Tag Archives: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

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.]