Confessions

I finished reading LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater last night, and if you haven't read it you MUST! Immediately. Not only is the story hauntingly beautiful, so is the book jacket. Shiver had a gorgeous cover (with blue text inside!) and Linger is equally beautiful (with green text inside!), and those two covers got me thinking about how I choose a book to read.


I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover. Don't give me that look, so are you. It doesn't mean I won't read a book with a less attractive cover design, but I am more likely to pick it up if it's appealing to me. For example, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE--sorry, Jandy! That cover did absolutely nothing for me. I wasn't even sure it was a YA book. But an author friend recommended it and she's never suggested a book I didn't like, so I gave it a try. It's such a great book!  I highly recommend it.

Second confession, I am more apt to pick up a book written in first person rather than third. This is my personal preference. I used to dislike books written in present tense, but I've read so many great books in first person present, and now my own WIP is written as such. I will read books in third, but when I'm browsing my bookshelves, or the shelves in the store, I'll usually skip over a book in third and read something in first, first.  There are a lot of great books in third person, and sometimes the story calls for it, but I personally like to be inside the head of the MC(s).

Third, and final, confession: I love a good series. Most of the books I purchase have at least two in the series. There are some amazing stand-alone books (that I wish were series!), but my favorites have all been series--Vampire Academy, The Southern Vampire Mysteries(True Blood), The Forest of Hands and Teeth (although those books have different characters, they are set in the same world), Shiver, Nightshade, Matched, Delirium (though I have yet to read book 2 on those last three), The Hunger Games, If I Stay. And there are many more I haven't read yet but I'm sure to love--The Mortal Instruments, Wicked Lovely, Shade, 13 To Life, and lots more that have yet to be released!

This are my bookish confessions, and now I'm curious about yours. Do you like longer novels, or a quick easy read? Are all your favorite covers blue? Do you prefer debut authors or known favorites? That's a tough one, isn't it?

Happy Thursday.

Must Have Books of 2011

Like Kristi and Valerie, I've set a reading plan/goal for 2011. My goal, is to read the books I already have before purchasing new ones. Except those must-have books that are coming out this year.

There are still a lot I must have from last year, like SLICE OF CHERRY! How I missed that release date is beyond me. But I plan on hitting up the bookstore on Friday night so that's covered. Yeah, outside of the plan BUT that book came out in 2010 and I had planned to buy it before I made the new year plan, so it's okay. Hush.

I honestly haven't paid much attention to a whole lot of the 2011 new releases, not because I don't want to, I've just been that busy. Some that I am aware of and must have are:

THE DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES by Carrie Ryan

FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater

*Secret Novel* by Maggie Stiefvater

*no cover image*

BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton

BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris (and you guys should be ready for that one too--we *might* have something special when it comes out.)

POSSESSION by Elana Johnson

THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab

HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire

*no cover image*

CORSETS AND CLOCKWORK by Various (includes a short by Dia Reeves)

And I'm just going to stop there because this list is really long.
What are some of your must-have books for 2011? Share so I can make said list even longer. Mwauahahahaha! (That's an evil laugh.)

Giveaway and Guest Post: Andrew Jacobson of THE FAMILIARS

**CONTEST HAS ENDED**

winners announced soon!

This month we welcome special guest Andrew Jacobson, co-author of the new Middle Grade fantasy series, THE FAMILIARS!

Running to save his life, Aldwyn, the street-wise orphan cat, ducks into a strange store. Moments later Jack, a young wizard-in-training, comes in to pick out his familiar – a magical animal companion. Aldwyn’s always been clever. But magical? Apparently Jack thinks so—and Aldwyn is happy to play along. Anything to get out of town!

Once home with Jack in Stone Runlet, Aldwyn thinks that he’s got it made—a life of ease with a boy who loves him. He just has to convince the other familiars—the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert--that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be.

Then, after the sky lights up with an omen, the unthinkable happens. Jack and the other young wizards are captured by the evil queen of Vastia. Together Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert must save them—but how?

On their thrilling quest across the land, the familiars will face dangerous foes, unearth a shocking centuries old secret, and discover a mysterious destiny that will change them all forever.

Welcome, Andrew!

We are also having a special Familiars-themed Halloween Scavenger Hunt! At each stop along the blog tour, we will be asking a trivia question from our book. After you fill in your answer, the letter that falls in the place of the * can be placed in the corresponding number of the larger puzzle. So for example, since this is question number 5, the letter that lands in the space where the * is can be filled in where the 5 is in the larger puzzle. The larger puzzle will form yet another clue, and anyone who answers it correctly will be entered into a drawing for an autographed book as well as a few other Halloween treats!

Be sure to visit The Familiars blog at thefamiliars.blogspot.com to find links to all other blog stops and find out where to send in your answers! All entries must be entered by November 15.

5. Marianne's and Dalton's familiars, Gilbert and Skylar, are curious to meet Aldwyn, the newest resident of

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _*_ ___ ___

Hint: Chapter Three, Page 40

11 5 18 8 15 1 9 7 19 14 23 2 25 16 10 12 20

__ __ __ __ __ __ ' __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

17 3 22 6 21 4 24 13

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

www.thefamiliars.com (official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0djEE4OzdQ (book trailer)

Happy Halloween everyone!

Andrew & Adam

Andrew, thank you for stopping by and including Sisters in Scribe in your tour! As a special thanks to our readers, and in honor of familiars everywhere, my Sisters and I are giving away one copy of the book to a random commenter! Please fill out the form and leave a comment to be entered! You must be a follower of this blog. Contest is international and ends October 28th.

Speak Loudly

We don't usually post on Sunday, but I wanted to let you all know:

It's September and the book banners are at it again. Being challenged this time is SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson - the story of a girl trying to move on after she'd been raped by a classmate. Book banner calls it "soft porn" when there's no sex in the book! Spread the word and fight book banning. #speakloudly

Visit Laurie's blog for more on the conflict and to share your thoughts on the book:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/this-guy-thinks-speak-is-pornography/comment-page-1/#comment-25762

Mockingjay Midnight Madness!

**I'm going to post my short recap of the MOCKINGJAY release party from Monday Aug 23rd in NYC, as my post today**

As most of you know, MOCKINGJAY, the third and final installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins released at midnight [Monday] night!!!! Books of Wonder, an independent bookstore in NYC that you absolutely have to stop at if you've ever out this way, hosted the official release party with Suzanne Collins!

Books of Wonder has been taking preorders for MOCKINGJAY for weeks. The bookstore closed its doors at 7pm, like always, and reopened at 8pm for the party. The line formed out on the street starting at 3 o'clock in the afternoon!!! Suzie Townsend, of Fine Print Literary, and company were at the start of the line.

Those girls are carrying bow and arrows!

Sorry some of these are dark. That's the line all the way down the street.

The bookstore workers were very organized. They had us form two lines--preorders and those who needed to purchase books. I was cursing myself for having not preordered, until I got inside and saw the preorder line wrapping around the building. I stepped up to the counter in the empty buy-your-book-now line, and got ticket #103, meaning I would be person #103 (and I got there about 45 minutes before they reopened!) to get my book stamped by Ms Collins.

Books of Wonder hosted quite a few mega signings, they can handle this sort of event.

It was crowded, extremely, but it was amazing. They had a magician, jugglers, face painting, trivia games, raffles, and with the purchase of MOCKINGJAY plus one other book at a set price or more, they gave you this awesome mug!

And the cupcake cafe had Mockingjay cupcakes!

On to more pictures!

David Levithan was there to announce Suzanne and just be his awesome self.

This is Mitali (http://www.thealleyofbooks.com/), myself looking freakishly tall next to them, and author of KNIGHTLY ACADEMY, Robin Schneider, AKA Violet Haberdasher. (I rode the Harley out there in the rain so ignore my helmet head, please)

Beautiful girl in Katniss's wedding dress!

Elizabeth Eulberg (THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB) was there. Elizabeth, how did we not take a picture! And Elizabeth Law, publisher at Egmont USA was also in attendance. Unfortunately, she was on her way out, as I was on my way in and I didn't get the chance to speak with her again.

Suzanne Collins and Beautiful Dress Girl

Suzanne stamping my book!

*Squee!!*

It was a GREAT night! HUGE thanks to Books of Wonder, Suzanne, Scholastic, and all the entertainment! I've been to quite a lot of book signings and events and this was one of the very best, and not just because it was MOCKINGJAY! These folks worked hard to make it a successful night.

Did you attend a launch party last night? Don't forget to check Suzanne's tour dates!

Happy Thursday!

Author Closet

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Author Charliane Harris, Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood), is cleaning out her closet for the next few days. She's offering up quite a few different editions of her books including some from Finland, Germany, Britain, Sweden, and Japan. She's accepting cashiers check or paypal to cover the cost of the book and the shipping and she's offered to sign and personalize any of the books.

I missed her signing in my home city so I've ordered myself a copy of the True Blood Omnibus! :D

Follow this link to see what she has available and for more info on who to contact: http://www.charlaineharris.com/closet.html

Friday Book Recommendation!

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful, poetic, timeless read. Fans of Suzanne Collins' HUNGER GAMES and Carrie Ryan's FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH will devour this book.

View all my reviews >>

Product Description

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life sheÕs known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

About the Author

Ally Condie received a degree in English Teaching from Brigham Young University and spent a number of years teaching high school English in Utah and in upstate New York. She lives with her husband and three sons outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

http://www.allysoncondie.com/

Rebel Moon: An Anthology of Supernatural Tales

I'm going to take today to do a little shameless self-promotion. Some of you had mentioned, during the last giveaway, that you'd like to know more about us and what we write. I'll only speak for myself.

I'm a big fan of paranormal, dark, edgy, and/or sad books. That doesn't mean I don't like contemporary romance or literary books, because I do. But I don't think I could write them. Maybe some day I'll give a romance a shot, who knows.

A short story of mine was recently published by an independent publisher in the UK, Rebel Books. It's available for purchase online (in the US and elsewhere). The anthology is a collection of 16 stories by 16 different authors and all of them are YA paranormal, but very different.

My story is called PARALLEL. It's about an adopted teen werewolf who has a hard time choosing between the wolf she met in the woods, and her human friends and family. Sometimes the choices are made for us, and they aren't always the best ones.

Here's the description from the publisher's website:

REBEL MOON: An Anthology of supernatural tales

by VARIOUS

Have you ever wondered what Death would look like if he approached you at a bus stop? Or what would happen if a vampire’s chosen victim turned out to be more than they had bargained for?

Rebel Moon is a collection of stories that will whisk you into worlds of vampires, werewolves and witchcraft so prepare yourself for a bumpy ride as sometimes the dead have more of a life than the living and if this book teaches you anything it is to always expect the unexpected!

From the teen witches you wouldn’t want to cross in One Witch Down to the dark comedy of Evil 101, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

　

Paperback 220 pages

ISBN: 978-0-9565035

Price: £8.99

http://rebelbookspublishing.co.uk/bookshop.aspx

If you happen to get a copy, feel free to let me know what you think! Either here, or via my contact form.

Friday Book Recommendation!

It's Friday! Woohoo! And in case you might be interested, my first ever interview is up on the We Do Write blog! On to the books!

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: EgmontUSA (December 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606840576

Product Description: from Amazon

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

This book is completely original, imaginative and full of awesome! I can't really say much more than that without revealing one thing or another. I will say The Dark Divine is easily one of my favorite books of 2009.

www.breedespain.com

Friday Book Recommendation!

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385736843
• 
  Shop Indie

Product Description

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

Last week, I recommended THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, so of course I've got to recommend it's equally awesome companion novel this week. I think I may have enjoyed this one even more than FOHT. Lots of unexpected twists, thrilling action, great imagery. It's a big more *gross* than FOREST, but if you're like me you kind of like gross. I highly recommend this book.

Friday Book Recommendation!

• 
  
• 
  Shop Indie
• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385736827
• ISBN-13: 978-0385736824

An ALA Best Books for Young Adults
A New York Times Best Seller

In Mary's world, there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village....

Mary has always lived in the village, protected by the fences that keep the undead from devouring her. She's dreamed of a life beyond the fences, of the ocean in the stories her mother told her about life before the Return. Her hope has all but faltered until the day Gabrielle wanders in from the forest. Until the day the fences are breached.

Heart-stopping, eye-popping. This books is incredible! One can't help but feel connected to Mary and her world. To feel her yearning for the ocean and to solve the mysteries surrounding the Sisterhood and the Guardians.

The ending does leave something to be desired but have no fear, THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES is here!

Part horror, part romance, this book is impossible to put down.

Visit Carrie on the web at http://www.carrieryan.com/

and check out the awesome trailer!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m18KFIH7XSEF5H

Book Expo America!

OMG! I forgot to blog on Thursday!!! Eeek! But I'm here now, so it's okay. Whew! Sorry.

Book Expo America's new mid-week dates are fast approaching and I am stoked! In part because a certain Sister is coming to visit! And my book blogging, beta reading, 2009 book expo buddy, Jess! Will also be making an appearance! Conferences and book fairs are always a ton of fun, and BEA is one of the best.

Last year was my first time attending, and I was not at all prepared. I was lost, confused and befuddled for most of the time I was there. And I was late, so I had already missed all the freebies (and who doesn't love free books?). Still, I finally got to meet Jess in person and I also met Maggie Stiefvater for the very first time. I saw super-agent Andrea Brown from a distance, but I didn't think I'd have anything constructive to say to her so I just awed from the corner.

This year I think I'm prepared! I have business cards ready! A giant tote bag! And I plan to get there BEFORE 8am! The place opens at 9, I think, but I want to attend the Children's Book Author Breakfast!

If you don't know what BEA is, visit their website for more information. It is a trade only event, meaning it is not open to the public, but if you're a book blogger, you may be in luck!! Book bloggers can register for a FREE press badge! But badges are subject to approval so don't try to fool them. If you say you're a book blogger, be a book blogger.

And if you plan on attending this year, let us know and maybe we'll see each other!

Cover Art!

In 2009, FALLEN by Lauren Kate was released from Delacorte. The cover for the sequel, TORMENT, was just released and it is so awesome, I have to share.

Friday Book Recommendation!

If you've read the books I recommend, feel free to discuss them, but please DO NOT post spoilers!

This book is written by the fabulous Gayle Forman, author of IF I STAY. It doesn't get nearly enough publicity. I loved it!

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 Reprint edition (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060887494
• ISBN-13: 978-0060887490
• 
  

Have to admit, I'm not crazy about the paperback cover. The hardcover was much better.

Product Description from Amazon

Have you ever had the out-of-control dream? The one where you know you're not crazy, but no one around you—not your parents, not your teachers, not even the authorities—will listen to you?

For sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, the out-of-control dream comes true when her dad enrolls her at Red Rock, a bogus treatment center that claims to cure rebellious teen girls. At Red Rock, Brit is forced into therapy, and her only hope of getting her life back is in the hands of an underqualified staff of counselors. Brit's dad thinks Red Rock can save her, but the truth is it's doing more harm than good.

No girl could survive Red Rock alone—but at a treatment center where you earn privileges for ratting out your peers, it's hard to know who you can trust. For Brit, everything changes when she meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie, four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together they'll hold on to their sanity and their sisterhood while trying to keep their Red Rock reality from becoming a full-on nightmare.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This book is about sisterhood. It's about believing in yourself and taking a stand for what you know is the right thing. Brit, V, Bebe, Cassie and Martha form a sisterhood in the secret confines of an empty office when the "goons" at Red Rock--a school for misguided teen girls--turn their backs. Together, the girls learn the ins and outs of Red Rock. They learn to survive it and they learn to rely on each other.

Sisters in Sanity is not a typical coming-of-age tale but the reader follows Brit through her stay at Red Rock where she discovers who she is and what she's made of. It's well written, an easy and entertaining read that can make you laugh one minute, cry the next and be fuming with anger when you turn the page again. The characters are unique, full of individuality and life. You feel like you're right there with them in the quarry, building walls or hiking up the hills in 90 degree heat. You can't help but feel like a part of their sisterhood.

Friday Book Recommendation!

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (January 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670011533

Product Description from amazon

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly.

Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia’s boyfriend— knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can’t mourn Julia openly, and he’s tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia’s journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he’s desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

Beautiful writing, memorable characters, and jam-packed with emotion and teen angst. I loved everything about this book. Not to be missed.

Friday Book Recommendation!

I know I am posting this on Saturday. PLEASE forgive me this time.

There is an interesting cover story on this book here.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599903059
• ISBN-13: 978-1599903057

FROM JUSTINE'S WEBSITE:

DO NOT SPOIL THIS BOOK

Please don’t give away any of the twists and turns ofLiar.

Liar is my first thriller. It’s from the point of view of a compulsive liar. And I mean compulsive. Micah’s been messing with my head for years and she’s about to mess with yours. You cannot believe a word she says, which means that her revelations cannot be taken at face value. So what you think is the big spoiler probably isn’t because there isn’t one big spoiler, there are many.

I’d be dead pleased if you could keep quiet about all of them.

I deliberately wrote the book to be read in at leasttwo different ways. You may think you know what kind of book it is and what kind of person Micah is, but you’ll find other readers will disagree with you completely. There is no one right way to read this book. And that’s why I’m so keen for readers not to spoil it for others. Because I want each reader to come to their own conclusions.

Liar is as much a jigsaw puzzle as a novel, but one where the pieces can go together in many different ways. Writing it was a puzzle, too. I wrote it back to front and inside out. Not from start to finish, but scene by scene. As I wrote I shuffled scenes around, rewriting them with every move. It was one of the most enjoyable writing experiences of my career. I could feel my brain stretching as I wrote. (In a good way.) I hope reading it has the same effect on you.

Just don’t spoil it, okay?"

I won't spoil this book for you. Not just because Justine asked, but because it was such an incredible surprise to me, that I wouldn't dare ruin any of it for you.

Seventeen year old Micah is a compulsive liar. She always stays one step ahead of her lies, until her after-hours boyfriend is murdered, and her classmates and even the police start to suspect her.

I wish I could tell you more. All I can say is that LIAR will blow your mind. It is a must read.