My Mad Day at YALC

On Saturday, instead of having a lie-in or helping with housework, I headed to Earls Court for the first ever YALC (Young Adult Literature Convention) hosted by the London Film and Comic Con. To say it was a really good day doesn't even cut it, it was brilliant.

Aside from the crazy queues to actually just get in and the craziness of being amongst thousands of cosplayers while clutching my heavy bag of books for dear life, the day started well once I found the YALC area. I stood at the back of a panel discussing dystopia (a favourite genre of mine) in YA with Malorie Blackman, Patrick Ness and Sarah Crossan - all three authors I love and admire. It was interesting to hear about their thoughts on genres in general and where they think the genre is going. It was such a surreal moment standing and listening to these authors whose books I have devoured, spotting a few familiar faces in the crowd who I knew were bloggers and then, Stan Lee walking past me on the way to his photo taking session. Very, very weird and brilliant moment.

The Dystopia panel - Sarah Crossan, Patrick Ness,
Malorie Blackman

Those kind of moments only got more frequent. While walking away from getting my book signed by Sarah Crossan, I happened to look over at the group of people I was passing and came face to face with none other than Lucy from Queen of Contemporary. Out of all the people I wanted to meet and see at YALC, she was the one I wanted to meet the most. Lucy is a really good blogging friend of mine, and her blogs are one of the best in my opinion around. She's helped me so much from motivating me to blog, talking to me constantly for the past two years to helping me write a feature article all about blogging for a university assignment. I've watched her blog work its way and it was just so amazing, so surreal and so brilliant to talk to her face to face. We went to the Superfans panel together with some other bloggers, where I think we both geeked out about Rainbow Rowell being one of the speakers, as well as then meeting Rainbow Rowell herself together and I spent a bit of time going round with her with so many authors, bloggers and publicists recognising Lucy, it was really nice to see for me.

I am so awe struck by both how lovely and genuine everyone was. There were times people had a conversation with me having probably no idea who I was, but merely because of a shared love for books and publishing. As Lucy put it in her reflection of YALC, no-one cared what your gender was, no-one cared where you came from, no-one cared about your age, everyone just cared about you being there for your love of literature. And that is something that makes me put faith back in humanity.

I left YALC about 5pm at a point where I felt utterly exhausted and like my shoulder was about to turn permanently numb. I continued my celebration of an amazing day by meeting my boyfriend and some friends who were in London for the day and had dinner at this nice restaurant just off Oxford Circus called 'Vapiano' (the cheesecake was so good).
Upon already commenting that I felt like the amount of books I had brought with me up to Central London made me feel like I'd robbed my local Waterstones store, I handed my boyfriend my goodie bag of books to him exclaiming 'Wow, that's heavy, that's a lot of books'. Yes, it was and yes my shoulder hated me on Sunday morning but it was so worth it. Bring on the next YALC!

Veronica Roth Signing

On a sunny October afternoon, I was sitting in a Starbucks on the Strand in London with my friend when I found out about the Veronica Roth signing. I was scrolling through my Twitter feed as I was waiting for my friend and our drinks and then I saw the tweet from Waterstones talking about this event. I texted my other friend, George, straight away and within a few hours, I was the holder of two tickets to see one of the best authors around in my

I may be currently in Bournemouth but the event was in my 'reading week' (read: a week off to catch up with work which ends up with everyone going home and doing anything far from work) when I'd be coming home anyway. George is at university in London so it was perfect!

Veronica Roth for those that have no idea who I'm rattling on about is the writer of the YA dystopian series Divergent and the final book in the series, which I am yet to read, has just been released after the biggest cliffhanger in history. It's also being made into a movie next year with the lovely Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet in it. This series is immense, I would not recommend it enough. It was a series I was completely unsure about until George made me read them and now *whispers* I think they're better than The Hunger Games...

Veroncia Roth hasn't done many events in the UK, as she is an American author so I was so excited and surprised to hear she was doing one here in London.

The event was at the Prince Charles Theatre in Leicester Square where George and I saw Moonrise Kingdom a couple of years ago. It's a nice theatre/cinema just off the square, right on the edge of Chinatown and is a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square. 

We went in with about 5 minutes to spare. As we walked in, Veronica Roth just kind of casually walked past us to which we both kind of gave each other excited looks. 

We sat down and the talk started. It's interesting to hear authors talk about how they came to write the books we kind of take for granted - rarely do I think to myself when I'm reading 'Oh I wonder where they got the idea'. Some of the author's events I've been to show that inspiration comes from some unlikely places.

While it seemed like she was wrapping up after only 30 minutes had passed, suddenly she was talking about cast member from the Divergent movie being at the event. I thought to myself 'Oh it's going to be a minor character in the movie'. That was until Shailene Woodley was walking on stage, who is playing Tris, THE MAIN CHARACTER. It was cool to hear her perception of the movie and how she prepared for her character. It was just incredibly surreal having these two people on stage. I'm interested to see Shailene next year in Divergent but also as the lead in The Fault in our Stars, an adaptation of the John Green book which is another favourite book of mine. 

Soon, the audience was getting their books signed. Because we were at the back, we had to wait a while but it was SO worth the wait. She's really lovely, I wasn't entirely sure what to say to hear without fangirling at all. But I asked her if she was planning on writing any more books and she replied she had a book in the making that was a move away from Divergent but still a dystopian. 

So I left the event feeling rather happy and geeking out with my friend over the fact we had just met Veronica Roth, author of Divergent which could potentially have the same effect as The Hunger Games did when it was first made into a movie.

I'm so excited for the movie in March and I still need to get onto the last book in the Divergent series (kind of scared of what may happen). I'm also trying to get my flatmates to discover Divergent. We went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire at the cinema the other day (it's so good!) and they showed the Divergent trailer. One of my flatmates just turned to me at the end of the trailer and said 'That looks so good!' 

This movie is going to be big, I can tell. But Veronica Roth is still one of the most down to earth authors I've met.

Reviews:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Event: Lauren Oliver

On Tuesday 19th March, I trekked up to London after college to attend the Lauren Oliver talk/signing at Waterstones Piccadilly. It has been something I've been looking forward to for a long time since I heard about it. Despite finishing at 4.10 from college, having to change trains and then negotiate London Waterloo in the rush-hour (which is...it's frightening) while eating and containing my excitement, I was determined to get there.

I got a seat in the middle and got talking to some lovely people around me, all agreeing with me about Lauren Oliver's books and the upcoming TV series of her books. Again, it struck me when I was leaving how lovely some people are and how books can really bring strangers together. Soon, I was talking to people I'd known 5 minutes as if I'd known them much much longer.

I've been to a few book signings since starting blogging - John Green, Patrick Ness, Malorie Blackman - but I have to say Lauren Oliver's talk was one of the best. I love her ease with talking about her book, how passionate she sounds about reading and writing and when reading her books now, I remember and see what she described so vividly about herself as a writer.

We believe the girl in the blue cardigan is
Cicely from Cicely Loves Books

She read aloud from Hana's POV in the final installment because as she said, reading anything from Lena's POV would just ruin EVERYTHING for those that hadn't read Pandemonium. The passage was an altered version of the story of Solomon which I think just highlighted how controlling and censored the government in Lauren Oliver's books are. Then, she moved on to answering some questions from the audience. As usual you have the initial hesitation when there is like NO-ONE wanting to ask questions and then suddenly, after the first couple of brave people, there are 10 hands up at a time. Some of the questions were about the series of books, Oliver's writing, her opinions on the TV series and even her views between the UK and US covers (she liked the UK ones more).

I think one of the most interesting things to hear about was her view on the TV series. As someone pointed out, Hana described with blonde hair, blue eyes and someone who when standing next to her, she would always stand out is being played by a brown haired, brown eyed female in the TV series. In Oliver's view, and I agree with her, the fact that the actress looks different to the Hana we've envisioned from the books doesn't matter. What matters is the essence of her character coming across on screen. As long as she is still pretty in a way that you can never compare to her, that is the whole point and Lena's view on Hana therefore, that is what matters. I both agree and disagree in a way but by her saying that aloud, it did change some of the opinions I had formed about the many adaptations around at the moment. While some people dislike Theo James as Four from Divergent, for instance, we have to remember that although the appearance helps to adapt Four's character to the screen, it's his personality, character and actions that will truly remind us of the Four we all know and love. Lauren Oliver is right in saying that.

She also talked a little bit about her new book (which I have to say I thought HUNGER GAMES) when she described it. It's called Panic and should be coming out some time next year. It's about this village in New York where every summer the kids in the neighbourhood play a very serious game with drastic consequences. Sounds interesting, I have to say and a little different from Delirium.
My question was asking about whether she intended in starting the series to have both Julian AND Alex. For me, Julian kind of came out of the blew from no-where - no hints, no warnings that Lena could have feelings for another. Her reply was yes, it was intended. She said she had always wanted to have these two different guys - complete opposites - and the tension from these characters have against one another is portrayed the most in Requiem.

After the questions were over, she started signing books. I was quite near the back so I had to wait a while before I met her and spend the time talking to Rebecca (another one!) who was sitting next to me, and someone I found out goes to a university near me (it really is a small world sometimes). When I finally got to the front, I don't really remember what I said. I think I rambled for a bit about what I'd read in the series, not particularly making sense. I also mentioned I'd looked at the end of Pandemonium before I started it. For those that have read it, you will know that that IS THE WORST THING TO DO and totally ruined the ending. Lauren replied in mock anger and wrote in big letters in my signed book about it which was a lovely personal gesture. I had my photo taken with her and then scurried off.
I don't think I've ever met someone so nice! Literally, she is one of the nicest, friendliest people I have come across in a while and I felt so at ease talking to her considering a) she was kind of a stranger and b) she writes some of the best books.

It was a lovely evening and one I have turning over in my mind happily for days thinking about how great it was. The ease in talking to Lauren Oliver, the delight in hearing the secrets behind some of her writing and most of all, enjoying some of the best YA books around with people who completely agree with me. I had a bit of an awful day the next day (for more than one reason) but that evening made me realise how much I want to become part of the book industry but also how much I love being a blogger. It has its moments but blogging really is great.

I would seriously recommend Lauren Oliver's books. I was a bit unsure about my opinion of Delirium but Pandemonium is AMAZING. I'm currently reading Requiem which is brilliant so far!

Review: Delirium
Review: Pandemonium
Review: Before I Fall (stand-alone)

John Green London Event

As soon as I heard via Twitter that John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns among others, was coming to the UK on a tour to promote the paperback release of The Fault in Our Stars (TFIOS), I knew I had to go. I had to.
That was back in December, when I texted my friend - an equally massive fan of John Green's work - who replied with a lot of capital letters and exclamations marks and after a nerve-racking 20 minutes involving a slow computer and an overworked booking system, I was the holder of two tickets to the hottest book event in town. I was going to see John Green in a fancy hall in Chelsea, London with two very good friends. And Hank Green would be there *faints*

(Sorry about the quality of the photos! The lights kind of drowned out the stage on my camera)

Fast forward exactly 6 weeks and I was walking down the ever-so-posh Sloane Street on the way to Cadogan Hall for the John Green event fangirling already with my friend. Now, for those that don't know this area of London, Sloane Street is a shopping street in the heart of London, near Kensington, Knightsbridge and the King's Road (which Kate Middleton went shopping down the day before her wedding). However, I won't be shopping there because EVERY SHOP WAS A DESIGNER SHOP. Literally, all these teenagers were going to a John Green event in one of the poshest areas of London, something I found a little funny.

Waiting for the talk to start clutching my free copy of TFIOS

On arriving to the venue, we were led to this grand hall with a Waterstones bag filled with our already signed book by John and Hank Green and tickets at the ready. It was such a lovely venue really, very intimate despite sitting near the back. After a 10 minute conversation with my friend filled with excitement and just looking at each other saying over and over again 'How did this happen? John Green is HERE', suddenly a Penguin representative was introducing John Green and suddenly John Green was striding across the stage and saying hi through the microphone and there was cheering and clapping and everyone was like 'THIS IS HAPPENING' and ah, it was magical really.

John Green reading from book

John Green talked a little bit about his book and how he came up with the idea and the long, long process it took to write it and then read the first few pages of The Fault in Our Stars (after borrowing a copy from an audience member whose name he couldn't say) and with one of the best views, I realised how lucky I really was to be sitting there, laughing at John Green's jokes and listening to a guy who wrote one of the best books I have had the fortune to read. I mean I feel bad for going compared to those that didn't go, like Lucy from Queen of Contemporary because it was just one of the best experiences ever.

Maureen Johnson asking Hank and John Green
the questions

Soon, Hank Green came on (John Green's brother who does a lot of YouTube videos) and sung some songs , none of which I really knew too well but I loved them anyway. The Book 8 song about the Harry Potter series finishing? IT IS STILL STUCK IN MY HEAD. Then, Maureen Johnson was walking on the stage! I was going to go to a Maureen Johnson event a couple of months ago but couldn't go in the end which I was a little upset about so having her there, in front of me was a bit surreal. So there was John Green, Hank Green and Maureen Johnson all on the stage with Maureen asked questions to the Greens. The talk closed with John and Hank Green singing I Would Walk 500 Miles by The Proclaimers which was funny with their American accents and the whole crowd's English accent over the top.

I did manage a sneaky shot as they started the 
signing in better lighting. 

 I didn't get to meet in person John Green (I was sitting near the back and they started with the balcony and we knew it would take ages and we had a signed book already anyway!) but I am so, so glad I was one of the lucky ones able to attend the event. It was one of the best afternoons I've had and I don't think I've laughed so much in 90 minutes. John Green is someone entirely special to me and many others. His books just make me feel like I'm not the only person in the world feeling like his characters do, that reading should be encouraged rather than discouraged with its association with geekiness. Not only have I loved all the Green books I've read, but they've also helped me forge friendships with others. I first realised my friend, Emma and I's common interest in books when I noticed Emma was reading The Fault in Our Stars under the desk in an English class. And when our English teacher showed a video about The Great Gatsby with John Green in and Emma and I were the only ones to shout 'That's John Green!'. The friend I went to the event with, Ellie, one of the first topics we talked about when we first met in Classics last year was John Green's book when I saw her reading one. My first John Green book, Looking for Alaska, was given to me by my best friend. John Green's books unites everyone - bloggers, nerdfighters, friends - which showed me that you're never alone.
If you haven't read The Fault In Our Stars yet, you need to right now. I have never read anything so perfect.

Me with my proud Waterstones bag

My signed book with John Green's signature
and a Hankler fish! 

Calling all UK Maureen Johnson fans!

Do you live in the UK? Do you like Maureen Johnson i.e. the hilarious Twitterer and writer of 13 Little Blue Envelopes (my review here), The Last Little Blue Envelope and The Name of the Star?
Yes? Well, this is for you then.

As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!

Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.

So, this is the low-down:

Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)

What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here:  http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/

If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com 


If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!


I hope to see you there!