Because her hair was forever UNdone
Angela Ann would be the one
To venture out on a bright sunny day
with friends who stick with her all the way
14 Comments on ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ UNDONE, last added: 12/23/2009
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By: Ginger Nielson,
on 12/19/2009
Blog: Ginger Pixels (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: undone, bikers, Ginger Nielson, Add a tag
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By: Donna Pellegata ,
on 12/18/2009
Blog: Donna Pellegata ~ ArtQwerks ~ Art Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: sisters, bow, undone, children's book illustrator, children's book illustrations, ArtQwerks, Donna Pellegata, christmas, IF, Add a tag
These two have a love for the holidays and for each other that cannot be undone.
ArtQwerks
By: Trisha, Gayle, and Jolene,
on 12/3/2008
Blog: The YA YA YAs (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fiction, brooke taylor, undone, cybils ya fiction nominee, Add a tag
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 7/25/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: brooke taylor, undone, launch, Add a tag
Awesome! And we'd love to thank you for spending the week getting to know Brooke and helping celebrate her launch! Be sure to come back next week when we talk with authors, agents, editors, and other publishing professionals as we go through the entire process of taking a story from idea to hardbound book!
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 7/24/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: brooke taylor, undone, launch, Add a tag
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 6/25/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: undone, Book Reviewer Hot Seat, Reviewer X, brooke taylor, Add a tag
What's your handle? Reviewer X—but my real name's Steph. :)
What kind of books do you review? Anything. (But I have a soft spot for YA books because, wouldn't you know it, I am a young adult.) I have no inhibitions in my reading habits. ;)
Awesome! Okay, so as you know, we love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours!
The original name of my blog was X-Rated Reviews. I created the name Reviewer X to give my blog's name some ambiguity. (I love ambiguity.) See, it could be just another meaninglessly chosen name—X-Rated Reviews; but it also could mean reviews rated by someone named X. I ultimately changed the name because I hated it, so now my blog is just the self-titled Reviewer X entity.
LOL. And maybe people might think you reviewed something other than YA books, eh? So how did you get into the book review biz?
I wanted to talk to authors. I wanted to interview them. So I created a blog, emailed Lauren Baratz-Logsted (lovely lady, by the way) and she got back to me within hours agreeing to do an interview. I sent off the questions, she sent them back the next day, and bam, blog was finally started. From there on out I have started several other features, like Young Adult Weekly, Reviewer Profiles, and Author Weeks. All of it brings me a wider crowd and what can I say, it's a blast talking to you beautiful author people!
Aw, thanks, we love doing interviews and talking to book lovers! What we don't like is not knowing if 4 stars is a great accomplishment or means we need to take up tennis. Describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?
I've been back and forth on my grading system, from a 5 star scale to a 1-10 grade and now I'm at letter grades, which I love and have decided to stick to. The official key reads something like this:
A: Dude, this is incredible.
B: Great read.
C: Meh...
D: Tanks, but doesn't fully suck.
F: Are you kidding me?
You can also translate this into a star system—A is five stars, B is four stars, and so on.
The letter grades are very appropriate for YA and MG novels, just like being back at school! Okay, so how do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn't normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you've read?
As a reviewer, I receive quite a few books from authors and publishers, so that puts the whole "picking what books you read" thing into perspective. I love the variety of books I've been receiving, though, and it's probably good that I don't choose all books I get. This way, receiving a lot of books I probably wouldn't have picked up if they hadn't been sent to me, my knowledge of the YA field grows exponentially. Whoever complained about an expanded horizon?
What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?
Whoa, hold up—you guys worry about attracting our attention? Really? It seems to me it's the other way around. Honestly, a simple email to the reviewer will do—we love receiving free stuff! 'Cause if piquing our interest is what you're worried about, you've got no problems—email, email, email!
Now, my question to you guys is: Does it bother you when reviewers email you asking for ARCs or review copies?
(Would this be the place to add in here that I am dying to read so many of the Class of 2k8's books and if anyone wants to send an ARC or something to me, I'd jump on you and scream in delight?)
LOL. Hold on while I hop up into the hot seat... Yowzer--it really is hot up here! Okay, forgive the politically correct answer--but it just depends. As the letterhead states, we're a diverse group of debut authors so the answer varies depending on the author and more importantly the book's publisher. But I don't think any of us like to say no, especially when a reviewer is dying to read our books and would jump and scream in delight. :-)
Okay, back in the hot seat X. If you really aren't feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?
If it won't cause me any internal bleeding then sure, why not. However, my health comes first and if a book is radioactive waste, it gets tossed aside and reviewed from a partial read because number one rule of writing is not damaging your readers' insides.
If you really love a book, will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?
Hell yes I will! I love revisiting books, whether I hated them or not. (It's funny to see if my opinion changes given time.) As for what books I've loved and reread, well, the list is quite long, but here's an abridged version:
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (Best. Book. Ever.)
A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
Looking for Alibrandi (On The Jellicoe Road, which I just finished, will probably be reread many a time—and I also have Saving Francesca up next to read, which I expect will be fantastic) by Melina Marchetta
The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance by Catherine Ryan Hyde
However, the book that I've reread the most is:
The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols. Love its everything.
Quite a diverse collection of greatness! I bet it is easy to review books you love and would re-read. Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?
My basic philosophy for reviewing is: The author wrote a book, right? That took a lot of work. (Queries, agents, editors, copy editors, booksellers, professional reviewers, the readership—all of it is tons of stress, work and pressure.) The least I could do is try to give as thoughtful and detailed a review as possible, whether positive or negative. What I mention in each review (aside from the characters, which I always touch on) depends on each book, but I really do try to give a full account of all my thoughts and reactions to each book I read. This often results in long-winded reviews that probably bore people to tears, but to hell with it. If I get a book to review, I do go through that entire process.
That said, some books do, from time to time, provoke me in such a manner that they cause me to lose the control to my snarky side. Hence a category on my blog called Reviewer X Goes All X. I can get pretty sardonic. (But always with substantiated evidence!)
No need to Go All X! Let's talk about the good times, when was the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book?
This wasn't the last book I read, but I thought it might interest you, Class of 2k8 authors, to know that I cried while reading Undone by Brooke Taylor. I remember it distinctly: I was having one of my usual insomnia episodes and grabbed Undone from my TBR pile to read. At 1:30AM or so, I got to a really sad passage and began crying. I got up and went to my laptop to email Brooke about it, actually—at 1:30AM, folks. It was that compelling. (And I proceeded to sleep at 3AM or so, for those interested!)
Last book I read was On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (and I do love me some Marchetta books)—it was great. I got all of those reactions mentioned above from it and more.
Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?
I really want to meet Jessica Darling from Megan McCafferty's books. I think we'd have a lot to talk about because she and I are much the same.
You and Not So, eh? That Marcus wouldn't be bad to meet either. So what books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?
I always recommend any books by Curtis Sittenfeld, Libba Bray, Megan McCafferty, Melina Marchetta, and Jodi Picoult. (Though, for Jodi Picoult, I'd stay away from any books before The Pact.) Why? Great voice, great characters, great writing, great plots, great messages, great authors, and great books.
Okay Reviewer X, we can't avoid it any longer, it is time for the Extra Scandalous Question—
I love scandalous ordeals!
Then here we go... really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It's okay—you can tell us, just don't name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?
No fear. I've given my share of negative reviews so far, and the turnout has been great—people take your opinion more seriously when you offer a balanced perspective. (Or so the people who have emailed have said!) Also, no hate mail thus far, though I am curious! Feel free to tell me what I can do with my blog if I give your book a bad review ;)
As for advice on how to take a negative review, first thing to remember is, it's only an opinion. Yeah, it sucks that you didn't conquer all who read your novel with its brilliancy, but remember, someone's always bound to all-out love it and, like all things in life, someone else is bound to think the exact opposite. Take comfort in that because reviews (especially blog reviews, as much as it pains me to say so) are not know-all-and-end-all. Also, if you're a glass-half-full kind of person, you might to extract something from that negative review to help you strengthen your writing. (And this is considering the review is actually well written and founded—some negative reviews suck, and if that's the case, it's not your problem but the reviewer's. Ignore.)
Good point! Thanks for all the great answers! One last question: if they aren't scared off by all that bad review talks and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?
I'll start by saying that the review isn't the first thing you should be scared about; my response to your offering your book is. You might be met with an abundance of exclamation points and capital letters; it's only my usual acute psychosis, really, but it's still frightening. (If you don't believe me, ask Christina Meldrum how I replied to her when she offered up Madapple.) If you can handle my enthused hairball response, and the possibility of a negative (and possibly snarkastic) review, then shoot off an email to reviewerx (at) gmail.com
Okay, readers are you like Reviewer X and love to get offered free books? Simply leave a comment and you'll be entered to win an ARC of Undone. Reviewer X hasn't written her review yet, but here's what another reviewer is saying about Brooke Taylor's debut novel:
"(Undone) totally grabbed me in and wouldn’t release its grasp until the very last page. The story took twists and turns that I never suspected in the least. I think that half the time I was reading my mouth was hanging open in shock of what had just happened. My only complaint is the book ended!" And Another Book Read
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 4/20/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: elizabeth c bunce, jennifer bradbury, jody feldman, brooke taylor, lisa schroeder, A Curse Dark As Gold, The Gollywhopper Games, i heart you you haunt me, Shift, undone, ALA, Add a tag
By: Rebecca,
on 10/11/2007
Blog: OUPblog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Health, celebration, gay, journey, Current Events, oxford, resources, websites, national, congratulations, transgender, out, coming, ease, provide, bisexual, homosexual, Add a tag
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By: Ginger Nielson,
on 12/19/2009
Blog: Ginger Pixels (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: undone, bikers, Ginger Nielson, Add a tag
By: Donna Pellegata ,
on 12/18/2009
Blog: Donna Pellegata ~ ArtQwerks ~ Art Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: sisters, bow, undone, children's book illustrator, children's book illustrations, ArtQwerks, Donna Pellegata, christmas, IF, Add a tag
These two have a love for the holidays and for each other that cannot be undone. OH OK!!!!! I've been away for a week or so, so I'm playing catch up by posting fairly early (for me anyway) for the current Illustration Friday. I'm somewhat discombobulated with the time, as I'm sure we ALL are during this hectic holiday season, so instead of using this illustration that was supposed to be for Entangled two weeks ago (or last week, or whenever it was), I'm now using it for Undone THIS week. It works if you hold your head right. I'll just consider this a Christmas present to myself because there's so much to do, what with all the holiday busy-ness between now and next week.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
When you purchase an item from
ArtQwerks Store (I know of a great book that would make an awesome present for some adorable someone on your listGrab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website
ArtQwerks
6 Comments on IF ~ Undone, last added: 12/19/2009
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By: Trisha, Gayle, and Jolene,
on 12/3/2008
Blog: The YA YA YAs (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fiction, brooke taylor, undone, cybils ya fiction nominee, Add a tag
Now this is one of the reasons I love being a Cybils panelist. If Undone hadn’t been nominated, I’m almost positive I wouldn’t have read it. Which definitely would have been a shame. Because the flap copy and Library of Congress description make the book seem so much drier, so much less than the book really is. Not to mention that they also make the book seem a lot more sentimental and much tamer than it really is. (Translation: drinking, drugs, smoking, and references to sex included.) They are accurate, broadly speaking, but they just don’t convey the, I don’t know, power? rawness? altogether awesomeness? of what actually comprises Brooke Taylor’s Undone.
Much like Nancy Crocker’s Billie Standish Was Here (one of last years would-have-bypassed-it-but-was-a-Cybils-nominee-so-I-read-it-and-OMG-freaking-loved-it books), this is a book I’m hesitant to describe in detail, plot-wise. First, because I don’t want to give anything away. Second, because I don’t think I’d do it justice. Because as with Billie Standish, what I liked about Undone was not so much the plot. It was the characters. The relationships. The emotions. The voice. Anthony Beck. Plus, the visceral sense of chemistry between Serena and Becks.
So here’s my one-sentence plot teaser for Undone: Serena doesn’t know why Kori Kitzler, newly transformed into the school bad girl, befriended her two years ago, but her life hasn’t been the same since.
I don’t love Undone anywhere near as much as I love Billie Standish. For one thing, I think it was a bit too long and would have been more powerful if it was a little shorter and some of the subplots cut. Also, ** spoiler! spoiler! highlight if you want to read ** I don’t understand why it was so important that we know about Serena’s computer hacking skills, since it added nothing to the plot and actually made no sense in the context of the story. I mean, if Serena’s got such mad hacking skillz, why couldn’t she do some hacking to discover who shaym was? or find out where Kori was the summer before 8th grade? Okay, the latter would be a huge invasion of privacy, but after Kori was dead? Easily something a friend could be driven to do. ** end spoilers ** Flaws aside, though, Undone was so much more than I was expecting, and I can’t wait to see what Brooke Taylor’s next book will be like. In the meantime, if you’re a fan of Jay Asher or a fan of Melissa Marr and don’t mind if there are no faeries, you need to give this one a try.
This book is a Cybils YA Fiction nominee and has been reviewed by Leila (whose review made me ignore the flap copy and just start reading the book. So, thanks!)
5 Comments on Undone by Brooke Taylor, last added: 12/16/2008
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By: Terri Clark,
on 11/24/2008
Blog: Confessions of a Desperate Young Adult Author: Terri Clark (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contest, free books, terri clark, brooke taylor, undone, sleepless, breaking up is hard to do, Add a tag
Blog: Confessions of a Desperate Young Adult Author: Terri Clark (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contest, free books, terri clark, brooke taylor, undone, sleepless, breaking up is hard to do, Add a tag
I have so much to be grateful for this year. One of the things I'm most thankful for is the wonderful letters I've gotten from readers and reviewers. You've been the greatest gift to me this year. To thank you I'm holding this contest and all you have to do is tell me what you'd like to see me write next. :)
It doesn't matter if it's a project you've heard me talk about before, or if it's just something as a reader you'd like to see more of, I just thought it would be fun to hear your ideas. So tell me what you'd like to see next in the comments section and if you link this post somewhere and let me know I'll put you in for a second entry. The winner will be chosen on Black Friday (Nov. 28) and will receive:
1 Hardcover of Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
1 Hardcover of Pretty, Little Liars by Sara Shepard
1 Hardcover of Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer
1 Hardcover of Undone by Brooke Taylor
1 Autographed paperback of Sleepless
1 Autographed paperback of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
1 tote bag from my very own library district
and, finally, 1 woven dream catcher bracelet.
So, what are you waiting for? What would you like to see me publish next?
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By: Terri Clark,
on 8/25/2008
Blog: Confessions of a Desperate Young Adult Author: Terri Clark (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: meg cabot, class of 2k8, terri clark, brooke taylor, undone, mediator, sleepless, breaking up is hard to do, compulsive reader, andanotherbookread, Add a tag
Blog: Confessions of a Desperate Young Adult Author: Terri Clark (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: meg cabot, class of 2k8, terri clark, brooke taylor, undone, mediator, sleepless, breaking up is hard to do, compulsive reader, andanotherbookread, Add a tag
I'm the "Awesome Author" at And Another Book Read. In addition to an interview with me Tasha posted a review of SLEEPLESS where she said, "the author made Trinity’s fear drip off the pages and into the reader...I recommend this book for all fans of Lisa McMann’s WAKE and readers looking for a great book." Click here for the full review.
Not only did Tirzah at the Compulsive Reader put SLEEPLESS in the same sentence as Meg Cabot's MEDIATOR series (OMG!), she made me blush with pleasure when she said, "Clark handles her plot like a pro, and her fun and modern voice, along with many well placed pop culture references, entice and encourage readers into the story. The characters are those that readers can't get enough of—amusing, intelligent, savvy, but yet a bit fallible as well." Please check her blog out here.
Not only did Tirzah at the Compulsive Reader put SLEEPLESS in the same sentence as Meg Cabot's MEDIATOR series (OMG!), she made me blush with pleasure when she said, "Clark handles her plot like a pro, and her fun and modern voice, along with many well placed pop culture references, entice and encourage readers into the story. The characters are those that readers can't get enough of—amusing, intelligent, savvy, but yet a bit fallible as well." Please check her blog out here.
I feel very blessed that early reactions are good. One thing I've heard repeatedly is that people are surprised by the gritty story. The cover and copy don't really capture the book itself. And one friend said she couldn't believe someone as sweet as me had something like that in my head. ;)
Now for my rave...I finished reading Brooke Taylor's UNDONE and it's incredible. I seriously could not get enough of Serena and Kori's story. I loved Brooke's characterizations, the visceral way she wrote about pain and loss, her theme of secrets, the philosophical Doc, who'd I'd love to spend hours talking with and the raw beauty of edgy, imperfect people who want nothing more than to be accepted and loved for who they are, despite what they have or haven't done. You've gotta get this book! To further hook your interest I'm posting her book trailer:
Now for my rave...I finished reading Brooke Taylor's UNDONE and it's incredible. I seriously could not get enough of Serena and Kori's story. I loved Brooke's characterizations, the visceral way she wrote about pain and loss, her theme of secrets, the philosophical Doc, who'd I'd love to spend hours talking with and the raw beauty of edgy, imperfect people who want nothing more than to be accepted and loved for who they are, despite what they have or haven't done. You've gotta get this book! To further hook your interest I'm posting her book trailer:
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 7/25/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: brooke taylor, undone, launch, Add a tag
the academy? One of the best parts about being a debut author is getting to write your dedication and the acknowledgements--you know the place where the author thanks everyone including the mailman and sometimes makes little inside jokes or refers to friends with nicknames? And most of us enjoy reading them because they give us a little glimpse into the author's world, and sometimes even into the research for the book.
So who did I thank in my acknowledgements? Pretty much everyone! When it is your first book, you try not to forget anyone because who knows if you'll ever get the chance to again. I imagine by my third book I'll be thanking the inventor of shoelaces or my cat, but for this book it was all about my friends and family and those who've supported me for day 1. And, not only that, but I wanted to include fun little details that were personal and special to me--like my Aunt's bookshelves which were the first place I ran to in her house. And my Granny's map of the world that was filled with colorful pushpins. And then there were my writing friends who helped me with things like the craft of writing or how to prepare a query letter and were there for me through all of the stress, sometimes with Dark Chocolate (aka Edgy Chocolate). And of course, you always want to thank your agent, editor, and the wonderful folks working behind the scenes to make your book an actual book.
Probably the best and hardest part of the acknowledgements was writing the dedication. There was really no question about who to dedicate Undone to. Not only did my father, who supported me 150%, pass away before I even landed an agent, but he was someone who made sure to never leave anything in his life undone. The way he led his life was inspiring, and I know that his influence was what made writing and getting Undone published possible. Yes, it is bittersweet that he can't be here to enjoy this with me, but I know he will always be cheering me on.
Awesome! And we'd love to thank you for spending the week getting to know Brooke and helping celebrate her launch! Be sure to come back next week when we talk with authors, agents, editors, and other publishing professionals as we go through the entire process of taking a story from idea to hardbound book!
0 Comments on Day 5: Brooke Would Like to Thank... as of 7/25/2008 7:46:00 PM
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By: The Class of 2k8,
on 7/24/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: brooke taylor, undone, launch, Add a tag
Here they are in no particular order.... My Top Ten Favorite Books!
It's been more years than I will admit since I last read this one, but I can still close my eyes and be right there in Dracula's castle!
This one resonated with me--I had a friend just like Caitlin. In the book, a girl says that everyone says that, but it's true.
The epitome of an older boy crush. What girl couldn't identify?
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
Horse + shipwreck + island= amazing!
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
My imagination <3>
Team Edward. 'Nuff said.
Groundbreaking, raw and lyrical. Plus gorgeous boys.
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Boarding school books are always a fave, but this one is special. 
Sarah Dessen-Can’t pick just one
They're all so good, so clever in such a real and simple way. She has a gift for being every girl in every town.
It’s Happy Bunny-Jim Benton-Can’t Pick Just one
Sarcasm at its most perfect.
~Brooke
8 Comments on Day 4: Brooke'sTop 10 Favorite Books!, last added: 7/27/2008
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By: The Class of 2k8,
on 6/25/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: undone, Book Reviewer Hot Seat, Reviewer X, brooke taylor, Add a tag
She's a new kid on the block with only 25 books--but for only being in the book reviewing biz for 3 months, she's on a roll! X marks the spot in our Hot Seat! Also hot is Brooke Taylor's debut novel Undone! All you need to do to be entered to win is post a comment by June 29th, winner will be announced June 30th!
Okay, Reviewer X, let's review the facts:
What's your handle? Reviewer X—but my real name's Steph. :)What kind of books do you review? Anything. (But I have a soft spot for YA books because, wouldn't you know it, I am a young adult.) I have no inhibitions in my reading habits. ;)
Approx # of books reviewed?25 or so? I've only been around for three months, so I'm working on it!
Where can we find your reviews? On my blog, http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/. I also post them on Amazon and Good Reads for good measure.
Reading turn-ons: Dude. Great characters and great prose. Biggest example is Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, my favorite book of all times. Not much of a plot there, but Curtis Sittenfeld's prose is flawless and her character, Lee Fiora, is very relatable. <3> Reading turn-offs: You would think this doesn't happen a lot, but of the books I've read recently, about half have this undying tendency of ending abruptly. I'm not too sure why—is it a word count limit authors are pushing? Or are they getting bored with their own books? Please, don't end your book right where the real story begins! The only things worse than this are weak writing and horrible characters.
Class of 2K8 books reviewed: I've read both Undone by Brooke Taylor and Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer, but neither of those reviews are posted yet because I'm working with Debbie in branching off an event based on fashion books for my blog and I'm in the process of interviewing Brooke. Oh, and Nancy Viau offered me an ARC of her novel this morning!
Class of 2K8 books reviewed: I've read both Undone by Brooke Taylor and Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer, but neither of those reviews are posted yet because I'm working with Debbie in branching off an event based on fashion books for my blog and I'm in the process of interviewing Brooke. Oh, and Nancy Viau offered me an ARC of her novel this morning!
Awesome! Okay, so as you know, we love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours! The original name of my blog was X-Rated Reviews. I created the name Reviewer X to give my blog's name some ambiguity. (I love ambiguity.) See, it could be just another meaninglessly chosen name—X-Rated Reviews; but it also could mean reviews rated by someone named X. I ultimately changed the name because I hated it, so now my blog is just the self-titled Reviewer X entity.
LOL. And maybe people might think you reviewed something other than YA books, eh? So how did you get into the book review biz?
I wanted to talk to authors. I wanted to interview them. So I created a blog, emailed Lauren Baratz-Logsted (lovely lady, by the way) and she got back to me within hours agreeing to do an interview. I sent off the questions, she sent them back the next day, and bam, blog was finally started. From there on out I have started several other features, like Young Adult Weekly, Reviewer Profiles, and Author Weeks. All of it brings me a wider crowd and what can I say, it's a blast talking to you beautiful author people!
Aw, thanks, we love doing interviews and talking to book lovers! What we don't like is not knowing if 4 stars is a great accomplishment or means we need to take up tennis. Describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?
I've been back and forth on my grading system, from a 5 star scale to a 1-10 grade and now I'm at letter grades, which I love and have decided to stick to. The official key reads something like this:
A: Dude, this is incredible.
B: Great read.
C: Meh...
D: Tanks, but doesn't fully suck.
F: Are you kidding me?
You can also translate this into a star system—A is five stars, B is four stars, and so on.
The letter grades are very appropriate for YA and MG novels, just like being back at school! Okay, so how do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn't normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you've read?
As a reviewer, I receive quite a few books from authors and publishers, so that puts the whole "picking what books you read" thing into perspective. I love the variety of books I've been receiving, though, and it's probably good that I don't choose all books I get. This way, receiving a lot of books I probably wouldn't have picked up if they hadn't been sent to me, my knowledge of the YA field grows exponentially. Whoever complained about an expanded horizon?
What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?
Whoa, hold up—you guys worry about attracting our attention? Really? It seems to me it's the other way around. Honestly, a simple email to the reviewer will do—we love receiving free stuff! 'Cause if piquing our interest is what you're worried about, you've got no problems—email, email, email!
Now, my question to you guys is: Does it bother you when reviewers email you asking for ARCs or review copies?
(Would this be the place to add in here that I am dying to read so many of the Class of 2k8's books and if anyone wants to send an ARC or something to me, I'd jump on you and scream in delight?)
LOL. Hold on while I hop up into the hot seat... Yowzer--it really is hot up here! Okay, forgive the politically correct answer--but it just depends. As the letterhead states, we're a diverse group of debut authors so the answer varies depending on the author and more importantly the book's publisher. But I don't think any of us like to say no, especially when a reviewer is dying to read our books and would jump and scream in delight. :-)
Okay, back in the hot seat X. If you really aren't feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?
If it won't cause me any internal bleeding then sure, why not. However, my health comes first and if a book is radioactive waste, it gets tossed aside and reviewed from a partial read because number one rule of writing is not damaging your readers' insides.
If you really love a book, will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?
Hell yes I will! I love revisiting books, whether I hated them or not. (It's funny to see if my opinion changes given time.) As for what books I've loved and reread, well, the list is quite long, but here's an abridged version:
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (Best. Book. Ever.)
A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
Looking for Alibrandi (On The Jellicoe Road, which I just finished, will probably be reread many a time—and I also have Saving Francesca up next to read, which I expect will be fantastic) by Melina Marchetta
The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance by Catherine Ryan Hyde
However, the book that I've reread the most is:
The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols. Love its everything.
Quite a diverse collection of greatness! I bet it is easy to review books you love and would re-read. Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?
My basic philosophy for reviewing is: The author wrote a book, right? That took a lot of work. (Queries, agents, editors, copy editors, booksellers, professional reviewers, the readership—all of it is tons of stress, work and pressure.) The least I could do is try to give as thoughtful and detailed a review as possible, whether positive or negative. What I mention in each review (aside from the characters, which I always touch on) depends on each book, but I really do try to give a full account of all my thoughts and reactions to each book I read. This often results in long-winded reviews that probably bore people to tears, but to hell with it. If I get a book to review, I do go through that entire process.
That said, some books do, from time to time, provoke me in such a manner that they cause me to lose the control to my snarky side. Hence a category on my blog called Reviewer X Goes All X. I can get pretty sardonic. (But always with substantiated evidence!)
No need to Go All X! Let's talk about the good times, when was the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book?
This wasn't the last book I read, but I thought it might interest you, Class of 2k8 authors, to know that I cried while reading Undone by Brooke Taylor. I remember it distinctly: I was having one of my usual insomnia episodes and grabbed Undone from my TBR pile to read. At 1:30AM or so, I got to a really sad passage and began crying. I got up and went to my laptop to email Brooke about it, actually—at 1:30AM, folks. It was that compelling. (And I proceeded to sleep at 3AM or so, for those interested!)
Last book I read was On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (and I do love me some Marchetta books)—it was great. I got all of those reactions mentioned above from it and more.
Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?
I really want to meet Jessica Darling from Megan McCafferty's books. I think we'd have a lot to talk about because she and I are much the same.
You and Not So, eh? That Marcus wouldn't be bad to meet either. So what books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?
I always recommend any books by Curtis Sittenfeld, Libba Bray, Megan McCafferty, Melina Marchetta, and Jodi Picoult. (Though, for Jodi Picoult, I'd stay away from any books before The Pact.) Why? Great voice, great characters, great writing, great plots, great messages, great authors, and great books.
Okay Reviewer X, we can't avoid it any longer, it is time for the Extra Scandalous Question—
I love scandalous ordeals!
Then here we go... really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It's okay—you can tell us, just don't name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?
No fear. I've given my share of negative reviews so far, and the turnout has been great—people take your opinion more seriously when you offer a balanced perspective. (Or so the people who have emailed have said!) Also, no hate mail thus far, though I am curious! Feel free to tell me what I can do with my blog if I give your book a bad review ;)
As for advice on how to take a negative review, first thing to remember is, it's only an opinion. Yeah, it sucks that you didn't conquer all who read your novel with its brilliancy, but remember, someone's always bound to all-out love it and, like all things in life, someone else is bound to think the exact opposite. Take comfort in that because reviews (especially blog reviews, as much as it pains me to say so) are not know-all-and-end-all. Also, if you're a glass-half-full kind of person, you might to extract something from that negative review to help you strengthen your writing. (And this is considering the review is actually well written and founded—some negative reviews suck, and if that's the case, it's not your problem but the reviewer's. Ignore.)
Good point! Thanks for all the great answers! One last question: if they aren't scared off by all that bad review talks and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?
I'll start by saying that the review isn't the first thing you should be scared about; my response to your offering your book is. You might be met with an abundance of exclamation points and capital letters; it's only my usual acute psychosis, really, but it's still frightening. (If you don't believe me, ask Christina Meldrum how I replied to her when she offered up Madapple.) If you can handle my enthused hairball response, and the possibility of a negative (and possibly snarkastic) review, then shoot off an email to reviewerx (at) gmail.com
Okay, readers are you like Reviewer X and love to get offered free books? Simply leave a comment and you'll be entered to win an ARC of Undone. Reviewer X hasn't written her review yet, but here's what another reviewer is saying about Brooke Taylor's debut novel:
"(Undone) totally grabbed me in and wouldn’t release its grasp until the very last page. The story took twists and turns that I never suspected in the least. I think that half the time I was reading my mouth was hanging open in shock of what had just happened. My only complaint is the book ended!" And Another Book Read
(Click here for more great Hot Seat interviews)
25 Comments on In the Book Reviewer Hot Seat: Reviewer X, last added: 6/28/2008
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By: The Class of 2k8,
on 4/20/2008
Blog: 2k8: Class Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: elizabeth c bunce, jennifer bradbury, jody feldman, brooke taylor, lisa schroeder, A Curse Dark As Gold, The Gollywhopper Games, i heart you you haunt me, Shift, undone, ALA, Add a tag
Raising hand. Waving hand. Frantically. We have some Totally Important Posts!
Brooke Taylor's Undone and Lisa Schroeder's I Heart You, You Haunt Me have been nominated for ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers. Double congratulations!
What Shelf Elf has to say about Elizabeth C. Bunce's A Curse Dark as Gold: "Highly recommended." And, Shelf Elf, thanks for posting the video too!
Others adoring fans (in alpha order) of A Curse Dark as Gold: Bookshelves of Doom, Bookwyrm Chrysalis, Miss Erin, Sarah Miller,
And Jennifer Bradbury's Shift is a Richie's pick.
Wow! Go Class of 2k8!
1 Comments on TIPS, TIPS, TIPS..., last added: 4/21/2008
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By: Rebecca,
on 10/11/2007
Blog: OUPblog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Health, celebration, gay, journey, Current Events, oxford, resources, websites, national, congratulations, transgender, out, coming, ease, provide, bisexual, homosexual, Add a tag
Today is National Coming Out Day and for all of you coming into your own I thought I would provide some useful resources. Below are some websites and books that should help your journey. Congratulations!
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that's cool! So vibrant and colourful - an excellent take on the theme
light hearted and beautifully colorful illustration.
Really cute illo Ginger!
I used to be her. Far too much hair. Cute bright and fun and a really good illustration also.
Very funy, joyfilled colour, glad I stopped by!
this is adorable! great work!
Your illustration is soooooooo cute! Love the hair!
Too cute, love it-
Kit
I want her hair! Really, I love it ;)
Wonderful illo,love the colours!And in these cold days it's great to see a spring illo:)
Very Fun- love the perspective! Merry Christmas!!
Very cheerful. Living in Scotland, I'll say, 'here's to gorgeous ginger hair!'
i have the same unmanageable hair :)) i like this illustration a lot. lovely weather, cool place, good companion and terrific colors!
what a wonderful illustration! Brilliant~