I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Edited by Smith Magazine (Review)

Product Description From Amazon:
One life. Six words. What's yours?

True tales of love, loss, good friends, and bad hair days filled Not Quite What I Was Planning, the New York Times bestselling first book in the Six-Word Memoir series—and an international phenomenon. Some of the most compelling were by teens, so now SMITH Magazine has compiled a book written entirely by these bold, brash truth-tellers. From cancer to creativity, prom dates to promiscuity, and breaking hearts to breaking laws, the memoirs in this collection reveal that often the youngest writers have the most fascinating stories to tell.

"Met online; love before first sight."

"Hair's pink to piss you off."

"I fulfilled my awkwardness quota today."

"I'm seventeen, engaged, and not pregnant."

"My mom had my boyfriend deported."

"Late for school every single day."

"According to Facebook, we broke up."


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Fans of FML, FOUND, Post Secret, and MLIA will LOVE “I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets”. It’s funny, thought provoking, and sometimes so deeply moving that you literally have to stop reading--to wonder, shiver, cry, think, feel, love, hate, want, see, know, have, be-- before you can go on. Truly stunning and visionary, this book is definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and one that I can’t recommend enough.

I read it in one sitting, but it’s one of those books that’s nice to take in little pieces too. The idea is that every entry consists of only six words, which means, six words that tell you’re life story, or highlight a particularly important turning point in your life or something that you might be going through at the time.

With every memoir you either smile to yourself or start sobbing HARD at the graciously shared piece of another persons life offered up to the world in one giant neon sign that reads, “You are not alone,” to the youth of America.

And the awesome thing is that as you’re reading it you suddenly feel this deep sense of connection; to the world, to your own life, your family, your friends, people you hardly know, people you would be nervous to get to know, people who seem superficial, people to seem lost—everyone and everything—and it’s happy, and sad, and satisfying, and lovely, and hungry, and desperate, and beautiful, and—

Yeah. Please read this one guys, pick it up at the bookstore and just read a few to see what I mean, or even check out the Smith Magazine site and read some of the entries there—anything so long as you take a moment to take this in, because it seriously is so humbling, and just… well, epic. It’s a really great read and one you’ll definitely re-read and want to pass on to everyone you know and care about, and even to people you may not know. It’s a book to be shared; please read it, and spread the word. You are not alone.

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Please donate books to HomeBase Youth Services and Get ten extra entries in my Hush, Hush giveaway for donating! More info here!

xoxoxo

A Message on Book Donations

Maybe you've already donated and maybe you're skeptical, but I just want to take the opportunity to give you a little more information about Home Base Youth Services and encourage you, once again, to PLEASE consider donating to a great cause! Here's a little more info about HBYS from Rachel Dallmann HBYS's Development & Volunteer Coordinator.

HomeBase Youth Services is an Arizona-based, non-profit organization
founded in 1991 to address the growing needs of at-risk and homeless
youth age 21 and younger. At age 18, many youth "age out" of the foster
care or juvenile justice systems without the necessary life skills to
live independently; as a result, they quickly end up homeless and on the
streets. Other youth choose to flee their homes after years of mental,
physical and emotional abuse, or neglect. HomeBase addresses the needs
of this "forgotten" population, and assists these promising young people
with the tools they need to live healthy, independent lives. The
programs and services we offer include Street Outreach, Mobile Medical
Outreach, Employment and Life Skills Training, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Care, a Resource Center, a Transitional Living Program,
and an Independent Living Program.

The books would be added to the small library that has been started at
the Resource Center where youth who are living on the streets and in the
shelters can escape everything that is going on out there.

We would also have books available at the Transitional Living Facility
for youth who are working and/or going to school.

Books are a great way for the youth to escape to a temporary safe place
while they are working on getting there themselves. Right now, both
locations only have a shelf or two to choose from. We would also be
able to offer the youth the option of keeping a book or two, that they
would enjoy rereading. Many of the youth have very little material
possessions, so it would be nice for them to have something that is
theirs.

Thanks for reading guys! Also I'm going to say, that if you donate at least one book for this cause, I'll give you ten extra entries in the Hush, Hush giveaway!

You can find out more about how to donate through the link above.

xoxoxo

Interview with Jackson Pearce! (As You Wish)

As You Wish is your first published book--YAY! What a gift! Is there anything you could get for Christmas that could top finally seeing your book on the shelves after all the time spent preparing it for your readers?

To be honest...no! Nothing realistic, anyway. If we're going for unrealistic, I'd like to get a long, stable writing career with lots of good books. But I don't think that fits in a stocking :)


What got you started as a writer?

I couldn't find the book in the library that I wanted to read, so I decided to write it myself-- I was about nine or ten at the time. I've been writing ever since.


Did it take you long to break into the business?

Long is such a subjective thing-- at the time, it felt like centuries, but I know some people have to wait much longer (and some much shorter). It took me about two years.


When you first heard the news that As You Wish was going to be published, what expectations did you have, and did any of those change as time passed?

I thought EVERYONE at my publisher would be backing my book with all their hearts. But then I realized all those editors have their own authors who have their own books to back, and that it, alas, wasn't just about me. I learned to not expect to be a big fish in a small pond right away.


Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Separate writing from publishing. Writing is something you do because you love it. Publishing is something you do because you want to make money. They are two very different things.


As a writer you get lots of perks (right?!) including some ARC's of upcoming releases. What were some of your favorite books of '09?

I loved SHIVER, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES...I feel like I've read a million books this year, and to be honest, there were very few duds.


Did you ask for any books for Christmas? If so, which ones?

I didn't! Because I buy books all the time for myself, haha-- hey, it's for business! I did, however, just order HATE LIST, MAGIC UNDER GLASS, and STORY OF A GIRL (still hadn't read it!), I guess I could call that a Christmas present to myself?


What plans do you have for the holidays?

I spend the holidays with family. I LOVE Christmas in a serious, serious way.


Do you tend to avoid writing this time of year, or use the cold
weather as an excuse to stay inside?

I write about the same amount regardless of the season, though I am especially busy this winter-- I'm juggling several books at once.


As the year draws to a close what are you most thankful for?

The fantastic friends I've made in the industry, and how fortunate I've been to be able to do what I love for a living.


Last question--I'm dying to know how you're Nanowrimo went! Did you
finish and do you think you'll try to get it published?

I did not finish! FAIL on me. I got about 30k in and had to step back to work out some plot stuff, and by then I was woefully behind. I will finish it though, eventually. I'd like to try and get it published, but I'm trying to remember that it was my "just for fun" book.


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Thanks for the wonderful interview Jackson!

You can learn more about Jackson's upcoming books, as well as read her delightful chatter at her blog here. Look out for my review of As You Wish sometime this week!

ALSO! Don't forget you have until the end of the month to send me books to donate to HomeBase Youth Services! Old or new, all donations are welcome! And You also have till the 25th to enter to win HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick, and other prizes by visiting this link!

xoxoxo

Re-Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin (Review)

Hey Guys!

For those of you who don’t yet know about the awesome that is Cycler, check out my review here! Or watch this awesome book trailer Lauren made!



OR! Read the first three chapters here! There's just so many options, you can't NOT at least give this book a try. For me?! You will love it I swear!!!

And here's my review of Re-Cycler!

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Among the many wonders of our world, one in perticular has captured my heart… and his name Jack McTeague!!! 8D *gigglefit*

Ok, seriously though, if you were as in love with Cycler as I was, you will adore this sequal! Lauren does a great job in taking the story in a whole new direction that keeps you so glued to the book that you better clear a day or so to read it in one sitting.

The charicters have already developed so much in this book, and I felt like I knew them so much better after reading it. Jack really seems to come into his own more, and I loved that we got to get to know him more as a person and not just the other half of Jill*. And Jill was definitely moving past all the rough stuff that happened in Cycler to find herself again and remember that she isn't just defined by Jacks existance.

As a fan I was really excited that I was able to read this one early**, and I was so glad I wasn’t dissapointed in how it turned out.

Although, I may have to have a talk with Lauren about how she’s supposedly not writing another book***.... We gotta work that out... -_-

But so good! haha Read it! ^_^

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* Of course we got to see him as a person in Cycler too, but there was MOAR of that in Re-Cyler! 8) SO good.

** Especially since I feel like I’ve been waiting YEARS to get to read it!

*** See interview I did with Lauren on Wednesday.

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Thanks guys! <3

xoxoxo

(WWDay4) Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne Review!

Product Description From Amazon:

I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

My Review:

Moonlight was a great read! I stayed up many a night to finish this one because I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! I was totally captivated by Lucas (Uh, HOT! 8D) and I loved Kayla—I loved watching their relationship develop and mostly I just loved reading about all the mystery behind the guides and Lucas. It was a really great read! Very much my kind of book!

I do wish the author had taken Lucas and Kayla’s relationship into another story, but I think it’s cool that she followed up with the other characters in her other books too. I definitely want to read them as well. The story flowed really nicely, and it was well written too. Rachel Hawthorne is definitely one to watch!

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This is your LAST DAY to enter the Blood and Chocolate contest, so be sure to ENTER HERE by tonight!

xoxoxo

Fey Week In Full Swing! Win A copy of Fairy Tale!!!

Hey Guys! Eep, October is here, and you know what that means.... Our first week of reviews, interviews, and GIVEAWAYS! Plus cooler weather ;) haha

Last week I left things pretty open because that was a hugely busy week for me, but I hope you all looked up interesting facts on freak shows as your entry to WIN ALL THE CIRQUE DU FREAK BOOKS BY DARREN SHAN as part of the promotion for the new Cirque Du Freak movie (Out October 23!)! Also don't forget to vote on you're favorite T-Shirt saying at the bottom of the page for a chance to win the soundtrack! (If my blog wins of course ;))
On to the faries! This week we'll have reviews of Wicked Lovely, and Fairy Tale, Plus an Interview with author Cyn Balog!

Plus though angels don't EXACALLY fall into the fey catagory, THEY DO HAVE WINGS! And Becca Fitzpatricks upcoming YA book Hush, Hush comes out tomorrow! I Loved this book and I really want to shout out to her tomorrow in honor of the release of her book. :) Unfortunitely I won't be posting a review till December-ish in my Favorite Books of '09 feature, but I want to make sure I get the word out about this amazing first instalment in her series that's gonna totally blow you away!

Anyways, stay tuned for all the fun this week, and make sure to enter to win the Cirque Du Freak books HERE!

xoxoxo

Geez I'm Slow! (A Banned Books Week Post)

Wow, so somehow this years banned books week has slipped right past my radar, and I am only now doing a post about it.... EPPPPIIICCCC FAAAAIIIILLLL ALLLEEEERRRRTTT!

Anyways, this is Banned Books Week! (Or the end of it anyways.... >_e) YAY for banned books!

Some of my favorites are...

Forever by Judy Blume
Reason For Ban:
Graphic scenes involving SEX, candid details about teen relationships and the way the Judy Blume wrote about adolescent sexuality to plainly. (The book that everyone freaks out over! Seriously everyone I've met has said they don't want to read it because of the reputation it's gotten. Honestly? Sex exists people, and yeah it's awkward and personal and our culture doesn't like to have it talked about so publicly but so what?! It's a fact of life, DEAL. X_x *couldgoonandonaboutthisbutwillspareyou* This book was terrific!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reason For Ban:
Use of the word N****r. (Definitely not a nice word, but that was one used in the time period the book was written so banning it really doesn't seem fair to me.)

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Reason For Ban:
"Profanity" and "Pornography", I guess most of this series were taken off the shelves at one point. o.o

The His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
Reason For Ban:
Political and religious viewpoints and some violence. (These books are literary genius! D8)

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Reason For Ban:
Use of the word N****r. (Definitely not a nice word, but that was one used in the time period the book was written so banning it really doesn't seem fair to me.)

Annie on My Mind by
Reason For Ban:
In short; homosexuality. (Don't get me started...;_;)

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Reason For Ban:
Well, it's ABOUT censorship for one... X_x And also i guess someone Complained about the use of the word "God damn" in the book.

And MORE!

Harry potter Series

Lord of the Rings Trilogy

the Giver

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I Am The Cheese

A Raisin In The Sun

What I Know Now

On The Bright Side, I'm Now The Girlfriend of a Sex God

Catcher In The Rye

Rainbow Boys

Of Mice and Men

Bridshead Revisited

And that's not All! The sad thing is that most books (Magazines, Movies...etc.) Have probably gone under the eyes of censorship at one point or another.; but there is a way to fight it! If you're reading this now, please borrow one of these books from a friend or the library or by all means, buy them! Also please, please, please, spread the word when you love it! ;D These are all fabulous books that deserve a life without censorship. Vivi la Banned Books!

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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So this has been a CRAZY week, we've been here there and everywhere which has left very little time for any fun reading (The most I've read this week is history stuffs! o.o)

BUT Part of being busy includes the library! (And the mailbox of course xD) And so, this weeks lovelys are....

The Illustrated Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (I tried reading JE once before and had a hard time so I figure, what the hey?! When all else fails look at the pictures! ;D)

Hunger by Micheal Grant (Finally! I've been staking out the library for weeks for dis one! *evillaughs*)

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley (Sounds so cool, I've been considering this one for a while and just happend to see it.)

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Sounds good! 8D Thanks to Harlequin Teen!)

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani (Sounds uber cute, can't wait to read it!!!)

Ballad by Mahhoe Striefvater (I still need to read the first one, but I won it in a contest so YAY! ^^)

Woot woot! I love my books. *smiiiillleees*

What's everybody else reading?!

xoxoxo

OH, WAIT!

P.S. Anyone have questions @RichelleMead (Author of Vampire Academy Series)? Email them to me readergirlreviews@gmail.com

And the winners are... (Maximum Ride Promotion)

Jackeline R. and Lady Storm!

Congrats guys! I hope you get my emails, if I don't hear back from you by Monday the prize packs will go to someone else so check you're emails or get in touch with me somehow. :)

Thanks again to Big Honcho Media for letting me host this awesome promotion, and also thanks to everyone who entered!Even if you didn't win, please check out the Maximum Ride series, and be sure to get you're copy of Max in Paperback now!

xoxoxo

RG

Maximum Ride Review/ Last day to enter to WIN!

“It’s sooo great,” “You’re gonna love it,” “Fang is soooo hot!”

At one point I was being pressured from all sides to read this book, and to be honest at first I was very hesitant… but that was before I read the first one…

I dipped into the world of Maximum Ride coming in on a mad flight, running away from a crazy group of Erasers, and fighting for my life, alongside my new friend Max. We narrowly escape but that’s not the end of our trouble. Nearly as soon as I’m introduced to the rest of the gang, we learn that trouble has followed us home.

In that one moment, my life of lounging on the couch with a soda, a bowl of Cheese-Its, and a book has turned upside down, and now I’m part of an adventure; a scary story that’s ending is sitting right in my hands, only I’m too nervous to look. And so, I keep reading. There’s no turning back.

I wish I could say that now I know we’ll make it through ok, but the fact is, I still have a few books to go, and I honestly don’t know. But Max and the gang could really use your help. Are you game?

If you’ve ever wanted to fly to great heights, be a part of something bigger then yourself, and kick butt, Maximum Ride is the book for you. You’ll constantly feel like you’re right there in the action with Fang, Iggy, Gasman, Nudge, Angel, and of course Max.

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Hey guys, this is your LAST DAY to enter to WIN ALL OF JAMES PATTERSON’S YA BOOKS. I don’t want anyone to miss out their chance to win so MAKE SURE TO ENTER BEFORE 12 TOINIGHT! I’ll be posting the winner FRIDAY.

REMEMBER, all you have to do to enter is comment on the promotion post, and then you're in! You can comment as many times as you want until 12 tonight and then it's officially closed.
Thanks guys!

xoxoxo

In my Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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Hiya readers! You may or may not have noticed I haven't been posting "in my mailbox" for quite a few weeks now, and perhaps you are wondering why?

The simplest answer is that I haven't in fact gotten much "In My Mailbox" as of late! xD However I did also totally space on posting one week (a few weeks ago) and so I shall now attempt to make up for it by posting the books I got then and recently bought or got from the library!

~ Max by James Patterson (Don't forget to COMMENT on the James Patterson promotion post for a chance to WIN all of James' YA books!!!)

~ The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (ARC I am BERY excited to read!)

~ Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (I want to end the series now, I've been putting it off for far too long! T_T From Book Mooch!)

~ The Vampire Diaries: the Awakening and Struggle by L.J. Smith (Bought today! I LOVED the pilot of the TV show on the CW and now I HAVE to read the books! This IS the first book right?? e_e)

~ Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (Eeeep! READ THESE!)

So that's my past few weeks! xD I honestly feel like I should have more but I don't. :( I've got soooo much to read right now though so I'm deffo trying to buckle down and lower my reading mound at least a little.... e_e

Please, please, please, please, PLEASE comment on the James Patterson promotion page to possibly WIN one of two HUGE JAMES PATTERSON PRIZE PACKS including ALL OF HIS YA BOOKS!

You still have A WEEK LEFT TO ENTER so make sure you do lots of times! I don't want anyone to miss out on the chance to win these awesome prizes!

xoxoxo

TADA Tuesdays

So just moments ago I was inspired to do a new meme by non other the the Persnickety Snark, the amazing and wonderful Adele, who recently did a post on "Bad Boys in YA" which I LOVED! And so, TADA Tuesday has been born!

Every Tuesday I'll highlight a blogger/ blog post I found particularly delightful for that week and blab on and on about how great it is! 8D

Sound fun? I think so! *_* And so, Bad Boy's in Ya....

Y.U.M.

I have realised, as of late, that no book is complete without a bad boy. When you set out to write a story without one it doesn't work; there's something missing if you will; that spark of trouble, that glint of pure bad boy that entices the reader to go on. Without it you have a heroine but no one to challenge her, to show her the ways of the dark side in which there are no gender restrictions holding her back. Without it you have a plot line yes, but no one bad enough to twist it all up into one satisfying delicious read that will make me swoon and love you forever!

Along with this rather obsessive realization I've also found that I've been attracted to the bad boy since the dawn of my time. But havn't we all? Come on, let's take a poll, raise you're hand if you have always been a bad boys girl.... (You-- yeah you in the corner there with the Edward t-shirt, I know you see me! Raise you're hand!)

See? So many hands!

From Gossip Girls Chuck Bass (Womanizer, yes, but he's now reformed!), to Peter Pan (Even in the animated version... and the fact that he could fly! 8D *coughcough* NEwho.... e_e)

We've all come across our far share of bad boys, and even when we know that loving them will not end pleasantly, we continue to fall to their feet in admiration and longing. I think it's fairly simple to tell why, but let's list the reasons anyways!

In order of importance:

~ The Grin

~ The Eyes

~ The Hair

~ The Voice

~ The... Muscles... *gulp*

Take that Image for a moment, and match it to all the things you love the most in life, and you will soon realize their influence over you. From TV, to movies, to books... chocolate (They give it to you (Feed it to you preferably))<, Cologne (YUM), Flowers>(They think of you when they see them and pick one and (Sneak through you're window and drop in on you're pillow with a dangerous note asking you to meet him at the clock tower at midnight! *eep!*) gives it to you.)

*swooooons*

And instantly they have our hearts. So here's to you bad boys, for making us turn all gelloied at the very site of you. (Must have ninja powers! 8O) Bravah!


Here's a list of some of my favorite bad boys! ;)

From Books:

~ Gilbert Blithe (Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery)

~ Loren (House of Night series, books 2 and 3 (mostly three) by Kristen and P.C. Cast)

~ Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

~ Jack (Cycler, and Recycler by Lauren McLaughlen *LOVESMOST*)

~ Fang (Maximum Ride series by James Patterson)

~ Cephan (Water Trilogy by Kara Dalkey (Great read that doesn't get enough attention! Go read um!))

~ Adrian (Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead)

Movies/ TV:

~ Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

~ Tom (Becoming Jane, played by James Mcavoy)

~ The Brothers of Ipswitch (AKA, All "the Covenant" boys for their.... amiable qualities....*_*)

~ Chef Gordon Ramsey (Hells Kitchen, the F Word... I know, ladies, I know...X_x)

~ Daniel Craig (If you have to ask.... O_o)

~ Drew Roy (iCarly: iLikeaBadBoy (or whatever) and Hannah Montana: He Could Be The One.... He could be! o_o)

~ Warren Peace (Is it unfair that Steven Straight made the list TWO times? e_e From Sky High)

Thanks again to Adele for her inspirational post and her awesome reviews and general book chat! We love her!

Don't forget to check out the Maximum Ride promotion post so you can ENTER TO WIN a HUGE PRIZEPACK of ALL HIS YA BOOKS!

So..... who're YOUR favorite bad boys, huh? *raiseseyebrowssuggestivly*

xoxoxo

Lauren Baratz-Logsted Takes Over The Blog!

In September my next YA novel will come out, CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, a contemporary re-visioning of Beauty & the Beast told in he-said/she-said fashion about a boy with hooks for hands and a gorgeous girl who meet on their first day at a new school.
Now, about those hooks...

When I originally conceived the book, the first draft I wrote had it as a middle-grade novel for the 9-13 set. Because of a contractual obligation - an editor had an option on my next book for that age group - I showed it to that editor who, for clarity purposes of not repeatedly calling her "that editor," we'll refer to as Editor X.

Editor X said she liked the book well enough, but the hooks bothered her, because: 1) for some reason she couldn't articulate, she found them off-putting; and 2) she didn't "buy" them - she was absolutely certain that the boy would have something more technologically advanced, like mechanical hands. This was a problem, since in my mind my story was married to those hooks. But what if she was right? What if it made no sense for Lucius Wolfe to look the way I wanted him to?

I began doing research, lots of it, and found plenty that supported my vision. The most significant was an article about returning Iraqi War vets who were double-arm amputees and who were overwhelmingly opting for what they referred to as "the WWII technology" of hooks over mechanical hands because of features like less weight and greater flexibility. Additionally, a physician told me a boy might opt for hooks based on other factors like expense, insurance coverage and how much growing the boy still had to do. Thrilled, I told Editor X about what I'd learned. She still wasn't buying those hooks. They bothered her.

I always say that with every book I write, nearly everything is negotiable. This means that I'm always open to hearing other people's views on what will improve the work. You say I need to find a way to increase reader sympathy for a character? I can shift the mirrors and do that. You don't like having the kid sister on stage so much? Poof, now you hardly know she's there. But if nearly everything is negotiable, there's always one thing that is not negotiable; the one thing that if changed, destroys the integrity of my vision for the work.

So I wasn't changing the hooks, and now Editor X wasn't buying the hooks or the book, but that was OK because somewhere during this extended Hook Debate, I'd realized there was something not right about my book: it needed to be a YA novel, not middle grade, in order to really get at the heart of the story I wanted to tell.
So I re-cast the whole thing.

See? I'm not unwilling to work. I'll work forever to make something better. I just won't change the thing that makes something what it is.
Here's what wound up happening: another editor at Editor X's publishing company liked the proposal for the YA version of CRAZY BEAUTIFUL so much, she wound up bidding on it at auction against an editor at another house. [Note: Editor X's publishing company lost the auction.]

Since then, CRAZY BEAUTIFUL has aroused more pre-publication interest than any book I've written. [Note: I've sold a total of 20 books to various publishers.] YA bloggers have been requesting ARCS, interviews and guestblogs in numbers unprecedented in my career. And the thing that apparently intrigues them most? Those hooks. They're fascinated by those hooks.

Now, getting back to Editor X: was she wrong not to buy CRAZY BEAUTIFUL? No, she was not. Taste is subjective, and we all simply feel what we feel. What would have been wrong would have been for her to buy and publish a book that she had no feeling for.

So she wasn't wrong, but I was also right.

I'm pretty sure there's a moral to the story in there. We, as writers, need to become fully in tune to our own internal editors. Does it pay to be the kind of author who's so inflexible that she never listens to anyone else's opinion, never changes a thing? No, because chances are, unless that author is naturally brilliant, she will never be published. Does it pay to be the kind of author who will change anything in order to get published? Your mileage may vary, but for me the answer is simply: No. If it ever becomes that way - writing someone else's vision for my work, no matter how I feel about it - then I might as well get a different job, one with less grueling hours, a reliable paycheck and, oh, medical benefits would be nice.
Find that one thing in your work that is non-negotiable. Find that thing that makes your book different and special. And hold on tight.

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Thanks so much to Lauren for being with us this week, and don't forget to enter the contest on Lauren's interview page for an ARC of Crazy Beautiful!

xoxoxo


"ABOUT THOSE HOOKS"

Crazy Beautiful (Review)

From the back cover:

“In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.”

My Review:

To start, I’d been hearing buzz about this book for quite a few weeks before I actually started looking into it, but once I did I had to read it. Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite Disney movies (I cry EVERY time… >_<) and so I was super excited but also a little nervous to read Crazy Beautiful, hoping it would be a good retelling, and not too sad. I was NOT disappointed.

Lucius is a great reimagining of the beast; dark and brooding, hardened by his past, yet still maintaining the softness of character that we look for in our favorite anti-hero.

Aurora fits the bill of Belle perfectly, from pretty face, to her saintly morals and manners; she’s the picture of loveliness, and we can easily see why Lucius is drawn to her from the start.

The POV switching between chapters kept the story moving along nicely, and I loved getting to see their reactions to each other, and the chapters never got to long so all and all it flowed really well!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I felt like it ended kind of abruptly, I wanted more! But overall it was a great quick read I’d definitely recommend!

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Don't forget to comment on Lauren's interview post as many times as you want to be entered to win my ARC of Crazy Beautiful!


xoxoxo

Interview With Lauren Baratz-Logsted

~ In Crazy Beautiful, one of the main characters Lucius has hooks instead of hands. One questions I'm sure a few of us are wondering is, why hooks? (LOVE the idea, but just curious.)

Because in his world they make him visually unique. In his school, Lucius is the only one who has hooks, making others' perception of him be that he's like no one else.


~ Aurora, your heroine, is sensitive to Lucius' feelings throughout the book, while the rest of her classmates either treat him badly or avoid him entirely. This is a good example of how people who are different can be treated in schools/ society today. Do you have any thoughts on why that might be a standered reaction in schools today?

I don't think it's always an evil thing, but humans can't help but notice the physical appearance of others: skin color, size, gender, disabilities. They're all salient features and humans immediately assume certain things about others based on those first physical impressions. It's what we do with that information after the first impression that counts. Do we react as Aurora does, with a generosity of spirit? Or do we let ourselves be guided by fear based on rumors, as almost everyone else in the book does? It would be Utopia if people were always judged by their actions and not by their looks, but it's impossible to ignore that the first thing we encounter is another person's looks.

~ Aurora is also very close with her father in the book since her mothers death, and Lucius in his own way has had to deal with loss as well, so it definitely seems to be a central theme of the book. Is there an experience/s in your life that you used to help you get into to mode of writing from these character's perspectives, dealing with all that?

I'm not my characters, meaning I've never been as intriguingly complex as Lucius or as purely good as Aurora, but like most human beings I've suffered my share of losses: pets, friends, relatives, relationships. Elizabeth Bishop has a great poem called "One Art" about losing tings in which she claims to have lost a continent once. I don't think I've ever lost a whole continent! But I've certainly lost plenty.


~ During my reading of the books I had a hard time visualising Lucius doing a lot of the everyday things he had learned how to do with his hooks for some reason. Do you have a clear mental picture of what it's like for Lucius going through everyday tasks with hooks?

You know, it's not necessarily a bad thing that you had a hard time visualizing those things. I think the challenge of a character like Lucius is that it takes work to picture what he must go through just to accomplish the simple tasks you and I take for granted. It's a little easier for me to form those mental pictures since I used to shoot pool with a guy who had hooks for hands - very different situation than Lucius in that he'd lost his hands in a train accident. He was one of the best pool shooters I ever shot with, which is where Lucius gets his authentially mad skills at the game. I also have strong visuals of seeing my friend do basic things like put on a jacket, hoist a glass of beer and light his own cigarettes with a small lighter. At least Lucius is smart enough not to smoke.

~ While Aurora's problems have brought her closer to her father, Lucius' problems seems to have pulled his family apart altogether. Do you think it was just the difference of situation that made things work out that way or something else?

I think it absolutely comes down to circumstance. Aurora and her father suffered a natural loss, even if it was brought about by disease. Lucius's loss, on the other hand, without getting into spoilers, is the fault of his own actions. And not only did Lucius lose his hands but his family also lost their house and felt the need to move to a new town. So while Aurora and her father may blame the unkind Fates for the loss of Mrs. Belle, Lucius and his family pretty much focus all their blame on Lucius.


~ Let's talk the first story you ever wrote; did you ever finish/ give up on it? Try/ plan to publish it? Show it to anyone else?

If you mean the first short story I remember writing, that would be something I wrote when I was 12. My English teacher read it to the class three days running and it was the first time it occurred to me that people might be interested in what I wrote. If you mean my first novel, that was in 1994 and was a comedic mystery. I did try to get it published, and even had an agent for it, but alas and alack, that one has yet to see the published light of day.


~ The first time you thought seriously about becoming a writer you were....:

Twelve, then thirty-two.


~ Describe your writing process in 3 words:

Write, write, write. I'm compulsive that way.


~ Finish this sentence, "Aspiring writers should...":

Read, read, read - you can't be a good writer if you're not a good reader.


~ "Before I wanted to be a writer......."-- You wanted to be....?

A psychologist or a vocalist, but my family laughed when I suggested the latter, so I went for the former.


~ Has there ever been a point in your writing where you got seriously stuck and considered quiting?


I've never gotten stuck on the writing and the writing has never made me want to quit - I love that part! - but the publishing aspect can sometimes get a person down. It took me eight years to get published and I'm glad now that I never quit.


~ Does music Influence your writing?

Almost never. I wrote the adult novel VERTIGO while listening to the original soundtrack from The Piano but mostly I labor in silence. Well, except for 3-4pm on weekdays when I turn General Hospital on in the background.

~ What are your favorite books of '09 so far/ to come?

My favorite YA novels of what I've read so far this year are: Freeze Frame, Heidi Ayarbe; Impossible, Nancy Werlin; What I Saw & How I Lied, Judy Blundell; Graceling, Kristin Cashore, Evermore, Alyson Noel; Fade. Lisa McMann; Dust of 100 Dogs; A.S. King, Right Behind You, Gail Giles. I'm look forward to any books coming out by my sisters over at Teen Fiction Cafe - http://teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com/ - and many more.

~ What's next for you?

A lot! In addition to CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, which comes out in September, I have four more books coming out in 2010:

THE EDUCATION OF BET in spring 2010, about a 16-year-old girl in Victorian England who impersonates a boy in order to get a proper education.

The next two books in THE SISTERS 8 series for young readers which I write with my novelist husband Greg Logsted - www.greglogsted.com - and our nine-year-old daughter Jackie: MARCIA'S MADNESS (April) and PETAL'S PROBLEMS (Sept).

THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER in fall 2010, about a Victorian girl whose life is changed forever when she learns her society mother has an identical twin who was raised in a workhouse.

Thanks so much for having me!

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Thank YOU Lauren!

And on to the contest, I'll be giving away my ARC of Crazy Beautiful to a USA entrant who comments on this post! I'll be pulling them out of a bag (hat, stirafoam cup, something!) so enter as many times as you want!

And if you get a friend to enter I'll take on an extra 2 entries for you. Sound fun?! I'll be posting a winner next Sunday with my In My Mailbox post, so you have until Saterday to enter. Enter awaaayyyy!

xoxoxo

It's a Crazy Beautiful Kind of Week!

Hey Everyone! CB doesn't hit shelves until next month, but in preperation for it's release we'll be having a week with the author, Lauren Baratz-Logsted!

Here's the plan:

Tuesday - an interview with Lauren and "Mystery Contest" is announced.

Wednesday - Crazy Beautiful Review.

Thursday - Inspired by Beauty and the Beast....

And.... Friday: Lauren does a blog.

Hope you'll watch out for our posts this week,and remember to comment on Lauren's interview tommarrow to be entered to win the prize that will be announced tommorrow! (US entrys only, sorry. =/)

xoxoxo

In My Mail Box (4)

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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This weeks books are....

As you Wish by Jackson Pearce (Eeek! I started it, and kudos to Jackson cause it's as adorable as I thought it'd be so far!)

Max by James Patterson (Technically I'm totally cheating here... e_e I just finished the first book but I don't know when I'll have time to read them all and it's so confusing finding the right one so I thought I might just double check on Fang and Max's relationship before deciding to continue the series... *collectivegasps* I know! I'm terrible! BUT you still have time to convince me not to look.... *hinthint*)

Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott (Kieran follows me on twitter, and she's awesome so I've been meaning to read this one!)

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman (Been wanting to read FOREVER! Eek!)

And Meridian by Amber Kizer (The cover looks brillient!)

That's it for this week! Sorry for no picture but my camera isn't working and I'm already late posting as it is! X_x

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Hoarding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what you ARE reading.

Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY OWN In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

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Haul this week! I was so excited and kind of nervous at the same time! XD It seems kind of Daugnting having so much to read, but they all look so good! T_T Oh well, I'll get everything finished eventually.... e.e definitely...



This weeks books are:

Secret Society by Tom Dolby (Looks amazing!)

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (Eep! Love Seth!)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (For a book club, and general knowledge. XP)

Rome: Antonio and Carrie Book 3 in the Year Abroad Trilogy by Rachel Hawethorne (*Want's to go abroad so badly...* X_x From Book Mooch)

Captive Hearts #2 by Matsuri Hino (Matsuri Hino is an amazing artist, if your thinking about giving manga a try def. look her up first.)

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets Six Word Memoirs by Teens Edited by Smith Magazine (Read already in one sitting, very nicely done, review to come.)

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (Bookmooch, looks cute. :))

Duplikate by Cherry Chena

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis (So excited to read this one, look out for Werewolf week starting on the 17th of August!)

Night's Child Sweep Series #15 by Cate Tiernan (Been putting off rapping up this series for must, but alas it must happen eventually. ;_; *LOVE*)

The Demons Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (I hear it's fab. MUST READ.)

Eep! So excited! lol How'd everyone else do this week?

xoxoxo

In My Mailbox/ Too Many Books Tuesday MESHED (?)

First ever "In My Mailbox"! Wooo! hehe

But, before I get started, I do have one question for those of you who are regulars: What number am I supposed to put in the ( )'s in the title? Date? In My Mailbox Number? Much appreciated! >_<

ALSO! I haven't done my "Too Many Books Tuesday" for about a week because I've decided to do it on the weekend so I can be apart of the In My Mailbox post group thingy. XP So THIS IS STILL TOO MANY BOOKS TUESDAY, just on Sunday with a new post name. XP

And now, THE BOOKS! 8D

In My Mailbox was originally started by Kristi, The Story Siren, and she was inspired to create it by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Basically it's just a fun way to let everyone who wants to know what you've been reading (*coughcough* Haurding...*cough/gag*), what you plan to read (look at, ponder reading, eventually return to the library due to due date restrictions), and what You ARE reading. Thanks To Kristi for starting this, and don't forget that you can make your VERY ON In My Mailbox post and add it to the IMM blogger links list attached at the end of all of Kristi's IMM posts! ^^

Quite a haul this week actually, with not having done a TMBT post for a week or two (In massive preparation of this post *ohyesh*) and just generally being a book hoarder, it seems like I've got tons! *maniacal eye glint* So For this week only (hopefully) I'm going to show all of the covers but only single out a few that I was super excited about so this won't be a never-ending post.




Here we have...

Bookmooch:

Witch by Christopher Pike (Seemed right up my ally! xP)

Wicca Series (Sweep Series)book #5 Awakening (I LOVE this series, can't say enough how AMAZING and AWESOME it is. Probably one of my all time favorite series', it is just that good. And so, naturally, I have to collect both the American and British versions! The UK one is just sooo cool looking! *_* Anywho! *girlyexcitment*)

ARC's "In My Mailbox":

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (EEP! All I can say! lol Can't wait to start it, and the cover is even more breathtaking in "person"!)

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Bareatz-Logsted (READ! It was soooo good! Review and Interview soon!)

Devoured by Amanda Marrone (Cover is gorgeous!)

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (Literally JUST finished it, it was sooo adorable! Review soon!)

The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart (LOVED The Disreputable History of Frankie Landow Banks, can't wait to read more by this author!)

Library:
The Forest of Hands and teeth Audio book by Carrie Ryan Narrated by Vane Millon (Honestly I'm a huge chicken, so I'm a little scared to read this one.. XD But Kami tells me it's fabulous so I shall give it a try! Plus i miss audio books! I used to listen to them ALL THE TIME when I was younger but lately not so much! So it'll be good to get back into them, and seriously if you haven't before, having somebody read the story too you takes it to a whole nutha' level, so try it if you can! ^^)

Bass Ackwords and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain (Got the 2nd book from the Library a while back but returned it and saw this one on the self last week so I snatched it up. Looks very cute! ^^)

Tips On Having a Gay Ex-Boyfriend by Carrie Jones (Sounded good! 8D)

Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron (Heard good things about this one, worried it might be sad just from the title though the back says it's funny so who knows (?? getting mixed messages! T_T) but I like coming of age stories so I'm excited to read it!)

Woot! So there you have it, first In My Mailbox and it felt good! 8D lol

If any of you reading this now have In My Mailbox posts send me a link? Love to hear what everybody round the blogosphere's been reading! ^^

xoxoxo

Interview With Daniel Waters!

What inspired you to write Generation Dead?

The idea for GD came from when I was in a hotel channel surfing, and I stopped to watch a newsmagazine program about violence in schools. basically, kids were having fights or engaging in random acts of violence just so they could film it and put the clips on YouTube. The show ran a few of those clips and I was horrified. I started thinking about all the reasons why a kid would and could hurt another kid, and for some reason as I was thinking this the thought that if zombies existed, they would be the most persecuted kids in the school. I started to wonder what they would do if a zombie tried to take a living girl to the prom!


How has writing Generation Dead and Kiss of Life and learning more about the lives of your "differently biotic" characters shaped your thoughts about death and life in general?


Writing about the characters and what they are trying to do, as well as what they've gone through, constantly forces me to examine life as a transient state of existence. Our time here on this planet is temporary and life--everyone's life--is precious. It makes me constantly aware of what kind of life I want to lead and what I want to leave behind when I'm gone.


So far this is the second Generation Dead novel, but the story seems far from being over. How many more books do you think you'll write in the series?

The story is far from over. I'm anticipating at least five books plus a book of short stories. We'll see.


What about future projects? What evil plans have you been making?

Evil plans? I'm one of the good guys. I've got a few other projects I'd like to unleash on the world when the time is right.


Along with your personal blog you run mysocalleddeath based off of the site that your character Tommy runs, what kind of things do you post there?

Tommy posts news items of interest to the zombie community, updates on his friends, and pieces of his general philosophy. Every so often Karen or Phoebe will post as well. The "zombie meme" they created is pretty popular.


Have you ever thought of making a play list of music that Phoebe and Tommy would listen too?

Well, Tommy isn't quite the music nut that Phoebe is. She has a playlist but it is about a hundred songs long and counting.

(Actually, Dan posted a link on his log a while after doing the interview about this question, and gives us a link to an interview he did at Largehearted Boy giving us some songs from his writing playlists!

Also he just recently did a blog about some groups Phoebe would <3 here!


What's you're writing process like? Is there sweets involved?

Haphazard and ever evolving. I drink a lot of (very sweet) coffee and diet cola.


What were some of the books you were required to read in school? Did you enjoy any of them? If so, which ones?

Hm. High school, you mean? I seem to remember reading The Scarlet Letter, Hard Times, Frankenstein, various Greek myths, Persuasion, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, The Sun Also Rises, The House of the Seven Gables, Dubliners, Walden, lots of Shakespeare. Maybe I dreamt it all. I enjoyed them all but some more than others.


What's the most recent book you've read and LOVED?

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland, and Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez, which is a huge graphic novel that collects all the Palomar stories he did in Love and Rockets.


Finish this sentence.... "I am the biggest fan of....?"

The cosmic all.

Thanks Daniel for the week, and can't wait for the next book!