My Catchphrases

Monday, 21 March 2011

World Poetry Day: Guest Poem: Written by Hannah Year 8


It is my pleasure to showcase one of my year 8 pupils poems. This I have to admit is not one of my favourite pieces by her, but as her poetry is very personal (and stunning) I don't think she felt able to share the more emotional pieces just yet. Especially for the read aloud session which will include boys from her class (we all know how sensitive teenagers can be to criticism). This poem is very thought provoking and I imagine it reflects the turmoil faced by teenagers daily. I was informed after editing this post that the poem was written after watching the Saw movie *shudders*

THE GAME

Can't stand the blood?
Can't stand the pain?
These are the rules to my sadistic little game.

You can cut but you can't cry,
You can bleed but cannot die,
You can shriek but still feel pain,
My sadistic little game.

You can cry and I'll still gloat,
Silver chains around your throat,
And you are all to blame,
In my sadistic little game.

You can beg and I won't hear,
Rusty blood dried around my ear,
Soon you will be the same,
In my sadistic little game.

Think of your precious lovers lips,
Like barbed wire until the kiss,
Dying of merciless shame,
My sadistic little game.

White noise banging in your ears,
Your spirit slowly disappears,
Mumbling ancient text,
Join the game or you'll be next.



Saturday, 19 March 2011

Saturday Spotlight: Random Post: Commenting

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Over the last few weeks a lot of people have been expressing their opinion about interacting with their followers and how important it is. I would just like to have my say *pokes tongue out*

PhotobucketLike anyone else I adore getting comments, I sit anxiously with my email open waiting for new comments to flock in every time a new post goes live on the blog (this rarely happens by the way). It makes my day that people actually bother to read the stuff I write let alone take the time to express an opinion about it or give a compliment *swoon*. I appreciate every single little thing you say. If you have left an email and not the 'no reply @ blogger' then I try to email you back. Or I will thank you on twitter or face-book (more likely twitter because it is an addictive black-hole of random conversation *looks at @PeweterWolf13, @serendipidy101, @SisterSpooky, don't pretend you don't know what I am talking about*. I really do appreciate every single comment and hope I 'interact' with you via these wonderful methods of communication, many of you I consider friends rather than just followers and I sincerely hope that this is transmitted to you.
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What I do not expect is for you to check back to the post that you have commented on to see if I have responded. I know this is how a lot of blogs interact with their readership but for me, I think that your time is precious and you may not have the time to visit the post to check for a reply. I certainly don't.  
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As well as liking to receive comments, I like to give them, as I said it really shows that you appreciate the effort that has gone into the writing of that particular post. I do try to do this as often as I can. I feel terribly guilty if I am unable to comment for a while and spend hours clicking through posts in order to 'catch-up'. I have a problem with commenting from the school library, only comment boxes that open in a new window are allowed for some strange reason. If your blog does not have one of these I am not able to comment from the library, I try to make a note of the blog posts I have read and want to comment on so that when I get to my home computer I make an effort to go comment. As I follow a lot of totally awesome blogs this can be quite a long list. Unfortunately, life almost always gets in the way - running the girlies about/the mountain of ironing that is slowly taking over my living room - you know general stuff like that. So I apologies for not commenting as often as I should or would like.
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If I am able to leave you a comment I will, BUT if you want to respond to the comment I have left please please please if you want to respond/interact with me regarding it (or anything really I am always up for a random chat just ask @Fiction_Fan) then please do so via twitter/email or facebook. I am very sorry but I physically do not have the time to revisit the post I commented on; as much as I would love to. Update: After writing this another thought occurred to me (they do happen occasionally) if you do respond to a comment I have left you on your blog let me know that you have done so by one of the previously mentioned methods, even linking me would be helpful so I can go take a look without having to search through the posts for that particular comment.

So please if you want to respond to a comment I have left for you - interact with me personally (I love it) - I am really sorry I do not have time to revisit the post to check for a response. Plus I wouldn't want other people to think that I have seen a response to a comment when I haven't.

I really really really (can you tell how much I really) love getting comments and interacting with you lovely people. I look forward to doing it a lot more.

THE BORING BIT: This post is not aimed at anyone specific - I know a lot of blogs interact with this readership in this manner and it works for a lot of people. Unfortunately it doesn't work for me and I just wanted to let you all know. It isn't because I cant be bothered or don't 'interact' with my readership I DO and hopefully they like the way I interact. So please keep the comments coming and if you want to respond to a comment I left you - then come have a random chat or email me. I look forward to it [ ; D ]

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Saturday Spotlight: Books required for School Library

As I have no budget left to purchases book until May the only way we are able to get the required books in the library is via donations and the commission raised through Puffin Book Club.

So I thought I would ask if anyone would be able to donate the following books we require for themes and to complete series in the library. I am able to refund postage as I intend to do a book sale to get rid of all the very very old books that we currently have, lol.

MONSTERS OF MEN-PATRICK NESS-BOOK 3 IN THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY
“War,” says the Mayor. “At last.”Three armies march on New Prentisstown, each one intent on destroying the others. Todd and Viola are caught in the middle, with no chance of escape. As the battles commence, how can they hope to stop the fighting? How can there ever be peace when they’re so hopelessly outnumbered? And if war makes monsters of men, what terrible choices await? But then a third voice breaks into the battle, one bent on revenge… The electrifying finale to the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, Monsters of Men is a heart-stopping novel about power, survival, and the devastating realities of war.



BREAKING DAWN-STEPHANIE MEYER-BOOK 4 TWILIGHT SERIES
Twilight tempted the imagination ...New Moon made readers thirsty for more ...Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon ...And now - the book that everyone has been waiting for ...Breaking Dawn. In the much anticipated fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's love story, questions will be answered and the fate of Bella and Edward will be revealed.




THE DEVILS BREATH-DAVID GILMAN-BOOK 1 DANGER ZONE SERIES
He doesn't need Alex Rider's girly gadgets. He's much more fanciable than Andy McNab's Boy Soldier. His adventures will take you to places even Wilbur Smith hadn't thought of. Soon after escaping an assassin that bursts from the shadows to try and kill him in the dark windswept grounds of his school in Dartmoor, Max Gordon discovers that his explorer father has also gone missing. Max is determined to find him whatever dangers may lay in his path. A secret clue, that his father has left, leads Max to the inhospitable wilderness of Namibia and the discovery of a potential massive ecological disaster masterminded by the very powerful and completely ruthless businessman, Shaka Chang. Whoever is behind Max's fathers disappearance is determined to get rid of Max too. For good. The Devil's Breath is the first incredible book, in a blockbuster new adventure series for boys and girls of 9+ , with more plot twists and death defying action scenes than a Bond film. A world of stampeding buffalo, lethal scorpions, ancient tribes and prophecies awaits you...



MOCKINGJAY – SUZANNE COLLINS – BOOK 3 HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge... The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.




DRAGONSDALE – SALAMANDA DRAKE – BOOK 1 DRAGONSDALE
Discover the thrills and spills of riding the most exciting animals ever

At Dragonsdale, riding is the most important thing in the world. Everybody is looking forward to the Island Championship - everyone except for Cara, who can only dream of flying Sky, her favourite dragon. Ever since her mother's tragic accident, her father has forbidden her to ride But when Hortense, the haughty daughter of the ruler of the Isles, takes Sky to spite her, Cara will risk everything to save him - even taking to the wild lands beyond


THE INVENTORS – ALEXANDER GORDON SMITH – BOOK 1
‘We’re about to spend a year with Ebenezer Saint, in Saint Solutions and we’ve got a free reign to make just about anything we dream of. This is heaven, Nate, heaven.’ Nate and Cat absolutely love inventing. You name it, they’ve tried to build it. After accidentally turning their headmaster blue, they win a year’s scholarship with the world’s richest, cleverest, most charismatic inventor, Ebenezer Saint. And along with twenty-three of the brightest scientific minds in the land, they begin their year-long stay in the Saint’s Solutions paradise, a vast industrial compound filled with unimaginable inventions. But it soon becomes clear that all is not what it seems. Ebenezer Saint is hiding a dark agenda - and if Nate and Cat ever want to see their families again, they will have to out-wit, out-run and out-invent the world’s greatest inventor..


THE DEEP – INGO SERIES – HELEN DUNMORE – BOOK 3
The third spellbinding story about Sapphy and Conor's adventures in the powerful and dangerous underwater world of Ingo. A devastating flood has torn through the worlds of Air and Ingo, and now, deep in the ocean, a monster is stirring. Mer legend says that only those with dual blood -- half Mer, half human -- can overcome the Kraken. Sapphy must return to the Deep, with the help of her friend the whale, and face this terrifying creature -- and her brother Conor and Mer friend Faro will not let her go alone!



THE CROSSING OF INGO – INGO SERIES – HELEN DUNMORE – BOOK 4
The breathtaking conclusion to the critically-acclaimed Ingo series, by prize-winning novelist Helen Dunmore. Sapphire, Conor and their Mer friends Faro and Elvira are ready to make the Crossing of Ingo -- a long and dangerous journey that only the strongest young Mer are called upon to make. No human being has ever attempted this thrilling voyage to the bottom of the world. Ervys, his followers and new recruits, the sharks, are determined that Sapphire and Conor must be stopped -- dead or alive!



PERCY JACKSON – THE TITANS CURSE – RICK RIORDAN – BOOK 3
It's the last Friday before the winter holidays but Percy Jackson isn't at school: he's battling the fearsome Manticore (half human, half lion), which in itself isn't ideal . . . but with Annabeth missing and the goddess of the hunt held captive, things get a whole lot more serious . . .

Greek mythology relocated to modern-day America. Action-packed, funny, accessible writing for both boys and girls aged 10+. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl.



PERCY JACKSON – THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH – RICK RIORDAN – BOOK 4
Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster. This summer, I didn't choose to battle the cheerleading squad, but when two hissing she-devils with fangs are heading straight for you, what's a half-blood meant to do?

That was just the beginning. This is the one where my arch-enemy, Luke, is looking for a way to invade our camp via an ancient labyrinth. If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond . . .


JUMPING TO CONFUSIONS – LIZ RETTIG
A brilliantly funny tale of romantic confusion! Cat is fat and boring - or so she thinks. Her mum is a stick insect and so is her twin sister Tessa - a bit of a spoilt brat who can get any boy she wants. There's a new arrival in their town from the USA - Josh, the son of their dad's boss. He's gorgeous so Tessa is keen and Cat knows she doesn't have a chance... But Josh seems strangely uninterested in Tess. Cat thinks there must be more to the situation... She and Josh become friends and eventually she thinks she's got to the bottom of the mystery...maybe Josh just isn't into girls at all...? Now she has a new best gay friend, cat's life is much happier, and she and Josh get on wonderfully. If only things could stay that simple...


MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC - GABRIELLE ZEVIN
When Naomi tries to piece back the fragments of the last three and a half years of her life, she discovers a lot. She has a boyfriend but can't remember him, her mother and father are divorced, and she has forgotten that she is supposed to hate her mother. She also has a group of friends which simply doesn't seem that attractive any more and, despite having meticulously kept a diary, she only mentioned what she ate every day in it! But it's not all bad, because when a girl loses three and a half years she gets a chance to reinvent herself. After all, who is to say that everything has to be the same?


MY ROCKY ROMANCE DIARY - LIZ RETTIG - BOOK 4Kelly Ann is all loved-up with her gorgeous soulmate, Chris, so there's no way she's going to let her attraction for the dark and dangerous new boy at school go any further. OK, so he rides a cool Harley Davidson motorbike, plays in a cool band and has dedicated a song to her. But she's not going to let that rock her relationship with Chris, is she? Besides, Kelly Ann has other things to worry about. Like being dragged through the mud by a rogue Great Dane, locked out of the house by an eight year old she's supposed to be babysitting and that YouTube video that shows her grappling with a half-naked guy in Pizza Express - 200,000 hits and counting in just twelve hours...


BLART - DEAD OR ALIVE - DOMINIC BARKER - BOOK 2Just as Blart is settling down to enjoy his teenage years on a fabulous pig farm with the proceeds from saving the world, Capablanca returns - with bad news. A terrible oversight in his original world-saving research has led to accusations of no less than collusion with evil Zoltab himself. And now he is a wanted man - and so, by association, is Blart. To prove their innocence or else be hounded to the four corners of the earth by a bloodthirsty army, they must locate their comrades from the original quest. Together they may stand a chance of proving that Capablanca's was an innocent mistake, by finding the answer to a great mystery - what exactly did they do with Zoltab? And how could they be so careless as to forget...And so begins another hilarious and unforgettable adventure (with pigs) and a brilliant cast of characters including newcomers Uther Slywort the merchant and sociopathic Baron Killbride.
INK EXCHANGE - MELISSA MARR - BOOK 2After suffering a terrible trauma at the hands of her brother's dealer friends, Leslie becomes obsessed with the idea of getting a tattoo -- it's the one thing that will allow her to reclaim her body, renew her self-confidence. And when Rabbit, her local tattoo artist, shows her a secret book of his own designs, she finds one of them irresistible. Soon, her back is adorned with a pair of mysterious eyes, framed by black wings. Leslie feels good -- more than good. Nothing bad can touch her. But what she doesn't know is that her new tattoo binds her tightly to the faery whose symbol she chose: Irial, the exquisitely dangerous king of the Dark Court!



I am unable to accept Uncorrected proofs unless they have the correct cover.

 
THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE

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Saturday Spotlight: Little Bethan

Following on from my fundraising idea post in aid of my boss's granddaughter, I thought I would share the donation page for Bethan as a friend of the family is running the London Marathon in aid of the charity that helps Children with Leukemia.
You can donate at Bethan's page

Plus photos of Bethan throughout her illness.

There are much better photos on Bethan's page.

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Saturday Spotlight: Authors for Japan


Following the incomprehensible devastation in Japan, the wonderful Keris Stainton has put together Authors for Japan. There have been wonderful donations and all you have to do is leave a bid in the comments section for your chance to own these fantastic things. Just click the link above to go see the items available.

The bidding is open now and closes at 8pm Tomorrow.

Good Luck with the bidding [ : D ]

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Friday, 18 March 2011

Review: 8th Grade Bites by Heather Brewer


Title: 8th Grade Bites
Series: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
Author: Heather Brewer
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: 06 Jan 2011

Source: UK Book Tours - Thank you Lynsey




Synsopsis: From Publishers Website
Vladimir Tod has a secret. His mother was human, but his father was a vampire...
With no idea of the extent of his prowess and no one to teach him, thirteen-year-old Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and enlarged fangs. And when a strange substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown.
But then he realises he has a much bigger problem. He's being hunted by a vampire killer who is closing in . . . fast!

Review:
I have been a minion of Heather Brewer's since seeing the books advertised on amazon and goodreads, even before reading them. I am so glad that after reading the 1st book I am even more of a minion, lol.

Written in 3rd person narrative, yet focalized from Vlad's perspective, although I did feel as if the narrator had an audible presence itself similar to that of a voice-over. Vlad is a very complex character, on the one hand you have his human nature and his love for his guardian. While he keeps his half vampire nature secret and his vampire 'urges' firmly under control. Believing he is the only vampire in the world leads to a sense of loneliness that emanates from Vlad. I actually found myself feeling very maternal towards him.

Imagine only 2 people in the whole world that you can talk to; yet even though have no idea what you are going through, no concept of the internal battle you have everyday. Remembering what it was like to be a teenager *shudders* this is an internal struggle most people deal with feeling misunderstood and alone. I can't imagine how having a secret vampire identity would exaggerate these feelings.

The plot is layered with mystery after mystery, kept firmly within the reigns of the third person narrative, all the plot threads wove around one another  like a tightly coiled braid, adding dimension to the plot as a whole while keeping the reader guessing as to where exactly the story was going to conclude. Believe me there are a few surprises in store and not all the questions get answered in this one installment. Hence the trip to the library to pick up the next book in the series.

The writing is very descriptive which can be a bit off putting for the gore-aphobic that I am, the picture of Vlad with a cookie dipped in blood actually completed the picture in my imagination of him as a teenage vampire. The vampire side being just a singular part of who he is and what makes him whole. So although I am not a fan of gore, it enhanced the story in this instance. The lack of popularity and the bullying that Vlad receives seemed at odds with his personality though, this may be because he lives in the shadow of his best friend, Henry's, popularity and good looks. He is wary of defending himself against the bullying in case it reveals his vampire nature, so instead he endures it. Vlad appears to have tremendous inner strength and with his guardian ('Aunt' Nelly's) guidance he has a strong sense of decency/moral code (I am struggling to find the right word for what I want to express...blah, I am sure you get the picture) which is reflected in his protective nature towards Nelly and Henry.

The book as a whole works beautifully together. I must say I am totally invested in Vlad's future and cannot wait to find out what the other books have in store. A terrific addition (plus fun) to the Vampire genre.

Thursday, 17 March 2011

 
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