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

ARG!

Hey Guys! Sorry, but todays just been way too busy, aunts in labor, we've been gone, etc. and I wont be able to post the review today. =/ I'm sosososooooo sorry! But I'll definitely post it tomorrow! In the meantime check out what Lauren said about the interview and about giving your book donations on her blog, she's awesome! :)

http://www.laurenmclaughlin.net/2009/12/03/interview-with-readergirl/

So sorry again! Tomorrow I swear! D8

xoxoxo

RG

Interview with Lauren McLaughlin (Cycler+ReCycler)

Ok, guys, time for some serious book love! hehe Lauren McLaughlin in the author of two of my favorite books; Cycler and Re-Cycler! You can read about my mad love for Cycler here, and you WILL be able to read all about my love of Re-Cycler in my review tomorrow! In the meantime, check out this exclusive interview with Lauren! Enjoy!

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How are you finding New York during this wonderful winter-y season?

I love this time of year because I tend to divide my time between New York, which is often frigid but bright; London, which is a bit warmer but also gray; and Florida, which is full of sunshine. It gets confusing, but I like the variety. And I make sure to listen to plenty of Bing Crosby to remind myself that, wherever I am, it's still Christmas.

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

I always ask for books for Christmas and books are what I give people too. This year I've asked for The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan. I'm both frightened and excited by both of them and have heard lots of great things about them. I'm in the mood for a good scare.


What were some of your favorite books of '09?

I've read some really great ones. The ones that stand out, however, are Liar by Justine Larbalestier, Skinned by Robin Wasserman, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. All quite different and all compulsively readable. I love books that teach me something and keep me guessing. These three books all did that, plus they played with morality in fascinating ways. I love that. I like to be challenged.

Any we should look out for in 2010? Maybe a little book about a
certain boy/girl that we all adore? *___* (For serious-- Jack and Jill
need one of those couple names that gives them one name! Jackill?
Jillack? Something!)

I have no doubt that 2010 will be full of fantastic books. Sadly, they will not be sharing space with any new Jill/Jack adventures, however. I'm putting the McTeague twins on ice for now. I think they need some breathing room. I do have another book coming out, however, called Steal the Future. It's about ubiquitous surveillance combined with high stakes testing and will introduce readers to a tasty new romantic couple.

How long do you envision the series going?

For now, I only envision Cycler and (Re)Cycler but I won't rule out another one. I just had this other book burbling away inside my brain and I had to write it.

What was the sparking idea that got you on the path to writing about
body snatching? (Not really the right word but you know what I mean.
xD I hope! e_e;;)

I think body snatching is a great term for it. I've always been intrigued by the idea of body snatching and mind control. The scariest movies I can remember as a kid were Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Stepford Wives. Both involve some kind of mind/body swap. It's possible that seeing those films as a teenager planted a seed somehow. Of course, I'm not consciously aware of the precise spark that gave rise to Cycler. Like most stories, it burbled away for a while until it was so big I had to do something about it. At that point, Jack basically sprang from my head fully formed and it was on.

Was Cycler the first story you'd written?

Cycler is actually the third novel I've written. I've also written about a dozen short stories and several screenplays. Sometimes things get published out of order. Truth be told, it took me two novels to learn how to write a novel properly because I had to unlearn all of my habits as a screenwriter.

What's the writing process like for you -- writing a series that you
stick to for a long period of time and delving more and more into the
world you've created with every book?

When I wrote Cycler, I envisioned it as a stand-alone novel. The characters got richer and more nuanced with every draft, but I didn't feel as if I'd finished with them by the end. The story felt complete, but the characters were only beginning to flex their muscles and come out of their shells. Writing a sequel was a wonderful opportunity to let them breathe. But in some ways it was more difficult. I couldn't revise their personalities to suit the plot because their deep characters had already been established. That put a lot of restrictions on what I could do but also it forced me to go deeper. I loved that.

Do you have any advice for aspiring/ beginning writers?

There's so much I've learned over the years that it would be difficult to boil it down. I think the most important thing for a writer, however, is dogged commitment. If you're not insanely passionate about telling your story, you'll never have the stamina to get through the rough patches. It's all rough patches. It never goes smoothly. Not for anyone. It's a slog, a battle, a creep through the underbrush, an out of control freight train, and many other metaphors. Only those writers with a blind, stupid determination to see it through, no matter what, succeed.

What's your one gottahaveit present for '09?

A new piano. I'm treating myself. I've wanted it for a long time and this year I'm finally going for it.

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Thanks so much Lauren, it was so great chatting with you!

You can find out more about Lauren via her blog/website here!

Look out for Re-Cycler review tomorrow!

xoxoxo

RGR Needs YOUR help + Win Hush Hush!

While we're all spending the holidays typing up christmas lists, drinking eggnog by the fire, and enjoying the comforts of the season, some kids, our age and older, don't even have a warm place to sleep at night.

At age 18, many youth "age out" of foster care or the juvenile justice systems, without the necessary life skills to live independently. Some of them choose to leave their homes after years of mental, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect, so they turn to the streets, making themselves vulnerable to untreated mental health disorders, drug use, and sexual exploitation.

These homeless teens have no homes to go to, or family to be with, for christmas. They wont be getting any presents,the most they can wish for is a safe holiday, and hopefully somewhere warm to sleep at night. Luckily, there are a lot of shelters willing to help, but even staying in a shelter, there's nothing like a real home, and being able to be close to the ones you love, to make it feel like christmas.

Though everyone's having financial trouble right now, we have to hold onto the fact there are people out there, far worse off then we are. While we have to cut out some of our small luxuries, these kids have to cut out much more from their everyday lives. Nessecities.

And we can help. My idea is, to collect as many books as possible, YA Genre and above, to send to an orginization called HomeBase Youth Services.

They have street outreach teams that drive around with food and supplies for those still on the street, as well letting them know about their transitional living center which can be hard for them to find out about/get to, mobil medical outreach services for those still on the street, and their transitional living center to help them get back on their feet, and get an education while still having the opertunity to work and earn money to support themselves.

I know that books won't change the situation these kids are in, and I know that it's not food or anything. But whenever I get so wrapped up in my own issues that I just need an escape, I read. I love that I have that outlet, and I really do think that by donating these books we could be giving these kids a chance to be carefree, if only for a few moments. Moments that could make a huge diffrence on their outlook on life, inspire them to rise above their situations, and know that they can change things.

Even if you could donate just one book, used or new, you would be a big part in helping give these kids a way to escape all of their aweful circumstances for just a little while, and get pulled into new world, full of possibilities.

All book donations will be put in the HomeBase Transitional Living and Day Recorse Libraries, and EVERY donation is appreciated.

We're looking for mainly YA books, and they LOVE Twilight so think along those lines (Science Fiction, and Fantasy type stuff too) but I'm not going to be too picky, just books, please send me books!

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Thanks so much for reading guys! Now about that contest....

One of my favorite books of the year was Hush, Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick, (LOVE!) And I'm so excited to announce a Hush, Hush giveaway!

I have a SIGNED Hardcover to give away, and also My ARC in perfect condition! I will give each of these away to two lucky winners who will also recive...

~ A Hush, Hush bookmark

~ A Hush, Hush postcard

~ AND a Hush, Hush cover art poster!

All you have to do to enter is....

1 Comment telling me what some of you're favorite books of '09 were

+2 Tell all you're friends to give up some of their old books to a great cause!

+3 Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, whatever about this post, specificlly about donating books to HomeBase Youth Center

+5 Make a youtube video encouraging people to donate.

**EDIT** Plus 10 if you donate at least one book (Above for details)!

Unfortunatly I can't affor international postage so this is just open to residents of the US, but if you'd like to donate from out of the country and are willing to pay the postage of course we'd be more then happy to accept you're donations.

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That's all everyone! I'd love it if you'd concider donating, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the months festivities!

Keep an eye out for new posts every weekday for Interviews, Reviews, and chances to win cool prizes!

xoxoxo

RG's Best Picks of '09: An Intro to the Month of Awesomeness

Hello everyone! Oh, how I've missed you all!

November was a crazy month, mostly filled with school, school, and oh yeah a little bit more school. Then some NEW MOON(!), and Thanksgiving, and being the moral support to people who actually finished Nanowrimo.... T_T But all and all a great month! 8D And suddenly, December is upon us! Which means right back into blogging for me--and what better time then right now as we're gearing up for a season of snuggling up by the fire with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and an amazing read?

This month is all about my favorite books of the year; of course there's so many, that it's very hard narrow it down, but I've managed to to decide on my top four favorites and I can't wait to share them with you. The others will still get reviewed (Probably this month or in the near future), as books I'd definitely recomend, along with some reviews of my favorite books of all time that I want to recomend to you for the holidays.

But that's not all!

On Tuesday I'll be announcing a special project that I'd love to have you all be a part of, as well as announcing the prizes in a HUGE christmas giveaway!

More on that then! For now...

xoxoxo

Winners, and Random Chat

Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of blogging lately! X_x Nano.... hasn't been going well for me xD I actually managed to hold onto the dea of starting for 3 days this year instead of two, but hey that's progress! 8D

Naw, honestly this month just started out really crazy for me and it's just not a good month for Nano! D8 But I'm thinking about saming all the pep talks in my email and trying again in January as a good karmic way to start out the year on a positive note. 8) hehe

Anywho, how's everyone elses nano's going?! Seriously I wanna know! And if you have tips bring them on!

Also, the winners of the posters are... Kieran and Kelsey! hehe

Let me know which ones you want!

xoxoxo

RG

OMGeee I Suck + Contest Winners

Hey guys, Happy Halloween!

(**EDIT** GRRR! I wanted to embed THIS video sooo badly but I'll link it anyways cause it's awesome! ^_^)

So, as you can probably tell, Vampire week didn't exactly happen... e_e;; and I'm so sorry! I just ended up being so busy this week that I had NO ROOM to fit in writing of reviews and such. :( I feel so, SO awful about it, but oh well I guess. =/

Anyway, putting that behind us, I do have a few updates about the site as well as our Halloweeny Month winners!

First off, next month, as I hope you know, is November ;) and that means... NANO! (Wrimo ;P) So, posts are going to be pretty scattered then, and I probably wont be doing a lot of reviews since I'll have no time to read! xD But I will try to post about my Nano progress and if any of you guys decide to join up you should follow me here!

Then, as I'm winding down from November, I'll be posting reviews, contests, and interviews in a new monthly feature I like to call, "ReaderGirl's Favorite Books of '09"! The idea is that by posting these things around Christmas I will be giving you new book suggestions you MUST add to you're Christmas list because they were just that fabulous! ;P and I hope you will because I know you will love them too!

I'm hoping to do this all through December, but as we know the holidays are very busy so I can't promise that I will do things everyday of every week, but I'll try to post lots! Especially since '09 was like a super-trifecta of YA greatness, and I really want to catch you up on any awesome titles you may have missed out on before New Years!

So... yeah guess that's all.... xD OH! Also just as a side note, in January I'll probably go through some of my '10 ARC's reviewing them and such and then I will probably slow down a ton and go to doing reviews here and there again, because honestly, I'm getting really wiped out! >_<

As much as I enjoy reviewing and hearing from you guys, I'm just plain exhausted, and I also really, really, really want to start focusing more on my new blog Indi.Grrls because I feel like it's going to be awesome and I just want to start posting there already!

But THAT is all. :) More on future stuffs in the future; for now, our WINNERS!

The Winner of the Fairy Tale Hardcover is... Book Pixie!

The Winner of the Paperback Blood and Chocolate is... Natalie!

And that's all.... e_e;;.... BUT THAT SOUNDS KINDA PITIFUL! xD So GUESS WHAT I'm gonna do?! Add some more prizes!

Let's see how about...

A mini Cirque Du Freak movie poster

and...

A mini New Moon movie poster?!

Enter by Sunday night @ 10 PM!

Just comment to WINNNN!

Now a fun video from the boys of Panic to get you in the spirit!



So NOW that's all! ^_^ lol What's everyone doing for Halloween?!

xoxoxo