Tag Archives: Books

Share The Love

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Cover of "Jake Ransom and the Skull King'...

Cover of Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow

I’ve never written one of those ‘When I Grow Up…’ essays in school. I wouldn’t really know what I’d have said anyway if I did. A ballerina perhaps. I really enjoyed dancing, and I liked my tutus. Or, more likely, something practical, like a doctor.

But, since I’m thinking about it now, I’ve decided that when I grow up, I want to be like James Rollins. Not only is he a great author (his books will keep you up all night long), but also an inspirational speaker, and overall, really cool guy.

Until a few years ago, I’ve never really given much thought to my occupation because I kinda figured, ‘well, work is work, as long as I can pay my bills and fund my likes-to-travel lifestyle, I’ll be OK.’ I never seriously considered that writing and authoring books could be considered a viable “work goal.” It was always relegated to that strange, amorphous “wouldn’t it be nice” dream. Enter 2010, and the birth of this blog, and well, I realized dreams can become realities.

So why James Rollins, and not, say JK Rowling? Though Rowling’s rise to authorhood is inspiring indeed, I simply identify more with Rollins’s route. I’ve had the privilege of hearing James Rollins speak as the keynote speaker for this year’s DFW Writer’s Conference, and many of his life milestones resonated with me.

Even though he was a successful veterinarian, he still wanted to be an author. (And no, not the All Creature Great and Small, kind. More like the adventure-thriller kind.) He also thought that was a “wouldn’t it be nice…” goal until he got a wake up call from one of those motivational, live-the-life-you-dream kind of speakers. Rollins actually only listened to the first portion of that talk, but it was the most important part–write down your goals, and everyday, do something that will bring you one step closer to that goal.

Rollins wrote down his goal. Dedicated a portion of every day (even during a 12-14 hour work day) toward that goal. And with a little luck and a LOT of hard work and persistence (read: stubbornness), he became a best-selling author across multiple genres (aside from thrillers, he writes the Jake Ransom series for children, and he writes fantasy as James Clemens). Speaking of Jake Ransom…

Because James Rollins has become a role model for me, and because I think everyone needs a Rollins book in their personal library anyway, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of the first book of his children’s series, Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow to a random commenter who comments between now and next Monday, June 18, 11:59PM EST. Just let me know you’re interested and please leave your email!

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats DB Smyth! Random.org chose you! ^_^

So, now you know my new author role model, and kinda what I want to do with my life…what did YOU want to be when you grow up? Or, whose career path resonates with you the most?

Road Trip Wednesday: What In Real Life People Can You Talk To About YA?

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Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered.

This Week’s Topic:

What IRL people can you talk to about YA?

I haven’t met many of my current YA book buddies, since most of of them live in my computer, and I have yet to determine whether or not they’re just cleverly disguised Twitterbots. However, I did have the pleasure of meeting and lunching with several YA writers IRL at my local SCBWI’s annual conference, and since then, have had quarterly business lunches with a few of them to catch up on…business. ;) So, I do have an occasional outlet to talk books.

I’m also grateful that I have a bunch of book nerds in my family. So even though they may not be up to the specific goings-on of Young Adult literature, we can always talk about stories in general and what great stories we have read recently, and why it worked for us, and what didn’t work. And, these stories can range from every genre of literature to the latest movie or television series. I know that I’ve been over-the-moon enamored of the CBS series, Person of Interest, simply because of the intriguing storyline that show offers every. Single. Week.

(Oh, and my siblings and I have been SO EXCITED that Legend of Korra finally started airing after years of following news of its release!  Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then, we probably shouldn’t be friends. Just click over HERE, and soak in all the Avatar-goodness!)

Maybe you don’t get to talk YA with people IRL (heck, maybe it’s not even your genre, so why would you?), but do YOU have anyone you can gush to about stories? What story has captured your interest lately?

[I'm celebrating my blog's Birthday Month! Hop over HERE to read the deets, and fill out the comment form to enter for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble e-gift card. Remember, any additional comments on any post this month will earn you extra entries!]

The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green

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Six-ish months ago, I went to a little John Green reading, where I first heard snippets of his yet-unpublished-new-book. Though Green read many clever lines that I loved and noted, I went to great lengths to scribble down this conversation in my notebook:

“Literally?” I asked.

“We are literally in the heart of Jesus,” he said. “I thought we were in a church basement, but we are literally in the heart of Jesus.”

“Someone should tell Jesus,” I said. “I mean, it’s gotta be dangerous, storing children with cancer in your heart.”

“I would tell Him myself, but unfortunately I am literally stuck inside of His heart, so He won’t be able to hear me.”

(Sigh. I knew I would love this book. He had me at the mocking use of “literally.”)

Along with sharing the first chapter of his then-unpublished-and-yet-to-be-named book (my notes referred to it as “the story after Paper Towns“), Green also shared anecdotes that related to both his author-journey-so-far, and what he felt was his responsibility as a writer to produce stories that were both helpful and beautiful.

I didn’t understand all the implications of his talk until I read The Fault In Our Stars, that long ago unnamed book.

Green sought to add a story that was both beautiful and helpful into this world? I’d say he exceeded his expectations. (He certainly exceeded mine!) (Also, much of his author-journey-anecdote became clearer to me after reading this book, a lesson I’m taking to heart for my own journey.)

And, here I am, left in a sort of afterglow.

I always get a quiet hush whenever I read an amazing book. Being a part of a story’s world, being momentarily linked with the author of those words, deserves a sort of reverence. Like, we traveled on a pilgrimage together for a time, and shared a holy act of worship.

Or, maybe I’m just maudlin right now since the characters in The Fault In Our Stars loved and grieved the way I would (and have) loved and grieved, and that poignancy is still with me.

I can go on and on about The Fault In Our Stars, but I don’t want to give the wrong impression of this book with my muddy words. Instead, I’ll give you the opportunity to read this book for yourself, and we can revel in the beauty together. (If we haven’t met yet, “Hi! You totally need to read this book so we can be friends!”)

I will send a copy of The Fault In Our Stars via bn.com to one lovely reader of this blog.

[THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED--Congratulations, Christine Myers! Barnes and Noble is processing your order as I type this!]

This book simply needs to be read, and it would be my privilege to give a copy away. I think of it as adding beauty to someone else’s life.

By the way, if you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend reading it in the privacy of your own home. Unless, of course, you’re comfortable bawling your eyes out and wiping snot on your shirt sleeve* in public. Then, by all means, do what you want.

(*I plead the fifth that this was me in any way.)

Nerd Moment

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I interrupt what would normally have been an insightful, nay, inspirational post to say this:

“Squeeeeee!!! It’s here, it’s here!!”

I am OF COURSE talking about John Green’s latest book, The Fault In Our Stars, newly released this past Tuesday. (I first mentioned how I looked forward to the book HERE, when I went to a John Green signing back in June, and he read an excerpt from it.)

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Aside from my own ridiculous need to finish this draft of WIP2 THIS MONTH, I now have another incentive to get me to write my pages! ^_^

A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie, by Matt Blackstone

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I first heard about A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie, by Matt Blackstone, through two of my blogger friends, Paul Joseph and Carol Miller, who posted reviews about it. Through Paul, I participated in a fun twitter contest Matt started to celebrate his book launch, using the hashtag #myobsession #ascarysceneinascarymovie. It was a fun way to express that we all have our own quirks and obsessions.*

Plus, through that contest, I got to “meet” Matt, and he’s so ridiculously nice and awesome. He even answered these very important questions for me:

1. What ONE thing can you not live without?

Tortilla chips, specifically Red Hot Blues from Garden of Eatin’.  Can’t beat that name, and the chips are delicious.  No, they did not hire me as a spokesman.  But if they want to hire me, they can contact me via my website at mattblacktonebooks.com.  I am available throughout the summer.  I have limited acting experience—the last play I was in was a first grade Mother’s Day play—but I am enthusiastic about their product and make a mean commercial. 

2. If you had to name your muse, what would it be?

I already answered that question.  Spicy blue tortilla chips ;-)

Here are my other muses: my wife, first and foremost.  Then my students—as 9th and 10th graders, they’re charming, goofy and give me great material.  Also, Bob Dylan.  30 years ago.  Oh, and the guy on the Dos Equis commercials: The Most Interesting Man in the World.  That dude cracks me up. 

3. What is your favorite book and why?

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.  Vengeance, justice, heroism—very superhero-esque.  Stupid Monsieur Danglers and Caderousse—you got what you deserved, punks!  I read it in 9th grade.  That was only good thing about 9th grade.      

4. You’re in a round room with no doors or windows, and your only tool
is a piece of chalk with which you can draw your way out. The chalk
cannot be used to draw windows or doors. What would you do?

Play tic-tac-toe.  Right hand for O’s; left hand for X’s.

5. Austen or Bronte. Who would survive a zombie apocalypse?

Neither.  Zombies are scary, yo! 

Awesome, thanks for enlightening us, Matt! And, I’m sure my husband would completely agree with you on The Count of Monte Cristo!

Anyway, back to A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie…

So, I initially thought that this book may have been about someone with quirks, and would be written like an after school special: “don’t judge a book by its cover” and “treat others how you would want to be treated.” But after reading the first chapter, I knew it wasn’t going to be the average contemporary YA set in high school. (Read the first chapter here.)

A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie is told through the perspective of Rene, a fourteen-year-old boy with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Through his perspective, even the most ordinary decision (what should I wear today?) requires great thought and deliberation. Written in the tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie is well-crafted and intelligently written, and uses humor and offbeat characters to bring to light the value of everyday heroism.

I loved this story because it reminds me that even when people seem to have it all together, sometimes they really don’t. And, sometimes, even our heroes and idols need superheroes of their own, and maybe, just maybe, I can be that hero in their life.

Because I liked the book so much, I decided to do a giveaway. All you need to do is enter your name, email address, mailing address in the nifty form below, and I’ll randomly choose a person to receive a copy of A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie. Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 23, thirteen days from now! (I will announce the winner on this post as an update.)

Matt also was kind enough to send me signed bookmarks, and I’ll be sure to include one with the book. :D

But wait! There’s more!

I have two more signed bookmarks to give away! I’ll randomly pick two people to send these signed bookmarks to.

UPDATE:

Random.org has spoken, and the winner of the book & bookmark is Beth Morey!

Also, Michele and Helena will receive signed bookmarks!

I’ll be sending those out this Friday!

Thanks to those who participated! ^_^

[* I *may* have tweeted these random quirks...

...please don't judge me.]