Category: Books

2009 Reading Challenge

wwii

Because I’m not just about the writing.

I’ve decided to do the War Through the Generations Reading Challenge: World War II. My goal is five books, but I hope to read more. I’ll update as I go. So far, on the list:

  • Skeletons At The Feast
  • Tamar
  • Women of Valor
  • The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

That’s four, but there are some terrific books on the reading list here. You can join at any time during the year, but to be entered in the giveaways (oh, giveaways; I love giveaways), you need to sign up before January 31st.

Happy reading!

Raiders of the lost ARC and other book news

Look at what I have:

arcs

I’ve been sitting on these for a while (well, not literally, that would be uncomfortable). I wanted to surprise my mom with a copy, which meant pretty much not telling anyone else I had one (or rather, two). We don’t have enough to give out right now, but soon, I’m sure. We’ll get some more, launch our Geek Girl website, and give away some ARCs.

Oh, and our other big news? Our release date has been moved up to May 19th. So that whole Geek Girl website? Yeah. We know. We need to get it out there.

In January, I’m taking M.J. Rose’s Buzz Your Book class. I’m also participating in JaNo, which is sort of like NaNo (National Novel Writing Month), only it’s not in November, or national, plus you don’t need to write a complete novel, just aim for 50,000 words.

And yes, I will be working on Dating on the Dork Side. Told you I had dibs on that. Look for updates over at the JaNo site.

Now all I have to do is write the book

So, I was cruising around Amazon the other day, looking for YA books and other things to add to my wish list when I came across Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.

I have to tell you, I was totally excited. I thought, hey maybe we should contact the author about doing a little cross-promotion. Now, you’re probably wondering why I’d think that about a vampire book. Well, at first glance, I didn’t see a vampire book. I saw this:

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dork Side

Sad, but true. Although I still think that would fit into the Geek Girl milieu. (Bet you didn’t know there was a Geek Girl milieu; I didn’t either until I wrote that sentence.)

So. No cross-promo op there. (Still, it sounds like a fun book and the cover is gorgeous.)

That being said, I’m mulling over Dating of the Dork Side as an idea. So, I totally have dibs on it.

But it got me thinking about funny (and long) titles for books that may or may not exist (yet). The other title I came up with was:

I Suck: Memoir of a Teenage Vampire (or How I Took a Bite out of the Varsity Football Team, Bled the Student Council Dry, and Got the Girl)

I have dibs on this on this as well. I’m totally writing it someday. After I finish that Millionaire Boss’s Amnesic Virgin’s Secret Baby book I’m planning to write.

Anyone else have a title? Extra points if you can include, in no particular order: zombies, secret babies, vampires, secret vampire babies, memory loss, memory loss involving werewolves, zombie cheerleaders, vampiric millionaire bosses.

Looking for John Green

John Green, author of the young adult novels An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska, and the soon to be released Paper Towns was here in Minnesota.

Not only was here here in Minnesota, but here at our local library today, about the same time Kyra had a birthday party to attend. Here’s how it went.

Andrew and I dropped Kyra off at the party, which was being held at one of those inflatable jump places. This was a new place that opened up right across the road from an already established inflatable jump place. So, if you venture into this part of town, all your jumping needs are pretty much taken care of.

We made it back to the library with about ten minutes to spare. We wandered into the teen section where we met up with some very excited girls who were also looking for John Green. Turned out he was scheduled for the meeting room on the first floor, so we all headed down there.

I stood in line to buy some books to be autographed. The big surprise? Penguin sent a bunch of his soon-to-be-released book, Paper Towns, for the signing. Oh, sure. Some people might have an advance reader copy, but we have the real thing, and it’s signed.

Anyway, we lucked out and got our books right before John started to speak. He read from Paper Towns and then spoke, then took questions. Oh, and he did his happy dance. But with the last question, it was time to pick up Kyra. I loaded down Andrew with our books. He was nervous and told me to hurry.

I raced out. On the drive, I realized I should’ve told him to give up his #50 spot in the book signing (yes, they were handing out numbers) and just stand at the back of the line. I so wanted to get a picture of John signing a book for Andrew. Instead, when Kyra and I returned to the library, Andrew was waiting outside, books in hand.

We went back in anyway. Kyra wanted books she could read herself and Andrew wanted a snack. We ate, then ventured down to the meeting room. John was still there with just the library staff. I explained how I missed the signing and could I please get a picture of Andrew and John together?

Well, I could:

It’s clear: John is made of awesome. In this photo, Andrew is also made of awesome, but with a dash of ‘tude thrown in.

John is incredibly gracious, so it’s no surprise that he let us take the photo. The real surprise? Minutes prior, Andrew inhaled two hot dogs, each with about six packets of ketchup. While wearing a white shirt. But dude, check it: not a single stain.

Whew.

Oh, and Darcy? Look what’s coming your way this week.

Welcome to the jungle …

Last night we went to Andrew’s Jr. High (yes, our district has Jr. High, not middle school) orientation and open house. Guess how long we were there. No. Go on. Guess.

Three hours. Ach, Mein Gott, as Andrew would say (he’s practicing for German class).

Actually, though, it went really well. I was impressed with all his teachers and some seem simply stellar. I think teaching Jr. High (or middle school, if you insist) must be a special calling. Andrew mentioned after the school visit last spring that all the teachers were funny.

And they are! I think they must channel their inner stand-up comedian.

Andrew also noted that the ninth graders were “practically huge!”

And they are! They’re channeling their inner Hulks.

We visited each classroom, in order, for A days and B days (they have four classes a day, 88 minutes each, and switch between two schedules). As we sat in the Reading classroom, I told Andrew that this was a class I wanted to take.

The teacher had posters on the wall with things that said, Setting, and Point of View, and so on. They get to do a multimedia presentation on the genre of their choice. On our way out, Andrew asked if we should tell the teacher about my book. I said it was up to him. His school, he could decide whether he wanted people to know.

Andrew to teacher: My mom’s a published author.

(Yes, he said it just like that. Can you believe it?)

It was crowded and we had to get to the next classroom, but I gave the teacher a quick rundown of Geek Girl’s Guide status.

Teacher: I must have you in. Will you come in? The kids love this sort of thing. Let me write down your name. I’ll email you.

I said great. Three seconds later, I was all GAK!

Still, it’s a pretty neat opportunity.

Now, if I can just locate my inner stand-up comedian.

All We Know of Love

On Tuesday, August 26, Nora Raleigh Baskin’s YA novel All We Know of Love comes out.

I was fortunate enough to have Nora as a teacher for two children’s book writing classes last summer. Nora teaches at Gotham Writers’ Workshop and if you’re inclined to write children’s fiction (from picture book to YA), look into taking a class with her. She is absolutely terrific.

For those of you who have never attended a writing class or workshop, it can sometimes be very difficult to find the heart of someone’s story if they’re just starting out (either with writing or that particular story). Nora has this talent. I marveled at her feedback to the other students. It was spot-on every time. So, of course, I listened when she gave me feedback on MacKenna’s story.

Anyway, she’s published several middle grade books, but All We Know of Loveis her first YA. It sounds terrific and I’ve already pre-ordered it. And look at the quote she got:

“A poignant, daring tale about love. . . . I hesitate to use the word ‘healing,’ because it has so often been misused, but this adventurous tale truly deserves that description.” ~ Anita Shreve, best-selling author of THE PILOT’S WIFE

Dude! Anita Shreve. Sweet.

And, for your viewing enjoyment, the book trailer:

Take a YA vacation

Not going anywhere this summer? Need a good summer read? Have I got the books for you:

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes

Here’s the deal: Aunt Peg, the New York artist and the person Ginny Blackstone depended on to make her life interesting, took off to Europe without a word three years ago. Aside from a few postcards, Ginny hasn’t heard much. Then she gets a horrible phone call that changes everything.

But the story is only beginning. Soon after, Ginny receives one little blue envelope from Aunt Peg containing a thousand dollars and some very strange instructions…

Maureen really captures what it’s like to be young, American, and in Europe–exciting, scary, and lonely.

Girl at Sea

This is the summer Clio has waited for her whole life. School is out. She’s gotten a great job. And she’s just met the guy of her dreams. Things could not be better.

It’s about time something remotely normal happened to her. Named after the muse of history, quasi-famous at eleven for making a board game with her father, touring the world in questionable style at twelve… it’s been an odd journey so far. Some of it sounds good on paper. Lots of things sound good on paper. It doesn’t mean they actually are…

Another travel story, only this time, mostly on a boat–with jellyfish (well, technically, the jellyfish aren’t on the boat). Anyway, this books is nominated for a Rita this year (and how excited am I that the YA category received enough entries to be viable–very).

Suite Scarlett

The Hopewell Hotel is small Art Deco “jewelbox” in New York City. The hotel has a grand past, but a somewhat dusty and broken present, with pigeons breaking into the rooms, chandeliers with more cobweb than glass, and constantly exploding toilets. Guests are rare, but it does have one constant set of inhabitants… the Martin family.

Scarlett Marin is the third of the four Martins. Scarlett is fifteen, blonde, and broke. Her friends are gone for the summer. And she’s got this one curl that exists just to stab her in the eye and blind her. Welcome to her life…

No traveling for the main character this time, but home is in New York, in a hotel, so it’s like a vacation for you. This one is the start of a series. Maureen did a great job bringing the story to a conclusion while still leaving enough threads open for the sequel.

* * *

As for me, I’ve been pondering my wardrobe dilemma. The recommended conference wear is “business casual.” Okay, I work for a software company. Most days, I wear jeans and my Chuck Taylors to work. Any business casual I might own is several years old–and looks it.

I do have some cute capris I can wear that I can dress up with some cute jackets. Thing is, I hate sandals. I never get pedicures (yeah, I know, you’re surprised). I don’t want to pack extra shoes, so I’m thinking …. I’m thinking … of just wearing the Chucks. Anyone asks, I’ll tell them I got a foot condition.

Actually, I’ll tell them I hate sandals and see no point in ruining my feet.

Winning on Mother’s Day

Thanks to Random.org, I was able to draw a number without assistance from the smaller members of the household (who are still asleep). The winner of Oh. My. Gods.by Tera Lynn Childs is:

Marianne!

Hooray, Marianne! The book will wing its way to you ASAP.

In Mother’s Day news, yesterday Andrew and Bob sneaked off to Target under the guise of going to GameStop. This morning, I am the proud owner of what may be a metric ton of chocolate. Seriously. I have enough chocolate, all sitting in a very nice (faux) leather magazine rack/tote to last until next Mother’s Day.

Plus, a funny homemade card from Andrew. Plus, I know Belgium waffles are in my future (new waffle maker “hiding” in the kitchen, a bottle of maple syrup, and so on). Andrew so wanted me to sleep in this morning (I think so he can provide breakfast in bed), but everyone else gets up so late. I tried to explain that the early morning quiet is like a Mother’s Day gift.

Maybe I’ll sneak back to bed. Just this once.