Michelle

The publishers Hatchette are running a co-buy for a signed copy of The Incomplete Book of Dragons plus a goody bag. Because it's co-buy, the price is now just £6.50. It runs for about 45 more hours, so hurry up. At checkout, it will ask you if anyone referred you. I'm at the top at the moment, which means I get it free, plus a plush toy. Obviously Amy is very excited about the toy. If you want to select me, that's very helpful, but you don't have to. So if you're interested.. http://www.buyapowa.com/deal/2860

Glaze by Kim Curran is 99p on amazon UK - definitely worth it! http://www.amazon.co.uk/GLAZE-Kim-Curran-ebook/dp/B00K9UYLR4/ref=zg_bs_2967320031_17

I gave up on Daylight War, which was a shame because I really liked the 1st two. I've seen Half A King around, but didn't realise it was YA. I tend to like YA and I haven't read any of his before, so I may give it a go at some point. Also, I've seen Smiler's Fair a lot on twitter. I was tempted to pester the publisher for a review copy, but I'm getting behind on the ones I do have! I look forward to seeing what you think.

Yep, I loved the Beth Revis trilogy. Also, Cat Clarke comes recommended by myself and my daughter.

Hot Key Books do that for each of their books (which I find really helpful), but they're YA publishers.

It's big here - my 10 year old and her friends do them. Bracelets are popular, but Amy likes to follow the youtube vids to make little animals.

Definitely the 'Ex' series by Peter Clines, they were such good fun, with vivid characters.. and his other book, 14, was good too. The Machine by James Smythe Above by Isla Moreley A few YA ones: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Cruel Summer and Say her Name by James Dawson A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke

My youngest daughter picked this up on the internet, and we have a few scarves now!

You'll probably find Audible the best option - you pay monthly for a credit, and can then use that credit to buy any book, no matter how expensive. I enjoyed the audio of The Help, I'll have to flick back through my library when I get a chance, to see what my favourites were. What genres are you interested in?

I use audible, on my ipod.

I'm a bit behind here, let's see... After Ex-Heroes, I certainly did race through all the books, I love his style and the characters he's developed. My audio version of 14 was also brill after it's slow start.. Peter Clines is now on my must-buy list. I've also read some great YA reads - Cruel Summer and Say Her Name by James Dawson, and A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke. Both authors are highly recommended.. Cat brings some great twists into her stories, and James doesn't hold back, including murder and horror! Oh.. We Were Liars was great too.. I wasn't so keen on the 1st part, as I found the characters hard to connect with, but the second part is brilliant, and so well done. On audio, I've almost finished 2001 by Arthur C Clarke - I've seen the film, and read the book a looong time ago, and am now enjoying the audio. There are certain SF books which just work for me, but I can't quite pin down what it is. When it comes down to paper books, my mojo has run! I've had a few review copies, and maybe they're bringing the pressure back? I love getting them, but maybe I should stick to not doing them? Even then, none of my non-review books are shouting at me either! Come back mojo!

It's going to wear us out too, but I think it'll be worth it.

Ooh, really? I loved Ender's Game, but hate that man's views!

Is anyone planning to visit the London Film and Comic Con in July? http://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com/ for more info. The book zone is hosting the first ever YA Literature Con, and there are some brilliant YA authors going to be there, so myself and Beth are heading up there both days. I don't know which other authors will there, but it'll be fun to experience the rest of it as well.

Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe is not the kind of person who believes in ghosts. A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of Bloody Mary: say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear... But, surprise surprise, nothing happens. Or does it? This had all the makings of a classic horror story - a group of teens at a boarding school, a creepy dare, and a scary ghost, and I wondered how well it would work in the hands of a YA writer. And I have to say, it works very well indeed! Whilst there are a lot of classic elements in the story, James stays away from making it too cliched, and there were plenty of surprises. Bobby, Naya and Caine are all persuaded to chant 'Bloody Mary' five times in front of the mirror, but of course nothing happens. Except that the following day, some strange things do start to happen, and Bobby soon realises that the curse is very real, and she has very little time to do something about it. James has managed to write a YA book which is genuinely scary, whilst avoiding the pitfalls of 'adult' books.. there's no need for over-the-top descriptions or gore, because the chills are right there, waiting for you. At the same time, the book keeps a fresh, modern feel, the characters are are real enough that you start to be frightened for them, and there's even a touch of romance sneaked in! As with his previous novel, Cruel Summer, this is for older teens upwards.. it's another 'cross-over' book which lots of ages will enjoy. Don't be put off by the fact that it's set in a boarding school, and is about teens - not only will the excellent writing keep you reading, but it will also make you view your bathroom in a completely new way!

'He'd assumed Janey's death was the finale. Turned out, it was just the beginning...' A year after the suicide of one of their friends, the rest of the group decide to spend the summer together in a holiday villa in the Mediterranean. They're hoping to get over the terrible events of the previous year, but then a new guest arrives - claiming to have evidence that the suicide was actually murder. When she is found dead, it becomes clear that the killer must be one of them - but who is it? And will they strike again? I've had this one for a while, but kept putting it off.. but when I did pick it up, I devoured it in a day! Cruel Summer starts off as an idyllic holiday in a stunning villa, but as soon it's mentioned that it's far from anyone, and there's no mobile signal, you just know there's going to be problems! The opening introduces the characters, and let's us get to know them, but the perfect calm soons disappears. This group of friends are trying to reunite after one of their friends killed herself a year ago, but it's soon obvious that the story hasn't ended. The story is told from differing points of view, and instead of chapters, there are scenes.. this is because Ryan, one of the main narrators, sees his world in the form of an ongoing TV show. To me, this worked well, because James Dawson's vivid writing makes you feel you are watching a film in your head! I'm not going to go into details, but James doesn't shy away from a bit of violence and murder, and I would recommend this to older teens and up. This is definitely a 'cross-over' book, which I suspect many adults will enjoy just as much! I saw aspects of Scream, which I loved, and I found it impossible to put down until I'd finished every detail. If there's one book I've read this year which needs to be a film, this is it!

PETRI QUINN is counting down the days till she turns 16 and can get on GLAZE – the ultimate social network that is bringing the whole world together into one global family. But when a peaceful government protest turns into a full-blown riot with Petri shouldering the blame, she’s handed a ban. Her life is over before it’s even started. Desperate to be a part of the hooked-up society, Petri finds an underground hacker group and gets a black market chip fitted. But this chip has a problem: it has no filter and no off switch. Petri can see everything happening on GLAZE, all the time. Including things she was never meant to see. If you take a look at her blog, Kim explains that she had the idea for Glaze some time ago, but with her other book deal, it had to wait. This means that the ideas were there before we were finding out about google glass. Kim takes this kind of idea, and pushes it to it's darkest extremes - paths we could well find ourselves walking if we're not careful. For me, it was the concept behind the technology which fascinated me, alongside Kim's insights into just how much the internet is shaping us and our lives. In this future, everyone is fitted with a chip at 16, with allows them to access Glaze.. a filtered internet which appears in front of your eyes. Communication is obviously reduced, as messages, photos etc are simply sent from one chip to another. As Petri is the youngest in the class, and still 15, you can imagine how shut out she feels, and how desperate to be connected. It's only a small step away from how I see many youngsters when their friends are allowed on facebook, but they aren't yet! When Petri is banned from Glaze for 5 years, she turns to more desperate measures to get an illegal chip.. but this one comes without the filter. The actual filter isn't mentioned earlier, but when Petri is bombarded with everything, you begin to realise that others must have restricted access - and if so, just who is controlling it, and what are their reasons for doing so? Glaze develops into a well paced thriller, with some good ideas. I have to admit the concepts and ideas caught my interest a little more than the thriller aspect, but that means there is something to appeal to many. It should definitely appeal to it's intended YA audience, but also anyone interested in technology, social networks, and where we could possibly end up!

Ahh.. ok. JW and David Walliams are the only 'proper' books which Amy likes.. other than that she likes Diary of a Wimpy Kid type books.

On her website, both Lola Rose and Midnight are in the '9-11' group. There are only a few for 12+ Added: the characters in Midnight are 13+

Amy (she's 10) likes Jacqueline Wilson, so I've just asked her if she can think of any a grown up may also like, and she said Midnight, which she's about half way through. I've just looked up the reviews, and I may well read it myself at some point!

I managed 9/10, most were an educated guess.

I've had a bit of a break from this, but I still have lots I plan to watch. The Doctor Who magazine has just done a readers poll of their favourite episodes, by decade. I won't list them all, but will give the top 3 for each. I wonder if anyone agrees or disagrees? 60s 1. The War Games 2. The Web of Fear 3. The Power of the Daleks 70s 1. The Genesis of the Daleks 2. City of Death 3. The Talons of Weng-Chang 80s 1. The Caves of Androzani 2. Remembrance of the Daleks 3. Earthshock 2000s 1. Blink 2. The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances 3. Human Nature / The Family of Blood 2010s 1. The Day of the Doctor 2. The Eleventh Hour 3. Vincent and the Doctor Oh.. Favourite Doctor: Tom Baker Favourite Companion: Sarah Jane Smith

I had a lovely geeky time in Forbidden Planet the other day - I could have bought loads if funds had allowed!

The key for me is not to take Eurovision too seriously, and also to watch it whilst posting on and reading Twitter. I really enjoyed it last night, and it brightened up my weekend. No, it's not a serious music competition, but then it hasn't been for a long time.

Every now and again, we run a themed month here on the forum. The main idea is to focus on a particular genre, discuss some of the issues, recommend books etc. As an additional bonus, I usually get some authors to come along and chat with us. Authors, if you're interested, you will be welcome to tell us a little about your book, but in return we do ask you to take part in the discussions. I love getting authors and readers together. If you want to contact me to find out more, or express your interest, please visit here for the contact form. Previous themed months: YA Month Crime / Thriller Month Next under consideration: Chick-lit / Lad-lit / Women's Fiction Fantasy / SF