NJ Author Event TONIGHT!

Hello gang! I just wanted to let you know that Lissa Price will be at the Princeton, NJ Barnes & Noble tonight at 7pm. She'll be discussing and signing her debut dystopian novel, Starters. I have heard nothing but good things about this book and it's definitely on my to-read list. I would LOVE to make the drive out to Princeton this evening, but Thursday is the unofficial Teen Night at the library--and therefore, my scheduled night to work, so I can't make it.

I know Lissa would appreciate any book love, so if anyone's in the area, please stop by and say hello. (And if you are heading there, I would gladly reimburse you if you'd get me a signed copy!)

Here's more about Starters from Goodreads:

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER 
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 
He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . 

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

In My Mailbox (79)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

Borrowed from the library:

• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Where it Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
• Fakie by Tony Varrato (for consideration on the summer reading list)

What did you get?

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Lucky Leprechaun Winner!

I've got a winner to announce...and the winner is....

Munnaza

Whose current favorite read is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. (I'm sure it will be mine, too, once I can bring myself to read it. I'm not a "books about cancer" mood right now. But I love John Green.)

Anyway, Munnaza has been contacted and has 72 hours to respond!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

OMG Is It Friday Yet???

Today's the last day to enter my Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway!

Confession: I have never, ever, in my entire life been as excited about the release of a movie as I am for The Hunger Games. I'm not a Twilight fan (at all) and I only just saw the first Harry Potter movie a few months ago. I almost never go to the movies to see something that Best Girl doesn't also want to see--which means I almost never go to the movies without her. AND, very rarely do I head to the movies on opening day.

But The Hunger Games has me throwing all of my "almost nevers" out the window! Guys, I took off (most of) the day of work (I have outreach at the high school first thing in the morning)! I pre-purchased tickets weeks ago (I don't think the noontime showing will sell out, but I'm not taking any chances!). I'm planning a super-cool pre-release party at the library. I've threatened my teens--if any of them who attend the midnight showing reveal ANYTHING, should they see me in the high school Friday morning, something bad will happen. What that something bad is, I have no idea. But they just better keep their mouths shut.

But the best part? I'm attending the movie with three co-workers (who also took the day off) who are just as excited to see this movie as I am! I am so looking forward to sharing this movie with people who will appreciate it as much as I will.

I do not ever recall seeing as much fanfare for a movie (not even the Twlights or the Harry Potters) as I have for The Hunger Games. The media frenzy surrounding this movie is absolutely mind-blowing--I just hope the movie lives up!

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

Interview with Pieces of Us author Margie Gelbwasser!

Did you enter my Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway yet?

I'm delighted to welcome Margie Gelbwasser back to my blog! Pieces of Us is Margie's sophomore novel, and this is her sophomore interview at my blog! You can read my review of her debut novel, Inconvenient, here, and click here to read Margie's first interview. My review of Pieces of Us can be found here.

Can you describe The Pieces of Us in just a sentence or two?

Told in four points of view, Pieces of Us, is an emotional story that tackles cyberbullying, abuse, and dating violence, and how one character's secret impacts the lives of the other three.

What was your inspiration for this story?

When I was in high school and college, some guys spread rumors about me. They were hurtful to me even though they weren't true. The difference between then and now (this was the 1990s) is that I had the safety zone of my house. These days, teens don't have that kind of escape. Bullies post photos (often doctored) on FaceBook. They tweet abuse. They text. They use videos as leverage to keep their victims silent. The heights bullying has reached these days is disturbing and scary, and I wanted to show that, and, hopefully, give victims of bullying and abuse a voice and encourage them to break the silence.

While both Inconvenient and The Pieces of Us deal with dark topics (alcoholism, domestic violence at the teen level), The Pieces of Usdefinitely has a darker feel to us. Did you know it was going to be a darker novel when you started writing it? Do you favor writing one style over the other?

You know, I didn't know it right away, but as the voices came to me and I wrote the scenes, I could see that that's what was happening. I am very proud of both books, but I do like the style of POU more. As a writer, I feel it pushed me to the next level.

How was the experience of writing and publishing your sophomore novel different from your debut? Were there any similarities?

POU took me much faster to right--first draft was done in 3 months and then fully edited about 3 or 4 months after that. The interesting thing was that because I wrote INCONVENIENT so long ago, I had forgotten how I did it. So writing POU was difficult at first. I couldn't remember how to write a book. LOL Then, I started remembering techniques I did with INC (didn't write it straight through but worked on scenes here and there and then pieced together) and that jumpstarted POU. As for publishing, this was easier with POU as well since Flux gave me a two book deal (sight unseen on the second book) with INC. So it was very comforting to know that this book already had a buyer (assuming my editor didn't hate it, which, thankfully, he didn't). :-)

And as always--what are you working on now (and when can we expect it? LOL)

I am currently working on a YA told in 2 points of view. One story deals with a boy who is abused by his girlfriend; the other is about a girl with her own secrets. Their stories intersect in the middle. I'm only 10K words in, so that's about all I can say about it. As for when you can expect it, let's just hope sooner rather than later. :-p

(oh, that's cruel.) Would you like to share a current favorite read?

A few weeks ago, I finished two books that I loved. The first was Sarah Mlynowski's Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) and the second was Carolyn Mackler's The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things. I ADORED both books. Not to sound cliched, but they made me laugh and cry. They were the perfect, cozy novels and reminded me so much of Judy Blume novels I loved as a teen. The voice in both was phenomenal, as were the story lines. Next on my list are David Levithan's Every You, Every Me and Carolyn Mackler's and Jay Asher's The Future of Us.

I loved ALL of those books! You're in for a treat with Every You, Every Me, let me tell you.

Thank you, Margie, for stopping by! Pieces of Us is out now, be sure to pick it up (especially if, like me, you prefer your fiction a little darker!). Margie will be signing at the Paramus Barnes & Noble this Thursday at 7:30pm--if you're in the area, you should definitely stop by! I will be hosting my Hunger Games Release Party at the library, so unfortunately I won't be able to attend, but am looking forward to seeing Margie at the epic Teen Author Carnival book signing at Books of Wonder on April 1!

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Flux, March 8, 2012

Read for 2012 Sophomore Challenge and 2012 Standalone Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets. 
Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives. 
Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it. 
Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

This was a moving sophomore novel--I am just so thrilled for Margie Gelwasser's continued success! These four teens are screwed up beyond all recognition, and while I didn't really like any of them, I did want to see good things head their way. Usually, if I don't relate or like the main character(s), the story is very difficult for me to read, but I didn't feel that way about POU. These teens may not be all likable, all the time, but they are real teens, dealing with real, horrifying situations, and doing what they think is best at the time. Do we agree with their choices? Probably not, but definitely my kind of read. 


Pieces of Us is dark, it's gritty, it's realistic. Heck, I have to re-read it, because it just might fit on my MAHROAT list (or perhaps as a runner-up, at least).


I was lucky enough to read Pieces of Us as an eGalley (thanks, NetGalley!) and am even luckier because Margie will be stopping by for another interview tomorrow! 

In My Mailbox (78)

Did you enter my Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway yet?

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

From author Holly Schindler: I won a Facebook giveaway and she sent me all of this cool 

swag (and a really sweet note) to share with my teens:

Um, that's all I got this week! That's fine, I had the chance to catch up on some reading!

What did you get?

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop!

I'm delighted to once again participate in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop!

Easy contest this time around. Winner will get a $15 electronic gift card to either Barnes & Noble or Amazon, your choice.

Here's the deets:

You must be 13 or older to participate. This will be an international contest, as long as B&N and/or Amazon ship to your country. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but will get extra entries for doing so. Contest closes at midnight on March 22. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter!

In My Mailbox (77)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

Received from Novel Novice: lots of swag to share with my teens!

Borrowed from the library:

• Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver 

What did you get?

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Super Short Reviews (4)

If you've been here a while, you'll remember that I used to write really nice (in my opinion) reviews. I really enjoyed writing reviews and getting all the information together. I also was reading between 5-7 books a week, so had no shortage of material to draw from.

For the past few months, however, I've been in a bit of a reading and blogging slump. The reading part has getting slightly better, but I just don't have the attention span for the nice long reviews right now. Hence, Super Short Reviews. Here are some books I've read recently, and my really quick thoughts. The links will take you to that title's Goodreads page. Oh, and unless stated otherwise, all books were borrowed from the library.

How to Speak Zombie: a guide for the living by Steven Mockus: I was assigned to read this for a selection committee I'm on. I had to ILL it as my library doesn't own it. This is one of those books that has accompanying sounds for each page. It's actually a very cute book, and everyone I showed it to enjoyed it. For instance, on on page spread (the book is a board book), you can learn about zombie behavior at the gym, and see the zombie translation of "Spot me, bro," and when you push the number that matches that page, you'll actually hear the phrase in zombie-speak. It's a humorous book and I think most teens would get a kick out of it, but as potential for an award? I don't think so.

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard) (read for 2012 Standalone Challenge): This is a very strong novel about rumors, spreading lies, and how saying nothing can be just as bad as spreading rumors and lies. There is just so much packed into this novel, and you are right there with the characters--I can totally see why they made the decisions they did, and can see why they thought those decisions were right at that time. The only thing I didn't like about this story was Sam's best friend, Nick. I just did not think he was portrayed as the great and awesome BFF that he was supposed to be.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard (read for 2012 Sophomore Challenge): This story of life after suicide attempt is good, but it wasn't as powerful as I'd expected it to be. I liked it but didn't love it.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

February 2012 in Review

Another month is gone, and we're that much closer to summer! I really shouldn't complain--by all accounts this winter has been, so far, quite mild, and I would be perfectly content to usher in spring without having to shovel any of the nasty "s" word at all!

As for reading, I managed to get 12 books completed this month. To be fair, I read about a dozen picture books this month, too--our children's librarian is doing outreach at the elementary schools and so I covered her toddler and preschool storytimes--but I don't think it's right to lump them in with the other books I've read. So, I didn't.

Of those twelve:

• 1 was from my 2012 Debut Author Challenge
• 4 were from my 2012 Standalone Challenge, and
• 2 were from my 2012 Sophomore Challenge.

Making good progress with my challenges, anyway. :)

Blog-wise, I hit 1000 followers in February (and am now at, I think, 1018. Not that I'm keeping track or anything!), hosted another giveaway, and started a new blog post called Super Short Reviews, where I post my thoughts on a few of the books I've read. I want to blog, I really do, and I think SSR will be a good compromise until my head gets screwed on straight again.

Coming up, I think I have yet another giveaway scheduled, I may or may not have an author stopping by, and we'll see what else...

How was your February?
Enjoy your reading!
Christi

In My Mailbox (76)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

Borrowed from the library:

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (I LOVE Dr. Seuss but I've never read this one. Best Girl and I read it together to get ready for the movie.)
• The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
• Fever by Lauren DeStefano
• Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
• Break by Hannah Moskowitz
• The Captivating, Creative, Unusual History of Comic Books by Jennifer Besel (nonfic, for a selection committee)
• Pirates vs. Pirates by Richard Platt (juv nonfic, also for selection committee)
• Good Behavior by Nathan L. Henry (nonfic, committee reading)
• The Battle of Nashville: General George H. Thomas and the Most Decisive Battle of the Civl War by Benson Bobrick (nonfic, committee reading)
• The Horrors of Andersonville: Life and Death Inside a Civil War Prison by Catherine Gourley (nonfic, committee reading)

Won in a contest over at New York Family: a Nanoblock set! (ahem, for Best Girl, of course. Have you seen these things? They're Lego-like, but extraordinarily small. I'll post a picture when Best Girl put  it together so you can see how teeny-tiny they really are!)

Purchased from Barns & Noble: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott (I ordered Hugo & needed to get to $25 for free shipping, and so now I own every book Elizabeth Scott has written!)


What did you get?

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

March 2 birthdays--a random post

March 2 is the birthday of two very special men. First, of course, is Dr. Seuss. The first book I ever read alone was Green Eggs and Ham, and I've always had a special place in my heart for Dr. Seuss. My favorite book is also his first--And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street--I just adore the cadence of the story when it's read aloud.

The other man I adore with a March 2 birthday is Jon Bon Jovi. What can I say--this Jersey girl loves her Jersey boys! I've been lucky enough to see Bon Jovi in concert a ton of times, and was at their concert in Philly last year on Jon's birthday. Strangely, the band didn't ask the audience to serenade Jon with a birthday song--we would have been happy to oblige! (I have to be honest, though--the reason I even remember JBJ's birthday is because he shares it with Dr. Seuss.)

≈

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Super Short Reviews (3)

If you've been here a while, you'll remember that I used to write really nice (in my opinion) reviews. I really enjoyed writing reviews and getting all the information together. I also was reading between 5-7 books a week, so had no shortage of material to draw from.

For the past few months, however, I've been in a bit of a reading and blogging slump. The reading part has getting slightly better, but I just don't have the attention span for the nice long reviews right now. Hence, Super Short Reviews. Here are some books I've read recently, and my really quick thoughts. The links will take you to that title's Goodreads page.

Truth (XVI #2) by Julia Karr: Read for 2012 Sophomore Challenge: I enjoyed XVI and have been actively waiting for this sequel. It was enjoyable, although there definitely wasn't as much going on as there was in the first book, but Nina is definitely emerging as a strong character. I thought the title was appropriate, too--XVI was about becoming a sex-teen, and Truth is about uncovering the truths of society. While this book is listed as the companion to XVI, Julia Karr has mentioned on her blog that she's working on book 3, which is--without revealing any spoilers--absolutely necessary for this storyline!

Dead to You by Lisa McMann: Read for 2012 Standalone Challenge. This book was unputdownable and had me guessing right until the very end. A great realistic mystery that has twists and turns like you wouldn't believe. Saying much more might reveal something I don't want to...

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson: Read for 2012 Standalone Challenge. Powerful, powerful stuff. Jacqueline Woodson gives meth addiction a strong, realistic voice with this novel. I devoured this novel extremely quickly and would recommend it to anyone who likes darker realistic fiction.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi