The Hiding Spot: Playing Favorites

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Playing Favorites featuring Robin Benway!

It has been said that playing favorites isn't nice, but sometimes it's impossible not to! Join me at The Hiding Spot as I share a favorite author... and the author shares a few favorite things too.

ROBIN BENWAY

Genre: Contemporary YA

Book(s):

Audrey, Wait!

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June

Robin Benway's novels are about regular girls that find themselves in completely irregular, and sometimes extraordinary, situations. Sometimes even with cute boys.

MY FAVORITES

Novel: The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June.

I love both of Benway's novels, but I think her second might come out ahead, but only slightly and for three specific reasons. 1. The novel is about 3 sisters. I have two sisters and it was unbelievably easy to imagine myself and my sisters as April, May, and June. 2. I was lucky enough to hear Benway read an excerpt from each sister aloud, which made the characters incredibly real. Now, every time I read the novel, it's like I actually hear them speaking. 3. I love the idea of one's personality or self-image manifesting into a power. It makes me wonder what my power would be...

Character: April.
It's understandable that I would identify with April. She's the eldest sister, focused on school, and contantly worried about her younger siblings.

Quote: "It's funny how bed and pillows and covers can change a conversation. Words turn quiet and you mean more and say less. It's like you can build your own little world, Population: 2." -- from Audrey, Wait!
I tried to pick a favorite line from Benway's second book, but there were too many that I loved and I couldn't pick just one or a couple of lines, I wanted to share the entire passage. Instead, I picked this line from AUDREY, WAIT! because it's completely true and completely romantic.

THE FAVORITE FAVORS

BOOK: "Franny & Zooey" by JD Salinger

QUOTE: "may came home with a smooth round stone, as small as a world and as large as alone"

From "maggie and millie and molly and may" by ee cummings

WORD: It's a toss-up between "onomatopoeia" and "dodecahedron".
They're both so fun to say!

BAND: Right now it's Delorean.
...but it changes all the time. If you asked me tomorrow, I'd probably have a different answer.

MOVIE: The Royal Tenenbaums.
"I always wanted to be a Tenenbaum."

For more information about Robin and her novels

check out the links below:

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Playing Favorites with Sydney Salter

It has been said that playing favorites isn't nice, but sometimes it's impossible not to! Join me weekly at The Hiding Spot as I share a favorite author... and the author shares a few favorite things of their own.

SYDNEY SALTER

Genre: Contemporary YA
Books:

My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters (2009)

Swoon at Your Own Risk (2010) Review

Sydney Salter writes YA novels that masquarade as light beach reads, but are actually amazing coming-of-age stories that both entertain and inspire.

MY FAVORITES

Novel: Swoon at Your Own Risk
I loved this novel for two main reasons: the boys and the message. I was boy crazy through most of high school - okay, so maybe I still am - so Polly's fear of being boyfriendless and unliked was extremely easy to relate to. I appreciated that Salter could write a novel where the girl gets the guy and figures out who she is (without a boy). It's the best of both worlds.

Character: Polly
You know how sometimes you meet someone and you don't really click, but then later they become one of your best friends or favorite people? That basically describes my experience with Polly. She was standoffish at the beginning of the novel, but she quickly grew on me!

Quote: "'He's so into you,' Sonnet said. 'Do you see the way he stares? And he's always writing stuff in that little notebook. Probably odes to his Fair Polly.'

'I'm sure it's just a grocery list or something. I think he uses a lot of hair product.'"

There are so many great quotes in SWOON, but I think they have a more powerful impact when read in the context of the rest of the novel. This quote, however, is both funny and demonstrates Polly's use of sarcasm and humor to hide from truths she doesn't want to acknowledge. It says a lot about the main character, plus her comebacks are generally hilarious!

THE FAVORITE FAVORS

Food: Hamburger.
I’ve eaten my share of gourmet meals, but it’s always the hamburgers I remember most. Ah, the rosemary aioli on the Five Napkin Burger in New York, that tasty bacon burger at The Galley on Lopez Island, Washington… Nothing beats a great burger.

Quote: “A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.” –Anthony Trollope.

Trollope’s words remind me to keep working diligently toward my goals—even if I only manage to write a hundred words, I’m still that much closer to finishing. This quote also reminds me to take the long view of things, and not expect too much of myself too soon.

Animal: Turtles.
Okay, so I’m sensing a theme here. I like turtles because they remind me that slow and steady wins the race. But they also remind me to have a hard shell when it comes to criticism and all the failure that comes along with creative work. (I collect small turtle and tortoise figurines—and have two pet Russian tortoises.)

Holiday: Halloween.
Confession: I trick-or-treated until I was twenty-two, technically for charity (we sang spooky carols)—but I never turned down a Reese’s Cup. Now I host an annual Witches Luncheon; we go all out with our costumes and descend upon a local restaurant. At night, I delight in handing out excessive amounts of chocolate to the neighborhood kids—and teens know to come late when I’m extra generous with my fistfuls of candy!

Number: 17.
I loved being seventeen, I love seventeen year olds, and I especially love writing about seventeen year olds.

For more information about Sydney and her novels

check out the links below:

Interview at The Hiding Spot

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Playing Favorites featuring Morgan Matson!

MORGAN MATSON

Genre: Contemporary YA

Book(s):

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour Review

Debut author Morgan Matson has already earned a spot as one of my top YA romance writers. After only one novel, she's demonstrated her ability to write both compelling characters and perfectly paced romance.

MY FAVORITES

Novel: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour.This is Matson's first published novel, but I adored it! I'm a huge fan or road trips, music, and romance, making Matson's debut a must-read. I can't recommend Matson's novel enough, especially if you typically enjoy Sarah Dessen's novels.

Character: Amy and Roger.

I tried, I really did. Both characters had vibrant personalities, plus they're amazing together! Their chemistry kept my eyes glued to the page - I loved their back and forth banter!

Quote: "In addition to the OPEN RANGE CAUTION, there were animal signs I'd never seen before-an antelope, a cow, and cow with horns...But it worried me that, without warning, a cow with horns might be running across the interstate. And that this had happened frequently enough that they'd had to erect a sign to warn people about it."

There are so many wonderful lines from Matson's novel, so it was difficult to choose only one. Now, every time I see a sign like this, I laugh to myself! There are conversations between Amy and Roger that I might favor more than this quote, but I leave them to you to discover!

THE FAVORITE FAVORS

BOOK: Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith.

Adore that book. If you haven’t read it, I can’t recommend it highly enough. That and anything by P.G. Wodehouse, if you’re in the mood to laugh.

FOOD: Movie-theater popcorn.

Does this even technically count as a food? But I love it. I’ll go see movies I’m not even that interested in to get the popcorn. Lots of butter, tons of salt, inedible to most other people. YUM.

WORD: Ensorcelled.

I love this word, and the fact that I’ve got some of my friends using it is one of the things I’m proudest of. It means entranced by something or someone.

MOVIE: It Happened One Night.

It’s a classic from the 30s. I was so excited to see it get a mention in the new Sex and the City movie. It’s fantastic.

NUMBER: My favorite number is 19.

It’s my birthday, and it’s always been my favorite number. Whether it’s lucky, I’m not sure. But I’m hopeful!

For more information about Morgan and her novel

check out the links below:

Website

Twitter
GoodReads

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Playing Favorites with Natalie Standiford!

Natalie Standiford

Genre: Contemporary YA

Books:

How to Say Goodbye in Robot (2009) Review

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters (September 2010)

The Dating Game (Book 1-6)

Why I Love Her Writing?

Natalie Standiford writes about the misfit, broken-hearted robot that we all are. Or have been. Or will be.

MY FAVORITES

Novel: How to Say Goodbye in Robot

I'm ridiculously excited about Standiford's upcoming novel, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, but I'll always love How to Say Goodbye in Robot! Every time I see that bright pink cover I think about Jonah, Bea, and all the other unique and unforgettable characters from the novel. Robot may be the only novel that I completely adore that doesn't have a romantic plot line, which says something about Standiford's writing and her ability to form deep connections between characters. It's particularly impressive that said connection is between a girl and a boy... Often, in YA, even the most platonic relationship will veer into romance.

Character: Jonas

Jonas is one of my all-time favorite characters... so much so that, for me, he nearly stole the show from Bea. I loved Bea - she was wonderful narrator - but I found myself counting the pages until Jonas reappeared. I've always had a soft spot for characters that tug at your heartstrings, and Jonas was yanking incredibly hard.

Quote: "I felt like you could open a door in my hollow, tin chest--just flip it open, easy--and see my heart throbbing, raw and bloody and sore. You could even reach in and squish it if you wanted to. I didn't want anyone getting close enough to open that door and see that mess." - Pg 251 of How to Say Goodbye in Robot
Do you even need me to explain why this quote is amazing? Who doesn't feel this way at one time or another during their life?

THE FAVORITE FAVORS

Color: Blue
I'm the kind of person who finds it hard to choose favorites, but when it comes to color I've known for sure since babyhood and never wavered: blue. I had a blue blanket which I was very attached to, and I'm sure that had a big influence on me. Also, I have blue eyes, and blue looks good on me. My favorite element is water and I love the evening sky. So blue it is.

Food: Crabmeat.
Jumbo lump crab from Chesapeake blue crabs. (Blue again!) I know it's a cliche that Marylanders love crabmeat but what can I say? It's just so delicious. And cliches have to come from somewhere.

Candy: Chuckles.
Most people I know think I'm crazy. They do not like Chuckles. But I find them not only delicious but soothing. To me they're like medicine. They make my stomach feel good. And the name is delightfully awful.

Movie: Annie Hall
I first saw ANNIE HALL when I was 14 and I decided then and there that I wanted to move to New York and live in Woody Allen's world of intellectual neurotics. That world was mostly gone by the time I got here but it's still a great movie. Why doesn't anyone make poignant romantic comedies anymore?

Word: This constantly changes, but for the moment, for today, my favorite word is "Superb."
I find it funny the way that b sneaks onto the end, and it's fun to say. It makes your lips feel rubbery (as does the word "rubbery"). Superb! Runner-up: Smackdown. Sounds like what it is.

For more information about Natalie and her novels

check out the links below:

Interview at The Hiding Spot

Natalie's upcoming novel, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters will be available in September 2010! I can't wait to read her next offering, which sounds intriguing and has a wonderful cover.

Description (GoodReads):
The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless.

Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it.
And so the confessions begin....

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Playing Favorites with Courtney Summers

COURTNEY SUMMERS

Genre: Contemporary YA

Books:

Cracked Up to Be (2008)

Some Girls Are (2010) Review

Mean girls and emotionally charged novels are Courtney Summers' specialty. Filled with main characters you hate to love, brutal emotion, and dark themes, both of Summers' novels are must reads for teens and adults.

MY FAVORITES

Novel: Some Girls Are

It was hard to choose a favorite between Summers' two amazing novels! Perhaps it's simply because I read SGA more recently, but it came out slightly ahead.

Character: Regina

Regina is absolutely, perfectly horrible. She's the epitome of the mean girl in all of us... and the fact that some part of me identifies with her creates a bond that has me forgiving her transgressions and cheering her on. Well, cheering on the good decisions anyway.

Quote: "I elbow my way through the mass of people to get to my locker because there's something immensely satisfying about the toughest part of my arm connecting with the softest part of everyone else."

This quote, from page 3 of Cracked Up to Be, sets the tone for both of Summers' novels.

THE FAVORITE FAVORS

Author: Robert Cormier.

Everything he writes is incredible and difficult in the best of ways.

Quote: "I have always believed in the principle that immediate survival is more important than long-term survival." - Jack McClelland

I just love this quote and revisit it a lot.

Song: Toto's Africa!

Do I even have to explain this one? I run away screaming from people who do not love this song.

Animal: Birds!
I love any and all types of birds. I've had quite a few as pets growing up. They're wonderful.

Word: Fisticuffs.
Just say it out loud! Have you said it yet? See what I mean? Typing it is also fun. That is why it is my most favourite word ever.

For more information about Courtney and her novels

check out the links below: