Guest Post: My Guilty Secret. AKA My Teen Fiction Addiction by Rosanna

A real treat for you today, I have a guest post from my lovely friend Rosanna. Whilst my love affair with YA fiction blows somewhat hot and cold, hers is much stronger. She is the person who introduced me to John Green, thrusting The Fault in Our Stars hardback (yes hardback) into my hands and made me read it. She wrote a post for you discussing why she has such a love with teen fiction and what in particular she loves about it...

I flat out refused to read as a teenager. Didn’t like it. Didn’t want to do it. Took too long. I’m pretty sure this is a result of a horrific moment at the age of 14, having just started a new school, being coerced into reading (out loud) a passage fromMacBeth in an English lesson.  Consequence = cock up. I could feel the heat rising through my ears and my face turning a deep shade of mortified red as I stumbled and tripped over the iambic pentameter and complex language.

Despite my distain for actually reading I went on to (rather ironically) study Primary Teaching with English at… wait for it… Reading University.  It was here that I fostered my dislike for authors I can only describe as… verbose. The first book on my reading list by that wonderfully verbose author Hilary Mantel. (I have tried Wolf Hall since; I believe I have developed some sort of mental block.)

Now when I eventually do get the chance to read proper books -not literacy books - I don’t like reading to feel like a chore. I don’t want to have to concentrate too much. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to know what is going to happen at the end from the beginning. I like to be gently guided to the ending with some obvious plot developments and some shady characters that you ‘just know’ are a little bit dodgy from the off.

It is with these requirements I have found a safe haven of teen fiction. At the ripe age of 25 I am rehashing the experiences I should have had with literature at the age of 14 and loving every minute.

In the last hour I have finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth (desperate to read it before seeing the film). Loved every minute of it and will be rushing to the nearest book shop to buy the next asap. And as I write now, an advocate for the love of teen fiction, I believe there is a teen fiction selection out there for everyone.

In my mind there are 3 categories.

The love story (aka. Tthe kindness of human nature.)

It’s not real love… no… teenagers can’t be in love… everyone knows that. The books of John Green fit perfectly into this category.  And probably many more but this isn’t my sort of book.

The post-apocalyptic death wish (aka. Learn from our horrible mistakes you stupid teenagers.)

I’m all over this genre like a plague of genetically modified locus. The Hunger Games, Susan Collins; Divergent, Veronica Roth; Uglies, Pretties, Specials; Scott Westerfield.

The real life drama (aka. Isn’t the world an ugly place to be?)

I have to be in the right frame of mind for this category. It depresses me in some ways and enlightens me in others. My mum likes these sort of books. I’m thinking Junk, Melvin Burgess (or just anything by Melvin Burgess). The most recent I read was Trouble by Non Pratt.

However my aim in writing this is not to create a comprehensive list of teen fiction. It is to say: I love teen fiction and I am proud. I will no longer feel guilty about reading books I enjoy. And finally there is a teen fiction genre out there that any adult and every adult could and should enjoy.

So next time you are in the bookshop. Just slide over to the teen fiction section. You never know!

Letterbox Love #7

Welcome to Letterbox Love, this is a UK meme, hosted by the lovely Lynsey at Narratively Speaking and inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox. This post is a means by which to highlight the books we get in the post and beyond, and especially to bring attention to those books which may be sat on our shelves for a little while yet that we love all the same.

Since it is Easter Sunday, that means that Lent is over and this weekend I have been shopping for a couple of books. I have also received a book from Book Bridgr and downloaded a couple of audiobooks and Ebooks (I've been a busy blogger yes!)

I'll start with the audiobooks. This week I've downloaded a couple of audiobooks since there was a bit of a Sale over the Easter period. I downloaded The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureeen Jonson. I've been waiting for this one to come down in price since I read the first book in the duet! I also downloaded The Edge of Never by J. Redmerski. I'm looking forward to listening to both of these! 

I also downloaded a couple of Ebooks. I download Trouble by Non Pratt and Butter by Erin Lange. I'm already a decent chunk into Trouble and Butter just sounds so intriguing, I couldn't NOT get it! 

I also downloaded The Corridor by Vic Neal and The Sentinel by Holly Martin. Both of these were free on Kindle! 

I received a copy of Buzzing Easter Bunnies by Author Nick Spalding. I have quite a collection of his novels on my kindle now so I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing this novella over the Easter e weekend! 

From Netgally this Easter I have download Written in The Stars by Ali Harris, The Beekepers Daughter by Santa Montefiore and Another Night Another Day by Sarah Rayner. I can't wait to read all of these and get a review up closer to publication date-keep an eye out for these great summer reads! 

On audiobook this week I bought Humans by Matt Haig, With All My Love by Patricia Scanlan and One Moment, On Morning by Sarah Rayner. I love listening to audiobooks on my commute and so these will keep my company over the next few weeks! 

From the library on Audiobook I got Secrets of The Lighthouse by Santa Montefiore, having herd her talk about this book, I had to read it and I had a long journey up north coming up so I decided to grab the audiobook when I saw that the had it, look out for a review of this soon! 

I also got Spare Brides by Adele Parks, Turning Thirty by Mike Gayle and Shiver by Maggie Steifvater. Looking forward to getting round to these beauties! 

Books I bought this week included Operation Sunshine and Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend by Jenny Colgan, Hens Reunited by Lucy Diamond, Forever by Maggie Steifvater and Truly Madly Deeply, a romantic anthology from various fabulous Authors. 

I was also lucky enough to receive Things we Never Say by Sheila O Flanigan this week from Book Bridgr so thank you very much to Frances for sending that out to me! 

A bit of a bumper haul but that always happens during the school holidays when I actually have time to shop. Let me know what you got this week and if you think there's anything I should read first! 

THE GREAT EASTER GIVEAWAY WITH THE DEAD WIFE'S HANDBOOK

THE GREAT EASTER GIVEAWAY WITH THE DEAD WIFE'S HANDBOOK

It's Easter and those nice people at Amazon have reduced the price of both the Kindle and the BEAUTIFUL paperback of The Dead Wife's Handbook. 

So to celebrate, we're combining the two things we all love the best - books and chocolate - in a great Easter giveaway.

Just purchase a copy of The Dead Wife's Handbook on either Kindle (£2.62) or in paperback (£3.49), tweet a proof of purchase to @hannahbeckerman on Twitter, and you could win this DIVINE Hotel Chocolat Easter Bunny that will be delivered DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR (UK only) 

What are you waiting for?! 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Wifes-Handbook-Hannah-Beckerman/dp/0718178149/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1397811775&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Wifes-Handbook-Hannah-Beckerman-ebook/dp/B00F02CI80/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1397811775&sr=1-1

Review! Ivy Lane:Spring by Cathy Bramley

Friendship blossoms at Ivy Lane...

Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she settles in to a new town seeking peace and solitude, taking on her own plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution. But the vibrant, friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and endeavour to entice Tilly into seedling swaps and Easter egg hunts. Can Tilly let new friends into her life, or will she stay a wallflower for good?

Ivy Lane is a serialized novel told in four parts - taking you from spring to summer, autumn to winter - which tell a charming, light-hearted and moving story you won't want to put down.

Review: what a lovely little tale this was! I love the idea of a serialised novel, a bit like The Arcade by Kitty Charles but longer. This first instalment in the serial definitely has the desired effect of making the reader want more! You're brought right into the action with main character Tilly getting up on New Year's Day and going to pursue her new project-her allotment. We find out that Tilly has been through some things recently, and we know they might involve a previous partner, but we are never told exactly what, or who, was involved and that is just so teasing and tantalising and will definitely have me grabbing the next installment as soon as it comes out! 

Tilly is a lovely character, I really warmed to her as the story progressed as she warmed to the other characters in this novella, these things happened almost in parallel. She seems rather afraid of getting too attached to people and I think this gives us a clue as to what has happened to her in the past. The funniest thing is that she seemed totally clueless about gardening and so this provides some real comedy moments as the story progresses. There are a host of other characters in this novella, all of whom developed as the story went on, but we don't find out too much about them all, meaning that they will probably reveal themselves further in the next three instalments of this serialised novel! 

The storyline itself was sweet. It was a nice easy read and nothing too dramatic happened. I love the fact that it features a teacher, and does paint teaching from a relatic point of view, you have reports to write, planning to do and get ill every holiday-well done to this author for including all of these aspects in this novella, I hope they will continue to be a feature of the next few instalments. I also really loved the fact that her mum loved in Harrogate! This bit was very well-written, so you cold tell this author had actually been there (my home town). I found some of the gardening references a little dull in parts, just because I have no interest in gardening whatsoever, but there weren't too many complex ideas to take in, you plant stuff, it grows, so that was good. 

There were some real funny moments in this novella and overall it was sweet and endearing. Being at around 85 pages, this book made a nice short break from a full novel and is definitely something you could read on your commute as it was easy to pick up and put down. I will definitely be read the Summer instalment as I am incredibly intrigued to find out more about Tilly's last and also about the other characters on the allotments. This is perfect reading for this time of year, being spring and all, but I think it would work well later on in the year too, giving new hope to dull days! 

Cover reveal! The Shivers Series by Jane Goodman...

I'm very excited today to bring you the covers of Legacy of Darkness and Echoes of Darkness from fabulous author Jane Goodman who interviewed here on the blog last week, they are just stunning, but I'll let you see for yourself!

Jane Godman Bio

I am an avid reader, particularly of historical romances, and my favourite authors are Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Victoria Holt. I have always enjoyed writing (I still have a copy of the medieval novel I wrote, in felt tip pen, when I was 14!).

Gothic romance (love stories with a dash of horror) is my favourite genre. I love the lush atmospheric settings of the true gothic, the dark, unexplained secrets and feisty heroines.  The heightened sensuality the new gothics sends an extra shiver down the reader’s spine.

My first Harlequin Shivers novel, Legacy of Darkness, was published in January 2014. The sequel, Echoes in the Darkness, was released in April 2014 as part of a four book Shivers box set.

I also write historical romances, with heroes and heroines you fall instantly in love with, fascinating supporting characters and luscious settings.

I live in England and love to travel to European cities which are steeped in history and romance. Venice, Dubrovnik and Vienna are amongst my favourites. I am married to a lovely man, mum to two grown up children and slave to a spoilt-brat cat.  

I love to hear from readers and can be contacted at:

http://www.janegodmanauthor.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Godman-Author/

@JaneGodman

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6923685.Jane_Godman

Amazon:

Legacy of Darkness: http://tinyurl.com/ovr4vta

Shivers box set 2: http://tinyurl.com/nvkj7l3

Mills and Boon:

Jane Godman page: http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/jane-godman

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Things That I'd Like To Own 15/4/14

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Wow, this is a fun one this week it's like when I used to look through the catalogue a when I was little close to Xmas/birthday and see what things I would want if I had an unlimited list.

1. A reading a room/library. I think everyone wants this in their house if they're a reader. A nice chaise lounge and some comfy chairs plus wall to wall bookshelves! 

2. More book shelves. Every reader needs more shelves, I'd love to have a whole wall and be Abel to spread them out, not have to have them double stacked like the are now! 

3. Pretty hardback sets of all my series. Some of the books I own I keep if they are special but I tend to pass them on once I've read them. I'd like to have enough space to have lovely copies of the series I've read so that my read books are not simply confined to good reads. 

4. One of these...

5. One of these...

6. Or one of these...

(So now you know what to get me for Christmas)

7. Also on my wish list at the moment is this special edition John Green which I am hoping someone will bring back for me from Barnes and Noble... 

8. I'd also really like an iPod connection for my car. Now this might not sound like a bookish thing BUT I love listening to audiobooks in the car but not all of them are loud enough to listen to on my phone so if I could plug it in and turn it up, that would be amazing! 

9. Bookish jewellery. I've had a look online and there are some lovely earrings that look like book covers, jewellery made out of old books and bookshelves as necklaces-how amazing would this be?

10. A kindle paper white. I love reading and if I had this, it would make reading in bed at night so much easier. It's just me being lazy and not wanting to get up and turn off the light but hey, this is a WISH list right? 

So there are the bookish things I'd like to own. I'm actually really lucky in that I already own some really cool bookish accessories and goodies so this was a pretty hard list to make so let me know in the comments what you think and where you think I can source any of these lovely items at low low cost. 

Happy reading! 

Review: The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E Smith

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

Review: this was one of those books that had a lot of hype around it, on twitter and YouTube people are very excited about reading this book. Sometimes this means that all the hype is true and it's an awesome book, sometimes though it means you listen to all the hype and then the book lets you down. Unfortunately, this book fell into the latter category for me. I think it was so over hyped, I had such high expectations and I was let down a little bit really. 

The storyline was a good concept, two people who try their hardest to keep their link strong after meeting each other despite being a opposite ends of the country or the globe. They have a unique way of communicating, mainly through postcard-an idea which I loved! However, I really didn't feel like anything happened, someone moved, they wrote to each other, someone else moved, they wrote to each other. I just didn't think it was as well-developed as it could have been. The characters were alright, again I think that their development was rather stunted. There was a lot of potential for them to have their back stories explained a little further, or for them to achieve things whilst they were on their own but I felt that nothing really happened for either of these characters. 

What kept me reading was the writing, it was gorgeous writing with the most beautiful similes and metaphors. This seemed like what this author is known for an I really did enjoy the writing and the structure of this novel, but the overall effect just wasn't enough to redeem the whole book for me unfortunately. I don't feel it was reading time wasted but I did feel a little disappointed with the latest novel from this author.