The Green Brothers and insecurities.

This blog post comes to you in two parts. The first is about the TFIOS tour last week, the second is a response to the post I made through the Insecure Writers Support Group.

 Last Wednesday after I went to see The Fault In Our Stars tour, with John Green and his brother Hank. I really admire these two for what they've done on the internet, and for Johns writing. It was a great privilege to be able to go and see them and to hear what John had to say about writing and TFIOS was an absolute pleasure. I even got to meet them briefly. John had some wonderful things to say about people who want to be writers as well and I hope that I can take on board a lot of what he said and put it into practice. I look up to him so much, and also to Hank for all the science/learning videos that he puts on youtube. As a (hopefully) future Biology teacher, I got to say a very quick thanks to him for all the Crash Course videos (a series of biology based videos) that I will hopefully be able to implement or at least use for inspiration in my lessons some day!

I did a video blog of the whole thing to document it and my journey. I've always wanted to try the whole youtube thing, but never had enough of a reason to start. But what better way than my first video to be about seeing the great Vlogbrothers.

Secondly, I got some wonderful comments from the Insecurities post. It does make it a little better to know that I'm not alone in my feelings. I've just got to come to terms with why I feel like that, and perhaps learn how to turn off some of those doubts! I think putting myself on youtube, though it has nothing to do with my writing, is going to help. I've never been that comfortable about how I look on camera, so to publicly put myself out there and start doing some video blogs can only help get my confidence up!

Sarah x

What I read in January

1. The Help



Technically I didn't read it, I listened to it. But never the less, I enjoyed it! It was a very gripping book, and although some people disagree, I think it deserved the hype that it got. The movie was also excellent and I'm glad it's gotten the oscar nominations it has. The way that this book was read really added to the experience. I think I would have struggled with the accents, especially for Aibileen and Minny. Some of the Skeeter sections seemed a little unnecessary at times, but other than that, it was a good read.

2. Twenties Girl



I read this while I was revising for my exams. I don't know if it was because I was so desperate to read anything that wasn't about Immunity or Pathology, but I devoured this book. It was fun and a good read. It's not going to win any literary awards but it was good clean fun. There were however bits of the book that were immensely cringe inducing and the situations were so awkward that I generally found it difficult to read. But that was about my only complaint!

3. Anna and the French Kiss



A purchase that I made with some money after Christmas. I decided that I would get myself familiarised with  the contemporary genre. Another good book. As you can probably guess at this point, I'm very easily pleased when it comes to books. If I don't like them, I don't tend to finish them, and therefore can't say that I've read them!

4.  Looking For Alaska



I was assured by a friend that I had to read John Green books. So I did. And I am so glad. At times this book was laugh out loud funny, and at others it had me crying. The title of the book leaves you guessing as to the major plot event, and I can tell you that it knocked me for six. I didn't expect it at all. There were some amazing philosophical quotes in this book too that really make you think about life and death and beyond. It does seem to just end though. Nothing feels resolved at the end which leaves me feeling a little unsatisfied for a few moments, until I put the book down and move on with things.

5. The Fault In Our Stars



From the blurb you can tell that this book isn't going to have a happy ending. And this book also hits a very raw spot within me because I nearly lost my dad to cancer when I was very young, and when I was 13 I also lost my cousin, the closest thing I had to a sister, to it as well. There are some beautiful messages to be taken from this book, about life and death and living while you can. John Green strikes me very much as the type of author that likes to tackle the big meaty topics in a refreshing, real, and sometimes humorous way. He really seems to be a fantastic author and I can't wait until I read some more of his work. One thing to note, is that this book also just seems to end in a very strange way. Perhaps that is his style. Again, nothing is really resolved and when you see that the next page is blank you almost want to say, "Really?" but it doesn't take away from it at all.

Phew. So, what books did you read in January?

Sarah xx