Legendary

Yesterday I got to meet one of my idols—fantasy author Tamora Pierce. She was appearing on a panel at the wonderful store Books of Wonder along with six other talented authors (including Rae Carson whose The Girl of Fire and Thorns is excellent and perfect for Tamora fans). I cannot begin to explain how honored I was to finally meet Tamora. I might have gotten a bit fangirl on her—but I’ve been waiting since I was ten to meet her! Alanna: The First Adventure introduced me to fantasy when it was part of the sixth grade curriculum. When my peers read the first for weeks in class I rushed to the library and read the entire series at home. I was hooked. And ever since then my writing has been informed by Tamora’s works. Her novels are still the closest comparative titles to my work in progress. So, to say the least, she—and her books—are pretty important to me. Meeting her in person did not disappoint, either, as is so often the case when you meet an idol. She spoke so wisely on the genre and on writing. And despite the fact that the line to get books signed by her was ridiculously long and meant she had to stay long past when the event was due to end, she kindly signed each and every book fans brought and had a brief conversation. It was wonderful. And the way she signed my copy of Mastiff, her latest book? “Be legendary.” I’m working on it, Tamora, I’m working on it!

Book Club: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

I finished a novel for a book club this month! Hooray! This shouldn’t seem like a big accomplishment, but after my book club failure last month, finishing any book by a set deadline feels impressive. So, for Fall Book Club we read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

I’m not quite sure what to say about this book, so I’ll start at the beginning—the way beginning, long before I had a copy of the novel in my hands. Last May at BEA I attended a panel with five editors talking about five of the most buzzed about books for the upcoming fall season. Alvina Ling, the editor at Little, Brown who worked on Daughter of Smoke and Bone was there. I don’t remember much about the panel other than I was kind of underwhelmed by the editors’ presentations; none of the books seemed to stand out when the editor was talking about the acquisition and editing process or the fantastic world that the author created. And that’s because what makes books really special is not the plot or characters; it’s the writing, and that’s nearly impossible to convey in a presentation that doesn’t include reading an excerpt from the book. The one thing that did make Daughter of Smoke and Bone stand out for me, though, was that one of the last things Alvina mentioned: it was set in Prague. I perked up in my seat. This is something that intrigued me beyond the paranormal and fantasy elements that, when summarized, this book seemed to share with all the other highlighted novels. I adore Prague!

And that, I guess, is where I should start my review of the book. The setting, the world, the magic—breathtaking. And the novel isn’t just set in the seemingly magical Prague; much of it takes place in Marrakesh and otherworldly places. The various settings and the way Laini describes them is the gem of this novel. Fantasy novels are generally so Euro-centric and moving away from traditional Northern-European medieval villages and castles to rich, lush, different settings was so refreshing. And the way in which Laini throws in terms that refers to everyday objects found in Marrakesh that weren’t familiar to me made the scope of her novel so much broader than typical YA. It’s wonderful to see a novel do new things and push the boundaries of what readers expect. The lushness and complexity will appeal to readers of all ages, not just teens.

That being said, I didn’t love the novel. I wanted to so badly and thought for the majority of the book that it was better than average bordering on really good. But there wasn’t much of an actual plot; there was beautiful world building and I was intrigued to find out more about Karou…but what actually happened during the course of the novel? Three or four things, that’s it. There needed to be more action leading to an understandable if not foreseeable point. Perhaps there will be direction in the sequel.

This next point contains major spoilers. Stop reading now if you haven’t read the novel yet. My larger concern and reason for not loving Daughter of Smoke and Bone is from the last quarter where we finally find out who Karou is. I wanted to know. I was intrigued, but not interested enough to have a 75-page tangent about Karou’s past life as Madrigal. It was too much and I ended up not caring, even when it came to the steamy romance between her and Akiva. I wanted to know about present-day Karou in Marrakesh trying to find Brimestone and her family, not Madrigal who only had been barely mentioned by Akiva once or twice before. As I got closer and closer to the end of the novel and realized that the conclusion was basically just the reveal of who Karou was and wouldn’t get to the action I was sorely disappointed.

And, unrelated to the text, I despise the cover. Anyone else with me? Although it definitely hints to the mystery of the novel I find it dull and misrepresentative of the overall story. Karou is the girl with blue hair, not the girl who wears a feathery mask! And yes—I understand that the image might be of Madrigal at the ball, but once again, I care about Karou, not Madrigal!

So, to wrap up this long review, I’m torn. Some aspects I really loved, some I was disappointed in. I’ll definitely read the sequel—but I won’t preorder it the way I did this novel.

What are your thoughts?

National Book Festival

This weekend I was able to visit my best friend, Heather, in Washington, DC—yay! It was so great to see her. We planned our get together this particular weekend because it was the National Book Festival.

Here are some of the highlights of the Saturday speakers:

Toni Morrison: Did you know that the Beloved author was also an editor for years and years? It was great to hear her talk about that side of her career!

Sarah Dessen: I loved her bit of writing ‘advice’: “I always eat two pieces of chocolate before writing.” Since she clearly had a fantastic writing career, I think I should just channel her talent by also having two pieces of chocolate before I write!

Katherine Paterson and John Rocco: I had already heard the fantastic Katherine Paterson speak last spring, but she surprised us by inviting John Rocco, the illustrator for Katherine and her husband John’s most recent book, The Flint Heart. I immediately liked John Rocco when he said: “I feel uneasy when I walk into people’s houses that don’t have books. As soon as I see bookshelves I feel comfortable. I know these are good people.”

Cassandra Clare: She told the most fantastic stories of her, Holly Black, and Sarah Rees Brennan doing research for their books. Like breaking into a deserted building on Roosevelt Island so Cassie could use it as a setting for her Mortal Instruments series and Holly horribly covering for her when the cops showed up…or Cassie driving Holly around in the trunk of her car so that Holly could accurately write about a kidnapping in her Curse Workers series…or the three traipsing around London taking pictures of Victorian buildings only to discover that there was a person in that window, and he was naked! Having met both Holly and Sarah I can just imagine the fun adventures they’ve had together!

Brian Selznick: He is a genius. I’m sure of it. The amount of research that goes into his books is astounding and the way he pursues his projects really shows he thinks book making is art; it’s not just about the plot or characters, it’s about what turning a page means and how each word or image interacts with each other word and image but also the reader. I just could not believe how thoughtful he was. I haven’t yet read The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Wonderstruck—the $30 price tag is a bit high for my budget—but I’m definitely checking them out from the library asap and will hopefully catch the movie adaptation of his first book, Hugo, this winter.

So, there you have my and Heather’s adventures…I hope to return to the National Book Festival again next year!

Banned Book Week

Next week (Sept 24-Oct 1) is Banned Book Week. As a reader and an editor, I cringe at the idea of kids not being able to read a book they want—and I hope you feel the same way! Books are banned for various reasons—sexual or violent content, harsh language, questionable material according to a religious group. But sometimes—often times—those banned books might be just right for a teenage girl who wants to learn more about her sexuality, or a teenage boy who wants to read a book that reflects his reality, or kids who have no intention of reading at all, only to fall in love with a series and become lifelong book lovers. One book can affect its reader is so many different, and necessary, ways. It isn’t fair for us, as adult gatekeepers, to choose what books we want kids to have access to. A book can change a life.

Here are some resources for the upcoming week from the American Library Association:

General Information about Book Banning

About This Week

Virtual Read-Out of Banned Books

   

As for me, I’ll be reading some of my favorite banned books in the park, on the subway, in my home. Happy reading!

100 Years

Last weekend I had visitors in town and we had a lovely time. One of the highlights of the trip was a stop we made on the way to Grand Central: the main branch of the New York Public Library! Settled on the eastern edge of my favorite midtown park, the library is a huge and gorgeous building guarded by the dedicated lions, Patience and Fortitude. And there are always things to see in the library—including the toy set that inspired A.A. Milne to write Winnie the Pooh! Those stuffed animals have been well loved. This visit was extra special because the library is celebrating its 100^th Birthday! They’ve gathered special items from all of their collections into one fantastic exhibit. There is something for everyone! My favorites: original illustrations from The Wizard of Oz, a handwritten manuscript by George Elliot, ancient maps, and historical documents. The collection they have is worthy of any museum! So, whether you’re a New Yorker or a tourist go ‘check out’ the library!

A Literary Dinner

I love throwing elaborate (cheesy/cutesy/dorky) parties. In college I hosted great gatherings. From my Disney-themed Jeopardy costume party to a Clue party complete with a live mystery to solve, I have almost more fun planning than partying. It’s so fun to think up all the possibilities! And then let’s not even get started with how much I like to bake! Lately, between trying to cut down on the number of sweets I eat, my boyfriend’s interest in cooking, and the random Bon Appetit magazines lying around my apartment, I’ve gotten more into ‘fine dining’ as well. There’s nothing like savoring a delicious bite of something you’ve spent hours in a sweaty kitchen concocting. So, in summary, themed party + opportunity to get creative in the kitchen = lots of happy hours planning! Since moving to NYC my tiny apartment with four roommates has prevented me from showing off my creative party planner side. But these links (here, here and here) can let a girl dream! As soon as I have my own place, a literary dinner party is in order!

Bookish Fun

As everyone in the English-speaking world (and probably the non-English-speaking world as well) knows this past weekend celebrated and mourned the release of Harry Potter 7.2. Some have called it the end of childhood—since my generation was the same age as Harry, Ron, Hermione and the gang when the books were first published. I’ve admitted this before: I don’t watch the movies. So while everyone else was a tiny bit sad at ‘the end’, I was happily just enjoying all the HP conversations happening around the office, with my friends, and (more or less) on the street.

On Tuesday I participated in Harry Potter trivia, hosted by the Early Career Committee at the Children’s Book Council. They went so above and beyond in capturing the feel of Hogwarts—elaborate invitations, flying keys dangling from the ceiling, Moaning Myrtle gurgling in the bathroom, a partial Hogwarts Express. I went as Professor Minerva McGonagall and it was so much fun (even if my team came in dead last. I guess I need to reread the books again!).

Fantastic invitation delivered by 'owl'.

Me and Prof. Trelawney aka Katie, a fellow KT Books assistant.

Amazing Hogwarts crest.

Yummy treats.

Me with a Ravenclaw student, aka Elizabeth a former FP-NC intern.

Flying keys as decorations.

Fantastic bulletin board.

Costumes and the Hogwarts Express!

Want to know more about the awesome event? We were written up in PW!

BEA by the Numbers

My FIRST time attending Book Expo America, a publishing tradeshow:

1 day at BEA (it runs for 3-4 days)

7 hours spent at BEA

5 hours spent overwhelmed but excited

2 hours spent at lunch

My bounty:

14 ARCs (including Forever and Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvator, and Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos)

1 F&G (Grandpa Green by Lane Smith)

2 books (including The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall)

1 chapter sampler (Modelland by Tyra Banks)

6 of which are signed

2 posters

1 pen

Various postcards, broadsheets and bookmarks

6 times I was told a variation of “it’s obvious it’s your first time at BEA because no one in their right mind carries around that many books all day!”

1 panel attended (YA Buzz- exciting books pubbing soon!)

1 celebrities encountered (Tyra)

15+ authors encountered

3 awkward encounters (I know you! You do? Ah, yes. You are? Didn’t we? No. Oh.)

100s of books I now want to read!

NYC Teen Author Festival

This past week was Teen Author Festival here in NYC and there were TONS of great events to go to. I (ahem) made it to one event- free theater tickets, my job, and errands unfortunately got in the way- but the one event was definitely a great one!  It included music-themed readings from top YA authors, plus performances by Tiger Beat, a YA author band comprised of Libba Bray (vocals, piano), Dan Ehrenhalf (guitar), Natalie Standiford (bass, vocal backup) and Barney Miller (drums, vocals). Even with two fractured elbows Libba was energetic and working the crowd! Check out a past recording of Tiger Beat playing their original hilarious (and somewhat inappropriate) tune “YA Song”. You'll be sure to smile!

Bookstore Day

The fun fact for this Friday is…tomorrow is Take Your Child To A Bookstore Day. 

How great of a day is that?  Bookstores are the best place ever (especially if they have a café that makes warm chocolate chip cookies).  Each and every time I walk into one, I want to smell the books, pick up a new one (or a trusty favorite), and sit in a corner and never leave.  Alas, that is not always possible…but visiting for an hour or so and basking in the wonder that is a bookstore absolutely is.  And sharing that special place with a kid- even better!  For more information about the day, click here.

And just because kids aren’t the only ones who should have fun tomorrow, check out this awesome list from Lonely Planet:

The 10 Greatest Bookstores in the World

1. City Lights Books (San Francisco, CA)

2. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

3. Livraria Lello (Porto, Portugal)

4. Shakespeare & Company (Paris, France)

5. Daunt Books (London, England)

6. Another Country (Berlin, Germany)

7. The Bookworm (Beijing, China)

8. Selexyz Dominicanen (Maastricht, Netherlands)

9. Bookabar (Rome, Italy)

10. Atlantis Books (Santorini, Greece)

Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any of these…yet.  I can’t believe there isn’t one in New York (The Strand? Books of Wonder? Come on, Lonely Planet!), but even more so, I can’t believe that I lived in London for five months and never made it to their bookstore!  I guess this list really is just an excuse to go and travel…for bookstore comparison purposes, of course!

I hope you make it to a bookstore tomorrow- and bring your kids, siblings, friend of a friend’s cousin, or whoever else you want to share the wonder of a bookstore with!

Author Talks

I think I got spoiled when I was at Hamilton.  Okay, I know I was spoiled…but I’m just talking about one specific part of my Hamilton experience here: author talks.   As a creative writing major I was required to attend a certain amount of author talks every year, but now more than ever I’m realizing how lucky I was to hear Jayne Anne Phillips, Kelly Cherry and Margaret Atwood speak (and that was just during my senior year!).  And not only did these wonderful women read from whatever book they were promoting, but they took the time to talk about their craft, how they got where they are, and answer questions from us budding writers.  Each night was special and enlightening…not to mention Margaret Atwood was a hoot!

Nearly every author talk I’ve gone to outside of Hamilton has been less than special and enlightening, because all the author does is read from his/her book.  Yes, it was interesting to hear Suzanne Collins read Mockingjay in an Appalachian twang…but I can read those words for myself.  Or go out and buy the audio book.  What I can’t recreate on my own is a moment when the author gives insightful or practical advice and lets their readers really get to know them.  This seems to only happen in magazines or PR interviews…why not during author talks as well, when the author has the opportunity to talk directly to his/her readers?

I don’t want to completely knock authors talks.  Not one bit.  I am so lucky to be in New York City where I’ve been able to hear the likes of David Sedaris and Kate DiCamillo (And for the record, Kate DiCamillo is the exception to the rule.  Her talk promoting Bink and Gollie was the best I’ve heard in a very long time.  She was hilarious and managed to answer every question in a way that appealed to both the kids and the adults in the audience.  Go Kate! More author talks should be like hers.).  Most people don’t have that opportunity.  Yet, I want to make the most of those opportunities….so, authors, please add a little more of a personal touch to your talks and I’ll be right in the front row, a happy camper.

The Things You Do For Research

The best writing of all comes from personal experience: “write what you know” is advice I’ve heard way more than once.  But sometimes you have to admit you don’t know everything.  You may know how your character would react to a break up…but not necessarily the way ancient Romans would express heartbreak.  Or, you might want to set your story in Dickensian London…but don’t know the vernacular of the time.  Sometimes, you just need to research something.  And writers today are lucky; at the tip of our fingertips you can research just about any topic out there. You name it; you can find something about it on the internet, and lots more things you never even thought to think about. 

When writing my YA novel, The Rose of Coracus, I’ve done my fair share of research online.  Although my novel takes place in a fantastic quasi-medieval kingdom, I want some elements to be relatively historically accurate.  Or, at the very least, I need the right vocabulary to describe types of dress, medieval warfare or architecture.  I spent one afternoon looking up medieval castle floor plans…you’d really be surprised what’s on the web!

Sometimes, though, research takes you a bit further than a simple Google search.  I’ve made more than one boyfriend jump when they see “babynames.com” in my research search history.  Calm down guys, I’m just researching character names! (Side note: I really do love character names that have an additional meaning or ones that help further detail the setting/culture of the novel.  For example, I named all the characters of a particular ethnic group linguistically similarly: female names end in –a or –i, and often come from Eastern European or Balkan backgrounds.  Details count, even ones that your readers might not be consciously aware of!).

This past weekend, though, my research reached a new high…or low…depending on how you want to look at it.  I attended the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park.  Now, I’ll admit, my not-quite-entirely-inner nerd has always wanted to attend a Renaissance Faire, just to see what it’s like.  But when I realized that this past weekend’s event would actually be beneficial to my manuscript, I had to attend.  I was most keen on seeing medieval combat in action; it’s pretty darn hard to describe action realistically and dramatically if you don’t even know what it’s supposed to look like in the first place!  The highlights were that some people were dressed in what I imagine to be realistic costumes, I heard unique music (with instruments I’ve never seen before and might now include in my manuscript), and saw medieval blacksmithing techniques (key because that’s the trade of my main character’s father). Overall, the Medieval Festival was interesting, although geared more towards kids than I would have liked, not all that authentic (there was a Quiddich match…cool, but probably didn’t exist in medieval times) and I missed the jousting…but I did see a real live unicorn!  All in all, it was a cool experience on a beautiful fall day that at least got me thinking in the realm of medieval-ness.

The next book I write, though, I think I’m going to set in an ancient Scottish castle or Prague or an exotic Polynesian island.  Cause a research trip couldn’t hurt. ;-)