I always enjoy seeing how Bell Shakespeare Company interprets Shakespeare's classics, and 'Antony and Cleopatra' did not disappoint! Of course, there's always room for some creative license, and the' ultra-modern set with the lighting effects and brilliant cast made all the difference. It was definitely a refreshing take on an ancient tale of love and the all-consuming quest for power which holds its roots in actual historical events. 

I'm looking forward to watching how Julius Caesar' compares later this year, though in between I'm sure their take on Moliere's The Misanthrope is sure to be a hit - according to the site it features a strong female lead who is 'savvy and sophisticated' and 'rejects false flattery' in a witty satire. It sounds like it might be the most relatable and sassy play of the year, I can't wait until tickets are released!

Now that uni has gone back for the semester, I've been trying to squeeze in as many books as I can between my compulsory readings, going through more than a few post-its and mugs of coffee in the process. While I haven't been posting as often on this little corner of the internet, some of my writing has been featured in Vertigo magazine with a review of The High Places by Fiona McFarlane.

Currently Reading

This book has been surrounded by hype since its release in January, so I've been keen to see if it really is the next Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train. The verdict so far? I'm already halfway through and there are subtle hints to the malice lurking behind closed doors, but I'm waiting for a big reveal to surprise me. It's a funny coincidence that I've started reading The Woman in the Window after finishing another one which also has a focus on questioning just how well you know your neighbours...

Recommendation of the Week

Like Sally Hepworth's previous releases, The Family Next Door offers a portrait of the challenges motherhood brings and secrets simmering beneath the surface of a perfect facade. But this latest novel is so much more, with suspenseful drama playing off every page, leaving you wondering just what the neighbouring women in Pleasant Court really have to hide. There was a twist I did not see coming, and that's what every good thriller needs! 

On the interwebs

• The Sydney Writer's Festival 2018 program has been released - the Burn the Burn Book: Real Girls in YA event is one I'm really looking forward to. 

• The Stella Prize 2018 shortlist has been announced, with a few on there that I haven't heard of but hope to read by the end of the year.

• Applications are open to bloggers, artists and other content creators to be part of the National Young Writer's Festival, closing on the 31st March. 

New additions to my shelves

• The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell: The hardcover of this book looks stunning. and I can't wait to begin exploring the short stories inside.
• Glitter by Aprilynne Pike: I discovered this on the shelf at work the other day and it sounds amazing already, depicting the scandals at the Versailles palace in a near-futuristic setting. It's reminding me just slightly of Claudia Gray's A Thousand Pieces of You with the past-meets-future vibe. 
• Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein: This is next on my list to read and releases on 1st April! I'm always excited for debut Australian writers, and this riveting YA thriller is going to be big.

What are you reading this week?

Genie's Weekly News (61) - Taking recommendations, reaching reading goals, finding a blogging balance

The quote on my calendar for this month is from Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better". It got me thinking, where do I see this blog improving and what's really important? Though it's been said before in the blogging community, the aphorism 'it's all about balance' is still relevant. Blogging is something I genuinely enjoy doing, so though I may not always be able to post as often as I'd like, I do try to spend time on the content that does go up here. I may have just missed out on completing my goodreads challenge last year, and even though I've set it for 50 again this time around, it's a good feeling to let go of all the effort worrying about reaching a certain number just for the sake of it. When it comes to my interests, I've realised it's about reading what I love, stepping out of my comfort zone at times to try something new, and still leaving room for the other important facets of my life. As I said in my past recap, it's about appreciating the little things which can put a smile on your face.

Currently Reading

I know what you're thinking - "what a weird combination!"...and that would be right. But, they've both come highly recommended and I'm actually starting to tick off some of the books on my TBR posts for non-fiction and paranormal genres. In their own very different ways, they're both great reads so far. It's a win-win.

Previous Posts

• I shared my Stella Sparks on books I read by Australian women writers in 2017

• Some adorable children's picture books were featured in my latest 'Books about Books' discussion

• I reviewed two of M.T. Anderson's books, Landscape With Invisible Hand and Feed

Recommendation of the Week

I'll have a full review up soon, but for now I'll say that this book is delightfully charming, quirky and heartwarming. This was a feel-good read that made me laugh and had a romance blossom with a twist. If you want a book to make you smile then please pick up Happiness for Humans, you won't regret it!

What I've Been Watching

Black Mirror: I finally got around to watching the latest season, and while it was gripping as ever - it felt much darker than the ones before it. Binge-worthy? For some, maybe. Even though every episode was equally thought-provoking, it's also disturbing enough to want to take a break between episodes and watch videos of fluffy kittens or something.

Black Books: As a bookseller how have I not started watching this until now? It's the type of ridiculous comedy that you'll either cringe at or die laughing, but I can definitely see myself getting through its three seasons.

What's the last book you read that made you smile?

Genie's Weekly News (60) - Blogging milestones, this year's AusYABloggers reading challenge, and what really makes working in a bookstore worthwhile

So it's one week into 2018 and my reading list is already growing by the day. Even as I fail to stick to my 'book buying ban' (does it ever last?), going through my bookshelves has made me realise just how many I own but am yet to read...

Yes, I really should get onto that.

In other news, coming across the old favourites from my childhood has also brought back some good memories, which brings me to something adorable that happened while I was at work the other day. 

There I was reorganising the kids' section, when a child who must have been around three or four sat down right next to me and passed me a couple of books that had been sitting on the floor, before picking one up and beginning to flip through the pages. I asked my unexpected little helper whether he liked reading, and he replied "Yes, I love books!" before going straight back to the one he was so enchanted with. He was quite happy to do that for a few minutes before his mum came back from another part of the store, and had to drag him away because he didn't want to leave!

It really can be the smallest things in life which make the biggest impact on you, and for me seeing the look of pure wonder and curiosity on that child's face is something which will stay with me for a long time. Yes, working in a bookstore is great when you get to be surrounded by books all day, share your recommendations with others and unbox the latest release you've been waiting for. But what I've found more important than all of those things are the unexpected, heartwarming moments that remind me just why reading is so important. As the saying goes, 'a child who reads will be an adult who thinks'. 

Currently Reading

This won the Stella Prize last year, and the story so far has offered some really interesting insights into what gives art the power to really connect with us. It's not the type of book to finish in a single afternoon, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it all ends.

Previous Posts

• I shared my bookish top 20 for the first half of 2018 in case your TBR wasn't big enough already

• Author K.J. Taylor stopped by with a guest post about The Last Guard

• I reviewed Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend which is a must-read for any Harry Potter fan 

Recommendation of the Week

There have been reviews at both extremes for this book, but I have to say that overall even if it is something that I didn't completely understand at first, the style was something completely different from anything I'd read before. 

AusYABloggers 2018 Reading Challenge

The annual Australian YA Bloggers and Readers challenge is back with a new format and prompts to get you started! To join in and find all the details, head to the goodreads group here. As an incentive, there will be three prize packs up for grabs - here's a sneak peek at the first one thanks to Walker Books:

We're stoked to announce our first #AusYABloggers challenge prize sponsor @WalkerBooksAus! Generously donating a pack of their most anticipated 2018 releases. Also including:

Small Spaces by @SarahLEpstein
On The Come Up by @angiecthomas
Join here https://t.co/KB0Emsv6xD pic.twitter.com/hPhAGzO4f9

— AusYABloggers (@AusYABloggers) January 5, 2018

What I've Been Watching

I didn't go into The Greatest Showman with high expectations, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not usually the biggest fan of musical movies (with the exception of La La Land). I'm so glad to say that this movie was BRILLIANT - if it doesn't win at the Golden Globes, I'll be very surprised. Hugh Jackman suited the main role perfectly, and the storyline with the songs that are still stuck in my head was uplifting and magically executed. I don't usually say this, but this is a movie that I'd go and see again - it's that good.

In another momentous occasion, thank you to everyone who's visited Genie in a Book over the years to hit 100 000 pageviews! In the scheme of the blogosphere, it's not really about the numbers - but I'm grateful to know that hopefully other readers out there can come away from my blog with a new perspective on reading or a recommendation for something they hadn't considered before.

Genie's Weekly News (59) - Shakespeare, shiny new books I need in my life, and shortening my TBR

After taking a short hiatus after exams, I'm finally back and blogging! Of course, the irony of having a heap of studying to do meant that I wanted to find any excuse to read, and during that time I picked up a few amazing gems which have become some of my favourites of the year. Fast forward to this week which was an exciting one, with bookish events and seeing The Merchant of Venice at the theatre.

Currently Reading

I've seen mixed reviews on The Grip of It, and at around 100 pages in I think I'm still deciding which side of the fence I'm on. It's described as a 'literary horror', about young couple who have just moved into a house whose hidden corners begin to alter their reality. It's the kind of book which I don't think the reader is meant to completely understand what's going on, so maybe that's the charm. I'm hoping there'll be a twist in there somewhere to surprise me...

Previous Posts

• Waiting on Wednesday: The Empress - this is the sequel to The Diabolic (perfect for fans of These Broken Stars or Illuminae)
• Books about Books Part 1: Living, Breathing, Reading - the first installment of my new mini-discussion series! Look out for Part 2 coming soon.
• #LoveOzYABloggers - Favourite Covers - books that make an impact both inside and out.
• Review: Force of Nature by Jane Harper - The Dry was a gripping crime novel and Harper's second novel is just as impressive. 

Recommendation of the Week

I already gushed about how amazing The Gulf is in my review, but it is honestly the best book I've read this year. I'm always excited to find new reads by Australian authors so if you have any recommendations let me know!

Nevermoor definitely lived up to the hype. I first heard about it at the Hachette Roadshow earlier in the year, and with comparisons made to Harry Potter the stakes were definitely high. Well, while it's near impossible to beat a series that has been going strong for over twenty years, Australian author Jessica Townsend's debut is charming and enchanting in its own right. This is a middle-grade novel which can be enjoyed by people of any age, and it's the type of fun read which has enough adventure and magic to convince even the most reluctant reader to step boldly into this world.

Date a Book Blogger Night Recap

It's been a few years since the last Date a Book event so it was brilliant to see the team organise another one for YA bloggers and readers to come together and hear about all the exciting new releases. The snack table alone was instagram-worthy (as was the fairy floss), but even better was hearing authors Victoria Carless (The Dream Walker), Jessica Townsend (Nevermoor) and international guest Kass Morgan (The 100) discuss their writing journeys and what it's like to find out your book is going to be published. 

There were a few memorable books to look out for in 2018, like A Thousand Perfect Notes by our very own blogger and writer extraordinaire Cait @ Paper Fury! Another mention has to go to The Beast's Heart - my pic of the screen couldn't do the cover justice, so here it is:

We got to show everyone at #dabYA17 but now we can share with you!
How gorgeous is the cover of THE BEAST'S HEART?
We can just imagine pushing our way through those gates 🥀😍 pic.twitter.com/JUAczWhUOS

— Date a Book 🌈 (@DateaBook) November 20, 2017

The Merchant of Venice

I've been fortunate to see a few Shakespearean productions in recent years - Romeo and Juliet in an ultra-modern, and then a classic production, Hamlet which was minimalist and striking, Othello which captured the striking storyline and A Midsummer Night's Dream which was...abstract (and more than a little disturbing). The Merchant of Venice is the first one I hadn't actually read before watching, but being there to witness it play out on stage with a brilliant cast meant the story all made sense. It was interesting to hear some of the well-known adages of 'all that glitters is not gold' and 'love is blind' in context. The set may have been simple, but the shimmering backdrop and unique staging helped bring the plot to life in a modern style. 

A post shared by Eugenia (Genie in a Book) (@genie_inabook) on Nov 19, 2017 at 12:29am PST

Over to you! Are there any 5-star reads you've read recently that everyone should know about? Also, what's your favourite play by Shakespeare?

Genie's Weekly News (58) - May Events Recap ft. Sarah Crossan, Jennifer Niven and Roxane Gay

1) Bloomsbury Institute Event

Wednesday saw the first of Australia's 'Bloomsbury Institute' events; small sessions with authors designed so that readers really get a sense of meeting some of their favourite writers. In conversation with Mia Freedman, Sarah Crossan provided such inspiring insight into her process and how it differs when writing in verse as opposed to prose. It was interesting to hear how she collaborated with Brian Conaghan on their latest work We Come Apart - which featured lots of conversations over Whatsapp and many frenzied emails. 

Following your passion and using the inherent creativity within us were other ideas which she spoke about, as well as tackling real issues in her books that can be appreciated at different levels by both adults and those on the cusp of being teens. What I love about her books that I've read so far (One and Apple and Rain) is that they prove books in YA don't have to have a romance to be meaningful or compelling. Friendship comes through as a strong theme, which form some of the strongest relationships of all. I'm definitely looking forward to her latest book Moonrise coming in September, and seeing who Bloomsbury will feature next!

2) Lunch with Jennifer Niven

There's no denying that Jennifer Niven is one of the biggest YA authors right now, especially with her heartbreaking (but amazing) novel All the Bright Places currently being made into a film. Thanks to the team at Penguin Teen Australia I was lucky enough to be invited to a lunch with her and other bloggers Alison and Rebecca from the YA Chronicles, The Bookish Manicurist and Joy Lawn who also writes reviews for the Weekend Australian. As well as talking about how she writes with playlists for each of her characters in her work and what she'd been up to in Australia, Jennifer Niven also shared her experience writing the screenplay for the movie. She is genuinely lovely in person, and I'm so excited to see what other books she'll be hopefully bringing out in future. 

3) Roxane Gay at the Sydney Writer's Festival

Difficult Women is one of my top reads of this year as a brilliantly raw and unflinching portrayal of women in a variety of complex situations. Roxane Gay did not disappoint in her last appearance at the Sydney Writer's Festival, speaking frankly about how she brings feminism into her work, women being perceived as being 'too much', the obsession with 'dead girls' and how she can watch crime series on TV while writing. She definitely kept the conversation real, making the audience laugh with a few jokes on how men can be 'delicate flowers', while retaining an emphasis on gender equality. Since reading this fictional work with stories that are all so different and hard-hitting in their own right, I just know I'm going to have to pick up Bad Feminist to see what her essays are like. 

What bookish events have you been to lately?