College Event: James Dawson Visit with Say Her Name reading!! [With VIDEOS]

So for part of my college celebration of YA books/Arts Award project, I organized James Dawson to come in for a talk. 

I was nervous as hell, being super worried that my posters, emails and general word of mouth wasn't enough, but that was all out of my control. I couldn't even focus on my double maths period I had in the morning..haha...

I don't know how much I'm really allowed to say about the talking that happened before the event so I just thought it'd be safer not to say anything in general...other than I can't wait for his future books and a possible shake and change in the genre department. Other than that my lips are sealed...!


James kindly agreed for me to film the talk, as a use of evidence for my Gold Arts Award, but has also let me share it with you guys too!

I have also edited out the extract that he read...just to save those who don't have an hour at hand to listen to the full talk!

So I present to you, an extract from Say Her Name read by the author himself, James Dawson. 

*Round of applause*

Now, for the full length talk....

There is a cut around half way through because the camera had a little panic attack but I don't think you really miss much either way! It's basically an hour long. I speak in this video...and I sound SUPER posh...I am still coming to terms with how weird I sound..


***Warnings***
- There are some small spoilers in this talk about Say Her Name - it's in the Q&A section, you watch at your own risk (for me, I would count it as a spoiler but it's up to you!) ...It's around 28:37(ish) to 31:02(ish)

- Do I need to warn you guys about swears too? Or are we all cool about those things? What do I say..? Mild use of swearing? *shurgs*

My review will be posted here closer to the time of release! And yes, I finished it in less than 24 hours. 24 hours of paralyzed reading. I have yet to decipher if I was paralyzed from fear or enjoyment!
But in the meantime, check out Hollow Pike and Cruel Summer!

And THANK YOU (again) James for coming in!! :D 

Book Review: Cruel Summer by James Dawson

Title: Cruel Summer
Author: James Dawson
Published: 1st August 2013 (Indigo)
Pages:324


Summary: 
A year after Janey’s suicide, her friends reunite at a remote Spanish villa, desperate to put the past behind them. However, an unwelcome guest arrives claiming to have evidence that Jane was murdered. When she is found floating in the pool, it becomes clear one of them is a killer. Only one thing is for certain, surviving this holiday is going to be murder…

A compelling and psychological thriller - with a dash of romance. [Via Goodreads]

My Thoughts
It's hard when the first book I read by Dawson was 5 stars, but the only reason for the 4 stars is because I didn't get the full surprise I wanted at the end (I saw what Dawson was doing and actually got my guesses right!!) 

Nevertheless, this book contained every obvious horror movie convention: the killer on the loose...scary silhouette, a dark cellar and, of course, deaths. With the twist of the horror format, this book twisted my guts even more than Hollow Pike because of these "horror conventions" that are build to be suspenseful and shocking. Every sentence screamed: "YOU ARE ALL SCREWED! SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN!" - literally....and it got me every time..

'But he didn't check everywhere.' Katie's voice was full of apprehension. 'Nobody looked in the cellar...' 

Dun dun DUNNNN!!!

I really loved Ryan. He was the key person who brought up the questions and pushed forward, equally loving his narration! (Well I loved the whole structure of the book). Like I said in my Hollow Pike review, I could imagine it on TV. Then I read this book, BAM, the layout is as if I'm watching a TV show! Nice nice, I like it...bonus points there! ;-) But it was more because of Ryan's way of thinking about life and I thought it was a really interesting way on looking at life (but then not really agreeing).

Even with the situation of the book, I liked how there was a merge of other themes that came with an individual. I think I am speaking more about Gregg. 

The highlights were when we got to read about two characters having a private conversation, which seemed to happen a lot in this book (Oooo, so many secrets!!!). These scenes are where we get to suss out our suspects as well as get our flash backs on the events surrounding Janey. 

Definitely a book to read.

Your mind won't be put to rest until the end...literally! 


** When I was telling my friend about Hollow Pike and Cruel Summer, she asked: "Did James Dawson just have a horrible time with teens and want to murder them all?" - I laughed. But a good question, don't you think? ;P

Book Review: Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel (Forever Summer)

Title: Cruel Summer (Forever Summer)
Author: Alyson Noel
Published: 26th April 2011

Summary:
Having recently discarded her dorky image—and the best friend that went with it—Colby Cavendish is looking forward to a long hot season of parties, beach BBQ's, and hopefully, more hook-ups with Levi Bonham, the hottest guy in school. But her world comes crashing down when her parents send her away to spend the summer in Greece with her "crazy" aunt Tally. Stranded on a boring island with no malls, no cell phone reception, and an aunt who talks to her plants, Colby finds herself worrying that her new friends have forgotten all about her. But when she meets Yannis, a cute Greek local, everything changes. She experiences something deeper and more intense than a summer fling, and it forces her to see herself, and the life she left behind, in a whole new way...

One summer changes everything in this poignant young adult novel about best friends, popularity, and an unforgettable summer romance.

My Thoughts:
This story is written in a very different way compared to the other books I've read. It is told through a series of emails and blog posts. Colby is not really a character that I could relate to and she was a very annoying character. She was stubborn and constantly holds a grudge. This is shown through her blog in which she calls "Cruel Summer." It took me a while to get through this book and I don't think I'll pick this book up again to re-read.

On top of her complaining about her horrible summer in Greece, which if she just loose a little and just realized that she was in GREECE she could of enjoyed it from the start, her parents are going through a break up that she is constantly checking back on via email. She tries to control so much and doesn't understand anything that her parents are going through but still constantly butts in

Recommend or Not? No, not really. I really didn't like the narration of Colby and how she saw everything. "Cruel Summer" could of been "An Awesome Summer" if she lightened up a little. It's a shame.