My Adventures in Writing: Sarah Dessen

My love for Sarah Dessen will never falter. I will always be waiting for her next book. And, if a day comes when my writing is as inspiring as hers, it will be a dream come true. 

I've read all her books (bar one, I think), some of them multiple times.

My absolute favourite thing about Sarah's books starts with the way they all occur in the same few locations. Colby, for example, is a seaside town that will stay with me forever. Every book builds more of it in my mind. Even sitting here, writing about it now, I can see it: the shops, and the houses, and the beach, and the boardwalk. There are a few different schools, and different towns, but there's always at least one location that's been mentioned in another book.

Which leads me nicely to my absolute, absolute, favourite thing. I'll be sat there reading the newest book, and suddenly, subtly, there's a cameo from the main character of a previous book. There are so many reasons why I love this.

Review: Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne

Title: Am I Normal Yet?
Author: Holly Bourne
Edition: Usborne Publishing Ltd. 2015, UK

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis

All Evie wants is to be normal. And now that she's almost off her meds and at a new college where no one knows her as the-girl-who-went-nuts, there's only one thing left to tick off her list...But relationships can mess with anyone's head - something Evie's new friends Amber and Lottie know only too well. The trouble is, if Evie won't tell them her secrets, how can they stop her making a huge mistake?

Review

When I finished this book, I logged straight into Goodreads – it's like a ritual now. I sat there, Goodreads in one hand, this book in the other, being asked what rating I would give it. Initially, I was thinking four stars, but then, out loud, I asked myself "what's wrong with this book?" The answer? Nothing. So five stars is what it gets. 

My Adventures in Writing: NEW SERIES

I've been toying with a series of writing posts for a while now, but I didn't know quite where to start. The logical thing to do would be to use the series as a journal, dedicated to documenting my journey as I attempt to write a novel. However, being over 40,000 words into my novel already, that just doesn't work. 

Today has been a good day. I've just been given my mark for my creative portfolio (which consisted of three short pieces – middle grade, clean teen, and YA) which gave me 45% of my overall grade for my Writing for Young People module. I got a first. Add that to the first I got for my essay (on love, family and friendship in YA fiction) in the same module, plus the first in attendance and participation, I've only gone and earned myself a first in that whole module. Something that I am incredibly proud and happy about. 

I've been telling my friends about just why this has made me so happy. It's not because I set high expectations for myself and love it when I actually achieve them. It's because, when you do well in something that you have little or no passion for it's good, it's fine, well done me. But when you love something, there's a strange and powerful urge, a desperation, to do well. And for me, doing well in this module, both the creative and the analytical side, means more than just a brilliant grade. It means, finally, I'm good at the thing I've found the most passion for. 

Review: Think Twice by Sarah Mlynowski

Title: Think Twice (Don't Even Think About It #2)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Edition: Orchard Books, 2016

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis

What's worse than having telepathy in high school? Having telepathy in high school, and then losing it. When class 10B got their flu shots and developed the unexpected side effect of telepathy, it seemed like the worse thing ever. But two years later, they've got used to their powers. They've even come to like them. And as they prepare to leave school, they're all making exciting plans - plans that involve them being Espies. So when one by one they suddenly begin to lose their powers, they know they can't let it happen. Can they save their telepathy before it's too late? Or will they have to learn how to survive without them once again?

Review

I first read Sarah Mlynowski when I picked up her book Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done (which I recommend to fans of Kody Keplinger). After that I picked up Don't Even Think About It. And, boy am I glad I did. 

This two-book series has the most incredibly premise, and the voice is even more amazing. I have never read a book with this perspective before; I'm not even sure what to call it. It's first person (third person?!?), past tense...but plural. As in, not 'I' but 'we'. When the group is all together it reads as first person. But when the focus shifts between individual characters it's third person. Whatever you want to call it, as a writer, I find it incredible. It elevates the entire novel's theme of friendship and intimacy. I may write a review in the future dedicated to Don't Even Think About It, but for now I'll focus on Think Twice. 

Review: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Title: Peter Pan
Author: J. M. Barrie
Edition: Parragon, 1994

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where the lost boys play. Magic and mischief is in the air but if villainous Captain Hook has his way, before long someone will be swimming with the crocodiles... (Taken from Waterstones.com)

Review

Peter Pan in a single word? Charming.

I thought that the Disney adaptation I know best was about as magical as it could get. Turns out I was wrong. *gasps of horror from me, the huge fan of Disney*. I realise that it wasn't exactly a literary choice, but the early 20th century language brings its own kind of magic, reading the story today. 

I was shocked for some reason, by how well all the adaptations I've seen have stuck to the original story. I loved reading lines and realising I'd heard it before, exactly the same way. 

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Edition: Electric Monkey (Egmont), 2016

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis

Addictive, dreamy and contemporary YA romance at its very best! It is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson, Stephanie Perkins and Rainbow Rowell. The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them...until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs the trellis to sit by her and changes everything.

Review

April is off to a flying start; book one done in 5 days. And I totally called it on this one. My Life Next Door definitely channels some Sarah Dessen vibes, but it reminds me of Morgan Matson and Stephanie Perkins too. All of whom, I LOVE. 

I'm going to start with the Garretts, because, wow, I love them all. I've always wanted to write a story that involved a big family, and I almost did. But I ended up feeling like there were too many unnecessary characters. Having read about the Garretts though, I'm thinking I should try again. Each member of this family is so distinctive and I didn't lose track of who was who. I think it worked so well because some of them played bigger roles than others but still all had a purpose. I think my favourite Garrett was probably George. He was adorable and I loved his interactions with Samantha. 

Jase. I loved how down to earth he was, and how hard he worked. The way that he and Samantha got to know one another felt really easy and seamless; they felt like friends as well as more than that. I thought the scenes that handled the sex part of their relationship were written so well. They were realistic and honest, with just the right amount of detail. 

I loved the summery feel of the whole book, the descriptions, the summer jobs, the romance, and, to a point, the slow sort of pace. However, the last third or so was full to the brim with emotion and intensity, which was great, and kept me up half the night reading, and I wish there'd been a little more of that a bit sooner. 

There were also a few strings that weren't really tied up for me. Like, Nan? (I don't want to spoil it so I won't say anymore) I would have liked a bit more of a wrap up at the end in terms of what happens to Sam's mum and Jase's dad. 

This book was so close to getting 5 stars, but those few things brought it down. Having said that, I would definitely read this book again and look forward to picking up more of Huntley Fitzpatrick books in the future, and not just because of the pretty, stripy spines.

Favourite Quote
"All around me are summer voices. The lap of the shore far away, the roar of a motorcycle coming up the street, the shhhh of the wind in the dogwood trees."

Review: The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Cycle: The Raven Boys, The Dream Thieves, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, The Raven KingAuthor: Maggie StiefvaterRating: ★★★★★ ★

Review

Okay, so, I know The Raven King isn't out yet which means I can't review it but I've just finished reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue and I want to review that, as well as the first two in the series. Since I read them a while ago, I thought I'd do a review of the series as a whole rather than the individual books. So, here goes.

I didn't actually come across this series until my friend read it and adored it (this is the Peter Pan friend I keep referring to). She then went on and on, telling me I had to read it. I read the blurb and wasn't sure it'd be my thing. My friend and I have a pretty good relationship about reading. A lot of the time we read and love the books we recommend to one another but we're just as happy to read a book and disagree about it, or even not read a book recommended y the other. And, like I said, I wasn't going for it, but she seemed so enthusiastic and passionate about it that I guess I was curious. So, I borrowed it, and I am SO GLAD I did. 

April TBR

1st of April is here. Which means, obviously, a new TBR! Well, half a new one anyway. Since March didn't go as planned, the last two books of my March TBR are now the first two books of my April TBR. Does that make sense? Well, take a look and maybe it'll be a little clearer. 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

I've actually already started this one – see? Didn't I say April would be better? – and it's going pretty much as I expected. It feels a little Sarah Dessen, which is great, because she's my all-time favourite author. I have a feeling it'll remind me of the sort of stories I want to write, and hopefully inspire me.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

On my March TBR I said not to google Peter Pan book covers. But, I did it again. And found this one. Fun Fact: since then, the friend in last months TBR has purchased this edition. I don't even know how many copies she has now. Fun Fact #2: A different friend has also received a fancy edition of Peter Pan. I really need to read this. 

Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne

Because I am weak and have no self control, I bought more books which means my TBR pile is getting bigger, rather than smaller. This was one of them. I have a good reason though. I bought How Hard Can Love Be? a while ago without realising it was the second book in a series of sorts. I couldn't bring myself to read it before the first. 

How Hard Can Love Be? by Holly Bourne

And here it is! That 'second book in a series of sorts'. And I shall be reading it in the appropriate order. I've seen so much about this book online, I'm excited to read it and find out what the fuss is about. 

Reading Roundup

March has been a super busy month – deadlines, Easter holidays, job interviews – and my reading has experienced a bit of a slump. Which makes me sad, BUT the very few books, that is, two, which I've managed to fit in have been extremely good reads. And, I will be back on it for April. I will. I am DETERMINED. So, March's books:

Glass Sword

Rating: ★★★★★

Not going to lie, Glass Sword was pretty intimidating to look at. 400+ pages, the size of a hardback? If I hadn't been waiting for this book to come out, I would not have even tried. I don't think it was quite as good as Red Queen, but there were so many twists that I wasn't expecting, ones that had me scribbling in the margins. My full review isn't up yet, but it's going to be a special one, I promise. (Edit: it's here)

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Rating: ★★★★★ ★

I WILL finish this before the end of March *nervous laughter*. I'm so nearly finished but so far, much like the two before it, Blue Lily, Lily Blue is amazing. I won't gush too much here, I'll leave that for the full review, here. Plus, look, a gold star! 
(Edit: I finished it in the (very) early hours of April 1st...does that count?)

Like I said, I'm pretty disappointed in myself this month. It can only go up from here, right?