Managing Your Time as a Reader / Book Blogger

I've been back at Sixth Form for nearly two months now and in that time I've only read about 5 books (in my own time, for fun). Writing a blog post to go out every week is usually manageable because I tend to write up a few when I get a moment and feel inspired and queue them up to be posted later, and when posting on this blog, I try to post things that I'm proud of, not rushed out just to meet a deadline. However, I've been so busy with the massive workload of Year 13 that I've barely managed to do that! What I've come to realise is that it's really difficult to balance your schoolwork along with other commitments and still giving yourself time for a break. And to be honest, I don't think there's an easy answer, especially when you've got 3 essays, a mock exam, extra reading and homework piling up at school and an increasingly large pile of books you really want to get through. But, I've gathered a few tips to make our lives a little easier and to help make sure that reading and book blogging never stops being our fun escape from it all :)



1. To Do Lists
Everything seems much more jumbled and confused when it's rushing around your head and what needs to be done may seem like a list as long as your arm. However, I find if you write it all down on a few sticky notes, you feel much more organised and you have a clear idea of what needs to get done.

2. Plan your time
When you've got a lot to do, each moment is valuable so don't waste it. When I don't plan my time out, I end up binge watching Skins and come to my senses hours later, deep into the weird side of Netflix. Make a timetable and be specific, so you know exactly what you're doing and when.

3. Prioritise. Prioritise. Prioritise.
If you have a load to get done, don't fall into the trap of doing the easiest stuff first as this is usually the less important stuff. Delve right in there and get the big stuff done, especially if it's urgent. It's always tempting for me to start writing on my blog just as I get a huge amount of work because it's something that I really enjoy BUT what really needs to come first is the important stuff, like coursework.

4. Deadlines
If you're at school right now or balancing blogging and a huge reading habit with a job, one of the most important things you have to do is work to a deadline - I cannot stress this enough! I find it handiest to write out a timeline of when everything is due so you can see it really clearly.

5. Give yourself plenty of breaks!
The key to coping with a heavy workload is plenty of breaks to keep you relaxed and not overworked. Your mental health is important and should never be sacrificed for grades, school or work.

6. If you're struggling, ask for help!
If you're at school, all of your teachers will be more than happy to help, and far happier that you're fessing up and coming to them rather than just watching yourself struggle and staying quiet until it's too late.

7. Make a reading goal
This tip is more aimed at us readers and book bloggers. At the beginning of each year, I set myself a goal to read a certain amount of books. This year it's 50, which I will most likely miss, but having a goal keeps you focused and also helps you set aside time for your hobby. But don't beat yourself up over it if you miss it because reading is about more than numbers and ticking boxes, it's about losing yourself in another place. 

8. Schedule your posts!
This doesn't always help me, but writing when you have the time and scheduling to post when you won't helps keep your blog balanced and consistent and it's far easier to manage your time knowing you don't have to stress to put out a post.

9. Don't reinvent the wheel
A teacher in high school always used to say this and this tip has got me so far I cannot even tell you. Also, it applies to literally everything. In regards to book blogging, if you've got writer's block, as nice as it is to be creative and original you don't always have to think of something completely new each week: look at blogs you admire for inspiration, or book tags like Waiting on Wednesday to get you through.

10. Know when to say no
If you have a tonne of urgent deadlines but authors are approaching you asking to review books, it's okay to say no. If you literally have no time you do not have to put the pressure on yourself just because it's a fantastic opportunity. And, if they are understanding, you can schedule a better time. I'm a firm believer in right time, right place, so don't force anything because what is meant to be will be. 

Which Book Should You Read Next? | Quiz

Are you stuck in a book slump? Unsure what to read next? Don't worry, I've got you covered. I've picked 3 really different books and put together a quiz so you can decide what kind of book you're looking for and find your next great read!

1. My ideal date is...
a) A walk around the city lit by moonlight and flickering streetlights
b) Something really well thought out, planned well in advance
c) Something spontaneous but with a touch of danger, like rock climbing or indoor sky diving

2. My friends describe me as a...
a) Hopeless romantic
b) Quick thinking kind of person
c) Person who's really hard to figure out

3. For Comic Con, I would cosplay as...
a) A matching couples costume, like Ten and Rose or Spiderman and Deadpool
b) Sherlock Holmes
c) Draco Malfoy

4. My favourite part of a book is...
a) When the couple you've been shipping the entire time finally get together
b) A shocking plot twist or noticing how the plot's been building subtly up to a thrilling unexpected moment
c) The character development or the plot becoming darker

5. If I had a superpower it would be...
a) To raise my favourite fictional characters from the dead within their stories
b) The ability to come back to life
c) The ability to turn into animals

6. When I have something important to do I...
a) Worry about it until I get around to doing it
b) Band together with other people so we can help each other out
c) Ignore it and let it build up

7. My ideal career is...
a) Something creative
b) Something technological or maybe a job that doesn't exist today
c) Something where I can work on my own

8. If I had to listen to one song on repeat for a week it would be...
a) Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
b) 4 Minutes by Madonna
c) Black Magic by Little Mix

9. My favourite hobby is...
a) Browsing a bookstore
b) Hanging out with my best friend and forgetting the world outside
c) Exploring the outdoors

10. My best quality is...
a) My ability to listen
b) My impulsiveness
c) That I am never what anyone expects me to be



Mostly a's - History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
You're a sucker for romance and a good coming of age novel. This LGBT love story turned on its head will give you something a bit different within the genre to enjoy. It gives a very interesting perspective on mental illness among teenagers also.

Mostly b's - Nemesis by Brendan Reichs
You're quick witted and you love a fast paced action thriller with a sci-fi element and a healthy amount of conspiracy chucked in. You sometimes have a short attention span so you love a book where something's constantly got you gripped, so what better book to read than one that begins with someone being repeatedly murdered only to find they never die and life goes on as normal...

Mostly c's - Half Bad by Sally Green
You don't read solely one genre; in fact you're not solely anything. You're adventurous and you're always looking for something new and a bit different to enjoy. How about Green's dark and unique take on the fantasy genre, a world of Black and White witches where nothing is as black and white as it seems... 

Review: Nemesis by Brendan Reichs

"This time I was going to fight for what I believed in, no matter the consequences. I was going to do something. I just didn't have any idea what."

Everything changes in an eye blink . . .

It’s been happening since Min was eight. Every two years, on her birthday, the same man finds her and murders her in cold blood. But hours later she wakes up in a clearing just outside her hometown – alone, unhurt, and with all evidence of the crime erased.

Across the valley, Noah just wants to be like everyone else. But he’s not. Nightmares of murder and death plague him too, though he does his best to hide the signs.

As the world around them begins to spiral towards panic and destruction, the two troubled teens discover that people have been lying to them their whole lives . . .

If you're going to read this book just be aware that if you pick it up you will not be able to put it down until you're finished. Just a heads up. Fast paced, packed with action and occasional violent scenes that will leave you shocked but gripped, I cannot fault this book in any way. Reichs lays out a plot so thick and well thought out, even the most observant readers will not notice it slowly building. Anyone who claims they saw any one of the plot twists coming is either Einstein or a liar, they are simply unguessable. 

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a conspiracy or a mystery that will leave them guessing to the end, thrown in with suspicious authority figures, dodgy psychiatrist and army activity all happening in an unsuspecting sleepy American town, seemingly cut off from all of the strange events plaguing Earth.

This book features your usual suspects when dealing with high school age characters: a bully gang led by tough guy Ethan; outsiders and best friends Min and Tack with an "us against the world" attitude; and sheep like Noah who follow the crowd and find it hard to make decisions off their own back, even when it's crucial that they do.

It's hard to write a review of a book where so much happens but the key of it working is that all of that is kept secret from the reader until it is revealed on the page. So, for that reason I will say no more, other than you should really pick it up if you love The Maze Runner or the Gone series.

9/10

My Top 10 Perks of Being a Reader

Sometimes, when you have a TBR pile taller than you and an even longer list of books you want but can't afford, it seems like being a reader is actually kind of challenging. But, you've always got to focus on the positives so here are my top 10 perks of being a reader, because the advantages always outweigh the difficulties!

1. Required reading at school is never a chore...and chances are you've already read the books!
From The Great Gatsby to Macbeth, there's some great books appearing on the curriculum nowadays and the best part of being a reader is that you'll thoroughly enjoy it. And if you're like me, you'll be excited when some of your favourites crop up. Sad, I know.

2. When everyone is raving about the newest movie, you already know all about it 
When the entire world was raving about The Hunger Games, you'd already devoured all the books. And you know the books are better. 

3. You are part of an amazing community of people who all share the same interests!
Whether you blog, instagram, tweet or post videos about the books you're reading, you're sure to meet so many fantastic people through the YA lit community who will all be keen to discuss new releases or your favourite reads. And some people you meet through the community may even become your closest friends :)

4. Attending a book signing or a book talk by your favourite author
I have had the most amazing experiences meeting Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Michael Grant and Andrew Smith at book signings. There's nothing quite like sharing a room with some of the people you admire most as they explain what inspires them to write!

5. That feeling when you find someone else who's just as obsessed with a book as you
I remember the moment that I found out my friend was as big of a fan of the Half Bad series as me. When you've obsessed over a book on your own for ages, nothing compares to the feeling when you find someone to share that love with.

6. Spending afternoons tucked up with a book, wrapped in a blanket listening to the rain
If you're a reader, you know exactly what I mean. Literally nothing compares to setting aside a whole afternoon dedicated to finishing that book that's got you hooked. You've actually blown off plans for your book, haven't you? Admit it.

7. Finding offers or clearances in your favourite bookshops 
The excitement you feel when you get to that buy-one-get-one-half-price table in Waterstones. Or the thrill when you find the clearance shelf at your local WHSmiths. You know what I'm talking about.

8. When the book you requested finally arrives at the library
That sheer happiness you feel when you get that phone call to let you know the book you requested months ago has finally arrived is a moment completely unique to readers. The wait is so long, you've always forgotten you've ordered the book. But when you finally get to sink your teeth into your long awaited novel, it's always worth the wait.

9. Recommending a book to a friend who ends up loving it
Being able to share your favourite reads with a fellow reader is like sharing a little part of yourself with them. There's always that moment of worry when you panic you've oversold it to them but when you get that 2am "omg" message when they hit the plot twist, you know you recommended it to the right person.

10. Falling in love with a book with no fandom
When you find an amazing book that bookstagram hasn't blown up about yet, you get to keep that  piece of literature to yourself, feeling kind of special that you stumbled across it by chance. 

Review: Ms Marvel Volume 1 - No Normal

“Good is not a thing you are. It's a thing you do.”

Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City - until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she's comin' for you, New York!

Ms Marvel is the comic that this world needs right now. Kamala Khan smashes down stereotypes of young Muslim-American women and opens up the discussion about teenage identity. She is one of the most relatable female protagonists in Marvel comics; instead of being squeezed into a skintight catsuit or revealing bikini, she's in a practical costume and out there saving the neighbourhood. She struggles between following the strict rules her parents have set for her and her desire to defy them to sneak out and do good in this world. Kamala is smart, funny and strong, but she's also a little unsure of herself and it's this innocence that draws us to her on her path to discovering her identity. 

This comic is more than a superhero story; Ms Marvel is creating a much needed dialogue about the treatment towards the Muslim community in our society. Comics have a large influence across a diverse community so it's just that the narratives Marvel are creating reflect this. Kamala and her friend Nadia struggle with offhand comments about their religion or choice to wear the hijab and both grapple with the teachings in their Mosque as they strive to modern feminists. I think it's fantastic that Marvel has created such a diverse but realistic character that reflects and represents so many young women and will help them feel more involved in the world of comics. Kamala shows that being a Muslim does not hold her back in anyway but instead gives her the principles to use her powers for good.

The illustrations in this graphic novel are outstanding - the artists have truly established their own style unique to Ms Marvel but reminiscent of the Captain Marvel comics that came before her. The colours work perfectly and blend well with the text and story being told. All of the characters have been personified amazingly well and the illustrations complement this. All in all, an amazing comic that I can recommend to lovers of Marvel, a good female protagonist or anyone searching for better Muslim representation in the world of literature.

9/10

Review: How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

“Whenever I see someone reading a book, especially if it is someone I don't expect, I feel civilisation has become a little safer.” 

Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary forty-one-year-old, but he was born in 1581. Owing to a rare condition, he’s been alive for centuries. From Shakespeare’s England to Jazz Age Paris to voyaging the Pacific alongside Captain Cook, Tom has seen a lot, and he now craves an ordinary life.

Always changing his identity to stay alive, Tom now has the perfect cover—working as a history teacher at a London school. Here, he can teach the kids about wars and witch hunts as if he’d never witnessed them first-hand. He can try to tame the past that is quickly catching up with him. The only thing Tom can’t do is fall in love.

'How to Stop Time' is one of those books that stays with you long after you read it. It's the kind of book you find yourself thinking about staring out of the bus window on a rainy day. It's the kind of book you remember months later staring at the stars thinking about the meaning of life. And it's also the kind of book you'll remember with a fond smile or a giggle at some of the humorous parts. Basically, what I'm trying to say in a very cheesy way is that this is a book everyone should read, whatever your age or background because it's one of those books that will genuinely change your outlook on life itself, maybe only slightly but it will. 

Matt Haig has written a book for everyone because it is about the one thing the whole world has in common: life. The protagonist, Tom, struggles to find meaning in his life as he nears his 5th century on Earth, which isn't exactly the circumstances most of us find ourselves in but I think it goes without saying that everyone on the planet questions where life is taking us at some point. Various characters in the novel view life very differently: Tom has lived most of his life grieving for his only love Rose and searching the world for their daughter; Hendrich lives his life hiding away, always on the run and instilling fear into other 'albatrosses', whereas ordinary 'mayfly' and Tom's potential new love interest Camille seizes every opportunity she can, knowing how precious life can be and how quick it can disappear. Having these very different perspectives on life is a very clever device that Haig uses to show us readers there is not one right way to live life but that it must be lived, it is not enough to merely survive whether you have 80 or 800 years on Earth. 

The gentle romance blossoming between Camille and Tom is relatable to the reader because it is like any other romance. Tom is incredibly awkward and passive, wanting a relationship but wracked with guilt over Rose's death. Camille is interested but frustrated by Tom's blunt replies. We root for Tom but cringe at their awkward exchanges and his mistakes. Their romance isn't the main feature of the book but it plays an important part in Tom's journey to finding meaning in his life.

This is a truly beautiful book and Haig is a fantastically talented writer. It's the kind of story that will never lose relevance and is destined to be hailed as a classic by the next generation. Time will not need to be stopped for this book as it will survive and thrive for many readers to come.

10/10

New Year at Hogwarts | Pottermore Sorting

In celebration of this year, 1st September 2017, being nineteen years later, the last canon scene featured in the Harry Potter books, I've decided to share with you my Pottermore sorting experience as unfortunately I never received my Hogwarts acceptance letter.... 

I've been a member of Pottermore since about 2014, so I've been using it since before the big change in the sorting quiz and the format of the website. I think I preferred it before but I'm definitely getting used to it! When the website changed, there was an option to reclaim your old house, which I did because Hufflepuff is the greatest house and I wouldn't want it any other way. Still, I got curious, so I made a new account and did the test again. I was actually terrified I might be sorted differently so I was very happy and relieved to be sorted back into the house of the just and loyal! I really enjoyed the new sorting quiz, it's a really interesting way to find out what you value most and although the questions seem vague at first, it's a lot of fun. If you've never actually been sorted on Pottermore, I would highly recommend doing it because it's a great way to connect with other fans and the test was devised by JK Rowling herself so what are you waiting for?! 

I know a few people are actually disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff *gasps* So, I think it's important to remember this is the house of Tonks, Cedric and Newt Scammander, some of the most renowned wizards! And who wouldn't want to be part of a house which values hard work and loyalty, those are clearly great qualities. Also, the whole Hufflepuff aesthetic is very bright and sunny which I love. And for bonus points, the Hufflepuff common room is right next to the kitchen so need I say more? I mean I could, but we'll move on.

I was really excited to discover the new Ilvermony houses and get sorted! I didn't really know much about any of the houses at first so I was eager to learn more about Thunderbird. Apparently, it's the house that represents the soul and values adventures, which are great traits to have. To add to that, Porpentina Goldstein of the Fantastic Beasts movie is a proud member of Thunderbird so if you've been sorted into this house you're among the best Ilvermony have to offer! Furthermore, JK Rowling and Evanna Lynch have both been sorted into Thunderbird on Pottermore so what better reason is there to be proud of your house?!

So I actually own Cedric Diggory's wand but on Pottermore I have a unicorn hair core, hornbeam wood 14 1/4 inch wand! I think part of the reason you're assigned a wand is to make the sorting process even more realistic, which is what we all need really seeing as we all have a complex after never getting that sorting letter... 

I remember when you could first discover your Patronus, a hugely exciting time for all us Potter fans! As someone who always thought theirs would be a hamster or something slightly pathetic or something I was pretty happy to discover it was a dolphin! On Pottermore, it doesn't tell you the significance of the dolphin but a bit of digging revealed that apparently having the dolphin as my Patronus signals me to be an adventure-seeking and social person who can sometimes appear incompetent due to asking for help. Interesting! Though this isn't from the official site so I took it with a pinch of salt.