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5 Events I Cannot Wait To See | #MWF17

Jul 19, 2017

As the Melbourne Writers Festival program was launched last night, I thought it would be the perfect time to shared my top 5 events of MWF17.

If you didn’t know, I am the current PR Intern at Melbourne Writers Festival. And over the last couple of months, I have had the privilege to see this program come to life. You can check out a post I did on the MWF website to see some of my favourite #LoveOzYA.

MWF 2017 will run from 25th August to 3rd September. It’s going to be an incredible 10 days filled with inspiration, creativity, and will get everyone’s wheels turning. With this years theme of revolution, it’s bound to create discussion.

Let’s get on to it. Here are my top 5 events that I am so excited to see. These events range from international and local artists to events in all stages of the festival. Tickets go on sale Friday 21st July.

YA AMA

Attending: Angie Thomas, Danielle Binks and Melissa Keil
About the Event:
Join two of the Festival’s most exciting YA novelists, Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) and Melissa Keil (The Secret Science of Magic), for a live ask-me-anything session about young adult fiction. Hosted by Danielle Binks (#LoveOzYA).
Suitable for ages 13 to 25. This is a free event, but bookings are required.

Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 11 am
Session Code: 6305

Book Tickets

The Bone Season

Attending: Samantha Shannon
About the Event:
She’s been called the next JK Rowling for her bestselling fantasy series, The Bone Season – the first book of which was published when she was just 21. Now three novels in, British author Samantha Shannon invites you into her dystopic world.

She’s been called the next JK Rowling for her bestselling fantasy series, The Bone Season – the first book of which was published when she was just 21. Now three novels in, British author Samantha Shannon invites you into her dystopic world.

$22/$19
Tickets go on sale at 9 am Friday 21 July. This session is able to be booked on a Festival Pass
Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 2.30 pm
Session Code: 4404

Book Tickets

Angie Thomas: YA and Activism – Highlight

Attending: Angie Thomas
About the Event:
Giving voice to young black Americans and chronicling their experiences of racism, The Hate U Give is the year’s most outstanding YA novel. Hear from author Angie Thomas as she argues for writing that can turn the political into the deeply personal as a way to inspire action and speak truth to power. Be inspired by this young, outspoken writer who is ready to hit three truths home: that life fuels art, art mirrors life, and books can change lives.

$25
Tickets go on sale at 9 am Friday 21 July. This session is not able to be booked on a Festival Pass.
Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 4.00 pm
Session Code: 1406

Book Tickets

Harry Potter Day

About the Event:

Accio good times! Whether you’re a Muggle, wizard or Squib, join us for a free all-ages celebration of 20 years of the boy who lived. With live performances, a Sorting Hat, story time and more, share in the magic of the wizarding world with Professor Frankie Falconette. Wear your Hogwarts robes for a chance to win prizes. Mischief managed!

More details will be announced soon.

Date and Time: Sunday, 3 September, 10 am
Session Code: 9113

FREE EVENT

#LoveOzYA

Attending: Alice Pung, Amie Kaufman, Danielle Binks, Melissa Keil and Ellie Marney.
About the Event:

Celebrate local YA with the best in the biz! #LoveOzYA authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Ellie Marney and Alice Pung discuss the importance of representation, telling Australian stories and why YA is important for teens and adults alike. With Danielle Binks.
Date and Time: Sunday, 3 September, 2.30 pm
Session Code: 8114

FREE EVENT

Other events to look out for:

Stephen Dupont: Don’t Look Away: Against a backdrop of arresting photographs and film footage, multi-award-winning war photographer Stephen Dupont takes viewers on a powerful journey to the frontlines of Afghanistan, Rwanda, Vietnam and more. The haunting visual presentation is followed by a conversation with Dupont and accompanied by a photographic exhibition. 18+ event, ID may be requested.
Wednesday, 30 August 6 pm

Second-Generation Narratives: The second-generation Australian experience is reflected in many new works of literature. How does an understanding of place, home and family inform storytelling – and increase understanding about migration? Randa Abdel-Fattah, Maxine Beneba Clarke, AS Patrić and Alice Pung explore.
Friday, 1 September 10 am

Pop Culture and Feminism: How does pop culture help young women make sense of their place in the world? Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, Hera Lindsay Bird, Brodie Lancaster and Patricia Lockwood talk representation, diversity and online support networks – and how TV, music and the internet are shaping the next generation of feminists.
Saturday, 2 September 4 pm.

Don’t forget to check out the full program for more events, highlights, and other amazing sessions throughout the festival.

What are you most looking forward to? Do we share any of the same events? What is your go to event for the festival? Let’s Chat!

YA Fantasy that I Want To Read | #LoveOzYABloggers

Jul 17, 2017

Today is the second time for #LoveOzYA’s, #LoveOzYABloggers meme. It’s a fortnightly feature that promotes Aussie YA, with a new theme every time. This week’s theme is Fantasy.

I realised today that I haven’t read much Aussie Fantasy and I don’t even know why! Fantasy is one of my favourite genres. It’s what I read for so many years on end. So today I thought I would share 3 #LoveOzYA Fantasy books that are on my TBR and I cannot wait to read.

Shadows by Paula Weston: This is more along the lines of Paranormal Fantasy, but it still will hit the right spots.

Shadows is book one in the Rephaim series and follows protagonist Gaby Winters. It’s been a year since she was in a car crash that killed her twin brother. She may be healed on the outside – but inside she is full of grief. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons.

Then Rafa comes to town and he looks like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself . And her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington: I’ve read quite a few of Shirvingtons books before and adored them. So I really have no idea why I haven’t picked this one up.

Embrace is book one in The Violet Eden Chapters and follows protagonist Violet Eden. When Violet is having strange dreams that leave her with very real injuries and a tattoo that is weaving its way up her arm, she knows something is different.

And then the guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human – oh, and the same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings. But if angels seek vengeance and humans are warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.

Akarnae by Lynette Noni: So many of my friends have picked this series up and really enjoyed it, including my cousin – so I think I should soon too.

Book one in The Medoran Chronicles follows protagonist Alex as she begins at a new school. Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her… but he’s missing.

While waiting for him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora’s boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace her as one of their own. But strange things are happening at Akarnae.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Are you planning to? What is your favourite #LoveOzYA fantasy book? Let’s Chat!

#LoveOzYABloggers is hosted by #LoveOzYA, a community-led organisation dedicated to promoting Australian young adult literature. Keep up to date with all new Aussie YA releases with their monthly newsletter, or find out what’s happening with News and Events, or submit your own!

#LoveOzYA Anthology Review: Begin, End, Begin | Part 1

Jul 14, 2017

If you don’t know what Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology is, then where have you been? Begin, End, Begin is an anthology highlighting the talent we have in Australia for young adults.

This anthology features authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Lili Wilkinson, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Will Kostakis and Danielle Binks.

As I wanted to review this anthology, I thought I would do my reviews in parts. A couple of reviews each post and then an overall review of the anthology. Today is part 1.

One Small Step … by Amie Kaufman

Pages: 22
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708652
Other Novels Include: These Broken Stars, Illumiane

This story contains: explosions, the first person born on Mars, a greenhouse, two girls, a small tree called Horace, kissing, difficult decisions about what to do after school, action sequences, and that awkward moment when you try to figure out if your best friend is into you.

One Small Step … :

I’ve read three books by Amie Kaufman now and I just seem to enjoy everyone. I am not a massive science fiction fan. I read it every once and a while and most of the time I don’t love the books. But I adored ‘One Small Step…’ And even though it is a short story, I still every much loved the characters.

‘One Small Step …’ follows protagonist Zaida, the first person to be born on Mars. While time skips back and forth effortlessly, we see what happens to get her in a certain situation.

While there are time jumps, it isn’t hard to grasp when time skips or what is happening. Kaufman also did a fantastic job with world building in such a short amount of time. The world was easy to get to get a hold of and although it was a science fiction set in space, it’s quite unique.

I really liked the relationships explored throughout ‘One Small Step…’ From friendship to romantic. It was great to see both those relationship and character grow throughout.

‘One Small Step …’ explores themes of family, friendship, and love. It’s about survival, finding yourself and not letting others decide for you.

I Can See the Ending by Will Kostakis

Pages: 40
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN:1460708660
Other Novels Include: The First Third, The Sidekicks

Love is never as simple as Boy Meets Girl, not for a psychic teen anyway. Nothing spoils Boy Kisses Girl quite like a vision of Girl Dumping Boy . . .

I Can See the Ending:

‘I Can See The Ending’ was an interesting read. It follows protagonist Adam who can see the future, and when he sees the girl he likes, dumping him in the future. Well, things don’t go to plan.

While I would normally love something like this, I didn’t connect with Adam. I am not entirely sure why. I liked the concept of the novel, a lot. It was great actually. But because of the loss of connection with the characters, I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself into the story.

In saying that I still really enjoyed the story, I liked the character interaction and the inner turmoil of Adam. It was great to see a story, where someone can see the future struggle with the outcomes. To decide if things are worth the risk. If it’s okay knowing what is going to happen and what you do with that information.

Overall ‘I Can See The Ending’ was an intriguing read. It explores the notion of seeing the future, learning that everything is not what it seems, family and friends. It explores learning to live your life and not let things stand in your way. ‘I Can See The Ending’ about finding out who you are and letting life take its course.

Check out my interview with Will in my #LoveOzYA feature last year.

In a Heartbeat by Alice Pung

Pages: 17
Publish Date: May 1, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 1460708598
Other Works Include: Laurinda, Her Father’s Daughter

Kim has two heartbeats – one her own, another that she didn’t mean to create – and her mother has hit the roof.

In a Heartbeat:

I had never read an Alice Pung book before I picked up ‘In a Heartbeat,’ and now I am intrigued. ‘In a Heartbeat’ follows seventeen-year-old Kim, who finds out she is pregnant and has to deal with the aftermath of being a pregnant teen.

I really enjoyed this story overall, I like reading stories of teens that do fall pregnant because I think that authors can really delve deep into characters and ups and downs of parenthood.

I loved that we got to see the cultural aspects of a young teen being pregnant and how it does play a part in the way that we live our lives. Kim was an easy protagonist to get along with and it was great to see the interaction between her and her own mum.

However, at times I was confused as to what she was talking about. Kim kept on shifting from mother to grandmother and it took me a while to realise it was the same person. It’s her mother, but her baby’s grandmother. This could have totally been just my fault.

Overall ‘In a Heartbeat’ is a heart-warming story of teen pregnancies and the trails that come along with it. From being a single bother to cultural beliefs. It explores the notion of family, being a teenage and motherhood. It’s one that is really important and it doesn’t take long to read.

Pick up your copy of Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology now, with publication in the US soon.

BUY IT NOW: QBD | Dymocks | Readings | Amazon US

So, I am loving the anthology so far. It’s great to see so many amazing short stories, by Aussie YA authors. It puts into perspective how great #LoveOZYA really is.

Have you read the anthology yet? What did you think? What is your favourite story? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!