Mrs. Magoo Reads

Reviewing a CSN Product!

2010-12-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

Many of you most likely know about CSN Stores, which is a great source for what seems like everything, whether it be a TV stand, a piece of artwork to hang on the wall, or a new suitcase.

I'm so excited to be reviewing another product for CSN Stores! The actual product itself is a surprise, but please check back soon for the review, which will appear on Mrs. Magoo Reads's main website (see link at top of page, underneath header). In the meantime, be sure to browse through CSN Stores' impressive display of items for sale!

Teen Writing Class at Book Passage

2010-10-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out this fun class!

Class: Cheryl Herbsman, Malinda Lo, Cynthia Jaynes Omololu - Teen Writing Conference

Start: Sun, 10/17/2010 - 11:00am

End: Sun, 10/17/2010 - 3:00pm

Book Passage Class
Corte Madera store, $100
For teens only - 48 hours advance registration required
Register for Class

Light lunch included
Come fill your writer’s toolbox with everything you need for fiction writing. Three published authors of young adult literature will work with you on character, voice, setting, plot, and dialog. Bring laptop or pen and paper. Cheryl Renee Herbsman is the author of Breathing. Cynthia Jaynes Omololu is the author of Dirty Little Secrets. Malinda Lo is the author of Ash. These young adult authors will sign copies of their books immediately following the workshop at 3:00 pm.

Location:

Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd
Corte Madera, California 94925

To sign up, call 415-927-0960 x1 or go to:

http://bookpassage.com/class-registration/cheryl-herbsman-malinda-lo-heidi-kling-teen-writing-conference-registration

Happy 3rd Birthday!

2010-08-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the third birthday of Mrs. Magoo Reads, and to celebrate, I have completely re-designed the site! The new website is at

www.mrsmagooreads.com

Head over there and bookmark/subscribe! However, you'll probably want to continue following this blog, as I'll continue to post updates here. Also, a big thanks to the web designer Martina for helping me design the site-- be sure to check her out!

There is one problem: you'll notice that if you type in only "mrsmagooreads.com" (without the www.), nothing comes up. If anyone knows how to fix this, your help would be much appreciated!

Deception Winner

2010-08-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

The winner of Deception by Lee Nichols is

Cherry!

Congratulations! Please send your mailing address to mrsmagooreads[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

The Last Leopard

2010-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Review by Mini Magoo

Martine is an eleven-year-old orphan who lives on a game reserve in South Africa with her grandmother. When her grandmother's friend Sadie breaks her leg and begs Martine and her grandma to visit her in Zimbabwe for a month, Martine can't help but be annoyed. She was looking forward to spending the summer riding her white giraffe Jemmy. Thankfully, her best friend Ben is allowed to come along.

It is said in Zimbabwe that the last resting place of the king of leopards is the resting place of enormous amounts of treasure. There is only one leopard left: the kingly Kahn. But now not only are poachers after Kahn, so are treasure-hunters, and either way, both want Kahn dead. Now it is up to Ben, friends made along the way, and especially Martine to save Kahn, the last leopard, from poachers and treasure-hunters, before it is too late.

Martine also has something else on her mind. There is a prophecy that states: "The child who can ride a white giraffe has a power over all animals." Surely that can’t mean Martine? Well, yes, she can ride a white giraffe ridiculously well and she has had a few strange experiences where she calms or befriends an animal very quickly, but can she actually be the child? And what is with the advice Grace, the village sangoma (medicine woman, healer, and prophecy interpreter) gave to her: "You must stay with Ben--whenever you separate, danger will follow you"?

I started The Last Leopard excited to read it, but not knowing what to expect. I got an amazing surprise. The Last Leopard is full of suspense, touching moments, and exciting breakthroughs. I couldn’t put this book down and was constantly wondering how Martine was going to figure her way out of her situation. I would recommend this book to any preteen.

Buy this book: The Last Leopard

Interview with Lee Nichols

2010-07-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Lee Nichols is the author of Deception.

How did you create the character of Emma? Did you try to base her off of a modern girl, or an old-fashioned one?

I think she's a very contemporary character dealing with a history she didn't know she had.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Not in the way I've imagined them here. But I do feel like places and things can hold the spirits of people who've died, and sometimes that can invoke a spooky feeling.

If you could go back and change one thing about your novel, what would it be?

Whenever I finish a book I always think of a Picasso documentary I watched years ago. He would paint whole paintings and then say, "Okay, now I really know what it is I'm trying to say," and paint a completely different picture. So there's no one particular thing I'd like to change, but I can see whole new directions to go in. And if I were Picasso, I probably would do that.

Can you tell us what to expect from you in the future?

There are two more Haunting Emma books. BETRAYAL comes out March, 2011. Emma's powers really take hold and Bennett turns into more of a bad boy. And POSSESSION, which if I finish writing it, will be out late 2011. Ghosts start to possess kids at Emma's school.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Start writing right now. Nobody understands your experience as a teenager, better than you do. I'd love to see more, authentic young voices in YA. I think committing to a writing schedule really helps. Promise yourself you'll write 2500 words a week, and in six to eight months you'll have the first draft of a novel.

Mini Magoo Review: How to Survive Middle School

2010-07-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Mini Magoo

David Greenberg is a 12-year-old kid going into 6th grade. He absolutely loves Jon Stewart and hopes to be a comedian when he grows up, just like his idol. But for now, he films himself with his camera and posts his videos on YouTube. He doesn't expect them to get anywhere yet. But things get complicated when he starts dealing with everything happening around him-and in the meantime, he's learning how to survive middle school.

First, there's his best friend Elliot. Well, his ex-best friend Elliot. Without a reason that David can see, Elliot becomes best buds with Tommy Murphy, the schools biggest, meanest bully, and starts playing mean tricks on David like telling him that all the 6th graders are going against the dress code (when really that day David, who fell for the trick, was the only guy without a collared shirt on). They even get in a fight with each other. So, that's one thing on David's list of things to juggle while, of course, surviving middle school. The next thing? His new best friend who is (deep breath) a girl. A girl named Sophie (his new favorite name) who makes his mind go fuzzy whenever she touches him. But that is probably just a coincidence. Probably.

He is also still getting over the shock of his mom, who ran away to live with a farmer. He sends her letters and she writes back, but she never comes to visit. David keeps his hopes up, but so far they've communicated by writing only. Another heart-wrenching thing in his life is his loyal hamster, Hammy, who is determined to give him even more to deal with as he gets deeper and deeper into middle school.

Apart from all of that, his videos are becoming incredibly popular and famous, as is David himself. He has Sophie to thank-after seeing them and thinking they were hilarious, she sent it to everyone she knew, who sent it to all of their friends, and so on. He is getting written about in newspapers and he is getting thousands of hits and comments per video. He can't believe that he is actually a famous kid comedian, while in real life he still feels like what he was a month ago-a normal kid nervous for middle school.

I started How to Survive Middle School with low expectations, but I got a pleasant surprise waiting for me. It was an easy read and I liked the uniqueness of it. It was a very different subject, a kid starting middle school who wants to be a comedian. The book is written in first-person and David has a funny and occasionally sarcastic sense of humor, and throughout the book there are the Top 6 and 1/2 lists about anything and everything. I think it would be a book that you would pick up if you wanted to read something easy, light, and funny. 5th graders, and, of course, middle schoolers will love How to Survive Middle School. Although it can not be used as a guide, hence the title, it is nevertheless a fun book to read.

Win a Copy of Deception

2010-07-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

Previous Contest Winners:
Token of Darkness- Monica
Summer of the Geek- Mrs. DeRaps
The Turning: What Curiosity Kills- Erika Lynn
Countdown- Lisa Garrett
I will be away until the end of July. If you email me your mailing address before then, I can get the books sent to you ASAP, but will not be requesting addresses until I get back. Lisa Garrett, I have yours already.

WIN A COPY OF DECEPTION!
Read my review of Deception.
To win a copy, comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on July 20.

Saturday's Scribe: Piper Banks

2010-06-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Piper Banks
Author of: Summer of the Geek

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
_____

What's the best summer experience you've ever had?

I was horse crazy as a girl, and one summer, my parents let me lease a horse. I got to spend every day at the barn. Heaven!

What's the worst summer experience you've ever had?

Three words: Girl Scout Camp. It was hot, dirty and the pond they made us swim in was filled with leeches. I’ve hated camping ever since.

What are the challenges of writing a series, rather than a stand alone novel?

The main challenge in writing a series is to keep the characters consistent from book to book, while still giving them room to grow.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was eight-years-old. I had an old Smith-Corona typewriter that I used to write stories on.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read as much as you can! And read different sorts of books, from across different genres. All successful writers were readers first.
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Banks!

Announcement from Lauren Mechling

2010-06-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hello book (blog) lover!

Lauren Mechling, author of the Dream Girl books, here. I have hijacked Sophie's blog in order to convey some Very Important Information.

You might not know it by looks alone (no pink hair, no metal bar through my septum), but I've become a total hacker worthy of her own "Dragon Tattoo" installment. And I'm not just talking about how I've cracked the code and broken onto Mrs. Magoo Reads. My new book MY DARKLYNG, which I co-wrote with Laura Moser (my hilarious co-author on the "10th Grade Social Climber" books), is a YA thriller chockablock with multimedia awesomeness that will be appearing in serialized form on the awesome website Slate.com. The first installment runs June 4, and there will be more excitement every Friday for the rest of the summer. Also: it's free!

Slate is calling MY DARKLYNG its "juicy summer read for vampire lovers (and haters!)." It's about a normal 10th grade girl named Natalie Pollock whose own fiction addiction gets her into major trouble. She's been reading Fiona St. Claire's yummy "Dark Shadows" book series since middle school and when she sees a post on Fiona's blog about an open casting call for the model for the next book's cover, well, she can't resist. What she had thought was just a random field trip turns into a dark and terrible new-best-friendship, scarier and more thrilling than any of Fiona St. Claire's vampire novels.

MY DARKLYNG is different from anything you've ever read before--it's a first-of-its-kind story told in simultaneous platforms. Huh? you ask. Okay, so here's the deal: While you are perfectly free to follow the MY DARKLYNG chapters on Slate and leave it at that, we have been milking the magic world of the Internet for all its worth. Why limit a story to mere words? What about pictures and videos and weird Tweets and scary Facebook wall posts that bring texture to the story and bring the characters to life? With that in mind, we found real (and really awesome) teenagers to play our characters. Expect to get to know their faces really well over the course of this book.

Without further ado, this is the Slate page that will host the chapters.

Here is Natalie's Facebook page--well worth "liking" so you can follow when weird things start happening on it.
Natalie's Twitter page is here.
Fiona's (the vampire writer) Twitter page is here.
Natalie's best friend Jenna tweets here.
James (the vampire model) tweets here.
And Fiona's loving sister Tilly uses this Twitter page.

Natalie and Jenna post Youtube videos here. Here's a sample video that shows them getting ready for the audition that will change their lives.

Now YOU can help make our great experiment in Internet fiction even more amazing. There is an upcoming scene that has a missing detail. We need to come up with the name of an object that the meanest girl in Natalie's class likes to conspicuously place on her desk. AGAIN: WE ARE DESPERATELY SEEKING AN OBJECT THAT THE MEAN GIRL IN NATALIE'S CLASS MAKES A POINT OF FLAUNTING. Please write in your suggestions in the comments section. The winner will be chosen in a week and featured in MY DARKLYNG--if your answer is selected, it'll be like the story is actually winking at you from the screen.

I know this is all a bit much to wrap your head around. Sorry for any confusion--just read the first installment and take it from there. Please please post comments or send us emails telling us how you're finding the series. We can be reached by my website.

And if you find yourself feeling afraid, don't say I didn't warn you!

your humble hacker,
Lauren Mechling
____
Thanks, Lauren! Everyone, be sure to visit her page and leave a suggestion!

Saturday's Scribe: Molly Roe

2010-06-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Molly Roe
Author of: Call Me Kate
Check out the interview!
_____

Was Call Me Kate based off of a true story? How close to real life was it?

Call Me Kate is a mixture of fact and fiction. The events in the book happened, but the actions of my great-grandmother were fictionalized. The Civil War draft riots did occur in Pennsylvania in 1862, but my great-grandmother, Catharine McCafferty, was not involved as she was in the novel. Little detail of the lives of ordinary people, especially women, was recorded back in the nineteenth century so I needed to apply what was available in photographs and books to Kate’s life. My genealogy research started me thinking about what life must have been like for my ancestors, particularly for my four great-grandmothers, so I guess you could say the book is based on my impression of the problems these women faced.

Through family stories, I knew that Catharine worked in one of the “big houses.” Through census, church, and newspaper records, I learned that she was closely connected to some of the men hanged as Molly Maguires. When drafting the plot, I placed her in the home of a local coal baron, Ario Pardee, but she may have worked for any of several wealthy families during the time period. Her own family emigrated from Donegal, Ireland and suffered through the Great Famine as was presented in the book. The patch town setting was as close to the time frame as I could possibly make it.

Later in life, Catharine supported her niece through one of the greatest traumas I can imagine: the conviction and hanging of her innocent husband as a Molly Maguire. Of course the word innocent has been debated for 140 years. I hope to write about those later events of Kate’s life once I complete my work in progress.

Do you relate to Kate at all? What characteristics do you share with her?

I love Kate’s sense of justice, and I totally relate to her in that way. I’m not as impulsive or as adventuresome as my heroine, but I hope I emulate Kate’s concern for friends and family. I grew up in a close extended family and interconnected community, just as Kate did.

Can you describe your path to publication?

My original plan was to write a book for my family, primarily for my aunt who is keeper of the family lore. When I joined a writing group, however, the members encouraged me to publish it for the general public. Once the seed was planted, I began to follow up leads. The book was almost finished when I happened upon a panel discussion about publishing, held in a neighboring city. Several group members attended, and we listened to the publishers and company representatives, Tribute Books, a local start up publisher, seemed the perfect match for me and my novel.

When not writing, what do you like to do?

A friend called me a serial hobbyist because I have several hobbies that surge and subside at intervals. I continue to enjoy family history research, and I love talking to my readers at signings, local history day festivals, and reenactments. I enjoy puzzles and games. Over the years I have practiced and taught various crafts: cross-stitch, needlepoint, wreath making, and quilling. One activity which has remained constant in my life, however, is reading. I always have a book or my Kindle with me. I often have several books going at a time. At this time of year, I tend my perennial garden. This year I’m working especially hard spiffing things up for my daughter’s wedding.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Aspiring writers, young or not, need to persist. I would tell them to keep working on their craft, and make it an important part of their daily schedules. Join a writing group; it’s a great way to learn and get new perspectives.
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Roe!

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash

2010-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Title: Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash
Author: Wendelin van Draanen
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Girls, 10-14

Summary: When a dying man hands thirteen-year-old Sammy three thousand dollars and begs her to throw it away, Sammy is torn. She doesn't want to go against his wishes, but... three thousand dollars? Wouldn't it be better if she just... spent it away?

So Sammy decides not to tell the police, nor her grandmother, nor any of her friends, about the little money issue, and keeps the bills hidden in her backpack. All of a sudden, she has spending money, and it feels so good! She can buy whatever she wants, and can even buy things as a favor for her friends!

But soon Sammy realizes that she's involved in a lot more than just a little white lie. Strange men seem to be investigating the missing money, and now Sammy can't help but wonder... is keeping the money not just wrong, but also dangerous? Can she solve the mystery before it's too late?

My thoughts: Sammy Keyes is a strong, fun character that will appeal to all middle school girls. Although Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash did not play out like the average mystery novel (Sammy Keyes was to blame for lying about the money, and the ending wasn't completely black-and-white), this made it more realistic and original.

Wendelin van Draanen has scored again with this installment in her series, and hopefully Sammy Keyes will continue with as much fun as ever!

Click here to buy Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash

Deception

2010-06-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

Title: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 13-16

Summary: When Emma's parents leave her home alone for a few weeks, as they are away on a trip, Emma isn't anticipating any problems. After all, her house is also partially a store, and their employee can help take care of her. Plus, if Emma encounters any problems, her parents will be back in a flash.

But that isn't at all how it goes. The employee quits, so Emma is left all on her own. Even worse, her parents have decided to take an extended trip into an area with no phone service, so Emma has no way to contact her parents and doesn't know when they'll be back.

Then a classmate reports the situation to the police, and Emma risks going into foster care... until her older brother's former friend, Bennett, shows up, claims to be Emma's guardian, and whisks her across the country to Massachusetts.

But strange things are going on, and soon Emma is fearing for her sanity. However, she soon learns that much deeper and more dangerous things are going on, and only she has the power to sort through the situation, if Emma could only get the truth.

My thoughts: I was initially put off by Deception's completely unrealistic beginning. Would two intelligent, caring parents really leave their daughter alone for weeks without a set plan and no contact with her? And why wouldn't Emma have immediately demanded answers from Bennett when he claimed to be her guardian?

However, the plot quickly picked up and I became engrossed in the story. Emma became more likable as the novel continued, and by the end, I was completely hooked. I'm looking forward to the second novel in this haunting series!

Click here to buy Deception

Movie Monday & Contest: The Turning: What Curiosity Kills

2010-06-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of The Turning: What Curiosity Kills? Keep reading!

The winner of All Unquiet Things is Kirthi!

Click here to read the text review of The Turning: What Curiosity Kills.

To enter to win a copy of The Turning, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 21. This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Barbara Dee

2010-06-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Barbara Dee
Author of: This is Me From Now On

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
_____

Would you rather be friends with Lily and Nisha or Francesca?

Hmm, that’s a tough question. Francesca is fun, inspiring, loyal and generous—but she’s also unpredictable and manipulative, don’t you think? And Nisha and Lily are stable and trustworthy, but a bit rigid and judgmental. I think the perfect friend might be a combination of all three girls—but as Evie figures out, there’s no such thing as the perfect friend. Even a “best” friend isn’t completely perfect!

Have you ever had adventures similar to Francesca's and Evie's?

*BLUSHES* Well, yes. When I was in seventh grade, I had a free-spirited friend who got me into some mischief. She wasn’t anything like Francesca, though, and we didn’t engage in any matchmaking. But I remember the tension our friendship caused with my other friends. I think it’s sometimes so hard for girls this age to navigate between friendships.

What was the most important message that you were trying to convey in your novel?

That it’s a great thing to get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes girls in middle school feel as if they have to behave a certain way—or else they’ll face social rejection. Every girl should feel free to express herself and explore new friendships.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently revising my next novel for tweens, TRAUMA QUEEN, which will be published by Aladdin MIX/Simon & Schuster next spring. It’s about a girl with the most embarrassing mom ever.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read for pleasure. And never fall in love with your first draft!
_____

Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Dee!

Interview with Wendelin van Draanen

2010-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

Here's an interview with Wendelin van Draanen, author of Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash!

Have you ever solved any mysteries in your life?

Before I answer that, let me say… what a beautiful site you have! Thank you for inviting me to be part of it. Being on blog tour has been fun, and I’m delighted to be meeting new and old Sammy Keyes fans.

Now, about mysteries in my real life. I like this question. And I’m sure I must have, but I’m also sure they revolved around family matters—like which brother did what to me—but I can’t say I have a reputable resume of successful snooping, sorry!

Spying, however, was a big part of my childhood repertoire and there is a mystery in my life which will, I’m sure, remain a mystery because I was too dopey to put much effort into solving it when I had the chance. This is what happened: I was in college and someone left me a gift at my door. It was wrapped, but had no note attached. Just my name on the wrapping paper. When I opened it, I discovered a framed, homemade picture. What it was a picture of is pretty vague in my mind. I remember it had a resin frame and that it was sort of collage-y art with finely glued sand trimming and Chinese lettering. I didn’t really get what it was or why someone had given it to me. It wasn’t my birthday, or anything, and none of my roommates had a clue who had left it. It became one of those items that went with me from move to move. I didn’t want to throw it out, but I never hung it up, either. It more hung out in the back of my closet getting banged up by shoes and racquets and the pressures of crammed-in junk. Eventually it was so sorry-looking that I decided to toss it, only one of my roommates asked me about it and when I explained she offered to have a friend translate the lettering for me. It had never even occurred to me that the Chinese characters were anything more than decoration. My roommate later delivered the shocking news that the letters did mean something: “I love you.”

If you were given an unprecedented amount of money, what would you do with it?

My colleagues at the high school where I was a teacher used to hang around the faculty room discussing what they’d do if they won the lottery. My stance on it was that I didn’t want to win the lottery. That winning the lottery was a sure-fire way to ruin your life. I think it’s imperative to earn your rewards—it’s the only way you’ll truly enjoy them. That said, if you’re forcing an unprecedented amount of money on me, I’m going to find some constructive purpose for it. My minivan works just fine for me—I don’t need a Ferrari. Or a mansion. Or a villa in France. If I could, I would buy more time, but that’s not possible, so I’d do something with the money to create jobs in the field of science or medicine. Scientists should be the rock stars of our society. No child should have to endure diseases like leukemia, and scientists are the ones who will discover the cures. I’d find some way to support and nurture creative, scientific minds.

Were you ever a Nancy Drew fan?

I’m sure Nancy was quite a rebel in her time, but she was always a little too…nicely coifed for me. I liked the Hardy Boys better.

Can you describe your writing process?

Most of my writing is theme and character driven. I also need time to stew the idea before starting. I need to know the beginning and the end, and some significant milestones in between. Once I’m sure what the story is about and where I’m going, I’ll write the first few chapters, just to get to know the main characters a little. I know Sammy so well by now that this isn’t necessary with her, but for books like Runaway and Swear to Howdy and Confessions of a Serial Kisser, I really need the time to get to know the main characters. Once I’ve gotten started and know I like where I’m going, I’ll take some time to really research aspects of the story, then dive in for another few chapters at which point I’ll reassess, rewrite, and then continue. I rewrite as I go, and I rewrite often. I’m pretty disciplined—I write every day. I used to write around the school schedule, but now that I do this full time and my kids are in school, I write during school hours. I don’t have a set number of pages, I just go until my time runs out, then pick up again in the evening.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Read. Read a lot. And don’t be afraid to try different styles of writing. It took me 10 years to “find my voice”, but it was well worth the search. The more you practice something, the better you get. Probably my best advice would be to turn off the TV and get off the social networking sites and allow your brain to spend time with your story. Play with scenes in your mind. Give your story a chance to come to life in your head, put it down on paper.

That’s it? Okay! Well, thanks again for inviting me to contribute. I hope your readers will follow me as this blog tour continues. I’ll be at Children's Book Review tomorrow where I’ll discuss the run-down 400 sq. foot house where I wrote the first six Sammy Keyes books, and the reason Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy is dedicated to a homeless woman. Hope to see you there!

Thanks so much, Ms. van Draanen!

Mini Magoo Review: Your Life But Cooler

2010-06-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

This is the sequel to Your Life, But Better.

In Crystal Velasquez's clever book, Your Life, But Cooler, you are the main character. After every chapter, you decide how the chapter ends by taking a quiz. You then receive a score which will direct you to a certain page in the book. So the story's plot really depends on how YOU act.

Some answers will lead you to rejection and humiliation, while others will lead you to fame and fortune. Other decisions are more minor, and on some, either way you go will lead you to something good. However, there's no telling what will lead you where, so tell the truth on the quizzes to enhance your experience!

The base plot of Your Life, But Cooler involves you at school on a day when there are being auditions held for choir. This is a huge deal, because the people who get in are allowed to perform at Carnegie Hall, where, according to gossip-obsessed Amy Choi, the Glee cast might be looking for extras! You and your best friends know that the most popular kids in your grade are bound to get the part, and you all want to do something about it.

Then, one of your best friends suggests that you try out. You can see the sense in that: you have a fantastic voice. But you're not sure if you want to actually go and audition in front of everyone. On the other hand, your best friends would be devastated if you don't audition, and you don't want the popular kids to get the part, either. Of course, you still get the jitterbugs when you even think of agreeing and auditioning. So what do you do? Take the quiz to find out!

Crystal Velasquez had a very unique idea in making the reader the main character. Even without this aspect, Your Life, But Cooler would still be great, but this made the reader more involved. Interacting with this novel is a great, fun experience, and I'd recommend it for ages eight and older.

Win a copy of Countdown!

2010-06-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

For June's monthly contest, enter to win a copy of Countdown by Deborah Wiles, as well as a Countdown-branded canvas tote!

'Countdown is the first in a new trilogy of “documentary novels” set in the 1960s- a fascinating historical documentary in a unique style and format. Filled with photos, news clippings, and songs of the era, this novel tells the story of Franny Chapman, an eleven-year-old girl living in Washington, DC, set against the backdrop of one of the most politically and culturally defining periods in history.

It’s 1962, in the days surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the world seems to be on the terrifying brink of nuclear war. But for Franny Chapman, everyday life goes on. While doing “Duck and Cover” drills at school, Franny must face tensions with her younger brother, and worry about her older sister— is she a secret spy?— while learning to look beyond outward appearances.'

Want more information? Check out the official website and/or the author website.

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This is open to the US only. I will contact the winner on July 1. Good luck!

Movie Monday & Contest: Summer of the Geek

2010-05-31T20:40:00.001-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of Summer of the Geek? Keep reading! The winner of This is Me from Now On is Debbie F!

Click here to read the text review of Summer of the Geek.

To enter to win a copy of Summer of the Geek, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 14 . This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Elizabeth Eulberg

2010-05-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Elizabeth Eulberg
Author of: The Lonely Heart's Club
Check out the interview!
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Have you ever vowed to stay single? How long did it last? Did it turn out well?
There have been a few moments in my life where I wanted to swear off boys forever (usually after a bad break-up), but it never lasted long. I’ve also been very busy with things that I’ve put my dating life on hold, but I’m a firm believer of “it will happen when it’s supposed to happen.” So I try to put a positive spin on any speed bumps I’ve encountered on my path to meeting Mr. Right.

Have you ever started/been in any clubs? How did that turn out?
I was in a bunch of clubs in high school, but none nearly as fun as the Lonely Hearts Club. The clubs I were in were mostly academic: the German Club (although I don’t speak German, that was the name of our foreign exchange club, not sure why…AND I was even President senior year!), Student Council, etc. The “clubs” that I feel I got the most out of were the bands I was in: pep band, marching bad, combined band and jazz band. I felt a sense of community with my fellow music students and that is where I felt most comfortable during high school. Music is still a big part of my life.

Are you a big Beatles fan? What's your favorite song by the Beatles?
I’m a huge Beatles fan. Even though my parents aren’t fans, I grew up playing Beatles songs in music classes for piano and clarinet. I think I became an even bigger fan in college when I studied abroad in London and went on a Beatles walking tour – complete with a walk across the infamous Abbey Road zebra crossing. It is really hard for me to pick a favorite song, I have about 20! “Here Comes the Sun,” “Revolution,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Something,” “Blackbird,” “Come Together,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Penny Lane,”… I could seriously go on and on.

Can you describe your road to publication?
My road to publication was a long one. I came up with the idea for The Lonely Hearts Club in the spring/summer of 2004. Over the course of two years, I wrote about four drafts before sending it to an agent whom I knew. With my agent, I did about seven more drafts before we had a manuscript that she felt comfortable sending out. I did about 3 rounds of editing with my editor at Scholastic. I made A LOT of mistakes at the beginning of the process – I didn’t have an outline or character studies. So the first few drafts were figuring out where the story was going and fleshing out the characters. I made sure I had a better understanding of the plot and characters for my next book: Prom and Prejudice and it paid off. I only did two drafts before it got sent out and only had one round of editing. I will never start another project without an outline and character studies.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?
Read, read, read and read! Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. In terms of writing, the most important thing, in my opinion, is to write for yourself. I get asked “I have an idea for a book, how do I get published?” a lot. You shouldn’t worry about getting published or finding an agent. The main goal should be to write what excites you and to get it in the best shape possible. THEN you can worry about everything that comes with getting published.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Eulberg!

The Turning: What Curiosity Kills

2010-05-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

Title: The Turning: What Curiosity Kills
Author: Helen Ellis
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 13-17

Summary: Although Mary has been adopted, and so doesn't have a complete medical history of herself nor of her family, she's never before had a problem. Certainly never a problem of such epic proportions such as... growing fur. But that's what's happening. And Mary is terrified, because she has no idea what's going on, and can't tell anybody.

After a couple of days of strange events, Mary finally gets some answers. The gorgeous Nick, who never before took an interest in Mary (although she certainly took an interest in him) explains that Mary has something inside of her that will cause her, at times, to turn into a cat. It's called The Turning.

Mary is now faced with a choice. Will she reject the cat side of her, and live a normal human life? Or will she join the vicious world of New York City felines? Or, what may be a more pertinent question: Does she even have the option of deciding for herself?

My thoughts: To be honest, I was completely unimpressed by the plot of The Turning. The concept was a good one, and the execution perfectly passable, but I just wasn't drawn in. I didn't particularly care about what was going on to Mary. Furthermore, I found the ending to be very strange.

What did keep me hooked was Helen Ellis's hilarious writing style. Her wit and humor kept the book moving, and she formed her characters with sharp accuracy. I'm looking forward to what she comes out with next-- hopefully she will be able to keep her style while making the book more compelling in other ways as well.

Click here to buy The Turning Book 1: What Curiosity Kills

Letters to Juliet

2010-05-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

When Sophie is on a "pre-honeymoon" trip with her fiancee in Venice, she is expecting to spend lots of time with him in the city of love. But when he quickly deserts her in favor of wine tours and auctions, she starts wandering around the city alone... and wittingly stumbles into a place in which young lovers write letters to Juliet.

Curious, Sophie starts to poke around, and uncovers a letter written half a century ago, asking for advice from Juliet. Sophie writes back, and is stunned when the woman, Claire, now much older, visits Sophie with her grandson.

The three of them- with much reluctance on the grandson's side- decide to go on a road trip to find Claire's long lost love that she wrote about in her letter. Along the way, Sophie learns some lessons about love herself... but will she be able to take something away from them before it's too late? And will Claire be able to defy the odds and reunite with the man of her dreams?

Although Letters to Juliet was one of the most predictable movies I've ever seen, it was still a cute romance. It stemmed off of an original idea that quickly drew in the viewer, and, through its various twists and turns, managed to hold the viewer's attention for the remainder of the film. It was a classic romantic comedy with a happy, satisfying ending. Young girls will enjoy Letters to Juliet as a fun movie to see with friends.

Mini Magoo Review: Summer of the Geek

2010-05-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

High school student Miranda is ecstatic about the upcoming summer. She has her first official job, being an 'au pair' to a ten-year-old genius, Amelia. Despite being a genius herself, and therefore a bit of a geek, Miranda also has her boyfriend Dex, who is absolutely amazing. Furthermore, she's planning on spending time with her two best friends, Charlie (short for Charlotte) and Finn. Even though they drive her crazy, she's happy that she'll have time to hang out with them.

But Miranda soon begins to think twice about the "perfection" of her summer. Her driving test is coming up, and she's pretty sure she is going to fail-- given the fact that, if she is able to start the car, she won't be able to drive anywhere without knocking over a mailbox, garbage can, or some other roadside object. To add to Miranda's worries, Amelia hates Miranda from the start and it takes quite a while to get Amelia to even speak to her!

Charlie has finally admitted to having a crush on Finn, who is head-over-heals about another girl. And even though Dex is fantastic, Miranda can't help but be uncomfortable with his life guarding job that seems to involve more bikini-clad girls than life-saving heroics. And now Dex's ex-girlfriend, Wendy, is always by Dex's side!

As if this isn't enough, Miranda's mom has invited her to come live in London with her. But can Miranda leave Dex, Wendy, Amelia, Charlie, Finn, and her high school?

I wasn't sure what to expect when starting Summer of the Geek, but it gave me a pleasant surprise. Some parts of the novel are predictable, but others were filled with surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. Summer of the Geek is a quick, fun summer read that preteen girls will surely love.

Click here to buy Summer of the Geek

Movie Monday & Contest: All Unquiet Things

2010-05-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of All Unquiet Things? Keep reading!

The winner of Cowgirl Dreams is Bethie!

Click here to read the text review of All Unquiet Things.

To enter to win a copy of All Unquiet Things, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 7 . This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Michelle Zink

2010-05-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Michelle Zink
Author of: Prophecy of the Sisters
Check out the interview!
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How did you come up with the concept for the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy?

Like most of my books, the idea for Prophecy came from an old legend. In this case, it was the biblical legend of the Watchers. They were said to be a legion of angels sent to guard mankind, but they fell in love with mortal women and were banished. After that, they were called the Lost Souls. That teeny-tiny phrase was really the jumping off point for me. It was the point at which I thought, "Ohhh! The Lost Souls! Dun-dun-DUN!" :D

What can you tell us about what to expect from the second book in your series?

The second book continues Lia's journey to find the missing pages with an epic adventure, a mysterious new guy, and a betrayal of unimaginable proportions. PLUS an homage to one of my favorite books of all time...

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer, but then I grew up and became responsible and got the "real" job everyone told me I needed to have. I don't remember anyone every encouraging me to write or even telling me what a career as a writer would look like or how I'd go about preparing myself for it, which is why I'm so passionate about encouraging aspiring writers, particularly young ones. At the age of 29, I quit my job as a Director of Sales and Marketing for a technology consulting firm because I felt like it was stealing my soul. But it still took me a few years (and a total life change that involved leaving Southern California for a small, cheap town in NY to find my way back to writing. It was worth the detour!

Can you describe your writing process?

By the seat of my pants? Lol! Seriously, I don't outline or anything. I get an idea, make enough notes that I can get started, and let the story dictate where it needs to go. I always feel (and this is going to sound so weird) that all my stories already exist out there somewhere on another plane or something and it's just my job to channel them accurately. I'm really disciplined with how MUCH I write (I keep a schedule with a 10,000 word a week minimum when I'm drafting and write 2 new books a year) but not very disciplined when it comes to keeping with my original ideas for a story. I try to feel where it's supposed to go. I can feel it if it's wrong.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that it's impossible or impractical or unrealistic. Every day new books - debut books - are sold. Just keep your head down and WRITE. Everything else is just noise.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Zink!

Shifty

2010-05-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

Title: Shifty
Author: Lynn E. Hazen
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 12-17, Some Adults

Summary: Soli hasn't had it easy. He was abandoned as a baby, and ever since then has been shuffled through various foster care homes. Now he's living with a woman named Martha, and he's determined to make the right choices so that he can stay for as long as possible with her and his little sister and baby brother, both of which are Martha's other foster kids who he isn't actually related to.

But trouble just seems to follow Soli. He's trying to do what's right, but soon finds himself dealing with things that he can't tell Martha about-- and could potentially get him in trouble. Even if he manages to sort everything out, there's a social worker on knocking on Martha's door, threatening to take away the kids from her.

Will Soli be able to form a new life in his new home... or will this be just another house in a long stretch of memories?

My thoughts: Although there were times when the writing seemed forced, Lynn E. Hazen was often able to speak to and connect with the reader. We empathize with Soli and root for him the whole way through. Hazen also shows that the traditional family isn't the only type of family that there is.

One doesn't need to be connected with foster care in any way to be inspired by Hazen's Shifty. Her writing will only improve, so her next novel is sure to be even better!

Click here to buy Shifty

All Unquiet Things

2010-05-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

Title: All Unquiet Things
Author: Anna Jarzab
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 14+

Summary: It's been a couple of years since Carly, Neily's ex-girlfriend, died. But Neily hasn't moved past her death nor the circumstances surrounding it, and the reader learns of the events leading up to her death. How Carly and Neily dated. How Neily loved her. How Carly dumped Neily for the dangerous Adam. How Neily didn't answer Carly's phone call on the night that she was killed.

Then there's Audrey, who was Carly's cousin and best friend. Her dad was thrown in jail for Carly's murder, but Audrey's certain that they got it wrong-- that the real killer is out there somewhere. She solicits the help of Neily, and together they investigate Carly's murder.

But dredging up the past brings up both horrible feelings and danger. Word has gotten out about the pair's detective-playing, and Audrey and Neily can only hope that they will find the killer before it's too late.

My thoughts: All Unquiet Things was an intriguing page-turner that kept me hooked from start to finish. Anna Jarzab dealt out the mystery and suspense like a pro, building up the story so that the reader could fully enjoy the riveting climax. The characters were sometimes frustrating, but they were all tangible and real.

Teen readers will find an exciting read in All Unquiet Things, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what Anna Jarzab brings us next!

Click here to buy All Unquiet Things

The Heart is Not a Size

2010-05-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Title: The Heart is Not a Size
Author: Beth Kephart
Grade: A
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 13+

Summary: Georgia is cool, calm, and collected. She's a perfect student and she never involves herself in any unneeded drama. But on the inside, as she explains, she's a mess. She suffers from panic attacks that she's never told anybody about, and she's afraid for her best friend, Riley, who seems to be suffering from anorexia... although Georgia's been too afraid to confront Riley.

When Georgia and Riley travel to Anapra with several other teens to build a bathroom for the poor community, they know what's awaiting them: hard work, dust, and a hot sun. What they don't necessarily expect is the lessons about life and love that the place, the people, and the work will bring.

Georgia is learning to embrace life and confront her problems as they come. But will doing so ruin the decade-long friendship that she and Riley have?

My thoughts: What struck me from the very first page of The Heart is Not a Size was Beth Kephart's beautiful writing. The reader is quickly enfolded into the story as her words and sentences form something deeper than just the basic meaning.

Furthermore, she expertly lay the groundwork for both the plot and character development early in the novel, creating a perfectly satisfying story that carried a resounding message. The Heart is Not a Size is a book that many teen readers will enjoy, and it has convinced me to pick up another one of Kephart's works!

Click here to buy The Heart Is Not a Size

Blogger Profile & Contest: Sara

2010-05-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in winning an ARC of The Clearing, keep on reading! The winner of the book of your choice is throuthehaze.

Sara blogs at The Hiding Spot. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Sara
Alias: None
Blog name: The Hiding Spot
Blog URL: http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I'm a college student, I work a part time job, and spend as much time as possible reading. It sounds horribly mundane, but that basically sums up my life right now. My major is Marketing and I hope to one day work with books, whether it be by working in the publishing industry, at a library, or a bookstore. I love to read, primarily Young Adult, Science Fiction, and Epic Fantasy.

Name & describe your blog features:
My blog started out as a quick way to keep track of the books I'd read and even now the reviews are my main focus. I've branched out to interviewing authors that I particularly love and often host contests. Every Monday is Cover of the Week, which allows me to share a cover that I'm particularly excited about. Even though I try not to judge a book by its cover, sometimes I can't help it. I have a couple more features in the works that I'm excited about and will hopefully start soon, now that the spring semester is over.

Describe your review system:
My review system is pretty standard. I begin with basic information about the book; title, author, publisher, date of release, pages. I also include the plot summary from the back of the book or from GoodReads. Many reviewers write their own, but, generally, I like to share the summary that I read that convinced me to pick up the book. From there I choose the aspects of the book that really jumped out to me, whether it be the parts that made me love the book or the parts that made me loathe it. The hardest reviews are the ones of novels that left me bored, as they generally just didn't appeal to me and there isn't one easy way to pinpoint why. I always discuss the romance in the novel, no matter how slight. I'm a romance junkie, which is obvious if you read my blog. At the end of the review, I give the book a grade for easy reference. I also have a "cover comments" section to discuss how I felt about the cover art.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
Honestly, it isn't all that unique right now. I've been blogging for about a year and I've kind of been testing the waters. I didn't really know what direction I wanted to take my book blog, all I knew was that I loved books. This summer I plan to really differentiate The Hiding Spot with fun, interactive features, contests, and interviews. I love writing my blog and knowing that I'm spreading the word about great books, but I hope that my blog will become more of a conversation... my readers will have a voice, not just me.

How do you market your blog?
Twitter! I always swore that I'd never have a Twitter account, I was delusional. Not only is Twitter absolutely addicting, it is a great way to stay connected with bloggers, authors, and readers. Otherwise, I love GoodReads and I sometimes use Amazon to share my reviews.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1. Spell check! Even I miss things, but you should at least try to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
2. Be honest. A bad review is better than a dishonest one, but don't be cruel. Just because you didn't like a book, doesn't mean it can't be another reader's favorite. Explain why it didn't work for you.
3. Have fun! Mix things up and try new things... my favorite blogs are those who aren't like all the rest.

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1. Twitter. A blogger's best friend, in my opinion.
2. Be social. If you comment on my blog, there is a good chance I'll check out your blog... I've found some of my favorite blogs this way!
3. Contests. Everyone loves free stuff! However, keep in mind that contests shouldn't be used to force people into following, unless it is a contest to celebrate your followers. You want people to read your blog because they value your content, not just want free stuff!
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Thanks so much, Sara!

One winner will win an ARC of The Clearing. To win, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. For an extra entry, follow my blog AND Sara's blog. To get another extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on June 15.

Movie Monday & Contest: This Is Me From Now On

2010-05-17T21:03:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of This Is Me From Now On? Keep reading!

Click here to read the text review of This Is Me From Now On.

To enter to win a copy of This Is Me From Now On, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, June 2 . This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 11

2010-05-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the eleventh week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit.

Poison Diaries- I finished Maryrose Wood's novel, and although I enjoyed it, it didn't quite live up to her series starring the faerie queen Morgan.

House of Dance- Expect a review for this gem by Beth Kephart to come on Wednesday!

The Turning- I'm about to start this book, and I have no idea what to expect! Does anyone have any thoughts?

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Heidi M. Thomas

2010-05-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Heidi M. Thomas
Author of: Cowgirl Dreams

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
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Cowgirl Dreams is based on the life of your grandmother. How close was it to real life?
Pretty close. My grandmother did ride steers in rodeos and was an avid horsewoman; the story of her meeting and marrying is based on truth; the setting is factual, and being friends and competing with Marie Gibson is real. I don’t know for a fact that her mother opposed her rodeo riding, but it was quite a common occurrence during that era, and it adds good conflict to the story. It could have been true.

Have you ever been interested in horses or competing in rodeos yourself?
I grew up on a ranch in eastern Montana and rode horses, helping my dad round up cattle for branding and shipping. I never did aspire to rodeo riding however. I couldn’t see myself getting up on the back of a thousand-pound bucking animal who wanted to dump me off and maybe stomp on me to boot! But I didn’t try barrel racing either.

Can you describe your writing process?
I’m a “seat-of-the-pants” writer. I have a general idea in my head of where I want to go, but I’m continually surprised where my characters take me when I sit down to write. Also, because of my training and background in journalism, I am a fairly “lean” writer, and usually have to go back and flesh out my manuscript. So in that respect, it’s almost like I write an outline as my first draft, although I get a mental block when the “O” word is mentioned.

What can we expect from your writing future?
My sequel, Follow the Dream, is with my publisher now, awaiting the editing process. I’m hoping it will be released sometime this summer or fall. I am writing a third book based on “Nettie” and I have two more books planned in the series. One will be the next generation and will be based on my mother who emigrated from Germany after WWII. The fifth book will be more contemporary and mostly fiction, with my heroine Nettie’s great-granddaughter.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?
First, read a LOT. Read all kinds of books. Write, learn and polish your craft. Find a safe, constructive critique group to provide helpful feedback and support. Before submitting to an agent or publisher, have your manuscript professionally edited. And do not give up! Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, received 144 rejections before his first book was published! Stephen King had a thick spike that he covered with his rejections.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Thomas!

Blogger Profile: Basma Aal

2010-05-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

Aik is the winner of 3 A.M.!

Basma Aal blogs at In Between the Lines. Below you can find out more about her and her site:
_____
Name: Basma Aal
Blog name: In Between the Lines
Blog URL: http://www.basma-aal.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I am an Egyptian/Canadian. I enjoy writing about everything. I started writing when I was in third grade. I finished my first novel before New Moon hit theaters. I am now studying business admin. I started my own blog last year using it as a tool to share my opinion.

Name & describe your blog features:
There are many features to my blog because I don’t just review books. I blog about whatever comes to my mind. Stuff that I am passionate about. My main features are book reviews, words of wisdom and the environment.

Describe your review system:
So in my reviews, I pretend that I am the main character writing about the main things that happen to me in the novel. It is a way to pull the reader into the review by making them think that they are the main
characters themselves.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
In my book reviews I connect situations in novels with real life situations. I tell my readers what lessons I learned from novels. Also, what's unique about my blog is that I think of my blog as my
weapon to make my voice heard or in this case words read.

How do you market your blog?
I market my blog by doing blog featuring like right now. I have a facebook page where I asked my friends to join it and they suggested it to their friends. I actually started by sending random messages on youtube but that didn’t work out so well. I know it will take time to get recognized and I am willing to wait.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1) Be honest
2) Ask someone to edit before publishing it
3) Have your own style

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1) Ask your friends and family to tell their friends about your blog
2) Be active online
3) Look for chances online that could help you get more followers such as challenges and blog features
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Thanks so much, Basma Aal!

The Lovely Bones

2010-05-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

Susie Salmon is not particularly unusual. She is more quiet and shy than some, but is still a healthy fourteen year old girl. She has a healthy, supportive family, and a romance is just starting to blossom between Susie and a boy she knows. This is all changed when she is murdered.

When walking home from school, Susie was lured into an underground basement that her neighbor, a middle aged man, had built. There, he kills her.

Now, Susie is watching her family from heaven, or wherever she is. It is agonizing to watch their pain as her parents and sister try to locate her, as well as when they must come to grips with the fact that Susie is most likely dead. Perhaps worst, Susie's killer is passing completely under the radar, and it looks as if he'll get away with the crime. But now he's targeting Susie's little sister, and there is absolutely nothing that Susie can do...

Stanley Tucci's stunning portrayal of Susie's disturbed killer is what makes The Lovely Bones truly terrifying. After watching any scene with him, I was left with the chills and a slightly sick feeling. The Lovely Bones is a fun movie to watch if you're in the mood to be scared, but be warned that it will be frightening!

Exciting Upcoming Review

2010-05-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

For all those online shoppers out there, here's a business that you'll fall in love with!

CSN Stores has over 200 stores featuring all sorts of furniture, home decorations, and more! It's definitely worth checking out a few of the stores-- the prices are great and the quality is as good as you'll find at your local store! I can personally attest to this, as I got my "blogging base", the chair I'm sitting in right now, from CSN. One of their sites is Bathroom Vanities, a site that offers great and affordable bathroom vanities.

Now, I'm happy to say that I will be reviewing another product from CSN: a "fuf" chair, which, to put it simply, is a bean bag chair, only more comfortable! So while you're waiting for my review to go up, browse some CSN stores-- you won't be disappointed.

Movie Monday & Contest: Cowgirl Dreams

2010-05-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of Cowgirl Dreams? Keep reading!

The winner of The Dark Divine nail polish is Sierra!

Click here to read the text review of Cowgirl Dreams.

To enter to win a copy of Cowgirl Dreams, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, May 24 . This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 10

2010-05-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the tenth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit. However, this week, Stick with Lit and I have decided to make this week's theme What HAVEN'T I Read Lately!

House of Dance- I've heard a lot of praise for Beth Kephart's novel and I'm looking forward to picking it up soon!

The Outside Boy- Hopefully I'll be able to read this book soon, as it seems like an interesting read.

O, Juliet- I'm not sure if this romance will be good or bad, but I'll find out for myself when I read it!

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Lindsay Eland

2010-05-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Lindsay Eland
Author of: Scones and Sensibility

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
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Have you ever acted as a matchmaker?

Oh dear, no! Thankfully, I have never ever acted as a matchmaker. I’ve only played the part in my head and then eventually sighed with relief at the fact that I never actually said anything out loud… my matches would’ve been disastrous.

Do you ever like to pretend you're living in the 19th century?

I did when I was little… a lot. My younger sister and I would play wagon trains together watching our husbands die from cold or exhaustion, and pretending that beef jerky was salt pork. And in fifth and sixth grade my best friend and I spent a lot of time being Anne Shirley and Diana Barry and even exchanged locks of hair with each other. Now, hough I would love to go back in time and live in the 19th century, it’s hard for me to pretend that I’m living in a different time period when I’m typing on my computer and making an iced mocha latte---both of which I could not live without.

How does Jane Austen's work inspire your own?

I adore Jane Austen. Her writing is filled with clever wit, endearing characters that can often infuriate and delight at the same time, and she writes about families, friends, and love… all things that are very important to me. And of course, Mr. Darcy and Captain Wentworth are always inspiring.

What were your three favorite books when you were a teen?

Sadly I didn’t read too, too much for fun in High School. Homework and outside activities dominated any free time I had. I did love A Tale of Two Cities however, which was my first introduction into the Classics, which I now adore. I did read a lot in fifth and sixth grade, which could be why I love writing for middle grade readers so much. My favorites were Matilda, Bridge to Terabithia, and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

My three favorite books right now… oh gosh, I have to pick just one? Well…let’s see. How about I pick my favorite adult, young adult, and middle grade? Adult: Jane Erye…though Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are there too…I’ve recently reread Jane Erye so it is fresh on my mind and heart. Young Adult: The Goose Girl…I love Shannon Hale…really, everything she writes is magic to me. Middle Grade: The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Dicamillo…can she do no wrong?

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?

First: to be a successful writer you must read…MUST! Reading is essential. It not only teaches you through a sort of osmosis how to write, but it also keeps your imagination and heart and eyes wide open at the possibilities and power of words. Second, you also have to write…yep, it’s that simple. You’ll never have anything to submit if you never actually sit down and write. And third: never give up…never, ever ever, ever. It’s only when you give up that you’ve succeeded in failing.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Eland! Check out another interview with her here.

Mini Magoo Review: This Is Me From Now On

2010-04-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

Evie is cautious about her new neighbor, Francesca. Francesca is wild and crazy and... has a very strange sense of style. However, she's funny and unique, and, despite warnings from her best friends, Evie finds herself being drawn into the quirkiness and uniqueness of Francesca's world: a world where anything can happen.

After partnering up for a school assignment, Evie starts hanging out with Francesca more and more, and not just for their work. They make plans all the time, anything from setting up the two best teachers in school to get together or setting up Evie with her crush, and Francesca is not the only one who has fun. They go to the beach over weekends and play at each other's houses.

But Evie is sensing tension between her and her best friends, Lily and Nisha. They don't approve of Francesca, which they make quite clear, but Evie doesn't care. She likes Francesca, and if she can just sort out things between her and her friends, and maybe even get them to like Francesca, everything would be perfect.

Or course, that's easier said than done, and Evie soon realizes that it will be hard to sort things out with Nisha and Lily. Futhermore, she and Francesca might not get away will all of their pranks. With the due date of her school project looming closer and closer, and Francesca insisting that everything will be fine, Evie can't help but wonder... how?

I really, really enjoyed This Is Me From Now On. It was a laugh-out-loud, quick novel that is perfect for a spring or summer read. I thought the characters were a bit hard to relate to, and the plot moved pretty fast, but this made things more exciting. All in all it was a highly enjoyable book, great for fourth to sixth graders.

Click here to buy This Is Me From Now On

The Sixth Sense

2010-04-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

The night Malcolm Crowe gets an award for his work in child psychology is the night a former patient breaks into his house, shoots Malcolm, and then commits suicide.

It's now a year later, and Malcolm has a new patient: a little boy who reminds him of the boy who him. Malcolm is determined to help this strange child, thinking that if he can help him, he can, in some sort of way, help the patient who shot himself. But as Malcolm gets immersed in the boy's life, his wife drifts further and further away.

When the boy tells Malcolm that he sees dead people, Malcolm knows this is an extremely unusual case. It's up to him to help the boy before it's too late.

Although the entire movie was suspenseful and engaging, the clever and surprising ending of The Sixth Sense was what made it truly fabulous and catapulted it to my favorite movie list. This movie was absolutely amazing, and I would recommend it to all viewers who won't be put off by its several gruesome horror scenes.

Blogger Profile: Samantha

2010-04-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Samantha blogs at Chick Lit Plus. Below you can find out more about her and her site:
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Name: Samantha Robey
Alias: Mantha
Blog name: Chick Lit Plus
Blog URL: chicklitplus.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I just turned 23 in March and spend most of my time reading, reading, and reading some more! I started my website in October, and couldn’t be happier with the way things are turning out. I’ve always wanted to be a writer myself, since I was about 10 years old, and I feel my blog is helping me make connections in the writing world that I couldn’t get otherwise. I currently live in Iowa and am ecstatic warm weather is finally here! In my spare time, I enjoy working out, dancing, and being with my friends.

Name & describe your blog features:
My blog features book reviews, mainly in the chick lit drama, but also touches on others such as romance. I also write articles on health, fitness, and style. I took a poll before starting my website, and found that many chick lit genre fans enjoy reading on those other subjects, including celebrity news, so I post on the breaking Hollywood gossip as well. I think that adds more to the site and readers enjoy those articles.

Describe your review system:
After I read a book, I will write a background on the book, letting readers know the plot and main characters. The last paragraph is usually my opinion and how the book made me feel, and to let readers know if I think they should read it or not. I am happy to say there hasn’t been too many books that I’ve had to say don’t bother with, but I will say it if that’s how I feel. I also say if the book is one of my favorites- and I have a ‘Samantha’s Favorites’ section that I will link that novel too. I don’t give the books a rating, such as 1-5 stars, I just tell my thoughts and give my opinions.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
I think my blog is unique from other book blogs because of the ‘Plus’ sections. You can stop by and read about celebrities, get a healthy recipe, print off a workout, and find the best mascara. I also always post Amazon links to each book I have reviewed, and have some of my favorite books listed on a sidebar.

How do you market your blog?
I market my blog by social networking sites. I am on Twitter and Facebook, and many of my hits come through the links I have posted through there.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
I think the first is to be honest. With book reviews, you have to give your honest opinion on what you thought. I remember an author that sought me out to review her novel, and I really disliked it. I had felt terrible writing what I thought, because I knew she was waiting to read what I thought, but it’s the honesty!
Another is to be personable. When I first started writing articles on health and fitness, it was like I was just spouting off facts. I found that once I started writing like I was talking to friends and adding my personal stories, I got a better response and more comments.
And my third tip would be to check and double check your work. One of my first book reviews included a character’s name that I had gotten wrong, and I was so embarrassed when someone posted a comment correcting my mistake!

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
Post! The more you post and put your links out there, the more traffic you will get to your blog.
Comment on other blogs. Not only will more people then go to your page, but you can also make some friends by finding and showing interest in other blogs.
Utilize all the social networking you can. When I first started my blog, I only had Facebook, but starting a Twitter account was one of the best choices I made. There are so many people out there that you reach through these great sites!
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Thanks so much, Samantha!

Movie Monday & Contest: The Dark Divine

2010-04-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a bottle of nail polish inspired by The Dark Divine? Keep reading!

The winner of Read, Remember, Recommend is Karla!

Click here to read the text review of The Dark Divine.

To enter to win a bottle of nail polish inspired by The Dark Divine, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, May 10 . This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 9

2010-04-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the ninth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit. Also, by participating, you get a couple of extra entries in this month's contest.

Anastasia's Secret- This piece of historical fiction did not disappoint, and I loved reading so many interesting facts about the Romanov family. A review is coming soon!

How to (un)Cage a Girl- Francesca Lia Block's beautiful poetry will speak to all girls and women in this tribute to the female sex.

The Poison Diaries- I've always been a fan of Maryrose Wood's work, so I'm looking forward to seeing what this novel has in store! I'm a few pages in and it seems to be promising.

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Estevan Vega

2010-04-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Estevan Vega
Author of: Arson
Check out the guest blog!
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Any aspiring writer has no doubt been asked this question before, whether you’ve been in a writing workshop, attended a conference, taken a class, or whatever. Everyone wants to know who you’re writing for. (Kinda hate this question almost as much as screaming babies, pickles, and getting asked to summarize a novel in ten words or less.) To some this may come across as an extremely personal question, and nobody likes an eavesdropper… unless you’re a serious writer. We, the wacked-out author folk, need those who have a penchant for eavesdropping in on the lives of our characters. Otherwise, we’d be reader-less. Now, I’m obviously not speaking the language of the secret diary-holders or persons who simply like to dabble. This is for the ones who like pain… the serious writers.

It seems like scores of people label writers as ego-maniacs. After all, we try to get accepted into writing journals, journals no doubt bought strictly by writers like us. And then we beg agents and publishers to take a look at our stuff. The real masochistic part is that we keep doing it all. But as writers we have a penchant for being rejected. At first, I used to get offended at this perspective concerning writers, particularly because I was one. But as I began to think about it, I started to consider its truth. I mean, to some degree everyone is an ego-maniac. Rock stars. Actors. Chicks who wear short skirts. People who get tattoos. We have this inner human nature that seems to scream “Notice me!” I just think writers are intrinsically blessed with a double dose. Now, it doesn’t mean writers should parade around with smug grins and billboard signs that say “world’s greatest author!” I mean, maybe we have a moral obligation to be ego-maniacs… but ego-maniacs with dignity. Of course, I’m only ninety-seven and a half percent serious, but seriously, there is a place to be humble and a place to be egotistical… I mean, confident.

We’ve been taught to be confident, but what writer is oozing with confidence and isn’t raking in 4 mil per book? It’s a gamble. Most of us just take a shot and hope somebody cares. Every teacher, every conference leader, and every pretentious dream-killing, curb-stomping literary agent will ask you who you’re writing for. And you better have an answer. Trust me, “Everybody” doesn’t fly. Plus, there is no category for undecided. Sorry, college freshmen. You need to know who you’re writing for. Don’t be afraid, just identify with it.

And drum roll, please… The person you need to write for is yourself. That’s right, I’m allowing you to indulge your ego. Pet it, love it, kiss it. Okay, maybe not pet it, but you get the idea. Seriously, in order for a writer to be any good, any REAL good, he/she has to know what they want to write about and who they’re writing for. First you, then them (publishers), then the other them (consumers, the niche). Trust me, if you follow your convictions, write from who you are, with a bit of an eye for the market, you might survive.

Remember, young grasshopper, it does not end with pleasing your own ego. A writer needs to seriously indulge the reader. Know the market and what the public is buying now, because let’s face it, it is a little about the money. Try to make your story as original as possible (obvious oxymoron aside). You might wanna try buying a cool, creepy hat and then invest in some horn-rimmed glasses, after you let your hair grow long. Now that you’ve become the stereotypical creeper writer we will someday know and fear, you should be ready to write the book of your life. Just refrain from attempting to pen the next Great American Novel. Seriously, worry more about making it good. Then, I promise, your ego will be doing back flips because people will start to care and buy it, which means you might get to do this crazy thing for a living.

My ego’s still stuck on somersaults, in case you were wondering. But he’s getting there.
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Thanks so much for such a great guest blog, Mr. Vega!

Before I Fall

2010-04-23T20:46:00.001-07:00

Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Grade: A+
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 14+

Summary: Sam is popular. The group of four high school senior girls that she belongs to can get away with anything they want to, and that's just the way it is. She has everything for her, so she certainly isn't expecting to die.

But that's what happens. When coming back from a party, the car Sam is in crashes, and she dies. Her world is jarred yet again when she wakes up the following morning, and realizes that it's the day of the party again. Sam has to relive the day of her death over and over... but in this strange window of time, she'll learn what's truly important in life.

My thoughts: I started this novel tentatively, as it seemed to me that the idea had been taken straight from the movie Groundhog Day. However, Before I Fall turned out to be one of the most original novels I've ever read. Lauren Oliver's writing is lyrical and beautiful, and even with lengthy descriptions and long trains of thought, readers will never be bored.

Criticisms of this novel seemed to be centered around the fact that the characters were virtually impossible to relate to or sympathize with, and the majority of them never truly learned their lesson. I, on the other hand, thought that that was the beauty of this book: it was realistic and told the truth, however harsh, rather than giving an idealistic scenario that would never happen in real high school life. Oliver did not aim to please her readers, but to penetrate them with the truth.

Although a couple of the days in the middle started to blend together in my mind, I was overall extraordinarily impressed by this debut, which I would recommend to all teen girls as well as adults. I am looking forward to more from Lauren Oliver!

Click here to buy Before I Fall

Blogger Profile & Contest: Kate

2010-04-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in winning a book of your choice, keep on reading! The winner of Numbers is JoJo!

Kate blogs at I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Kate
Alias: kpic724
Blog name: I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!
Blog URL: http://ijustwannasithereandread.blogspot.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I work full-time in a laboratory. And my passion is anything fiction. I burned my way through books starting at a young age thanks to my Mom. I am a self-proclaimed speed-reader (and have actually taken a course) so I can get the most out of my time while reading. I love reviewing books and recommending them to my book-loving friends! I am also a staff member at OpenBookSociety.com

Name & describe your blog features:
I am still new at this point so I mostly do reviews, memes, and book challenges that fall within my genres of books. I do mostly YA but I will do adult books as well if they interest me.

Describe your review system:
If I like a book I will tell you. If I don't like a book I will tell you. But for the negative reviews I always have at least one positive thing to say because I may not like the book but I cannot guarantee others will not love it. To each his own. Also I post all my reviews on Goodreads, Shelfari, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
My wide scope of books I read and review makes my blog unique.

How do you market your blog?
I post all my reviews on Goodreads & Shelfari to get my profile out there. Also I use my link when entering contests. I also hold contests and tweet to get familiar with others in the book blogger community.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1. Don't put too much 'stuff' on your front page, if it takes a while to load its annoying
2. Be honest in your reviews
3. Be unique!

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
Since I am still new at this myself, I would recommend just getting out there. Join challenges, talk up twitter, do weekly memes, participate in online events and chats.
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Thanks so much, Kate!

One winner will win their choice of the following:

-Second Chance by Jane Green
-The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron (advanced copy from B&N)
-Vampire Beach by Alex Duval (minor cover damage but otherwise perfect)
-The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
-The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

To win one of these books, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. You MUST follow both my blog and Kate's blog to enter. To get an extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on May 18.

Mini Magoo Review: Cowgirl Dreams

2010-04-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

Nettie Brady is the ultimate tomboy. She yearns to change her long, ladylike skirts to denim pants, and would much rather ride horses and compete in rodeos than be doing the sewing and darning that her mother makes her do at home. Competing in rodeos is Nettie's dream, but the time is the 1920's, and such activities aren't deemed acceptable for a woman. However, even though her own mother wants her to be ladylike, Nettie often sneaks away to dances and horse rides.

Although she's determined to accomplish her dream, Nettie also has to deal with a flood, influenza, and even some broken bones! On the other hand, she does get to meet her personal heroine, a famous cowgirl. Then she meets a neighbor who is funny, handsome, and everything Nettie could want. Is she just having silly thoughts, or is a romance starting to blossom?

It takes Heidi M. Thomas only a couple of chapters to completely hook her readers. Due to the constant excitement and frequent surprises, I couldn't put the book down from almost the very beginning! Thomas also excelled in her character description, and I was always able to relate to Nettie. Young readers between ten and fifteen years old will love this novel!

Click here to buy Cowgirl Dreams

Movie Monday & Contest: Token of Darkness

2010-04-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of Token of Darkness? Keep reading! The winner of The Gettysburg Address is Kelsey.

Click here to read the text review of Token of Darkness.

To enter to win a copy of Token of Darkness, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, start participating in my WHIRL meme (posted every Sunday). For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, May 3 . This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 8

2010-04-18T03:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the eighth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit. Also, by participating, you get a couple of extra entries in this month's contest.

Arson- This was the second Estevan Vega novel that I've read (the first being The Sacred Sin) and you can view my review here.

Spells- I was very impressed by the second book in Aprilynne Pike's hit series! Fans will not be disappointed, and you can read my review here.

Anastasia's Secret- I'm in the middle of this intriguing historical fiction. I've always been interested in the life of Anastasia Romanov (which I think I've mentioned before on this blog!) so this book is doubly exciting for me to read.

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Rachelle Rogers Knight

2010-04-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Rachelle Rogers Knight
Author of: Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens
Check out the interview!
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How did you come up with the idea to create a reading journal for teens?
After I created my first journal (Fiction and Literature version of Read, Remember and Recommend), I received a lot of feedback from parents and teens. I had many teens and parents tell me what a great idea it was, but the first comment was always followed by a “but..” and the question: "Do you have a version for teens?". The last decade has been great for Young Adult literature. More and more teens are becoming interested in reading, and coupled with that, many great authors and books are being written just for the genre. My goal with the teen journal was to create a medium for teens, parents, teachers and librarians to find books suitable for each teen and provide them a location to record, and discuss their thoughts on the books. The myriad of lists in the journal ensure that each teen can find what is right for them, whether it is a book for a homework assignment, a book club meeting or reading just for fun.

What makes your reading journal unique from the others of its type?
The lists! No other journal (or book) is available on the market with the lists Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens provides. These lists were created by organizations and institutions devoted to awarding the best in young adult literature. In addition, for the Teen version, I also cross reference age and grade wherever possible to help the young reader further filter and understand their book choices.

What are your top three book recommendations?
My recommendations are continually changing with each book I read! When reading YA literature, I'm all over the board - I have been reading new releases to classics.

Currently, I would offer these three suggestions as solid choices for a "can't put it down" reading experience that will appeal to both genders:

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

What can we expect from you (book wise) in the future?
I am currently working on mystery and romance versions of the journal and am hoping to continue the series with tween, children's and nonfiction versions as well.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?
Get as much feedback as possible without dashing your enthusiasm. On the internet, there are a lot of sites dedicated and focused on helping teen writers. In addition, many offer avenues for them to show their work and get their work critiqued. Take advantage of these. I think it is hard at first to take any sort of criticism on something you have created. Start slow with introducing your writing to others until you are comfortable with not only sharing, but can accept comments without them affecting how you feel about your work. Newly forming ideas are fragile and until they are solid, can easily be squelched if you aren't prepared for any feedback that isn't stellar.

More importantly, stick with it! If you are dedicated to creating something, then channel your passion and persevere. I truly believe that personal passion goes into whatever medium it is directed towards and makes it unique. While getting critiques and feedback is important, listening to your own creative voice and sticking with it is the only way to create.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Knight!

Spells

2010-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

Title: Spells
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Girls, 11-16
Sequel to: Wings

*Warning* This review contains spoilers for Spells' prequel, Wings.

Summary: It's been a few months since Laurel dealt with the trolls that threatened Avalon, but even though another attack hasn't sounded for a while, that doesn't mean one won't come soon. It's time for Laurel to become prepared for her next encounter, so she travels to Avalon for the summer. In an intensive eight week course, she learns everything she'll need to know when she next has to deal with trolls.

Although the big picture of trolls versus faeries is alarming, Laurel also has problems of an even more personal nature. Her mom has been cold and distant ever since Laurel admitted she wasn't human, and Laurel doesn't know how to fix their relationship. Furthermore, she has to continue to keep her faerie secret from her best friend, Chelsea.

As if this isn't enough, Laurel is straddling two worlds. Her love for her home on earth and her wonderful, infrequent visits to Avalon are tearing her apart. Worse, her heart is being torn for the human David and the faerie Tamani. It's time for Laurel to make a choice, as well as find a way to save Avalon from the trolls.

My thoughts: Although Spells doesn't have a clearly distinct plot until the book is almost finished, the series has seriously improved with this installment, and the rest of the series is sure to thrill! In this sequel, it is easier for readers to relate to Laurel, and more knowledge of the faerie world is given to us so that the mythology is even more enjoyable.

I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of this intoxicating series!

Click here to buy Spells

Arson

2010-04-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Title: Arson
Author: Estevan Vega
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 13-18

Summary: Arson has no idea where he's going in life. He lives with his grandmother, and although he loves her, at times she can be abusive, controlling, and even insane. To support the two of them, he works at a local ice cream store, with horrible coworkers and an even worse boss. His social life is nonexistent: he has no friends and his crush, Mandy, hardly ever acknowledges him.

But the real kicker? Arson can create fire with his mind. And a few years ago, a horrible accident occurred because of what Arson is convinced is his curse. Now, he feels that he can never move past this unwanted ability or the harm he created on that fateful night.

When a new family moves next door, Arson becomes unexpected friends with the girl, Emery. Their strange friendship quickly morphs into something more, but can the two teens find solace in each other when they both have such overwhelming problems of their own?

My thoughts: Estevan Vega has taken a giant step forward with Arson. Every character is unique and incredibly well thought out, and readers can form unique connections with everyone mentioned. Vega does not do things half way: even the characters who utter only one line of dialog have distinct personalities.

The ending of Arson, although somewhat unsatisfying, will leave readers wanting more, which is hopefully what we will get! I'm looking forward to seeing where Vega's writing takes him in the future.

Blogger Profile: Sandy

2010-04-14T03:43:00.000-07:00

Sandy blogs at Pirate Penguin's Reads. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Sandy
Alias: Pirate Penguin
Blog name: Pirate Penguin's Reads
Blog URL: http://www.piratepenguinreads.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
Despite my blog name, I'm not an aquatic bird OR a swashbuckling pirate...(although how cool would that be?) I'm really just an eighteen-year-old girl who's obsessed with books! When I'm not feeding my addiction for books, I draw, play my violin, hang out with friends and go to college (I'm a freshman again, lol)

Name & describe your blog features:
My site consists mostly of YA book reviews but sometimes I sneak some adult or middle grade books onto my site. ;) I also interview authors and have contests here and there.

Describe your review system:
My review system is very simple. I grade from 1 to 5 (1 being terrible to 5 being amazing). My grading is overall though; I don't break the book down by grading plot, characters, etc. I feel like I'm dissecting the book if I do that.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
I review all sorts of different genres. You can find anything from chick-lit to fantasy to dystopian fiction on my site. I don't like to limit myself to just one "type" of book so I read all that I can and hopefully my reviews can convince someone to give a book they might've ignored a second glance :)

How do you market your blog?
I'm always commenting on other people's blogs. I think that's probably one of the best ways to get yourself recognized-- the comments you leave behind get others curious, they visit your blog and if they like it, they become visitors too. It also doesn't hurt if you're always updating your site with meaningful posts/reviews.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1.) Be consistent with posts--it's not a good sign if you disappear for a long time and then barely update your site.
2.)Be honest in your reviews-don't be afraid to be "that guy" that hated one book when everyone else loved it. It's all about opinion and you have every right to agree or disagree.
3.) Be yourself--review what YOU want and have fun with blogging. :)

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1.) I personally love Twitter. It's a great (and fast!) way to connect with other bloggers and authors.
2.) Be friendly! Comment on other people's blogs and follow them.
3.) Contests are a wonderful way to attract new followers and it's a lot of fun to host them!
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Thanks so much, Sandy!

Movie Monday & Contest: Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens

2010-04-11T03:36:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens? Keep reading! The winner of Tagged is Angie.

Click here to read the text review of RRR for Teens.

To enter to win a copy of RRR for Teens, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. You must be following my blog to enter. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, April 26 . This is open to the US only.

Saturday's Scribe: Brian D. McClure

2010-04-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Brian D. McClure
Author of: The Bubble

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
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Where did you get the inspiration for your book?
I grew up with three brothers all of us active in sports and hard workers. Our mother only allowed us to spend 10% of whatever we earned on our paper routes and jobs; the rest went into our bank accounts. Many times it would take six months to save up enough spending money, to buy a leather football or prized possession. As a result, those possessions became coveted. When one of my brothers was playing catch with my football without me I became possessive. My parents cured that problem on my eleventh birthday... They bought me a basketball backboard and hoop... Everyone used it all the time, and I was able to see a much bigger picture...

When you were a kid, were you good at sharing, or were you possessive?
As a youngster, I became possessive. As I grew older I learned how to share. As an adult, I'm well past attachment to things!

How does the process of writing a picture book work?
Typically a thought comes into my mind and I type it onto the computer screen. Usually I have no idea where the thought will go. However, over the course of writing ten children's books I can say that in each new day the story continues to write itself. It goes from a thought and daily expands by the next day. I write until my mind clears and then stop. I've never felt pressured to finish or to know what will happen next in a story. Once the story is completed, I break down the sentences and start working with my illustrator. I tell the picture concept I am looking for and we meet several more times along the way to make sure we are on the same page.

What are your three favorite picture books? Three teen books? Three adult books?
Children's books... I like my stories because they are mine... I read many other books to my children though... All in all, I have read hundreds and hundreds of books. You will never find me without a new book that I am reading. The honest truth is, I have no favorites. I love them all. I take them as they are for the message or story they give me.

What advice would you give to any aspiring young writers?
Write from your heart!
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Mr. McClure!

Blogger Profile & Contest: Dallas

2010-04-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in winning a copy of 3 a.m. by Dallas Woodburn, keep on reading!

Dallas blogs at Dallas Woodburn's Writing Life. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Dallas Woodburn
Blog name: Dallas Woodburn's Writing Life
Blog URL: http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com/

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself? I am the author of two collections of short stories and a forthcoming YA novel. I've also published stories, essays and articles in numerous teen magazines such as Justine, Cicada, Listen, and eight Chicken Soup for the Soul books. My passion is to spread the excitement and joy of reading and writing, and I have created a literacy foundation and youth publishing company, Write On!, with the goal of giving a voice to young writers. You can find more information at the website http://www.writeonbooks.org

How is your blog unique from other blogs? My blog has a focus on young writers and readers. To that end, I frequently post opportunities geared specifically for young writers, such as contests, calls for submissions, and festivals. I also answer questions that young writers e-mail to me, such as how to overcome writer's block and how to deal with rejection. And I feature interviews with authors, artists, editors and creative types of all ages, to provide inspiration and advice. While my blog is geared towards young writers, I receive many comments from parents and teachers who enjoy reading it as well.

How do you market your blog? I am an avid user of social networking sites -- Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc. I also belong to a Virtual Book Touring group of authors that has become a really amazing support community. Every month, I host one of them on my blog, and vice versa. It's been a great way to meet new people and increase the audience for my blog, while also helping give someone else exposure. I think being active in the blog community is a must.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1. Longer isn't better. (Actually, it can be worse.)
People don't want to read an avalanche of text on their computer screens. My blog posts tend to be three or four paragraphs, max. When I do have longer posts, such as when I interview guests, I break up the text with pictures and use bold type to make reading as easy as possible on my blog visitors.

2. Blog often!
When I first started blogging, I would write really long posts, so every post felt like a huge ordeal. I was lucky to blog once every couple weeks. I had no momentum and no followers. I've since learned that it is really important to blog often. Even if I'm just posting info about a contest I found, or a youtube video link to a "book music video" (check out my blog for the link, it's awesome!) -- those posts may not take up a lot of space, but they do pass along useful information and they keep the "dialogue" of the blog going.

3. Engage your followers.
I've found my blog posts that tend to get the most comments and activity are the ones where I pose questions to my audience. Maybe I'll share my favorite writer's block tip and then ask for other suggestions. Or I'll share a question I received from a young writer that totally stumped me and ask for help. People like to feel a part of your blog.

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1. Visit other blogs. Follow the ones you like. Post comments and ask questions (and always include a link to your blog!)

2. Help other people with promotion. Offer to post an interview with someone who relates to the content of your blog. Try to find someone who has their own blog or website. When the interview is posted, this person will share the link with all of their followers. Ta da! A slew of new audience members have discovered your blog. AND you are helping give someone else publicity. It's a win-win!

3. Join a blogger's networking group, or create one of your own with your blogger friends. Write guest posts and/or interviews for each other's blogs to help drive new traffic to each other. Also, it can be really great to have a dedicated audience of friends who will comment on your posts. That helps your blog appear more active and engaging, which in turn helps attract new followers.

Above all, don't lose heart! Blog because you love it, write what you would want to read, and the followers will come!
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Thanks so much, Dallas!

To win 3 a.m., leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. You MUST ALSO visit Dallas's blog and comment on the post linking to this interview. To get an extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on May 12.

Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens

2010-04-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens Created by Rachelle Rogers Knight is an incredibly useful resource for all teen readers. It is divided into six main sections, each of which is invaluable.

The "Awards and Notable Lists" section is basically a section filled with book recommendations. It has lists of book awards and the books that have received them, as well as books recommended by the genre. Each book also has an age recommendation, although I was surprised by how many seemed to be recommended for the 12 and under range, as this is obviously a book geared for teens.

The "To Read" area is a simple space to write down the books you want to read in the future, and the "Journal Pages" section allows you to track all of the books you've read as well as your thoughts on them. The following two sections involve interaction with others: "Recommendations" (books you want to recommend to your friends) and "Loaner Lists" (where you can track who you've loaned what to, and when--- this should definitely help stop you from losing some of your books to your forgetful friends!).

It finally concludes with a "Resources" section, which lists all sorts of helpful websites, blogs, and definitions. When you get your copy, be sure to flip to page 285 to see Mrs. Magoo Reads mentioned!

As a book blogger, this is a doubly helpful resource for me, but every teen (and even adult!) reader should have a copy. Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens is the perfect gift for any book lover.

Click here to buy Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens

The Dark Divine

2010-04-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

Title: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 13-17

Summary: It is not in Grace's nature to disobey. After all, her very name is "Grace Divine", and her father is the pastor at their church. Her entire family is religious, and Grace has been raised to treat everyone with care and sympathy.

But when her childhood friend Daniel returns to school after a multiple-year long stretch of disappearance, Grace can't help but poke her nose where it really doesn't belong. Her entire family may have forbidden her from pushing the issue, but Grace's curiosity gets the best of her, and now she's wondering what exactly happened on the night when Daniel disappeared- and Grace's older brother, Jude, came home bloody and mutilated.

Now motivated by a growing attraction to Daniel, as well as by the strange events suddenly occurring in her town, Grace is convinced that she has to have answers now. But as the question of who she can trust looms even closer, Grace's world is going to be turned upside down, and she won't be sure of which way she should be facing.

My thoughts: The opening of The Dark Divine seemed weak to me. I couldn't relate to nor sympathize with a single one of the characters, and the plot didn't capture me as quickly as it should have. Furthermore, several passages seemed indicative of the author trying too hard to write for teens.

However, the plot picked up about halfway through, and as I was brought into the story, I ended up being fully captivated. The quicker pacing and more intimate character development proved to be a huge improvement.

Paranormal fans will enjoy Bree Despain's work, which will no doubt only improve as she continues to write.

Click here to buy The Dark Divine

Mini Magoo Review: Your Life But Better

2010-04-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

In this incredibly clever book, Your Life, But Better by Crystal Velasquez, you are the main character. After reading the beginning of a story, you decide how it ends: At the end of each chapter, you take a quiz and your score decides what page in the story you then go to. What happens in the story really depends on how YOU act.

Some answers will lead you to embarrassment and arguments, while other answers will lead you to happiness and success. On others, the decision is more minor. However, you never know which decisions will lead you where- and to enhance your experience, tell the truth on the quizzes!

The main story line is: You are at the mall with two best friend, and you're trying to find a girl who's throwing the best party ever. However, she's been disguising herself throughout the day. When you find her and pass a "test" that she gives you, you are given permission to go to the party.

This is a very unique novel, and I loved it. I thought the idea was extremely clever, and it was executed very well. By the time I'd finished my first quiz, I was hooked. The author was able to blend good writing, an interesting story, and a unique idea into a book that many readers will love.

Click here to buy Your Life, but Better

Token of Darkness

2010-04-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

Title: Token of Darkness
Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 10-16

Summary: When Cooper woke up in the hospital, many things changed for him. Due to the car accident he was in, he had to wave goodbye to his football career. As devastating as this was for him, it was at least... normal. What wasn't normal was the fact that when he woke up, he woke up next to a ghost, Samantha.

Now, several months later, Cooper and Samantha are still trying to track down who Samantha was in her life before being a ghost (if she had one at all), as well as how to transform her into a solid human being. After befriending Brent, who has psychic powers of his own, Cooper is dragged into a whirlwind of magic, power, and intrigue.

Cooper is suddenly faced with dilemmas he could never have foreseen only a few days before. Hints that Samantha could be evil, instead of the harmless chatterbox she was, are beginning to swirl, and Cooper is left with the ultimate decision of stating what he wants. Can Cooper and his circle of friends draw themselves out of the dark circle of magic they have been drawn into? Or are they forever doomed?

My thoughts: In only the first few pages, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes builds her characters extraordinarily well. Readers clearly see their wants, motivations, and fears, and so it is easier to sympathize with them. At the same time, Atwater-Rhodes builds an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue around her characters, so we are never quite sure just who to trust.

Although the plot sometimes went in circles, fans of fantasy and paranormal stories will love the originality and strong themes in Token of Darkness.

Click here to buy Token of Darkness

WHIRL 7

2010-04-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the seventh week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit. Also, by participating, you get a couple of extra entries in this month's contest.

Mrs. Dalloway- This was my first Virginia Woolf novel, and it took me a while to get used to her style. Although I liked it at first, too much at one time began to be, in a way, draining. Have any of you ever read Woolf's books? What did you think?

That was my primary reading for this week, and now I'm trying to decide what to pick up next. Help me decide from the following:

Arson by Estevan Vega
How to (un)Cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block
Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Philip Yaffe

2010-04-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Philip Yaffe
Author of: The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking Like a Professional
Check out the interview!
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What inspired you to write your guide?

I have long been appalled by how poorly many intelligent people communicate. It began when I was a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and saw some of my colleagues flunking out because they couldn't persuasively express themselves. It continued throughout my career with high-level business people, academics, researchers and other otherwise highly accomplished people.

I remember one day when I was editing the speech of a top executive of a worldwide corporation. He was looking over my shoulder. I moved around a few words in a paragraph and he exclaimed, "But that's so much better! Why didn't I see that?" I asked myself the same question, and the answer was, because he didn't know what to look for. But why?

I subsequently checked a number of books and investigated a number of courses on good writing and speaking. I came to the conclusion that although many of them were very good at giving out tips and techniques, they seem to ignore or gave short shrift to the fundamentals on which these tips and techniques were based. However, without the fundamentals, these tips and techniques become little more than a laundry list of things to do, with no guidance on when and how to do them.

The Gettysburg Guide to Writing & Speaking like a Professional attempts to remedy this by clearly putting the fundamentals first, then showing how the various tips and techniques grow out of them. There is only a handful of fundamental ideas one really needs to understand. After that, everything else naturally tends to fall into place.

If you could only give one writing tip, what would it be?

I am generally quite reticent about giving writing tips, because without first clearly understanding the fundamentals they serve very little purpose. However, there is one writing tip that pretty much incorporates virtually all the fundamentals. And here it is:

Fully benefit from the two hot spots in each and every sentence you write.

Hot spots? Yes. You may never have noticed it, but words at the beginning and at the end of a sentence have stronger emphasis than those in the middle. Therefore, by putting important information in these key locations, you aid reader comprehension.

Here's an example. Bear in mind that hot spots don't have equal value. In general, the hot spot at the end of a sentence is somewhat more forceful than the one at the beginning.

A. The national leaders met to discuss new trade relations between their countries in the royal palace.

B. In the royal palace, the national leaders met to discuss new trade relations between their countries.

C. The national leaders met in the royal palace to discuss new trade relations between their two countries.

I think more people would agree that sentence A says what it has to say. But sentence B is rather better. And sentence C is best of all. Why?

In A, we see that "in the royal palace", i.e. where the meeting took place, is in the hot spot at the end of the sentence. However, knowing where it took place is hardly as important as the meeting itself. Moving "in the royal palace" to the hot spot at the beginning in sentence B somewhat helps, but the location of the meeting is still very much a detail. By contrast, sentence C puts "in the royal palace" in the middle, where such a minor detail belongs. This leaves the hot spots at the beginning and end free to convey truly key information.

To convince yourself of the power of the technique, consider the following: "BBX is an agency born with the Swedish Internet in 1996." In this sentence the date 1996 comes at the end. Rewrite it to put the date in the middle. I think you will agree that the sentence is clearer and more powerful.

If you could only give one speaking tip, what would it be?

Most people start out as public speakers with a gut-wrenching fear of saying something wrong and embarrassing themselves. The good news is: When you are speaking, it is very difficult to make a mistake. Or at least it is very difficult to make a mistake that listeners will notice, unless you tell them about it.

Speaking is ephemeral. Your words are in the air, then they are gone. Even listeners who think you might have said something wrong are likely to give you the benefit of the doubt and forget about it the moment you pass on to something else.

If you make a mistake (and everyone does), do one of the following:

If the mistake is minor, don’t draw attention to it. We all have slips of the tongue, especially when we are nervous. The more minor mistakes you admit to, the more nervous you will become, thus increasing the likelihood that you will make even more mistakes.

If the mistake is major, i.e. something that could seriously mislead your listeners, then correct it. Avoid being overly apologetic. You want to correct the mistake, not dramatize it. Simply say that you think you have made a misstatement that could be important, put it right, then move on.

What are your three favorite books?

I have four favorite books. They are favorites because they all express profound ideas in clear, simple, straightforward language. They are:

Animal Farm by George Orwell
Candide by Voltaire
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Marco Polo by Viktor B. Shklovski

I regularly re-read these books both because of what they say and how they are written.

What can we expect to come from you in your writing future?

I have published numerous articles based on The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking like a Professional. These explore many of the ideas in the book in more depth and in a rather different way. If The Gettysburg Approach receives sufficient market acceptance, I believe it would be useful to publish these articles as a kind of companion piece. Each book would work independently; however, together they would strongly reinforce each other.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Mr. Yaffe!

Blogger Profile & Contest: Mel

2010-03-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in winning a copy of Numbers by Rachel Ward, keep on reading! The winner of Ecstasy Unveiled is The Book Vixen!

Mel blogs at He Followed Me Home. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Melissa
Alias: Mel
Blog name: He Followed Me Home...Can I Keep Him?
Blog URL: http://hefollowedmehome.blogspot.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I am a happily married mom to 2 boys who loves to read. At night after the kiddies are in bed, my reading time starts, it's what I do with my 'me' time. I'm more of a number person & not a writer, you can probably tell by my shortish posts LOL. I'm also shy so blogging for me is also a way to challenge myself.

Name & describe your blog features:
He Followed Me is all about books. On the blog I post my book reviews and participate in weekly meme's. Actually, I just recently started hosting '1st Rate Fridays'as a way to share exceptional posts one finds as they blog hop - a great way to support your fellow blogger friends! I also host the odd contest & interview (though interviews are mainly posted on a group blog (http://hefollowedmehome.blogspot.com/) where I am in charge of the Wednesday YA posts. One last place you can find me is at http://yaroundup.blogspot.com/ which supports YA Debut authors & I feel lucky to be part of the crew.

Describe your review system:
I rate books on a scale of 1 - 5, 5 being the best of the best. I don't use 5 too often, it really has to be top notch for that.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
Actually, I don't think it's too unique at all...maybe my cuteness LOL. I like to think I'm as friendly & bookish as everyone else, I don't like to stand out from the crowd :)

How do you market your blog?
I use meme's, Twitter, goodreads.com & book blog ning. Blogging to me is all about fun, so although I get giddy seeing my follower count go up, I'm also happy with word of mouth & just seeing people comment on my posts.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1- be true to yourself, give honest opinions.
2 - show some personality & add something that creates interaction with your readers
3 - proofread!

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1 - use the same profile pics everywhere so people can recognize you anywhere
2 - don't post your links like spam on peoples posts - it comes across rude
3 - be friendly & get your name out there! Comment on others posts and usually they will comment back.
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Thanks so much, Mel!

To win Numbers, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. You MUST follow both my blog and Mel's blog to enter. To get an extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on April 22.

Wings

2010-03-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Title: Wings
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Girls, 11-16

Summary: Fifteen years old, Laurel is entering public school for the first time. She has been home schooled all of her life, but now that her family has moved away from their old, quaint home, it's time for Laurel to switch education systems as well. She is quickly befriended by David, and they reach a level of trust and understanding almost immediately.

Although Laurel has her quirks, she's pretty sure she can become just a regular student in no time. But soon, something happens that makes her realize she can never be normal: a pair of wings grow out of her back! Frightened and upset, Laurel doesn't even tell her parents, opting to let only David in on her secret.

Lauren is off on an adventure to determine her true heritage, and find out just exactly what the future has in store for her. Along the way, she'll encounter love, danger, intoxication, and everything else that a story needs to keep you right on the edge of your seat.

My thoughts: Wings started off slow and a bit boring. I felt no connection to Laurel, and the plot seemed to be headed nowhere. However, after a few pages, the pace quickly sped up, and by the end I was left absolutely enthralled with Aprilynne Pike's world and characters.

I can't wait to see what Pike has in store for readers in her sequel, Spells. For any who haven't yet started the series, be sure to catch up soon!

Click here to buy Wings

Movie Monday & Contest: The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking

2010-03-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking Like a Professional? Keep reading!

The winner of Beautiful Dead is Alexa!

Click here to read the text review of The Gettysburg Approach.

To enter to win a copy, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. For an extra entry, follow my blog. For another extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, April 12. This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 6

2010-03-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the sixth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit.

The Dark Divine- I'm still forming my thoughts on this novel, but expect a review of this paranormal romance to come on April 7.

Token of Darkness- This was my first Amelia Atwater-Rhodes book, and although I'm not totally blown away, I'm still impressed. Have you read any of her novels? What did you think?

Mrs. Dalloway- I'm in the middle of this classic, and am enjoying it very much!

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Mini Magoo Review: Scones and Sensibility

2010-03-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland

Polly acts like she is in the 20th century. She calls her best friend her "bosom friend", and uses words such as "hasten" and "thee". When her parents give her the summer job of delivering pastries from their bakery, Polly knows she won't be able to stand it.

That is, until this ladylike girl finds her calling in life: matchmaking. Delivering pastries is just the tool to help her, because she is able to meet more people and find out about their lives. She already has a few romances in mind.

Of course, matchmaking has its difficulties, and Polly is definitely facing them. But she is one determined girl, and giving up is nowhere in sight.

I really, really liked Scones and Sensibility. It was hilarious, clever, and an altogether great book. It was a very unique idea, but turned out to be a cute, fun read that you can't put down once you pick up!

Click here to buy Scones and Sensibility

Blogger Profile: Danielle

2010-03-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

The winner of the $10 Amazon gift card is Flo! To enter one of Danielle's (great) contests, click here.

Danielle blogs at There's a Book. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Danielle
Alias: The1stdaughter
Blog name: There's A Book
Blog URL: http://www.theresabook.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I'm a mother of two wonderful children, The Turkeybird and Littlebug, just under two years apart in age. I love to read, write, watch movies, play the flute, listen to music and just enjoy life. Since the time I was very little I loved to read and now my kids love to as well. So, I thought, why not put the two together? Some of my favorite authors include Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Charlaine Harris, and Suzanne Collins.

Name & describe your blog features:
When I Was Young - A weekly interview with a fellow blogger where we find out what got them started on their reading journey. (Anyone interested, just let me know!)
When I Grow Up - Middle Grade and Young Adult Reviews
The Turkeybird Speaks - Reviews of children's books as voiced by my 3 year old son, The Turkeybird, and myself.
Sweet As A Bug - Reviews of children's books from the viewpoint of my 1 year old daughter, Littlebug, and myself.
A World of Awards - A monthly investigation of all the book awards out there (Newbery, Caldecott, Cybils, etc.)
Author Interviews

Describe your review system:
Other than giving an "age approximation" as well as who I think might be suited for the style, I don't do stars or numbers, just give the review.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
There's A Book is a site created for the purpose of sharing a child's love of books as they grow. Because we all get started reading somewhere I like to include where others got their starts as well as reviews of books they may help others to get their start or continue their love of reading.

My site also offers a different look at books, in that I often include the viewpoints/reviews of my own two children.

How do you market your blog?
I'm definitely a huge advocate of Twitter (@the1stdaughter). Also, I've found that if used the right way the various ning groups can be great for meeting others and getting your name out there. I've also loved participating in the "What Are You Reading Mondays" over at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books, it helps me be organized and get to know others. Lastly, book tours have been fabulous!

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1. Make your readers think. Don't just give them a review, but try to ask questions and bring up things that may jog a memory or two.
2. Make sure to link to authors, publicists, other book reviewers...anyone who helped produce the review. Not only is this great for marketing, but also, people appreciate it!
3. Be visual. People like pictures, it enhances their experience, but don't go overboard.

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1. Comment on other blogs, not in a "here's my link come check me out" way (that's just annoying), but leave honest thoughtful comments.
2. Follow other blogs...and not just book reviewers (dare I say). Find another market that may be interested in what you have to say and reach!
3. Use Twitter. Chat with others, promote others as well as yours.
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Thanks so much, Danielle!

Movie Monday & Contest: The Bubble

2010-03-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of The Bubble? Keep reading!
The winner of Beautiful Dead is Mandy.

Click here to read the text review of The Bubble.

To enter to win a copy of The Bubble, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. You must be following my blog to enter. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, April 5. This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 5

2010-03-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the fifth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit.

Wings- I can now say I've read the first book in this series, and am excited to move on to the second! Expect a review to come within a week or two.

Before I Fall- I cannot come up with high enough praise for this book. I LOVED it. Don't even wait for my review-- just go pick up a copy now!

The Dark Divine- I've started this novel, but have yet to form a solid opinion.

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Meridi Myers

2010-03-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today's scribe: Meridi Myers
Author of: Titus and Atreus
Check out the interview!
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How did you come up with the idea of Earth having a "twin" planet?

I wanted Typhon to mirror Earth in the way that Titus and Atreus mirror one another. As with twin souls, Earth and Typhon share a similar history, but they are not identical worlds.

How do you form your characters in your writing?

Since it’s important for me to be able to relate to all my characters (even the villains!), there is always something of me in each of them. Each character evolves during the writing and editing processes, and some end up being very different than I originally imagined them to be.

Who do you most relate to in Titus and Atreus?

I definitely relate most to Titus. He’s shy, sensitive, and yet deeply curious about what’s going on around him. He’s not as bold or as spontaneous as his twin; he likes to think things through. I can also relate strongly to Anaxare, since we are both very independent and determined.

Can you describe your writing process?

Although I like to know the story’s general direction before I begin writing, I tend to work organically, and invent it as I go. As you can probably imagine, my first drafts are very messy because of this! I also think it’s important to “listen” to my characters and let them decide where they want to take the story, rather them making them behave in a certain way or forcing them to follow a strict outline. I worry about refining the story and pulling everything together in my later drafts, and spend a great deal of time editing and rewriting.

What advice would you give to any aspiring writers?

Read and write as often as you can! It’s important to practice writing, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular -- it doesn’t even have to be coherent -- just play with it and have fun.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Myers!

Wherever Nina Lies

2010-03-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Title: Wherever Nina Lies
Author: Lynn Weingarten
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 12-17

Summary: Two years ago, Nina disappeared. Now, her younger sister, Ellie, is left wondering where Nina had gone. Nina had always been crazy and impulsive, but she had never been thoughtless enough to disappear without any warning. Ellie is determined to beat all odds to find her older sister, no matter what anyone else says.

When Ellie meets the mysterious Sean, she knows she has found a partner. He agrees to go on a road trip with her, and with only a trace of a clue to lead them, they begin to search for Nina. Along the way, Ellie begins to learn a little about what family, love, and life is like.

But her good luck streak can't go on forever. And Ellie soon must learn that sometimes, people aren't who they say they are, and something that seems like the truth can only amount to an elaborate lie. It's up to Ellie to find a way to solve the mystery that is only increasing in its complexity... but is it already too late?

My thoughts: Wherever Nina Lies initially struck me as formulaic, unoriginal, and predictable. And although the road trip aspect spiced it up a bit, it remained that way for a large portion of the novel. However, readers are then met with such an exciting twist that I was immediately, if belatedly, pulled into the book for the rest of the story. From then on, I was captivated and couldn't put the book down.

Overall, as a debut, this was an impressive novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Lynn Weingarten comes up with in the future.

Click here to buy Wherever Nina Lies

The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking Like a Professional

2010-03-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

In Philip Yaffe's The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking Like a Professional, he delivers a comprehensive and infinitely helpful guide to assisting people in their writing and speaking skills. It stresses the idea that competence in writing can assist one's speaking skills, and vice versa. After introducing this, Yaffe goes on to explain how people can best utilize this concept.

The book is professional and accurate, but never does it become boring or pretentious. One can read it at once, absorbing all of the information in one sitting, or simply use it as a go-to guide when planning out a piece of writing or a presentation.

Although adults will probably get the most out of The Gettysburg Approach, teens will also find it surprisingly and exceptionally helpful. It's definitely worth picking up a copy at your local bookstore- be sure to keep it easily accessible!

Click here to buy The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking Like a Professional

Mini Magoo Review: The Bubble

2010-03-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

The Bubble is a wonderful picture book for young readers. It tells the story of a young boy who doesn't want anyone- ANYONE- touching his things. He hates to share, and he doesn't like someone even looking at his toys... or his bed... or his anything!

The book then shows how that affects him as he grows up and the severe consequences that he suffers because of his unwillingness to share. It shows that life would be miserable if no one shared, or if everyone was overly possessive of their things. A surprising twist occurred at the end, so readers will be entertained throughout the whole read.

I liked Tbe Bubble because it was clever in its simplicity. The surprise ending was a bit unsatisfactory, but overall I enjoyed the book. It taught an important lesson that young children will easily be able to pick up. It's a great book for those who are just starting to read, as well as a read-aloud book for parents.

Click here to buy The Bubble

The House of Tomorrow

2010-03-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Title: The House of Tomorrow
Author: Peter Bognanni
Grade: A
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 14 - Adult

Summary: Sebastian has been raised in an unusual way. Living with his grandmother in the first geodesic dome to be built in Iowa, his Nana has decided that Sebastian's "path" is to save humanity. Until now, Sebastian has accepted this as his fate, and spends his time learning complex trigonometry. He has no friends, and speaks as if he is middle aged.

All of this changes on the day his Nana has a stroke while giving a tour of the geodesic dome. While at the hospital, Sebastian gets to know the two people they had been giving the tour to: Jared, a teenager who had undergone a difficult surgery, and his mom, Janice. Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself doing something he has never done before: lying to his grandmother. He finds excuses to escape the dome and visit Jared's family.

Through the rest of novel, we watch Sebastian's discovery of and journey through "real life". He develops a crush on Jared's older sister, Meredith, and starts a punk band with Jared. But soon he will have to face his Nana as well as his disrupted future. Sebastian must decide whether he wants to return to his old life- ambitious but devoid of fun- and his new one, which is completely normal and completely exciting.

My thoughts: Peter Bognanni's writing talent is evident from the first page of The House of Tomorrow. He is able to take very different themes and concepts and fashion a comprehensible and enjoyable story out of them, so that readers at all ages will be able to connect to his novel at some level.

I was extraordinarily impressed by this novel, and would strongly recommend it. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

Click here to buy The House of Tomorrow

Movie Monday & Contest: Tagged

2010-03-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Interested in winning a copy of Tagged? Keep reading!

Click here to read the text review of Tagged.

To enter to win a copy of Tagged, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. You must be following my blog to enter. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, March 29 . This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 4

2010-03-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Feel free to join in on the meme- just be sure to link back to me and my co-founder, Stick with Lit.

The House of Tomorrow- I finished this pleasantly surprisingly novel the other day, and loved Peter Bognanni's refreshing style! Expect a review to come on Tuesday.

The Gettysburg Approach to Writing and Speaking- This week I also finished reading this interesting, informative guide, and will post my review on Thursday.

Wings- I just started this book today. Although the writing style is not flawless, I am already completely entranced by the plot!

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Mara Purnhagen

2010-03-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today's scribe: Mara Purnhagen
Author of: Tagged

Check out the interview! Please note that the questions were a collaboration between myself and Mini Magoo, as she was the one who reviewed the novel.
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Which character in Tagged do you most relate to?
I relate to Kate the most, because she's pretty average but has a spark to her, and she's searching for something real.

Can you tell us about how the title "Tagged" came to be?
My youngest brother used to use the term a lot. He walked around with a backpack full of spray paint cans. I liked the word for many reasons: it's short and strong, and it applies not only to graffiti but other things in the book, as well, such as the bracelets worn at the party.

What book are you working on now?
I'm working on the third book in my new "Past Midnight" series, which debuts on September 1. The series revolves around a family of ghost debunkers. They don't believe in paranormal activity; instead, they believe everything has a scientific cause. Their theories are tested when Charlotte, the daughter and main character of the book, literally walks into a different kind of haunting.

What were your three favorite books when you were in your teens? What are your three favorite books now?
When I was a teenager, I read everything by Paula Danziger, Anne Rice and Christopher Pike. My current favorites change all the time, so I'll give you my three favorite titles of 2010 so far: If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, and Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu.

What advice would you give to any aspiring writers?
Read often and explore different genres. Reread your favorite books and try to identify what it was that spoke to you.

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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Purnhagen!

Blogger Profile & Contest: JoJo

2010-03-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in winning a copy of Ecstasy Unveiled, keep on reading! The winner of Persepolis is Kirthi!

JoJo blogs at JoJo's Book Corner. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Jodie
Alias: JoJo
Blog name: JoJo's Book Corner
Blog URL: http://jojosbookcorner.blogspot.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself? I have just recently gotten back into reading in November of 2008. What started it all back up you ask.......Twilight! Yes, I have to admit I LOVE the series. It once again reminded me why I loved reading. The next book I picked up was The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward- the best series ever! From there on my passion for romance was born. Even though romance is my favorite genre, I try to keep an open mind on what to read. But I do prefer to have at least a little touch of romance in a book/series; I also like to have at least a touch of paranormal. My favorite genres to read are romance, paranormal, anything highlander, urban fantasy, and erotica.

Name and describe your blog features:
Saturday Delights~ I share yummy reading food recipes on Saturdays
Hottie of the Month~ I spotlight a hottie once a month. Just some eye candy love.
Author Interviews/giveaways
Book Reviews

Describe your review system:
1 tat~ Just not my type of book
2 tat~ It was OK
3 tat~ It was good, I'd read it again
4 tat~ Awesome Read. Can't wait to read more
5 tat~ O.M.G. You must Read. GO.GET.NOW

How is your blog unique from other blogs? I do reviews and interviews like a lot of others, but I try to bring my personality into it. I speak my true opinion when doing reviews. I try to add a touch of my life into my blog also. I'm not strictly a book blog. I try to bring different aspects to go along with reading and books.

How do you market your blog? I use twitter a lot every day. At @jojosbookcorner, I tweet about my posts, giveaways, and reviews.

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1~ Always be honest. People want to hear your true opinion.
2~ Change up what you post. I think variety helps a blog.
3~ Pictures. I think pictures are wonderful. But don't overdo them.

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?
1~ I strongly recommend Twitter. You get to meet and entire world of people.
2~ I recommend following other blogs. The more blogs you get to know, the more get to know you.
3~ If you have a Facebook, I would add your blog to your Facebook so all your posts get listed there also.
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Thanks so much, JoJo!

To win Ecstasy Unveiled, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. You MUST follow both my blog and JoJo's blog to enter. To get an extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on March 31.

After

2010-03-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

Title: After
Author: Kristin Harmel
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 12-16

Summary: Lacey lives a completely normal life, with a fun family and friends that she likes. However, life as she knows it is turned upside down when her dad dies in a car crash. Now, ten months later, she is trailed by a feeling of guilt. What if she had quickened her pace when walking to the car? What if she had skipped the mascara? What if she had cried out a second earlier when she saw the car coming?

Meanwhile, other aspects of Lacey's life are falling apart. Her mom is completely uninvolved in anything besides her work, and Lacey is worrying nonstop about her two brothers. Her best friend is pulling away from her and spending all of her time with her boyfriend, and Lacey can't help but feel neglected.

Soon, though, Lacey is given the opportunity to make things change for the better. She has met Sam, and the two are connecting in a way Lacey could never have before dreamed about. Furthermore, she has started a sort of support group with other kids at school whose parents have died. Although things are suddenly looking up, inwardly, Lacey knows she will soon have to face the reality of her dad's death.

My thoughts: Kristin Harmel brings us immediately into Lacey's story, and it never wavers from start to finish. However, despite the sturdy plot, it becomes almost painfully corny in several sections in the middle, giving off the impression that Harmel is trying too hard. Nevertheless, the characters are all expertly formed, and readers can see that they and their motivations are multi-layered.

Girls in middle school and high school will enjoy After. Although it is a short read, the novel is touching, and Harmel is able to intertwine light humor with the darker, heavier parts.

Click here to buy After

Mama Magoo Review: Heart of Darkness

2010-03-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

REVIEWED BY MAMA MAGOO

This is one of those books that you often have to read in high school, and I say "lucky you"! This book, which I have read a few times now, just gets better. Fair warning though: people seem to either love it or hate it--nothing in between. However, I've given this some thought, and I've determined that those that hate it seem to get stuck in a literal reading of it and miss its many wonderful layers of deeper meaning.

Actually, the literal story is pretty captivating also (the 1979 Francis Ford Coppola movie "Apocalypse Now" was based on it). It's the story of Marlowe, who works for a European Ivory Company that procures its ivory from Africa. Marlowe takes a job as a driver of a river steamboat, and he is sent down a river in "darkest" Africa. While there, he soon takes on another mission. Strange and bizarre stories are coming up the river about Kurtz, the Ivory Company's most successful European trader, who resides somewhere far down the river into the jungle. It appears that Kurtz is ill, and Marlowe sets out to retrieve him for the Company and bring him back to "civilization". On his way, Marlowe witnesses shocking atrocities but nothing he sees prepares him for his encounter with Kurtz--and for what Kurtz has become during his time in the jungle.

Joseph Conrad's language is so atmospheric, you will feel like you are either in a dream, or on that river journey, or both. His use of imagery is amazing: light vs. dark, the river, the fog, the wilderness, the rivets--yes, don't miss the significance of the rivets! But what is so wonderful about this book is that it can be read on so many different levels. Some see it as a voyage of self-discovery, a journey into man's (or woman's) psyche. Some see it as a re-telling of the Creation story, the "fall" of humans. Some do a sort existential reading, seeing in this story the futility of life save for the meaning we put into it through our work, for example. Some see it as an indictment of European imperialism of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. And some see it as a racist work, elevating the white "civilized" European over the "savage" Africans.

Whatever your reading is, I am sure you can find another reader who will disagree with you as to what Heart of Darkness really is about. How wonderful!

Click here to buy Heart of Darkness

Titus and Atreus

2010-03-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Title: Titus and Atreus
Author: Meridi Myers
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 12-16

Summary: Titus is living on Earth, mourning the death of his parents, expecting his life to remain as dull as it is. Meanwhile, Atreus is living on Earth's twin planet, Typhon, and after hearing a strange, secret prophecy, he is determined to bring Titus onto Typhon.

Titus is completely flabbergasted when he lands on Typhon, but quickly adjusts to his new life. However, Atreus's plan is slowly unveiled, and Titus realizes that he is expected to one day take over Atreus's place as future king of Typhon, and assist Atreus in defeating his enemy.

But Atreus's plan is somewhat foiled by magical forces causing changes in Titus. He loses his own memories and begins to gain some of Atreus's, and soon it is unsure whether everything will go as planned- but what Atreus doesn't know is that some characters have plans of their own.

My thoughts: Although the beginning of Titus and Atreus is a little confusing- the reader is left in the dark as to some of Atreus's thoughts, which can make a few aspects of the novel puzzling for the reader- it eventually cleared up, and we were left to enjoy Myers' creative new world, Typhon. It was a little slow in some parts, but Myers made up for it in additional sequences of fast-paced action.

Boys and girls in middle and high school will find a fun new fantasy in Titus and Atreus.

Click here to buy Titus and Atreus

Movie Monday & Contest: Beautiful Dead

2010-03-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Interested in winning a copy of Beautiful Dead? Keep reading!

The winner of The Lonely Hearts Club is Bookworm!

Click here to read the text review of Beautiful Dead.

To enter to win a copy of Beautiful Dead, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. You must be following my blog to enter. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, March 22. This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 3

2010-03-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the third week of WHIRL (What Have I Read Lately)! Below I've listed a few books that I've read lately-- I'd love it if you joined in on this meme as well!

Titus and Atreus- I just finished reading this unique novel, and I'll be posting my review on Tuesday. I haven't seen much coverage of this book around the blogosphere-- have any of you read it? What did you think of it?

The House of Tomorrow- I've started this novel but have yet to form any sort of opinion. Look forward to my review in a week or two!

Wings- This is actually only in my to-read pile, but I am so excited to get starting on what looks like an amazing series!

Feel free to participate in this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: E. Lockhart

2010-03-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Today's scribe: E. Lockhart
Author of: The Treasure Map of Boys
Check out the interview!
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Can you tell us a little bit about yourself as a writer?
I write wordy feminist comedies for teenagers. I love my job.

Was Ruby based off of anyone you know? Do you relate to her at all?
All my characters are composites of myself, people I know, and imagined traits. I could not write a character to whom I did not relate.

Ruby is a lot like I was in high school, though I never lived in a houseboat, suffered panic attacks, became a famous slut, or any of that, thank goodness.

When did you first want to be an author?
I began writing stories in third grade. I wrote a number of novels, actually. They weren't very good.

I was and always will be an ardent reader. I think it was natural for me to want to make books.

What are your three favorite YA novels?
Oh, goodness! Hard question. I really love The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty. I just finished the amazing Going Bovine by Libba Bray. I love Liar by Justine Larbalestier.

What advice would you give to any aspiring writers?
Read, read, read. And when you write, give yourself the freedom to write badly. High standards are the death of creativity. Just write it badly. You can fix it later. Change it completely if need be.

The biggest difference between me and many extremely talented writers I went to college with is that my books are finished, and theirs are not. You write the book. You finish it. Then you make it good.
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Thanks so much for such a great interview, Ms. Lockhart!

Blogger Profile & Contest: Sherry

2010-03-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in winning a $10 Amazon gift card, keep on reading! The winner of the three book series is xxsquigglesxx.

Sherry blogs at Flipping Pages for All Ages. Below you can find out more about her and her blog:
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Name: Sherry
Alias: I don't really have one, everyone calls me Sherry, Sher sometimes I guess.
Blog name: Flipping Pages for All Ages
Blog URL: www.flippingpagesforallages.blogspot.com

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself? I'm 21 years old and I live in upstate NY. I just got my Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and I am going for my Bachelors Degree this fall for Criminal Justice. I still live at home with my parents for the time being. I work a full time job at a retail store and I spend most of my spare time reading. Sometimes I switch off and get hooked on tv series as well.

Name & describe your blog features: I recently started doing memes on my blog to have some set things each week. I now do Waiting on Wednesday (Breaking the Spine) and In My Mailbox (The Story Siren). I love to do author interviews and they are all listed on my sidebar. I also have a tab that lists all the reviews that have taken place at my blog.

Describe your review system: I notice a lot of bloggers are very precise with terms in their books such as the plot and climax and such, in my reviews I simply rate what the book is in my mind, and tell what I like and dislike about it. It's relate able. I just started giving a book stars, anywhere from 0 (which is pretty darn near impossible to get) to 5 (the best of the best).

How is your blog unique from other blogs? I blog for me and my followers. It's about what I enjoy and sharing that with those that want new or old books to enjoy too. Obviously that is what a lot of blogs are about, but no other blog is quite like mine because this is all me. I pour myself into and nothing can take that away or can be compared with it.

How do you market your blog? I have a twitter which I use to let others who follow me there when there is a new post on my blog. I also try to participate in interviews/guest posts at other blogs like this. I interact with many other blogs and I think that helps with marketing a lot. If someone sees you on another persons blog a lot, chances of them coming over to check out your blog is pretty good.

Can you give us 3 tips about content? If your blog is simply up and running to earn extra entries for other peoples contests, the chances of having followers is slim. Be open to new ideas such us using different memes to spice things up a bit. Reviews are nice but I like to see the personality of the blogger themself, so I love it when people post random stuff sometimes that doesn't always relate to their blog. Don't be afraid to let loose and be yourself while blogging, being yourself just may be the key to making your blog that much better than the next persons.

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion? Don't expect people to follow you and participate if you don't do the same, go to other peoples blog and look around, comment, be a part of it! Do not expect one post about a contest to do the trick, make reminders on your blog(use a sticky even) or use reminders on other sites such as a twitter or facebook page. Mix it up a bit, don't just do the same thing over and over, people like variety!
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Thanks so much, Sherry!

To win a $10 Amazon gift certificate, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. You MUST follow both my blog and Sherry's blog to enter. To get an extra entry, link to this contest. I'll announce the winner on March 23.

If I Stay

2010-03-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Girls & Some Boys, 13-Adult

Summary: Mia is not your typical seventeen year old. She is an extremely gifted cellist, and has been surprisingly dedicated to her instrument- so much so that she may even be headed to Juilliard! She also has a special connection to her boyfriend, Adam, and wonders if she may be in love- true, true love- with him. Perhaps even most unusually, she is dedicated to her family and loves spending time with her parents and little brother.

This is who Mia is. But in an instant, this changes. On an early morning drive, all of Mia's family piled into the car, a truck crashes into them. Suddenly, Mia finds herself on the outside of her body, watching the events happening around her. Her body is in critical condition and brought to the hospital.

Soon, Mia learns that is up to her to decide whether to continue living or not. If she so chooses, she can merely let go. It seems like an obvious decision, but when she finds out that her parents are dead, the choice becomes much more complicated.

My thoughts: If I Stay is a quick read, but its shortness makes it that much more poignant. It is a touching, moving read that will resonate with readers of all ages. At first, I had a little trouble sympathizing with Mia's deliberating of whether to let herself die- I think most teenagers could make the decision to live in a moment- but after a little while I began to understand her better.

Gayle Forman has made an impressive contribution to teen literature with her novel that both teens and adults will enjoy.

Buy If I Stay from Amazon

Buy If I Stay from IndieBound

Mini Magoo Review: Tagged

2010-03-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

REVIEWED BY MINI MAGOO

When Kate comes to school, on what should have been a normal day, and sees an enormous crowd of excited, chattering high schoolers, she knows something is up. And after finally reaching her best friend Lan, she finds out what had happened: a huge graffiti drawing featuring a bunch of gorillas was spray-painted onto the school wall.

The graffiti was definitely not your normal graffiti. It was life-like, realistic- closer to a painting than graffiti. But after the initial feeling of surprise, Kate, just like every other high schooler, is wondering who did it. She knows her dad, who's a police officer, will be looking into it and she prefers to stay out of the situation, not wanting to be called a tattletale.

But then the graffiti gorillas start to appear all across the country, as well as in additional places in Kate's town, and the police are trying harder than ever to solve the mystery. But even though she doesn't want to be a tattletale, she can't help but try to figure out a few things.

Kate is also finding herself developing a crush on Eli, her classmate and coworker. While figuring out her feelings, she also has to help Lan decipher some of her own boy problems. At the same time, Kate is putting two and two together about the gorillas, but for some reason she just can't seem to get four.....

I LOVED Tagged. I couldn't put it down and whenever I sat down to read, I would always fall into the book immediately. I loved the story and the characters, and I thought the events, ideas, and main plot were all clever. There was some humor to it, but the book also kept its mysterious air. I'd recommend this excellent novel to middle and high schoolers.

Buy Tagged from Amazon

Buy Tagged from IndieBound

Win Wherever Nina Lies! (3 Winners!)

2010-03-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

The winners of The Lonely Hearts Club are Kirthi, Stacy, and Addicted Book Reader.
The winners of My Soul to Save are Nancye, justpeachy36, and Dramatist Writer.

Enter this contest to win Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten! Review coming soon. There will be three winners!!

"Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But, one day, Nina disappeared. Two years later, everyone has given up home that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she’s got a chance—her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn’t planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth."
More information at http://www.thisispoint.com/books/whereverninalies.asp

To get an entry, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. For additional entries:

+1 For new followers of this blog
+1 Follow me on twitter
+1 Link to this contest
+2 For old followers of this blog
+3 Buy something from this store
+3 Buy something from one of these stores

PLEASE MAKE ONE COMMENT PER ENTRY. If you don't, you will only get a total of one entry. Also remember that simply commenting- even if you do none of the above to get extra entries- still gets you an entry. I will announce the winner on April 1st. Good luck!

This contest is open to the US only.

WHIRL 2

2010-02-28T04:44:00.000-08:00

And here we are at the second week of WHIRL! WHIRL stands for What Have I Read Lately, and below you can find out exactly what I've been reading. Also make sure to check out WHIRL's co-founder's post (link to come).

If I Stay by Gayle Forman- This touching novel had a brilliant concept and, although at times it felt a bit slow moving, I think many teenagers will enjoy it.

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History by Adam Selzer- You can read my review here.

After by Kristin Harmel- This novel was a bit slow at times as well, but overall, I enjoyed it. Expect a review sometime next week.

Maus by Art Spiegelman- I'm halfway through my second read of this book, and it's just as good this time as it was the last. Have you ever read Maus? What's your take on it?

Feel free to join in on this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Saturday's Scribe: Lauren Mechling

2010-02-27T14:54:00.000-08:00

Today's scribe: Lauren Mechling
Author of: Dream Life
Check out the guest blog!
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Greetings and salutations, book lovers! I’m Claire Voyante, the main character of Dream Life, Lauren Mechling’s rip-roaring detective novel (and no, it is not immodest to say that about a book you didn’t write but in which you star—I checked in one of my grandmother Kiki’s etiquette books).

Dream Life is all about what happened after I found out my best friend Becca had just joined a super-exclusive, centuries-old secret society called the Blue Moons. I figured out how to wiggle my way into the club, and, of course, much drama ensued. I warmly invite you to check Dream Life out—it’s available at select bookstores or an Internet site near you.

When Dream Girl, the first book in the series, came out, my creator Lauren fielded questions from bloggers and journalists. Lauren is currently underground working on a secret project so I offered to step in and relief pitch. I’m taking a page from Ann Landers's book and writing an advice column. The questions came from fans of the series. The answers came from the heart.

(Warning: I don't have a degree in psychotherapy--use at your own risk!)

Dear Claire,

I feel like a jerk writing this question, but I have a feeling you'll relate to my problem. So my family is taking its first vacation ever that doesn't involve going to Disneyworld or to see my grandparents in Chicago. We're going to . . France (my dad's obsessed with Marie Antoinette)! Of course I am totally excited but I'm also a little nervous. My parents are SO LOUD and my little brother has this thing where he likes to play videogames on his iTouch 100% of the time--even if it means walking into a tree, or a human being.

I love my family, but French chic they are not. And I am a little scared that I might get embarrassed at some point on this two-week-long trip.

Any advice?

Sincerely,
Lois Who Hates To Admit It But Occasionally Wishes She Were The Spawn Of Brangelina
Clinton, Iowa

Dear LWHTAIBOWSWTSOB,

Feel no shame! If there's one thing I can relate to, it's parentally-inflicted embarrassment. Obviously our situations are a little different. My parents _are_ the picture of French chic, but we live in downtown Manhattan, where heads will turn--and not in a good way--if your parents break out into Serge Gainsbourg ditties.

I used to tell my parents they were embarrassing me and ask them to be quiet, but that only made them laugh at me. I've found the best way to handle this is to get a little space and pretend I don't know them.

In France, it will be super easy to draw a line in the sand between yourself and your loud family. If you want to blend in, I advise sitting by yourself at a cafe table--Americans are scared of being seen by themselves, but French people see it as a badge of coolness. Order a "cafe" and don't look surprised when it comes out the size of a thimble. C'est normal. And don't worry--you won't have to learn French or be bored to death. While you might be tempted to buy a copy of Le Monde or French Elle, real French people like to show off by reading J. K. rowling or Paul Auster--en anglais (that means in English--hurrah!!).

Happy vacation and l'amour toujours!
Claire
_____

Thanks so much for such a great guest blog, Ms. Mechling!

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History

2010-02-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History by Adam Selzer is a comprehensive book about the history of America (who would have thought?), from the late 1400's to present day. It describes life before the US was formed, the formation of America, and goes into detail about the 1800's and 1900's, also focusing on World War I and World War II.

This was most likely a difficult book to write, as kids and teens are usually not going to pick up a nonfiction book about America's history. For this reason, I think teens in general won't enjoy it, but because of Selzer's unique style, kids just might.

While providing a solid amount of accurate information, The Smart Aleck's Guide is filled with humor, often poking fun of its own subject and containing mock test questions at the end of every chapter (all completely silly multiple choice questions). Simply put, Adam Selzer comes across as a friend to the reader rather than as an informant, and this will be what will interest kids in this guide.

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History is a great present for an adult to give to any children they know, and kids should give this book a chance before writing it off as another "lame history book"- they may be surprised by how much they enjoy it.

Buy The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History from Amazon

Buy The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History from IndieBound

They Never Came Back

2010-02-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

Title: They Never Came Back
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 13-18

Summary: Cathy Ferris is attending summer school, intending to learn a year's worth of Latin in the rigorous six week course. However, when fellow student Tommy Petrak bursts out, telling her she is a dead ringer for his missing cousin, Murielle, the situation turns a whole lot more interesting than just a dead language.

Five years ago, Murielle's parents fled the country after the government found out that they had embezzled millions and millions of dollars from people through false investment deals. Murielle was supposed to go with them, but due to a glitch in the plan, she was separated from her parents. The FBI had never been able to locate her parents, and Murielle had disappeared into the foster care system.

Cathy initially rejects Tommy, but what if she is his missing cousin? When the FBI catches wind of the situation, they hatch a plot to make Cathy/Murielle lure Murielle's parents back home to jail. The question is: does Cathy want to do this? Does she even have a choice in the matter?

My thoughts: Although I wouldn't classify this novel as a mystery, it was still full of intrigue and thrill. The exciting plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and although the writing was a bit impersonal (something which I think detracts from children's and teens' books), the novel was still unique enough to capture people's interest.

The ethical questions raised combined with the "keep you on the edge of your seat" aspect was enough to make me very interested in Cooney's other works.

Buy They Never Came Back from Amazon

Buy They Never Came Back from IndieBound

Beautiful Dead: Book One- Jonas

2010-02-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Title: Beautiful Dead
Author: Eden Maguire
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 12-16

Summary: Everyone is mystified by the four deaths at one high school in one year. They were four unrelated events, but it isn't very common for so many deaths to occur at one school. Darina's boyfriend, Phoenix, was the one to die most recently, and she is still missing and grieving for him.

When Darina stumbles upon the ghosts of the four dead teens, she is shocked- maybe she really does need therapy. But she soon learns that they are the "Beautiful Dead", ruled by a man named Hunter, and they will be on earth for one year so that they can find out the exact circumstances surrounding their death.

Somewhat reluctantly, the Beautiful Dead decide to trust Darina, and she is told to begin to start helping the first to die, Jonas, solve his mystery. But when she realizes that his life may have been ended by a dangerous murderer, can she continue her investigation? Or will Jonas have to pass through to death still without the knowledge he needs?

My thoughts: Eden Maguire's interesting idea and story is enough to pull many readers in, but there were still plenty of flaws throughout the novel. Darina often did not come across as likable, and I always felt that she was angry about Phoenix's death, but I never felt real grief from her. Also, I didn't understand the urgency the Beautiful Dead felt to find out about their deaths: what was the consequence to remaining ignorant?

Despite this, Beautiful Dead is the start to a very promising series, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Maguire advances the plot in the sequel.

Buy Beautiful Dead: Jonas Bk.1 from Amazon

Buy Beautiful Dead: Jonas Bk.1 from IndieBound

Also visit: http://teenfire.ning.com/group/BeautifulDead

Saturday's Scribe: Francesca Lia Block

2010-02-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Because I'm partnering with 28 Days of Winter Escapes, this week's Saturday's Scribe is being posted on Tuesday! Also, I did not conduct this interview.
__________

Today's scribe: Francesca Lia Block
Author of: How to (Un)cage a Girl (review coming soon)
__________

You dedicated this book “for the girls” . . . can you tell us why?
The poems in the final section were written for the girls and women in my life. I have received so much love and support from them, as well as from the young female readers I’ve met at appearances and online and I wanted to give something back to all of them.

What were you like during your teen years?
At first I was quite shy and insecure. I spent a lot of time writing. I also loved reading, music and clothes. I was a bit boy crazy. As I got older I had a group of friends who were very close and we had a lot of fun together, although we did things I definitely wouldn’t want my daughter to do! At that time I gained more confidence, had a boyfriend, became interested in the punk movement. No matter what, I always wrote, through everything. It felt as if it saved my life, that cathartic expression and sharing.

Tell us about the most romantic winter date you’ve been taken on!
Once I wandered around a Christmas tree lot in the middle of the darkest, most dangerous part of L.A. in the wee hours. It felt completely enchanted. But the best winter date is still to come because I only met (un)leash this autumn! I’m sure it will involve a magical hotel where the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz once stayed, Christmas lights, dancing, vegan cake, soy chicken sate, roses, poetry, candles, a moonlight walk over the bridge in the fog and staying up until dawn.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
No. This is why. I am a writer and very good at projecting. So I can see an image of someone and think they are the “one” based on my dreams and fantasies and the images I carry around in my head. But I believe it is very important to get to know someone as a real individual before you call it love. This has been dangerous for me and I’d like to help other women avoid this mistake. Even if it feels like love at first sight, check it out to be sure!

What is the one book would you pick to read if you were snowbound?
Foliage for Francesca by (un)leash.

Movie Monday & Contest: The Lonely Hearts Club

2010-02-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Interested in winning a copy of The Lonely Hearts Club? Keep reading!

The winner of Dream Life is Stacy. The winner of Prophecy of the Sisters is donnas.

Click here to read the text review of The Lonely Hearts Club.

To enter to win a copy of The Lonely Hearts Club, all you have to do is watch the video above from beginning to end- it's less than a minute and a half- and leave a comment on this post with your email address. You must be following my blog to enter. For an extra entry, link to this contest. I will announce the winner on Monday, March 8. This is open to the US only.

WHIRL 1

2010-02-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first week of WHIRL! WHIRL stands for What Have I Read Lately, and below you can find out exactly what I've been reading. Also make sure to check out WHIRL's co-founder's post here.

Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire- I just finished reading this today, and it was actually much better than I expected it to be! A review is coming on Wednesday.

They Never Came Back by Caroline B. Cooney- The story was less exciting than I thought it would be, but it was still interesting. Expect the review for Thursday.

And some books that will be reviewed next week:

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten- I'm still sorting out my feelings on this one. Did any of you read it? What did you think?

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab- This thriller took place near where I live, and its incredibly exciting plot and careful suspense made it a great read!

On another note, something else I've been reading lately: news about the Oscars! Which movie are you hoping will take home Best Picture?

Feel free to join in on this meme and make your own WHIRL post in whatever form you'd like to- be it blog, vlog, or anything else! Then link to your direct post below:

Best First Lines of 2009

2010-02-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

Through 2009, I've been running a contest for the best first lines of all the books I have read. Here's the final rounds, to determine the best first line of 2009! Please vote, and I'll announced the winner on March 1!

Which do you think is the best first line of a novel?(trends)

Win My Soul to Save! Three Winners!

2010-02-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

Enter this contest to win My Soul to Save! There will be three winners!

To get an entry, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. For additional entries:

+1 Follow this blog
+1 Follow me on twitter
+1 Link to this contest
+1 Vote here
+3 Buy something from this store
+3 Buy something from one of these stores

PLEASE MAKE ONE COMMENT PER ENTRY. If you don't, you will only get a total of one entry. Also remember that simply commenting- even if you do none of the above to get extra entries- still gets you an entry. I will announce the winner on March 1st. Good luck!

This contest is open to the US only.

"Book 1 of The Soul Screamers series --My Soul to Take -- was released this past summer, and readers found out why Kaylee Cavanaugh screams bloody murder when someone’s about to die.

In Book 2 – My Soul to Save – when teen pop star Eden croaks on stage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.

Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk.

Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die."

Soul Screamers Website: http://soulscreamers.com/soulscreamers/index.php?q=T1042

Win The Lonely Hearts Club! Three Winners!

2010-02-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

The winner of Maryrose Wood's three book series is Alessandra!

Enter this contest to win The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg! There will be three winners!

To get an entry, leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. For additional entries:

+1 Follow this blog
+1 Follow me on twitter
+1 Link to this contest
+1 Vote here
+3 Buy something from this store
+3 Buy something from one of these stores

PLEASE MAKE ONE COMMENT PER ENTRY. If you don't, you will only get a total of one entry. Also remember that simply commenting- even if you do none of the above to get extra entries- still gets you an entry. I will announce the winner on March 1st. Good luck!

This contest is open to the US only.