December 31, 2009
New Year’s Un-Resolutions
I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions. But I read Maggie Stiefvater's resolutions, and I was so inspired that I decided I should have some of my own. I think mine fall into the category of un-resolutions, considering they will likely remain unresloved.
Nonetheless, I want them in writing. I'm the kind of person who would like everything in writing, but I'll save that issue for next year's un-resolutions.
10 Un-Resolutions for 2010:
1) Refrain from reading our reviews. (Translation = Refrain from reading our reviews so many times that I can quote every gut-wrenching line by heart.)
2) Learn to type using four fingers, rather than three. (Then I will be able to type 1X faster. Does that seem right?)
3) Kill nasty people with kindness. (What does this really mean, and do people actually do this?)
4) Take a trip somewhere I've always wanted to go — Italy, maybe? (I have children under five. Who am I kidding?)
5) Learn to enjoy revising. (Around the same time I stab myself in the eye with a fork.)
6) Refrain from reading our reviews. (Sometimes.)
7) Be patient. (When other people are around.)
8) Drink less Diet Coke. (Or become the official spokesperson.)
9) Go to bed earlier. (Which is the same as saying "write less" — forget that one.)
10) Try to make dinner four times a week. (Or try to: stop reading our reviews, learn to type, kill people with kindness, take a trip, enjoy revising, be patient, drink less Diet Coke & go to bed earlier.)
Do you see why I call them un-resolutions?
Happy New Year. xxx
December 29, 2009
My Favorite New Reads of 2009
I should start off by saying, these are not reviews — just some of my personal favorite reads. I could never be a book reviewer. It's too hard, and I would be terrible at it. When I love a book, I can't say enough about it. When I hate a book, I don't write a word. Because I can't slam a book in print. I mean, I REALLY can't. I can talk about it privately, but that's as far as it goes.
I think it's the teacher in me. I remember the look of defeat in a student's eyes when they saw their paper covered in red ink. It was the opposite of the look they had when they turned in that paper — full of hope and excitement. As a result, I never graded in red. Not once. I actually used purple ink because it matched my classroom walls (a cool BC coincidence). And I was an infamously tough grader. I made note of anything and everything that could make a piece of writing better, but I would like to believe that I did so in an encouraging and constructive manner.
Because it's easy to tear a book or piece of writing apart, especially if you didn't write it. Authors are no different than those students holding their papers covered in red ink. As a writer, you put yourself into your work. Then you send it off into the world. Not everyone will like it. Reading is subjective, and depends on the way an individual relates personally to a text. But as a writer, I also want to support other writers. So, unless I love a book, I'll leave reviewing to trade journals, magazines, and book reviewers.
Here are the Top 10 New Books I loved in 2009. (I am defining "new" as a book that isn't part of a series.)
My Favorites (in no particular order):
1) THE DEMON'S LEXICON by Sarah Rees Brennan
Because I can usually see the end coming.
2) SHADOWED SUMMER by Saundra Mitchell
Because a true Southern ghost story with characters and a setting this real is rare.
3) HATE LIST by Jennifer Brown
Because not every story has a happy ending, and there is hope in that for readers whose lives are less than happy.
4) RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund
Because it's time there was another kick-ass heroine to replace Buffy (and some killer unicorns).
5) THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan
Because this book expanded the paranormal genre, and the heroine was unapologetically unsentimental.
6) ASH by Malinda Lo
Because who says your prince charming has to be boy? (The YALSA doesn't.)
7) THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner
Because this a rare piece of real science-fiction in YA.
8) FIRE by Kristin Cashore
Because the writing is so beautiful it will take your breathe away.
* Technically, this is part of a series. But not in the traditional manner, so I squeezed it in.
9) IF I STAY by Gayle Foreman
Because some choices are almost impossible to make.
10) SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater
Because the tension between Sam and Grace was unmatched.
What am I looking forward to in 2010? Come back and see…
December 3, 2009
Beautiful Creatures – The First US Fansite
This is so amazing! The Caster Girls teamed up with Vania of VLC Photo & Yvette and turned their blog into the first US BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Fansite! The site is so cool! They will have exclusive contests with BC swag you can’t get anywhere else (lots of it signed by us), a featured Caster Girl or Boy every two weeks so that YOU can be featured on the site, a forum, galleries for your photos and fan art, and so much more!
Several fansites & blogs have already joined as affiliates: Mundie Moms, Late Bloomers & Page Turners. You can join as a follower or sign up to be an affiliate!
We hope to see you there!
