Poetry Review: the witch doesn't burn in this one

Hey guys! In this week's blog I'm going to be talking about and reviewing Amanda Lovelace's second installment of poetry. I have read the princess saves herself in this one and it was one of the best collections of modern poetry I have read. I'm also open to more poetry book suggestions so please feel free to comment your recommendations!

So Amanda Lovelace's idea of poetry is different to the normal, old fashioned type but in lots of ways it's so much better in getting messages across. In this second poetry collection, Lovelace explores topics such as revenge, politics, sexual assault and feminism.

When I first read the book my first impression was that it was very anti men. I haven't been through her experiences so I can't comment on that but I feel like most of the poems attacked men - maybe it was just aimed at rapists and bad men but for me, I would feel rather uneasy about reading this as a guy.

However, Lovelace explores her inner strength in this book as well as her previous one. She writes mostly about women helping women, supporting one another; knowing that we are strong. I think it's so important that she has written about this subject because we do need to stick together and change the world through art. If even one person reads your work, that might be the sign they needed. That might be the thing that they need to hear. If your art can change or empower another person, even just one person, it's still worth writing, painting, drawing, crafting.

Lovelace also explores eating disorders and how we see ourselves. Lots of young people could feel less alone just by reading her poems. A major theme in this book is having confidence and exploring how that isn't a bad thing. As long as you don't have a massive ego but you love who you are, that's all that matters.

We need to cheer each other on and that's what I have taken away from this book. I want to stand up for myself and be the happiest version of me possible. Reading Lovelace's poetry always inspires me to follow my dreams - shouldn't all writers' work have that effect?

Have you read any of her work? If you haven't I highly recommend getting down to your local bookstore or online to buy both her works! Until next week, Vee x

Book Review: Turtles All The Way Down

Hey guys! So as you may know, I'm a huge fan of John Green and have read all his books. I've been wanting to read Turtles All The Way Down for a long time and I finally finished it! I won't lie, it was hard to get into but you can definitely tell Green has put himself into his work once again, even if it isn't the masterpiece Looking For Alaska or Papertowns was. 

The book is about Aza and her struggle with OCD and I believe other mental illnesses. The book goes really in depth into this subject so it may be triggering for some.

I sympathized with Aza but I also didn't really like her personality. Her mental illness pulls her apart from her friends and family. However, there isn't much about Aza that we know.

Green didn't really give her character much build up...it was mostly about her illness and how this was her. The book is supposed to be this way but I did struggle with just reading about her thoughts and not having much background information. 
Although I know John Green's work is very trippy and quirky, it was a little bit dull for me.

I thought the descriptions and portrayal of mental illness was well thought out. But apart from that I felt like the characters weren't fully formed and the book only became exciting near the end. This book is pretty much all about reality like all his books - but with a twist. Even if it's far fetched, that's Green. He executes his work brilliantly but for me this isn't one of my favourites.

I liked the friendship between Aza and Daisy because it's real; they have arguments which is normal. Friends stick by you but they also tell you the truth. However, I think the relationships between the characters needed to be more in depth and I expected more mystery surrounding Pickett's disappearance.  It was mostly about Aza's condition, which in the general scheme of things is what Green is trying to portray. That mental illness is all consuming. This is such a powerful book so I won't spoil it for you! I was just left a little confused and disappointed with the story line.

However, books like these are so important to have for people to understand mental illness; it gets inside the mind and I must admit I have had intrusive thoughts - everyone does - so maybe that is why I struggled with the theme.

Please let me know your thoughts about the book once you've read it; I'd love to know what other's opinions are.
Well, until next time. Love, Vee x

Books That Should Be Movies

We all know on our shelf there are books we wish were movies. Obviously in a perfect world, they would represent the book exactly right. And even though this mostly doesn't happen, we all still crave our favourite book to be made into a movie. I've compiled a list of books I loved reading and therefore think would make excellent films. Thank god Every Day by David Levithan is being made - it needed to be so badly!

The Shiver Triology by Maggie Stiefvater

I know, I know, I go on about this series way too much - but there's a reason! It was the best fantasy series I've ever read and I think the whole wolf/forbidden relationship thing would make the perfect movie.

Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Come on guys; it would be the gayest, happiest movie out there with Tiny Cooper running the show. I still need to read the Tiny Cooper Hold Me Closer book but I stand by my opinion that it should be a movie.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

This is one of the first LGBT books I read and I've never looked back since; all I read are gay romance novels. David turned me into an LGBT fanatic. No joke. It would be such a cute film about love and lust and acceptance.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Geekerella was such a cute retelling of Cinderella with geeky twists and nerdy happy ever afters. I think it would be the perfect film to go watch with that nerd who loves Disney movies.

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

This book had me in floods of tears and gave me too many shivers to count. I can imagine it to be something like the Notebook and such a wonderfully sad film. This needs to happen. Anyone want to start a petition with me?!

What are some of your books that you wish could be movies? Let me know in the comments! Until next time, Vee x

Meeting David Levithan

Hey guys! So a few weeks back I had the privilege of meeting David Levithan at Waterstones Piccadilly for the YA Extravaganza panel event. I was so excited for this because I originally booked to see David at an event where we were going to watch Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and he was going to sign books. But unfortunately Oliver came down with pneumonia so we couldn't attend, which is why I was so thrilled to get a second chance to meet him!

Oliver and I went along to Waterstones and waited in line to get in. As we sat down there was a sneak peak of David's Someday, the sequel to Everyday but we aren't allowed to show anyone so we felt really exclusive. The atmosphere was amazing with so many fangirls and book nerds.

We listened to the panel which had authors Juno Dawson, Alice Oseman, Simon James Green , Lucy Christopher and Katherine Webber. And obviously David. They talked about the writing process, different types of books and the audience had a chance to ask questions about the books and the authors themselves. I realized, after the talk, that I knew some of Juno's work and I'm really interested to get my hands on Clean, her latest book.

After the talk we all had a chance to meet the authors and purchase books so obviously I had to meet David and I bought his latest release, Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah, which was co written with Rachel Cohn. I walked up to him and my stomach was full of butterflies. I handed him the book and told him he's my favourite author and his book, Two Boys Kissing was my absolute favourite and he told me it was his too. I asked for a photo and he agreed!

I was so thrilled and the feeling that ran through me was a mixture of pride, amazement and promise. I hope that one day I can be just like him; editing and writing stories from home, flying over the world to give talks and have discussions. I felt at home and what a wonderful feeling it was.

I can't wait for Someday to come out in October and I feel empowered by these authors to follow my own dreams. I also got to know more authors who's books I'm interested in reading and who doesn't love adding more books on to their To Be Read piles?!

Thank you for reading and I'll see you soon! Love, Vee x

Bookish Merch For Your Loved One

We all have that bookworm in our life, and if you don't know who it is, then it's probably you! If you're thinking about buying gifts for a loved one or just for yourself, then have a look at my list of bookish merchandise to buy. Enjoy!

Stationary and Bookmarks

One of my favourite bookish sellers is Fable and Black (UK) who sell bookish pins, mugs, notebooks and much more. I personally had a haul before Christmas and bought myself some notebooks, pins, patches and tote bags.

I bought myself this reading journal that's absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to start using it. I also bought a few notebooks with various quotes. Can you tell I'm obsessed with tea?

The bookmark in the photo is from Wallflower Designs and I received it when I was a rep. Charlie has some beautiful designs on her website which you can find here. I love Fangirl quotes!

Pins and Patches 

I have the "Read more" pin and "Books" patch from Fable and Black and I absolutely adore them! I even got a discount on the pin because it was damaged before buying (I haven't noticed at all).
















(Photos from Fable and Black's website)

I still need to buy a denim jacket to sew this bad boy on to!

Tote Bags

This tote bag is also from Fable and Black and I use it for everything -not just books! It's sturdy and will be the perfect gift for a literary lover to show off.

Mugs

I bought this mug on Amazon and I absolutely love it. I admit I haven't read all the Harry Potter books, I watched the movies, but I still love the quotes!

If you love Beauty and the Beast then you'll love Primark's selection of Disney pieces. I searched high and low for this Chip mug and finally found it! Now I just need Mrs Potts and the purses. I also have the Chip Purse which stands next to my mug (they're too cute to use!).

I hope you enjoyed the blog and if you have any merch ideas you'd like to share with me, please drop a link in the comments.

Remember to follow my Instagram: neurotic.writer.ramblings

Film Review: Every Day

Hey guys! So in this week's blog I'm going to be reviewing the film Every Day. The book was written by David Levithan and is one of my favourites.

However, the book is always better and in this case it certainly is. The book made sense and was reality mixed with the impossible. The ending is different from different perspectives - like in Another Day we see Rhiannon's point of view and in Every Day we see A's.

The film could have been better executed in so many ways; for instance, they could have had A and Rhiannon narrate the story so we could actually understand what was happening - unless you read the book first this would be a very disappointing film. The ending is different to the book and the overall acting was dramatized and cringy. The way they run off and have adventures is completely different from the book and the French restaurant they meet at was hardly mentioned.

For anyone thinking teen romance films are already too cringy, their opinion would be valid if they saw this movie.

The speed of which they got through the scenes made little to no sense and there was hardly any comedy or train of thought. It was as if the film was making tons of scenes and lobbing them together, regardless of whether or not they made any sense. There was no transition is what I'm trying to say.

The film had the potential to be really well done, and even though some of the scenes reminded me of the book, the ending is disheartening for anyone who hasn't read it first. I was really looking forward to seeing how they pulled this film off but the time and effort wasn't there and it certainly didn't show.

I hope Levithan will stick to the books because they are so much better than any movie could be. I hate to give a bad review but I have to be honest, even if it's a product from my favourite author.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you read the book first or after! Until next time, love Vee x

Ways to Celebrate Get Caught Reading Month

Hey guys. This month is "Get Caught Reading" month and to celebrate, let's all get caught in the act!

Get Caught Reading month is obviously about reading, but why was it created? Well, it was created as a campaign to get more children and people of all ages into reading and lots of celebrities such as Dolly Parton and Cole Sprouse have participated.

Where do you usually read? In bed? On the way to work (if you use public transport)? I've seen people reading in some usual places or situations! For instance, I've seen people read books as they walk. I don't know about you, but I'd definitely walk into something or somebody. Take a photo, or get a trusty friend to take one of you reading somewhere and post it in the comments.

Ways to Celebrate Get Caught Reading Month

• Host a book giveaway/swap
• Go to your local library and see if they are hosting any events
• Host a photo contest for the best "Get Caught Reading" picture
• Make bookmarks
• Read with your children/volunteer to read at the hospital/library
• Read in your lunch break/on the way home or to work
• Host a Readathon with friends
• Compare books to movies and write a post about it
• Write a book review if you haven't before
• Try and have a go at writing your own short story or encourage your child to
• Swap a movie for a book night
• Go to a book sale
• Sell some of your own books or donate them to charity

Don't forget to read and encourage others to read this month!

I hope you enjoyed this post and I'll see you next time. Love, Vee x

My First Book Group

Hey guys! So as you might know, I'm an introvert and the thought of starting new groups or clubs scares me so much. However, I recently found out one of the bookstores I like has a "detox" evening of reading.

They leave the store open late to let others come along to read. I was hesitant by the idea of going to a new group alone until my friend offered to come with me and several friends were there! It's so good to have friends who read or draw or who do any number of different arts or crafts.

I have been struggling recently to sit down and unwind after work and having a reading slump is never fun. Especially when it's a book you've wanted to read for a while. However, going to this group, even for just an hour, relaxed me in such a way that all my negative energy from work and from the day miraculously lifted from my shoulders. I felt light, relaxed and sleepy. I walked home afterwards thinking I felt really positive.

(Picture from The Book Hive website)

It was wonderful sitting upstairs on the cushions in the window of The Book Hive. It's a lovely little bookstore and if you live in or around Norwich, I definitely recommend it for any bookworm. If you're an introvert like me and new things scare you, I'm here to tell you that you need to dive into the unknown. You need to conquer that fear.

I recommend trying to find a friend who is willing to go with you or even trying to make a conversation with someone new at the book club. It's a great way to meet new people and get new book recommendations! You can dive into the depths of the unknown and come out the other side. Don't let your anxiety ruin opportunities and experiences. You've got this!

Let me know about your book group experiences below! And if you want to check out The Book Hive, click here. Until next time, Vee x