Three Reads and a Contest-Tuesday

Adventures in children’s publishing lists the new releases for this week. Includes an interview with Cynthia Hand author of UNEARTHLY. A great book to recommend to teens who enjoy paranormal and/or urban fantasy romance. And for writers, a _great_ book to read to see how a great page turner with back story through out can be done and be done really really well.

In Stores This Week (with Interviews & Giveaways)

For me, just an all around timely post. I am still figuring out the whole blogging thing. Right now trying to take the pressure off and just learn about it all. That’s how I figure things out, by doing them. The focus I seem to be leaning towards is reading/reviewing. But, I am not a book reviewer. There are many out there who already do this and do it well. So. If I do end up learning and taking that path, I need to give it my own spin. A book talker is what I am. Years ago when prepping for presentations to schools I read books with a book talkers eyes. How would I talk about this book, what passages would I read to hook kids in and make them want to come to the library to sign it out. So, I think that will be where I head with the blogging/talking about the books I’m reading this year.

Elle Strauss: What Kind of Blogger Are You? (And My Own Identity Crisis)

A read and a CONTEST with a twist that I love.

Just Your Typical Book Blog: The Contemps Challenge - Part Deux!

Giveaway : How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

GThis book came highly recommended. So, I picked it up. Worth it. Voice is right, plus an amazing story.

From GoodReads :

“New to town, Bea is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?”


Sounds like something you would like to have and read?

Comment  to let me know and I will enter your name in a draw. You have until end of Jan 15. I will draw on Jan 16.

And see? I have the book! Just waiting to go the next person! Erm, the words will not be backwards!

Three Reads and a Contest-Monday

Scott Tracey is gearing up to read over and critique queries on his blog next week. If you are willing to have it posted, he will read and comment. He LOVES doing them. His book, WITCH EYES, comes out this year. It’s one I will for sure be reading for the 2011 Debut Challenge.

New Year, New Digs, New Plans | Scott Tracey – Young Adult Writer

A great “If You Like” list. One of the most important parts of my job is asking kids and teens looking for a book reccomendation is “What have your read and liked.” This one is for ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS.

If You Like Anna and the French Kiss « Reclusive Bibliophile

A writing resolution round-up from some of the Class of 2K10. Loved it. Especially Leah Cypess’s--turning off the computer to write in a notebook, or just have a writing space away from Cyber!

Writer Resolutions | Judith Graves

CONTEST! From Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! (you have until Saturday, Jan 8--it’s a Gail Carson Levine book)

Shannon Whitney Messenger: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday--Fairies and the Quest for Neverland (plus a SIGNED giveaway!)

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A well crafted, well told story about Clara, a sixteen year old angel blood who travels to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to complete her heaven sent purpose. There is a boy she is meant to save. She doesn’t know anything about him apart from her visions of him in a forest fire. It gets complicated when she begins to fall in love with another boy, Tucker Avery, and it appears she could lose focus on her purpose. Based on her mom’s reaction, not a good thing. There's no telling what could happen to an angel who doesn't complete her purpose. Along the way Clara learns there are things dark and dangerous to angel bloods and there are truths her mother will not tell her.



As a writer I admired the author’s ability to fold backstory into the book in a way that was seamless. It never interfered with or slowed down the story being told in the presence tense. The main character, Clara, was completely and utterly believable as a teenager struggling to fit in and find her way who also just happens to be an angel with a mission.



The plot was fast and twisting. A for sure page turner as you wanted questions answered just as much as Clara did. As the climax approached I could not read fast enough, I was guessing until the end. As for the end? Satisfying. What needed to wrapped up, was and yet there is certainly more story to tell! Looking forward to a book two.



It’s a book I will be telling teens about both at the library and the book store.



View all my reviews

Three Reads and a Contest-Sunday

Writing Resolutions (looks like it’s been done for me!)

Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors: 10 Writing Resolutions You Can Fulfill

Oh my WOW on the photos that Maripat @ Secret Parchment links to. Looking for setting, urban fantasy--haunting and sad is right. Makes your imagination run wild.

the secret parchment: Oops

And a round up from SurLaLune for Fairytales on the Cybils short lists.

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: Fairy Tales on the Cybils Awards Short Lists


Contest (Giveaway) for LOSER/QUEEN! (Have until Jan. 27 to enter)

Loser/Queen Giveaway | The Bookologist

Picture Book Reading Challenge

And the challenge list is growing to three (and there I will stop). First the 2011 Debut YA and MG Challenge hosted by The Story Siren (see side bar). Then my own challenge Read Canadian YA and MG (still working it out). And now...

Picture Book Reading Challenge hosted by An Abundance of Books. I'm doing "Read 24".

Thinking the focus of the blog is definitely taking on a reading feel.

Three Reads and a Contest-HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Seems a good idea to bring in the New Year with some top ten reads of the book review bloggers I follow.

From Allison of The Allure of Books :

My Top 10 Reads of 2010

From Nicole of WORD for Teens :

Favorite Books of 2010


From Kristi of The Story Siren :

2010 Wrap Up

Contest :

Um, mentioning mine again! It’s right here!**