5 Questions

A: Uh...like...too many? Honestly, I lost track about 3 years ago. But...probably 2,000-ish. I used to have a real problem with getting rid of books, but I'm working on it. A TON have gone to libraries in the past two years, which makes it easier to let go. The fact that I have a hard time accepting is that I will never have enough time read everything, but I like to keep deluding myself.

A: Never. Okay, not never. But only when I'm desperate.

A: No clue. No, I'm completely seriously. I have no idea how that works, and even if I did, I suspect the policies vary from publishing house to publishing house. No one has ever divulged to me why they send me books. They just kind of appear and I'm left scratching my head, wondering how on earth my address was even gotten.

So I guess the only way is to just blog and blog and read and blog some more. I truly believe that if you are passionate about the books, creative in your approach to blogging, and continually do all you can to support YA authors and their books, people will notice. But getting on mailing lists shouldn't be your goal. It doesn't really matter who reads what first. Eventually the book will come out and you can get it at the store/library.

A; I don't respond to such comments unless there has been some kind of misunderstanding to precipitate such a response, and then my reaction is limited to clarification. In an ideal world, everyone would be respectful and nice, even if they didn't like something, and everyone would respect each each other. I don't live in an ideal world, but this is my corner of the internet, so that's what I roll with.

A: No, I did not! I will look it up. Though I defy anyone to play Maxim as well as Laurence Olivier.

Questions? Leave them in the comments or email me at thecompulsivereader@gmail.com!

Shelf Discovery: Dust to Dust by Benjamin Busch

Shelf Discovery is a feature in which I highlight one book that I have found while prowling the shelves of the independent bookstore I work at it. These books aren't necessarily YA books; they're books that have discovered and find interesting or unique. I hope you do too.


I feel like I need to preface this week's pick a little bit because it is not something you'd expect to appear on this blog. Dust to Dust is written by the husband of one of my favorite professors ever, which is how I first heard about it. She'd tell us all about how he was editing or typing away in between teaching us cool things about Russia and the not-so-cool things about Stalin and such. Benjamin Busch also lives near my hometown and comes into the bookstore quite frequently. We're gearing up for a signing on Saturday to promote Dust to Dust, and it's something we're pretty excited about. I've not finished the book yet, but it is interesting and extremely well-written and of course I recommend it. Check it out:

"Dust to Dust is an extraordinary memoir about ordinary things: life and death, peace and war, the adventures of childhood and the revelations of adulthood. Benjamin Busch—a decorated U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer who served two combat tours in Iraq, an actor on The Wire, and the son of celebrated novelist Frederick Busch—has crafted a lasting book to stand with the finest work of Tim O'Brien or Annie Dillard. 

In elemental-themed chapters—water, metal, bone, blood—Busch weaves together a vivid record of a pastoral childhood in rural New York; Marine training in North Carolina, Ukraine, and California; and deployment during the worst of the war in Iraq, as seen firsthand. But this is much more than a war memoir. Busch writes with great poignancy about the resonance of a boyhood spent exploring rivers and woods, building forts, and testing the limits of safety. Most of all, he brings enormous emotional power to his reflections on mortality: in a helicopter going down; wounded by shrapnel in Ramadi; dealing with the sudden death of friends in combat and of parents back home. 

Dust to Dust is an unforgettable meditation on life and loss, and how the curious children we were remain alive in us all."

Obligatory plug: If you want a signed copy, Great Lakes Book and Supply (1-231-796-1112) can totally hook you up.

What have you discovered this week?

Circle Nine by Anne Heltzel

When Abby wakes after being pulled from a burning building, she discovers that she doesn't remember anything about herself. It's Sam who saves he, who helps remind her who she is. They live in a cozy little cave away from the world and all they need is each other. But when Sam's secrets threaten Abby's happiness, she begins to ask questions. The more curious she gets, the more she slowly begins to remember details about her life before the fire. Reality and fantasy have blended together in Abby's mind, and she is forced to decide what in her life is real.

Circle Nine is a dark tale that will capture your attention from the very beginning. Abby's life is a mystery, and she clings to the things Sam tells her. Her journey is both mental and emotional as she struggles to unbury the truth in her memories and disassociate her feelings for Sam with those of safety and comfort. Sam isn't ever a character that readers can trust, but he does have his moments where he is almost likable. Abby's feelings for him also complicate his role in the story, making for some dramatic scenes. Abby's search for answers is gradual and interspersed with memories of her family, which make her eventual discovery of the truth of what happened the night of the fire tragic and emotional. Though the reader will be able to deduce what Abby struggles to learn a bit quicker than the protagonist, Heltzel's writing is measured and intense, and she has a few little twists at the very end that will keep readers hooked. Circle Nine is a heart-rending and perfectly paced novel with darker tones that provides an interesting view on some very important social issues. While the ending isn't neat and perfect, it feels right and the conclusion will haunt you.

Cover Comments: I just love this cover so much! The way the brightness of the forest stands out against the black background is very striking, and it makes you want to lean in for a closer look.

Review copy provided by author.

This one is now available! The e-book is on sale for $2.99!

On Death

Today I have a guest post by Jackie Morse Kessler, author of Hunger, Rage, and soon-to-be-released Loss!

______________

On Death
By Jackie Morse Kessler

Ever since he first appeared in Hunger, I’ve hugely enjoyed writing Death. (Not to be confused with writing about little-d death, which, granted, can also be enjoyable to write about. Let me know if this bothers you.) He’s always been a fascinating character—timeless, ageless, a bit of a slacker. Then again, when everyone comes to you at one point or another, what’s the rush?

Unlike other characters of mine, I knew what he looked like from the start: exactly like Kurt Cobain. He even sang and played the guitar. Why? I still don’t know how this happened. I wasn’t even a Nirvana fan until I started working on Hunger. (Now? I’m convinced that the Unplugged: New York concert was one of the most powerful musical experiences ever.) Since his appearance in Hunger, I’ve figured out exactly what Death is all about—which is a good thing, since I’m writing his book right now. :)

Readers will get to see a lot more of Death in my new book, LOSS—including another side of him which may, or may not, explain a lot more about him. There are bits of foreshadowing sprinkled in LOSS for what’s to come in Breath.

Many authors have tackled Death as an anthropomorphic personification—my personal favorites are by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony. Who are some of your favorites? Please comment below. And if you do…you’re entered in the giveaway!


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

LOSS by Jackie Morse Kessler comes out March 20, 2012!

GIVEAWAY: One lucky commenter below will win a small cover poster of LOSS—and will be entered in the grand prize drawing! The grand prize winner will receive signed copies of HUNGER, RAGE and LOSS—and will get to name a character in BREATH, the fourth book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series. The grand prize winner will be picked on Sunday, April 1, 2012. No foolin’.

The Star

This might not be of interest to a lot of you, but I know I have some Spanish-speaking readers out there who will appreciate this! The Star is a Spanish novel by Javi Araguz and Isabel Hierro. Currently, it's only available in Spanish and in Portuguese, but hopefully it will be translated into English! You can visit bookthestar.com to read about it and read the first chapter (in English).

What really attracted me to The Star was the awesome cover and this cool trailer (this is the English version). Check it out! If you don't speak Spanish but think this sound good, spread the word! If you do speak Spanish, check out the website to see how you can get a copy. It won some prestigious awards in Spain, and it's been pretty popular!

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

It's been nearly nine years since Bitterblue became queen after her tyrannical father's rule, and the kingdom of Monsea is still struggling. Monsea has undergone tremendous change, but the young queen finds herself buried under paperwork, unaware of what truly happens outside of her tower. So she sneaks out one night and goes into the city, pretending to be peasant in various taverns. It's not long before she meets Saf and Teddy, two young thieves who steal to right the wrongs of King Leck. Bitterblue befriends them and, not realizing she is their queen, the two young men open her eyes to the true state of her kingdom, and the cause for it—betrayal and deception among those Bitterblue trusts the most.

Kristin Cashore has written another magnificent novel, just as riveting and emotional as Graceling and Fire. Bitterblue is such a wonderful main character—she's inquisitive and brave, and even though she struggles with the day to day business of being queen and managing her advisers, her passion for her country and the people is genuine. Her decision to go into the city is as much of an attempt to learn more about her kingdom as it is a step of freedom made for her own sake. Throughout the novel she must deal with all sorts of inner pain and doubt when it comes to the memories of her parents, the confusing time spent with Leck, and trying to learn the truth about all of the things she doesn't understand. Saf and Teddy aren't able to help her directly with these problems, but put her on the right path towards figuring them out. With the help of trusted friends and family members, she slowly begins to uncover a conspiracy to hide what Leck did and deciphers the secrets both parents kept encrypted.

There are many twists and turns throughout the plot, plenty of skillful and (sometimes) surprising character development, and a good deal of heartbreak as Bitterblue delves into the darkest memories of Monsea in order to better understand how to help her country heal. This theme of uncovering the truth and moving beyond a legacy of pain and suffering is strong and wrought with pain, but it's executed perfectly in Cashore's skilled hand. Her writing is expressive, complex, and full of feeling. She's spectacularly talented, and the way she weaves Bitterblue's story together with the prequels Graceling and Fire is both impressive and delightful. Bitterblue is full of perfect amounts of drama, pain, emotion, humor, and romance with a stunning ending that will leave readers wondering where Cashore will take them next.

Cover Comments: I love the cover. The blue and purple are pretty, and the keys are so significant to the book. Not only does Bitterblue have to unlock secrets of her past, but she also does some literal unlocking as well. The cover is gorgeous!

This one will be available May 1st, 2012! 

ARC provided by publisher.

Note: It doesn't matter which order you read Graceling and Fire in (though I say start with Graceling), but note that Bitterblue is a direct sequel to Graceling, and a companion to Fire. However, as there are a couple of major Fire spoilers in Bitterblue, I recommend reading both before Bitterblue! You can read my reviews by clicking on the links above.

Good News for Alexandra Monir Fans!

A little over a year ago I reviewed Timeless by Alexandra Monir. You can read my review here, but suffice to say that it was a wonderful book I enjoyed immensely, and I am eager for the sequel, Timekeeper, to arrive sometime this fall!

I received some really good news yesterday: Alexandra has written a short "bridge" story between Timeless and Timekeeper called "Secrets of the Time Society" and it's released today! Hooray!

You can download it for only $1.99, and hopefully it'll keep you satisfied until Timekeeper's release!

P.S. One really awesome thing is that Alexandra, who is also a singer and a songwriter, produced the two songs that her main character "writes" in the book, "Bring the Color Back" and "Chasing Time"! You can find them in iTunes, and I definitely recommend looking them up and downloading them! They're gorgeous!

The Hidden Gallery: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood

This is the second book in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. To read my review of book one, The Mysterious Howling, click here.

Penelope Lumley and the three Incorrigibles, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia, are just recovering from a rather disastrous holiday ball when Miss Lumley is invited to London to visit with her old headmistress. When Penelope suggests the trip to her employer, Lady Ashton decides that the entire household must settle in London. Penelope is excited for all of the learning opportunities, and guided by a rather peculiar and oftentimes misleading guide book, she and the children embark on a journey to London. But there are dangerous people in the big city to avoid, and new friends to be made. As Penelope keeps an eye on her wayward charges, she discovers that her unique guidebook may be another clue to uncovering the secret of her past.

As charming and as riotously funny as its prequel, The Hidden Gallery delves deeper into the greater mysteries surrounding the lives of one plucky governess and her (somewhat) reformed charges. Part of what makes this series of books so enjoyable is Wood's unique voice. She tells a wonderful story while imparting her modern sensibilities and perspectives within the historical setting. It not only is engaging, but makes the books accessible for kids who might find historical fiction a struggle. Charming Penelope is equally as winning—her passion for teaching and for bringing up the Incorrigibles is wonderful, and her sensible outlook on matters concerning the mystery of the hidden gallery and the children's origins just rackets up the suspense. Though answers are scarce and revelations are slow, the action in this installment is more than enough to keep readers entertained. Theatrical in its drama and thrilling in its escapades, the plot of The Hidden Gallery will be hard to tear away from—though who would want to? The book wraps up nicely with the promise of a sequel, new friends, and even a hint at the supernatural. Make sure you have book three, The Unseen Guest, on hand.

Cover Comments: I love the cute illustrations for these covers--classic and fun!

Review copy purchased.

Shelf Discovery: Steampunk!

Shelf Discovery is a feature in which I highlight one book that I have found while prowling the shelves of the independent bookstore I work at it. These books aren't necessarily YA books; they're books that have discovered and find interesting or unique. I hope you do too.

I've been kind of on a steampunk kick lately. I just (sadly) finished the last book in the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, and I also got my co-worker hooked on the books. While going through some research papers I wrote a year ago on Imperial Russia I got it in my head that a steampunk novel set in that time would be quite interesting--the geographical setting, the clothes, and the culture would all be really awesome for a steampunk novel. Then we got a few cool steampunk anthologies in at the bookstore that have been vying for my attention...it's just been on my mind!

So, this week's Shelf Discovery has to be Steampunk!, an anthology edited by Kelly Link and Gavin Grant! It has more YA authors in in than the other two we got in, and I am so excited to pick it up soon!

"Imagine an alternate universe where romance and technology reign. Where tinkerers and dreamers craft and re-craft a world of automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never were. Where scientists and schoolgirls, fair folk and Romans, intergalactic bandits, utopian revolutionaries, and intrepid orphans solve crimes, escape from monstrous predicaments, consult oracles, and hover over volcanoes in steam-powered airships. Here, fourteen masters of speculative fiction, including two graphic storytellers, embrace the genre’s established themes and refashion them in surprising ways and settings as diverse as Appalachia, ancient Rome, future Australia, and alternate California. Visionaries Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant have invited all-new explorations and expansions, taking a genre already rich, strange, and inventive in the extreme and challenging contributors to remake it from the ground up. The result is an anthology that defies its genre even as it defines it."

What do you think? Sounds excellent, no?

If you're into steampunk, check out an earlier post about Steampunk Poe.

What have you discovered lately?

Meant to Be Cover Reveal!

I just found out about this book, Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill, and I have to share it with you all! The cover has just been released, and it's almost as fabulous at the book sounds! Check it out:

"Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be"). 

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love. 

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be."

I love, love this cover--the colors, the London skyline, the couple's stance! It's just all so fabulous! I cannot wait to read this book!

Meant to Be will be released on November 13th, 2012!