Oh Blog friends, how I've missed you!

I'm back from BEA 2011 and it was a big success!  I had a great time hanging out with Janet Gurtler (who is absolutely gorgeous!) and Shana Silver (who is equally gorgeous!)  I also got to meet Harmony Beaufort who is so flipping cool.  Her parents were so cool and she stayed with me and Shana all three days which was so amazing.

I was smart this year and I brought a huge suitcase and checked it in every morning so I could drop books off when my shoulder and back would start talking to me (which was a lot!).  First day is always hectic, but let me tell you, Shana was a warrior and knew exactly what to do, when to do it.  We both arrived at 7.15 am and were first in line in our section!  Which worked out well because she wanted The Scorpio Races and Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater.  Scholastic was dead-straight ahead.  We then made our way to the other booths to see what goodies they had.  I have so many books right now that I'm going to be totally overwhelmed.

It was such a great time and I'm going to miss my time in NYC.  I will be posting a full BEA post in a few days.  I'm still on that post-BEA high, and I feel like a zombie!

Dystopian, Utopian and Science Fiction-- Differences thereof...

It amazes me how many people don't really understand what Dystopian is.  When we were talking to Mark Peter Hughes.  I asked if his current book--A Crack in the Sky was dystopian.  He said it most definitely was.  The teens there weren't exactly sure what that meant.  So I asked Mark to explain what dystopian was.  I'm taking this directly from wikipedia:


A dystopia (from Ancient Greek: δυσ-, "bad, ill", and Ancient Greek: τόπος, "place, landscape"; alternatively cacotopia,^[1] or anti-utopia) is, in literature, an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence. A dystopia, thus, is regarded as a sort of negative utopia and is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. Dystopias usually feature different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions and constant states of warfare or violence. Dystopias often explore the concept of humans abusing technology and how humans individually and collectively cope with technology that has evolved too quickly such as the car, the flamethrower or the microwave. A dystopian society is also often characterized by widespread poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police.


I tend to notice that people seem to think that all science fiction is dystopian.  This is not the case.  Just like not all science fiction takes place in outer space. Again taken from Wikipedia:

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting.^[1][2][3] Exploring the consequences of such innovations is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".^[4]

Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities.^[5] It is similar to, but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation).

The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality but the majority of science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements. These may include:

• A setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in an historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record
• A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens^[6]
• Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of nature^[7]
• Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time travel or psionics, or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel orrobots, or of new and different political or social systems (e.g., a dystopia, or a situation where organized society has collapsed)^[8]

On the other side of Dystopia you have a Utopian society.  Again, from Wikipedia:

Utopia ( /uːˈtoʊpiə/) is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek, by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictionalisland in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt to create an ideal society, and fictional societies portrayed in literature. It has spawned other concepts, most prominently dystopia.

We know from the past that Hitler, James Jones and David Kuresh all wanted to create these utopian societies until their egomania took over and they created monsters.  Utopian societies in the past have always collapsed and in turn have become more dystopic than the Garden of Eden (the first Utopia?).

One book that starts Utopic and quickly becomes dystopic is Lois Lowry's, The Giver.   I don't think you can have one without someone trying to create the other.  For teens, it seems to be a hard genre to grasp because they all have roots in each genre.  You can create a Utopian society in space (Alien) until you upset the alien and then everyone is out for themselves and turn on each other (dystopian).  Or you can have place where everything is the same.  No color, no bad people.  Everyone following the rules (Pleasantville) until someone decides to take matters into their own hand and wants more than the same-old boring life (Reese Witherspoon).  People think of life after WW2 as sort of a Utopian society.  No war, men were home, women were happy.  But then the 60s come around, and dissension is growing in the University community.  Countries are being invaded (Vietnam).  The US is on the verge of war with Cuba, Russia and entering the conflict in Southeast Asia.

Now, I'm not a history major, buff or anything, just trying to explain the differences.  We live in a world for science fiction (paralyzed people walking to get their college diplomas, face transplants, heart transplants, venturing space, etc...)  We can understand these genres by looking around us and seeing what is going on in the world.

I know nothing of high fantasy, so I'll leave that one alone :)

Can I just tell you all the books I've read?

Most of them have been library books or books I bought.  I don't really have anything urgent to review.  I've read so many that if I tried to review them, I'd get it all wrong, because I don't take notes and my brain is not 17 anymore:(

I'm just not in the reviewing mood.  Also, just so you know these are in ascending order (what I've read not to what I read earlier).  Sometimes I just want to read for me and not for review.  I think we all get that way after a while.

Okay, so here goes in list form (with ratings)

Attachments, Rainbow Rowells 

The Iron Duke, Meljean Brook

This Side of the Grave, Jeaniene Frost

DNF

Going Too Far, Jennifer Echols

Strings Attached, Judy Blundell

Vixen, Jillian Larkin

I Now Pronounce you Someone Else, Erin McCahan

Divergent, Veronica Roth

Girl in the Arena, Lise Haines

Monsters of Men, Patrick Ness

Well this is everything I've read so far that I have not reviewed.  My favorites were Monsters of Men, Divergent, Attachments and I Now Pronounce you Someone Else.  I will be going back to TSOTG, just not sure when.  I don't think I was really in the mood to read it at the time I started it.  Which is hard because I love Jeaniene and I love Cat and Bones so much.  I think they're settling into married life and it's becoming a bit dull.  I liked when he pursued her.  I also like Tate a lot and hope they do something else with him.  I like that he still has feelings for Cat.  I'd like to see Jeaniene go there with that.  For one reason or another.

I'll be gone next week at BEA, so I'll have limited blogging access.  I will try to take pictures, but I'm really terrible at it, and never do anything with the pictures that I take!  Plus, I hate having my picture taken.  Have a great weekend everyone.  Tell me what you've been reading and what you've liked!

Hunger Games Reveal...

Let the drum roll......

I think she looks perfect!  They did a great job.

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA.  Obviously I've been tweaking the blog, I'm still not sure how I like the ad placements.  I just don't want them to overtake the blog.  It's like when I make my alfredo sauce, I can't seem to find that happy balance!

I have been reading up a storm.  I cannot believe how many book I've read so far.  Half of them I can't even keep track of.  I really should keep a list of what I've read (although, it's on Goodreads).  With notes of what I liked and didn't like!  I really stink at trying to review a book I read a month ago!  I just can't remember what I read!  You know how everything starts to blur together?  Yeah, that's my brain right now.  blurred!

I'm heading to BEA in nine days!  This will be my third year there and I'm totally excited.  I'm going to be heading out with Janet Gurtler, author of  I'm not Her.  I haven't read it yet.  In fact, I don't even have a copy, but I did read her first book, Waiting to Score.  My review is here. There are so many things to do while in NYC.  I've been invited to so many things, my head is literally spinning!  I'm really thinking I want to see a show while there.  I'd love to see Daniel Radcliffe in How to succeed in business without really trying. I'll just have to see what I can get tickets for!  It's going to be a jam-packed week!


ETA:  How can I forget that I'm also meeting up with Shana Silver too!  I'm so excited to see her again!  I don't think I've seen her since she got married.  And now she has a great, new agent!  I'm just so excited to see her.  She's amazing!

I hope to get reviews written and books mailed out soon.  I've been terrible with that!  I think I'm allergic to the post office! (not really, I just avoid it like the plague!)

Oh, oh, oh, one more thing-- Monday at the Library we hosted Mark Peter Hughes of Lemonade Mouth fame.  We had a great time and I took a ton of pictures (most are of my daughter with him!).  I'm going to be blogging about that too.  One cool thing is he converted his old minivan into the Lemonade Mouth machine!  Once I can get the pictures off the camera (can't find the cord!), I'm going to post them.  We had a great turnout and the kids were so excited to meet him.  Unless you've been hiding under a rock,  Lemonade Mouth has premiered on Disney Channel (and I swear, I've seen it all the times they've played it!).

I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing spring after a very taxing winter! (especially if you're in the northeast!)

Book Review: The Ask and the Answer, Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking Book 2)

Reading Level:       Young Adult 

Hardcover:            519 Pages 

Publisher:             Candlewick, Sept 8, 2009

Parasols:               5

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. 

But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? 

And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode... 

The Ask and the Answer is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure.


As much as I struggled with The Knife of Never Letting Go.  I adored this installment of the book.  It moved fast and furiously.  I was so caught up in Todd and Viola's separate struggles and wanting them back together so badly.  Todd really grew up in this book.  The first book was all about him becoming a man, but the second book is what life is like for him as a man.  The decisions and repercussions of those decisions.


After trying to get away from the mob from Prentisstown, Todd unwittingly walks with an injured Viola right into their arms.  Mayor Prentiss is awaiting Todd in the town of Haven that everyone thought would be their salvation.  Viola is near death after being shot by Davy Prentiss (the mayor's son), Todd will do anything to get her the help that she needs and that is exactly what the Mayor wants.  What he's always wanted--Todd.


Viola is situated with the healers in Haven.  All women.  There she meets the strong-willed Mistress Coyle. There Viola is healed and learns that Mistress Coyle has motives of her own in removing the newest member of Haven (now called New Prentisstown and the Mayor is now that President).


President Prentiss (Mayor as Todd will call him throughout the series) knows that Viola is alive and is using this knowledge to keep Todd his prisoner.  Prentiss, to me, was worse than President Snow in the Hunger Games Trilogy.  There was just something so inexplicably evil about him.  He mass murdered women in Old Prenstisstown and he is banding women in New Prentisstown.  This man obviously hates women, and it's not because they don't have the noise.  There is something deep rooted there.


Watching Todd and Davy Prentiss get on together was fun stuff.  Todd is the quiet, introverted person, whereas Davy is always trying to get his father's attention and affection.  President Prentiss doesn't think much of his wastrel son, and tells Todd how he wishes that he was his son.  Much to the dismay of Davy who really does become a better person because of Todd.  The president will use this to control Todd at one point.


Todd's noise.  He's learning to control with the help of President Prentiss.  He's learning to shut it down and control people that he needs.  When the women of healing bring back the Answer and start bombing the town and it's people to bits, Todd is worried that Viola may be a part of this terrorist group.  Unfortunately only, Todd and Viola can band together to stop the President and the Answer.


The basis of this story from what I read is that information is everywhere, everyday of every hour.  Too much information can make monsters of men.  We are all so connected that we don't take the time to shut it down.  (hence the noise.)  This is perhaps one of my most favorite series to date.  I loved watching the blooming relationship between Viola and Todd.  The friendship between Todd and Davy.  Even watching Viola and Mistress Coyle, there was something there.  Just a pitch-perfect book.

Book Review: Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini

Reading Level:      Young Adult 

Hardcover:           496 Pages 

Publisher:             HarperTeen, May 31, 2011

Parasols:              4

Helen Hamilton has always been slightly different.  Taller, prettier, smarter than your average teenage girl.  But she starts to think she is going crazy when she sees three weeping women.  Her nightmares seem real when she awakes with dusty dirt all over her sheets and legs.

Her mind doesn't really go crazy until she lays eyes on the newest student that has landed on the tony island of Nantucket.  Lucas Delos is beautiful, breathtaking and Helen wants him dead.  At every opportunity she tries to kill him.  But he has a support group.  It's not until Helen is made aware of her destiny does she realize that The Iliad is not some quaint story that Homer conjured up.  It is her life.  She is Helen, the Helen that brought about a war.  And how that story plays out, is thrilling, exciting, and damn sexy.

I really enjoyed this book a lot.  I was able to talk to Josie about it and my love of the Homer classics just made it so that I had to read this one.  I've always preferred The Iliad over The Odyssey.  More excitement! 

Helen's gradual knowledge of who she is and how she has to protect her no-so-clued-in-dad, is as exciting as any story.  There will definitely be some comparisons to Twilight. My favorite part of the story was trying to figure out who was who reincarnated from The Iliad. Josie was not giving anything up.  It ends on a cliffhanger and I can already hear the masses wanting more, more, more!

You don't need to know the story of Helen of Troy to enjoy this.  It's a love story in it's own right and a story in it's own right as well.  By the way, I really want this sequel badly!