It’s great to be here - thanks, Myranda, for hosting me! If you’ve read Boy vs. Girl, you will know that Farhana loves school and reading. Although she’s not a bookworm, books affect her deeply. Here are her top 10 books, in no particular order:

1. A thousand splendid suns (Khalid Hosseini)
2. Out of the dust (Karen Hesse)
3. Anne Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
4. Stargirl (Jerry Spinelli)
5. Of mice and men (John Steinbeck)
6. Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)
7. Noughts and crosses (Malorie Blackman)
8. Life isn’t all ha ha hee (Meera Syal)
9. (un)arranged marriage (Bali Rai)
10. Does my head look big in this? (Randa Abdel-Fattah)

Looks like Farhana needs a sequel so that she can update her reading list! What books would you recommend to her?

 

Top Ten Favorite Things in Books:

1)      When the hero is kind of a jerk.

2)      When the pretty girl isn’t just “the most gorgeous girl in the world, but doesn’t know it,” because that’s stupid.

3)      Chapters that end in a hook.

4)      Drop lines. They make me feel like I just had a “BOOM” moment.

Even when I didn’t.

5)      When the environment is well-examined and used. When the sounds of silence in the big empty house are scarier than the sound of a bang upstairs.

6)      When the author writing young adult isn’t 100% out of touch, and trying to be. I’m sorry, if you don’t get pop culture references by fifteen year olds, don’t try to write them. It was a pet-peeve in a Book That Shall Remain Nameless. An “AIM” conversation (already kind of irrelevant) that went something like this: “Sup?” “NM, U?” “NTM, JC” “U UP 4 C-ING THE NEW TRNSFRMRS MV 2NITE?” “N. FRI?” “OK.” “GR8. GTG, GN.”

Um. What? Teenagers are lazy, not stupid. Yes, abbreviate some, but UGH.

7)      Kind of goes hand in hand. Too many technological references. This is the most effective way to make your book irrelevant in a year.

8)      I like when a book pushes into the next realm of believability without making a world I don’t understand or can’t relate to. In Harry Potter, the train platform, Grimauld Place, Diagon Alley—they were all right there in the middle of London, just being ignored by the ‘muggles.’ I like when I feel like if I look hard enough around me, I’ll find something that no one else can.

9)      Again, related to #8. I like books that take place in my world, starring the bored, normal girl or boy, who gets picked up from his or her normal life and ends up in a real story.

10)  I like when the author is aware of how fast I’m reading. I read, what, 6 pages a minute? So if a word is repeated or if, in that time, a relationship has been formed, it has happened too quickly. 

Today we have the author of Scars here to do a very moving interview. Cheryl Rainfield's novel is a must read for me! You can read my review HERE.  

Why did you choose to write about this particular YA genre? 

I love reading both realistic and fantasy YA novels. They helped me survive my childhood abuse. And healing and truth are important to me; I had too many years of my abusers trying to silence me. I think that truth and talking about hard issues is important to many teens, too, and so many teens are going through rough times, so my writing  fits for many. It’s also where my voice seems to be; while I have hope, I also know a lot of trauma and pain, and that edginess comes out in my writing.

What is one thing you hope teens get from reading your book?

I hope teens get from Scars that healing is possible, and that things can get better—especially if you reach out to others. Silence only hurts us. I also hope that readers get that they’re not alone—no matter what they’ve been through, there are other people who understand. And that compassion, kindness, and healing are so important, and are what help to make positive change in this world.

Your next book Hunted comes out in October, can you tell us a little about that?

Thank you for asking!

In HUNTED, Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where that is illegal. She is on the run from the government troopers, trying to stay hidden and alive--and trying to help make the world a better place for others with paranormal talents.

I drew on many of my trauma experiences in writing HUNTED, just as I did with Scars. Like my main character, Caitlyn, I know what it's like to have my life threatened, to face oppression, to experience torture, and to break free from cult or from a group of oppressors.

I care about this book a lot, just as I do about Scars. I needed both realistic and fantasy books to survive my child- and teenhood. Realistic fiction helped me know I wasn't alone, and fantasy helped me dream and hope.

HUNTED comes out this October.

If you’d like to read more about it, and I hope you do, you can read more about it (and pre-order it) here: http://t.co/C6HOmua (It’s also available at many other stores to pre-order.)

Do you have any writers that inspire you?

I have so many writers who inspire me! Every book that I love, that really touches me, feels like a gift. There are some authors whose books I turn to over and over, and/or who I admire, and they especially inspire me. Among them are:

Lois Duncan; Ellen Hopkins; Laurie Halse Anderson; Nancy Werlin; Tamora Pierce; A M Jenkins; Alex Flinn; Norma Fox Mazer; Jean Little; Catherine Fisher; Adele Griffin; Cynthia Voigt; Wendy Orr; Gloria D Miklowitz; Cora Taylor; Cornelia Funke; . . . and SO many more!

And now onto the harder question. What advice would you give someone who has been abused, or is experiencing abuse?

Find someone safe that you trust and talk about it; don’t keep it inside. If you can’t find someone you trust right away, don’t give up. Keep trying. Remember that there are also people who are supportive online, and that there are helplines both online and through phone. As much as you can, get yourself safe. If you can, get into therapy—therapy with a good therapist can help so much. It can give you great support and insight and help speed the healing process; you may also be able to find real safety, compassion, and love from a caring therapist.

Find a safe way to get out your emotion—through writing, art, dance, song, punching your pillow, screaming into a pillow—whatever works. If you’re an incest or ritual abuse survivor, you might want to check out The Courage To Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis; I think it is one of the best, most supportive, insightful, and compassionate books on the subject. 

Know that the abuse is not your fault; no matter what anyone says, you  didn’t cause the abuse to happen. And know that you do not deserve to be hurt—not by anyone, and not by yourself. I hope you can get and keep yourself safe, and learn to treat yourself in the kind, compassionate way that you would a friend.

Again thank you so much for doing an interview!

Thank you so much for having me! You asked some thoughtful questions; I appreciate it.

Giveaway time!

NOW we have a giveaway! One lucky reader will win a copy of Scars. Just enter HERE! :D

Rules:

-Must be in US

-Must be a blog follower

-Ends 8/25/11

 

Today we have the author Beth Barany visiting! She is the author of the novel Henriattia the Dragon Slayer. What is In Her Words: An Author bio, as funny, random or serious as you want. 250 word max so concise is key!

Beth Barany has been making up fantasy and adventure stories all her life. She writes to empower girls and women with her kick ass heroines who have to save the world against great odds.

Beth likes to read books for kids and adults, mostly fantasy and science fiction, plus science fiction and paranormal romance, and mysteries and thrillers, too.

She's been writing since she was a little girl, and wanted to be a writer. She also wanted to be a spy, detective, broadcast journalist, model, actress, or adventurer. She also wanted to be magic, go to outer space, travel to every continent and learn lots of languages.

Today she speaks fluent French, and so far has had adventures in three continents: North America, Europe and Africa.

While she hasn't gone to outer space yet, she's been working on a story set there; her stories also always have some kind of magic.

She was inspired to write Henrietta the Dragon Slayer because all the fairy tales she read as a kid were always about boys as heroes: Jack the Giant Killer this, Jack and the Seven-Headed Giant that, and of course, Jack and the Beanstalk. What happened to Jill? Where was Jill, the girl hero? That is why I wrote Henrietta the Dragon Slayer. I wanted to have my girl heroine fight the good fight and have adventures.

In her off hours, Beth enjoys cardio kickboxing, stick yoga, reading and watching movies with her husband, author and singer/song writer Ezra Barany.

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What is your favorite fairy tale? I'd love to know!

Comment to enter to win a copy of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. If you comment, you also enter to the Grand Giveaway for the necklace featured on the cover of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. Winners chosen at the end of August. Giveaway rules here: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/beth-barany-novelist/blog-tour/#rules

Today I have debut author Susan Niz here to do a fun interview! Susan Niz is the author of Kara, Lost. You can read my review HERE. 


Book Line Answer Interviews are pretty simply. The author has to answer the question with a line from their book. It is a fun and challenging interview  for the author. I hope you all enjoy this interview! This was all hosted by the ladies over at Teen Book Scene. Thank you guys!

Which of your characters are you most like?

“I surveyed my room one last time. It was as much of a disaster as I was just then.” p. 1 

What is the most important thing to you?

“Maybe a message from Marisa awaited me. Then I’d have to move all over again. She was family, though. Alex wasn’t family.” p. 175 

What is your favorite quote?

“To me, poetry is life made poignant and compact, a dagger of feeling, the exact opposite of suburban life, which is drawn out and dull.” p. 15 

What do you do in your free time?

“My nights in the church basement became absorbed inside the tattered cover of a borrowed book.  I got so caught up that I felt that I was Scout or Holden, sometimes even after putting the book down.” p. 199 

What is your favorite food?

“I waited for a fresh, steamy batch of fried rice and scooped three spoonfuls into the bowl. After choosing pork or vegetarian egg rolls—whichever came out of the deep fryer more recently—I snipped them into bite-sized pieces and added a dollop of red chili paste.” p. 141 

Thank you so much Susan! The answers were fun! Hope you all enjoyed this!

Author: Susan Niz
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud
Pages: 231
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Received from Author for Blog Tour
Interest: None
Other Titles in Series: NA 

Sixteen-year-old Kara flees the suffocation of her suburban life, trading in her home and family for a gritty, anonymous existence on the streets of Minneapolis. She begins a perilous journey, naive, well-intentioned, and isolated as she struggles to reconnect with her older sister.

My first reaction to this book: WOW. Such an intense book that is very emotional for the reader. Susan really delivers with this heart wrenching novel about a girls survival.

I really wasn't quite sure what to expect with this novel. The synopsis is vague, but it sounds sad. I was blown away with this book! The story took me on a wild emotional ride. I was surprised at how much I like this book. I remember staying up late one night close to tears.

Kara is a character that catches your attention. She is such a strong character. Through out the whole book I was feeling so sorry for her! I wanted to go find her give her a hug, and find her  a place to stay. All of the guy characters were big creeps. You would get your hopes up about one of them (and I am not going to say who, because it would ruin the book) and then BAM! He does something unthinkable. I did end up liking the last guy Kara meets. He seemed to really care for her. 

I am not a big fan of the cover. It does fit with the book perfectly. But I find it boring.

I was really surprised at how much I like this book. If you want a novel that really touches your heart, I would pick this novel up! 

Susan's writing is excellent. I can not wait to read more from her. 

Plot: 18/20

Characters: 17/20

Creativity: 16/20

Writing: 18/20

Cover: 5/10

Ending: 8/10

Total: 82/100

Author: Renee Ahdied
Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: Revolution Publishing
Pages: 240
Age Group: Adult 
Source: Ebook from Publisher For Honest Review
Interest: None
Other Titles In Series: NA

Cris Pereira hates starring in a cautionary tale. Alas, her recent heartbreak relegates her to this unbecoming fate. The only good thing about being dumped a foot from the altar is the newest layer to her punchy sarcasm. All she wants is a do-over, but this is not your average fairy tale, and wishes don't come true in the real world. One Sunday afternoon, she meets a movie star. Tom Abramson is intelligent, charming, and impetuous. In other words, he plays the role a bit too well. She isn’t falling for it. She knows better. All British men are not descendants of Fitzwilliam Darcy, and movie stars are genetic mutations gone awry: X-Men with statistical disadvantages and emotional handicaps. Keep your knight in shining armor. A modern girl can rescue herself, thank you very much. After all, dreams are for the foolhardy, nightmares are just a part of life, and . . . this is not your average fairy tale.

This one is a bit difficult for me to review. I loved the majority of the book, but the few flaws I found keep gnawing at my mind, which in turn caused me to look at the book with a pessimistic eye.

I loved the witty humor of the book! I was almost always laughing when I was reading this. It was a cute, funny read.  If anything the book was a great laugh. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted some romance, with a side of humor. 

The one thing I couldn't get out of my mind was the character flaws. Yes, I loved Cris! She was a strong girl, has a soft heart,  and she was the one with the humor. I really didn't like the way she was the book line, stereotypical Latino chick. It frustrated me some. I could guess her next move. If you look passed that, she is a great character! I could relate to her and the pain of a bad breakup. Tom. Who dosn't love a hot movie star? I really liked Tom's character. His attitude, just everything about him. His flaw: being to perfect, and likable. But thats a movie stars job! 

The cover is beautiful! I really do love it.

Renee has some writing talent. I will be expecting even better books from her in the future. I felt like she can grow to be a VERY popular contemporary writer. 

Overall: This was a cute and funny romance. I thought this was a light summer read, perfect for the beach! 

(3.5 Stars)

Plot: 16/20

Characters: 14/20

Creativity: 15/20

Writing: 18/20

Cover: 8/10

Ending: 7/10

Total: 77/100