Tag: am i normal yet
We heart Emerald Street
Unfortunately, most of us didn’t go to a Cornish castle-like school on the cliffs with a courtyard and actual turrets! Despite desperately dreaming of going to Malory Towers, most of us attended very unexciting comprehensives sans a sea-water
swimming pool. So that’s why we love Emerald Street’s round-up of ‘Four Comprehensive Schools in Novels’. We love it even more because it features Am I Normal Yet? – hooray!
Read the feature in full over on the Emerald Street website.
EXCLUSIVE extract of Am I Normal Yet?
This week we’ve teamed up with maximumpop! (THE destination for the latest news on music, celebs, books and more) for a series of exciting #100DaysofNormal EXCLUSIVES and giveaways!
First up, is a NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE-ON-THE-WEB extract from Am I Normal Yet? Head over to Maximum Pop! right NOW, what are you waiting for?
Emma Gannon interviews Holly
We’re big fans of GIRLLOSTINTHECITY.COM, a blog written by journalist
and social media editor Emma Gannon. It covers just about anything from
London life to books and culture.
So we were VERY excited when Emma interviewed Holly as part of her new author series (the first author to be featured was none other than Rainbow Rowell!)
Read Emma’s interview with Holly over at GIRLLOSTINTHECITY.COM. Enjoy!
YA Blogger series with Once Upon a Bookcase
We’re very excited to have the brilliant Jo from Once a Upon of Bookcase join us for the second YA bloggers series feature:
What is ‘normal’?
To me, there is no ‘normal’ in the sense of being ‘just like everyone else’. There are no two people who are exactly the same – not in how they look, or in who they are. Trying to fit in by being someone you’re not isn’t ‘normal’. The only way to be truly normal is to be true to yourself, to who you are – to be your own normal.
What message did you take away from Am I Normal Yet?
Being honest about who you are, and not hiding away is the only way to go. Because, as Dr Seuss said, “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
Also, you don’t need to be a brain box to understand feminist ideas, and to fight for equality.
What does feminism mean to you?
Equality. There are a lot of people who seem to think feminists are man-hating women who just want power for women. This isn’t the case; it’s all about equality, men and women being on an equal footing, without the sexism and double standards. It’s about women being valued just as much as men – not valued more highly than men.
What other YA novels about mental health would you recommend?
There have been so many great ones I’ve read, but these are the ones that stick out.
- Panther by David Owen – about living with a sister who suffers from Depression.
- Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone – about a girl who has Purely Obsessional OCD, and how she finds solace in friendship and poetry.
- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – about Finch and Violet, who meet at the top of the school tower as they both contemplate suicide.
- I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells – about a sociopath who tries to hunt down a serial killer.
And finally, what’s your go-to cheesy snack?
I’m sorry to say I don’t like cheesy snacks!
Thanks so much for taking part in our YA Blogger series, Jo (and we forgive you for not liking cheesy snacks too :)).
Read Jo’s review of Am I Normal Yet? over on her FAB blog Once Upon a Bookcase – and don’t forget to have a browse through her other brilliant features and reviews too.
TheSite takeover Q&A
As part of TheSite takeover, we asked you to submit your questions for Holly. Thank you to everyone who send one in!
TheSite have chosen some of their favourites and Holly has answered them, plus 3 lucky people will win a limited edition copy of Am I Normal Yet?
Head over to the TheSite to see the Q&A in full! Winners will be announced shortly.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Telling someone about your mental health
It should be easy telling people you have mental health issues. But we know it isn’t. There’s still stigma and misunderstanding, and just plain aresholery.
Ultimately it’s up to you what you choose to disclose about yourself. But, although it’s daunting, if you find people who love you for who you are – even snotty/crying/panicky/dark/numb bits of you – it can help set you free (and realise that everyone is slightly nuts too, we’re just all pretending we’re not).
Not sure if you’re ready for a full disclosure yet? We have a great article over at TheSite.org called ‘How To Talk About Your Mental Health’. I hope you find it helpful.
Holly x
NEW video alert: TheSite interview Holly!
Anxiety and your relationship
Love can drive us all a little crazy sometimes. But if you already have an issue with your mental health, the stress of dating/relationships/break-ups can be particularly hard. Add in panic attacks or spells of depression on top of all that?? Yeah, it can be tough.
When I’m not writing books, I work as a journalist and relationship advisor for thesite.org – an advice and information website for young people.
Some of our most popular articles focus on how mental health impacts your relationships. And, what you can do to help navigate both. Today I’m sharing one that I wish Evie could’ve read – ‘Is Anxiety Affecting Your Relationship?’
Holly x
TheSite.org Takeover!
My two lives are COLLIDING this week, and thesite.org is taking over #100DaysOfNormal. When I’m not writing books, I work as a journalist and relationship expert for this brilliant charity website. It’s such a great resource for young people, and can help you with practically EVERY problem you could imagine growing up. Working there has influenced my writing so much, and I’m so excited we’re combining forces this week.
Follow @TheSite for prizes, advice articles, and exclusive videos. Today, find out how to submit your questions to Holly and how to win 1 of 3 signed limited editions of Am I Normal Yet?! See you over there!
Holly x