A Perfect Summer Night Out

Last week, Emma and I attended an author evening at Oh Me Oh My in Liverpool to hear three of my favourite authors Lindsey Kelk, Giovanna Fletcher and Paige Toon speak about their new novels. It was an evening full of laughter, prosecco and books (lots and lots of books!). 

I've never been to an author event before but when I found out that three of my writing inspirations would be touring together, I knew I couldn't miss it. I've been reading Gi and Lindsey since I was around 15 years old and started to read some of Paige's books in college. It sounds cheesy but the three of them inspired me to pursue my passion for writing at university and gave me the confidence to write in the genre that I love. I'm pretty sure that my lecturers were fed up with me going on about how much I love them (sorry Sarah!). 

Oh Me Oh My was the perfect venue for the event. 

Located just opposite the Liver Building, it provided the perfect chilled out atmosphere and the most beautiful views of the city. I've been here once before for my graduation ball and I'll definitely be going again. As we waited for the authors to start their talk, all I could think about was what a perfect wedding venue it would be. 

The ladies spoke about books, how they get inspired and told us all about Paige's fit husband, Greg. The room was full of laughter from the minute they started talking and it's very clear that they all get along so well. I want to be part of their girl gang! 

The audience had an opportunity to ask them some questions and one particular topic mentioned was the 'chick-lit' genre. As a writer of chick-lit, I can confirm that it gets a lot of bad press. Critics class it as an 'easy' genre to write and although for some that might be true, let me tell you now that it is in no way 'easy'. In the words of Gi, who wants to sit there and read a book full of big words that you don't understand? People want to read something real and from the heart, something they can pick up, open on any page and understand what's going on. Just listening to them talk about the genre made me so proud to be a writer of chick-lit. 

Lindsey is one of the only authors who is guaranteed make me laugh and let me tell you now, she's even funnier in person. She had us in stitches with everything she said. She started the talk by raising her glass of wine and saying, 'it's Tuesday, it's nearly the end of the week.' 

That's going to be my new life motto. 

We then had the opportunity to go and get our books signed. I took one book from each author, although I wish I would've taken more because I have quite the collection at home. The ladies were even lovelier in real life and I know I was a rambling mess when it was my turn to speak to them. I basically just thanked them for my degree and inspiring me to write. They are three of the loveliest people I've ever spoken to. 

I left Oh Me Oh My feeling inspired. 

Hearing them speak about their passion for writing and being in a room full of avid readers, like myself, made me feel so content. I came out of that talk feeling more inspired than my entire degree made me feel in three years. 

If you're yet to read anything by Paige, Lindsey or Gi then I highly recommend grabbing one of their books. I promise you won't regret it. 

Hopefully one day I can have a novel of my own on a bookshelf next to theirs!

Lots of love,

Meg

xxx

What I've Been Reading: August 2017

My work schedule has been hectic so I haven't been able to read as much as I wanted to this summer. That being said, I have managed to read two books that were recommended to me by friends and I have some very strong, and quite controversial, reviews on them. 

'To All The Boys I've Loved Before' - Jenny Han

The first book I read this Summer was the 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han. This is the first in the series of the Lara Jean trilogy - a series I'd heard so much about - so I was very excited to see what all the hype was about. I'll admit, my expectations were pretty high but I can't help but feel disappointed by what I read. The story follows Lara Jean, a young girl who lives with her father and two sisters and who seems like a hopeless romantic. Lara has a box of letters that she's written to every boy she's ever 'loved' - and I'm saying 'loved' very lightly as I don't see how you can know what true love is at that age. These letters are for her eyes only, she has no intention of sending them to anyone, but when her crush Peter approaches her with the letter in his hand she realises that her letters are no longer her little secret.

In terms of plot, I was very impressed - it's the perfect teen book and I know I would have loved it if I would have been 13. However, it was very poorly written and at times it felt like I was reading one of those awful fanfictions that we've all read when we've gone through an obsessive phase with a band. For me, one of the most important aspects of reading is having a connection with the characters but I just didn't find myself connecting with anyone - it was only towards the end of that story that I started to feel sympathetic towards Lara and if I'm honest with you, I'm very surprised I made it to the end. I think the main reason for the lack of connection was the poor description and imagery, I struggled to picture the scenes in my mind meaning it took me a while to really get into the story. Don't get me wrong, it's the perfect book if you're not an avid reader and just want something you can dip into now and again but don't be counting on it to be amazing because it really isn't. 

Despite the criticism, the ending was such a cliffhanger and I couldn't believe what I was reading. Do you ever finish a book and are so shaken by the ending that you just sit there clapping your hands in excitement, raring to find out what happens next? Because that was me. I need to know what happens to Lara and Peter - I know I would've been in love with Peter - and if Margot and Josh ever get back together. Jenny Han may not be the best for description but she must have been doing something right to make me want to buy the second book in the series. 

'Girl Online: Going Solo' - Zoe Sugg

The second book I read was 'Girl Online: Going Solo' by Zoe Sugg aka Zoella, an author, blogger, and YouTuber loved by her millions of fans around the world. This is the third book in her 'Girl Online' series, one of which I have followed and loved since it was first released. The story follows Penny and her adventures after Noah's departure in the second book. I remember that ending being another cliffhanger so I couldn't wait to see what happened to Penny and to see if Noah ever made a return. 

Overall, I was very impressed with the story and it's definitely her best written from the series. However, I did prefer the plot of 'Girl Online: On Tour', it had more twists and turns, was less predictable and I remember reading it very quickly. The story is very 'Uniquely Zoe' and although the plot is obvious in parts, I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It was so nice to see the development of Penny as a character - she's really grown up in the same way her readers have. I think Zoe has got the perfect balance of keeping it as a young adult book whilst tackling modern day issues that affect the younger generation. 

If I could critique anything about the book, and this is only a very small criticism from a writing perspective, it would be that Zoe gives too much away. When we're in a lecture, we're always told to show instead of tell - an example of this would be if someone is sad, instead of writing 'Penny was sad' you'd describe her emotions. facial expressions and actions and then let the audience do the rest. If there's one thing I've learned from my degree, it's that you need to let the audience do some thinking work or else they'll get bored. Although the book was cringeworthy in parts, I'm very interested to see where it goes next. 

'To All The Boys I've Loved Before' - Jenny Han
Recommended: Maybe

Rating: 2 Stars

'Girl Online: Going Solo' - Zoe Sugg

Recommended: Yes

Rating: 4 Stars

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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What I've Been Reading: July 2017

The first book I read in July was actually a Christmas book called 'The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily' by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. It's the sequel to 'Dash and Lily's Book of Dares' which was one of my favourite books as a teen. Why did you choose to read a Christmas book in July? I hear you ask. Well, it's been sat on my shelf for a few months and I couldn't wait until Christmas to see what happened to Dash and Lily (the anticipation was killing me). Before I start the review, I'd recommend re-reading the original story before starting this one; it's been years since I read the original and I found myself getting confused with some of the characters. The story follows Dash and Lily in the twelve days before Christmas. Dash can see that Lily is losing her love for Christmas; what with her family moving away, her brother moving out and her Grandpa being in the hospital, there's no festive twinkle in her eyes. But Dash is determined to make this a Christmas to remember and remind Lily why she loves the festive season so much. 

Overall, it was a really good book. It was nice to just dip into from time to time and I found it to be quite a slow read. Although the story was adorable, I didn't find myself hooked on it where I couldn't put it down. Instead, I just read it as and when I pleased, which was nice as sometimes books can be a little bit too intense. Dash and Lily are as cute as ever; Dash is hilarious but Lily annoyed me more than I remember her doing in the first book. I think her character over-reacted a lot and I remember thinking 'Calm down, Lily' a lot. 

The plot was brilliant; there were constant twists and I found myself not knowing what was going to happen next which was something that I really liked about the book. There's nothing I hate more than reading a story that is so predictable and you just know what's going to happen next. However, this story was one of those where I thought I knew what was going to happen but then things took a completely different turn. I found myself experiencing a mixture of different emotions; it made me cringe, laugh, cry and fall in love all over again. I now remember why I loved the first book so much. It was extremely well written and the perfect story to get you into the Christmas spirit (I think I'm going to re-read it when we get closer to the festive season!) 

The next book I read was 'A Night in with Audrey Hepburn' by Lucy Holliday. I found this book in a small bookshop in Southport, saw the word Audrey Hepburn and already knew that it was right up my street. If you didn't already know, Audrey Hepburn is one of my idols and I do everything I can to be like her. It's the first in the 'A Night in with...' series and if this is anything to go by, then I can't wait to read the rest. The story follows Libby, a young girl who's forced into the acting lifestyle by her mother. However, when she suffers an embarrassing incident on the set of her latest show, her day just goes from bad to worse. That is until Audrey Hepburn turns up on her sofa, a Fairy Godmother to help turn her wrongs into rights. 

If you're an Audrey Hepburn fan, then this is the story for you. It is absolutely brilliant. Libby is such a relatable character and the banter between her and Audrey is hilarious. I spent many nights laughing out loud at how funny they were together. It had a Bridget Jones vibe about it, I found myself laughing at Libby's expense with all the hilariously cringy things that happened to her but at the same time, I was rooting for her, it somehow felt like she was a friend. The imagery was so vivid and I could picture every character and every scenario they found themselves in; it was like a movie playing in my head. Dillon O'Hara was such a dreamboat. 

It's clear that a lot of research has gone into the story as the character of Audrey was so believable, from the way she spoke to the way dressed. I could see her sitting on the sofa, cutting Libby's hair and giving her a make over. The small reference to her at the end of the story almost brought me to tears, I'm not going to say anymore as I don't want to ruin it for you when you read it. There were so many subtle hints to Audrey throughout the story and it was so cleverly written by Holliday. I found that the story inspired me, I've found myself asking 'What would Audrey do?' when I find myself in a tricky situation or 'What would Audrey wear?' when I'm going out and I can find nothing in my wardrobe. I just wish she'd turn up on my sofa and be my BFF. 

However, the book did have some very minor faults. It's very clear that it needs editing as I spotted a lot of mistakes in printing and sometimes the story rambled on a little too much. The perks of reading as a writer. Despite this, I read the book in a week and I couldn't put it down. I loved the personal issues touch; the book was less about Audrey Hepburn and more about Libby's relationship with her Father. It had everything going on and I didn't find myself getting bored at all. It's definitely one of my new favourite books and I'd recommend it to everyone. 

'The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily' - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Recommended: Yes

Rating: 3.5 Stars

'A Night in with Audrey Hepburn' - Lucy Holliday 

Recommended: Yes

Rating: 4.5 Stars 

If you have any book recommendations then leave them in the comments!

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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Book Review: All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

It's been a while since I've reviewed a book, and in all honesty, it's been a while since I've actually read a book. For a girl who claims to love reading as much as I do, I don't read enough. Because I'm on a creative writing degree we're assigned books to read and half the time I find them very boring. If I'm forced to read a book then you can guarantee that I'll hate every second of it. Is anyone else like this, or is it just me? 

'All The Bright Places' has been on my reading list for over a year. The first time I heard about this book was on Zoella's channel in one of her monthly favourite videos. I remember her raving about it and saying that if you were a fan of 'The Fault In Our Stars' then you'd love this, so naturally, I put it straight down on my reading list. My lovely friend Caroline kindly gifted me the book for Christmas and I have been trying to read it since then, but have only got round to it now. So without further ado, here's my thoughts. 

When I first opened the book, I didn't know what to expect. I got the feeling that it was going to have some form of heartbreak in it, but what that was going to be, I had no idea. I tried not to hype it up to myself because I didn't want it to let me down, being compared to John Green's best-selling book, it had a lot to live up to. All I can say is that it gripped me straight away and from the moment I started reading, I couldn't stop. There wasn't one point in the story where I felt bored or felt like the plot wasn't going anywhere, it was constantly developing and keeping me guessing. Since starting University, I find that I'm more critical towards the books that I read. I'm constantly in writer mode and I can't seem to switch off, so when a book impresses me as much as this one has then it's definitely a good one. 

The story follows two teens, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey. They couldn't be more different, Violet is the popular girl who everyone wants to be friends with and Finch is the school freak. They meet at the top of a bell tower, where Finch saves Violet from jumping to her death. Finch is suicidal and Violet is overcome with grief from the death of her older sister, Eleanor.  But when they're paired together for a class project an unlikely friendship blossoms. The relationship that forms between Finch and Violet is a breath of fresh air and is so beautiful to read. 

This is a love story, but nothing like you've ever read before. I became so attached to the characters and found myself staying up till the early hours of the morning just to find out what happened to them. The dual narrative helps the novel to create this effect and it's lovely to see both sides of a story. It's such a beautifully heartbreaking story and the way Jennifer Niven approaches taboo topics is incredible. The characters are both relatable, funny and everything you could want from a YA fiction. I can't express how much I love this story. It's so relevant to modern society and it gave me a massive wake up call, as well as a lot to think about. I think everyone should take the time out to read it. It both inspires you to go and see the places that surround you and not to take advantage of the time you have with people. 

The only criticism that I have is that I found the plot a little bit predictable. There's a big twist at the end which I saw coming, it was inevitably going to happen and I would have liked to have been surprised. I'd really like to see a sequel to this story.

'All The Bright Places' - Jennifer Niven

Recommended: YES! 

Rating: 5 Stars

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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My Top 10 'Must-Reads'

I can never understand people who don't like reading, how can you dislike something so amazing? Does it seriously not fascinate you that someone has created an imaginary world in their mind and put this world into words, therefore creating a story to share with you? Ever since I was a little girl, reading books has always been something I have been passionate about which could be an explanation as to why I'm currently doing a creative writing degree. 

If someone tells me that they hate reading or they prefer watching the film to reading the book then I always bring out my list of my must-read books, and they've seriously got some people back into reading again. The list I'm about to share with you is a collection of my favourite books, all of which have moved me or made me want to read them over and over again. Also, I will just make a disclaimer and say that this list changes a lot so if you ever want any book recommendations then make sure you tweet me! 

1 ♡ Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
'P.S. Please give my love to Tink. She was always a funny little bug' 

2 ♡ To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee
'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it' 

3 ♡ The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
'I fell in love the way you fall asleep, slowly, and then all at once' 

4 ♡ The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
'I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool' 

5 ♡ Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
'Why is it that the right people never wind up together? Why are people so afraid to leave a relationship even if they know it's a bad one?' 

6 ♡ Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan
'Yes, girls want their Princes, but boys want their Princesses just as much'

7 ♡ The Single Girls To Do List by Lindsey Kelk
'Bloddy Facebook - and to think I'd enjoyed the social network. Clearly Mark Zuckerberg was the devil'

8 ♡ The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
'And if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have. Good and bad.'

9 ♡ Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher
'It's funny how friends we were so close to now only exist on our computers as a bunch of photos and status updates'

10 ♡ 1984 by George Orwell
'The best books...are those that tell you what you know already'


What are your must-read books? Leave me some suggestions in the comments!

Lots of Love,
Meg
xox

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Girl Online: On Tour by Zoe Sugg

Considering the fact that Zoe released this book over a year ago, I'm extremely late to the party but here I am with another book review for you lovely book lovers out there. 

'Girl Online: On Tour' is the second book in the 'Girl Online' series written by Youtuber and Blogger Zoe Sugg (aka Zoella). I read the first book in the series and I absolutely loved it; it was so gripping, incredibly well written and very impressive considering Zoe is not a professional writer. I am aware that she had some help writing her first novel, but there was a lot of Zoe's character weaved into the story and that's what made it unique. When Zoe announced that she would be writing a sequel I got so excited and couldn't wait to read it. I don't know why it's taken me a year to get round to it, but finally it was on offer in Asda so I got it for myself. 

My first impressions before reading the story were that it was either going to be much worse than the first story or six thousand times better. My standards were pretty high as I remember the first book ending on a bit of a cliffhanger and leaving me with a desire to know what happened to Penny, Noah and their relationship. However, when I started the book I got a little lost. I couldn't remember anything that had happened in the first one which meant that I had to go back and refresh my memory before I could start reading properly. 

The novel follows Penny, a clumsy sixteen year old girl who runs a blog, and her boyfriend Noah, a super famous musician who is about to head out on his first world tour supporting boyband sensation The Sketch. Penny is invited to join Noah on his European part of the tour, and we get to go on all sorts of adventures with them but also see the impact a long distance relationship can have on people.

In terms of plot, I would say that this was just as good, if not a little better than the first book. There was so much going on, so many twists and turns that it was like an emotional rollercoaster. It was very slow to start off with as there wasn't really anything that gripped you, but as you get further into the story it's very hard to put the book down. Some of the ideas Zoe came up with were absolutely amazing, it was one of those stories where you thought you knew what was going to happen and then it'd take a complete turn. It definitely keeps you on your toes.

However, I do think that the book was poorly written. I feel like it resembled something I probably would've wrote when I was 14 and going through my 'Bieber Fever' stage. In parts, it resembles one of the better written fan-fictions. It is very clear that Zoe wrote more of this novel, not because it is badly written but it is less professional; not in a bad way of course. 

I'd definitely recommend to check Zoe's books out if you get the chance too because they are definitely worth the read. 

'Girl Online: On Tour' - Zoe Sugg

Reccommended: Yes

Rating: 4 Stars

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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My Hogwarts Story

Harry Potter isn't something I have expressed my love for before, especially not on my blog. However, along with Disney, watching the films and reading the books was a massive part of my childhood. I was so obsessed with the concept of there actually being a school for people who could do magic, and I always wanted to be Luna Lovegood. 

I have been tagged by the lovely Victoria from acciovictoria to answer some questions all about My Hogwarts Story. If you haven't already, you should definitely go over and check out her blog because she's one of my favourites and I know you'll love her as much as I do! 

So, lets get started!

1. Are you Pure Blood, Half Blood or Muggle Born?

I've never even thought about this before, but I think I'd probably be a Pure Blood. 

2. Which wand chose you and what is it made of?

According to Pottermore, this is the wand that would choose me. 

3. Did you take an Owl, Cat or Toad with you?

I'd definitely have to take a cat with me, I think they're the most affectionate and I've always wanted a pet cat. 

4. Where would the sorting hat place you?

Well, I've always thought of myself as a Hufflepuff but Pottermore sorted me into Gryffindor so I think I'm a mix between the two. 

5. What house did you want to be in?

Despite popular opinion, I always wanted to be in Hufflepuff because I feel like it's the house that's most suited to me. 

6. What lessons are your favourite and least favourite? 

I think that potions and flying would be my favourite lessons as I've always loved the thought of learning how to fly on a broom. In terms of my least favourite lessons, I think that it would be Herbology, because I'd get bored and Defence Against the Dark Arts because I get scared really easily. This is why I don't understand why Pottermore told me I'm a Gryffindor because I'm not brave at all. 

7. The form your patronus takes is?

The one that comes to mind is a Hare, I think because I'm a little bit of an oddball it would suit me very well. 

8. When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?

One of my biggest fears is death, morbid I know, so I think it would be something to do with either my death or the death of my family and friends which would then result in me being alone, and I hate being alone. 

9. Do you partake in any school sports, or magical hobbies?

I'd like to say that I'd try out for the Quidditch team but I'm rubbish at sports so I probably wouldn't make it. I'd be cheering in the crowds! I think if I went to Hogwarts, I'd spend a lot of my time in the library. 

10. If you have any free time, where would you be hanging out?

Like I've just said, I think I'd spend a lot of my time in the library, sat outside with friends or cheering for my house at the Quidditch matches. 

11. You are most likely to get detention for what?

I never ever had a detention when I was at school, because I never really got into any trouble. I think if I were to get a detention for anything, it would be for sneaking out of bed at night, being late to class or forgetting to do my homework. 

12. What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?

The dream would be to be able to go back and teach at Hogwarts, but I think working at the joke shop with Fred and George, if they were both still with us *cries* would be absolutely hilarious! 

I'm going to tag Kathryn from ImagineKathryn! 

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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Book Review: The Single Girls To-Do List by Lindsey Kelk

The reason why I love reading so much is because it allows you to escape into another world for a while. I'll be very honest with you, I've completely lost the reading bug the past few years, and I completely blame my education for that. I've grown to hate reading because of studying English Literature, you're forced to read to pass an exam, not because you enjoy it. I've been waiting for that one book to get me back into the reading mindset, and now, I think I've finally found it. 

I actually started this book a few months ago, but had to stop reading it due to my studies, however once I'd finished Uni, I picked it back up again and I'm so glad I did. 

'The Single Girls To-Do List' is one of those books that I've been wanting to read for a very long time, and it's pretty self explanatory. The story follows Rachel Summers, a makeup artist who's newly single. Rachel has always had someone to pre-occupy her mind, she's always been in a relationship, but when her long-term boyfriend Simon calls time on their relationship she is left devastated and clueless. It's then down to her two best friends Emilie and Mathew to teach her that it's okay to be single. The group of friends then create a list, but not just any list, a single girls to-do list. This is then the start of a crazy adventure. 

I honestly can't express to you how much this story made me laugh. I don't think a book has made me laugh out-loud in such a long time, and it was a pleasure to read. It was unpredictable, and I loved that because it kept you on your toes. There's nothing I hate more than reading a book, and by the halfway point you pretty much know what's going to happen in the end and that's that. I'd rather be surprised, it's such a thrill. Rachel is such a relatable character, and she resembles a strong independent woman who learns that a woman can survive on her own without a man. We also get to know her friends too, and they're just as crazy. I'd love Mathew as a best friend, he's so awesome. 

It's a book full of laughter, giggles and the importance of having good friends to pick you up when you fall. If you get the chance to read it, then I would 100% recommend it. It is definitely on my top 10 favourites list. 

You can buy the book here.

'Single Girls To-Do List' - Lindsey Kelk

Recommended: YES!

Rating: 5 Stars

Lots of Love,

Meg

xox

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Book Review: Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher

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Well, it's been a while since I've done a book review hasn't it?! If I'm honest with you, I haven't been reading as much as I would like; I guess I'm just constantly tired. Most of the time, I get through a chapter a night and then fall asleep. Last night, I actually stayed up (because the book was just so gripping) and finished 'Dream a Little Dream' by the lovely Gi Fletcher, so I thought it'd be the perfect thing to review!

I've been wanting to read this book now for absolutely ages. I wanted to have it read just in time for Christmas so I could read the sequel 'Dream a Little Christmas Dream' but sadly that didn't happen and I only really finished the book last night. I'd been recommended to read some of Gi's books because apparently they were 'right up my street' according to my friends at Uni. I love trying out new authors, so I downloaded it onto my kindle and set off reading. 

'Dream a Little Dream' follows Sarah, a young woman who works in an office, is struggling to get a promotion to please her nagging mother and who's ex is now getting married to perfect barbie doll Lexie. The only way she can escape is in her dreams, where she creates a picture of Brett Last, a guy she went to Uni with many years ago. But, dreams soon become a reality, and Sarah is left bewildered when dream Brett actually turns up in her real life. 

From the moment I began reading the first page, I just knew this was going to be a book I loved. Have you ever felt that? like when you just know you're going to love something so much. It was a book for me that was very hard to put down, and I plodded in to some of my 9am lectures looking more sleepy than usual because I'd been up reading most of the night. I think the amazing thing about this book is that it constantly keeps you interested; there's so many twists and turns and when you think you've sussed out what's going to happen, the story takes a complete turn and you're left wanting more. Gi writes the book so well, and the character of Sarah is really someone you can relate too. I feel like you can see some of Gi's personality in her which is really lovely. But, you also feel that you get to know Sarah's friends too, and sometimes you feel like you're in their friendship group and sitting in on all the drama that unfolds. It's such a wonderful thing, because it's not something that's common in many books. 

If you're looking for a new author to try, I'd definitely recommend reading some of Gi's books; because I can't wait to read more of the other material she's written. I'm also very much looking forward to reading the Christmas edition of 'Dream a Little Dream', but I think I may have to wait until the festive season! It made me laugh, smile and cry, so you definitely need to read it! 

You can buy it here.

'Dream a Little Dream' - Giovanna Fletcher

Recommended: Yes!!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Lots of Love

Meg

xox

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Three Girls & A Baby by Rachel Schurig

Exams are finally over!

My reading has taken a back seat over these past few months due to revision and pure exhaustion. But what better way to get back into reading than with this lovely book by Rachel Schurig.

It was recommended to me by my mum. The moment she started it, she nagged and nagged at me to download it because she knew I'd love it. The way she described it to me was like a 'chick flick in a book'. I love a good chick flick from time to time so when I finished reading 'The Perks of Being A Wallflower', I downloaded it immediately. 

This book is the first in a series of five, following three young girls who have just graduated from College. They've moved into their own flat and are loving life. In the first book, we get to know all about Ginny, a nanny who couldn't be happier with her life; she has a gorgeous guy on her arm and lives with her two best friends, what more could she ask for? However, things take a turn for the worst when her boyfriend, Josh, leaves her. Ginny is devastated and turns to the comfort of Ben and Jerrys, that is until a familiar face comes knocking at the door. It's Josh, and he wants her back.

In her lovesick state, she spends the night with him. This is when the bombshell comes. Ginny is pregnant, but Josh wants nothing to do with it. We then follow Ginny on her journey through pregnancy with her two best friends. We sit with her through the highs and the lows, but just how will she cope bringing a new life into the world, when she can barely cope herself? 

At first, the book didn't grip me as much as I'd hoped, which I think could be to do with exams. But please, whatever you do, persevere with it because it gets to a point where you literally cannot put it down.

When my mum told me that it was like a chick flick in a book, I was very confused but I can now say that it is the perfect way to describe it. It made me laugh, it made me cry and the girls are such loveable characters. You'll definitely be able to relate to at least one of them. The ending is such a shocker too, not one I expected at all.

I'm very surprised that they haven't made a film from this book yet. I'm on the second book in the series at the moment and I can't wait to read the rest. This is one of the series of books that is up there with the Stephanie Perkins novels (If you have a chance to read those, please do because they're awesome!). 

Three Girls & A Baby - Rachel Schurig

Rating: 4 Stars

Recommended: YES

Lots of Love

Meg x

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Last night, I finished 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky. Before starting to read the book, I'd heard some really good reviews so I had very high expectations. The story follows a young boy called Charlie, who is quite an emotional character. At first, I found it annoying that he cried at most things but as I got deeper into his story I really warmed to him. He was such a sweet character; the type of person who wouldn't harm a fly. 

Charlie's very socially awkward to start with, therefore he is what we would call a 'Wallflower'. It means that he's a rare species, but very special, and people don't realise how special he is; for them to do that, they really have to get to know him properly. He watches life from the sidelines until he meets two charismatic students who become his mentors. Through the gift that is friendship, they help Charlie discover the joys of friendship, first love, music and more. Then comes an inspirational teacher, who acts as one of Charlie's closest friends when he has no one, encouraging his dreams of becoming a writer. The conversations between the two characters provide some of the more emotional moments in the novel. There's just one problem; Charlie's new found friends are leaving for College and his inner sadness threatens to shatter his new-found confidence.

It's not all about Charlie though, the book covers so many different issues faced by teenagers in society. It really opens your eyes as to how people deal with these things. Watching Charlie grow as a character is a beautiful thing and the book definitely provides some of the most inspirational quotes I have ever heard. It is set out as a series of letters which creates the illusion that Charlie is actually writing and talking to you. Although, the book can get a little boring at times, so you've been warned. 

I can't wait to watch the film to see if the characters live up to my expectations. Overall, an amazing book that really didn't disappoint. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Recommended: YES

Lots of Love
Meg
xxx

Love Tanya by Tanya Burr

Tanya Burr is a YouTuber, blogger and beauty enthusiast who publishes a video on YouTube each week, whether it be baking, beauty, fashion or lifestyle related. Along with her own line of cosmetics, her debut book was set to be a hit from the moment it was announced; something she can add to her many successes. 

When I first found Tanya's book, I didn't really know what to expect. I couldn't imagine her writing a book and it not being an autobiography; how can someone write a book about themselves yet it not be classed as an autobiography? Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. You could open 'Love Tanya' on any page and there will always be something interesting for you to read.

Tanya tells us about her early life and offers fashion and beauty advice, giving her top ten tips on how to look after your hair and her essential things for her make-up bag. As well as telling people about YouTube and answering some viewer questions, Tanya also offers relationship advice, recommends some of her favourite baking recipes and talks about travelling to different places. The reader can also get involved in the book too by writing down some of their hopes and dreams, favourite products and favourite places to travel. In a nutshell, it's just the perfect book; there's something there for everyone. 

As you can tell, there's a lot of different things included but one chapter that really stood out to me is the 'Confidence and Happiness' chapter. If you're a viewer of Tanya's channel, you'll be familiar with her positive, happy personality. In this particular chapter, she tells you how she stays positive, how she deals with anxiety and gives some tips as to how we can be more confident in ourselves. This chapter really makes you feel a sense of confidence and positivity after reading and it was such a lovely addition to the book. 

'Love Tanya' is a book you can read over and over again without it getting boring. The images are of such high quality and they look absolutely beautiful, Tanya is truly stunning. It's definitely clear that this book was written by and belongs to Tanya Burr; it has her name and personality written all over it. After reading it, you come away with the positive and happy feeling that Tanya always seems to have. Please, if you do anything, go and purchase this book. You will not regret it; it's an essential book for every girl!

Love Tanya - Tanya Burr

Rating: 5 Stars

Recommended: YES

Lots of Love

Meg

xxx

Girl Online by Zoe Sugg (Zoella)

Girl Online is the debut novel by online sensation Zoe Sugg, best known to many as Zoella. With over 5 million subscribers on YouTube and 2 million Twitter followers, the novel was destined to be a success and it didn't disappoint.

'Girl Online' follows 16-year-old Penny who owns an anonymous blog called 'Girl Online'. She uses her blog to write about her hopes, dreams and troubles in her everyday life. Whilst on a trip to New York she meets mysterious Noah Flynn, a guitar playing, floppy-haired guy from Brooklyn. Penny falls in love with Noah, blogging everything about her experience online, but little does she know that Noah is hiding a secret, a secret that could destroy her friendship and her anonymity forever.  

There has been a lot of controversy over 'Girl Online' with rumours of a 'ghost author' but regardless of this, it is a brilliant story. I read 'Girl Online' in approximately 3 days, I couldn't put it down. I ended up staying up until 3am reading because the story was so intriguing. Penny is a character most girls can relate to; a clumsy young girl who struggles with relationships without making a fool out of herself. The book made me laugh out loud, some of the things Penny and Elliot get up to are absolutely hilarious.

It is clear that Zoe didn't write the whole book herself but it is evident that she has had a lot of input; the story has 'Zoella' written all over it. When I started the book, I thought that Penny was going to be based on Zoe but, although they both have a blog and suffer from anxiety, they couldn't be more different. I completely fell in love with Noah and I wish I could have a Noah of my own! The big secret he is hiding is quite obvious from the beginning (well it was for me) and the suspense for him to reveal the secret to Penny is at times unbearable but the adorable ending really makes up for it.

Also, I really loved the front cover of the book. The fact Zoe got her viewers involved by including their photos on the front of the novel was a lovely touch and the bright colours made it appealing. As a viewer of Zoe's videos and a reader of her blog, I knew that I couldn't wait to read 'Girl Online' and I seriously wasn't disappointed. 

Girl Online - Zoe Sugg

Rating: 5 Stars

Recommended: YES

What did YOU think of Girl Online?

Lots of Love,

Meg

xxx

My Reading List 2015

Each year I make a list of books that I want to read - some old and some new. As an English student and an aspiring writer, reading is one of my favourite pass times. My Mum always told me that you're never alone if you've got a book and I really believe that's true. One of my *many* resolutions this year is to read more books and immerse myself in stories that aren't set by teachers to pass exams.

My Reading List 2015

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
• The Single Girls To-Do List - Lindsey Kelk
• Girl Online - Zoe Sugg (aka Zoella)
• The Hunger Games Series (Suzanne Collins)
• Looking for Alaska - John Green
• An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
• The Last Letter from Your Lover - Jojo Moyes
• All I Know - Carrie Fletcher
• Let it Snow - John Green
• Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
• Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Quite an extensive reading list, right?

I hope I get the chance to read all of these books this year and hopefully give you some good reviews along the way. If you're looking for any good books to add to your reading list, I highly recommend Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson. It follows Tiger Lily and Tink as they tell you about Peter Pan before Wendy Darling came along. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful story and I think it's my favourite book ever written.

I'm going to be doing a lot of reading this year by the looks of things.

Lots of love,
Meg
xxx