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Meg Cabot (of Princess Diaries fame) is the author of over twenty-five series and books for both adults and teens. Her most recent book is the paranormal romance Insatiable, a modern sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Armed with the Oxford World Classics edition, she launched a Dracula reading group earlier this summer, and now–in an exclusive Q&A–shares her thoughts on all things vampire. Read on for the chance to test your Dracula knowledge and win prizes!
If you were bitten tomorrow, and had to choose a vampire name, what would it be?
Well, obviously, Meg Cadaver.
If someone attacked “Meg Cadaver” with a stake, and you only had Dracula to block the blow, would it work?
Absolutely. My super vampire strength, combined with the amazing power of Bram Stoker’s prose, would easily defeat their piddling human arm and wooden stake that was probably made by Ikea.
If Dracula had a Twitter handle, what would it be?
The possibilities are so endless . . . Longinthetooth Vampyvlad Undeaddandy CoffinCasanova
Although personally, I’d probably go with a simple 8U.
What is the most fascinating thing about vampires?
They never seem to die.
What is the most boring thing about vampires?
They never seem to die.
Who is the most ultimate, hard-core, awesome vampire of all time?
I feel compelled, because of the forum, to answer Dracula. But if you weren’t here I would answer Blade. I realize he’s a Daywalker, of course, but he has that awesome haircut.
Who is the sexiest vampire of all time?
Sadly for me it’s Michael Nourri circa 1979 as Dracula in “The Curse of Dracula” on the TV show “Cliffhangers,” which I wasn’t ever actually allowed to stay up to watch. Which is probably why, in my feverish imagination, it’s still the best. And now I never want to see it, as it could never live up to what I remember thinking, from the commercials: that it had to be the most fantastic show of all time. Considering it was canceled after only one season, I think this must be untrue. But you never know.
I’m upset that most modern vampires don’t wear cloaks. How do you feel about this?
I agree. In Insatiable, I gave my vampire a black Burberry trench coat, the tail of which flapped around a lot in the wind during moments of high tension, to give the impression of a cloak. But it’s definitely not the same thing. In my defense, the only way to give a vampire a cloak in a book set in modern times and not have him stand out like a big freak is to either make him be an eccentric bestselling author, have live him in the subway tunnels of NYC with the mole people, or have him work at a Medieval Times restaurant. None of these are particularly appealing options, especially the first.
0 Comments on Meg Cabot Sinks her Teeth into Dracula as of 1/1/1900
Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.
But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.
Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die. (Not that you’re going to believe her. No one ever does.)
But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It’s a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.
The problem is, Lucien’s already dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.
And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.
Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .
If she even has one.
No one is more readable and entertaining than Meg Cabot. Known for her enormously successful young adult series, The Princess Diaries, Cabot is one of the busiest and most prolific writers today. Producing multiple books a year and updating her wildly successful blog on an almost daily basis, people have to wonder when this phenomenon sleeps. Her latest release is a gift to the world of adult readers. Insatiable is about Meena Harper, a soap opera writer who is plagued with the annoying ability to know how and when people are going to die. Did that grab you? Well it should because this is where Cabot excels, her plots are as exciting as a roller coaster ride and her dialogue and pacing are fast and furious. With Insatiable, Cabot tackles the supernatural while tapping into our nation’s current obsession with vampires in mainstream media. This is a perfect addition to your over-stuffed beach bag.
0 Comments on Insatiable by Meg Cabot as of 1/1/1900
Here's all you really need to know about this book-- it has nuns kicking more vampire ass than Buffy. Seriously. NUNS KICKING VAMPIRE ASS. What more do you need in a book?*
Meena can see when people are going to die. It's a gift/curse she's dealt with for awhile. She's also having a horrible week-- she just got passed over for the head writer job at the soap opera she writes dialogue for. If that weren't bad enough, Shoshona, her work nemesis got it (and somehow managed to purchase the $5,000 Mark Jacobs tote Meena's been lusting after for a very long time.) Even worse? Shoshona is demanding that they work in a vampire storyline, just like their rival show. Meena is SO SICK of this vampire craze. When did we decide that vampires weren't misogynistic monsters and instead objects we should give ourselves to?
Lucien Antonescu is the Prince of Darkness and head of all vampires. He's also dead sexy and on his way to New York, because some vampires have gotten out of control and are killing people again, and dumping their bodies in Manhattan's parks.
Alaric Wulf is a member of the Palatine Guard, the Pope's demon-killing force. After what a den of vampires did to his demon-slayer partner in Berlin, he's hell-bent** on revenge.
When Meena falls for Lucien and then Alaric tells her that vampires are real?
Yeah, she's about to be caught in the middle of a war featuring fighting vampire factions and the forces sworn to destroy all of them.
SERIOUSLY. Nuns go from baking yummy cookies one minute to water balloons filled with holy water and staking vamps the next. What more do you need?!
Definitely for adults (When Lucien bites Meena, it's not on the neck.) But I do love Meg Cabot. Her vampires, while some are definitely sexy and bad boys you could see someone falling for, are not nice guys. Even the good guy is kinda creepy (and at the end, really creepy. I started singing Police in my head.) Meena's not passive and tries not to fall for the vampire thing everyone else seems to be falling for these days. In the end, a very enjoyable vampire book that takes us back to what vampires used to be--villains that were hard to resist, which made them that much more dangerous.
Did I mention the vampire slaying nuns?
*We need more nuns in literature and books that do more than whack your knuckles with a ruler.
**pun totally intended.
Book Provided by... the author, for review consideration
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
I just started this one last night and am finding myself completely sucked in (pun intended there too ;). And, though I hate to admit it, it's my first Meg Cabot book. *Gasp*
THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THIS SERIES! SORRY!
Last we saw Em, she was being whisked off to Brandon's house with the real Nikki Howard, and Nikki's family.
Now she's being held prisoner, with no word from Christopher and angry voice messages from her mother about spending Christmas with a boy!
Nikki knows something about Stark that Stark doesn't want her to get out-- to the point where they killed her. Nikki will tell, but only if she can get her own body back. While Em knows she probably won't survive being transplanted into another body, she's also not sure she wants to give up Nikki's body. Despite everything, she's now used to it and being the prettiest girl in the world has some perks. Em knows it's shallow but...
Of course, Em knows she'll get to leave Brandon's house soon, because on New Year's Eve is the Stark Angel's fashion show, so she has to go back to New York so she can parade around on TV in her underwear. Joy!
But that doesn't solve the main question-- just what is Stark up to?
Super-exciting and a great way to wrap up the trilogy. Stark is even more evil than I thought. I can't talk too much about it without giving away the plot, but I've read some of Cabot's adult mysteries, and I think this series was more gripping and action-packed. I also like the way she balances some serious concepts about medical ethics, brain transplants, and society's feelings about beauty and celebrity and with the fluffy chicklit flair that is her trademark without it being uneven or stupid.
Plus, how can you not love Lulu?
I wasn't totally sold on Airhead when I first read it, but Em's my second favorite Meg Cabot character (the first of course, being Allie Finkle.)
Book Provided by... my wallet.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Em Watts is in trouble. Everyone is mad at her. It doesn't help that she's now living in the body of top model Niki Howard. When the real Niki shows up and reveals the truth behind Stark Enterprises, Em turns to Christopher. But will he forgive her for turning away from him? Runaway is the third book in Meg Cabot's Airhead series. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.
Meg Cabot books are always such a fun read. When it came out, I read Airhead, but haven't read Being Nikki yet. Now that this one's out, maybe I'll do a double feature and read them back to back!
Here's the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids' book events.
It's been a bit of a surreal week in my world, first off, thank you to the anonymous commenter who told me that Meg Cabot linked here in on Twitter on Tuesday. She also called me Twirltacular.
MEG CABOT THINKS I AM TWIRLTACULAR. Life doesn't get much more awesome than that!
*My shirt no longer seems to be available in T-shirt form. It's the Queen of the World graphic on one of the tote bags, but on a pink t-shirt. I was wearing it a few years ago and one of the girls at work say "Miss Jennie, what's that on your shirt?"
"It's Babymouse!"
She looked confused.
"You guys don't know Babymouse?"
She shook her head no. I took her and her friend over to the graphic novel section and handed out a few copies. Other kids saw I was handing out books and joined the crowd until they were all gone. About ten minutes later, one of the boys, who was very into being macho, stomped over to the desk. "Miss Jennie! I want that pink book that everyone else is reading!"
Babymouse hasn't stayed on the shelf since.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
1 Comments on Sunday Salon-- This That and the Other, last added: 3/21/2010
This is why I love Meg Cabot (this is what happens when little brothers spill secrets):
It is really hard to sit on a kindergartner, because they're so squirmy and difficult to get a grip on. Kevin wouldn't keep still long enough for me to properly sit on. (p 70)*
How can you not laugh at that?
In the latest installment of Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, Allie wants to go with Erica, Sophie, Caroline, and Rosemary to see Missy compete in the Seventh Annual Little Miss Majorette Baton Twirling Twirltacular, middle school division. But, then she finds out that her mom has already said Allie would go to Brittany Hauser's birthday party. Ugh. Who would want to hang out with Brittany and all of the other mean girls from Allie's old school?
Allie's given the choice to cancel on Brittany, but... Brittany's party will involve riding in a limo into the city, going to Glitterati, dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and then spending the night in a hotel!
Allie decides to go to the party instead, but it's apparent pretty quickly that that was the worst decision ever.
Oh, you know how much I love Allie. Cabot strikes the perfect tone with this character-- she's strong and hilarious while still being real. Her problems are the daily dramas that come from being in 4th grade, and while many are self-created, they're not completely annoying in the way that self-created drama can be. You know how sometimes you just want to whack a character upside the head and tell them to snap out of it? I never want to do that with Allie. Usually because I'm laughing so hard. And usually because the situations Allie gets herself into are rather universal and getting out of them is tricky to do while still sounding like a real kid. As an adult I love Allie because she's a good "role model" character while still being believable. A good friend without being a doormat, she stands up for herself without being a jerk. She's a good big sister, but will still sit on you if you spill her secrets, etc.
As a reader, I love Allie because her voice is so awesome.
So yes, this is a most excellent addition to the series, and not just because Cabot uses the word "Twirltacular" on a regular basis.
*quoted from the ARC, so it might be different in the real book.
Book Provided by... the publisher at my request.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
0 Comments on Glitter Girls and the Great Fake Out as of 1/1/1900
Wow, you never know what you’re going to find out about an author–especially one you admire as much as I do Meg Cabot. Those of you who have followed this blog long enough know that I’m a huge fan of both her books and her blog.
And now, in one of those strange loop-de-loops, I [...]
11 Comments on The fifty pounds Meg Cabot & I have in common, last added: 2/9/2010
Robin, I read the interview. Meg Cabot never fails when she features a book on her website, and FAT CAT totally deserves it. Yay for you!
robin said, on 2/8/2010 2:33:00 PM
Thank you, Steph! That’s so nice. And seriously, as if I didn’t love and adore Meg Cabot enough before–this oughta do it!
Patrick said, on 2/8/2010 4:24:00 PM
Where are these T-shirts coming from? Is there a link somewhere on your website?
robin said, on 2/8/2010 5:23:00 PM
Oh, great, Patrick–you’re totally exposing my lack of getting through a very old to-do list.
The Karmic Cafe t-shirts are mine. I had them made. One of the things I keep meaning to do is have a link on my website so people can buy them if they want.
But I keep on writing this book instead. But honestly, when it’s finished, I’ll catch up with everything else!
Why, would you want one?
Diana said, on 2/8/2010 5:51:00 PM
Hi, Robin. I’m a regular reader of Meg’s blog and books, and Fat Cat sounds very interesting. I look forward to checking it out.
robin said, on 2/8/2010 5:58:00 PM
Great, Diana! And yes, don’t we just love Meg’s work to death? I’m with you!
Heather Dearly said, on 2/8/2010 8:56:00 PM
Your word verification just called me a broad. That wasn’t very polite.
I would love to see the shirts, so hurry up and write!
Heather Dearly said, on 2/8/2010 8:57:00 PM
Oh, and congrats on the MEG blog spot. You must have lost a lot of sleep from giddy exhaustion over that one!
Patrick said, on 2/9/2010 6:06:00 AM
Wouldn’t I look good in a Karmic Cafe T-shirt?
Oh, wait, I always look good, so, Yes!
Elizabeth said, on 2/9/2010 7:06:00 AM
Robin, as always, thank you for being so honest and open in this interview and for writing such strong, beautiful women into your books. I look forward to the day that I can wear my Karmic Cafe t-shirt with pride…but I’m willing to wait for my Karmic Cafe t-shirt as long as it means I’ll have another book to put on the Robin Shelf in my study. And someday, when you’re not busy writing, I would like the double-espresso brownie recipe.
But pretty please finish your book first.
robin said, on 2/9/2010 7:12:00 AM
(Heather, I’m “broad,” too. So rude.)
Heather and Elizabeth, thank you for being so sweet and tolerant of my lack of follow-through! Wow, I need to have you two in my head instead of the mean girl who’s always saying, “And you need to do this, and this, and this–come on, lazy!”
Or maybe that’s Patrick’s voice. Not sure.
I’m in the home stretch on the new book, PARALLELOGRAM. Just hold on everybody!
In this sequel to All-American Girl, Samantha Madison is still trying to balance her new-found fame, being UN teen ambassador, her awesome boyfriend, and her usual loser-dom middle sister status. Add to this the fact that her parents have made her get a part-time job and she's started taking life drawing lessons (which she didn't realize would involve naked people) and Sam doesn't have that much time on her hands. Then, David (the awesome boyfriend, who just happens to be the President's son) asks her to spend Thanksgiving with them at Camp David, which can only mean one thing-- he wants to take their relationship up a level and Sam's not so sure she's ready for that.
Lots of agonizing about ready or not Sam's ready for sex and how to handle the situation. Coupled with this is that Sam's supposed to show support for the President's new (and highly controversial) "Return to the Family" initiative. Overall I really liked this. Of course Sam's sister Lucy reads Cabot's She Went All the Way and Sam shares a few things with Allie Finkle (a cat named Mewsie and a dislike of red food. I have a mental list of things that frequently pop up in Cabot novels. If I ever get to interview her, I'm totally asking her about them!) Overall, a fun, funny read about sticking up for yourself and what you believe in, and making the right choices for you.
In 6th grade, Steph Landry tripped and accidentally spilled a Red Big Gulp all over Lauren Moffat's white skirt. She apologized and even bought Lauren a new skirt, but for the next 5 years, Lauren has made Steph's life hell. (Anytime anyone does something dumb, the catch phrase for the entire town is "Don't be such a Steph Landry!") Steph's had enough. She found an old book in her grandpa's fiancee's attic called How to Be Popular. Steph's going to use it, get the star quarterback and rule the school. The amazing thing is, it actually works. But, Lauren's not letting go that easily and Steph's other friends have some serious issues with the new-and-improved Steph Landry.
I'm not going to deny that it was rather predictable and didn't offer anything earth-shattering, but it was still funny and fun. I loved the character of school bimbo goddess Darlene, who had hidden depth. I loved how close Steph was with her grandfather. (A
Just in case you needed any more reasons to be convinced why books are great gifts, our friends at the Association of American Publishers have asked some of the most popular and prolific authors to share their reasons why books make great gifts. Enjoy the video below and check out the videos featuring even more authors on YouTube.
When I began writing, one of the reasons I chose the genre of romantic fiction was because romances were what saved me from being so incredibly depressed (even suicidal) about my life as a teen (that, and eventually our mother getting us all into Al-Anon, of course).
I just can’t imagine writing (or reading) a book that wasn’t romantic fiction, or at least was funny. Romantic fiction was the only thing that helped me escape when my life was the worst it ever was (and the worst I hope it ever will be).
And I vowed then that if I ever became a professional writer, I’d write books that I hoped would give readers like me a fun escape from whatever awful thing they were going through.
Yes, there are “lessons” in my books (you have to hunt for them because I hate books with heavy-handed “messages.” I try to make my “lessons” subtle, but believe me, they’re there).
But mostly, my books are written to make people feel better about their lives while not reminding them of their own horrible problems.
In the past few weeks, I've had some really rough days at work. Some were just the normal rough day of people being mean and grouchy and you know, one of those days. Some days were way rougher and included people being so mean I ended up having to give witness statements to the police.
On bad days, I have discovered that a Meg Cabot novel will pretty much instantly make me feel better. On bad days, I run over to the teen and adult side and check a bunch out, because I know they will work. And they do. That and the fact Dan makes a wicked cocktail.
Told entirely in email, this is the story of Mel, a small time girl who's landed in New York. She's a gossip columnist trying to break into real news. Meanwhile, someone attacked her elderly next door neighbor and left her in a coma. Mel's taking care of her neighbor's pets until her only living relative shows up. Max Friedlander is a selfish playboy photographer who could care less about his great-aunt's cats and dogs so he calls in a favor... John Trent was just going to walk an old lady's dog to get Max off his back, little did he expect to fall in love with the girl next door. Mel likes him, too, but what will happen when she finds out that Max is really John and not Max at all?
Meg Cabot always puts me in a good mood. This is a fast, fun, totally hilarious chick lit read. Everyone gets in on the action--John's 8-year-old nieces, random people at Mel's office, and even a supermodel. Within 5 pages, I was feeling better from my horrible day. My only complaint is that the email header didn't have a time stamp. Other email books (such as e) make good use of the time stamp for added hilarity, and I think Cabot could have done the same. Ah well, it's a minor issue.
This is a stand alone sequel to Boy Next Door. Kate is works in HR at the New York Journal, under the Tyrannical Office Despot, Amy (who kept sending Mel all the tardy notices in Boy Next Door.) Kate's been forced to fire the ever popular dessert lady Ida, who then sues the company for breach of contract. Amy and the paper's slimy lawyer are in love, and if Kate's not careful, the same could happen with his brother, the other lawyer representing the paper. How could she like a lawyer who's against Ida and her to-die-for cookies?!
This one is told in more than just email. We get IM transcripts, receipts, journal entries, voice mails, and notes passed back and forth during meetings. We even get Ida's recipes (which I haven't tried out yet.)
I'm a big fan of books in "stuff" even if there isn't a time stamp on the email. While this isn't a sequel per se, we do find out bits and pieces about how Mel is doing. We also see more of Stacy because she's the lawyers' sister.
Once again, a related book that tells us "what happened next" from the previous book, but isn't an actual sequel.
Jane's best friend Holly is eloping to Italy to marry her boyfriend Mark and Jane's coming to be a witness. Unfortunately, Mark's best friend Cal is also coming and Cal's a classic Type A modelizing jerk who doesn't believe in marriage and will do all he can to stop the wedding from actually happening. Unless Jane can stop him.
Like Boy Meets Girl this has a lot more than just IM. More journal than anything, because even though all four main characters are connected to the New York Journal and the other characters we know and love, they'll all in Italy and removed from the situation.
Even better was the back material which tells us that the elopement to Italy and the hilarity that ensued was highly based on Cabot's own elopement to Italy, with a full run down of what was real and what wasn't.
Sam is a goth girl in DC who is wallowing in loserville (which is made worse by the fact her sister is super-popular). To make matters worse, she's completely in love with her sister's boyfriend. One day, while cutting the stupid art class her parents are making her take as a punishment for getting a C in German, Sam ends up saving the life of the President and is now a national hero. Sam doesn't feel like a hero. She just acted, she didn't think, so it wasn't even scary at the time. There was no bravery, just instinct. What she really needs bravery for is dealing with the complications that come from her friendship with the President's son. He's pretty obviously into her, but she's in love with her sister's boyfriend, right?
I love how many of Meg Cabot's heroines are total dorks, but awesome at the same time. Well yes, you can be awesome and still write Battlestar Gallactica fanfic, even if your hair is a nightmare and the popular girls hate you. At least, you can in Meg Cabot's world. Her books might be light and fun and fluffy but she still does have some really strong female characters (ok, not Princess Mia, but the others!) and sneaks awesome girl power messages in under the wire.
In this book, I most loved Sam's other sister (not the one with the boyfriend) who is 11 and definitely lacks social skills, so she has been reading romance novels in an attempt to learn some. Hysterical!
Minor complaint? As someone who drives across DC twice a day, I do not see nearly as many motorcades as Sam does. Especially Presidential ones. I only saw the Presidential motorcade once. The most extreme motorcade I ever saw involved the Queen of England and First Lady Laura Bush. Then there was the really weird one I saw a few months ago that involved a lot of coach buses filled with senior citizens. They had more police protection and black sedans than the Queen! But then again, they shut down the entire highway for the Queen. They didn't do that for the coach buses.
Most annoying are the small motorcades of people going to the Capitol during morning rush hour. They don't stop traffic, but you can't cut in the middle of a motorcade and they drive soooooooooooooooo slowly. I always want to know who's inside so I know to NEVER VOTE FOR THEM AGAIN. If you're important enough to get a motorcade, then you wield enough power to be all "you know what? Why don't we not meet until 10, so then the regular people trying to get to work won't be caught in this." Jerks.
0 Comments on Meg Cabot is awesome as of 9/8/2009 10:04:00 PM
Those of you who have been following Book Blogger Appreciation Week know just how much effort its creator and myriad (tireless) support persons have put into announcing, promoting, supporting, and delivering the 2009 BBAW Awards Shortlists, which have been announced today (because these good souls never rest, not even on Labor Day). More than 1,000 blogs have been sorted through, screened, and considered. Now that the shortlists are up, it's up to the rest of us to go visit those blogs that may be new to us, and to vote for the winners.
I've been quite lucky this year and have been shortlisted—along with Neil Gaiman's Journal, Maureen Johnson Blog, Meg's Diary, and Scobberlotch—in the Best Published Author Blog category. Whomever thought to include me, whomever judged my work, I embrace you with a very large thank you. I don't believe my name has ever before been in the same sentence with these fine writers, and it's a privilege.
19 Comments on Book Blogger Appreciation Week (a surprised nominee), last added: 9/9/2009
Congratulations! One of the best parts of this is discovering new blogs like yours. How could I have missed you? :) Now I need to set aside time to page all the way through!
Meg Cabot is one of the most prolific writers out there today. Not only does she contribute to both the YA and adult market, but she also blogs daily! She is, of course, best known as the author of The Princess Diaries which was turned into a movie with Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.
Her newest series, AIRHEAD, is the story of a teenage girl, Em Watts, who is tragically hurt in a record store opening accident. Her brain is transplanted into the body of a teenage supermodel, Nikki Howard. The book is fast-paced, hilarious and very compelling.
Haven’t we all wondered at one time or another what it would be like to be a completely different person? What would it be like to be instantly famous? Meg does a fantastic job of showing both the positive and negative aspects of this instant shot to fame. The sequel to AIRHEAD, entitled BEING NIKKI, was released earlier this year and has received tremendous praise. This book is the beginning of a new series for Meg and one you can tell is going to be very successful.
0 Comments on Airhead by Meg Cabot as of 8/19/2009 1:03:00 PM
Today our counter hit over 100,000 hits and 150,000 page views since we installed Sitemeter. Thank you to our faithful readers and to Meg Cabot, who, with one mention had us shut down as a spam site for a day as our stats spiked.
0 Comments on A Milestone for Us as of 8/7/2009 10:14:00 AM
It doesn’t matter if you are a tween, a teen, or an adult, when you read a Meg Cabot book (or series), you feel like she’s reading your mind. Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls. The Princess Diaries. The Queen of Babble. Meg Cabot relates to women of all ages.
I (along with fellow editor Julie Gassman) was lucky enough to see Meg Cabot speak in Mankato, Minnesota, this week. As Meg talked about her books, I couldn’t help but feel like I was listening to my sister or best friend. She was funny, relatable, and honest. It’s easy to see why her books are so popular. Meg Cabot gets it. And finding “it” is not easy in the book publishing world—especially with the teen set.
Meg talked about how Maud Hart Lovelace (the well-known author of the Betsy Tacy books) has inspired her voice as a writer. Lovelace was able to write stories that are timeless. Her characters and stories are still relevant today. Meg has tried to do the same with her books and characters.
As a writer, connecting to audiences and writing timeless stories is the ultimate achievement. As an editor, it’s a challenge to help writers achieve this goal, but it’s our job. It’s fun to imagine my children reading timeless classics and finding new classics, hopefully published by Stone Arch Books or Picture Window Books.:)
-Christianne Jones (Associate Managing Editor, Capstone Fiction)
P.S. It must be written that Meg Cabot wore the most amazing dress. She looked like she could play the part of any one of her characters in a movie adaptation.
0 Comments on Meg in Mankato as of 7/24/2009 11:45:00 AM
In the third installment of this light and fun series, Allie has fully settled in to life in her new school, and so it comes as a shock when a new girl arrives in her 4th grade classroom and thoroughly upsets the social order.
Although it is something of a relief at first not to be the New Girl, Allie is unsettled by Cheyenne and her high-heeled boots and exotic Canadian origins. Not only that, but Cheyenne disses Allie and her friends the very first day by telling them their favorite game of pretend is babyish. This, after they were just trying to be nice to her! And Four Queens is the best game ever!
Cheyenne’s subsequent take-over of all the 4th grade girls (except for Allie and her clique) and her revolutionary introduction of the Kissing Game (in which a hapless boy is chased by all the girls and then kissed by Cheyenne) soon has the whole class in an uproar – and it even shakes up Allie’s tight-knit group. In fact, this story isn’t so much about mean girls as it is about loyalty and standing up to peer pressure. This would have been a bit more thought-provoking if Cheyenne hadn’t been so absolutely awful in every way – the reader won’t ever have a moment’s empathy or admiration for her. Also, Allie’s coterie of girls blends together rather in this installment – none of them gets to shine as individuals except maybe the brave Charlotte. Nevertheless, this is light and fun affirmation that it’s okay to want to be a kid, not a teenager, in 4th grade – and that schoolyard bullies may be intense and powerful, but they don’t stand a chance next to loving and involved parents and small but strong groups of friends.
Recommended for kids who love friendship and school stories, as well as for fans of the previous Allie Finkle books. Grades 2 – 4.
0 Comments on Review of Best Friends and Drama Queens by Meg Cabot as of 1/1/1900
I was really amazed by this confessional by Meg Cabot. I don’t know about you, but I really appreciate her honesty.
And since I’m one of the YA authors who believes that funny fiction is important–for many of the reasons she pointed out–you know I loved what she had to say about that.
What [...]
10 Comments on Why some people need to write the funny, last added: 6/12/2009
I like funny. Both to read and to write. Sometimes I like to read slightly darker stuff for a change of pace (Before I Die by Jenny Downham is a recent fav - dark but a really beautiful book), but overall I read to be entertained, which normally means light and funny.
By the way, I devoured all the Flowers In The Attic books as a teen, although I had a pretty normal(ish) home life. My friends and I seemed to be drawn to the scandalous nature of the books, not sure why.
robin said, on 6/11/2009 4:31:00 PM
You read all the Flowers in the Attic books? I made it through one, then had that same reaction Meg did: Ewwww. But they sure were moody and creepy, weren’t they? I guess I preferred to get my weird, moody, creepy vibe from things like Wuthering Heights.
But this once again proves that there are books out there for everyone, huh? Thank goodness.
Kelley said, on 6/11/2009 8:11:00 PM
This is simplistic, but I just like a good story, which means it needs humor, action, a little romance, suspense, and a whole lot of HEART. I don’t go for the really dark stuff because real life is bad enough. If I’m going to escape into fiction, I don’t want to escape into drugs and rape and suicide, though some aspects of those elements are sometimes necessary to create a good story. I think fantasy is my favorite, but I also love a hearty coming of age tale. Even The Book Thief, as dark as its subject matter was, offered dynamic characters, touches of humor in the most unexpected places, and HOPE.
Elizabeth said, on 6/12/2009 9:22:00 AM
I like my books light, for the most part. If I want to know about people hurting (themselves or someone else), all I have to do is turn on the news. I had the best childhood a girl could want, but trust me, I knew plenty who didn’t. I also like books about strong girls and girls who don’t let other people do their thinking for them.
That being said, I’ve lately been harboring an almost unhealthy obsession with Criminal Minds–the TV show about FBI profilers. I like the dry, intellectual humor, the fact that good triumphs over evil, and there’s always, always hope at the end. I also identify with the character of Reid–the 24-year-old genius with three PhDs…PhD’s and genius IQ I don’t have, but I was only 23 when I got a Masters in library science, which is a second-career field, so I know a little something about being “too young for the job” in the eyes of your colleagues.
Patrick Alan said, on 6/12/2009 10:28:00 AM
I enjoy classic good versus evil. Things in the grey areas just aren’t any good.
robin said, on 6/12/2009 10:40:00 AM
Kelley, I agree with you–I just want a good story. I want something that will take me away. I have a great life, so no need to escape it, but I do have a need to really be absorbed by great storytelling. Harry Potter, for example. And I especially agree about wanting the HOPE. I feel so cheated when I get to the end of a book or movie and think, “So what was the point of that? Misery, misery, end in misery? Bleh.”
Elizabeth, that’s so interesting about your obsession with Criminal Minds! It’s cool that you identify with the 24-year-old genius–what could be wrong with that?! Makes perfect sense that one smarty pants would admire another.
Patrick, what are some of your favorite classic good vs. evil books/movies? Besides Princess Bride, of course.
Patrick Alan said, on 6/12/2009 11:05:00 AM
“Darth Vader Saves The Universe” is one of my all time favorites.
robin said, on 6/12/2009 11:07:00 AM
Wait a minute–did I see that one?
Elizabeth said, on 6/12/2009 11:14:00 AM
Smarty-pants? I call it Librarian Magic.
Bethany said, on 6/12/2009 7:56:00 PM
Definitely not a fan of drama/tragedy for its own sake, which seems to be a bit of a trend these days–everyone’s on drugs or an alcoholic or is being abused. But one of my favorite books when I was in middle school was “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Not exactly an obvious tear-jerker, but I suppose it did serve the purpose of distracting me from a life that, since I was 14, I obviously hated. But it’s all about the story. I think “The Book Thief” is an excellent example of tragedy done well. “April Fool’s Day” is one of my favorite books written by my favorite author of all time as a memoir about taking care of a hemophiliac son who had contracted AIDS from a bad blood transfusion. Ridiculously heart-wrenching: I could never read it anywhere but in my own room because I don’t cry in an attractive (or even fit for going out in public) manner. But it was an amazing story about his family’s resilience and his son’s life, however short it was.
But then, Robin, you know I’m a sucker for good comedy… or even cheap jokes. As Carol Burnett said, “Comedy is just tragedy plus time.”
Having your brain transplanted into that of a super model isn't all it's cracked up to be, as we learned in Airhead. Em is still trapped and she knows that Stark Enterprises is completely spying on her, and not just via the computer they gave her-- they have audio bugs in her apartment!
To make matters worse, it turns out that Nikki has a brother who's more than pissed when he finds out that Em-as-Nikki has no idea who he is.
But here are the freaky bits-- someone is sending emails in Nikki's name to all those boys that Em keeps trying to fend off-- no wonder they won't go away!
Nikki's mom is missing and no one seems to care except for Steven (Nikki's brother) and Em.
AND! The big one! When Em tells Steven what's going on, he doesn't by it. He's seen the results of Nikki's last physical and knows she didn't have any underlying conditions. The death of Nikki Howard is totally fishy.
ZOMG I loved this. Lots of suspense and good mystery. I ate this book up, and kept having to put it down to furiously pace around and yell "OMG! WOULD YOU JUST TELL HIM________ ALREADY?" or "OMG! WHAT IS HE THINKING?!" Yes, I actually yelled at this book, which is like yelling at the TV, but so much dorkier. But yelled at it in a good way, because I was so involved in the story.
I don't want to say too much about it because it would give too much away. I haven't read any of Cabot's other mysteries, and now I really want to because of the way she builds them up. I like Em as a character. It's not that love/hate thing I have with Mia. Em is someone I can relate to. I also like how she struggles with the fact that she is, at times, really fighting Nikki's body. Like with Brandon Stark. Em doesn't really like him. The brain of the body is saying "no no no no no" but then Nikki's body is too busy melting into a puddle of goo and actually moaning when he touches her. And Em's brain is all "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww."
And then, the end? HOLY CRAP. I've always wanted to be Meg Cabot's BFF, but she's just mean! Luckily, she's like crazy prolific, so we'll probably see Runaway next summer.
Also, I liked Airhead well enough, but Being Nikki is 17 times better. But it'll make more sense if you read Airhead first.
Full disclosure: ARC provided by the author at my request.
0 Comments on Being Nikki is out! Huzzah! as of 5/19/2009 1:17:00 PM
I'm going on vacation next week. I will be OFFLINE. I'm trying to decide if I want to pre-blog some back reviews and then just set them to post or if I just want to leave it and see you when I get back. It will probably depend on what I have time to do. It won't be tonight because it's the first night of Passover! There's a strong chance that I will, once again, be the youngest person at Seder (Ok, I know I won't be the youngest, but the baby can't talk yet!) so I should probably brush up on the 4 questions...
Anyway, how much do you love Meg Cabot? Reading one of her books is like laughing with your best friend until your stomach hurts. Also, you should totally check out the advice videos that she is doing with Michele Jaffe? They're chock full of good advice. (Like, don't trip boys to get them to notice you) Also, hysterical.
I recently read Cabot's upcoming book, Being Nikki, the sequel to Airhead. I'll review it around the time it comes out (May 5th) but I'm telling you now, it's crazy good and I liked it a lot more than Airhead and that if you haven't read the first one yet, you should go do it now, so it's all nice and read by May 5th.
Also, if you've already read Being Nikki, email me, because I want to talk about it. Especially the ending. OMFG.
So, here are two other Meg Cabot books that I've read and haven't reviewed yet.
About 2 and half years have passed since we last saw Mia, and not much has changed. For some reason, she's still with icky JP. She's not friends with Lilly, and Michael's still in Japan. After her "wait, Genovia is a democracy" bombshell, her dad's running for Prime Minister, but Prince Rene might beat him!
Graduation is coming and Mia got into every one of the schools she applied for. She's certain that this has less to do with her merits and more to do with her royal status. None of her friends got into their top choice schools, so she's told EVERYONE that she didn't get in anywhere. She also told everyone that her senior project is a history of Genovian Olive Pressing. Which it's not. It's a romance novel. A lot of the story centers around Mia trying to publish her romance novel under a pen name, so she knows it will be published because the book is good, not because it was written by a princess.
OH! And then, to make matters even more complicated? Michael's back from Japan. And even hotter than ever. But Mia's still totally in love with JP, right?
Cabot's own publishing career started in romance. I have to wonder how much of Mia's tribulations mirror Cabot's experiences, especially the crap people give Mia once they find out she's written a romance. JP's a total jerk about it (SURPRISE) and tells her she shouldn't be wasting her talents writing such trash and she should be writing literary fiction that will change the world blah blah blah.
I spent most of the book wanting to put corn in JP's chili and then pushing him. And then wanting to smack Mia for being so totally clueless that she doesn't see that JP is evil and slimy and gross.
When I was reading the book, I had to stop and write the following:
Why do I love this series so much when I have such a love/hate relationship with Mia? When will she get a spine? Why JP? and why for 2 years? Ew... I just cannot forgive [Mia for dating] JP. To the point where Mia, for choosing him and STAYING WITH HIM [that was underlined 4 times] is no longer funny, if mildly annoying, but just DUMB [also heavily underlined.]
So why do I love this series? Because Mia, as annoying as she is, is funny:
When I go to college the first thing I'm going to do is pick out all new friends. Because the friends I currently have are psychotic.
See, where Mia annoys me, I love Allie. Because Allie has spunk and a spine is a lot less neurotic than Mia. I'm sure when Allie hits puberty, she'll get a little more neurotic, because that's what happens when you hit puberty--YOU GO INSANE but she'll keep her spine and kick a little more ass. Because that's what Allie is--KICK ASS.
But I shouldn't say that, because this is a Middle Grade book, and so I shouldn't use swear words when describing it. (Too bad, KICK ASS)
There's a new girl at school and she comes all the way from Canada! Too bad Cheyenne thinks that playing pretend is babyish. And she has high heel zip-up boots like Allie wanted, but her mom wouldn't let her have. But Cheyenne's also not that nice. She starts the kissing game, where packs of girls chase down unsuspecting boys on the playground and then kiss them. (Ok, so we totally played that in my elementary school, too. But if a pack of guys did that to a girl, it would be BAD NEWS. Why is it ok for girls to do to guys? I mean, they eventually get in trouble, but we never did.) She also starts "going with" boys and wants EVERY GIRL to go with a boy.
Allie doesn't want to go with a boy. And Caroline and Sophie aren't talking to each other to talk about. When Allie stands up to Cheyenne, she has to face her full wrath.
I love that Allie doesn't know how to handle situations but not in a "I'm so helpless!" type of way. I love that she knows some things--she doesn't want to "go with" anyone but doesn't know others--how to tell a boy that without being mean.
This is an excellent series for middle grade girls. It's funny and affirming without being cheesy or message-y. I think Allie might be my favorite Meg Cabot character.
0 Comments on I will stalk Meg Cabot and make her my new BFF as of 1/1/1900
Because I’m too busy/harried/unimaginative (for blogging, that is–saving it all for the book I’m working on now!), about the best I can manage these days is to point you to other people’s blogs when I think they have something to say you might be interested in.
I really liked what Meg Cabot had to say about [...]
9 Comments on Meg Cabot on how to get an agent, last added: 2/11/2009
Thanks for sharing this, Robin. I guess it’s all about tenacity whatever business you’re in. I really related to the bit about going back to the beginning of the book and starting over because four years ago, when the library where I currently work had just opened, I applied here for a part-time position (I had just graduated from library school). The interview was a disaster involving chocolate milk, and I didn’t get the position. Two years later, having been laid off from my then-job without hope of recall, I found out that this library was hiring again, and this time it was a full-time position. But, I remembered the chocolate milk and disaster of the previous interview (and so, I assumed, would they), so I had no intention of applying for this position. Long story short, I decided to apply anyway and got the position. I’ve been here for two years now.
Did they remember the chocolate milk? Not exactly, but a few weeks ago when the topic of my first interview here came up in a conversation with my best friend (who was on that interview panel before I knew her), she said she remembered that I didn’t take my suit jacket off at any point during the interview–and we had a good laugh when I explained it was because my shirt was soaked with chocolate milk. She then declared me absoulutely indestructible.
Must stop babbling now. My anti-spam word for the day is “toast,” and I think it really refers to the makeup of my brain at this point.
robin said, on 2/10/2009 6:39:00 PM
Elizabeth, that’s a great story! And another great illustration of why it’s the people who don’t quit too early who eventually “make it.” I once heard from a short story magazine editor that that’s what used to frustrate him: the same author would send him new stories every month or two, and even though the editor had to reject them for various reasons, he could see that the work was getting better. And so just when he was thinking, “The next one will be it!” the author gave up and stopped sending him stories. Boooo.
And this didn’t happen just once, but with many authors over several years. Lesson? Be one of the authors (or librarians) who keeps trying, keeps working at your skills, keeps pressing onward. Because there will be a lot of dropouts along the way, and you don’t have to be one of them.
Reminds me of one of my favorite mottos: 100% of the novels that were published were finished first. And the addendum to that motto is that 100% of those novels kept getting sent out to agents and editors until they were accepted.
So be like Elizabeth. And don’t worry about the chocolate milk.
robin said, on 2/10/2009 6:42:00 PM
Oh, and the chocolate milk story also reminds me that people are always way more into their own nervousness and issues than they’re into yours. What was mortifying for Elizabeth was a forgettable detail for everyone else.
I know we can all think of hundreds (thousands) of embarrassing moments in our lives, but do you really think anyone else remembers those moments as vividly as you do? Or even remembers them at all? Doubtful.
Patrick - proud member of the zombie hierarchy said, on 2/10/2009 7:12:00 PM
Whenever I think of Elizabeth, I’ll always think of the chocolate milk incident.
I was really looking forward to that glass of chocolate milk — before the incident.
Seriously, never mix pirates, llamas, chocolate milk and a recent library school grad. It’s just an incident waiting to happen. I knew that, but figured there shouldn’t be a problem, since how often are there recent library school grads around?
robin said, on 2/10/2009 7:25:00 PM
Patrick, you should wear a sign that says, “The exception to every rule.” And thank goodness for you.
The Exceptional Patrick said, on 2/10/2009 9:05:00 PM
I like it!
Elizabeth said, on 2/11/2009 9:53:00 AM
If Patrick’s the exception to every rule, what am I? I can’t be forever remembered for chocolate milk…not enough pizzazz.
robin said, on 2/11/2009 10:10:00 AM
Elizabeth, you are the thought-provoking conversation-starter. Where would we be without you?
Elizabeth said, on 2/11/2009 10:34:00 AM
I’m good with that. I just didn’t want to be the rules to which Patrick is the exception…I never want to be boring like that.
There's nothing wrong with walking to school with your mom and dad on your first day. Except everything.
Allie's back! She's settling into her new house and her new school, but nothing, of course, goes to plan. The big problem is Rosemary, the bully, who wants to kill Allie. And then Lady Serena Archibald gets really sick and might have her kittens too soon and they might not live! AND THEN HOW WILL ALLIE GET A CAT?! And then Grandma comes. Grandma's good at presents, but she isn't very nice.
Hilarious. Allie is an excellent heroine with a strong voice and a strong sense of self. If you liked the first, you'll like this one. I'm very much looking forward to Best Friends And Drama Queens, which comes out in March. The plot sounds a lot like something Cabot describes happening to her in her contribution to Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume and how Blubber was really helpful. I hope see gives Judy Blume a shout-out in the book!
Greg's back! Huzzah! I managed to snag a copy of lunch, but it's been hard--the holds list on this is miles long, and it's ALL kids. Ever since this came out, I've had to deal with the crushed faces of children when I tell them where they are on the list.
Anyway, Greg's afraid his dad will send him (not Roderick, HIM) to Military School.
If you like Wimpy Kid, this books won't disappoint, I mean...
There was this book Dad used to read to me every night called 'The Giving Tree.' It was a really good book, but the back of it had a pictures of the author, this guy named Shel Silverstein.
But Shel Silverstein looks more like a burglar or a pirate than a guy who should be writing books for kids. Dad must have known that picture kind of freaked me out, because on night after I got out of bed, Dad said, 'IF YOU GET OUT OF BED AGAINST TONIGHT, YOU'LL PROBABLY RUN INTO SHEL SILVERSTEIN IN THE HALLWAY.'
That really did the trick. Ever since then, I STILL don't get out of bed at night, even if I really need to use the bathroom.
How can you NOT love it?!
0 Comments on Middle Grade Fun Series! as of 1/28/2009 3:41:00 PM
Oh my, I want this one, no--this one, no--this one, no--this one
Actress Julianne Moore, Chris Van Allsburg, Marc Brown, Vera Wang, Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, Judy Blume and Nicole Miller are just some of the folks who have contributed.
Must check to see if there is any post wedding $$ available.
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.
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:
Meg Cabot is one of the most prolific writers out there today. Not only does she contribute to both the YA and adult market, but she also 
I just started this one last night and am finding myself completely sucked in (pun intended there too ;). And, though I hate to admit it, it's my first Meg Cabot book. *Gasp*