Read: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I had seen lots of tweets proclaiming 'This book will make you cry!' and as a part-time softie, fully expected to experience the waterworks while reading this novel about teenage cancer sufferers falling in love. But I didn't.

That's not to say the tragic plight of 17 year olds, Hazel with thyroid and lung cancer and Augustus with osteosarcoma, is not emotive, as they are handled with grace, sensitivity and dark humour. For me it was that the characters didn't always read as natural in a book rooted in naturalism - the young characters suffered from what I call Dawson Creek Syndrome, sounding like fully qualified analytical psychiatrists in there everyday speech bar the odd 'whatever'. The dialogue often felt forced and overly pretentious which detracted from the characters believability. 

The tender intensity of first love however, is delivered beautifully in the softer, less OTT moments, such as the pairs habit of simply saying 'Okay' to each other when they didn't know what to say, or to check on each other or for a number of other reason all wrapped up in this one word.

Another line that really resonated was the concept of how you can fall in love with someone at different paces. Augustus professed his love early on for Hazel but she tried to hold back, determined for there to be as few victims as possible because of her illness, she tried to keep their relationship platonic but eventually admitted to herself 'I fell in love the way you fall asleep...slowly, then all at once'

With Hazel's prognosis terminal, mortality is a huge theme in the book. Probably the most heartbreaking moments were ones that looked at Hazel's fear of hurting her lost ones.

"I'm like. Like. I'm like a grenade, Mom. I'm a grenade and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?"

'"NO!" I shouted. " I'm not eating dinner, and I can't stay healthy, because I'm not healthy. I am dying, Mom. I am going to die and leave you here alone and you won't have me to hover around and you won't be a mother anymore, and I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about it, okay?!"'

The moment's when Hazel sounded her age, like a regular teenager always hit home harder the injustice of losing someone so young.

The concept of legacy from the point of view of a person so young, who has known they were never going to live long, is an interesting one and Hazel and Augustus felt differently about it. Do we need to make an impact on the whole world or is touching the hearts of our loved ones enough?

"Here's the thing about Hazel: Almost everyone is obsessed with leaving a mark upon the world. Bequeathing a legacy. Outlasting death. We all want to be remembered. I do, too. That's what bothers me most, is being another unremembered casualty in the ancient and inglorious war against disease.

I want to leave a mark."

Despite my misgivings, the book is incredibly well written and researched; the hospital and cancer detail and terminology is detailed yet treated glibly by the weary survivors and this makes it all the more poignant. The book is clearly aimed at young adults and I'm going to try and get my 16 year old sister to read, as the sombre topic and offbeat characters are right up her teenage angst ridden street.

The Fault In Our Stars has been turned into a movie too starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort and will be in cinemas June 6th. Check the trailer here:

All images taken from The fault in our stars movie.com, luckyendings.tumblr.com and incrediblydeviantart.com

Eat: Gallus

Watch out Nando's, there's a new chicken restaurant in town. Serving up skewers, wings, salads and burgers with 'world flavours' such as Jerk, Cajun BBQ, Katsu, Tandoori and Miso Teriyaki, Gallus Restaurant's plush booths and sleek breakfast bar are all muted shades and chic simplicity in contrast to to the gaudy warm colours of everyone's favourite chicken chain. The simple touches of the metal buckets of cutlery and Gallus reward cards on the tables make all the difference at this restaurant that promises 'good honest food the healthier way'.

I started with a strawberry milkshake - made with yoghurt rather than ice-cream it's lighter and fresher than a traditional milkshake, in keeping with the healthy-ish vibe.

But that all went out the window when the glorious burgers arrived. For the boy, the Gallus burger, a chicken burger served with homemade Gallus burger sauce.

And for me possibly the best portobello mushroom burger I've ever had. Served on a super soft seeded bun with halloumi cheese, roasted mixed pepper and garlic mayo I was in veggie burger heaven...

Sides wise - skin on wedges and coleslaw complimented our burgers but it was the corn on the cob that won the prize for best side on the menu. Why have I never squeezed fresh lime on corn on the cob before? Or had corn with chilli butter? Delicious really.

I told you that corn was demolished!

For dessert we shared a light fluffy chocolate brownie with ice cream and the brownie was just chocolatey enough. You know how sometimes brownies can be too dry or too rich and chocolatey? Yeah well this wasn't. Just right.

The service was attentive and it wasn't very busy when we were there, perhaps because it was quite late but I can't imagine that Gallus will stay low key for much longer. This chicken restaurant is making its mark.

Shanika Says: Get down there before everyone jumps on the hype and say you were one of the first.

Gallus Restaurants
103 Charing Cross Road
WC2H 0DT

Sega Sundays by The Reztron @ Aquum Bar

Just a quick one about last nights date! 

I saw that one of my favourite bar/restaurants, Aquum in Clapham were holding a retro gaming night and snapped up tickets for me and the boy. 

I won lots of girlfriend points for this one! 

The Reztron specialise in taking over bars with their old school Sega game consoles and it was fun to step back in time and play them. The Boy knew a lot of them; I just had fun being Chun-Li and playing the fighting games, even if I lost. 

There was also 70's karaoke and obviously drinks from the bar. The Boy was already thinking of heading back with his pals so I think he enjoyed himself!

Check out The Reztron on twitter: @thereztron or online Reztron.co.uk 

See: 80's Youth @ The Ritzy

I went along to the launch of new exhibition 80's Youth presented by Printer of Dreams, Upstairs at The Ritzy, the bar and venue above the Ritzy cinema in Brixton to see what it was all about.

The exhibition presents work from 11 of 'London's finest illustrators' who have re-imagined versions of classic 1980's movie posters including E.T and Back To The Future.

While we were disappointed at the lack of promised 80's tunes (I was hoping for some power ballads to be honest) the art work is inspired and got us all chatting about the films and our childhood memories of watching them.

Shanika Says the exhibition is small, but perfect for popping in after work, before a film or if waiting for a friend. It runs until the 6th June. Check out The Ritzy here.

What are some of your favourite 80's films?

Product Review: Mac Cremeblend Blush

I've been in mourning for my Laura Mercier illuminating powder in Coral Red for some time. It was my go-to daytime blush and I've been clinging to the smashed pieces for longer than I care to admit to.

I've finally found a replacement in this cream blush from MAC, Cremeblend Blush in Posey, £18. It's a great balance between pink and peach (it looks pinker in the pot than it is on) so perfect for daytime wear. The cream formula is easily blendable and you can build up the colour depth gradually - which means it works now while I'm paler and will work when I have a tan too. It sinks into the skin seamlessly when applied with fingers and leaves a soft, glowy sheen of colour. Shanika Says this is a perfect day wear shade and formula, perfect for using on the run.

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

I am an avid bronzer fan. I have been since getting my first pot of Arabian Glow bronzing pearls from Avon aged 14, which I used for years. I've been looking for a less shimmery bronzer to use throughout the winter months and for contouring for some time. Everyone pointed me in the direction of Hoola by Benefit but I found this too light for my complexion, it didn't give me the glow I was after.

I spent some time at the Bobbi Brown counter and found this beauty. It comes in a few shades but Dark  (described as a dark copper brown) was right for my complexion.

Matte but not muddy, you have to be careful not to get too much powder concentrated in one area, but it blends beautifully and gives enough colour to lift my paler than usual skin, as well as being great for emphasising (or creating!) cheekbones. This bronzing powder is a great, non shimmery bronzer and well worth the price tag of £27.

What I really need is a holiday but until then Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, with its chic black packaging will just have to bronze my face for me.

Eat: When Mac Met Cheese

I finally got to try this pop-up restaurant that serves the greatest of comfort foods - Mac 'n' Cheese. I say finally because I tried to go late on a Saturday night and they were no longer serving food as the kitchen had closed; kitchen closes at 10 and doesn't open until 6 on a weekday so you only have a very short window to get served here. But I popped along this week and was glad I made the effort to go back.

All wooden floors and black art painted on white walls, this pop-up is the ultimate in laid back cool, from the chilled alternative R'n'B soundtrack playing to the young trendy staff.

I started as I usually do...with a cocktail.

Lychee Martini - lusciously sweet, tasted like pure lychee, could be dangerous!

Macancini's to start.

The jalapeno and cheddar was just the right side of spicy without burning your mouth off.

The truffle and wild mushroom had a lovely nutty flavour. The cheese was very hot though when we broke into the breadcrumb balls so approach with caution!

I didn't really like that the mac'n'cheese was served in take-away boxes if I'm honest, felt a bit cheap.
Although i expected the actual mac 'n' cheese to be a bit more solid, the oozy cheese did really work.

Carlos The Cactus: Mature cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan, jalepenos rocket and sun-blushed plum tomatoes

Very nice even though they were regular cherry tomatoes inside. The jalapenos added another flavour.

Cheesy Green Afro: Vintage stilton, mozzarella and broccoli.

The strong taste of the stilton complimented the broccoli perfectly!
We went out afterwards and were still really full despite the modest portion sizes.

For dessert there's only one thing on the menu and that's Deep Fried Oreos!

Heart attack in a bowl or delicacy? You decide!

With weekly specials, Shanika Says if Mac 'n' Cheese is your thing go and try some different flavours. When Mac Mac Met Cheese is at 43-45 Porchester Road Bayswater until 5th June.