Author: Robert

The design of the headboard is not always strictly functional. To a large extent, it is a decoration, connected with the whole interior of the bedroom. So it is not necessary to use headboards connected to the bed structurally. For a platform bed, a headboard of any kind is hinged directly to the wall.

Therefore, a wide range of possibilities for an independent, creative choice of bedroom design opens up. One option involves finishing the wall with old books. This is not quite usual, or rather quite unusual, and the main thing is that no one else will have it. All the work can be done with your own hands, without resorting to the services of a master.

Books in the process will be spoiled, so you need to stock up on the necessary materials in advance at sales, or find unnecessary volumes at home and friends.

The number of volumes depends on the size of the headboard and the size of the books themselves, for decoration in this product needed 27 pieces.

As a base, we used sheets of plywood, with a thickness of at least 0.5 inches. We also need dowels for fastening to the wall, nails or self-tapping screws, and office glue.

First, you must determine the size of the headboard. According to these dimensions prepare the plywood. For a large double bed, one sheet is not enough, you have to assemble the base of two halves of plywood.

Then we lay the plywood on the floor and spread the open books all over the surface.

To achieve the feeling of books hanging in the air, the edges of the covers should extend at least 0.5-0.8 inches beyond the plywood.

Begin stacking the decor from the unfolded books, matching the volumes in width and height. If the width of the books may vary, the height should be chosen so that the horizontal levels of the headboard are more or less in line.

The main thing here is that the books fixed on the base are slightly above the level of the mattress, so it’s better to mark in advance the line from which the decoration begins.

Each book is unfolded in the middle of the thickness, leaving a few paired pages in the center. Fasten the parts to the plywood with small nails, or flat-head self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screw caps will be difficult to sink in so that they are not visible. When using two sheets of plywood as a base, books along the joint line should overlap on both pieces. They should be chosen with stiff bindings and fastened more carefully. 

Fill the entire headboard with unfolded books, leaving 4-6 empty spaces.

The 2-4 pages left in the middle of each book are divided into two parts and glued to the rest with stationery glue, covering the heads of the nails or self-tapping screws.

 As for the glue, you should be careful. It is necessary to choose a glue that will not leave traces after drying. So a tip, before you glue all the books, try to do it first on one, wait until the glue dries completely, and see the resulting quality of the finish.

Install the plywood base in place so that the bottom edge reaches the level of the mattress. Fix the plywood to the wall with self-tapping screws, or with dowel nails in places not covered with decor. Then fix the remaining elements on the headboard, already installed in place, and cover the hats of dowels and nails with them.

To enhance the decorative effect, you can apply a colorless fixing varnish to the headboard. There are now some in spray cans with a sprayer. Varnish, among other things, will reduce “dusting” paper. Only it is necessary to choose a composition suitable for use in the bedroom and does not leave marks on the bedding.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Also, you should understand that while the decor is important, your health should be your number one priority. For this reason, you should always pick only orthopedic mattresses for your daybeds, sofas, and regular beds.  Not only will this give you a better night’s rest, but it will also help prevent serious injuries and long-term joint damage. A good mattress will surely last ten years or more if well cared for. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please leave them below.

“Normal People” is a 2018 novel by an Irish author Sally Rooney. The book became a bestseller quickly after it was published, and there are lots of reasons why. It is a fascinating read that will not leave you unimpressed. What is more, there is a very high chance that you won’t be able to put it down which will result in reading this book in just a few days. On the surface, it may seem like it’s another teenage/college drama or a coming of age novel. It is written in a very easy to read manner which makes the book even more enjoyable and appealing. However, so much more can be found deep down if you start digging and analyzing the situations and character’s reactions in the book. Well, let’s start from the beginning and move forward step-by-step while talking about the main characters of the book who show what it’s like to be young and in love, as well as prove that we all are, in fact, normal people.

What is the book about?

The story revolves around two main characters – Connell and Marianne who are teenagers at a school in Ireland. They come from different families. However, soon enough they become friends and start to hook up in secret. Later, both of them decide to go to Trinity College Dublin. Even though they are no longer a couple at that point, they run into each other very often. What is more, they find a way to stay in each other’s lives no matter what they do or how far they are from one another. The main focus of the book is on the intense bond between Connell and Mariane which no one and nothing can break.

Reception

The book was very well received both by readers and by literary critics. The novel was longlisted for the Booker prize in 2018. Apart from that, The Guardian put it on the 25th place on their list of 100 best books of the 21st century.

One of the most notable things the majority of critics mention when they are talking about this book is how easy it is to read, as well as how clean Rooney’s prose is. When you are reading “Normal People ‘” it almost feels like you are reading your own thoughts which is a high praise for a book and for its author. Literary critics don’t forget to highlight the fact that even though the whole story may feel like a beautiful trainwreck, you will hardly be able to put it away. The latter is a testament to Sally Rooney’s brilliant writing.

In 2019 the book was adapted for television, and a TV series aired on Hulu and BBC Three on April 26, 2020. In Ireland, the show aired on RTE One.

A future classic

Almost everyone who has read this book describes it as a future classic, and it is not surprising why. The story is captivating. Yet, what is even more important is that everyone can recognize themselves in this book. In other words, the whole book is very relatable for so many people that it is hard to underestimate its importance for current and future generations. “Normal People ” has the potential of becoming a go-to book for all those teenagers who are experiencing the same things Connell and Marianne have experienced. Reading this book may help you understand that the feelings they have are normal, and the way in which they react to such feelings and situations is normal as well. The more books deal with similar issues, the less trooubed and misundersudood teengaers are going to feel. As it turns out, this book actually symbolizes so much more than one can expect having only read the excerpt. “Normal People” was one of the most discussed books of 2018, and it is quite obvious why. In case you have not read it yet, it is time to get down to it right away. There is no doubt you will enjoy it. Perhaps, you will even start reminiscing about the times when you were a teengaer and experienced exactly the same problems. If the world has not heard about Sally Rooney before, the publication of this book has definitely changed that.

Writing a book review is a relatively common assignment. However, the majority of students still fail to submit an impressive piece of writing for a variety of reasons. Some did not allocate enough time to read the book in question. Others have no idea how to write book reviews properly. There is no doubt that students sometimes forget that the deadline is soon, which is the reason why the quality of paper they submit is very far from what’s expected of them. Yet, there is another category of students who simply decide to type can you help me do my homework into google search instead of allocating time on the accomplishment of the assignment they have been given. No matter the reason, the result remains the same – they get a low grade because of their inability to submit an impressive book review, as well as to meet all specified requirements. If that is the case with you, it is time to learn more about book review writing and to finally figure out how to complete this task perfectly. It may be quite overwhelming at first, especially if writing book reviews is not your strong suit. Yet, all you need to do is to practice. The more reviews you write, the better you become at it. Don’t forget how much time it takes to master the skill of anything, no matter whether it is writing book reviews or building furniture. So, start with the basics and proceed to tackling more complex issues, such as crafting an unconventional book review without anyone’s help. Here are a few tips with the help of which you will finally get a better understanding of how book reviews are supposed to be written.

Talk a bit about the plot

Obviously, you are expected not to reveal anything. However, writing a few sentences about the plot of the book gives those readers who are unfamiliar with the literary work in question a better understanding of what this book is about. A couple of sentences will be enough. If you talk about the plot of the book for more than one paragraph, no one will find your review interesting enough to keep reading.

Focus on the aspects you liked or disliked

This is your review of the book, so feel free to be as subjective as you like. Talk about what you liked about the book, as well as mention how it influenced or resonated with you. Here are a few useful questions you can answer in your book review:

1. Who is your favorite character and why?
2. What emotions does this book evoke in you?
3. Was the story fascinating to keep up with?
4. Do you have a favorite scene or part of the book?
5. Is the story believable?

If there is something you disliked about the book, don’t hesitate to mention it as well. Don’t forget to include a few sentences explaining why you have disliked these aspects of the book. The most important thing you should keep in mind is that your review needs to be honest. If you find the book horrible and feel like you have wasted your time reading it, it is your job to talk about it in the book review. Besides, you don’t have to like everything, especially when the book you were supposed to review was chosen by your teacher and not by you personally. It happens. The goal of this assignment is not to make you like a certain book. The goal is to teach you how to express your thoughts about the book in a clear and concise way in writing.

How to round up your review

The last paragraph is always the conclusion. Sum up everything you said before and draw your final conclusion. State whether you have liked the book or not, as well as dwell upon the reasons why you would either recommend or not recommend reading it. If this book is not for everyone, suggest they type of readers who might enjoy it. If you can compare this book to any other literary work you have read, this paragraph is the perfect opportunity to specify that comparison and to write a few sentences about it.

The book review is generally assigned to students. It provides them the opportunity to show that they have a clear understanding of the novel in question. It is also a way to check if the student actually read the novel or not. The students can present their own opinion about the author’s idea via a review. It is a form of literary criticism that happens to analyze the author’s quality, writing techniques, and ideas. In relevance to the novel, it is entirely opinion-based. If you are having a problem writing up one, then this guide can help. So, to understand it better, do read on.

Book review template

The format includes the introduction, thesis, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

Here you have to describe the title and the cover of the novel. If you are adding subtitles in the body, then it will be best to put them here. Do not forget to mention the author’s name.

Thesis

Start with a brief description of the novel in question. You need to avoid putting in any opinions here. Just introduce the main points that you will be described in the body of the book review.

Body

You need to use about two to three quotations from the author’s novel. Then summarise the selected quotations in your own words. Here you need to mention your point of view about the quotations you have selected.

Conclusion

You have to summarize the quotations and explanations in brief here. Do make sure that you finish with a concluding sentence. This part holds your final opinion about the BOOK.

Step by step guide to writing a book review

No matter the genre, book reviews can apply to all novels. It is true that some genres may be more difficult than others, but the format of the review will be the same. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write one.

Planning

At first, it is better to make an essay outline that will include the main points that you want to summarise in the review. You need to include information about the details of the plot, characters, and some other important parts of the novel. So, jot them down so that you do not miss out on anything. You need to keep a body paragraph for each quotation that you want to talk about in the review. Before you write your reviews you need to take into consideration some points.

You need to first figure out the plot of the book as it will help you write an effective review. Next, you need to shift your focus on the plot. Was the plot managed to grab the attention of the reader, did you enjoy the plot, and so on. Next, you have to take into consideration the writing technique of the author and see if it was effective or not. Take a look at the characters. Were they believable and logical? The next thing that you have to determine is that if you would recommend the book to anyone. And finally, figure out what in the book could have been better.

Introduction

Mention the title and the author’s name here. You also need to write about the book cover. Here you have to write a thesis statement for the non-friction or fictional book. Here you have to briefly define the quoted material in the review.

Body

You need to first choose a specific scenario or chapter to summarise. In the body, it will be best to add three quotes. Then you have to create summaries for each of the chosen quotes in your own words. This is the space where you can include your own point of view. The way you have interpreted the quote of the book will be mentioned here. For one paragraph you will need one quote; this is very important.

Conclusion

In this part, you need to write a summary of your summarised quotations and explanations you mentioned in the body of the book review. To show the bigger picture of the novel, you need to finish your analysis with a concluding sentence. Think of the novel is worth giving it a read or not. And then, answer this question in your own words in the conclusion.

This was the ultimate guide on how to write a book review in 2021. Use the pointers mention here to write up one today! If you are still having problems, it will be best to consult your professor or a professional who can write the review on your behalf.

What’s the book about?

Donna Tartt’s book begins with tragedy. There is an explosion at an art museum where thirteen-year-old Theodore Decker and his mother have dropped in for literally an hour. Theo’s mother dies, and he miraculously escapes from under the rubble, accidentally taking with him a masterpiece of painting – a painting by Fabrizius, “Chegol”, which now for him is an eternal source of anxiety, the memory of the dearest person and the purest example of the Beautiful.

It is as if all the colors disappear at once from his perky, disorganized childhood world, where the scariest were the school principal and the hysterical, alcohol-drenched father. No longer a toddler, but not yet an adult, Theo finds himself defenseless against the impending hopelessness. From now on, every time he opens his eyes, he tells himself: It won’t be the same anymore. His mother’s sweet words, the art history lectures she loved so much in college, her stories about horses and her childhood on the farm… Audrey Decker herself was once soothed by a silver moon circle shown by her father. “Remember, honey, he’s the same everywhere. And if you and I are looking at it, it means we’re home.” But this comfort, like the entire universe, is dying for Theo. For his mother will never see the moon again.

“It was hard to believe that the world had collapsed and someone still cared about these stupid classes…it was hard to believe that the world was once not dead,” a phrase born of the sight of school announcements becomes young Decker’s motto. Psychologists give this condition a name – “acute grief clinic” – but they cannot help a child dying of boredom. Only friendship, love and great art can cure…

Cost: 45$

Annotation

American John Williams’s novel about the life of university professor-philologist William Stoner, a dried-up, nerdy, and unsuccessful man, has an unusual fate. This book became an object of worship and was not recognized as a masterpiece until forty years after its first publication and more than a decade after the author’s death. Completely devoid of flashy decoration and stylistic tinsel, this novel – deliberately soft and deceptively dim – has one curious property: the history of the human soul appears in it cleansed of all external and extraneous, in all its tragic grandeur and exalted purity.

Cost: 70$

Stephen King is an incredibly popular American writer who boasts that almost every one of his works becomes a literary sensation and a 100 percent bestseller. In more than 40 years of King’s career, the world has seen many novels whose print runs have long crossed the one-third of a billion-copy mark. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious literary awards and has a large army of fans, invariably growing.

The town where Ben Miers grew up has always been ordinary. Nothing special, nobody special, except that the name is a little strange: Yerusalimovo, or, as the locals pronounce it, Salim’s Lair. And so Ben, now a famous writer, came back here again because he wanted to close the gestalt of the past – his childhood fear. What he saw as a boy in the old ruined house that was called Marsten House nearly drove him insane. And Salim’s Lair is in no hurry to erase Ben’s old memories. On the contrary, eerie clouds are gathering over the House of Marsten. One by one, people are disappearing in the city. But the worst will begin when those who have disappeared come back…

• Awarded with the World Fantasy Award.
• Classic Stephen King.

Cost: 50$

Annotation

“Home at the End of the World” is Michael Cunningham’s first book. In the brief preface to the New York edition, Cunningham writes that he worked on it for six years and under not very comfortable conditions. Everything “from a working typewriter to a roof over our heads” was a problem, he says, especially in the beginning. In 1990, when the book was published, its author was thirty-seven.

The novel begins in the mid-1960s, an era of “foolish optimism,” as Cunningham himself defines those years in an interview with the English magazine Independent (March 1991), and ends on the cusp of the 1990s, in a very different historical air. All the signs and plaques among which – despite the troubles and turmoil – we had somehow settled in, suddenly faded and flew off at once. The old explanations no longer explain anything. At least, that’s how it seems to Cunningham. The man in the space of his novel is once again alone with the vast, incomprehensible and unpredictable world – defenseless and a little ridiculous (“galaxies explode over his head, and he is in just his polka-dot underpants”), just as ill-prepared for death as for life. The characters in “Home at the End of the World” are not sure of anything, even when – occasionally – they do decisive things. “Sweetheart,” one of the main characters says to her daughter, “someday you’ll say thank you to me…” and then adds: – Or maybe not.” This lack of certainty sets a peculiarly pulsating rhythm throughout the book. Cunningham–and this, I think, is one of the secrets of his artistic charm–is ashamed to claim to know something, much more ashamed than to admit ignorance. This is akin to the author’s characters, who also take the time to share their most important insights with each other. Open to the reader, these grains of “unquestionable” – at least for themselves – knowledge usually do not extend beyond their internal monologues.

Answering the imminent question about the novel’s autobiographical nature, dealing with such painful topics as intra-family and intergenerational relationships, same-sex love, drugs, AIDS, aging and loneliness, Cunningham, in the interview already cited, cautions against direct transference and identification. “I am not one of my heroes,” he declares. And he continues, “I’ve noticed that if I start writing too autobiographically, it turns out either too sentimental or too evil.

“House at the End of the World” is a very intimate and, for all its frankness, a very chaste book. As in any profound book, the main object of the plot and the main spring of the story, the Mystery only shines through the masterfully developed “domestic” fabric, never coming to the forefront, where deliberateness and distortion are inevitable. This restraint allows Cunningham to free the book completely from moralizing, preserving its “through” poetics and complex-mirror composition. It is not without reason that the novel concludes with an episode on the lake, which transparently rhymes with the “water” scene from Part I.

Cost: 75$