Presenting Lenore

Apocalypsies Starter Pack #4 Giveaway

2012-01-26T19:24:00.003+01:00

2012 is upon us and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book of mine called LEVEL 2!

To begin the year right, I am giving away four different starter packs in January so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels. Starter pack #3 was won by Brynn at Chronicles of a Mountain Librarian and today I have Starter pack #4 on offer.

Starter pack #4 includes:

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood (ARC)

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth (ARC)

REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham (ARC)

+ a chapter sampler of STARTERS by Lissa Price

+ the following swag:

(1) very fancy keychain + 4 stickers + 1 bookmark from Elisa Ludwig's PRETTY CROOKED

(1) very cool necklace + 1 signed bookmark from Sarah Tregray's LOVE AND LEFTOVERS

(2) rubber bracelets + 1 signed bookmark from Kami Kinard's THE BOY PROJECT
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) signed bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS

(3) stickers + 1 trading card from Miranda Kenneally's CATCHING JORDAN

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open INTERNATIONALLY until Jan 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

I'll being doing Apocalypsies Starter Packs again, probably in May or June, so be on the lookout for those.

Apocalypsies Love! Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

2012-01-25T18:45:00.001+01:00

Today I am spotlighting THE GATHERING STORM, a book set in Tsarist Russia, but re-imagined with vampires and a main character who is a necromancer.

More than anything else, Katerina wants to be a doctor. But because Russia doesn't accept women into its medical academies, she is instead expected to get married. A proposal soon comes from the crown prince of Montenegro, but Katerina is warned that he doesn't want her, but rather her power to raise the dead. And if he gets it, it could mean very bad things for the imperial family and all of Russia.

I was drawn to this novel because I love the Tsarist Russian time period, and the historical details did not disappoint (not that I'm an expert or anything). It definitely made me reaffirm St Petersburg on my travel wishlist.

I also usually avoid "vampire" books, but I'm pleased to say that the vampires here exuded real evil and set themselves up as actual threats.

Excited to see where this trilogy goes next!

Now let's chat with Robin!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

Ooh, when Katerina meets Count Chermenensky for the first time, and tries to hide him from the Imperial family. :)

Such a fun scene! What is your favorite line in the book?

"Merde!" (Katerina is fond of this word. So is the author.)

What setting was most fun to write?

The scenes that take place in the Winter Palace. I tried hard to convince hubby that I HAD to visit the palace in person to be sure my details were accurate. He did not believe me.

I hope you get there someday! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I love poor Count Chermenensky best, I think. But Princess Alix has already demanded her own short story.

Ooh Alix short story - I'm intrigued. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

Every new step becomes my newest favorite- receiving my edit letter, seeing the cover for the first time, receiving my first ARC, seeing my book in the bookstore.

Gorgeous cover btw. Thanks Robin!

_______________________

THE GATHERING STORM is now available in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads.

FTC disclosure: I received this ARC as part of the Amazon Vine program.

Return of Cat Tuesday (61) - Special Fashion Cats Edition

2012-01-24T09:00:00.003+01:00

A couple of years ago, a friend of ours dropped by and gave us some tear sheets from a German magazine featuring Takako Iwasa's FASHION CATS. We loved them so much, we pinned them up on Daniel's inspiration board. And then, a few months ago, we discovered Takako had done a whole book featuring her cats dressed up in seriously cute outfits. Obviously, we had to have it. (And if you have to have it too, check out the official FASHION CATS book website - it has a video).

The book not only has adorable pictures of her patient felines Prin and Kotaro posing in everything from wedding attire to holiday favorites to animal hats, but it also has some behind the scenes photos and one lonely DIY pattern for a cat choker. I demand a companion book so I can create the “Anne of Green Gables is Cleaning” hat and red yarn curls …

As fate would have it, I did manage to find a reindeer hat on deep discount after Christmas at PetSmart. Emmy, as you see below, was none too pleased by her gift.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

2012-01-23T12:14:00.000+01:00

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today EVERNEATH is up. It's a modern spin on the Persephone myth that introduces us to immortal beings called Everlivings who prey on people to renew their energy. Oh, and it just might be my favorite Persephone retelling of all.

So, Nikki wakes up after 100 years of being cuddled against her Everliving, Cole - and he's sucked her dry. Except that Nikki still has the vague memory of a boy with floppy brown hair, and she decides to return above to Earth for 6 months so she can say goodbye before being eternally damned to the tunnels.

I loved how the structure here really adds to the tension: It flips back and forth between a countdown to Nikki's return date and a history of before her time below (what happened to make her forfeit her life?). I couldn't stop reading until I knew.

The Daughters of Persephone stuff was super fascinating, but I won't go into that here since it's kind of spoilery.

Also? Cole totally reminded of Cole St. Clair (from Maggie Stiefvater's LINGER and FOREVER), and that's never a bad thing.

Perfect ending - and now I can't wait to read book 2!

Shall we chat with Brodi?

What is your favorite scene in the book?

Oh man, that's like choosing a favorite kid! Just kidding, I totally have a favorite kid. My favorite scene would have to be when Nikki chooses to tell Jack the truth, and she sneaks into his bedroom, and when she's too scared to speak, they play poker.

What is your favorite line in the book?

He leaned forward and said, "Tell me, friend. Is there more for us?"
I looked down at my feet. "There's everything for us."

Chills! What setting was most fun to write?

I enjoyed writing the everyday normal-ness of the high school. That's how I get most of my story ideas: Plop a character down in high school and mess with them. Then see what happens.

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I love Jack's brother Will, but I would love to see Nikki's bff Jules get her own book. She sort of got the short end of the deal, considering she has been a constant for all of the characters, and yet she doesn't get to find out the truth. She needs to find love for herself, and mend her broken heart.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

Meeting new people, like you! And getting fan letters from young readers. Those absolutely make my day. So if you read Everneath, and you like it, let me know!

Thanks so much for having me!!

Thanks for stopping by!

______________________________

EVERNEATH comes out tomorrow in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads.

FTC: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-01-19T00:01:00.001+01:00

Today CINDER is up. It's a cyborg Cinderella retelling - what more do you really need to know?

So I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings (my favorite is probably BEAUTY by Sheri Tepper - yes, even though it has fairies) and Meyer spins CINDER with a balanced combo of the traditional and the unique. I love that she sets the story in New Beijing (reminded me of the show FIREFLY) and sets Cinder up as a rough and tumble mechanic that catches the eye of the prince.

Despite the fact that we figure out Cinder's true origin long before she does, Meyer infuses her scenes with enough immediate tension that I couldn't stop reading. Also, I'm a total sucker for plague tales, evil queens and princes who slum it romantically. It's really no wonder CINDER made the NYT Bestseller List (Congrats Marissa!)

Now for a chat with Marissa --

What is your favorite scene in the book?
The ball. It's so iconically Cinderella, but with many new twists to it.

Can't have Cinderella without the ball! What is your favorite line in the book?
"We all have our weaknesses."
"I know," said Iko. "Mine is shoes."

Ha! Yes, I loved Iko, and especially that she was so girly, despite being very much a robot. What setting was most fun to write?
The marketplace, particularly during the festival. It has a very old-world feel to it, like the same festival and traditions could be happening today, but with androids and flashing advertisements everywhere. I love that mix of old and new.

Me too! You see that a lot in Europe and it thrills me every time. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
My favorite supporting character is Iko, Cinder's android friend, but I think a spin-off story of her would be rather two-dimensional, largely because she's not one for secrets and mysteries. I think that Dr. Erland might have the best case for a spin-off book - his history is pretty fascinating and filled with tough decisions and regrets.

I would go gaga for a Dr. Erland story! What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Befriending so many awesome authors - both established and debuts, online and in person. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging of each other, and it's a really great community to be a part of.

Thanks for joining us, Marissa.

__________________________________

CINDER is available in hardcover now. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads.

FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001+01:00

Today, I'm featuring FRACTURE, a story of a girl revived after 11 minutes under the icy water in a Maine lake. She should have significant brain damage, yet the only effect seems to be that she is now drawn to people who are about to die.

Don't go into this expecting an epic paranormal tale - it's not. Instead, it's a deeply touching look at relationships and what's important in life. Delaney and Decker have been friends & neighbors forever, and they've been skating around their romantic feelings for each other. After Delaney falls into the lake, Decker has intense feelings of guilt for taking so long to pull her out. I love that their relationship feels true.

I also love that it tackles the big questions. That Delany survives is a miracle - but will she survive long enough to get her priorities in order? What would any of us do if we had only one day to live? Why aren't we doing it?

Also - LOVE how Les Miserables (The Musical) was worked in. I was obsessed with it in high school and it fits perfectly thematically here. "To love another person is to see the face of God," indeed.

Now let's chat with Megan!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

The very last scene of the book, for so many reasons. I can’t really say anything about it, though, without giving away spoilers!

That last scene gave me chills and made me hug my eReader against my chest. What is your favorite line in the book?

Oh, I have a few! But I’m going to pick the first line of the book because it’s the very first line of the very first draft I wrote, and one of the only lines that actually survived the rewrites. I wrote this line and the story came after, so I’m a bit attached to it:

The first time I died, I didn’t see God.

What setting was most fun to write?

There’s so much you can do with snow and ice—a simple setting can turn terrifying so quickly. I loved writing the outside scenes at the lake, even though they didn’t always end well….

Truly, I felt like I was there. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

It’s a close call between Janna and Decker. Janna was my personal favorite, but as far as a character who could get a spin-off book, that would have to be Decker. He was definitely my favorite character to develop and write.

Decker has his own story, but it doesn’t always make it onto the page in Fracture since everything is filtered through Delaney. He has to go through his own journey, but we only see it when their journeys coincide. His story is there, even though it’s mostly behind the scenes, but he could definitely fill his own book.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

This! Getting ready to release the book. It’s been completely surreal (and exciting) seeing everything come together in a finished product.

Thanks Megan :)

_________________________

FRACTURE is now available in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. Read the first two chapters of FRACTURE here.

FTC disclosure: I read a review copy downloaded from NetGalley.

Return of Cat Tuesday (60) - Special Wrinkle In Time Edition

2012-01-17T11:45:00.000+01:00

I'm a part of the 50 Years, 50 Days, 50 Blogs tour for A Wrinkle In Time (see whole tour) and today I got a great bag in the mail that the kitties just had to check out...

And be carried around in ...

Level 2 sells rights to Taiwan and Poland!

2012-01-16T22:03:00.000+01:00

Some great news on the LEVEL 2 front: Translation rights have been sold to publishers in

Taiwan (Fantasy Foundation Publication)

and Poland (Dolnoslaskie).

That means we're up to 6 foreign territories so far (UK, Australia/NZ, Brazil and Turkey are the others) which is incredibly cool!

Apocalysies Love! Starter Pack Giveaway #3

2012-01-12T15:39:00.001+01:00

2012 is upon us and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book of mine called LEVEL 2!

To begin the year right, I am giving away four different starter packs in January so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels. Starter pack #2 was won by Joli at Actin' Up With Books and today I have Starter pack #3 on offer.

Starter pack #3 includes:

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton (ARC)

THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges (ARC)

HARBINGER by Sara Wilson Etienne (ARC)

1 Apocalypsie book of your choice! Just tell me which one you want, and I'll order it for you. (comes separately)

+ the following swag:

(1) very fancy keychain + 4 stickers + 1 bookmark from Elisa Ludwig's PRETTY CROOKED

(1) very cool necklace + 1 signed bookmark from Sarah Tregray's LOVE AND LEFTOVERS
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS (1 signed)

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open US and Canada until Jan 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Ditched by Robin Mellom

2012-01-11T14:55:00.000+01:00

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring DITCHED: A LOVE STORY, a YA contemporary about a girl's prom night from hell that's a bit like a teen HANGOVER.

First of all, I love the unique narrative frame of DITCHED. At a convenience store, after being dumped on the side of the road, Justina tells a sympathetic clerk the story of her nightmare prom by explaining how she got each and every stain on her ruined prom dress. This was such a fun, fresh way to tell the classic "prom sucked" story!

Justina's voice was entertaining. She has the tendency to go off on tangents and is slightly crazy cakes when her blood sugar gets low, but you want the best for her. And it is to her credit that you still believe in her even when her story gets ridiculously implausible.

And now let's talk about her prom date and good friend Ian. She'd come to the point where she'd planned to declare her love for him with the perfect kiss pre-prom. But - obviously something went very wrong. Is Ian a scumbag? Or is it Justina's own fault? This comedy of errors highlights Justina's undeniable chemistry with Ian and ends with bang.

Now let's chat with Robin!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
There is a scene where four teens are pulled over by a cop and must get out of the situation. I decided to make the police officer young (very young), and writing this situation where a rookie cop must deal with some witty teenagers was just too much fun.

What is your favorite line in the book?
“Allyson Moore…I mean, what was it exactly that he couldn’t resist? Surely it wasn’t her remarkable intelligence—the girl thinks monogamy is a type of dark wood.”

Ha! Yes - that line made me laugh out loud. What setting was most fun to write?
I loved writing the 7-Eleven scenes. Every other chapter the story switches back to present time where the main character explains what happened the night before to some very opinionated ladies at the convenience store. They also indulge in numerous 7-Eleven snacks (slurpees, corndogs, nachos, corn nuts!) so food plays a big part, thus my enjoyment in writing it.

It's no secret I love corndogs! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
One character actually will be getting a spin-off book—Serenity, the firecracker friend Justina makes during the night. Serenity was my favorite supporting character and I wanted to know more about her backstory and what finding love would look like for a kick-ass girl like her. Serenity does just that in my next book when she finds herself in jail in BUSTED.

Can't wait! Keeping my fingers crossed that Ian makes another appearance. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Working with my editor to make my books better has been an amazing experience. It takes a special person to motivate you while simultaneously pushing you further than you thought you were capable. The collaboration process has been very fulfilling and I’m fortunate to have an editor who truly “gets” what I’m trying to do and knows how to yank the best out of me.

Thanks Robin!

____________________

Intrigued by DITCHED? It came out Tuesday in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. You can read the first chapter of Ditched here: http://www.robinmellom.com/books/teen-books/ditched

FTC disclosure: Review copy from NetGalley

Return of Cat Tuesday (59)

2012-01-10T18:45:00.000+01:00

Lu has this thing about jumping on everything and everyone. Lately we find him in the craziest places, like on top of our clothes drying rack ...

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

2012-01-05T20:44:00.002+01:00

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring UNDER THE NEVER SKY, a YA dystopia featuring sheltered teen Aria who is dropped off in the barren outside to die, but meets a toughened up boy, Perry, who helps her survive.

UNDER THE NEVER SKY is such an immersive experience. From the moment I met Aria, breaking the rules of her enclosed city of Reverie in order to glean intel about her missing mother, I knew she was the kind of character to follow to the ends of the Earth.

And then I met Perry, the other POV in this dual narrative. Perry's had a hard life on the outside (known as the Death Shop because there are a million ways to die in its inhospitable lands), and perhaps because of this, he's much more manly than most YA guys. In fact, his mix of stubbornness and gallantry reminded me a lot of a Harlequin Historical alpha male (in a good way).

I loved the intricate world building, the fast-paced mystery driven plot, and the realness of the situations despite the fantastical setting (Aria even gets her period - how often do you see that in YA sci-fi?).

Yes, readers, this is one for my keeper shelf.

And now, let's hear from Veronica!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

This is so hard to pick! I do love the scene where Perry and Aria are up on the roof at Marron's together. It's a quiet scene, but there's so much going on beneath the surface. I think that scene is really the emotional heart of the book.

Oh man - roof scenes get me every time, and this one was killer. So, what is your favorite line in the book?

There are a lot that I really love but this one comes to mind:

"You nearer."

It's so Perry--completely to the point.

SWOON! Seriously! What setting was most fun to write?

I loved writing Delphi--Marron's place. It felt like a hybrid between a house and a museum--something I'd love to live in myself!

I loved Delphi too. It's definitely up there on my list of literary places I'd love to explore. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

This one is easy! Roar, because he's unpredictable and funny, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. There's a lot more to Roar than meets the eye. It would be a blast to be able to focus on his character.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

There have been so many! I have loved becoming part of the writing community. I've met some incredible writers, bloggers, readers. It's truly a fantastic community. And I've so enjoyed hearing from readers who connected with the story! It's simply amazing when that happens.

Thank you, Veronica!

________________

Intrigued by UNDER THE NEVER SKY? It came out Tuesday in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. Also, read my Dystopian August preview interview with Veronica for more teasers.

In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I met Veronica last month for dinner and drinks and hope we can do it again soon!

Also, bonus photo of me with UNDER THE NEVER SKY at the Kansas State Fair - eating a giant corn dog!

FTC disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Cracked by KM Walton

2012-01-04T17:26:00.001+01:00

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring CRACKED, a contemporary YA about a bullied boy and his bully who end up in the same hospital room in the psych ward.

I cannot rave enough about this novel.

Victor had my sympathy from page 1. He's fighting an uphill battle in life - no friends, parents who consider him an inconvenience, and the terror of being relentlessly bullied. The fact that his teacup poodle is the only reason he feels he has to live? Super heartbreaking!!

And then Bull. You want to hate him, even when you see how sucky his own life is. But he grows so much within these pages.

In fact, I was so completely emotionally invested in these characters that I cried at least four times - and I hardly ever am moved to tears by books (maybe only around 10 in the whole history of my reading life post childhood). Yes, it was that good.

And now, let's hear from KM!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

My favorite scene is when Victor confronts Bull in one of the group sessions. It was satisfying to write, and I also love how the reader experiences Victor’s blowup…through Bull’s perspective.

That scene was so cathartic and empowering. What is your favorite line in the book?

Here’s a favorite from both Victor and Bull.

Victor: Then I’d run to the closest bathroom and regurgitate perfectly formed chunks of shame and disgrace.

Bull: But I’m a moron with a gun now.

Those lines encapsulate so much about those two. Pitch perfect. What setting was most fun to write?

The psych ward. During the editing process my editor pushed me to make the ward come alive more with sounds and smells. Her brilliant suggestion pushed me to make that wing of the hospital live and breathe.

It really comes across, too. I felt like I was there! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I found Kell to be deeply intriguing—she is so dark and full of justified anger. Delving into her life would make an interesting book.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

My favorite part was getting the offer of representation from my agent, Sarah LaPolla. It took me 2.4 years to get that offer, so it was mindblowingly surreal and incredible and every other crazyawesome adjective you can come up with.

Thank you, Kate!

________________

Intrigued by CRACKED? It came out yesterday in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads.

In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I met KM briefly at SCBWI NY 2011 and she introduced me to the Apocalypsies!

FTC disclosure: Review copy as part of author-sponsored ARC tour

Apocalysies Love! Starter Pack Giveaway #2

2012-01-03T17:00:00.002+01:00

2012 is upon us and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book called LEVEL 2! Today, we have a ton of debuts releasing including CRACKED by KM Walton (which I will feature tomorrow), UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi (which I will feature Thursday) and CINDER by Marissa Meyer (which I will feature Saturday).

To begin the year right, I am giving away four different starter packs so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels. Starter pack #1 was won by Jessica at Lovely Literature and today I have Starter pack #2 on offer.

Starter pack #2 includes:

CINDER by Marissa Meyer (ARC)

THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jess Rothenberg (ARC)

OLDSOUL by Dan Haring (ARC, sent by author, comes separately - can be signed and/or personalized)

FRACTURE by Megan Miranda (Hardcover, preorder, comes separately)

+ the following swag:
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS (1 signed)

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open US and Canada until Jan 8, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

Return of Cat Tuesday (58)

2012-01-03T13:16:00.000+01:00

Can we all get along?

Hmmm... maybe not ...

2011 in Review: Highlights Month by Month

2012-01-02T15:37:00.001+01:00

So, 2011 was seriously epic. Here are some of the blog, travel, and writing highlights. (Links go to my posts for more information).

January

I shared my prom picture after discovering the site http://willworkforpromdress.com

Daniel signed copies of IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? at BookPeople in Austin, TX and I got to hang out with Jenny and Posh of Forever Young Adult and Amanda G. We might have also sang karaoke ...

I rewrote the first chapter of LEVEL 2 and wrote four more chapters in preparation for the SCBWI winter conference in NYC. Then I read the fine print of the writer's intensive that said I should only present material that was ready to submit. Ended up presenting a picture book text to an agent and (in a weird twist of fate) my future editor instead.

Daniel and I met up with Steph Su in Philly and then got stuck in Snowmageddon.

February

Daniel and I accepted an offer of representation from Foundry agent Stephen Barbara.

Dystopian February was reduced due to my needing to write four additional chapters of LEVEL 2 by the end of the month.

March

I announced the sale of my first novel LEVEL 2 to Simon & Schuster BFYR. Film rights optioned by CBS Films, Audio rights acquired by Listening Library, and Brazilian rights sold as well. Also, 246 comments on my announcement post is pretty WOW. Thanks for your support, guys!

April

Since LEVEL 2 sold on a 9 chapter partial manuscript, I spent all of April writing. The blog kinda suffered.

We attended the wedding of good friends Chris and Vicky in Cordoba, Spain. I've never seen so much meat in my life.

May

On Friday, May 20th, I typed "The End" on my first draft of LEVEL 2.

I attended BEA in NYC. It was a whirlwind of bookish activities: publisher previews and parties, lunch with my editor and agent, lunch with my audio book editor, musical hotel rooms (I stayed nights with my critique partner Ann, Michelle of Galleysmith, the Forever Young Adult girls and an epic author/blogger slumber party at the home of Leila Sales), dinner with the Agave gang, fried chicken with Chelsy & The Book Smugglers, lunch with Adriana Trigiani and book bloggers, drinks with AS King and Natalie Standiford, the Book Blogger Convention (where I was on a panel), The Teen Author Carnival (where I moderated the debut author panel), meeting and hanging out with new and old friends, and much more. There was so much going on, I was barely on the BEA show floor. But I did get a few books in the end.

Vania took my author photo! I posted the finalists on the blog, and you all helped me choose.

Daniel and I flew to South America to visit Argentina and Uruguay. I recapped our trip to Iguazu Falls.

June

Daniel's second book, TEACH YOUR BUFFALO TO PLAY DRUMS, released.

I joined the Apocalypsies (group of debut authors in 2012) and the group blog Brave New Words.

July

LEVEL 2 sold to Usborne in the UK.

I participated in Nerds Heart YA for the 3rd year in a row. This time I judged the semi-finals, where Dark Water by Laura McNeal defeated A Love Story Starring my Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner.

August

Daniel and I fulfilled our years long dream of selling a joint picture book. CHICK-O-SAURUS REX will come out with Simon & Schuster BFYR in Spring 2013. Add to Goodreads.

I staged the biggest Dystopian August ever with 24 book reviews, 20 giveaways, 29 author interviews and more.

September

LEVEL 2 sold Turkish rights. Also Australian/New Zealand rights went to Allen & Unwin.

Presenting Lenore won Best Author Interviews for the 2nd year in a row during Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

I spent some time in the US to attend the wedding of friends Philipp and Anna in CT, met a bunch of Apocalypsies as well as hung out with my DC book blogger buddies. Went to a Fleet Foxes concert in Tulsa, OK.

October

I attended the Frankfurt Book Fair.

I finished the second draft of LEVEL 2.

Our cat Emmy swallowed a button and we spent over 1000 Euro at the vet for a surgery to save her life.

Went to Tori Amos concerts in Luxembourg (2nd row), Hamburg (2nd row), Berlin (2nd row), Frankfurt (5th row) and Essen (2nd row).

November

Visited the Usborne offices in London. Went to Tori Amos concerts in London (6th row and 1st row) and Manchester (2nd row) where I met up with book bloggers Carla and Ana.

Got LEVEL 2 revisions and line edits from my editor. Turned in revision (3rd draft) on November 21st.

Wrote a post about whether I should continue reviewing books on my blog. Lots of good advice in the comment section!

Kicked off my new Apocalypsies Love feature with a review of Miranda Kenneally's CATCHING JORDAN.

December

After getting feedback from beta readers, turned in an updated draft of LEVEL 2 to editor.

Joined the group blog League of Extraordinary Writers.

Wrote a letter to 20-something me as a guest post for The Reclusive Bibliophile.

Met up with fellow Apocalypsies Veronica Rossi (UNDER THE NEVER SKY) and Tamara Ireland Stone (TIME BETWEEN US) in Oakland, CA. Visited friends and family in OH, CA, TX and KS.

Went to Tori Amos concerts in Oakland (8th row), Austin (6th row) and Dallas (2nd row).

Whew - I hope I didn't miss anything! Here's to hoping 2012 is as successful and fun as 2011.

Books Read in 2012

2012-01-01T17:29:00.005+01:00

Total so far: 7

YA Fiction

Cracked by KM Walton
Ditched by Robin Mellom
Fracture by Megan Miranda
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Non-fiction

Fashion Cats by Takako Iwasa

2011 in Review: Movies and TV

2011-12-31T18:34:00.067+01:00

Even though I don't usually blog about movies or tv, I do like my year end list summaries.

2011 Movies I saw this year

Young Adult
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Captain America (on demand)
Columbiana (on demand)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Horrible Bosses (plane)
Bridesmaids (plane)
Bad Teacher (plane)
X-Men: First Class
Super 8
Tree of Life
Carnage
Water for Elephants (on demand)
Hanna (on demand)
Something Borrowed (plane)
Drive
The Debt (on demand)
Cedar Rapids (plane)

Total of 18 (3 less than last year)

Notable movies I saw in 2011 that were released before 2011

127 Hours
The Social Network
True Grit
Never Let Me Go
Twilight

2011 movies I’d still like to see

Like Crazy
We Need to Talk about Kevin
The Help
Crazy Stupid Love
Meloncholia
Source Code
In Time

TV series I watched in 2011

Germany’s Next Top Model – Season 6
True Blood - Season 3 + 4
Fringe - Season 1
Big Bang Theory - Seasons 1- 4
The Vampire Diaries - Season 1 + 2
Pan Am - Season 1 so far
Revenge - Season 1 so far
Game of Thrones - Season 1
The Walking Dead - Season 1 & Season 2 so far
24 - Season 8

How was your year in movies?

Books Read in 2011

2011-12-31T17:03:00.001+01:00

YA Non-Fiction

The Girl Who Was On Fire ed. by Leah Wilson

Book Crush by Nancy Pearl

Middle Grade Fiction

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray

Sinister Scenes by Paul Bracegirdle

Possum Summer by Jen K. Blom

The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Adult Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction
Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer
Heaven by Lisa Miller
Books on the Craft of Writing
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein
Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

Book Reviews on a Theme: Afterlife Books

2011-12-30T21:06:00.001+01:00

At the tail end of this year, I read a bunch of books with the common theme of being set in the afterlife, so I thought I'd review them all together + give a shout-out to a few others that fit the category.

You might remember that LEVEL 2 is also set in the afterlife, so it was fascinating for me from a writerly point of view to see these other afterlife visions.

EVERLOST by Neal Schusterman (Simon & Schuster, 2006)
My editor at Simon & Schuster sent me this one as an example of excellent world building, and after reading it, I fully agree with her assessment. It's the story of Allie and Nick, two teens who die in a car accident and meet for the first time in Everlost - a place where the souls of some children (and objects) end up if they don't go into the light for some reason. As Allie and Nick try to make sense of their new environment, they meet Mary Hightower (Queen of afterlights), the fearsome monster MacGill, and more colorful characters.

Although there were some ultra depressing thoughts here (souls of some children sink to the center of the Earth and wait, trapped, for the end of time), I loved the creative elements to Everlost and how everything logically came together. Highly recommended! Find out more about EVERLOST at Goodreads. (FTC disclosure: gift)

HERE LIES BRIDGET by Paige Harbison (Harlequin Teen, 2011)
What do you do when the five people you meet in limbo all want you to go to hell? The meanest of the mean girls, Bridget, finds her rule slipping when a new girl shows up at school.

This reminded me of A CHRISTMAS CAROL in that a hugely unlikeable character (I guarantee you will hate Bridget) gets to see how she affects others and may have a chance to change for the better. This one didn't have a lot to say about the afterlife, but was more focused on character revelation. How much you will like this one may depend on if you can stomach Bridget's nastiness and pettiness. Find out more about HERE LIES BRIDGET at Goodreads. (FTC disclosure: review copy)

BETWEEN by Jessica Warman (Bloomsbury, 2011)

Pretty, popular Elizabeth wakes up the morning of her 18th birthday to discover she's dead. She meets Alex, an unpopular teen from school who died before her, and he helps her come to terms with her death and life as well as to find her killer.

Despite guessing the ending of this murder mystery very early on, I still found some of the twists and turns surprising and the story kept me interested. Elizabeth grows on you as a character and even manages to garner a good bit of sympathy. As far as world building, this one sticks close to Earth, and the afterlife rules are fairly standard. Find out more about BETWEEN at Goodreads. (FTC disclosure: bought)

MY BEATING TEENAGE HEART by C.K. Kelly Martin (Random House, 2011)

Though she has no memory, Ashlyn figures that since she has no physical form, she must be dead. Somehow linked to grieving teen Breckon, Ashlyn gradually regains her memories (starting from birth, in chronological order) as she watches him slowly sink into despair.

This is a very raw look at grief and death. Ashlyn witnesses many of Breckon's intimate moments - some of which may make more sensitive readers very uncomfortable (and may make you paranoid that ghosts are watching you shower, etc). I wondered throughout what Ashlyn's connection was to Breckon, and though the reveal was pretty mundane at face value, the implications made the last two chapters especially heartbreaking and powerful. Find out more about MY BEATING TEENAGE HEART at Goodreads. (FTC disclosure: bought)

THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jess Rothenberg (Penguin, 2012)

When Brie dies from a broken heart (literally), she must pass through the five stages of grief with the help of spirit guide Patrick in order to move on.

I'm not going to say a lot about this now because I'll be featuring it on Apocalypsies Love in late January, but WOW. This inventive, imaginative debut took me on an emotional roller coaster of the best kind. Brie is funny, sweet and also seriously frustrating and achingly real. There were so many fun afterlife world building elements here, and though I was never 100% sure of the rules for the D&G (dead and gone), I highly enjoyed the experience. Find out more about TCHOYAM at Goodreads. (FTC disclosure: review copy)

Some other afterlife books I've reviewed:

DEAD RULES by Randy Russell (HarperCollins, 2011)

"On the surface, this is a wickedly funny story of Jana’s obsession interspersed with anecdotes of the other students about their deaths (all very bizarre – involving lawn darts, birds and drunken uncles). But there is so much tragedy underneath the hijinks as Jana is revealed as a terminally lonely soul who doesn’t understand her own worth." Read my entire review. Add DEAD RULES to Goodreads.

THE EVERAFTER by Amy Huntley (HarperCollins, 2009)

"Madison visits seemingly random scenes from her life, but they all fit together like a puzzle to help her (and us) solve the mystery of her death - leading to a surprising and bittersweet ending that really packs a punch." Read my entire review. Add THE EVERAFTER to Goodreads.

THE FETCH by Laura Whitcomb (Houghton Mifflin, 2009)

"Whitcomb’s vision of the afterlife is never completely revealed since these scenes are all through Calder’s eyes and he seems to have missed the official employee memo about a lot of the specifics, such as what exactly hell is, but what we do see is certainly thought provoking." Read my entire review. Add THE FETCH to Goodreads.

Some afterlife books I'm looking forward to reading:

TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (Simon & Schuster, 2012)

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

Add TOUCHING THE SURFACE to Goodreads.

DEVINE INTERVENTION by Martha Brockenbrough (Scholastic, 2012)

Jerome is not the best guardian angel - he lets Heidi drown. Neither realizes that Heidi has only 24 hours before her soul dissolves forever. And that might not be enough time for them to figure out how they were meant to live.

Add DEVINE INTERVENTION to GoodReads

VELVETEEN
(No cover yet)

VELVETEEN by Daniel Marks (Random House, 2012)

Velvet Monroe won’t be “resting in peace” until her killer is either behind bars, catatonic, or 6-feet-under. Somewhere between Beetlejuice and Jennifer’s Body, this dark debut introduces a vibrant and violent new heroine (and hero). Readers will be breathless for more of its quirky blend of horror, humor, and one twisted romance.

Add VELVETEEN to Goodreads

ELSEWHERE by Gabrielle Zevin (FSG, 2005)

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth.

Add ELSEWHERE to Goodreads.

What are you favorite afterlife recommendations?

Apocalysies Love! Starter Pack Giveaway #1

2011-12-29T04:23:00.000+01:00

It's almost 2012 and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book called LEVEL 2 (which now has over 1,000 adds on GoodReads - thank you all)! I have a bunch of books and swag that I'll be giving away over the next week or so, divided into 4 different starter packs so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels.

Starter Pack # 1 includes:

CATCHING JORDAN by Miranda Kenneally (finished paperback)

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi (ARC)

INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows (ARC)

CRACKED by KM Walton (pre-order of hardcover, comes separately)

+ the following swag:
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS (1 signed)

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open US and Canada until Jan 2, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

Best/Most Memorable Reads in 2011 + Giveaway

2011-12-28T09:01:00.000+01:00

I read just over 100 books this year (full list coming soon), which was down from last year's 160, but certainly more than I was expecting to considering I also wrote a novel!

My most memorable read in 2011 was Megan McCafferty's BUMPED - and since Megan sent me an extra signed hardcover of this amazing novel, I'm going to start this post out with a giveaway. Enter here by Dec 31st, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST to win!

Memorable Dystopian Moments
Thanks to two whole dystopian theme months, this was my most read genre. I already pointed out my top 5 2010 faves at The Book Smugglers (you'll have to go over there to see which I picked), but really most of my dystopian reads were awesome.

Most memorable first line

WHEN SHE WOKE by Hilary Jordan starts out: "When she woke, she was red." Perfect first line for this novel. I love it paired with the last line (which I won't spoil here).

Most memorable first chapter

This award goes to Kimberly Derting's THE PLEDGE for her ultra-creepy prologue featuring the most dastardly queen this side of SNOW WHITE.

Most memorable laugh

Last year, Leila Sales’ MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS won this award, and this year it has to go to her PAST PERFECT. And not just because it was the only humorous book I read all year.

Most memorable cry

I haven't reviewed CRACKED by K.M. Walton yet because it comes out in 2012, but this book made me cry multiple times. It's so rare that a book hits me THIS hard emotionally. Wow.

Most memorable couples

June and Day from LEGEND, Jordan and (spoiler!) in CATCHING JORDAN, Juliette and Adam (major chemistry alert!) in SHATTER ME.

Most memorable male leads

Noah in THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, Jondoe in BUMPED, Four in DIVERGENT.

Most memorable locations

I loved Laini Taylor's use of setting in DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. I adored pretty much everything about the novel, but the fascination of locations such as the Prague locale Poison Kitchen and Brimstone's shop where he bought and sold teeth really drew me in.

Most memorable WTF

Definitely the gator scene in THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER.

Most memorable animals

Bundle in Lauren Oliver's LEISEL AND PO. Is he a cat or a dog? Doesn't matter - he's adorable!

Honorable mention: The possum in Jen K. Blom's POSSUM SUMMER.

Most memorable outfit

Lola's Marie Antoinette dress in LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR.

Most memorable scene that gave me chills

There is something that happens near the end of Randy Russell's DEAD RULES that was subtle, but changes an interpretation of a character and his motivation in a big way. It still gives me chills to think about it.

Most memorable scene that gave me chills (in a good way)

I love the scene between Isabel and Cole in FOREVER (Maggie Steifvater) when they're hiding under the counter and he drives his die-cast Mustang up her arm.

Most memorable scare

THE DARK INSIDE by Jeyn Roberts was without a doubt the scariest novel I read this year. Though that hell house in SMALL TOWN SINNERS by Melissa Walker was also super freaky.

Most memorable villain

So, he did do a lot to redeem himself in SINISTER SCENES (the third book in Paul Bracegirdle's JOY OF SPOOKING trilogy), but I've always loved the complexity and moments of unfettered evil glee that Mr. Phipps brought to the equation. I will miss him dearly.

Most memorable cover

Lizzy Bromley designed this gorgeous art for WITHER by Lauren DeStefano. And guess what guys?! Rumor has it that Lizzy Bromley is designing the cover for LEVEL 2 as well. I am deliriously excited about it!!

Most memorable unexpected reveal

The end of VARIANT by Robison Wells. I knew I was in for a big. shocking. twist! But I never saw THAT coming.

Most memorable backlist reads

THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION by Nancy Farmer

EVERLOST by Neal Schusterman

Most time spent on describing chickens

HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I meant to read a classic a month this year, but after spending nearly two weeks reading this one, I abandoned that lofty goal.

What were some of your memorable reading moments in 2011?

Return of Cat Tuesday (57)

2011-12-27T23:49:00.000+01:00

Don't mess with Lu ...

Return of Cat Tuesday (56)

2011-12-20T18:34:00.000+01:00

Kitties are lurking ....

Book Review: Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

2011-12-16T21:02:00.000+01:00

Ari Mitchell has always felt overlooked in the midst of her more beautiful sister and best friend. So when she transfers to a new school and meets a glam classmate who introduces her to her cute cousin, Ari falls for him hard.

Despite what it sounds like, I wouldn’t really classify this as a romance. It’s much more about Ari discovering who she is, and not really liking what she discovers. She doesn’t even meet her love interest until a third of the way through the book, so the beginning of the novel is all about Ari interacting with her friends and family.

What I really loved about this book was how achingly honest it felt. - from the way Ari steals a shirt from her sisters husband so she can breathe in his scent, to the very raw depiction of first love. Even when the narrative veers into decidedly melodramatic overtones late in the book, Ari felt real.

I’m not really sure why this was set in the 1980s (a pet peeve of Kelly J. from Stacked blog), so I had to think of her when I was reading. I guess it sort of added a sense of nostalgia – the kind you feel for a first love – that wouldn’t be there if it were a contemporary setting. So there’s that.

OTHER WORDS FOR LOVE is available now. Find out more about it at the author’s website.

Return of Cat Tuesday (55)

2011-12-13T16:13:00.000+01:00

After the paw holding last week, Kaia got even closer to Emmy and started to give her a bath.

Dear 20-something me ...

2011-12-12T15:57:00.000+01:00

I'm guest posting over at Reclusive Bibliophile today. The idea was to write a letter to my 20-something self, so I just had to ask her why she didn't attempt a book earlier. Well, she kept writing back ... so head on over to check out our conversation about writing, inspiration, and publishing ....

Where my last 40 books came from (13)

2011-12-11T20:05:00.000+01:00

A look at where my last 40 books (read) came from:

80. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - provided by author
79. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - Frankfurt book fair/Bought
78. Wherever You Go by Heather Davis - NetGalley
77. Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough - provided by author
76. You Are My Only by Beth Kephart - NetGalley
75. Everybody Sees the Ants by AS King - provided by author
74. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver - BEA
73. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - LibraryThing ER program
72. Past Perfect by Leila Sales - S&S GalleyGrab
71. Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan - BEA
70. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - BEA/Bought
69. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - Provided by publisher
68. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan - Provided by publisher
67. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky - Amazon Vine
66. Scored by Lauren McLaughlin - Provided by publisher
65. Ashes by Ilsa J Bick - BEA/Bought
64. The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson - BEA
63. Crossed by Ally Condie - BEA
62. The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe - NetGalley
61. Prized by Caragh O'Brien - Provided by publisher
60. Variant by Robison Wells - Trade
59. Eve by Anna Carey - BEA
58. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - BEA
57. House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - Bought
56. Veracity by Laura Bynum - Trade
55. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting - Given to me by my editor
54. The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch - Trade
53. Possession by Elana Johnson - Provided by publisher
52. A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan - NetGalley
51. Legend by Marie Lu - .../Bought
50. Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray - Sent by publisher unsolicited
49. The Predicteds by Christine Seifert - Provided by publisher
48. All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin - BEA
47. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan - Provided by publisher
46. Blood Red Road by Moira Young - S&S GalleyGrab
45. Sinister Scenes by Paul Bracegirdle - Given to me by my agent/Bought
44. Dark Water by Laura McNeal - Bought
43. A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner - Bought
42. Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker - BEA
41. Possum Summer by Jen K. Blom - Bought

Dystopian February Preview

2011-12-07T12:58:00.002+01:00

For all of you who were wondering, YES, Dystopian February is happening.

Also in the "file under good news" department, I have been asked to join The League of Extraordinary Writers (here's my bio over there). Starting next year, I will be posting there 3 times a month and at Brave New Words once a month.

Since I'm also starting to write the sequel to LEVEL 2 (working title: LEVEL 3) in January, I've already started reading dystopian books that I'll feature in February.

Here's what I've read so far:

PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver (sequel to DELIRIUM)

After that killer DELIRIUM ending, I couldn't wait to get my hands on book 2. Oliver presents a dual timeline - one directly after the events of DELIRIUM and one later with Lena established as a spy in New York City. The two timelines compliment each other well, and we are introduced to a whole new set of memorable characters. Can't wait to see Oliver ends the series with REQUIEM (due 2013).

Add PANDEMONIUM to Goodreads.

THE OTHER LIFE by Susanne Winnacker

When Sherry's family runs out of food, Sherry and her father venture out of their bunker to search for more. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is now overrun with Weepers, people infected by a mutated rabies virus. Sherry is saved from certain doom by Joshua and meets up with fellow survivors. Despite the dire circumstances, Sherry longs for vestiges of her Other Life, things such as a good meal, sunbathing and romance. Winnacker's debut is full of action and morbid humor.

Add THE OTHER LIFE to Goodreads.

DARK INSIDE by Jeyn Roberts

Four teens in different parts of the US find themselves on the run from an ancient evil from the Earth's core that causes people to act on their forbidden desire to go on murderous rampages. This book was very unsettling and frakking scary.

Add DARK INSIDE to Goodreads

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

When Aria is kicked out of the Realms for a crime she didn't commit, it's supposed to be a death sentence. But fortunately, she meets Perry, an Outsider that may be able to help her clear her name and find her mother. UTNS is a hard core survival novel with Aria and Perry's fragile relationship as a centerpiece. As someone who had to grow up way too fast, Perry is much more manly than your average teen love interest, which I found fascinating.

Add UNDER THE NEVER SKY to Goodreads

ABOVE by Leah Bobet

Matthew and Ariel live in the tunnels under the city, hidden away from normal people because of their genetic mutations - until their sanctuary is attacked and they are forced to go above. Because Matthew loves Ariel, he tries his best to make her feel safe - no matter the cost. Much of this novel is internal - exploring Matthew's inner struggle as he tries to figure out who he should trust and where his sympathies should lie.

Add ABOVE to Goodreads

GLITCH by Heather Anastasiu (No cover yet)

Cybernetically-enhanced teen Zoe Gray is glitching, and if she's found out by her rigid underground society, she'll be reprogrammed or even deactivated. As she learns to stay hidden and control her developing telekinesis, she discovers other glitchers including two boys that vie for her affections - Adrian, a boy who can dream the future and Max, a shapeshifter. Zoe's journey from naive follower to empowered fighter is exciting, emotional and kick-ass fun.

Add GLITCH to Goodreads

And I have a ton more in store! You can check out my reading list for Dystopian February at Goodreads.

Tell me: What else do you want to see during Dystopian February?

Return of Cat Tuesday (54)

2011-12-06T18:43:00.000+01:00

Doesn't it look like Emmy and Kaia are holding paws? Awww!

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2011-11-30T13:15:00.003+01:00

Today, I kick-off this feature with CATCHING JORDAN, a contemporary YA about a girl quarterback (Jordan Woods) who longs to play college ball, and doesn't want to let anything distract her from that goal - not even a chance for romance with the hot new boy quarterback in town.

So what did I love about CATCHING JORDAN? First of all, Jordan herself. She's a strong character, talented, aching for her famous football player father's affirmation, and very committed to her goals, her teammates, and her family. There's a lot of inherent tension in a girl being the star quarterback of her high school team, but Kenneally raises the stakes with the possibly opposed goals of getting accepted to the Alabama NCAA team and letting loose a bit to pave the way for experiencing first love.

Relationships - between Jordan and hot new guy Ty, her brother, father, girls at school, teammates, and especially best friend (Sam) Henry - are well drawn and believable.

And the football! I'm not a big football fan, but I know the basics. This novel made me want to learn more. It made me want to go back in time and put more effort into my 7th grade football unit. The camaraderie on the team was amazing and sounded like so much fun. Jordan's a lucky girl to have such great friends.

And the romance - did NOT see that coming. It was sweet and satisfying in the best possible way - and totally left me wanting more. (An aside: sensitive readers might want to note that there's mention of casual sex - this is a high school football team after all!).

Now let's chat with Miranda!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
The scene where Jordan and Henry are forced to get "married' and "raise" an electronic baby for home ec class.

I loved that scene too - it shows the dynamics of the Jordan/Henry relationship so well! How about your favorite line in the book?

"Our first kiss explodes like mixing soda and pop rocks."

YES! That line stood out to me too, because it fits perfectly with Jordan's voice. What setting was most fun to write?

Probably "Joe's All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Shack." I loved how Jordan could never stop playing with the salt and pepper shakers.

It definitely made me very hungry for pasta! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I wouldn't mind writing a prequel about Jordan's older brother, Mike. You know, when he was in high school! Right now I am writing two companion novels to CATCHING JORDAN. Certain characters are in all three books.

That's awesome news! I'm excited to spend more time with these characters. And I do want to know so much more about Mike. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

Seeing my cover for the first time. Or maybe smelling my book for the first time. Is that weird? :)

Not weird at all. As long as it doesn't smell like a football player after a game ;) Thanks Miranda!

*****

Intrigued by CATCHING JORDAN? It comes out tomorrow in paperback. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to GoodReads.

In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I once drank awesome malted chocolate cocktails with Miranda - and I fully hope to do so again.

Return of Cat Tuesday (53)

2011-11-29T17:46:00.000+01:00

Our cats tend to like to be in the same room as we are. So when evening comes and we feel like watching a bit of TV, the cats join us. Most of the time, they're more entertaining than what's on the tube.

On Authors Reviewing Books

2011-11-28T17:15:00.002+01:00

Not every book is for everyone, but every book is for someone.

This mantra is always what’s in the back of my head when I sit down to write a book review. How can I write a review in such a way that the people who are going to love this book will consider reading it (even if I personally didn’t especially like it)? I’ve tried to be honest in a generally positive way. I’ve resisted the snark. I encourage my readers to make up their own minds.

Via my reviewing, I’ve both learned a lot about writing as well as built up a platform with an engaged book-loving audience. But now, I may have to give it up.

You might recall the brouhaha earlier this year concerning aspiring authors vs the YA mafia. Supposedly, the YA mafia had the power to blacklist a writer who dared to write critical reviews. Not only that, mafia members could singlehandedly quash writers’ dreams of ever getting traditionally published.

When I got my book deal this spring, lots of people used me as an example against the myth of the YA mafia, and I didn’t hear much about it on the web after that. My publisher didn’t suggest I should stop reviewing. Most of my fellow bloggers saw no reason for me to quit. For a time, I thought maybe I could do both.

However, over the past few months, I have gotten a lot of conflicting advice from fellow authors about my reviewing:

“Stop reviewing immediately. You have to choose whether you want to be an author or a book reviewer.”

“You write constructive, thoughtful reviews, and if you want to continue, you should.”

“Authors will hold a grudge against you – some already do.”

“It would be a loss for the whole YA community if you gave up book reviewing, but I can totally understand why you would.”

I’ve kind of been agonizing over this. Is there a way to keep reviewing without alienating authors/peers/people I might sit on panels with in the future? What if I only write positive reviews? But if I do that, will I lose my credibility with my audience – readers who expect me to be honest with them? Maybe I should only review books whose authors are dead/technologically illiterate/too famous to care?!

Phoebe North gave me a lot of food for thought in her post On Honest Reviewing. She writes about the "utter subjectiveness of opinion" and that a "good review will be thorough enough that you should be able to get an inkling of where the reviewer’s tastes lie in relation to your own." Many readers (and authors) extol the virtues of a well-reasoned critical review. Beth Revis even said on Twitter that there's a certain reviewer whose tastes run exactly opposite of hers, and she knows if the reviewer pans a book, she'll love it. (And no, it's not me. I asked.)

When I brought up these points with an author friend, she said she agrees that honesty and critical examination of books is 100% necessary - but that it doesn't need to come from me.

One thing is certain. This blog WILL be going through some changes over the next year as I transition to being a published author. You’ll definitely be hearing more about LEVEL 2 and CHICK-O-SAURUS REX. I will continue to interview authors, offer giveaways, join blog tours, and spotlight books (maybe even under the heading of book reviews).

I am also starting a new feature to highlight 2012 debut books from my fellow Apocalypsies. It’s called Apocalypsies Love and both the author and I will let you know what we think there is to love about his/her novel.

Because even if you don’t love everything about a book, there is something to love in every book. Or at least, something that somebody will love.

I'd love to hear what you think about authors reviewing books. Should they do it? Not? Do you as a reader put any stock in a reviewer (author or not) who never has anything critical to say about books? Do you as an author still rate books less than 5 stars - or do you feel the pressure to be publicly positive all the time?

Return of Cat Tuesday (52)

2011-11-22T14:43:00.000+01:00

Daniel's brother Florian (aka Wossi) came over this week and wanted to hug all the cats at once.

Thankful! I have reading time this week!

2011-11-21T22:25:00.000+01:00

I turned in my revision of LEVEL 2 today. So you know what that means? Readathon! Yep, I have a lot of reading to catch up on, and Jenn of Jenn's Bookshelves clued me into the event Thankfully Reading which is happening over the upcoming holiday weekend. Since it has no strict rules ... I am starting now!

Here's what's on my list to read:

CINDER by Marissa Meyer
ABOVE by Leah Bobet
BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood
SCARLET by AC Gaughen
ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons
FEVER by Lauren DeStefano
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda
A BEAUTIFUL DARK by Jocelyn Davies
OTHER WORDS FOR LOVE by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
BETWEEN by Jessica Warman
HERE LIES BRIDGET by Paige Harbison

and way, way more.

Book Review: Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

2011-11-18T09:48:00.000+01:00

Holly doesn't have it easy - not only did her boyfriend Rob recently die in a tragic accident, but she also becomes the caretaker of her grandfather after he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Rob's friend Jason takes a romantic interest in Holly, and just as she starts to open her heart to him, she discovers that Rob's ghost has been communicating with her grandfather.

There is so much about this story set-up I love:
- the totally realistic situation that Holly is forced to grow-up before her time and take charge of her sister and ailing grandfather while her single mother works many jobs to make ends meet
- the socioeconomic divide that conspires to keep Holly and Jason apart
- the sensitive portrayal of an alzheimer's patient (Aldo, Holly's grandfather) and his desire to really be seen
- the confusion and sadness Rob feels as his childhood comes to an end
- the fact that ghost Rob can communicate with Aldo
- Aldo's list of favorites and Jason's desire to recreate them for him as a gift to Holly

Also noteworthy is Davis use of POV. Holly is written in first person, Rob in second and Jason in third. It's a pretty risky narrative choice, but I thought it worked really well.

While this wasn't as romantic as Davis' THE CLEARING (which I adored), it's very open and honest about the realities of life and love.

WHEREVER YOU GO came out this week. Find out more about it at the author's website.

Return of Cat Tuesday (51)

2011-11-15T20:13:00.003+01:00

It's the circle of cats.

Book Review: Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough

2011-11-11T11:55:00.001+01:00

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathy for the Apocalypsies website this week, so I thought I'd point you that way and say a bit more about the book as well.

When Delaney's mother dies, Delaney has to move across the country to live with her dad, a self-help guru who is also a fairy godmother/father. Delaney finds out the f.g. gene is hereditary and starts trying to help new classmate Flynn get what he wants - which turns out to be something much different than what she thinks it is.

My heart went out to Delaney. It's tough dealing with the death of your mother, a big move, and a new school. And then on top of all that to discover a life-changing secret? The girl definitely had reason to be standoffish at the outset. But as the story progresses, and Delaney gets to know her father and her new classmates better, we start to see more of the sweet, gooey center hidden under her tart exterior (she's like a SweeTart!)

DON'T EXPECT MAGIC is primarily a character study, so don't expect magic to play a huge part when you read this (see - the title even warns you!). But if you enjoy stories of transformation and inner growth as well as a good father/daughter relationship, you'll find this very satisfying read.

DON'T EXPECT MAGIC came out his week. Find out more about it at the author's website.

Return of Cat Tuesday (50)

2011-11-08T11:12:00.000+01:00

My, what big paws you have Lu!

All the better catch toys with ...

Harbinger Art Tour

2011-11-03T09:00:00.015+01:00

Follow the Path! Go to www.holbrookacademy.com/sketchbook.php. to find art inspired by HARBINGER by Sara Wilson Etienne. Once you're there, click on the key and enter the username and password to see this week's HARBINGER extra.

I haven't gotten to read HARBINGER yet, but doesn't it look so tempting? This debut novel comes out February 2, 2012. Here's the summary:

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn’t expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she’s going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she’s come home. She’s even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can’t trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her—and the rest of the world too.

And the cover in all its gorgeousness:

Add to GoodReads
Visit the author's website

Return of Cat Tuesday (49)

2011-11-01T19:07:00.000+01:00

Lu likes it when I don't make the bed. Daniel doesn't.

In other news, Emmy got her stitches taken out today so hopefully we won't have to go to the vet again for a long, long time.

Book Review: You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

2011-10-31T11:34:00.000+01:00

20 year old Emmy Rane's baby is kidnapped one day and it tears her life apart. 14 year old Sophie has never had friends or roots because her mother is constantly moving her from town to town. In this novel featuring alternating narratives, Emmy and Sophie both long for freedom.

I got this via NetGalley, so my eGalley is expired - otherwise, this review would be full of excerpts because I adored Beth's writing. I'm not exaggerating when I say I got slightly drunk on her prose. She has such a unique way of looking at the world - describing ordinary things and emotions with such clarity and beauty.

Of the two narratives, I enjoyed Sophie's the most. I loved her tentative interactions with neighbor boy Joey and his aunts, and how her fear of her mother making them move again really upped the tension. I wouldn't call this the most accessible of Beth's novels, but the patient reader will find it richly rewarding.

YOU ARE MY ONLY is available now. Find out more about it at Beth's website.

Return of Cat Tuesday (48)

2011-10-25T20:32:00.000+02:00

Emmy's home with us again after her button removal surgery. Though she's super skinny, she's eating well and cuddling which is encouraging.

My readathon on Saturday was interrupeted by the arrival of my edits for LEVEL TWO (though I did get one book read - YOU ARE MY ONLY by Beth Kephart - which I will post a review for this week).

In any case, the next couple of weeks will be very writing/revising centric as I go through my editor's excellent suggestions for making LEVEL TWO the best book it can be.

That is, if Kaia will ever let me ... ;)

24 Hour Read-a-thon + Emmy eats a button

2011-10-21T22:02:00.000+02:00

So, Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is tomorrow and for once it's not scheduled the weekend of the Frankfurt Book Fair!

I do need to catch up on my reading before going into my revision cave for LEVEL TWO, but I may not get much reading done tomorrow depending on what's going on with my cat Emmy.

For those of you not in my twitter and Facebook loop, Emmy wasn't eating and kept vomiting so we took her to the vet. They did an ultrasound and discovered an inflamed intestine. Today she had surgery and the vet pulled out a button - which was the best case scenario. We're very relieved.

Assuming I do have reading time tomorrow, here's what I hope to get read:

Finish up EVERLOST by Neal Shusterman
YOU ARE MY ONLY by Beth Kephart
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
DARK INSIDE by Jeyn Roberts
FAITHFUL PLACE by Tana French

And I expect I'll be around to cheerlead a bit too.

Return of Cat Tuesday (47)

2011-10-18T14:40:00.000+02:00

Kaia snuggles up with the vacuum cleaner ...

Frankfurt Book Fair 2011 Recap

2011-10-17T13:02:00.001+02:00

The five days of the Frankfurt Book Fair are always a busy time for us, but this year seemed especially full to me. Not only did we have our good friend Wes staying with us Wed-Sat, but we also met up with Lauren Oliver, Ka-Yam and Kathrin, scoped out the fair for Apocalypsies books, showered our foreign agent Hannah with German chocolate, and even had a few business appointments.

This is the year I finally learned what international sales reps do when I met up with Kim from Usborne. She explained to me that her job is to sell copies of books in English - including my book LEVEL TWO - into foreign markets. She told me many territories prefer to buy books that are also being published in the local language, so it helps international sales of your book into a territory if translation rights have been sold into that territory. Also at Usborne, I saw copies of Susanne Winnacker's THE OTHER LIFE (which I am currently reading) and a nice poster of it.

I also got to chat with a sub-rights agent at Penguin as part of an interview I'm doing for the SCBWI bulletin. Sub-rights agents present a publisher's list to foreign publishers hoping to sell rights in other territories. If a US publisher holds World rights to a title, their sub-rights agents handle the foreign rights. However, many times an author will only sell North American or US rights and his/her agency will handle foreign rights. These books usually won't be at a publisher's stand in Frankfurt, even if they are lead titles in the US, and interested foreign publishers will be directed to contact the agency in question about acquiring rights.

Look what books I saw on Penguin's shelf! BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood and finished copies of LEGEND by Marie Lu.

Publishers will often put together rights guides or international highlights brochures in order to give an overview of what titles have sold in which territories already. Here's the selection at Random House, including the Children's titles brochure with Lissa Price's STARTERS on the cover.

HarperCollins doesn't bring galleys of teen titles with them to the fair, but this year they had several electronic boards that displayed a revolving set of covers including upcoming titles like Elizabeth Norris' UNRAVELING.

Bloomsbury did have galleys and I was pleased to see three Apocalypsies (debut authors in 2012) represented: SCARLET by AC Gaughen, THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST by Sarvenaz Tash and BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf.

SourceBooks had DARKER STILL Leanna Renee Hieber and CATCHING JORDAN by Miranda Kenneally front and center.

Kensington Teen featured a poster of A BREATH OF EYRE by Eve Marie Mont and LIVING VIOLET by Jamie Reed among others.

ABOVE by Leah Bobet was the big title at Scholastic, with a light box and galleys.

For the first time, Macmillan was giving away a stacks of galleys of four YA titles: SWITCHED by Amanda Hocking, TEMPEST by Julie Cross, AFTER THE SNOW by S.D. Crockett, and ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin.

At Simon & Schuster, I happened to run into Ellen Hopkins who was in town to attend an awards ceremony. That was a lovely surprise!

I also walked around the German and foreign publisher halls, delighting each time I saw a foreign translation of a YA book. And guys - they were everywhere!

Book Review and Author Interview: AS King discusses Everybody Sees the Ants

2011-10-13T17:56:00.001+02:00

DUST OF 100 DOGS and PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ are two of my all time favorite YA reads, so obviously I was super excited about EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS. Not surprisingly, AS King blew me away yet again - with a teenage male protagonist who is so achingly real, I can't believe he's fictional.

You ache for Lucky. He's bullied, yet still has a positive outlook on life. His parents are at a loss about what to do to help him - which disappoints him but doesn't make him sullen. The situations he finds himself in are often painful, but he finds the humor in them. And his dream connection with his missing POW grandfather somehow helps him come to terms with the powerlessness he feels in his waking life.

Yes, you need to read this book!

Lucky me (and you), I have an interview with Amy today - yay! Let's do it!

I love making playlists for books. What do you see as Lucky's theme song at the beginning of the book vs the middle vs the end?

This book’s soundtrack is Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere. I listened to it almost exclusively during the writing of the first draft. Anyone familiar with that album will see some serious connections. (Can you spot the flower that grows out of the sand?) So, “Crazy” would be the beginning. “St. Elsewhere” would be the middle. Not sure about the end. Since that first draft, I’ve made a soundtrack, though, so I can add some stuff. After that comes to Radiohead songs: “Paranoid Android” and “Karma Police.” After that is Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise.” And some random others: “Ma and Pa” from Fishbone, “Dog Eat Dog” by Adam and the Ants, “Running Away,” “War,” and “Guiltiness” by Bob Marley and the Wailers. I guess of all of these, “Karma Police” fits as the ending song, but only if you see things in a weird way like I do. There is positive in that song that some people might not see.

Also what would all the ants dance to?
I think the ants would dance to just about anything, depending on their mood. Moshing to punk rock and Waltzing to Mozart are all possible. The ants are limitless in most regards.

You always have a magical element in your books - reincarnation, a talking pagoda, dreams which are something more - does your next book continue this motif?
I guess it does. As does the next book—though in almost all of these situations, those magical elements could be in the main character’s head, and not real at all. I don’t mean to do this—it’s just the way my brain works. I’m not a very boxed-in or literal person. I believe that anything is possible because no one has proved to me beyond a reasonable doubt that this is untrue. The next book’s slant on this is a little less surreal, though. I think it’s more of a linear book, which was a real challenge in itself. I decided to go linear to challenge myself. I won’t be doing that again any time soon. (Find out more about ASK THE PASSENGERS here).

I remember from our chat at BEA that you spend a lot of time at the community pool. Do you have anything else in common with EVERYBODY's characters?
I am the vice president of my community pool and Mr. King and I donate a few hundred hours per year to it. I do swim laps like Lori Linderman…but not 200 a day. I do try to swim in lane three if I can. To prove my dedication to lane three, I can show you a picture.

Outside of that, I think being the same age as Lucky’s parents, and having several friends who never had fathers because they were lost in the Vietnam War has made me feel closer to those characters than I normally would feel to them. Also, I love Arizona. I’m writing this interview while I’m in Arizona and I just fall more in love every time I’m here. If the kids weren’t in school up in PA, I’d move here.

You know I have to ask you for an embarrassing picture from your youth ...

Oh man. Okay. Look. This is me at 14 or 15. I am rocking a white angora beret. And that bangs-over-the-eye look. It was a toss up between this picture or the one of me with the plaid pants and the Barry Manilow album from my 8th birthday, but this won. I was SO SERIOUS here. Because I was SO COOL, Lenore. Can’t you just feel the cool?

I can! Thanks Amy!

Check out the previous stops on the tour at Amy's website.

Book Review: Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane

2011-10-12T18:04:00.000+02:00

You know I love picture books - especially monster picture books - so I was so excited to get a copy of LITTLE GOBLINS TEN, written by Pamela Jane and illustrated by Jane Manning.

With Halloween around the corner, many of you might be looking for new "spooky" books to celebrate the holiday, and LITTLE GOBLINS TEN is a solid choice. I prefer my rhyming halloween tales to be more absurdist and quirky (think THE GASHLYCRUMB TINIES by Edward Gorey), but GOBLINS is sweet and fun in a non-cloying way.

Here's an excerpt:

Over in the forest
By the graveyard gate
Lived a bony father skeleton
And his little skellies eight
"Rattle!" said the father;
"We rattle," said the eight.
So they rattled and they ran
By the graveyard gate.

Catch your interest? You're in luck! I have one hardcover copy to give away to a lucky reader in the US. Just fill out this form by Oct 17th at 11:59 pm CST. For more information about the book, see the author's website.

Return of Cat Tuesday (46)

2011-10-11T11:47:00.001+02:00

I took out a drawer to make it easier for me to organize my socks, and look who all had to squeeze in and take its place ...

Book Review: Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

2011-10-10T07:50:00.002+02:00

After the death of her father, Liesl is locked in the attic by her evil stepmother. There she makes the acquaintance of Po, a ghost who helps her escape. Meanwhile, Will pines for the girl he always sees in the attic window when he's out at night making deliveries for the alchemist. When a box of ashes gets mixed up with a box of powerful magic, adventure awaits.

This is the kind of middle grade novel I love - where plot and character threads come together to make a satisfying whole. Thanks to the pitch perfect voice (which is so different from Oliver's YA writing) and many imaginative touches, LIESL AND PO feels very much like a modern classic in the vein of HOLES. It's definitely one that I'll be recommending widely.

LIESL AND PO is available in hardcover now. Find out more about it on the official website.

My Apocalypsies Tour (Sept 2011)

2011-10-07T17:34:00.000+02:00

I spent most of my September in the US - going to a wedding, visiting family and visiting friends. I also got the chance to meet a bunch of Apocalpsies - YA and MG authors debuting in 2012, like I am.

In Boston, I got to meet MA and NH Apocs: (l-r in picture below) AC Gaughen, author of SCARLET, Gina Damico, author of CROAK, Hilary Weisman Graham, author of REUNITED, Lauren Morrill, author of MEANT TO BE, Diana Renn, author of TOKYO HEIST, me, Gina Rosati, author of AURACLE and Kathryn Burak, author of HOW PEOPLE DISAPPEAR (not pictured). The restaurant was Zocalo Cocina Mexicana - and it was divine. The best shrimp ceviche I've ever had.

In Kansas City, I met Genn Albin, author of CREWEL. We dined at J. Alexander on steak and an entire head of broccoli steamed in butter.

And in DC, I got to meet Jessica Spotswood, author of BORN WICKED, and Miranda Kenneally, author of CATCHING JORDAN, who took me to the most amazing chocolate themed restaurant in Metro Center called Co. Co. Sala. Like, seriously, if you love chocolate, you must make it your life mission to go there. Chocolate cocktails!!

Looking forward to meeting even more Apocalypsies in the future. Thanks for showing me a great time, ladies!

Return of Cat Tuesday (45)

2011-10-05T11:35:00.000+02:00

Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. Here's Lu - just hanging out!

Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-10-03T19:21:00.000+02:00

Lola lives in San Francisco with her two dads and a dog named Heavens to Betsy. She loves where she lives except for one thing: the twins next door could move back at anytime. See, Lola has a painful past with Cricket - a boy she crushed on who broke her heart - so when his family moves back in, Lola tries not to care (after all, she has a boyfriend now). But will she once again fall for the boy next door?

With its quirky characters and fun set pieces, LOLA gave me the sugar high I was craving when I picked up the book. I really enjoyed getting to know Lola and Cricket, and rooting for them to overcome the roadblocks to their romantic attraction.

One of the things which defines Lola is her habit of dressing up in crazy fun outfits, and the way Perkins described them made me want to dig out my old Babysitter Club books and compare Lola's clothes to Claudia Kishi's. Of course, I don't think Claudia ever wore anything as fab as Lola's Marie Antoinette dress!

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR is out now. Find out more at the author's website.

Book Review: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

2011-09-30T19:57:00.000+02:00

Chelsea has worked at Essex Historical Colonial Village for pretty much her whole life, so when she finds out that ex-boyfriend Ezra is working there this summer too, she feels like her turf is being invaded. Which it is – by the Colonials’ rivals across the street – Civil War re-enactors in the annual war between the two. When Chelsea finds herself falling for the enemy – and she knows it can never work because they are from different times – she realizes she has a lot to learn about love and loyalty.

PAST PERFECT is the perfect read if you’re looking for something quirky, clever and effortlessly funny. But it’s not just the highly original premise and comedy that works so well here – it is also the depth of observation Author Leila Sales offers about relationships and how we tend to be ruthlessly revisionist in the creation of our own histories.

PAST PERFECT comes out next Tuesday on Oct 4th. Find out more about it at the author’s website.

Book Club Report: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

2011-09-29T15:08:00.000+02:00

This was a special "travel" edition book club for me! I knew I was going to be in DC last weekend, so my DC buddies and fellow bloggers Michelle, Swapna and Jennifer met at Michelle's to discuss GLOW.

Short Summary: Even though she's only 15, Waverly figures she'll marry Kieran - sooner rather than later. See, they're on one of two spaceships traveling towards a new home planet and children are an essential part of the mission. But when the other spaceship makes contact after years apart, Waverly learns some shocking secrets and hard truths about the crews. Who can she trust? Who can anyone trust?

The Group's Verdict: We all enjoyed this one. It was fun both to read and discuss, and its themes reminded me a lot of the Battlestar Galactica reboot. Waverly's chapters were more creepy and extreme, and what she goes through in book 1 is certainly going to affect her actions going forward into the sequel. We really liked that there were no clear cut heroes and villains in the story, and even the reader never knows who to trust. It has a dystopian vibe to it, definitely, though it's more of a sci-fi thriller than anything. I'll be interested to see where the next books take us.

Return of Cat Tuesday (44)

2011-09-27T18:09:00.001+02:00

It's a cat party in the shower ... until the water turns on.

Author Interview: Laini Taylor discusses Daughter of Smoke and Bone + Giveaway!

2011-09-26T17:37:00.000+02:00

Laini Taylor's DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE comes out tomorrow, but since I am flying back to Germany tomorrow morning, I am going out tonight to hunt down a finished copy. Because I LOVED this novel. (Read my review) And I need to have it on my shelf.

Today I am so thrilled to welcome Laini to the blog for an interview. Let's get started, shall we?

One of my favorite parts of DAUGHTER was that Karou could travel the world via portals. If you were granted three round trips via the portals, where would you go and why?

I want a portal like Brimstone’s! It’s tricky to narrow it down, but a couple of mentions in the book really are my own: to step over to India to buy mangoes? Yes, please. I joke that I am going to go on a mango world tour, and it’s not really a joke at all. Here is leg 1 of the tour:

(A typical dinner for Jim and me in Chiapas, Mexico; note also cream cake and beer).

Between mangoes and India, which is prime a travel dream of mine, that tops the list.

I also envy Karou’s shopping sprees to the Paris flea markets, so that’s an easy one.

The last one, though … Last wishes must always be the hardest. Of all the places in the world … it would be somewhere beachy, I think. One of those perfect travel magazine beaches. Ooh, I know: Bora Bora, because it is so expensive to travel there (I’ve --ahem-- looked into it, longingly). Could my portal round-trip be a package deal and include an over-water bungalow for a week, please? ☺

Done! Speaking of international locations, what made you choose Prague as a primary location for the story? Was it easier or harder to write than the fantasy world part of the novel?

I first visited Prague in 1996, taking a night train across Germany from Amsterdam. I don’t remember what sparked my interest in the first place, but that trip settled it: I’ve seen a lot of cities, and I think Prague is the most beautiful, and on top of that, it’s got this awesome aura of strange.

It’s all Gothic and Baroque, domes and towers, on the side of dark and brooding, but with marionettes everywhere—that was such an unexpected bonus. I love marionettes! The golem is from Prague; mystics communed with angels here and alchemists strove to turn lead into gold—and were put to death for failure; and then there’s the Astronomical Clock. After it was finished, the clockmaker’s eyes were stabbed out so he could never make a better one. It’s that kind of stabbiness that makes Prague more than beautiful. It’s kind of creepy, in the best possible way.

My husband Jim and I went back in 2005 to research a graphic novel we were planning out, and we rented an apartment behind Tyn Church for nine days and basically spent the time “hunting vampires,” figuring out where we thought they would live and congregate and hunt, and where humans might hide from them. We ended up not doing that book, but the city was in my head just waiting for a story, and it made Karou’s perfect home.

For me, exotic settings are pure wish fulfillment. In Karou, I was imagining a life that I would have loved, as a teen—and now—to climb inside of. Prague and art school are only the beginning.
It’s definitely easier to take a real place that already has such a wonderful vibe of mystery and exaggerate it than it is to create an entire world from scratch. With Prague, I had the benefit of centuries of real history, artistry, war, mythology. The pleasure was in adding my own layer to what is really there: Poison Kitchen, the Art Lyceum, Mustache Bar, Zuzana’s puppet show, the vampire tours. I wish they were real. (Lenore's note: So do I!!)

There in fact are ghost tours, which were my inspiration for Kaz’s line of work. Jim and I went on one our first night in Prague and it was the perfect introduction to the city.

When I chose Marrakesh as a setting, unlike Prague, I had not been there. I was just jonesing to go, and after the edits were done: I did!

Here is a glimpse of the crowds in the Jemaa el-Fna, one of the book's central locations. It is here that Karou first glimpses ... you know who.

Karou's friends think her drawings of her chimera family come from her imagination. What fantasy things do you wish were real?

Ooh, I’ll take a portal, please. Also: wishes.

[quick explanation: The character Brimstone in the book is sometimes called “The Wishmonger” because in his trade with humans, he pays in wishes. They have their own denominations, the lowest being a scuppy, the highest a bruxis, but the cost of a bruxis is such that a person could only ever have one in a lifetime. Gavriels are the most powerful practical wish.]

Scuppies and shings for the little things—I want Karou’s hair situation!—and gavriels for the real stuff.
I would also like for dragons to exist, please. In the wild, like tigers, and with reclusive habits, so that one might go on a dragon safari in, say, Borneo, and hope to glimpse one. One *might* even come across an abandoned egg and hatch it and raise it. I would want mine to be not too big, but big enough to ride, and with a really good temperament. Like a snake, it wouldn’t have to eat all the time, because that could present some problems. Not that I've thought about this before ...

Also, I’ve said before that I would be first in line for wing graft surgery, but that’s a fib. I’m still waiting to make sure Lasik is safe! Ha ha. And anyway, as cool as it would be to have wings—so beautiful!—it would cut down on sleeping positions and I’d have to learn how to sew to alter all my tops and jackets. Best I guess to just have flight a la Superman, without the wings. Hm. Now I'm torn. Wings or no wings?

A particular fantasy creation I would love to have made real is Philip Pullman’s daemons. That is one of my favorite fictional creations of all time. I think my daemon would be a fox—not because it’s an especially good fit for my personality, but because I like foxes and would love to have one perch on my shoulder. (Lenore's note: SWEET!)

(I think my daemon wants in.)

I adore the stories in LIPS TOUCH. Which character from DAUGHTER do you think would be most tempted by Goblin Fruit?

I would say Karou, because in spite of her strength, she has such a yearning to be loved, to belong. That could make her vulnerable. There is this passage about her:

It was hard to imagine feeling that magical tingling sensation [butterflies] in the pit of her belly any time soon. Best not to worry about it, she thought. She didn’t need it. Well. She didn’t want to need it. Yearning for love made her feel like a cat that was always twining around ankles meowing pet me, pet me, look at me, love me.
Better to be the cat gazing coolly down from a high wall, its expression inscrutable. The cat that shunned petting, that needed no one. Why couldn’t she be that cat?
Be that cat!!! she wrote, drawing it into the corner of her page, cool and aloof.
Karou wished she could be the kind of girl who was complete unto herself, comfortable in solitude, serene. But she wasn’t. She was lonely, and she feared the missingness within her as if it might expand and … cancel her. She craved a presence beside her, solid …

That’s really drawn from my own conflicted psyche at that age. I had an image in my mind of strong girls and women who were aloof and not attention-seeking, who strode through life with heads high, not concerned with who might be watching, and I admired that so much. I tried to affect it, but it never felt genuine, and also, in this twisted way, that very aloofness and “unneediness” was calculated to attract desire! Like Kizzy and Karou, I did crave recognition. If I could go back in time and whisper something in my own young ear, something that would really get through, it might be along the lines of Be that cat.
If young women could discover and create themselves without concern for boys, it would be wonderful—they can, of course, and do, but budding sexuality is a very powerful force, and goblin fruit is a very powerful temptation!

That passage really speaks to my teen self too! In fact, I pulled that last part of the quote for my review! So, last question: I know it's really, really early, but I am dying to read the DAUGHTER sequel. Can you give us a one or two word tease to tide us over?

Hmmm. Yes. I can give you two words:

Dust and starlight.

:-)

Ack! Must read NOW! Thanks Laini!

Thank you Lenore!!! Great questions.

For more about DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, check these resources:

Official website: daughterofsmokeandbone.com
Laini's site, www.lainitaylor.com, and Twitter feed, @lainitaylor

GoodReads book page

Next stop on the tour is The Story Siren tomorrow!

Giveaway!

I have one finished copy, donated and shipped by the publisher, for a reader in the US. Fill out this form by October 4, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST for your chance to win!

Cover Reveal for Hilary Graham's Reunited

2011-09-22T20:11:00.001+02:00

I have the great pleasure of premiering the cover for Hilary Graham's upcoming novel REUNITED. Not only is Hilary a fellow Apocaylpsie, she and I share the same editor at Simon & Schuster and we've gotten to hang out at Book Blogger Con and in Boston just recently. But I am seriously excited for this novel for other reasons too: A) there's a road trip! B) to see a rock band! C) the rock band is called Level3 (how cool is THAT?!) D) I am so into contemporary YA right now E) it just sounds awesome.

Here's the synopsis:

Coming from Simon & Schuster - June 12, 2012

1 Concert
2,000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends

Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.

Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3.

But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.

Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.

Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van know as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there.

But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?

And here's the cover!

Add REUNITED to your GoodReads wishlist

A bit about Hilary Graham:

Hilary Weisman Graham is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist.She lives in rural New Hampshire with her husband and son, roughly thirty minutes away from the nearest grocery store.

Website: http://www.hilarygraham.com
Blog: http://hilarywgraham.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HilaryWeismanGraham
Twitter: @HilaryGraham

Return of Cat Tuesday (43)

2011-09-20T16:47:00.000+02:00

Emmy's not too happy that Kaia is in her spot.

But I guess she'll get over it.

BBAW: What Book Blogging Means to Me

2011-09-17T06:07:00.001+02:00

I've been pretty absent during BBAW because this week has been packed with barely a minute to breathe, let alone blog. But I did want to at least write a few paragraphs during Book Blogger Appreciation Week about what blogging and book bloggers have meant to me.

First, book blogging has encouraged me to read more and more widely. I've always had eclectic taste in books, but fellow bloggers have encouraged and challenged me to read books I never would have picked up on my own. (Nerds Heart YA is a great example of this.) Though Presenting Lenore is known for being a YA book blog, pre-book blogging I mostly read literary fiction and classics.

Second, book blogging YA was the basis for my writing a YA novel and delving into the world of publishing. So much about the way the writing and deal came about is due to book blogging. Reading and analyzing hundreds of YA novels was a stellar education, and the relationships I developed as a result of blogging have been so important in my journey to publication.

The people I've met are the best part of book blogging. So many authors, agent, editors, marketing and publicity people, booksellers and of course fellow book bloggers. Some have come to me (Liviania, Beth S., Linda Gerber) and others* have invited me into their homes or met me out somewhere in their city or nearby: Michelle, Swapna, Jennifer L., Deborah and Diana Peterfreund in DC, Jamie in Princeton, Steph Su in Philadelphia, Nicole B., Chelsy, Lauren Oliver, Leila Sales, Bennett Madison, AS King, and tons more in NYC, Jenny and Sarah (FYA) and PJ Hoover in Austin, TX, Gail, Erica and a bunch of Apocalypsies in the Boston area, Trish, Pam, Laura and more in the San Francisco bay area, Amy in LA, Gennifer Albin in Kansas City, Melissa in Wichita, and tons and tons of authors and bloggers at my three years of BEA and two years of BBC. (Yes, Kathy, that includes you - though I hope to get to SC one of these days). It's so rewarding and fun to be able to meet up with others in our virtual community in real life - all over the world.

Thank you!

*It's late at night as I write this, so if I've somehow totally failed to mention our meeting, please remind me and forgive me.

Mara Madness Tour & Review of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2011-09-15T18:34:00.001+02:00

So let me set the scene for you. It's pre-BEA in NYC this past May and I'm moderating a panel at the Teen Author Carnival featuring debut authors. Michelle Hodkin is on the panel. She reads an excerpt from MARA DYER. I'm captivated from word one. The voice! The language! The serious hotness of Noah Shaw!!

I immediately knew, out of all the books I picked up at BEA, I was going to read MARA DYER first.

Right after BEA, Daniel and I went to Argentina, and I read MARA DYER on the ferry ride over to Uruguay. This book rocked my world. It's atmospheric, thrilling, believable despite the paranormal happenings, and it features my favorite YA boy of the year: Noah Shaw. (He's up there with Peeta on my all time list, so you know that means something.)

There's a murky scene near the end featuring alligators that caused a bit of twitter uproar a while back that we like to call #gatorgate - and in honor of #gatorgate, I wore my MARA DYER t-shirt to the Nuremburg Zoo and got this photo with a gator. (Actually a caiman ... but shhh don't tell!)

I am so, so excited about getting a copy of the MARA DYER hardcover and rereading the book so I can hang out with Mara (NOAH) again. If you want a chance at winning a free *signed* hardcover, why not join the Mara Madness scavenger hunt? Each blog on the tour (21 stops) has a clue. The clues will be letters that spell out an important line from the book. Even if you haven't read the book you should be able to piece it together! The last day to solve the clue and enter for cool prizes is Sept 30th.

You can find the full tour schedule here. That way you can get all the clues. Once you have the line from the book figured out you can go here to enter the giveaway. And here is my clue:

Good news!

2011-09-14T01:22:00.000+02:00

Lots of good news to share today.

First of all, I am so thankful to everyone who voted for Presenting Lenore for Book Blogger Appreciation Week's Best Author Interviews award. How thrilling to win this two years in a row! I do have an interview set up with Laini Taylor at the end of the month, but perhaps I should think about doing some more? Again - thank you! I'm so glad you all enjoy my chats with authors.

Secondly, I am finally allowed to announce more good LEVEL TWO news: Rights have been picked up for Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin!! The team there is amazing and I can't wait to share LEVEL TWO with all of you down under. As far as I know, this will be happening end of 2012, but I'll let you know if anything changes.

Return of Cat Tuesday (42)

2011-09-13T15:42:00.000+02:00

Earlier this month, the shelves in one of our IKEA bookshelves collapsed. Daniel reinforced them with corner supports, and the cats made sure they were sturdy:

LEVEL TWO sells Turkish rights

2011-09-07T20:15:00.001+02:00

Way back when I was in Argentina in June, I got some exciting news: Dogan Egmont wanted to buy Turkish rights to LEVEL TWO!

Now that all the papers are signed and boxes checked, I can finally announce the news. I don't have word yet on exactly when it will come out, but I'll let you know when I do.

I looked up a way to say something cool in Turkish to end this post, but it seems pretty complicated and I don't want to mangle it. So, I'll offer my standard: Yay!

Return of Cat Tuesday (41)

2011-09-06T21:45:00.001+02:00

The cats are back! Did you miss them?

Looks like Emmy wants to make sure we don't leave her behind ...

BBAW 2011

2011-09-06T09:35:00.003+02:00

Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) is coming up Sept 12-16! As usual, I will be traveling that week and won't get to participate as much as I'd like to.

I am, however, thrilled to share that Presenting Lenore was shortlisted again this year for a BBAW award in the category Best Author Interviews!

In case you're interested, I submitted the following interviews for judging:
Anastasia Hopcus discusses SHADOW HILLS
Megan McCafferty discusses BUMPED
CJ Redwine previews DEFIANCE

Also on the shortlist are:
Relz Reviewz
Stacked
There’s a Book
Unabridged Chick

I also appreciate those who nominated me in the category Best YA Book Blog. After much consideration, I decided to decline my nomination in that category as I am now in that fuzzy place between book blogger and published author.

But the shortlist makes me all kinds of happy:

Young Adult Book Blog
Forever Young Adult
Galleysmith
I Swim for Oceans
Pure Imagination
The Book Vixen

Congrats to everyone on their nominations!

Dystopian August Wrap-Up

2011-09-05T23:01:00.003+02:00

It's arrived - the last post of Dystopian August. 4 1/2 weeks of dystopian and post-apocalyptic content including 24 book reviews, 29 author interviews, 20 separate giveaways, and more. I hope you enjoyed it as much I did!

Of the 24 books I reviewed, 2 got 5 Zombie Chickens and are new favorites:
LEGEND by Marie Lu (coming Nov 2011)
HOUSE OF THE SCORPION by Nancy Farmer.

1 book just narrowly missed a 5 rating because it had the most trauma-inducing cliffhanger since THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO, and that was Ilsa Bick's ASHES.

Highly recommended books with 4 Zombie Chickens were:
BLOOD RED ROAD by Moira Young
ALL THESE THINGS WE'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin
A LONG, LONG SLEEP by Anna Sheehan
THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting (Coming Nov 2011)
PRIZED by Caragh O'Brien (Coming Nov 2011)
THE FOX INHERITANCE by Mary E. Pearson
WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan (Coming Oct 2011)
INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows (Coming Jan 2012)

Miss something? Check out my weekly recaps!

Click for a recap of week one!
Click for a recap of week two!
Click for a recap of week three!
Click for a recap of week four!

Here's a quick recap of week 5:

Veronica Rossi previews UNDER THE NEVER SKY(HarperCollins/January 3, 2012)

Lenore Appelhans previews LEVEL TWO (Simon & Schuster BFYR/Fall 2012)

Review of WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan (4 Zombie Chickens/Highly Recommended)

Review of INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows (4 Zombie Chickens/Highly Recommended)

Preview of 2012 Dystopian Sequels

WINNERS!

ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons

Erin L from GA

Mary Pearson prize pack incl. JENNA FOX & FOX INHERITANCE

Kelly R from NS, Canada

CROSSED by Ally Condie

Christina S from PA

Justine W from MA

Mallorie C from MI

Kara M from SC

Susan O from GA

A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis

Stephanie A from WA

Donna S from MO

Leigh Ann K from OH

Allyson A from FL

Deborah K from VA

WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan

Kristi S from CA

Dianne M from FL

Andi M from TX

ESCAPE FROM FURNACE series 1-3

Tiffany D from NH

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

Mary M from CA

Simon & Schuster Prize Packs incl. 7 books!

Christina of Reader of Fictions

Emily of Brave New Shelf

Congrats to all!

Additional resources

Can't get enough dystopian? Check out these other resources:

Is it a dystopia? Fun flow chart at Author Erin Bowman's blog

Author Robison Wells (VARIANT) dystopia blog series

Join the dystopian challenge at Books Ahoy (Running until June 2012)

A brand new blog: The Intergalactic Academy - focusing on YA sci-fi including dystopian

Recap of Dystopian Domination blog event (May 2011) at Amaterasu Reads

Brave New Words - 2012 sci-fi/dystopian debut author group blog

The League of Extraordinary Writers - 2011 sci-fi/dystopian debut author group blog

Redecorating Middle Earth's ultimate list of YA dystopians of the past 50 years

Dystopian Divas blog

Dystopian Desserts blog

Know of any others? Let me know in the comments!

The Future of Dystopian August

Many readers have asked if I will continue my dystopian theme months in February and August. As of right now, Dystopian February is still on, but I'll have to see where I am writing-wise when the time comes. I have a ton of dystopian reads I didn't get to this month, so I may even have week-long reprises throughout the year. Let's see. I'd also love it of course if you let me know what features you enjoyed and would like to see again. Thank you to everyone who made this month such a success, especially my author guests, Michelle of Galleysmith for our entertaining book discussions - and everyone who linked up their reviews, posted about DA on your blogs, tweeted, commented and cheered.

Long live the Zombie Chicken!

Or maybe not ...

2011-09-03T09:50:00.000+02:00

So I had planned on reading and reviewing at least three more books this week (you should see my still-to-be-read dystopian pile - it's epic!) but ... it turns out I didn't have as much reading time as I had hoped. I'm heading to the US next week and there's so much I need to accomplish beforehand.

BUT - you still have until the end of today to add your review links for a chance to win one of the two big prize packs. And there's still a bunch of open contests to enter last minute.

I'll be back tomorrow with the wrap-up. I'm sad to see Dystopian August end, how about you?

Upcoming Dystopia + Index of Dystopian Preview Author Interviews

2011-09-01T13:09:00.001+02:00

There are so many exciting books coming out in 2012/13 and during Dystopian August 2011, we got a sneak peek of 29 of them via preview interviews with their authors. Just check out this list (click on book name to read preview)! This is a post you'll want to bookmark for future reference - at the end of this post, I also added Publisher's Marketplace announcements for upcoming books not included in the interview series.

PREVIEW INTERVIEWS

Veronica Rossi previews UNDER THE NEVER SKY (HarperCollins/January 3, 2012)

Megan Crewe previews THE WAY WE FALL (Hyperion/Jan 2012)

Jodi Meadows previews INCARNATE (HarperCollins/January 31, 2012)

Julianna Baggott previews PURE (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette/Feb 8, 2012)

Kristen Simmons previews ARTICLE 5 (Tor/February 14, 2012)

Susanne Winnacker previews THE OTHER LIFE (Usborne/Feb 2012 & Marshall Cavendish/May 2012)

Lissa Price previews STARTERS (Random House/March 13, 2012)

Kate Messner previews EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/March 2012)

Leah Bobet previews ABOVE (Scholastic/April 2012)

Jennifer Bosworth previews STRUCK (FSG/Spring 2012)

John Claude Bemis previews THE PRINCE WHO FELL FROM THE SKY (Random House/Spring 2012)

Heather Anastasiu previews GLITCH (St Martins/Spring 2012)

Jay Kristoff previews STORMDANCER (St. Martins Press/US Tor/UK Spring 2012)

Alexandra Bracken previews BLACK IS THE COLOR (Hyperion/June 2012)

Diana Peterfreund previews FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS (Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins/Summer 2012)

Kiera Cass previews THE SELECTION (HarperCollins/Summer 2012)

Demitria Lunetta previews IN THE AFTER (HarperTeen/Summer 2012)

Lenore Appelhans previews LEVEL TWO (Simon & Schuster BFYR/Fall 2012)

Antony John previews ELEMENTALS (Penguin/Fall 2012)

Bethany Griffin previews MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (HarperCollins/2012)

CJ Redwine previews DEFIANCE (HarperCollins/2012)

Catherine Knutsson previews SHADOWS CAST BY STARS (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster/2012)

Kassy Taylor previews ASHES OF TWILIGHT (St. Martins Press/2012)

Sarah Crossan previews BREATHE (HarperCollins/2012)

JA Souders previews RENEGADE (Tor/2012)

Claire Merle previews THE GLIMPSE (Faber & Faber UK/2012)

Suzanne Young previews THE PROGRAM (Simon & Schuster/2013)

Erin Bowman previews THE LAICOS PROJECT (HarperCollins/2013)

Jordana Frankel previews THE WARD (HarperCollins/2013)

OTHER UPCOMING NOVELS

Peter Lerangis's PERFECT, in which a boy is rescued by a rogue gang and joins a battle against agents of a world society where population is out of control and resources are dwindling; the only hope is a cure to the ultimate plague - human perfection. Egmont/Spring 2012

S.D. Crockett’s AFTER THE SNOW, in which a boy born into a world where the oceans have stopped working and is thus covered in ice and snow must leave the wilderness to search for his missing family. Feiwel and Friends/March 2012

Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan's THE YOUNG COUNTRY, a post-apocalyptic Western set in the near future, where disease and pollution dictate that no one lives past their teens. HarperCollins

C. Alexander London's debut PROXY, about two boys from opposite ends of a society where the poor are paid to take punishments for the rich, and the conspiracy which engulfs them both. Penguin

DARK LIFE author Kat Falls's THE FETCH, a dystopian romance trilogy set in a future where the U.S. has been divided by a wall separating the civilized West from the disease-ravaged East - now called the Savage Zone - in which a 16-year-old must leave everyone she loves behind to enter the frightening Savage Zone, where she meets a mysterious boy who's not all that he seems to be. Scholastic/Fall 2012

Sara Grant's HALF LIVES, a dystopian chronicle of the journeys of two unlikely heroes in their race against time to save future generations. Little Brown/Fall 2012

Chris Howard's debut THE TREE CATCHER, a smart futuristic Huck Finn about a teen who builds trees out of scrap metal for rich patrons until a mysterious girl shows him a polaroid of the legendary last trees on earth, and he sets out in a deadly race against time to find them in this upside down old-west, post-apocalyptic, gypsy-rasta world of killers, pirates, poachers, and opportunists.

Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam's ELUSION, pitched as an "Inception"-type futuristic thriller series about three teenagers attempting to solve a mystery with serious personal stakes that leads them inside an alternate reality game that transports users to dangerously seductive Utopian world, and ETHERWORLD.

Josin L. McQuein's debut ARCLIGHT, a science fiction/dystiopian thriller, where a parasitic race is driving humanity to the point of extinction, and no one who leaves the last safe enclave ever returns until one teenage girl, a stranger, stumbles out of the Dark. HarperCollins

Bethany Pinnell's STUNG, in which government attempts to save endangered bees by genetic modification causes their sting to induce deadly, flu-like symptoms in humans, and a vaccine created in response changes children into ferocious, killer beasts; the uninfected have built a wall to keep the beasts out, and a girl has awakened on the wrong side.

Karen Thompson’s Walker’s THE AGE OF MIRACLES, in which a girl comes of age during a geological disaster after a massive earthquake knocks Earth off its axis, slowing the passage of time. 2012

Book Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

2011-08-31T12:01:00.001+02:00

In a world where all other inhabitants have been reincarnated over and over again for thousands of years, Ana is a new soul (or as her heartless mother Li likes to say, a “No soul”). Once she hits 18, she sets out for Heart to find answers about the origins of her existence. She’s not exactly greeted with open arms: Residents of Heart believe she threatens their survival, though she does make an ally in Sam.

INCARNATE is a utopia – that is if you disregard the sylphs and dragons that go on regular killing sprees through Heart. Sam also believes that society has stagnated (and society thinks he’s too unfocused – trying out new projects every life). People fear change and though that makes most people fear Ana, Sam welcomes the inspiration and renewal she promises.

It’s not the easiest thing to make a romance between a 5000 year old and teen believable, but Meadows more than hits the mark here. I also really liked the exploration of the concept of gender neutrality. In a world where a soul might be reincarnated in the body of a man or a woman, love and friendships persist no matter what skin the people are in.

The world building is inventive and made my imagination run wild. I can’t wait to see what Meadows has in store for the rest of the trilogy!

INCARNATE comes out January 31, 2012. Find out more about it at the author’s website. Also, read her Dystopian August preview interview.

Zombie Chickens say: Something refreshingly different and exquisitely thoughtful. Highly recommended.

Song for the Ultimate Dystopian Playlist: Like a Virgin by Madonna. Sample lyric: “I made it through the wilderness” (lol - couldn’t resist!)

See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore

Author Interview: Lenore Appelhans previews Level Two

2011-08-31T00:01:00.011+02:00

For my spotlight on upcoming dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction series, I interviewed over 20 authors with novels coming out in the genre in 2012/13. These are exclusive first looks at exciting new works. Enjoy!

After interviewing everyone else, now it’s my turn to answer my own questions! My debut LEVEL TWO is set for Fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!

Here’s the teaser summary:

In Level Two, the liminal place between our world (Level One) and heaven, Seventeen-year-old Felicia Ward spends her days in her pod reliving her favorite memories - until she gets broken out by Julian, a boy she knew when she was still alive. There’s about to be an uprising in Level Two, and Julian wants to recruit her to the cause. But unsure whether she can trust Julian, and still in love with her boyfriend Neil on Earth, she finds herself torn between two loves—and two worlds.

And the interview:

Why do you think people are drawn to “dark” stories?
I’m so intimidated to answer this question after the amazingly eloquent responses of my guests this month! I most enjoy stories where there is a great deal of character growth during the course of the narrative, and nothing tests character and spurs personal growth like the darker times in life. I find survival stories so inspiring – they make me think about what really matters.

If LEVEL TWO had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I have a whole playlist, but the song I listen to the most when I want to get in the LEVEL TWO mood is Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National. Whenever it comes on, I always tell Daniel “That’s the theme song to LEVEL TWO!” and he scoffs that it has nothing to do with my book. But oh, it does, on so many levels. After you read it, let’s discuss!

What fictional character from another book would Felicia chose as her best friend and why?
Well, here’s the thing ... part of Felicia’s problem is that because of the nomadic nature of her upbringing, she unconsciously sees friendships as ephemeral and fleeting. She’s someone who has a certain trepidation about forming bonds with people and everything that entails. Any best friend of hers needs to be very patient and loyal – someone like Peeta from THE HUNGER GAMES.

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?
Now that I have to answer this question myself, I see how cruel it is! If you look at the list of dystopian lit I’ve read, you’ll see it’s over 100 books by now. So how to narrow it down? How about I go for most influential?

1984 by George Orwell because it still shocks me every time I read it.

UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld because it got me hooked on YA and YA dystopias in particular.

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins because I’ve never been so caught up in a book before that I literally could not (for anything) put it down. Also? #teambookpeeta

THE ASK AND THE ANSWER by Patrick Ness because it’s so complex, layered and philosophical but still so kick-ass. It may be the only time in the history of the universe that I’ve loved the middle book of a trilogy most of all (though I love the other two Chaos Walking books too).

And then for the 5th spot, I’m afraid I have to go with a 6 way tie **evil laugh** of the following books because they’re creative, inspiring and just plain entertaining:

DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver (for the passion)
BUMPED by Megan McCafferty (for the intricate world building & Jondoe)
WITHER by Lauren DeStefano (for the atmosphere)
LEGEND by Marie Lu (for dystopian lit's premiere power couple)
ELLA MINNOW PEA by Mark Dunn (for its sheer inventiveness)
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro (for ripping apart my soul)

(Do you like how I went for a gender balance there?)

What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends?
Find whatever it is that will keep the world from ending and be the savior of mankind ;)

And if that fails – read all the books from the authors I featured in this interview series. I definitely want to have them in my memory edition collection in the afterlife.

How does your book stand out from others in the genre?
When I had the idea for LEVEL TWO and started working out the plot and themes, I was so excited because it felt to me like a very fresh spin on my favorite genre. I hope I’ve done justice to the dystopian afterlife thriller subgenre.

One of my favorite things about it is how Felicia is able to relive her memories of her life on Earth in order to help her make sense of the very stark and mysterious place that she's ended up.

Thanks me!

Follow me on twitter @lenoreva (and say hi so I'll be sure to follow you back!)

Add LEVEL TWO to GoodReads

Become a follower of the group blog Brave New Words (I post twice a month about writing)

Upcoming 2012 Dystopian Fiction Sequels + Giveaway

2011-08-30T12:20:00.001+02:00

A lot of the dystopian lit coming out these days is in the form of series books, usually trilogies, but sometimes even longer (6 books? Michael Grant? Really?).

And it can be FUN to follow a series, but it can also be frustrating to have to wait so long between books.

Which ones I am inpatiently waiting for?

I loved Lauren Oliver's DELIRIUM (read my review), so I'd drop everything to read PANDEMONIUM (add to GoodReads). Harper Teen/March 6, 2012

Lauren DeStefano's WITHER (read my review) was lush and melancholy, and I'm excited to find out where Rhine goes next in FEVER (add to GoodReads). Simon & Schuster BFYR/Feb 21, 2012

Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, an intriguing murder mystery in space, continues Amy and Elder's journey in A MILLION SUNS (add to GoodReads). Razorbill Penguin/Jan 10, 2012.

Loved the Africa setting of Michael Kinch's THE BLENDING TIME and look forward to more in THE FIRES OF NEW SUN (add to GoodReads) Flux/Jan 2012

Sequels without covers yet:

Ann Aguirre's OUTPOST, the continuation of Deuce & Fade's adventures from ENCLAVE. (MacMillan/Sept 2012)

Veronica Roth's INSURGENT, the second in the trilogy that began with DIVERGENT. (HarperCollins/April 28, 2012)

Paolo Bacigalupi's THE DROWNED CITIES, follow-up to SHIP BREAKER. (Little Brown/May 2012)

Megan McCafferty's THUMPED, the companion book to one of my very favorite reads this year BUMPED. (HarperCollins/2012)

And obviously, I am also excited for the 2012 sequels to books I reviewed this month including:

LEGEND by Marie Lu

ASHES by Ilsa J Bick

ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi

BLOOD RED ROAD by Moira Young

I think I'm hooked on series ... Which sequels are you dying for?

If you answered A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis, then do I have a treat for you! I have 5 ARCs up for grabs for readers in the US and Canada. For your chance to win, simply fill out this form by Sept 3, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST.