Hip Mama Jenn

New Blog!

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:45:03 GMT

I'm no longer adding new entries to LiveJournal. Please visit my new blog at: http://hipmamajenn.tumblr.com/

Get Perks for Supporting Lea Hernandez's NEW Graphic Novel Series- The Garlicks

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:47:33 GMT

Lea Hernandez is launching a new series of Graphic Novels called The Garlicks. The series will consist of four volumes and she is actively campaigning for funding on Indiegogo http://www.indiegogo.com/divaleathegarlicks

Pandora Garlick is a teen-aged vampire who has zero vampire abilities. Pandora's little sister Pamila, nick-named Ham, has numerous abilities including shape-shifting. She regularly turns into a flying fish (Fish-bat) which Pandora has to care for. There is a 6 page pilot story up for view at the indiegogo site.

Pandora's parents; Olive Garlick (a human/butcher) and Vourdain Garlick (vampire/barista) They own a business called Orange Espresso and Meats

The story will be available for viewing 3 color pages each week over the next 4 months at: www.thegarlicks.net

Lea Hernandez has a well respected and successful history in comics and illustrations. She has worked for Disney, published numerous short stories, maintains two web-comics and has authored 4 Graphic Novels. (click on the tag to read my previous posts about her work).

There are numerous perks available for supporters of the new book starting at $5!

Check out the site right away: http://www.indiegogo.com/divaleathegarlicks Only 65 hours remain in the campaign. PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS and lets make The Garlicks come to light!

See David Levithan & Maggie Stiefvater next Thurs. night in Houston!

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:15:23 GMT

Next Thursday night, October 25th, meet authors David Levithan & Maggie Stiefvater at the Chamipons Village Barnes & Noble at 6 PM. They will be reading from the books and there is also time allotted to meet them and have books signed.

(This is pic is from when we saw Davis on his tour for Every You, Every Me -Fall 2011)

I’ve written about David and his work on my blog on numerous occasions, (please follow the tags above to see past entries). He is a prolific and respected author. He describes his first novel Boy Meets Boy, as a “dippy, happy love story”, but it isn’t like anything that you’ve read before. It takes place in a school where the cheerleaders ride Harleys and the star quarterback goes by the name Infinite Darlene. He is also the author of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, which was turned into a successful motion picture and the moving piece on 9/11 entitled Love is the Higher Law. He co-wrote Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green. His last three novels have all been boundary pushers. In The Lover’s Dictionary he tells the story of a two year relationship in dictionary entries. In Every You, Every Me, is told with the aid of photographs and his latest book Everyday, challenges readers to transcend our physical beings.

(I had the chance to see Maggie twice this Spring. This pic is from TLA in April 2012).

Maggie Stiefvater introduces herself on her website like this:

“I write books. Some are about homicidal faeries. Some are about werewolf nookie.
Some are about neither.”

Her books are both wildly popular and critically acclaimed. The Shiver trilogy is the werewolf set. Next she wrote the Book of Faieries. The Scorpio Races received a starred review on both Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist and was a Michael L. Printz Award Honor title of 2012. Her latest title The Raven Boys is also receiving rave reviews and has appeared on numerous bestseller lists. I had the opportunity to see Maggie at TeenBookCon earlier this year. Please follow the tags to read more about it.

I hope to see you at Barnes & Noble next Thursday night!

The Upside of The Downside of Being Charlie by Promising New Author Jenny Torres Sanchez

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:03:19 GMT

Charlie isn’t your typical YA protagonist. He struggles with his weight, to the point that he develops bulimia. He doesn’t excel socially, in sports or any other way at school until he discovers photography. Charlie’s life is atypical in many ways. He’s an only child with an emotionally damaged Mom who leaves and returns on a whim and a father who is embroiled in an affair. Throughout the novel Charlie is not only tending to his own needs, but he is also trying to predict the mood of his parents and what their needs may be. As dark as the story sounds, I fear that such conditions are a reality for many teens and the rendering of Charlie under the gentle hands of Jenny Torres Sanchez is both gentle and honest. Charlie will not win any awards for being the most loveable character in YA fiction. He has an undying crush on a pathetically shallow girl, he selfishly locks himself away from his Dad and he participates in bullying an easy target at school. I found the complexity of his imperfections refreshing, even if they are painful to read about. Although, like life there are many components to the story it is at its root about Charlie admitting that he has an eating disorder.

"But the truth is, it’s hard to constantly have to admit how screwed up my family is.
It’s hard to constantly need to be saved.”

At the beginning of the book Charlie has just returned from fat camp and although he likes the way that he looks, he is also leery of the new attention that he is receiving due to his new physique. He gets attention from the girl of his dreams, Charlotte and his desire to be appealing to her mixed with the emotional chaos that he experiences over his mother’s condition and his father’s indiscretions push his eating issues into overdrive. He begins a dangerous pattern or binge and purge that accelerates as the story progresses.
I find Charlie’s innocence endearing rather than unrealistic. Not all kids mature at the same rate. For example, he has never been in a girl’s room before. He has no sisters, cousins or friends with sisters and when the first room that he ever sees is the room of his love interest Charlotte VanderKleaton. Charlie has a quirky best friend Ahmed who is obsesses with the Rat Pack and a caring teacher Mr. Killinger who keeps Charlie motivated during difficult times.

Besides the effective narrative there are many hidden layers in the book that can be dug through. This would be an excellent book to write a paper on, is a worthy tool for any teen struggling with an eating disorder and is just a worthwhile read overall. I’m anxious to see what comes next from the promising new writer Jenny Torres Sanchez.

OMG!!! Firefly Reunion on Science Channel - We're Talking About Wild West Spaceships

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:44:35 GMT

Firefly fans have been watching and re-watching the perfect 14 episodes of the show for the last ten years wondering… “Will we ever see another episode?” Rumors have constantly circulated that there would be more episodes but as we all sat through countless ridiculous programs waiting and hoping for the return of the smart and thrilling show, our dreams were dashed. Yes, we had the temporary thrill of seeing Serenity, a film based on the pilot episode of Firefly in 2005, but the show died before it’s time. Like most great things- it died, but was not forgotten. At any Con, costume party or sci-fi celebration you are sure to run into a Captain Mal, Kaylee or Wash, some of television’s most memorable characters. You’ve never heard of them? Now is the time to acquaint yourself with the wonder that is Joss Whedon’s series Firefly. Any fan of Whedon’s other work, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Song will be sure bets to love this show. Its quick wit, complex subtext and diverse but relatable characters are endearing and become a part of the story of your own life once you meet them. Captain Mal (Nathan Fillion) has a flawed leadership that holds his ramshackle family together. Zoe is Mal’s war comrade and her husband Wash, who wears Hawaiian shirts and plays with dinosaurs, is the best pilot in the verse. Add Kaylee, a cute and mechanically inclined girl with simple taste and Jayne, the muscle of the ship who names his weapons and you start to see the sweet complexity of the show. Now let me explain the setting, imagine the wild west of America, in outer space with our superhero being Captain Mal, a well-meaning Browncoat (rebel), who smuggles from the government for the good of the people. Of course there is plenty of sexy, this is one of the first shows to feature the voluptuous Christina Hendricks, now known as Joanie from Mad Men and plenty of adventures, they wern't called "Big Damn Heroes" for nothing!

Perhaps you can see how people that loved the show could see the value in rallying behind it. On November 10, 2012, the Science Channel is going to gift us with one precious hour of a Firefly reunion. In the show all of the primary stars reunite and discuss their thoughts about what gave the show such lasting power for its fans, how the show has changed their lives and more. Any show that takes the time to create its own universe, language, culture and history has room to be discussed and digested for years. This is just one tastier morsel for salivating Joss Whedon fans.

After Twilight Comic Book Series Ends In Delectable Chaos! Book 6 Available Now -NOT About Vampires

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:59:15 GMT

“For me After Twilight has been a labor of love, a story that has been a
part of my life for more than a decade – a story that is neither anti-Christian nor anti-faith
but is an exploration of the folly of extremism and violence.
Seeing that story finally manifest itself in physical form has been tremendously fulfilling.”
from the Final Word at the end of Issue 6 by author Gary Watson.

It was no mystery that the storyline would appeal to me; a rebel librarian named Jennifer living in Houston, fights against the religious authoritarian government in an attempt to reinstate freedom to society. Although there were a few bumps along the way, the overall story arch of the 6 issues of the comic book series After Twilight successfully portrayed a terrifying dystopian future in which religion has become so infused with law that most individual’s civil liberties are stripped. This is a society in which all areas from sexual activity to literature are monitored and anyone who goes outside of the prescribed lines is swept away to a re-education camp called “Camp Purity”.

Throughout the books we join Jen as she struggles to escape from the bereft and militant Sgt. Streetman and the police. She finds a group of renegades headed by the leader Jesse and with them she attempts to save the life of her sister Zoe and to get word out to society about the evil violence that is at the center of the authorities and the torture that occurs at Camp Purity.

The use of Houston as a setting was highlighted beautifully in the first couple of books. Landmarks could be distinguished, there was a character wearing what looks like a
James Avery bracelet, (a company based in Texas), and the language and dress of the characters had a Texas twang. There is stark stiff quality to the drawings that lends itself well to the story which although set in current day has echoes of our past and gives us a pause to reflect on the current political climate. The drawings therefore become almost timeless. Please follow the tag above for After Twilight to read more specific thoughts on each individual issue.

The series ends on a high note with issue 6 which doesn’t waste a frame. Page one begins with a brutal beating and before the final frame there is computer hacking, a jail break and the beginning of liberation from The Ministry of the Word. There is a fabulous final line to the book that I won’t share for fear of spoiling the thrill of reading it on your own.

This is a thoughtful, engaging series for older teens and adult readers. It attempts to open dialog and thoughts about pedagogy and politics and how the dogma of religion can squeak into policy and take over if it goes unchecked. It is a satisfying read that utilizes images to share in the storytelling in the manner of great comics. The books are available at Bedrock City Comics, 8th Dimension Comics and can be ordered directly from the After Twilight website.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore ATBF Recap- Who will SURVIVE? Did You Know That These Books Were Banned?

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:14:41 GMT

At this weekend's Austin Teen Book Fest Sarah Rees Brennan led a rousing panel: We're Not in Kansas Anymore, and the stakes were high. The panelist with the least amount of applause and laughter from the audience was going to be taken outside and murdered! She compiled false histories for each of the panelists to lighten the audience's sympathies but as all of the authors were visible at the signing at the end of the day, I now believe that the threat was a rouse. ; )

(Moderator Sarah Rees Brennan is introducing Libba Bray (flashing gang signs in hopes to survive) and Leigh Bardugo)

Rae Carson shared that she knew that she would write high fantasy after seeing Star Wars as a four year old. "...I knew that the force was with me, I knew that George Lucas and I were destined to be together and I knew that I wanted more stories about fantasy." Rae explained that Tattoine (a planet from Star Wars), was part of the inspiration for a desert location in her books and she said that they also have Spanish and Arabic influences including caves and bullfights. She was safe from certain death when she shared with the audience the story of how she came to the idea for the The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, she was having her naval pierced and thought that an amulet in the naval would make for an incredible story.

(Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl fighting for survival and Rae Carson being adorable)

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are the authors of the Beautiful Creatures (soon to be a major motion picture) series. Margaret worked hard to engage the audience and made sure that the moderator, Sarah, heard all of the audience interaction. She did not want to see her head on the chopping block. At one point Margaret explained the benefit of having a collaborator: "It makes it a little less intimidating. You feel less crazy because you are both hearing the same voices." One thing that the authors realized after having their book sold in over 48 countries is that teenagers are terrified in every country. "They feel that they have no say and are not able to decide anything for themselves."

Leigh Bardugo, whom according to Sarah Rees Brennan may or may not have committed a murder gangster style, chose to set her book Shadow and Bone in Russia because she grew up fascinated by the country and the story of Anastasia. "We have very disparate images of the country, brutality vs. beauty and these extremes work well for fantasy." She went on to explain how it was crucial to her to set up a distinct set of rules for the world that she was writing about. If they aren't rules then there is no reason that other worldly instruments can be brought into the story. "I remember reading Harry Potter and thinking, why doesn't somebody just shoot Voldermort? Let's muggle up and get this done."

Libba Bray secured her survival almost immediately by complimenting Sarah. She was not gonna die, not that day. Libba's new book The Diviners is set in America in the 1920's and there were many reasons why. "The 1920's feels like a film set. There is a unique language with slang and this is when youth culture really starts." She went on to talk about how our knowledge, or lack there of, changes society in dramatic ways, "...radiation was considered a health tool. Radium was sold and called "Perpetual sunshine in a bottle.'" She got a big holler of cheers further securing her survival when she said "When the going gets tough the tough get a librarian."

This week is Banned Books Week. It's a time for librarians, teachers and book lovers to spread awareness of attempts to limit what others have the opportunity to read. Each year the ALA (American Library Association) publishes a list of the most frequently challenged books and there are always surprises on the list. Each day this week I'll post two of the most challenged titles of 2011, (in descending order), as well as the reasons stated for the ban. Read a banned book today!

5) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group

6) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Reasons: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint

Review of the NEW Graphic Novel Broxo and Most Challenged Books of 2011 - Banned Books Week

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:49:55 GMT

Broxo is the debut fantasy graphic novel by Zack Giallongo and it is released today October 2, 2012. Although it is beautifully illustrated and does have brief moments of intensity and story clarity, there are too many confusing frames and sub-stories for me to fully recommend this title.

Broxo is the lone survivor of his village which was slain by their own ancestors who had become zombies because they didn’t blow on the Wylern to summon the Stag who would lead them to the underworld. Confused? I’m pretty sure that the projected teen and pre-teen intended audience will be too.

Broxo is visited by princess Zora who was sent to find the Perytons, the villagers who have been slain, in hopes that their villages could work and trade with each other. The adventure scenes are exciting and fabulously drawn, unfortunately when combined with the Norse, Neanderthal, Athenian, Lord of the Rings stew of mythologies they are complicated to follow. This is a beautiful book with a good sense of humor and will be appreciated by mid to late teen readers of deep fantasy but it’s too incoherent for the average graphic novel fan. Follow this link to see more of the book: http://us.macmillan.com/broxo/ZackGiallongo

My GoodReads rating: 3 stars

This week is Banned Books Week. It's a time for librarians, teachers and book lovers to spread awareness of attempts to limit what others have the opportunity to read. Each year the ALA (American Library Association) publishes a list of the most frequently challenged books and there are always surprises on the list. Each day this week I'll post two of the most challenged titles of 2011, (in descending order), as well as the reasons stated for the ban. Read a banned book today!

7) Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Reasons: insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit

8) What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones
Reasons: nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit

Highlights from The Thrill of the Chase Panel at Austin Teen Book Fest and Banned Books Week

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:18:03 GMT

Jennifer Lynn Barnes kept a swift and engaging discussion on this weekend’s The Thrill of the Chase Panel at Austin Teen Book Fest.

(Moderator Jennifer Lynn Barnes and author Will Richter)

Ally Carter is known for her popular Gallagher Girl series (for which there will be a 6th book released), which mix lots of comedy with the thrilling storytelling. When asked how she balances the high stakes with the humor she responded, “You pick your moments. Funny often comes from the supporting cast.” She got huge laughs from the audience as she went into several examples of times not to add a joke.

Will Richter compares his book Dark Eyes to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He discussed how family (whether it’s a traditional one or a constructed one), is the most critical component in young adult’s lives. He also shared advice in writing saying, “If you target what you’re writing next by what’s already out and popular, you’ll always be two or three years behind.” He went on to explain that after a book is written there is a long lag time before it is actually on the shelves and therefore chasing trends is useless.

(Eliot Schrefer and Ally Carter)

Eliot Schrefer’s book Endangered doesn’t fit easily into any genre. Sophie begrudgingly visits her mother in the Congo and falls in love with an infant bonobo. Simultaneously unrest in the nation is building and they become embroiled in the revolution. Schrefer fell in love with bonobo when he discovered their peace loving and matriarchal nature. He was influenced by the memoirs of Jane Goodall and the creatures’ similarities to humans. Bonobos share a whopping 98.7% of the same DNA as humans. Eliot shares that a theme in all of his books is that they are about outsiders trying to fit in and his advice to new writers is, “Be very kind to yourself while you’re creating.”

Lex Thomas (the writing duo Lex Hrabe and Thomas Voorhies) discuss the dark nature of their book Quarantine. When asked how they knew if they were taking things too far they responded “Someone has their nose bitten off in the first sentence so…” to which the audience erupted in laughter. Hrabe then shared “We have a benefit that there are two of us. It’s a great way to know what works.” Both authors agreed that it’s crucial for a thriller to have high stakes. In Quarantine two brothers are struggling to survive. “You have to know what you’re fighting for.”

This week is Banned Books Week. It's a time for librarians, teachers and book lovers to spread awareness of attempts to limit what others have the opportunity to read. Each year the ALA (American Library Association) publishes a list of the most frequently challenged books and there are always surprises on the list. Each day this week I'll post two of the most challenged titles of 2011, (in descending order), as well as the reasons stated for the ban. Read a banned book today!

9) Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Reasons: drugs; offensive language; sexually explicit

10) To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language; racism

Drama the NEW Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier Takes Behind the Scenes of Theater!

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:11:06 GMT

Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a funny and relevant graphic novel with warm, inviting illustrations that present us with realistic caricatures that could be found in any school USA. My only problem with the book is that throughout, I felt like I was reading about high school students rather than junior high school students and knowing that the kids were supposed to be in junior high took me out of the magic spell of the story.

Callie is smart, has a unique sense of style, (including pink and purple hair that no schools around here allow), and a drive to excel in what she loves, theater tech. Her friends aren’t the cloying, predictable cogs who often feel forced into stories written for this age group. Her friend Liz for example is there to listen to Callie about her experiences but is also quick to remind her that she has a lot of her own things going on. Two of Callie's new friends are the adorable brothers Jesse and Justin. The boys are both questioning their sexuality and although it is handled with respect, humor and honesty it is yet another plot that feels more authentic to a high school story.

Callie's technical department of her school’s theater department is more sophisticated then any I've seen. Not only have I never seen a junior high with the equipment, I’ve never heard of a program that would allow students of that age level the amount of responsibility and authority that Callie and her friends are allowed. It would be a rarity for a high school program to provide students with such opportunities let alone a junior high program. At one point Callie's friend Liz is redesigning dozens of Civil War era costumes all by herself and simultaneously Callie is creating a cannon that shoots off confetti.

That said, to see a play’s birth from the time that it is chosen and cast, through the rehearsals and design all the way to it’s production is a particular joy and Telgemeier does a great job of letting us peek at the process as she shares the passion and energy of theater with her readers. The book touches on friendships, romances, and questions what the results will be when the two intersect all in the time that it takes for one show to be produced.

Drama is an an excellent choice for junior high and high school readers. Especially if they have interest in theater and/or graphic novels. Although there is nothing blatantly offensive, like theater everyone has a different definition of what is appropriate and I would be reluctant to share this title with younger readers do to some of the mature content.

Fabric Book Art by Candace Hicks at Lawndale Art Center & The Hobbit releases a New Trailer!

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:19:10 GMT

(photo by: Alex Luster)

The Lawndale Art Center, which is arguably one of the most photographed buildings in Houston with a fabulous full-wall mural created by a group of Houston artists who call themselves the "F" team, currently has four art exhibits. Althougth they are all excellent, my choice of which to introduce was an easy one. Any avid reader or book lover will appreciate, ponder and perhaps fantasize about owning their own fabric book after seeing the exhibit Compositions by the artist Candace Hicks. The pieces that stood out to me were the books that Candace Hicks made completely out of fabric. On these each word and phrase is hand sewn. They vary in size. The one in the photograph is about the size of a traditional hardcover. There is also a book which fills a large conference table and then an even larger book which is adhered to a wall in the exhibit space.

She calls these hand-stitched books Common Threads. I wan unable to find a description of which books the texts were taken from or about the significance of the lines chosen. The concept however, was enough of a thrill for me.

"Sewing every line, letter, and illustration in the books enhances their status as objects." -Hicks

The exhibit offers white gloves for attendees to wear so that you can turn the pages, feel the stitching and admire the handy work and of course, read the books. Doesn't the idea of having a fabric book offer up a whole new meaning to the idiom "Curl Up with a good book."

*For more information regarding the exhibits, hours, etc visit the Lawndale Art Center website by clicking on the link above!*

A new trailer for the much anticipated Lord of the Rings prequel- The Hobbit was released this morning. The film by award winning film-maker Peter Jackson is based on the children's book, originally published in 1937 by J.R.R. Tolkein. The playful nature of the book is visible in the trailer.

This film will star Martin Freeman who many now know as the new Watson, side-kick to Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock. Not to fear, if you prefer Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch is also in the film as Smaug.

Jackson has a lot to live up to with this film as each of the three pictures leading up to this release was more critically acclaimed and financially successful than the last. This is the first in a two part series telling the Hobbit story.

Controversy also surrounds Jackson for filming the picture at a brisk 48 frames per second. He made the choice because he argues that it creates a much more crisp and realistic picture and many in the industry have been fighting to get 48 frames per second as the new industry standard. The backlash comes from another set of film-makers and film-goers who argue that the extreme reality of the visuals make it obvious that you are viewing a set. The quick film rate detects too much detail and doesn't allow for the ambiguity and muddiness of a traditional viewing experience.The process has also been described as making things appear glossy. I'm looking forward to seeing the film, based on one of my all time favorite books and deciding for myself.

The film is slated for release on December 14, 2012.

Dark retelling of fairy tales for ages 14+ in Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:49:21 GMT

Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses is a collection of modernized and deftly spooled re-told classic fairy tales. The first tale, The Stepsisters, lets you know that this is not your kiddie, Disney-fied fairy tale. It explains how Ella is desirable “a little thigh showing here, some soot at her cleavage.” The story goes on to explain how Mother wants the girls to find “…anybody, really, with a penis and a pulse.”

Some of the tales are more effective than others. I particularly appreciated the Rapunzel tale which was told in five parts each from the perspective of a different character.

One of the least effective tales for me was the Hansel & Gretel retelling in which the kids “…promise to be brother and sister forever. And Murderers. And Thieves.”

The stories are complimented by exquisite paper-cuts created by Andrea Dezso. The non-traditional shape of facial features and use of shadows help seal in the folk feeling for the reader.

The book could be of interest to high school or young college age students who are curious about alternate versions of the classic tales, but I don’t see that there is a large market for this collection and as it is a slim volume, under 100 pages, it would get lost in many library collections.

Melissa Marr Shares her Inspirations for Carnival of Souls and Dishes on Great Books to Read!

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:50:15 GMT

Melissa Marr’s new book Carnival of Souls is described as a tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny. Ms. Marr shared that her inspiration for the book came to her after a visit to Rome.

“It (Rome) has this weird juxtaposition of life and history.”

She went on to describe a faerie market that she attended there where everyone was masked and in various levels of dress, some only wearing body paint.

Melissa was also inspired by the song Far From Home by Five Finger Death Punch which begins with the line “Another day in the carnival of souls.” The song made her think about how we are all born into a specific station in life, (by religion, gender, religion, class), and she asked herself, “What would you be willing to do to change your future?”

Ms. Marr said that she does have the follow-up book ready and it’ll be named Theater of Defeat. She also shared that she likes to do stand alone novels. It gives her the opportunity to enter into different worlds more rapidly.

“I write commercial fiction. I’m not planning on winning any awards. I’m telling a story.”

Melissa listed Neil Gaiman, Kelley Armstrong, Stephen King and William Faulkner as some of her favorite writers. She also shared several titles that she has enjoyed recently:

• Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd (January 2013 release)
• Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (December 2012 release)
• Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (October 2012 release)
• Rachel Caine has a Romeo & Juliet based book due in Summer 2013
• Romans and Shadows by Kelley Armstrong (I could find no info online)
• Rags and Bones: a collection of short stories (slated for a Fall 2013 release from Little Brown)

There is an exceptional interactive website for the series called Enter the Carnival. It includes character profiles, excerpts from the book, and a playlist of songs that Melissa Marr listened to while writing the book. There is also a place to ask question which Ms. Marr checks and responds as often as possible.

Melissa Marr author of Carnival of Souls gives advice on writing, finding an agent and more!

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:05:00 GMT

“I do no outlining. Writing for me is all consuming; it’s like falling in love.”

Yesterday Best-selling author Melissa Marr had a book signing at Murder by the Books and it entailed much more the traditional author schedule; brief intro, description of book and answering a few generic questions. Ms. Marr read her crowd and adapted her session accordingly. The audience was full of bloggers, teachers, novice writers and discussions varied from finding a good agent and the myth that an optioned book will be turned into a film to advice on how to become a stronger writer and a list of recommended reads.

“This job can be completely chaotic and accidental.”

Melissa studied literature in college which gave her an appreciation for the story arc necessary to write a good book.

“A conflict is set up that must be resolved at the end of the book.
I don’t believe in cliffhangers just for the purpose of cliffhangers.”

Often writers are told that they should get everything down and not look back at their writing until the entire story is done. At that point they should dive back into the work and rewrite. That has never worked for Melissa.

“I don’t do rough drafts. I start each day at page one. My husband calls it taffy pulling.”

She explained how she starts at page one and fills out her text from there. Ms. Marr went on to explain that she thinks that creative writing classes can do more harm than good. She explained how many people who want to write end up so bogged down by the class rules that they can’t see which parts of their writing are weakening the story. They feel that because a section was in their original outline it must stay in the book. She recommends learning how to disassemble literature and study what works and why it works. Melissa agrees with Stephen King and numerous other authors that creative writing classes can be more detrimental then helpful.

“My best strength is that I know how to take my work apart.”

Ms. Marr’s honesty about the difficulty of the profession was refreshing. She discussed many aspects of the publishing experience from the harrowing process of coming up with an appealing cover with an image that reveals the true nature of the book to the significance of choosing the right agent who’ll work for your best interests.

“You want an agent who has legitimate records of sales to the big six publishers.”

Melissa also suggested that when you’re ready to choose an agent make sure that:

• They specialize in your genre.
• They are “scary” (will fight for you).
• They have a good record of significant and major deals.

She also suggested that before signing with an agent authors should Google the agent that they are considering. You may uncover interesting information about the agent’s work ethic, good or bad, by seeing what is written about them.

**Come back to my blog tomorrow to learn about some of Melissa Marr’s favorite books, what inspired her to write Carnival of Souls and to learn a bit about her pre-author life.**

The Breakthrough Book: Chopsticks is a MUST READ with Music, YouTube and an iphone App- Revolutinary

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:36:01 GMT

I was immediately attracted to Chopsticks with a full color photograph in soft focus of two beautiful people ready to kiss, gorgeous lettering for the title and it's size 8x9 1/2 is untraditionally intriguing for a YA book. Although this is categorized as a YA book I encourage, urge, demand, that any and everyone interested in avant garde literature give this book a read.

Author Jessica Anthony and Illustrator Rodrigo Corral have taken an effective new approach to storytelling which breaks open contemporary bonds for what a book "should" look like. Using full color two page spread photographs, segments of sheet music, newspaper clippings, photo album pages, labels, paintings, recital programs and more we are introduced to the mysterious life and disappearance of Glory Fleming. Glory is a piano prodigy who we assume has been home-schooled by her father. We see that her mother, who was a wine distributor was killed in a motorcycle accident when she was a young girl. Glory meets a boy, Francisco, from Argentina and they become intimate friends who dream of running away together. We see the instant messages, photographs, postcards, mixed CD's and art that they exchange and watch the complicated tango of their relationship.

One of the beauties of this book and a truth that holds to most good art, is that it is open to multiple interpretations. We see that Glory is regularly sent away to a rest facility called Golden Hands. Does she suffer from mental illness? is that why she stopped playing a profound piece and slipped into the song Chopsticks while at a major concert? Is that why she had reportedly played the song Chopsticks for hours on end? It would also explain a mysterious email that we see between Glory's father and his friend which says "When you said you already lost Maria and were afraid of losing Glory too, I didn't know what you meant." That said the issue of Glory's sanity, Francisco's reality and the finale of the book are all at issue for debate, and what a delicious debate it is! Pouring over the book numerous times is a delectable treat for those that like to solve a mystery and who appreciate the complexities of everyday life.

Some of my favorite sticking points of discovery:

Glory lives on Usher Street. This made me think of the classic short story The Fall Of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe. In the story Rodrick Usher suffers from acute anxiety and other mental disorders.
There is a marked theme to the films whose cases are shown in numerous photos. The Pianist, The Piano, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The Corpse Bride all feature passionate characters who are arguably mad.
Paublo Neruda is the author often quoted in the work. His sonnet No I Love You is visible as well as a collection of his work and several quotes of his are scattered throughout.
Dandelions are symbolic for the young lovers. Although many think of the dandelion as a weed, historically they are thought of us a valuable herb. They are a positive symbol and if one dreams of a dandelion it means that they will have a happy union. Traditionally the dandelion symbolizes hope, summer and childhood

The lists of music both the songs that Glory plays and that the lovers give to each other also reveal secrets of their love story. I have created two plays lists based on the book on Spotify. One with the piano pieces mentioned I called Chopsticks- piano. It features all of the music that I could find that Glory plays on piano. The other list is simply called Chopsticks and features all of the songs that I could find that the lovers send to each other. I can share these with you via Twitter or Facebook.

I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that the book is also available as an interactive app. At my last checking the app was $6.99 and is completely interactive. You can read the book straight through or follow numerous links to view clips that the characters mention as well as hear songs that they discuss.

I could go on for days proclaiming the wonders of this remarkable book- definitely one of the most intriguing, beautiful, challenging and fulfilling reads of the year.

Funny read for Grade 3-7: Planet Tad and a "don't miss" blog link to an interview with Hope Larson!

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:09:26 GMT

“I also rented the movies Volcano and Dante’s Peak. Applying the scientific method, I now have a
hypothesis that all movies about volcanoes suck.”

Tim Carvell is an Emmy award winning writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart so it’s no surprise that his book Planet Tad succeeds at creating dozens of laughs. The book fleshes out Carvell’s series for Mad Magazine also named Planet Tad. The book consists of blog entries from twelve-year-old American boy Tad. We follow him as he flounders through the school year and into his summer which is in no way what he expected it to be. He has a smart and conniving younger sister, Sophie, whose adventures include a brief foray into vegetarianism and lending her brother a large sum of money with an exorbitant interest attached. One effective component of the book is that Tad comes off as being a genuine and intelligent person who is always trying to figure out life, love and what is going on around him.

“If you’re going to make up a mythical animal, why not make up bicorns, tricorns, quadricorns, and so on?”

If Tad’s charm, witty thoughts and self-deprecating humor aren’t enough to woo readers, perhaps the dozens of pop culture references will do the job. Varying from the movies Star Wars and Pocahontas to the videogame Sword of Valkyries to advertising characters like the Kool-Aid Man the book is chock-full of every-day references. Tad is by no means a perfect boy. He teases his sister and uses sassy and gross-out humor that will keep fans of the Captain Underpants and Wimpy Kid's books satisfied. This is a fun, fast read for almost any young reader who is seeking a good laugh.

I also wanted to point out a blog entry: http://badassdigest.com/2012/09/03/badass-interview-wrinkle-in-times-hope-larson-talks-comics-and-her-new-shor/ which features the remarkable Hope Larson. She is the author/illustrator for the glorious upcoming graphic novel version of Margaret L’Engle’s masterwork A Wrinkle in Time. She is also a filmmaker and ice cream aficionado. The blog entry features an interview, photos and some insight into Hope’s first film. Stay tuned for my review of A Wrinkle in Time at the end of September.

Don't miss out on your LAST CHANCE to see It's Because I Love You: The Blue Dozen Collective

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:49:38 GMT

Don't miss out on your LAST CHANCE to see the show:

"It's Because I Love You"
by
The Blue Dozen Collective

Tonight is the last night: Closing Reception (no cover) from 6-11PM

at
East End Studio Gallery 708 Telephone Rd. Ste. C

"The show evokes themes of struggle and justification. Struggle is a constant in life, yet the rationalizations for reaction to struggle vary. The Blue Dozen Collective uses this as an impetus for creating paintings and installations full of observational narrative. The artists’ range of talent and style offer a diversity of perspectives to the exhibition. BDC artists have previously explored their individual paths to style and subject matter, but “Its Because I Love You” debuts their first holistic approach to sending a message with their artwork in a truly collaborative way."

The Blue Dozen Collective's first collective concept group exhibition, “Its Because I Love You,” opened on Friday, August 17, at 6pm, at the East End Studio Gallery. The BDC artists include Bryan Cope, Briks, Robert Kilsby, Teri Lazardi, Brad Maxfield, Moe, Bryan Lee, Tres Hoyt, Mike Johnston, Heath Speakmen, and Wiley Robertson.

(all photos by me- quoted text from the group's invite)

Skip the Archie Spin-Off Graphic Novel Jinx and Go Buy Sept. JUXTAPOZ magazine feat. Daniel Clowes!

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:02:42 GMT

I’ve read the reviews for Jinx many of which use words like “charming”, “realistic” and “a breath of fresh air” but the words that come to mind for me to describe this book are mundane, cloying and markedly unrealistic.

As a fan of graphic novels, it’s hard to understand the appeal of re-energizing a character from a series that has run its course. Jinx is a character from the Archie comic series and although the author and illustrator attempted to modernize her language and dress, she still reads like an old character.

Jinx is starting High School and begins her day by running into her friends, each fitting the mold of a stereotype. The gawky geeky friend Greg, the hippie happy (think Phoebe from Friends) Roz and the angry overweight creeper Charley who shows Jinx that he likes her by being rude to her. Jinx is confused that her friends are ignoring super dork Mort. Her next adventure is that she wants to play on the boy’s baseball team because the softball team isn’t good enough for her so she signs up for boy’s football. If you’re also confused by this- I can’t explain. I’m no sports fan but I’m pretty sure that baseball and football are completely different sports. She forges her dad’s signature on a permission slip to play, is injured and is in no way punished by the school or her Dad = unrealistic. The story continues with the “love interest” portion of the book which is as cheesy and old-timey feeling as the first half of the book. In a year when so many excellent, compelling graphic novels are being released it’s difficult for me to understand the necessity or desire to dive back into comics of the 1940’s for source material.
(This book was released in April, 2012).

On a cheerier note: The September Issue of JUXTAPOZ magazine has hit the shelves and it has a great piece on avant garde comic artist Daniel Clowes. Clowes is iconic in the comic industry for taking an intelligent approach and writing interesting comics for adults. Known for his books Ghost World, Art School Confidential (both were turned into films) as well as Ice Haven (which I reviewed this summer) and Eightball. The piece includes a lengthy interview, a photo of Daniel in his studio and several samples of his work. It's on the shelves now!

Majestic Book Darts and App advice from the App Yeti

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:38:14 GMT

I have always been one to mark pages in books while I read. Up to now I've found plastic tab arrows and post-it strips to be the most useful. The problem with both of those products is that eventually the stick would wear out, often leaving a residue on whatever I was using it on, and they could rarely if ever be re-used.

At my last visit to Blue Willow Bookshop I discovered a fabulous product that they've just started carrying called Book Darts. They are a light .25 weight fold-able metal that are sold in a tin (in this case with the Blue Willow logo). 50 come in a package for $7.95 and they come in an assortment of 5 colors. The tin is small enough to tote around easily and yet large enough to spot on a cluttered desk. They are simply put- indispensible to the avid reader.

the app yeti

A new blog is out called the App Yeti which is definitely worth checking out. It has brief but thorough descriptions of and reviews about new and discounted apps as well as iphone accessories and tools. Covering apps that range from Zombies to Instagram, this is a worthwhile blog that help you to weed through the constant unflux of changing app options with an informed opinion.

Get Your Spook On! July Releases: Haunted Histories and On the Day I Died Will Haunt MG Readers

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:13:33 GMT

Haunted Histories: Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons, and Powerful Palaces*
by J.H. Everett and Marilyn Scott-Waters.
(Release date July 17 - Ages 9-12)

The opening page displays the "Ancient Order of Ghostorians Creed" which explains that the group encourages research
and fact. In the introduction we meet our narrator, Virgil Dante who rides the border between seductive and creepy. He tells the reader that his cursed pocket watch allows him to control time and place and more importantly, it allows him to talk to ghosts.

After the introduction including a quote from Shakespeare, we delve into the world of castles. From Japan to Syria and finally to the infamous Tower of London we fly with the narrator around the world learning about the histories of the buildings and the societies that created them. The text is brief and colorful and there are humorous and informative illustrations throughout including diagrams of the class system in Medieval times and an annotated map of a traditional castle layout.

Told in a whimsical voice, there is a balance of humor and horrible fact that keeps the pages turning. Physically the book is small, 5.5"x 7.125", which will be appealing to non-readers. It can be read in a short time period which will be appealing to most readers. Another strength in the content is that it has everything that one would hope is included but chooses to sprinkle in un-necessary but relevant fun facts such as the origin of the word "goth" and the secret code of heraldic symbols.

This is a great read for kids that like the dark side, are interested in history or studying castles.

(*Not to be confused with the wildly popular DVD series from the History Channel with the same name)

On the Day I Died

by Candance Fleming (Release date July 10 - Ages 11-14)

Mike Kowalski is driving when a girl appears in the road. He stops to take her home and ends up meeting a series of ghosts who died as teenagers in different ways, in different eras all around the Chicago area. Each chapter segues into the next as the ghosts tell their own tales in their own voices about their lives and deaths.

The setting is both a strength and weakness. For adults that live in or are familiar with the Chicago area the discussions of familiar landmarks, (Wrigley field, The Chicago State Asylum), are fascinating but I'm not convinced that student readers will be as appreciative of the specifics.

The voices of the different ghosts were both a strength and a weakness. I appreciate the idea of dialog being true to the era of the character's life and the word choices expressing the depth of the characters but some felt so outdated that I don't think students will understand the references.

My favorite story is David's (1941-1956). With mentions of the pink counter-top and the Moms in the neighborhood getting together for card night a sense of time and imagery was instantly set. (Perhaps for me more from picturing Tim Burtin period pics like Ed Wood and Mars Attacks). David's story involves a comic book mail-order Insta-pet gone terribly wrong.

Overall I recommend the book. It fits the bill of being spooky without being too scary. The prelude is another nice touch in which Candance Fleming explains her love of scary stories and shares her inspirations for each character's story.

Look at Artist Nicky Davis's Website- SALES! See Stick 'Em Up! Houston's Street Art Docu FREE!

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:26:07 GMT

Houston artist Nicky Davis creates vibrant and positive images while still questioning if we are doing right to the earth. His work has been featured in shows around the country and internationally. He has an active website and internet presence (he can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumbler) and has recently added some new fun and affordable items to his website.

This Bandana can be worn on your head like a Native American headdress,
or to cover your face like a wolf mask. Its available in five colors:
blue, green, red, white and black and costs $10.00.

There are numerous sticker packs available on the site ranging from $3-$5.

Nicky currently has some discounted paintings on the site as well. This paintings appeared in recent shows and he is clearing them out at discount prices to make room for new work. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to own a Nicky Davis original painting!

(This original painting is 18x24 and is currently for sale for $100.00)

Also in Houston Art News: Stick 'Em Up! - the award winning documentary about the Houston Street Art scene will be screened at Cactus Records on Saturday August 18th from 2-4 PM.The viewing will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Alex Luster, writer Tony Reyes and artist CUTTHROAT. They will also have DVD's for sale and time to get them signed.

If you're unable to attend the event or prefer to watch the film from the
comfort of your home you can now rent the film from their website for $2.99 or purchase the film from the website (which also gives you a free rental viewing). DVD's are also available at the Menil Museum Bookstore and DOMY books.

Issue 5 of After Twilight (Houston based comic) leaves readers breathless for the series finale

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:09:16 GMT

After Twilight is a Houston based comic that questions what our society would be like if it was overrun by religion and became a theocracy. In this terrifying tale citizens are restricted in their actions and activities and freedoms are stripped away as the church run government reaches ever further into their personal lives.

(**Parent alert: This book is for adults and mature teen readers. This issue deals with sexuality as a sin).

The central character throughout the books is Jen Frazier. She's a librarian who decides to fight against the system (please follow the tag above to read about issues 1-4 in greater detail). She teams up with the resistance and the hero of the resistance, Jessie. Although Jen does assist the underground, she also has a personal mission, to rescue her sister Zoe from redemption camp.

This issue begins with us viewing a nude couple having sex who are interrupted by the police breaking into the man's home to arrest him and his female companion for the sin of having intercourse outside of marriage. It then leads us inside the dank and dreary prison which is sold to society as a "redemption camp" named "Camp Purity" where Jen is held prisoner. We are given hope that she might find her way out of the facility, but not without incident. The resistance acquires information that will strengthen their cause IF they can find a way to transmit the information to the general public.

This is a satisfying installment in the series which inspires readers to delve back into earlier issues and makes us anxious to see how all of the threads will be tied together in the final issue due next month! The teaser states:

"It's judgement day and it all comes down to a fierce face-to-face confrontation
that threatens the very foundation of the brutal Texas theocracy-
-and the lives of those who are courageous enough to oppose it"

Find Issue 5 and all of the previous issues locally at: Bedrock City Comics and 8th Dimension Comics as well as on the After Twilight website.

Stay tuned for exciting release information about the 6th and final issue!

FREE Museum Day; Candlelight Vigil & Matching With Friends

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:34:46 GMT

Passing on lil' bits of info to you today. Look for a complete blog about the comic After Twilight on Friday!

Mark your Calenders!

Take a moment to reflect on the current tragedy in Milwaukee.

And finally- The newest addition to the Zynga family of games (Words with Friends/Chess with Friends, etc) is Matching with Friends. You add it as an app to your phone or iPad and play with friends that you find from your contacts or that can be randomly chosen.

To play you challenge your opponent to an 11-rounds of matching. The goal is to earn as many points as possible by making matches of three or more like-colored squares on the board. You're given three sets of three colored squares on each turn, and can place them either horizontally or vertically on the board depending on the board's free spaces. You can swap the tiles, can get extra points by placing them on special spots on the board and are given two bombs to use during each game making for another fun iphone distraction.

So, You Want to Be a Writer? Austin Teen Book Con Boasts 32 Authors!

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:46:42 GMT

So, You Want To Be a Writer? How to Write, Get Published, and Maybe Even Make It Big! by Vivki Hambleton & Cathleen Greenwood.

"I always tell writers to write. If you think you're interested in writing, just start writing."
- Michael Crichton

With a mix of reflective questions, tips and guidelines on everything from the process of writing to getting work published, this book is a fabulous tool to engage young hopeful writers and to introduce them to the world of writing. Also included in the text are Young Author Profiles which introduce young writers, explains how they got involved in their trade and samples of their work.

"I think being a good writer is being a good listener and a good watcher." -Vicki Leonard

The book is easily accessible to sift through. If readers are over-whelmed or dis-interested in reading the book straight through they can bounce to sections that relate to them personally. There are checklists, tips, interviews and easy to follow bullet points. The book ends with two chapters of resources for authors including further reading suggestions and definitions of writing terms. Parents, teachers and librarians should take advantage of this well designed tool and share it with the young writers that they know!

Austin Teen Book Festival EXPANDS AGAIN!!!

Austin Teen Book Fest is a fabulous, FREE, fun annual event which brings teen readers and authors together for a day jam packed with books, discussions, activities and did I mention BOOKS?

The event begins with a rousing opening speech, this year by author Neal Shusterman, followed by author panel discussions and completed with a closing by acclaimed author Libba Bray! As if this isn't enough to excite young readers, there are miscellaneous displays, giveaways and shopping opportunities.

Traditionally these events host around 20 authors but so far a whopping 32 authors have already been announced! (Please follow the tags above to read about authors that I have already blogged about). Some of the latest author announcements include:

-John Corey Whaley - Guadalupe Garcia McCall -Ally Carter -Dan Krokos -Sophie Jordan
-Jennifer Lynn Barnes -Gina Damico and -Ally Condie

I hope to see you there on Saturday September 29th.

Some Primary Grade Reads: The Quirky Bedtime Read-The Insomniacs and a Bland Bomb- LEGO Star Wars

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:25:47 GMT

The Insomniacs by Karina Wolf Illustrations by The Brothers Hilts
(This title will be for sale August 16th. It is currently available for pre-sale)

The Insomniacs are forced to move to a different time zone and have difficulty adjusting. Ultimately they relent trying to recreate themselves and accept themselves for who they are. While the story has a comforting flow and solution, the concept is unique enough to keep kids interested. The illustrations have a retro 1970's feel to them an yet look like nothing else that I've seen. There is a decidedly dark tone to the pictures that sets a perfect night-time mood. I especially love how the father is drawn, he looks like the old visual trick of taking a photo of someone's face upside down so that their chin is their face. Add a forest, some critters, lanterns and red and white striped wallpaper and you have a satisfying visual feast that makes for a delectable bed-time read.

DK Readers LEGO Star Wars:The Phantom Menace
by Hannah Dolan

This book is only suitable for die-hard Star Wars fans as each page defines a term from the film. Any child not familiar with or a fan of the films will be frustrated by the jargon heavy lingo. The terms aren't in chronological or alphabetical order so there is no flow from page to page. There are full color photographs throughout featuring LEGO figurines and vehicles. The book ends with a glossary and index further describing terms from the book.