Tag Archive: patrick ness

  1. #BathKidsLitFest Day 7: To be perfectly honest with you all, I feel like a bit of a fraud

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    To be perfectly honest with you all, I feel like a bit of a fraud. I am a blogging virgin. I have never done this before (although I have attended the fabulous Lit Fest in previous years).  Yeah, I’m crazy nervous and no, that’s not just because England is playing Wales tonight in the RWC.  One thing that could ease my mind though and make this a breezy process? A brilliant author with just as brilliant book in tow that I can write a glowing report for…. didn’t I get lucky with Patrick Ness!

    more-than-this-by-patrick-ness

    Now, I’m going have to let you all into a little secret.  I haven’t read the new Patrick Ness book, in fact I really haven’t read that many of his books, but who knows, maybe all I need is a push in the right direction and I’ll get bitten by the bug that clearly has so many people worldwide on the Patrick Ness hook.

    Patrick Ness by Helen Giles

    Lights down; music up; enter Mr Ness – master man of YA literature and stage presence; the reason that hundreds of fans have lugged carrier bags filled with books ripe for signing up the Guildhall steps.

    He starts by opening up his new book ‘The Rest of us Just Live Here’ and just that little flavour of the book gives a taste for what is to follow, a story of love so full; laugh your butt off, insane crazy fantasy; anxiety; and just a little bit of normal …………basically add a whole lot of scary, and its being a teenager.

    “…..and the scream from the crowd is so loud that it takes us a second to realise that a bomb has gone off” he finishes, closing the book with a satisfying smack that he clearly relishes.

    The rest of the event that follows is entertaining, funny and totally captivating. A Q and A session conducted by Gill McLay and later the audience itself.  It gives us a little insight into the mind of Patrick, as he discusses his latest book, writing in general and a teen’s world; asking and exploring the questions every teen feels – how much do my friends value me? What happens next? Am I needed? Who am I? He reveals how and why he writes, what he does in his down-time and all about his relationships with the characters.  Imparting knowledge and making me question the way I think as a teenager and person.

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    With the last question he takes his seat and the applause from the crowd is indeed loud enough that perhaps no one would have noticed a bomb.  I leave feeling excited and more than a little buzzy….. a feeling that I’ve started to associate with this festival.  All that’s left to say is congrats, -congratulations Patrick Ness because I guess that in the minds of everyone present this officially makes him an author worth buzzing about, and you know what? He’s done it, he’s convinced me, and now all of you? Your job is to be convinced because maybe I can’t do that, but his books can….  I am converted, and I make sure that I pick up a copy of the book on my way out, eager to open the cover and discover what a world full of Ness has in store for me. After the rugby of course.

    Written by Meg Allen (15)

    Patrick Ness appeared at The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival on Saturday 26th September the Festival continues until Sunday 4 October 2015 see the full programme here

    Bath Box Office 01225 463 362

     

     

  2. #BATHKIDSLITFEST: WRITING FROM THE TUB

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    So, it’s that time of year again –  The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival is almost upon us and the literary world is buzzing with excitement! The two week extravaganza is the perfect antidote to the blustery weather that signals the arrival of autumn, and this year I’m even more excited than usual.

    Little Stars

     

    I’ve been coming to the festival since I was a student at Bath Spa University, many (too many!) moons ago and I’m not quite sure how they do it, but the line up gets bigger and better every year. One of my greatest Bath Kids Lit Festival moments was seeing Meg Rosoff, David Almond and Melvin Burgess on one spectacular panel, and the Michael Rosen event at the Forum a couple of years ago was another one I’ll always remember.

    Patrick Ness

     

    This year I’m most looking forward to seeing Jacqueline Wilson and Patrick Ness, as well as heading to see Judith Kerr kick off the proceedings on the Festival’s opening night. Getting to see three of the greatest authors of all time within the space of a fortnight? Yes please.

    It’s such a wonderful opportunity for readers and writers to come together and celebrate the diversity of the kids lit world…and you don’t have to jump on a train to London to see some of your favourite authors, which is always a nice change! Bath has a booming community of book lovers and there’s such a lovely atmosphere around the festival that can’t be beaten by any other literary event. Plus, where else are you going to see Peter Rabbit and Derek Landy on the same line up?

    For the full 2015 programme click here, the 2015 Festival runs from Friday 25th September to Sunday 4th October. Bath Box Office 01225 463362

    This is a guest blog post by Writing from the Tub

    Follow on Twitter @CarlyBennett

  3. #BATHKIDSLITFEST ON MY BOOKISH BUCKET LIST ..WHEN I CHECK THINGS OFF I DO IT IN STYLE!

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    The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival begins on Friday 25th September (through to Sunday 4th October) I’m incredibly excited to be part of it for the first time it this year. It’s something that has been on my bookish bucket list for a while but I’ve been unable to fulfil – UNTIL NOW.

    And when I check things off my bucket list, I do it in style. 😉

    Come the 25th September I’ll be on the train heading straight for the wonderful city of Bath and all the magical literary excitement that awaits. I’ve managed to secure the entire week off work and plan to enjoy my first Children’s Literature Festival to its fullest.

    There are so many things that I can’t wait to see/attend (it’s at these times that you really wish you could make copies of yourself to experience it all). Here are just a few of the things I’m looking forward to:

    Patrick Ness by Helen Giles

    Seeing Patrick Ness again, The Big Cuddle with Michael Rosen and Chris Riddell (which looks too cute for words). Bath Picks 2015 with Sarah Crossan, Sarah Benwell and Virginia Bergin. Then there is Holly Smale who I first met at her very first book launch.

    Michael Rosen hi res

    I’m also really interested to see how The Daily Telegraph’s Diversity Debate goes. Diversity in books is very important to me so I will be paying extra close attention to this one.

    Untitled-1

    And because I’m fortunate in having the opportunity to review events I get to attend things like Anna Wilson’s Alice in Wonderland Journey or Make Your Own Colouring Book sans child and still have all the fun.

    Countdown begins now…

    Blog written by:

    Luna’s Little Library has been a successful book blog for 3 ½ years. In that time I have read and reviewed over 500 books, from children’s, YA to Adult. There are no plans to stop any time soon.

    This year Luna’s Little Library was shortlisted both for Champion of Diversity in YA and Champion of Content in the 2015 UKYA Blogger Awards.

    Twitter: @lunaslibrary

     

  4. A fantastic line-up of YA Authors confirmed for The Telegraph Children’s Bath Literature Festival

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    This year’s festival, running from 25 September to 4 October has pulled out all the stops to ensure there’s plenty over the 10 day festival to involve and interest the Bath teen audiences. Here’s a brief round-up of some of the events:

    Double Carnegie medal winner Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls and the Chaos Walking trilogy will talk about his experiences as a writer as well as sharing his latest novel, The Rest of Us Just Live Here.

    Joe Sugg is a YouTube Star with over 4 million subscribers and he’s coming to Bath to discuss his first book, Username: Evie, an original and imaginative graphic novel. Ticket price will include a signed copy of the book and there’ll also be a chance for 50 fans chosen randomly on the night to meet Joe in person.

    Acclaimed YA authors James Dawson and Hayley Long appear in a frank, funny, straight talking event about all things teen.

    Holly Smale is Young Adult Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner and creator of the bestselling Geek Girl books. Come and hear all about All That Glitters, the latest calamity-strewn adventure starring Harriet Manners.

    On an exclusive visit from the US, bestselling author Jennifer Donnelly joins us to talk about the third book in the Waterfire Saga, Dark Tide whilst three amazing authors Arabella Weir, Jenny McLachlan and Katy Birchall talk about the amusing and peculiar perils of being a modern day teen as well as confessing some of their own teen misadventures.

    Master storyteller Derek Landy has built a loyal following of devoted Skullduggery Pleasant fans. He’s written a new and epic saga, Demon Road, full of his trademark action, wit and razor sharp dialogue. Come prepared for undead serial killers, vampires and killer cars!

    Sheila Rance has written a stunning fantasy adventure called Sun Catcher and will be running a masterclass in creative writing and world building – this is your chance to turn the ideas in your mind into reality on the page.

    Joe Abercrombie and Philip Reeve, two young adult storytellers at the top of their craft, transport you into two incredible worlds in turns brutal, fantastical and amazing.

    Fancy yourself as a bit of a Hunger Games expert? Join the eccentric host Caesar Flickerman for the ultimate Hunger Games quiz. Test your knowledge of the books and pit yourself against the other in Panem for the chance to win some fantastic prizes. Not to be missed.

    And a whole host of other events including Diversity: The Daily Telegraph Debate with Lorna Bradbury and Liz Kessler and Bali Rai and An Appreciation of Children’s Literature.

    And Gill McLay introduces Sarah Crossan, Sarah Benwell and Virginia Bergin all exciting new young adult authors.

    You can book tickets for all events by telephone 01225 463362, online at www.bathfestivals.org.uk or in person at the Bath Box Office.