The Hiding Spot

Friday, January 8, 2010

Interview: Carrie Jones (Author of NEED and CAPTIVATE!)

Carrie Jones, author of NEED and its much anticipated sequel, CAPTIVATE, was kind enough to answer some questions for The Hiding Spot! Read on and see why you should read CAPTIVATE, the one thing you need to be a writer, and a little sneak peek at Carrie's next book that isn't about pixies, werewolves, and the girl that is caught in between.

A Brief Biography:
Carrie Jones occasionally wears mismatched socks, always loves Great Pyrenees dogs, and never drinks coffee. She also loves Skinny Cow fudgsicles and potatoes, and is the award-winning author of Girl, Hero; Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape); Tips on Having a Gay (Ex)-Boyfriend; and Need. Carrie grew up in Bedford, NH where she once had a séance with uber-comedian Sarah Silverman; she now lives in Ellsworth, Maine.

The Interview:
Give a short description of or a statement about CAPTIVATE that will lure in readers.
Sexy werewolf. Sexy pixie king. Girl who makes tough choices and has the guts to do anything to save her man.
I stink at those. Sorry!

In CAPTIVATE, Zara seems to be a less fixated on phobias than she was in NEED. Was this detail planned or just coincidence?
It was absolutely planned. There is a scene near the end of NEED where Zara partially gives up her reliance on phobias. It comes out again in CAPTIVATE but only in dire stress. It’s part of her character growth.

How do the animal shapes of the weres in your novels reflect who they are when they are in human shape? I feel that some parallels are easier to see than others (Nick vs. Mrs. Nix).
The animal shapes do parallel the human shape in a certain extent. Nick is a little hairy, strong, fast like a wolf. Mrs. Nix is squat and solid like a bear. When she hugs it is an absolute bear hug. Betty is lithe and feline and strong. It’s more than just their shape, however, their personalities are also heavily influenced by their animals.

How many books do you plan to write about Zara, her friends, and pixies?
It will probably be four or five.

I often laugh aloud when reading your novels, especially scenes involving Issie and, in CAPTIVATE, when reading the Pixie Tips. Is it difficult for you to incorporate that humor when writing or does it come naturally?
I don’t even think of it as laugh-out-loud funny so I am so glad you do. I grew up in Bedford, NH with comic Sarah Silverman. The Myers brothers who are on SNL and Mad TV grew up there. Adam Sandler went to high school the next town over, so humor and weirdness was pretty much everywhere. In my family people constantly tease each other and find humor in pretty much everything. When I grew up and went to a college boyfriend’s house in NYC I was stunned that nobody laughed or made jokes. I didn’t even realize families could be like that.
That is an incredibly long way of me saying that I don’t try to be funny. It just happens. Right here my brother would say, “Yeah funny looking.”

Did you do any research while writing CAPTIVATE? If yes, please explain.
Yes. I researched Norse mythology and pixie mythology online and via text.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing CAPTIVATE?
The structure of it was hard for me and cutting a lot of the love scenes. Plus, some of the things that happened to Zara just ripped me apart. It was a hard book for me to write.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
No. I wanted to be a human-rights attorney.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
Salad bar girl at Wendy’s – I got fired after one day
Pretzel girl – I sold one to Bob Dylan
Ear piercer
Dispatcher for Security Department
Research assistant
Church Secretary
Victim-Witness Advocate
Newspaper Reporter/Editor
Gymnastics Instructor
Writing Instructor
Photographer
Magazine columnist
Police dispatcher
Gymnastics Instructor
Some of those bad boys overlapped. I was a newspaper person the longest. They ALL helped. I really believe every single life experience you have makes you a better writer. It teaches you about interactions between people, about emotion, about cause and effect.

When and where do you usually write?
I usually write in the morning at a rickety table smooshed between the refrigerator and the piano. Sometimes I write in the car waiting to pick my daughter up from swimming or something.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
Fingers.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
Sherman Alexie’s poetry. In person, Kathi Appelt, Time Wynne Jones, Rita Williams Garcia, Sharon Darrow , Cynthia Leitich Smith and Lisa Jahn Clough made me believe in myself enough to do this. They are brilliant cheerleaders/writers/therapists/teachers/humans.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel(s)?
I just finished the first draft of the next book in the NEED series, but I’m not allowed to talk about that. Sorry. I know it’s frustrating.
I also just co-wrote a horror story with adult author Steve Wedel. It’s scary. It’s upper YA. It takes place in Maine and my agent will be sending it out soon, I think.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
I am so pathetically needy that I have a lot.
My body guard is so big and funny and kind. He is my number one hiding spot.
My stuffed Grover is the personification of my internal cheerleader (all writers must have one to balance out our internal editors).
Kayaking.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Oh gosh no. Thank you so much for taking the time to write all these questions and then for reading the answers. It’s really kind of you.

Bloggiesta To Do List!

Below is a my Bloggiesta To-Do List. As I finish things, I'll cross them off the list. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday, everything will be done! :)

Write reviews

Before I Fall by Lauren Kate
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
~~Heist Society by Ally Carter~~
~~Captivate by Carrie Jones~~
~~The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell~~
Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
~~Siren by Tricia Rayburn~~
Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Start a new feature (or two)

Weekly quote feature
Weekly cover feature (to accompany cover of the week)

Contact various authors about guest posts/interviews
Edit profile, ~~contact information~~, and reviewing guidelines/system
Clean up and reorganize sidebars
~~Add in a search feature to sidebar~~
Look at new blog backgrounds and buttons (possibly change)
Plan for 1 year blogoversary (guest posts, contests, etc)
Plan 400 Follower contest! (hurrah!)

Review: Captivate by Carrie Jones

Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: 1/5/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Pixies, Shapeshifters, Love, Friendship, Family, Phobias
Pages: 336
Plot (from back of arc):
"Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his pixies gets weaker. So when a new, younger pixie king shows up, war is imminent. The new king, Astley, claims he's not evil, that his pixies can coexist peacefully with humans and weres. Zara's boyfriend, Nick, isn't buying it; no pixie could possibly be a good guy. But Zara is half pixie herself, ans he is just starting to think Astley could be right when he lets her in on a another secret: he believes Zara's relationship with Nick is about to come to an end - and that she is fated to be his queen..."

CAPTIVATE was a strong second novel and had me laughing aloud at parts. Fans of NEED are sure to fall hard for CAPTIVATE as well.

One of my favorite characteristics of Jones' books is the dialogue and humor. There is something so real and comforting about the characters' interaction, whether they are concerned about another or joking around. The language used in the book reminds me of playing around with my siblings and the types of things we would say to one another.

I really enjoyed Jones' use of pixie tips as chapter names. They were fun and a nice change from the phobias in the last novel. In ways, it also set the theme of the novel. In the first book, Zara was mostly just afraid and trying to figure out what was happening. In the second book, she knows what she's dealing with and now the focus is learning about pixies and pixie lore.

However, I'm still not a huge fan of Zara. I love all her friends and family (especially Issie!), but I just don't love Zara. I think it may be her tendency to try to be a hero, which usually fails and just causes a lot of trouble that really gets to me. I don't like that. I would prefer that, at least most of the time, she think her actions through a bit more. That said, Zara has many, many fans, which leads me to believe that my dislike of her character is purely just a preference.

Overall, I liked CAPTIVATE. It isn't really the supernatural elements that pull me Carrie Jones' books though, it is the characters and the humor. While I like this particular series, I'm really excited to see what Jones will write next as well.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 9
Characters: 8
Writing: 10
Romance: 9
Originality: 10
Total: 46/50 (A-)

If you loved NEED, you must read CAPTIVATE. Carrie Jones has written a funny and action packed sequel that is definitely worth checking out!

Interview: Jennifer Hubbard (Author of The Secret Year)

Please welcome Jennifer Hubbard, debut author of the stunning novel THE SECRET YEAR! I adored TSY and was so excited to be able to find out some background information about this amazing novel!

A Brief Biography (from Amazon):
Jennifer R. Hubbard grew up in New England and now lives in the Philadelphia area. She is a hiker, a chocolate lover, and a night person who believes that mornings were meant to be slept through.

She's been writing since the age of six, when she used to write and illustrate her own picture books. In high school, she considered it fun to come home from school and write novels in discount spiral-bound notebooks.
She had her first short story published when she was seventeen. Her short fiction has appeared in literary magazines. Her first book, the contemporary young-adult novel THE SECRET YEAR, will be published by Viking.

The Interview:
What inspired the premise of THE SECRET YEAR?
I’m not sure where the idea came from. I had an idea about a secret relationship that ended in death, with a notebook about the relationship left behind. I wasn’t sure what was in the notebook or why the relationship had to be secret, so I wrote the story to find out.

Colt is a bit younger than Julia; does this detail serve a particular purpose in the novel?
I think it enhances the inequality in their relationship, the sense Colt often has that he is one step below Julia. On the surface, the characters use that inequality for dramatic effect, while deceiving themselves about the real impact it has on them. But I would love to hear readers’ thoughts on that.

I felt that the order in which passages of Julia’s diary were revealed were integral to understanding Julia and Colt’s relationship; did you outline/plan this from the beginning or was revision and rewriting a major influence?
As I wrote, I found that many of the journal passages from Julia’s past related to whatever was going on in Colt’s life when he read them. When I noticed that, I immediately thought it was a good idea to continue, and so it went from being an unconscious strategy to a conscious one.

Did you do any research while writing TSY? If yes, please explain.
Much of what appears in TSY is based on “incidental research”—things I’ve experienced myself that I used in the book. I’ve lived most of my life near rivers and creeks; I’ve shot a target rifle; I’ve seen bittersweet in the late fall. But for the details of Julia’s fatal accident, I did do some research on auto crashes, and statistics on survival related to the use of safety belts and airbags.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing TSY?
Getting the ending right. I probably rewrote that more than any other part of the book. Originally, the book went on too long, and started introducing new plots rather than just wrapping up the storyline of this one. I also had critiquers arguing about whether Colt should end up with Kirby, or Syd, or nobody.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
I always wanted to write. For years, I wrote and sold short stories, and though I tried novels, I wasn’t sure I would be able to write a publishable book-length manuscript. It took practice.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
Every job and every experience helps in some way, I think. You have to have something to write about. Most of my day jobs have involved science, but I’ve also worked in a restaurant and done baby-sitting.

When and where do you usually write?
Evenings, weekends, and days off. I usually write on the computer in a spare bedroom of our house; it has become my writing office. But if we’re traveling, I write longhand in notebooks. The last time I was on a writing retreat, I wrote on a borrowed laptop.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
Ideas! I prefer to write here in my office, on my computer, with my music on. But I can write elsewhere if I have to; all I need is something to say and a way to write it down.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
In terms of influence, probably Jack Kerouac. There’s something about the spontaneity of his voice that excited me as a writer. But I love to read, and I read widely; there are very few genres that I never read. On my shelves right now, I have chapter books, middle-grade novels, YA books, adult classics, adult bestsellers, poetry, short stories, literary magazines, essays, and plays. I have books about history, travel, business, science; I have humor and biographies.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel(s)?
Only that I continue to work with contemporary, realistic stories.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
I love the woods, where I hike regularly.

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thanks for having me, and asking such great questions!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Title: The Secret Year
Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Publisher: Viking
Pub. Date: 1/7/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Secrets, Love, Friendship, Social Hierarchy/Status, Grief
Pages: 203
Plot (from back of arc):
Colt was with Julia for a year, but nobody else knew about it. Julia lived on Black Mountain Road in a mansion – with servants – and had a country-club boyfriend to complete the picture. But Colt definitely didn’t come from Black Mountain, and no one would have understood why they were together. It never mattered to them, but when Julia dies in an accident right before her senior year, Colt is suddenly the only one who knows their secret. He tries to pretend that his life is the same as ever, but he’s haunted by memories of Julia. It gets even worse after the journal she kept about their romance falls into his hands. Colt searches every entry for answers: Did Julia really love him? Was he somehow to blame for her death? But the ultimate question – one nobody can answer – is how he’s supposed to get over someone who was never really his to begin with.

I was truly amazed by The Secret Year! I picked up Jennifer R. Hubbard’s debut novel on a whim, but wasn’t sure it was a novel I’d particularly enjoy. Not only was the novel from a male point-of-view, which isn’t usually my favorite, it was about a secret affair. I definitely didn’t except Colt’s, and Julia’s, story to be so intensely moving.

I ended up really enjoying the fact that TSY is from Colt’s point-of-view. Not only was it a refreshing perspective, it allowed for the story to unfold in a unique and engaging way. Colt comes to possess Julia’s diary that recounts intimate details about their clandestine relationship and from which he shares pertinent passages with the reader. In many ways, meeting Julia through her journal entries made me feel even closer to her – and it allowed me to see her relationship with Colt in a whole new way. I was unsure whether I would like that Julia and Colt’s relationship was secret, I thought that it would seem cheap and shallow, but in the end I had completely different feelings about it. This novel reminded me that you can’t judge everything by first glance; there is so much more below the surface…

Since the story is told by Colt, the reader is missing key details about what happened the night Julia died. Colt blames himself for Julia’s death, but for most of the novel it is unclear why he would think this. I appreciated Hubbard’s intricate plotting as the pieces slowly came together.

In many ways, Julia was the star of the novel. Despite the reader never actually meeting her, Julia seemed to steal the spotlight and drive the story. Upon reflection, however, I started to feel a stronger connection to Colt. At first, I mostly just related to Julia because of the emotion she revealed in her journal entries, but Colt, though he didn’t necessarily show his emotions, even to the reader, was just as compelling.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)

The Secret Year was so much more than I had expected! I’ll definitely be watching for more from Hubbard after such an amazing debut novel!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Bloggiesta!

This year I'm participating in Bloggiesta, which is hosted by Maw Books Blog! Bloggiesta is:

In short, it’s a blogging marathon. A opportunity to cross those nagging items off of your to-do list and improve your blog while in the good company of other awesome bloggers doing the same thing. Break out the nachos, enchiladas, drinks, mariachi music and whack a pinata or two!
--Maw Books Blog

To join Bloggiesta and find out more about it, check out this POST!

Below is a my Bloggiesta To-Do List.

Write reviews

Before I Fall by Lauren Kate
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Heist Society by Ally Carter
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
Siren by Tricia Rayburn
Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Start a new feature (or two)

Weekly quote feature
Weekly cover feature (to accompany cover of the week)

Contact various authors about guest posts/interviews
Edit profile, contact information, and reviewing guidelines/system
Clean up and reorganize sidebars
Add in a search feature to sidebar
Look at new blog backgrounds and buttons (possibly change)
Plan for 1 year blogoversary (guest posts, contests, etc)
Plan 400 Follower contest! (hurrah!)

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Faithful by Janet Fox (Speak, 5/13/2010)
Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.

I am completely in love with the cover and description of this novel. I'm so excited to read it... and hope it lives up to my expectations!

Interview: Courtney Summers (Author of Some Girls Are)

Fellow hiders, I'm so excited to share an interview with the extremely talented Courtney Summers, in which her new novel, Some Girls Are, exploding, and Lady Gaga are all discussed. I urge you: Go read Some Girls Are! Even if you don't love it, you'll appreciate it. But there's a good chance you're going to love it... :D

A Brief Biography (from Courtney's Website):
Courtney Summers lives and writes in Canada where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and word-processing program when she’s not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse. She enjoys Archie comics, Trailer Park Boys, and other fine art. Pierre Trudeau is her hero and if you are a volcano, she would like to know you.

The Interview:
Give a short description of SOME GIRLS ARE, in your own words – a description that will lure in all those who are on the fence about reading SGA!

YOU WILL EXPLODE IF YOU DO NOT READ THIS BOOK ABOUT MEAN GIRLS.
I am terrible at these types of questions as you can see, but I feel I have met all of your requirements like so: it's short, I have described it ("book about mean girls") and I would like to believe I have enticed those who are sitting on the fence ("you will explode if you do not read [it]") because who wants to explode?

I found SGA almost painful to read, all the while being unable to put it down. Was it difficult to write from Regina’s point of view?
In hindsight, it was. Some Girls Are was a hard book to write for a few reasons (there was a death in my family when I drafted it), but I didn't realize just how difficult it was to write from Regina's point of view until I was well and truly finished the thing. When it was handed in and my editor had approved it, I felt totally wrung-out and tired. Too much time spent with mean girls!

While writing SGA, what was your intended message for readers?
My intention, when I write any book, is to be as honest and true to the characters and their story as I can be, which in turn (I think) is being true to and honest with the reader. Beyond that, what message the reader takes from any of my books is up to them. I think it's more fun that way.

Did you do any research while writing SGA? If yes, please explain.
When I thought the ending was going to be different, I did research some legal stuff, but I can't tell you what it is because it would manage to be a little bit of a spoiler. It was nothing too exhaustive, though.

How was the title decided?
Some Girls Are alludes to a line in the book. I took the line and asked my agent what she thought of the title SOME GIRLS ARE JUST. And then my agent came back and said, "How about just SOME GIRLS ARE?" Thank goodness for her because it sounds way better that way.

What was the most difficult aspect of writing SGA?
Writing is generally difficult for me, as much as I love it. I think one of the most difficult aspects of writing Some Girls Are (minus the intensive but very necessary revision with my amazing editor) was writing toward pages 134-137. That chapter really bothered me when I got to it. I can't give away any spoilers, but it's the turning point in the book and it's pretty dark.

Are you able to pick either Parker or Regina as your favorite lead character?
My favorite lead character is always the one I'm currently writing. :) But if I had to choose between Parker and Regina--I couldn't! I like them both for different reasons. I like Parker's meanness and her smart mouth. I liked exploring Regina's willingness to fight back and her anger. Parker will always have a special place in my heart because she was the protagonist of my debut novel.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
I always wanted to tell stories, and I spent a lot of time trying to find the medium that would best enable me to do that (I acted, I tried photography, I played the piano). It wasn't until I was eighteen that I realized writing novels was the medium that fit me best, and the one I loved the most.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
I've never had a job that tied directly into my want to be a writer. I've worked for my parents' lapidary business growing up. I've been vice president of the local theatre guild. Now I clean--and actually, my cleaning job does help me a lot as a writer. The hours are great, really flexible, so I have time to write and it gives me time to think about what I'm writing. I look at it as a means to an end.

When and where do you usually write?
I write all night, up in my room. By candlelight. Okay, that last part is not so much the truth.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
As long as I've got my headphones and water, coffee or coke--I'm good.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
Robert Cormier. His work reminds me not to hold back, ever, for anyone else's sake.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel(s)?
I don't like to give too much away about my works-in-progress, but I feel like the YA novel I'm working on now is one of the darker ones that I'll have written. But I say that and I'm not done it yet--it could be all rainbows and sunshine by the time I'm finished. And that's why I try not to give too much away about what I'm working on. :)

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
Writing.

I’ve noticed that you have a slight preoccupation with Lady Gaga, which can be proven quite easily if one looks at your Tweet history. :p What is your favorite Lady Gaga song and why?
Hee! Am I that unsubtle? ;) Oh, wow. Picking a favorite Lady Gaga song. I think every song of hers has been a favorite at one point or another. Bad Romance is genius and forever listen-able. Paparazzi holds a special place in my heart (best music video EVER!). Vanity is a great one and so is Beautiful, Dirty, Rich. Just Dance. And Teeth has FANTASTIC lyrics. I can't pick just one! C'est impossible! I love them all!

Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you so much for the interview, Sara!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Review: Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub. Date: 1/5/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Popularity, Bullying, Lies, Love, Friendship
Pages: 246
Plot (from back cover):
"Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut.
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard - falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students of Hallowell High... that is, until vicious ruors about her and her best friend's boyfriend started going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it woiuld be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past she herself used to bully, friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.
Tensions grow and abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up to Be."

Some Girls Are is just one of those books. One of those books that everyone should read. Not only because Courtney Summers is a phenomenal writer, but because Regina's story is one that anyone can relate to. Readers may not look at Regina and the bigger events in the novel and see their lives reflected, but if you look at the details, the feelings and fears of Regina and all her classmates, I'm certain you'll see a little bit of yourself. It might not be the prettiest bit, it might not even be a part of yourself you let others see, but that won't make it any less true.

I loved Regina as a main character. She was so absolutely horrible. So real. So broken. If I knew her in real life, I probably would hate her. That is, when I didn't agree with her. That fact is one of the reasons I loved SGA. Most everyone has that horrible in them, even if it isn't to the extent to which Regina does. She is one of those characters that makes you think. How do my actions and words affect people? Do the people I associate with affect how others see me? Do they affect how I see me? Affect what I think is right or wrong? Affect whether I should be blamed for my actions, my choices, if done under the influence of peer pressure? Simply put: This book is intense.

SGA is one of those books that is painful to read, but I couldn't put it down. I knew that Regina's situation was just going to keep getting worse, especially if she kept fighting back against the Fearsome Foursome, but I wanted her to fight.

Regina and Michael's relationship was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. The fact that, from the beginning, you know that their relationship is going to be difficult, perhaps impossible. Which, of course, made me want it to work out even more. In many ways, their relationship was a type of redemption for Regina: if Michael can find a way to forgive her, can find a way to love her, perhaps there is hope for her after all.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Pick up a copy of SOME GIRLS ARE today - you NEED to read this book! And Courtney, when is your next book coming out? I can't wait!

Contest: Win a copy of Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves!

Dia Reeves is offering one lucky reader a copy of her debut novel BLEEDING VIOLET!

Be sure to check out my review of Bleeding Violet and my interview with Dia! By commenting on these two posts, you can earn up to 8 extra entries into the contest! Extra entries can also be earned by spreading the word about this contest and following The Hiding Spot!

To be entered to win, simply fill out this FORM!

The contest is open to those with US and Canada mailing addresses.

The contest will close January 19th, 2010!

Good luck! :D

Interview: Dia Reeves (Author of Bleeding Violet!)

Please welcome Dia Reeves, one of the amazing Tenners and author of BLEEDING VIOLET! Enjoy the interview below, in which Dia discusses her debut novel, Stephen King, and her next novel (which I'm fairly certain I need RIGHT now!).

A Brief Biography (From AuthorsNow):
Dia Reeves is a librarian and lives in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. Her family, however, grew up in East Texas and has inspired her with many tales from the area.

Give a short description of or a statement about BLEEDING VIOLET that will lure in readers.
Here’s the official summary: A mentally ill sixteen-year-old girl reunites with her estranged mother in an East Texas town that is haunted with doorways to other worlds and protected by demon hunters called Mortmaine. But I always tell people BV is basically Mommie Dearest in the Twilight Zone.

Do you share any traits with Hanna, personality-wise or otherwise?
Man, I hope not. She’s impulsive and sexy and manipulative and aggressive, and I’m the opposite of all that. I’d never write a character who was just like me—I’d bore myself and everyone else to death.

Hanna was a character that I was simultaneously drawn to and afraid of, was she difficult to write, to keep that balance? Or am I just crazy and her character wasn’t necessarily supposed to read that way?
I think you read her right. She can be very charming when she wants to be, but her manic depression makes her unpredictable, even dangerous at times. Hanna wasn’t difficult to write. I let her do whatever oddball thing she wanted to do, but I made sure that the readers at least understood WHY she did strange things, even if they didn’t approve of her behavior. And the WHY, of course, is that she wants to be loved, no matter what. If you understand that, then you understand Hanna.

The monsters in BV are like none I’ve ever encountered before in a novel; had you been brainstorming them for years or did you create them easily?
I brainstormed them a bit; not for years, though. :) I just think of real animals—like leeches and scorpions-- and then punch em up a bit with, like, tentacles and the ability to turn people into glass. Easy peasy.

BV does not shy away from the topic of teen sex, or sex in general. Was it natural for you to include sex in the novel or did you debate about its inclusion?
I didn’t debate it at all. Hypersexuality is one of the symptoms of manic depression, which is why Hanna is such a sexual person. People have a problem with it of course, since she’s a teenager (at least, I’m assuming that’s why), but ignoring her sexuality would mean ignoring a huge part of who Hanna is. And just for the record, the actual sex in BV is very slight, fade-to-black kind of stuff, but the way people talk about it, you’d think there was an orgy on every page.

Did you do any research while writing BV? If yes, please explain.
I did a lot of research on manic depression. At the beginning, all I knew was that I wanted Hanna to have a mental illness that made her hallucinate. So through research, I was able to narrow it down to schizophrenia and manic depression. I choose manic depression because I saw Hanna as outgoing and vivacious, and schizophrenes find it very difficult to interact with people in a normal way. Basically, I didn’t want her to be so crazy that no one would be able to understand her. So manic depression for the win!

What was the most difficult aspect of writing BV?
The hardest part was revising it. It took me two and half years and thirty different drafts to figure out the story I wanted to tell. Earlier drafts had twice as many characters, a different villain, a different ending, an extra love interest. At one point, Hanna and some of her friends cooked an octopus; I mean page after page of these kids standing around cooking an octopus. It was just all over the place. But now that I’ve learned to outline, I don’t have that problem of writing useless crap that just ends up getting deleted.

Did you always want to be a novelist?
I have since I was twelve. I read It by Stephen King and decided I wanted to make people feel the way that book made me feel.

What jobs did you have on your way to being a writer? Did they help you in any way as a writer?
I’ve only ever been a librarian. Reading and research help me do my job as both a librarian and a writer.

When and where do you usually write?
On my couch, usually at night. I’m more creative in the dark.

Is there something that is a must have for you to be able to write?
Music. My space heater so my feet don’t get cold. Water and a snack also help—that way I don’t have to get up and go to the kitchen when I get peckish.

What author or book most influenced you as a writer or in general?
Stephen King is easily the biggest influence and the reason I write creepy stuff instead of happy novels about girls getting afterschool jobs to pay for prom and whose biggest worry is that their football hero crushes won’t like them or that their parents are heading down the road to…DIVORCE. *gasp* I’ll take blood and guts over that stuff any day.

Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel(s)?
I’ve turned in a novel to my editor called Strange Fruit, which is about the two daughters of a convicted serial killer who, like their father, are also killers, but unlike their father, only kill bad guys.

The Hiding Spot is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Is there a place, activity, or person that is your hiding spot?
MUSIC!!! It’s how I block out the world and disappear into my own head where all the cool ideas are. Books, as you know, are also an excellent hiding spot—one I turn to often.

Check out my review of BLEEDING VIOLET here!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Review: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Title: Bleeding Violet
Author: Dia Reeves
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub. Date: 1/5/10
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Supernatural, Monsters, Family relationships, Bipolar Disorder, Love, Possession
Pages: 464
Plot (from back of arc):
Love... can be a dangerous thing.
Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas, in search of a new home.
But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

I'm kind of in love with this book. Every time I try to write my review though, I can't find the words. I think I've been left speechless. Or there are too many words and feelings bouncing around in my head. BLEEDING VIOLET pullled me in by its jagged teeth and I read it at a breakneck speed and with wide eyes. I'm not sure I've ever read such a strange tale; it was completely unique.

As I was getting ready to read BV, I kept hearing comments about the book. Other reviewers kept mentioning that it was such an odd book. I'd have to agree with this sentiment. It is hard to determine exactly what characteristic of the novel other reviewers are referring to when they say it is strange, in comparison to other supenatural and horror YA novels, but for me, it was Hanna. Dia Reeves' main character is not, in my mind, your typical YA character, nor your typical horror narrator. There is an unshakeable calm about Hanna and her ability to accept unexplainable phenomena is rather impressive. In the novel, Hanna has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and, after a shopping spree during a manic episode and a violent outburst, has run away to a small town in search of her estranged mother. Shortly after she arrives, Hanna discovers that she might have just found the one place that is crazier than she is. Does Hanna run away screaming? Nope. She doesn't even flinch. I loved that Hanna is such a strong character, at least on the outside, but she still has a soft center. Her ultimate goal throughout the book is to gain love and acceptance from her mother, who left Hanna and her father when she was only an infant. This is what makes Hanna a YA character and a character that a reader can connect with. The fact that she fights back instead of cowering in the face of freakish monsters and evil spirits... those traits just make her a badass. But the fact that she has Bipolar Disorder definitely sets her apart from other YA characters - and explains some of her behavior and tendencies.

There is also a romantic plotline in BV. I found Hanna's relationship with Wyatt to be both interesting and engaging. It was interesting because of Hanna's personality, her past, and, in ways, her future. Hanna's past relationships barely passed for actual relationships and her entire future, as far as she was concerned, seemed to be focused on her mother. So throwing Wyatt into the mix had interesting side effects. In addition, I simply enjoyed their love story. It wasn't typical, but it still made me smile and root for their budding relationship.

The superatural elements of BV were impressive. The novel has a definite horror vibe - I think it could definitely be made into a movie - and at times I felt like covering my eyes and reading through my fingers. BV isn't one of those books that will keep you up at night with the light on, but it is filled with creepy crawlies. And evil spirits. And hidden doors to other dimensions. Portero, Texas isn't my dream destination, but I can't help but be fascinated by it.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)

Bleeding Violet is an amazing debut from Dia Reeves and if it isn't on your to-be-read pile, add it now! Start of 2010 with a great novel, start 2010 with Bleeding Violet!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Cover Alert: Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev!!

Oh. my. goodness. I am so, so excited about the sequel to EYES LIKE STARS! Check out the cover art below!

PERCHANCE TO DREAM BY LISA MANTCHEV

EYES LIKE STARS was one of my favorite books of 2009 and I've been dying to read PERCHANCE TO DREAM ever since I read the last line in ELS! This definitely a book that I think is worth preordering! ...And counting down the days until its release...!

Guest Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I'd like to share this review that my 14-year-old younger brother wrote for The Hunger Games. It isn't a review as it is a defensive response to negative Amazon reviews. I don't know many readers who don't love The Hunger Games - so this little essay may not affect many of you, but I was really impressed when my brother sent it to me. I think it is amazingly well written and I was kind of in shock when I read it!

The Hunger Games: A Counter Review
I wrote this review to clear up some things that other reviewers have said prematurely and possibly without thinking very deeply about the meaning and depth of this book. First off I will address commonly mentioned “flaws” of the book.

Many times The Hunger Games has been called a rip-off of other stories from more accomplished authors. All I have to say is that this claim is completely unwarranted. Really there is no possible way to know that Suzanne Collins did not come up with this book on her own. I can also tell you right now that no author’s idea has ever been 100% original. I do not dispute that Collins was not the first to write about a situation like this, but that has no holding against how enjoyable of a story this is. Also people have mentioned multiple books they claim Collins has copied for her book…. Does this not imply that these other books were also copying each other? Suffice to say, I believe that the idea of Collins copying other books is totally ludicrous.

Next I will address the bizarre names that have apparently left so many reviewers dumbfounded. First of all, this is a fictional story. The names of the characters should not detract from the quality of the book, and if they do, you are a substandard reader and your imagination is simply too confined to understand that you are reading about a different world where people see things in a completely different way that the way you do. O.K. now I will start with Katniss & Peeta. These characters are from District 12, in which the people are considered barbaric to the rest of the districts. Their names reflect that, they are simplistic and strange. Next is Glimmer, who comes from an industrial district. I would suppose that he name reflects some kind of product produced there. Now Rue, who is from an agricultural district. Rue is an herb used as an antispasmodic. Her name is possibly derived from this herb that they may have grown in their district and were familiar with. I believe all this is enough to void the claim that the names Collins created were thoughtless and shallow.

Now, about the character Katniss. Yes she is irritating at times, but only because of her personality, which is part of the story. If she didn’t have this personality she would be a different person, and the story would go in a different direction. I don’t believe that this detracts from the quality of the book.

Last there is the claim that the only reason this book ever made it was because it was recommended by Stephanie Meyers. All I can say about this is that it is ridiculous to even think that the recommendation of an author of a substandard overstated series would be the single thing that makes a book successful.

Now for a short and simple summary of what I think of this book. Despite all that I have talked about already, I would rate this book with a 4 and half out of 5 stars rating. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read and was both interesting and exciting. I enjoyed getting to know the complex futuristic idea of a possible post apocalyptic North America. I liked getting to follow along with Katniss as she realized the whole truth about the rest of the districts and the capitol. I was depressed by the seemingly impossible to overcome corrupt government, and then enlightened by the appearance of good people amongst this. (e.g. Cinna) Perhaps the book could have been better in some ways but overall it was much better than some reviewers implied.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

In My Mailbox (15)

IMM is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren!

This IMM post is from the last two weeks, since I never got to post the books I received when I was home (because I had dial up internet and absolutely not patience!).

The Mark by Jen Nadol (Bloomsbury, 1/19/2010)

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu (Bloomsbury, 2/2/10)
Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.

For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal.
When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue.
With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt (Disney Hyperion, 3/23/10)
When a well-dressed woman steps out of a bubble and wants to know if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you

A) run
B) faint
C) say yes?
For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for some glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C). Desi has a rare ability: with the help of "Royal Rouge," she can temporarily transform into the exact look-alike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?
Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras.... In this winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap (Bloomsbury, 3/2/10)

“Will I never see you again either?” I asked, feeling as though I was about to jump off a high mountain peak and hope to land without hurting myself. That’s how impossible everything seemed at that moment, no matter what I did.

“Perhaps we will meet again,” Sasha said, softening his voice. “But you must see that it does not matter. You have so much ahead of you. It’s your choice now. Choose the future! Choose life!”

For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia’s last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family’s future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death?

Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap’s new novel is a haunting vision of the life—and love story—of Russia’s last princess.

The Returners by Gemma Malley (Bloomsbury, 3/2/10)
London teenager Will Hodge is miserable. His mother is dead, his father’s political leanings have grown radical, and his friends barely talk to him. To top it off, he’s having nightmares about things like concentration camps. Then Will notices he's being followed by a group of people who claim to know him from another time in history. It turns out they are Returners, reincarnated people who carry with them the memory of atrocities they have witnessed in the past. Will realizes that he, too, is a Returner. But something about his memories is different, and with dawning horror, Will suspects that he wasn’t just a witness to the events, he was instrumental in making them happen. Set in the near future, with the world on the verge of a new wave of ethnic cleansing, Will must choose to confront the cruelty he's known in his past lives, or be doomed to repeat it . . . again.

The Timekeeper's Moon by Joni Sensel (Bloomsbury, 3/2/10)
When Ariel Farwalker hears the moon calling her, she feels certain that she must heed its summons or face terrible consequences. Following a mysterious map into unknown territory, she sets off with three companions: Scarl, her gruff guardian; Sienna, the beautiful Flame-Mage; and Nace, a mute boy whose silent kindness captures Ariel's heart. Together they discover a remnant of a lost civilization and help Ariel reach her goal - a place outside time itself, where the actions of the present resonate in both the past and the future.

A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup (Bloomsbury, 12/22/09)
The three Cheeseman children, their father, and their psychic dog are all on the run. From whom? Well the CIA, naturally. But also corporate agents #5, #29, and # 207, plus two international superspies -- one of whom happens to be a chimpanzee. They all want Dr. Cheeseman and his late wife's greatest invention–a machine with unspeakable powers–OK, I'll say it. It's a time machine. But it's not working right yet, so put all ideas of time travel out of your head.
Instead, please enjoy this high stakes, high action, hijinx-filled chase, and the bizarre characters our Cheeseman friends will meet as they protect not just their parents' invention, but their mother's sacred memory. It's an adventure novel like no other.
Oh yeah, and did we mention the entertaining, plot-exposition filled, unsolicited advice you'll receive along the way? So you didn't ask for it? Yeah, that's why it's unsolicited.
Unsolicited Advice #1: Read this book.

Night World Book 1 by LJ Smith (out now)

In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.

Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.
Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder.

Night World: The Ultimate Fan Guide
You loved Secret Vampire and are counting down to the Strange Fate apocalypse. But who was the first made vampire? How do you properly greet a witch? And why are shapeshifters and werewolves rivals? Prepare to test your Night World knowledge with trivia questions from all nine books; get the inside information about the clans, the soulmate principle, Circle Daybreak, and the four Wild Powers; and take two quizzes to find out how you fit into the Night World.

Captive by Carrie Jones (Bloomsbury, 1/5/10)
Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford (out now)
New to town, Beatrice is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

Friday, January 1, 2010

2010 Debut Author Challenge

The 2010 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Information about the challenge can be found here. Below are the books I plan to read as part of the challenge. The list is long - which shows just how awesome those Tenner authors are! :D

~~Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves~~
~~Siren by Tricia Rayburn~~
~~The Naughty List by Suzanne Young~~
~~Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omololu~~
~~Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken~~
~~The Line by Teri Hall~~
All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
~~The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson~~
~~Sea by Heidi Kling~~
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
~~The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell~~
~~Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus~~
~~Paranormalcy by Kiersten White~~
~~Other by Karen Kincy~~
~~Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis~~
~~The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride~~
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
~~Everlasting by Angie Frazier~~
~~The Mark by Jen Nadol~~
~~Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala~~
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
13 to Life: A Werewolf's Tale by Shannon Delaney
~~Faithful by Janet Fox~~
~~Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready~~
The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
~~Illyria by Elizabeth Hand~~
Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
Under My Skin by Judith Graves
~~A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker~~
Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt
Wish by Alexandra Bullen
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham
~~Tagged by Mara Purnhagen~~
~~Nevermore by Kelly Creagh~~
Island Sting by Bonnie Doerr
A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis
~~Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl~~
Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristin Chandler
~~A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler~~
Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
~~Nightshade by Andrea Cremer~~
Forbidden Sea by Sheila Nielson
~~Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins~~
~~The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney~~
~~Freefall by Mindi Scott~~
~~Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson~~
Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones
The Beautiful Between by Alyssa Sheinmel
~~Illyria by Elizabeth Hand~~
Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw
God is in the Pancakes by Robin Epstein
~~A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley~~
~~The DUFF by Kody Keplinger~~
~~Nevermore by Kelly Creagh~~

2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

J. Kaye's Book Blog is hosting this awesome challenge! I debated entering this one, but I really do have an amazing local library and this challenge gives me a way to show off just how great it is! Plus, it will cut down on book buying costs! :D Challenge details can be found below.

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. There are four levels:
--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

7. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your library books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
****You do NOT need to review your books. That is optional.****

Go HERE to join the challenge!

I'll be participating at the Mini Level and will be aiming to read at least 25 library books this year! :)

1. Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
2. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
3. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
4.
5.

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

J. Kaye's Book Blog is the host for the 2010 YA Reading Challenge. I decided to join this challenge as a way to stay motivated and because the majority of books I read are YA. Details about the challenge can be found below.

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. There are four levels:
--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.
--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.
--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, re-reads all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your Young Adult novels will be listed. Include the URL so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
****You do NOT need to review your books. That is optional.****

Go HERE to join the 2010 YA Reading Challenge @ J.Kaye's Book Blog!

I'll be participating at the Supersize Me Level and aiming to read 75 YA novels in 2010!

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Siren by Tricia Rayburn
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride
Captivate by Carrie Jones
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
The Mark by Jen Nadol
Undead Much? by Stacey Jay
Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu
Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
Tagged by Mara Purnhagen
Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl
Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Anxious Hearts of Tucker Shaw
Nomansland by Lesley Hauge
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway
For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn
She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott
Illyria by Elizabeth Hand
Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams
Faithful by Janet Fox
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Deception by Lee Nichols
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Freefall by Mindi Scott
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Other by Karen Kincy
The View from the Top by Hillary Frank
Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green
Angelfire by CA Moulton
The Julian Game by Adele Griffin
Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan
The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt
Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham
The Eternal Ones by Kristin Miller
Winter Longing by Tricia Mills
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
Her and Me and You by Lauren Strasnick
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Personal Demons by Lisa Derochers
Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
Dark Song by Gail Giles
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman
Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
Crash Into Me by Albert Borris
Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson
Matched by Ally Condie
Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Please Ignore Vera Deitz by A.S. King
Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

1st in a Series Challenge!

Royal Reviews is hosting the 1st in a Series Challenge for 2010! I'm really excited about this challenge, as I love finding new series to read! Below are the Challenge details.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious– Read 3 novels that are first in a series.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 novels that are first in a series.
-- Addicted – Read 12 novels that are first in a series.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 novels that are first in a series.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to the post about the 1st in a Series Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can find join in and read your reviews and post.

Go HERE to join the challenge!

I'm going to participate at the ADDICTED level and aim to read 12 books that are 1st in a series.

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
Siren by Tricia Rayburn
Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott
A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
Matched by Ally Condie
Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh