Sunday 9 October 2016

BOOKSTORE JOB, MAGAZINE WRITING & DISSERTATION DEADLINES | LIFE UPDATE
































HEY GUYS! 

This week's post is going to be short and sweet as I try to explain my sporadic appearance and vanishing act on #bookstagram for the past few weeks. 

*takes a deep breath* 

The truth? I've been busy. So, so busy I couldn't find the daylight hours I usually use to capture a series of photos in advance of the coming week. 

Instead, here's what's been going on in my life:

➢ Working in my university's bookstore which I'm pretty excited about because I get to touch books, smell books, and fondle books without getting judged. Except when I get home, I'm knackered and it's too dark to #bookstagram. 

➢ My semester one modules include learning about the aftermath of the French Revolution, Medieval heroes and outlaws (I chose this for Robin Hood!) and The Crusades. Although there's no set novels, there's SO MUCH READING TO BE DONE EVERY WEEK. 

➢ I'm a columnist and online editor for my University's magazine, CUB, which is something I have always wanted to do. 

➢ Researching ideas for my 10,000 words English Dissertation which needs to be submitted in T minus two-hundred-and-sixteen days and seventeen hours. Who's counting? Not me. 

➢ I recently binged seasons 1 and 2 of The Fall with Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson and I'm hooked! Season 3 has started and it's already a whole new level of intense. 

➢ Sneaking in chapters of Pierce Brown's Red Rising whenever no one is looking  and although I last picked it up a month ago, it's so easy to get immersed again and OH MY GOSH, WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO DARROW AND GDHLSKAJWIEYEBNCMMLWL... 

➢ But honestly, I feel so guilty about reading anything for pleasure these days because I'm in my final year of my degree and I want to just put my head down and plough through and end it on a high note (tears of despair and cries of exhaustion included).

➢ Having said that, I'm planning to finish Red Rising this week so I can start Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi which is my bookclub Clockwork Readers' October read. You can follow the discussion and posts of this stunning cover on @clockworkreaders Instagram page HERE

➢ I'm also making a list of books I want to buy soon. Because what else does one do when they're swamped by reading and deadlines but buy books that will tempt them with their sparkly covers to do otherwise? They're rewards for when I'm good. 

➢ Trying hard not to think about the big G word but ultimately failing because I'm GRADUATING this year baby! 

And that's it! All of that gibberish described up there ☝︎ is everything that has been occupying me for the past month. I am organising my days so that I have time to #bookstagram because I've missed it. Let's hope it works.
﹡﹡﹡
LET'S CATCH UP! 
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO RECENTLY? 
ANY GOALS THIS MONTH OR YEAR? 
﹡﹡﹡

Saturday 1 October 2016

HOW TO START YOUR OWN #BOOKSTAGRAM



Some of you may have heard the term #bookstagram floating around Instagram or blogger and wondered what what on earth people were barking about. 

Well, let me tell you all about and how you can join the cool world that bookstagrammers operate on. 

But first, you should follow my bookstagram HERE for a physical example of a #bookstagram account and because new people excite me. 


LET'S GET STARTED! 

#bookstagram stands for Instagram for books


First, you'll want to sign up on Instagram so you can make an account. Kinda obvious. 

Generally, people like to use Instagram to post about their animal companion, what they ate for dinner, their favourite jumper or a selfie that doesn't bring them to tears after five seconds. Bookstagrammers like to do those things too except our books take centre stage.
  • username - something that reflects what you want your account to be about, for example, if your name is Tara and you want to post book reviews: 'tarareads' does a sweet job. If it's already taken, get creative. Keep it short and snappy so you're not an unnecessary pain in the ass to look up or tag. 
  • if you have a blog or are planning to make one, make sure to match your username with your blog so it's easy to find you. 
  • link to blog  - you only get one link so this is a perfect place to promote your personal blog, business profile or website. if you have a blog or are planning to make one, make sure to match your username with your blog so it's easy to find you. 
  • write a bio - this will be one of the hardest moments in your life. And it will change over time (you have been warned!). My bio over at @pardonmywritings has evolved from 'Writing. Reading. Dreaming'. To this day, i have no idea what I'm dreaming about.

You're now ready to take lots and lots of pictures of books! But with what? Professional camera or smartphone? decisions. decisions. 

You shouldn't feel like you have to invest gazillions of money into buying a new camera just to take beautiful photos. We people at #bookstagram don't want to bankrupt you, being poor because you buy too many books is only justified.

I personally use an iPhone 6s and the photos come out sharp and bright (with a bit of editing magic... more on that later).

PHOTOS BEFORE IPHONE 6S:



PHOTOS AFTER IPHONE 6S:



Even though I've upgraded from a 4s and left a life of slightly grainy photos if you look really closely, I have flirted with the idea of buying a professional camera. 

Things that have stopped me:
  1. i know nothing about cameras - uploading photos from them, editing them, posting them on instagram
  2. the thought of learning to use a new device scares me
  3. their prices are enough to make any student cry 
My advice is use what you're comfortable with. Just make sure your photos aren't grainy. Grainy photos don't get likes.


This is my favourite part about #bookstagram and also the most stressful. You can style your photos in so many different ways using PROPS. I'm going to give a basic run down of popular ways photos are styled because ideally, you won't know your #bookstagram's theme or aesthetic until you've done some playing around.

props = living or non living objects used around a book to make it more aesthetically pleasing
(I totally made up that definition but who's judging).
  • flowers/potted plants - these are best for framing a corner of your photo or adding a bit of colour. I buy fresh ones weekly for the purpose of #bookstagram and use them till they're withered. 
  • candles - there are so many candle companies out there selling beautifully inspired literary candles and they're all so beautiful but SO EXPENSIVE. buy one. cherish it.
  • cups and mugs of tea and okay, fine and coffee - pretty straightforward. people need to know you're still human and need to quench your throat during a #bookstagram shoot. we can't be awesome all the time.
  • maps - everyone loves them. Maps make a great background so I definitely recommend buying one of your favourite country or printing out an ancient world map.
  • FOOD (best prop ever!) - hungry people brings in likes.
  • white background - think of this an empty white slate waiting for you to decorate it with books and props... or stare at it for hours in despair. 
  • old things - all those times you laughed at you nan's old fashioned necklace? or your mum's trinkets? You need to steal them when creating an antique look in your photo.
  • arts & craft - when all else fails, BRING IN THE STATIONARY REGIMENT. I'm talking fancy diaries, chipped paintbrushes, half-chews pencils, scribbles in your notebook and fine stall pens. 

Everyone on #bookstagram is obsessed with a "theme" - sticking to one, worrying when they've 'ignored their theme', boycotting all themes. A theme is an overall look of someone's account. You don't need a theme at all but I have found, you receive more followers if your feed is consistent. Just find something that suits YOU.
  • simple look - these themes contain minimal props, sometimes none at all,  and the main focus is the book, posed in various angles
  • a busy feast for the eyes - these accounts put SO many beautifully styled props in their photos however scrolling down their feed makes my eyes cross over. just me? ok. 
  • outside photos - all you people who spend 90% of your day outdoors, this one is for you.
HOWEVER (and this is a big however, guys), if you have worked hard on a consistent theme of cluttered flatlays but you're soaking the sun in your park or your dress is cute or your book's cover wonderfully matches a bush and you want to capture that memory, GO FOR IT. POST IT ON INSTAGRAM. It bugs me that people worry about themes so much but alas, that's a rant for another day...


The time has finally come to photography whatever you have displayed in front of you.

Most flatlays are best taken from a birds-eye-position, especially if there's a lot of props.


You can angle your book, your phone or your body (no one is watching) for a different kind of photo. Angled photos are great if you want the focus on a book's fascinating red page edges or its embroidered spine or on smaller objects around the book. 


Another #bookstagram word is "natural lighting". To achieve this: plan your photos the day before (i.e. get props ready prior to photoshoot day), take photos in the morning and not after 5pm (shadows are pesky things to edit later) or take a bunch of different photos over the weekend if you live the 9-5 work day life. 



I try to capture a photo that I'm most satisfied with, which often leads to thirty five different versions. But this way, I have less editing to do because I'm lazy and life is short. 

My go-to filter is Instagram's Clarendon to give a fresh, sharp and white look. But i apply that after I've enhanced my photo on the Photoshop app. And that's it.

Some people filter more. Some don't filter at all. Have you got the idea yet? Do what you want. 



Hashtags will become your loyal friend once you're on #bookstagram because it's what gets new followers. People occasionally scroll through hashtags with hundred of thousands of related photos. You want to be in that feed!

These are the main hashtags which I just copy and paste in my comments section (Instagram allows up to 30 I believe): 

#literature #reading #book #books #bookish #booklover #bookworm #bibliophile #bookstagram #vscobooks #igreads #bookphotography #instabook #goodreads #blogger #currentlyreading #iphonephotography #booknerdigans #becauseofreading #amreading #alwaysreading #bookgram #penguinstagram #bookstagramfeature #classic

I then usually add a few more depending on the featured book's title or author. 

Please don't use popular #bookstagram hashtags if you're posting your outfit of the day or yesterday's lunch...unless you show me a book. 

And that's it folks! You're on your way to becoming as addicted to #bookstagram as I am. You're most welcome. No, I don't value that you may have a life outside of books. BOOKS ARE LIFE.

*** Do you have a #bookstagram account? Leave a link to your account so I can check them out! What tips can you share for people who are new to this? ***

Monday 19 September 2016

HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT SCARY SCENE - AUTHOR MARK LATHAM REVEALS ALL



Have you ever read a chilling scene that had you reeling? Or maybe you've always wondered how authors doctor those scenes that are oh so not good for your blood pressure? 

If your answer is yes, then I have all your answers, courtesy of Mark A. Latham, author of The Lazarus Gate. If you haven't heard of it, you can check out my post on Instagram for a brief synopsis. 

To celebrate the release of his second book in the Apollonian Casefiles, Mark Latham is participating in an Alternative Reality blog tour starting from today! 

The Iscariot Sanction is set in an alternate reality where the world is in peril. Young Apollo Lycea agent Lillian Hardwick, and her Majestic partner Sir Arthur Furnival, are sent to expose a plot to seize power of the Empire. They must overcome supernatural foes and unlock the secret of the Iscariot Sanction to discover a danger unlike anything they have faced before; a threat that will leave them—and the Empire—changed forever.


Here's what Mark had to say about those scary scenes in the Apollonian Casefiles: 

One thing that often surprises readers of the Apollonian Casefiles (well, the Lazarus Gate, at least) is the amount of horror contained within. Although the series is very much science fiction, my love of ghost stories, horror novels and scary movies means you’re never far aware from some form of pant-wetting scare when you’re in one of my books (or so I hope). By keeping the scares to self-contained scenes, however, in a genre-bending narrative, I get to target them for maximum impact. Here’s how (and a bit of why):

Juxtapose


My preferred method of creeping out the reader, short of standing outside their window dressed as a clown watching them read, is to lay the realism and atmosphere on thick to start with. I make sure the primary genre is established (in the case of the Lazarus Gate and the Iscariot Sanction, that’s Victorian science fiction), making sure the reader has a picture of what the everyday and mundane looks like in the world I’m building. Let the reader build a mental picture of the world, and how the characters are likely to act in any given situation within that world. Let them become immersed in the world and its earthly parameters, and then… BANG! Spine-chilling, blood-curdling horror. The characters you were so sure could fight their way out of anything are suddenly neck-deep in a terrifying scenario beyond their control. The world you were so sure of is turned upside-down by forces beyond your ken. The juxtaposition of the mundane and the terrifying make the scares scarier. Which leads me to…


Surprise!

No, I don’t mean jump scares, that staple of every bad horror movie of the last five decades. I mean, don’t let the reader see it coming. In a non-horror book, the horror scenes aren’t signposted. Sure, they might be the culmination of a building sense of dread, or the culmination of a character’s actions, but the reader probably won’t expect the protagonist to be stuck in a dark room, hanging half-naked from the ceiling with muculent creatures slithering about his feet, while a torturer pops out his eye with a fish-knife. Oh, I totally did that, didn’t I? Oops!

Treat ’em Mean

As you may have guessed, my characters – even the protagonist – don’t always come out of my books well. That doesn’t mean they can’t have a relatively happy ending, or achieve a great victory; it just means that they’ll have to pay for it! When it comes to inflicting serious mental and physical pain on my characters, I don’t hold back. If you’ve spent 100 pages in a character’s head, it really smarts when they’re thrust into a terrifying situation – you feel it more, because you can imagine what it’s like to be them. I don’t use this trick all the time – you only really have to do it once or twice in a series to make the reader fear for the safety of their favourite characters – just ask George R. R. Martin!

Projecting Fears

Finally, whenever I write a horror scene I tap into the darker parts of my own psyche. I write what scares me – so much so that I sometimes give myself the creeps when writing alone at night. And that’s a measure of success – if I can spook myself a bit, then that’s really the best that I can do. I just have to hope that the reader shares the same fears as me. Almost every scary scene I’ve ever written came as a result of some nightmare, or traumatic experience. Gosh, I hope someone doesn’t do a deep analysis of the Apollonian Casefiles now – they’ll probably uncover something very warped and Freudian…
Some great advice, right? I know I've always admired those authors who possessed the ability to scare others by just using words.  

*** How about you? Did you find any of Mark's words useful or inspiring? 
Or if you're a writer of scary fiction, how do you create those terrifying scenes? ***

The Iscariot Sanction is out now! Make sure to continue the Alternate Reality blog tour with Mark Latham by following the other bloggers listed below:


Thanks for reading!

Saturday 27 August 2016

OFF CAMPUS SERIES BY ELLE KENNEDY | ROMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

Right now, the setting sun is pouring through my living room and it's put me in the perfect mood to write a recommendation blog.

Today, I bring to you the OFF CAMPUS SERIES by Elle Kennedy. A five-star rated romance series that will have you bawling with laughter and hooked with its intensity. For all the books mentioned, links to Amazon are attached at the end.

WARNING: Mature Content Below

THE DEAL
Image result for THE deal off campus elle kennedy book cover
This book did everything for me. It was my first ever sports romance and I LOVED it. The characters, the set up, the humour, the secondary plot line. If you've watched the 1999 film, She's All That with Freddie Prinze Jnr, then this book has similar feels when Garrett is teaching Hannah how to play hard to get. 


Hannah has been raped and is uncomfortable with guys but wants her crush (mysterious and smart Justin) to notice her. Garret has experienced domestic abuse along side his mother at the hands of his dad who just happens to fund his education so he's trapped. Garret is however captain of the hockey (and cocky and totally hot) and can help Hannah get Justin noticed if she helps him pass his Ethics paper. 

“Unbelievable. Every girl at this college would cut her frickin’ arm off to help me out. But this one? Runs away like I just asked her to murder a cat so we could sacrifice it to Satan.” 


I love how through their bickering and flirting, you get to explore the impact of two very serious issue in a way that's very real and raw. Even their college problems weren't over the top. 

THE MISTAKE
Image result for the mistake elle kennedy book cover

Loved reading Logan's story especially after coming from The Deal where he's lusting over Garrett's girlfriend, Hannah. One thing Kennedy does amazingly is giving the reader access into Logan's and Grace's personal lives behind the scenes. Through this, the story has a serious undertone and depth whilst also maintaining the fun and intense blossoming romance between the pair. 

For example, the struggles that Logan faces regarding his alcoholic dad is heartbreaking because it means sacrifices are involved with his dream career. Albeit in denial, his relationship with Grace provides a temporary yet sweet escape. My favourite moment is when Grace makes Logan work for her forgiveness:




"I'm writing a love poem," I answer without thinking. Then I slam my lips together, realizing what I've done. Dead silence over the kitchen.

And if you're not a fan of sports romance, or have never dabbled in it, this series will make you love ice hockey! The boys have such an enthusiastic passion for it so that when a game match is described, you feel the thrill of it as if you were physically sitting on the bleachers, the pain and frustration when they lose and the euphoria when they win and run to their girlfriends to celebrate. 

THE SCORE
Image result for the score off campus book cover
The Score is probably my favourite of the series because I've read it twice and both times within a day! My obsession with Dean Di Laurentis may need to be clinically assessed...

Dean is my favourite character from the entire series. He's cocky, smart, can't keep his hands off the female sex and makes out with girls in front of anyone and no one knows why. The first scene with Allie had me laughing so much that I knew right then  that The Score was going to be epic. Their relationship is so contagious and hard not to swoon over...  

Especially that scene in the bathroom guys.... so brilliant and embarrassing. 



"You can shove your sorries in a sack, baby doll. You realize what you've done, right? I glare at her. "You've officially allowed my best friend to believe I like to shove dildos up my ass."

Also, I love how Allie's character has been fleshed out from The Deal; her acting story line was immensely enjoyable to read. Even Dean's budding career at the children's ice hockey place was something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks book.

Image result for the goal off campus
Now, I'm just waiting for the cliffhanger in The Score to unravel in book 4, The Goal with Tucker. Our most mysterious guy yet! Check out that cover... 

Read these books people.

*** HAVE YOU READ ABOUT THE OFF CAMPUS BOYS? WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE? OR WHAT'S YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE SERIES?







Purchase this fantastic series now!

Saturday 2 July 2016

Favourite TV Shows of 2016

Okay, today's blog title may be incorrect since 2016 is not yet over but I just wanted an excuse to gush about my favourite hobby besides reading - bingeing TV shows. Yes, 'bingeing' is a word (according to Google) and I happen to excel at it...scarily.

I'm going to share why these shows are THE BOMB which you can go ahead and read as 'WHY HAVE YOU NOT YET JOINED ON THE BANDWAGON!'

So, in order of 'I can't live without this show' to 'I totally get the hype but I'm not in love':

1. OUTLANDER - Let me just come outright and say that this is my baby and my all time favourite TV show. Aaand it's set in Scotland which is now my most desired place to visit, live and breathe. Seriously, you're missing out on majestic places such as this:



Reasons why I love this show are because it's jam packed with history, violence, humour and romance. Hailed as the 'feminine Game of Thrones', the show really isn't gratuitous when it comes to sex and violence as director Ronald D. Moore and the actors have frequently said they only show it if it drives the plot. The show is very sensual but at the heart of it is an emotional story about a confused and lost Claire trying to get back to her husband whilst finding comfort and safety in Jamie amongst the foreign and seemingly backward Highlanders. It also goes without saying that Jamie, played by Sam Heughan is an amazing character in the way he acts, reasons and loves. Just look at him in his Scottish gettup, phwoar...


2. TEEN WOLF - Favourite Young Adult show ever purely for its sass, characters and the number of times I have wanted to call out for my mother. Seriously, things get scary real quick.

Teen Wolf is an American television series developed by Jeff Davis for MTV. It is loosely based on the 1985 film of the same name, and star Tyler Posey as a teenager named Scott McCall, who is bitten by a werewolf and must cope with how it affects his life and the lives of those closest to him, and Dylan O'Brien as "Stiles" Stilinski, Scott's best friend.

Since it began in 2011, you may have to give it a few episodes before you see the awesomeness but honestly, it's there! I mean, if you don't give it a go, you're missing out on Dylan O' Brien being a super cute dork with a buzz head.


3. AGENTS OF SHIELD - If you're craving some action and basically a fan of Marvel movies, you totally need this show in my life!


Best things about this show are the cast, the plotlines and how it just gels with and incorporates the other Marvel films. Phil Coulson is an amazingly hilarious leader of his agents as well as a father figure whilst the British scientists are just plain cute. Sky is basically your average gobby girl without a home and I absolutely love her actress, Chloe Bennet.

4. THE NIGHT MANAGER - This is just spy drama brilliant! I'm not a huge fan of Bond but I certainly approve of Tom Hiddleston as a spy. Albeit a mini series, every episode is intense and packs such a huge punch.


This line had me bawling and this was only episode 1. It really highlights Tom's character as someone whose confident in himself but cautious of the world. Perfect formula for a spy then! 


5. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE - This is my first adaptation of an Agathe Christie novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Only three episodes and you quickly watch with horror as ten guests in a hotel are slowly killed or missing.


6. A GAME OF THRONES - Finally we come to the show with the largest hype ever. I honestly was happy delaying watching this but my Literature course was studying the novel from which this is adapted.


I have to say I'm glad the show turned out to be good else I'd be rolling my eyes till 2017. I love characters such as Daenerys, Arya, Jon Snow for obvious reasons. The violence is the show is honestly heart breaking and teeth shattering sometimes while the sex scenes have probably left me scarred. This is strictly an 18 plus show!

As much the dragons in Game of Thrones make my heart leap with happiness, I can't say I love this show. It's certainly well scripted and executed but I think it's too grand and loud for me to really enjoy it. That said, I'm anxious to get back into where I left with season 6!

Just leaving a picture of baby Drogon because dragons are bae.


*** Do you love or hate any of the shows I've mentioned? What show should I be watching as well? Look out for my post on tv shows that I'm looking forward to starting and some of yours may be featured. ***

Until next time folks. 

Tuesday 21 June 2016

Verra Large June Book Haul


Hello hello hello, it's been a while guys. How are you all? 

I've come out of my lazy slump post uni with my LARGEST AND CHEAPEST BOOK HAUL to date. 22 books for the price of £24 if we're going to get mathematical here. (My bargain-hunting instincts are still screaming with giddiness).


Where might such sorcery be found, you ask? The UK Amnesty book sale in Blackheath.


Read on for pictures from the day, my book haul and when the next book sale will be taking place (because let's be real, that's what you're really here for aren't ya)?


This is the 42nd one to take place where new and old books are sorted into a wide range of categories such as fiction, non-fiction and children's books. 


All proceeds go to the Amnesty International but most importantly they give you FREE CAKE and refreshments to reward you for your book sale-ing. Now whose excited??


The atmosphere was very relaxed and kind of quiet as people were busy slanting their heads in angles that will hurt later to read the titles of books. I would say the majority of people were in their 30s to 40s but I'm not complaining since that left all the Young Adult releases for ME!

Housed in Blackheath's Church of the Ascension was probably an odd setting for a book sale where the pews acted as bookshelves and you had to squirm your way in or wait patiently for someone to finish browsing because it couldn't be a two-man business sharing a pew. 


There were 15,000 estimated books on sale that day and they raised £10,864 on the day to support human rights as well as received 150 signs for letters being sent to the UK government to support peace in Syria. Knowing your money was going somewhere that will help someone in another part of the world was really the true icing on the day. 


I loved how there were SO MANY VINTAGE BOOKS. One of my goals as a bibliophile is to build my library of vintage books and I'm so glad to have found a few for just a pound. I can't wait to go next time for more as well as Penguin's trademark orange classics.

BOOK HAUL TIIIIIIME!


This is what you've been kindly waiting for. From top to bottom, left to right:


1) Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - this was all over Instagram a few weeks back and I was practically jumping with delight when I found it. 
2) Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
3+4) Sister Missing & Girl, Missing by Sophie Mckenzie  
5) The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson - this just came out the other week and I got it for a £1, like WHAT? 
6) Dragongly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - my new obsession with Outlander needs a whole new blogpost but this was a no brainer purchase. 
7) Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
8) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
9) The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund - this is all the rage on Instagram right now and the U.K. edition is pretty. 
10) Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye 
11) The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
12) In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
13) Girl Online by Zoe Sugg
14) Eragon by
15) Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levitham
16 + 17) Jo's Boys & Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott 
18) Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
19) Oscar Wilde by
20) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
21) Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm
22) Not pictured is a 2011 reprint of The 1964 Doctor Who and the Daleks story.

And that's it! I'm still reeling from the new conditions of these books besides the vintage ones as you can see from my face here:


The next Amnesty UK book sale will take place on Saturday 14th, November from 10am to 4pm at the Church of the Ascencion, Darthmouth Row, Blackheath, SE10 8BF.

Hope you can make it! Have you read any of the books pictured? Or which are on your wishlist to read/buy??


Come and say HI on Instagram and Twitter