Exciting Times

Hi there readers!

Drum roll please - I have some exciting news to announce. Well, okay it’s exciting for me. Do you remember a blog post I did last year about World Book Night? It’s an organisation which promotes reading, like World Book Day, but slightly cooler. Do you remember now? No.

Here’s a brief description;

·         The public votes for their favourite book of the year.

·         Really crazy book-lovers apply to be a ‘giver'.

·         These givers select a book that they’d like to hand out ( from the top 20 books)

·         On the 23^rd of April, across the country, hundreds of book-lovers will be handing out their selected book.

So, the exciting news that I’d like to share with you is that I have been selected to be a World Book Night giver! Whoop, whoop. The idea of introducing people to reading is one that makes me positively ecstatic. It’s strange to imagine a life which doesn’t involve reading – I’m lucky enough to have been introduced to books at a young age.

The books that have been nominated of the top 20 books this year are;

                                                                                    

1. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
2. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
3. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
4. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
5. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
6. A Little History of the World by E.H Gombrich
7. Little Face by Sophie Hannah
8. Damage by Josephine Hart
9. The Island by Victoria Hislop
10. Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay
11. Last Night Another Soldier... by Andy McNab
12. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
13. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
14. The Reader by Bernard Schlink
15. No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
16. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
17. The Road Home by Rose Tremain
18. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
19. Judge Dredd: The Dark Judges by John Wagner
20. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry  

 

Can you guess which book I’ll be giving out? Considering that she’s one of my favourite authors, I had the pleasure to meet and interview her when I was younger and she’s made me laugh and cry the decision was and easy one for me. It is of course Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.

I chose this book because the book is so transferrable. I literally think that anyone can read it, young, old, male or female. I believe that I could hand the book to anyone and they’d enjoy it. Malorie Blackman’s message in Noughts and Crosses is so clear anyone can understand and relate to it. It’s practically a classic.

So in conclusion, I’ll be giving away books. For one amazing night. That’s what I like to call, The Best Night Out Ever.

 

P.S. It is also my birthday tommorrow...just saying.

 

Interview with Sophia Bennett

Hello everyone!

Today I've got a treat for all my readers; an interview with a brilliant YA author. She is one of my favourite authors; I've read all of her books and have written a review of Threads posted here: http://tellingitlikeateen.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/threads-by-sophia-bennett.html

 So without further ado, I’m very pleased to introduce Sophia Bennett *round of applause*.

 

Olivia: Hello Sophia! Welcome to Telling it Like a Teen. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Sophia: Hi Olivia. I'm a writer of books for teens, and I've so far published four books: the Threads series and The Look. My new book, You Don't Know Me, comes out in May.

Olivia: Why do you write YA books instead of adult fiction?

Sophia: Very good question. I think it's because I most passionately consumed books when I was 12-17. That's when I discovered my favourite authors, and writing styles, and what mattered to me about the world. Writing for that age group is very exciting for me, because you are forming the personalities and opinions that will carry you throughout your lives. You're making a few mistakes and working out how to make the world better. It's a stressful time, but so exciting. But having said all that, I don't write YA deliberately. I just write what I like, and that's how it comes out.

Olivia: What is your favourite book (it can't be one of yours:) and who is your favourite author (it can't be you:)?

Sophia: Quite impossible - there are far too many special ones. But I love PG Wodehouse and Dorothy L Sayers. Recently, my favourite books were The Hunger Games and Wolf Hall. I also loved Millions.

Olivia: Who is your favourite and least favourite character from The Look?

 Sophia: My favourite character to write was Tina di Gaggia - but she has my least favourite moral standards. She really would to anything to get a good picture. My favourite character to be would be Jesse, Ava's boyfriend, probably. He's gorgeous, has a great lifestyle by the sea, and he's kind. Also, of course, I love Ted the way she ends up in the book.

Olivia: If you could be a character would you rather be Ted or Ava and why?

Sophia: Hmm. Very tricky and nobody's ever asked me that before. I guess Ted, by the end. But to start with, definitely Ava.

Olivia: In The Look, Ted becomes a popular model while Ava becomes ill, why did you choose to have this contrast?

Sophia: I thought it would make a much more interesting story than 'girl who is obviously beautiful becomes model and has a great life'. I wanted to explore the contrast between one girl discovering her looks and another battling with them. But they both discover great strength and courage inside, so in some ways their journey is the same.

Olivia: I am frequently frustrated when I read a book and find the last 30 pages are a total disappointment. Therefore I was so pleased, when I read The Look - this was not the case. Can you give our readers any tips on how to write successful endings?

 

Sophia: Oh, thank you! What did you particularly like about it? I'm very curious to know. I like endings that are slightly unexpected, but that make perfect sense when you read back over the book. I like it when the 'happiness' of the ending isn't down to the girl getting the boy or vice versa, because we all know that can go wrong soon afterwards. I like it when lots and lots of what seem like loose ends are miraculously caught up, but at the same time it doesn't seem too neat. And I like a feeling of a bubble floating high into the sky, when a character gets the happiness or recognition that he or she has earned.

Olivia: If someone gave you the choice, to either continue being a successful writer or break (successfully) into the fashion industry, which would you choose?

 

Sophia: Blimey! Wow. Well, having tried the writing out, I would say I'd stick with it - because I know the people in the writing world are wonderful and supportive and kind. But I don't hear that so much about the people in the fashion world.

Olivia: Can you see yourself writing a YA novel not centred on fashion?

Sophia:Yup. Just did! Out in May …

 

Olivia: And lastly, can you give us any hints as to what your next book will be about?

Sophia: Four girls love to sing together. But when they're mysteriously entered into a talent show, and get the chance to do well in it, they make a hideous mistake. Suddenly, it's as if the whole internet hates them for what they did, and their friendship is torn apart. How will they cope?

  

Thank you very much Sophia!

 Well I hope everyone enjoyed that. I’m very excited about Sophia’s new book – I’ve always wanted to enter a talent contest.

 
To find out more about Sophia Bennett check out: http://sophiabennett.com/

What to expect from An Unexpected Journey - going from film to book

First up, Happy New Year everybody! To kick start this year off I have posted below a review (ish) of The Hobbit film/book. I strongly recommend that if you haven’t already read the book you do that before you see the film as although the film is based on the book the storylines are quite different. Secondly, sorry for the lateness of this blog post!

The Hobbit

18.30, 3D glasses really starting to annoy me, been in the cinema for 3 hours. Really enjoying it but losing track of the endless dwarves. And those geeks in the front row are really starting to get on my nerves with their Lord of the Rings quotes. Martin Freeman looking at a bird flying off in the distance. Cut to credits. OMG it’s gonna be a trilogy! I have to wait a year to find out what happens to them! Yes, last Saturday I went to see The Hobbit in 3D with something about a higher frame rate. After I left the cinema I felt disappointed, not with the film itself but with the fact that it is a trilogy. The book is only 360 odd pages!

So, wanting to find out the fate of Bilbo and Co, I started reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I have to admit that it has been sitting on my bookshelf ever since my mum bought it for me when I wasn’t into reading – yes that long! Strangely this time I didn’t skip the introduction (a bad habit - don’t do it). The book itself is very descriptive and uses so much imagery that would bring a smile to my English teachers face.

Unfortunately, I have the faces and mannerisms of the actors playing in my mind as I read. While I’m on the topic of characters I’ll say one thing; the characters in The Hobbit (book) are very different to those in the film. For example I’m finding that Gandalf is slightly in the book whereas in the film he is shown as wise and kind. It is interesting to spot these differences as I read the book. I can feel my whole Hobbit world crumbling as I turn each page.  So far I don’t like many of the main characters e.g. Gandalf however in the film I found I loved them. I think it’s strange that my opinion of Gandalf after watching the film and after reading the book for a short while can change.

In terms of storyline, I think the film and the book are on the same page (pun!) but I do think there are slight differences. The film seemed to have made up more details whereas the book is simpler and somewhat faster.  The numerous characters are easier to remember and recognise in the book however in the film some of the characters – particularly the dwarves – get a bit confusing. Yet, in the book I think the story is harder to grasp and follow – strange considering I’m slightly at an advantage having seen the film before reading the book!

I remember reading an article a few weeks ago in preparation for my GCSE English Language Paper about The Lord of the Rings and its visuals. The author expressed feelings of loyalty towards the book and said how films can never be as good as the books that they are based on due to the fact that are imagination is greater than CGI, animation etc. However after watching the film and reading ‘Part 1’ of the book I would have to disagree with him.

I think the films like Narnia, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings/ The Hobbit are easier to understand than the books; the setting is in front of you. For me, by the time I’ve finished reading a long paragraph about X’s bedroom I’ll have forgotten the first half of it! Yet when I see a film I only have to look for a couple of seconds at an image and I’ll remember it. I’m not saying that details are bad I just think it is easier to see the setting then to imagine it. However, many fantasy novels contain items that don’t exist, these items are therefore open to interuptation. These objects e.g. the swords Bilbo and Co. find in a cave I prefer reading about.

I can’t give you an overall view of The Hobbit as I made myself stop reading when I reached the part which corresponds with the end of the film. When The Hobbit Part 2 is released then I’ll read ‘Part 2’ of the book.

Which is better? Even though I have a strong pull towards the book (as it is a book) and I normally say books are better than films, I’d have to say The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was better than ‘Part 1’ of The Hobbit.

How To Be a Teenager

Hello!

Let me get things straight. This blog post isn't about an amazing brand new book which will solve your life forever called ' How To Be a Teenager'. However if they ever do write one you will all be the first to know. No, I thought I'd be the voice of teenageness today and share with you some of my experiences with teenage hood. If you are no longer a teen and want to erase that part of your memory or if you are reading this blissfully unaware of the 'HORROR' that is in store for you, then I apologise for my next few paragraphs.

Okay what so I talk about first...

Mmmm.

Oh I know - girls and appearance.

1. So, as you may not know, I attend an all-girls school. I really enjoy it at my school, we can all talk openly about ' girl stuff' without the fear that boys will hear us, my friends can take their headscarves off at prom and best of all we can learn better in class because girls are *cough*smarter than boys. But there are some negative things about being in an all-girls school. Firstly instead of real boys most of my friends fantasise over celebrities like Zayn, Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall. Trust me after the 17th story about how your friend "had an argument on Twitter with some girl who claimed to be Zayn Malik's wife", you want to shoot them.

Next, there is just the constant bitching. And I mean constant. Imagine a bunch of cut throat fashion journalists all gathered around a table talking about a girl wearing double denim with bright white sneakers and a back to front top with the label sticking out. Now times that by about five and multiply that by EVERYDAY LUNCHTIME!

2. You have to look good. I mean all the time. It’s not like when you're 7, 8,9,10 and you don't know that people even look at you let alone judge you. Now being a teenager you are constantly being judged. You have a huge dilemma every Saturday morning about what to wear. During the week at least you have the cover of you school uniform which you have to pretend to hate but secretly think it looks good on you. You find something you like, say a perfectly nice skirt and a red t-shirt; you throw on a pair of purple Converses. You’re unsure about the outfit, you know it’s not your best but you’re going to be late.Cue the parents. They don't even present the 'you’re not going out in that' argument. That would be too easy. Instead they merely suggest that you reconsider what you are wearing. Up to that point you were thinking about changing. Now that they've said that, you can't possible change. You stomp out the front door annoyed and flustered.

Your perfectly nice skirt. All the teens think it’s too long and that you look like a 'geek' but they don't tell you that. They just stare at you. And you just know. Then they stop talking when you walk past to make it really obvious that they were talking about you. Even if a teenager likes it they'll get jealous and not like it as it looks good on you. The older people think it’s to short or to 'figure hugging’, they'll mutter something about 'young people these days'.

You have to be either with fashion or so out of fashion that you're suddenly fashionable. Jeans and t-shirt people like me practically get shunned however someone wearing creepers, jeggings, denim shorts and a fluffy jacket are like totally in. God forbid if you don't like shopping, because then you might as well just be a BOY! Oh but wait, boys have to be fashionable too. Well then you might as well be a hamster. Because hamsters have absolutely no sense of style whatsoever. New Look, Primark, Topshop and H&M are all fashionable stores that you would normally consider shopping in. However have you been in River Island? Hollister? Superdry? Nike? Paul's Boutique? If you say no then do not fear. Me neither.

3.Then you have to be pretty. But not to pretty otherwise jealous girls will not like you. How can you possibly look your best if your face is covered in spots as you puberty has caused excess oils to be produced? If you’re like me spending 20 minutes on your face every day is a pain. You'd rather be catching up on that late piece of homework or like me read. Unfortunately I talk to you about the woes of make-up because I am anti-make up aka I like my own face. However I do know that you don't want to wear too much foundation because then you look like an orange and annoying people come up to you and rub it off with their jumper.

 Also is everyone getting excited about NaNoWriMo???? Well you should be. Starts next week. I know what I'm writing about. Do you?

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin - Book Review

Hi again everyone! Here is the book review as promised quite short today.

The book I'm reviewing today is called 'All These Things I've Done' and it's written by Gabrielle Zevin. All these things I've done ( ATTID) is set in a future New York where chocolate is illegal. Mobile phones with cameras are illegal and pretty much having any type of fun is illegal. In this world of strict laws and rationing, emerges Anya - heir to an infamous criminal family. Orphaned from a young age, Anya has learnt to take care of her relatives without much thought for her own welfare. When Anya is wrongly accused of poisoning her ex-boyfriend the new District Attorney offers her a tough choice: stay away from his son or watch as he destroys what is left of her family. For Anya this should be a simple decision however she has fallen helplessly in love with the DA son, Win.

Part of the cover of All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

With an ending that will make you scream, this modern day mash up of Of Mice and Men and Romeo and Juliet will keep you enthralled throughout. Anya is a truly lovable character - it impossible to not be swept up in this love story. The best thing about Anya is that she is realistic, she doesn't dream about snogging Win or what he'll think of her - she focuses on the here and now and what is important. Perhaps this is her survival instinct kicking in but whatever it is it makes her so likable. I loved the book so much that tomorrow I am passing it on to one of my besties to read!

I thought that All These Things I've Done was a gorgeous story - but maybe I'm biased as I love novels set in the future! I'd recommend it to anyone that liked The Hunger Games, Matched or Bumped. Genuinely I think anyone who can survive a mild helping of loved up language will enjoy this book. Recommended for those age 12+. All These Things I've Done is the first in the Birthright trilogy. Her second book in the trilogy Because It Is My Blood is also now available.

To find out more about the book visit http://gabriellezevin.com/

A little holder...

Hi everyone! How's school going for all my teenage readers? I've been back for nearly three weeks now and everyday I have come back home and fallen straight asleep on the sofa. Year 11 is really taking its toll with an English Speaking CA ( that's controlled assessment for all ye olde folk) , a six hour drama exam, German Speaking CA, Maths retake, Chemistry Exam and oh all the pressure that comes with trying to find a sixth form / college.

However on a positive note, I have recently been made a Prefect - whoop, whoop, cheer, cheer, victory dance!This does mean I had to sacrifice two of my precious five lunchtimes and one break time a week including my librarian duty! I can't even begin to explain the misery that went through me when I was introduced to the prefect lunchtime rota and saw to my horror that Team 10 ( that's my team) were on student services on a Tuesday lunchtime. I literally thought my life was over and it wasn't until I went into the library to quit ( at the time there seemed to be no other option) that my friend, referred to as Stacey, said she would swap lunchtime duty with me!!!!! So as it turns out i now am a librarian on a Thursday and not a Tuesday.

Anyway, the very long-winded point I am trying to make is that because of all these things I haven't had time to write a proper blog post about books. I promise that by the end of the week there will be a new blog post.

For the moment all I can share with you is the news that today I bought 2 brand new books - using a Waterstones gift card I found lurking underneath my passport! They are Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter and , inspired by the excellent T.V series, A Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin.

World Book Night 2013

Okay, so we've all heard of World Book Day! The book fairs you had in primary school where you dress up as you favourite book character ( in my case Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz) and buy books from fold out shelves. But have you have heard of World Book Night? It's World Book Day's stepsister. I must admit I hadn't either until about 2 weeks ago.

So what exactly is it? World Book Night is a celebration of the best books around. Its aim is to encourage those who don't normally read to start reading. Members vote for their favourite books -  you don't have to pick from a list, you just type in your favourite book and nominate it. Then an independent editorial committee picks a selection of books based on these nominations. The books are then printed in there thousands and distributed by volunteers across the country. These volunteers are known as 'givers' and you can apply to be a giver if you are over the age of sixteen. I would love to be a giver next year - obviously!

World Book Night 2013 will be held on April 23rd and you have until August 31st 2012 to vote for your favourite books!

A big thanks goes to World Book Night for supplying me with this image to use in this blog post! www.worldbooknight.org

To find out more about World Book Night please visit www.worldbooknight.org