The Compulsive Reader

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

2012-05-21T15:44:00.000-04:00

Cameron Post lives in the tiny town of Miles City, Montana--not the most understanding place to grow up if you're secretly gay. Cameron's family certainly have no idea about her sexuality--her parents died not long after her first kiss, and she's been keeping that part of her life a secret from her grandmother and aunt. But liking girls is something that Cameron struggles to hide, especially when she befriends Coley Taylor. And when her aunt Ruth finds out, it's not something that she can accept, so she tries to fix Cameron by sending her to a special school in an attempt to "de-gay" her. But even if she doesn’t really know who she is yet, Cameron knows that liking girls isn’t something that she can be schooled out of, no matter how much her family or anyone else tries to convince her otherwise.

Emily M. Danforth's debut novel is a weighty, extensive look at Cameron's journey from a scared girl who is trying to deal with her feelings for girls to a young woman who is forced to make decisions about how she wants to live her life. The story starts when Cameron is just twelve years old and covers all of her relationships—her first kiss with her best friend Irene and the ensuing fallout between them, her summer friendship with benefits with her Lindsey, her friendship and attempt at a romance with her best guy friend Jamie, and finally her brief romance with Coley before her aunt sends her away. Because the book covers so much ground, it focuses more on Cameron dealing with her sexuality than with her relationship with Coley, and all of the mistakes she makes along the way. She's not always very mature about her relationship decisions—there is a lot of physical action, but rarely does she pause to talk and figure out how to make a relationship work, which is all part of the learning experience. Her attempts at dealing with her homosexuality also are closely tied with how she reconciles her feelings about her parents' sudden deaths. It's not really until she hits her low and is forced to attend God's Promise Academy that she realizes that sometimes the people in charge don't really have a clue about what they're doing either, and that she didn't really get the chance to know her parents as people, and maybe they would have reacted differently than her aunt Ruth.

Throughout her journey, Danforth doesn't force any labels on Cameron, and despite the 1990's setting and her issues with her sexuality, Cameron’s struggles and feelings of isolation are very relatable for any reader. Danforth's writing is both gritty and beautiful, and there are some very beautiful metaphors throughout the novel. While it does seem like the book ends a little abruptly, readers will be happy about where Danforth leaves Cameron, and the conclusion is very appropriate. Though lengthy, The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a thought-provoking and important novel that readers will fly through.

Cover Comments: I really love this cover. The hay field is very appropriate, I love the pop of color in the title, and the boots the girl is wearing. It's just so quirky and cool.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Epic Awesome-ness of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries!

2012-05-20T15:55:00.002-04:00

Okay, so you all know how awesome John and Hank Green are. Not only is John an AMAZING writer, but he and his brother Hank have created the coolest Youtube vlogs, and they are the ones behind Crash Course, an awesome channel that is funny and educational. But mostly funny.

Well, Hank Green had this idea to create a vlog series to tell a story. And what story did he choose to tell? Just, you know, one of the best classic love stories ever, Pride and Prejudice. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a series of videos in which a modern Lizzie Bennet tells us all about her life, with quite a bit of hilarity. I'm a big fan of the whole modern take on classic novels (as long as they're done creatively), and this is probably the best I've ever seen, mainly because the medium is just so different and awesome!

So, please check out this first video! You won't regret it!

And because I know you want more...click here to go to Lizzie Bennet's channel!

Now tell your friends! And watch for new episodes every Monday and Thursday! I am smitten!

Bookmarks!

2012-05-19T14:54:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to have blog bookmarks to pass out to readers for a long time now--just something fun and memorable for the blog that I can hand out to interested YA readers that aren't my business cards. Luckily for me, I know Katie D. at kdcreates.com and she designs AWESOME things. She did my blog header, and some awesome bookmarks and business cards!

I finally found a local printer who did bookmarks to print them for me, and I LOVE them! Check it out:

They're double-sided and the perfect bookmark size (in my humble opinion) and even have a QR code so you can get to the blog quickly and easily on your mobile device! And I have like, a thousand of them. So, I totally need to share them with YOU, fabulous blog readers!

So, if you want to fill out the form below, I'll send you a few of my bookmarks (plus a couple of other YA ones from my swag box)! This offer is good as long as my supplies last!

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Classics Corner: Ten Things I Like About The Great Gatsby

2012-05-18T14:44:00.000-04:00

The Great Gatsby is one of those books that seems to be inflicted upon everyone at some point in high school English classes, and despite its brevity and being relatively modern and accessible compared to say, oh, Dickens or Melville, it is also one that people either love or hate...no in between.

That's just my perspective, anyway.

I'm not sure how this happened, but I somehow escaped having to read it during my high school years, and have since gone through my undergrad classes not exactly pretending to have read it, but not saying anything to the contrary either. It's not that I wasn't ever going to read it. I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. But I totally had a copy of it on my shelf of Serious Books. And then my American Lit survey assigned it, and it was just convenient.

I think I devoured it more than actually reading it over Spring Break, and I came to class all bright-eyed and eager to talk about how cool it is and how much I liked it and then...the class discussion killed my excitement. Popped it like a balloon. Just, gone.

So, since this is my happy corner of the internet where I can talk about pretty much whatever I want, here's what I was going to say about The Great Gatsby, before that class period:

Ten Things I Like About The Great Gatsby

1. Nick Carraway. He's a narrator I can relate to and I like the way he strings together his thoughts and sentences. He comes to New York to figure out his life because he can't find what he's looking for in the Midwest. He may be confused about his life, but he's also way more grounded and realistic than Gatsby or Daisy.

2. "I'm the most honest man I know." Nick Carraway says this early on in the book, and he also talks a lot about how he values honesty--he can't stand it when Jordan lies. But the context of the statement and the meaning makes you also wonder at Nick's character and why he stated that. I love that there is that added depth to his character.

3. The most awesome metaphor of the Valley of Ashes and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. Enough said.

4. Jay Gatsby. Despite how conflicted and misled he may be, there's just something about the guy. I mean, I could do without him calling Nick "old sport" all the time (really? "Old sport?" It's SUPER ANNOYING), but I just feel bad for him. He's so quiet and all he does is in the hope that he can meet Daisy, the woman that he thinks is the love of his life. I mean, it may be a little naive of him, but there's an almost innocent quality about him that makes you want things to work out for him. Too bad he's so far gone and Daisy isn't good enough for him.

5. Tom and Daisy Buchanan's stupidity. Okay, I know that this is probably not something you're supposed to like about a novel, but their marriage is like a train wreck. I can't look away. Tom cheats, Daisy is reckless, and even though they seem wildly unhappy, they deserve each other. They are careless with others and they represent the worst of the filthy rich. They're good characters to hate.

6. The way that Fitzgerald portrays women. This may sound odd, because there aren't exactly many "good" female characters in The Great Gatsby, but Fitzgerald was probably the first American male writer to not make females fade into the background. He portrayed them as human beings who have affairs, make mistakes, and actually play roles in how the novel unfolds. They have power. Even if they all make bad decisions and I'd like to slap them all.

7. The pacing. It's less than two hundred pages, and I flew through it. The way that Fitzgerald sets it up to take place over the course of a summer is very symbolic, and the action unfolds nicely.

8. The issues of entitlement and wealth. I like how Fitzgerald emphasized that wealth can make anyone feel entitled and above morals and laws. It's not just Tom who cheats or breaks laws. Even Gatsby--mild mannered, naive, likable Gatsby--bootlegs so he can be rich enough to get Daisy's attention, and then he takes the fall for Daisy when she kills Myrtle. And they all think that they can just get away with it. There is this lawlessness that stalks these rich characters, and Nick doesn't like it.

9. The reason why this story is so relevant--it's all about finding purpose. Nick comes to New York to get a job and be useful, to find his purpose. But, he doesn't find it. He thinks that befriending Gatsby and helping him get to Daisy will help him achieve this, or at least help Gatsby achieve his purpose. He has nothing to do but watch as the train wreck of events unfolds and try to pick up the pieces. Maybe his role in it isn't to try and save everyone--which he completely fails at--but to observe it, learn from it. At the end, he decides to go back West. And who would blame him?

10. This book is so quotable!

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.

'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.'"

And...

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..."

And...

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

And there are a TON more. What about you guys--any favorite Gatsby quotes? If you've read it, what did you think? If you haven't read it, I recommend it!

Looking Ahead: Marta Acosta and Dark Companion

2012-05-17T12:12:00.000-04:00

Looking Ahead is a feature in which new upcoming books and their authors are featured! Take a minute to read the interview, get to know them, read about their book(s), and find them on the internet!

Today I have Marta Acosta, author of Dark Companion, on the blog!

TCR: How would you describe your book in ten words or less?

MA: A young adult modern gothic and homage to Jane Eyre.

TCR: What was your reaction when you first saw your cover?

MA: I can't remember! I think I was hesitant. I am cover obsessed and always trying to imagine how readers will perceive the cover. I asked that the font be changed and Tor Teen was kind enough to do that. The image online is lovely, but the actual book cover has more depth and detail. I love it.

TCR: What has surprised you about the publishing process thus far?

MA: Publishing sits very painfully atop a concertina wire fence between commerce and art. The people at the parent corporations who control the business are not a good mesh with those at the editorial level who love literature more than profits.

TCR: Where can we stay up to date on you and your book?

MA: If I was organized, you could go to my website, www.martaacosta.com, but I'm more frequently found at my daily blog, www.vampirewire.blogspot.com, and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/#!/MartaAcosta.

Tirzah, thanks so much for having me here at TCR!

TCR: Thank you, Marta!

Read on to see what Dark Companion is about!

"Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.

They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there…."

This one will be on sale July 3rd, 2012! Stay tuned for my review!

The Book of Blood and Shadow

2012-05-16T11:47:00.002-04:00

For Nora, being a research assistant to an elderly professor at a local university isn't the most exciting work study experience in the world. Her skills with Latin are good for lots of boring translations, but at least she gets to work with her best friend Chris and boyfriend Max. But her work gets interesting when she begins translating a series of letters written by a woman named Elizabeth Weston, revealing the mystery of a device, the Lumen dei, which supposedly enables mankind to communicate directly with God. Nora doesn't believe in the device, but she empathizes with Elizabeth despite the centuries that separate them. Then one violent night changes everything—Chris is dead, his girlfriend Adrianne is practically catatonic, and Max is missing. Nora must put together the clues Elizabeth left behind to find Max, evade the men who have proven they will kill for her information, and finally figure out what happened the night her best friend died.

Rob Wasserman's latest novel is an engaging mix of history, romance, and mystery. Dark secrets, crumbling documents and relics, and shady secret societies abound in this meticulously written story. Nora's search for answers to her friend's death and the mystery brought up by Elizabeth's letters go almost hand in hand with her own issues questions regarding faith and religion in the aftermath of her brother's tragic death. These personal issues are what make her connect with Elizabeth and her experiences and help emotionally invest herself into the mystery of the Lumen Dei. The mystery is very complicated and convoluted—the chronology of Elizabeth's letters and clues can be a little hard to follow, especially when Nora travels to Prague to find answers. There is plenty of action and many plot twists that play out through the streets of the old city as Nora gets closer and closer to the truth, which will test her beliefs and values and make her re-evaluate her relationships. The conclusion is surprising and maybe a little abrupt; there doesn't seem to be a lot of falling action, and there are a few loose ends to puzzle through still. However, the way that Wasserman sets up The Book of Blood and Shadow is clever, and despite any lingering questions this extremely well-written and unique story will keep readers thinking long after the final page.

Cover Comments: I adore this cover! I love the shadows of the title font and the way the building is reflected in the girl's eyes, the angle of her face. It's just so cool! And I definitely recommend getting this one in print--the book is beautiful. I love the deckle edges and the end papers on this one.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Wentworth Hall Giveaway

2012-05-15T15:46:00.001-04:00

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and Wentworth Hall looks like it'll be a good one. Written by Abby Grahame and just released earlier this month, Wentworth Hall is set in 1912 England (and being pitched as a good read for fans of Downton Abbey). Here is the summary:

"The prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets…

Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been…even as their carefully constructed faÇade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one…the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long."

Sound good? You can read an excerpt here.

I have two copies available for a giveaway on the blog thanks to the generosity of Simon and Schuster! All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below!

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Adult Books I've Enjoyed Recently, or The Most Eclectic Selection of Books Ever

2012-05-14T09:47:00.002-04:00

I know this feels like a cop-out post, but I feel like I need to prove to you all that I have been reading, even if it isn't the fun YA stuff. So, here we go:

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Yeah, I jumped on that bandwagon. I couldn't help it. I actually read it over Christmas break (um...yeah...five months ago) and it took me only a few days. I had avoided reading any information or criticism on it since I planned on reading it since it became popular, so I have to admit I was a little surprised at how violent it could be at times. But, I really, really enjoyed the characterization of Mikael and Lisabeth--definitely my favorite part. Also, do all Swedish people really drink that much coffee, or did Larsson not know what to do with his characters in the downtime?

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Disclaimer: This book was read for my nonfiction class! I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise because I can't say as I've been interested in True Crime (though that has changed after reading this book). But oh my word, Truman Capote can write. The way he could put a sentence together is absolutely amazing. I liked this one so well I wrote my midterm paper on it, and then my final paper as well.

Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson

This was another book read for class, and yet again one that I probably wouldn't have picked up unless I had been forced to. All in all, it was a pretty good first experience with Thompson's writing, and I especially liked it because it helped me understand a slice of American culture I hadn't been exposed to. While I don't think Thompson has the same literary flare that Capote does, I really liked how he brings up a lot of interesting ideas about society and the media.

The Cater Street Hangman and Callander Square by Anne Perry

I picked up the first two books in the Thomas Pitt series out of curiosity because Anne Perry is popular with customers at the bookstore and I enjoyed Victoria Thompson's Gaslight mysteries. If it's period mysteries about (sometimes brutal) crimes you're looking for, these are great. However, I was a bit disappointed with the lack of page time the main characters get in these novels and their abrupt endings--the book concludes a mere two or three pages after the perpetrator is quickly revealed. I think I'll stick with Thompson.

Delicacy by David Foenkinos

This French novel is about a young woman, Natalie, who finds herself a widow after seven near perfect years with her husband. She's beautiful and smart, but she's never moved past her husband's death...until she suddenly finds herself attracted to Markus, her awkward co-worker. I loved Foenkinos' style, his way with words, and the quirky plot. Delicacy is a real quick read, and I'm eager for a chance to see the (French) movie starring Audrey Tatou!

Timeless by Gail Carriger

I've been eagerly awaiting the final book in the Parasol Protectorate series and dreading it at the same time. I just love the characters so much, it's hard to let go. But this one definitely doesn't disappoint--there's so much packed into it, it'll be impossible to put it down. I loved the way Carriger concluded the series, and I'm so eager for her next two series!

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I am going to confess right now that Sophie Kinsella books are a guilty pleasure of mine. I was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and I picked this one up and it made me feel a lot lighter and happier. I liked the relationship drama and the dynamics between the lead characters in this one a lot--it's a very fun and fluffy read!

The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

I read this for a class, and it was very enlightening. It's about the founding of Facebook (the book that the movie "The Social Network" is based off it). I don't think you can take every word Mezrich writes as the truth, but the dynamics are interesting. This book actually turned me off of Facebook (though I'm still using it, which is why Mark Zuckerberg is a billionaire) due to the motivations of its founders--basically, they did it to impress girls and get laid. So. Annoying. But, I'm glad I read it so I'm at least a little bit familiar with the background of the one site I'm on probably more than my own. Also, I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT PISTACHIO COMMERCIAL. This o ne.

The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell

Yet another one for class, and I am so, so glad it was assigned. Sarah Vowell, besides being the voice of Violet in the movie "The Incredibles" (I had to throw that in there, sorry), is a very funny and incisive writer. In this book she explores the idea of patriotism through many essays on history, politics (they are way more interesting that you'd expect, this coming from the girl who follows political news with a sense of bewilderment and naivete), and pop culture. It's funny, it's super smart, and it's such a fast read. I went out and bought two of her other books immediately. Also, look for YouTube clips of her on The Tonight Show. Hilarious.

Okay, I think that's it for my super-sized, end of the semester list. What have you been reading and enjoying lately?

My Apologies

2012-05-13T09:34:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,

I am sorry for this huge blogging lapse--I'm blaming it on the end of the semester craziness and then my current internet outage. Though classes are done, the internet is still elusive at best. But, that's good because it means I've had little to distract me from catching up on all sorts of YA reading that has fallen to the wayside. So, from here on out I promise to be better, and you can look forward to reviews of The Book of Blood and Shadow, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, The Golden Lily, and Purity soon, plus some Classics Corner fun and a few other miscellaneous posts!

Thanks for your patience!

TCR

Underworld by Meg Cabot

2012-05-09T10:41:00.000-04:00

The beginning of Underworld finds Pierce Oliviera back in the place she thought she'd left for good two years ago. John Hayden keeps telling her that the Underworld is the only safe place for her, away from the reach of the Furies. But Pierce isn't in the Underworld for very long before she discovers that she's not the only one in danger from the Furies--there are those that would put her family in danger, specifically her cousin Alex. But there are also secrets that John is keeping that threaten Pierce's safety and happiness unless she and John learn to trust each other...before there's no going back.

The second installment in Meg Cabot's Abandon trilogy is a whirlwind of an adventure. The whole book takes place in the space of a little more than a day, so it is a fast-paced read, and Cabot does a good job at keeping the action evenly spaced out. The best part about this book is the developing relationship between Pierce and John. Now that Pierce has admitted her feelings, she and John need to find even ground and they need to learn how to communicate with each other. There are many secrets, half-revealed truths, and misunderstandings between them at the start, but they learn how to trust each other and tell the truth in the face of the weird rules governing their relationship and their many differences. In between all of the action and relationship issues, there are some new characters, many humorous moments, and nicely placed revelations that will be a surprise to both Pierce and the reader. Underworld is just as exciting as Abandon, with its lush setting, tumultuous history, and darker island traditions. The ending will leave readers hanging and guessing as to where Pierce's story will go next.

Cover Comments: I like how this cover is much darker than the prequels, and the hand seems to be pulling the model down--very appropriate!

May Monthly Commenter Contest: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

2012-05-01T11:05:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite books of this year is Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore! You can read my review here, but in short: Kristin Cashore is one of the best fantasy writers I've ever read, and I would read her grocery lists. I just love her. Her first book was Graceling and the second one Fire. Each are amazing, and I recommend that you find copies NOW if you haven't already read them. So, even though there are a TON of excellent books coming out this month, I just had to choose Bitterblue as the May Monthly Commenter Contest pick!

How to win: Every time you post a significant comment that contributes to the conversation, I give you an entry into the contest! The more you comment, the more you entries you get! Only comments on posts from May 2012 are eligible, so keep coming back for more posts and more chances to comment. For all of the details, click here.

Happy reading!

Cover Talk: Throne of Glass Cover Reveal!

2012-04-30T21:19:00.001-04:00

Back about eight or so years ago, before I blogged or reviewed, I used to read fan fiction and original writing on Fictionpress.com. Doing so involved a lot of sifting through bad stuff, but there were a handful of really, really good pieces that I always wished would be published. One of the was a story called Queen of Glass. I was ecstatic to learn last year that it had been purchased by Bloomsbury. It now has a new title, Throne of Glass, and a gorgeous cover!

You guys, this was so amazing back then, and I can't even imagine how it has improved since then! I am pumped for the release this August!

What do you think of the cover?

Pre-Order Fated by Alyson Noel and Get a Free Pair of Earrings!

2012-04-27T10:55:00.001-04:00

Are you excited for Fated by Alyson Noel, the first book in her newest YA series? It hits shelves on May 22nd, but there's no time like the present to pre-order thiws book through the retailer of your choice! Especially since if you do so now, you could get a free pair of earrings inspired by the ones on the cover model!

Just click here to find out how you can get your earrings from the publisher, St. Martin's!

Be sure to check out the Facebook page as well for excerpts and bonus scenes! And stay tuned on the blog for more exclusive Fated content!

Happy Bard-day!

2012-04-23T10:01:00.000-04:00

Many fine things are happening today (including World Book Night!) but most important of all...it's William Shakespeare's birthday! Happy 448th, Will!

I just got done with helping plan and put on a major Shakespeare Fest at my university last week (it was awesome, pictures to come soon hopefully), plus I'm taking a class on Will's works, so I'm a little bit more attuned to all the awesome-ness that is his works this year. Right now I'm reading Richard III (so not his best play, in my humble opinion) but my favorite so far has to be Measure for Measure. What about you? What's your favorite play or sonnet?

I hope you all have a happy Monday and I totally recommend using Will's birthday as an excuse to eat some cake today!

P.S. This is my last week of classes, so after the mighty paper of doom is done and turned in, I can come back and write about fun stuff, like books and covers and contests and Underworld by Meg Cabot, which I just finished. So, thanks for hanging with me.

P.P.S. Why yes, I am wearing my Shakespeare shirt today. It says, "Dost thou think that because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?"

The Right and Real Book Trailer

2012-04-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,

If you're looking forward to Joelle Anthony's latest book, The Right and the Real, check out the trailer, just released today!

Here is the official summary:

"Jamie should have known something was off about the church of the Right & the Real from the start, especially when the Teacher claimed he wasn't just an ordinary spiritual leader but Jesus Christ himself. But she was too taken by Josh, the eldest son of one of the church's disciples, and his all-American good looks. Josh was the most popular boy at school, too, and the first boy outside the drama geeks to give Jamie a second look. But getting her dad involved in a cult was not part of the plan when she started dating Josh. Neither was her dad's marriage to the fanatic Mira or getting kicked out or seeing Josh in secret because the church has deemed her persona non grata.

Jamie's life has completely fallen apart. Finding her way back won't be easy, but when her dad gets himself in serious trouble, will Jamie be ready to rescue him, and maybe even forgive him?"

The Right and the Real will be out next week, April 26th, 2012!

YA Movie News!

2012-04-10T23:34:00.001-04:00

It's been an exciting year for movies and YA books. First came "The Hunger Games" release, then the news that the Beautiful Creatures movie is a go. Now, two more movie projects that will make you happy:

"The Fault in Our Stars"

Nothing is set in stone or anything (I've learned not to get excited about movies until a director is on board and casting begins) but the news is that the screenwriters of (500) Days of Summer will be writing the screenplay for The Fault in Our Stars, a most excellent novel. If this pans out, it would be AWESOME. I absolutely adored (500) Days of Summer and I feel like there are a lot of similarities between its writing and John Green's. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it! You won't regret it. So this is one development I am definitely crossing my fingers for!

"Rosaline"

This movie is one that will be based off of Rebecca Searle's debut novel, When You Were Mine. It's not out yet, but it will be releasing May 1st from Simon and Schuster. It's a twist on the Romeo and Juliet story from Rosaline's point of view, with Romeo as a nice guy and Juliet as a crazy person. I have yet to read it, though I have a copy floating around on the shelves, and I am curious to see how it plays out. (I can totally picture a nice Rosaline and a crazy Juliet scenario here! In my opinion, both R and J are a little crazy in the original play!) Lilly Collins (Snow White in the new movie "Mirror Mirror" with Julia Roberts) is in talks with Fox 2000 for the role of Juliet!

You can go here and here to read the articles about the movie news!

What do you think about YA books into movies?

Interview and Giveaway with Terra Elan McVoy!

2012-04-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Terra Elan McVoy is the author of some of this blog's favorite contemporary reads: Pure, After the Kiss, and The Summer of Firsts and Lasts! The Summer of Firsts and Lasts just came out in paperback, so to celebrate Terra agreed to answer a few questions! Plus, one lucky reader will win a signed and personalized copy!

But first, here's Terra!

TCR: To get ready for summer, what are some of your favorite summer-y readers?

TEM: Believe it or not, summertime for me is an opportunity to either a) focus hard on a denser, more intense literary novel or b) re-read some of my favorites. I have this one book, The Wrestler’s Cruel Study, by Stephen Dobyns that is almost impossible to describe, but is just fabulous and makes for a great re-read. (Or just a regular summer read, if you’ve never read it.) Other favorite re-reads might be The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy; A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, or Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I also read Freedom by Jonathan Franzen a couple of summers ago, and it was one of the most perfect books, ever; I’m due for a re-read, I think! Short stories are also nice: Alice Munro, Lorrie Moore, Raymond Carver, Jean Thompson.

TCR: What are your perfect summer day essentials (besides a good book, of course)?

TEM: Well, of course obviously a good book. And plenty of watermelon with Maldon sea salt sprinkled on it. I really like to sip light, bubbly things in the early summer evenings too, so the fridge has to be stocked with tonic (which I like with lime), San Pellegrino lemon and orange, plus seltzer and flavored syrups to make “sodas” out of. Vintage circle skirts are also a great way to stay cool but look cute too, and plenty of pedicures are always necessary!

TCR: What was the best part about writing The Summer of Firsts and Lasts?

TEM: I think the best part was making up the whole camp world. I never actually went to sleepaway camp as a kid, so Camp Callanwolde was a mixture of a lot of research, interviews, and my own wild fantasies about what camp life is really like.

TCR: Because the title of your latest book has us curious...do you think it's possible to be just friends with boys?

TEM: Ha! Yes, I’m getting asked that question a lot lately, since Being Friends with Boys is coming out May 1^st. I definitely think that it’s possible for straight girls and straight guys to be friends –I have lots of guy friends now, and have had them all my life, even when I was little—but I do think you have to be prepared to deal with what happens if one of you develops a crush on the other. What we seek in romances is often so close to what we seek in friendships, so I think –even if it’s not permanent—it’s very easy for one or both of you to get confused for awhile. (Sometimes at the same time, sometimes not.) But a good friendship can withstand anything, and I think the case is the same here.

TCR: What's the best way to stay up to date on your and your fabulous books?

TEM: Thanks for asking! My website, www.terraelan.com, is always a good place to find out about my books, as well as about other authors whose books I’m reading, because I often post interviews there. I’m also on Twitter at @TerraMcVoy, and I have a Facebook author page which I keep up-to-date (about me and other things too, like writing contests) at https://www.facebook.com/terraelanbooks.

Thanks, Terra!

If you want to win a paperback copy of The Summer of Firsts and Lasts, then fill out the form below! And be sure to keep an eye out for Being Friends With Boys, Terra's newest book!

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Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

2012-04-07T19:15:00.000-04:00

Noelle absolutely hates high school. Not a day goes by without someone bullying or humiliating her. Her home life isn't any better: her mother checked out years ago, and it's a struggle to just scrape enough food together for a lunch let alone get the basic things she needs. So Noelle is shocked when Julian Porter shows an interest in her—he's definitely not the sort of guy to fall for a girl like her. But Noelle has been bullied enough—maybe it's finally time for her to realize not only the value of holding on, but standing up for herself.

Susane Colasanti's latest contemporary novel deals with the issue of bullying with unwavering focus. Noelle is a sympathetic character—she's had more than her fair share of embarrassing experiences that have led to ostracism at school and her mother is self-centered and controlling, making everyday life extremely difficult. These issues alone are tough for any teen, but Noelle reacts to them with a strange mixture of mature, sensible thinking and a total lack of self-respect. She is confident in how the world should work, and how bullying ought to be addressed, and even how students should act, but she doesn't have the wherewithal to act upon these many noble thoughts, making her character seem a bit unrealistic. Noelle's best friend, sort-of boyfriend, and Julian so make up for this in the drama they bring to the story and the quirks that make the cast of characters enjoyable. Their issues meld together nicely with Noelle's and make the story flow quickly and evenly. A dose of perspective is brought into the novel when another student, also bullied and often overlooked by Noelle, commits suicide, but Colasanti glosses over details that might have made the story more heart-rending or affecting. Overall, Colasanti's personal voice comes through strongly in the narrative, and Keep Holding On is a loud rally against bullying. However, this message comes across at the expense of the story. Colasanti fans will enjoy this one, but this novel, despite its most excellent and important message, comes off as almost too preachy for teen readers.

Cover Comments: I always enjoy the couple-y-ness of Susane Colasanti's covers--they're just cute. I also really like the models' style here. Very nice!

This one will be available June 14th, 2012!

Class of 2k12: Eve Marie Mont and A Breath of Eyre

2012-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Class of 2k12 is a group of YA and MG authors making their debuts in 2012! I was lucky enough to ask most of them two questions about their debut novels.

About A Breath of Eyre:

Emma Townsend is a scholarship student at an exclusive all-girls prep school, but she’s never really fit in. She finds solace in the novels she reads in which the heroes are always brooding and handsome, and the heroines are always charming and beautiful. On a fateful Halloween day, Emma has a run-in with the resident alpha girl and an embarrassing encounter with her childhood crush. Humiliated, she wishes she could just disappear. Fate steps in to help. Transported during a lightning storm, Emma finds herself living in the world of Jane Eyre, working as a governess for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, and falling in love for the first time until she discovers a terrible secret that makes it impossible for her to stay. As she travels back and forth between worlds, torn between two different identities and lives, Emma struggles to find her place, her voice, and ultimately her own destiny.

What was the hardest part about writing your book? What was the easiest?

"Much of the conflict of the novel derives from the question of whether Emma has free will while she’s living in the world of Jane Eyre. Will she “lose herself” entirely by surrendering to her fictional world, or can she change not only the novel but her own destiny? The hardest part of writing the book was striking this balance. I wanted Emma to become Jane but still maintain her own identity so she could call upon it when the time came.
And I don’t know if it was the easiest part to write, but the kissing scenes were definitely the most fun. ;)"

Thanks so much to Eve for stopping by! Be sure to look for A Breath of Eyre, out now! And find Eve on the web:

Website: http://evemariemont.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evemariemont
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/evemariemont
Blog: http://evemariemont.blogspot.com/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3517421.Eve_Marie_Mont

As Agatha Swanburne Once Said...

2012-04-03T20:18:00.000-04:00

Today I have a guest blog from Maryrose Wood, and she'll be imparting some wisdom from the highly esteemed Agatha Swanburne!

“Busy hands and idle minds have knitted many a sweater; busy minds and idle hands have knitted many a brow.” — The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 3: The Unseen Guest.

My darling Italian grandmother Rosa was an excellent seamstress who helped support her family by doing fine embroidery work and making ladies’ hats in the garment factories of lower Manhattan. As a kid, I remember her cutting dress patterns out of newspaper on her kitchen table. When I showed an interest, she’d patiently teach me how to do a French knot, or how to crochet an afghan square. She was the one who taught me basic knitting. I don’t recall ever making anything to brag about, but I learned how to cast on and knit and purl.

Eventually I moved on to other creative pursuits (in my case, this involved memorizing the lyrics to Sondheim musicals—but I digress). I didn’t return to knitting until I had kids of my own, when I happened to fall in with a few other young moms who were practiced knitters. I finished a few little sweaters and stuffed toys, but my more ambitious projects always took me so long to execute that the baby had inevitably outgrown the clothes by the time I finished making them. To this day I have a plastic bin in the closet that contains a two-thirds completed swing coat in a gorgeous blue yarn, sized for a three year old. (The three year old for whom it was intended recently turned seventeen, just to put this in perspective.)

Knitting requires some presence of mind, but not a huge amount, unless you’re negotiating a particularly complicated bit of a pattern. Unfortunately, it requires the use of both hands, which means one cannot write novels at a computer keyboard and knit at the same time. This is my excuse for letting my knitting skills go dormant once more. Someday I hope to get back to it. When I do, I resolve to make items only for people who are not changing sizes faster than I can keep up.

As for the Swanburnism above: yes, an idle mind can knit a sweater, but idle hands don’t knit anything, no matter how much mental energy you expend. I think that’s the point of the saying: there’s no use in applying vast amounts of concentration, planning or worry to a task unless one is also willing to pick up the needles, so to speak, and get to work. Or, to put it a different way, in a fight between thinking and doing, doing wins every time.

It reminds me a bit of the aspiring writers I occasionally meet who worry feverishly about how to get published, and should they get an MFA or is it a waste of money, and what’s the best way to find an agent, and is YA still “hot” or is everyone writing middle grade now?—but they don’t roll up their sleeves to figure out how to write a shapely sentence, or construct a plot, or bother to read excellent fiction on a regular (dare I suggest, daily?) basis. Agatha Swanburne would no doubt say: Enough! Take out your needles and yarn and get to work. One stitch at a time is all it takes. If the knitter takes care of the rows, the sweater will take care of itself.

So which one are you? A brow-knitter, or a sweater-knitter?

(The Incorrigible blog tour continues on April 4th at www.thebookmonsters.com.)

Maryrose Wood is the author of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series for middle-grade readers. You can find her online at www.maryrosewood.com, and on Twitter at @Maryrose_Wood.

About The Unseen Guest:

"Of especially naughty children it is sometimes said, "They must have been raised by wolves."

The Incorrigible children actually were.

Since returning from London, the three Incorrigible children and their plucky governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, have been exceedingly busy. When Lord Fredrick's long-absent mother arrives with the noted explorer Admiral Faucet, gruesome secrets tumble out of the Ashton family tree. And when the admiral's prized racing ostrich gets loose in the forest, it will take all the Incorrigibles' skills to find her. But once back in the wild, will the children forget about books and poetry and go back to their howling, wolfish ways?"

Cover Talk: New So Much Closer Cover!

2012-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

If you're a Susan Colasanti fan, you'll probably counting down until June 14th, the release date for her brand new book, Keep Holding On! (I read an ARC, it won't disappoint.) But...if you're having a hard time waiting, check out the paperback of So Much Closer, out May 1st!

Along with being available in a new format, this is also the first of Susane's books to get an entirely new cover, and I can't say that I am disappointed. I liked the idea behind the original So Much Closer cover, but the main thing that made it so meh for me was the purple and pink color scheme of the girl's outfit--WAY too 1983!

See what I mean? Check out Susane's perspective here.

And here is the paperback cover...

Fabulous! I don't know what it is about these sorts of cute, colorful, romantic covers that just appeal to me so much. I love the pattern of the umbrella especially. It's just so fun, and I like that you still get a feel for the city in the background.

What do you think? Which do you prefer?

April Monthly Commenter Contest: The Story of Us by Deb Caletti

2012-04-01T23:33:00.000-04:00

I love Deb Caletti's writing. It's so realistic and so thoughtful and her books really stick with you. Her latest, The Story of Us, is no exception. I loved it and I can't wait for it to come out so I can share it with you all! So, the next best thing is to offer it as April's pick for the Monthly Commenter Contest!

How to win: Every time you post a significant comment that contributes to the conversation, I give you an entry into the contest! The more you comment, the more you entries you get! Only comments on posts from April 2012 are eligible, so keep coming back for more posts and more chances to comment. For all of the details, click here.

Click here to check out my review! Remember that this one hits shelves April 24th!

Classic Book to Movie Adaptations

2012-04-01T19:41:00.000-04:00

With all of the Hunger Games movie madness going on right now, I thought it'd be fun to talk about your favorite movie adapted from books.

To Kill a Mockingbird is arguably the best American novel of the 20th century. Everything I read immediately after it just pales in comparison to the simple, beautiful, and moving words that comprise that book.

I first saw the movie when I was in 8th grade, before I became a little jaded about movies made from books. I had finished the book recently (though not for school) and the teacher decided to show the film one Friday morning. While most of the kids in the class complained because it wasn't a color movie with a lot of action, I was taken by the actor who played Scout. She was just exactly how I imagined her in the book and I was pretty impressed.

I recently watched the film again for the first time since 8th grade, when the 50th Anniversary Edition came out. It was just as good as I remembered it--there are a few of my favorite scenes and characters who had to be cut out for the same of time, but the movie is its own work of art that is separate from the book, but complements it. This new edition is an EXCELLENT edition to purchase--it has a ton of special features. Interviews, speeches given by Gregory Peck and others, and a ton of really neat background info. Plus, this package comes with a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and then a digital copy. Handy!

What are some of your favorite book to movie adaptions?

New Sarah Dessen Book!

2012-03-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

The bad news: It doesn't come out until next year. The good news: It's a new Sarah Dessen book set in Colby! Whoo!!

Here's what the book is about according to the official announcement!

"Set in the fictional beach town of Colby, where several of Dessen’s novels take place, it features 18-year-old Emmeline, who is spending her last summer before college working for her family’s vacation rental business and enjoying a summer romance with a young aspiring filmmaker."

Sarah Dessen is one of those authors I trust completely, so I'm excited about this book! What do you think?

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

2012-03-30T22:40:00.002-04:00

Bria has spent senior year looking forward to traveling with her boyfriend before they head off to art school...until he breaks up with her. Bria is determined to travel, so she signs up for the Global Vagabond tour throughout Central America. But she is massively disappointed to find herself stuck in a touristy group that doesn't have any interest in experiencing real culture. Plan B? Taking a leap of faith by ditching the tour group, trading her suitcase for a backpack, and joining veteran backpackers Starling and Rowan for a trip that will change her life.

Kirsten Hubbard's second novel is a luminous story that will make you want to stuff the essentials in a bag and head out into the world. Bria is such an engaging and complex narrator. She doesn't have a lot of self confidence at the beginning of the novel, and she's deeply hurt by the abusive relationship with her ex. But she has more backbone than you'd expect—she stands up to Rowan when they first meet, and she takes back control of her life when she decides to take off with Rowan and Starling. But that doesn't mean she's over all of her problems. When Bria and Rowan are forced to travel alone, figuring out through trial and error how to get along, they slowly become friends and open up to each other. The chemistry between them is fantastic and believable, and the only things that top it are Hubbard's vivid descriptions of Central America's wildlife and culture. She captures the wonder, apprehension, and exhilaration of travel so well. The expected drama and impact of other secrets Bria and Rowan keep from each other have their negative and positive consequences, resulting in Bria reclaiming her confidence and independence and a lovely finishing scene. Wanderlove is the rare sort of book that will charm you completely—do not miss it.

Cover Comments: I love the design of this book. While the cover doesn't blow me away, I do like the composition and the purple. The best part is that there are pencil drawings done by Hubbard throughout the book--so cool!

Review copy provided by publisher.