Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist (KelpiesEdge)

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Probably my favourite thing about this book though was the fact it was set in Scotland and done really really well. I have never read a book with such realistic representation of what it is like to live here , the culture , the language, the people , the description of the places they go. Much of the dialogue is written in a Scottish accent and there is loads of slang and Gaelic. I really really loved this , I thought it was done really well. I wish there were more books like this that in set in Scotland and accurate to what it is like to live here. If you are not from Scotland I think some of the slang would be hard to get and the Gaelic obviously but you can easily judge by context what they are saying.

Dodging the police, joy riding and extreme partying - if Connor's dying, he might as well enjoy one last wild adventure. Connor is 15 year old and has cancer. His father is in prison and his sister is dead. After he fights at school, while his mother has a breakdown and ends up at the hospital, he is sent to a government housing for minors thing along with his sworn enemy, the boy he fought with, Skeates.

Forming an unlikely friendship with fellow juvenile delinquent Skeates, the pair stage a break out and set off on a crazy route across Scotland to find Connor's dad, an inmate at Shotts prison. But Connor's left two things behind - the medication he needs to keep him alive, and the girl who makes living bearable. Fast-paced, full of action, humor, suspense (What happened to his sister, Erica? Why is his dad in prison? What is the big secret Connor's mom is keeping from him? Will he get to Shotts Prison before being caught or hospitalized for being without his meds? Will his dad even see him once he gets to Shotts Prison? How will Skeates get them out of this mess?), and heartwarming emotions. Douglas Johnstone is a writer and freelance journalist, based in Edinburgh. Originally from Arbroath, he studied physics at University, and has a PhD in experimental nuclear physics. Johnstone spent four years designing radar and missile guidance syste … Rok of Arkady, an alien shape-changer on the run from dangerous assassins, seeks refuge in the far reaches of the galaxy, alighting on a small and insignificant planet - Earth. To conceal his presence Rok adopts the identity of the first person he encounters - bad boy footballer Kyle Dixon - and as Dixon he develops an unexpected but all-consuming love for 'the beautiful game'. Can Rok steer lowly Radford Reds to an unlikely Cup win - or will the assassins find him and bring his footballing career to a shuddering end? Adele Geras Authors Autism/Asperger Syndrome Awards Blogs Books Bookshops Caroline Lawrence Christmas Crime Ebook Education Fairy tales Film Harry Potter History Horror Humour Interview Jacqueline Wilson Languages Meg Rosoff Michael Morpurgo Philip Pullman Picture book Poetry Reading Reference Review Romance Science Fiction Short story Siobhan Dowd Television Theatre Thriller Translation Travel War Writing

I normally dislike books about dying teens, but this one had me feeling all the feels. I laughed (often), my heart raced during the get-aways, and yes, I even cried. Real tears!' When you’re at death’s door, life’s not expected to be much fun, even – or especially – when it’s the door to Room 9, the one with the smiley. But then you don’t know Connor. He’s fifteen and he’s got terminal cancer. Well, we’re all terminal, because as Connor keeps saying, ‘nadie deja este mundo vivo’ which means no one leaves this world alive. I love Skeates and Connors friendship and I also love Skeates character development , under the surface he’s very kind and caring and just really really nice. Despite their former rivalry, Connor and Skeates form an alliance and set out on a road trip (of sorts) to see Connor’s dad in prison with a little money and without Connor’s seven medications he takes twice a daily to keep his cancer at bay. The greatest writing hurdle was to find humour in pain whilst retaining emotion so that anyone experiencing similar feelings might find solace. Creativity helped me but the journey was not without agonies. Writing brings escape but it also exposes emotions and when someone reads any narrative it becomes their own and they’ll never understand it the way you do. That’s the beauty of script and the beast.I enjoyed the writing a lot. I also loved the unique voice the main character has. His life is very tragic but he's just so inspiring. I can't wait to hold the physical copy in my hands.' Despite their former rivalry, Connor and Skeates form an alliance and set out on a road trip (of sorts) to see Connor's dad in prison with a little money and without Connor's seven medications he takes twice a daily to keep his cancer at bay. Home> Fiction from Scotland> Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist By (author) John Young A brilliantly funny, thrilling exploration of friendship, identity and mortality populated with witty, sharply drawn characters

Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sisters were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn't care about politics - all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman who will take the world by storm. But when his clever older brother, Musa, gets mixed up with some young political activists, everything changes . . . But Connor’s left two things behind — the medication he needs to keep him alive, and the girl who makes living bearable. Unfortunately Connor escapes Stornoway without his medicines, and he’s not sure he can trust Skeates. It’s a good thing he’s feeling adventurous and positive towards most of the often illegal suggestions Skeates makes. If I could’ve held my eyes open for 20 more minutes, I would’ve finished this book in one sitting. It is really that good! I particularly enjoy books with quirky characters that make me laugh, and this one certainly does not disappoint.Terminal Optimist recounts friendship between bully (Skeates) and his victim (Connor) as they run away from Stornaway to Shotts to discover why Connor’s dad spent the past seven years in prison. What act could be so vile that his Mum had to kept it a secret? There’s nothing like withholding information to fire a lad’s determination so he drops everything including his cancer medication to go on this quest. The answer blows that friendship apart then tests its strength as they fight off thugs and the Grim Reaper. It’s an uplifting story but, like life, Connor has his fair share of challenges. Review of the Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist by Lisa Talks About.. - "Lisa Talks About... Review"