Award Winning Reads Updates, January Linky, Guest Posts & Giveaway!

Lots of info in this post today and it should have gone up yesterday, with Jacinda's post, but I've had a lot going on right now, and haven't been at home very much and just didn't have a chance to get the post written. And, this one will be sparse. (my apologies) REALLY- You should refer to Jacinda's post for details, because hers is currently way better than mine :)

SO: We are looking for guest posters for Wednesday posts, so that in the future, we can have a review or post talking about an award winner on every Wednesday. There is a form to fill out, and I'd love to have people participate, even if you aren't an actual challenge participant.



WE NOW HAVE A GOODREADS GROUP!! You can have a challenge counter on Goodreads & this will hopefully turn into a really awesome place to get together & discuss the awards, the challenge, and the books. It's just barely getting started, so it's a 'baby' right now, but we'd love to see you head on over to that!!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOODREADS GROUP

Again- The ALA Award Winners for 2012 were announced!!! Read my previous post on that.

LINKY: Here is where you link up any of the reviews you have written for any of the award winners!! LINK 'EM UP!





GIVEAWAY


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2012 Newbery & Printz Awards!

Yesterday, the winners of the 2012 Newbery (MG) and Printz (YA) Awards were announced, along with the other ALA Award winners (Caldecott (illustrations) Morris (debut), Alex (adult w/ YA crossover appeal) etc).

I apologize for both being a bit absent from the online world lately and not getting this posted yesterday. I had every intention of posting yesterday, but had to be to work before they were even finished announcing the winners. ANYWAY

THE WINNERS!!  (With commentary, of course :P)

Newbery Award Winner:

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos: I'll be honest with this, and admit that I'm disappointed. I don't actually know anything about this book, but I've read all four of the Joey Pigza books (book 2, Joey Pigza Loses Control won a Newbery Honor) and I have read his memoir(ish) book, Hole in My Life, which won a Printz Honor and I was not impressed with any of them. I'll read this one, but if I feel for it the way I've felt for his previous novels, it will be my last Gantos no matter what new awards he's won. 

Newbery Honors:

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai: This is one that I'm really excited to see. It has come highly recommended to me by Shannon at Books Devoured. It's also historical fiction, about the Vietnam era, which I think is very under mentioned in literature. And, it's a verse novel! I'm a huge fan of verse novels and love anything that gets them more attention! This has been on my TBR for a long time now, but knowing that it's won a Newbery Honor is going to push this to the very top of my TBR!  

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin: I hadn't heard anything about this book prior to the announcement. But now, I've had a chance to look it over, and I'm definitely intrigued! It actually sounds like it could be really amazing! 

I'll say that I'm quite surprised that out of three award/honors given., all are historical fiction. That's not something I think I've ever seen before and I find it very interesting. (In a good way, but interesting nonetheless).

Printz Award Winner:

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley: Ginger over at Greads raved about this one a little while ago and her review was just so awesome that I immediately added this to my TBR/close watch list. It sounds absolutely amazing and although I haven't read it, I'm thrilled that it won because from everything I've seen, it's exactly my kind of book. 

Printz Honors:

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Holder: This is a book that I was really surprised to see on the Printz list. I haven't read it yet, but it is one that has been on my list to read. But everything I had seen about it made is sound like more of a fun read than anything really serious. But it shall be interesting to read it and see what I actually think of it! 


The Returning by Christine Hinwood: This is another book that I knew nothing about prior to the announcement. Looking at Goodreads, it seems to be one of those books that you either REALLY like or you really... DON'T. But... umm... MELINA MARCHETTA BLURBED THIS BOOK. I WANT. 

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey: This makes three books I had never even heard of before the announcements. It looks like it's another Historical Fiction, and the summary sounds intensely amazing. It sounds like there is really a lot of room for that book to just Wow and amaze you. Definitely one I'm going to need to get my hands on as soon as possible. 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: This is the only book on the list that I've actually read before and it is, sadly, not a book I was a fan of. I won't get too detailed, but basically it's 390 pages of absolutely nothing exciting (although some of it is interesting and beautifully described), with about 10 interesting pages scattered throughout the novel and 10 exciting and climactic pages right and the very end. I can, however (almost) see why some people really love this one, and do think Maggie is a talented writer, even if this one wasn't for me (because no amount of pretty writing is enough to make up for nearly 400 pages of extreme nothing.)

So there you have it! The winners of the Newbery & Printz awards as narrated by me! 

What do you think?! Any of these books you are excited for/about!? Do you agree/disagree/dislike/like my commentary?! Do you even pay attention to or care at all about the awards? Let me know what you think & how you are feeling!!

AND- Stay tuned for tomorrow, because both Jacinda and I will be posting for the Award Winning Reads Challnege (have YOU signed up?!) and these books DO count! :)

STOP SOPA- What it is and What YOU can do

There are these things right now, the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (or SOPA) and the Protect-IP Act, that are getting a lot of attention. And chances are, that if you are spending much time online right now (Jan 18) you have run into at least one site that has been 'blacked out' in protest. (If you haven't, go to Google's homepage).

I thought about joining the black out, and the idea of it really appeals to me, because I am strongly, adamantly opposed to these two bills. But I'm not going for a black out, because, quite honestly, I'm pretty sure I would break my blog.

So, instead, I'm going to give you a quick run down of why I think these two bills are so detrimental and then I'm going to direct you to how and where you can actually make a difference.

FIRST: What are they?

Essentially, the purpose of these two bills is to stop the blatant copyright violations we see online. The goalis that it can be used to restrict the ability of sites to steal copyrighted information and content (movies, music, books, television shows, etc).  And honestly, I think that is all fine and good. We have copyright laws for a reason and if you hold that copyright, you should legally be allowed to protect it.

However. The wording of these bills is far too vague to be effective in the way the bill intends. People who support this bill claim that it will only be used in extreme cases to protect blatant and flagrant violations of copyright. But by now, I think everyone is fully aware that when a law gives you a little bit of wiggle room, you wiggle and jiggle and finagle until you've taken advantage of every bit you possibly can.

So. To protect media copyrights, this bill will grant corporations the ability to have a US website shut down if it violates the copyright laws, or it will force US ad agencies and money/payment services (like Paypal) to remove all advertisements or connection to these sites.

To get a website restricted/blackballed/turned off (whatever you want to call it) all the copyright holder needs to do is get a court order. And to get a court order... Do you know what you need? A judge. ONE judge who agrees with you and is willing to sign off. There is no due process, no opportunity for you to make a case for yourself, nothing. If a copyright holder who feels they have been violated can convince a judge that this website has wronged them, it's over. And that's it.

This is not the best analysis of SOPA out there. There are many more, some who have more information, and some who, I'm sure, present it in a much clearer manner.

But what I AM going to do is provide you with a way to make a difference.

SOPA is the bill being voted on in the House of Representatives.
Protect-IP is the version being debated in the Senate.

I did an internship in the office of my Senator and here are some things I can tell you, so that when you call in to voice your concerns, they actually pay attention-

Do NOT call the Senate and complain about SOPA. It's a House of Representatives Bill, so the Senate hasn't 'seen' SOPA yet, and they won't 'see' it unless the House votes on it and it passes. Calling your Senator to tell them to VOTE NO doesn't do anyone any good, because they won't be voting on it at all. So, when you call your Senator, talk about the Protect-IP act instead. (and vice versa for the House).

Another thing- If you are from Minnesota, don't call a California Senator's office and expect them to care. It doesn't make a difference. Most offices will politely listen to what you have to say, get you off the phone quickly and then disregard your concerns. It sounds harsh, I know, but honestly- a Congressman's responsibility is to their own Constituents. So call YOUR state Senators and House members.

Also- When you call the House of Representatives, know which District you are calling from. House members are state representatives, but their primary focus is to their own district. It is a way to be sure that all areas of the state are equally represented. So a call to the House member from your District will bear more weight.

Don't know who or how to contact them? The following website is GOLDEN. It lists every single member of the Senate and House of Representatives, sorted by state and includes an email address as well as a link to their website.  GO HERE :
 GIANT List of Congressional awesome

OR you can call this number- 202-224-3121. This is the number for the Senate Switchboard operator. Ask for the Senator from your state & they will transfer you to the correct office. AND many of the staffers you speak to will be willing to transfer your calls 'in house' as well. So, call one Senator, who will transfer you to the office of the other Senator, who will transfer you to the House member from your district.

I'd love to have you come back and comment after, letting me know if it was successful, who you talked to, why you are against (or for) SOPA/Protect-IP.

It's something that will drastically effect almost everyone and can seriously change the sharing of information in the future, and it's something I think everyone should care about.

So go out, research & contact your Congressman. This is why we elect them, so that they can represent the interests of their constituency. So speak out!

Special for Sundays #1- That Favorite Book

My cousin, Emily, blogs over at In Which Ems Reviews Books and she and a friend have started a weekly Sunday feature. I have been a bit absent so far this year (my apologies) but when I saw her post today- the first post of the new feature and saw the topic, I decided this was something I had to take part in. I mean, I never miss an opportunity to talk up my favorite books and today's topic is to pick a favorite and talk about why it's special to you.

Any guesses as to which book I'm going to pick? :)

So there's this book... It's kind of a big deal to me. I talk about it all the time, and it's gotten to the point that if I send certain people a tweet saying- Ask them- they all know which book I'm talking about.

I decided several years ago that I was going to read all the books on the Newbery award list, and when I learned about the Printz award, and it is to YA what the Newbery is to MG, I decided I would read all of those too. And I read a brilliantly funny/witty/hysterical/intelligent Honor winner from 2009 called The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. And let me tell you, I loved that book. It remains one of the smartest funny books I've ever read. But, that is not the book I'm going to talk about today. Because after I finished that book, I wondered why it didn't win the actual award. So I sought out the winner of the Award that year, wondering if I was going to be disappointed that this was the book that ultimately won.

But friends. Do you know what book won the Printz Award in 2009? DO YOU?!

I'll give you a hint... It's this one:

 

This book wrecked me. It tore me to pieces, pulled apart my heart and pulverized my soul. And then it put me back together again, different, but better. I am never at a loss for words, but I never feel like I can truly articulate what this book did to me. It just... consumed me. I was so incredibly captivated and involved with this book, these characters and their lives.

I've felt sad before, finishing a book and knowing that my time with the characters was over for now, and I've actively wished that some of the people in the book were real. But not even with Harry Potter do I remember being so overwhelmingly devastated that these people weren't real because I just felt them that much.

I have never come across a writer with an ability like Marchetta's before. Something about her writing just hits me, in that perfect way. I tend to get overly dramatic when I talk about Marchetta, specifically when referencing this book and I saw things like- Melina Marchetta owns my soul. And when I'm reading one of her books, she does.

I tell you what- Never have I read anything like this book. It causes me genuine physical pain when I hear that someone didn't like this book. Physical pain. (and I'll be honest and admit that the secret, shameful place inside of me wonders about their mental stability... But only for a minute). 

I don't think I will ever run out of positive things to say about this book, but I need an ending point somewhere, so let me also just add this (because I still make giddy/squeaky noises every time I think about it)

After Just Contemporary month, when I emailed Melina (*dies*) I got a surprise package in the mail. From Australia. And I opened it to find this:

I cried.

Mini-reviews: Grace, So Much Closer

Grace by Elizabeth Scott is my 5th Scott Contemporary (although it is arguable that this is not quite Contemporary) and it has firmly cemented the idea that I (quite atypically) much prefer Scott's lighter Contemporary novels to her darker more... issue-y set. Grace is a good book, don't get me wrong, but that's all it was. Just a way to spend an afternoon, flipping pages, which is, I assume, not what you are supposed to feel when reading a book about a suicide bomber who decides she doesn't want to die.

Grace was an angel- raised from birth, or just after, that she would be blessed to die for the cause, to die in a fight for freedom against tyranny. But when it comes time to actually die, she places her bomb and walks away, knowing that it will go off, but that she will go 'free'. Now she is on the run and she meets up with a man at the train station, running from something himself. They talk, because sitting on a train for hours, there's not really anything else to do and both learn things that will change their lives.

I never really connected with Grace or the man she travels with. I knew that there stories were ones that should have been emotional but I never felt it. And Grace had such a disregard for life that I had a hard time with her. I understand why- When you have known your whole life that you are going to die for the cause and that it is an honor, and that your death is more important if you are able to take other lives with you- life doesn't mean the same thing as it does to most people. But it took her so long to realize that what she had done- setting that bomb and walking away- was wrong, because people still got hurt and people died. She never even thought about it. And then, there is a scene on the train when Grace should have been taken off by soldiers for being one of the rebels, but they sacrifice another, completely innocent woman instead. That's not okay with me- Your life isn't more important than anyone else's and sending innocent people to death so you can live isn't okay with me. I will say that the ending to this book was solid. Grace learns a lot about what it means to be human and it's something that will really make you think.

But, even with that solid ending, while I didn't hate this book, I didn't particularly like it either. I felt like the story was too vague. They spent the whole time talking around things and never really talked about them. If you want to try it- go for it. There are others out there who really connected to it. It's just... not for me.

On a totally different note:

So Much Closer was my first book by Susane Colasanti, and while I didn't love this particular book, I can see why so many people really love Colasanti's writing. I actually loved the way the story was written, but the story itself was a little... off for me.

Brooke has had a huge crush on Scott for years. She just knows that he is the one for her, despite only having had one, maybe two conversations with him. So, when he announces that he's moving with his family to New York City, she decides to follow him and move in with the dad she hasn't spoken to since he walked out on them 6 years ago.

Okay- Seriously?! SERIOUSLY?! Who DOES that?! Who honestly thinks that's a good idea?! I don't care who you are- that's creepy stalker behavior and NOT a good idea. Note to Brooke- also not a good idea to tell him about it... So, poor Brooke has chased this guy to New York only to realize that he barely knows who she is and he already has a girlfriend.

But luckily for Brooke, she has always wanted to live in NYC, so even though she's not with her dream guy, she's living in her dream city. And honestly, I would have liked this book so much better if the romance with Scott had been left completely out of it. Have her decide to move because Scott broke her heart (still kinda pathetic, but way less creepy) or because she has just decided to stop dreaming about living in New York and actually get there. Or, it could have been about her dad. She hasn't spoken to him in 6 years, although he has tried a few times, so maybe it's time to mend that relationship. Instead, it ended up being a convinient plot device, giving her a way to follow Scott. I felt that the story line with her father ended up being a lot of wasted potential. It could have added so much to her growth as a character, so much to the story, but instead, dad was just the facade for an apartment for Brooke to legally sleep in at night.

I had such a hard time believing in, or relating to Brooke's character, but I totally felt her love for the city. The descriptions of New York were phenomenal and just made me want to revisit the city. I spent a weekend there when I was doing an internship in Washington DC and I loved it (although, since it was February, it was really cold). I loved reading while Brooke discovered the city. I also really liked the new friends Brooke makes at school, especially John and Sadie. They brought so much to the story and I just loved reading about them, watching them form a solid friendship.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the book. EXCEPT for Scott. Seriously. If Scott had just been completely erased from the book, I think I would really have enjoyed it. They wouldn't even have to change the title, it could just mean so much closer to her dreams, instead of to some random guy. There is enough other stuff happening in the story that Scott really wouldn't have been missed much. Or, he could have been a totally different character with a much smaller part. Maybe I'll just pretend he isn't real and only remember the awesome New York scenes and the awesome times she has with the new friends she makes.

Erika interviewed me!

First, let me apologize for starting 2012 off really lame. I have currently read zero books and published one post (that I didn't even write the bulk of, since it was a guest post.) Things have been really crazy around my house lately and I have found myself lacking the motivation I need to really... well, be me. SO.

BUT... I have a few things planned for this coming week that *should* help get things back on track for me, end the lame & get things moving again. (Including some giveaways, so yay for that :) )

Today though, I do have a link for you guys! Erika at One a Day YA asked if she could interview me a while ago for a blog event and that interview went live today! :)

You can head over to her blog: One a Day Y.A. to see what I have to say about lots of cool stuff, like favorite books, and why I had nightmares of a kid of driving over the lip of a volcano into a sea of oozing, boiling lava... :)

Cinder Blog Tour- The History of the Lunars

SO sorry for the late posting. Blogger is usually good about scheduling posted things, but... Well. Le sigh.

Anyway, I'm so happy to welcome Marissa Meyer to the blog today! I absolutely loved Cinder (click for my review) and I'm absolutely thrilled to have Marissa here today sharing with us more of the History of the Lunars!

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It’s true that Cinder, my debut novel, is a take on the classic “Cinderella” story. And there are a lot of  elements of the story that have survived—a girl oppressed by her stepmother, a fancy ball, a handsome prince.

But I also took a lot of creative license with the tale: Cinder is set in the far future, my main character is a cyborg, and there’s a deadly plague sweeping the planet.

And then there are the Lunars—an evolved society of humans that live on the moon and have powers of mind-control and manipulation.

Although the Lunars and their evil queen have existed in the story since its earliest draft, it took me awhile to figure out just who they were, how they came to live on the moon, and how they developed these creepy mind-control powers. But as I know many readers will be curious (just as I was curious!) about them, here is my abridged history of Luna.

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Centuries prior to the start of Cinder, the moon was colonized by a small group of researchers from many different countries in order to further space research and exploration. After about sixty years of existing as a jumbled colony of numerous Earthen countries and cultures, the colony was recognized as its own nation: Luna, a republic.

The first true Lunar was a man named Cyprus Blackburn. As a child, his DNA was damaged by the prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation from cosmic rays. This DNA damage developed into what is known as the Lunar gene, a mutation that enabled him to output and control bioelectricity in order to implant thoughts into other people’s heads. (Note: This is plausible in theory and some government agencies are even suspect of experimenting with bioelectricity for the purpose of brainwashing.)

Blackburn was able to use his unique gift to convince the people of Luna to elect him as leader and it wasn't long before he turned the republic into a monarchy. This is about the time that distrust began to spring up between the hitherto allied Earth and Luna, as Earthens grew suspicious of the ease with which Blackburn was able to change the country’s political structure.

For a few generations, the royal bloodline was the only bloodline that included the Lunar gene, but due to Luna’s miniscule population, the royal family’s notorious promiscuity and an abundance of illegitimate children, and the oppression of those without the gift, the Lunar gene became more common with each generation and eventually became dominant within the society.

Despite the growing mind-control powers of the lower classes, there persisted a common belief that Lunars would lose their gift if a person of royal bloodline wasn't on the throne. This superstition was encouraged by the royal family and royal scientists even proved its validity in multiple government-funded studies. Of course, any scientist who suggested otherwise was promptly executed.

Then, due to a process called hormesis, another genetic mutation began to develop within society as well: a mutation that resulted in one’s inability to output or receive electromagnetic stimulation from others. Lunars born with this mutation were called “shells,” a derogative term referring to how they were “empty” of the gift. As shells cannot be brainwashed or controlled, they became a target of abuse and hatred.

In the 108th year of the third era, a shell managed to infiltrate a royal party and murder the king and queen—leaving their two daughters, Channary and Levana, the only recognized descendents of the royal bloodline. As her first act as the new queen, Channary enacted the shell infanticide laws stating that any Lunars born as shells were to be promptly disposed of in order to protect the sanctity of their society. Three years later, Channary died.

And thus began the rule of Queen Levana, and the start of our tale…

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I hope this brief history of Lunars brings some elements of my futuristic world into focus, and that readers will enjoy discovering more about their world and culture as The Lunar Chronicles progresses.

Thanks so much for being a part of the blog tour, Ashley, and for letting me share some of my behind-the-scenes information!

Thank you Marissa! So very much! This is so fascinating!! I cannot wait for the rest of the series!! :)

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2012 everyone! Hopefully, this year will be awesome for everyone!

I've never actually made New Year's Resolutions before, but I decided that, this year, I wanted to give them a try. I really like the idea of starting a resolution at the beginning of something (1st of the month, 1st of the week, whatevs) so 1st of the year should be extra awesome, yes?

I'm probably making too many, but I've got quite a few this year. Some of them are personal/life goals, that I'm not going to share specifics of, but some of them are blogging goals. So, here are my 2012 blogging goals:

*Keep my Review Archive & Goodreads Reviews up to date. (Possibly include Amazon reviews also)
*Be better at general blog upkeep- updating pages, procrastinating less, etc...
*Be better about commenting- both commenting on reviews I read and visiting those who comment on my blog.
*Have at least some reviews written before they are supposed to be posted. (An awful lot of my reviews are written either before I go to bed the night before they post, or right before I post them. It'd be nice to have a few written ahead of time)
*Get (and stay) ahead of/on top of review books.
*Memory Monday
*Stay up to date on both reading challenges I'm hosting.
*Remember that this is something I do for fun, because I enjoy it. And stop letting it stress me out.

That last goal has more to do with personal pressure than any outside pressure. Because I've felt, off and on, throughout the whole time I've blogged that I have to be reading, and sometimes, that I have to be reading those books. And every time I feel like that, I get bogged down and overwhelmed and I get so focused about WhatIneedtobereadingrightthisverysecond and it gets to be too much and so I read nothing at all. I do that about a lot of things (this is another of my life goals :P) When I feel overwhelmed because there is too much to do, I generally end up doing nothing. It's my way of coping. With reading, I've never thought about reading slumps and stuff before. If I felt like reading a ton, I would. If I didn't, I wouldn't. And it wasn't any big thing. It just was. But since I started blogging, I'm hyper aware of my reading moods and it stresses me out now when I don't feel like reading.

Long explanation there, to basically say- This year, I'm going to read if I want and what I want, and it's not going to be a thing anymore. It's just going to be me, enjoying my books and telling the whole freaking world about how awesome this reading thing really is. :)