What I've watched: moms, voices and unicorns.

You all know my long running series Recent Reads? Well, I seem to have made a TV version of that! Original, I know. Anyway, let’s crack on with my latest recs – and non-recs… oh, there's definitely more of the latter in this one... 

'Little Shop of Horrors', by The Talentz; a review.

For those of you who don’t know, The Talentz is an epic, award-winning musical theatre company offering professional training for folks aged 4 to 21 in Kent and I finally got the chance to see one of their shows, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, last night. 

First of all, I was amazed just how many people were in the audience, considering it was a Thursday night and the show was running all weekend – clearly these superstars are very well loved. Then I spent the rest of the night being awed again and again at how incredibly talented the whole company are. 

Recent Reads: the first of 2019.

This post was definitely meant to be published in January... oops. Well, happy 2019, my book loving pals! This is set to be an exciting year in the book world, and the magical UKYA community. I started the year with a bookish bang; three YA novels! Wanna know how I felt about them? Read on… 

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A post shared by Electric Monkey (@electricmonkeybooks) on Oct 5, 2018 at 4:00am PDT

41.

Hi, I’m Grace.

 

(Photo: Sophie Mayanne for Girlgaze, Dove & Getty Images)

I cry when people get through to the next stage on a TV talent show, even if I don’t particularly like them or their performance. Greggs’ vegan sausage rolls are a new found weakness. My ears are uneven. I’m finally reading Adam Kay’s ‘This is Going to Hurt’. My idea of treating myself is paying to park in a multi storey, rather than leaving the car on a residential road a long walk from work like I usually do, because it’s free. I own purple lipstick, but am rarely brave enough to wear it. Bird & Blend may have a silly name now, but I love their teas. I was on 5 News last week, talking about Project #SHOWUS.

I don’t judge. I really struggle to balance things in my life. Everything I do, I do to make Teen Me proud. 

How, What, Where and When? - with Alyssa Sheinmel, on 'A Danger to Herself and Others'.

I am so thrilled to have had the chance to interview Alyssa Sheinmel, author of ‘Faceless’ (2016), 'R.I.P Eliza Hart' (2017), and now ‘A Danger to Herself and Others’. The latter tells the story of Hannah Gold, a 17 year-old girl who has been checked into a remote treatment facility after a mysterious incident with her room mate in California. But her being admitted is obviously a mistake, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone sees that and she’s released. Right? 

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This is just the second in my new interview piece format, How, What, Where and When! In case you missed the first (with Lauren James) let me remind you: every post in this series will ask just 4 questions, starting with each of those words. Simple as. Let’s do this!  

Clear out your head… physically and digitally!

I had a Stress recently. A Stress here meaning: I burst into tears trying to fit a short phone call appointment into a day that already had, like, three things happening in it. This may seem a bit dramatic, but actually things had been building up for some time. Fortunately I receive counselling every week, and can unload a substantial amount of Head Mess in that hour, but I still need some pressure taken off here and there. 

So here are some simple, quick tips on how to do that, if you’re like me, and do a Stress now and again… 

(Photo: Erin Veness)

'The Great Gatsby' experience; a review.

I’ve finally cracked it, folks. I have found the perfect solution for the Sunday eve pre-working week woes. You simply need a night of brilliant, twenties-themed immersive theatre! You’re welcome. 

Yes, on Sunday 10^th of March the fabulous Stevie Finegan and I were plunged into the super glam and glittery world of Gatsby, with help from Guild of Misrule and From the Box Office! 

(photo from Stevie)

How, What, Where and When; Lauren James, on 'The Quiet at the End of the World'.

I don’t get soppy that often (hehehe) but nearly every day I take a moment to be truly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in the past few years, in the book world. I know for a fact that Young Me who read Eva Ibbotson, Hilary McKay and Lemony Snicket novels, not so subtly tucked into her Science textbooks at school, would be properly gobsmacked at what I get to do now – and she’d fangirl over many if not all of my blogger and author pals, too. 

Speaking of Young Me, I know for a fact she’d love this particular author I have been lucky enough to interview for this brand new series. I don’t have favourites, obvs, but this brilliant woman has got to be up there with the very best. 

Lauren James is a UKYA science fiction/romance/coming of age/all of the above writer; she also blogs, edits and coaches aspiring writers. I am so excited to have her as my very first guest on How, What, Where and When, talking about her latest novel with the babes at Walker Books – ‘The Quiet at the End of the World’!