tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85985110412839543652024-03-13T10:10:47.912-04:00Lost in the LibraryA book and library focused blog for sharing book reviews and the world of books with all ages, with a focus on books for Middle Grades and Young Adult.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger471125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-8032903504359762212015-09-04T12:09:00.000-04:002015-09-04T12:09:55.027-04:00Plugged In (1)<br />
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<span style="text-align: right;">I'm going to make the best of the fact that I can only manage audio books and the occasional e-book right now and tell you each week what I'm "reading" in a new feature here on Lost in the Library called </span><b style="text-align: right;"><i>Plugged In.</i></b></div>
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<b style="text-align: right;"><i>This Week:</i></b></div>
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<i>(Love love this author and scientist)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJolD8NUOC0/VenAnm9aOeI/AAAAAAAACeE/8PnBWM9K148/s1600/crown%2Bof%2Bmidnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJolD8NUOC0/VenAnm9aOeI/AAAAAAAACeE/8PnBWM9K148/s320/crown%2Bof%2Bmidnight.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></span></div>
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(I'm so far behind in this series)</div>
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What are you plugged in to or reading this week?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-58165543834693128152014-06-12T11:06:00.000-04:002014-06-12T11:07:37.178-04:00Preventing the Summer Slide<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
The "Summer Slide" has become a familiar term to those who work in education as well as parents. What is the Summer Slide? Essentially, it's the academic loss that children experience over the summer holidays. I've often been asked by parents at the library how to prevent their children from experiencing the feared "Summer Slide"</div>
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My advice is simple- <strong>"Kids who read succeed!" </strong></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">But how do you incorporate reading into a daily activity in the summer without it seeming like school? I've had this dream of creating a book club for my son and his friends. With visions of them reading a book each week and then meeting to discuss our thoughts and feelings over a pitcher of lemonade and cookies. When I proposed this to my son, the horrified look on his face said it all. He also reminded me that Greg Heffley's mom from </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.ca/Diary-Wimpy-Kid-Dog-Days/dp/0810983915/ref=sr_1_3_bnp_1_har?ie=UTF8&qid=1402584919&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+days+of+summer" href="http://www.amazon.ca/Diary-Wimpy-Kid-Dog-Days/dp/0810983915/ref=sr_1_3_bnp_1_har?ie=UTF8&qid=1402584919&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+days+of+summer"><span style="color: blue;">Diary of a Wimpy Kid</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> also tried to create a book club for Greg and his friends.</span><em style="color: #333333;">(This is just going to prove his point that I am very much like Susan Heffley)</em></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/Readings_fun.png" href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/Readings_fun.png" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Summer Reading" class="wp-image-551 size-full" data-mce-src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/Readings_fun.png" src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/Readings_fun.png" height="213" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="497" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Source-http://diary-of-a-wimpy-kid.wikia.com/wiki/Reading_Is_Fun</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/wimpykid.jpg" href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/wimpykid.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Summer Reading" class="wp-image-550 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/wimpykid-300x245.jpg" src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/wimpykid-300x245.jpg" height="245" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">maybe not Little Women...</dd></dl>
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It would be wonderful to walk past your childs bedroom and see them curled up with a book each night. Or even see them turn off the TV and curl up on the couch. Truth is, this doesn't always happen. Reading incentives work. Summer Reading Programs around North America are created on this premise and they are successful because of it. So, in addition to visiting a library and having your child sign up and participate in one of these fantastic programs, why not also provide a reading incentive at home. Here's my example:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20min.jpg" href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20min.jpg"><img alt="Reading Incentive-Preventing the Summer Slide." class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-553" data-mce-src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20min.jpg" src="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20min.jpg" height="551" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="459" /></a></div>
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Using stickers, or stamps, have your child mark the different places he or she has read for at least 20 minutes. The only rules are that only one square can be marked each day, and the reading should be a book at their level (no board books for a 12 yearold for example) for <strong>at least 20 minutes</strong>. Once the "bingo card" is full, have your child choose a fun family activity that you can do together as the "reward". You can create more cards to get you through the summer holidays by coming up with ideas for new places together.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20-mins.pdf" href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/wp-content/uploads/20-mins.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">Click here for a printable of the bingo card above</span></a></div>
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**Take it a step further and create a visual reading log. You or your child (depending on their age) can take pictures of all the places they read this summer, and the books they read while there.**</div>
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I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas about preventing the "Summer Slide" in the comments.</div>
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Happy Reading!!!!</div>
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(originally posted on my www.storytimewithjen.com site)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-35372362714495623422013-04-09T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-09T09:00:00.896-04:00My Very Un-Fairy Take Life/ My Epic Fairy Tale Fail by Anna Staniszewski–Blog Tour<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LAcdT_Daa6A/UWNUTXS7WzI/AAAAAAAACW0/cqpK8uCUPcM/s1600-h/my%252520epic%252520fairytale%252520fail%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="my epic fairytale fail" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rRZaRtyF7Wk/UWNUUEGWsaI/AAAAAAAACW8/6t4RZJoUuiQ/my%252520epic%252520fairytale%252520fail_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="my epic fairytale fail" width="520" /></a><br />
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My Very Un-Fairy Tale Life by Anna Stanizaewski</div>
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Published by Source Books/ Jabberwocky November 2011</div>
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Source: Provided by Publisher</div>
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<strong><em>Summary:</em></strong><br />
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<em>You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies. <br />I've spent my life as an official adventurer. I travel across enchanted kingdoms saving magical creatures and fighting horrible beasts that most of you think are only myths and legends. I've never had a social life. My friends have all forgotten me. And let's not even talk about trying to do my homework. So -- I'm done!! I'm tired and I want to go back to being a normal girl. But then along comes "Prince Charming" asking for help, and, well, what's a tired girl like me supposed to do? </em><br />
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<strong>My Thoughts:</strong><br />
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<em> </em>I was hooked in the first few pages. The main character is Jenny, a believable 12 yea r old who possesses this fantastic, quirky, sarcastic voice. I was immediately reminded of the character of Evie from Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy, only a younger version for a younger audience (minus the Pink Taser, although Jenny did have a pink golf ball). <em> </em>I loved the twist that fairy tale creatures are not as lovely as they seem, who’d have guessed that Unicorns were so ill-tempered . Dealing with family, school and friend issues would be enough for anyone, but Jenny is also an Adventurer, hired by the mysterious “Committee” who must rescue Kingdoms and defeat evil. The story was well-paced and had enough action to occupy even the most restless reader. Great middle grade read for kids who have enjoyed books like Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier.<br />
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The publisher Sourcebooks is providing one copy for a lucky resident of the United States or Canada.<br />
Please leave a comment on this post to enter.<br />
Winner will be chosen at random on Monday April 15th and will have 48 hours to reply once notified.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=losinthelib-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=1402259468&IS1=1&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-31405769768630137952013-03-19T09:35:00.002-04:002013-03-19T09:35:27.787-04:00Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kXlw3ULsqGk/UUhpDLwOx-I/AAAAAAAACWM/piHcgnJG2Ns/s1600-h/toptentuesday%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="toptentuesday" border="0" height="215" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tQP3MzzP6Mc/UUhpDjyovvI/AAAAAAAACWU/fad35N4pSNw/toptentuesday_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="toptentuesday" width="321" /></a><br />
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.ca/2013/03/top-ten-books-kelly-just-had-to-buy-but.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish. </a></div>
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Each week we are invited to post a list on a variety of book –related topics.</div>
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I haven’t participated in a while but this week’s topic spoke to me!</div>
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I am so guilty of rushing out to get a new release or a book I am dying to read only to have it sit on my shelf. I also pre-order my favourite authors so I have it as soon as it comes out and they sit on my shelf too. Here’s a list of the Top Ten books I couldn’t wait to get my hands on, but haven’t cracked open yet.</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SydsE1lULM0/UUhpEfqJjxI/AAAAAAAACWc/moXf1TZ_xLs/s1600-h/29009_10152664247005191_1234644147_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="29009_10152664247005191_1234644147_n" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PqNRQpeUX-A/UUhpEu4I6AI/AAAAAAAACWk/kmmK7670jOQ/29009_10152664247005191_1234644147_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="29009_10152664247005191_1234644147_n" width="348" /></a></div>
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<li>Shine by Lauren Myracle</li>
<li>Dearly Departed by Lia Habel</li>
<li>Bloodlines by Rachel Mead</li>
<li>Matched/Crossed/Reached by Ally Condie</li>
<li>Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay</li>
<li>Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton</li>
<li>Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa</li>
<li>The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson</li>
<li>The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson</li>
<li>The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong</li>
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Do we have any in common? Which one should I make a priority to read next?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-52567596824276885632013-03-06T19:17:00.003-05:002013-03-06T19:17:47.963-05:00Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f9W10FjlkIM/UTfcAC_4_4I/AAAAAAAACVk/PNOFhy4Jxj8/s1600-h/9520648%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="9520648" border="0" height="394" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2pfJ5p6t00I/UTfcAVGg58I/AAAAAAAACVs/cx191zWN-cE/9520648_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="9520648" width="266" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Sorta-Like-Rock-Matthew-Quick/dp/0316043524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362615360&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Sorta Like A Rock Star</a> by Matthew Quick</div>
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Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers May 2010</div>
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Source: Borrowed from the Library</div>
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<strong><em>Summary:</em></strong></div>
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Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope?</div>
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong></div>
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When someone in the book industry whose tastes and talents you admire tells you to read a book as its in their TOP TEN must reads of all time…you read it!! (Vikki) I'm so glad that I did. Aside from its multiple awards, this is one of those books that changes you. One that you think about long after finishing. One that is written for young adults, but resonates in the hearts of the adult reader as well. True? True.</div>
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I read and enjoyed Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook, but for me, this book is on a whole other level. Amber is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. She sees the good in each moment and every opportunity, despite her circumstances. She is real. She is raw and true to herself about her life but chooses to believe that there is better in store for her and for everyone else. I loved the quirkiness of her character, and the way she interacted with the world around her . It took me a few pages to get used to her method of speaking, her slang and short forms but once I did the story flew by and so did the time as I finished it in a sitting only to go back and read it again. </div>
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Tissue will be needed while reading but it’s worth it. This book is all sorts of incredible.</div>
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Everyone needs to own a copy so I’m giving a copy away. </div>
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Rules:</div>
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Must be 13+ to enter</div>
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Live in a place the Book Depository ships</div>
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Not have read Sort a Like a Rock Star before (honour system)</div>
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Leave me a comment sharing the title of a book that has moved you like this one moved me.</div>
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Giveaway closes March 13th. Winner will have 48hrs to reply.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-44796910045467290872013-02-07T22:22:00.000-05:002013-02-07T22:27:06.663-05:00Giveaway!!! Sharing the Book Love<br />
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It has been FOREVER since I’ve hosted a giveaway, and I figured with Valentine’s day coming up, now was the perfect time!<br />
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To <strong><em>share the book love</em></strong> I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon or Book Depository! <br />
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Instead of hosting the giveaway on my blog though, I’m hosting it on Lost in the Libraries Facebook Page. <b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/TMDWbh" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Follow this link</span></a>,</i></b> like my page and then tell me what the best book you ever read was to enter.<br />
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<i>The giveaway ends on February 14th, and the winner (who must be over 13) will have 48 hrs to reply. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-4421562602956703542013-02-07T22:06:00.001-05:002013-02-07T22:06:47.099-05:00Book Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu<img alt="Prodigy (Legend, #2)" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1336254717l/13414446.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="206" /><br />
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Prodigy by Marie Lu</div>
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Published by Putnam January 2013</div>
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384 pages</div>
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Source: ARC provided by the publisher for review</div>
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<strong><em>Summary:</em></strong></div>
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<em>June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector. </em></div>
<em>It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. <br />But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?</em><br />
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<em><strong>My Thoughts:</strong></em><br />
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<em> </em>I am a major fan of the Dystopian genre, something about it speaks to me as a reader. Even so, I was late to get on the “Legend” train so to speak as I only picked up Marie Lu’s first novel of the series (Legend) in early January of this year. I fell in love with the characters immediately, and with the author’s writing style. I enjoyed reading the dual perspectives of June and Day though the alternating inks in the book became a little distracting. I had high hopes for Prodigy, and was thrilled when asked to participate in a blog tour for it.<br />
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Prodigy picks up exactly where Legend ended and we find Day and June searching for the Patriots in Vegas and hoping to be reunited with Tess. Tess is one of my favourite characters in the books. Resilient, forgiving and strong, Day needs her and has leaned on her much more than he realizes. Though the relationship between Day and June is sudden and complex it is written so well that it is believable. They trust one another when from an observers point of view they should be doing anything but trusting each other. Though not as action packed as the first novel, I was still completely engaged. I found the descriptions of the world they live in whether that be the Republic or the Colonies compelling, and we also discover in Prodigy what the catalyst was for the division in America. </div>
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One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is that you never really know who the “bad guy” is. The person who you believe to be the enemy isn’t always, and much depends on perspective. I think this theme through out the books is such a great comment on our reality. I can’t even talk about that ending. (tears)</div>
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A gripping follow-up to Legend and I can not wait for more. Highly recommended for fans of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Divergent by Veronica Roth.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-18324093091063678202013-01-29T07:55:00.000-05:002013-01-29T07:55:08.301-05:00Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Newberry and Caldecott Award winners were announced yesterday by the American Library Association and I just had to give a special shout out for these authors!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Congrats to the amazingly talented author Jon Klassen for his Caldecott win for <strong><em>This is Not My Hat</em>. </strong>You can read my thoughts and my interview with Jon<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/10/this-is-not-my-hatblog-tour-jon-klassen.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here.</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Congrats to the incredibly talented Katherine Applegate for winning the Newberry award for the masterpiece that is The One and Only Ivan. <a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/03/one-and-only-ivan-by-katherine.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My thoughts on this book you must read:</span></a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-45530590235744147762013-01-28T08:15:00.002-05:002013-01-28T08:20:05.466-05:00Book Review: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff–Blog Tour<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x9cDRT18TD0/UQX_fpkj64I/AAAAAAAACTg/cbYZwtJBVeY/s1600-h/Paper-Valentine9.jpg"><img alt="Paper Valentine" border="0" height="342" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TA2y19MWxSI/UQX_gHJCvUI/AAAAAAAACTo/ccyBHdVXeRU/Paper-Valentine_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Paper Valentine" width="230" /></a><br />
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Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff</div>
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Published by Razorbill January 8th 2013</div>
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Hardcover- 306 Pages</div>
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Source: ARC provided by publisher for review</div>
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<strong><em>Summary:</em></strong></div>
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The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls. <br />
For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness. <br />
With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.<br />
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<strong><em>My Thoughts:</em></strong><br />
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I was happy to be asked to be a participant in the blog tour for Paper Valentine. I haven’t had a chance to read the author’s previous books and knowing how positive the reviews have been, I was excited to read it. There is a lot happening in 306 pages. Though not quite what I expected, I enjoyed many aspects of the book, especially Yovanoff’s writing style. The story revolves around Hannah and the murders of girls in a her town, but that seems like a secondary storyline compared to Hannah’s grief at the loss of her best friend to Anorexia, six months earlier. Actually, my favourite parts were the moments between Hannah and Lillian. I thought the description of Lillian’s obsession with her weight, was realistic and well done. Hannah is slowly discovering who she is, and who she wants to be without Lillian. It’s Lillian, that compels Hannah to begin her own investigation into the deaths of the girls. The ‘creepy’ factor was definitely present and I could not read the book at night or if I was in the house by myself. <br />
*spoilers ahead*<br />
I think because there was so much happening in the book, anorexia, a love interest, murders, grief, ghosts; there were many questions that went unanswered. I wanted to know why Lillian appeared to Hannah? What made the “Valentine Killer” kill the girls? The ending wasn't satisfying but perhaps that was the point? I liked Paper Valentine and I know that other bloggers on the tour have absolutely loved it, but I just expected/wanted more.<br />
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<strong><em>Favourite Quotes:</em></strong><br />
“Sometimes I think that’s the whole reason she’s still here-she’s weighted down, anchored by all the things she couldn't let go” (15) -love this quote sooo much<br />
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“Kissing him is like the wildest, most thrilling thing that has ever happened to me. It’s like diving into the deep end over and over” (187)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-89583352353268986012013-01-22T08:36:00.000-05:002013-01-22T08:36:27.536-05:00Top Ten Tuesday- Books I Resolve to Read in 2013<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6F1zbBlsAZg/UP4LCZ20yWI/AAAAAAAACR4/zcFhW0Afxl0/s1600-h/toptentuesday%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="toptentuesday" border="0" height="248" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G0RScf-eSh4/UP4LCiCLEgI/AAAAAAAACSA/8MkV31H9vCk/toptentuesday_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="toptentuesday" width="361" /></a></div>
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous blog</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>.</span></div>
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Each week we are invited to post our top ten lists on a variety of topics.</div>
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I’m a little behind on posting, but I really want to share this list:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Books I Resolve to Read in 2013</strong></span></div>
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<img alt="Jellicoe Road" height="222" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347626253l/2999475.jpg" width="154" /> <img alt="Where She Went (If I Stay, #2)" height="223" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347810457l/8492825.jpg" width="149" /> <img alt="The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (Flavia de Luce, #2)" height="223" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320512668l/6777616.jpg" width="148" /> <img alt="Revolution" height="222" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320530843l/7558747.jpg" width="150" /> <img alt="Storybound (Storybound #1)" height="222" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332191667l/10194224.jpg" width="144" /> <img alt="The Miseducation of Cameron Post" height="223" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309190566l/11595276.jpg" width="145" /></div>
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<img alt="White Cat (Curse Workers, #1)" height="226" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358274572l/6087756.jpg" width="146" /> <img alt="Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)" height="226" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1324782984l/7488244.jpg" width="149" /> <img alt="Amy and Roger's Epic Detour" height="227" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327989202l/7664334.jpg" width="150" /> <img alt="Shine" height="229" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294346503l/8928054.jpg" width="149" /> <img alt="Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)" height="229" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1314020848l/6381205.jpg" width="142" /> <img alt="Sorta Like a Rock Star" height="226" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1263329051l/6763730.jpg" width="151" /></div>
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I know. Your jaw is dropping. You can’t believe I can call myself a reader when I’ve missed the amazingness you found between the covers of the books above. But before you lose faith in me….I’m going to remedy this! I will read these books this year!-which is why there are 12 listed…one for each month.</div>
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So tell me below in the comments-which one should I read first?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-6233542289562728962013-01-21T08:48:00.000-05:002013-01-21T08:48:45.595-05:00Review: Everyday by David Levithan<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vZMbl_p8hPQ/UPoVybKqhBI/AAAAAAAACQg/UkNKt9VYz18/s1600-h/everyday%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="everyday" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R8uBXvQE5iE/UPoVy0T7mFI/AAAAAAAACQo/EYYFlgFwVss/everyday_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="everyday" width="257" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13262783-every-day" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Everyday by David Levithan</span></a></div>
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Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers 2012</div>
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336 Pages</div>
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Source: Borrowed from the Library</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Summary:</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><i> </i> Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.</strong></div>
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There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. <br />
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.</div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">My Thoughts:</span></em></strong></div>
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Aside from Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, I’m embarrassed to say that this is my only other David Levithan book. It definitely won’t be my last. <strong><em>Everyday</em></strong> has a unique premise, A (who is genderless) is a seemingly lost soul that resides in someone different every day. It never knows who it will be next; the people it might meet or the situations it might have to survive. A meets Rhiannon and life as A had know it changes. A love story, complicated by the fact the his/her appearance is different every day. Can we love someone for only what's on the inside?</div>
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Completely compelling and as I turned the last page I felt there had to be more, I wanted more. He’s writing a sequel right? I became so use to A’s voice, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Days after reading I’m still thinking about it. Highly Recommended.</div>
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<strong><em>Quotes I LOVED</em></strong>:</div>
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“The clock always ticks. There are times you don't hear it, and there are times that you do.”</div>
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“There will always be more questions. Every answer leads to more questions. The only way to survive is to let some of them go.”</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-13337903897905237042013-01-07T22:00:00.000-05:002013-01-07T22:00:09.816-05:00Best Reads of 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi! I want to first take a minute and thank you for your support, kind emails and tweets! I've missed you!<br />
I know that this post is a little overdue, but I still wanted to share my favourite reads of 2012!<br />
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<b><i>Best Adult Read:</i></b><br />
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<img alt="The Virgin Cure" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320443329l/6131786.jpg" width="218" /></div>
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Easily decided... The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay. Beautifully written, compelling story...</div>
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<a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/02/virgin-cure-by-ami-mckay.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Review</span></a></div>
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<b><i>Best Young Adult</i></b> - New Author (for me)</div>
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So so good! Epic fantasy meets kick-ass assassin. </div>
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I don't think this book is receiving the attention it deserves. (yet)</div>
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<a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/08/epic-fantasy-throne-of-glass-by-sarah-j.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Review</span></a></div>
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<b><i>Best Young Adult-</i></b></div>
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Maggie Stiefvater never lets me down. Worth reading and re-reading</div>
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<a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/09/review-raven-boys-by-maggie-stiefvater.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Review</span></a></div>
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<b><i>Best Young Adult Follow-Up-</i></b></div>
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<img alt="Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1310371414l/9593911.jpg" width="211" /></div>
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This was a harder choice. I loved Insurgent by Veronica Roth and The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting; </div>
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but Pandemonium is a stand out. </div>
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If you haven't read Delirium yet... READ it! and then follow up with this amazing sequel!</div>
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<a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/02/pandemonium-by-lauren-oliver.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Review</span></a></div>
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<b><i>Best Middle Grade/Junior Fiction:</i></b></div>
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<img alt="The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353033289l/13330305.jpg" width="224" /></div>
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Another hard decision. I loved Wonder by RJ Palacio, but there was something incredibly special about the voice of Henry. It resonated with me. It also won the Governor General Award as well.</div>
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Review Coming soon!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-55903744145786226722012-11-10T19:19:00.000-05:002012-11-10T19:31:10.052-05:00Jen's 2012 Book Giving Guide<br />
Christmas is quickly approaching and as I began my shopping today I thought perhaps you've started as well! Christmas is my favourite time of year and this year I am looking so forward to the smell of mulled apple cider, and our fresh pine trees, the sounds of my favourite Christmas album, and the crinkle of wrapping paper.<br />
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Below are my top recommendations for the book lover's in your life. If you shop through the link on Amazon you'll also be supporting this blog (and me) I hope the lists are helpful. It can be a challenge shopping for someone else. If you need a more personal recommendation just leave me a comment or send me an email.<br />
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Happy Shopping!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-44483460602696292502012-11-01T14:09:00.001-04:002012-11-01T14:09:16.382-04:00Why I Would Survive a Zombie Apocalypse–Guest Post<img height="329" src="http://www.pamsclipart.com/clipart_images/cute_zombie_child_missing_a_hand_0515-1010-0904-2218_SMU.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="309" /><br />
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<br />
A few weeks ago I wrote a post – about <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/08/why-i-would-not-survive-zombie.html" target="_blank">how I would not survive a zombie apocalypse</a>.</span> My son (who’s 11) thought it was funny and wrote a post about why he <strong>would </strong>survive.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here’s his post:<br />
<br />
Why I Would Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (at least for a couple of days)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I have awesome survival skills</li>
<li>I can run for a good period of time</li>
<li>I am trained in Martial Arts</li>
<li>Give me a long stick and I can fight for days</li>
<li>I know some edible plants</li>
<li>I’m good at archery</li>
<li>I’m strong so I could rip off a zombie’s arm and beat him with it.</li>
</ol>
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I had planned to post this yesterday but it was crazy with Halloween activities. I love this post so much I just had to share it:)<br />
<br />
To read my post about <span style="color: #4c1130;"><a href="http://lil-library.blogspot.ca/2012/08/why-i-would-not-survive-zombie.html" target="_blank">zombies</a>- </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-11335722897511700722012-10-29T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-29T09:00:05.788-04:00Dear Teen Me- Feature 13<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wOPdFIZdeKU/UI3POru_8LI/AAAAAAAACK8/Sl167l9OWt0/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iwg4yR8xWBM/UI3POzw_9oI/AAAAAAAACLE/QxFnCsNBDbM/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="326" /></a><br />
<br />
<i>About this Feature: </i><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6"><span style="color: purple;">Dear Teen Me</span></a> (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be posting them here.</i><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em>Today I welcome J to the blog. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders, and confidants. I love her like sunshine…</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<em></em><br />
Dear Teen J,<br />
<br />
It’s been awhile….. how I’ve missed your optimism! I’m afraid I’ve lost you a wee bit along the way, grown a little more cynical, a little more wary and a little less trusting…..but now that you are here we can get reacquainted, I hope.<br />
So here I stand, older, wiser perhaps (but whose to say whom is the judge of all that?) Though I’ve made many a mistake along the way, the biggest I’ve come to realize was pushing you out of sight, dearest Teen Me; along with those aspirations you were so inspired to achieve – when hopes were dashed, when disappointments showered down, when injustice pierced my side and when deception weighed heavy in my heart, I should have breathed deeper and held you aloft higher, trusting that your persistence and optimism would surely guide the way. <br />
Now, I’m not going to grimace away here, hands on my hips, crow’s feet squinting, all foreboding and admonishing you how the world is not always going to be sunshine and daffodils; insult your intelligence I will not. <br />
However, when those times do fall upon you, I wish to remind you to always, always listen to that voice inside and don’t silence it for anyone – in layman’s terms, trust your gut, dear Teen Me, for rarely will it lead you astray ~ seek wisdom, laugh deeply, love strongly (but not blindly), pray for guidance and keep those whom you trust and love close and closer.<br />
And know that, though change is inevitable, you can always return to be the person whom you love to be, even just as a reminder to yourself to smile and uncomplicate the world you are now living in.<br />
Life is simple if you choose to make it so.<br />
<br />
Ever yours,<br />
J<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-45883288113148020132012-10-28T20:27:00.002-04:002012-10-28T20:27:44.058-04:00Dear Teen Me- Feature 12<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qKssL63PpSI/UI3NC2uhK5I/AAAAAAAACKs/P_BmHt0Zbb4/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aY6kkj7bUow/UI3NDLXe6vI/AAAAAAAACK0/ufjmLyFxcqE/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="282" /></a><br />
<br />
<i>About this Feature: <br /><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6"><span style="color: purple;">Dear Teen Me</span></a> (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be posting them here.</i><br />
<em></em><br />
Jennifer and I first met through Indigo Books & Music.. I love her approach to her letter….<br />
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Dear Jennifer aged 13-19,<br />
<br />
This letter is meant to be is a thank you note. I write a lot of thank you letters; for dinners, for great service, for time spent with friends at a cottage. I guess it never occurred to me to write a thank you note to the person who made me who I am today. The person got me through that integral period in a girl’s life where you are defining who you are, who you will be, what kind of man you will marry, the kind of parent you will be. Me, the teenager.<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
Thank you for being brave enough to take chances and make mistakes. Those mistakes have firmly rooted me in my current beliefs, my ideals and my life path.<br />
Thank you for saying no- over and over and over again. It was worth it.<br />
Thank you for being a good friend. I am so proud to say that I treated my high school friends with kindness, compassion and respect and I am proud to call so many of them my friends today.<br />
Thank you for falling in love. While sometimes painful, the joy and experiences of being young, in love and looking at life from that perspective made me crave those wonderful butterflies in my marriage. It also made me cautious and careful and allowed me to navigate through rough waters when I needed to.<br />
Thank you for your sense of adventure. Thank you for having a “go for it” attitude and proving that independence and determination can define who you will become in the future. I am certain that my desire to see the world and to be a part of something bigger has its direct origins in the pages of my teen life.<br />
Thank you for making time to read so many wonderful adventures. I am so grateful that I can say I have been a passionate reader all of my life. My passion for reading is still a vibrant and important part of my life and I am thankful for all that you did to further develop this.<br />
Thank you for laughing so much and for having a lot of fun. As I look back I am flooded with amazing memories of road trips, family vacations, parties, school functions, singing and dancing. I am so grateful to say that I spent most of my teen years laughing with my friends and family.<br />
Thank you for being emotional. While many view this as a liability, it has shaped who I am as a friend, colleague, wife and mother today. I love deeply, cry when I need to and have a very sympathetic ear to everyone in my life.<br />
In retrospect I can see that it wasn’t very easy, but you managed to come through the other side with a strong personality, a great education and a joyful outlook on life. There were times when I know that it was scary, lonely and you felt unsure- I wish I could have been there to give you a hug.<br />
Looking back now, that time reads like a wonderful adventure novel where the heroine gets the guy and reaps the rewards- it was all worth it….every moment. <br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-62184261049161448842012-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-23T09:00:06.353-04:00Dear Teen Me–Feature 11<i>About this Feature: <br /><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6"><span style="color: purple;">Dear Teen Me</span></a> (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be posting them here.</i><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Tyd8Zjzxw4/UIXmnmw-zLI/AAAAAAAACKA/8wN5CusKzKM/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HrKDIDBKLQo/UIXmn1tXJFI/AAAAAAAACKI/vg4bp0O_Oqo/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="303" /></a><br />
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When is comes to friends this gal is one of my “Sunday Best”. We talk daily and I’m so very lucky to have her & her beautiful family in my life. Love her so so much.<br />
<br />
Dear Teen Me,<br />
<br />
You’re 12 and I’m 32, but I’m you. I swear. Don’t believe me? You have a piece of glass hidden in the pocket of your jean jacket. When you can’t get the voices of those bullies out of your head, you scratch away bits of your hands until you feel like you’ve punished yourself enough.<br />
<br />
I can still hear echoes of their words all these years later, so I won’t simply tell you not to listen. I know it’s impossible not to listen and hard not to believe what they say. But don’t. I see those people sometimes and the regret is clear in their eyes. They are ashamed of themselves now. I ignore their friend requests on Facebook (Facebook is this really cool thing, if only you had it now!), because now I get to choose the influences in my life. I don’t need to be around people who set out to hurt me.<br />
<br />
For now let me tell you that you are beautiful. You are the skinniest you’ll ever be. Your hair is unique and so gorgeous and you will learn to control it (stop brushing it and get some gel, trust me!). You don’t have acne forever.<br />
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Trust your choices, you are making good ones that are leading you down the right path. Celebrate your brain because it will take you places. Being the teacher’s favourite just means that an adult can see that you are a truly special person and all the others are just bullies heading nowhere.<br />
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Don’t be afraid of high school. They were some of the best years of my life and you’ll make great friends that last a lifetime. Our kids are playing together now. And the best part? When you meet this boy with big ears and a Soundgarden t-shirt, smile, stand tall and flick that curly hair of yours. It’s okay to love him that much. He’s a keeper and he wants no one but you. Forever.<br />
<br />
So don’t give up. Go look at your sleeping baby brother. He needs you to stick around. Stick around for your two beautiful daughters. The experiences you are having now will teach you so much about how people should be treated and the words young girls need to hear from their mommy.<br />
<br />
Trust me. Go buy some hair gel. Believe in yourself. Little boobs are spectacular too.<br />
Take a deep breath, throw out that piece of glass and be yourself!<br />
Love, you<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-14898679009514414232012-10-22T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-22T09:00:04.638-04:00Dear Teen Me-Feature 10<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="DearTeenMeJen" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W4SkgQga6VE/UHr5kNtH0eI/AAAAAAAACJc/6db8sMQlcMo/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">About this Feature:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6" style="color: #351330; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: purple;">Dear Teen Me</span></a> (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. </i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">After seeing the first few Dear Teen Me letters on the blog, Angie got in touch and asked to write one as well-here is her letter....</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Teen Me:</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello… I remember you. Sometimes doing things you didn't want to do to fit in. Yea you! There's a few things that I think you should know though I know you won't listen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You know your body? The one that is skinny.. so skinny you won't even wear shorts. Wear those damn shorts. In less then 10 years you will be the only one out of your high school friends who hasn't gained 30 lbs. You will still be the same weight as in high school and you will love it. So embrace it now. And those bad boys you keep dating.. YUCK! Though you know what? Go ahead and date them so you know who not to date and who to marry. But don't just have sex with just anyone!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Also… that 40 hours a week you are putting in at McDonalds like they need you? Please Mcdonalds will run just fine without you… trust me they will still be there 20 -50 years later!! So tell them 40 hours is way too much.. 20 hours a week will be just fine. Plus $4.25 an hour is NOTHING! Don't feel lonely.. learn how to be friends with yourself. Eventually you will be your own best friend. Be KIND. Be respectful to mom and dad. You are constantly battling with them and someday you will realize they really are the best parents out of all your friends. The time they made you take back the Christmas lights you stole? Yea… first off that was a terrible thing to do, and second mom and dad were trying to make you a better person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love yourself, and LOVE life. Just because in high school you aren't the cheerleader or one of the preppy people it will be just fine. I am so proud of who you turn out to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your best friend,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">yourself </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-3357066891696089602012-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-17T09:27:52.514-04:00Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today I welcome my fabulous friend and guest poster Jessie to the blog. Jessie & I met while working together at the library and we became great friends. In addition to guest posting here, she's also my book event/signing travel buddy.</div>
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<img alt="Team Human" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337566744l/12640578.jpg" width="211" /></div>
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Published by HarperTeen July 2012</div>
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Source: ARC provided by the publisher</div>
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<b><i>Summary:</i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.</span></span></i></div>
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<b><i>Jessie's Thoughts:</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Team Human</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> is a fun
story about a girl who tries to get her best friend to stop dating a vampire
while at the same time solves the mysterious departure of Dr. Saunders. Set in
a town that co-exists with vampires but during a period where humans and
vampires are for the most part segregated, those who associate with vampires
are viewed as outside the norm. Mel doesn’t hate vampires, she just doesn’t get
why anyone would want to be one. Vampires for the most part cannot feel
emotions and to become a vampire there is a chance you could die or worse …
become a zombie. That is why
transitioning into a vampire is closely regulated by the government. When Mel’s
best friend tells her that she is considering becoming a vampire to be with her
boyfriend forever Mel freaks out. She makes it her mission to either convince
her friend of the cons of being a vampire or else uncover a reason for her
friend to break-up with her boyfriend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Larbalestier and Breenan stick to most of the standard vampire
ideologies while adding their own twists. Their main character Mel is humorous
and stubborn though at times perhaps too simple. On the other hand, Kit who was
raised by vampires is a well-flushed out character who makes a great
contribution to the book. <i>Team Human</i> is
an adventure book with a side of romance. There is no way to escape from this
book without some laughs. Overall an entertaining read. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-3293046150606309362012-10-16T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-16T09:00:02.969-04:00Dear Teen Me: Feature 8<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-75XLO93xUho/UHCka6llBzI/AAAAAAAACGY/lQzqwIiFVVE/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="230" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rC4tJ5Yv9lU/UHCkbVhQerI/AAAAAAAACGg/7iVZQ-yVh-c/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="305" /></a><br />
<br />
Today I welcome a fabulous friend of mine Liza. Liza and I go way back to when we both worked for Indigo. I love how even though we might not always see each other, when we do we just pick up where we left off. She’s been a great support.<br />
<br />
Dear Teen Me,<br />
<br />
I know you won’t listen to me because I’m a middle-aged adult from the future but just in case you’re feeling open-minded today I have some advice for you. Pretend you’re reading it in the pages of Seventeen magazine, ok?<br />
<br />
I know you better than anyone else does, you have to admit that. And one of your biggest issues is your lack of self-confidence. There is no magical formula – it isn’t going to magically appear. No one else can give it to you. Faking it until it becomes real actually can work so try that. Also consider these points:<br />
<br />
1. Blow- dry your freaking hair with some product. That will help you avoid the nasty cowlick that makes your bangs separate and your forehead shine through. Seriously, give it a try. <br />
<br />
2. Stop worrying so much what other people think – wear the clothes you like, not what other people say you should like. Navy and black is not a crime. <br />
<br />
3.When you get a boyfriend (it will happen, I promise) don’t take any crap from him – if he doesn’t show up when he says he will or leaves you all alone late at night in downtown Toronto after going to a pub – kick him to the curb and move on. Trust me there are other boys. <br />
<br />
4. Keep writing in your journal.<br />
<br />
5. Read, read, read. Maybe less Mary Higgins Clark and more quality stuff but keep at it. And don’t discount Canadian female authors just because your mother reads them.<br />
<br />
6. Take up a team sport – remember in sixth grade? You were good at volleyball. You’ll meet more people and stay fit at the same time. <br />
<br />
7. Surround yourself with positive people. You pick up on other peoples’ habits so avoid people who are always negative or pessimistic. <br />
<br />
8. Be brave, take chances, speak up. You worry people will laugh or think you’re stupid but they won’t – they’ll think you’re brave, confident and smart and maybe soon you will believe it too.<br />
<br />
(Thanks Liza…such great advice-)<br />
<br />
About this feature:<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6">Dear Teen Me</a> <i>(Edited by E. Kristen Anderson &amp; Miranda Kenneally) </i>includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post-(just 2 spots left) <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-12470592348611116322012-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-15T09:02:44.261-04:00This is Not My Hat–Blog Tour-Jon Klassen<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Je9InYIOhzc/UHjXZ7kZKwI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ve6Rym2T9Z8/s1600-h/TINMH_blogtour_buttonUS%25255B9%25255D.gif"><img alt="TINMH_blogtour_buttonUS" border="0" height="237" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yY9Od3LLyG0/UHjXaFDff5I/AAAAAAAACIY/yt8AiqP46hI/TINMH_blogtour_buttonUS_thumb%25255B7%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="TINMH_blogtour_buttonUS" width="507" /></a><br />
<br />
As a fan of Jon Klassen’s award winning <span style="color: black;"><strong>I Want My Hat Back</strong></span> picture book, I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Global blog tour for his latest book <strong>This Is Not My Hat</strong>. As part of the blog tour I had the opportunity to interview Jon: <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">Where does your artistic inspiration come from?</span></b><br />
I think mostly I just like communicating. It's not even about communicating anything specific, I just really like the exercise of getting something across. I guess it's sort of proof that you're not crazy.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">Growing up did you always want to be an author and artist? Who encouraged you?</span></b><br />
I did always like drawing and writing, and I think I always hoped I'd be able to get a job doing something like that, because I didn't really get interested in many other things, or at least I wasn't very good at them. I've been lucky about encouragement. My parents always thought and still think that a job doing this is a totally realistic idea and a valid thing to spend your time on. They had that great balance of encouragement without the pressure. The more distance I get on it, the more lucky I feel about that. I don't think a lot of people get it.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">What is your favourite thing about being a published author?</span></b><br />
Having a book spine. A book spine with your name on it is a crazy thing to see. Also getting to sort of design them is really fun. How often do you get to design something with those kind of dimensions?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">Do you have a favourite library memory? (can be a childhood memory or even now)</span></b><br />
I think a lot of the libraries I grew up with were built in the 70s, and they have a certain way they felt inside. A lot of wide open carpeted spaces with weird raised carpeted platforms here and there, and big potted plants and very high ceilings with windows in them. It's frustrating to be in a place like that as a kid because all you want to do is run as fast as you can from one end to the other, and that's not really allowed, so you just walk around with your teeth clenched looking for book spines with the 'mystery' stickers on them until you calm<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">I was excited to read that you are originally from Niagara Falls, when was the last time you were back and what is your favourite activity to do when you visit?</span></b><br />
Yeah! I try and go back a few times a year. My parents still live there. I really love driving down the parkway along the river. I used to bike it a lot, and it's still one of the nicest stretches I know of. I think Winston Churchill called it the best Sunday afternoon drive in the world, or something like that. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">If you were a hat, what kind of hat would you be?</span></b><br />
I wear a baseball hat almost all the time, so even though i might like something more original, it would be dishonest of me.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3guq3DRBEnM/UHjXawAIPeI/AAAAAAAACIg/3NItDOnfA9o/s1600-h/Jon_Klassen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jon_Klassen" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sUz1m5nkj7I/UHjXbH022sI/AAAAAAAACIo/-c6aLFE4jU8/Jon_Klassen_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jon_Klassen" width="192" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #9b00d3;">Any new books/projects in the works?</span></b><br />
A couple, yeah! I'm working on another of my own, and another one with Mac Barnett, who wrote Extra Yarn. They are both at the stage where I take long showers and stare at nothing until the hot water runs out.<br />
<br />
<em>(Thanks a lot for the questions Jen! It's great to talk to somebody from the home province!!)</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
Thank you Jon! I have to say that interviewing and talking with authors is one of my most favourite things about blogging and one of the reasons why I blog…feeling pretty blessed right now!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.storytimewithjen.com/review-this-is-not-my-hat-by-jon-klassen/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">My Review</span></a><br />
<br />
I'm happy to announce that I also have 1 copy of the book and a "This is Not my Hat" hat (adult size) to give away. Check out <a href="http://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">My Little Bookcase</span></a> tomorrow (October 16) for the next stop on the tour!<br />
<br />
<a id="rc-543ca02" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/543ca02/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6MuDfdxESOQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=losinthelib-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=0763655988&IS1=1&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-58363865734599290082012-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-12T09:00:07.036-04:00Dear Teen Me-Feature 7<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="DearTeenMeJen" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5zTUgT0EDYM/UG3bnR-v3jI/AAAAAAAACCg/SHlmLadPjxg/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></div>
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<br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">About this Feature:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Dear Teen Me</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">(Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. </span></i><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
Today I welcome Sheena. Sheena and I met through a Women's Networking Group and I'm so glad we did. I love her enthusiasm and passion for helping others.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Teen Me,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First things first, dump the boyfriend. No, seriously, DUMP HIM. He’s a loser and he will never see you for
what you are really truly worth. I know
you think you love him, heck, I know you think you’re in love with him, but
you’re not. That’s not love, in fact,
it’s quite the opposite. No one has the
right to put their hands on you… EVER.
And it doesn’t matter if he begs for forgiveness afterwards, and says
he’ll never do it again, he’s lying, and he will continue, over and over again.
Don’t believe the things he spews at
you, not for even one second. Standing
up for yourself and raising your voice does not make you a b!tch, it makes you
strong, and he’s threatened by that. He
may be physically bigger than you, but he is a weak, weak person. Know that and walk away with your head held
high. I promise there is an incredibly gentle,
kind and loving man waiting for you just around the corner, he’ll treat you
like a princess and love you beyond words.
He’s amazing and you deserve it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be nicer to your little brother. He’s going through a rough patch and he needs
you far more than you realize; far more than he admits. He’s a good kid, and he looks up to you for
direction. Stop treating him like he’s
worthless; he’s starting to believe you.
You love him dearly and you need to tell him more often… his life
depends on it. Despite what your
relationship is like right now, he will grow to become one of your very best
friends, an amazingly strong man who loves his family like no other. He is a good man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your true friends aren’t in high school, in fact, they’re
barely in university and college, so you can stop trying to impress those
people, they leave you high and dry once they find out you’re pregnant. Forget them.
You will walk away from university with two amazing women to call your
friends, and although you don’t talk nearly enough, when you do it’s as though
no time has passed. Cherish them, they
love you unconditionally. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Follow your heart, it will never steer you wrong. Life is good.
Our home is cozy and full of love, our children are happy and full of
joy, and our husband is phenomenal and super hot. We’ve made the conscious choice to live minimally
and within our means, this is a value that is important to us. We carry low to no debt and we are
essentially stress-free (boring, I know).
Forget the Joneses, we’re making our own path. This type of financial freedom allows you to
always follow your dreams. You are an
entrepreneur. You have followed your
passion and it has led you here. And
*here* is amazing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t over complicate things. Life really is quite simple; know your worth,
be nice to people, follow your heart and live within your means. Enjoy it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Love Always,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
33 year old
you<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sheena is the Owner of Blue Bamboo Holistics. In addition to Reiki and Reflexology she also offers "Mindful Kids" Classes for children and their families to quiet their minds, bodies and embrace their inner power. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Be sure to check out her website. <a href="http://www.blue-bamboo.ca/"><span style="color: purple;">http://www.blue-bamboo.ca/</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-37947155429938470162012-10-11T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-11T09:00:08.230-04:00Dear Teen Me: Feature 6<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ydmNYtEKuHA/UG3bm297_oI/AAAAAAAACCY/znuwgQrnFP0/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="231" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5zTUgT0EDYM/UG3bnR-v3jI/AAAAAAAACCg/SHlmLadPjxg/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="306" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
About this Feature:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6">Dear Teen Me</a> <i>(Edited by E. Kristen Anderson &amp; Miranda Kenneally) </i>includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Really, really</i> excited to welcome author Janice Hardy today- I am a huge fan of her Healing Wars Trilogy. If you haven't read her series, I highly, highly recommend them as the Healing Wars Trilogy is one of my favourite series of all time.<br />
<br />
Dear Teen Me,<br />
<br />
I remember sitting in Mrs. Horton's American History class in high school, writing a letter to the future me in the oh-so-far-away year of 2000. (I cringe now thinking about how I'd be "old" by then) It seemed so far away, practically science fiction, and it's weird that 2000 has come and gone. I wish I'd saved that letter to see how close you got, but it's fitting that I'm writing back to that same girl now. <br />
I don't remember much of what you wrote back then, but I do recall one detail: By 2000, you would be a published author. Even then this was our dream.<br />
<br />
Teen Me, you got there. <br />
It took a little longer than expected (2009, not too far off) and the road was nothing like you pictured, but the dream stayed alive and the words kept flowing. Some of them were the <i>same</i> words, so when you want to trash that prophecy novel, do it. And that Star Wars fan fic? Just don't go there. Trust me.<br />
<br />
There will be bumps and tears and heartache between then and now. Boys you're crazy about will ignore you and some will break your heart. Some hearts you'll break. A few hearts you'll want to run over with your car, but you'll resist those urges and write really bad poetry instead. Never fear, no one will ever <i>see</i> those poems, though burn the letter you write to a friend about a certain boy in college. That won't end well. <br />
You'll struggle with choices about what to do with your life. Where to go to college, what to major in. You'll make a few mistakes (Architecture? What we're you thinking?) but they'll all bring you to the right spots at the right time. Going to art school is a wise move and it'll give you the freedom to write when you most need to. Of course, you'll have to suffer through 15 hour days six days a week for a while, but it'll be worth it. The hard work you put it will give you the life you want later on, when it counts.<br />
<br />
You'll be adventurous. You'll discover you love to SCUBA dive and will become a Rescue Diver. You'll jump out of a perfectly good airplane (even after having a roommate who "flew well but landed poorly" doing the same thing). You'll go whitewater rafting, but you'll chicken out on bungee jumping. It's okay. No one will blame you.<br />
The guy issue? I know you swore you'd think about marriage when you hit 30, but you'll find the right guy at 24 and marry him two years later. (And when you meet him, no, he's not 17 though he looks like it in that T-shirt and backwards baseball cap) He's nothing like the "Mr. Right" you imagined in high school, but he's the best friend and partner you could ever hope for. He leaves you cupcakes on your desk, hides love notes in your pockets, and follows you to the gas station to pump the gas for you when it's cold outside. And you won't even think it's cheesy.<br />
<br />
Most of all, you'll keep writing through life's craziness. Eventually you'll start submitting those short stories and the rejections will start flowing in. You'll realize you're not a short story writer and switch to novels. Then submit those novels. And get those novels rejected. A<i> lot</i>. Take heart, this too shall pass. Those who rejected you will accept you years later and it'll be all the sweeter. <br />
<br />
You'll take chances and join online critique groups like Critters, and you'll meet a gal who will become your one of your best friends and a life-supporting critique partner. You'll join Finish Your Novel and meet another gal who will become your <i>other</i> best friend and yes, another worth-their-weight-in-chocolate critique partner. You'll help each other achieve your writing dreams. Best part, you'll have lots of laughs along the way. <br />
<br />
You'll travel across the country and attend the Surrey International Writers Conference, not realizing it'll be the weekend that changes your life. Bob Mayer will make you cry, but he's right and you need to hear what he has to say. Donald Maass will inspire you. Carol Berg will say nice things about your writing (and you still feel like you two know each other from somewhere). You'll come home with a new passion for writing and write the book that will be your debut novel--The Shifter. (Only then it'll be called The Pain Merchants, so prepare yourself for title-changing fun) <br />
<br />
The best thing I can tell you is this: It all turns out okay. Better than okay. Pretty darn good. <br />
Oh, and your moisturizer and sunscreen routine? Keep that up. Seriously. You'll thank me when you get here.<br />
<br />
About Janice<br />
Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, and BLUE FIRE. DARKFALL. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at <a href="http://www.janicehardy.com/"><span style="color: purple;">www.janicehardy.com</span></a>, chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story<span style="color: purple;"> (<a href="http://blog.janicehardy.com/">http://blog.janicehardy.com/</a>)</span>, or find her on <span style="color: purple;">Twitter @Janice_Hardy</span>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cavLyAvDH4c/UG3bnyfPTvI/AAAAAAAACCo/8C2g5cUC2nE/s1600-h/Janice%252520Hardy%252520RGB%25252072%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Janice Hardy RGB 72" border="0" height="170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jfKWXgLamY0/UG3boTHp54I/AAAAAAAACCw/A-Qtued7xCM/Janice%252520Hardy%252520RGB%25252072_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Janice Hardy RGB 72" width="115" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HkFAHPYTJG4/UG3bpLR_P7I/AAAAAAAACC4/AqtbLQX3050/s1600-h/The_Shifter_72%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The_Shifter_72" border="0" height="171" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7ojL5waT2_A/UG3bpiPEw3I/AAAAAAAACDA/NMyxyw5xV4k/The_Shifter_72_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The_Shifter_72" width="118" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Shifter/Janice-Hardy/e/9780061747083?r=1&if=N&cm_mmc=Janice%20Hardy-_-k307877-_-j12871747k307877-_-Primary" target="_blank">The Shifter</a><br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Blue-Fire/Janice-Hardy/e/9780061747410?r=1&if=N&cm_mmc=Janice%20Hardy-_-k307877-_-j12871747k307877-_-Primary" target="_blank">Blue Fire</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/darkfall-janice-hardy/1030527012?ean=9780061747502&itm=2&usri=darkfall" target="_blank">Darkfall</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-30653590435601884332012-10-10T08:25:00.000-04:002012-10-10T08:25:55.257-04:00Dear Teen Me–Feature 5<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FdxKMkuK9hQ/UG3XrFCQoPI/AAAAAAAACBw/sQMLvenDyZs/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xLy3EKy4TEM/UG3Xr5CpcII/AAAAAAAACB4/ZCur2JfHKPo/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="289" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>About this Feature:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6">Dear Teen Me</a> (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson &amp; Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.</i><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Today I welcome one of my favourite bloggers and Blog Squad cohorts <span style="color: purple;">Christa</span>-<br />
<br />
Dear 16 year old me,<br />
<br />
Hello from the future! I managed to track down the TARDIS and convince the Doctor to deliver this letter from 24 year old you. I know you don't know what a TARDIS or the Doctor is but remember those words. They will be of vital importance later on.<br />
<br />
I hope I've caught you at a good time. Maybe you're reading this in Ms. Jones' English class while you're supposed to be reading <i>Catcher in the Rye</i> but are bored because you already finished it weeks ago. Maybe you're in between psychotic customers while working the returns desk at Wal Mart. Or maybe your hiding in that hollowed out spot in the back of your closet while your parents scream bloody murder at one another. For both of our sakes, I hope it's the first option.<br />
That's right, all those moments stick with you well into the future. You carry them with you wherever you go and as much as you may hate them now, that's ok. They've made you who you are today and that person, is pretty awesome.<br />
<br />
There are so many things I could talk about in this letter. I could talk about how much you're going to love university or all the amazing places you're going to visit, or tell you about how one day you're going to be lucky enough work in publishing and pursuing your dreams of being a published author. But I'm not going to talk about all those things because I'm you after all and at this point there's something much more important to address.<br />
<br />
And that's this. Your dad is an alcoholic. You probably already know (or at least suspect) this but I wanted to be clear. I'm sorry to say that he is going to continue to drink, and it will become so much more than just finding him passed out around the house. It will come to a point where you won't even know who this strange man is any more and wonder what happened to the kind, loving man who was once your hero. I don't want to overwhelm you with all the details, but I NEED you to hear this one piece of advice. <u>Do not listen to anyone who tells you the opposite.</u><br />
Are you listening?<br />
<br />
Nothing - and I mean <i>nothing</i> - that happens to your dad is your fault. You are in no way responsible for any of his actions. Asking you to not only cope with but <i>accept </i>what's going on, is something that should never be asked of a child and if you find you need to step away and put some distance between you and the situation THAT IS OK. I can not stress that enough. Only you know how much you can take, and it's important that you listen to yourself.<br />
Your dad was a great man. You're going to lose a lot of your earlier memories of him, but hang on to what you can. Please don't rip up all his pictures when you're angry. I regret that decision all the time. At the same time however you are perfectly right to be angry at everything he put you, your mom and your brother through. It's even alright if you feel sad and angry at the same time. Eventually the anger dulls at little and you will find peace. As a bonus you also maintain a fabulous relationship with your mom and brother to this day, so there is always that to be thankful for.<br />
<br />
Your teenage years are not an easy trip, so be prepared. I hate to tell you this but things are going to get worse for a little while. But the good news is that around the time you turn 19 everything is going to change. Life is going to get SO MUCH BETTER. You have no idea. And not for any one reason either. But you will be happy I promise. I am proud to tell you that not once in the past five years have I ever felt the need to hide in the closet, I currently love my job and I have hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of books that I can read anytime I want.<br />
<br />
And seriously remember what I said about the Doctor.<br />
24 year old you<br />
<br />
Thank you so much Christa for sharing and for being so open and honest. Big hugs to you.<br />
<br />
Visit Christa’s Blog! – <a href="http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Hooked on Books!</span></a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598511041283954365.post-61543999712857555342012-10-09T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-09T09:00:09.271-04:00Dear Teen Me: Feature Letter 4<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U5cKnGao29w/UG3RXeaPR6I/AAAAAAAACBI/1kXDymLby24/s1600-h/DearTeenMeJen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DearTeenMeJen" border="0" height="232" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-umJ-2HX2Iww/UG3RX-Y7twI/AAAAAAAACBQ/DtYREKkmaio/DearTeenMeJen_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DearTeenMeJen" width="307" /></a><br />
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Today I welcome Gillian who I had the pleasure of meeting this year, we became fast friends.<br />
<br />
Dear Teen Me,<br />
<br />
You are lovely, did you know? You are funny, light, happy, joy-filled and free. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are less than because you are different than them. Don’t try to be like someone else, be like YOU! Because you are amazing.<br />
Work hard at being honest, in every situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Ask out the boy you like. Ask other girls to spend time with you. Trust that your friends WANT you around. Don’t assume you aren’t good enough…because you are and they think so too!<br />
Don’t feel like you have to show off what you know all the time. Choose silence more often. Let others figure you out for themselves. Let them judge you by your smiles, you support, your loving actions. If they don’t see the good, let them walk on by…those who do value you are just waiting in line to get close to you.<br />
Know that every single person you meet feels just as awkward, scared and unsure as you. Be loving and patient with their attempts to mask it. Those who growl the loudest are often the most scared. Reach out, let them know you see their real selves. Encourage them to be brave too.<br />
It seems impossible now, but try to enjoy the freedom and security you have living at home, surrounded by amazing support and love. This foundation will carry you through life, but not in the same way it does now. Give Dad a hug for me, and make sure it lasts a long time…cause he won’t be here forever. Tell him how proud you are of him, what a wonderful father he is.<br />
Start saving money, and avoid credit cards for as long as possible!! But spend more money on better quality things, just do with less. That is better. That is where the value is.<br />
Most of all, try something new each day. Don’t be afraid to look foolish or to fail. There are worse things and the reward for your risk is SO great! There is a world of new experience waiting for you, jump in with both feet and eyes open. The only scary thing is staying the same…we need to grow, develop, transform.<br />
Be loving. Every day look for ways to be more loving. And the world will fall in love with you. It is really very simple.<br />
Loving you, every day,<br />
me<br />
<br />
<em>( Gillian I love this letter so much)</em><br />
<br />
Gillian is a Marketing Strategy and Communications Specialist. She is one of the most positive people I know, so lucky to have her as a friend.<br />
Her website: <br />
<span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.reescommunications.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Rees Communications</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">About this feature:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Teen-Me-Authors-Letters/dp/1936976218/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1349142521&sr=8-6" style="background-color: white; color: #351330; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Dear Teen Me</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">(Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1