Hello everybody! Today, I’m back with the penultimate installment in the spelling months with books series, for my birth month November. Onto the post!
Hello everybody! Today, I’m really excited to welcome Nina de Pass, author of the phenomenal the Year After You for an interview as part of her blog tour for the book. Onto the post!
Continue reading “The Year After You Blog Tour: Author Interview with Nina de Pass”
Hello everybody!
Today’s post is a tiny bit different to usual (more in format than anything else), so onto the post! I hope you enjoy it 💜
Of all the books that I count as favourites, the Geek Girl series is one of the very closest to my heart. There are so, so many reasons why I love this series and I decided, since it’s now almost a year since the final book came out that I wanted to write about it.
It fits my taste perfectly.
Harriet’s voice is incredibly unique, and her dry sense of humour throughout never, ever fails to make me laugh at least once a chapter. We’re very different in a lot of ways, though I see similarities too. I don’t rattle off facts or love maths and Science, but I adore history, and books, and I’m the first to admit I’m not all that into fashion. There is a passage in the first book about that very topic that speaks hugely to me, and I’m often heard saying ‘they’re just clothes!’
That’s something Geek Girl has given me. There are whole sections of this book I can rhyme off by heart; Harriet’s vocabulary has seeped into mine. Ostensibly, which features in one of the most uncomfortable bullying scenes throughout all 6 books is one of my go to phrases in an essay, and it’s one of my favourite words ever. I also try and learn some of the glorious facts sprinkled throughout that always fit just right with the narrative, which never feel jarring as they could be in other hands.
The rest of the cast are just as special. Eccentric agent Wilbur; so bizarre I can’t help but giggle when he’s on the page. Her parents; clever and caring, and undoubtedly my favourite book parents of all time. Toby; initially an irritation, but someone I came to care about by the end of Forever Geek. Best friend Nat; ferociously protective of Harriet, hilarious, a true ‘girl bomb’. Scary fashion designer Yuka Ito, whose terrifying manner provokes Harriet into some of the best moments of the series for me. And Nick. Lion Boy. A character I’m unashamedly in love with. He’s funny, charming, gorgeous and I can picture him so vividly throughout. He’s perfect for Harriet, to me, and she’s perfect for him.
Watching them grow over the course of the series is a pleasure, and letting them go in Forever Geek was difficult (I spent the entire sitting in which I read it in tears, even as I inevitably laughed). I don’t think I’ll ever stop rereading them though. At the end of any especially tough week, or in preparation for something I’m dreading, I go to the drawer in which I keep these (the most easily accessible I have), pull them out and start reading. And it feels like going home.
Why do you love Geek Girl? I’d love to hear from you in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl
Amy xxx
Hello everybody!
A little (a long), while ago on Twitter, I asked for some questions for a Q&A post, so today I’m going to answer them all. I was so pleased with all the questions, and I already can’t wait to do another one of these (especially if anyone enjoyed it; please let me know what you think in the comments!)
Onto the post!
First and last crush on a fictional character?
The first was Aiden from Pony Club Secrets, last was probably Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss. The two biggest are Nick from Geek Girl and Sirius Black.
Favourite show/musical? And favourite character from it?
My favourite musical is Sunshine on Leith, which is based on the music of the Proclaimers, and I also loved Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat
If you were a Disney character, which one would you be and why?
This is SO hard. I asked my mum who she thought I’d be, and she said Belle as I’m almost always reading! I’d say Rapunzel, but I don’t think I’m optimistic enough in all honesty. In a dream world, I’d like to be Olaf.
How do you plan/write your reviews?
Badly 😂. I try and write notes on as many as possible throughout the month, then sit down at the end and write them all up (and usually put it off till the night before I want the post to go up). If I forget to write notes, I wing it.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
I’d love to be a dog (probably either a cocker spaniel or a golden retriever, though really any breed as I adore them all).
Peter Pan or Tinkerbell?
Tinkerbell. Peter Pan is FAR too whiny for my taste.
What’s your favourite guilty pleasure snack?
I try not to be guilty about treats, but I do indulge in quite a bit of chocolate…
Do you think words have the power to change us and if so do you think this is a good thing?
Absolutely, and yes. Words shape who I am, and my knowledge.
What book have you had on your TBR forever, that you still haven’t read yet?
Loads! Based on the person who asked me this (hey Aimee, if you’re reading) I’ll say Abi Ephinstone’s books. I read the Dreamsnatcher and enjoyed it, but have still never got round to books 2 or 3.
If you could only read one author or genre for the rest of your life who/what would you choose?
I’d read mysteries, because you can find a mystery in most books and could therefore read almost everything!
What was your first favourite book?
A picture book called Second Best.
What are your pet bookish peeves/things you can’t stand?
I’m not keen on selfish or whiny main characters (or those I perceive to be those things, anyway), unless it’s clear it’s been done on purpose. For example, I really rooted for Olivia in Close Your Pretty Eyes by Sally Nicholls as she’s not conventionally likeable but we can see why. I’m 50/50 with animal deaths, and I detest any poor treatment of animals.
What do you really love to see in a book?
I personally quite like instalove if done well, but I also like slow-burn romances. I love characters who are so brave but don’t really know it, if that makes sense. I love seeing a foreign country, or fantasy worldbuilding. I love a good mystery, of course. And a really nice friendship!.
Three elements for a perfect story?
A middle grade mystery, with fab friendships and an exciting, excellent plot.
What’s your fave mythical creature?
I love a good dragon, and also unicorns.
If you could live in one bookish world, which one would you choose?
Stoneybrook in the Babysitters Club. I’ll be nice and safe, be able to look after lovely children and go on fun adventures to places like New York.
What got you started with blogging?
I had wanted to for ages, and decided in June that I might as well give it a shot.
Most underrated book?
Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen, which will most likely not come as a surprise. I’m planning a whole new feature this year about other books I love which are underrated and why I think everyone should read them. The first will be my favourite Enid Blyton series…
Most underrated Disney film?
I think I’ll go for Oliver and Company! I also bareky ever see love for Zootropolis, which I adore SO much.
Favourite t.v. show?
I love lots, but Suits is probably my all time favourite. There is literally nothing I dislike about it.
Best thing to binge watch on Netflix?
I have only ever binged the Good Wife on Netflix, which I adored. On DVD, I got through Suits, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and the Mentalist VERY quickly.
Your ideal cosy night in?
A nice film or boxset, Maltesers and Counters, mint choc chip ice cream, crisps, a blanket, pillows and dog cuddles please.
Favourite genre to read?
Mysteries!
Who are your top 5 singers?
George Ezra and Into the Ark are my joint absolute favourites then Tom Odell, Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes and Coldplay.
Who are your top 3 favourite Grey’s Anatomy characters?
Meredith, Christina and Alex.
What underrated book do you wish everyone would read?
Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen, or the 39 Clues series.
What classics do you plan to read in 2018?
I have a few I want to read, but I’d especially love to get to Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess and the Wolves of Willoughby Chase. I’d also like to give some Jane Austen a go!
What is your daemon?
I‘ve never read Northern Lights, so I’m not really sure. According to the quiz I just took, a terrier.
What was the last book you DNF?
I think it was Things a Bright Girl Can Do.
What’s your favourite and least favourite genre?
MG- Mystery and fantasy, YA- contemporary for favourites. Not big on horror or dystopia at all, and I’m not that into sci-fi.
If you were a book character, what type of book would you be most likely to end up in? (Mystery, adventure, etc)?
I’d like to feature in a mystery, seeing they’re my favourites. Realistically it’d probably be very dull! My life would not make a good book.
Which characteristics in a protagonist really make you connect with them?
I love really brave characters that have to work hard to be so, e.g. Hazel from Murder Most Unladylike or Ade from Boy in the Tower. And those who love animals are always lovely too!
Which fictional character would you most like to marry?
In what may come as no shock whatsoever at this stage, Nick from Geek Girl. Or maybe Airen from Pony Club Secrets. Outwith books, it’s even harder. Patrick Jane from the Mentalist, Harvey Spectre from Suits and Caleb Rivers from Pretty Little Liars (and also Jackson or Derek or Mark from Grey’s Anatomy). And film wise, Duckie from my all time favourite Pretty in Pink or Andrew from the Proposal, a new fave from this year.Thank you so much for reading! Do we share any answers? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!
Amy xxx
Happy New Year everybody!
To kick off 2018, I thought it would be fun to do the Ringing in the New Year Book Tag, which I found on Tiny Obsessions
Onto the post!
BEST BOOK/SERIES THAT YOU’VE READ IN 2017.
I think my overall favourite was Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth, which is a contemporary adventure set in the Himalayas which I shout about constantly.
AUTHORS THAT YOU’VE RECENTLY FOUND AND WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE OF IN THE NEW YEAR
I will be tracking down more of Lari Don’s books. Can’t think of anyone else!
MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK TURNED MOVIE?
Love, Simon (even though I still don’t like that title at all! I shall be calling it Simon Vs forevermore)
NAME A CHARACTER THAT YOU WOULDN’T MIND SHARING A KISS WITH AT MIDNIGHT (IF THERE IS ONE)
Nick from Geek Girl. 💜 him. Or maybe Sirius from Harry Potter.
WHAT’S ON YOUR TBR FOR 2017? (TOP 5 WILL SUFFICE IF IT’S AN EXTREMELY LONG LIST!)
Mine has over 100 Books on it. I really want to get to the Northern Lights trilogy especially, and all the review books I have, and classics, and… I could go on forever (and ever and ever)
HOW MANY BOOKS DO YOU HOPE TO READ IN 2017?
Around 100, though I don’t plan to count them!
WILL YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE GOODREADS READING CHALLENGE (OR ANY OTHERS)?
Nope! I don’t really like putting pressure on myself to read a certain number of books by x time any more. It just made me feel awful about how much slower I’ve become since I was younger And had much more time)
Thank you so much for reading! Do we share any answers? What would you have said for some of these? I’d love to to hear from you down in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!
Amy xxx
Hello everybody, and welcome to day 12 of blogmas!
Today, I’m going to be chatting about my favourite Christmas films. Onto the post!
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)- this is my very, very favourite Christmas film. Everything about it is magical and it never fails to make me feel more Christmassy afterwards. Mara Wilson is just exceptional in it, and Richard Attenborough pulls off the real Santa vibe perfectly. If you don’t know what this film is about, it’s the story of a little girl called Susan as she tries to convince her department store organiser mum that the Santa she’s hired is the real deal, and also them saving the store from closure.
The Snowman/The Snowman and the Snowdog– I used to find these incredibly dull when I was younger but I adore them now. They have a really classic, cosy sort of feel to them,they capture a very special idea of winter magic and the endings never fail to make me cry. The characters never speak, but I’m still incredibly invested in them and their story.
Elf– I think this is on a lot of lists with this title, and it is well deserved. It’s a lot sillier humour than I’d usually go for in some scenes but I think Will Ferrell pulls off Buddy’s hyper, super sweet character off well and I love the focus on finding your family and yourself.
Arthur Christmas– this is one I have to be in a particular mood for, but I love the modern take on the Santa story, and Arthur is a lovely character who I really rooted for. It’s about Santa’s younger son, who is a bit of a black sheep in his family, as he sets off to deliver a present left behind in the North Pole to a little girl called Gwen.
Frozen– is Frozen a Christmas film? I’m not sure, but I’m counting it because a) it’s set in Winter and b) I went to see it just after Christmas in 2013 (HOW CAN THIS FILM BE 4 YEARS OLD ALREADY?!). I love the music, I love the characters (especially Olaf, who I adore with my whole heart) and I love the animation work itself, which is stunning. I own the singalong addition for added fun too 😁
Thank you so much for reading! What are your favourite Christmas films? Do we share any choices? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter!
Amy xxx
Golden Books Girl 