Heather James's Blog, page 35
January 14, 2017
Skin Deep: Inspiration and Planning
A few months ago I posted a little bit about my next short story, Skin Deep, which is a gender-reversed retelling of Beauty and the Beast. My plan is now complete and I'm ready to start work on chapter one, so I thought I would share a little bit of information about my inspiration and initial planning.
After I'd got my initial character ideas down in Scrivener, my next job was to find and read the original fairytales. The most famous version of Beauty and the Beast (besides the Disney film) is by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, but this is an abridged version of an original tale by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Both are worth reading, although they are rather different to Disney's interpretation. Skin Deep will use aspects from both tales, as well as a lot of new elements, just like Mirrored Snow and Princess Charming.
As well as my reading research, I also started to put together a Pinterest board. I make these for all my stories as I find them a really helpful way of compiling my ideas. The images are also be really helpful when I come to work on my cover art. You can take a look at my Pinterest board for Skin Deep below. It contains a few hints of what's to come. I'll be posting the first chapter on the blog before it goes on Wattpad, so keep an eye out for future updates!
After I'd got my initial character ideas down in Scrivener, my next job was to find and read the original fairytales. The most famous version of Beauty and the Beast (besides the Disney film) is by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, but this is an abridged version of an original tale by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Both are worth reading, although they are rather different to Disney's interpretation. Skin Deep will use aspects from both tales, as well as a lot of new elements, just like Mirrored Snow and Princess Charming.
As well as my reading research, I also started to put together a Pinterest board. I make these for all my stories as I find them a really helpful way of compiling my ideas. The images are also be really helpful when I come to work on my cover art. You can take a look at my Pinterest board for Skin Deep below. It contains a few hints of what's to come. I'll be posting the first chapter on the blog before it goes on Wattpad, so keep an eye out for future updates!
January 7, 2017
PopSugar 2017 Challenge
Despite failing miserably at last years, I'm still going to give the 2017 challenge a go. I will try to update the list below as I go along. You can find out more about the challenge here.
A book recommended by a librarianA book that's been on your TBR list forever {Snow Like Ashes}A book of lettersAn audiobookA book by a person of colourA book with one of the four seasons in the titleA book that is a story within a storyA book with multiple authorsAn espionage thrillerA book with a cat on the coverA book by an author who uses a pseudonymA bestseller from a genre you don't usually read {a crime novel, perhaps?}A book by or about a person who has a disabilityA book involving travelA book with a subtitleA book that's published in 2017 {Carve the Mark}A book involving a mythical creature {A Court of Wings and Ruin}A book you've read before that never fails to make you smile {Harry Potter - I'm due a series re-read!}A book about food {The Weekend Baker}A book with career advice {Structuring Your Novel}A book from a nonhuman perspective {interesting... not sure what to try for this one}A steampunk novelA book with a red spineA book set in the wildernessA book you loved as a child {HP counts twice if I'm reading multiple books in the series, right?}A book by an author from a country you've never visited {Way Down Dark has been sat on my Kindle for a while now}A book with a title that's a character's nameA novel set during wartimeA book with an unreliable narrator {I love these! This is a great excuse to find a really good one}A book with pictures {one of the many, many picture books I will be reading this year...}A book where the main character is a different ethnicity than youA book about an interesting womanA book set in two different time periods {The Next Together - I'm interpreting this as at least two...}A book with a month or day of the week in the titleA book set in a hotelA book written by someone you admire {The Cursed Child}A book that's becoming a movie in 2017 {I will need to do some research for this one as I can't think of any off the top of my head}A book set around a holiday other than Christmas {An Easter story? Or a spooky Halloween read?}The first book in a series you haven't read beforeA book you bought on a trip
It's a really interesting list! There are some extension ones this year too, but since I usually struggle with the basic list I won't look at them quite yet. I've tried to fill in some of the gaps with novels I'm already planning to read. I will update with reviews as I go.
Are you taking part? Let me know in the comments if so and please post your ideas for some of the categories.
A book recommended by a librarianA book that's been on your TBR list forever {Snow Like Ashes}A book of lettersAn audiobookA book by a person of colourA book with one of the four seasons in the titleA book that is a story within a storyA book with multiple authorsAn espionage thrillerA book with a cat on the coverA book by an author who uses a pseudonymA bestseller from a genre you don't usually read {a crime novel, perhaps?}A book by or about a person who has a disabilityA book involving travelA book with a subtitleA book that's published in 2017 {Carve the Mark}A book involving a mythical creature {A Court of Wings and Ruin}A book you've read before that never fails to make you smile {Harry Potter - I'm due a series re-read!}A book about food {The Weekend Baker}A book with career advice {Structuring Your Novel}A book from a nonhuman perspective {interesting... not sure what to try for this one}A steampunk novelA book with a red spineA book set in the wildernessA book you loved as a child {HP counts twice if I'm reading multiple books in the series, right?}A book by an author from a country you've never visited {Way Down Dark has been sat on my Kindle for a while now}A book with a title that's a character's nameA novel set during wartimeA book with an unreliable narrator {I love these! This is a great excuse to find a really good one}A book with pictures {one of the many, many picture books I will be reading this year...}A book where the main character is a different ethnicity than youA book about an interesting womanA book set in two different time periods {The Next Together - I'm interpreting this as at least two...}A book with a month or day of the week in the titleA book set in a hotelA book written by someone you admire {The Cursed Child}A book that's becoming a movie in 2017 {I will need to do some research for this one as I can't think of any off the top of my head}A book set around a holiday other than Christmas {An Easter story? Or a spooky Halloween read?}The first book in a series you haven't read beforeA book you bought on a trip
It's a really interesting list! There are some extension ones this year too, but since I usually struggle with the basic list I won't look at them quite yet. I've tried to fill in some of the gaps with novels I'm already planning to read. I will update with reviews as I go.
Are you taking part? Let me know in the comments if so and please post your ideas for some of the categories.
December 31, 2016
2017 Books I can't wait for
There are so many amazing books coming out in 2017, but these are the three I am looking forward to the most.
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another. {Goodreads summary}
Publishing: January
Why I want to read it: Roth teased the opening online and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by S J Maas
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. {Goodreads Summary}
Publishing: MayWhy I want to read it: Why would anyone not want to read it? The ending ACOMAF still has me on tenterhooks.
Strange the Dreamer by Lani TaylorStrange the Dreamer is the story of:
the aftermath of a war between gods and men
a mysterious city stripped of its name
a mythic hero with blood on his hands
a young librarian with a singular dream
a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.
Welcome to Weep. {Goodreads Summary}
Publishing: March
Why I want to read it: Because I loved her previous series and that summary is amazing!
Which 2017 releases are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments.
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.
Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another. {Goodreads summary}
Publishing: January
Why I want to read it: Roth teased the opening online and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by S J Maas
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. {Goodreads Summary}
Publishing: MayWhy I want to read it: Why would anyone not want to read it? The ending ACOMAF still has me on tenterhooks.
Strange the Dreamer by Lani TaylorStrange the Dreamer is the story of:
the aftermath of a war between gods and men
a mysterious city stripped of its name
a mythic hero with blood on his hands
a young librarian with a singular dream
a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.
Welcome to Weep. {Goodreads Summary}
Publishing: March
Why I want to read it: Because I loved her previous series and that summary is amazing!
Which 2017 releases are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments.
December 24, 2016
Books on my Christmas List
These are the books I am hoping to get for Christmas (or on Kindle shortly afterwards since I think I'll be doing most of my reading in ebook form in the new year)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (illustrated version)So, technically I haven't read the first illustrated version yet, but it looks lovely on my shelf and I'm collecting them ready for when my daughter is old enough to be introduced to the wizarding world.
The Cursed ChildI finally got to see the play in November (over a year after buying tickets) and I can't wait to revisit the story again. I'm so, so pleased that I didn't get it before I saw the play though, as it was fantastic not knowing what was going to happen next.
Structuring Your Novel by KM WeilandSomething a bit different, but definitely an area of my writing that I need to be working on. I'm hoping this book will help.
The Midnight Star by Marie LuI don't know why I didn't buy this the day it came out. I need to find out what happens next in this amazing fantasy series!
The Crown by Kiera CassAnother series I really should have finished by now. Who does Eadlyn choose? I need to know!
Are there any books you're looking forward to getting hold of over the festive season? Let me know in the comments which ones you can't wait to read.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (illustrated version)So, technically I haven't read the first illustrated version yet, but it looks lovely on my shelf and I'm collecting them ready for when my daughter is old enough to be introduced to the wizarding world.
The Cursed ChildI finally got to see the play in November (over a year after buying tickets) and I can't wait to revisit the story again. I'm so, so pleased that I didn't get it before I saw the play though, as it was fantastic not knowing what was going to happen next.
Structuring Your Novel by KM WeilandSomething a bit different, but definitely an area of my writing that I need to be working on. I'm hoping this book will help.
The Midnight Star by Marie LuI don't know why I didn't buy this the day it came out. I need to find out what happens next in this amazing fantasy series!
The Crown by Kiera CassAnother series I really should have finished by now. Who does Eadlyn choose? I need to know!
Are there any books you're looking forward to getting hold of over the festive season? Let me know in the comments which ones you can't wait to read.
December 21, 2016
The Accident Season
The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.
But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?{Goodreads Summary}
TAS is such a fun, unique story which was light and dark all at once; fantastical and magical, but with contemporary issues explored throughout. I really enjoyed reading it and never quite knew where it was going to go next.
“Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our hearts break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive.”
The prose was lyrical and beautiful; the characters enchanting and the story one of the most unique I have read this year. Fowley-Doyle is a superb writer and I will definitely be on the look out for more of her works in the future.
“The day is still bright, but fading, like it's tired of holding on to the sun and the birdsong and the green smells of the fields just outside of town.”
The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.
But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?{Goodreads Summary}
TAS is such a fun, unique story which was light and dark all at once; fantastical and magical, but with contemporary issues explored throughout. I really enjoyed reading it and never quite knew where it was going to go next.
“Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our hearts break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive.”
The prose was lyrical and beautiful; the characters enchanting and the story one of the most unique I have read this year. Fowley-Doyle is a superb writer and I will definitely be on the look out for more of her works in the future.
“The day is still bright, but fading, like it's tired of holding on to the sun and the birdsong and the green smells of the fields just outside of town.”
December 17, 2016
Princess Charming
Tonight I posted the final chapter of Princess Charming on Wattpad.
If you missed my previous posts on Princess Charming, it's a gender-reversed retelling of Cinderella and is the follow up to my Snow White retelling, Mirrored Snow.
You can read the entire short story here:
In the new year, I will start posting the third story in the series, Skin Deep (a retelling of Beauty and the Beast) here on my blog, as well as on Wattpad. Please look out for it and let me know what you think in the comments.
If you missed my previous posts on Princess Charming, it's a gender-reversed retelling of Cinderella and is the follow up to my Snow White retelling, Mirrored Snow.
You can read the entire short story here:
In the new year, I will start posting the third story in the series, Skin Deep (a retelling of Beauty and the Beast) here on my blog, as well as on Wattpad. Please look out for it and let me know what you think in the comments.
2016: Or, the year I read some long books very slowly
According to my goodreads reading challenge, I haven't read very much this year. Twenty one books, at the time of writing. Twenty two if I can finish Empire of Storms before New Year's Eve.
The number is deceptive though. My page count has possibly never been higher (except for the years when I re-read the entire HP series in a couple of weeks). I read some really long books this year: War and Peace; Winter; Carry On; and now EoS. YA in general seems to be getting longer. Crooked Kingdom - top of my list for next year - is going to take a while to get through. Gone, apparently, are the days of a YA novel being around 300-400 pages long. Now they span to epic proportions. Not that I'm complaining; it gives me longer to enjoy a world and it's characters. It just means that I'm reading fewer books and, if buying paperbacks, less frequently as they no longer fit so easily into handbags.
So while I am a little disappointed that I didn't reach my 2016 reading goal, I am pleased that I've read some really good books. Here's the complete list:
The Wrath and the DawnAn Ember in the AshesAll of the AboveCarry OnPoems by Emily Dickinson, series oneThe Forbidden WishSix of CrowsThe Unmumsy MumRadio SilenceShadow and BoneA Court of Mist and FurySiege and StormRuin and RisingWinterRebel of the SandsPS I Still Love YouNothing Tastes as GoodThe GracesThe Accident SeasonThe History BoysWar & Peace
That breaks down as:1 play1 poetry book1 non-fiction1 classic (definitely going to focus on increasing this one next year)17 YA (13 fantasy, 5 contemporary)3 male authors, 15 female (four books were written by the same author!)
So not as diverse as last year, which is a shame, but at least that gives me something to focus on next year. Plus, there's nothing wrong with reading lots of novels in a genre that you love.
And this list doesn't include the vast number of picture books I have read throughout the year - most multiple times in the same day to the point that I now have them committed to memory. Nor does it take into account the large amount of reading time that has been lost to writing this year; I've had a really productive year where my writing is concerned and have lots of exciting projects to continue to focus on in 2017.
The number is deceptive though. My page count has possibly never been higher (except for the years when I re-read the entire HP series in a couple of weeks). I read some really long books this year: War and Peace; Winter; Carry On; and now EoS. YA in general seems to be getting longer. Crooked Kingdom - top of my list for next year - is going to take a while to get through. Gone, apparently, are the days of a YA novel being around 300-400 pages long. Now they span to epic proportions. Not that I'm complaining; it gives me longer to enjoy a world and it's characters. It just means that I'm reading fewer books and, if buying paperbacks, less frequently as they no longer fit so easily into handbags.
So while I am a little disappointed that I didn't reach my 2016 reading goal, I am pleased that I've read some really good books. Here's the complete list:
The Wrath and the DawnAn Ember in the AshesAll of the AboveCarry OnPoems by Emily Dickinson, series oneThe Forbidden WishSix of CrowsThe Unmumsy MumRadio SilenceShadow and BoneA Court of Mist and FurySiege and StormRuin and RisingWinterRebel of the SandsPS I Still Love YouNothing Tastes as GoodThe GracesThe Accident SeasonThe History BoysWar & Peace
That breaks down as:1 play1 poetry book1 non-fiction1 classic (definitely going to focus on increasing this one next year)17 YA (13 fantasy, 5 contemporary)3 male authors, 15 female (four books were written by the same author!)
So not as diverse as last year, which is a shame, but at least that gives me something to focus on next year. Plus, there's nothing wrong with reading lots of novels in a genre that you love.
And this list doesn't include the vast number of picture books I have read throughout the year - most multiple times in the same day to the point that I now have them committed to memory. Nor does it take into account the large amount of reading time that has been lost to writing this year; I've had a really productive year where my writing is concerned and have lots of exciting projects to continue to focus on in 2017.
2016: Or, the year a read some long books very slowly
According to my goodreads reading challenge, I haven't read very much this year. Twenty one books, at the time of writing. Twenty two if I can finish Empire of Storms before New Year's Eve.
The number is deceptive though. My page count has possibly never been higher (except for the years when I re-read the entire HP series in a couple of weeks). I read some really long books this year: War and Peace; Winter; Carry On; and now EoS. YA in general seems to be getting longer. Crooked Kingdom - top of my list for next year - is going to take a while to get through. Gone, apparently, are the days of a YA novel being around 300-400 pages long. Now they span to epic proportions. Not that I'm complaining; it gives me longer to enjoy a world and it's characters. It just means that I'm reading fewer books and, if buying paperbacks, less frequently as they no longer fit so easily into handbags.
So while I am a little disappointed that I didn't reach my 2016 reading goal, I am pleased that I've read some really good books. Here's the complete list:
The Wrath and the DawnAn Ember in the AshesAll of the AboveCarry OnPoems by Emily Dickinson, series oneThe Forbidden WishSix of CrowsThe Unmumsy MumRadio SilenceShadow and BoneA Court of Mist and FurySiege and StormRuin and RisingWinterRebel of the SandsPS I Still Love YouNothing Tastes as GoodThe GracesThe Accident SeasonThe History BoysWar & Peace
That breaks down as:1 play1 poetry book1 non-fiction1 classic (definitely going to focus on increasing this one next year)17 YA (13 fantasy, 5 contemporary)3 male authors, 15 female (four books were written by the same author!)
So not as diverse as last year, which is a shame, but at least that gives me something to focus on next year. Plus, there's nothing wrong with reading lots of novels in a genre that you love.
And this list doesn't include the vast number of picture books I have read throughout the year - most multiple times in the same day to the point that I now have them committed to memory. Nor does it take into account the large amount of reading time that has been lost to writing this year; I've had a really productive year where my writing is concerned and have lots of exciting projects to continue to focus on in 2017.
The number is deceptive though. My page count has possibly never been higher (except for the years when I re-read the entire HP series in a couple of weeks). I read some really long books this year: War and Peace; Winter; Carry On; and now EoS. YA in general seems to be getting longer. Crooked Kingdom - top of my list for next year - is going to take a while to get through. Gone, apparently, are the days of a YA novel being around 300-400 pages long. Now they span to epic proportions. Not that I'm complaining; it gives me longer to enjoy a world and it's characters. It just means that I'm reading fewer books and, if buying paperbacks, less frequently as they no longer fit so easily into handbags.
So while I am a little disappointed that I didn't reach my 2016 reading goal, I am pleased that I've read some really good books. Here's the complete list:
The Wrath and the DawnAn Ember in the AshesAll of the AboveCarry OnPoems by Emily Dickinson, series oneThe Forbidden WishSix of CrowsThe Unmumsy MumRadio SilenceShadow and BoneA Court of Mist and FurySiege and StormRuin and RisingWinterRebel of the SandsPS I Still Love YouNothing Tastes as GoodThe GracesThe Accident SeasonThe History BoysWar & Peace
That breaks down as:1 play1 poetry book1 non-fiction1 classic (definitely going to focus on increasing this one next year)17 YA (13 fantasy, 5 contemporary)3 male authors, 15 female (four books were written by the same author!)
So not as diverse as last year, which is a shame, but at least that gives me something to focus on next year. Plus, there's nothing wrong with reading lots of novels in a genre that you love.
And this list doesn't include the vast number of picture books I have read throughout the year - most multiple times in the same day to the point that I now have them committed to memory. Nor does it take into account the large amount of reading time that has been lost to writing this year; I've had a really productive year where my writing is concerned and have lots of exciting projects to continue to focus on in 2017.
December 10, 2016
Nothing Tastes as Good and The Graces
I am combining blog posts for these two brilliant, although very different UKYA novels as I'm so behind on my reviews!
Nothing Tastes as Good by Claire Hennessy
Don’t call her a guardian angel. Annabel is dead – but she hasn’t completely gone away. Annabel immediately understands why her first assignment as a ghostly helper is to her old classmate: Julia is fat. And being fat makes you unhappy. Simple, right?
As Annabel shadows Julia’s life in the pressured final year of school, Julia gradually lets Annabel’s voice in, guiding her thoughts towards her body, food and control.
But nothing is as simple as it first seems. Spending time in Julia’s head seems to be having its own effect on Annabel . . . And she knows that once the voices take hold, it’s hard to ignore them. {Goodreads Summary}
I had read a lot about NTAG on twitter before picking up a copy and read it as part of the SundayYA bookclub.
While I thought NTAG was amazing, it was also quite a hard book to read. It's dark and it's upsetting. Hennessy takes you deep into Annabel's head and it isn't a particularly pleasant place to be. However, the thing that troubled me most about it was that it didn't really provide any solutions: everything anyone said or tried to do for Annabel and Julia made things worse instead of better. It highlighted how difficult it is to help and support someone with an eating disorder.
“Maybe she knows, like I do, how harmful help can be, how sometimes the people who claim to care about you can hurt you the most.”
Annabel would definitely feature in a top ten list of my favourite unlikable protagonists (something I might look at putting together in the New Year). There were so many times that I wanted to shout at her and tell her not to do something and her voice was one of the real strengths of NTAG.
The Graces by Laure Eve
Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on? {Goodreads Synopsis}
A good synopsis shouldn't give much away. It shouldn't have to. This summary of The Graces drew me in without really giving me any indication of the story that was about to unfold. I spent a large portion of the novel trying to decide if it was a fantasy story about witches, or a contemporary story about a girl who wishes magic was real. There were so many twists, turns, secrets and big reveals that I never knew what was about to happen.
All this was accompanied by a picturesque setting (I'm going to try and read more novels set in Cornwall next year), intriguing characters and beautiful writing. The only thing I wasn't quite so keen on was River's feelings for Fenrin, which never really made much sense to me. But the ending was superb and I have very high expectations for book two.
No quotes as Goodreads doesn't seem to have any for some reason and I finished it too long ago to remember where my favourites were.
Nothing Tastes as Good by Claire Hennessy
Don’t call her a guardian angel. Annabel is dead – but she hasn’t completely gone away. Annabel immediately understands why her first assignment as a ghostly helper is to her old classmate: Julia is fat. And being fat makes you unhappy. Simple, right?
As Annabel shadows Julia’s life in the pressured final year of school, Julia gradually lets Annabel’s voice in, guiding her thoughts towards her body, food and control.
But nothing is as simple as it first seems. Spending time in Julia’s head seems to be having its own effect on Annabel . . . And she knows that once the voices take hold, it’s hard to ignore them. {Goodreads Summary}
I had read a lot about NTAG on twitter before picking up a copy and read it as part of the SundayYA bookclub.
While I thought NTAG was amazing, it was also quite a hard book to read. It's dark and it's upsetting. Hennessy takes you deep into Annabel's head and it isn't a particularly pleasant place to be. However, the thing that troubled me most about it was that it didn't really provide any solutions: everything anyone said or tried to do for Annabel and Julia made things worse instead of better. It highlighted how difficult it is to help and support someone with an eating disorder.
“Maybe she knows, like I do, how harmful help can be, how sometimes the people who claim to care about you can hurt you the most.”
Annabel would definitely feature in a top ten list of my favourite unlikable protagonists (something I might look at putting together in the New Year). There were so many times that I wanted to shout at her and tell her not to do something and her voice was one of the real strengths of NTAG.
The Graces by Laure Eve
Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on? {Goodreads Synopsis}
A good synopsis shouldn't give much away. It shouldn't have to. This summary of The Graces drew me in without really giving me any indication of the story that was about to unfold. I spent a large portion of the novel trying to decide if it was a fantasy story about witches, or a contemporary story about a girl who wishes magic was real. There were so many twists, turns, secrets and big reveals that I never knew what was about to happen.
All this was accompanied by a picturesque setting (I'm going to try and read more novels set in Cornwall next year), intriguing characters and beautiful writing. The only thing I wasn't quite so keen on was River's feelings for Fenrin, which never really made much sense to me. But the ending was superb and I have very high expectations for book two.
No quotes as Goodreads doesn't seem to have any for some reason and I finished it too long ago to remember where my favourites were.
December 8, 2016
Christmas Picture Book Spotlight: Ten Little Elves
I don’t think there are words that could adequately describe how much my daughter and I love Brownlow and Rickerty's Ten Little… series. We have read each one so many times that even my two year old knows the words by heart and will often now do most of the ‘reading’ herself. The pictures are bright and cheerful, with so much to see that you find yourself spotting new things on even the fiftieth reading. And the rhymes and onomatopoeia makes these books a delight to read out loud.
Ten Little Elves came out in November, but we managed to hold off on getting it until closer to Christmas (helped by the fact that we’d only just got Ten Little Monsters). It is already becoming a firm favourite in our house.
TLE follows Santa's elves on a quest save Christmas by retrieving medicine for Santa’s sick reindeer on Christmas eve, without whom he’d be unable to deliver presents. As with the other stories in the Ten Little... series, nothing goes to plan and the poor elves encounter a number of challenges on route, including snowball throwing seals, the Snow Queen and (my daughter's favourite) a rather cross looking polar bear.
TLE is funny, engaging and - most importantly - festive. I'm certain this won't be the only December that we'll enjoy reading it in our house!
What are your favourite Christmas picture books? Please pass on your recommendations in the comments.
