Sometimes the best gifts really are free:
Ha! Do you love it? It’s in my size, too.
YA Book Nerd’s Best Books of 2009 (scroll down to the category Girls with Brains).
Bookworming in the 21st Century’s review of Geek Girl.
Well, I’m off to cash in some of those gift certificates. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday. Here’s to a happy 2010!
Every year the technical writers sponsor a silent/not-so-silent auction to support Second Harvest Heartland. One year, I put together a booklover’s gift basket. This year, I put together a basket featuring Debs books:
You can’t see all the books (although I love the way the eyes peek out from over the edge and from behind the pillow), but included in the basket are:
The basket created a lot of interest. Even though I made a printout of all the books w/descriptions, every time I walked by, the basket was in disarray from people picking up the books, looking at the books, not returning the books neatly to their spot, and so on.
High bid was $150.00! When the auctioneer announced that all the books were signed, there was an audible gasp from the crowd. Of course, no donation could touch the four Taylor Swift tickets our CEO donated. In all, we made about $7,500, all of it going to Second Harvest Heartland.
Debs = made of awesome.
Things I learned at my book signing:
Most important, I learned that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be to talk to people and that I’d do this again in a heartbeat.
You Are Upbeat |
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You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart. Optimistic and caring, you tend to see the best in people. You tend to be always smiling – and making others smile.You are shy and intelligent… and a very hard worker. You’re also funny, but many people don’t see your funny side. Your subtle dry humor leaves your close friends in stitches. |
Today’s the day. The Hopkins West and North Jr. High Book Fair. Are we excited? Yes, we are. Are we ready? We think so:
I think the only thing I can do now is smile a lot. Wish me luck! If I get any good pictures, I’ll post them here in the next few days.
The Debs are everywhere this holiday season!
As you can see, Darcy is working overtime on December 5th in Chicago. I guess I will be too, since I’ll be signing–and volunteering–at the fundraising book fair for Andrew’s Jr. High. You know what that means, don’t you (other than the fact I have ample opportunity to embarrass my offspring)?
Not only will I sign your copy of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading, but I will wrap it for you. (Because I’m also scheduled to work the gift wrapping table, if you haven’t already guessed.)
Hope to see you there!
And for more information on Debs signings this holiday season, check out the link below.
December 5th, Holidaze with the Debs:
1-3 p.m.
Borders
161 N. Weber Road
Bolingbrook, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin
7-9 p.m.
The Book Cellar, Inc.
4736-38 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin
December 5th, First annual Hopkins West Jr. High Book Fair:
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.
Barnes and Noble Ridgehaven Mall
13131 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Jordyn over at Ten Cent Notes has put together two playlists based on 2009 debut novels.
A:
B:
And between now and the 15th, you can win one of these playlists–all for a comment. So, hurry on over.
I’m pretty psyched Geek Girl is on both playlists. I think Mario Kart Love Song must be Darcy’s contribution (either that, or I was contributing in another dimension–cuz I don’t remember suggesting that song).
The Reason by Hoobastank is my contribution, and it’s the song I associated with Geek Girl’s Guide. Well, that and it’s fun to say Hoobastank. Go on. Try it.
Anyway, Geek Girl never had a full playlist. There’s a few songs that I when I hear them, I’ll think of Geek Girl, but The Reason is the song. Every time it came on the radio, I’d take that as a good omen: it meant: I should write/revise/query and so on.
So … enjoy. And be sure to enter Jordyn’s contest.
So today I discovered that VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) reviewed The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading. It’s a terrific review with a terrific pull quote:
This novel is contemporary, laugh-outloud funny, and positive.
I’m going to point you to the Barnes & Noble website for the rest, since 1) I’m not sure I have permission to reprint the review here, and 2) it contains some mild-ish plot spoilers. You’ve been warned.
In other bookish news, the 2009 Cybils awards are now taking nominations. Anyone may nominate a children’s, middle grade, or young adult book (fiction or nonfiction) published between Oct. 16, 2008 and midnight, Oct. 15th, 2009. I’ve already nominated Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith (review forthcoming, I promise). If you’ve read some kid lit this year that you feel passionate about, head on over and make a nomination.
2009 Deb Danielle Joseph could use everyone’s help. Shrinking Violet is about an extremely shy high school senior trying to find her voice and reach her dream of becoming a DJ, despite the obstacles that stand in her way.
The book is about to go on back order and in order for more copies to be printed, more people have to place orders for the book.
Read more about Shrinking Violet:
High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T to everyone’s shock, she’s a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest, and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize, Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare. . . .
Want to help? Here’s what you can do:
Please tell anyone that you think might be interested to place an order now before it’s too late. Guys, girls, grandmas. grandpas, you’re never too old to read humorous teen fiction!
Can’t afford to buy another book? You can still help. Check to see if your school and/or public library carries a copy of Shrinking Violet. If not, request it! (A lot of the time, you can even do this online). Write a review and post it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads.
Danielle also running a contest for those that want to have some fun! There will be four winners, each receiving a $25 gift certificate to iTunes or the bookstore of their choice. For all the information on what to do, head on over to Danielle’s blog.
So this morning I am officially the mom of a teenager. And I’m wondering: how the heck did that happen. Plus, my teenager happens to be heading to camp. Yes, on his birthday. But I don’t think he minds. In fact, I think it’s a pretty cool birthday present.
In other milestone news, someone has some teeth issues:
All she wants for her birthday is her two front teeth. Do you like the artistic nature of the picture? It’s from Chuck E. Cheese. Ha!
And at long last I have joined the dark side e-readers. For my birthday (we’re a mid to late summer birthday family), I got a Kindle. Do I love it? Yes, yes I do. It’s actually very easy on the eyes. (I mean to read, but it’s also a nice looking device as well.) I’ve noticed a few formatting glitches, but that doesn’t really bother me. The true downside?
It’s far, far too easy to buy books.
I’m posting this picture simply because I find it amusing. This is what happens when “the boys” go shopping together. Clearly, Andrew is in pain.
So, it was the last day of school on Friday. Miss B and I debated what to give her teacher. Andrew suggested I give her a copy of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading. I thought that would be … I don’t know, weird? Ego-centric. We went with a gift card from Barnes and Noble.
As luck would have it, we met Miss B’s teacher in the hall as we walked into school. Kyra gave her the present and the drawing she’d made. Her teacher seemed very pleased and said, “Now I can go buy some books!”
Kyra said, “Even my mommy’s book.”
Ha. So no matter what I do, my kids are still determined to be my publicist.
Writing Wrongs 