Book Reviews from Reading It All...

Get Your Short Story In Front of Major Literary Agents

2011-12-08T22:49:00.001-08:00

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot

Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau

Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust

Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe

Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors

Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.
Building libraries and supporting literacy in Darfuri refugee camps.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions athttp://bookwish.org/contest.

Good luck and best wishes,

Logan Kleinwaks
President, Book Wish Foundation

About Book Wish

Book Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing high-impact reading aid for people in crisis, with a current focus on refugees from Darfur and AIDS orphans in Ghana. We give some of the world's neediest readers the books they wish for, taking requests for specific titles and subjects. This helps ensure the books will be matched to the needs of the readers, and appropriate for their reading level and culture. We typically do not accept generic book donations from the public because they do not match the requests we receive. We do not hold book drives. The books that are most useful in a refugee camp might not be best-sellers in New York.

The populations we aid have very limited resources and are facing immense challenges for the foreseeable future. For them, books can play an especially large role in education, mental health, and job training. We search for the readers who will get the most out of our books because they have so little to begin with.

Maximizing the impact of books also means maximizing the number of readers, so we will provide reading glasses, vision screenings, support for literacy programs, solar-rechargeable lighting where there is no electricity, or any other aid that can effectively increase the audience for our books.

SLJ Trailee Awards Voting Open NOW!

2011-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

NEWS From the School Library Journal:

Make your voice heard by voting for your favorite book trailer. The second annual SLJ Trailee Awards are underway, recognizing the important role book trailers play in promoting books and encouraging reading.

Six judges have narrowed down more than 75 submissions to four finalists in six categories. Check out the amazing trailers here and start voting for your favorites. The deadline for voting is December 16, 2011, 12 PM EST, and the winner will be announced at the American Library Association's midwinter meeting in Dallas, TX, January 20-24.

Enjoy the show!

...if the embedded link above doesn't work:
http://reg.accelacomm.com/servlet/Frs.frs?Script=/LP/51468603/reg&Context=START

Local Book Signing Events - LA & Orange County!

2011-10-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lisa Desrochers, Jeff Marriotte, Gretchen McNeil, Heather
Brewer, Cindy Pon, Inara Scott and Katie Alender at the OCCBF

Check out the top bar on the blog and you will see I have added a new feature!

Click the link that says "OC/LA: Events/Book Signings" - October is filled with places to go and authors to meet!

From the Orange County Children's Book Festival to Becca Fitzpatrick's release of the third book in the Hush Hush series to the "Pen Fatale Tour" and the "Dark Days of Supernatural Tour" and at the end of the month Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl present book number 3½ in The Caster Chronicles with Beautiful Chaos!

...and don't forget you have three opportunities to meet Laini Taylor and pick up an autographed copy of her latest book "Daughter of Smoke & Bone" - this is probably the most eagerly awaited book of the year.

"Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a lush, sweeping, romantic marvel of a book. Taylor's writing is a revelation, masterfully blending an intricate fantasy world into our own, with an artist's flair for exquisite details. Funny, devastating, delightful, unforgettable. Pure storytelling perfection."

Kiersten White, author of the Paranormalcy series

It has received four starred reviews and was recently featured on Entertainment Weekly's "Must List" and a glowing review in the Los Angeles Times. Laini went to high school in Orange County, so it's a bit of a homecoming for her in the midst of her 9-city tour to appear at the below events.

I think I'm going to combine seeing the new Mysterious Galaxy Books location in Redondo Beach with picking up a copy! Hope I run into some of you!!!

Monday, October 24th @ 7:30 PM

MYSTERIOUS GALAXY

2810 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Tuesday, October 25th @ 7:00 PM

BOOK SOUP

8818 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Wednesday, October 26th @ 7:00 PM

BARNES & NOBLE – Bella Terra

7881 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Kindle Started The Fire!!!

2011-09-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

In a press event that was reminiscent of some of the best Apple launches from Steve Jobs...comes the KINDLE FIRE!!!

Today - Media Mogul, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon launched the much talked about Kindle Fire!!! ...and may I say that from my point of view...the buzz didn't come close!!! THIS THING ROCKS!!!

Expected to give the iPad some competition (I know I will own a Kindle Fire before I would buy an iPad!!!) it seems the only thing this tablet doesn't do is centered around the camera - it doesn't have one. But I never understood the need for a camera...my phone has a great one! I will certainly trade a camera for Amazon's vast Media Resources...and Cloud Storage!

So - this is what it DOES have:

Stunning Color Touchscreen

Movies, magazines and children's books come alive on a 7" vibrant color touchscreen that delivers 16 million colors in high resolution. Kindle Fire uses IPS (in-plane switching) technology - similar technology to that used on the iPad - for an extra-wide viewing angle, perfect for sharing your screen with others.

Magazines in Rich Color

Enjoy your favorite magazines with glossy, full-color layouts, photographs and illustrations. Choose from hundreds of titles, such as Bon Appetit, Elle, and Oprah. Special editions of titles likeVanity Fair, Wired, and GQ come with built-in video, audio and other interactive features.

100,000 Movies and TV Shows

Over 100,000 movies and TV shows, including thousands of new releases and your favorite TV shows, are available to stream or download, purchase or rent - all just one tap away. Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, commercial-free streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows.

Ultra-fast web browsing - Amazon Silk

Amazon Silk is a revolutionary, cloud-accelerated browser that uses a "split browser" architecture to leverage the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services cloud. Supports Adobe® Flash® Player.

Free Cloud Storage

Forget about memory - Kindle Fire gives you free storage for all your Amazon digital content in the Amazon Cloud. Your books, movies, music and apps are available instantly to stream or download for free, at a touch of your finger.

Millions of Books

Read bestsellers, children's books, comic books, and cookbooks in vibrant color. The Kindle Store offers over 1 million books, including 800,000 titles at $9.99 or less. In addition, over 2 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are also available such asPride and Prejudice.

...and so much more...see the video, get the full story and reserve your copy for holiday gift giving!!! Santa are you listening? ...just follow this link and reserve mine now!

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

...and are you ready for the clincher? the Amazon Kindle Fire retails for $199

#IMM - In My Mailbox

2011-09-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is a blog meme from The Story Siren - more info at the end of this post or on The Story Siren blog.

You all know that I am the Teen & YA Stage Coordinator for the Orange County Children's Book Festival...well, it's that time again!!!

This year we have planned a Book Giveaway to top all Book Giveaways!!!

At the end of the festival we will giveaway a set of books from each of the authors performing on the stage. Most of the authors are participating and it should be quite a haul...20-25 books!

So, you ask, how do I enter the contest? Easy!!! You will receive an entry for every Author Appearance that you attend at the Teen & YA Stage!

Support your favorite Authors and earn an entry! The more events you attend the more entries you get!

We are just under 2 weeks away and the books are starting to come in...

See anything you might like? like that copy of Beautiful Chaos before it hits the stores?

Come on over to the Teen Stage Blog and check out the Schedule - it is jam packed with Authors presenting and signing from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Teen Stage Blog: http://teensread.posterous.com/

In My Maibox is a blog meme from The Story Siren:

Initially In My Mailbox was something I did myself, but ultimately I thought it would be even better if other bloggers shared in the idea... thus the craziness of IMM was born! In My Mailbox is a great way for bloggers to socialize and network their blogs, it’s also a great way for bloggers to share upcoming releases!

Currently their are around 200 blogs that participate every week. Think you might like to join up?

Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you.
You don't have to call your post In My Mailbox... (some people don't even have mailboxes!)
I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list.
Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

All book bloggers are welcome, while I’d like to keep the theme to YA literature it’s NOT a requirement.

There is no right or wrong way to do In My Mailbox, you can vlog, you can take fun picture, you can use the books cover art, it’s up to you!

Most importantly HAVE FUN!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

2011-09-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!

First - to 1stDaughter - whose There's a Book blog has long been an inspiration....and to the Book Vixen and Story Siren that I have followed from the start...thank you for the meme's and great example you have set for not only me but the book blogger community.

Second to my own "community" of book review bloggers...the SoCal Press Corp. Where would the Orange County Children's Book Festival be without all of you!

This group has grown by leaps & bounds almost doubling in size from the first Teen Stage in 2010 to the stage in October that will host over 25 authors!!! ...and we owe so much to the SoCal bloggers for helping us get the word out!

THANK YOU!!!

#TeaserTuesday - Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

2011-07-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday:

"Bertie rubbed her thumb over the scrimshaw as she peered at him. Another one wearing a mask, though it's as ugly as what lurks underneath. He smirked, sending nasty, oily serpents to pluck at her composure, to push, to goad, to tug at the reins of her temper while the Players looked on."

From "Eyes Like Stars" by Lisa Mantchev

(I chose this book today because it was recommended by one of the FABULOUS people who work at the Brea Borders - we will miss every one of you!)

Teaser Tuesday - "Damned"

2011-07-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Tuesday Teaser Today is from...

Damned (Crusade #2)

by Nancy Holder

and Debbie Viguie'

"Jamie leaped into the room, and suddenly saw everything in ultrasharp focus. A white-haired vampire in jeans and a black sweater sat at a computer terminal. A man in white cammies and a gas mask was standing in front of him."

Yep - those girls who gave you Wicked are at it again! This quote is from the ARC which I got from Simon & Schuster. It drops August 2011 - so you have time to read book one Crusade first !

Teaser Tuesday - "Moonglass"

2011-07-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Tuesday Teaser for today is...

Moonglass

by Jessi Kirby

"Still, every night when I flipped of the living room light, I stood for a minute in our warm living room, starring out the giant window at the dark silhouette of the abandoned cottage, waiting. For something."

_______________________________

Thanks to Jessi Kirby for this stunning debut novel which I received from Simon Pulse.

If you would like the opportunity to meet Jessi in person she will be appearing on the Teen/YA Stage at the Orange County Children's Book Festival on Sunday, October 2nd, taking part in the "Keeping It Real" panel being Moderated by Heidi Kling!

Book Trailer Thursday! Possess by Gretchen McNeil!

2011-07-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Book Trailer Thursdays!

(Book Blog Meme from Quill Cafe!)

Every Thursday we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness of book trailers.

To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.

This week we have... Possess by Gretchen McNeil

If you are in the Southern California Area you can catch Gretchen McNeil LIVE on the Teen & YA Stage at the Orange County Children's Book Festival! This is the largest Children's Book Event in the Country and will take place Sunday, October 2nd at Orange Coast College!

2011-06-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

Prisoners In The Palace:

How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter and a Scoundrel

By Michaela MacColl

My Review from Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summer Read...historical intrigue for teens!

This review is from: Prisoners in the Palace: How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel (Hardcover)

This book was right up my alley...I love Historical Fiction and the Teen/Young Adult genre, but it is few and far between that you find historical fiction written for teens!

Prisoners in the Palace: How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel is almost guaranteed to get your teen interested in history. Just the right amount of the politics of the time, blended with society and the daily lives of children in the pre-Victorian era.

Yes it's a coming of age story but with friendships that transcend station and a young girl's search for the strength it will take to become the woman she is destined to be...even though that woman is the Queen of England! It is a quick read filled with intrigue and that constant "fear of getting caught" tightness that teenagers seem to live for!

Teachers - grab this one it is a great introduction to Pre-Victorian England...

Product Description - from Amazon:

London, 1838. Sixteen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in an accident. Penniless, she accepts the position of lady's maid to young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servant's world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the chance to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future queen?

Meticulously based on newly discovered information, this riveting novel is as rich in historical detail as Catherine, Called Birdy, and as sizzling with intrigue as The Luxe.

About the Author - from Amazon:

Michaela MacColl studied multi-disciplinary history at Vassar College and Yale University, which turns out to be the perfect degree for writing historical fiction. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and three extremely large cats in Connecticut. This is her first book.

Teaser Tuesday - "I'll Be There" and Meeting Holly Goldberg Sloan!

2011-06-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser is from Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut YA Novel "I'll Be There":

"He could see that Emily's brow furrowed. And he wondered if he sounded like a real tool. It felt like he was sounding like a real tool. And now her brow was furrowing. Why was that? She seemed to have some kind of lie detector planted in her forehead."

Meeting with the Author!

A couple weeks ago, Terry (Managing General Partner) of one of my favorite bookstore's, Mysterious Galaxy sent out a notice for a pet project of hers "Ladies, Lunch & Literacy". Basically it is a lite lunch with a fabulous author in an intimate setting (20-30 ppl). Now I have been receiving these notices for quite awhile but since most were in the San Diego area in the neighborhood of their flagship store, I usually couldn't make it.

This announcement was different - first Mysterious Galaxy recently announced they are opening a store in Redondo Beach (much closer for this Orange County Gal). The second deciding factor? Holly Goldberg Sloan...a Debut Young Adult whose career I have been following and whom I had recently booked for the Orange County Children's Book Festival!

So - I headed for the Johnny Rockets in Redondo Beach for a little LLL - the YA version!

I don't want to tell a lot of Holly's stories - and she has a lot - because I want it to be a surprise when you meet her at the Festival...but - this I can divulge:

1. Holly is best known as a Writer, Director, Producer of several popular, family-oriented, films and TV series - including "Made In America", Steve Irwin's Crocodile Hunter, and "Angels in the Outfield".

2. The book title? yep - it is the title of a popular song that Holly uses throughout the book...you'll have to come to the Festival to find out how she got permission to use it! BRILLIANT!

I really hope that Terry and LLL have plans for another YA author - because "I'll Be There"!!!

Photos Courtesy of Terry at Mysterious Galaxy

What's In Your Beach Bag?

2011-06-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

Fabulous new Event and GIVEAWAY! By Jennie at Life is Short - Read Fast (YA) and Kelly at Reading With Martinis (Adult)...Join In The Fun!!!
From Jennie's Blog:
When the weather turns warmer, I tend to read more flirty, fun and fluffy books – something to do with the bounce in my step and sun on my face I guess. Kelly at Reading with Martinis and I are co-hosting a little link-up party to celebrate the warm weather and books we plan to read this summer! And we have goodies to giveaway!!! These goodies up for grabs include Lament and Balled signed by Maggie Stiefvater from her upcoming visit to my local indie store next month! Kelly is handling the adult genre with an ARC of Chevy Stevens’ Never Knowing!

Want to join in? Here's what to do:

Create a post entitled What’s In Your Beach Bag? and tell all or some of what you are looking forward to reading this summer. You can make a simple list of book names, you can include images, you can tell people why you are so stoked about a specific book…whatever you want! Are there so many books in your beach bag that you need to break it into multiple posts? That’s OK, too! Just be sure to link each post. Be creative and have fun with it! That’s the point of What’s In Your Beach Bag – FUN!
Leave a link to the actual What’s In Your Beach Bag post (not your main site, the actual post) in the linky
Check out posts by other people to see what’s in their beach bag!

So head over to Jennie's Blog at Life is Short - Read Fast (YA) OR Kelly's Blog at Reading With Martinis (Adult) to see what they are reading and to enter the Giveaway...well worth a look - hint: autographed copies...

OK - My list of Summer Reads...

Spoiled
by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
(June Release)
16-year-old Molly Dix loves her ordinary life in suburban Indiana, so when her single mother passes away, she is shocked to discover that her biological father is Brick Berlin, world famous movie star and red carpet regular.

Set against the backdrop of a sparkling and fashion-filled Los Angeles, this deliciously dysfunctional family soap opera will satisfy every reader looking for their next lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous beach read.

Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan are fashion writers in Los Angeles California. Their blog www.gofugyourself.com draws an average of four million readers a month, and their dispatches from the front rows of Fashion Week are routinely the most-read stories on New Yorkmagazine's web site. Heather and Jessica have been called "fashion assassins" by Joan Rivers and "a viciously funny duo" by theHollywood Reporter. Spoiled is their first novel for young adults.

Heather & Jessica are among the YA Authors that will be appearing and signing at the Orange County Children's Book Festival, on Sunday, October 2nd!

Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray
(June Release)
The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and complete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eye liner.
What’s a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program – or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan – or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?
Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

Overbite (Insatiable Book #2)
by Meg Cabot
(July Release)

Meena Harper has never rebuffed the love of a god (unless you count the prince of darkness). But she’s always felt as though her gift was a curse, because no one’s ever believed her when she’s told them they were going to die . . . Until now.
Meena’s been asked to work for the Palatine, a powerful secret military unit of the Vatican mandated to guard human beings from demon possession, and to obliterate all demon life forms from the planet. The Guard has recently opened their first division in lower Manhattan, and Meena Harper is their new secret weapon. With her ability to predict how-and sometimes when-the living are going to die, the Palatine finally have an advantage over their undead enemy.
Reporting to Abraham Holtzman, head of Manhattan operations, and partnered with Alaric Wulf, the most accomplished of all demon slayers (who happens to greatly appreciate how Meena looks in a short, black dress), Meena is taking her new job seriously. There’s just one small problem: None of the guards in the Palatine’s Manhattan unit seems to like-or trust-her...Meena can’t understand it.

Possess
by Gretchen McNeil
(August Release)
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.
Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.
Gretchen McNeil is one of the YA Authors that will be appearing and signing at the Orange County Children's Book Festival, on Sunday, October 2nd, see the amazing and chilling trailer on the Teens Read Blog!

Across The Barrier (Frontier Magic Book #2)
by Patricia C. Wrede
(August Release)

From New York Times #1 bestselling author Patricia C. Wrede, the second in the series of magic on the western frontier.

Eff is an unlucky thirteenth child - her twin brother, Lan, is a powerful seventh son of a seventh son. And yet, Eff is the one who saved the day for the settlements west of the Great Barrier. Her unique ways of doing magic and seeing the world, and her fascination with the magical creatures and land in the Great Plains push Eff to work toward joining an expedition heading west. But things are changing on the frontier.

There are new professors of magic for Eff and Lan to learn to work with. There's tension between William and his father. And there are new threats on the frontier and at home. To help, Eff must travel beyond the Barrier, and come to terms with her magical abilities—and those of her brother, to stop the newest threat encroaching on the settlers.

With wit, magic, and a touch of good pioneer sense, Patricia C. Wrede weaves a fantastic tale of the very wild west.

That's my list - it's short because I have SOOOOOO much to catch up on!!! ...and reading to do for the Orange County Book Festival on Sunday, October 2nd, where I wrangle the Teen & YA Authors! So I have to read all their books too!!! BTW - if you are in SoCal or planning a trip and you want to see who we have booked, check out the Teens Read Blog!

Isn't this FUN??? Join In...OR at least get over to Kelly's Blog for the Adult Giveaway or Jennie's Blog if you want in on the YA Giveaway (hint: autographed - wolves)

Teaser Tuesdays: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making!

2011-05-31T16:04:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Quote comes from page 76 of:
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making
by Catherynne M. Valente

"Being careful and clever readers, you must now wonder if your wool-gathering narrator has completely forgotten the jeweled key that so loyally followed September into Fairyland. Not so! But a key's adventuring is of necessity a quieter thing than a girl's, more single-minded and also more fraught with loneliness."

#ArmChairBEA: BUZZ Panels - Tweens & Teens

2011-05-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the great BEA coverage from Publisher's Weekly...

BEA 2011: A BEA First: A Middle-Grade Buzz Panel

There’s a kind of inferiority complex at work in the middle-grade market, which is sometimes perceived as receiving less attention and respect than its YA older sibling (which, in turn, has its own self-esteem issues when compared to the adult publishing world). But while the first-ever Middle-Grade Editors Buzz Panel at BEA wasn’t an SRO affair as were the YA and adult panels, it was still quite full. And more importantly, the five editors on stage confirmed what most devotees already know: middle-grade fiction can have all the action, wonder, and power as books published for older readers.

Moderator Lisa Von Drasek, librarian at New York’s Bank Street College of Education
Books: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann; Wildwood by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis; Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby; The Apothecary by Maile Meloy, illustrated by Ian Schoenherr; and The Dragon’s Tooth by N.D. Wilson.

More...http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/47432-bea-2011-a-bea-first-a-middle-grade-buzz-panel.html

BEA 2011: YA Buzz Panel Rocks Javits

As five editors talked up their favorite YA fall releases to a packed room of about 200 people during Tuesday afternoon’s YA Editor’s Buzz panel at BEA, a few things became clear: these books are what happens when editors want titles that reflect elements of Twilight, The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. This fall, it’s all about multi-layered thrills, chills, adventure, and romance, mixed in with the paranormal.

Moderator: Jack Martin of the New York Public Library

Books: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (Little, Brown); Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber (Houghton Mifflin); Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (HarperCollins); The Unbecoming of Mara Dyerby Michelle Hodkin (Simon & Schuster); and Down the Mysterly Riverby Bill Willingham (Tor).

More: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/47431-bea-2011-ya-buzz-panel-rocks-javits.html

ArmChair BEA: Day One Reports from the Trenches...

2011-05-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

There are some really fabulous reports from the trenches for the School Library Journal coming from:

Susan M. Bartle, Precision Planning Diva of Library & Travel Events, and School Library System Coordinator for the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES

WOW! I am regretting not being able to get to the Children's Book & Author Breakfast:

The Children's Book & Author Breakfast: This was one of the best children's breakfast programs I've attended in the last five years. This year's lineup included Sarah Dessen, Kevin Henkes, Katherine Paterson, and Brian Selznick, and was hosted by actress Julianne Moore.

Also from MediaBistro's Galley Cat:

As the publishing world concluded one last day of bookselling, panel discussions and parties at BookExpo America, GalleyCat continued to cover the conference.

Check out our BEA 2011 Cheat Sheet if you want to explore the conference and parties. Here are some links to our ongoing coverage…

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/bea-2011-return-of-the-galleycat_b31153

ArmChair BEA

2011-05-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

For all those bloggers, reviewers and readers that can't make that trip to NYC!

With all of the perks & benefits of being there - panel discussions, Tweet Ups, Blogger Events, Book Chats, Book Trailers, Introductions and reveals...all from the comfort of your own home!

May 23rd through May 27th!

See the giveaways and events that have already happened and connect with other ArmChair BEA participants at ArmChair BEA Central! http://www.armchairbea.com/

Countdown to the Clockwork Prince...

2011-05-25T17:20:00.001-07:00

Teaser Tuesday - The Haunting of Charles Dickens!

2011-05-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure
that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t
want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

"She is nothing but all those very good things. I like her well enough, but I would never want to be her. She does not suspect she could be her own hero. She waits for others to be that for her."

Page 199; The Haunting of Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee

Sorry for taking the liberty of 4 short sentences instead of two sentences...

Review: Curse of the Wolf Girl by Martin Millar

2011-05-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Curse of the Wolf Girl
by Martin Millar

4.0 out of 5 stars This review is from: Curse of the Wolf Girl (Paperback)

If you aren't familiar with this series, I suggest that you start at the beginning...Lonely Werewolf Girl was a much publicized first book for Martin Millar and even garnered praise from Neil Gaiman who encouraged his readers to pick it up. I have to say I loved it and eagerly awaited the follow-up.

Millar's writing is brilliant and his ability to find the voice of a troubled teen (a troubled teen GIRL) is amazing to me. Quirky dialogue, close to crazy at times...Millar excels at those moments when a character is up against the wall, confronting their fears...but he also will make you laugh out loud! You will grow to love these people/creatures...

So, how do I tell you about book two without spoiling the first book for you?

Kalix MacRinnalch is a teenage girl - filled with all of the sadness, angst and self loathing that comes along with that...oh and did I mention that she is also a werewolf?

Curse of the Wolf Girl starts with Kalix in a relatively safe place - in London, living with a human couple and a teenage Fire Elemental who in my opinion steals the show!

I would have given this book a hands down 5 star review but - some of the characters seem stuck. I would have liked to see more growth, especially in Kalix...but do not let this stop you from checking out this book! Millar is a one of a kind author - I think I would read his rendition of the Yellow Pages ;-p

Disclaimer: I received this book through the Amazon "Vine Program"

Book Description from Amazon

Kallix, a morose, laudanum-addicted, unschooled, slightly anorexic werewolf is still on the run. The youngest daughter of the Thane of the MacRinnalch Clan of werewolves, held responsible unfairly for the death of the Thane, and justifiably responsible for the deaths of a great many other werewolves, remains prohibited from returning to Scotland in order to maintain the uneasy peace that temporarily prevails in court, despite the endemic debauchery and degeneracy always threatening to again spiral out of control. Frankly, things aren’t much better for her in London than in Scotland. The love of her life is in hiding and her enemies increase in number by the day. Strong as she is when enraged, it’s becoming ever more dangerous to be her. Daniel and Moonglow, her two human friends, do what they can to keep her hidden in plain sight (who would look for a werewolf in a remedial program for high school dropouts?) and keep her fed. Millar is a true world-creator, populating Curse of the Wolf Girl with a universe of characters: fashion-designing werewolves, cross-dressing werewolves, and neurotic, psychotic, and erotic werewolves, as well as fairies, Fire Elementals, and good ole humans — whipping them in faster and faster revolutions with his thrilling, vertiginous rollercoaster narrative.

Teaser Tuesday - The Black!

2011-05-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!
You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book
to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser is from The Black by D.J. MacHale:

"Some things I did while I was alive I'm not proud of and I wish I knew what I could do here to make up for 'em. Who knows? Maybe it ain't possible and I'll be living in this illusion for the rest of time."

...this is Book Two of the Morpheus Road Trilogy!

Tweet Up at the LA Times Festival of Books!

2011-04-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone going to the LA Times Festival of Books?
Wanna do a YA Tweet Up?
Leave your Twitter name and the day you are
interested in as a comment...@ReadingItAll

A LESSON IN SECRETS: A Maisie Dobbs Novel By Jacqueline Winspear

2011-03-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

A LESSON
IN SECRETS

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By Jacqueline Winspear

Intelligent, Resourceful, Courageous & Organized

Reading It All "Reading It All"

A Maisie Dobbs novel is always an easy read, mainly because the author has developed a character that is intelligent, resourceful, courageous and organized...it's like sitting down with an old friend.

In this latest work, Maisie is enlisted by the British Secret Service to go to Cambridge as a junior professor to find out if post-war unrest is being fomented by communist interests in the university world of teachers and students.

In her usual descriptive way, Winspear draws you in to the college atmosphere of Cambridge with its unique architecture, student hangouts, hideouts, and activities.

Maisie is employed at the College of St. Francis, where students from Europe and England are studying ways to better understand each other and find a way to make peace work. She discovers that it is not only communism that is trying to make inroads into the English way of life. More importantly, she feels that the threat of the National Socialism Party of Adolph Hitler is a more serious problem.

In the middle of all this, there is a murder that revolves around a children's book!

Maisie's careful untangling of this complex story takes the reader along with her to an exciting finish.

Description from Amazon:

Maisie Dobbs' first assignment for the British Secret Service takes her undercover to Cambridge as a professor—and leads to the investigation of a web of activities being conducted by the emerging Nazi Party.
In the summer of 1932, Maisie Dobbs' career takes an exciting new turn when she accepts an undercover assignment directed by Scotland Yard's Special Branch and the Secret Service. Posing as a junior lecturer, she is sent to a private college in Cambridge to monitor any activities "not in the inter-ests of His Majesty's government."
When the college's controversial pacifist founder and principal, Greville Liddicote, is murdered, Maisie is directed to stand back as Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane and Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stratton spearhead the investigation. She soon discovers, however, that the circumstances of Liddicote's death appear inextricably linked to the suspicious comings and goings of faculty and students under her surveillance.
To unravel this web, Maisie must overcome a reluctant Secret Service, discover shameful hidden truths about Britain's conduct during the Great War, and face off against the rising powers of theNationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei—the Nazi Party—in Britain.
As the storm clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, this pivotal chapter in the life of Maisie Dobbs foreshadows new challenges and powerful enemies facing the psychologist and investigator—and will engage new readers and loyal fans of this "outstanding" series (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review).

Tomorrow's Guardian By Richard Denning

2011-03-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's Guardian

By Richard Denning

Diving in and out of times and realities..., March 13, 2011

By Reading It All "Reading It All - Robyn" (Orange County, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tomorrow's Guardian (Paperback)

Tom Oakley is an ordinary 12 year old English schoolboy, except he is plagued with too-real dreams of historical characters where he becomes that person. Then he begins to have day-dreams just as vivid and his behavior become questionable to his teachers and earns the ridicule of the school bully.

Tom learns from a raffish Welshman that time is not just the hands moving on the clock or the sun in the sky. Time is multi-dimensional; moving in parallel time streams including his own timeline with all of the history that makes up the world he know. He also learns that he is a Walker, capable of transporting himself through time. Learning to control his gift takes him on adventures that are wilder than his wildest dreams. It also introduces him to people and ideas about doing what is right.

Denning has handled the confusion, frustration, impetuousness, and anger of a young boy faced with the impossible very well. Working with different timelines and realities takes real imagination and organization, and the book reflects that.

Product Description from Amazon:

Tom Oakley experiences disturbing episodes of déjà-vu and believes he is going mad. Then, he discovers that he's a "Walker" - someone who can transport himself to other times and places. Tom dreams about other "Walkers" in moments of mortal danger: Edward Dyson killed in a battle in 1879; Mary Brown who perished in the Great Fire of London; and Charlie Hawker, a sailor who drowned on a U-boat in 1943. Agreeing to travel back in time and rescue them, Tom has three dangerous adventures, before returning to the present day. But Tom's troubles have only just begun. He finds that he's drawn the attention of evil individuals who seek to bend history to their will. Soon, Tom's family are obliterated from existence and Tom must make a choice between saving them and saving his entire world. Tomorrow's Guardian is a Young Adult Fantasy Novel.

The Attenbury Emeralds: The New Lord Peter Wimsey/ Harriet Vane Mystery

2011-01-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

The Attenbury Emeralds:
The New Lord Peter Wimsey/ Harriet Vane Mystery
By Jill Paton Walsh

4.0 out of 5 stars Deliciously Complicated...

Ms Walsh has written two other "Whimsey" mysteries with the original Whimsey/Vane" author Dorothy Sayers...this was a great foundation to build on.

In The Attenbury Emeralds: The New Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane Mystery, this story, she has kept the feeling of mystery and challenge that permeates previous Lord Peter Whimsey stories.

The characters remain true - Bunter, the resourceful and intrepid manservant; Harriet, Lady Peter Whimsey, nee Vane, a mystery writer in her own right; Lord Peter, tenacious, honorable and as intelligent as ever.

The Attenbury emerald (singular) disappears; is replaced with a genuine but slightly different twin; both are stolen and returned or found, but which is which and "whodunit".

The mystery is deliciously complicated and solved in the quiet conversational way of all Whimsey mysteries, causing the reader to puzzle out the clues along with the protagonists. Great read!

Product Description from Amazon:
In 1936, Dorothy L. Sayers abandoned the last Lord Peter Wimsey detective story. Sixty years later, a brown paper parcel containing a copy of the manuscript was discovered in her agent’s safe in London, and award-winning novelist Jill Paton Walsh was commissioned to complete it. The result of the pairing of Dorothy L. Sayers with Walsh was the international bestseller Thrones, Dominations.

Now, following A Presumption of Death, set during World War II, comes a new Sayers-inspired mystery featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, revisiting his very first case. . . . It was 1921 when Lord Peter Wimsey first encountered the Attenbury Emeralds. The recovery of the gems in Lord Attenbury’s dazzling heirloom collection made headlines—and launched a shell-shocked young aristocrat on his career as a detective.

Thirty years later, a happily married Lord Peter has just shared the secrets of that mystery with his wife, the detective novelist Harriet Vane. Suddenly, the new Lord Attenbury—grandson of Lord Peter’s first client—seeks his help to prove who owns the emeralds. As Harriet and Peter contemplate the changes that the war has wrought on English society—and Peter, who always cherished the liberties of a younger son, faces the unwanted prospect of ending up the Duke of Denver after all—Jill Paton Walsh brings us a masterful new chapter in the annals of one of the greatest detectives of all time.

Disclaimer: this book was chosen from the Amazon Vine Program and I received it free of charge - this does not change a review for me - however I choose not to post reviews that earn below a 3 star review.

The Poison Diaries...

2011-01-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

The Poison Diaries

by MaryRose Wood

...even the most innocent-looking weed can cure...

I loved this book - I picked it up because the whole idea of the ancient art of the Apothecary and Botany are sciences that interest me...but I never expected the magical story this book turn into.

Based on the The Duchess Of Northumberland, and her famous Poison Gardens at Alnwick Castle, The Poison Diaries (The Poison Diaires) draws you into the world of Jessamine.

Losing her Mother early, Jessamine is left to herself by a Father who stays busy (and away from home) practicing the healing art of the Apothecary. So Jessamine fills her days among the healing plants in his garden...and then she meets Weed and everything changes.

The writing in this book is amazing - you become so entrenched in Jessamine's ability to converse with the plants around her that you really want to spend time in the wilderness...this book will seriously change the way you look at the wild life around you. A little slow starting (as is the background building in some books) but it picks up quickly and once Weed comes into the story you won't want to put this down.

Product Description from Amazon:

In the right dose, everything is a poison. Even love . . .

Jessamine Luxton has lived all her sixteen years in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle, with little company apart from the plants in her garden. Her father, Thomas, a feared and respected apothecary, has taught her much about the incredible powers of plants: that even the most innocent-looking weed can cure -- or kill.

When Jessamine begins to fall in love with a mysterious boy who claims to communicate with plants, she is drawn into the dangerous world of the poison garden in a way she never could have imagined . . .

Countdown: In the words of a 60's News Anchor...You Are There!

2011-01-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

Countdown
by Deborah Wiles

I don't know about you - but for me - thinking about the era when I was in school as history is a little painful - but in Countdown author Deborah Wiles does just that.

This is a new genre for the Children's Market - it is being called a Juvenile Documentary Novel. Basically that translates as historical fiction for kids!

What an interesting decade to look at - Wiles starts her Historical Trilogy in 1962, the heyday of "Camelot" and through her use of song lyrics, news casts, and period locales - puts you in the shoes of 12 year old Franny Chapman...just as the golden boy of that storybook era gets started and makes a huge misstep with the Bay of Pigs crisis.

Recent history is sometimes not covered in school and the political nature of the Cuban Missile Crisis has made it a tough nut to crack in an unbiased way. Seeing these life changing issues alongside the issues that are important to Franny and her Middle Grade world is a genuinely unique view of the world in the early 60's and Wiles truly put you there.

The writing style is compelling and drags you into this look at a generation that lived with the noise of angry voices, political songs, the very real threat of Nuclear Attack and Duck & Cover...I look forward to growing with Franny.

Product Description from Amazon:
It's 1962, and it seems everyone is living in fear. Twelve-year-old Franny Chapman lives with her family in Washington, DC, during the days surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Amidst the pervasive threat of nuclear war, Franny must face the tension between herself and her younger brother, figure out where she fits in with her family, and look beyond outward appearances. For Franny, as for all Americans, it's going to be a formative year.

Insatiable: Why couldn't she escape stupid vampires?

2011-01-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

Insatiable
by Meg Cabot

With a teaser that blatantly says - "Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper." - how could I resist...add that it is from the all time Queen of ChickLit, Meg Cabot and you have the perfect "beach read"! ...you know the book that you just sit down and devour!

From the description I thought that this was going to be "Sex & the City" meets "Twilight", but Meena Harper is no Carrie Bradshaw. Meena is the script writer for a popular soap opera looking to up it's ratings by adding a "vampire storyline" to cash in on the huge new trend! ...not something Meena is looking forward to.

When you open Insatiable you get the television studio, behind the scenes glamour, the crazy neighboor, a dark and brooding prince and you have the basic ingredients - but this is Meg Cabot! Not content to simply bring you yet another tale of Vampires living among us, Cabot throughout pokes fun at and makes reference to the other books and TV shows of this ilk. But this vampire romance has a MUCH different outcome...pick this up and take it on your next vacation.

Older teens and young adults will love this.

Product Description:
Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.
Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)
But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.
The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.
And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.
Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .
If she even has one.

Poison...Renaissance Poisoner as Heroine

2011-01-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

Poison: A Novel of the Renaissance
by Sara Poole

The whole idea of "Poisoner" as heroine...begs the comparisons to the like-able serial killer Dexter. But in the Renaissance Era, the setting for this debut novel from Sara Poole, that is a legitimate profession.

Poison: A Novel of the Renaissance begins as our heroine, Francesca Giordano, takes over her father's job as head poisoner for the Borgia family (YES - those Borgias'). Cardinal Borgia wants to become pope, so this could be a deadly position that Francesca finds herself in. With her father recently killed under mysterious circumstances...threats to the Borgias' are numerous (meals and clothing must be routinely checked for poison planted by rival families). Francesca turns out to be one of the greatest poisoners in what was perhaps the most dangerous and corrupt eras, the late-fifteenth-century Rome.

Poole weaves history and fiction in a tale that will satisfy even the most discriminating follower of renaissance history...if you are a fan of Mistress of the Art of Death this should be right up your alley!

Product Description

In the simmering hot summer of 1492, a monstrous evil is stirring within the Eternal City of Rome. The brutal murder of an alchemist sets off a desperate race to uncover the plot that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance and plunge Europe back into medieval darkness.
Determined to avenge the killing of her father, Francesca Giordano defies all convention to claim for herself the position of poisoner serving Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, head of the most notorious and dangerous family in Italy. She becomes the confidante of Lucrezia Borgia and the lover of Cesare Borgia. At the same time, she is drawn to the young renegade monk who yearns to save her life and her soul.
Navigating a web of treachery and deceit, Francesca pursues her father’s killer from the depths of Rome’s Jewish ghetto to the heights of the Vatican itself. In so doing, she sets the stage for the ultimate confrontation with ancient forces that will seek to use her darkest desires to achieve their own catastrophic ends.

The Cowgirl Way - Women in the Wild West....

2011-01-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

Middle Grade & Young Teens will love The Cowgirl Way: Hats Off to America's Women of the West...it is a wonderful use of old photos and illustration to bring life to stories of women on horseback!

Kids will love this book and will not even realize that they are learning. That is due to author Holly George-Warren's brilliant mix of story telling and visuals.

What I loved was that the author didn't present these women as "also rans". You know, where their story is more about how they worked with their more popular male partner.

This brief telling of the stories and in some cases legends of women who were riders, wranglers, ranchers, showgirls, rebels and even outlaws are just enough information to send students to their libraries and computers to learn more.

...and at this age isn't that the goal - little snip its of story that tantalize and incite curiosity?

BTW - take a minute to check out the fabulous photos posted by the author of famous cowgirls!

Product Description from Amazon:

The 1840s ushered in the beginning of the largest migration in US history. People in crowded Eastern cities and Missouri River towns were feeling the pull of the Western frontier. It was the dawn of a new era of expansion, and over the next few decades, the making of a new kind of pioneer. It was the birth of the cowgirl!

Welcome to the world of nimble equestriennes, hawkeyed sharpshooters, sly outlaws, eloquent legislators, expert wranglers and talented performers who made eyes pop and jaws drop with their skills, savvy and bravery. In this fascinating account of an ever-evolving American icon, Holly George-Warren invites readers to saddle up with a host of these trailblazers who helped settle the West and define the cowgirl spirit.

Greetings of the Season from Book City!

2010-12-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

I want to wish each and every one of you the happiest of holidays...which ever holiday you celebrate! Know that I appreciate you and your support.

I have a stack of books awaiting review and lots of new "Challenges" I am looking forward to in the New Year. Mostly from that evil temptress The Story Siren...check out the 2011 Challenges she has posted see if any of them tempt you! http://www.thestorysiren.com/

I will leave you with the BookScape from one of my favorite blogs http://reflectionof.me/a-city-of-reading

Barnes & Noble Breaks The Color Barrier!!!!

2010-10-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today Barnes & Noble introduced their first COLOR eReader...NOOKcolor! ...now I may finally invest in one!

There is a video showing the NOOKcolor in action and I have to say this is going to revolutionize the way you get the news...magazines...cook books!

YEP I'M EXCITED!!!

Check this out from their ad:

The Most Social Reading Ever

NOOKcolor helps you stay connected to your friends. It's easy to import all of your Google™ contacts to your NOOKcolor so you can share favorite lines or recommend books to friends, all with just a few simple touches via Facebook® or Twitter™.

Pre-orders are being accepted...this is definitely #1 on my Christmas List ;-p (HINT)

So - what are your recommendations now? still Kindle?

I'm thinking NOOKcolor!

NEW? Book Blog Meme: Book Jewelry!

2010-09-29T12:07:00.001-07:00

As a jeweler and an avid reader I am always looking for ways to combine my two loves!

So I am starting this meme: Book Jewelry!

...no specific day - just fit it in when you think of it.

There are some great sites that can be mined for "Book Jewelry" - most of the Artisan and Craft sites (Etsy, Artfire, DeviantArt, etc.) will have lots...you get the picture.

Be sure to include a link to the bookmarks so if someone wants to buy it, they can! ...and if you let the artist know you featured them - they may give your blog a shout out on theirs!

Some ideas:

Bookmarks that "dress up" your book

"Book Themed" bookmarks - Genre Themes & Book Titles (ie. steampunk or TrueBlood)

Jewelry with a "book theme"

Easy peasy - not a lot of rules...can I count on you to help me get this started?

In this post:

Top Photo: Stained Glass Bookmark by L-A-Glass

Bottom photo: Whispered Tales set of 4 Bookmarks by stilettoheights

ALA Events for Banned Books Week!

2010-09-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Banned Books Week Read-Out! Chicago

Join us to kick-off Banned Books Week on this Saturday, September 25, 2010, rain or shine, from noon to 2:00 PM, in historic Bughouse Square in Chicago, IL for the Read-Out!—an event that will bring attention to books that have been banned and challenged in the United States. ALA President Roberta Stevens will welcome critically acclaimed and censored young adult author, Chris Crutcher, our host of the event. Some of the authors featured on the ten most frequently challenged books of 2009 will read from their work and share their experiences as targets of censors. The readings begin at noon and will be followed by book signings by all the authors in attendance from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. A limited number of books will be given away for free to participating audience members.

Attendees

Lauren Myracle (ttyl, ttfn, l8r g8r of the Internet Girl Series)

Rick Kogan, WGN's Sunday Papers
Elizabeth Taylor, Chicago Tribune

Performances by City Lit Theater Company, Chicago Public Library Teen Volume Readers Theatre Troup

Location

Bughouse Square (Washington Square Park) is located at 901 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, across from the Newberry Library
IN CASE OF RAIN: The event will be held in the Newberry Library, Ruggles Hall, 60 W Walton St.

Admission

FREE!!!!

Library and Bookstore Banned Books Week Events

If you are unable to join us for the Banned Books Week Read-Out! in Chiacgo, IL, but would like to celebrate your freedom to read, check out events in your local library or bookstore. That site will be updated frequently, so check back periodically. To promote your Banned Books Week event on that page, please sign-up here.

Banned Books Week in Second Life

Events will take place all throughout the week on ALA Island in Second Life. Check our Banned Books Week in Second Life page for more information.

Excerpt from the ALA website: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/calendarofevents/index.cfm

Oprah Picks "Freedom"...

2010-09-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Today Oprah Winfrey announced her latest pick for the "Oprah Book Club"!

According to Kate Pickert over at Time magazine:

It's the greatest force in publishing today, with the power to raise authors from the dead (Leo Tolstoy) or crucify them on the national stage (James Frey). The all-powerful Oprah Book Club is not so much a club as a ruthlessly influential marketing vehicle, with the power to fundamentally alter best-seller lists, Amazon rankings and royalty payments.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1844724,00.html#ixzz0zkFfNsrn

So - today's pick? drumroll please............

Descriptions from GoodReads:

From the National Book Award-winning author of The Corrections, a darkly comedic novel about family, Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul — the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation.
Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to actually do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter’s dreams. Together with Walter — environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man — she was doing her small part to build a better world.
But now, in the new millennium, the Berglunds have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter taken a job working with Big Coal? What exactly is Richard Katz — outré rocker and Walter’s college best friend and rival — still doing in the picture? Most of all, what has happened to Patty? Why has the bright star of Barrier Street become 'a very different kind of neighbor,' an implacable Fury coming unhinged before the street’s attentive eyes?
In his first novel since The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen has given us an epic of contemporary love and marriage. Freedom comically and tragically captures the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, the heavy weight of empire.
In charting the mistakes and joys of Freedom’s intensely realized characters as they struggle to learn how to live in an ever more confusing world, Franzen has produced an indelible and deeply moving portrait of our time.

See Rick Riordan - LIVE!

2010-09-14T02:26:00.000-07:00

Will there be a third book in the HUSH, HUSH series?

2010-09-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Breaking News!!!! From Becca Fitzpatrick's Blog

I am so EXCITED to finally be able to answer this! As you've probably noticed, I've stealthily been avoiding this question everywhere, because for a long time, I didn't have an answer. In May, I was still writing CRESCENDO, and I wasn't precisely sure how the book would end and if there would be a need for more of Patch and Nora's story. And through all of this, my editor was on maternity leave. Then things started happening quickly. I finished CRESCENDO, and the ending to the book..

Read the rest on Becca's blog....

Twitter Link Love: OCCBF is @kidsbookfest

2010-08-16T16:04:00.001-07:00

We are so happy to see all the authors and book review bloggers on Twitter...thought we would do a little "Link Love" for the authors appearing at the 7th Annual Orange County Children's Book Festival...the largest children's book festival in the country!

Please let us know if there are corrections...

OCCBF is: http://twitter.com/kidsbookfest

Bookstore - Mysterious Galaxy - http://twitter.com/MystGalaxyBooks

Authors (alphabetically):

Amber Benson -Among The Ghosts - http://twitter.com/amber_benson

Robin Benway - The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June - http://twitter.com/robinbenway

Jessica Brody - The Karma Club - http://twitter.com/JessicaBrody

Melaine Bryant - The Prophecy Keepers - http://twitter.com/ProphecyKeepers

Cecil Castellucci - Geektastic & Rose Sees Red - http://twitter.com/cecilseaskull

Lisa Desrochers - Personal Demons - http://twitter.com/LisaDez

Gitty Daneshvari - School of Fear: Class Is Not Dismissed! - http://twitter.com/SchoolofFear

Becca Fitzpatrick - Hush Hush - http://twitter.com/becfitzpatrick

Nancy Holder - Crusade - http://twitter.com/nancyholder

Lauren Kate - Torment & Fallen - http://twitter.com/laurenkatebooks

Heidi R. Kling - Sea & A Visitor's Guide to Mystic Falls - http://twitter.com/HeidiRKling

R. L. LaFevers - Theodosia and the Eye of Horus & Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: The Wyverns' Treasure - http://twitter.com/rllafevers

Emma Michaels - The Thirteenth Chime - http://twitter.com/EmmaMichaels

Authors not on Twitter:

Joanna Philbin - The Daughters - Facebook page

Jordon Romero & Katherine Blanc (co-authors) - The Boy Who Conquered Everest: The Jordan Romero Story - http://www.jordanromero.com

Maria V. Snyder - Inside Out & Spy Glass - Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/mariavsnyder

Mary Hanlon Stone - Invisible Girl - http://www.maryhanlonstone.com

OCCBF Announces Mysterious Galaxy at the OC Festival!

2010-08-16T15:43:00.001-07:00

We are very excited to be welcoming Mysterious Galaxy back to the OC Children's Book Festival. The popular genre bookstore will be participating as the bookstore in our Teen/YA area on Oct. 3rd at Orange Coast College!

Check out their website for great events and author signings. http://www.mystgalaxy.com

Mysterious Galaxy is a genre store specializing in science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and horror. You can find them in San Diego at:

Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92111

858.268.4747

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MysteriousGalaxy

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MystGalaxyBooks

Winner Announced! Sea Poster!

2010-08-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Sea is the hot new YA book from Heidi R. Kling....who, a little while back announced that she wanted a poster for her book! Her parameters? she wanted it to look like a movie poster!

Well the winner has been announced...Tawni Coakley! you should check out this talented graphic artist's blog - it is truly a treat for the eyes!!!

...and now the winning poster!

Summer Reading Challenges...

2010-07-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

Being raised in Palm Springs, CA was both a dream and a curse...surely you can guess why? SUMMER HEAT!!! When the thermometer reaches 120 in the shade you have two choices - the pool (but eventually you start to shrivel up) and some place indoors!

When I was growing up there wasn't an indoor mall in Palm Springs (yes - I know my age is showing!) but there was an Ice Skating Rink and my favorite indoor place in the Summer...the Library!

The Palm Springs Public Library had some of the coolest Summer Programs...mostly because the Children's Librarian was the awesome Miss Gerry! She planned programs for kids of all ages...along with arts and crafts projects!

A Book and A Buck is a Summer Read-A-Thon that not only motivates kids to read with some great prizes but also serves as a FUNdraiser for the Orange County Children's Book Festival!

Info for kids and parents in the Orange County area are at: http://kidsbookfestival.com/bookandabuck.html

Do you have a favorite Summer Reading Challenge?

Summer Reading...

2010-07-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

When I was younger my favorite summer activity was to put on my bikini (where did that body go? ;-p) grab a book and my towel and head to the beach....then, with age came menopause and skin cancer warnings!

Today - I find myself happiest when I can curl up in my favorite chair in front of the AC (hot flashes are a _itch!) with a great YA or Historical Novel.

But I have found that in the summer we tend to accept some lighter faire...maybe it is the heat and our attention span shrinks...but for some reason I like a sweet, light book or a great horror, paranormal fiction read in the summer.

I have been catching up on books that have been on my To-Be-Read stack forever and trying to get through the stack of ARCs that are towering to the point they are about to fall over!

So these are some of the coming reviews you can look forward to seeing here...

From my TBR Stack:

ARC MADNESS...

...and the latest from one of my faves...the Bloody Jack series from L.A. Meyer!

What are you reading this summer?

OC Children's Book Festival - Oct. 3rd!

2010-07-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Some of you may already know that I am involved in the Orange County Children's Book Festival (OCCBF)...yes I have volunteered for yet another project (I keep saying I won't and I DO!)

The OCCBF is now in it's 7th year of fun and fostering reading for children in Southern California. While it takes place in Orange County it is by no means limited to kids in the OC...we welcome children from all over the Southland, from 1 to 101!

Each year the OC Children’s Book Festival gets better and better and
this year promises to be the best one yet! There is something for everyone that loves books. We invite you to join other families that know reading is the secret to a happy and successful life.

So - Save The Date Sunday, October 3, 2010

...and spend the day 9:30AM-4:30PM with us

on the beautiful Orange Coast College campus!

Stay tuned to this blog for teasers and temptations...there are lots of new exhibitors and events this year!!! check out the website for programs from past events and more...http://kidsbookfestival.com

Rachel Vincent in Chicago with new Soul Screamers!

2010-06-24T10:51:00.001-07:00

For all you Rachel Vincent fans...a quick reminder:

Rachel's young adult series, Soul Screamers, debuted on August 1, 2009. My SOUL TO TAKE is the first in the series, about a teenage bean sidhe (banshee) trying to balance a normal high school experience with the terrifying, hidden world she's just discovered. Soul Screamers Book 3, MY SOUL TO KEEP, is now available!!!

Rachel Vincent Event Schedule

Friday, June 25th:

10am-12pm
Meijer Highland, IN
10138 Indianapolis Blvd
Highland, IN 46322

2pm-4pm
Kmart Tinley Park, IL
16300 Harlem
Tinley Park, IL 60477

6pm-8pm
Walmart Joliet, IL
2424 W. Jefferson
St, Joliet, IL, 60436

Saturday, June 26th:

10am-12pm
Kmart Naperville, IL
1199 E. Ogden Ave.
Naperville, IL 60563

2pm-4pm
Kmart Bloomingdale, IL
156 South Gary Ave
Bloomingdale, IL 60108

6pm-8pm
Walmart Gurnee, IL
6590 Grand Ave
Gurnee, IL 60031

Sunday, June 27th:

10am-12pm
Kmart Racine, WI
2211 South Green Bay
Racine, WI 53406

2pm-4pm
Kmart Brookfield, WI
18200 W Bluemound Rd
Brookfield, WI 53045

Authors In Motion - 5 of your favorites...

2010-06-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2)

2010-06-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2)

By: R. L. LaFevers Illustrations: Kelly Murphy

This is book two of the continuing saga of Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist!

You may remember from the first book Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I) Nathaniel Fludd is a beastologist in training - learning at the hands of his quirky Aunt Phil. Unfortunately it appears that the first book was not a fluke and it looks like Aunt Phil favors the "learn by doing" method. So in book two The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) she drags the young boy beastologist-in-training on a screaming wild adventure to find the Basilisk!

As in her other adventures R.L. LaFevers takes you on a rip roaring ride into monsters and mythology mixed with the thrills of a wildlife safari....but the nice thing about Aunt Phil...she doesn't want to do this creature harm, just contain him!

This is a quick and easy read...and while the recommendations are from 3rd to 6th grade - you could read this to a 6 year old and they would LOVE it!

Off to continue the adventure with The Wyverns' Treasure (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 3)...

From the Author (on Amazon):

I've always held a special place for animals in my heart and they have figured prominently in my books. While researching another project, I stumbled across a medieval bestiary, the ultimate zoological authority of its time, and I was fascinated by all the mythical creatures listed in there as factual. Right around that same time, I also read about the modern day discovery of new animal species. It drove home for me just how vast and mysterious our planet was, and who knew what could be living in its hidden valleys, unexplored deserts, and remote mountaintops. Thus the world of Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist was born. -R.L. LaFevers

White Cat by Holly Black

2010-06-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

This new world of "curse workers" is a winner...

Holly Black is known to leagues of teenlit fans for her books of fae worlds...with White Cat (Curse Workers, Book 1) she draws us into the world of the "curse workers".

From the product description: curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists.

...and when I say she draws you in I truly mean it - the excitement, action and characters draw you in immediately and if this is just the beginning I can't wait for more...Lila, Cassel and his family offer characters that we can relate to and involve ourselves in...thanks Holly Black for yet another new world!

BTW - I have a white cat with one blue eye and one green eye...what do you think?

Product Description from Amazon
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail -- he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.
Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love -- or death -- and your dreams might be more real than your memories.
See all Editorial Reviews

Interesting Reader Society - There Should Be One At Every Library!!!

2010-05-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

A Colorado Library System with a great idea to keep teens involved in reading...

The Interesting Reader Society (IRS) is a group of teenage volunteers representing many of Larimer County’s junior and senior high schools. They hold meetings once a month to review books for their newsletter and to plan special teen activities. They also help the librarians in the Teen section at the Main and Harmony libraries.

You may qualify if you are:

In 6th grade through 12th grade
Male or female
Tall enough to reach standard book shelves
Of undetermined weight, but generally considered to be a "heavy reader"
Known to frequent libraries, bookstores, and paperback racks of local emporiums
Suffering from a reading addiction, and usually have one or two books with you at all times
Guilty of ever reading by flashlight under the covers at night when you are supposed to be asleep

Fill out an application for membership (PDF format/191K) and return to the adult information desks at the Main Library, 201 Peterson St., or the Harmony Library, 4616 South Shields.

Check out the latest from the IRS on the School Library Journal's website.

Solomon's Thieves, Book One...

2010-04-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Solomon's Thieves,

Book One

by Jordan Mechner,

LeUyen Pham, Alex Puvillan

Using the dissolution of the French Templar's as the beginning premise this tale takes off from the start...swashbuckling adventure, a woman betrayed, and a vow of revenge...so of course I loved it!!!

The art work is rough and dramatic and though set in the 1400's the dialog would be easily followed by teen readers. Fan's of First Second's Prince of Persia and the gamers Prince of Persia Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) will find this telling of the story of Martin and his loss - between the loss of his brothers of the order and the loss of the woman he loves - a compelling read.

Lover's of the adult books about the Templar Legacy will love introducing this exciting era to their kids through Solomon's Thieves, Book One, did I mention that this is book one of a trilogy? It carries the same mystery, ancient religion, and drama of the DaVinci Code or Steven Berry Cotton Malone Series.

Product Description From Amazon:

On the run from the law . . . in 14th century France

Life as a Templar Knight returning from the Crusades is dull— bread, beans, and lots and lots of walking. But after Martin stumbles upon his lost love (now married—to someone else), things begin to get more interesting very quickly. There’s a vast conspiracy afoot to destroy the Templar Order and steal their treasure. Soon, Martin finds himself one of the only Templars out of prison—and out for revenge!

A swashbuckling story of betrayal, adventure, and an epic swindle, Solomon’s Thieves is the first volume in a trilogy written by Jordan Mechner (the creator of the acclaimed Prince of Persia video games) and illustrated by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2010-04-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Before I Fall

by Lauren Oliver

I have to say that my initial reason for picking up this book is a current fascination with debut authors...it didn't disappoint!

How to describe it? It appears that all the pertinent adjectives have already been used up in all the posted reviews...

Heartbreaking, compelling, raw, beautiful, emotional and complex - Before I Fall is all that!!!

In her debut novel author Lauren Oliver manages to find a "teen" voice that is so real I felt like I was sitting at Starbucks at 3pm! ...of course that could be because Oliver is just barely beyond teen herself.

So - you have probably already gathered that this is a "groundhog day" style telling of the life and death of Samantha Kingston...you know this girl. She is the girl that hangs with the "cool kids", has everything yet doesn't appear to appreciate any of it.

The compelling nature of Lauren Oliver's writing takes you from disdain and revulsion to Samantha working through the process of understanding what is truly important and through 7 efforts - to change her outlook.

My one problem with the book was that Oliver does such a great job of developing Samantha's character that I seriously didn't like her and didn't care...but the writing is so good and the story draws you in...all I can say is trust and read this book all the way through to the end.

Product Review From Amazon:

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

What's New, Cupcake?

2010-04-14T00:58:00.000-07:00

What's New, Cupcake?

by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

I haven't had this much fun since Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make the first cupcake craft book from the team of Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.

In the forward of What's New Cupcake? they promise fun, spectacle and ease...and they deliver on all accounts. This book leaves you laughing out loud - calling people over to look at cupcake art (be careful husbands get grouchy after about the third time) - and racing to the kitchen to see what ingredients you have on hand!

There are cupcakes for every occasion and some just to titillate! From Stuffed Turkeys for Thanksgiving to Ghosts and Black Cat cupcakes for Halloween. Whole cake displays made of individual cupcakes artfully arranged in a Formula One car - a Summer Water Park - Golf Course (complete with sand trap) - Yarn Platter that will delight the knitter's (or crochet fans) in your life. Some standouts for me were the Ants on a Picnic and "I Thought You Ordered Chocolate Moose?".

From first hand experience I can confirm delivery on the "easier than the first book" promise. I made the Rubber Ducky cupcakes...yummy, easy and a definite conversation piece at the Easter table!

One of the really nice things about this book is the "so many ways to decorate" section where they breakdown various candies, cookies, toppings and misc. parts. It is a great how to for creating flowers, whimsical mosaics, borders, animals and more. This is knowledge that you can use to make everything you cook CUTE!!! but don't get carried away with it, even the most tolerant family may decide you need an intervention.

Ok now, off to the gym!

Update: Judging A Book By It's Cover...

2010-04-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to my Judging A Book By It's Cover post - Becca Fitzpatrick revealed the cover to her upcoming Crescendo...is it everything you hoped for?

Free Comic Book Day!!! May 1st!

2010-04-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Get involved: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

Save the Date: Free Comic Book Day is May 1

Do you already have your route to the nearest comic shop mapped out? Do you know what free comic you're planning to read first, and which one you're saving for last? Better get ready, becauseFree Comic Book Day 10 (FCBD10), is only a month away!

With the biggest comic book event of the year being celebrated in just a few short weeks, Freecomicbookday.com is your source for all the information you want on this year's free comics.

FCBD Comic Previews Downloadable previews for all 10 Gold comics and over 20 Silver comics are available!
FCBD Store Locator Find a shop near you!
Creator Signings & Other FCBD Celebrations Check out what special events are happening where!

"With Free Comic Book Day, what began as a good idea is confirmed to be a great idea, supported now by a other sources - meaning movies, graphic novels, merchandising. It ended up as a brilliant idea that works in tandem with everything else."

- John Romita, Jr., artist of Iron Man/Thor

"This will be my fourth year as a Free Comic Book Day participant, and I try to do a signing at a different store in a different state each time. I'll be in California this year at Four-Color Fantasies. I've got 47 more states to hit, so I think I'll be doing this a while."

- Thomas Zahler, creator of Love and Capes #13

"FCBD is a giant leap in the right direction to get new interest from people who may be comic book fans but just don't know it yet."

- Andy Schmidt, editor of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #155 ½

What He Said!

We interviewed the top creators involved in FCBD10 and got their thoughts on the event! Click on these great interviews for more:

Artifacts: First Look's Ron Marz
DC Kids Mega Sampler 2010's Art Baltazar & Franco
Doctor Solar/Magnus' Jim Shooter
Fractured Fables' Jim Valentino
Fraggle Rock's Nichol Ashworth & Jake Myler
Freedom Formula: Speed Metal's Edmund Shern (4/13)
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #155 ½'s Andy Schmidt
Iron Man/Nova's Paul Tobin & Craig Rousseau
Iron Man/Thor's Matt Fraction and John Romita Jr.
Love and Capes' Thomas Zahler
Mouse Guard's David Petersen
Oni Press Free-for-All's Matthew Loux (available 4/15/10)
The Sixth Gun's Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt
Toy Story's Chip Mosher
Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales' Jason T. Miles

May 1, 2010
FCBD e-Newsletter

The Book Of Spies by Gayle Lynds

2010-04-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Book of Spies

by Gayle Lynds

Everything I love in a mystery...

Imagine a Library of Gold - a library of rare books that has been preserved, guarded and passed down through the ages. Protected by kings, potentates, czars and powerful men who saved it for themselves alone to enjoy.

...and now imagine that one of these books is stolen from the Library! How some of the world's most powerful men react gives us a look at the world of privilege and unlimited wealth. Everyone goes looking for the Book of Spies - leading authorities on the Library of Gold, scholars, government agencies, and the agents of the group of men from whom it was stolen.

The action in the book is very fast, hop scotching around the world (we should only be so lucky to be able to bypass and manipulate airports and security), involving a host of wonderful characters, quirks of the financial world, links to terrorism and much more.

This is a roller coaster ride to every corner of the earth - Gayle Lynds writing draws you into a world that few of us will ever know, offering thrilling locations, terrorist plots, CIA, and snipers all taking place among antiquity - everything I love in a mystery...I will be checking out more from this author.

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

2010-04-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

By Deborah Blum

Murder by poison...

The title almost tells the whole story. Almost, because there is a whole lot more to this story than murder by poison. Deborah Blum takes us along a hazardous journey with two pioneers in what we, of this television age, know as CSI - in all its various iterations

Dr. Charles Norris, as chief medical examiner of the great city of New York, takes on murder, accidental and natural deaths, prohibition, politicians, sloppy police work, money-grubbing coroners and mortuaries in a battle for the recognition of Forensic Medicine as a legitimate science and admissible evidence in the courts.

Toxicologist Alexander Gettler, working with Norris, devises tests and experiments for detecting the most obscure poisons that kill by murder or accident.

The history of poisons goes back much further in time than can be imagined. The discoveries that led to how they work helped solved many crimes and improved the knowledge of how the human body works. The chemistry is there but simplified so that the average reader is not boggled by atoms and molecules. The tests and experiments are perhaps, a little grisly, but the results seem to justify them.

The cases are perpetrated by all kinds of people for many strange reasons - anger, hatred, money, insanity, desperation, pure wickedness, accidental, and the Prohibition war between bootleggers and government chemists. This is a telling history of crime in a great city, and those who were in the forefront of solving those crimes.

With The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Deborah Blum gives us a readable (actually enjoyable) history of the development of forensics through some grim periods in history.

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman

2010-04-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

Alchemy and Meggy Swan

By Karen Cushman

The importance of being accepted is probably the number one issue facing children today as it was in the Elizabethan Era of Meggy Swann.

In the tradition of most Karen Cushman novels - this story takes you deep into the period "After the accession of Elizabeth I to the throne of England but afore London's first theater and Shakespeare".

You will feel the uneven cobblestones, smell the reeking streams of waste, hear the tunes of the balladeers and the jeers of the passersby at Meggy's crooked body.

Cushman draws you into the period and Meggy's world of daily pain and rejection - but this book is not without joy. When Roger and a troupe of "players" come into Meggy's life things begin to change.

5th Grade through tweens and teens will love Meggy's troubles, travails and her pluck!

While it can be a bit cumbersome at the start, the Olde English dialect soon feels second nature and what a great introduction for kids that will soon be asked to read Shakespeare. I think that starting them out with a storyline they will relate to and a heroine closer to their age will make learning to understand this conversational style so much easier.

Cushman includes information on the "alchemy" of the day and explanations of the language and customs of the time in the "Authors Notes" at the end of the book. What a wonderful teaching opportunity!

YAY - I WON QUIRK CLASSICS SWAG!

2010-03-31T18:59:00.000-07:00

I found the coolest message in my Inbox a while back...

This is Tiffany from Quirk Books. I just wanted you to know we selected you as a winner of our crazy-awesome Quirk Classics Prize-Pack. WIN!

What was really funny was that she felt the need to include:

Not to worry – I am a human, and I have neither the interest nor the means to steal anyone’s identity. I just want to give you prizes.

Which when you consider the books this publisher releases sort of makes sense - so what did I win? Ready?

Thanks Tiffany and Quirk for the great assortment of Books (and Audio Books), a journal , notecards and postcards...this is going to be so much fun! ...look for future reviews!

Book Reviews from Reading It All...

Get Your Short Story In Front of Major Literary Agents

About Book Wish

SLJ Trailee Awards Voting Open NOW!

Local Book Signing Events - LA & Orange County!

Kindle Started The Fire!!!

#IMM - In My Mailbox

Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

#TeaserTuesday - Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Teaser Tuesday - "Damned"

Teaser Tuesday - "Moonglass"

Book Trailer Thursday! Possess by Gretchen McNeil!

Teaser Tuesday - "I'll Be There" and Meeting Holly Goldberg Sloan!

What's In Your Beach Bag?

Teaser Tuesdays: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making!

#ArmChairBEA: BUZZ Panels - Tweens & Teens

ArmChair BEA: Day One Reports from the Trenches...

ArmChair BEA

Countdown to the Clockwork Prince...

Teaser Tuesday - The Haunting of Charles Dickens!

Review: Curse of the Wolf Girl by Martin Millar

Teaser Tuesday - The Black!

Tweet Up at the LA Times Festival of Books!

A LESSON IN SECRETS: A Maisie Dobbs Novel By Jacqueline Winspear

Tomorrow's Guardian By Richard Denning

The Attenbury Emeralds: The New Lord Peter Wimsey/ Harriet Vane Mystery

The Poison Diaries...

Countdown: In the words of a 60's News Anchor...You Are There!

Insatiable: Why couldn't she escape stupid vampires?

Poison...Renaissance Poisoner as Heroine

The Cowgirl Way - Women in the Wild West....

Greetings of the Season from Book City!

Barnes & Noble Breaks The Color Barrier!!!!

The Most Social Reading Ever

NEW? Book Blog Meme: Book Jewelry!

ALA Events for Banned Books Week!

Banned Books Week Read-Out! Chicago

Attendees

Location

Admission

Sponsors

Library and Bookstore Banned Books Week Events

Banned Books Week in Second Life

Oprah Picks "Freedom"...

See Rick Riordan - LIVE!

Will there be a third book in the HUSH, HUSH series?

Twitter Link Love: OCCBF is @kidsbookfest

OCCBF Announces Mysterious Galaxy at the OC Festival!

Winner Announced! Sea Poster!

Summer Reading Challenges...

Summer Reading...

OC Children's Book Festival - Oct. 3rd!

Rachel Vincent in Chicago with new Soul Screamers!

Authors In Motion - 5 of your favorites...

The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2)

White Cat by Holly Black

Interesting Reader Society - There Should Be One At Every Library!!!

Solomon's Thieves, Book One...

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

What's New, Cupcake?

Update: Judging A Book By It's Cover...

Free Comic Book Day!!! May 1st!

The Book Of Spies by Gayle Lynds

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman

YAY - I WON QUIRK CLASSICS SWAG!