Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners

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!

Congrats to the amazingly talented author Jon Klassen for his Caldecott win for This is Not My Hat. You can read my thoughts and my interview with Jon here.

Congrats to the incredibly talented Katherine Applegate for winning the Newberry award for the masterpiece that is The One and Only Ivan. My thoughts on this book you must read:

                                                                                                              

Dear Teen Me- Feature 13

About this Feature: 

Dear Teen Me (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.

Today I welcome J to the blog. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders, and confidants. I love her like sunshine…


Dear Teen J,

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Life is simple if you choose to make it so.

Ever yours,
J

Dear Teen Me- Feature 12

About this Feature:
Dear Teen Me (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.

Jennifer and I first met through Indigo Books & Music.. I love her approach to her letter….

Dear Jennifer aged 13-19,

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.
Thank you.

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.
Thank you for saying no- over and over and over again. It was worth it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Thank you.

Dear Teen Me–Feature 11

About this Feature:
Dear Teen Me (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.




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.

Dear Teen Me,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trust me. Go buy some hair gel. Believe in yourself. Little boobs are spectacular too.
Take a deep breath, throw out that piece of glass and be yourself!
Love, you

Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

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.

Published by HarperTeen July 2012

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

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!

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.

Jessie's Thoughts:

Team Human 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.

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. Team Human 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.    

Dear Teen Me: Feature 8

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.

Dear Teen Me,

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?

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:

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.

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.

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.

4. Keep writing in your journal.

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.

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.

7. Surround yourself with positive people. You pick up on other peoples’ habits so avoid people who are always negative or pessimistic.

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.

(Thanks Liza…such great advice-)

About this feature:

Dear Teen Me (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 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)

This is Not My Hat–Blog Tour-Jon Klassen

As a fan of Jon Klassen’s award winning I Want My Hat Back picture book, I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Global blog tour for his latest book This Is Not My Hat.  As part of the blog tour I had the opportunity to interview Jon:

Where does your artistic inspiration come from?
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.

Growing up did you always want to be an author and artist? Who encouraged you?
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.

What is your favourite thing about being a published author?
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?

Do you have a favourite library memory? (can be a childhood memory or even now)
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

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?
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.

If you were a hat, what kind of hat would you be?
I wear a baseball hat almost all the time, so even though i might like something more original, it would be dishonest of me.


Any new books/projects in the works?
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.

(Thanks a lot for the questions Jen! It's great to talk to somebody from the home province!!)

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!

My Review

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 My Little Bookcase tomorrow (October 16) for the next stop on the tour!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dear Teen Me: Feature 6

About this Feature:

Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Really, really 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.

Dear Teen Me,

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.
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.

Teen Me, you got there.
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 same 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.

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 see those poems, though burn the letter you write to a friend about a certain boy in college. That won't end well.
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.

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.
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.

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 lot. Take heart, this too shall pass. Those who rejected you will accept you years later and it'll be all the sweeter.

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 other 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.

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)

The best thing I can tell you is this: It all turns out okay. Better than okay. Pretty darn good.
Oh, and your moisturizer and sunscreen routine? Keep that up. Seriously. You'll thank me when you get here.

About Janice
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 www.janicehardy.com, chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story (http://blog.janicehardy.com/), or find her on Twitter @Janice_Hardy.

 

The Shifter
Blue Fire
Darkfall

Dear Teen Me–Feature 5

About this Feature:

Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Today I welcome one of my favourite bloggers and Blog Squad cohorts Christa-

Dear 16 year old me,

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.

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 Catcher in the Rye 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.
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.

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.

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. Do not listen to anyone who tells you the opposite.
Are you listening?

Nothing - and I mean nothing - 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 accept 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.
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.

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.

And seriously remember what I said about the Doctor.
24 year old you

Thank you so much Christa for sharing and for being so open and honest. Big hugs to you.

Visit Christa’s Blog! – Hooked on Books!

Dear Teen Me: Feature Letter 4

Today I welcome Gillian who I had the pleasure of meeting this year, we became fast friends.

Dear Teen Me,

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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Loving you, every day,
me

( Gillian I love this letter so much)

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.
Her website:
Rees Communications

About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Review: Tilly’s Moonlight Garden by Julia Green

Tilly’s Moonlight Garden by Julia Green

Published by Sourcebooks/ Jabberwocky October 2012

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

Tilly's parents inherit an old, furnished mansion. One night, awoken by a strange noise, Tilly looks out of her bedroom window and sees a wild fox watching her from the lawn. Tilly follows it through a hidden gate and is amazed to discover a secret, moonlit garden. She returns the following night but this time a young girl called Helen is already there waiting for her. Tilly and Helen become fast friends, but Helen remains elusive about where she lives and why Tilly only encounters her in this seemingly magical woods. Over the Christmas season and into the spring, Tilly and her parents welcome a new arrival to their family, and Tilly befriends a recent arrival at her school. But when Helen bids her farewell, Tilly wonders; was Helen real or only a figment of her imagination?

My Thoughts:

  A truly charming  story about a young girl dealing with major changes in her life. New home, new school and her mother has fallen ill while expecting. Tilly’s father is a preoccupied writer and it seems that Tilly is often left to her own devices. That is where the garden comes in. It becomes a place to escape to, and Helen becomes a friend Tilly can count on when it feels like she is all alone. Reminiscent of books like  The Secret Garden, Tilly discovers a world of mystery as magic and reality seem to collide in the garden.  There she learns about her own resilience, friendship, and that being in a family can mean being forgiving as well. I loved the character of Tilly, and felt her interactions with her Dad were very realistic.  A story that already feels like a classic and would make a good read-aloud in a classroom or home setting. Recommended for ages 7+.

Stacking the Shelves/In My Mailbox 2

In My Mailbox (hosted by the Story Siren) and Stacking the Shelves (hosted by Tynga) are weekly memes where we are invited to post about the books we received via mail, store, friend or library. 

Links go to GoodReads :)

For Review:

The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan –this sounds wonderful

Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill

The Menagerie by Tui T Sutherland

 

The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepard –love the sound of this-Historical

The Shadow Girl by Jennifer Archer

Period 8 by Chris Crutcher

Stick Dog by Tom Watson

Wasteland by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan

I Represent Sean Rosen by Jeff Baron

 

Huge thank you to my wonderful Book Fairies at HarperCollins for these!

What was in your mailbox? Leave a link in the comments!

Review: Before We Go by Amy Bright

Before We Go by Amy Bright

Published by Red Deer Press May 2012

Source: ARC provided by the author

Summary:

Visiting her dying grandmother in hospital is not what 17 year old Emily wants to be doing for New Year's Eve, but it's not like she has anything else to do. Leaving the hospital, she meets a teen-aged boy named Alex, who is also leaving. When he invites her to go for a burger with him and his sister, she goes along. What Emily doesn't know is that Alex, too, is dying, their meeting is not a coincidence, and she is in for a New Year's Eve unlike any other.

My Thoughts:

   I was excited to be contacted by Canadian author Amy Bright about reviewing her book Before We Go.  The story was a great surprise as there was much more to the book than I initially expected. They say not to judge a book by its cover but I tend to do that initially and I wish the cover for Before We Go was stronger, and spoke more to the gem of a story inside it. 

As the story opens we meet Emily who is at her grandmother’s bedside in the hospital. Her grandmother is gravely ill with pneumonia and Emily knows that it won’t be long until the the dread of loneliness she feels will be made a reality. She discovers an unexpected friend in Alex when she meets him in the elevator, as well as something completely unexpected. 

I loved how Emily’s and Alex’s lives were so seamlessly intertwined. The author writes both female (Emily) and male (Alex) voices well and I related to Emily’s feelings of loneliness and Alex’s wish to help her as a way to deal with his.   The writing was strong, with well developed characters and parts of the plot fit together perfectly. I enjoyed the subtle surprises and there were many moments that were completely unexpected. Recommended for those who enjoy good contemporary stories, that leave you wanting more. Great for fans of Sarah Dessen. I’m looking forward to more from this Canadian author.

Recommended.

Dear Teen Me–Feature 3

Today I welcome talented Canadian Author Vikki VanSickle-


Dear Teen Me,

You look great. Really, you do. One day you’re going to look back at pictures of your hot self and think Damn I looked good! So wear that leopard-print pencil skirt. Who cares if no one else in school has one like it? Maybe that’s a good thing. You aren’t required to wear a uniform, so why concern yourself with dressing like everyone else in clothing that you hate (doctor pants, GAP sweatshirt) when you’ve got that awesome vintage Betsy Johnson skirt in your closet?
Also, you should definitely order that spinach dip. And dessert, too. Watching what you eat is one thing, but obsessing about it is another. You love food! Why deny yourself something delicious because you think you should be five, ten, fifteen pounds lighter? It’s not the food that’s the problem, it’s the fat glasses. Right now you don’t even know you’re wearing them, but you are. They’re not just the wrong prescription, they’re a BAD prescription, adding weight where it simply does not exist. You will look through the yearbook ten years from now and wonder, “Who is that totally svelte, scrumptious-looking gal? I could have sworn I was a little on the plump side in high school, but this girl looks perfect.”
Don’t worry about boys. It’s okay to not date in high school. There is plenty of romance in your future and you will be so happy that you held off until it felt right. When your new university friends are sitting around swapping dating horror stories from high school you’ll be thankful that you can’t relate. Not all your love stories will have happy endings, but you won’t regret a single chapter.
Saying no is hard, so start practising now. Turning down a job or a favour or even an invitation when you’d rather stay home and read is not a sign of weakness; it just means that you value your time. There’s a big difference between being nice and being a doormat. Priding yourself on being a people-pleaser will get you nowhere. It certainly won’t make you any happier. It’s impossible to be all things to all people, so focus on what you want to do, which is put on those awesome red shorts and go to the DQ for a milkshake, stag. Or maybe with some of your friends. On the way be sure to roll down the windows and blast that Disney mixed tape. Part of Your World is an awesome song and you can rock it like no one else.

Love always,
Vix

Learn more about Vikki on her website: http://vikkivansickle.wordpress.com/
 


About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Dear Teen Me–Feature 2

Today I welcome Michele from Just a Lil’ Lost:

Dear Teen Me,
Be courageous. Remember that bully you stood up to in grade 9? That singular moment where you called her bluff when she threatened to beat you up after school will ignite a bravery that was hidden inside you all along. That one moment will show you how you don’t have to put up with behaviour like that, and that most bullies don’t expect their victims to stand up for themselves.
Embrace your geekiness. You have no idea how your love of books, computers and theatre will be a such a big part of your life in the future. You won’t be part of the “cool” crowd because there really isn’t one. Everyone makes their own brand of cool and you’ll find the right niche of people that love the same things you will. Geekiness will become a whole culture and something to be proud of rather than ashamed of.
Quality over quantity. This has been one of the biggest revelations for me in the past few years and I wish I could have known this before. When it comes to friends, quality will matter so much more than quantity. In school, you’ll want to surround yourself with many friends, given the illusion that more = popularity. How many of those people am I really closely in touch with still? A small handful.
Basically, stay true to yourself. It’s a cliché saying but it’s true. You will have good times and bad times, good relationships and bad relationships, friends may come and go but you will realize that those who understand you and appreciate you for your individuality is who will be around for the long haul. Surround yourself with supportive people and when you get rid of the toxic people in your life (and, trust me, you will) it will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and you’ll be a lot happier. Trust me.
Signed,
Your 31-year-old self.


About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Dear Teen Me–Feature

    Dear Teen Me (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 still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Today, I am featuring a letter written by Ginger from GReads! One of my favourite bloggers; She’s also responsible for designing the amazing graphic you see above. You can visit her tour stop on October 17th. Here is her letter:

Dear Teen Ginger,

Live in the moment; that's the best piece of advice I can give you. We tend to always want to get to that next step far too quickly and end up missing out on the here and now. Relish in the fact that your responsibilities are still limited and leave the worries to days far off in the distance. Take time to laugh with your friends. The kind of laugh that leaves your belly aching and your cheeks sore from smiling so hard, yet you find yourself doing it all over again. Pay attention to the nice boy who asks about tonight's homework assignment, but really he's just looking for an excuse to chat with you. Ignore the girls who spend too long in front of the mirror and gossip about people they don't even know. Study hard, read as much and as often as you can, get involved and volunteer.
These moments will come and go way too fast. They are moments you can't repeat, no matter how hard you try. Be happy with yourself and proud of the person your parents are still raising. Pay attention to the life that's happening around you, and the life you're still making. Being a teen can be rough, but I promise there will be tougher times ahead. So enjoy this moment and live it for what it is.

Love,
A more "seasoned" Ginger

Thanks so much G. It’s funny how when we’re teens we are in such a rush to “grow up”. Sometimes I long for the days where I had few if any responsibilities…..

Review: Wonder by R.J Palacio

Wonder by R.J Palacio

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

February 14th 2012 –313 pages

Source: Reviewed from personal copy

Summary:

“I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse” 

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

My Thoughts:

  Firstly, I can not believe this is a debut. Wow. just wow. What a powerful, unforgettable  story.  There is not too much to say other than this is a book for everyone. Within the pages we meet the the beautiful soul of Auggie as he experiences and adjusts to his first year going to a regular school. Told through various perspectives, as readers we learn so much about humanity, cruelty and kindness through the eyes of this young boy. If you share one book with your children, family, or friends –let it be this one.

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Published September 18th 2012

Scholastic Press –390 pages

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.” 

   It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.


My Thoughts:
    It should be no surprise that Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favourite authors.  The Raven Boys received a lot of buzz before the ARC release at ALA, and BEA and rightfully so, Maggie is a gifted storyteller.  She has this amazing ability to reinvent herself as a writer each time she begins a new series or writes a new book. The feel of The Raven Boys is completely different from her other novels, the pacing a little slower but from the beginning you know that it will build to something great.

I loved the premise of the novel and was immediately drawn to Blue’s matter a fact way of dealing with people and the world around her. Though Blue is the main character, Gansey is really at the centre of the story and is what propels the reader forward. He is obsessed with discovering the location Welsh King Owain Glendower, believing he rests along Ley Lines…areas with paranormal activity. *I became fascinated with the idea of Ley Lines and when I finished reading the book I began to research whether ley lines can be found in Ontario…apparently there is one about 4 hours away. One day I plan to take a road trip to see if I can locate it*

As much as I loved Blue and Gansey, I have to say that Adam was my favourite character. He’s the steadfast friend, who stands behind Gansey, adores Blue but has his own painful back story. There was just something about him that I could relate to.

Beautifully written with so many wonderful surprises throughout; there were twists that I definitely did not see coming. A riveting first book in an expected series of four.

Top Ten Tuesday–Fall 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Each week we post our top ten’s on a variety of book related topics.

This week’s list:  Top Ten Fall on my Fall TBR

My List: (all titles link to GoodReads)

1.  Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s no secret that Maggie is a master storyteller and one of my favourite authors. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on her new release.

2. Venom by Fiona Paul. “ Courtisans, Killers and Secret Societies” set in Venice…. yes please.

3. Fang Girl by Helen Keeble. This one sounds hilarious…. definitely check out the summary.

4.Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. I really liked her Demon’s Lexicon series and early reviews for  Unspoken have been outstanding.

5. Mutiny in Time (Infinity Ring #1) by James Dashner. It’s already released but I plan to read in September. James Dashner is a fantastic writer and I’ll be interested to see his style writing for Middle Graders. The other authors slated to write for this series are also incredible.

6. The Peculiar by Stephan Bachmann. Love how this book is described “THE GRAVEYARD BOOK meets JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL in this gothic steampunk page-turner for readers of all ages”

7. Spindlers by Lauren Oliver. Oh how I love this author. Seriously, I would read anything as long as she is the writer. I was really moved by Lisel & Po and I’m excited to read another middle grade by her.

8. Golden Door by Emily Rhodda. Rhodda has brought us a number of fantastic books for the middle-grades. Rowan of Rin, Fairy Realm, and Deltora Quest to name a few. This one sounds equally good.

9.  The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodgkin. I bet this will be on many lists. I’m also ready for more Noah.

10. What’s Left of Me? by Kat Zhang. Amazing premise…

Are our lists similar? Leave your link in the comments below…

Review: Envy by Elizabeth Miles

Envy by Elizabeth Miles

Published by Simon Pulse –September 4th 2012

Pages: 320

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

The Furies are back in the second book of a chilling paranormal trilogy where revenge rules the day—and “sorry” isn’t going to cut it.

Spring is coming, and the ice is slowly melting in Ascension…revealing the secrets buried beneath.

     Emily Winters knows the Furies have roots in Ascension, Maine—but she’s about to discover that they’re deeper than she ever imagined. With the help of her new friend Drea, she vows to dig them out. But it’s hard to focus when she’s desperate to make up with JD, and to figure out why Crow, a mysterious Ascension High dropout, seems to be shadowing her.
     Meanwhile, new girl Skylar McVoy is determined to leave her own dark past behind. So she’s thrilled when popular Gabby takes her under her wing, and the stunning and sophisticated Meg offers to give her a major makeover. But everyone knows what happens to the vainest girl of all…

     It’s tempting to be naughty. But beware: the Furies are always watching, and their power grows stronger by the day.

My Thoughts:

  I was thrilled to receive Envy in my mailbox. I enjoyed Fury so much that I have been anticipating the release of Envy for some time.  It did not disappoint. Emily, Drea, Gabby and JD are back and we are also introduced to Skylar and Crowe. The story begins almost where Fury left off and unlike some “second” books, the transition is seamless.  The Furies are back as well and are more evil than ever (is that even possible?). There is something so sinister about how they are described. Breathtakingly beautiful but absolutely ruthless. I had this creepy feeling wash over me more than once while reading.

    Skylar is a fascinating character. New to Ascension she believes she now has “a chance to build a new life, to build a life”. We’re not told what has happened in the past to Skylar –just given glimpses-but we certainly get the sense it was anything but good. Skylar  becomes obsessed with Gabby and being popular, which leads her to making terrible choices. Though I didn’t agree with how she acted, I could totally relate to that feeling of wanting to be someone. To be important. I think many will relate to that feeling.
Envy was well paced and gripping. I couldn’t stop reading until it was finished and  I can not wait to revisit Ascension again in the 3rd and final novel even though the Furies scare the heck out of me.
Definitely Recommended!




add to GoodReads

I’m thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Miles back to the blog for a Q&A about Envy:

1. I know the series is a planned trilogy- but is there a possibility that you might continue and write more in the series?

 I'm glad you want more! However, I don't think it's gonna happen, at least not right now. I've got a few other projects simmering on the back burner of my mind, and while it'll be bittersweet to bid farewell to the Furies (and more importantly, to Em, JD, Gabby, and the rest of the bunch), I'm excited for a new adventure.

2. Is the character of JD based on anyone you know? What about the character of Crow (my new fav)?

        Like I say in the acknowledgements of ENVY, I used to think a guy like JD was too good to be true -- and then I met my *fiancee* (!?!). JD isn't based on him, per se, but I can't help but think that a lot of the love and warmth that surrounds JD's character is influenced by the love and warmth I feel about my man, who happens to also be a) a little kooky, b) sometimes self-righteous, and c) cool with being a sensitive dude (three characteristics I'd definitely peg to JD).
As for Crow...He's an amalgamation of lots of bad boys I've known over the years (or wished I knew!), plus some classic TV guys like Sawyer from Lost, Dylan McKay from 90210, and Caleb from Pretty Little Liars. Now that I think about it, Crow also reminds me a little of an ex-boyfriend of mine, one who was a little angry at the world and took it out on himself.

3. I had a couple of revelations while reading, and I was taken by surprise by how much I related to the character of Skylar.I think many teens will understand where Skylar is coming from. Do you have any advice for teens on how to build confidence?

That's great to hear! Skylar is obviously very troubled, but I'm happy that her story resonated with you. Honestly, there were times during high school when I felt a lot like Skylar (though I obviously never took that angst to such an extreme). I think there are lots of young women who feel like the odds are stacked against them or that the social hierarchy is both arbitrary and unfair -- because it usually is! 
Lauren (Oliver, one of my closest and oldest friends) and I wrote letters to each other in the upcoming Dear Teen Me anthology (Zest Books, October); in part, they address the issue of building confidence and trusting oneself. I think it's important to remember that what happens in high school doesn't necessarily set the stage for the rest of your adult life. It's a time to try things out, discover what matters to you, make mistakes, and learn from them. It's hard to remember in the moment, but it's true: This too shall pass. The only way to lose your insecurities and gain confidence is to look inside yourself and find stuff you like. Affirmation sought from outsiders will dissipate; self-love stays the course.

4. I really felt the Furies "evil" intensify in this book, they were seriously creepy...anyway you can give us a sneak peak into what might happen next?

They really are so freaking scary sometimes, aren't they? The thing about the Furies is that they are totally ruthless. Once their evil is unleashed, they'll do anything to see it spread further. The battle reaches its final showdown in Book Three (ETERNITY, which I am currently finishing up)...Will Em lose the life she knows now? Can she fight the Furies on her own? Will she and JD finally make it? Are the Furies in Ascension for good?

5. I've become obsessed with author’s playlists for books recently- was there a song or (songs) that helped you while you wrote Envy?

The funny thing is, I cannot listen to music when I write -- I find it very distracting. However, as you know, I still like to create playlists for my books. Here's the one for Fury, and here are a few of the songs you'll find on my Envy playlist:
 
-- Blue Orchid by the White Stripes (Frantic energy and an orchid mention - it just clicks.)
-- Living Room by Tegan and Sara (First of all, I just love this song and Tegan and Sara in general. Also, there is something just a little creepy about this song...It's very intense.)
-- Myth by Beach House (I picture this being a song Em and Drea would listen to in the car.)
-- You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift (Obviously, this is like Skylar's theme song.)

Look for the full Envy playlist at elizabethmilesbooks.com (where you can also find the dreamy story of my recent engagement!).

Thanks so much Elizabeth!!