Summer Reads! : Stand alones

If you couldn't tell from my 25 facts about me, I love books - a lot, and I thought 'hey, why not spread my book joy and love to you readers of my blog'. 

so here are some stand alone books I recommend that you check out this summer! - spoiler free. 

landline is a novel by Rainbow Rowell that I read last summer whilst on a week holiday with my mum, and I loved it! I have read all of her published books and I am in love with her characters and style of writing.

This happens to be my favourite book that she has published, because the characters are so relatable despite the fact that they are almost 30 years older than me - I always feel like i'm mentally older.My favourite character is the protagonists husband, he is so sweet and I find myself seeing flashes of myself inside of him - just the way he interacts socially and other aspects that if you read you will notice. 

We Were Liars is a book written by the author e. lockhart, and was an extremely popular read around this time last year. I missed the hype and read it in August rather than June, and I loved it! This is a book that you have to go into not knowing anything, which is what myself and many of my friends did when reading this.
Also give this book a chance, the writing style is unique and at first confusing due to the metaphors that you will come to appreciate as you read on....and that's all I am going to say about this novel. 

These two books are by the author Holly Bourne - one of my favourite if not my favourite contemporary authors, who writes books that I find so entertaining and relatable!

Her books are set in London for instance, making it instantly relatable, and her characters are my age. I love the story lines in both of these books and how unique they both are. 

The titles may give the impression of a typical novel on love for example - shown in the title 'soulmates', but it is very beautifully twisted versions of what we usually expect from these novels. 

I read 'The manifesto on how to be interesting' In under 5 hours sometime during the night when I should have been sleeping. Its a book you cannot put down. 

Soulmates was perfect, loved it, prepare yourself though for what will happen....

Eleanor and Park is a novel by Rainbow Rowell - who I mentioned above, who is one of my favourite contemporary authors. Her books have made me cry, every single one of them. I won't spoil this too much but I hear that this is a majority of peoples favourite book out of her published ones so I think that if you are a fan of contemporary novels that are well written and aren't typical, her books are highly recommended.

This is one of my favourite novels ever - currently on loan to my friend who loves it, by one of my favourite authors - John Corey Whaley. 

This novel is not sad at all, despite what is said on the first page, it is purely humour through out. 

This novel made me laugh alot cry a lot and made the people around me want a part of this action too, so this was a birthday present to most of my family members. 

READ IT, you wont regret it. 

This is one of my favourite novels currently, as I recently read it and loved every word. I recommend this to people obsessed with Greek mythology or those that don't know that much about it, because whoever you are, you will love this - unless you are a homophobe then your loss. I was told about this book by my friend Gee - hey Gee!, who has really good taste in novels so I listened to his opinion and read it.

......................................................

There are so many Novels out there that i love, but these are a small portion of my favourite's that I think will make your summer action packed - not literally, but it will feel that way!

I will be making a Summer reads series blog post recommending book series's that I think are awesome so watch out for that post, and I hope you enjoyed this one.

Yours Faithfully

~ She Who Writes

(Disclaimer: All images were found on google! not mine)

GCSE's ~ Stress

GCSE - for those of you that aren't exactly sure what it is, stands for 'General Certificate of Secondary Education' and are very important examinations that are taken by 15-16 year old students all over the UK. 

These results determine the courses you get into in A Level, which then determine whether you get into a Uni and will be used constantly during the process of applying for a job. 

no biggie. 

This year I am taking these important exams and the pressure is starting to get to me. 

In total i have 17 exams, 6 science, 3 English, 3 maths, 2 psychology, 1 textiles, 1 media and 1 ICT. I have completed 8 out of 17 of these exams, and some have gone really well, some moderately well and other terribly. 

Today's post however, isn't about me, it's about any of you that need exam advice, tips and tricks (they don't call me studious and organised for nothing ;)) 

1. know what your learning type is...

Fortunately, at the start of year 10, my Psychology teacher gave us a test to determine which learning type we dominantly are. Some of us got 2 learning types and some of us only one. We were separated into learning groups and shown our strengths and weaknesses when revising. 

Knowing your learning type is extremely useful as for example you may be a certain learning type that requires the use of flashy colours when taking notes and diagrams in order for you to take in the notes learnt. 

The three learning types that we were sorted into was, visual, kinesthetic and auditory. 

To find out your learning style try using these websites, ensuring that an accurate result is achieved. 

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/vak_quest.htm

http://www.howtolearn.com/learning-styles-quiz/

2. know the format of every single exam you are doing...

Knowing the format of the exam saves 5 minutes of trying to figure out the different sections. 

3. Practice Practice!

Do as many past papers as there are on the website, and go over your mistakes. Another useful thing is reading the examiner reports which are usually located in the same section and labelled 'examiner report'. These reports are from the examiner discussing common errors to avoid when writing your exams as well as in subjects such as English, examples of the best and worst pieces of work in the country with an explanation as to why they achieved this mark. 

Its helpful to look at these because after all these are the people that will be marking your work. 

4. look at the mark scheme, and understand the keywords emphasised...

For example in English, the mark schemes are vague however for the top bands the word 'perceptive' is repeated. This tells you that you need to make concise intelligent points that consider both sides of the argument.

5. use recommended websites and resources...

Don't just rely on the notes your teacher gives you, go out of your way to find popular and effective revision guides and websites. 

Examples of revision websites are: 

o For English websites such as 'sparks notes', 'cliff notes' and also YouTube channels such as 'The English Teacher' are all very helpful. 

o For maths I strongly recommend purchasing the Maths Buster program - which can be found in WHSmiths or I assume online at Amazon - I ordered mine through my school. This is extremely helpful. 

I also recommend this book for maths as the format is so helpful and easy to read. 

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/search?keywordCategoryId=wc_dept_books-02x00000&keywords=Revise+Edexcel+GCSE+Mathematics+Spec+A+Higher+Revision+guide+%28Revise+Edexcel+Maths%29&results=60&page=1&performSearch=true

o For science I strongly recommend websites such as 'my gcse science' - which involves a fee that is definitely worth it.  I also recommend bitesize and depending on your exam board a book that was directly made by that exam board. 

6. REVISE OF COURSE

The key to passing is to do everything above but also revise - obviously. 

Good Luck to anyone taking their exams currently, I really hope this helps! 

Yours Faithfully 

~ She Who Writes

(Disclaimer: All images were found on google! not mine)

The Mortal Instruments Casting!

One of my favourite book series - The Shadowhunter Chronicles or better known as 'The Mortal Instruments', is being turned into a TV series after its failed movie attempt in 2013.

The movie honestly really disappointed me and was much much less than I expected however we cannot blame the cast choice, or the directors and writers as this book series cannot be a film, its just too long and too awesome. 

Thanks to our awesome fandom, this show has so much potential and the new cast are brilliant to and I am sure that they will be just as great or even better than the movie cast. Bearing this in mind, we need to take a moment and be thankful that we were given a second chance as a fandom to have our dream. I think we owe it to Cassandra - the author of this fabulous series, and McG to stop complaining or hassling and be open minded with whom is cast. I am personally overwhelmingly happy with the choices in casting for different reasons, and I am so happy with the way they have approached the casting this time. 

Here are  our new cast!

TV Jace: Dominic Sherwood

I am so happy with this casting choice! to me he looks like Jace, and he has an interesting aspect in his features that would go well with....his story line in the book (wont spoil that for those that haven't yet read it.) I am also extremely happy with the casting because I have seen Dominic act before in a movie i did not like at all, yet his acting was still amazing and is what made me watch it till the end. I trust that he will help to bring the Jace we all know and love to life. 

Movie Jace: Jamie Campbell Bower

I adore Jamie, he's so talented and I have watched every movie that he has ever starred in - not intentionally because of him (these were just really great movies), such as twilight, harry potter, Sweeney Todd and more. Despite the fact that he is an amazing actor, a lot of people say that he did not match their ideal appearance for Jace. I see where people are coming from and wont be biased due to my slight crush on him, because I agree. Jace was described to be quite a conventional 'hot guy' and Jamie is unconventionally hot. But it depends on your perspective of hot to be honest, and I am telling you, a great actor can make any character hot. For example, Bellatrix...i should hate her because she kills characters i love and is just really horrible but i don't because Helena is too awesome. 

TV Clary: Katherine McNamara 

Kat McNamara is our Clary! i have to say that i am extremely pleased with the casting for her character, she matches the description of Clary accurately and i have seen her act and i think she'll be great. 

Movie Clary: Lily Collins

I didn't like the casting choice for Clary in the movie because i felt as though the role did not suit Lily Collins. She is a great actress though, and i look forward to seeing her other work in the future. 

TV Simon: Alberto Rosende

Simon is one of my favourite  characters in the book, as he constantly makes me laugh and is just too cute. The guy they have cast is perfect for this role. He seems so quirky and sweet and I am really excited to see him in action. 

Movie Simon: Robert Sheehan

I LOVE Robert Sheehan so so much, and his acting is incredible. I have watched a majority of the shows and movies he has starred in, and have been a fan for around 4 to 5 years and was so happy that he was cast. Seeing him in the role itself was a different story. I felt like this role was not right for him either, and it didn't give me the same Simon feel i got from reading the books.

TV Isabelle: Emeraude Toubía

I love Isabelle so much and really want her to be portrayed correctly as it would be so easy to make her character a mainstream female heroin, rather than what Cassandra has described her as - a badass that still loves dresses and heels, which is not something you see often in books where there are female hero's. 

I really do not mind who plays Isabelle as long as they are two things, great actresses and quite tall. I ask for her to be tall because that's a significant part of her character that i related to so well and her struggle. I think others may have also related to this about her. 

 Movie Isabelle: Jemima West

I think that Jemima West is an amazing Isabelle, but then again they cut out so much that we hardly get to hear her speak. I would really love to see her in other movies and TV shows. 

TV Alec: Mathew Daddario
I am really happy about the casting for Alec, he's tall and innocent looking which in my opinion is what Alec is - as well as being bad-ass and awesome. To all you haters out there complaining about his eye colour and hair colour I feel you - because this part of his features are significant to the story, but there is something called contacts and back hair dye, don't worry. 

Movie Alec: Kevin Zegers
I think that Kevin was such a cute Alec, and also had the innocent vibe to him. I however thought that Alec did not suit him as an actor which made it harder to like Alec - who is like my 2nd favourite character in the novel, and I hated not loving Alec.

TV Luke: Isaiah Mustafa 
I love Isaiah as Luke! yes he does not match the original description of Luke but who cares! Diversity is needed and this guy has the smoothest voice, and reminds me of a father figure. 

Movie Luke: Aidan Turner
Aidan was an amazing Luke, he literally looks like someone that has a werewolf double life and also does not match the original description of Luke.
In all honesty, I could not imagine Luke from his description in the book, the description itself did not seem to match his personality, so that casting for Luke has been accurate in both the movie and TV adaption i believe as i sense Luke from both Isaiah and Aidan. 

TV Magnus: Harry Shum Jr
When I heard about the casting of Magnus Bane, there were literal knots in my stomach - for he is my favourite character and part of my all time favourite ship aka OTP aka malec. When I found out it was Harry i think i died for a while. Glee's Mike Chang is Magnus Bane. I still need time to process this. Glee - one of my favourite channels, The Mortal Instruments - one of my favourite book series. I think you can tell that I am very very very!!! happy about this casting.

Movie Magnus: Godfrey Gao
Godfrey is also the perfect Magnus, he looks like Magnus and acts like Magnus, a part of me wished he would return to the TV series - before i found out it was Harry, but I am glad that a fresh start is happening because this means that I can fall in love with new characters all over again :).

TV Valentine: Alan Van Sprang
I love the way Alan Van Sprang looks! he just looks so evil and awesome and i have heard that he is also infamous for his awesomely evil role in another TV show that I must watch according to its ratings. I am so excited to see his portrayal of the also infamous Valentine!

Movie Valentine: Jonathan Rhys Meyers
I loved Jonathan - ironic name haha, he was an amazing actor and suited Valentine so well. Ironically he was in the same show as our new Valentine! #funfact.

TV Jocelyn: Maxim Roy
Maxim Roy is beautiful and looks like a mother figure. I am not familiar with her work so there is not much for me to judge on, but I am sure she'll be awesome. 

Movie Jocelyn: Lena Headey
I love Lena Headey she was the perfect Jocelyn and she is used to these bad ass franchises so she was easily able to adapt to the character of Jocelyn. 

I am so happy with the overall response from the actors on the show and i trust them to portray the characters in a way that will cause feelings to be broken in the shadowhunter family. Do us proud!

Yours Faithfully

~ She Who Writes

(Disclaimer: All images were found on google! not mine)

Why I am A Feminist

In year 9 - aged 13/14, i was first introduced to the concept of feminism by my history teacher who is actually a man, which a lot of people find surprising.

The reason they find this surprising is because he told me that he was a feminist, and a lot of people assume that men cannot be feminists due to the fact that they have a twisted idea of what feminism actually is.

I think that I have always been a feminist, even before labeling myself as one, as I have wanted equality for so many years and have fought for it constantly.

But why am I a feminist?

I am a feminist because less than 100 years ago, women were restrained in jail cells with feeding tubes down their throats for the right for women to vote.

I am a feminist because martial rape was still legal up until 1993.

I am a feminist because society has portrayed women for centuries as the weaker sex.

I am a feminist because we are statistically payed less, and we are discriminated against in work environments for having two X chromosomes.

I am a feminist because I think that men and women should be seen equals and no sex should be favoured over the other!

Let us be praised for the talents we have, our intelligence, our accomplishments. Let us not be judged for being women or men.

Stop the patriarchy, stop the matriarchy. Lets just be equals.

Yours Faithfully,

~ She Who Writes

25 facts about me!

Hey guys, I think its important that I properly introduce myself...so here are a few facts about me!

1. I'm 16, turning 17 this year.

2. I love reading...and over the years i have collected over 1000 books. (most  have either been donated or kept in storage, however my most recent collection of novels and novellas sit on many shelves around my room.)

3. My favourite colour is black...but for those who say that black is not a colour, i also happen to like purple.

4. I have never had a pet before...but I would like one in the future...maybe a cat...or a penguin.

5. On that note, my favourite animals are penguins.

6. I drink tea a lot, which is so cliché with me being British.

7. At A level I will be studying Maths, English Literature, Chemistry and Biology! I wanted to keep my options as open as possible, but I am so envious of those who know exactly what career they want. 

8. I am a member of pflag / a supporter of the LGBTQ community. 

9. My star sign is libra. 

10. I am a feminist, which is word that is often misunderstood, when the concept of it is so simple. gender equality. 

11. I wouldn't say that I listen to one type of music...one day I could be listening to gaga and the next fall out boy. 

12. I love 80's  films so much, I feel like the writing back then was such high quality, that modern movies can't always live up to. 

13. My favourite subject is English Literature. 

14. I am quite tall for my age...I think I am now 5'9?

15. My favourite actresses are: Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Frances Conroy and Emma Watson. 

16. My favourite actors are: Johnny Depp, Patrick Stewart, Zachary Quinto, Nico Mirallegro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Radcliffe and Logan Lerman. 

17. I like the idea of travelling but have a fear of planes. 

18. My favourite movie is 'The Devil Wears Prada'. 

19. I go to an all girls school


20. My favourite hunger games character is Finnick! and close seconds are haymitch and peeta.

21. My favourite book series is 'The Mortal Instruments' by Cassandra Clare.

22. On the subject of the mortal instruments....my OTP - one true pair, a persons favourite couple of all time which is very hard to decide, is Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane. aka 'Malec'. They are perfection wrapped up in a ball of love. 

23. My favourite tv shows are E4's banana and cucumber, My Mad Fat Diary, Empire, Glee and Teen Wolf. 

24. I am allergic to baked beans...

25. And lastly...I am an INFJ..which is a personality type on the myers briggs personality test. 

I hope you now feel like you know more about me?

Yours Faithfully 

~ SheWhoWrites

(Disclaimer: All images were found on google! not mine)