Friday 29 June 2012

Nayu's News #28

 "Ah, go away, leave me to stretch my limbs as I sleep..."

What do you get up to when you relax? 



I'm currently on self-enforced rest after a long day out yesterday for a hospital appointment in London. I got a nice load of chocolate, which sweetened the news that the heart check I've been avoiding for years can be avoided no more. The clinic like patients with my condition - mitochondrial cytopathy - to have their heart checked every now and then. If you google it, you'll probably find a lot of young children with multiple organ issues/failure. There are so many different ways the body can be affected, and fortunately all organs are currently working. Friend & family might debate that point when I talk about my brain, but for now we're cool.I'm refusing to think on it for now - can't do anything until I have it. I may get to read a bit more soon (yay!) as I've had a supplement that helps give me mental energy increased a little. 

This is Yoshino from the anime Maria Watches Over Us. I love this anime (minus the few bits with adult connotations) because Yoshino has to take things easy as she has a heart condition. It's great to have someone to relate to in anime.


 While I would love reading to be my resting activities, at the moment it can't be. So I'm either watching anime (no subs/no dubs), anime with subs as the Japanese used is totally different to the conversational type I'm used to, or French anime (we are not debating what is anime in this post, ok?) which I don't need to work so hard at. 
 (Two characters from the anime Bamboo Blade watching anime together - the one of the right is Tomo, the other I can't remember her name off the top of my head) 

Occasionally I watch English films. Recently I've been watching the Twilight Trilogy (waiting until Breaking Dawn part 2 is out before buying #1). It is my fluffy watch when I need to relax and watch something that I don't need to think about. 

So getting back to the first picture, cats put their legs in the air when they relax (truly - my cat does this. And no that isn't my cat). I watch anime (because languages are fun!). What do you do to relax? 


Hopefully book reviews will start making an appearance from Sunday. I've been reading, just a little tied up right now. *glares at body to recover faster* 

This is Holo, the wolf goddess from the anime Spice and Wolf. I finished season one today - she is perfect as my Twitter avatar. Here she's in a mood, I think because she can't have apples. She makes me laugh a lot. 

Oh, I'm not sure what everyone was looking up yesterday, but my blog hit 1000 hits in a day!!!!
(left to right) Musa, Bloom and Stella from Winx (season 3 onwards) celebrating

It means a lot that so many of you come and visit my blog, read my reviews and other posts. I hope you enjoy reading the posts as much as I enjoy writing them!

Wednesday 27 June 2012

The Cupcake Club: Emma on Thin Icing by Coco Simon (Children's, 7 years +)


July 2012, Simon and Schuster
160 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: baking club, keeping secrets from friends & family, feeling alone, believing life circumstances will drive friends away, inability to say no, feeling stressed, doing too much at once, babysitting own sibling, prioritising responsibilities, dog walking, spiteful mean girl, ups and downs of having older brothers, truly awesome moments, lots of laughs and tears

Summary from Simon & Schuster
When Mia asks the girls in the club to be junior bridesmaids in her mother's wedding, everyone is super-excited about the idea...especially when they find the perfect dress for the occasion! It's Emma's dream dress, except it's a little more than she expected. And with her mum now out of a job (she's been put on unpaid leave at the library) there's not a lot of room at the Taylor's house for extras. But not wanting to disappoint her friends, Emma decides to take on a few more jobs and chores around the house to help cover the cost. Between babysitting her bratty brother, a dog-walking business, flute practice, the Cupcake Club - and oh yeah, being a typical tween girl - Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew. Can she handle it all?
 
Nayuleska's thoughts.
Each Cupcake Club book addresses a big life issue (or several) which reached in and grabbed my heart. All the guilt, self-blame and despair from Emma as life whirled around her in super speedy mode had me gasping a lot. I did laugh a lot, but I cried a lot too, feeling everything Emma went through. Not even an adult would have coped any better with her troubles, some which she took on unnecessarily. The emotions Emma encounters are easy to relate to. Although it looked as the friends where driven apart for a while, the ending was full of love and compassion and had crying a lot in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Coco's website

Suggested read
Make sure you've read the previous two books which start with  Katie and the Cupcake Cure
 
 


Tuesday 26 June 2012

Billie Templar's War by Ellie Irving (Children's, 9 years +, 9/10E)


June 7th 2012, The Bodley Head
362 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: military family life, coping with injured soldiers in the family, child neglect, bullying, making friends with unexpected people, volunteering at a care home, being reknown at school for crazy acts, mountains of ideas & enthusiasm, creative ways to make money, reality of impromptu jumble sales, neighbours coming together as a community, old rooted prejudice, patriotism, Queen's jubilee celebration, lots of sneaking about, some lying, some misbehaving, a tissue or so is needed

Summary from Random House Children's Publishing
Billie Templar desperately wants her dad to come home. He's a soldier and has been away for seven weeks, fighting for 'Queen and country' - but how can the two of them possibly defend their four-year record of winning the three-legged race at the school carnival if he's thousands of miles away?

Then, when one of the other soldiers in Dad's regiment is seriously hurt, the stakes get even higher. Billie needs her dad home, sharpish. There's only one person who can help - Her Majesty. She's in charge of the army, right? She can send Dad home! Billie tries to get inside Buckingham Palace to sort it out, but it's not that easy. So, with the help of shy Sarah and allergy-prone Jake, the school brass band and a motley team of enthusastic old-age pensioners, Billie hatches a fool-proof plan to get the Queen to her little village instead...


Nayuleska's thoughts
I love crazy schemes because they always make me laugh, and Billie's tale is no exception. It's sweet how easy she thinks it is for her dad to come home. I give her a lot of credit for the ideas she not only comes up with but does everything in her power to make them happen - so much so she gets in trouble with the police. I liked how she got to know classmates who were usually ignored because they were a little odd. Billie learnt that it's not always a person's fault if their family neglects them. As a result of that Billie does several acts of kindness which made me tear up. I like evenn with her craziness she wins over some of the care home's residents, and how she realises who is most like a mother to her.

What I wasn't so keen on which is reflected in the 9/10 rating is the end. I wanted the opposite to happen. I can see why the end was the way it was, but it made the book feel unrealistic for me. I was looking forward to Billie having the opposite ending, because she would have learnt a lot more than she dis by what actually happened.


You can find out more on Ellie's website.

Suggested reading
Another book of Ellie's books is the funny For the Record (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

Monday 25 June 2012

What are YOU reading? #121

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.






Books I've read

 

Changeling by Philippa Gregory
Young Adult, Historical
(This was a mixed read for me with plot changes that didn't make sense and confusing characterisation of the heroine and her friend...check out my review.)
4/10







Another Life by Keren David
Young Adult
Release Date:  September 2012
(A real shocking finale to Ty's story!)
10/10







Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb
Children's, Picture book
(A friendly way to encourage children to eat meals...)
10/10



 
 
 

Billie Templar's War by Ellie Irvine
Children's, 9 years +
(Billie's ingenuity is a credit to her dad in this bizarre adventure...)
9/10
 
 
 

Sunday 24 June 2012

Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb (Children's, Picture book)


April 2012, Macmillan Children's
24 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: fussy eaters, children being engrossed in play, disinterest in food, making mealtimes fun and not stressful, using imagination, lots of smiling parts

Summary from Macmillan 

At lunchtime, Mum said, "Eat up."
I said, "No thanks, I'm a bit too busy."
It's lunchtime for one little girl, but she's just not hungry. A visiting crocodile, bear and wolf, however, are starving. It's just as well that children taste revolting!

Nayuleska's thoughts
I adore this book! The pretty felt-tip coloured looking drawings are vibrant and work well on the white backdrop. That's not why I love it so much. The animals are not scary looking. Although I'm considerably older than the target age group, I can get scared easily by images, especially wolves. I kept laughing because the wolf looks more like an anteater! It isn't scary at all - even the bear & crocodile look approachable. The book depicts just how preoccupied children can get by playing. This is by far a 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Rebecca's website.

Suggested read
Check out Rebecca's other books which include the tissue needing Missing Mummy

Friday 22 June 2012

Stravaganza: City of Swords by Mary Hoffman (Young Adult, Historical)


July 2012 Bloomsbury
356 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: time-travel, self-harm secrets/mixed emotion/perception/loved one's reaction/never being truly free from it, solitude at school, the joy of friendship, revisions & exams, experience at emergency departments, specialist help for mental health issues, anguish, finding yourself, dangers lurking behind even simple smiles, escape & evasion, attacking for defence, gaining confidence, awesome costumes, blooming mild teen romance, some laughs and tears

Summary from Bloomsbury
Desperately unhappy, Laura has resorted to secretly self-harming. But Laura is a Stravagante, somebody who can travel in time and space. When she finds her talisman, a small silver dagger, she stravagates with it to sixteenth-century Fortezza, a town similar to Lucca in Italy, where she meets her Stravagante, who is a swordsmith. But Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and falls for him. Their love for each other is tested when Ludo lays claim to the crown of Fortezza, and Laura finds herself fighting on the side of the Stravaganti opposing him . . .
 
Nayuleska's thoughts
This is the first book in the series which I've read, and I'm definitely putting them on my wish list. I've recently found out it is the last in the series - noooo! I always enjoy time travel especially in Italy, and enjoyed the unique way that Laura and other stravagants travel. 

I was more intrigued about how the issue of self-harm was dealt with. It's a serious issue that affects many people, not just the person but their family and friends. I think it's important to raise awareness, to show that speaking out to protect someone is the best thing to do. It takes a lot of care and support for self-harmers to heal; Laura finds that from her new friends & the situations she gets in which warrent her to keep living, making her feel worthy. 

The world she inhabits at night is the one where she finds what I'd say is a soul mate, and she would do anything to keep him safe. It was a real joy to watch Laura gain self-esteem, unravel her habit of keeping secrets & not sharing her feelings. 

There was a fair amount of back story, and lots of names which I struggled to fully remember at 4am, but being a new reader didn't matter. I enjoyed the intrigue, the subterfuge and the risky journeys Laura goes on. The reason this gets 9/10 is partly format: I found it nearly impossible to read the slanting script used in for page numbers. The second thing was that occasionally it felt like the emotions of others when they found out about Laura's self-harm could have been examined a little more. It would have been good to see more of Laura's unease of when it is all out in the open. That's not to say those issues aren't in there, it's just that in several places I sat thinking 'What? Where's the rest of the thoughts?' The reason why Laura self-harms totally blew me away.

Definitely check out more in this awesome series on Mary's website.

Suggested read
For another fun Venetian tale check out  Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould


Thursday 21 June 2012

My Family and Other Freaks by Carol Midgley (Young Adult)


7th June 2012, Quercus
250 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: teen life trauma, sibling rivalry & hilarity, a dog in deep trouble, a midwife who hates dogs, have a baby later on in life, issues of dog biting, a queen of mean, bullying, environmental campaigns, teen crushes, lots of humour, the odd tissue needed

Summary from Quercus
Danielle is doomed in love and has the parents from hell. Her mum and dad are embarrassingly scruffy and their car bonnet is a different colour to the rest of the car. Worst of all, they're still in love, which is totally gross considering how ancient they are. Her best friend is a (nice) nerd, her love-rival is an airhead and her dog Simon is in love with an Ugg boot.

Despite all this, she hatches a plan - indeed many plans - to win the gorgeous Damien's affections. But when she brings Simon to the park to show him off in front of Damien, a smelly little accident lands Danielle with the nickname 'Dench the Stench'. Could things get any worse?


When Simon is accused of biting children in the neighbourhood and her Dad decides to have him taken away, Danielle's life truly begins to unravel. And then her mother announces she's pregnant - again - which gives Danielle's schoolmates even more ammunition with which to make fun of her.


Will Damian ever notice her? Can she save Simon? And will Danielle ever live her family down?


Nayuleska's thoughts
Danni is....quite unbelievable. She's a drama queen, which made her take on life entertaining. She is self-centred, doesn't realise that things she says hurts people, even though she herself has been the victim of bullying. She doesn't see who people really are until quite late on, which changes her personality for the better. I can say that she embraces life enthusiastically in this 9/10 read. It lost a point because Danni hadn't calmed down all that much by the end for me.
Suggested read

For another drama queen, check out My Scorching Summer Diary by Kelly Anne  by Liz Rettig. 


Wednesday 20 June 2012

The Vampire Blog by Pete Johnson (Children's, 11 years +, 9/10E))


201 , Corgi Yearling
236 pages, Paperback
Review copy


Themes: teen changes - not the normal ones, having very odd parents, trying to avoid being different at school, lots of humour, firm friendship found then lost through necessity, mild teen crush, moderate peril

Summary from Random House Children's Publishing
Marcus was convinced that vampires didn't exist. He was
very wrong . . .

On his thirteenth birthday, Marcus Howlett is faced with a bombshell. His parents are half-vampire. And, although he hates the thought of it, he is about to become one too.

But, as he secretly blogs about the horrors of his new fangs, bad breath and cravings for blood, Marcus is unaware that his life is in serious danger . . .

Nayuleska's thoughts
It was a real pleasure to read this because I'd read the second book first. It was really funny how poor Marcus totally rebelled against every step in becoming a half-vampire. His parents are so enthusiastic they remind me of Amu's parents in the anime Shugo Chara, where one character does transform into a bat themed costume...thankfully Marcus won't have wings in his human form.

Marcus uses humour to cover up his fear and uncertainties. I adored Tallulah, especially the role she plays at the end. I nearly cried at the end for what she had unwillingly sacrificed. This gets 9/10 because, unless I've forgotten (likely) there wasn't much of an explanation as to why the school didn't seem to mind that Marcus skipped several days at a time.

You can find out more on Pete's website.

You can also enter a competition to win this and the other two books in the series here on NRC, International, ends 12pm GMT Saturday 30th June.

Suggested read
For another vampire who struggles with himself at school, check out Vlad's in Eight Grade Bites by Heather Brewer


Tuesday 19 June 2012

Summer's Dream by Cathy Cassidy (Children's, 9 years +)


7th June 2012, Puffin
282 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: life in a big family, trials of divorce & step-families, sisterhood, obsession, taking comments & concepts too far, anorexia, ballet school, harsh realities of competition & mental stability in the ballet world, losing yourself, new friendship from unexpected people, some teen romance, few occasions of drinking & smoking, lots of tissues needed

Summary from Puffin

Summer has always dreamed of dancing, and when a place at ballet school comes up, she wants it so badly it hurts.

Middle school ends and the holidays begin, but unlike her sisters, Summer has no time for lazy days and sunny beach parties. The audition becomes her obsession, and things start spiralling out of control . .


Nayuleska's thoughts
Although I've read books by Cathy, I hadn't read any of the Chocolate Box series. It's incredible! Seriously, there are so many issues covered in the bool in a realistic fashion. Summer's family life isn't easy. There are all personality types in it. Honey is quite a madam but her love is shown at the end. I wanted to hug Skye for being such a sweetheart with Summer, for understanding how hard food is for her.

Often I'm not interested in the romance side of books, but I feel the one who ends up with Summer is perfect for her. He's astute, is always around especially when she wants to be alone. The gifts he gave her in several places made me cry, because he proved he really knows and cares for her. I was surprised 2/3 through the book by an event, so was relieved when it worked out for the best. Having had a burn out in life several years ago, I empathised with the pressure Skye put on herself. I'm eager to read more about these sisters, whose stories have made this book a 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Cathy's website.


Suggested read

Definitely check out other books by Cathy, such as Angel Cake

Monday 18 June 2012

What are YOU reading? #120

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.





Books I've read

 


Children's, 9 years +
(Drina hates boarding school but by enduring it she gets a reward that makes it all worth while...)
10/10







The Vampire Blog by Pete Johnson
Children's, 11 years +
(I read book 2 before this one, so it's great to know how it all started!  ALSO, don't forget to enter to win the THREE book set of this series now through 06/30/12!)
9/10








Shugo Chara! #2 by Peach-Pit
Manga, Young Adult
 (I kept hearing the theme tunes in my head when Amu & the others transformed!)
10/10







Life According to... Alice B. Lovely by Karen McCombie
Release Date:  July 2012
Children's, 10 years +
(A wonderful, tissue needing, giggle inducing read...)
10/10








Stravaganza: City of Swords by Mary Hoffman
Release Date:  July 2012
Young Adult
(This time travelling read takes negative aspects of humans, such as Laura's self-harm, and uses it to help save society in that historic place; at least that's my view - I did read this at 4am!)
9/10







Drina Goes on Tour by Jean Estoril
Children's, 9 years +
(I barely remembered any of this volume, which had my eyes getting wet a lot with happiness, plus Drina's secret is discovered!)
10/10








Drina Ballerina by Jean Estoril
Children's, 9 years +
(This final book in the Drina series is a perfect culmination of the girl who enchanted all who knew her...)
10/10






 
Re-reading



 
 
 
When I was Joe by Keren David
Young Adult
(I'm re-reading this as I have an ARC of book 3...which I'm eager to start!)
10/10
 
 

Drina Dances in Switzerland by Jean Estoril

Grandma Bendy by Izy Penguin (Children's, Picture book)


May 2012, Maverick Books
34 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: illustrations look like a mixture of paint, pen and crayons, being proud of family, life as a criminal, serving time in prison, learning to be good, helping others, super powers, friendly neighbours, adorable animals, a fair amount of humour

Summary from Maverick Books
A quirky story about a bendy burglar, who learns the error of her ways.
 
Grandma Bendy is the bendiest grandma.She has twizzly arms and super stretchy legs!
In the past Grandma Bendy used her skills for bad and was an excellent burglar. However a taste of her own medicine sets her on the straight and narrow!


Nayuleska's thoughts

This is a story which briefly explains how criminals, when caught, end up in prison sometimes for many years. This might prove useful to readers who have someone in their family in prison, which is a confusing time for anyone.

The star of the show wasn't Grandma. It was the two cute mice who featured on every single page. They always had a word or two commenting on what Grandma was doing. I love it when books have an element like this as I had to keep finding them on the page, plus they provide an extra view on what Grandma Bendy did in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Izy's website.

Suggested read
If you're after a criminal cat, check out The Diabolical Mr Tiddles by Tom McLaughin 

Sunday 17 June 2012

Changeling by Philippa Gregory (Young Adult, Historical)


May 2012, Simon and Schuster
272 pages, Hardback 
Review copy

Themes: medieval life, women having to obey the decision of their father/brother, life in a convent, superstition, prejudice, deception, fear, murder, plotting against people, accusations, men of religion, ladies with amazing skills including fighting, trials, mon mentality, strange goings on, quite a bit of gore, some violence, very mild romance

Summary from Simon & Schuster
The year is 1453, and all signs point to it being the end of the world. Accused of heresy and expelled from his monastery, handsome seventeen-year-old, Luca Vero, is recruited by a mysterious stranger to record the end of times across Europe. Commanded by sealed orders, Luca is sent to map the fears of Christendom, and travel to the very frontier of good and evil. Seventeen-year-old Isolde, a Lady Abbess, is trapped in a nunnery to prevent her claiming her rich inheritance. As the nuns in her care are driven mad by strange visions, walking in their sleep, and showing bleeding wounds, Luca is sent to investigate and all the evidence points to Isolde's criminal guilt. Outside in the yard they are building a pyre to burn her for witchcraft. Forced to face the greatest fears of the medieval world - dark magic, werewolves, madness - Luca and Isolde embark on a search for truth, their own destinies, and even love as they take the unknown ways to the real historical figure who defends the boundaries of Christendom and holds the secrets of the Order of Darkness.

Nayuleska's thoughts
I was really excited when I started this book because I love historical novels that have a daughter fleeing the grasp of her wicked family. Now I've reached the end I don't like it. The beginning was exciting, and all the suggestions were there about why Isolde's brother did what he did, but they then fizzled out. There was less of a spotlight on Isolde in the next part of the book, which surprised me because going to a convent against her will would produce strong feelings that I as a reader wished to know.

The events that happen in the convent were rather odd, and I went right off Isolde & Ishraq. Once explanations were given to the reader I still wasn't keen on that part of the story because for me the girls weren't acting within their character which I'd seen at the start of the story and which I saw at the end. The parts which I did enjoy included the strength, stamina and intelligence of Isolde and Ishraq. I understood the male characters - excluding Isolde's family - very well. Their role was easy to figure out and they didn't change as radically as he girls.

Even knowing this is book one in a series I wasn't at all hapoy with the ending. It didn't make sense. I was freaked out by the werewolf saga. I understood it was something Luca had to investigate, but there wan't really any focus on Isolde seeking help from her father's friends, something which was important to clearing her name yet was hardly mentioned.

It is rare that I don't like a book, or that a book blurb looks at issues which aren't always followed through. Because of the sometimes random plots, the lack of following through certain aspects of the story, and the character shifts in Isolde and Ishraq I'm having to give this book 4/10. You can find a review from someone who enjoyed the book over at Serendipity Reviews.

Find out more on Philippa's website, and the dedicated Order of Darkness website
 
Suggested read

For a fun tale of a girl going against her family's wishes try The Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen.



Drina Dances Again by Jean Estoril (Children's, 9 years +)


1992 edition, Simon and Schuster
192 pages, Paperback
Personal Copy

Themes: professional ballet, finding the positives in misfortune, theatre life, realising how good life treats you compared to others, highs and lows at a ballet school, the joys of travelling, being looked after in ballet productions, secrets let loose, bonds of true friendship, growing up, some humour, a tissue or two needed

Book blurb
Still dreaming of Italy and the wonderful experience of dancing with the famous Dominick Ballet Company while still only fourteen, Drina returns to London and the realities of school life. But an unlucky injury seems a disastrous start to the new term, and Drina is offered the chance to try out her acting talents.
 
Nayuleska's thoughts
I'm still enjoying watching Drina's life unfold. She really doesn't have a clue the talent she has. She's so sure she's not all that great that it takes a little time for her to realise when amazing jobs appear. Okay, so one of them occurs after she hurts herself, which was tragic, but she learns to make the best of what she can do, and gains valuable life experience. I'd remembered more of the time in the nutcracker ballet with her friend Rose, and the sheer delight by Drina dancing as Clara. It's a magic that has stayed with me for over 10 years. Drina's faults are relatable, and she wins over most people who meet her, thanks to her dedication to ballet and giving her all to whatever she does in this 10/10 read.

Suggested read
Definitely read the rest of the series which starts with Ballet for Drina

Saturday 16 June 2012

The Vampire Fighters by Pete Johnson Review, Guest Blog Post & Competition (closed) (Children's, 9 years +)


7th June 2012, Corgi
272 pages, Paperback
Review copy 

Theme: life as a half-vampire, first teen crush, trying not to get killed, parents being over-eager and over-vigilent, evil on the lose, exciting future prospects, a little violence, lots of humour and very mild romance 


Life has never been more complicated for thirteen-year-old Marcus. It's not easy trying to hide your secret identity as a half-vampire, avoid garlic at all costs, AND work up the courage to ask a girl out. Especially when that girl is vampire-crazy Tallulah.

Plus, Marcus's parents are still convinced his special power is going to arrive any day now. And they're trying not to show their disappointment every time another day passes and it doesn't appear - but Marcus is totally feeling the pressure.

As if that wasn't bad enough, a seriously creepy Winter Fair has arrived in town - and a number of terrifying attacks have started happening. Giles believes a super-evil sect of Deadly Vampires is behind them, and Marcus suspects an eerie ventriloquist at the Fair.

All Marcus wants is an easy life. But now it's up to him to save the day . . .

 Nayuleska's thoughts

Note: it is slightly possible I've managed to merge book 1 and book 3 together - apologies for that.
I'd forgotten how funny this series was when I read the first book (before this one - I'd already read book two). I think this is the most hilarious volume yet, with poor Marcus at wits ends from his parents being over-eager in wanting to see what he could do as a half-vampire. That's enough to set anyone on edge, but when he's trying to hide from Deadly Vampires - well, home security and sleeping soundly aren't top on Marcus's list. 

I know the story is about Marcus, but the girls had my interest. I was pleased that although Tallulah had had a memory wipe thingy performed on her, she still loves the paranormal. Gracie's attitude made me laugh - especially when she had fur growing everywhere. I felt sorry for her, I mean she was stuck at home for a few days which can't be easy, especially as she like most other girls cares about how she looks. The best bit about this 9/10 book was the end, because what gets put forward to Marcus has me excited about the next book (there has to be one). 

You can find out more on Pete's website. 

Suggested reading

Check out the other books which include book two, The Vampire Hunters 


I'm delighted to say that Pete has written a guest blog post to accompany this review. Make sure you read to the end where there's a change to win all three books in the series - both for UK and International entrants!

 
How do I fit writing in with the rest of my life? by Pete Johnson

The other night I was going out for a meal with a group of friends, when one girl said to me. ‘Do me a massive favour. Don’t bring your notebook along tonight.’         
         
I was shocked, astounded. Not bring my notebook along – but what if I had a sensational idea or heard an amazing piece of dialogue? That could be lost forever. ‘I’ll have to think about that,’ I said grumpily. Another time a good friend was telling me something personal about the break-up of a recent relationship when suddenly she cried. ‘And Pete, what I’m telling you is not for one of your books, you know.’

Those two examples perhaps tell you how well I fit writing round my life. I don’t. It is right at the centre of everything.

I can best explain it like this. You’ve met someone special and you can’t stop thinking about them. They’re always with you. Writing a book for me is like that. A total obsession. It couldn’t be anything else. How else could I spend practically every day in an imaginary world. And when I’m writing really well I don’t seem to be doing anything at all. It’s all taking place behind my eyes. I’m just transcribing what’s going on.

I’ll tell you something else – when that happens there’s no high like it. It’s totally intoxicating and addictive. Of course it takes a great deal of chipping away to reach that exalted state. A lot of note-taking and thinking and walking too. (I often plan best when I’m on my feet)

That’s why some writers have to remove themselves completely from everyday life. Roald Dahl, for instance, wrote every day in a shed at the bottom of his garden and could not be disturbed. I don’t have a shed, but I also hate being disturbed. So I can’t have any music playing when I’m writing or indeed anyone talking close by. I sound great fun, don’t I? But to create another world in your head you have to retreat completely from this one. I suppose we all do that to an extent. Well, have you ever been writing away in an exam and then noticed a teacher peering down and reading what you’ve written and immediately you freeze up. That’s what a writer feels every time real life intrudes on his or her imaginary one.

But of course the rest of your life is in the so-called real world. You have to re-join it. But you can see why some authors find that hard.  P.G. Wodehouse, for instance, was still spending every day writing his stories at ninety three. And even when he went into hospital he took the manuscript of his latest (and last) book ‘Sunset at Blandings’ with him. I suppose all writers are obsessive to an extent. Well, it’s not something a sane person would do!

But once I did other ‘proper jobs’ like teaching. Yet, every evening after marking I would disappear upstairs and write for an hour. At first I just wrote for myself. I kept a diary and jotted down in excruciating detail everything that had happened that day. But my big ambition was to be a writer. I wrote story after story and gathered up a marvellous collection of rejection slips. My life was crowded enough then and it would have been so easy for my writing to slip away. But the desire to write and tell stories burned away inside me. I couldn’t not write. And I longed for the day when writing would be my life.

By the way, I can see now why those earlier books were all turned down. They were all copied, and didn’t have the freshness and vividness of real life. I’ve learned how to draw on my own experiences to enrich the stories. Sometimes in ways which might surprise you.

My Vampire trilogy, for instance, is about half-vampires. Now I have never been one of those – honestly! But I can vividly recall changing schools at twelve and feeling I suddenly didn’t fit in anywhere, had no friends and was a total outsider – exactly what Marcus feels in The Vampire trilogy. That gave me a vital link to his character.

Other times I spotted in friends, the hyper-parenting which I satirised in one of my most popular books, ‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS.’
Graham Greene once wrote that all writers have a piece of ice in their hearts. He meant that writers are constantly observing other people and deciding what they can use for their own stories. You could say writers are a bit like vampires, feeding off the life around them.

That curiosity – or nosey-ness – is a vital element in the make up of a writer (and also incidentally, actors) and is fairly harmless. But there are dangers in a writer’s life too.

Recently one of Enid Blyton’s daughters, Imogen revealed that her mother was far happier in her own imaginary world than dealing with the messy, day to day realities of her own children. Enid resented being pulled away from her own stories – unless it was to meet her fans. For some writers, (including myself, sometimes) it’s not creating an imaginary life which is the most difficult thing – it’s rejoining the real one.

And your very interesting question has made me think about this some more. By the way – and just in case you were wondering – when I go out with friends, I do now (and after a struggle!) leave my notebook at home! 

So that’s a start!
Pete

I definitely do not take my notebook to my friends - they would glare at me for doing too much work :) Random House Children's Publishers are offering one blog reader the opportunity to win the three books about Marcus, and in a roundabout way have provided one international blog reader the opportunity to win the three books two (they sent me a set of three for review, I really wanted the competition to be for everyone so I'm giving away my copies) 

  Prize:1 set of all three books for a UK blog reader, 1 for international blog readers.

Rules: Only 1 entry per person It's an international competition

Deadline: has passed
Thank you for entering! Results will be up around 5.30pm Monday 2nd July

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Nayu's Ponderings #1 Rain


So often (especially here in England) when it rains/drizzles/buckets it down/pelts it down/spits/pours, people describe the weather as

bad
horrible
miserable

I'm guilty of doing exactly the same. (Note: I'm not saying it's wrong to say this, I'm trying to point out the other side of rain, excluding the flooding that can happen) However, with my own beliefs I'm taught that everything is a blessing, and I'm trying to see the positive in everything (apart from worms and snakes, from which I can't see a single positive. They may eat soil & vermin, but so do other animals!) Whatever your beliefs I'm pretty sure you can see logic in the following reasons which show the advantages of rain 

If all we had was sun....
such pretty flowers

...and we never had rain....
such a precious thing

Nothing would grow


Plants would die.


Animals would die.

We would become extinct without water.


Water is essential to life. It's worth more than gold,
 more than diamonds, 
 more than chocolate. 


A lot of people don't get much water. Certainly not water in a tap that's clean and easy to access. 


Shouldn't we be thankful for every time it rains, instead of dissing the weather just because it doesn't suit our mood?

I'd love to hear your opinions about rain - does it make you miserable, or is it just 'there'? Do you watch/read/listen to the weather every day, or do you just see what's out the window in the morning? (Which is what I do...unless snow is involved. But that's a topic for another time).