Yearly Wrap Up: 2014

As midnight approaches on New Year's Eve, I always like to spend some time contemplating what has happened within the past twelve months, or curl up with a notepad and write a list detailing the few things I have achieved; those that, if experienced by anyone else, would not have resonated in quite the same way. I also tend to read through the blog posts and my diary, remembering the events that took place in the first few months of the year, and trying to not correct the words I've learnt how to spell since!

 

2014 has included months spent in my room revising for the first of my GCSE exams and less time for reading and blogging than I had anticipated; the books I had last Christmas are still sitting on my shelf, unread. But, it's also included trips to Buckingham Palace and Journalism Award wins, all of which I will never forget. In fact, it's been a year crammed with life experiences and lessons to learn. Now it's coming to an end, I'm feeling a little nostalgic!
 

That's me with the ponytail!

At the beginning of the year, I decided to take on the challenge of setting up my own news team within school as part of the national BBC News School Report project. Having had to use the promise of biscuits as a bribe to encourage those in the younger years to join, and stand on a chair to be listened to, I didn't have high hopes within first few weeks. I was piecing together presentations, preparing practice scripts and organising groups at the weekend in an attempt to be ready for the annual Report Day - when all of the work should be uploaded. What I didn't expect when I held that first 'brainstorming' session was for it to result in interviewing poet Benjamin Zephaniah for the BBC, author Bryce Thomas agreeing to take part in the Q&A with those who were part of the team and a trip to the local radio station. And I couldn't have been prouder. Admittedly, it was stressful, but seeing a team I had managed to put together on TV and hearing us featured on the radio made it all worthwhile.

 

Book-related things in 2014 included heading to the Hay Festival(once again!) and the first YALC in London. Since I first heard of the annual Hay Festival, I've absolutely loved taking a tote bag and some wellies to a few author events there! 2014 was no exception, and although I was disappointed to hear that there was no signing after the event, I did find myself in the same room as Jacqueline Wilson! It was incredible to hear Wilson speak, as she was the author that inspired my love of reading, and whose magazines I would read each month when I was a slightly younger. In an audience of those between aged around seven-to-ten, I sat there awestruck. She was exactly how pre-teen me had imagined her! Although I was a little bit loss during Cassandra Clare's event, as I had to try and avoid spoilers, I did manage to meet her after the event and get my books signed! Despite spending a huge portion of the Saturday at YALC hiding from the Comic Con crowds and cosplay in the toilets, I loved meeting up with some of my favourite bloggers and just seeing those I recognised from social media walk past me. It felt great to be surrounded by people who were all passionate about books - although it was really claustrophobic!
 

Whilst I visited London for the first time in 2013, this year I've been a tourist on the tubes three times, and I'm still just as excited every time I arrive. In fact, the most recent time I went involved a check-list of what I needed to bring, now that I'm feeling a little more experienced as a Londoner for a day! 2014 was the year that I learnt which way up the ticket goes when trying to go through the barrier on the tube system, how to navigate the different lines(and realised how many different ones there are!) and discovered that, if a bus is running a minute late, it will terminate and leave you at the next stop. It was also at the Royal Society this year that, after arriving a few hours late to the Finals due to traffic, I won a Journalism Award! The highlight of my year was walking in to the briefing late and being told that, in a few minutes, I would be interviewing a member of the Royal Family. The one thing I remember most clearly from that day is the few crazed minutes that followed, where I attempted to look presentable after five hours in a car and tried to scoff a cereal bar within seconds to make sure my stomach didn't rumble! 

 

What I've loved about this year is that it's taught me to never underestimate myself. And, when walking through the gates of Buckingham Palace in October, I also realised that where your from or the school you go to doesn't matter. Being the only person with a Welsh accent, and a schoolgirl who had just typed up a short article in a rush, I was worried that I would feel out-of-place. It was the first time I had ever worn a shirt and tie, and the blazer I wore that day will never be making a re-appearance! Though, everyone was so friendly! I'll say it lightly, but I felt 'at home' and welcomed. I was able to leave my fingerprints on the window(sorry!) and talk to the teacher who was with me like it was an ordinary lunchtime. I've always struggled with my confidence, and have always had a slight camera phobia, so it did merge a few of my once-worst nightmares together. And I probably looked extremely vulnerable, standing there attempting to form a coherent sentence, but I did it. I was okay.

 

It's been a tiring - but good - year.

 

I'll be posting some of my not-so-goals for next year in early January...when I manage to escape from the pile of revision I have to do!

 

What are your own favourite memories of 2014?

 

Make sure to tell me in the comments!

Sophie
x

How to Buy For a Bibliophile!

I'm sitting at my desk with the heating turned up to almost maximum, wearing a too-small fleece(the only thing known to keep me warm) and some fluffy blue socks I had last Christmas. There's an outline of a few posts I need to write before the end of the year, an ink pen without its lid and a chewed pencil I now refuse to pick up. And I actually have some time to sit down and blog for the first time in a month. Hibernating for a few weeks wasn't planned. With revision for January exams, prep for Mocks and an almost endless 'To Do' list, I forgot about the ever-growing TBR waiting for me. And that I was meant to open my Advent Calendar every day this month.  Now that the holidays have finally begun, I thought I would piece together a guide for anyone who is trying to buy for a bibliophile this Christmas(and rushing their shopping last minute like I am).

Have a Conversation
Whether you're buying for a best friend that spends most of the day sitting beside you at school or a fellow blogger online, the best way to decide on a gift is to simply ask. Maybe question them on what they have read recently or ask who their favourite author is? Pester them about what is on their Christmas wishlist? If that friend does send back a list - pages long like I would - featuring all the books that they hope to find beneath the tree, then you're job is merely ordering them online or heading to your local bookstore to pick one of them up.

When there's not an entire list to base your Christmas shop on, attempt to use what they have read recently when it comes to choosing a book, but make sure that they enjoyed it! After meeting up with a friend at Starbucks a few weeks ago, I knew that she wanted to read The Fault in Our Stars, so all I had to do was work out what else to put in the gift bag like one of Santa's Elves.

Search Through a Wishlist
If you know the person you are buying for has an online presence, don't miss the opportunity to scroll through their social media accounts for some ideas. Many booklovers use Goodreads where you can easily access the wishlists of those you may be buying for, and usually it comprises of pages of paperbacks and hardbacks. If you have already selected a book and set it aside, waiting to be wrapped and sent before Christmas Day, it could be worth checking their 'read' list. Otherwise, the novel will spend the next year sitting upon a shelf collecting dusk, unwanted as they have read it before. If you are buying for a blogger, then scrolling through their site is a must. There could be a wishlist you are yet to read, or a review archive that you can take a look through for some inspiration.

Select A Theme



London Diary and Geek Girl by Holly Smale(along
with the Christmas tree that sits on my desk!)

After searching through multiple websites and social media accounts, choosing a novel at the bookstore should have become a little less daunting. Selecting gifts for friends, and strolling around the shops searching for that one item that I know fits with their interests, is one of my favourite parts of the holiday season. Although, it does result in a few hours spent trying to find the copy of the book with no bent pages or creases in the covers.

If you want to make sure that a gift bag or package is being sent crammed-full of gifts, then you can follow a theme when choosing a few smaller items. Usually, I decide on a 'main gift' and pick up a handful of other stocking-fillers based around it. When it came to picking up John Green's novel for my friend, I chose to use the colours of the cover - white, blue and black - to fill the rest of the bag. I was soon wrapping a selection of nail varnish to match and a box of chocolates ready for when the comfort-eating kicks in! Afterwards, I realised I should have included a box of Kleenex!

Add Some Extras

Can you really blame me for adding the glasses?

Along with the colour of the cover, you can also use the setting or plot as a theme for your friend's Christmas gifts. There's the likes of London, Tokyo or New York to choose from if you're buying for a Geek Girl fan, or for those who love Stephanie Perkins, then you can also buy Paris-themed items to match the novel. Using successful franchises is also my safety-net. Simply picking up a Mockingjay Pin or Divergent poster - to co-exist with the books - can help create the perfect Christmas package; merchandise for these popular series' can be found almost anywhere.

Choose smaller stocking fillers that match the cover!

As an example for this post, I decided to piece-together a possible gift bag for a bibliophile, based on Holly Smale's series. Since it is a popular UKYA novel, and Harriet spends most of the first novel in England, I decided that a notepad I recently purchased would fit with a 'Very British' theme. Whilst I resisted the urge to add some tea bags, I managed to find nail varnish to match the book's cover, and a selection of chocolates with a red-packet - to tie-in with the Union Jack. Remembering Harriet's love of lists, there is also a copy of the Literary Listography, something the main character herself would probably want to own.

Wrap It Up!

Literary Listography - the perfect gift idea - and Geek Girl.

Since the Frozen wrapping paper I selected a few days ago was slightly more expensive than those

decorated with Santa and his sleigh, I decided to not wrap these in fear of running out! When you are adding the finishing touches to your gift, simply add a decorative bow or ribbon to the package, and make sure to add name tags if you're buying more than one! Unlike most gifts, you won't be able to shake it to work out what it is!
 

Have you made any bookish purchases this year?
Or are there any books on your own wishlist?

Tell me in the comments!

Fandom Freak Out: Thoughts on Mockingjay(Part 1)

With 'The Hanging Tree' playing on repeat in the background, which it has been from the moment I returned from the cinema, I'm going to attempt to form some coherent thoughts on the third installment of 'The Hunger Games' franchise. Having been hesitant about the adaptation before it began, sat wearing my Mockingjay Pin in hope that it would include some of my own favourite scenes from the novel, within a few minutes of the opening credits I was already in love with the movie. And I was in complete support of the decision to split the novel in two.

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland and Julianne Moore

Synopsis: IMBD

Rating: 12A/PG-13

If you haven't see 'Mockingjay: Part 1' yet, you may want to come back later! This review contains spoilers!

***

It's taken me a while, and a few illegible notes, to decide where I want to begin with this review. What I've realised is that 'Mockingjay: Part 1' took the most subtle details from a novel of over four hundred pages, even when an event may have been briefly mentioned in a sentence, and made them into a key element of this adaptation. It took the idea of propaganda, where Katniss becomes almost an advertising campaign for the rebellion, and designed the plot around it. A decision that the team behind the franchise should be applauded for. 'Mockingjay' showed what certain messages like those depicted in the District 13 broadcasts can lead to. Our main character's words have the ability to cause a huge reaction in Panem, triggering events that are only hinted at in the novel, since we remain with Katniss' point of view throughout the book series. What I loved about 'Mockingjay: Part 1' was how it allowed us to see what was taking place in the other districts; to really see the effect that the Mockingjay has on the people. When the Capitol's electric supply is taken-out; when the workers rebel in District 7; when those in the districts sing 'The Hanging Tree'. They all became promiment parts of the film. The filmmakers did cut from our protagonist's point-of-view throughout, but it brought Collins' whole world alive. I already want to go back and see it again.

Katniss is, quite frankly, an entirely different person in 'Mockingjay'. Having competed in the Hunger Games twice, faced Snow's threats, and lost Peeta to the Capitol, it is no surprise that she is torn apart. Jennifer Lawrence had quite the task to portray this new-version of our main character, but from the opening description which was word-for-word perfect from the novel, she executed it brilliantly. She brought to life the raw emotions Katniss feels during the book, alternating between an extreme anger at the Capitol in the District 8 hospital(which made tears form in my eyes!) and the guilt that she feels over Peeta being captured, with ease. Each of the propos they set out to film resulted in a powerful scene from Lawrence, who - somehow - managed to add a hint of humour to the role at times. I can't quite describe how moving her scenes were, but the team behind the franchise created the perfect balance. The eerie silence that had it's hold over the cinema, nobody daring to even reach into a bag of popcorn - besides my mum - was forgotten for just a few moments. Making sure that Effie Trinket returned for this installment, even though the character is not featured in the novel, also managed to create a light-hearted atmosphere. Her reaction to life in District 13, without the eccentric outfit choices and luxuries of life in the Capitol, was a light-hearted sub-plot that I adored. Her scenes with Plutarch Heavensbee were priceless.

I'll admit, when I first caught a glimpse at the character posters for 'Mockingjay', I was hesitant about who they had chosen to portray Coin. In fact, this was the case for almost all of the new additions to the cast. And, once again, I was proven wrong. Seeing Julianne Moore's take on the District 13 President - where those who had read the books couldn't help but sit in a smug silence, knowing what was to come - was one of my favourite aspects of the movie. Each time she was present on the screen she held my attention. Moore was a powerful presence, one that challenged even Lawrence's, making me both love and hate her character. I also Natalie Dormer's edgy portrayal of Cressida, and the rest of the propo team, who were all determined and driven to get the job done. This aspect had merely been something on the side in the novel, so it was great to see it featured so much. I couldn't write this review without mentioning the leading-men, and how much Josh Hutcheson as the hijacked Peeta scared me. It was frightening to see!

There were changes made from page-to-screen, extra scenes from the districts across Panem edited into the movie, each improving on the book's content. Though, I would argue that this was still an adaptation that was made for the fans of the book. Having read multiple reviews from critics, it's clear that they could not look past the idea that there was no overthrowing of the Capitol or battle scenes taking place on the streets of Panem, all with Katniss centre-stage. For them, it's been merely a 'filler', whilst they await the release of the final fight-to-the-death style sequences. It was those who had read the books, or re-read multiple times, that noticed the attention to detail. The pearl that Katniss repeatedly fumbles with in her hands; the rope that Finnick clutches between his fingers; the roses that are found outside after the attack on District 13. Lines were taken, word-from-word for the book, and scenes were depicted as imagined. Those added scenes? They couldn't have been made better. Each built the tension, edited intricately into the movie, until it reaches a just about bearable cliff-hanger. Those working behind the camera on the editing really did tackle their role with skill.

Do I dare say that it was better than the first half of the book?

4.5 Stars

What did you think of  'Mockingjay: Part 1'?
Do you think splitting the book was the right decision?

Tell me in the comments!

Sophie
x

 

Wednesday Writing: Where Fires Ignite

Writer's block is the bane of my existence, and no matter how many times I've attempted to write a blog post over the past few days. I've been unable to finish them. To co-exist with my inability to pick up a pen and draft a post, I'm also midway through  a reading-slump, although with revision kick-starting for the next exam season, it's no surprise that I can't even find the time to pick up a book! I did remember that there was a typed-up poem waiting in a Word document, having been there for months; I couldn't help but think it was aptly named for the release of Mockingjay: Part 1 tomorrow! It did take me a while to find, though, having been saved as 'Document 1', rather than it's name.

It's been a while since I've used this banner!

/

Wreathed in rags,
a corpse - almost,
with hungry, hollow
 eyes. Who prays.
Calling for Him,
waiting for answers.

For there's a dagger
that glints. Winks.
It's knife sharp.
Leaving ugly marks,
and battle scars.
Always, it wins.

//

Don't you bleed,
let crimson tears,
fall into cracks.
Shattered. Fragmented. Collapse.
Onto your knees,
try to plead.

For Mother's chair
lies there, discarded
amidst the rubble.
And broken dolls,
that you clutched,
between calloused fingers.

///

In dappled light,
fires ignite,
illuminating barren lands.
Don't look, dear,
whilst buildings fall,
only structures remain.

For unmarked graves
are found there,
beneath the canopy.
As smoke plummets,
in the distance,
away from here.

We breathe.

---

Would you like to see more Wednesday Writing posts?
Tell me in the comments!

Sophie
x

This work belongs to Sophie Louise. Please don't use or reproduce without permission first.

Bookshops I Want To Visit!

For the past few hours, I've browsed lists of bookshops that every reader needs to visit in their lifetime, reading about those that are based in the likes of renovated train stations and museums. Before reading articles on different sites about how many miles of shelving bookstores in New York have, I had a small list of those I wanted to visit, including Watestones Piccadilly that, after multiple visits to London, I still haven't seen!

Strand Book Store - New York City



Strand Book Store

I have, over the past few years, fallen in love with New York City. There's the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Times Square, all of which I want to visit with my guidebook in hand. But, it's also home to the Library Hotel, the New York Public Library and, annually, Book Expo America(BEA). Within a few substation stops, you have all a booklover would ever need.
World famous bookstores line the streets, including Strand Book Store, housing rare collections and second hand books with yellowing-pages. Whilst searching the website, I discovered that the bookstore has eighteen miles of book shelving; an amount that I can't comprehend. Maths is not a skill of mine, but - at an estimate - this would be my walk home from school, but around nineteen times over. Just from the outside, with its red sign, The Strand appears to be so welcoming; set on the corner of a busy New York street where yellow cabs are passing every few minutes. When I visited Hay-on-Wye - named 'the town of books' - I loved admiring the leather-bound, hand-written books, mainly because it became a competition to find the most expensive book available. I think I would have a similar experience in the Strand!

Although it's not a bookstore, the Library Hotel NYC has been a place I've wanted to stay at for a while now, all of the rooms decorated with stacked-shelves. Who wouldn't want to wake up at the Library Hotel, then head over to the Convention Centre for BEA, only to pause at a Barnes and Noble on the way back? Or maybe head to The Strand?

Waterstones Piccadilly - London

Sadly, I'm going to have to wait a few years before visiting the Strand. But, Waterstones Piccadilly is a much more realistic goal, as I love visiting London; somehow, when I've walked through Piccadilly, I've missed the eight-storey bookshop. Every week, news of events at the store gather on my Twitter feed, most recently authors Maureen Johnson, Sarah Rees Brennan, James Dawson, David Levithan and Rainbow Rowell. have made an appearance there. I'd love to be able to make it to an event at the store, as they are constantly championing YA novels, and I've seen numerous pictures of their colourful displays inside and out. And, after reading about the shop on other blogs, I've heard nothing but praise for it's teen section. I'm just waiting for the time I can spend hours browsing the shelves without worrying about having a train to catch! Maybe I'll manage to do this and stay the night instead?

Ler Devagar - Lisbon

Ler Devagar*

This bookstore is beautiful. Pictures of the building, with a bicycle hanging from the ceiling and stacks of multi-coloured books covering the walls, were on most lists of must-visit bookshops when I was reading them. Ler Devager is storeys high, a difference to my local bookshops which - at most - have two(one holding the books, another with a café). Whilst I was able to gather facts about the other stores above with ease, this bookshop proved to be a more difficult task, its website written in a foreign language(Spanish, perhaps?). I, though, adore bookshops like Ler Devagar, as they make people - especially those who may not necessarily like to read - excited about reading. I know I wouldn't be able to walk into such a shop without feeling overwhelmed; or without running up the multiple flights of stairs to the fiction section.

Another bookstore I continue to come across is the Poplar Kid's Republic Bookstore in Beijing,. There are reading nooks designed in a wide selection of shapes, rainbow-coloured carpets and different rooms to read in. I wish there had been a bookstore - or library - this interesting to visit when I first began to enjoy reading. It would have made my reading experience much more vivid.

Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid - Argentina

I saw a picture of this bookstore and sat admiring it for a few minutes before reading the information beneath it. Once, I walked into a bookshop that was a converted cinema, and was really impressed, loving how the stars were still painted on the top floor ceiling. Hundreds of shelved books in a theatre, though, is even better. Having been voted one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, I have no worries that this isn't as impressive when you walk through the doors. I'd adore browsing the shelves in the stands, looking down on the stage below, where the seating area is filled with yet more books. It's a gorgeous setting for a bookstore, with a vintage-feel that makes me want to sit on the stage and read a Jane Austen novel. 

So, what bookshops would you like to visit?

Tell me in the comments!

Sophie
x

*Images used in this post are not my own but, have been re-sized to fit with the format of my post.

Post-It Notes, To-Do Lists and Crammed-Full Notepads

Those afternoons spent attempting to find a matching set; the thrill I get when I walk into Staples; the anticipation for the back-to-school shop. It's taken me a while to realise that I have an obsession. In fact, it was only a few weeks ago when I paused to take a picture of the multi-coloured post-its I found whilst out shopping that I noticed. Perhaps the caption - "Definition of Heaven?" - that I wrote as I sent it to a friend was a sign? Maybe the multiple times I pulled out my phone for the purpose of showing a family member or friend the picture? If not, it could be the to-do lists stuck sporadically over the front cover of my current-read, written in a scrawl that suggests I was half-awake at the time. Which, at 1.30am, I was. Or the colour-coordinated revision notes and highlighted quotes inside the school text books I own, doodled over with arrows, hardly any room to analyse another word. Now, I don't even use those that are littering the teacher's desks in class but rather bring my own; swapping with classmates over the table when I notice they have hot-pink post-its. That's a colour I never seem to own. The post-it colours I own match the highlights I have and this is how it should be.

Yes, I have a little stationary obsession.

This was my definition of Heaven.

When using post-it notes was first mentioned, whilst discussing the worries that haunt me in the latest hours of the night, I was told to simply keep a few beside my bed with a pen, no longer having to crawl out from under the covers to write a reminder down. And I did that. I'd wake in the morning to post-it notes stuck to my bedside table, and a quick scan over what I had written - most of which was incoherent - I knew what I was doing that day. With more control over my senses than in the early hours, when I could be found contemplating escape-routes after hearing the click of a door handle, I could see that those things I had needed to write down were not such a problem. That, in fact, I could solve them in a few minutes. Or wouldn't need to at all. Unsurprisingly, things are a little  different now, but I'll blame that on the person who introduced me to the world of post-it notes in the first place. The next step? A noticeboard.

Without a notepad, I can't begin to contemplate writing any posts. In the corner of my room, kept in a neat stack, a collection of notepads sits next to my review-copies. The pile consists of last year's diary, notepads filled with novel ideas that will never be used and a blog book that does not have a single clean page left. One that is crammed with more lists, those that details everything from the posts I want to write to the places I want to visit, has a permanent place  on my desk, and I can't help but say I've spent time admiring the pastel-coloured ribbons for page-markers. There are several things I couldn't live without - a notepad being one of them - but an ink-pen is another. I'll forever be in debt to Bic ballpoint pens or Papermate for dragging me through English exams, but without the flow of an ink pen across the page - the freedom that it gives me when I'm planning out posts - I can't handwrite at home. The slightly cursive style I seem to adopt when holding my latest favourite in my hand...it's the closest to calligraphy I think I will ever manage.

Are you a fellow stationary collector? Notepad hoarder?

Tell me in the comments!

It's possible I got a little carried away...

Sophie

x

A Morning at Buckingham Palace

After three months of waiting, last Monday I was approaching Buckingham Palace in a taxi, trying to make myself look presentable after less than three hours sleep the previous night. The train had left at just before four in the morning, and I had been up since half-past two re-checking my bag - making sure I had packed the invitation(which I was very likely to forget) - and working out the best way to keep a shirt from creasing during the journey. After winning a Journalism Award in June(blog post here!), having written an article on our obsession with technology, I thought I would talk about if for a few weeks before it would almost be forgotten. Instead, we received an email with information about a Prize Giving hosted for the winners by the Duke of York, followed by the itinerary for the day and invitations detailing the dress code in the months after. The idea of walking through those gates was one I couldn't contemplate, as I had only just seen the Palace from the outside.

Even before I walked through the gates, the morning had proved to be eventful. Arriving a few hours early - not willing to take another risk after we were two hours late for the finals - the time was spent at a cafe inside Paddington Station, overlooking the platforms as they became packed with commuters. London must be the most interesting place to people-watch! I tried to calm my nerves, phoning a friend to tell them I had just met Prince Harry as a distraction, but this failed to work. The tube lines had closed and we were a half-an-hour tube journey away. Every time there was an announcement I froze. We did - when London's tubes must have been at their slowest - arrive on time, with about ten minutes to spare. 

During the prize-giving

Inside, what I loved the most was how 'at home' each of us there was made to feel; encouraged to talk as we took our seats ready for the ceremony and the room descended into silence. We were able to draw back the curtains and look out at the gardens, where I noticed a lamp with a crown on top, and I may have left some fingerprints on the glass! Even when the Duke of York was stuck in traffic, they simply played a video about the Judging Day to fill the time. I was surprised at how relaxed the whole morning was! My teacher and I were in the first row of seats, where I couldn't help but be thankful for the short walk up to collect the award, convinced that I would have fallen if it was any further away. What we both agreed on was that it didn't feel like we were actually inside Buckingham Palace, all of us there talking like we were having a conversation on the street rather than at the Queen's house. It was so great, though, to see the sense of camaraderie we all seemed to have, where the teachers were sharing perfume in the toilets whilst I tried out all the different hand soaps.

I'm the one with the ponytail!

Since my piece was about technology, when it came to collecting my award, I spoke about how journalism gives scientists a voice and the importance of this to the public. When I had realised I was next, a few minutes had been spent rubbing my palms into my trousers, knowing I would have to shake Prince Andrew's hand. I don't think he noticed how sweaty they were! Instead, I was handed the framed certificate ready for the pictures, certain that they wouldn't be the best when printed. I couldn't help but be a little scared when, as I returned to the safety of my seat, he pointed to me and said he was going to ask some "very tough questions" afterwards. And, as he spoke to all of us there individually, I'll admit I struggled to answer! I had to question what our lives had become when we finally went to find some food. I'm convinced I almost committed a crime by spilling some of the tea I had over the edge and onto the plain-white table cloth. After that I kept to orange juice. I'd noticed that BBC Presenters Dallas Campbell and Liz Bonin, and before we all had to leave the Palace I was able to sneak a picture with them in the courtyard. Or ten pictures, as this was the time my teacher's camera decided not to work properly.

I'm not the type of girl that finds herself in Palaces every day. Or one that belongs at any sort of event that involves public-speaking and photographers. Between the walking to the men's toilets rather than the women's and the not being able to hold a china cup, I probably did appear a little vulnerable. But, I can't say I'll ever forget it.

***

This is the part where I thank you for all of the support over the past two years of running this blog! Knowing that people are taking the time to read what I've written and to post comments continues to make my day. What is said in comments and on Twitter has given my the boost to continue writing and to fall in love with blogging/journalism. Thank you so much for helping me get there!

Sophie
x

UKYA Authors I Haven't Read Yet(But Want To)!

Earlier, notepad and pen in-hand, I sat down with the intent of writing a short-list of those authors I haven't read yet. Unlike those whose books I buy instantly, the moment they reach bookstores, these I have never picked up. Not once. I've read reviews of their novels, added them to a wishlist, admired shelves dedicated to them in a bookstore. As the list soon became two pages long, rather than the few bullet-points I was expecting, I decided to split it in two: the first being about UKYA authors, who I love supporting. We have some brilliant writers in YA, and I would love to spend more time reading what they have written, as - admittedly - most of my bookshelf features novels from American writers.

Moira Young

Moira Young's Blood Red Road - the first in the Dustlands trilogy - has been waiting on my shelf, in a space between my favourite dystopias, to be read for almost a year. In desperate attempts to find time to read it, I've taken it on road trips, becoming caught up in conversation rather than in the  characters and plot. Since the copy I own is covered in reviews on the inside cover comparing it to The Hunger Games, it's no surprise that I snatched this up. Teamed with the raving-reviews, book-award wins and intriguing synopsis, I knew this was a must-read. Already, I love the aspects Young has drawn into one novel, including a life or death scenario, and can't wait to read the first book by this author. With the three novels already published, I have no excuse not to pick them all up, especially since I've wanted to see whether Moira Young's writing lives up to they hype.

Annabel Pitcher

At the beginning of this year, Ketchup Clouds was at the top of my must-read list after receiving it for Christmas, picked up after I read about the novel on Amber's blog. I admired - and continue to - Pitcher's idea for the novel, that seemed so bold, the choice to write about a child sending letters to a criminal on Death Row. There is such a contrast between an 'innocent' child and somebody in an American prison. When I bought Ketchup Clouds, I also saw Pitcher's debut - My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece - on the shelves, but decided not to pick it up; wanting to try one before buying the entire collection. I've passed it during almost every trip to a bookstore since, but with one of her books still unread, I know I can't add it to my shelf. I'm really excited to read both of Pitcher's novels; expecting for them to be two of my favourite reads this year. I'll love the covers - and spine decoration - regardless, though! 

Holly Bourne

Whilst writing a post about the lack of books about mental illness, and how important it is for more to be published, Holly Bourne announced that her next novel would be about OCD. And I couldn't have been happier. After reading more about the book - which will be published in 2015 - I found out it was exactly what I had been waiting for. A novel, not with a friend or parent - a secondary character - suffering, but the main character struggling with illness. With recent events, it's crystal-clear that disorders like OCD and Depression do need to be covered more in novels, to raise awareness. The more they are written about, the less stigma surrounds the subject. 

Before it's released, though, I'd love to be able to read her previous novels - Soulmates and The Manifesto and How To Be Interesting - as both have been praised endlessly in reviews. Already, I love how both her published novels are completely different genres; hopefully, I'll love how Bourne tackles them.

CJ Daugherty

Outside of blogging only a few of my friends love to read and, mostly, I recommend novels to them - and then am forced to pick up double the amount of merchandise from book events to share. It's a small price to pay. When discussing reading in class once - amidst the release of The Fault in Our Stars - I was asked if I had read the Night School series. I hadn't. Since, we've had a few conversations about the series, and I've become really interested in the Bullingdon Club - a secret society in Oxford University that the likes of David Cameron have been members of - that the book is based around. From what I had read about the series before, I had always assumed that it was a fantasy series, following in the footsteps of The Twilight Saga. Now I know more about the inspiration behind the series, I'm looking forward to reading them, and discovering CJ Daugherty's world.     

So, what UKYA authors haven't you read that you want to?

Any from the list above?

Tell me in the comments!

Book Blogging Truths

Recently, I've come across multiple articles criticising book bloggers; which is quite ironic since teenagers are called-upon for being unproductive repeatedly in the media. But, that is a different discussion entirely. It's what is written in these articles - and what is thought offline - that I want to talk about. It may be time that some of these myths, for those of you standing on the vicinity of book blogging, are addressed.

 

• We are paid to write positive reviews by publishers and/or authors.
• We only discuss popular books to increase our own pageviews.
• We discriminate against self published - or 'indie' authors.
• We don't actually read all of the books we review.
• We only set up our blogs to receive free books
• All book bloggers work in publishing or the media

When I began book blogging I simply joined Blogger, and, after a few hours of deliberating over the blog name, wrote my first post. It was then, after a few weeks, that I realised I wasn't the only one posting reviews. At the time I was thirteen, with no previous writing-experience apart from short stories scrawled in my English book, and I had only read one review before. Though, I soon found that some of those blogging, who were reading my posts, had started their blogs when they were eight. Admittedly, I was slightly older, but I had never been trained or taught how to contact publishers or promote my work. Why? We are not professionals. We are not seasoned journalists. We are not even all part of the publishing industry. Instead, most of us are teenagers typing in our bedrooms with a mug of tea and cramped backs.

In other news, we do read all of the books that we review. I spend hours reading; and this seems to be a surprise for some. Online, in the blogging community, our conversations are based around the books we read; whether they are borrowed from the library or sent to us by publishers for review. Those books from publishers - referred to as ARCs are sent to us in exchange for an honest review. What we write is our unbiased opinion. You could say the book itself is our 'payment', as we don't get compensated for writing a five-star review. And, most of the time, we chose what books we want to read, based on reading preferences; meaning that reviews are positive as we read what we want to.

Book bloggers don't spend hours writing posts, taking notes for the review and then piecing it together just to receive free books. Receiving the occasional upcoming-sequel, or just-published debut, is a treat, as you still have to control what you do and don't accept. Why? Running the blog itself is time-consuming, so balancing reading and writing is a huge part of our 'job'. And, our letter-boxes are not crammed to the brim with hotly-anticipated sequels every day either.  I have one neatly organised pile, waiting in the corner of my room.

My last point? We do not ignore self-published authors! We have been called upon, as mentioned briefly above, for choosing more popular authors and books to feature on our blogs for better pageviews. In review-policies, it is true that a lot of bloggers - including myself - state that they don't accept self-published books, and this is for very different reasons than what has been said lately. I love 'indie' authors but, I don't love my e-reader; and this is the same for a lot of bloggers. There are problems when it comes to reading the novel. Self-published authors very rarely - and understandably - send out paperback copies, and for those who can't access a Kindle, it makes reviewing them difficult. I do a lot of reading outside during the summer, and that means I can't accept online copies instead.

Most bloggers communicate with self-published authors online using social-media. When it comes to new-releases, these are the authors that we are going to accept books from, because we want to support those who we know. From past experience, I've learnt those writers I've spoken to before have been more understanding if I have a problem or there's schoolwork that needs to be completed before I read their book. If I have some emails from a few self-published authors, and one is from an author I've gotten to know, it's only fair that I chose them. All bloggers do.

Have you read any myths about book blogging?

Any of the above?

Tell me in the comments!



Book Review: 'This Song Will Save Your Life' by Leila Sales

For months, This Song Will Save Your Life has been waiting on my shelf, lost amongst the other contemporary titles that are also unread. Desperate for a quick-read, during a break from A Song of Ice and Fire, I decided to pick this up. I loved it.

"You think it's so easy to change yourself.

You think it's so easy, but it's not."

All her life Elise Dembowski has been an outsider.

Starting a new school, she drams of fitting in at last - but when her best attempts at popularity fail, she almost gives up. Then she stumbles upon a secret warehouse party. There, at night, Elise can be a different person, making real friends, falling in love for the first time and finding her true passion - DJing.

But when her real and secret lives collide, she has to make a decision once and for all: just who is the real Elise?

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

It's difficult to do a book like This Song Will Save Your Life justice. This novel is both powerful and poignant; the author tackling issues including self harm and suicide with ease throughout. Sales is able to create an honest and heart-wrenching novel, one that is a must-read for those struggling on the sidelines, written with an understanding of teenagers - and how we really feel - that I have never read before in YA. Whilst challenging us to accept ourselves, this also has hints of humour, creating light-hearted moments amidst the serious topics that are dealt with in Leila Sales' most recent release.

Elise, the protagonist, is desperate to be someone else. She wants to have a friend to eat lunch with; somebody to talk to; a seat in the middle of the bus. Simply, she doesn't want to be alone. And I could recognise these feelings as being similar to my own. This Song Will Save Your Life begins a few days before schools starts, with Elise studying how to become popular, having never been able to fit in. And, as she took notes on how smiling at a person will make them like you, I realised how relatable character; one whose problems are not sugar-coated. I loved her character; the conflicting personalities she had, from how she felt in school compared to Start(the warehouse nightclub she stumbles across). Her character's voice is smart and sharp, with added wit, her story capturing what it feels like to find somewhere you belong.

"Popularity rewards the uninteresting."

Start is introduced a few chapters into the novel; and this saw the addition of vibrant and fun characters to the plot. The rock star outfits, rhinestone pumps and packed dance-floor create Start, the crowd inside it made up of DJs, singers and band members. With this came Vicky, Pippa and Char, and Sales was able to show us that they were human. Just like Elise. Away from Start, I really liked how Elise's parents and siblings were written-into the novel; especially when I was reading about how they reacted to her giving up. It was great to see that how parents are affected in these situations wasn't avoided.

Leila Sales' writing is unflinching; the author handling current issues, such as bullying, that affect many young people, honestly. There was no glamourising, and as a reader, I really appreciated that. In some YA novels, it can feel like tough-topics are thrown in, but This Song Will Save Your Life could challenge multiple self-help guides instead. I cannot praise Leila Sales enough. Whether Elise is feeling angry or frustrated, upset or uneasy, Sales is able to execute it, and I loved how 'real' her characters felt. There are life lessons to be learnt in this novel, with quotes from the characters written down amongst those from other favourites.

Music plays a huge part in this novel, the author introducing me to Blur and Oases, the novel filled with songs from most decades on the set-list at Start. Elise's knowledge of DJing, and how it was written, was never over-complicated, so amateurs - like myself - could understand, and the novel still be believable.

Overall, I cannot praise this novel enough. It's honest, heart-wrenching and has the right amount of humour, making this a novel I loved.

5 Stars

So, have you read 'This Song Will Save Your Life'?
Have you heard a Blur song before(unlike myself)?

Tell me in the comments!

Series' I Haven't Finished Yet!

Half-way through a series - one that I've read back-to-back to that point - I walk past a bookstore. The latest YA releases are inside, including a standalone that is on my must-read list, and after a few minutes of pleading, I convince my parents that I do, in fact, need enough book. I arrive home and, instead of reaching for that final book in the series, I grab my newly-bought read instead, promising to return to the other set of books later. I never do. In fact, I've not reached the end of multiple series' - including Harry Potter(Yes, I'm ashamed to admit that!).

 

Harry Potter(J.K Rowling)

Would you forgive me if I told you that I have read the first two books, at least? That I've been sorted into Gryffindor with Harry Potter and played a giant chess-game with Ron Weasley? Maybe? It is likely, though, that I would have never discovered J.K. Rowling's writing if I hadn't studied it in English. My teacher made them the most magical two years. Time was spent designing our own Hogwarts professors; reading the novel out-loud; watching Harry Potter parodies on TouTube at the end of the lesson. I still have my battered blue Year Seven English exercise book, with red-pen marking my spelling mistakes, which I read through every few months. In those lessons, we all participated. Where, in some schools, you'll find the class reading from textbooks, we spent the time listening to classmates attempt Hagrid's accent.

Every Summer I promise to read the series. Sometimes, I have the books - borrowed from the library - stacked in a corner, and still choose to read other novels instesd. One of the reasons why is the length of the series; in particular, the final novel, which could challenge that of A Game of Thrones. Reading seven novels takes time, and as a book blogger, I'd struggle to read them and books to review. And, if I ever was to complete J.K. Rowling's novels, I would want to read them back-to-back, spending months with Harry, Hermoine and Ron without worrying about the pile of shiny new YA debuts waiting to be read. When discussing Harry Potter with friends they always comment on the impact it had on their childhood; the world it opened up to them. Now I'm fifteen, I worry that I'm past the age that Rowling's books were for, and that I would be disappointed. I hope that I'm wrong.

Matched(Ally Condie)

I absolutely loved the first two books in the Matched trilogy. The idea that everything is chosen for you, such as who you should love, was really believable; the Officials seemingly striving for perfection in society.  I was cheering-on the characters, falling in love with Condie's writing style and choosing who to support in terms of the love-triangle(Xander!). But, mainly, I really enjoyed how this novel highlighted how important words are. Cassia can't write - only type - and this opened-my-eyes to our obsession with technology.

I've been waiting to read the final instalment for months; long enough to forget the details from Matched and Crossed.  I would reach for the final book and start reading it this moment, but I wouldn't know who most of the characters were, or what was happening in the plot. If I do decide to read Reached, which I'm highly-anticipating, it will also mean re-reading the previous books beforehand. I want to know I have the time to read them all in a few days, before I start again.

The Mortal Instruments(Cassandra Clare)

There has been a huge amount of hype surrounding these novels recently, especially during the City of Heavenly Fire(The Mortal Instruments #6) release a few months ago, discussion continuing about the next movie instalment. I read the first novel in the series last year and liked it. But, I didn't fall-in-love with Clare's novel as I expected to. Though the Shadowhunter world was intriguing, I struggled to understand some key plot-points, continuing to read because I wanted to rate it five stars. I really did. And, whilst most readers have swooned over Jace - the love interest - I could only think of him as being too sarcastic. We didn't have a good relationship.

I'm not desperate to continue with Clary and Jace's story. I did purchase the next two books in the series, in an attempt to have the full collection on my shelves, but I'm yet to read the first few pages. I've heard that Clare's prequel series, The Infernal Devices, is better than The Mortal Instruments, and as it is set in Victorian London, I'm definitely interested in picking these up soon. I'm excited to see how Clare combines fantasy and historical fiction, whilst winning me over to her Shadowhunter world.

What series' are you yet to finish?

Any of the above?

 

Tell me in the comments!

Diversity in YA: Write More About Mental Illness

Whilst LGBT issues are finally being addressed in YA, after much campaigning, isn't it time that more books were released tackling mental illness? Not with the addition of a character who washes their hands constantly or has a set of perfectly sharpened-pencils. That's a stereotype. Not with a brief mention of a classmate who once tried to commit suicide, or someone who has self-harmed. With an author writing a book about disorders such as OCD and Depression. But, why write it for the YA audience? Why is it that teenagers need to read books about such a tough-topic? I'll tell you why. Before I began to write this post, I decided to do some research, and I came across statistics about the number children who suffer from a mental illness. Ten percent do in the UK, and I couldn't believe it was such a high number. You could be sitting in class, and not realise that three of your friends are faced with the task of living with a mental illness. It's a huge number.

 

Diversity in YA is important for one reason: it reflects our society. We're not all one race, one religion, one sexuality. We're not all the same. I've noticed there are more books, each month, that break the boundaries; who tear down the walls between the 'perfect' characters we so often read about and the truth. Yet, I can name only a few novels that deal with mental-illness. Liz Coley's Pretty Girl Thirteen was a novel I read last summer, and still continue to recommend, it being the first time I come across Dissociative Identity Disorder. And now, I understand what those who suffer from DID experience - when it appears in a Documentary or on TV - being much more empathetic. I also read This Song Will Save Your Life recently, where author Leila Sales writes about suicide, and - having supported a friend through a similar situation before - I finally felt I could grasp how frustrated she must have felt. And I realised how wrong I was to assume it was an overreaction.

 

A lot of young people read novels. I hate to admit that reading isn't as popular as it used to be, but occasionally a novel will create a trend that changes that. A few months ago, this was The Fault in Our Stars, which educated young people about the effects of Cancer. It seemed like everyone was reading it; talking about it; tweeting about it. Next time, it could be a story following characters with mental-illnesses. We've all heard the "I've got OCD" statements when a person starts organising an untidy set of books, or "I'm so depressed" in the corridors after a Maths lesson. These are brushed-off as being just an expression. More books discussing these illnesses - such as anxiety - would help people realise what they are actually saying. It would help teach them - us - what happens during the worst moments in these illness; after recent events, its important that people know what sufferers have to try and overcome. It's not easy. With more coverage there's more discussion, and that's what we need. It would hand mental-health patients the respect they should have had years ago.

Young Adult is an important genre. At our age, we begin to want to know more about the world we live in; no longer wanting to read sugar-coated tales. We want to read about characters we can relate to, where the authors understand what it is like to be a teenager. We need to know that someone has been through the same situations we find ourselves in, and have made it through. Mental illness affects all of us - some not directly, but through family and friends. Whilst readers could benefit from seeing how their favourite character copes with having Depression, another may learn how to support a friend. With the recent release of OCD Soap - which has been removed from sale by Paperchase - it's clear that we more books about mental illness; read by young people who won't continue to release products we've seen recently. Books have an impact on many lives - it would be a shame to not see more authors tackle issues that are so prominent in society.

*Information(both statistics and on OCD Soap) was up-to-date when I wrote this post for scheduling. Statistics are from the Mental Health Foundation's website.

Do you think that more books need to tackle mental illness?
What other subjects should be seen more in YA?

Tell me in the comments!

 

What Makes a Five Star Read?

A few months ago, I wrote a post called 'What Makes a Book Blogger?' which I recently came across when looking through my blog archive. Over the past few weeks, I've been spending most evenings baking, and now have a new collection of recipe books culminating on my desk. Nights have passed where I've been covered in cake-mixture, along with the rest of the kitchen, icing sugar creating a dusting like snow on the floor. I've been wanting to incorporate other hobbies of mine - such as cooking - into my blog for a while now, and piecing together more 'recipes' - as the first was so much fun to write - seemed like the perfect way to do so. This time, it's a recipe for making a five-star read.

 

50g page-turner

50g tension

50g detailed-descriptions

100g danger

100g deceit

100g laugh-out-loud humour

150g suspense

150g plot twists

250g adventure

250g tear-jerker
350g new-world technology
350g quote-worthy conversation
350g character backgrounds

500g non-stop excitement

500g heart-pounding action
500g faulted characters

600g fictional friendships

750g intricate world-building

750g beautiful writing

1 fictional pet

1 realistic hero/heroine

1 hateful villain

1 swoon-worthy love interest

1 bittersweet ending

 

 

1tsp cliffhanger

1tbsp romance

1 box of Kleenex

 

An assortment of mythical creatures.

A gorgeously-designed cover to match the inside.
In the case of a love-triangle, another male lead.

Mix together. Hand over to book bloggers and wait for the reviews to be posted.

Warning: Unless you're John Green, a five-star rating cannot be guaranteed.

What would you include in a recipe to make a five star read?

Tell me in the comments!

Survival Guide: Book Blogging

When I started book blogging, all I had was a netbook - that was covered in Hannah Montana stickers - and a half-filled bookshelf. Two years on, there are now three filled shelves in my bedroom, along with a box and other stacks wherever they can fit(under my desk, for example). I've realised that there are some essentials book bloggers need, mostly for reviews, and that you can never have too many post-it notes. As for bookmarks, I have an ever-growing collection on my desk, but I still use the TV remote - until my parents are looking for it - at times.

 

-Access to a laptop or tablet, with no broken-keys(like my first!);

A camera(useful for book hauls), but a camera phone works;

-Headphones are must-have when siblings are home;

-A blog email account with an updated contact list that includes publishers;

-Memory stick;

- Stacks of multi-coloured post-it notes;

- A few packs of page-markers, in different shapes(arrows are my favourite!);

- Multiple bookmarks, collected from different events, within arms-reach;

- A pile of battered notepads, with both lined and plain paper inside;

- A diary, keeping your blog posts organised;

- Set of pens, some need to be without chewed-lids;

-Other stationary, including themed-rubbers and animal pencil sharpeners;

- Business cards for book festivals;

-Strong backpack, spacious inside for carrying hardbacks;

-Storage boxes, for un-shelved ARCs and proof-copies, along with old favourites;

-Bookshelves or a bookcase, with lots of space for new novels;

-Stock of teabags/coffee ready for writing;

-Designated blogging-mug;

-Book-themed merchandise(I own a Mockingjay Pin!).

 

So, what's on your book blogging survival guide?

 

Tell me in the comments!

 

Casting the Characters #3: 'Half Bad' by Sally Green

Casting the Characters is a feature where I choose the actors/actresses that I would like to see bring the characters from my recent reads alive, if the novel was ever to be adapted. Recently, I read and reviewed Half Bad, which had a set of characters that were described in such depth, and so distinct when compared to other novels. Where I usually struggle, this time it was surprisingly easy to pick actresses/actors, and I didn't need to use IMBD for help!

 

Header designed by Ruby from Feed Me Books Now

The Cast

Asa Butterfield as Nathan
 

 
Nathan, the protagonist in Half Bad, is a character we see at different ages throughout the novel. We see him await the arrival of his seventeenth birthday throughout, watching his siblings experience their Giving Ceremonies, from a young age. But, for the most part, the novel is told when he is a teenager, experiencing endless Assessments by the Witch Council to decide whether he is a Black witch(like his father) or White witch(like his mother). He faces bullying - even for his siblings - and brutality for being a Half Code, but also falls in love and questions who he is.

 

As an actor, Asa Butterfield has proven his depth, playing the lead in the book adaptation The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. He could tackle the emotionally-charged scenes with ease, and then take on those that are crammed with action(after his role in Ender's Game). I don't think I could see another actor in this role; especially as Butterfield has the jet black hair that Nathan describes. Most importantly though, he already has the English accent!
 

Jake Abel as Arran/Kristen Stewart as Jessica

 



Nathan's half-siblings, Arran and Jessica, act very differently towards him. Jessica hates Nathan; blaming him for his mother's suicide and refusing to act decently towards him. She is described as being 'full of herself' and tries to trick Nathan into revealing his thoughts towards his Black witch father. Arran is very protective of his half-brother, taking on the role of defending him.





Kristen Stewart

I've seen Jake Abel in both Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and The Host. The wit - and charm - that he brought to these roles reminds me of Arran, and Abel would be able to settle into the brotherly scenes with ease, possible adding in some humour. Kristen Stewart's role as Bella Swan would really help her when playing Jessica, as their personalities are quite similar. When discussing the physical appearance, both look how I pictured Arran and Jessica when reading, and they would be able to tackle the brother-sister dynamic.

Jeremy Irons as Marcus/Meryl Streep as Mercury
 

Nathan's main focus during the novel is to find Mercury: a powerful Black witch who is rumoured to eat boys - and who could give him the three gifts needed to become a full witch. With a gift that controls the weather, she is short-tempered and cunning, and is described as being "as cold and heartless as an iron bar". She isn't weak, though. The main character is also waiting for his father; another Black witch who steals the gifts he wants. Hunters, the Witch Council, even Mercury, all want his head.

 

If you've read Half Bad, you've probably come to the conclusion that I didn't choose these actors for the similarities that they have with Marcus and Mercury appearance-wise. Marcus demands attention, and only Jeremy Irons could have such a powerful presence. His role as Macon in Beautiful Creatures highlighted that. With a few hours in hair and makeup in the mornings, Meryl Streep would be the perfect choice, especially since she would be playing the villain. It would be so much fun to witness this!

 

Although these characters aren't found in every part, they are the ones I could picture most vividly when working through Half Bad. I'd also love to see Helen Mirren as Nan, and Sophie Turner(from Game of Thrones), possibly, as Annalise.

 

So, have you read 'Half Bad'?

Who would you cast?

What if your latest read became a movie?

 

Tell me in the comments!