Teenagers

Today I got to talk to a bunch of teens at my local library about reviewing young adult books and meeting all the fantastic authors that I meet.  I'd tried to set up a skype chat with Jeannine Garsee, but unfortunately she had to work (darn psych hospital!).

I brought a special giveaway for the teens, Maggie Stiefvater's LINGER and Cheyenne won it in the raffle!  She also took out SABRIEL, by Garth Nix and SHIVER by Maggie.  I had so much fun talking to them and finding out what they liked to read.  It was so funny listening to them slam TWILIGHT!

I couldn't get over how well read these teens were.  Two of them were all about THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE, which I hadn't heard and they were totally jonesing for the newest one.  Heather Brewer's VLADIMIR TOD book was another one they all really enjoyed.

They're all excitingly waiting for the newest Suzanne Collin's book (like who isn't).  I really need to thank Deb Young, the librarian at the Uxbridge Library for inviting me.  She really is a rock at that library and really knows her stuff.  We got to talk a bit about manga (which I really know nothing about) and just what the teens liked to read.

I'm gonna be contacting some of my author friends to see if they can do a short 15/20 minute skype session with these amazing teens.  I have a feeling they'll have awesome questions!

Reviews

GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, Michelle Zink


Reading Level:              Young Adult
Hardcover:                     340 pages
Publisher:                       Little, Brown for Young Readers, 8/1/10
Bookmarks:                   4

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• This book starts with a bang.  It takes place directly after the events of Prophecy of the Sisters.  Lia has traveled to England with Sonia in search for the missing pages of Book of Chaos to hopefully bring an end to a deadly prophecy that is tearing her family apart.
• From stately country manors to ethereal mystical places, Zink keeps our blood pumping with this installment.  One thing I noticed was her growth as a storyteller.  This book is tightly wound and you go though all the bumps and bruises with Lia.  Alice is a terrifying figure.  This book  is stuff of nightmares.
• You have everything in this book-- intrigue, betrayal, romance (and oh, the romance is hot!) and scary wraith-like beings.  
• I really couldn't put this book down.  I really enjoyed the direction we are going to and I'll be sad to see this trilogy end.  
• I'm going to say one name and when you read the book, swooning will commence. Dimtri Markov
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My Blog

Hi guys, more blog talk today.   THIS IS not final!!! I know it's been up for a while, but I HATE this sickly, mintish green color.  I've been looking at color palettes and just haven't found anything that screams at me.  Plus, I worked just about all weekend so I haven't had a chance to really do anything with the blog.  My husband just used this as a place holder.

I will be working on this blog this week, so expect craziness.  As usual.

Thanks for bearing with me while this process is taking forever.

Laura

CRAZY!!!!

I am so sorry for not posting my reviews!  I've been reading up a storm and just haven't done ANY writing.  It's laziness on my part, honestly and truly.  Plus, maybe a bit of writer's block.  Yep, I said it.  We bloggers get writer's block!

There's been some reports of plagiarism and that is scary!  I would never, ever intentionally steal someone else's words, so I really don't read any reviews of books that I'm reading, will read or to be read.  Number 1: I don't want to be spoiled and Number 2: I don't want my reviews influenced by what I've read in bloggers' reviews.

As you know, I really try to keep this blog politic free and don't jump on bandwagons when two or three blogs start pointing out issues.  I really want this blog to be fun and informative (honestly!).  As you can see I'm in the process of re-doing my blog and haven't really found anything that I like.  So please bear with me while I go thru this crazy creative process.  I'm very particular how I want my blog to look and I just haven't found that one look that will blow me away.

Also, I really love comments, so for those of you visit my blog, why not just leave me a hello or tell me what you're reading.  I can always use book recommendations and they don't have to be just young adult books either.  I love paranormal romance, some historical romance, and just great literature.  My only problem is with the Fabio-covered romance novels.  I know I should suck it up and probably read them because they are probably really good!

Also, here's a question I pose to you:  How do you feel about my reviewing adult books on this blog as well? I mean once in a blue moon?  I'm trying to temper my young adult reading with a few adult books in between just to break up the monotony of constantly reading young adult novels.  After you've read a few YA books, they all start blending into each other!

I really love my followers and like I said above-- really love comments, so please just a brief comment, not a life story:)

Books I've read so far...

I'm doing this totally on memory so forgive me.

CRACKED UP TO BE, Courtney Summers  (4 BOOKMARKS)
RADIANT SHADOWS, Melissa Marr             (3 BOOKMARKS)
GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, Michelle Zink  (4 BOOKMARKS)
THE DARK DIVINE, Bree Despain                (4 BOOKMARKS)


Currently reading

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, Jandy Nelson


Will read:

THE IRON KING, Julie Kazawa
PERCHANCE TO DREAM, Lisa Mantchev
GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD, Karen Healy


So I have to write the reviews of the four books I've read.  I've been thinking of what to say.  I figured I'll give my bookmark rating on them here, so you have an idea of where I'm going with them.

Finished, YAY!

I'm so behind in my 25 book challenge, I think I've only read 4 books this year so far!  So I definitely won't make my challenge on that schedule!

I've finished GUARDIAN OF THE GATE and RADIANT SHADOWS.  I'll be writing those reviews up shortly.  It's been a tough year so far for reading, for me at least.

I have to go to DMV to renew driver's license tomorrow, so I have a question of sorts.  It's gonna be a long wait because this office is extremely busy what book should I take with me:

SHUTTER ISLAND, Dennis Lehane (Hubby wants me to read and he bought it)
THE DARK DIVINE, Bree Despain (Got from library)

I'll create a poll on the side so you can vote there.  But remember I need to know before 8am tomorrow morning! :)