Now that I'm working full-time as a young adult librarian I haven't been posting nearly as much, but I wanted to at least do my end of the year lists! 1) Ms. Marvel: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson I love this comic series overall, but this one so clearly nails a lot of the things I've heard from teens recently. Their annoyance at older generations misjudging and underestimating them, their ability to come together despite differences, and their genuine desire to make their worlds a better place. Kamala Khan is just a fabulous protagonist overall, relatably trying to juggle her friends, family, faith, education, and, oh yeah, newfound superpowers. Plus, the cameos. The cameos. So many familiar faces from the Marvel universe have appeared, which is especially fun because Kamala is such an unabashed fangirl. I really can't praise this series highly enough- just go check it out for yourself. 2) Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson Sensing a theme? 2015 was a huge year for ...
Summary from Goodreads
When Paige finds an old mix CD in a local charity shop, she can't help but wonder about the boy who made it and the girl he was thinking of when he chose the songs. The tracks tell the story of a boy looking for his perfect girl, a girl to understand him, a story of being alone, being let down, misunderstood and not knowing where to turn.
Following the clues of the music, Paige sets out to find the mysterious boy, going from gig to gig and band to band, hoping to track him down. But will who she finds at the end of the trail, be the boy she's imagined?
Another perfect girly read from Queen of Teen nominee Cathy Hopkins!
Paperback, 256 pages
Published May 8th 2014 by Simon & Schuster UK
My Review
Playlist for a Broken Heart is a really light and fun read that has some great messages!
Main character Paige, has had a bit of a privileged life. She goes to an expensive school and has had anything she has ever wanted handed to her. If I'm honest, I didn't really like Paige at the start but I very quickly came round and enjoyed her transformation.
Things quickly come falling down around Paige when her family loose everything and have to declare themselves bankrupt. They are forced to move in with relatives in the small town of Bath. Picking up an old mix-tape CD in a charity shop pulls Paige out of a black hole. The songs speak to her and she can't help feeling like whoever put the CD together is her meant to be....
The hunt for the boy behind the CD is a fun and very exciting one. It takes quite some time to work out and manages to keep you guessing right up until the end.
I liked watching Paige find herself and become the sort of person she wants to be. She makes some great friends and also some great decisions. The boys give her a bit of a run around though.
Playlist for a Broken Heart is a beautifully written story about being yourself, making new friends, trying new things and also learning not to judge a person before you get to know them. I loved the music themes - music is such a powerful thing that can both move and speak to people in different ways, I loved seeing it help Paige through some tough times. The biggest lesson I think for Paige was that money really doesn't mean everything.
This is my first Cathy Hopkins read but it definitely won't be my last!
4 / 5 Stars
*Special thanks to Simon & Schuster for the review copy*
Guest Post
What are your top tips for aspiring writers?
* Use your five senses when writing a scene: what a place looks like, how it sounds, how it smells, how it tastes, and lastly how it feels
* Write every day and don’t blab your story out to everyone. They will all feel they have to say something and it can get confusing. Only show it to those who will give constructive criticism – an Editor, English teacher (if you’re still at school) or an agent
* Do a creative writing course if you can. You may have raw talent but you can still learn how to plot a story, develop characters, write good dialogue, keep the pace up as well as get constructive feedback on your work
* Create a sympathetic character that readers will like. Think about what they want more than anything in the world. Then think about lots of things that can get in their way and cause conflict and there’s your book
* Raise questions early on in your book and delay the answers to make readers want to read on to find out what happens
* Carry a notebook because you never know when inspiration will strike.
* Don’t throw anything you write away if it’s not working. Months, maybe even years later, it may spark something off or you will realise how you can make it work
* Write the kind of stories you’d like to read
* Write the first draft freely without judging it then rewrite with the rational more critical side of your brain. Don’t agonise over the first line or chapter or even first draft. Just get in there and start writing, as it starts to flow, you can always go back and rewrite or delete later
* Read a lot
* Never give up. Persevere through rejection. Loads of famous novelists had their books rejected the first/second/third time but were successful because they didn’t give up
Author Bio
Cathy Hopkins' worldwide sales are over 4 million. She started writing in 1986, turning to teen fiction in 2000. She is the author of more than 60 titles, with five children's series in print: Million Dollar Mates; Mates, Dates; Zodiac Girls; Truth, Dare, Kiss or Promise and Cinnamon Girl, with editions in 34 languages. She lives in Bath with her husband and three cats. 
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