There was hardly a soul in the restaurant last night by the time my husband and I made our way to it. The streets were thick with ice and the snow that had been falling all day long kept rising back up with the wind and snapping. I had my blackberry with me because I always do, because it is my one connection across hundreds of miles to my son; I want to be near if he wants to talk. And so there we were, and there was the blackberry, and there was cold outside and a certain emptiness in my heart—a sadness stemming from news encountered earlier in the day.
Toward the end of the meal (appetizers, only), that little red blackberry light went off, and I checked to see to whom it might belong. It was Little Willow, of all people, a forerunner blogger of forerunner bloggers, who was out there doing smart book talk in advance of most of the world.
Guess who has a book recommended in this month's issue of readergirlz? she wrote. You do! You do! The postergirlz picked UNDERCOVER as a recommended read, along with our main March pick, THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary E. Pearson.
I try hard not to cry at things that are not life and death related, but no amount of resolve stopped my tears with this. Because who are those readergirlz? They are Lorie Ann Grover, dancer, writer, illustrator, thinker. They are Justina Chen Headley, former executive and now author of such supremely successful and lovely, intelligent books as NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, her latest, which earned three starred reviews and is getting incredible responses across the blogosophere. They are Melissa Walker, and we all know Melissa—beloved author of the VIOLET series and fashionista, who reports on her Manhattan travels so that the rest of us can be voyeurs. They are Dia Calhoun, the acclaimed authoress, and Holly Cupala, whose first novel is due out in 2010. And in essential supporting roles there are those like Miss Little Willow herself, HipWriterMama (a blogger I admired for so long from afar, a writer, and interviewer extraordinaire), and the delightfully popular Miss Erin, rising actress and poet and friend (and daughter of sometimes actress, rising photographer, and always friend Sherry!).
They are, in other words, women I have long respected. Women who are out there making a difference with their voices and their opinions.
UNDERCOVER stands as a March pick among books that I'd be proud to be associated with on any day of any week: MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC, FRANKENSTEIN, GRACELING, NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS PLANNING: SIX-WORD MEMOIRS BY WRITERS FAMOUS AND OBSCURE, and WALDEN.
I don't know about you, but sometimes electronic hugs, as first delivered upon my heart by Anna Lefler, are not enough.
Still:
(((thank you)))
She's one of the Postergirlz (along with Little Willow who kept the hot seat hot for us on Tuesday) . Sorry, Miss Erin, but there will be no cool down here. We will be offering a refreshing read though! Simply leave a comment and be entered to win Breaking Up Is Hard To Do the awesome anthology featuring our very own Terri Clark! Comment by June 29th, and watch for a winner on the 30th! Now, on with the questions...
What's your handle? Miss Erin
What kind of books do you review? Middle Grade and Young Adult, mostly fantasy or contemporary fiction
Approx # of books reviewed? A little over 100
Reading turn-ons: Characters I care about. If I don't care, I don't want to keep reading.
Reading turn-offs: Overt preaching of "messages"
Class of 2K8 books reviewed:
(There are several others I've read but haven't reviewed. I don't get around to reviewing everything I read.)
We love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.
Oh, Miss Erin has always been a nickname of mine. So when I started my blog and couldn't figure out what to call it, I just used that.
It's very sassy! Do people still say sassy? Um, yeah, moving on... 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?
I pretty much just read what interests me. I read and get recommendations from lots of other blogs, and friends, and then I put them on my (gigantic) to-read list. Sometimes, when I'm sent or given a book that I normally wouldn't have picked up on my own, I read it and am happily surprised. An example of that: recently I read The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante. The topic - growing up in a religious commune - didn't pique my interest when I first heard about it, but when a friend raved about it over and over, I finally picked it up. I'm so glad I did; it was brilliant.
Some of the best reads are found through recommendations! What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?
For finding what to read, look to the blogs! But not just any blogs; make sure you look them over first and see that you have similar tastes to the blogger and whose review styles you enjoy reading. Getting noticed . . . start a website, or a blog - both of those things will make you very accessible while helping to get your name out there. Email some bloggers who seem to review the type of books you write and ask if they'd like to take a look at your book.
Okay, so you get a book to review, but you just aren't feeling it—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?
Never! I go by the 50 page rule - if I've gotten that far and don't want to keep reading, I toss it aside for another. There's too many books out there to spend time reading one that I'm not enjoying.
So true! Now, 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?
Oh yes. I've reread the Harry Potter series, Shannon Hale's books, my favorite of Roald Dahl's books (The Witches, The BFG...), among others. I have so many comfort reads. My mom bought me The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty when we were on a vacation once. Ever since, I've decided to make it my "trip read", and so I reread it every time I go on a trip.
That's awesome! But let's not talk about trips yet, back to the work of reviewing! Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?
I believe that a review should, above all, contain my personal thoughts on it. One or two sentences can be sufficient for giving a hint about the plot. I mostly like to say what my reactions to certain things were, why I liked or disliked parts, what exactly made me love it (rather than just the fact that I loved it). I view it as myself talking about a book. If I think to myself, "I'm writing a review" it's so much more intimidating than "I'm writing my thoughts".
Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.
The last time I did all of those things in one book was in Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale.
Wow, all in one book! That's cool! Speaking of cool--is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?
Place: Hogwarts, hands down. Or Narnia, or the Gallagher Academy.
Characters: I want Kiki Strike to be my friend!
LOL--Hogwarts is in high demand around here! Not surprising. What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?
Depends on who wants the recommendation (there's nothing like recommending a list of books to perfectly suit someone I know - love that), but I'd say Shannon Hale wins top position in the authors-who-I-rave-about-constantly (just ask my blog readers/friends!).
Being able to recommend the perfect book for someone is an art! Book reviews go a long way toward getting books into the hands of people who love them! Of course those are usually the good reviews... you know where I'm going don't you??? Yes! It is time for the Extra Scandalous Question! 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?
I don't usually give negative reviews. If I have major quips with a book, I'll generally only review it if I have just as many good things to say. An instance when I will give a book a negative review is if it's a popular book - one that everyone seems to love. In that case, sometimes I feel like I need to give an opinion of someone who didn't like it, too.
That makes perfect sense! 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?
Email me: mimagirl(at)gmail(dot)com.
Well that's easy enough! And something else that is easy--entering to win Breaking Up Is Hard To Do an anthology about falling out of love that features out very own Terri Clark whose book Sleepless will be out September 1st. Simply leave a comment before June 29th to be entered. Winner will be announced June 30th!
Miss Erin has not reviewed Breaking Up, but here is what other fine reviewers have had to say:
"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do is the perfect short story collection to read about, well, breaking up...I definitely recommend getting this book as soon as it comes out. It's awesome." TeensReadToo.com "The writing is straightforward and perceptive, from Clark's funny and fast paced style to Hopkins's beautiful and striking poems. This is one book that holds a powerful message between its two covers: heartbreak happens, and along with it is something better if you can let go and continue to move forward." The Compulsive Reader "Terri's story is an extremely hilarious paranormal story that has a very awesome girl power message...A wonderful anthology from four unbelievably great authors, and one that everyone should read." Book Chic
I'm wrapping up my "bug book" week with Alphabet of Insects by Barbie Heit Schwaeber, illustrated by Katy Bratun, Thomas Buchs, Allen Davis, John Paul Genzo, Kristin Kest, Katie Lee, Larry Mikec, and Daniel J. Stegos
- Reading level: Ages 4-8
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Soundprints (October 10, 2007)
Part of Soundprints the Smithsonian Institution's Alphabet Books series,
Alphabet of Insects features a different insect for every letter of the alphabet. We are introduced to familiar and not so familiar insects alike: grasshoppers, butterflies, weevils, zebra caterpillars, and olive fruit flies to name a few.
Along with beautifully detailed and lifelike illustrations is a rhyming stanza describing the featured insect on the page. The rhythm and interesting facts will keep children entertained and engaged.
For example:
"
H is for Harlequin Cabbage BugThis insect is a stinkbug
And here's how you can tell:
If you get too close you'll know
it has an awful smell. "
This is particularly effective for beginning readers and read alouds.
What makes this book even more unique and engaging are the mixed media illustrations by a variety of artists. The details and true-to-life colors will make children squirm in delight.
In the back of the book is a glossary with even more information, and you also get a full-size poster and a sing-along CD.
This would make a great book for children who are learning the alphabet and/or interested in learning more about insects.
Other books in the Smithsonian Alphabet Series:
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By: Megan Germano,
on 10/29/2009
By: Beth Kephart ,
on 3/3/2009
There was hardly a soul in the restaurant last night by the time my husband and I made our way to it. The streets were thick with ice and the snow that had been falling all day long kept rising back up with the wind and snapping. I had my blackberry with me because I always do, because it is my one connection across hundreds of miles to my son; I want to be near if he wants to talk. And so there we were, and there was the blackberry, and there was cold outside and a certain emptiness in my heart—a sadness stemming from news encountered earlier in the day.
By: The Class of 2k8,
on 6/26/2008
By: Jill,
on 1/31/2008
Awesome news. In honor of ReaderGirlz I should read Undercover this month :)
You're a sweetheart, Miss Lenore. It's not dystopian, and I've been so worried about that and you. But it's me, trying my best.
Justly deserved, Beth! Worth shedding a tear of joy for, definitely!
While I love dystopias, I also love a lot of other topics. No need to worry!
Lenore,
You are going to love UNDERCOVER!
So well deserved, Beth! Congratulations!
Congratulations! I can't wai Underco now.ver
That's wonderful! Congratulations :)
Oh, yes! I noticed and I was going to tell you, but it looks like Little Willow beat me to it :)
Dare I quote Into the Woods?
We're so happy you're so happy.
:)
We are honored to have YOU in our midst, Beth. Thank you!
This book is worthy of a thousand awards and inclusions! We're so happy to have you with us at readergirlz!
Congrats! Now I'm going to have to find the time to check out all these links you've provided... which I suspect are going to lead me to many more good reads. :-)
Congratulations! How wonderful to get the recognition that you deserve!
Beth, I was so excited to see your book as one of the picks this month! I've long admired you and felt a friendship via our mutual friends.
Aack! Oh, Beth, I do not deserve to be mentioned in this post that celebrates the continued achievements of your TERRIFIC book, Undercover AND the amazing work of the Superwomen that make up the bookloving, booksharing,very generous readergirlz.
I'm so happy that Undercover is on the recommended list this month. And I can't help but say that I look forward to a month, someday, in which one of your books gets chosen as the main pick, so that teens (and other fans~)will get good and saturated with BK inspiration. Cheers!
Congratulations on the book selection! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only long-distance mom who keeps her cell phone nearby just in case her son needs to talk :-).
Terrific news! Congrats and celebrations!
Welcome to readergirlz!
Beth, you write so beautifully - I would love to read more. Where can I access/order your books?
Sending an electronic hug: *squeeze*
Also saw a clip of Anna Lefler doing stand-up - her blog has me laughing out loud any time there's a new post, and seeing her live sure as heck didn't disappoint! That lady rocks, and so do you. *another squeeze*
Anna x
We love you Beth!
And ditto LW...so happy you're happy. :)
To all of you who have made this day the utterly emotional day that it has been, I thank you.
I don't know how to begin, and so I begin and end there: I thank you.
p.s. picked it up at the library today XD
Oh, YAY!
I'm thrilled for you...and for all the young people (of all ages) who will be reading your gorgeous work.
Cheers.
XO
Anna
That's wonderful, Beth! I can't wait to see the discussions for Undercover at Readergirlz. :)
Wonderful news, Beth. It sounds as if this certainly helped lift a bit of the recent disappointment. Hope you're doing OK.