FUTURE GENERATION
I Love Lucy Book Review: If We Were Villains - M.L Rio - 15+ “You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough.” Oliver Marks is being released from jail after 10 years. Waiting for him on the outside is the man who put him there. Detective Colborne wants to know what really happened all those years ago at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, off the record - the truth. Oliver is ready to reveal what actually happened a decade ago at the prestigious conservatory where he was one of seven young Shakespearean actors. In their fourth year, tension and rivalry begin to rise among the seven friends and opening night brings bloodshed. Come morning the students have to face the truth and tragedy of what they have done; the young actors must convince the authorities, themselves, and each other that they are innocent. “If We Were Villains” gives me mixed emotions. On one hand, I enjoyed the quoting of Shakespeare, found the cast of characters to be engaging, enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of the costumes and backdrops of the plays held, and read the book very fast due to its fast paced nature. On the other hand, the plot of this novel felt really familiar and much alike Donna Tartt’s previously written campus novel “The Secret History”, which I have reviewed in the past. While I did seek the book out in order to replicate the outstanding and obsessive experience of reading “The Secret History”, some parts of the book felt all too similar. For example, both books include characters named Richard, are set at prestigious universities, have a very select class of tight-knit characters who study together, feature a troublesome classmate's death, are heavily based in the world of academia, and are told by unreliable narrators who don’t ‘fit in’. While I did enjoy the book, I felt that the similarities detracted from the story and I was constantly comparing it in my head. Had I never read the Secret History I would have enjoyed this book much more. (LUCY KENNEDY) PN out of 5! www.lucykennedywriter.wixsite.com/reviews instagram @lucykennedyreviews
YOU ARE FULL OF POTENTIAL. LIVE IT. Take a look in the mirror, does your state of mind affect what you see? Local wellness brand BraveFace has launched a new campaign encouraging Kiwis to challenge their mindset when looking in the mirror, and to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. In an effort to remind us that we are all full of potential, mirrors with powerful messages have been placed across key areas in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. These mirrors are a reminder to passers-by that despite the struggles they face, they are strong, they are brave, and they are full of the potential to make their goals and dreams a reality.
“Sometimes our fears and anxieties can hold us back, but at BraveFace we believe that despite our struggles, we are all full of potential, and it’s time to live it.” This campaign has been created to positively influence how Kiwis view themselves, encouraging them to replace their negative perceptions with strength, bravery, and the belief that they are full of potential. Find the mirror:170 Ponsonby Road. CoolHead Day Spray helps you restore calm and focus during
Potential (noun): The ability we all have inside us, to grow, to develop, to achieve, to succeed. BraveFace founder Katherine Douglas says, “the number of Kiwis struggling with stress, sleep, anxiety, and their mental health has increased dramatically in the past couple of years. We created BraveFace to provide people with the tools they need to overcome those unwanted feelings, both through our products and the messages we share.” To make the greatest impact possible, BraveFace realised they needed to support Kiwis right from an early age, when negative thoughts and mental health struggles first start to appear.
times of stress. Size: 45mL. Price: $45. HeadRest Night Drops helps to quieten your racing thoughts, allowing you to fall and stay asleep. Size: 45mL. Price: $45. LiveCalm Daily Capsules help you manage everyday stress
and sustain calm throughout your day. Size: 56 capsules. Price $40. Available from www.braveface.com, leading pharmacies and Farro.
To help young Kiwis reach their full potential, BraveFace is donating $10,000 to the Sir John Kirwan Foundation and their initiative Mitey. Mitey supports schools to deliver an evidencebased approach to mental health education for Years 1-8. BraveFace will also donate a further $10 to Mitey on behalf of anyone who takes a mirror selfie at one of the campaign locations around the country, posts it on Instagram and tags @braveface.*
56 PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
