End Of Year Wrap Up

Hey guys! I hope you had a great Christmas and that your New Year's is even better! This post is going to be a wrap up with my favourite books of 2018, the best opportunities I've had this year and my goals for the new year ahead.

Before I start, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared and commented on my blog posts. It means the world to me and I've made so many friends along the way. Thank you to the authors who send me free books and to the people who are always there for me.

My Top Ten Books Of 2018

1. Sasquatch, Love and Other Imaginary Things
2. Floored
3. Emergency Contact
4. Eliza and Her Monsters
5. Attachments
6. My Mum Tracy Beaker
7. Another Day
8. Someday
9. Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
10. Turtles All The Way Down

What are your top ten books of the year? You can read all my reviews of these books by going to my "Book Review" section.

What I'm Thankful For This Year

I'm thankful for my partner and the family I've created through blogging. I have met so many amazing and kind people. This year has been one of the hardest I've had and you all showing your support to me has made me remember that nice things can happen.

I'm thankful for all the adventures I've had this year. My partner Oli and I have been to France, Amsterdam and Croatia this year. I have tasted amazing food, swam (okay, stood) in the clear blue sea, been on a swing that hangs off a building and went on a cable car to look over the Old Town in Dubrovnik.

I'm thankful for how my blog has grown and how hard I've worked on making my dream a reality. I'm proud of myself even if I know I quit things quickly. This is who I am and I'm learning to accept I can't stand still for too long otherwise I go stir crazy.

I'm thankful for the authors, such as Alex Owumi and Lisa Williamson, who let me have such big opportunities to collab on blog posts and book tours. Without these people's help, my blog wouldn't have grown.

My Goals For 2019

I don't like New Year's resolutions because I never stick to them. But I will create some goals for myself.

1. I'd like to work more on my blog and create more content for you guys. I'd love to get to 40,000 views next year, which is a HUGE goal for me.

2. I want to travel to as many places as possible!

3. I want to try things I've never done before, even if they scare me.

4. I want to build up my business and get clients!!! (SCARY)

5. I want to live more in the present than the past or future.

6. I want to save up for our own little place.

7. I would love to have a blogger's meet up!

8. I would like to read 30 books next year.

9. I'd love to make money through my blog and collab with brands.

10. I want to take better care of my mental health and learn to accept who I've become.

What are your goals for the new year?

Well, I'd like to end this post with another massive thank you and I hope your 2019 is the best year yet. Keep being you and stay strong; all your hard work is going to pay off. See you in the New Year! Love, Vee x

Book Review: My Mum Tracy Beaker

This week's post is a book review on one of my childhood favourite author's brand new book, My Mum Tracy Beaker. We all grew up watching the TV show or reading the books, and in this latest installment, Jacqueline Wilson mixes children's books with adult in this beautiful story about life, struggles and true family.

Blurb

Tracy has returned, hand in hand with her daughter Jess, she’s ready to make her childhood dreams come true.

Jess and Tracy Beaker are the perfect team. They do everything together.

Jess thinks Tracy is the best mum ever, even when she shouts at her teachers! Tracy has made the perfect home for Jess, leaving The Dumping Ground far behind her. Yes, their flat’s a bit mouldy. It’s only just big enough for two. And the Duke Estate is a bit scary. But it's their happy home.

Until Sean Godfrey, Tracy’s rich boyfriend, whisks them away to his mansion, life of fast cars and celebrity stardom.

Will Jess’s brilliant mum turn into a new person altogether?

And will Tracy realise that her childhood dream might not be what she needs after all?

Review

I didn't know I needed this book until I realised it was a thing! I loved reading Jacqueline Wilson's books when I was younger and I watched a lot of Tracy Beaker on TV. I loved the show and the books, but was always worried about what Tracy would grow up like.

Yes, she has her issues, but Tracy is herself. And when Sean Godfrey (Football) comes into the picture, she seems to change her persona to please, because a fancy life is all that she's ever wanted and all that she made up to tell other people. It doesn't come as a surprise that she behaves this way and I can completely understand why she is behaving the way she is, even though Jess doesn't. But in the end, Tracy will always be herself and stick up for her and Jess.

It's actually a very witty book because all Tracy wants is a flash house and an amazing car and someone to pay attention to her; she is willing to be with someone who doesn't really love her in order to give her child the life she always wanted. She thinks she's doing what's best for Jess when really, she is only doing what she's doing because of her upbringing.

What I loved about this book was how I was reading it yet I didn't feel like a child at all. I felt like it was right to be reading about Tracy and because I'm the age I am now, I feel like I can relate to both Tracy and Jess.

Wilson is extremely clever with how she writes and markets her books. I don't by any means agree with how she spews out books every five minutes, but she writes about taboo subjects in a way that children can relate to. When I was young, I found comfort in her books about child abuse and abandonment because it's something I could relate to. Her books gave me hope.

Now, let's talk about character development. Tracy hasn't changed a bit, except for the fact she has a child to care for, someone else to think about other than herself. Jess is so sweet and the complete opposite of Tracy. But my favourite character will always be Cam. She's the loving mum in the background cheering you on, giving you the space you need to make mistakes but comforting you with open arms when it all goes wrong. I love the fact Wilson has confirmed that Cam is gay, even without mentioning it, like it's the norm - which it should be!!

If you loved Jacqueline Wilson books when you were little, then you'll love this book because it seems to grow with the reader. Happy reading folks!

Until next time, love, Vee x

Blogmas: Gift Ideas for Travelers

Do you find it extremely difficult to buy for your family at Christmas? I know I do! If you know someone who likes to travel, then you've come to the right place; this post is a list of gifts for that travel addict we all have in the family.

Let me know some of the travel gifts you've bought for your friends or family in the past!

Adventure Fund

Do you have that one friend who always says they don't have the funds to go away? Why not buy them an adventure fund to save all their loose pennies for holidays?

This cute little adventure fund is from Lisa Angel and is only £7! You can get it here.

World Scratch Map

Does your loved one lose track of all the amazing places they've been? At only £20, this Scratch-off Map from Urban Outfitters is perfect for anyone with a travel bucket list!

Travel Journal

If you know someone who likes to document everything they do, then this Travel Journal is ideal for anyone wishing to remember everything they did on their holiday; from favourite foods to flight details, they'll never forget anything! I was bought this for my birthday and it's so cute! You can purchase it here for £10.

Travel Pillows

Know a unicorn lover or someone who frequently travels on long-haul flights? Then look no further than novelty travel pillows! This unicorn neck pillow from Urban Gifts is only £13.99. They also have a range of other animals including sloths, swans and narwals to choose from!

Travel Trivia

Looking for a fun game to play at Christmas? Travel Trivia is perfect to get the whole family involved and to test your knowledge of the world. You can find it at Find Me A Gift for only £5.99.

Pool Floats

There are so many pool floats to choose from depending on your recipient's preference! There are so many places to buy pool floats, including Find Me A Gift, The Works, Argos and Amazon. There are various foods and animals to choose from, such as Avocados, watermelons, pineapples, swans, unicorns or even a cactus.

Power Banks

Do you know someone who needs a power bank for a long haul flight or for general travel? Why not spice things up a bit and buy a novelty power bank that will have the family in fits of laughter?! This Poop Emoji Power Bank from Argos is only £12.99.

I hope this list has given you some ideas for presents! Until next time, love Vee x

Blogmas: My Favourite Things About Winter

Hey everyone! As it's nearly December I wanted to share some of my favourite things about Winter with you all. Don't forget to let me know your favourite things about Winter in the comments! If you're still missing the Summer, I hope this post reminds you of the good things to come in the Winter season.

My Favourite Things About Winter

• Thick blankets 
• Cosying up with a good book and a cup of tea
• Snow and building snowmen/throwing snowballs
• Hot drinks on cold nights
• Watching Christmas movies with my partner and his family
• Listening to Christmas music in the car on long drives
• Shopping and wrapping (minus the stress and money)
• Onesies and comfy socks
• Log fires
• Christmas craft and baking
• Oversized jumpers
• Going to London at Christmas time
• The smell of cinnamon and pine needles
• Cute outfits
• Decorating the tree and the house
• The general magic feeling I get at Christmas time
• Crunchy, icy leaves 

I hope you all enjoyed this post and it reminded you of some good Winter memories. Until next time, love, Vee x 

The Man In Forest Hills Book Tour With Alex Owumi

This week's post is a book tour of Alex Owumi's latest release, The Man In Forest Hills. We're so excited to read this one! I have asked Alex a few questions about his book and his writing so read on to find out more!

The Man In Forest Hills Blurb

Being a detective in the city of Boston is no easy task, and with the crime rate sky high, law enforcement is the only hope of getting things back in order. One of the best detectives in the state is Thomas Kent, a hard-nosed, by the book type, who doesn’t bend the rules for anyone. With the help of his department, he has taken down some of the biggest criminals in the city, and has also made a lot of enemies as well. For years he has battled with the biggest drug kingpin in the city, Cecil Chambers. Chambers has been corrupting the streets for more than twenty years. Detective Kent and his partner, Darren Harper, have finally caught a break to bring down Chambers and his infamous crew once and for all.

But the week Cecil Chambers gets behind bars is when it all takes an unexpected turn. Detective Kent wakes up in a hospital with bandages all over his body and no recollection of what has happened to him. He finds out that his wife and only son have been killed, so he immediately starts to look for answers. When he finds out who is involved, he realizes the answers he needs are not too far away. He comes to the reality that in order for him to get answers he can’t approach this as a detective. At the end of it all, Thomas Kent goes from a man who unapologetically honors the shield to a man who knows revenge is the only way.

You can get the UK book here.
You can get the US book here.

Questions With Alex Owumi

1. Was writing The Man In Forest Hills more challenging than writing any other of your books?

Writing this new book was very challenging because it takes place in my hometown of Boston. I had to develop characters that represent the city and sometimes it was difficult.

2. What made you come up with the story line?

The story line was an idea I had back in 2012 and finally decided to start writing in 2017. I knew I wanted characters that were very exciting and mysterious at the same time.

3. Is there going to be a sequel or is it a stand alone?

This book is the first of a new series called 'Metro Crimes.' It will be a series of books based in the city of Boston and the surrounding areas.

4. What book did you enjoy writing the most? And out of all of your characters, who do you like the most?

I love all the books I write but this new one is one I am excited about. I love the challenge that was ahead of me and the protagonist who's name is Tom Kent is an amazing character.

5. What is the most challenging aspect of being a writer? And the most rewarding aspect?

The most challenging aspect of being a writer is literally developing characters from scratch. It is extremely difficult but when you've found your groove the sky is the limit. Seeing readers appreciate your book is the most rewarding thing for me. I love my fans and supporters and love writing stories for them.


I hope you enjoy reading Alex's books! Until next time, love, Vee x

My Day At Penguin Random House Jobhack

Hi guys! This week's blog post is a little different and is about my experience at Penguin Random House Jobhack day.

My Experience

If you don't know what Penguin's Jobhack is, it's a day full of workshops such as editorials, marketing and publicity and people who work in the industry tell everyone a bit about their job and how they got into publishing. It's a great way to network, meet other people and learn more about how to apply for a job at Penguin.

I applied for the Jobhack in Leicester and had to get up at half five in the morning to get there. Even though I ran a lot of the way and was a tad late because of the trains, they waited for me and got started. First of all, we played human bingo, a game to find out more about each other. As soon as I sat down, everyone said hello and they were all so welcoming.

After human bingo, we had a few people talk to us about their jobs and what they do in a day. My favourite was when Becky Miller, an editor for Penguin, talked about her experience getting into publishing and what she does in a day. She made sure she told us all that there's no one way to get into publishing and you absolutely do not need a degree. She told us about her usual day and helped us with a workshop in editorial to give us a taste of what it's like to be in her shoes.

We also had Isabel from Marketing and Publicity who gave us a task of marketing a book which I found really exciting. And after lunch we had a talk on CVs and how we can make our cover letters stand out better (needless to say I applied for a lot of jobs when I got home).

The most fun aspects of the day were meeting new people and asking questions. It was great to meet Rebecca, an audio editorial assistant who told us about her work and set us an audio task. Near the end of the day they gave us time to ask questions and they called this "speed networking" and we all got a chance to ask editors, producers and recruiters, questions about publishing.

Another fun part of the day was when we got to choose books we wanted to take home with us and some people won prizes. We also received a notebook, Penguin tote (yes I got red, I'm very lucky) and a bookmark.

I'm so thankful that I heard about this day and that I went because I met amazing people and I feel more inspired than ever that I'm going to break my way into publishing. Thank you to Penguin for this great day!

If you feel like you'll never get into publishing, then I think this day is perfect for you. It will help lift your spirits and you get to ask as many questions as you have about the industry. Don't give up!

Until next time, love, Vee x

Book Review: Sasquatch, Love and Other Imaginary Things

Hey guys! So I recently entered a giveaway for Sasquatch, Love and Other Imaginary Things and I won the book! It came all the way from the US so I would like to thank Betsy Aldredge and Carrie DuBois-Shaw for sending it to me.

Review

This book is different from anything I've recently read and involves a Wood Ape, some British snobs and a big guy with a camera. Sasquatch, Love and Other Imaginary Things is about the Berger family who go onto a reality TV show in search of Bigfoot to win money to save their house and pay for Sam's college tuition. Sam, the middle child in the Berger family is obsessed with caring about everyone and wants to study pre-med at college. She knows her family are secretly struggling with money and does everything she can to win Myth Gnomers; even if tat means faking clues and taking snooping around.

The Netherfield team are a competitive group of seniors wanting to win money for their school and Dr. DeGraw who is also one of the judges. Devan, Kyle and Caroline are snotty, stuck up kids who are determined to win against the Berger family. Unfortunately, love gets in the way and the family are soon faced with complications, flu and planting fake clues in order to win against the Netherfield team. Even though Sam and Devan are mortal enemies in the competition, they can't help being drawn to one another.

This book was actually a breath of fresh air to me and I found it hilarious. I hardly ever read any comedy, but YA mixed with corny jokes and sarcastic comments is my idea of a dream novel. Sam reminds me of myself and is the lovable joker of the family. She cares about everyone but worries constantly and is always sarcastic.

I also really liked Sophie, her awkward older sister and Lyssa, her slutty younger one. The whole family is embarrassing and wonderful at the same time. This book is full of family values, sacrifice and support. It's a different take on romance, love and what it means to be family.

If you're looking for a funny, awkwardly romantic YA novel, then this is for you! I hope you enjoyed this review and let me know in the comments if you've read it!

Until next time, love Vee x

The Blogger Recognition Award

Hey guys! So I recently got nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award by Emma www.believeinbumble.co.uk and Heather mamabefrugal.blogspot.com. So here's my advice and nominees!

Rules

• Write a post showcasing your award
• Give a brief story about how your blog began
• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers
• Thank whoever nominated you and include a link to their blog
• Nominate fifteen bloggers

How My Blog Began

My blog began after I was put on garden leave from my first job. I used to blog write for a digital marketing agency and I really loved it so once I was jobless, I decided to start up my own blog and this is where I am now! I love my blog and it keeps me sane; if I didn't have it I don't know where I'd be right now. I've made so many friends and found so many new authors.

My Advice

It's about quality not quantity. Write your heart out, spill it all over the internet but don't write posts for the sake of having something on your blog. I messed up and wrote posts that weren't showcasing my skills; I now write quality content when I can about books, interviews and lifestyle. I don't want to churn things out just to have a weekly post up. Make sure you're writing from the heart. If you're in it for the followers and likes, then blogging isn't for you.

Share share share. Make sure you make friends in the blogging community and take part in following other people's blogs and getting to know them. You'll soon build up a network of authors/friends/contacts and they may even help you in the future. I was asked by Alex Owumi if I would participate in a blog tour for his book and I said yes. That post got me more views than any other and I frequently talk to Alex and even wrote a blog post for him. This year, I'm taking on another book tour with him. Contacts are important and not just for views but for friendships too.

Thank you to Emma and Heather once again for nominating me. Here are my nominees:

@AlexOwumi

@hamster_says

@hhniwidamber

@LavraxB

@ejaleigh

@justmominit

@nicoleeblogs

@peachpaaige

@britonabudget1

@medbus97

@BooksNest

@thepatchworkfox

@ruthinrevolt

@RootsWingsBlog

@sophisobel_

So there you go! See you next time, love, Vee x

Poetry Review: An Unapologetic Expression

Hey everyone! I hope you're having a great weekend, whatever you're up to. This week's blog post is a poetry review of TL Rodger's collection, An Unapologetic Expression. I was asked by Rodger's to review the book and as I love reading new poetry, I gladly agreed!

Review

The book is split into six chapters and all the poems are very inspiring and mindful. The author's goal is to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter what their background is. The chapters include poems about identity, love, death and everything in between. There are even ones about parents and how you don't have to be like them, you can follow your own path, your own destiny.

The book is very short so it's a quick but powerful read. I really enjoyed the poems about following your dreams because I've been re-evaluating my life decisions and what I should do. The poems make me want to do something, be someone. And that's what all great poetry should do. No matter how long a book is or how short the poems are, if the author is passionate about what they write, then the words have the ability to empower the reader.

I recommend this collection to anyone who loves inspiring poetry that includes poems about identity, mindfulness and nature.

If you would like to purchase An Unapologetic Expression, then you can find it on Amazon or Payhip.

If you would like to follow TL Rodgers on social media, here are the usernames:

Tumblr and Instagram: @simplywoke

If you or someone you know has a poetry collection to review, please email me at: greenv745@gmail.com to inquire. Until next time, love Vee x

Book Review: Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

Hey guys! So a little while ago Siobhan Curham kindly sent me her latest release, Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow to review. I was immensely excited and I've been really slow on my reading lately (even more so recently) but this book has managed to get me through a slump.

Blurb

Fourteen year-old Stevie lives in Lewes with her beloved vinyl collection, her mum...and her mum's depression. When Stevie's mum's disability benefits are cut, Stevie and her mum are plunged into a life of poverty. But irrepressible Stevie is determined not to be beaten and takes inspiration from the lyrics of her father's 1980s record collection and dreams of a life as a musician. The she meets Hafiz, a talented footballer and a Syrian refugee. Hafiz's parents gave him their life savings to buy Hafiz a safe passage to Europe; his journey has been anything but easy. Then he meets Stevie...

As Stevie and Hafiz's friendship grows, they encourage each other to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Review

I was really excited about starting this book as I love to read new authors' work. I didn't expect the story to grip me the way it did but it was so moving. I felt like I was transported into Stevie and Hafiz's world and it reminded me of the Jacqueline Wilson books I used to read.

Stevie and Hafiz's relationship is something to admire; they are both from extremely different backgrounds but both have their best interests at heart. This isn't a book about the guy getting the girl, but about the strength friendship gives you.

This story is so important for people to read because Hafiz is a refugee and the video he makes for assembly is actually moving. It's so realistic and Curham outlines the heartbreak that can come from being a refugee. She writes so eloquently about the crisis and details everything from the papers that Hafiz needed to get into the UK, to the journey he took and the sights he saw on the way. It was heartbreaking to read but sends a really important message to those who don't know about the crisis.

It's also an important read to those who know someone with depression or want to know more about it; Stevie's mum is anxious and has depression which is hard on her and Stevie. The fact that she can't work and is relying on benefits is a true crisis here in Britain. There are too many people who have mental health problems who don't receive help and have their benefits cut.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the journey that both Hafiz and Stevie go on. Stevie's struggles with poverty and Hafiz's problems with bullying both highlight current problems and I think this book is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about these issues. The characters were so lovable and I really rooted for all of them.

I can't wait to read more of Curham's work and I'm so glad books like this exist.

Until next time, love, Vee x

Autumn Date Night Ideas

Hey guys! Since it's autumn, I wanted to publish as many autumn posts as possible because it's my favourite season. If you're struggling for date night ideas or just general activities to take part in, this is the post for you!

Autumn Date Ideas

• Go pumpkin/apple picking
• Carve pumpkins and make funny or spooky faces
• Make a list of horror movies you want to watch and check them off as you go
• Go trick or treating together
• Have a spooky party
• Make Halloween costumes together
• Make sugar cookies
• Create a new hot chocolate recipe 
• Have a bonfire and make smores
• Make a fort with blankets and eat popcorn
• Learn a new recipe together that has pumpkin in
• Make cinnamon roles together
• Go for a walk in the woods and jump in the leaf piles
• Buy a DIY candle making kit and make cinnamon/orange spiced candles
• Go to a harvest festival together
• Visit a haunted house/location
• Bake a pumpkin pie together
• Read spooky stories to each other
• Watch that new crime show on Netflix
• Collect acorns/conkers together and get crafty 
• Make caramel apples
• Go stargazing together and take a blanket and some snacks
• Go on a haunted tour of your city
• Go to a fairground
• Go to your local pottery shop and do some DIY painting
• Have a picnic in the woods
• Go away for the weekend to a log cabin and get away from your phone
• Take up a new hobby/class together
• Make a fall wreath together
• Have a look locally and see if there are any harvest/Halloween events going on in your area

I hope this list has given you some ideas! Let me know some of your autumn date night ideas in the comments. Until next time, love Vee x

Author Interview: Caitlin Conlon

Hi guys! So in this week's blog I'm going to be interviewing poet Caitlin Conlon, the author of Cavity. I hope you enjoy this interview and if you or someone you know is a poet and would like to be featured, let me know in the comments!

Interview

Was it difficult to write Cavity since it's about the months following on from a breakup?

I think it would've been more difficult for me if I hadn't written Cavity. After the events that sparked Cavity occurred I was left in a very desolate place. Ironically, these events occurred in the middle of April, National Poetry Writing Month, which means I was participating in the challenge of writing a poem a day for the entire month. 

So despite wanting nothing to do with anything, I kept forcing myself to write (not wanting to let this ruin my writing alongside everything else). And about a month later I was looking at all that I'd written, a lot more than I probably would've been able to write normally, and realized that I had something to work with.

The most difficult part wasn't so much the writing, but having to relive the pain every time I sat down to edit or work on the finer details of the chapbook. It took a lot out of me, constantly thinking about my own heartache. But at the same time I was forced to confront the reality of my situation which again, I might not have done otherwise. It seems I've gone off on a tangent, but to sum up my answer: writing Cavity was something that, looking back on it, I had to do. It was born out of necessity. 

Who is your favourite poet/author right now? Do you have an all time favourite book/poetry collection?

 

My all-time favourite poet is Richard Siken and his debut collection, Crush, is my favourite poetry collection. I first read Crush when I was a freshman in high school, which is also when I first began getting serious about writing poetry. I can so vividly remember finishing the collection, looking up from the final page, exhaling, and thinking to myself "I want to make people feel the way that I'm feeling right now." Everything since has been an attempt to do that.

Do you have any future plans for books or publishing any more work?

Definitely! I'm keeping it very hush hush right now, but I'm currently in the middle of working on a project much bigger than anything else I've done. It's something I'm really, really excited about, and can't wait to eventually share more information!

If you had to pick a quote to live by, what would it be?

"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." - John Steinbeck.

What would be your advice to an aspiring author?

My biggest piece of advice is to just keep practicing your craft. When I was first beginning to write I became so easily frustrated with myself because I wasn't creating the type of work that I wished I was. I thought that writing was something that just came to you, but it isn't. It's a muscle that you need to keep working and stretching. And you get better with utilizing that muscle the more you focus on it.

As long as you continue to write, and continue to read as much as possible, you're going to improve. Don't let your perception of how talented or untalented you are influence how dedicated you are to it.

Now, this is a fun question I love. You're stranded on an Island and you can only pick 3 people and 3 objects/things to take with you. Who and what would you take?

Okay so as far as people go I'd bring Margaret Atwood, because I believe in her survival instincts, Lorde, because I have a suspicion that she's a witch and could cast spells in order to keep us comfortable, and John Mulaney, because that man could sit in front of me doing absolutely nothing and be more entertaining than most of the general populace. 

As for three objects...this is a bit more difficult. An unlimited supply of journals (does that count as one object? I'm going to say it does), a solar-powered radio, and a Kindle pre-loaded with every book I could ever want. (I feel like I definitely cheated on this question.)

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and I'll see you next week! Love, Vee x

Book Review: Eliza and Her Monsters

Hey guys! So I've been desperate to read Eliza and Her Monsters for so long since I saw the cover and blurb. This week I'll be reviewing the book for you! Let me know in the comments whether you've read it and what you thought.

About Eliza and Her Monsters

Eliza and Her Monsters was written by Francesca Zappia in 2017 and the Children of Hypnos, which features in the book, is a bi-weekly serial posted twice a week.

Eliza Mirk is known online as LadyConstellation, the creator of Monstrous Sea, an online web comic with millions of views. Eliza spends every waking second drawing her comic, whether it be at school or home - she even misses Christmas because of how busy she is. She doesn't have any friends at school; they're all online. Until she meets Wallace, the new boy at school who's a fan of Monstrous Sea. When Eliza gets caught up in a lie, will she be able to tell Wallace who she really is before her identity is exposed?

My Review

Trigger warning: this review mentions depression and suicide.

When I started reading this I thought that Eliza was a fairly average teenager who spends too much time online. She doesn't have friends outside of the internet and she's never met her best friends - I can relate to this and I think a lot of you will too. But Eliza starts developing mental health problems; it starts off slow but becomes more intense and she can't find the motivation to practice her art anymore. We've all been there. But the difference with Eliza is, she thinks Monstrous Sea is all she has - it's who she is and without it, she fears she's no one. But if she writes the ending to her comic, she's frightened her fans will hate it.

The clever thing that Zappia has done, was to write the mental health into the book without really addressing that it's an issue to Eliza. Eliza doesn't think that it's unhealthy to spend all her time online. It's where she belongs.

Towards the end, Eliza is faced with a decision that is triggering for those with depression or suicidal thoughts. She pretty much loses everyone but her family and feels like she has nothing anymore. Her anxiety and stress over finishing the comic for Wallace to get a book deal consumes her. She feels guilty and useless. But she'll soon realize she means more than her work, and that she can still draw without it consuming her. Her parents and brothers, online friends and Wallace are a supportive network that Eliza needs in this time of self discovery.

This book is about discovering your self worth, and realizing that your art, your work, is a separate part of you; it's not why people love you or like you, you are what people love.

Full of fandom, online friendships and self discovery, Eliza and Her Monsters is a must read for lovers of Geekerella and Fangirl. You can find out more about Zappia here.

I hope you all enjoyed my review, don't forget to subscribe to receive updates on my posts. Until next time, love, Vee x

Author Interview with Shelby Leigh

Hey guys! So in this week's blog post, I'm going to be interviewing author and poet, Shelby Leigh, who has written It Starts Like This. I hope you enjoy this post and if you are an author/poet or know someone who is, let me know and I'll see if I can interview them and their book.

Interview

It Starts Like This is about love, loss and hope. Was it difficult to write your emotions for everyone to see?

Yes! It is definitely difficult to write these subjects, even if I'm the only one seeing it. I wrote anonymously for so long because I dreaded the thought of anyone knowing the person behind the poems. But, I am so glad I got the courage to begin writing publicly, because I would have never gotten the courage and support to self-publish if I hadn't.

How long did it take to write It Starts Like This? Was it hard getting published?

Well, the book happened (kind of) accidentally. I started writing poems on my blog and challenged myself to write a poem a day for a year. 365 poems later, I had an audience that encouraged me to make a book out of those poems! I had no idea how to do so, but I selected my favourites, put them in an order that would tell a story, and decided to self-publish. To answer the second part of the question, I'm not traditionally published. However, that doesn't mean self-publishing wasn't hard. I did everything on my own (except finding an artist who submitted their lovely painting for the cover), from formatting to editing to marketing. It wasn't easy, but very worth it!

What's your advice to anyone looking to publish their poetry?

My advice is to just go for it. Whether you try the traditional route or the self-publishing route, do your research, stay true to your voice, and don't get discouraged if your work is rejected. Every writer has been there. If we all gave up, there would be no books (and that's a sad, sad world to think about!).

Do you have a favourite poet/author and book/collection?

My favourite poet of all time is Maya Angelou. Her work has inspired me so much. I also love the work of Audre Lorde. As far as modern poets, there are far too many favourites to name. I have been fortunate to become friends with many modern poets and be part of a wonderful poetry community on social media.

Do you have any plans to publish any more poetry collections or books?

Yes! I am currently working on my second poetry book, and then I would like to get back into writing fiction. My second poetry book is coming sometime in 2019.

Now, this is a fun question I love to ask. You're stranded on an island and you can only pick 3 people and 3 objects/things to take with you. Who and what would you take?

This is such a tough question! I would take my boyfriend, for sure, but I would feel guilty dragging anyone else along to a deserted island. As for objects, I would bring a water filter, pens, and journals. (And a huge supply of chocolate, if possible.)

Links

If you would like to purchase and find out more about Shelby, you can visit her website here. Her Instagram and Twitter usernames are:@shelbysleigh

Thank you for reading! Until next time, love Vee x

Favourite Book Covers

Well hello there fellow bookworms. I hope your week is going well! In this week's blog I'm going to be looking at some of my favourite book covers and asking you about yours!

Now, we are always told not to judge a book by its cover but I'm the complete opposite; as I work in marketing, the most crucial thing is a cover, poster, leaflet images etc. If the graphics are rubbish, there's no point in me picking it up. You know the covers I mean with the people on the front like they're from a teen chick flick? Yeah... that doesn't draw me in - it makes me want to run away.

The covers I love are bright with illustrations or interesting pictures. As long as it's creative and colourful, I will pick it up, even if I'm not sure about the story line. I'm going to be sharing the covers and blurbs from some of the books I love. Let's see if you prefer the cover or story line or hopefully both!

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Do I really have to say it? This cover is gorgeous because of the illustration and I'm a sucker for sunsets. Plus, there's a book on the book cover! What more could you want?

Blurb:

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. Now, with one semester of high school to go, and no obstacles between him and out-of-state college freedom, Tanner plans to coast through his remaining classes and clear out of Utah.

But when his best friend Autumn dares him to take Provo High’s prestigious Seminar, where honor roll students diligently toil to draft a book in a semester, Tanner can’t resist going against his better judgment and having a go, if only to prove to Autumn how silly the whole thing is. Writing a book in four months sounds simple. Four months is an eternity.

It turns out, Tanner is only partly right: four months is a long time. After all, it takes only one second for him to notice Sebastian Brother, the Mormon prodigy who sold his own Seminar novel the year before and who now mentors the class. And it takes less than a month for Tanner to fall completely in love with him.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

I bought this book because of the blurb but then fell in love with the cover! Needless to say I bought it and can't wait to read about a queen falling for a princess.

Blurb:

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile kingdoms.

But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire--a dangerous gift for the future queen of a land where magic is forbidden. Now Denna has to learn the ways of her new kingdom while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria's formidable warhorses before her coronation and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine, sister of her betrothed. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit.

As the two work together, they discover there is more to one another than they thought--and soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more. But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms--and each other.

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

I saw the cover of this book on a fellow Instagrammer's page and fell in love with it and the story. It turned out to be one of my most favourite books I've ever read! And it was outside of my comfort zone which is a big plus. 

Blurb:

Lucy and Gabe meet in New York on a day that will change their lives – and the world – forever. As the city burns behind them, they kiss for the very first time. Over the next thirteen years they are torn apart, then brought back together, time and time again. It’s a journey of dreams, of desires, of jealousy, of forgiveness – and above all, love. And as Lucy is faced with a devastating choice, she wonders whether their love is a matter of destiny or chance.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Obviously this was another impulse buy because of the cover... And I loved the story line too!

Blurb:

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot.

With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad s old costume), Elle s determined to win unless her stepsisters get there first. Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons before he was famous. Now they re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he's ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob.

As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again? Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. You can read my blog post on Geekerella here. 

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Even though I haven't purchased it yet, I really can't wait to read this. The cover is so pretty and unique and I purely would love it for the photos if I'm honest! Although the story line seems quite interesting.

Blurb:

Marin hasn't spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she's tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that's been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

This cover is cute and modern and everything I adore. I can't wait to get my hands on the hardcover! The story line reminds me of Fangirl and Geekerella so if you have read either of these, it might be a good idea to try this one out.

Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she’s worked for begins to crumble. In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless.

Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called  Monstrous Sea With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community.

Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite book covers are so I can check them out! Until next time, love Vee x

Book Review: What Nobody Knew

Hey book lovers! I was recently asked to review What Nobody Knew by Amelia Hendrey. It's a book about her life growing up in an abusive environment around her dad and step mum. It's a story of abuse, violence, coming to terms with life and how to get by on your own. I recommend not reading this if you will be triggered by the abuse and violence.

Trigger Warning

This review contains sensitive content such as abuse, violence, rape and suicide. Please stop reading at any point if you feel triggered by these events.

Review

I have wanted to read Amelia's book, What Nobody Knew, for a while now so when she messaged me asking if I would like to review a copy, I jumped at the chance. I knew it would be a hard read, having gone through abuse myself, but it was even more graphic than I expected.

However, I think that it's important that Amelia went into so much detail of the violence, as it will open up people's eyes to what really happens behind closed doors. Amelia's story is an important one and lays out what it's like to have to keep quiet when you know you'll get hurt if you tell anyone what is really going on.

Domestic abuse is still a taboo topic. I know that there are organisations out there spreading the message - I even worked for a domestic abuse charity and heard the awful things that people were going through. But we need more coverage out there. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and over 750,000 cases of child abuse are reported in the UK each year. We need books like Amelia's to bring to light what happens behind closed doors.

As you can probably tell, I am very passionate about this subject, so receiving a copy of this book was really interesting to me. I've never read anything like it. The closest I've gotten to reading about abuse is in Jacqueline Wilson's Lola Rose, which I adored.

Reading about how Amelia was abandoned by her mum as a child and brought up with an alcoholic, abusive father was scary. I can't imagine how she must have felt. The book mentions suicide because sometimes that feels like the only way out of such a terrifying situation.

I remember reading it thinking, it can't get worse than this, it just can't. She described her dad beating her, punching her and throwing her down the stairs. I thought it would get better as she went to boarding school as they couldn't hurt her anymore. But I was wrong. There are, of course, the holidays where you go back home. And that's when it got worse. This part of the book goes into detail about rape and how Amelia had to go to court to take her father to prison. It's such a devastating feeling knowing that rape happens, but when you're reading about it and the repercussions that it has, it is truly heartbreaking and eye-opening.

This book is a must read and we need more books like this to help people speak up. You don't have to go through it alone. Amelia thought she did. She had no one and then when she found people willing to help her, there was hope. It's heartbreaking and tragic but there's also a message of hope. Don't give up the fight.

Until next time, love, Vee x

Poetry Review: Light Filters In

Hi guys! I've recently been reading lots more poetry and one of the collections I've read is Light Filters In by Caroline Kaufman. This was also an impulse buy! I'll be reviewing and showing you some of my favourite poems from the collection.

Review

Light Filters In is about being human and how fragile we are. The book is split up into four sections: The Darkness Falls. The Night Persists, The Dawn Breaks and The Sun Rises. This collection is written with honesty and Kaufman has opened up about her life with depression, self harm and abusive relationships and much more.

I liked the fact that being human and science were the main themes of the book as I'm also an atheist and even if some of the poems are very morbid, they're true, honest. Planets, stars and light are also mentioned throughout; the contrast between light and dark is also similar to depression and happiness.

Kaufman says that the destination isn't happiness, because after all, we won't always be happy a hundred per cent of the time. It's all about the journey, and sometimes the journey is messy and sad, but other times it's happy and joyful. I think that this book is mostly about recovery and how to cope in the bad times and how to release and feel joy in the good times. It's a wonderful read and I highly recommend it for anyone recovering or perhaps even going through depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts. It does get better - Kaufman is living proof of that. And so are you!

Overall, I wasn't sure about the theme at the start of the book as it was quite dark, but, like the theme, it gets lighter, it gets better and I really loved how clever the writing was.

Now I'm going to show you some of my favourite poems from the collection. If you have read Light Filters In, let me know what you thought in the comments.

If you have any poetry recommendations, let me know! Until next time, love, Vee x

Author Interview: Jacquelyn Lee

Hey guys! So in this week's blog, I'm going to be interviewing poet Jacquelyn Lee, the author of Under the Influence. I'm going to be asking her some questions about her poetry, future work and her favourite poets.

Under the Influence is a journey of abuse, trauma and grief through poetry, divided between three chapters. They are Addiction, Withdrawal and overdose. Each chapter is a different part of the author's abuse-ridden life as she grew up under the influence of her dysfunctional parents.

An Interview with Jacquelyn Lee

Because Under the Influence is so honest and full of emotion, was it hard to write, or was it more like a relief to release all of your emotions on paper?

This is such an interesting question. It actually wasn't hard to write at all. It just came so naturally. In about a month, more than half of it was written. In a way, it was like therapy and it helped me heal. The hard part is reading it, I've only read the entire book once since it was released.

Have you got any plans to write more in the future?

Yes, of course! I've started so many projects for future books about topics including mental illness, feminism, and more. I'm also working on re-releasing Under the Influence with a fourth chapter and illustrations added! I can't wait to announce more information about my future books.

What would be your advice to someone wanting to self-publish? Or become a freelance editor like yourself?

My advice to someone who wants to self-publish is not to stress over it because it's so much easier than one might think. I learned by watching YouTube tutorials. If I can do it, anyone can! I plan on releasing an e-book soon on how to self-publish, that's another project I'm working on. I hope it helps many others learn how to self-publish and makes the process as easy as possible for them!

As far as freelance editing, I actually just started. But as long as you have a bit of experience in writing and editing, it's a great way to make some extra cash and help others while doing it. I use Grammarly when I edit which is great for double-checking spelling and grammar errors! I actually just finished editing a college essay for someone. It's great to edit other people's writing because it really helps you grow your spelling and grammar skills without having an attachment to the writing.

Do you ever get writer's block? What do you do to help overcome it?

Yes, all of the time! Sometimes I go weeks without writing a thing. To help overcome it, I typically read other poetry books. Reading poetry always helps me get inspiration to write it. I usually write on and off. So I'll write for a few weeks straight, and then have writer's block for a few weeks. I think it's completely normal to have writer's block. Along with reading other poetry books, I often get inspiration to write from life itself. Sometimes I'll get inspired by hearing something someone said, watching a movie, even seeing a post on Instagram. If you really look, there is inspiration in everything!

Who are your favourite authors/poets right now? Do you have a favourite book or collection?

My favourite poet overall is Amanda Lovelace. Her debut poetry book, The Princess Saves Herself in this One is my favourite poetry collection. I relate to her words so much, reading her work made me feel like I wasn't alone. She was a huge inspiration for me to write my own poetry book. She actually followed me on Instagram and it made me so happy! Other poets I love and admire are: Pierre Jeanty, Damien Tillman, Trista Mateer, Ashley Marie, Caroline Kaufman, and many more!

I enjoy asking everyone this question: if you were stuck on an island, what 3 people would you take with you and what 3 objects/things and why?

That's a good one! I would definitely bring my two younger brothers, Paul and Justin, and my younger cousin Alexa - because they're all extremely smart and good at problem-solving. And for objects, I would bring food, water, and a tent for shelter because I think those basic necessities are extremely important for survival.

Jacquelyn's social media:

Instagram: @jacquelyn.lee

Facebook: @jacquelynxlee

Website: https://jacquelyn-lee.com/

You can purchase Under the Influence here.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I'll see you all next week! Love, Vee x