The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): All Tomorrow's Parties by Icehouse.









*tap tap*













*glances around*












*whispers*


Uh, I probably shouldn't be making this announcement (who am I kidding? Of course I should) - but there are only like 30 entrants for the UBER PRIZE PACK of BOOK BOOTY AWESOME. And there's only like 15 hours left to enter yourself. A 1 in 30 chance is freakishly good for the eleven books, an Official Hunger Games Shirt and Pin (and temporary tattoo), signed bookmarks, and a book poster. And don't call me on this, but I think there is only 13 more people to follow me before I signed giganto book poster from Brandon Mull's Fabelhaven series is added to the mix. And a signed copy of a popular book you don't want to miss. So... yeah.... you may want to enter before midnight tonight. Just saying.


And I'm throwing this into the mix right now because I have an extra.






A book poster of the Breathless Reads tour, signed by all the authors (except Andrea Cremer. I couldn't ninja-tackle her fast enough, she was just too good. Do you hear me Andrea? I bow to your awesome ninja skills that exceed even my own). Well, good news is, you can now have a quest to hunt her down to complete your entire set. See? I've just made your life more interesting. :)



Alright. *glances around* There you go. And you didn't really see this message. This message doesn't even exist *does jedi mind trick*










*vanishes*









*in a puff of smoke*








No, really.






Don't give me that look.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Down to the River to Pray by Alison Krauss [O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack].




This is a cool video. It is an honest and straightforward on how a book is picked to be in bookstores. And as you will see, not all books are created equal. This is particularly interesting for those who don't know what go on behind the "sekkrit doors" of publishing. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! I hope it isn't snowing where you are right now!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Speed of Sound by Coldplay.



Curse you smart people! You guessed it, on the first try, and even guessed the name of the city! Good gracious. Well, you rock, and that's that. And yes, it was indeed the Breathless Reads tour in Salt Lake City (so excited for those of you who get to see them in Raleigh! You are in for a serious treat).






This signing was held in the downtown city library, and I have to say, I am absolutely in love with this building. Not only is there a garden on the rooftop and a bridge/causeway that circles from the roof to halfway around the building, it's got shops inside that sell Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare action figures (and art, and a cafe, and a comic book shop...). There's a glass elevator, an outdoor amphitheater, and the teen room has a freaking plasma screen tv and a fireplace! How much cooler can you get?! :D

So the signing took place in the auditorium and there was much screaming and cheering to be had. :) These ladies are awesome. You really should get to know all of them better. For example: Brenna Yovanoff. She wrote The Replacement, which is dark and gritty (gritty is a very good word for it) but then here she comes on stage, looking bright and chipper and like the sweetest, happiest person on the planet! And by the way, she is a serious fashionista. I could not stop looking at her clothes. Her entire ensemble was amazing! Her socks had studs in them! Yeah, she was gorgeous. But then I didn't expect Ally Condie or Andrea Cremer to be so funny! (when I told Ally I was still on the waiting list for Matched at my library and told her how excited I was that I finally dipped below the 200 mark, she looked at me as if I were crazy. And then I said non-nonchalantly "Oh yes, there is at least 450 still." And then she said "Are you serious?" in the most incredulous voice I'd ever heard. I was wrong. It was actually 502). And I thought I was completely over the werewolf phase, but just meeting Andrea made me want to read her story. Kirsten Miller is so personable and knowledgeable (her story is about reincarnation!), and Beth Revis is just Beth, amazing and as wonderful as ever. There aren't enough things I could say about Beth.


The question and answer session was fantastic (another reason why you should grab any chance you have to see an author on tour). We discussed everything from the genesis of their stories (Ally's was a prom and a question from her husband, Beth's was the twist that worked itself backward, Andrea's... oh no! I can't remember! I'm sorry Andrea! Kirsten's was the idea of reincarnation, and Brenna, who said she usually gets ideas of characters first, knew she wanted to write a changeling story set in modern times. And I have to say, I *loved* it about her story that the main character, her changeling was actually loved by his family, really and truly loved. So fantastic and not a view that is ever really told).


We also got on the subject of titles, which was both fascinating and hilarious.





And the difficulties of publishing







I could go on and on and on. These ladies were so fantastic. It was such an honor and a delight to be in their presence. Best way to spend a Saturday afternoon? Oh yeah. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Into the West by Howard Shore - cello version [The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King].





This is something else fun that I do on my blog. I mean, it's called The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl for a reason, but there has been a serious lack of adventure documenting since augmenting Contest Epic. The game is simple enough. I give a clue, usually only a picture,--but dudes, I think I've outsmarted you guys once. Not cool. And the next day I describe my adventure in more detail. So here we go!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Ancient Bloodline of Kings by Chris Bouchard [The Hunt for Gollum soundtrack].




This is just a test in case my sticky post doesn't show up on those of you who read this blog through readers. The form for the Uber Prize Pack is now up. It should be at the top and quite visible. Enter at will. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now) Wires by Athlete.



Two important announcements. First, Lexie, you got to the next benchmark! You now have your choice of three books from the book booty! :D And second, I am going to be putting up another spreadsheet (don't cringe, it's good, I promise. And it's the last one). It is for anyone (who is a follower) who wants to enter for the UBER PRIZE PACK of AWESOME. That way anyone who is really interested will be in the running. So if you're not a follower already, I suggest you ammend that pronto. And there is only like 35 more followers before I add signed books to the uber prize pack and I'm really hoping to make it. I really want to give those away. We can make it in a week, right? I will try and put the spreadsheet up later today. Okay? Okay.


Toodles!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Trouble is a Friend by Lenka.




Since Rot and Ruin was just announced this week as the the winner for the Cybils best YA Science Fiction/Fantasy category for 2010 (*squee!*) I was happy and thrilled to find this interview with Simon & Schuster discussing it. Yes, it has a scary looking cover, but for the squeemish types, this is definitely a case of don't judge a book by its cover. It is about the relationship of two brothers more than anything else and it is wonderful. It also has samurai sword fighting and a girl named Phoenix (Nix). What's not to like? :) Have a great weekend, everyone! I have more winners to post on Mon. You guys are amazing. (Oh, and only 39 more followers until the next Fibonacci milestone, and this one is a big one. Definitely comparable to the Hunger Games swag). :) See you Mon!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Romantic Flight by John Powell [How To Train Your Dragon soundtrack].




I'm still banging my head against a wall over this. I was planning on announcing this SO much sooner. There is an indie graphic novel that sounds absolutely hilarious. The creator, Walter Ostlie, I think sums it up best:

A comedy, sci-fi adventure graphic novel. Two office workers face aliens, pirates, and space squid to save the company, get the girl, and maybe a raise.

Soooooo cool! It was based on a webcomic he did of two characters, Walt and Ost (names look familiar?), as they faced their daily routines of life in the workplace, almost in a Dilbert-like style, but set in space. I'm in love already.





You can also watch the video here for slightly better idea of what the graphic novel is about. And here is a sheet of what the art style looks like (you can tell he's refined his style quite a bit).







But the window to buy it only open for another 27 hours.







*Pauses*










...







(I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I *know* I should have posted this earlier! *hides*)







He's already made the funding, so the project is going forward, but since this is a small print run and he is just beginning to show it at conventions, I'm not sure how available it will be after this. And seriously, a signed graphic novel for only $10? And that includes shipping? Yeah, I'm loving this (you can tell I've already bought mine) ^_^ Just wanted to give you this for a head's up in case you're interested. Spreading the love. That is what the internet is all about. :) Remember, if you want it, you have less than 27 hours.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Dragon Book by John Powell [How To Train Your Dragon soundtrack].






You guys are awesome! I thought these were way to obscure. I mean, they are only a single line. Cupcakes to everyone!






"I love you," he whispered. "I hope you don't mind."
-Touchstone to Sabriel, Sabriel by Garth Nix.


(I have to admit, this is one of my favorites, just because of their entire relationship that builds up to this point). Here is the full quote:

Touchstone watched, suddenly conscious that he probably only had five seconds left to be alone with Sabriel, to say something, to say anything. Perhaps the last five seconds they ever would have alone together.
I am not afraid, he said to himself.
"I love you," he whispered. "I hope you don't mind."
Sabriel looked back at him, and smiled, almost despite herself. Her sadness at her father's death was still there, and her fears for the future--but seeing Touchstone staring apprehensively at her somehow gave her hope.
"I don't mind," she whispered back, leaning toward him.









"Calf love doesn't usually survive amputation, Your Majesty."
-Eugenides to the [one of the] Queen[s], The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner.






"A Kiss," said Mogget sleepily. "Actually, just a breath would do. But you have to start kissing someone sometime, I suppose."
-Mogget to Sabriel, Sabriel by Garth Nix. (This was the only double, but man, I do love this series).





He's staring at me so intensely I can see the stripes of gold alternating with the green in his eyes like spokes of a wheel.
I shake my head.
"That's a good thing." He's still staring at me like that, like he's the first and last person who will ever stare at me.
"Because..." His voice trails off, and his eyes travel slowly down to my lips, and there's so much heat roaring through my body I swear I'm going to pass out.
"Because?" I prompt him, surprised I can still speak.
"Because I'm sorry, but I can't help it, and I really need to kiss you right now."
-Kent to Samantha, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.






Now she was waiting to be contradicted. But Calvin said, "Do you know this is the first time I've seen you without your glasses?"
"I'm blind as a bat without them. I'm near-sighted, like Father."
"Well, you know what, you've got dream-boat eyes," Calvin said. "Listen, you go right on wearing your glasses. I don' think I want anybody else to see what gorgeous eyes you have."
-Calvin to Meg, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle.






"The question then is, how much are you willing to give?"
And I answered, "Anything."
A breath later, Zane echoed my response with, "Everything."
-Danica and Zane, Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.








"From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
-Elizabeth to Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (you nailed it) :)







"A wager?" I repeated.
"Yes," he said, and gave me a slow smile, bright with challenge. ...
"Stake?" I asked cautiously. He was still smiling, an odd sort of smile, hard to define.
"A kiss." My first reaction was outrage, but then I remembered that I was on my way to Court, and that had to be the kind of thing they did at Court. And if I win I don't have to collect. I hesitated only a moment longer, lured by the thought of open sky, and speed, and winning.
"Done," I said.
-Meliara to Vidanric, Crown Duel/Court Duel by Sherwood Smith. (I totally was not expecting anyone to get this, I'll be completely honest. Rock on you).







She sighed. Loudly. "Physical appearance is not what is important."
Yeah right. Tell that to any girl who hasn't bothered to put on a presentable shirt or fix her hair because she's only running into the grocery store to get a quart of milk for her grandmother, and who does she see tending the 7-ITEMS-OR-LESS cash register but the guy of her dreams, except she can't even say hi- much less try to develop a meaningful relationship- since she looks like the poster child for the terminally geeky.
-Giannine, Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde.







He wondered what the years had done to his face as he traced the effects on hers. Eyes the same blue-lit green, but where mischievous joy once danced, now he saw sadness, deep as the ocean. Her cheeks were thinner. There was something else too: the arrogant pride of a princess seemed to be extinct. Yet the indefinable, untamed quality of her spirit remained. Yes, it was [her].
-Landon to Torina, The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Beautiful Day by U2.

Here is a random collection of YA literary love. ^_^ See if you can guess which book these come from. Double points if you can which character is saying it to who. :)








"I love you," he whispered. "I hope you don't mind."






"Calf love doesn't usually survive amputation, Your Majesty."






"A Kiss," said _____ sleepily. "Actually, just a breath would do. But you have to start kissing someone sometime, I suppose."






He's staring at me so intensely I can see the stripes of gold alternating with the green in his eyes like spokes of a wheel.
I shake my head.
"That's a good thing." He's still staring at me like that, like he's the first and last person who will ever stare at me.
"Because..." His voice trails off, and his eyes travel slowly down to my lips, and there's so much heat roaring through my body I swear I'm going to pass out.
"Because?" I prompt him, surprised I can still speak.
"Because I'm sorry, but I can't help it, and I really need to kiss you right now."







Now she was waiting to be contradicted. But _____ said, "Do you know this is the first time I've seen you without your glasses?"
"I'm blind as a bat without them. I'm near-sighted, like Father."
"Well, you know what, you've got dream-boat eyes," _____ said. "Listen, you go right on wearing your glasses. I don' think I want anybody else to see what gorgeous eyes you have."





"The question then is, how much are you willing to give?"
And I answered, "Anything."
A breath later, ____ echoed my response with, "Everything."






"From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."




"A wager?" I repeated.
"Yes," he said, and gave me a slow smile, bright with challenge. ...
"Stake?" I asked cautiously. He was still smiling, an odd sort of smile, hard to define.
"A kiss." My first reaction was outrage, but then I remembered that I was on my way to Court, and that had to be the kind of thing they did at Court. And if I win I don't have to collect. I hesitated only a moment longer, lured by the thought of open sky, and speed, and winning.
"Done," I said.





She sighed. Loudly. "Physical appearance is not what is important."
Yeah right. Tell that to any girl who hasn't bothered to put on a presentable shirt or fix her hair because she's only running into the grocery store to get a quart of milk for her grandmother, and who does she see tending the 7-ITEMS-OR-LESS cash register but the guy of her dreams, except she can't even say hi- much less try to develop a meaningful relationship- since she looks like the poster child for the terminally geeky.






He wondered what the years had done to his face as he traced the effects on hers. Eyes the same blue-lit green, but where mischievous joy once danced, now he saw sadness, deep as the ocean. Her cheeks were thinner. There was something else too: the arrogant pride of a princess seemed to be extinct. Yet the indefinable, untamed quality of her spirit remained. Yes, it was [her].

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): You're the Inspiration by Chicago.




What a day to announce this. We have not one but THREE winners today, of the big prizes. Congratulations Ellz, Chloe, and Lexie! You've all won any book of your choice! That is so incredible! And I have to say, they are actually pretty close to winning three books each, so rock on them. So much love. I would glomp you if I could (Oh. You may not know what thedefinition of "glomp" is. For definition, clicky here) :)


I was so excited I had to post this before my Valentine Day post (completely book-related, of course). Look for it later today. And keep the followers coming! Even if it isn't for the referred followers prize, the big enchilada uber prize pack just keeps getting bigger, and I'm actually twitching to give you the next milestone prize. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! If you are unattached like me, make it a I-give-you-permission-to-eat-as-much-chocolate-as-you-want Day. ^_^


And if you just need a literary kiss moment of absolute sweetness, here is the "head smoosh" scene from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. *happy sigh*

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Wires by Athlete





Since his passing this last week, how could I not honor Brian Jacques in this week's Feature Fun Friday? A wonderful storyteller and such a vivacious, engaging and sweet personality, I really wish I'd been able to meet him. Here is a very nice sequence done over in Great Britain, and also the intro/credits to one of the three animated series. I went back and forth over whether to do the intro to Mattimeo (because it was the first I'd ever read) or Redwall, but decided on the latter since it was the genesis of it all. Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): I Want To Spend My Life Loving You - Tina Arena duet with Marc Anthony [Mask of Zorro soundtrack].





You guys are. AWESOME. You are laying the smackdown on Fibonnaci! :D Lucky number 11! If it's not lucky, oh well, I'm making it lucky now. Because two numbers 1's is better than one, right? So, the book booty now has ELEVEN delicious books ready to come home. And that also means it is time for more swag. Ah, swag, the joy you bring. I said Catching Fire goodness was coming, and here you go.






I love the Mockingjay pin on the sleeve best. And the saying. And the fact that it looks like the most comfy nightshirt ever.





I couldn't get this one to turn so tilt your head, because I guess Catching Fire is so epic, it feels a need to stand on its head (this is the back of the shirt, by the way).





Pretty, pretty Mockingjay pin. *stroke* My precious.... No, it is not the gold Mockingjay pin (I think you actually have to enter the Hunger Games to get one of those), but it IS the official promotional pin for Catching Fire. Oh how I've wanted to hold you. But look. My willpower is strong. I resisted opening the package. But it was hard. *whimper* I so want this on my book bag.





Personally, I would turn these into artwork and frame them. I love me some Eric Carle hardcore. ^_^





Why yes, that is a signed bookmark by the one and only Beth Revis, a girl made of awesome in every way imaginable and with a book series to be reckoned with. You are going to want to get all of the swag on her you can early. I have a feeling she is only going to get bigger from here.













And do you need one last glimpse of all the awesome together? Yeah, me too. :)







Click here to see the last set of Fibonacci swag if you missed it.





And we have another benchmarker! Thanks to her dutiful asking, we found her under two different names. Congratulations Michelle Hawley! Email me so we can set you up with the first prize.


Oh, and as a general note, my spreadsheet is now grossly different (as in, way larger) than my actual followers numbers, so make sure the people you are sending are actually following. Because otherwise, I can't count them. :( If they put their own blog, or the name that shows up as their follower id, it is a lot easier to verify them. And I have to make sure they are following because that is the only way to make it fair to everyone (and it's really nice if they put your blog url in the first referral line, with your name, because then I can click straight there, but that's okay if you don't).

But again, to reiterate. You guys are have me floored. I really can't believe we are only nine days in. And there is more awesome swag to come. For those counting, the next Fibonacci milestone is for 144 new followers (and between you and me, signed books are up next, among other things). This is where the teamwork really pays off. Now to go find my socks, since they seem to have been blown off in writing this post... :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Sleepsong by Secret Garden.




For those of you who don't know, British children's author Brian Jacques passed away of a sudden heart attack over the weekend. His passing was a shocking blow for me. Beside believing all authors to be forever immortal, Mr. Jacques was an integral part of my early introduction to growing up into an independent, and lifelong, reader. His books were like some of the earliest Beatrix Potter tales I'd been read to as a child, except with swords.


I remember the scene clearly. I'm not sure if they still have them (I certainly hope so) but there was a school book fair at my elementary school. It came a few times a year. I don't know if it rotated or if the publishers just sent them out. That was not a part of my child-mind. All I knew was it was like magic, and I loved when it came. It also meant I would usually get books. My parents were very supportive of me reading and would usually buy me a new one if I remembered to tell them in time.


On this particular occasion, it was held in the school cafeteria (which also doubled as the auditorium and the gym). I honestly cannot remember which book I picked, but I remember Mattimeo. It was my sister's pick, and bigger than anything I had ever seen for a children's book before (this was long before Harry Potter). It was 446 pages long and in the adult, tiny print. It was terrifying. But it had mice in chains and an evil-looking fox on the cover. I held my own book, but secretly eyed hers with curiosity.


After she had finished it (and loved it) I picked it up. By the end of the first chapter I was enthralled as Orlando the Axe was following the fox after his stolen daughter. I fell in love with Matthias, the brave mouse and protector of Redwall who takes on an army of stoats and weasels to reclaim his kidnapped son and the other little ones from Slagar the Cruel. I saw parents in a different light and began to see things from their perspective, perhaps for the very first time. Indeed I loved Matthias more than Mattimeo, though Mattimeo showed me much in the way of growing up and I loved him fiercely by the end as well.


It was then I found out it was not the first in the series, and that Matthias had his own adventure. Needless to say, I was hooked. I followed Matthias and Martin the Warrior through many books before going onto other adventures in other books. I did not finish the series, but he taught me the value of bravery and what forms courage can take. He showed me how to laugh and feel strong, and in a small way he taught me how to grow up by showing me I could read bigger books than I imagined ever reading, and that was okay. They were not as scary as I thought.


So thank you, Mr. Jacques. Thank you for giving me stories of food, feasts, and fighting badgers. You will be greatly missed.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Lover by Frank Sinatra.




Okay, I have now had several requests for updates on my blog. Things like, you know, my "Home" "About" "Contact" and "FAQ" tabs at the top to actually be working. Same for my RSS feed reader. The nerve. I will try my best to get it up and squeaky clean and spit shined as soon as I can. As soon as I can figure out HTML. (I know the basics, but tinkering with an actual template terrifies me). Does anyone happen to know how to do either of those things? Consider this an official invitation to step forward and be my cyber hero foreverz.


In other news, we have two new apparent winners in the first prize category! Will the person referenced as "Ghosty" and Roxo Trévol please contact me? Thanks!

And good luck everyone! Some are insanely close to that all-too-coveted second prize (and I'm thinking of changing the rules up just a bit. In a good way. In your favor. More details to come). :) And only 19 more followers until Catching Fire swag is added to the mix! Terribly excited about that, if you can't tell.



EDIT: a subscribe feature has now been placed under the labels section as a temporary fix for those of you who have asked. :)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): This Is War by 30 Seconds to Mars.



The idea of Monday's Muse is to introduce you to unknown, forgotten, or overlooked fiction that has been lost from regular radar. I am WriterGirl. I am in the business of saving lives, one book at a time.

What I do is go to amazon, narrow it down to a YA field and type in a random word, any word that comes to mind. I then take a sampling of some I have never heard of before, or only vaguely heard of (and hopefully you as well). No infringement is intended for any description I take for the books. It's purely for promotional reasons. I will try and cover as many genres as possible that are fitting for the random word. Simple but it really uncovers some incredible gems. I will be doing this every other Monday. If there are any words you want to prompt me with, go ahead and fire away.

Dark Water by Laura McNeal.

This debut solo effort after several collaborations with husband Tom McNeal (The Decoding of Lana Morris, 2007, etc.) stands out in the crowded coming-of-age field. The affecting narrative springs believably from the first-person thoughts of Pearl DeWitt as she recalls her 15th summer, when, entranced by a nearly mute, illegal Mexican migrant worker, the beautiful and gifted teenage Amiel, Pearl makes choices that lead to tragedy. Evocative language electrifies the scenes between the pair, as they develop a relationship both complicated and deepened by their limited verbal communication. Her warnings to readers of impending disaster amplify rather than diminish the impact of the misguided, wrenching decisions she makes when a raging wildfire sweeps through their rural California community. Besides her poignant relationship with Amiel, Pearl navigates her father’s recent abandonment of her and her mother and her complicated relationship with her cousin Robby as he blunderingly deals with his father’s apparent infidelity. Notable for well-drawn characters, an engaging plot and, especially, hauntingly beautiful language, this is an outstanding book --Kirkus Reviews



The Color of Earth (The Story of Life on the Golden Fields) by Dong Hwa Kim.

This manhwa—first in a trilogy—chronicling the lives of a single mother and her daughter in rural Korea is a moving and evocative look at love as seen through the eyes of one feeling it for the first time and another who longs to savor it once more. The story follows daughter Ehwa from age seven up as she discovers the physical differences between boys and girls, grows into young womanhood and undergoes her initial confusing experiences with attraction and romance. Ehwa's interest is piqued by a young Buddhist monk, a lad whose interest is mutual but doomed to futility thanks to his faith's strict code of celibacy. Meanwhile, Ehwa's mother, who was widowed at an early age, finds her loneliness soothed by the attentions of an artistic traveling salesman known only as Picture Man. Their relationship later helps Ehwa understand much about the joys of making a romantic connection. This book has no conflict other than that common to youthful competition over boys, but it is a work of great humanity that sucks the reader in. Kim's artwork is stunning, and seldom has a male writer captured the attitudes, emotions and behavior of female characters so believably. --Publisher's Weekly.



The Waters and the Wild by Francesca Lia Block.

Bee, 13, wants to eat the dirt in her mother's garden; Haze believes that he is half-alien; and Stephanie thinks that she is a reincarnated slave girl from the 1800s whose name was Sarah. One day Bee sees a girl in her room who could be her twin. After the girl says, You are me, she disappears. Bee usually doesn't talk to anyone, but decides to ask Haze about the vanishing figure. He explains that she is a doppelganger and that seeing one means your imminent death. Bee hears Sarah sing a Billie Holiday song about lynching and talks to her. The three loners become friends. They crash a party by deciding to be invisible and enjoy drinking and dancing before being caught. They grab hands, run out of the party, and fly away. When they land, Bee finds a poisonous plant in her pocket. The teens figure out that she is a changeling, and the real Bee is desperate to have her body back. The author does an excellent job of integrating background slices of paranormal history and poetry. This slim novel is comprised of short chapters, is quickly paced, and has a surprise ending. It will appeal to reluctant readers, fans of the bizarre, and teens who feel that they don't quite fit in. –Samantha Larsen Hastings, West Jordan Public Library, UT, School Library Journal.



Haunted Waters by Mary Pope Osborne.

At the opening of this sweepingly romantic novel, its hero, the dashing Lord Huldebrand of Ringstetten, strays off the beaten path as he travels through an ancient forest, only to find himself spurred on by otherworldly forces. So, too, will readers surrender to the irresistible momentum of Osborne's (Mermaid Tales from Around the World) lush narrative, which was inspired by a German fairy tale written by the Baron de la Motte-Fouque in the early 19th century. Huldebrand takes refuge with an elderly fisherman and his mad wife, who turn out to have a spellbindingly beautiful daughter, the guileless Undine. As storms and floods prevent Huldebrand from resuming his journey, he and Undine fall in love; a shipwrecked priest miraculously washes up on the fisherman's shores and performs their marriage ceremony. The newlyweds return to Huldebrand's castle, but their happiness is clouded as evidence quickly mounts that Undine is not mortal but a creature of the sea kingdom. The gifted author unfolds her tale so that its developments seem both inevitable and wholly surprising. She chooses details elegantly and economically, using just a few descriptive phrases to evoke a sumptuously imagined chivalric age. Lustrous as a pearl. --Publisher's Weekly.



The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer (Author), Elizabeth D. Crawford (Translator).

This inventive and original fantasy is set among the canals of a fantastical medieval Venice and grounded by powerful imagery of light and shadow, stone and water. Two orphans are apprenticed to a magical mirror maker. Junipa, 13, is blind, but is given her sight in a magical but dangerous process. Merle, 14, is impulsive, courageous, and already the owner of a magic mirror. She finds herself at the center of the struggle for the survival of Venice in the face of the invading Egyptian army that is besieging it. The city has been kept safe thus far by the Flowing Queen, but now her spirit has been trapped in a glass vial. When Merle comes into possession of this vial, she is commanded by the Flowing Queen to drink the water in it, thus imbibing her spirit and voice. She then has to free Vermithrax, a flying lion of living stone long held prisoner by the Venetian authorities, as the first step in the process of ensuring the safety of the city. A powerful mix of political intrigue, adventure, and magic, the novel is peopled with believable and likable human characters along with mermaids, both feared and enslaved by humans; lions of living stone; and a fearsome and horrifying representative of the Kingdom of Hell. The Water Mirror is a standout in this year's crowded field of fantasy novels, and will have readers clamoring for the next entry in the series. –Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City, School Library Journal.



Healing Water: A Hawaiian Story by Joyce Moyer Hostetter.

Nineteenth-century Hawaii. Thirteen-year-old Pia's life is forever changed by leprosy. Pia has never known his real father. But Kamaka, a family friend, has taught him how to work, explore, and take on physical challenges. Pia believes Kamaka is fearless. He never suspects that a time will come when Kamaka could actually be afraid of him. Neither does he expect his own body to betray him, or his government to tear him from his family and send him into exile. When Pia finds himself abandoned on Moloka'i, in Hawai'i's leprosy settlement, he turns to the skills he learned from Kamaka to help him survive. But the conditions are harsh. Pia discovers that he must choose between lawlessness and aloha, revenge and forgiveness, his own willfulness and the example of someone worthy of being like a father. This fictional account was inspired by the experiences of the many Hawaiians who were sent to Moloka'i's isolated Kalaupapa peninsula starting in 1866 and by the life of Father Damien deVeuster, who chose to live and work there in the late 1800s. The author conducted extensive research, working with experts and visiting the leprosy settlement.



The Shape of Water by Anne Spollen.

"Spollen interweaves elemental, evocative images of what is formless and boundless—water, air, grief, death—with what is solid and limited-earth, objects, human love and forgiveness. This enchanting novel starts quietly, draws the reader in and weaves a seductive spell that holds until the last page."--Kirkus (starred review)

"I had come to know silence well during those months after my mother died. When you sit in silence long enough, you learn that silence has a motion. It glides over you without shape or form, but with weight, exactly like water."

Magda's mother always said the world was full of strange and beautiful secrets only the two of them could see. But now she's gone and Magda's world is flooded with anxiety and loneliness—and maybe, madness. As an imaginary family of bickering fish begins to torment her, Magda's only outlet is starting beautiful but destructive fires in the marshes near her house. The Shape of Water is a darkly lyrical and surprising tapestry of the mundane and the surreal, in which Magda begins to untangle her family's secrets and search for a stable place in the world.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Annachie Gordon by Loreena McKennitt.



This video has been long overdue for a resurrection. Not only was this one of the very first videos I featured on Feature Fun Friday, it is one of the few YA Asian fantasy adventures out there, and a seriously underrated one at that (this one takes place in ancient China-based world). Trust me, if you want to be salivating over food, Silver Phoenix accomplishes it like no other. And it is honestly one of the best non-publishing house funded book trailers out there. Amazingly sweet author, tantalizing book, and a sequel that is coming out in a little over a month? What is not to like? :D (Plus, Ai Ling took on the Juggernaut Neil Gaiman in battle of the YA Fantasy Showdown. You need serious mettle to do that). Enjoy, and have a great weekend, everyone!


(P.S Anyone who can tell me the name of the song when the music takes off halfway through, I will love them forever. I want.)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Arise by E.S Posthumus.




So I've realized that giving updates every day for a month will be boring, so the scheduled programming will continue as usual, with updates of awesome as they come, of course. :)

Guess what? Today is a BIG day! No, it's not my birthday, but it is almost just as good. It's Chinese New Year! *dances* I'm so happy I didn't miss it, because it changes every year and this year it's the year of the rabbit! You can't get much cuter than that.





So do something fun today. Eat Chinese. Wear red (it's a lucky color). The festivities usually go on for one-two weeks. It's like their Christmas. And for those of you who are new here *waves!* I do something really fun every Friday. I find a video clip that is somehow book related for all of us to enjoy. Because who doesn't like watching movies on a Friday? I'm going to try and find one to celebrate Chinese New Year. We'll see what I come up with. *rub hands together gleefully*


Oh! And we have two more people that have reached the first prize. Congratulations NotNessie and Chloe! Tell me if you want a short story or a poem, anything you want. Even about purple cows who drink grape soda ice cream floats. :)




Writing Prompt: Set a story in China or told from the perspective of something unique to Chinese mythology (if you haven't looked, that have some fascinating stuff. Why we didn't learn Asian myths alongside the Greek ones in school, I'll never know. This stuff is hardcore cool).

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher (I really couldn't help myself. I've been in stitches the whole time I've been writing this).



You guys are scaring me. You can't keep this pace up. Fibonacci milestone number ten has been reached. There are now ten books in the book booty, and now we start adding in the swag. :) Methinks I need to find a bigger box soon...


Added to the Booty Pack today -





A book poster for Anthony Horrowitz's SNAKEHEAD from the Alex Rider series and a Mockingjay temporary tattoo!



Book posters are kind of hard to find, in my experience. The only ones I've ever found are the ones where I go to the actual signing myself. But are they cool. Forget band posters or movie posters, I have my room decked out with book covers. And it is awesome. Break out your inner nerd. :)


But hopefully the next milestone will slow you down some (just a little?). The next swag pack is for the Catching Fire t-shirt and pin.


Oh, and if you are wondering where you stand at all at any point as far as referred followers go, feel free to email me or DM me on twitter and I will happily tell you. Or at least once a day. :) (and that is not a plug to follow me on twitter, I promise, but you will get a faster response that way. It's easier for me). Right now, most people are averaging between 4-7, though a couple are agonizingly close to the first marker. If you don't want to email me, I will be posting winners on here when they happen.



FebSESSD Writing Prompt: (you don't have to do this one. This is for if you're stuck): Today is Groundhog's Day, so why not write about someone who has to live the same day over and over again? Kinda like Lauren Oliver's BEFORE I FALL, though admittedly, Groundhog's Day had it first. :) Or you could write about a small weather-predicting squirid. Your call.

P.S Did you know he didn't see his shadow today?! EARLY SPRING! *happy dance* Which is going to be a welcome relief to everyone on the east coast suffering from the Snowcalypse, I think. He has seen his shadow 98 times since 1887, and not seen it only 16 times. So today is a day of celebration. Go eat some cupcakes. Remember, today you're immortal. ;)


P.P.S First short story? Totally nailed it.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Marital Sabotage by Hans Zimmer [Sherlock Holmes soundtrack].

I honestly don't know what to do with myself. If you keep up this rate, I may have to start hocking body parts to get all these books to you. *goes off to hunt the couch cushions for loose change*



And we already have one winner! Elie @ Ellzreadz, oh wow fantastic-ness. Tell me if you want a poem or short story and what you want it to be about (these could get really interesting). :) She's also is over halfway there to her first book. Dang.


But NotNessie from Today's Adventure isn't far behind.


Or Lexie @ The Book Bug, or Chloe @ YA Booklover's Blog, or Raelena @ Throughthehaze Reads, or The Beverly @ The Wormhole, or Mariah @ A Reader's Adventure for that matter (I have to check the others. The numbers are climbing pretty fast).



And the best part of this is, I get to make new friends. That is so incredible. So, thank you.






And you also know what this means. 60 followers. Holllly cow. That is NINE books added to Uber Book Booty. NINE. In one day! You blew away my Fibonacci milestones! :D Once we pass 89 new followers, that is when I start adding swag. :)



Okay, and since today is Day 1 of my torture short story marathon, this is where things could get really interesting. I'm going to mark my day's progress as I go along (and I really hope I don't let you down by not completing my own challenge That would suck. Never give up! Never surrender!). I'm also going to give a prompt if you want to play along, and if the stories are short enough (because really, who wants to read a 10 page short story on the computer screen? Blech.) then I may/will post it here.


Since today marks the opening of the awesome Presenting Lenore's second Dystopian Month, why not write a short story inside a dystopia? Can't start the month much better than that. :)