Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

I feel that it's only right to do a recap of this year for me. I guess it'll all be book related, since this is a book blog but I guess I'll have to see what pops up. Starting with the beginning of the year. 

To be honest, I can't remember anything that happened in January! It was March that things really started to pick up. Well, not on here. I didn't really have much drive blog-wise back in March. This is what really set my year off with a bang.

**Added further news that's happened, but everything in blue is after New Years! I really wanted to post something before New Years and I did (in a massive rush) but I've missed a bit out! So everything in blue is me going back and adding :)

Where it all started:
Book Events:

So on the 6th March, I went to my first author signing. The most incredible experience I've ever had. I met Lauren Oliver and I was a ruined wreck, uncontrollably shaking even before she appeared. It was amazing. She is amazing and we were allowed to have a few minutes with her to talk about the Delirium series as well as get pictures!

This was a trigger. After this event, I found myself checking book shops in London for different YA events and I just found myself hopping from event to event. Some author events I went to were just so out of the blue.  The description said a YA author and I'd immediately jump at it. No doubt, I became a little obsessed. In October/September I went to four different events in three weeks!! It hit me bad. 

My 2013 Bests: Books, Music, TV and Movies!

I can't even remember half the things I did this year - everything's just gone by so quick. I thought I'd mix it up a bit and but my 'best' books, music and TV shows of this year! - All of which are *new* to me this year.

Books:
*If you press the book covers, I've linked it to their GoodReads page ;D

These are (some) of my best best books I found in 2013 (I hope I didn't miss anything out...)


The Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver - it seems like such a while ago I finished this series but it's seriously one of my favourites. Oliver's writing is just so perfect, with her beautiful description and the ending that surprisingly left me happier the more I thought about it, rather than disappointed which is what I know a lot of people thought. - Admittedly this isn't a new new series that I picked up this year, I picked up Delirium at the end of last year but I finished reading it this year, so it counts in my mind :P

Soulmates by Holly Bourne - a romance book with a twist. Not exactly the 'typical' of sorts but it was perfect. I love the fact that it didn't fit the ordinary lovey-dovey romance novels.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - I read this book at the beginning of 2013 and it's stuck by me all the way through this year. As soon as I read about Samantha's life and Jase, I fell in love with the whole fictional world. It tore out my heart and I felt everything Sam was feeling. I need to find my Jase. 

Sony Young Movellist of the Year 2013

So if you didn't know I am part of the Spinebreakers Editor crew and last night (16/07) I was lucky enough to attend the Sony Young Movellist of the Year 2013!

The whole competition was hosted on the Movella website with the help of Random House, The Reading Agency and the Sony Reading House which allowed people aged between 13 to 19 to submit their piece of creative writing. The winner would then get their books published by Random House to sell!!
 Not only this the judging of the whole competition was Malorie Blackman!

Here's my name sticker ^^
(I am a bit too proud over this ;P)

So I arrived at the King's Place for the event, meeting the other Spinebreakers out front. I've never gone to any of the Spinebreakers' events or any of the editorial meetings before so it was nice to finally meet everyone! Every started arriving at 6:30 where they served drinks and we got our own names and who we're represented on a sticker.

As we stood awaiting our time to go in we got to talk to Anna who is part of a publishing company that works digitally, CompletelyNovel. She also gave us her business card to keep! (To check out more about CompletelyNovel click here)

Entering the small hall at 7pm, the guests sat down amongst the 10 amazing young writers who were chosen out of the around 100 participants. As the presentation started we found out that Malorie Blackman was unwell and unable to attend, breaking my heart but I was still so amazed by their work I didn't feel like it was too much of a loss. Representatives of Movella gave us an introduction to the the lucky ten, where we then watched a short video of all those there and who they were, what they wrote and what inspired them. I was so amazed on the drive that each of them had! To even finish a novel at the age that they were is incredible and it is such an amazing achievement. I feel like I need to be more writing active like this lot!

The books in no particular order are:

Wings by Danielle Paige, 16 from Norfolk

My Corrupted Lungs by Kyra Schlachter, 16 from Essex

Girl with a Thousand Faces by Emma Yeo, 17 from Tyne and Wear

The Name On Your Wrist by Helen Hiorns, 19 from Coventry

The Lives We Live by Edie Dams, 14 from Brighton

The Art of Forgetting by Warona Jolomba, 16 from Warwickshire

The Thorn in My Flesh by Alexandra Morley, 19 from Kingston

Gift: The Rebellion by Saskia Ross, 16 from Buckinghamshire

I Dare You by Molly Looby, 18 from Essex

The Mendacii Key by Annabel Green, 15 from Somerset

Out of the ten the top three were chosen first who were: Kyra Schlachter, Helen Hiorns and Emma Yeo.

Then the winner....

The Name On Your Wrist by Helen Hiorn

She went to the stage to recieve her very fancy glass award, which was presented by Malorie Blackman's publisher, as well as a Sony Reader. She then got a chance to give us a speech that seemed so confident and easy for her. She was great, balancing her amazement and adding humour. (Much better than what I would have been like if I had to do any sort of audience speech!) Then on top of that we got to hear a cheeky extract from the first page of the book!

After the ceremony, we were surprised by recieving a tote canvas bag which had Malorie Blackman's most recent book, Noble Conflict, and also a voucher which allowed us to recieve a FREE copy of Helen Hiorn's book. But then to my disappointment, when I did come home and try to recieve my free book, THE VOUCHER DID NOT WORK! I am so devastated because I think the whole idea of the book is great and the fact that she is only 2 years older than me and has achieved what she has....incredible!

There were more drinks and some lovely canapés that were served after the show...they were lovely canapés....just saying. But we also met two other Spinebreakers editors who were in the top ten, Annabel Green and Emma Yeo (who was in the top 3!).  I didn't get to talk to Emma but I spoke to Annie for a bit and she is so nice...I am so jealous of her achievement and that she has her book printed for herself...

All in all, it was a great night! A really awesome experience and now that I know about this competition, who knows, I may try out next year...?!

Lastly, a big THANK YOU to Spinebreaker for allowing me to attend!!