A few people had problems following me today so I kept my GFC settings the same to see if that works. If you still can't follow me, PLEASE let me know and I'll see how to fix that.
And....I'm having a makeover this week!! Well, not ME exactly but my blog! The amazing Tawni from The Book Worms and Forever Design Studio is using her magic to fix up my blog. I've seen the preview of it and OMG, I can't wait to show you all.
So that's the big news and hopefully it will all be a smooth transition. Again, if you have problems following the blog now, or in a few days, please let me know and I'll look into it.
A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York. Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist?
If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.
With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?
Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.
Review: This is a wonderful story! Deadly is about Prudence, a young girl with dreams far beyond those of her classmates. The entire book contains the diary entries of Prudence in the early 1900s as she decides to start working with a man who is researching diseases and how they are transferred at the Department of Sanitation. I didn't know a lot about "Typhoid Mary" before this book and I found it highly interesting.
First, Prudence decides to stop going to school where they only focused on how to make women good wives and mothers. Taking influence from her mother, who was a midwife, Prudence had strong goals for the type of woman she wanted to be. She had an instant interest in science and medicine and how the body works.
Once Prudence starts working she finds out they will be researching how typhoid is being spread among households. They search homes and interview members of the household to connect the dots and find the common aspects. I enjoyed following Prudence as she learned more about this disease, and others, as she tried to discover the cause of typhoid. Eventually, they find out that a cook, Mary Mallon may be the cause. During this time, it was not thought that people could carry a disease without any noticeable symptoms. Catching Mary proved to be a struggle and only evidence would help them stop her from spreading the disease.
This book was so easy to read and I felt like I had been transported to New York in the 1900s. Julie's writing flowed nicely and I loved how the entire book was taken from the mind of Prudence. Her drawings and illustrations of the body made me even more fascinated with the story. Not only was this book educational but it was highly inspiring. Not often do I read a story that I need young girls NEED to read but this is one of them! Prudence was an extremely strong-minded character. She didn't let comments, peers, or stereotypes slow her down from what she wanted to do. Even at such a young age she never wavered from wanting to be the best at her job.
With some influence she even discovers that she could be a doctor, something almost unheard of for women during this time. She spends time reading and writing trying to make her mother proud. Even with the loss of her father and brother, her perseverance goes on.
Deadly paints a beautiful picture of a young girl striving to be more than what's typical during her time. Prudence brings light to this story and shows how girls can be more than what some expect. Even today with all the changes in society, this is an important lesson for young girls. I would highly suggest this book for girls who not only want a terrific story, but need one with a great role-model.
Hey everyone. I've been very lucky to get some amazing books over the past 2 weeks. I also wanted to let everyone know that there will be some BIG blog changes coming up this week. I'm so excited to share it with you all!! Now..onto the books.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury, Random House, Flux, HarperTeen, St. Martin's and Teen Book Scene.
A girl’s gotta do who a girl’s gotta do.
Chastity Bryan has never been shy about going after what she wants. And when sexy, mysterious, so-not-from-this-town Sebastian walks into Chaz’s life, she knows in an instant that what she wants next is him. Chaz has no intention of playing for keeps—but she most definitely has intentions. Who needs true love when you’ve got true lust?
Sebastian has no idea what he’s in for—but maybe neither does Chaz….
Review: This is a book that looks cute from the exterior but packs a punch inside. Chaz is fascinated by sex. We learn that early on in this book and it helps introduce us to a very strong-willed, stubborn character and you can't help but love. Chasity "Chaz" is pretty open with her outlook on sexual relationships. Her and her best friend Sadie argue about this often. While Sadie wants the perfect relationship with flowers and sweet kisses, Chaz wants none of that. She believes that sex is just something to get over with. She puts no emotional attachment to it and it makes for some hilarious conversations between her and her best friend.
Chaz seems to think she has it all figured out until Sebastian shows up. He's sexy and not from her tiny town so he seemed like the perfect guy to get to know. One thing I have to mention is that Chaz lives in my town. Maybe not literally, but I swear everything she said seemed to relate to my old home-town had it me saying "mine was like that too!". Small-towners are all the same I guess, but it was so funny to see many of funny quirks of a small town in this book. The setting was perfect!
Chaz and Sebastian are both far from perfect, however. He wasn't the knight in shining armor coming to save Chaz from her altered view of sex. He didn't instantly sweep her off her feet and have her swooning every time he entered a room. Okay, maybe she noticed but she was still as stubborn as ever. Sebastian has a past full of dysfunctional relationships and this made them the perfect companions for each other.
Kiss It also brings in the complex relationship a teenage girl has with her parents. Chaz seemed to be in a completely different world than her parents; which I think is typical for most teenagers. I'm glad Erin Downing took chances with this story. We have to assume that teenagers know about these difficult topics and rarely do I see a book with the guts to point it out. Bravo, Erin!
Kiss It is not a story of first love, parental chaos, or teenage angst. It's about a young girls perception of relationships in all different forms. A very nice coming-of-age tale with a realistic character who will have you laughing out loud. But it was easy to see the personality below the hard exterior and I enjoy every aspect of this story.
Today I have the fabulous Julie Chibbaro on the blog.
She will be discussing her book, Deadly, and I have an extra special giveaway for 5 lucky winners!
1. In DEADLY, Prudence is such a strong character. Where did you get the inspiration to write this story and that particular character?
Any kind of medical mystery has always fascinated me. When I found out the real story of Typhoid Mary (who had always been quite mythical for me, a murderess, a serial killer!), I knew I wanted to write about her. It was a perfect true story that I could fictionalize. Then, I had to create a girl who could mentally handle the challenge of this typhoid epidemic, who was in love with the way the human body functioned and why it failed. Prudence came to me when I thought about my relationship with my best friend Laura. We often sit and wonder about the world and how it works. I built Prudence up from there.
2. I feel that Prudence is a great inspirational character for young girls. What do you hope young adults take from this story?
I felt, as a young person, that I didn’t have a good sense of myself. I wrote all through high school, but no one guided me in that direction – I didn’t take writing seriously until I was nearly 30. I knew what I liked to do, but I didn’t know how to get what I wanted, how to do this thing that came naturally to me. I liked to write, but in the real world, how did a person make that a real job? So, in this novel, I wanted to explore how a teen girl becomes her passion. I do hope readers will take away that feeling – that you can follow your passion, that you can live by what comes naturally to you.
3. Can you share with us 10 little known facts about you?
1. I’m an autodidact.
2. I used to own and ride motorcycles.
3. I cracked my front tooth diving into a pool.
4. I met Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese all on the same day.
5. I met my husband on a bench in Prague while waiting for my (then) boyfriend (who was clearly the wrong guy for me.)
6. My sister died of cancer in 2008 at the age of 45.
7. Every morning, I write in my journal.
8. My first job was at Mr. Rooster (chicken breader and fryer) when I was 16. I quit that to work at Barnes & Noble and spent many stolen moments reading in backstock rooms.
9. I started reading the NY Times at age 8.
10. My husband is 11 years younger than me.
Thank you so much, Jessica, for these wonderful questions!
Deadly by Julie Chibbaro
Publisher: Atheneum (February 22nd, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York. Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist? If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails. With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery? Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.
Giveaway
Prize:
5 winners will receive a Deadly t-shirt and signed bookmark.
She has 3 size medium and 2 size small shirts.
Please choose the size on the form.
Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US Only and ends March 18th.
Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (December 21st, 2010)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 230 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?
Review: Fall for Anything is a gripping portrayal of a young girl in turmoil after her father takes his own life. She is filled with questions of "why?" he would do such a thing when he was such an amazing photographer and had a family who loved him dearly. These questions take Eddie on a journey she never expected with an unlikely companion.
When Fall for Anything begins, we meet Eddie. Her father had recently committed suicide and now she is stuck in the house with a mother who refuses to get out of bed and a housemate who comes to help out, but only seems to infuriate Eddie. This makes Eddie want to stay clear of her house so she finds solace by searching her father's favorite places. While there she tries to remember the night he died and tries to piece together his final days. Soon she meets Culler, who seems to be doing the same thing. He was a student of her father's and he seems interested in finding out the truth of his suicide as well.
Culler seems to push his way into Eddie's life by giving her hope. He believes her father could have left a message in the prints he left for Eddie. This is an idea she can't let go so they embark on a mission to find out what that message could have been. Throughout this time, we have her best friend Milo, begging her to not go with Culler. He seems to be the only tether keeping her grounded. But she goes anyway and discovers that maybe this mystery can never be solved.
Eddie was heartbreaking. She grieved with a fierce nature that felt real. Courtney explained Eddie's emotions in a way that was raw and poignant. I hurt for the character and her horrible loss. Culler remained much of a mystery throughout the book but Milo was a great best friend for Eddie. He was protective, loving, and he never turned his back on her.
Fall for Anything is a breathtaking story of a sudden, painful loss and its aftermath; all taken from the perspective of a young girl. Courtney Summers did an amazing job creating a character that seemed realistic and passionate. This story will touch your heart and leave tears in your eyes.
Today I have Suzanne Selfors, the author of Mad Love here.
I'm also having a giveaway for her books Mad Love and Coffeehouse Angel.
1. Can you share with us where your original interest in Cupid came from and why you decided to add his story to the mix in MAD LOVE?
I love Greek and Roman mythology. I have since taking the class in high school. The stories sucked me right in and I go back to them time and time again when I write my own stories. In Coffeehouse Angel, I reimagined Hermes. In my first adult book, Daughter of Crete, I reimagined Ariadne. And this time round, I knew I wanted to do something with Cupid.
My idea was this--the Greek and Roman gods are gone. No one worships them anymore. But what if Cupid got left behind? What if he's still wandering around, even though he's no longer needed? That's the idea that got me started.
2. What are a few personality traits we can expect to see from Alice and Errol?
Alice is kind. And she's loyal. She'll do anything to help her mother, even at the expense of her own happiness. Though she's gone without it for a long time, she still believes in the power of love.
Errol is worn out. He's rude and he's impatient. He's lived a long time and he's developed a negative opinion about love.
3. What was the easiest, and most difficult part of using the tale of Cupid and Psyche in this story?
It's a long story. So the most difficult part was to boil it down to its essence, to sum it up in a few well-chosen paragraphs.
Psyche has this really long journey where she travels the earth and has to complete all these tasks, and it goes on and on and on. I didn't want to bore the reader with all that so I left it out.
4. What other myths do you enjoy? Do you think you will ever use any of them in one of your books?
I will definitely continue to rely on mythology for inspiration. It's the basis of most stories we tell/read.
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (January 4th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 336 pages
When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.
That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors
Publisher: Walker & Company (August 21st, 2009)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 276 pages
When a random act of kindness involves Katrina with Malcolm, a handsome teenage guardian angel intent on fulfilling her greatest wish, fame and fortune seem like the most obvious requests. But after two botched wishes, Malcolm knows Katrina is hiding something from him. How can she tell him the truth, when her heart's desire has become Malcolm himself?
Giveaway
Prize:
1 winner will receive a copy of Mad Love and Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors.
Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US Only and ends March 17th.
Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
Sophie Jordan, the author of Firelight, will be releasing the cover of the newest book in the series, Vanish, tomorrow! As for today, I am one of the blog stops that will be giving you a glimpse at the cover.
You can visit each blog, listed below, to see the puzzle pieces and collect the words that can enter you in the giveaway tomorrow.
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (January 4th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 336 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.
That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.
Review: This was a very cute book and a fresh tale of someone we have all heard of, Cupid. Alice is responsible far beyond her 16 years. She has been forced to keep the secret that her mother, Queen of Romance, is living in a hospital due to mental illness. Her mother doesn't want her illness to ruin her reputation so Alice takes her place at events and at home.
Early on, Alice meets an interesting character that hands her an envelope and says to "write the story of Cupid and Psyche". Once he tells her he is Cupid, she knows he has somehow lost his mind. But then Cupid makes her believe him by shooting her with an arrow that makes her obsessed with him. And no matter how many times Alice tries to explain that she is not a writer like her mother, he refuses to listen.
Although Alice is forced to deal with the stress of her mother's illness, and the crazy Cupid following her, she does have some normalcy when she starts crushing on Tony, the adorable skateboarder. Errol doesn't like the fact that Tony has gained Alice's attention. He wants her only focus to be on writing his love story because he has little time left to tell it.
Alice was an amazingly strong character with a fighting personality. As much as she was responsible, mature, and brave, she was also fun-loving and spirited. Errol had experienced many years of life so it was interesting to see how he saw the world. His sickness kept him weak but his determination was powerful. Tony was simply adorable. He was a breath of fresh air to this story. But these are not the only characters within this story. Alice is surrounded by friendly faces who all care about her deeply. Her neighbors fight to keep her safe and they each brought hope and realism to this story.
Mad Love is a wonderful tale that gives a modern twist to an old mythological creature. It gave a nice spin to my own perception of Cupid and I enjoyed the stories Errol told. Alice's courage made her shine throughout this book and I enjoyed her sweet romance with Tony. If you are a fan of old legends being seen in a modern light, you will enjoy Mad Love.
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by Christine Hurley Deriso (tour)
by Kimberly Marcus
by Carrie Vaughn
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by Carol Lynch Williams
by Kelley Armstrong
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