We’ve teamed up with the fab Maximum Pop! to give you the chance to win a signed LIMITED EDITION of Am I Normal Yet?.
Want to get your hands on one of these little beauties? Maximum Pop! have 10 to giveaway. For a chance to win head over to the Maximum Pop! website.
Good luck!
My favourite scene in Am I Normal Yet? is when the girls have a Spinster Club meeting about the ridiculousness of period shame, blue blood in adverts, and paying tax on tampons. So I was very excited when I came across these two videos. A Taylor Swift spoof, and emmablackery rollerskating in blood-splattered cream trousers? I LOVE THE INTERNET!
Holly x
Today, we hear from the FAB Jess of Jess Hearts Books fame on ‘normal’, feminism and cheesy snacks:
What is ‘normal’?
I used to think that being ‘normal’ meant having it together, being like everybody else. But everybody has their own struggles that you don’t get to see behind the scenes and so now I think that ‘normal’ means being completely messed up but being brave enough to carry on anyway.
What message did you take away from Am I Normal Yet?
For me it drove home just how tough being a teenage girl is in a society that sends you mixed messages and impossible standards to live up to. It’s a treacherous road to navigate. I’m so happy that there is a book out there that points this out and stands up for girls providing them with feminist main characters that I hope inspire them to speak out against these messages that society sends them.
What does feminism mean to you?
Feminism to me means absolute equality between the sexes. It means busting harmful gender stereotypes that hurt both men and women. It means a movement that benefits everyone.
What other YA novels about mental health would you recommend?
Another incredible YA book I read this year about mental health was All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. If you’re interested in reading another informative YA book about OCD in particular I’d recommend Amy and Matthew by Cammie McGovern.
And finally, what’s your go-to cheesy snack?
Wotsits. It really doesn’t get any better than Wotsits.
Thanks so much Jess for taking part in the #100DaysofNormal YA Blogger series. Read Jess’s review of Am I Normal Yet? over on her blog, Jess Hearts Books, as well as lots of other brilliant reviews and features! Enjoy!
‘Calvin Harris can smoulder and bulge in his pants as much as he
wants to. He’s not the part of Taylor’s life I’m most jealous of.
…It’s her squad.
I want to be at her pool parties. I want to be backstage posing
for pics. I want HER TO BE MY BEST FRIEND EVER…but more than anything…I
really want to nab all of her friends….’
Read Holly’s feature on squads, trophy boyfriends and loving yourself over at Maximum Pop!
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!
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
