Must Have Books of 2011

Like my Sisters in Scribe, Kristi and Valerie, I've set a reading plan/goal for 2011. My goal, is to read the books I already have before purchasing new ones. Except those must-have books that are coming out this year.

There are still a lot I must have from last year, like SLICE OF CHERRY! How I missed that release date is beyond me. But I plan on hitting up the bookstore on Friday night so that's covered. Yeah, outside of the plan BUT that book came out in 2010 and I had planned to buy it before I made the new year plan, so it's okay. Hush.

I honestly haven't paid much attention to a whole lot of the 2011 new releases, not because I don't want to, I've just been that busy. Some that I am aware of and must have are:

THE DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES by Carrie Ryan

FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater

*Secret Novel* by Maggie Stiefvater

*no cover image*

BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton

BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris (and you guys should be ready for that one too--we *might* have something special over at SIS when it comes out.)

POSSESSION by Elana Johnson

THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab

HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire

*no cover image*

CORSETS AND CLOCKWORK by Various (includes a short by Dia Reeves)

And I'm just going to stop there because this list is really long.

What are some of your must-have books for 2011? Share so I can make said list even longer. Mwauahahahaha! (That's an evil laugh.)

Books on Writing

I'm knee deep in revisions, so I thought I'd pick up a couple of books on writing this week, and both of them (so far) are excellent. Here they are.

Stephen King's On Writing

Part memoir, part cheerleader. Not so much a how-to book on writing, but more of an empowering and entertaining read from one of America's most beloved writers.

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

This is the first book in this series that I've read. So far I'm really enjoying it. Some of the steps in this book might seem like a no-brainer to you, but some of us need it spelled out. If you're part of the former, it never hurts to have a good reminder.

There are a lot of great examples in here on scene structure, building suspense in dialog, creating a bond with your reader via your main character, character arc, plotting, revising, etc. There are different activities you can try out on your own to see what works and why.

I've been told this is a great series to go with and so far, I'd have to agree.

I'd like to hear your recommendations. Read any great books on writing recently? Have you read either of these two books?

Come Chat with Me!

Hello!

I won't be blogging much, or probably at all, until after Labor Day, so I wanted to give you all a head's up and let you know that on Tuesday August 31st at 6:30pm EST, I will be chatting with Barry Eva on his Blog Talk Radio show, A Book and Chat (Or Across the Pond).

I'll be speaking with Barry via telephone, but there is also a live chat program where you can chat among other listeners, or ask a question. I won't be on my computer, unfortunately, (I might die from this) but I'm sure Barry will relay any questions to me. If you don't have access to the internet for whatever reason, but you still want to listen, just call (347) 237-5398 at 6:30pm EST. There is an option to speak, or just to sit and listen where nobody will hear you.

I should warn you, I do not have a voice that was made for radio and I am super nervous. I don't even like speaking on the phone. Sad to say, the internet has become my major social outlet. *sigh* But Barry is British, so he's fun to listen to and a great host! :-)

I will have some news (possibly the first official news) on a new literary venture I've been fortunate enough to partake in, so make sure you tune in!

Assuming someone actually listens and I'm not talking to the e-crickets. Which might not be a bad thing.

Happy Weekend!

Book Recommendation.

OPEN YOUR EYES

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she'd made her peace with it. But she can't handle dragging Cabel down with her.




She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He's amazing. And she's a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves--she has to disappear. And it's going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life--and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she'd ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out...

He reaches toward her, his fingers black and bloody, his eyes deranged, unblinking. Janie is paralyzed. His cold hands reach around her neck, squeezing tight, tighter, until Janie has no breath left. She's unable to move, unable to think. As his grasp tightens further around Janie's neck, his face turns sickly alabaster. He strains harder and begins to shake.

Janie is dying.
She has no fight left in her.
It's over.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; 1 edition (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416979182
• ISBN-13: 978-1416979180

I loved this series. I admit I liked WAKE and GONE a bit more than FADE, but it's definately a series I recommend reading. Each book is told in third person present tense, which is something I haven't seen in too many books and it can be a little weird at first. Lisa's writing and Janie's voice are so seamless and strong that once you get into the book, you don't even notice the tense. These books are a little bit dark, so if you're looking for gentle reading, this probably isn't the series for you.

Author Closet

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Author Charliane Harris, Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood), is cleaning out her closet for the next few days. She's offering up quite a few different editions of her books including some from Finland, Germany, Britain, Sweden, and Japan. She's accepting cashiers check or paypal to cover the cost of the book and the shipping and she's offered to sign and personalize any of the books.

I missed her signing in my home city so I've ordered myself a copy of the True Blood Omnibus! :D

Follow this link to see what she has available and for more info on who to contact: http://www.charlaineharris.com/closet.html

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful, poetic, timeless read. Fans of Suzanne Collins' HUNGER GAMES and Carrie Ryan's FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH will devour this book.

View all my reviews >>

Product Description

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life sheÕs known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

About the Author

Ally Condie received a degree in English Teaching from Brigham Young University and spent a number of years teaching high school English in Utah and in upstate New York. She lives with her husband and three sons outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

http://www.allysoncondie.com/

The Dead Tossed Waves

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385736843
• 
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Product Description

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

Last week, I recommended THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, so of course I've got to recommend it's equally awesome companion novel this week. I think I may have enjoyed this one even more than FOHT. Lots of unexpected twists, thrilling action, great imagery. It's a big more *gross* than FOREST, but if you're like me you kind of like gross. I highly recommend this book.

SEA book trailer.

The official book trailer for Heidi R. Kling's SEA is out now! Great job, Vania, on another awesome book trailer!

What do you think? Head over to Heidi's blog to enter for your chance to win a mystery book!

$28.2 million cut from city libraries

Library branches on Staten Island face big cuts

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/library_branches_on_staten_isl.html

By Howard W. Siner

May 31, 2009, 2:15PM

Advance file photoPublic Library at St. George is among those facing cuts in hours and resources.

Drastic city budget cuts could slash hours at Staten Island's public libraries at a time when record numbers of residents are using them to borrow free books and movies and as an employment resource.

The mayor's budget, which needs City Council approval by June 30, includes a proposed 22 percent cut, or $28.2 million, to the city's libraries.

For the New York Public Library, six-day service -- only restored in 2007 following cuts made in the aftermath of Sept. 11 -- would be lost and 435 employees could be laid off.

This when attendance is up systemwide by 12 percent, much of that by the unemployed searching for jobs, according to Paul LeClerc, president and CEO of the NYPL, which also includes branches in Manhattan and the Bronx. Circulation is also up by more than 17 percent.

Traditionally, LeClerc said, Staten Island's 12 branch libraries have the highest use per capita among all branches. More than 2,000 have used them to look for work in the last year.

A similar uptick in attendance was seen during the Great Depression.

"We have opposing factors on a collision course," LeClerc said during an Advance Editorial Board meeting. "As the recession takes a hold on New Yorkers and Staten Islanders, the libraries are being used more and more.

"DVDS are flying off the shelves by people who can't afford to rent movies. People can't afford books. They are all coming to the library for our free services.

" At the same time, we've potentially got a huge, huge reduction coming that might limit how many hours these places can be open."

LeClerc pressed for a restoration of funding in testimony before the City Council last week and has met privately with several Council members.

"We are not unmindful of the difficulty the city faces, we're just asking for enough to keep us open six days a week," he said.

Many branches would revert to a four- or five-day schedule with average weekly hours reduced from 52 to 32. The cuts would result in 3.4 million fewer visits -- there were 17.5 million in the past year -- including 680,000 by children and young adults.

There would also be 5 million fewer circulated materials.

Also at stake on the Island is family programming, which has seen an increase of 78 percent, and the summer reading programming, up 20 percent last summer from 2007.

Visits by teens are also on the rise.

Attendance at summer programs is expected to spike as parents tell library staff members that they can no longer afford camp tuition, according to Marisa Parish, the library network manager for the Island's branches. They are asking about free activities for their children as an alternative.

"We're expecting more kids and a lot of families," she said.

An e-advocacy campaign prompts visitors to the NYPL Web site to send e-mails to their elected officials and to make donations -- $19,000 has been raised since the pop-up ad was created a little more than two weeks ago and 1,500 letters sent in its first three days.

Tables are set up in the branch libraries asking patrons to do the same.

And celebrity messages are being recorded and teens are creating YouTube videos pleading with the mayor to restore funding.

"The library is such an integral part of so many people's lives," said Deanna Lee, an NYPL spokeswoman. "The loss is great in so many different ways, but what you can't see on paper is the human element."

Contributed by Stephanie Slepian

Waiting on Wednesday: Week 12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

To Be Released on August 1, 2010

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• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316034479

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing. (from Little Brown)

About the Author

Michelle Zink lives in New York and has always been fascinated with ancient myths and legends. Never satisfied with simply reading them, she usually ends up asking, "What if?" Sometimes asking only leads to more questions, but every now and then, when everything falls into place just right, a story is born. Prophecy of the Sisters is one of those stories.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

• 
  
• 
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• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385736827
• ISBN-13: 978-0385736824

An ALA Best Books for Young Adults
A New York Times Best Seller

In Mary's world, there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village....

Mary has always lived in the village, protected by the fences that keep the undead from devouring her. She's dreamed of a life beyond the fences, of the ocean in the stories her mother told her about life before the Return. Her hope has all but faltered until the day Gabrielle wanders in from the forest. Until the day the fences are breached.

Heart-stopping, eye-popping. This books is incredible! One can't help but feel connected to Mary and her world. To feel her yearning for the ocean and to solve the mysteries surrounding the Sisterhood and the Guardians.

The ending does leave something to be desired but have no fear, THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES is here!

Part horror, part romance, this book is impossible to put down.

Visit Carrie on the web at http://www.carrieryan.com/

and check out the awesome trailer!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m18KFIH7XSEF5H

BEA and Class of 2010 Authors!

Got this lovely email from YA Author, Shannon Delany (13 TO LIFE), and I wanted to pass the information along.

Greetings book bloggers and Class of 2k10 members!

We have about 20 book bloggers currently interested in talking to members of the Class of 2k10 and, speaking for my classmates—we’re excited to chat with each and every one of you!

I'm sending these emails out in shifts (so my account doesn't totally freak out) so if you want to spread the word that's awesome but some bloggers won't get this until tomorrow.

Shari Maurer and Denise Jaden have been absolutely amazing getting things organized for the Class! At this moment the Class schedule looks like this (things with ** are possibilities I want your input on, folks).

Monday, May 24:

Some of our authors will be attending the Teen Author Carnival (list is still officially TBA)

Tuesday, May 25:

**Meet Shannon Delany & other assorted Class of 2k10 members at BEA between 10 am-12 pm at a table in the Javitts Center (precise location TBA)

**12:30 pm – Shannon Delany & any other bold adventurers will catch a subway and head to Central Park for photos and fun at the Alice in Wonderland statue and the John Lennon “Imagine” mosaic. Want to do a walking interview or something that’s photo-heavy for your blog? This might be fun for you to tag along on! Will there be a stop for coffee along the way? Possibly. And depending on timing and weather we may also hit Times Square.

Signing at Books of Wonder 6-8pm (some Class members will have books available, some will have swag and some will have chapbooks).

Wednesday, May 26:

Appearances at NYPL (10am-12pm) including:
Jame Richards (Three Rivers Rising), Janet Fox (Faithful), Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade), Swati Avasthi (Split), Bonnie Doerr (Island Sting), Irene Latham (Leaving Gee’s Bend), Alexandra Diaz (Of All the Stupid Things)

Book signing at The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, NY (4pm) http://www.thevoraciousreader.com

Thurs, May 27:

**10am-11:30 am Shannon will again be staking out a spot at BEA for herself and other members of Class of 2k10 to meet and chat with bloggers.

**12pm If you haven’t gotten to Times Square yet (and want to) Shannon will probably be headed that direction. But it’ll be a quick trip since Shannon’s gotta be at NYPL at 3!

Appearances at NYPL (3-5pm) including:
Leah Cypess (Mistwood), Shannon Delany (13 to Life), Judith Graves (Under My Skin), Kitty Keswick (Freaksville), Shari Maurer (Change of Heart), Denise Jaden (Losing Faith), Rhonda Hayter (The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams).

IF these times won’t work for you, let me know ASAP and I’ll see what I can do to reconfigure stuff. I want as many bloggers to get a chance to chat with the Class of 2k10 as possible, so hit me with your ideas! I’m not big on being cooped up inside, so when there’s a chance to get out and see the sites, I try to—and I generally don’t mind folks tagging along, either.

Next week I'll send out a handy-dandy attachment that includes the authors attending, their books, sites, etc and the bloggers attending, your blogs, etc. so everyone can become a little better acquainted.

Looking forward to your input (and meeting you all in person at BEA)!

~Shannon

http://ShannonDelany.com

http://13toLife.us/blog

http://twitter.com/Shannon_Delany

New Novella by Stephanie Meyer

In case you haven't heard, and I'm sure most of you have, Little Brown Books for Young Readers will release The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner on June 5th.

This novella follows newborn vampire, Bree Tanner(featured in Eclipse), as she gathers her vampire army and closes in on the Cullens and Bella Swan.

Meyer said that the short was originally created to be shown on her website, then later she had planned to include it in the Twilight guide, but the story was too long.

The Sky is Everywhere

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1 edition (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803734956
• ISBN-13: 978-0803734951

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http://theskyiseverywhere.com/synopsis.php

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

I LOVED this book! It easily ranks on my top 5 list of 2010. The characters in this book are so vivid and unique, and the prose is beautiful. Like Heidi R Kling said to me on twitter, "It's like diving into a poem."

The Sky is Everywhere is like diving into a painful, beautiful, epic poem.

Book Giveaway! Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

Enter to win a signed (and doodled!) BALLAD by Maggie Stiefvater, courtesy of Susan, aka Wastepaper Prose at http://bit.ly/bQc8eH

Cover Art!

In 2009, FALLEN by Lauren Kate was released from Delacorte. The cover for the sequel, TORMENT, was just released and it is so awesome, I have to share.

"Boys in books are just better."

***My weekly post at http://sistersinscribe.blogspot.com/ Follow the link for more discussion.***

I saw this on one of those blinky avatar things this morning and it made me chuckle, but then I realized, it's actually true. In most cases. Not mine because my husband totally rocks. Seriously. But I remember my dating/high school years very clearly. Boy were better in books. No offense, guys.

As some of you know, I am a big vampire fan. Always have been long before the Cullen's took the stage. Blame Brad Pitt, because he was one sexy ass vampire, even to an eleven year old girl.

Yum. I totally envied Kirsten Dunst in this movie.

What makes boys in books so awesome? Depends on what you like. I like danger but not a bad boy. I like them intelligent, chivalrous, and sentimental. Which is why I love vampires. You can have a totally desirable boy, with old world charm who also wants to eat you.

So lets list some of our (my) favorite fictional boys:

Louie - Interview With the Vampire. Obvious reasons.

Eric Northman - Southern Vampire Mysteries. Eric is a bad boy on the outside, but there is so much more to him the farther you read into the series. And, hello? He's a Viking!

Bill Compton- Southern Vampire Mysteries. Bill is a true Southern Gentleman. With fangs.

Sam Winchester-Supernatural. Sam is sweet, smart and strong. And, especially in the latest episodes, he's frigging gorgeous. (Yes, a fictional character can make an actor more attractive. Look at Hugh Laurie as House.) But Sam is also dangerous. If you've seen the show, you know what I mean. If you haven't, you should.

Balthazar- Evernight series. All the reasons I listed above.

Dimitri Belikov-Vampire Academy. His devotion to his duty, and to Rose make him a favorite. And being a big sexy Russian, who is also half vampire helps.

Hmm... 5 vampires and a boy who is addicted to drinking demon blood. Eeek! Thinking of a human...

Dean! - Gilmore Girls. Love Dean, and Dean is a normal boy. We like to see the boy chasing after the girl.

Will - The Luxe.

No real danger will Dean or Will, but they both have the sweet, love-struck boy thing going for them.

I'm going to stop now, because clearly I have a bigger thing for vampires than I thought. In short, I like danger and I like power. But I want it wrapped up in a good-looking package, and tied with a gentlemanly bow. When you finally meet the love interest in my work-in-progress, FATED, you will totally see that. I realize real boys can't compete with a thousand year-old vampire, or a boy who can exercise demons with his mind, but have no fear guys. Just be confident in your self, but humble enough to kiss her butt from time to time.

So who are some of your favorite fictional boys and why?

Come Chat!

Book Giveaway!

The fabulous Elana Johnson is giving away 7 signed YA books, to celebrate her 700 followers! Go here to enter.

In My Mailbox Week 5

In My Mailbox is brought to you by Kristi at The Story Siren.

This week, I have ICECORE by Matt Whyman, courtesy of The Latnier Gang Book Review Spot.

Product Description

Hypothermia is never far away.

When the shivering stops, that's when you should start to worry. It's your body's way of signaling that it's lost the battle to keep your blood warm. But by then you'll be too weak to retrace your steps. Chances are you'll be so confused and disoriented that you won't even recall what it was you were fleeing in the first place. All you'll want to do is lie down in the snow and close your eyes.

He's a seventeen-year-old British computer hacker who penetrated the security systems at Fort Knox for a laugh. But the American government was less than amused. Since his prank, gold bars have been landing in the hands of terrorists across the globe.

Now, Carl has found himself in a military prison deep in the Arctic and far off the grid. He's been caged alongside the world's most notorious terrorists, with no one to trust and no end in sight.

Carl Hobbes may not be a criminal mastermind, but if he wants to escape this subzero prison with his life, he'll have to start thinking like one.

About the Author

Matt Whyman is the author of such books as Icecore and Boy Kills Man, an ALA Quick Pick. He lives with his wife and four children in England.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (November 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416949070
• ISBN-13: 978-1416949077