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Embracing My Inner Geek (3)

Posted on 24 February, 2013

I really wasn’t sure what to post this week because coming up with ideas for this feature is really hard. I think it’s about time I introduced myself properly because some people don’t follow me on Twitter and that’s where I do most of my talking. So, assuming you don’t already know me, I’m sure that by the end of this post you’ll be very familiar with my general awesomeness (I’m being narcissistic here!).
My name is Lucy and I am thirteen years old. It seems that I have loved reading since I first appeared on this  earth. I can remember reading picture books when I was tiny by the dozen and loving them to bits. I’ve always had a tiny (okay, massive) obsession with visiting the library.
Compared to most bloggers, I am really young, and sometimes it does annoy me. I think that because of my age I’m not taken as seriously as some of the older bloggers but it doesn’t bother me that much. I’d like to think that I’m quite mature for my age, but I think some people would beg to differ.
At my school, reading is considered nerdy. So it’s safe to say that I’m not one of the most popular people, but I’m comfortable in my own body and am happy about the way I live. I’m really shy but am hoping to correct this little problem soon. I have quite a big group of friends who I love to pieces and try to talk books to at any given opportunity. They think I’m obsessed…(I am!).

Aside from blogging and reading, I love to write. By looking in my documents I can see various attempts over the years to write and this makes me so happy. Whenever I receive a mark back in my English class I’m always so happy because I try really hard to write in a way that I know will be easy and enjoyable to read.

I also love netball and hockey, which are really the only sports I do. I can be very competitive and have been known to be a little aggressive with a hockey stick.

I have a lot of pets. I breed guinea pigs so in the spring and summer can sometimes be overrun with the things. The picture above is of some of our permanent ladies with my rabbit, Tulip, being her usual crazy self.  I often laugh when she runs around the garden like a mad thing.

I’m not really sure what else to write. I’m quite a boring person! Reading, writing and blogging are my main hobbies and, apart from homework, I don’t do much else. I go horse riding once a week which I really like. I’ve always loved horses so it’s really special being around such lovely creatures.

My favourite novels are the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I’m also really keen on Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and The Selection by Kiera Cass.

My favourite genres are contemporary, historical, anything with romance in, and I’m really enjoying dystopia at the moment.

I’d love to hear stuff about you in the comments and will be replying to all comments this week (if I can remember!).
Don’t forget to wear your geekery like a badge!

Lucy ♥

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Interview with Marie-Louise Jensen

Posted on 22 February, 2013

Today I’m really lucky to be sharing an interview with Marie-Louise Jensen. Her novels include The Girl in the Mask, Between Two Seas and The Lady in the Tower and she is one of my favourite historical fiction authors.





1. When writing historical fiction, how much time do you spend researching beforehand?

I spend a great deal of time researching. About two months per book. For Daughter of Fire and Ice and Sigrun’s Secret, I spent six weeks camping in Iceland looking at museums, archaeological sites and reconstructions.
Of course it isn’t all as exciting (or as expensive!) as travelling in Iceland. I spend a great deal of time in libraries too. And the research carries on as I write and even afterwards as I keep needing to check things that came up or I didn’t know as I was writing.

2. Your books are set in different eras. Which period was your favourite to write?

I loved all of them! I did really love the Viking era. It was so thrilling to discover and re-imagine. But the Georgian era appeals to me a great deal too. I’ve read a lot written in and set in that era, so it feels very real to me.

3. Aside from writing, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

I love school events. It’s such fun going into to talk to young people about my research and my stories, sharing my excitement about them. I always dress up and take extra costumes, which is fun. In connection with The Girl in the Mask, I’ve been doing events in a highwayman costume – including a replica pistol. And it’s always fun to talk about books in general (not just mine) and meet lots of enthusiastic readers.

4. Do you have any advice to give to people who would like to write historical fiction?

It’s the same advice for anyone who wants to write anything really – READ! Read lots of historical fiction and old books too – both classic and obscure. I developed a real thing for the classics and started with Jane Austen and Dickens and read and read – George Eliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, the Bronte sisters, Ann Radcliffe and so on. All those fine books really helped form my knowledge of past times. How people behaved and spoke and lived their lives. Without any of that, it would be very hard to slip (in a literary way) into the past or find a historical ‘voice’.

5. If you could be a historical figure for the day, who would it be and why?

Now there’s a tricky question! I wouldn’t want to be anyone famous; I’d rather be an unobtrusive observer. But wouldn’t it be amazing to meet Shakespeare and see him working in the theatre? Or to walk through a city in the past to see all the sights, hear the noises and smell the smells? I often wished when I was writing The Girl in the Mask, that I could have just a few hours to wander around early Georgian Bath to see what it was REALLY like.

6. If you could bring one of your book characters to life, who would it be?

Another impossible choice! It would be amazing to meet Thora from Daughter of Fire and Ice with her ability to read auras. Sophia from The Girl in the Mask would be lots of fun and would enjoy our century too, I can imagine.

It’s not a crime to steal a heart


Smugglers are cut-throat rascals. At least that’s what Isabelle’s always been told. But when she’s rescued from drowning at sea by the crew of a notorious smuggling ship, her principles are thrown into confusion. Outwitting the king’s men fills her with excitement, especially when she’s with one mysterious smuggler in particular . 

Smuggler’s Kiss is published on March 7th and you can order it here
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DISCUSSION: Books Written from a Male Perspective

Posted on 21 February, 2013

The majority of YA novels are written from a female point of view, so which of my favourite books are written from a male perspective?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl: I didn’t know that this was written from Ethan’s point of view until I started reading it and I was pleasantly surprised. It was good to learn about Gatlin from a native and the book really wouldn’t have been the same if it was written from Lena’s POV.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: This book is written from Charlie’s perspective which was really interesting to read and it was actually written in a way that made the reader feel as if Charlie was actually writing it, which is something that is often left out in many novels.

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton: Yay for Finn! This book was super funny and I loved seeing events unfold from both Jessie and Finn.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater: Maggie Stiefvater never fails to amaze me. This was one of the first books that I read that contained a male POV and I was really surprised at how much it added to the books.

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman: This is such a sad book and the addition of Callum’s perspective really added a huge depth of emotion to it. It was good to see things from his Nought view point.

What are your favourite books written from a male perspective?

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REVIEW: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Posted on 20 February, 2013
Summary from Goodreads:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Imagine if she hadn’t forgotten the book. Or if there hadn’t been traffic on the expressway. Or if she hadn’t fumbled the coins for the toll. What if she’d run just that little bit faster and caught the flight she was supposed to be on. Would it have been something else – the weather over the Atlantic or a fault with the plane?

Hadley isn’t sure if she believes in destiny or fate but, on what is potentially the worst day of each of their lives, it’s the quirks of timing and chance events that mean Hadley meets Oliver…

Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.




This is a book that I have wanted to read for a while. It sounded like a good contemporary and so I decided to pick it up.
The novel starts in an airport where we meet Hadley, who is on her way to London. She meets Oliver, a boy who is also travelling to London and they immediately have a connection. Set over a 24 hour period, this novel is all about teenage love, woes and adventures.
I wasn’t too keen on the style of writing in which this book was written. It mean that I couldn’t get close to the main character, Hadley, and I felt very detached. It wasn’t a style that it commonly used and so it took a lot of getting used to. 
I liked Hadley, but I just didn’t get to know her well enough. Her character was poorly written and I would have liked to have seen more scenes that really revealed her personality. I found that she could act quite selfish, as well.
Oliver was a much more likable character but his behaviour was a little erratic. He wasn’t very solid and I really don’t understand why he would just choose to approach Hadley in a busy airport.
My main problem with this novel was that it was so short. There weren’t enough pages to get to know the characters well enough and I think that if it were to be made a little longer then I would enjoy it more.
Before people start thinking I’m a horrible person, I must add that I loved the romantic side of this novel. It was played out just right and was very sweet.
I really wanted to enjoy this novel but it really didn’t do much for me. I would like to read another book by the author to see how it compares, though.
RATING: 3.5/5
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DISCUSSION: Supporting Bookshops

Posted on 19 February, 2013
At the start of January, I put a request out on Twitter asking for people to write a short paragraph for me on a certain subject. That subject was supporting bookshops and I knew that I just couldn’t write this post on my own. I would just like to thank all the people who volunteered, even if they couldn’t or didn’t write something. Your support means so much to me.
My thoughts: 
I have always felt at home in bookshops. Even when I was younger, I spent a lot of time browsing the shelves and so I feel very strongly about supporting bookshops. 
It’s not often that I buy online anymore. I prefer to go into my local Waterstones branch where I know I’ll get good service and be able to keep one of my favourite shops in business. 
To help, I will now be adding links to the Waterstones website to my reviews, instead of Amazon, as most people choose to link to. 
I have recently started going to my local book club, run by Waterstones, which enables avid readers like myself to have fun at the same time as buying books from a shop that really needs supporting customers. 
When I walk into a bookshop and see other people there, I feel a great joy in seeing that other people do care about reading and, when seeing younger children, I feel even better. It’s nice to know that children will be brought up reading and enjoying it because I know how it has helped me. 
Rebecca from Rebecca-Books:
Source

Being a bookseller at the English bookshop chain, Waterstones, I may have a slight bias view on this discussion. However, I do remember the appeal of finding the book I desperately wanted at the cheapest price possible, normally going straight to Amazon for my books. Without sounding preachy, working in a bookshop has, I guess, opened my eyes to the world of publishing and bookselling that is fighting so much against the likes of Amazon, supermarkets and WH Smiths. The thing about your local bookshop is that is relies solely on the community, especially one run independently. Amazon has a worldwide platform when a bookshop in your local town does not. Sure, you could say companies such as Waterstones in the UK and Barnes and Noble in America are nationwide, but they still rely on the English/American community to enter their bookshops, buy their books and help them keep providing these same great books directly to you. I’m pretty sure people will miss a bookshop on the high street if they do go. For those in the UK, the sole DVD and CD seller on the high street, HMV has recently gone into administration (essentially, gone out of business) and the shocking reality is that only three years ago, Waterstones – a shop in nearly every town and city throughout the UK that has been around for so many years – was owned by HMV. Can you remember a time when online retailers were the only ways to buy THAT book you desperate want? No, neither can I. Books have been around for such a long, long time, let bookshops be too.


Alice from Crazy Red Pen: 

Many people make the case for shopping at independent bookstores, which is a way to support the local economy, and I like to include myself in this group. Personally, I like independent bookstores over Barnes and Noble (American chain bookstore) since independent bookstores are less formal and there’s a more “human” feel to it. In general though, it’s good to go to a bookstore (any type is fine) to support your local economy and get to know others.
For people who like Amazon/online shopping, it’s great if you could supplement your Amazon shopping with bookstore shopping. At times, bookstores can have better sales. Plus, bookstores always have cool author events!

Second to the library, bookshops are like paradise. They have a unique feel to them where you can fangirl and gush about how awesome this one book is (except there’s always more than one) face to face with someone who won’t judge you. It’s like the comic book shop for Marvel fans…without the costumes…
Building a friendship with the bookshop owner is so special because as they get to know the books you pick out, they can suggest others that you might never have picked up! If we don’t support our local bookshops we’ll lose out on future favourites and a vital part of our bookish community. Bookshop owners are literally living their dream and getting paid to do it by us, the humble customer and unlike Amazon or TBD, they genuinely appreciate every single visit, whether we buy or not.

Thank you Rebecca, Alice and Rebekah!
What are your opinions on this subject?
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REVIEW: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Posted on 18 February, 2013
Summary from Goodreads:

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.
DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.
Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.
Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild – a savage – but might be her best hope at staying alive.
If they can survive, they are each other’s best hope for finding answers.


I tried to read this novel a few months ago but never got past the first page so when I saw it in a charity shop, I knew that I would have to try again.
Aria has lived in Reverie all of her life- a dome where people can flick between imaginary worlds just by thinking about it.
Perry is an Outsider. Living in the Tides, he is a hunter, born to look after his tribe.
So when, after a turn of fate, the two meet, an arduous journey of identity and faith begins. 
The thing that draws the reader- and drew me- in right is the world building. I was asking questions in all of the right places, which were in turn answered. The only problem I had was that I wish we knew more about the Unity, the time when Reverie and the pod was built. There were mentions of it but we never really learned about how the Unity came to happen.
The novel had very strong characterisation. The main female protagonist, Aria, is very different to the usual YA females that we are used to seeing. I could really get into her head and anticipate her next moves. A big part of the novel is based around her transformation. It was something that I enjoyed reading about and found very interesting.
Perry, our male protagonist, is brave and tough. In the novel we see him open up and change. Really, this is a novel all about discovery. At the start of the novel we see a Perry that is very different from the one that is shown at the end. Perry is definitely one of my favourite male protagonists.

I must mention the style in which this novel is written. It is written in third person, which would normally bother me because the majority of books that I read are in first person. I was surprised at how much I liked it and am definitely going to try and read more novels written in the third person.

This novel is a unique dystopian. I loved the idea of the Realms which are really just computer games that you can jump in to and control. It was also nice to read a novel where the plot was completely original because most of the novels in the YA genre are the same now.

I thoroughly enjoyed Under the Never Sky and can’t wait to get started on Through the Ever Night. Rossi has created a thrilling and compelling novel that will keep readers captivated throughout.

RATING: 5/5
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Embracing my Inner Geek (2)

Posted on 17 February, 2013
I can’t believe this is my second post! I really enjoyed last weeks post and would like to thank you all for the lovely feedback. This feature is something that I might consider making into a meme in the future, but I’m happy just posting like this at the moment. 
Because I am so lazy and decided to leave writing this post until closer to the time of posting, I have decided to scrap my original plans for today and talk about something that is a lot easier to talk about: the blogging world and how amazing it is.

This is a post that I’ve been meaning to write for a while now, but the moment has never felt right. I’d love to know all about your blogging experiences and responses in the comments box below and I’m going to be making a bigger effort to reply to them now, too.

When I first started blogging, I had no idea what sort of an impact it could have. One of the first book blogs that I visited was Booked Up! run by the amazing Jessica. Without her, I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post right now! After checking out a few other blogs, I decided to create my own. And then Read, Write, Sleep was born. I bet you’re thinking that I’ve got wrong name. Well, I first created a blog on WordPress (you can find it here) and then quickly changed to Blogger after that. WordPress and I didn’t get along.

I never thought that through blogging I would get to talk to such amazing people. This is where the geekery comes in. These amazing bloggers who I now consider my friends have accepted me for who I am. I don’t need to hide who I really am and pretend because, actually, I have more in common with them than some people that I know in real life. If someone that I know is reading this now then please don’t get offended. I just don’t like you that much…
I’m kidding! Honestly! I love everyone (just some people a little more than others :P)

I would just like to mention some people that make the blogging world a very amazing, awesome, geekish, and great place to be.

A massive thank you to-

Kyra– For all of your help. My blog wouldn’t be where it is today without you. And we do have some really great conversations sometimes!

Jessica– I’ve already mentioned you, I know, but that must mean you’re extra special, right?! I really have to say thank you because I owe this whole blog down to you. Queen of Contemporary wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Booked Up! and so I really am grateful.

Zoe– Hello, my evil geek friend. We have so much in common and your blog is still one of the ones that inspires me. I love reading your posts and you really are so nice and kind.

Eileen– Where do I start?! Eileen, you really are bonkers. But I wouldn’t be without you and you run such an amazing blog. And I’m also running off with your tablecloth to the Nevernever. Wish me luck!

Rebecca– Rebecca owns one of my favourite blogs that I crazily comment on all the time. She is seriously one of the friendliest people that I have ever spoken to and I think that every person who reads this should, if they’re not already, go follow her now. Or face my anger. You have a choice.

Rebekah– Without Rebekah’s amazing writing tips, I would probably be banging my head on a table right now. Rebekah was one of the first people to read my WIP and I love her blog so much.

Emma– Reader, I know you have been admiring my gorgeous header. Emma is the genius behind the header and her help with my blog design was invaluable. Emma really is a great bloggy friend who I love talking to and I wouldn’t be without her.

I would also like to thank Iffath, Fiona, Clover, Amber, Nina and Bella. And of course, anyone that I have been too stupid to miss.

(If I didn’t write something, then it is because it’s getting late and I really need to sign this post off. I’m also trying not to make this post too long because I can be boring sometimes!)

Thank you to everyone who visits my blog and comments regularly. I just wanted to make this post so that people can feel appreciated. I was at a point this week when I felt really fed up and just wanted to give up blogging, but then I received such an amazing link to a post where I was mentioned and it changed everything. You are all so special, and I hope you realise it.
(Here is that post)

Don’t forget to wear your geekery like a badge!

Lucy ♥

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Stacking the Shelves (11)

Posted on 16 February, 2013

Guidelines:

Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back toTynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!

You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!
I am posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.
Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!
Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!
I have had a great week this week and picked up some amazing books. 
Book Shop Haul:
Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi- This is a book that I was very eager to buy. After reading Under the Never Sky a few days ago I knew I had to buy it straight away.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green- You may know about my addiction to anything written by John Green. This was one of those books that I picked up and hugged straight away.
Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter- I’ve been waiting for this book since reading Uncommon Criminals and am in love with the cover. 
Looking for Alaska by John Green- Another John Green book! I’ve been meaning to read this since I read The Fault in Our Stars and am so glad that I finally picked it up.
The Queen at War by K.A.S Quinn- Let me tell you how long I have waited for this novel. Two whole years. I scoured the Internet, looking for a trace of it, but nothing came up. So I was so surprised and really pleased that I finally found it. I still can’t believe it!
Charity Shop Haul:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher- I’m going to be going to one of the Chicken House talks at my local library in March and Lucy Christopher is going to be there, so when I saw this book I thought it would be really nice to read something by her first.
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa- Eileen, if you are reading this, then please don’t start screaming. When I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up and I’m really looking forward to starting it.
To-Review:
Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja- I’ve been excited ever since I heard that I would be receiving this. The cover is amazing and I can’t wait to read it.
Don’t forget to link back to your own posts and follow, and I’ll return the favour. Thanks for stopping by!