Valentines Day?

Fun fact: I had actually forgotten it was Valentines day. It wasn't until I logged onto social media and saw either: A) People confessing their love or B) People complaining about their loneliness, that I realised - Oh yeah, its that day where love is everywhere.

Then I continued with my day. Which consisted of making oat cookies (which, by the way, are delicious).

However, seeing as it is the day of love and what not. Here's a list of the things I been loving recently-ish.

• Novels written by Gayle Forman. I was first intrigued to read her novel If I Stay after the trailer for the film appeared on my television. Whilst I liked the novel, it didn't 'hook' me like I expected. Nevertheless, I still bought the sequel Where She Went, which owns the same stance as the first, it's good but I've read better. Alas, I'm now reading Just One Day, persuaded by the idea of visiting Paris for one day (because that's basically what I did in October - remember?) and holy moly if you're interested in reading something by Forman then please go read this novel. I'm only half way, but w o w. Watch out for a book review - either here or on The Indiependent!
• The Indiependent. (Don't you just love it when points flow from each other?). Aaah yes, I can here you sigh, haven't you plugged this enough? Well, no. So go look at the page! I promise you will have a good time. 
• Instagram. Now, not to be narcissistic or whatever, but my instagram has been looking pretty good recently. The previous photography student within me sighs with pleasure each time I look at my profile. You should follow me if you like, the link is to the right, somewhere
• Ukulele. For Christmas I received a tiny red ukulele and it is currently one of my favourite things. I previously played the guitar, so I'm transferring the skills learnt about 5 years ago. I still struggle with the whole 'sing whilst playing' aspect - it actually makes my brain hurt. 
• The Sims 3. Aaah, I have reached that moment in my life where I want to play The Sims again. This phase will fade in a few days so I thought I would include it whilst I still like it. 
• Carmilla. Have I mentioned my love for this webseries on here yet? Probably. If you're interested, just YouTube Carmilla and have a great time. 

Alright guys, I will love you and leave you. I hope, whether you celebrate Valentines Day or not, you have had a good day. 

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Its undeniable that Lauren Oliver is a fantastic writer, if you've read the Delirium series you will understand this. It's extremely difficult not to fall into the universe Oliver creates and want to live there forever. I can't help but fall in love with the characters she portrays. It happened with the Delirium trilogy and it happened with Panic.

Has anyone else noticed how pretty much every new young adult fiction novel is compared to The Hunger Games? Teen Now Magazine follows this expectation. The  concept of the The Hunger Games is terrifying, yes, however due the immense popularity that element of fear has been watered down, actual children are being forced into becoming murderers yet everyone seems to focus the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale. I won't go into that subject, because to be frank I could go on for days and don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games is one of my favourite trilogies. I didn't spend New Years Eve ignoring my relatives for nothing. (Yes, I spent 2011/2012 New Years reading The Hunger Games, don't judge me.)

In my opinion, Panic does not deserve to be compared with the Hunger Games. Not because it's terrible, but because I wouldn't necessarily put the two into the same category. Panic is darker, grittier and more tense. I almost didn't want to turn the page in fear of something terrible occurring, because although it took me a while to warm to Heather and Doge I did generally want them to succeed. Split into two narratives, Oliver explores the lives of Heather and Dodge who both compete in the annual (and illegal) senior challenge, Panic, to try and win the grand prize which is usually over $50,000. However, to win this prize one must complete various challenges, some of which include crossing a high way blind folded, jumping over a cliff edge and staying in a haunted house over night. The risk of death is woven into each challenge, making the novel more tense. But why would these kids, (alright they are my age and if I was called a child I would probably be outraged but you see my point) risk their lives? Yes, $50000 would be wonderful, but the fact it, as we see with out two protagonists, it's not always about the money and if it is - it's ultimately about trying to achieve something better than their small town lives.

The novel begins with Heather, who finds herself impulsively joining Panic after witnessing her boyfriend with another girl. Heather's story, however, is not about a cheating boyfriend. It becomes apparent that Heather is responsible for looking after her younger sister, Lily. Their Mother is obviously not the greatest parent, unsurprisingly, it was easy to feel hatred and disrespect towards the character. However, it appears obvious that Heather is now in Panic for the cash, to provide for Lily and herself. Dodge, however, joined Panic to get revenge for his sister's accident, which left her in a wheel chair. Dodge hoped that the last challenge would include him and Ray, giving him the perfect opportunity to hurt Ray. Winning, would allow Dodge to pay for his sister's rehab. Although it took me longer to warm to Dodge's character (the need for revenge and his constant anger did get a little irritating), I found myself desperately wanting him to do the right thing. Whether he does or not, you'll have to read to find out.

Overall, Panic is a fantastic novel. If you're into gritty novels that have you wanting more as you metaphorically hide behind a cushion then this is definitely for you.



I apologise that I have been absent and the fact this is my only proper blog post for January, but I made the mistake of taking the Extended Project this year, so my focus was on writing a 5000 dissertation on the Suffragettes. Mock exams were a thing that happened that restricted my writing time. I may or may not have written this instead of doing History work - so don't say ignore you.

I'm joking, but now I'm leaving.

Goodbye.

(Ps, if anyone wants to recommend anything for me to read that that would be excellent! Following me on the social media's would also be cool)

My Life In Books - Indiependent Contribution

Apologies for waiting 12 days to actually write something here. Did you have nice new years? I almost slipped on ice, but then I ate Doritos so it was alright.

I'm here to talk about a little think I wrote for the Indiependent.

If you're familiar with the site (if not go look alright), you will know that they have weekly features, one of those features is"My Life In Books." My contribution to that went up a few days ago.

Reading has been a big part of my life since I was small. I still remember reading out loud for 10 minutes before school, and then before bed. A routine. This would lead to my tenth year where I would ask for a library card, the school library no longer satisfying my reading needs. The competition to be the child to review the most amount of books in the school year was also a catalyst. Between the age of 10 and 12, every Monday my mother and I would walk to the library and I would be able to chose a world where I would be able to live for the next few days. Somehow reading became almost as necessary as oxygen, a love that would direct my educational path and career choice.

Please go read My Life In Books which describes my attachment to books such as Matilda by Roald Dahl and Oliver Twist.

I recently read Lauren Oliver's new book Panic, so expect a review on that soonish :) 

Goodbye 

2014 Round Up

Whilst this year has had it's downsides, seriously, terrible things happened in the world this year and this post is in no way trying to ignore them but New Years Eve tends to a place to remember all the good things and personally, this year has been amazing. Here's a list.

•  I have continued writing this blog. Unlike the diaries I kept when I was nine, I have managed to continue posting to this blog for over a year. Every month in 2014 I uploaded at least two posts. That makes me proud. 
• The Summer Masquerade Ball. The end of year post 16 party if you will. My friends and I dressed up real fancy and wore masks. Although the food wasn't that great, we danced all night and my feet hurt. It was great. 
• Nottingham Potential Summer School at the University of Nottingham. I'll never be able to put into words what this
  experience did for me. The fact that I was one of the 400 accepted out of 1600 applicants is pretty amazing. I was actually really scared to apply, non of my friends seemed interested and it became apparent I would know absolutely no one - spending six days on my own with a bunch of strangers was terrifying. The obvious purpose of Summer School is to give you a true university experience, but it is so so much more. I met some wonderful humans and became more confident and comfortable within myself. It taught me that saying yes to things your scared of is a good thing. I think that will be one of my resolutions: Stop saying no to things. I know it's cheesy and cliche, but I will always remember Summer School as a wonderful experience and time in my life that I wish I could relive again. (If you're in year 12 please consider applying to a Summer School at the University of Nottingham you won't regret it)
  
• Started a YouTube Channel (ohitsonlymegan). I don't upload often, but I was brave enough to upload my face and voice to the internet, something I had wanted to do  for a while. At the moment, numbers aren't really a priority but you should subscribe if you want. 
• Began contributing to The Indiependent. Although the majority of my posts are Doctor Who reviews, I feel immensely proud that I am writing for other places on the internet except my blog and twitter. 
• My First Job. Yes, it was a volunteering job and I didn't actually get any money for it, but it's something to be positive about all the same. I talked to children about books and it was wonderful.
• I did pretty well in my AS exams. Somehow, in the summer I managed to get A's in both History and English. As these are the subjects I want to take at university, to see those grades on results day made me pretty happy. 
• History Trip. The history trip to Belgium and France is definitely the best school getaway I have ever experienced. For once in my life everyone who went was really friendly and cool. The teachers were also really great. It was extremely fascinating to relive moments from the First World War. The fact that it was the last school trip I will ever experience also means it will hold a special place in my heart. 
  
• Relationships. My friendship group hasn't altered that much this year, but I definitely have more people that I am comfortable around and call a friend. I feel that I could potentially befriend a few more individuals just to make my life in certain lessons more bearable, maybe that'll be a resolution. A certain thing in November taught me that focusing on my studies is A-OKAY. I'm also in awe of everyone who can have romantic relationships and still stay focused on education - How do you do that huh? Too personal there, Megan, abort abort. 
• I learned how to drive. Somehow, I am legally allowed to drive a car. Me. Who knew? My driving test was so traumatic it's a wonder I passed at all (let's just say at one point I joined a queue of traffic that was actually parked cars). But yes, I can do the driving and it's cool. 
• Concerts. I saw Ed Sheeran and finally managed to get Taylor Swift tickets, after 6 years of waiting. Pretty exciting stuff. 
• I received all my offers from universities. I've put this last because it is the thing that will probably effect me the most in 2015. I'm pretty much ready to reply to my offers and the fact this year I will hopefully leave home and go to university is a little bit scary. 

This post was unplanned and written quickly. I don't think I missed anything but if I did, I apologise.

Thank you, 2014 for being okayish to me. I hope 2015 will be great not only for me, but for you as well. 

See you in the New Year! 

Top books of 2014

Well hello there!

I hope you had a nice Christmas.

Somehow, 2014 is almost over and I'm still in shock about it. Naturally, I thought I would round up the year with some books I have read and enjoyed in 2014. This is not in any order of preference.

Shattered by Teri Terry.
I've spoken about how much I love the Slated trilogy before. Shattered was the perfect final installment to a trilogy that had me in love from the first chapter. This novel ties together all the mysteries of the previous novels, and still has you begging for more. If you want to read a series that has a fantastic ending, then Shattered will not disappoint.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller
I know, I know, I'm reading this for my English Literature and Language exam and I'll probably despise it by March, but for now I'm appreciating what Miller has written. The main reason, possibly the only reason, as to why this book is included is how easily this novel can be related to the modern day. It is true, that Miller wrote this as an allegory for the Red Scare in the US in the 1950's. Although this is no longer the 1950's, and we aren't terrified of communism, the element of hysteria can still be applied to events that are occurring in the modern world. It's an interesting concept to think about and I feel like we will never be able to eradicate the panic and fear created by an event scaled out of proportion.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart 
I actually read this Christmas Day afternoon, after receiving it from a relative as a present. I wish I had read this sooner, the moment I picked it up I couldn't let it go. I only stopped reading to watch the BBC Christmas specials with my family. Unsurprisingly, I finished it Boxing Day morning and it was a definite favourite. Full of mystery and tension, the novel focuses on the rich and powerful Sinclair family. No matter how perfect on the outside, nothing is what it seems, as Cadence figures out when she goes hunting for the truth. The plot twist at the end is extraordinary and heartbreaking. The Guardian calls this novel cunning, clever and absolutely gripping - They aren't wrong.

Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu 
If you follow me on tumblr, you probably already know about my love of the web series inspired by this novella. Admittedly, I did read this after completely watching the show, and I only bought it because I needed to make my amazon purchase over £10 but what counts is that I read and enjoyed it. It was published in 1871, released 26 years before Dracula (fun fact). I tend to stay away from vampire novels, after my shameful Twilight phase at the age of twelve I can't seem to get interested. Maybe it's young adult vampire fiction I can't stand, because I really enjoyed reading Carmilla. I will admit, the ending seemed very quick and sudden. Reduced the enjoyment a little bit.

A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke
A book list wouldn't be a proper book list without the inclusion of a Cat Clarke novel. This time, it's her latest novel A Kiss in the Dark which I read in April, sent to me by Quercus on a read to review basis. What I love about Clarke is the realness and grittiness of her novels that have you on the edge of your seat and awake until 3am desperate to finish it. Whilst A Kiss in the Dark is not my favourite of Clarke's novels it does contain the most important phrase "love is love." If everyone respected that sentence, the world would be a much better place. I reviewed this book in much more detail here.




There are so many more novels I can include, but hey 2014 was a year where I felt all nostalgic and reread quite a lot of novels and I didn't feel comfortable including them in this list.

2015 is upon us and I'm not quite sure how I feel about.

Happy New Year, I guess.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

The first time I read this book was when I was eleven. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have read it at that age. Mainly because re-reading at the age of sixteen I realised I had pretty much remembered it incorrectly, making me wonder if I had understood it in the first place. Regardless, my local library clearly though it suitable to be placed in the children's section. It also didn't stop me naming it as my favourite book in my Year Six leavers journal.

So, when the film came out in 2013, I had naturally forgotten the existence of this novel which had me so entranced five years before. Let me tell you, when I saw the trailer play on television it felt like a lost child had come back to me. Especially as I practically jumped out of my chair like "I've read that book! I've read that!". I would then see the novel in ASDA and immediately purchase it. Rereading it I would soon realise that although I knew it was good book when I was eleven, I now understand that it is an extremely excellent novel. Of course I wouldn't watch the film until November 2014, where I would fall in love with the story all over again. Not to mention stay up until 2am scared out of my life because the notion of World War Three is terrifying. I have a very wild imagination and it's a real burden sometimes.

Regardless of the fact I can't do anything without feeling terrified (I have friends that love horror movies and it's a real issue. Why can't you love happy films where blood isn't appearing every five seconds WHY), How I Live Now is not only about the outbreak of a third world war. It's about relationships, survival and ultimately the fact that bad things don't happen for a reason - and when they do occur, you just have to deal and live with it. That is something I truly admire about the protagonist, Daisy. I will admit, I think that characteristic is more obvious within the film, but still admirable. Too often, something terrible happens and people just give up. Although, the only time I see this in my real life is within coursework essays and what not, not exactly the same as a war.

Another thing I like about the story? The inclusion of 'sensitive' issues. So little novels, any type of media really, fail to include topics that exist within the world, specifically anorexia. Which is hinted within the story. Another sensitive issue that is not hidden - falling in love with your cousin. Whilst this is an extremely hot debatable topic, it does happen in the book. I don't resent this story line, but that's not to say I agree with it. I suppose, this just follows the aspect I mentioned earlier - things, not necessarily bad, happen and we have to move on.

Finally, I would like to apologise if this seems a little rushed and all over the place. I'm trying to write this as quickly as possible so I can begin writing my extended project, an independent research project that results in a 5000 word dissertation. I know in my future life I'll look back on this and laugh because I'll have to write 20000 words or whatever, but it's extremely important that I get it done to a high standard. This is the first time I've done anything like this independently, without a teacher guiding me and helping. Scary times (not really). My history coursework is also meant to be handed in this week. Also, update: I applied to university a few weeks ago and all five have replied with offers, so yay I guess.

Have you been checking out the Indiependent? I personally feel like my music taste is getting better because of it, even though I only write about books and Doctor Who.

Okay, I must leave you now. Goodbye,


Ps. I've had this blog for over a year now, whoa! Who knew I could continue this for so long? Thanks for reading my blog posts that are sometimes excellent.
PPS. Follow me on the social medias if you're into that.

Too early for Christmas songs?

I apologise for the lack of book reviews this month. It's been majorly History based and I'm not that sorry because I absolutely adore History. So there's that. I did just finish If I Stay by Gayle Forman and it was decent I suppose, I wasn't thinking much of it until I cried on the last page. Go read that book if you want to cry.

Back to the topic at hand: Christmas songs. Is November too early to listen to Christmas songs? I didn't think so. It wasn't until I was happily singing O'Christmas Tree whilst washing the dishes and my mother pointed out rather angrily that it was ONLY November, that most people absolutely despise anything Christmas until December.  Ironically, I am listening to Christmas songs whilst typing this. I'm also procrastinating planning my 5000 word dissertation I thought would be a good idea to do in September. 

What is wrong with listening to Christmas songs though? I understand that that some believe it's bad luck to listen to anything Christmassy, but November is the time where all the Christmas adverts invade our televisions so surely it's alright then? Halloween is over, as is Bonfire Night, the next thing to look forward to is Christmas. The fact is, the majority of Christmas songs result in a feeling of happiness that no other music can produce. (I'm joking here, there's plenty of other happy music but CHRISTMAS). For instance, for the majority of the day I have been SO TIRED, probably due to the fact my first lesson wasn't until 12.20 and I was stuck for about 3 hours doing homework, revision and coursework - not the most stimulating - but now I'm home, I am so awake it's unreal. Admittedly, there are probably other factors that have woken me up, but for the sake of this post I'm saying it's the Christmas songs. 

Not really sure what the purpose of this post was, to be honest, I just wanted to write something that wasn't school work. However, Christmas songs are very important and need to be discussed, so here are my favourite Christmas songs / albums / music that is Christmas based. 

• Sounds of the Season - Taylor Swift (if you know me, you probably realised this would feature)
• Shake Up Christmas - Train
• Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
• Warm This Winter - Gabrielle Cilmi
• On This Winters Night - Lady Antebellum
• Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song) - Kelly Clarkson