..." Another tear bubbles up and jumps down my cheek. "And I realized that I'm not very well again," I gasp, needing more air. "And I'm not sure I can go through that again."' (p17)*

Small note: I’m on a blog hiatus from today-tomorrow to July, 7th and will only answer to comments and see your wonderful blogs again then. See you soon xx Fair warning: this book is not an easy read, especially if you’re dealing with mental heath issues on your own. Beware of the trigger warnings (listed below) and take care of yourself! Spread the kindness virus with your own Prime Numbers group inspired by Holly Bourne’s latest release, Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes?

Published

In terms of characters, where do I even start? Olive is such a likeable but also dislikable character and I really guess it depends how you see her. I liked her a lot whereas some people who may not be very familiar with her illness probably think she’s a bit of a bitch due to her actions. I like her a lot because I get that a lot of her actions come from her being in a manic state or are defence mechanisms in an attempt to protect herself or other people. She’s also quite vulnerable and struggles to comprehend a lot of her emotions, hating on herself a lot and blaming herself for everything that goes wrong, and this is quite sad to read because you’re there like ‘it’s not your fault!’ and eventually she does realise this. Olive’s journey is one of strong emotion, struggles and self acceptance, and the entire thing is just beautifully written. The thing is, it sounds good. It sounds like it could work. I mean, a month. A whole month. Of intensive treatment. I could improve. I could learn how to not feel like this again. This could be it. This could be the silver bullet. The magic pill. The miracle cure. The thing that actually does it. And just that thought - the thought this could all go away. The thought that I'd finally be able to feel normally, as opposed to EVERYTHING or NOTHING... The thought is more than enough to make me smile.' (p27-28)* Jamie grins and talks with his mouth full of egg. "You've got something weird and new that they haven't figured out yet?" I love how this book doesn't end on a happily ever after note but it so much more realistic and humanistic. Because yeah life doesn't get easier or gets solved in a swoop of a wand to be honest. I didn't like some of the characters; I mean, the cool guy who plays in a band, smokes too much weed and sleeps with all of the girls and then the shy virgin maths boy? A little bit stereotypical. And Sophie didn't have any character traits aside from her mental illness.

While struggling with the world and herself, Olive still had such a sassy personality it made me laugh and say oh yeah i can relate to this and that.

By Author / Illustrator

Disclosure: I received a physical ARC of Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes as part of my participation in a blog tour organized by The Nocturnal Fey. This, however, affects neither my opinion nor the content of my review. Many thanks to Erika and Usborne Publishing for the opportunity! In this story of hope and endurance, we follow a scientist and her team during their search for the elusive 'Giant Arctic Jellyfish'.

I obviously have not been the person to diagnose you and I know your diagnosis is still uncertain..." And before I can stop him, before I can shout out "NO" before I can wave my arms in the air and scream "DON'T DO THIS" he says, "but in my professional opinion, you may have [redacted] and..." A place offering a shot at “normality” for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for the new friends she never expected to make – who each have their own reasons for being there. As Holly Bourne books go, that i have read, this was as always fun, realistic and sassy to read. This book is mainly about mental illness and it shines a bright shiny light on that topic and doesn't shy away from discussing all the bads. It just so much more than a book, it kinda gives out to you a much better, healthier and a positive way of living with people around you and even yourself.Bourne is represented by The Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency. [3] Her debut novel Soulmates was published in September 2013 by Usborne. [4] Book Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Contemporary We get an interesting cast of characters in Camp Reset just as well and I liked the diversity of them all dealing with different mental illnesses. I especially liked Lewis, kind and sweet, loving-maths-Lewis.