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It’s time for Books of the Month!I asked you all what books you were reading

Let’s keep this going. What books are you reading now? What books do you absolutely, positively love and think everyone in the whole wide world should read? Leave the title (or titles!) in the Comments below. I can’t wait to see what new books you recommend!

See ya,

 — En-Szu, STACKS Staffer

For graphic novel fans there's a new Zita the Spacegirl book from Ben Hatke, and, for younger readers, Mo Willems has the bestselling duo Elephant & Piggie meeting a new friend. Fans of Dork Diaries, Magic Tree House and Spirit Animals will be super excited to see new books, too.

What better day for book trailers than a Saturday?

Rachel Renee Russell is no doubt one of the most successful African American MG authors today. She currently has 6 books in her popular Dork Diaries Series published by Simon and Schuster with a 7th book scheduled for release later this year. I’m not always good about reading  MG books, but every time I announce another Dork Diary I want to get my hands a copy and go sit in a McDonalds and read straight through.

I have two videos for you this morning.You won’t be able to sit still while you watch the first video, a lively Dork Diaries trailer. The second is a brief introduction to the talented Rachel Renee Russell who was also interviewed here on the Graphic Novel Reporter.

. The Odd Squad, Book 1: Bully Bait Written & Illustrated by Michael Fry Hyperion Books 5 Stars . From Website:  Nick is the shortest seventh-grader in the history of the world (he’s pretty sure), doesn’t fit in with any groups or clubs (who needs ’em?), and spends more time inside than outside his locker …

Author Rachel Renee Russell has inked a deal with Simon & Schuster’s Aladdin imprint to publish books five and six (currently untitled) in the popular Dork Diaries middle grade series.

Aladdin will release the fourth title, Dork Diaries 3 ½: How to Dork Your Diary, in October. Book five will follow in fall 2012 and book six is coming in spring 2013. Publisher Mara Anastas negotiated the deal with Writers House literary agent Daniel Lazar. Executive editor Liesa Abrams will serve as editor for all the forthcoming books.

Russell had this statement in the release: “As my character Nikki Maxwell might say, Squee! Or she might break into a Snoopy happy dance. That’s how excited I am to be writing and drawing more Dork Diaries books. Watching this series grow and be embraced by fans all over the world has been a dream come true, and I’m so happy that I can keep showing my readers that, indeed, dorks rule!”

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Trumpets please.

The time has come to announce the winners of my Blog Anniversary Book Giveaway!

I feel lucky to give such a cool prize for my first contest: awesome autographed books from the Dork Diaries series by talented author/illustrator Rachel Renee Russell. The winners truly will be the envy of all middle-grade readers everywhere!

Special extra thanks and smooches to the author. I really appreciate your help with my first contest!

So after using my geeky random number generator, it’s time to announce the winners.

The winner of an autographed copy of the New York Times Bestseller Dork Diaries Book 1:

Tiana


The grand prize winner of a PERSONALIZED autographed copy of Book 1 and Book 2:

Ken

Congrats winners! I will be in touch with you to claim your prizes.

I started this blog to connect with others who love the writing craft, artists who struggle with balancing time with a day job, and those who love books for kids and teens.

April 20th marks my 1-year anniversary of blogging and after 200+ posts and 500+ comments, it’s been so much fun meeting other kindred spirits in cyberspace. So thanks to all of my RSS/Email subscribers, Novelista Followers, and Twitter buddies for visiting the blog. I really appreciate it!

To celebrate this milestone, I enlisted the help of my good writer friend, Rachel Renee Russell, the New York Times Bestselling author AND illustrator of the The Dork Diaries series.

Middle-grade fiction is my first love and this series is HILARIOUS! Like laugh out loud funny. The second book in the series, Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl arrives in bookstores on June 8th.

Here are the details of the giveaway:

One winner will receive an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Book 1, Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life.

The grand prize winner will receive copies of Book 1 AND Book 2 — both with a PERSONALIZED autograph.

As my god-daughter and all her friends can testify, this would make a GREAT summer gift for someone who loves the series (and there are MANY trust me).

There are three ways to enter (or do all of them to get better odds):

1. Leave a comment and tell me about a milestone or anniversary that you’re proud of. (+1 entry)
2. Become a new Novelista Follower by clicking on the blue Join This Site button located on the blog sidebar. If you’re already a Follower, leave a comment letting me know you want to enter the contest. (+1 entry)
3. Follow me on Twitter. If you already follow me at @KarenMusings, tweet this blog post on your Twitter feed. (+1 entry)

I’ll be taking entries for the contest until May 1st at midnight (EDT). I’ll announce the winners on Monday, May 3rd so be sure to check back and see if you’ve won! Winners will receive their prizes after the Book 2 release on June 8th.

Thanks for helping me have a great first year of blogging!