Disney's hugely popular Princess brand is about to get even more lucrative with the introduction of its first Hispanic princess.
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Blog: Cartoon Brew (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Sofia the First, Disney Television Animation, Aimee Carrero, Craig Gerber, Elena of Avalor, Elliot M. Bour, Silvia Cardenas Olivas, Disney, Disney Princesses, Add a tag
Blog: Cartoon Brew (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Disney, Disney Princesses, Brave, Pixar, Brenda Chapman, Merida, Add a tag
The confetti from Merida’s Royal Coronation at Cinderella’s castle in Walt Disney World has barely been swept up and she’s already learning what it means to be a real Princess. When it was announced that the star of 2012’s Brave would be crowned Disney’s 11th Princess on the morning of May 11th, they unveiled her new look for the product line.
The makeover, which apparently happened to all the Disney princesses when no one was looking, involved dropping 20 pounds, caking on some mascara and giving Merida a Keratin hair treatment. “There’s the hot hair, the coy expression,” wrote Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter. “Also the obligatory exposed shoulders, slimmer waist, and the bow and arrow replaced by… what is that, a low-slung belt?…Because, in the end, it wasn’t about being brave after all. It was about being pretty.”
The new look has caused such an uproar with the female empowerment website, A Mighty Girl, that they started a petition on Change.org to “Keep Merida Brave!” The appeal, which has already picked up over 100,000 signatures, states:
“The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls’ capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value — to be recognized as true princesses — they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.”
The film’s original director, Brenda Chapman, has also blasted the makeover, telling the Marin Independent Journal that it is “a blatantly sexist marketing move based on money.” Chapman continued:
Add a Comment“There is an irresponsibility to this decision that is appalling for women and young girls. Disney marketing and the powers that be that allow them to do such things should be ashamed of themselves. I think it’s atrocious what they have done to Merida. When little girls say they like it because it’s more sparkly, that’s all fine and good but, subconsciously, they are soaking in the sexy ‘come hither’ look and the skinny aspect of the new version. It’s horrible! Merida was created to break that mold — to give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a pretty face that waits around for romance.”
Blog: Cartoon Brew (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Disney, Music Videos, Paint, Disney Princesses, John Cozart, Add a tag
Dreams die quickly and magic fades in the cruelest way possible in John Cozart’s (aka Paint) latest a cappella medley. Focusing on the fates of some of Disney’s most loveable ingenues, their post-happily ever after lives take a grim turn when blended with political issues of the modern day like environmental destruction, the war on terror and bestiality. In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Cozart explains his motivation for the song and video, which took five weeks to record and film, “To just put those characters in our world — our dark, terrible, sad world; hilarity ensues.”
Dark, terrible and sad, yes. Hilarious? Sure, ok.
Add a CommentBlog: the enchanted easel (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: girl, cute, fairy tale, cinderella, princess, sketch, children's illustration, graphite, magical, pumpkin, mice, disney princesses, whimsical, tiara, carriage, the enchanted easel, Add a tag
follow the link below to purchase prints of Ariel, Snow White and Belle. hoping to be able to add more to the collection soon!
Blog: Ypulse (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: technology, facebook, MTV, disney princesses, Britney Spears, abc family, glee, Ypulse Essentials, Beyonce, conde nast, holiday shopping, Elle Magazine, h&m, gaga, Disney Princess Video Game, E-Commerce, Emergen-C Kidz, Maid in Miami, Restaurants and socail media, Social Sidekick, Vitamin Angels, VMA Record TV Ratings, Add a tag
The classic Disney Princesses are back (in a video game called Disney Princess: Enchanting Storybooks, which will be available this fall on the uDraw GameTablet for Wii and the Nintendo DS. Users will relive their favorite tales while playing... Read the rest of this post
Add a CommentBlog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writer's life, Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice, Funky Cold Medina, Hot Blooded, Foreigner, Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice, Funky Cold Medina, writer's life, Hot Blooded, Foreigner, Add a tag
This week we're talking about Fire and Ice in regards to boys. I'm going to write about boys who have written songs with HOT and COLD themes. Okay, I know I'm going to show my age here, but these are my favorite songs from growing up.
I'm so glad I found these videos on YouTube! Click on the links and listen/watch to these HOT and COLD themed songs by these boys:
First, for the HOT songs I loved:
The first song is by Buster Poindexter called HOT, HOT, HOT! It's played probably at every party I've ever been to. It's a great "get up and dance" song, even for the grandparents. Watch it here: (I tried to imbed the video into the blog, but I'm not computer savvy enough)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg
One of my favorite songs is Hot Blooded performed live by Foreigner in this YouTube video. Foreigner had some amazing songs out, but this one is the HOTtest!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBNbxW0c-as
Now for the COLD songs that were my favorite:
When this song came out, me and my friends couldn't stop singing it. And I'm sorry, but I like bad boys and Vanilla Ice was definitely a bad boy back then (and probably still is). I know, I know, it's SO 80's. It's none other than ICE, ICE BABY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6S_b_g
And this is the last COLD video by a boy. It's FUNKY COLD MEDINA by Tone Loc. I loved the story this song told. It's not only a great tune, but it's funny. Tone Loc has a great sense of humor, and the story about Funky Cold Medina is hilarious. I've never had a Funky Cold Medina, by the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zligio51yP4
Happy watching!
Simone Elkeles
http://www.simoneelkeles.com/
author of:
Leaving Paradise Book Sense Summer 2007 pick!
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation #3 on Top Ten Teen Books
How to Ruin my Teenage Life 2008 AJL Notable Book for Teens
Perfect Chemistry (tentative title), coming 2009!
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writer's life, Add a tag
A few weeks ago, the press ran a story about a woman in Des Moines who was fired for writing a romance novel on the job. This story grabbed my attention because believe me...it could have been me. At just about any point over an eight year period.
Years ago, to support myself “until the writing took off,” I took a job as a technical manuscript typist at a university. I was upfront about my career goals, and pleased to find the professors admired my ambition, even going as far as telling me I could use the word processor “after hours” for my writing.
Well, the “after hours” thing got a little blurry--whenever possible, I would steal a few minutes there at work. In fact, at one point, some graduate students admitted to going through my trash to read my drafts!
Here’s a picture of me from the early years. Check out what’s on my desk: novels from the university library.
In my seventh year, at which point I was a Staff Services Officer with my own office, the departmental head appeared in my doorway to tell me I’d been nominated for a Special Performance Award. I had to stand in front of the computer screen so he didn’t see the YA novel I was writing. Two months later, he appeared again to award me with a certificate and a check, and yep, caught me working on my book! I felt guilty, of course, but concluded I must be a pretty good multi-tasker to win that award while writing so many short stories and books on the job, so believe me, I cashed the check.
Anyway, it’s too bad that the Des Moines woman didn’t have the kind of look-the-other-way support that I did.
So now I am turning to you: have you ever attempted writing or homework or personal ventures at work? And how did that go?
What I'm Reading: Plum Lucky, Janet Evanovich
Tina
Tina Ferraro
How to Hook a Hottie
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, Spring, 2009
www.tinaferraro.com
Blog: 3 Evil Cousins (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Interviews, Libba Bray, Buffy, Cookies, The Many Commands of the Dark Lord, Gemma Doyle, Disney Princesses, Almost all together now, The Many Commands of the Dark Lord, Disney Princesses, Gemma Doyle, Add a tag
Hello, dearest readers. What follows is an interview with Libba Bray, author of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. (The third book, The Sweet Far Thing, recently came out. You can see our review of it if you scroll down.) We asked her 13 questions, because 13 is a most excellent number. So, read on, the Dark Lord commands thee! (Warning: VERY LONG POST.)
I always enjoyed writing, but never took it too seriously, and then two things happened that made me realize writing was it for me. The first was my car accident at eighteen in which I lost my left eye and basically demolished my face and had to have it rebuilt. The only outlet I had for dealing with that was a little yellow journal. I wrote down everything I thought/felt/observed in that thing, and it was really empowering. It saved my life, actually. The other thing that made me realize I wanted to be a writer was writing a monologue for an original play that my friend Ed was putting together. The play, "One to the Sixth," was a collection of monologues written by various people, and I wrote a piece about a girl struggling with the not being beautiful in a world that values beauty. I turned it in to Ed, and he said, "Hey, this isn't bad. Why don't you write five or six more of these and we'll make a show out of it." I said okay, because sometimes I'm very agreeable, and that became my first play, "High Hopes and Heavy Sweatshirts." And that was it. I was hooked.
I don't know if I chose to write YA/historical fiction/fantasy or if it chose me. :-) I'm a sucker for anything Victorian and creepy. I just wanted to write the kind of stuff I enjoy reading and I hoped it wouldn't suck completely. Basically, I wanted to write a Victorian "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Zombies, all the way. Unicorns would only exist so that zombies could feast upon their flesh and fashion their horns into mod zombie breast plates.
Well, my pal Brenda has a game called, "Which actor & actress would play you in the movie version of your life?" She then likes to answer before you do. (It's her world, we just live in it.) She said the two people who would play me would be Teri Garr and Bill Murray. Actually, I thought that was pretty solid.
I would say read everything so you know what's possible, but find your own voice, because no one will write quite like you do, and what is personal in our work is also what is most universal. All those thoughts/weaknesses/insecurities you'd rather not admit to are what make characters who are real and memorable. Remember, super heroes aren't half so interesting for what they *can* do--fly, control the weather, shoot webs, leap small buildings in a single bound, wear bitchin' tights--as for what leaves them most vulnerable: love, pride, self-doubt, anger--all that juicy human stuff. Don't be afraid to go there. In fact, it's your job to go there. My friend Jennifer Jacobson always asks herself, "Is it true yet? Is it true yet? Is it true yet?" I think that's a good question to keep asking yourself. Keep digging until you hit that emotional truth. You'll know when you've found it. Trust me.
12. What's your next project (if you are permitted to disclose)?
Blog: Wilde Teen Books (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writer's Life, BIAW, Book in a Week, Add a tag
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: books, dreams, Writing, writer's life, Sorority 101, Add a tag
No, I'm not Admiral James Stockdale who's running for Vice President with Ross Perot (is that too old of a reference?) I'm Marley Gibson and I'm a young adult author.
Here's the "famed" picture everyone saw at RWA in Dallas this year...(sorry, I don't have an official author photo yet.)
I love saying that. "I'm an author." And, come May 2008, I'll be a published authors. A dream come true. Here I am with my first contract/advance.
People ask me when I first started writing and I answer with "I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing." I used to pen stories for my family and would then have an auction after dinner where my mother, brother, father and sister would "bid" on the stories. It was stuff like: "My teddy bear is Donny. He has a green body. His head is brown. The end." As I grew up, I wrote all sorts of stories. When I was fifteen, I started writing my first young adult story. It was about a cheerleader and a basketball player who fell in love. I still have it and it's not half bad.
In college, I took a lot of writing classes and majored in advertising where I did a lot of creative copywriting. All through my career as a marketing events planner, I've written newsletters, client sheets, white papers, advertisements, press releases, direct mail, you name it.
In January 2001, I decided I could no longer prevail in the dot.com/dot.bomb world that demanded twelve hour days from me and massive travel. I wanted to downsize my career, but I wanted to do something with my writing. And I did. From January to August, I wrote my first completed novel. All 863 pages of! OMG! But it got me writing and I haven't stopped yet. I've written fourteen manuscripts and five partial manuscripts. And I have two books coming out next year!
Here's the first book: SORORITY 101: ZETA OR OMEGA?, writing as Kate Harmon.
In the first book, three heroines from very different backgrounds become friends during Sorority Rush at Latimer University. There's Veronica Van Gelderen (please call her Roni), a Boston Brahman who has rebelled against her parents' money and wishes for a Harvard education to strike out on her own at Latimer. Jenna Driscoll seeks to find a close-knit family, just like the one she left in Atlanta, while trying to hide her diabetes from her new friends. Lora-Leigh Sorenstein is a local gal who dreams of going to design school in New York City. However, her father, Latimer's Dean of Students, insists she stay close to home and her mother insists she Rush. Each girl must decide which sorority house is right for her...and why. The excitement of Sorority Rush is seen through each girl's perspective, ending with their emotional decision and ultimate excitement on Bid Day.
SORORITY 101: THE NEW SISTERS, writing as Kate Harmon
The second book, which comes out at the same time as the first, picks up right after Bid Day, when Roni, Jenna and Lora-Leigh are getting used to the college scene and their life as new sorority members. Roni struggles long-distance with her relationship with her hand's off parents, Lora-Leigh tries to win back her mother's trust after disappointing her, and Jenna is reluctant to share her diabetes with her new sisters until she's struck with a seizure and has her sisters to thank for getting her to the hospital. The story follows each girl as they settle into their academic life, attend fraternity swaps, meet cute guys, and bond with their new sorority sisters. The story ends with the girls being initiated into their chosen sorority.
I'm really excited about the books and I hope you will be too when they come out. I had a great time writing them and feel like there's a little piece of me in Roni, Jenna and Lora-Leigh.
As we get closer to the release date, look for advance copy giveaways here on Books, Boys, Buzz!
Hugs,
Marley = )
What I'm currently reading: Simone's LEAVING PARADISE...and you'll have to excuse me because I have got to get back to it!!!! It's phenomenal!
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing, writer's life, Add a tag
You'll have to forgive my late post...I went to see Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/Love in concert last night and wow...what a show! He has definitely brought sexy back!
So...
My very, very, very first book that I wrote was when I was fifteen years old and my best friend had her first official boyfriend. Since I didn't have a boyfriend of my own, I lived vicariously through her. He was two years older than us (a senior) and a basketball player. We were cheerleaders and it was the heart of baseball season. Their first kiss was shared when they were standing by the basketball bus after an away game and he "bet" her that she couldn't see inside the bus like he could, flat of his feet. Of course, she couldn't, so he lifted her up so she could see in. As he slid her back to the ground, he kissed her.
Wow. That was just something that belonged in a novel, eh?
At the time, I was obsessed with the First Love by Silhouette books that came out four a month. So, I thought I would write my own First Love book starring my friend and her boyfriend, totally taking from their bus viewing kiss. I wrote about 100 pages of the story. Mostly dialogue. But there are hints of greatness, I must say. Well, at least hints that I'd someday be able to write something more substantial.
My mother kept the story in my "things" at their house and I found it in a box not too long ago. My format is really professional, it's free of typos, and the kiss is very heartwarming. I was really impressed at how on target I was as fifteen.
Which brings me to the innocence of writing. Back then, I didn't know the "rules" or things like goal, motivation, conflict, or head-hopping or things like that. I just wrote. Wrote for the fun of it. Because I had a story to tell. For those of you who want to write, I encourage you to write with naivete and joy and innocence.
Hugs,
Marley = )
SORORITY 101...
Coming in May 2008
What I'm reading right now: Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: food, Writing, conference, writer's life, Add a tag
First things first, here's a list of the meals that the RWA conference fee is taking care of:
- Thursday, luncheon with keynote speaker Lisa Kleypas (bring your willpower, as you will likely be staring at the dessert long before your entree arrives)
- Friday & Saturday, continental breakfast (I'm not certain whether these are included, but they are listed on the conference schedule)
- Saturday, luncheon with speaker Lisa Jackson
- Saturday, dessert reception after the awards ceremony
- Daily News Cafe & Grill at 306 S. Houston
- Founders Grill at 302 S. Houston (Italian)
- Hoffbrau Steakhouse at 311 N. Market (um... Steakhouse)
- Landry's Seafood House at 306 N. Market (seriously?)
- RJ Mexican Cuisine at 1701 N. Market (Mexican, I think...)
- Gator's Croc & Roc at 1714 N. Market (Southwestern)
- The Palm at 701 Ross Ave. ($$$$ Traditional American, self-proclaimed celeb hangout)
- Cadillac Bar at 1800 N. Market
- (Sushi is in short supply and although there is a restaurant less than 1/2 mile from the hotel, the reviews were so-so and their website is down. The best close sushi place I found is Kenichi at 2400 Victory Park Lane, just over a mile from the hotel.)
- If you are planning on eating with a big group, make sure at least a couple of people are in line early and have their cell phones on. I am inevitably the person guarding seats for my friends and frantically trying to explain to them exactly where in the massive room we're sitting.
- That being said (and as others have said before me) never pass up an opportunity to welcome a stranger or two to your table. Chances are they won't be strangers by the time the meal is over.
- Don't skimp on the salad, because the entree may not be as appealing as you'd hope.
- Along the same line, you might want to keep a snack in your purse/tote in case you get sidetracked out of a meal. I've often found myself chatting with someone through mealtime and then scrambling to make it to the next workshop. With a snack on hand you won't suffer for the skipped meal.
- If all else fails, there's a Starbucks in the hotel! Hopefully they understand that a couple thousand romance writers luv them sum S*bucks. My personal addiction involves a caramel frappuccino, a cinnamon chip scone, and a fruit and cheese plate.
Extra tips from Tina:
- It's great to save seats for friends for one special meal or something -- but if you share your table with new people, you could be sitting next to a powerhouse!
- Bring some granola bars or peanuts in your purse. If you hate what's served, at least you'll have a snack later. Don't let yourself get too hungry or you might be shoveling in food when the surprise editor at your elbow asks you the plot of your book.
- If you're shy -- introduce everyone at the table. They're probably more bashful than you are! I ususally say, "Hi, I'm Heather from Seattle, have you met my friend Dona here? She writes Young Adult." And then they introduce and so on...
- Be polite -- pass things around the table -- use good table manners. Duh!
- Be extra polite to the SERVERS! They're doing a hard, underpaid job. And not only that, but the people around you will notice if you're a jerk to the servers and think less of you. No one likes a diva at dinner!
- Be sure to tell people discreetly if they have something on their face, on their blouse, or in their teeth. They could be going to their pitch appointment right after the meal and feel like a total loser if no one lets them know.
- Have business cards to exchange with folks at the table. You never know what connection you could make. :)
Hugs,
- make a point of sitting with new people at each of the group meals...it's a great networking opportunity!
- cereal bars and fruit in your room is a cheap and easy breakfast
- try not to overeat at lunch if you plan to stay awake in the afternoon sessions
TLC
OH. MY. GODS, Summer 2008 Dutton Children's Books
what I'm reading ... THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER by Julia Quinn (because it just came out yesterday and I couldn't not buy it and I've already finished it and it's wonderful as always)
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing, conference, writer's life, Add a tag
From Gabrielle Luthy
--there are a whole ton of articles on Gabrielle Luthy's site on conference
From Houston Bay Area RWA
--a great article by member and phenomenal writer Sandra K. Moore
From RWA
--get some conference tips straight from the RWA website
From Simone
--don’t stalk editors or agents
From Stephanie Bond
--she has two terrific articles on conference in her vault of resources for writers
From Tina
--if you know you're going to slip out of a session early, sit in the back
--keep your cell phone silenced during sessions
--(and this is a personal favorite) take pity and buy the book of the authors who no one is approaching at the Lit Signing, especially YA authors with pink prom dresses on their books :-D
From TLC
--never interrupt a private conversation
--don't dismiss unpublished authors as unimportant, they could be next year's bestsellers (and we were all unpublished once)
--if a workshop you are attending is full, don't use a chair for your belongings and let others know if there is an available seat near you
--if you take notes on your AlphaSmart, please take a seat near the back of the room so the clicking doesn't drown out the speaker for other attendees
Okay, what have we missed?
TLC
[honorary Tina for the day]
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contest, Writing, conference, writer's life, Add a tag
As most of the Buzz Girls prepare to head to Dallas, Texas for the Romance Writers of America's National Conference, we thought it would be great to pass along some advice and tips for attending writers' conference that might be useful to our readers. I'll start with Networking.
The word "networking" sometimes freaks people out. They think it means not being yourself or acting in a way that gets you notices or doing things you wouldn't normally do while interacting with people. No. No. And, no. Networking, by definition, is very simple:
Networking (noun) is a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.See, that's not scary at all...is it?
In any business, it's important to get your name and face out there so that people know you're a serious player in your industry. This includes shaking hands, eye contact, active listening, being positive, having confidence, but most of all...being yourself.
When meeting people and networking...
- Everyone is not born an extrovert...and that’s okay, but you can learn to talk to strangers.
- Recognize the person within yourself...and bring your personality out when you meet people.
- Have the courage and self-confidence to go up to people, insert yourself into a conversation (but never rudely interrupt) and introduce yourself.
- When we start writing about characters, we think of their goals, motivations, conflicts wants and desires. Get to know yourself the same way. What makes you tick? Who are you? What makes you unique?
- Listen when introduced to someone. Be attentive and participate in the conversation.
Find common ground and similar interests. - A smile and a laugh will go a long way to make a new friend.
- Be confident and offer a firm handshake. You’ll be remembered more for a weak one.
- Have one liners or topics you can easily toss out that will help include you in a conversation. Movies, books, TV shows, pop culture, food, wine, your kids, your family, your job, anything...all of these things that interest us that help craft our own soul and what makes us who we are.
- Non-verbal communication is almost more important that what we verbalize. Pay special attention to the way people say things with their eyes, facial expressions, hands and the way they stand.
- Don’t cross your legs away from people as you’ll appear closed off.
- Try not to slouch or hide behind people as it shows you’re hesitant to get into a conversation and transmits an “unapproachable” signal.
- As wonderful as it is to see old friends, try to make new ones. The best way to do this is to sit with people you don't know at meals. Ask them questions about themselves. You already know you have a common interest in writing.
When networking with agents and editors...
- Remember, agents and editrs are people, too, and you shouldn't be afraid to approach them in a professional manner.
- Always have good eye contact and speak confidently.
- Have an "elevator pitch" prepared for your manuscript to drop in at the appropriate moment. "My book is 300 meets Evan Almighty." (Just kidding, but you get the point.)
- Be sure to thank an editor or agent for their time and try not to monopolize them for too long. Leave them with a lasting positive impression.
- Watch for signs of disinterest: looking around, leaning back, arms folded in front. This means you don't have their attention or what you're pitching isn't right for them. Smile, thank them and move on.
- On the flip-side, watch for signs of interest: leaning forward, head bobbing, smiling, legs crossed toward you.
And, with any good networking opportunity, always remember the follow-up. E-mail new friends, send thank you notes to editors or agents you pitched to, send pictures to people you met. You never know who you'll meet, what new friends you'll make or what contacts might pan out for you down the road. Above all...be yourself. Let your true personality shine through and that will make for the best impression.
~*~*~CONTEST~*~*~
Did someone say contest? A contest? Why yes! I'm giving away a copy of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, by the fabulous Jennifer Echols. The book just came out and it's A. Dor. A. Ble! If you'd like to win the copy of the book, just post a comment here in this thread, offering your best networking tip. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, July 9th.
Thanks!
Marley = )
Sorority Rush Begins - May 2008!
Rush - A Sisterhood Novel
Pledge Class - A Sisterhood Novel
Puffin Books
What I'm reading... Still reading TWILIGHT
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Has anyone heard of this book? It was originally published in 1968, and at some point, Scholastic Books offered it in their school book orders. (Which, considering it’s about a teen pregnancy, in hindsight, I find rather racy!)
I bought it in 6th grade, read it, and filed it away with my growing book collection. Pretty much end of story, except that I pulled it out again in 10th grade, and with a more mature comprehension, fell head-first into the story.
It follows middle class kids, 16 year-old July and 17 year-old Bo Jo, who “lost control” one night, and found themselves “in the family way”. They elope, and, with the support of their parents, drop out of school and basically become grown-ups. He goes to work at a bank and she becomes a housewife, while they wait for the next stage of their lives for which they are totally unprepared: parenthood.
This book intrigued me on a number of levels. I thought the whole playing-house-with-a-popular-football-player was cool, loved the idea that teens my age didn’t have parents breathing down their necks, could do whatever they wanted. But I also felt their desperation at being forced into dull-as-dirt adult lives, all from the consequences of a reckless act. I wanted them to run from each other, to give the baby up for adoption, and have fun again--yet I also wanted them to live happily-ever-after together, too.
The book has a very satisfying ending--believe me, I know, because I read it at least five times. If you’re interested, you can read it, too. The publisher released a new version that I found listed on Amazon:
But you can also find used copies of the old version, which I did, and plan to read again soon. From what I’ve heard, the book not only holds up well, but adults like it as much as teens. We’ll see!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones, or about any teen books that affected you!
What I’m Reading: Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen (yes, still--my life's pretty crazy right now)
Tina Ferraro
www.tinaferraro.com
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
How to Hook a Hottie, January 2008
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, Spring, 2009
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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People who come to my place would see the following:
This is our second bedroom which is known as "The Writing Room." It overlooks the harbor and is painted in a lovely three-version shade of the same blue. Very calming. This particular bookshelf sits under the window and, as you can see, houses a lot of crap. The books here are mostly annuals from high school, my husband's non-fiction books, our Anne Rice collection, and a lot of his political books.
Back in the corner, behind my writing desk, is another bookshelf that's kind of funky in its build. We got it eons ago at Crate and Barrel and it houses a lot of our Hollywood books. Things like how to write screenplays, entertainment guides, autobigraphies of Gable, Grant, and Chaplin, to name a few. My husband's two prized book collections (Maupin's Tales of the City and The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet) are here.
To the left (...to the left...every book I own is to the left, to the left...) is my bookshelf. It's sectioned off into the top section with most all of my cooking books, the next shelf with all of the travel books, maps, and guides, and then the rest is dedicated to my romance novels. You can't really tell, but where Mr. Bigglesworth and Austin Powers sit, the books are stacked three deep. I have every Sandra Brown and Barbara Delinsky book ever written. (Including the ones Sandra wrote as Laura Jordan, Rachel Ryan, and Erin St. Claire.)
This is my Young Adult bookshelf. As you see, it's a little sparse, but there's a reason why. I only started reading YA two years ago, whereas I've been reading romance and women's fiction for 28 years. (I know!) So, it was only fitting that I get the YA shelf ready to hold even more books. As you see, one shelf features my critique partner's, Diana Peterfreund, books with a picture of us. That section will only expand when the rest of her Secret Society Girl books and her new killer unicorn YA urban fantasy series hit bookstores.
One shelf has my First Love by Silhouette books. It's a complete series of all the books they put out starting in like 1981. These books were amazing and my best reading friends. As you can see by how beat up they are, they got read a lot. My niece "inherited" the books and read them to death, as well, showing that the stories stood up for generations to come. You can bet I'm keeping these forever!
The top shelf is for me. See those Greek temples? Well, those are antique bookends that my husband bought for me for my last birthday. They are to hold...my sorority books when they come out. Get it? Sorority...Greek... Awww... Also on that shelf are fellow Puffin authors, like my friend, Linda Gerber and her Students Across the Seven Seas books.
More books. No order. Mix of mine and hubby's with some "household" stuff in there, as well. I think that's the binder with all of our mortgage information in it.
Here in the living room, in the secretary I inherited from my grandparents, is my collection of "vintage" books. The red ones up top are all classics with copyright dates going back to the 1930s. I have one book of "Plays for Little Actors" with an 1896 copyright date! (Also, note the pic of dear old Dad when he was in the Navy in WWII and the dried flowers in the middle are what's left of my wedding bouquet.)
I should be embarrassed to show this, but what they heck. This is the kingdom of books that lives next to my side of the bed (note photographic placement of five-fingered slippers from The Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France. LOL!) These are the "must read soon" books that line my bedroom. These are the books that constantly get rearranged into preference order and the stacks move according to my reading mood. If a book is really luck, it gets moved up here...
...to the bedside table. (I took these pics a while ago, so both of these books have been read and stored back in The Writing Room.)
So, that's a look at my condo full of books. This doesn't include the myriad cookbooks in my kitchen, or the boxes full of books in the closet at my sister's house in Florida that I sent to her to read.
Now, I tag, Alexgirl, Elizabeth Mahon, and Mel Francis.
Where is the strangest place you store your books?
Marley = )
Sorority Rush Begins - May 2008
Rush - A Sisterhood Novel
Pledge Class - A Sisterhood Novel
Puffin Books
What I'm reading right now: TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Today’s the day I go to Grauman’s Chinese Theater in hopes of sneaking a peak at The Ocean’s 13 hunks. I’m bringing a camera, but I guarantee the best pictures will be taken by the media, so please don’t count on me. Honestly, I think the best I’ll come back with is something like, “I managed to see the top of Brad Pitt’s head. His hair is blond.” Anyway, I’m hoping it’s fun!
Now, onto my Bookshelf Meme!
I had always planned on having a proper, British library with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a rolling ladder (inside my proper British mansion). Alas...I live in a tract home in Southern California. Some years ago I realized that my growing book collection was starting to compete for space with my growing family, so I decided to start giving some away. (Books, that is. ;=) So that said, I only have about 20 shelves of books now, just the special ones!
The most important thing to know about my system is that there’s a strong division between TO BE READ:
And READ AND DECIDED TO KEEP:
As far as delving any further into my keeper organization, I don’t think I could begin to do my chaos justice. It's just sort of where things fit. But occasionally I’ll rearrange the order of my shelves when I’m stressed or bored. That's the one kind of housekeeping I enjoy. Does anyone else do that?
What I’m Reading Now: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen!
Tina
www.tinaferraro.com
Top Ten Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress
How to Hook a Hottie, January, 2008
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, Spring 2009
Blog: Books, Boys, Buzz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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We have another fun new theme for our BuzzReaders this week--and I actually get to kick it off!!! (So if this all goes awry it's not my fault, I'm flying blind here.) This week you get a sneak peek inside the lives of writers... well, at our organizational habits when it comes to books, anyway. Without further ado (and babbling) I present: MY BOOK STORAGE.
1. The Main Bookshelf. (see photo below) This one is in my closet behind my desk and holds most of my writing life. On the top shelf I have a few reference books, some books on writing and on marketing, and a whole bunch of calendars and spiral notebooks. The second shelf holds more reference books (like Edith Hamilton's Mythology and the Eyewitness Guide to the Greek Islands) and my writing binders. One of the binders holds all my business papers (like contest certificates, contracts, and--my fave--rejection letters). The rest of the binders are my book binders, where I keep my notes, research, and character collages for each book. I'm also a bit of a graphics geek, so I make cover mock-ups, too. Finally, the bottom shelf holds my travel guides (also research) and the handout books from the past four RWA conferences.
2. The Keeper Baskets. (I know, technically not "shelves") On the top shelf in my closet I have three fabulous baskets from Ikea that are the perfect size for books--this is where I keep all my keepers. (At the front of the class right now are TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS by BuzzGirl Tina Ferraro, HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION by BuzzGirl Simone Elkeles, my fave Jenny Crusie GETTING RID OF BRADLEY, and new fave SPYING IN HIGH HEELS by Gemma Halliday)
3. The Nightstand. Right next to my bed, the dozen or so books I'm supposed to be reading right now. Like the copy of Stephenie Meyer's NEW MOON Steph sent me, the uber-cool-sounding JACK'S WIDOW by Eve Pollard, and THE WEDDING by Coleen Murtagh Paratore (that Marley recommended).
4. The To-Be-Read Crates. (not shown) I also have a stack of three milk cartons in the corner. Two of them are full of books I have yet to read. They're really, really full. The third is full of books I've read and have decided won't make it into my keeper baskets--they're ready to go to Goodwill.
That's pretty much my book organization strategy. I can't wait to see what the rest of the BuzzGirls (and BuzzReader) do with their books! We BuzzGirls got tagged with this meme via Diana Peterfreund (and BuzzGirl Marley) so check out her post on the matter. Now it's your turn.
Hugs,
TLC
GROWING UP GODLY [soon to be retitled], Summer 2008 Dutton Children's Books
what I'm reading ... Nothing (I'm busy trying to hunt down a freakin' edited version of The Stand for my deal with Tina)
Those are awesome, Simone. I have to admit I used to jam to all of them, and probably still would if they came on the radio! :)
Wow, that was a lot of fun, Simone. I hadn't watched Vanilla Ice in ages, and I love both of those hot songs. Thanks for this!
Oh how this takes me back. (Although I won't thank you for taking me back to Vanilla Ice.) I still love Hot Blooded and Funky Cold Medina!
Good list, Simone -- and I think there is one other Foreigner song that belongs there -- Cold as Ice... isn't that also by them?
The Hot, Hot, Hot song always reminds me of NBA basketball games -- the dancers used to work it to that song back when it was on the charts.
Fun post!
Hugs,
Heath
Cool blog!I have never heard of those songs ever but I have heard of hot hot hot. I never actually knew who that song was by but now i know. Oh and I have a question is the last title on your signature where it says all the lists of your books does the title by any chance have anything to do with a sequel to leaving paradise? Please respond.
Reminder to self: Read blog daily!
Sorry, I've been so wrapped up in revisions on my new book that I forgot to respond to this question.
I am not working on a sequel to Leving Paradise, but I do hope to one day because I'd love to finish their story! Thanks for commenting!
~Simone
ok thanks for responding to my question I cant wait to read your new book coming out in 2009! Another question have you chosen a definite title for your new book yet or are you still not sure?