I have been slowly plugging away at my next book, while also navigating the banks, lawyers and other fun paperwork that comes with selling and buying houses. Hence, not a lot of reading has happened, but here are my four most recent reads: I Am Out With Lanterns by Emily Gale (#loveOzYA), The Finder by Kate Hendrick (#loveOzYA), One by Sarah Crossan, and Calypso Summer by Jared Thomas (#loveOzYA, #ownvoices).
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My reading has been so sporadic - I think I finished the books reviewed below within the space of a week in the middle of July, but then I got back into my critique group and stopped reading for ages. At any rate, some reviews are better than no reviews, right? So here they are, Eleni Hale's debut Stone Girl (released the day before #ttwcu so I feel a certain sense of camaraderie with Eleni), Erin Gough's follow-up Amelia Westlake and Shivaun Plozza's Tin Heart.
A shortened version of this opinion piece appeared in The Sunday Age on 22nd July 2018.
When American writer Zinzi Clemmons accused Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Díaz of sexual misconduct at last month’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, it was in some ways unsurprising. While we couldn’t necessarily predict who would be accused, or of what, or by whom, one thing has always been clear: the literary industry would have its #metoo moments. No profession is immune to instances of sexism and harassment. One of the disadvantages of not having an ebook edition is there's no option for people ordering online to "try before you buy" so to speak and read a sample. To rectify this, I'm going to post the opening chapter of The Things We Can't Undo here, with links at the bottom to buy it if you're interested. Hopefully you'll be inspired to "just keep reiding" ;-)
*trigger warning* sexual assault Can you believe my book baby has been out in the world for two whole months now? I'm loving reading people's reviews and comments, and even more so knowing that people have picked it up based on someone's recommendation. Thank you so much, everyone! And so I can pay it forward, here are my honest thoughts on the books I've read since I last posted.
I've been reading (a little), but slack on the reviewing as I've been distracted trying to promote my own book. So here's a bit of a catch-up post and some thoughts on three YA titles I've read recently. Cath Crowley's Words in Deep Blue, Tara Altebrando's The Leaving and Kurt Dinan's Don't Get Caught.
So my book baby is out in the world! It's all a little surreal; I'm continuing my everyday life here with a demanding toddler and laundry to do and trying to write another book, but every now and again I'm reminded that right now total strangers might be reading something I wrote. I've got a launch party happening this Saturday (Sydney people! Come along!) and a few other events lined up, so I'm gradually settling in to the idea that yes, I am a published author now.
If you missed any of them so far, here are links to all the stops on the blog tour: Bookish Kirra's review An episode of Better Words podcast featuring me The Literary Casanova's review My interview on Genie in a Book A Q&A on #LoveOzYA My guest post (on the topic of consent) on The Adventures of Sacakat Ely of Wonderland's review My interview on Infinity Reads My guest post (re: social media) on Musings & Wanderings There's 2 more stops to go before it wraps up - nicely timed with the launch on Saturday. But if you've been inspired to buy a copy, leave a review on Goodreads, tweet me, tag me in your instagram pics, comment below, recommend to a friend... it all counts! I love the support and am eternally grateful to you, my readers. Until next time, just keep reading! It's almost here! The one week countdown was marked yesterday by my blog tour kicking off over on Bookish Kirra and today you can hear me on the Better Words podcast. I love supporting small Aussie businesses and artisans, so in addition to the beaded bookmarks from a local crafter, I've been able to obtain some TTWCU themed stickers from Two Woolly Bears.  I'll be giving them away to teens I come across - including those attending my book launch! It's on Saturday 12th May at 4pm at The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft, Sydney. Anyone can come along, please do! RSVP to staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au if you'd like to join us.
I am also newly represented by Creative Net Speakers Agency. They have authors and illustrators from all over the country who are available for workshops and talks, so be sure to check them out if you're looking for someone to visit your school. Gosh time flies, doesn't it?! My blog tour will start next week, so make sure you follow those awesome bloggers. The full list and links can be found here.
Today I'm celebrating with something to share with the more visual among us - a book trailer. I'm ALSO launching another giveaway, this time across multiple social media networks. So if you missed out last time by not being on twitter, pay attention here!  That's complEment, not compliment... I claim no endorsement by these authors! Time is flying by, and in just three short weeks The Things We Can't Undo goes out into the big wide world. Want a copy sooner than that, or just want your book free? Befriend me on facebook, follow on twitter or instagram, and keep an eye out for another giveaway. This week I thought I'd share a few other book recommendations of titles that include similar themes, styles or voices. I do have reviews of each of these elsewhere on the blog, but today I'm looking at them specifically in terms of what similarities our books share. Seven books to read while you wait for mine!
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AuthorGabrielle Reid - reader, writer, former teacher, occasional blogger. Categories
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