hers for the reading

Forced Blog Hiatus

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

Not that going internetless is always a bad thing, but I'm still without a connection even though I was supposed to be back online almost a month ago. This has just given me more time to fret about grad school apps and catch up on Dexter and spend a little more time at the gym. Thank heavens I have a smart phone or I'd feel totally cut off from the world. How sad is that?

Thinking back, I hardly remember a time without internet. As early as first grade, I would dial directly into the library computers to put books on hold, and when this new thing called "electronic mail" came out, my fifth-grade science teacher found us some keyboard pals in Georgia. While texting and wireless internet are commonplace now, it was something I grew up only seeing on Star Trek. Which makes me feel rather old--and more than a bit nerdy.

Back to the point. I know I've woefully neglected my "Upcoming Books" reading list, and I haven't posted any pictures since early November. Unfortunately, you can't expect to see too much from me in the next month. Maybe a book review if I can find anything in the mess of my home library, and there will probably be highlights from next week's Tour de Nerdfighting stop in DC. But I still need to finish unpacking and submit my grad school app essays. So the sporadic blogging continues into the new year.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

2011-12-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

Where has the year gone? It seems like I haven't had a chance to breathe in the past four months, so thinking about everything that's happened this year makes me want to have a bit of a panic attack. Among moving and conferences and natural disasters and turning 30, I can't believe all the adventures and experiences I was able to fit in.

It's strange to think that a year ago I was still dealing with a lot of sadness from the deaths of both Ashley and Prince, and struggling to find time to read and write. At the time, I set five goals for myself:

Find joy, even in the sadness.
Live a more active lifestyle.
Visit my brother in Hawaii.
Find balance in reading.
Make writing a priority again.

I'm happy to report that I made great strides in fulfilling these goals.

Life is truly beautiful, and even through tragedy, happiness is found. Earlier this month I attended a memorial service for the family and friends of people killed in Washington, DC. After a program presented by the DC police homicide family services, we went to visit Prince's grave. While it was an incredibly sad day, we were also able to share memories of Prince, sing hymns, and give lots and lots of hugs. That day I realized I could even think of Ashley without also thinking of the terrible grief her death left behind--I could pick up her favorite books without wanting to cry and look at pictures of her without getting lost in memories.

As I've recently discovered, lifestyle changes are not easy to make, but they are well worth the effort. I was first diagnosed with IBS when I was 17, and it's been getting progressively worse since. In June, I finally decided enough was enough. Unfortunately, this meant cutting out lactose, corn, beans (including soy) and brassica (broccoli, mustard, cabbage). Fortunately, it also meant getting control of my health by heading to the gym almost every day and visiting my doctor regularly to balance medications and monitor progress. While I've lost a significant amount of weight throughout this process, the best benefit is waking up every morning feeling better than I have in almost 15 years.

A dead computer and other travel obligations prevented me from getting to Hawaii this year, but I don't regret it. I was able to attend my first national SCBWI conference in New York, be at my cousin's wedding, visit the Alamo, enjoy my first snowfall of the year from the Berkshires in Massachusetts, show my best friend around my hometown, visit my friends in North Carolina, and take part in so many YA lit events it's hard to count.

My last post broke down the books I've read this year, and while I'm still 17 books short of my goal of 150, I can't really complain about all the reading I got done. It's been a lot of years since I've explored picture books so thoroughly, and I checked off a lot of classics I've been meaning to read for years. But the most fun I had was becoming more educated about audiobooks, an education that has the opportunity to expand now that I have a longer commute and can take public transportation to work.

Probably the best thing that marked 2011 for me was my decision to attend graduate school for a degree in creative writing for children. When I finished my undergraduate degree, I said I'd never go back to school. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that life never goes as planned. I've also made decent (though not wonderful) progress on a few of my manuscripts, and I have the most amazing writers' group that keeps me improving and thinking and reading critically.

If it's even half as amazing as this year was, 2012 is going to be a good year. How lucky am I?

Best Books I Read in 2011

2011-12-27T17:30:00.003-05:00

This list gets harder and harder to compile every year, but I love going back and looking at the books I've read in the past year--what books have stayed with me, which ones I've passed on or recommended to friends, what new authors I've discovers, and which characters have become my new best friends. Usually I only choose five books to share, but this time I wanted to share the five new authors I discovered this year. That doesn't mean these authors debuted this year--a couple of them stopped publishing years ago--but all of them are new to me.

Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door

My year was bookended by Perkins—I read Anna in January and Lola in December. Perkins' books leave me completely contented and totally mushy though I don't usually get all warm and fuzzy from a good romance. So why I love these books so much is a bit of a mystery. Maybe it's because they're all at once funny and meaningful, totally real and a little magical, typically romantic and full of longing. They capture what it's like to be a teenager in love while possessing a depth of character that leaves you knowing not only that the characters have become something better but also gives you hope that you can be something more in the end as well.

Il Sung Na

A Book of Sleep and Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit

Na is my favorite new illustrator; his books are just beautiful. The plots are so simple yet clever, which makes them the perfect board books, though Rabbit hasn't yet been released as a board book. I'm always looking for illustrators who can create something innovative yet familiar, and that's what Na has done to perfection.

Jennifer Donnelly

Revolution

I first heard of Donnelly years ago when her novel A Northern Light received a Printz Honor, but I never got around to reading it. With my goal to become more versed in audiobooks and being familiar with Emily Card's work, I made it a point to listen to this one. And the audiobook blew my mind. Really. I couldn't wait to listen to Card and Bering give a new outlook on a fascinating historical period with beautiful accents, perfect rhythm and infallible timing. Their skills should make every recording artist green with envy. (It probably also helped that Donnelly referenced some of my all-time favorite bands in the same sentences as my most beloved classical composers.)

Adam Gidwitz

A Tale Dark and Grimm

I'm a sucker for a good re-imagining of the Brothers Grimm. This book has perfect comedic timing (who know that was even possible in print), and the elements of the macabre that defines the Grimm tradition are well balanced with morality and tenderness. I laughed out loud and even found myself reading aloud to an empty room just so I could enjoy my favorite passages all over again.

Norton Juster

The Phantom Tollbooth

I still can't believe I had never read this book before. For years people told me I'd love it, but there were always so many other good books I wanted to read. So for the 50th anniversary of its publication, I thought I'd take a spin through the Tollbooth. And oh what a ride it was. This is a fantastic (and fantastical) novel about word-play and numbers and adventure, which equals the perfect book for me.

Five Old Favorites Made New
The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan: Eleven months after finishing this novel, I'm still thinking about it.
The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima: And I thought I was over high fantasy.
How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr: No one understands losing yourself and finding home again like Zarr.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick: Sight and sound take on new meaning in yet another amazing novel in words and pictures by Selznick.
Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems: A bitter-sweet ending to my favorite stuffed bunny.

Reading List Analytics
Out of the 132 books I read this year, about one-third were picture books (48), another third were audiobooks (44), and the final third were novels (40). I gave 38 books five stars, 53 books four stars, 29 three stars, 10 books two stars and only two books received one star.

Best Books of 2010
Best Books of 2009

A Sick Day for Bookworm

2011-12-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season for cold and flu! This past week, I've had a lovely ear, nose and throat infection, so in honor of my sick days, here are a couple of my favorite picture books about being sick:

Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and Erin Stead

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

And here are a couple bonus books for older readers:
An American Plague by Jim Murphy
Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith and Gioia Fiammenghi

P.S. I'm feeling much better now—practically back to normal, whatever that is.

Ambitious Goals: Falling Short of 150

2011-12-08T18:00:00.003-05:00

This year I signed up for the Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge for 150 books. It started out that I set a goal for 60 books, but within four months I knew I would surpass that. Then I changed my goal to 100 books, and by July, I knew I'd pass that. So I took a look back over my 4-year membership with Goodreads and realized that I could probably read more books in 2011 than I have ever recorded reading: 150 books.

What was I thinking?

Apparently I wasn't thinking about grad school applications, or the writing conference I was helping plan, or that work always gets busiest at the end of the year, or my travel plans for the fall, or that I'd need to find a new apartment for the week before Christmas.

So now I look back at those 125 books that I've read this year. 125 books. And I think, "Wow, that's pretty impressive that I've read 125 books." And I still have three weeks to get some reading done. Maybe I won't make my goal, but the thing about ambitious goals is that the journey is often more rewarding than the destination.

Imagine a Winter Wonderland: Celebrate the Season with Picture Books

2011-12-02T22:18:00.002-05:00

I had a few people over for dinner last night, including the 3-year-old daughter of my good friend. M loves coming to my house and exploring all of my picture books—it fascinates her to no end that I have so many and no kids. To make up for my lack of reading audience, M makes me read book after book to her in between spinning circles to her favorite Christmas songs.

Last night, her favorites included any book featuring snow. So in honor of M, here are my favorite winter picture books to share with the little elves in your life.

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

This is my favorite winter book that came out this year. While it's sweet and a little sentimental, which tends to appeal to parents, it's also creative and adventurous, which makes it appeal to kids. Even the author notes about the animals' hibernation patterns makes for a fascinating read.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit by Il Sung Na

I think I've mentioned my love affair with Il Sung Na's work a couple times. It's just so beautifully illustrated using digital technology that you can't help but wonder, "How'd he do that?" On yeah, and kids love its color and simplicity as well.

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn and Mark Buehner

This is my stand-by favorite for the holiday season. The illustrations are vivid and bright, and the text is rhythmic and funny. I get a kick out of this book every time I pick it up.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

No other book quite captures the magic of a walk in the snow like Yolen's tale, beautifully illustrated by John Schoenherr.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

This book has been the winter-read of choice for more than 50 years. You really can't go wrong with a classic--and the cultural significance of this book makes it a truly historic picture book for any season.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Another classic, the Grinch will never get old. And if you can get your hands on the 1966 movie version of the story, you'll enjoy an evening of great music and a faithful recreation of the story.

The Night Before Christmas Pop-up by Clement Clarke Moore and Robert Sabuda

A few years ago I wrote about how much I loved the pop-up version of this story I had as a kid, and I admit that I love this new version just as much even if it doesn't hold the same kind of memories.

Cajun Night Before Christmas by "Trosclair" and James Rice

And of course Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a little bayou adventure. If you can find a really Cajun to read it to you (or even someone who can fake it well enough), all the better.

Top Ten Holiday Albums

2011-11-26T14:14:00.000-05:00

So I'm a little obsessed with holiday music. Nothing puts me in the holiday spirit like a good tune. While some of these music selections are really traditional, many of them put a modern twist on the classics as well as introduce new tunes that are quickly becoming holiday classics to me. Feel free to leave your favorite albums (or even songs) in comments!

The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs by Various Artists

Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer by Relient K

Christmas Child by Carbon Leaf

A Santa Cause: It's A Punk Rock Christmas by Various Artists

Maybe This Christmas by Various Artists

Gift Wrapped - 20 Songs That Keep On Giving! by Various Artists

It's Christmas Time by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra

Rejoice and Be Merry by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Featuring The King Singers

A Very Special Christmas Live From Washington, D.C. by Various Artists

Boogie Woogie Christmas by The Brian Setzer Orchestra

And what would my lists be without bonus recommendations. Because the first bonus is a soundtrack that only features one original recording, I didn't think it deserves the same recognition as the other albums. The second bonus some people argue isn't really a holiday CD at all, but isn't Halloween really the beginning of the holiday season?

Elf: Music From The Motion Picture by Various Artists

The Nightmare Before Christmas Special Edition by Danny Elfman, Featuring Various Artists

Why can't I just have a crappy day?

2011-11-23T18:52:00.004-05:00

Today was supposed to be about writing my critical essay for my grad school application. Instead, I spent my morning cleaning my house and cooking for a Thanksgiving meal I didn't want to have. I kept getting emails and phone calls about issue I shouldn't have to deal with. And my evening was taken over by house hunting--a task I despise on a good day. I hadn't gotten any writing done, and I wasn't any closer to finishing my grad school applications.

And then I walked into a bedroom in a house we were looking at and saw this:

(So it was really a regular white coffee mug with the Vermont College logo, but I couldn't find a picture of it online.)

One of the current tenants of the house we were looking at had recently graduated from one of the colleges I'm applying to. So I got to ask her questions about the program and play the "Do you know him/her?" game and talk to her about my concerns with the critical essay. All of a sudden, my day didn't seem like such a waste. In fact, even though we decided the house wasn't a good option for us, I was glad we went house hunting this evening.

That got me thinking, maybe my day wasn't so bad. After all, I got to sleep in for an hour. I even spend more time on my post-cardio yoga routine than I ever have time for. My carpet is clean and my refrigerator is full of good food. Almost all of my holiday shopping is finished, and my friend whom I rarely get to see went with me to a free screening of The Muppets on Monday. I got 10 cents off each gallon of gas I put in my car this afternoon because I had bought a Thanksgiving meal for three women who are far from home this year--four, if I count myself. My best friend sent me the sweetest email that made me feel like maybe my friendship is worth more than I give it credit. Tonight I get to visit with two of my favorite people, and I still have Friday, Saturday and Sunday to get my paper done.

I know it sounds sappy, but this Thanksgiving I'm grateful for all the little things. I'm grateful for one little coffee mug that made me realize giving thanks isn't about what you have so much as it's about all the good things that are yet to come.

Friday Five: Bad blogger. Bad, bad blogger.

2011-11-18T17:33:00.001-05:00

I am well aware that I have been woefully neglecting my blog. To all you who come looking for book lists and NoVA children's/YA lit event news, I apologize. And to all you who come looking for updates on what I'm up to (yes, that means you, Mom), well, the lack of content is indirectly proportional to the amount of obligations in my life.

So, for this Friday Five, I have the five things preventing me from being a reliable blogger.

Number 1

I spent Veteran's Day visiting friends in North Carolina. Tim, Annie and Maddie have made many appearances in this blog, including Thanksgiving two years ago, last fall, last Thanksgiving and this Labor Day. This time we headed down to their neck of the woods to help with remolding their house. Of course, we couldn't go to Jacksonville, NC, without a quick trip to the beach.

Number 2

A much larger chunk of my time is now dedicated to my commute as my office moved into the city this month. Not that this is a bad thing. In fact, I've missed taking public transportation to work, and in the past 18 days I've to listen to tons of audiobooks.

Number 3

I've been doing a ton of manuscript critiques. While this is tons of fun and a great way to deconstruct the mechanics of writing in order to build up my own skills, all of the manuscripts I'm currently reading are historical fiction, which takes a ton of time to critique effectively. But it also means I get to learn about exciting places like Revolutionary-era London and mid-evil Scotland and even a fictitious island in Polynesia during the Victorian era.

Number 4

I started working with a personal trainer, which makes me feel obligated to do things like work out every day and pay attention to what I eat. Being healthy takes an amazing amount of time, effort and money (that I don't have). Lucky for me, two-year-old Maddie helped me out last weekend by showing me the proper form for downward facing dog.

Number 5

And of course there's the ever-present grad school applications. In fact, I'm taking the day before Thanksgiving off—not to drive anywhere or prepare food, but to write my critical essay while everyone else is gone. But least you fear I'll spend all my time writing and no time giving thanks, I ordered a ready-made Thanksgiving so I won't miss out. (P.S. This is in no way an indication that I have nowhere to go for the holiday. Don't feel sorry for me as I've been invited to several dinners, but I desperately need to finish my applications.)

Classical Greek Meets Modern YA

2011-11-09T19:13:00.000-05:00

I've been working on my critical essay for my grad school applications this week. While I'm really excited about the topic I've chosen, the research for the essay is turning into a lot more work than I originally planned.

Without giving away too much, I wanted to do something that combined my love for contemporary young adult fiction with my academic background in the development of Western literature. (Yes, that was my self-written minor as I wanted to take philosophy, religious history, ancient literature and modern literature classes.) So I've been combing old philosophy papers and reading forgotten textbooks for tidbits of information I can use.

Now that I have the philosophy section outlined, I need to choose a modern young adult novel that has been banned in several schools and libraries across the country to tie it all together. The problem is, there are so many banned books that I love that will fit my purpose and that I'd be excited to read again. At least I've narrowed it down to three novels that made the ALA's Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books in 2009 and 2010:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

My question for you is, which of these novels do you love best? I own all three books and have read them multiple times and often recommend them to other people. I really can't decide which to choose, and I need to have the book read, quotations chosen and outline completed by Thanksgiving weekend.

Come on, internet, don't fail me now.

Friday Five: Five Weeks in Five Pictures

2011-11-04T18:22:00.000-04:00

The past five weeks have been a little crazy, but it's been one of those crazy wonderful months. I know that I posted a couple of these pictures, but they kind of bear repeating. So here are the five best things that happened to me in the past five week.

Chicago Trip

When you get to spend an entire week with your family and best friend, you'd be thinking about it and smiling about it a month later as well. I wish we could be together everyday, but I'll just have to be content with fond memories and plans for another trip soon.

Uncle Ron's Visit

I love when people visit me in DC, but I especially love seeing my family. So when my uncle came to town, we had an amazing few days touring the monuments—especially seeing MLK Memorial for the first time— and spending a morning at the National Arboretum—my uncle's a master gardener, which made this visit especially fun.

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference

I know, I can't say enough about how wonderful this conference was. I net so many wonderful people there that I hope to keep in touch with for years to come. Joining and then volunteering with SCBWI was the best decision I've ever made.

Meeting in the Berkshires

I was asked to speak at a conference in Massachusetts, and despite the early snow, I had a wonderful time. Hopefully the attendees found my presentation worthwhile (I spoke about building relationships with local media) because I know it was lovely to meet all of them.

Grad School App

That's right, my very first graduate school application is complete (except for one promised letter of recommendation that hasn't been submitted yet). I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have the first one in—now the other two don't seem like such insurmountable obstacles. My decision to go to graduate school is seeming more and more real and getting more and more exciting.

Series to Grow Up With

2011-11-02T17:30:00.002-04:00

Transitioning from YA to adult books is a common theme on my blog, and today I wanted to address another way of doing this: series with increasingly difficult reading levels.

Not only do the characters in these series grow in age, but the situations they face become increasingly complicated, and the level of difficulty for the reader also increases. This is much more complicated than authors who write continuing series, books both for YA and adults or books with cross-market appeal. They have to sustain characters through years of growth and development as well as keep readers engaged.

The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
The Austin Family Chronicles by Madeleine L'Engle
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
Ender Books by Orson Scott Card
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Jessica Darling by Megan McCafferty
Bloody Jack Adventures by L.A. Meyer

Most of these books also work well as read-alouds because they are accessible to both children and adults, and they explore issues that promote discussion and help develop connections. Don't stop reading to your child just because they can finally read on their own! Even if you don't read aloud, your child will still benefit from both of you independently reading a series at the same time, although it takes some planning to make sure there are two copies of a book in the house.

When introducing your children to a series, it's a good idea to not only be aware of their current reading level and emotional maturity but also the pace at which your child reads to prepare for when they'll approach later books in the series that might address more mature issues.

Screaming Good Books

2011-10-31T17:30:00.013-04:00

Last year, Neil Gaiman proposed giving scary books as gifts on Halloween. As some of you know, I don't really do scary books, mostly because they're...well...scary. But scary picture books? Those I can mostly handle. So as my gift to you, I give you my list of Screaming Good Books.

Here are a few off my favorite spooky picture books to give to your little ghoul:
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
Mommy? by Maurice Sendak
The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
Julius's Candy Corn by Kevin Henkes
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willams
Piggie Pie! by Margie Palatini
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
The Littlest Witch by Jeanne Massey
Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark by Alvin Schwartz (This book's for older readers but is still a picture book. Also, if you haven't read this book in awhile, make sure to check out the new edition illustrated by Brett Helquist—of A Series of Unfortunate Events fame.)

And four bonus spooky chapter books that I read this year:
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Dream Big, or Highlights from the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference

2011-10-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

This was my first official year on the SCBWI Fall Conference Planning Committee, and boy was it crazy hard work. I don't know how these women (and sometimes men) do this year after year after year. But all the hard work totally paid off this weekend. Children's book industry professionals all came together just outside the Beltway to inspire, teach and even sometimes admonish the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI community.

We all know I'm a sucker for both baseball and books, so Brian Lies didn't have to work all that hard to get me rooting for him. But when he showed up at the conference hotel around 11 p.m. while I was setting up the AV equipment, he proceeded to spend the next hour making sure his presentation worked with our system and even let me be a fangirl for a little while. Then bright an early the next morning, Brian gave an amazing opening address.

He framed his speech around his marketing plan for his books, including advice on brainstorming (nothing is off the table), going beyond what the publisher is willing to do (his family wraps their van in art for every book) and the most important meal of the day (breakfast, of course). While much of his concepts directly translate into promotional ideas for published authors, the underlying message was clearly for everyone: Investing in yourself will give you the best returns.

"If you believe—if you imagine the wacky stuff—it can happen... Success really does breed success, but you have to keep the ball rolling."
—Brian Lies
author of Bats at the Ballgame and Bats at the Beach

Brian was followed by a panel of literary agents who talked about what they do and what they're looking for in clients. This is also where I get to insert a plug for my friend Megan Sheperd, whose book The Madman's Daughter comes out from HarperCollins in 2013, in large part thanks for her agent, Quinlan Lee. And after hearing Quinlan speak and talking to her after the conference, I can understand why Megan speaks so highly of Quinlan. Both her and Jennifer's dedication to their clients and the children's book industry was clear in their advice.

"If you send to everyone at one time, you lose the opportunity to revise and resubmit."
—Jennifer Rofé
agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency

"One book, two hands, countless reasons we do what we do."
—Quinlan Lee
agent with Adams Literary

Next up as editor extraordinar Chelsea Eberly talking about "The Hook for Your Book". While I missed the first part of her talk because of other conference responsibilities, she gave wonderful insight into why you need to know what about your novel will hook the reader. In knowing what makes your novel strong and unique, you are able not only to pitch it to industry professionals but also fix a lot of problems in your writing before you begin submitting.

"Think about the book industry, which means doing your homework... If you don’t know what you’ve written, you’ve kind of handed us an easy rejection."
—Chelsea Eberly
editor at Random House

National Book Award-winner Han Nolan gave the keynote address. She is both talented and insightful as well as humble and kind. I have never heard a speaker expose herself so fully to an audience, and it nearly broke my heart. She spoke about some of her most embarrassing moments as a writing and why she keeps writing despite the challenges.

"We don’t need more junk, and the young people we’re writing for don’t need more junk. They need to be inspired and invigorated... Powerful art can change you, it can change the world."
—Han Nolan
author of Pregnant Pause and Dancing on the Edge

Time management is a huge issue for authors and aspiring writers alike, and the local author panel addressed how to accomplish your writing goals without sacrificing the rest of you life. And these woman—who are writers, mothers, teachers, friends—understand what it takes to be a Renaissance Woman.

"It is fair to ask yourself what you’re trading your writing time for."
—Wendy Shang
author of The Great Wall Of Lucy Wu

"You can expect kind things to come your way, and you should extend kind things to others as well."
—Meg Medina
author of The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind and Milagros: Girl from Away

"At some point you have to say, okay, this is when I’m going to write and this is when I’m going to take care of business... We all get the same 24 hours in a day."
—Anne Marie Pace
author of Vampirina Ballerina and Never Ever Talk to Strangers

"You have to compartmentalize yourself...but you also need a break."
—Amy Brecount White
author of Forget-Her-Nots

The day finished off with an the editor panel discussing how voice influences plot and character development. With both practical and theoretical advice on how to develop a unique, believable voice in writing, these editors proved why they are so trusted and respected in the children's book industry.

"It’s so easy to forget to look through your character’s eyes and [instead] look through our own eyes because they’re more familiar... Ask yourself: What would I do if I were the character in this scenario?"
—Abby Ranger
editor at Disney-Hyperion

"There are no absolutes in writing, so clearly all of the rules we give you you are free to break."
—Chelsea Eberly
editor at Random House

"Figure out what your character is most afraid of and then make them do it... When the internal and external conflicts interlace, it makes for a very nuanced story."
—Caroline Abbey
editor at Bloomsbury

It's pretty obvious why I enjoyed this conference so much. Every SCBWI event I attend gets me excited to do more with and be better at what I feel such a deep passion to do. If you aren't a member of SCBWI, join now. And if you already are a member, it was great to see you at the conference, and I look forward to seeing you again next year!

Falling in Love with the Second City

2011-10-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

Growing up in the shadow of man-made mountains, I never realized that most kids don't go to Broadway plays or museum exhibits practically every week. It wasn't until high school that I discovered even the kids from my hometown didn't spend their summers exploring the ethnic neighborhoods, swimming in the largest of the Great Lakes or cheering on the Boys in Black.

A few weeks ago when my best friend from Idaho met me in Chicago for vacation, I wanted to help her fall in love with my favorite city in the world. There was only one slight problem: I've had almost thirty years to explore Chi-Town, and Tammy only had six days.

Day One: Home Sweet Home

After landing and meeting up at the airport with many hugs and much giggling (yes, I giggle), Tammy and I met up with my family at Protillo's, the best greasy Italian beef around—and their chocolate cake shakes aren't bad either. We then drove around my hometown to show Tammy where I went to school (it was homecoming weekend, so we saw everyone leaving the powder puff game), all the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings along tree-lined streets, the library where I spent the majority of my free time, and the old downtown area, complete with riverboat casino and the last theater Frank Sinatra preformed in before his death.

Day Two: Bookends

We started off the day with an L ride up to the Newberry Library. Though I've walked past it many times, this was the first time I had ever been in the library built by the man who founded the American Library Association and has the highest honor in children's writing named after him. We then walked down the Magnificent Mile and saw one of the only buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Of course, sampling Chicago's famous stuffed pizza and taking pictures of Cloud Gate (more commonly known as "The Bean") are must-do tourist activities. We then ended our day chilling at the Harold Washington Library, which was—at the time of its completions—the largest public library in the world.

Day Three: Faith and Family

Saturday morning we headed to the LDS temple in the morning with my mom. The grounds are always so peaceful and beautiful, and this particular temple has a lot of meaning to me personally. We also ran into some old friends of my parents who knew them BC (Before Children), which was kind of cool. Back at my sister's house, her boyfriend Tom was getting ready to leave for a month of Army training in Germany. We ate lunch and played some card games until he had to go. While Tom will only be gone for a little while, his trip to Germany is in preparation for deployment to the Middle East next year. Not an easy afternoon of good-byes.

Day Four: Hyde Park

This had to be the most beautiful day of the entire trip. We didn't spend anywhere near enough time browsing the local bookstores, but we did spend a few hours learning the history of the written word in the Oriental Museum. They were setting up for a wedding at the Rockefeller Chapel, and a few knights in shining armor were practicing their sward skills on Quad of the University of Chicago. After walking around the Museum of Science and Industry and discussing the Columbian Exposition that took place there in 1893, we enjoyed the perfect weather along the lakefront. To cap off a pretty perfect day, we had dinner with my middle school English teacher, who, after all these years, is still correcting my grammar.

Day Five: View from the Top

What does the world look like from the top? Very small. The Willis Tower—nope, I just can't do it. The Sears Tower is not my favorite tourist stop in Chicago, but we did start off the day walking through Grant Park, where we strolled the Museum Campus and enjoyed the cooling spray of the water at Buckingham Fountain. The gardens were still a bit of a mess from the Chicago Marathon the day before, we everything was still in bloom. We also caught a bit of the Columbus Day Parade, and I stopped by my favorite paintings at the Art Institute. Then we traveled up to catch a glimpse of four states on Skydeck before hopping on the L to Old Town where Second City performs. I've seen the troupe several times, but as improve mandates, no show is ever the same.

Day Six: Boat Ride

The Wendella Boat Tours have been a staple of family activities for years, and no matter how often I do it, I always have fun. It's the perfect view of my favorite city. After five days of non-stop touring, we headed back to my parent's house for a not-so-quiet dinner with my high-school best friend and her family. (I love it when my worlds collide like that.) It doesn't seem to matter how far away I live or how long I've been gone, but dinner at my mom's table always feels like home.

Honestly, I already miss Chicago—especially my family. But I'm also glad to be back in DC. My heart might reside in a few places across the country, yet I'm always glad to come home again.

Blog on Backorder

2011-10-17T01:01:00.000-04:00

There are so many things I want to post about! I have pictures from my Chicago trip, highlights from visiting the new MLK Memorial with my uncle, reminders about the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference this coming Saturday, thoughts on prepping for NaNoWriMo, and so many other things. But I just don't have the energy.

I mean, in the entire month of September I read a grand total of five books, four of which were picture books. And halfway through October? Three: two picture books and one graphic novel. Okay, so that graphic novel was absolutely wonderful (Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life for those of you wondering), and I'd be perfectly content to read nothing for the next year as long as it was the novel I read last month (shame on you if you haven't read The Gray Wolf Throne), but does that really make up for the fact that I've got a stack of unread books on my nightstand that I'm desperate to read?

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Time Flies, or Time to Fly

2011-10-06T00:07:00.000-04:00

In less than 20 hours, I'll be with my two sisters—one my sister by blood and the other my sister by choice, but both my best friends in the world. Gwen and Tammy have never met, so I'm way excited for them to get to know each other rather than just know each other through me. This is also Tammy's first time to Chicago, which means I get to play tour guide in one of my favorite cities in the world.

Packing/laundering/cleaning is a pain, and I'm terrified to leave behind the excessive amount of work I have. But even that can't keep me from wanting to jump out of my skin in anticipation. God really knew what he was doing when her created sister—there's nothing better in the world.

Nation Book Festival Day 2: Finding Friends within the Pages

2011-09-29T18:00:00.077-04:00

This was the first time in its ten-year history that the National Book Festival extended into a second day, and the bibliophile in me couldn't have been happier. It didn't matter that I was being eaten alive my mosquitoes and sunburned and sweating worse than...well, I won't even go there. All I knew is that I was going to meet one of my childhood heroes, the woman who made Arthurian legend come alive: Susan Cooper.

Sure, I got my copy of War Dances signed by Sherman Alexie (he signed my copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a few years ago), and I got to see the Magic School Bus in real life, but it was listening to the men and woman who changed my life—the authors who introduced me to some of my greatest friends—that really made my day.

After Brian Selznick's talk gushing about Hugo Cabret being adapted to film, it was fascinating to listen to Susan Cooper talk about her opposite experience with The Dark Is Rising/The Seeker. But mostly I loved sitting just feet away from one of my writing heroes. Cooper rarely makes public appearances anymore, so I never expected to hear her speak. Her books have an amazing sense of place, and she easily builds relationships with her readers though she writes mostly fantasy. I could gush about her all day, but I'll spare you.

"It's a special connection between the writer and the kids who live within the pages like she has. We've become friends because of the books we've shared."
—Susan Cooper
author of The Dark Is Rising Sequence and The Boggart

I only caught the end of Patricia McKissack's talk, but she was so sweet and delightful. And the way she spoke about her family—especially her husband—made me want to adopt them all.

"You don't have to write memos when you're married to your co-author. You can wake up in the middle of the night and say, 'I've got it!' and he can say, 'Well, get it in the morning.'"
—Patricia McKissack
author of Mirandy and Brother Wind and The Clone Codes

I'm not sure why I was surprised by how much I loved Gary Schmidt, but I think he was my favorite speaker. The way he talked about the importance of books to the development of children literally had me in tears, and his dedication to the writing craft is awe-inspiring. He talk about how we "throw kids away" by not trusting them with the beautiful things in life, and while relationships and love are the most amazing things in the world, "they are not promised." Yet if we provide children with the power of words, they can make sense of the horrors that so often surround us. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about all the amazing things he said.

"Writing is always about discipline. Gift is great to talk about, but at the end of the day, it's all about getting your butt in the chair and writing... I think a lot of people here know what it's like to have a book that's a friend, and that's why I write."
—Gary Schmidt
author of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and Okay for Now

I love that I live in a country where we celebrate books and literacy. Though we still struggle to help kids understand the importance of reading, and far too often our education system fails to provide young adults with the tools they need for success, events like these give me hope. They fill my well and strengthen my desire to make a difference. I hope you can join me on The National Mall next year to celebrate the wonders of reading.

P.S. Happy Banned Book Week! Exercise your First Amendment rights and read.

National Book Festival Day 1: Creating Images with Words

2011-09-27T18:33:00.005-04:00

More than 200,000 bibliophiles converged on The National Mall this past weekend, and you can bet I was among them. My first stop was Brian Selznick's book signing, where kids ignored the mosquitoes and rain-soaked ground to delve into the pages of Wonderstruck while waiting to get their copies signed. I got there half an hour early and was still about the 200th person in line. Good thing book lovers love to talk books, so I found some great company in the two teens standing in front of me. We talked Sign Language (their father is deaf) and how the small details in Selznick's art makes it so unique. I am now the proud owner of a signed copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

I then found a spot in the teen tent where I spent the rest of the afternoon, basking in the energy of teens who love to read. I only caught the Q&A section of Cassandra Clare's speech, but she had me in stitches the entire time. Apparently she built her writing chops writing Lord of the Rings fan fiction told in the style of Bridget Jones. Priceless.

"Usually characters are a composite of people I know, people in movies and characters in books I've read, and by the end, they're so mashed up the people they're originally based on don't recognize them."
—Cassandra Clare
author of City of Bones and Clockwork Angel

Brian Selznick took the stage next. While he talked a lot about seeing his book come to life thanks to the amazing Martin Scorsese, he mostly talked about how images can give depth to a story. I loved listening to him speak about perspective and connection—how everyone sees the world through different eyes.

"People really like to help you if you ask, especially if they're an expert in something really specific that no one else asks them about."
—Brian Selznick
author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck

The ever-enthusiastic Rita Williams-Garcia closed out the day by treating us to an interpretive dance of her presentation, which consisted mainly of her jumping up and down in excitement and doing a hysterical impression of how her curvaceous mother used to "carry the jazz band with her" wherever she walked. She gave the most incredible talk about the importance of finding and building your own character.

"My friends and people I've met inspire my characters, but it was my family that built my character... It all boils down to building character, to showing character."
—Rita Williams-Garcia
author of One Crazy Summer and Jumped

I honestly didn't want the day to end. Good thing I still had the next day to listen to the inspiring words of some of my favorite authors.

P.S. Happy Banned Book Week! Exercise your First Amendment rights and read.

Fall for the Book YA Author Panel

2011-09-21T19:26:00.000-04:00

This weekend I went to a panel discussion featuring Pam Bachorz, Sarah Collins Honenberger, Val Patterson, Jon Skovron and Amy Brecount White, all local YA authors. One More Page Books, local indi bookstore and wine shop, hosted the event, and I think I'm in love with their venue. (The Washington Post recently featured One More Page for their stellar book groups.)

Now on to some tidbits of wisdom from some amazing writers.

On why not getting your book published isn't the end of the world:

"Nothing's wasted—even a failed book is a success... Be kind to yourself."
—Val Patterson

On why YA is the place to be:

"YA breaks all the rules... It took off when nobody was paying attention."
—Jon Skovron

On how to write what you don't know:

"I'm not a teenage boy, I've never been a teenage boy...but I could observe the essence of boy and then channel it."
—Pam Bachorz

On finding motivation even when you don't feel like writing:

"The reason writers write is because they have a story to tell... Write through the garbage."
—Sarah Collins Honenberger

(Sorry, I couldn't get a picture of Sarah because there was a head in my way. But it was a really cool 15-year-old boy who asked good questions and chatted with me about writing and books after the panel, so I didn't mind so much.)

On outlining vs. the "seat of your pants" approach:

"If you try to keep it all in your head, you'll explode... Sometimes if you can see what's wrong, you're that much closer to seeing what's right."
—Amy Brecount White

I've never attended the Fall for the Book Festival before, but you can bet I'll plan to attend more events next year. So thanks to George Mason University for hosting this event and helping build a community of book lovers!

P.S. Look for next week's posts featuring National Book Festival speakers Tomie dePaola, Brian Selznick, Rita Williams-Garcia, Susan Cooper and Gary Schmidt. I'm hoping to catch Sherman Alexie and Toni Morrison as well, but I have some scheduling conflicts. Good thing the Library of Congress archives everything, so you can watch the webcasts or listen to the podcasts within a few weeks of the festival.

Grammatical Quandaries

2011-09-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

Split Infinitives: My friend assures me that "only prescriptivist grammarians will harp about split infinitives, and that's because they're basing their rules on Latin where it is not possible to split infinitives" and that it's okay to split infinitives because "we speak a Germanic language, not a Romantic one." Oxford Dictionaries would both agree and disagree: "Avoid split infinitives in formal writing, unless the alternative wording seems very clumsy or would alter the meaning of your sentence." The Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style Manual also recommend not splitting the infinitive unless it is for deliberate emphasis or to avoid awkward construction. Yes, this is what I spend my time debating with my friends.

Capitalization: Doing editing for business professionals is a constant battle in controlling capitalization. They want to personify everything from the name of their company to the business tools they use: "Our Company is here to serve You!" and "Good Synergy is all it take to accomplish your Goals!" While caps indicate a proper noun or the beginning of a sentence, quotation or thought, using them to give nouns emphasis is very Revolutionary (as in 1776, not an idea that has the potential to change the world). If texting has its way, we won't be using capitalization for anything in the next five years. Incidentally, Germanic languages are the pretty much the only languages to capitalize days of the week and months of the year and well as street names, demonyms and the nominative singular pronoun.

End Prepositions: Your sixth-grade teacher might have insisted they were evil, but avoiding them can make you sound pretentious. Yet if you find yourself using them more than once every thousand words, you're probably not using very effective writing. The problem with end prepositions is that they have no object, which means the modifying phrase is ambiguous, which leads to unclear writing, which results in miscommunication, which can cause hurt feelings and wars and big fat "F"s on final papers.

Transitional Conjunctions: If you have never begun a sentence with a conjunction, I praise you for being a good student and listening to your teacher. However, this is another one of those formal-writing no-nos that has become commonly accepted over the past few years. While used for emphasis and to show greater contrast in ideas, it is over used, and I am more guilty of this than most.

A Dash of Dashes

2011-09-14T17:30:00.002-04:00

Dash: Three types of dashes vary in length. Figure dash (-), or hyphen, joins words or separates syllables. En-dash (–), or minus sign, indicates a range or a connecting relationship. Em-dash (—), or double dash, indicates an interruption, such as a parenthetical thought or sentence cut short.

Slash: Used to emphasize a connecting relationship in place of an en-dash.

Parenthesis: Indicates an interruption in the flow of a sentence, though this is becoming an antiquated punctuation as em-dashes or commas are more often used.

While em-dashes are being used more and more in writing, figure dashes are not used often enough. When two modifiers are equally necessary for clarification, they should be joined by a figure dash. For instance, you see "health care reform" or "healthcare reform" used in newspapers and government reports, but technically "health-care reform" is the appropriate structure. However, this does not hold true with adverbs that end in -ly, i.e. you can say either "commonly used words" or "common-used words" but not "commonly-used words." While Figure dashes are use for compound words like "co-author" or "baby-sitter," if you use a compound word in connection with another modifier, you should use an en-dash to connect the modifiers, such as "multi-award–winning artist."

You can find a great example of the appropriate use of all three dashes in the first paragraph of Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz:

"The Bank was a decrepit stone building at the tail end of Houston Street, on the last divide between the gritty East Village and the wolds of the Lower East Side. Once the headquarters of the venerable Van Alen investment and brokerage house, it was an imposing, squat presence, a paradigm of the beuax-arts style, with a classic six-column facade and an intimidating row of 'dentals'—razor-sharp serrations on the pediment's surface. For many years it stood on the corner of Houston and Essex, desolate, empty, and abandoned, until one winter evening when an eye-patch–wearing nightclub promoter chanced upon it after polishing off a hot dog at Katz's Deli. He was looking for a venue to showcase the new music his DJs were spinning—a dark, haunted sound they were calling 'Trance.'"

Getting Possessive about Pronouns

2011-09-12T17:30:00.003-04:00

His • Hers • Its • Yours • Mine • Ours • Theirs • Whose

When using a possessive pronoun, there's no need to use an apostrophe. Because of the title of my blog, I see this mistake often. Not that I'm judging--when I'm typing too fast and not paying attention, I often type "me" instead of "my," and I still have to stop and think every time I use who/whom.

So to help me with grammar and usage, there are a few books I always keep on hand:

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: I'm particularly fond of this dictionary as it's specific to American English, is updated often, gives detailed word origins and has plenty of usage variations.

The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law: I have a journalism background, so the AP Stylebook is my constant companion. Some of the rules might seem strange at first, but once you begin to understand that media writing is all about getting to the point in the most direct way, it will become second nature.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: Lucky for me, I also have a strong background in academic writing. I learned to love this book and its straightforward guidelines for writing. It's also the best resource for citations ever written.

The Chicago Manual of Style: With not much experience in technical writing, I probably use this one the least often. But with the influx of web-based publishing, this book will become more and more important to professional writers.

When Words Collide: A Media Writer's Guide to Grammar and Style by Lauren Kessler: I don't know what to say about this book other than it's brilliant.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White: This is the definitive grammar and style reference book for journalists. Everything I know about writing for papers I learned from Strunk and White. And thanks to this amazing book I read by White as a kid (Charlotte's Web anyone?) I tend to trust them for my fiction writing as well.

Plain English Handbook by Martyn J. Walsh: I know I'm kicking it old school with this one, but I haven't found another grammar books that is so practical, well organized and easy to understand. This book saved me more times than I can count during high school and college English classes.

Don't depend on Wikipedia to answer all of your grammatical questions--it might help when you're in a bind, but it's not always accurate and clear. Keep in mind that grammar and style rules are constantly changing, so update your reference books often. While sentimental attachment comforts the soul, it won't do much for your writing.

Friday Five: The Best Things in Life Are Free

2011-09-09T18:00:00.003-04:00

Between now and the end of October, this is the only weekend I have completely to myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm way excited to take my best friend to Chicago for the first time, I'm proud of my role in planning the Virgina Day of Service, I can't wait for the National Book Festival followed by Banned Book Week, and I love helping with the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference. But sometimes it's nice to spend a quiet weekend at home.

Read The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima: I was planning on purchasing this book the day it came out, but I'm still hoping to catch one of Cinda's book signings. Instead, I had to wait until the library processed it and transferred it to my pick-up center. Then there was the rain. Oh, the rain! I was finally able to dash out for a late lunch and pick it up. Then it proceeded to taunt me from the corner of my desk for the remained of the day.

Fold laundry: I know there's nothing overly exotic about doing chores, but my cluttered house is driving me nuts! When my clean clothes are all put away and my floor is vacuumed, my house will be home once again. A friend of mine is also heading to her hometown of Bastrop, Texas, next weekend with a Uhaul of donations for her family's community that have been displaced by the wildfires. This will provide me with the opportunity get together some linens I no longer use and give them to a family in need.

Sleep, blessed sleep: I'm going to take a nap this weekend. I don't know when or for how long, but I'm going to make it happen. And because I have no other plans, I'm going to bed early. And sleeping in. And totally ignoring any phone calls, emails and text between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., so don't even bother.

Walk in the rain: I know I just talked about dashing out during a lull in the rain to pick up my book, but it's different when you're in business attire and responsible for the well-being of library property. There's been a ton of rain in this area, and I want to go out and survey the water level of the creek at the end of my block. I want to enjoy the smell of damp earth washed clean by rain. And I want to be outside after sitting at my desk all week long, no matter what the weather conditions.

Listen to an audiobook: It's been forever since I've finished a new audiobook! I'm not sure which one I'm going to listen to yet, but whatever it is, I'll enjoy hearing it while I vacuum my living room and fold my laundry and walk in the rain and laze in bed.

Why am I still typing? I have a weekend to get to!

Lions and Tigers and Baseball, Oh My

2011-09-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

Holidays in Washington, DC, are the best. Seriously. There are always things to do and people visiting. The city gets this zap of energy that makes everything seem much more alive. Have I mentioned I love holidays? And living in DC?

This year, my friend's sister Katy came to visit. And since I love both Katy and baseball, they invited me to a game. Of course we were in the nosebleed seats, but it's not important where you sit at a ballgame...

...it's what you eat. And eat we did. Nachos and hot dogs, funnel cake and custard. A Shake Shack opened at the ballpark this season, and while I LOVE their food (especially their shakes), it just doesn't taste the same when it's not in NYC. But that won't stop me from getting Shake Shack when I go to the game this Friday.

We also had some friends visiting form North Carolina. Annie and Tim are some of my favorite people in the world, and their baby Maddie isn't so bad either. I haven't been to the National Zoo in about eight years, so that's where we spent our entire Saturday.

Despite the rain, we got to see pretty much everything. The pandas were being lazy and slept through our entire visit. The apes were being cliche and eating bananas. A friendly monkey came out to greet us from a branch right above our heads. The cheetahs and clouded leopard were a bit difficult to spot until their, well, spots gave them away. And the sloth bear...let's just say he wasn't very polite.

Best of all, the lion was going crazy—we think it was time for his lunch. There was a huge crowd gathered around, but you can still hear him loud and clear.

While Maddie loved it all, she was totally fascinated by the fish. We could have spent the entire day by the tanks and she would have been content watching them. Next time they visit, we'll make sure to hit the aquarium.

It was such a great holiday weekend. And while our apartment it much quieter without a 15-month-old baby and my stomach is begging me never to feed it like that again, I already miss the holiday crowd. Good thing I still have Columbus Day and Halloween and Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving and my birthday and Christmas and New Year's Eve before it all starts over again next year.

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference Professional Panels

2011-09-02T18:00:00.010-04:00

Just in case you aren't excited enough about this year's SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference, check out the publishing professionals we've got lined up.

Agents Panel: Behind the Scenes at a Literary Agency
Jennifer Rofé is an agent with the Andrea Brown Agency where she handles children’s fiction projects. Some of her clients include Laurie David, Cambria Gordon, Crystal Allen, Kathryn Fitzmaurice, Denise Doyen, Cynthea Liu, Barry Wolverton and Lauren Strasnick. She is also the co-author of the picture book Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch. Jennifer earned a BA in English from UC Davis.

Quinlan Lee has been in the children’s publishing industry for the past ten years as both a writer and an agent. She is currently an agent with Adams Literary. She has published over thirty books, including licensed projects for Clifford’s Puppy Days, Dora the Explorer and the Planet Earth series. A graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, Quinlan is a member of SCBWI and a founding board member of the Women’s National Book Association chapter in Charlotte, NC.

Editors Panel: Inside Publishing Today
Chelsea Eberly is an assistant editor with Random House Books for Young Readers. An alum of the Columbia Publishing Course, she is the editor of The Project by Brian Falkner, the Fairy Godmother Academy series by Jan Bozarth and It’s Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf. She also edits the paperback line of the Magic Tree House series and is working on the graphic novel adaptation of Tamora Pierce’s First Test.

Caroline Abbey is an editor at Bloomsbury where her current projects include Melissa Walker’s Small Town Sinners, The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg, Catherine Hapka, Villain School: Good Curses Evil by Stephanie S. Sanders and the middle grade mythology-inspired Pandora series by Carolyn Hennesy. Caroline also manages the Bloomsbury paperback list. She was previously with Simon Pulse.

Abby Ranger is an editor at Disney-Hyperion Books. She has worked with Cinda Williams Chima, Melissa Kantor, Katie Alender, and newcomers like Victoria Schwab and Kiera Stewart. She was born in Colorado, grew up in British Columbia and now lives in Brooklyn.

Ellen Braaf (moderator), columnist and feature writer for ASK magazine, has published fiction, nonfiction, and humor for children and adults. Her six-book Science Detectives series, written under the name Ellen René, was published by PowerKids Press. Ellen teaches for The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, MD, and serves as SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisor.

So join us Oct. 22 at the Holiday Inn Dulles in Sterling, Virginia. It will be an event you don't want to miss!

If you haven't gotten the information in the mail, here's a link to the registration form and another for the full conference flyer. If you would like to post the widget for the conference on your blog or website, let me know and I'll email you the html code.

Find out more about the conference's featured speakers here. You can also see what local authors will be at the conference here.

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference Local Author Panel

2011-08-31T18:00:00.008-04:00

Just in case you aren't excited enough about this year's SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference, check out these local authors--all of whom are guaranteed to keep you in stitches--who will be participating in a panel discussion.

Author Panel: Publishing Postpartum: Highs, lows and expectations after your book is released
Meg Medina has written for adults and children for over fifteen years. Her stories and poems have appeared in numerous literary magazines. Milagros: Girl from Away is her first novel for young readers. Meg is also the author of the picture book Tía Isa Wants a Car and the forthcoming young adult novel The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind.

Anne Marie Pace is the author of Never Ever Talk to Strangers and A Teacher for Bear, both published by Scholastic Book Clubs. Her third book, Vampirina Ballerina, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, will be published by Disney-Hyperion in 2012. With other children’s writers, she publishes The 4:00 Book Hook, a free monthly enewsletter for adults who share books with kids.

Wendy Shang is the author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu. An earlier version of Lucy received an SCBWI Work-in-Progress grant. Wendy is currently at work on a second book while running writing workshops at Title I schools as a Strauss Fellow, funded by the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

Amy Brecount White has played with words for most of her life. Her novel, Forget-Her-Nots, is about the language of flowers come magically to life. She has appeared at the Philadelphia Flower Show and the U.S. Botanic Garden. More than 80 of her essays and articles have been published in The Washington Post, and she also writes for the new Arlington magazine.

Tami Lewis Brown (moderator) left a career as a trial lawyer to pursue an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and write books for young people. She grew up in Kentucky, the setting for her new middle grade novel, The Map of Me, and now lives with her family in one of the oldest houses in Washington, DC. Tami blogs at www.ThroughTheTollbooth.com and www.FromTheMixedUpFiles.com.

So join us Oct. 22 at the Holiday Inn Dulles in Sterling, Virginia. It will be an event you don't want to miss!

If you haven't gotten the information in the mail, here's a link to the registration form and another for the full conference flyer. If you would like to post the widget for the conference on your blog or website, let me know and I'll email you the html code.

Find out more about the conference's featured speakers here. You can also see what publishing professionals will be at the conference here.

Bonjour, amazing action-packed adventure

2011-08-29T23:34:00.005-04:00

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For some reason, people like to compare this book to two movies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets La Femme Nikita. And while that description might be apt, it does this novel a total disservice. Never has a literary mash-up so understated the value of a YA novel. Even saying it's Stormbreaker meets Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist doesn't come close to describing the depth and adventure of this wild ride of a novel.

Perry Stormaire makes a lot of sacrifices to keep other people (mostly his father) happy, so when his mother asks him to ditch his band's first big gig in NYC to take their socially inept exchange student Gobija Zaksauskas to the prom...that is where he draws the line. Yet his parents--and even more surprisingly, Gobi herself--won't take no for an answer. But with the help of his father's beloved Jaguar and a little push from the school bully, Perry just might be able to make an appearance at prom and still show up at his gig. Unfortunately, Gobi has her own ideas for the evening. Ideas that involve scary thugs with even scarier tattoos. Ideas that involve car chases and fiery explosions. Ideas that involve sexy tangos and bear fights and getting shot and international slave trade and corporate espionage and even making out with a real-life femme fatale. This is going to be a date Perry will never forget.

First-time YA author Joe Schreiber explores the complexities of the father/son relationship and how sometimes being your own person means you have to adjust your dreams. He challenges your view of good and evil and asks you what you would be willing to do for the people you love. By opening each chapter with an real college application essay prompt, he connects you to what Perry is experiencing and makes you think about your own answers. And the best part? It isn't over yet. While this book easily stands on its own, I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel.

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference Information

2011-08-29T18:00:00.003-04:00

I can officially give details on the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference 2011! If you haven't gotten the information in the mail, here's a link to the registration form and another for the full conference flyer. If you would like to post the widget for the conference on your blog or website, let me know and I'll email you the html code.

Speaker: Sell Your Book without Selling Your Soul
Brian Lies is the author/illustrator of Bats at the Ballgame. He received his degree from Brown University and studied drawing and painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1989, he illustrated his first book, Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Eye. Since then, he’s illustrated over twenty books—including five he also wrote. Brian lives in Massachusetts with his wife, daughter, two cats and a hamster.

Speaker: The Hook for Your Book
Chelsea Eberly is an assistant editor with Random House Books for Young Readers. An alum of the Columbia Publishing Course, she is the editor of The Project by Brian Falkner, the Fairy Godmother Academy series by Jan Bozarth and It’s Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf. She also edits the paperback line of the Magic Tree House series and is working on the graphic novel adaptation of Tamora Pierce’s First Test.

Speaker: Keynote Address
Han Nolan is the award-winning author of eight young adult novels, including National Book Award winner Dancing on the Edge and National Book Award finalist Send Me Down a Miracle. She completed an MFA in dance from Ohio State University but returned to writing full time after she and her husband adopted three children. She also has taught in the graduate program in children’s literature at Hollins University. Born in Alabama, Han lives on Cape Cod with her husband. Her newest book, Pregnant Pause, comes out this fall.

So join us Oct. 22 at the Holiday Inn Dulles in Sterling, Virginia. It will be an event you don't want to miss!

Saying Goodbye to Summer: Mini Writers' Retreat

2011-08-25T17:30:00.012-04:00

I spent a lot of childhood summers having adventures on lakes--it's kind of a way of life in the Midwest. Summer camp and family vacations and trips with friends. So this past weekend I finally took my friend up on her offer to spend a few days with her at her lake house writing and talking and having adventures.

We spent at least three hours every day writing and revising. While we each had individual goals for the extended weekend (a goal that I changed the first day when I realized I had been way over ambitious), we'd decide what we wanted to accomplish by the end of each day and then get to work.

Taking breaks to walk the dog, we'd talk about problems we were having, make suggestions to each other on how to make our writing stronger, and discuss books that we hoped to emulate. It also helped to have such an inspiring view along the tree-lined streets and peaceful lake.

We spent time critiquing when we'd reach a milestone goal--like rewriting a chapter or getting an important scene nailed down or outlining a subplot. These sessions weren't as detailed as our usually writers' group critiques, but we'd talk about what worked well and what still needed work.

It wasn't all intense writing sessions. We spent the evenings watching movies and playing cards and talking. We did a lot of talking, and not just about writing. Julie's husband got in on the action and made us laugh and remember that life exists outside the page.

Most importantly, we rewarded ourselves on the last day by taking the kayaks out for a spin. It's been a long time since I've held a paddle, but I managed not to tip over.

It was just what I needed to re-energize and remind myself that I love what I do. Not a lot of people get to do what they love for a living, and quite a few people still haven't found out exactly what they love. But me? I'm one of the lucky few, but sometimes the stress of work and responsibilities and life in general makes me forget just how lucky I am.

So thanks, Jack and Julie, for welcoming me into your home and letting me write at your kitchen table for a few days. It's nice to know I have such good, supportive and loving friends.

Virginia Earthquake Update

2011-08-23T18:47:00.003-04:00

Yes, there was an earthquake in Virginia today. Yes, I'm fine. No, there wasn't any damage. I was walking back from lunch and did a duck-and-cover because I thought there had been a gas explosion in the building next to me. Police came out of the station across the street and asked me if I had felt anything outside. Otherwise, life returned to normal in less than an hour.

My apartment only sustained minor damage. There were a few cracked walls (this is the worst of them) and my books got a good jostling (my Harry Potter shelf most of all), but nothing too major. Thank heaven no one was hurt and there was no major damage anywhere in the city. With such a dense population, the potential for disaster...well, I'm glad I don't have to think about that.

Want a good book for kids about earthquakes? Try DK Eyewitness Books' Volcano & Earthquake.

Saying Goodbye to Summer: Boarding School Books

2011-08-22T14:26:00.000-04:00

We all want people to see us as more than we are. We hope the cute guy who sits next to us in geometry finds us more beautiful than we find ourselves. We hope that a teacher or friend or stranger will discover our darkest secrets and see potential in us anyway. We hope that a magical envelope will appear to whisk us away to a life better than the one we have. Maybe that's why so many books involve boarding school--a specialized school allows us to be rich/smart/talented in a way we never saw ourselves before.

So without further ado, here are a list of some of my recently read boarding school books:

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale: In the small village of Mt. Eskel, ordinary girls leaning how to be a princesses in hope to marry the prince of Danland.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: Hogwarts teaches special children about the importance of friendship, the continuous battle between good and evil, and the exciting possibilities of the wizarding world.

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce: Born a lady of the realm, Alanna disguises herself as a boy to learn the royal palace of Corus disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter: The Gallagher Academy has a long history of teaching talented girls the art of being a spy.

Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer: Only the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls can turn a pirate into a lady.

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs: From ordinary to extraordinary, the Academy caters to the modern decedents of the Greek god.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: Attending boarding school in Paris means exploring the City of Lights, discovering foreign cinema and finding a boy to share a real French kiss with.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray: Gemma Doyle soon discovers there's more than meets the eye at the Spence Academy for Young Ladies.

Looking for Alaska by John Green: Miles Halter goes to Culver Creek Preparatory School hoping to find the Great Perhaps.

Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller: Something unexpected is going on at Midvale Academy when a girl is able to see into the mind of one Gideon Rayburn.

Saying Goodbye to Summer: The First Day of School

2011-08-19T10:00:00.018-04:00

School starts in the next few weeks, which signals the ultimate end of summer. I've survived a lot of first days of school: two elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and three colleges. I got good at making new friends and settling in really fast. But each first day at a new school brought it's own unique challenges, and I'd like to think I brought each school unique experiences all my own.

The first day of school changes everything. It doesn't matter what grade you're going into--from the very first day of kindergarten to leaving for college, boy or girl, smart or not, new or retuning--we all try to reinvent ourselves for that very first day. So here are some books for different age groups crossing a lot of genres that take place on (or close to) the first day of school:

Picture Books

Kissing Hands by Audrey Penn
Sea Monster's First Day by Kate Messner
David Goes To School by David Shannon
Arthur's Teacher Trouble by Marc Brown

Early Reader/Chapter Books

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park
Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #2: The New Girl by Meg Cabot
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Middle Grade

The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Bobby Vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

YA

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Upper YA

Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sheman Alexie
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Saying Goodbye to Summer: Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah

2011-08-17T17:30:00.030-04:00

I loved going to camp when I was a kid. An entire week without my parents or siblings, building camp fires and singing songs. I loved swimming and kayaking, and I didn't even mind the tents and bugs. Between throwing up in the camp fire after a game of Chubby Bunny went a little too far and surviving a tornado will camping in the woods, my summers were filled with archery contests and first aid clinics and compass scavenger hunts and botany lessons and adventures of all kinds. And when summer faded into winter, there were plenty of books to read about camp, so the next summer camp never seemed far away.

Even before I was old enough for roughing it, there were picture books like The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp by Stan and Jan Berenstain and Little Critter Goes at Scout Camp by Mercer Mayer about day-camp. And when I got a little older, a few of the Baby-Sitters Club books by Ann M. Martin took place at summer camp, plus I probably read Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary and Holes by Louis Sachar half a dozen times each.

While I missed out on The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White when I was a kid, I finally read it for the first time this past week. This summer I also read Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan, which wasn't around when I was a kid. Both Summer Camp Secrets by Katy Grant and Camp Confidential by Melissa J. Morgan are newer series that I haven't read, but I'm sure I would have loved them as a pre-teen.

Of course I've gotten wiser with age and realized that I have running water and air conditioning for a reason, but those memories of summer camp haven't faded through the years.

Saying Goodbye to Summer: A Road Trip in Books

2011-08-15T17:30:00.009-04:00

One of my most memorable summer vacations was the first time I went to Washington, D.C. I was going into middle school, and I had just read Mary Higgins Clark's Stillwatch, so I was obsessed with political journalism and Washington, D.C. Not only was that trip the first time I would visit my future home, it was also on that trip that my mother read us The Chronicles of Narnia. Yes, all seven books in one road trip.

For me, that road trip was a bit of a rite of passage, a journey of self-discovery on four wheels. Stillwatch played no small part in my decision to study journalism and later become a PR professional in D.C. And the Narnia books continue to shape my view of of children's literature and even my personal faith.

As this summer draws to a close, I'm dedicating this new reading list to that great summer tradition: The Road Trip.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech: All journeys begin with a single step. For one girl, learning to deal with her mother's abandonment means retracing the steps of her spiritual quest.

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex: Some road trips are out of this world. Well, maybe it stays on this world, but an 11-year-old girl from Pennsylvania managers to bring an extraterrestrial along for the ride.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson: A trip around the world may be the only way to go. Thirteen messages from her deceased aunt will lead one teenager back to where it all began.

Paper Towns by John Green: Discovering yourself means looking beyond what's right in front of you. One boy and his loyal friends soon discover that you can't save someone unwilling to save herself.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray: "Our greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within" (Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra). A sudden illness takes a boy and his hospital companion on a wild ride to find a cure.

Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler: Putting your mistakes behind you takes more than distance. On a road trip to visit her absentee mother, the queen of meaningless hookups tries to avoid the future by outrunning her past.

I've logged many thousands of miles in road trips since that one 17 years ago, and each one still holds a certain magic. Even if you're studying a map or following that electronic voice on the GPS, you never really know where the road is going to take you. For me, it always seems to take me home.

More Novocaine, Please

2011-08-12T17:06:00.000-04:00

I never understood why people hate the dentist. I love that clean feeling and knowing that all my teeth are healthy. The Cosby Show taught me early on that dentists were cool.

And there are tons of fun, clever books about teeth:
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
Arthur's Tooth by Marc Brown
Tooth Fairy's First Night by Anne Bowen
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Selby Beeler

Although it kind of creeps me out when kids lose their teeth (all the wiggling and gaped-tooth smiling and wanting to put them under their pillow), but I understand it's a kind of rite of passage from childhood to adolescence. It's a sign that you're not the same person you once were, so in a way, it's even kind of amazing.

It also helped that I've never had a cavity, never got wisdom teeth (I'm already smart enough, thank you), always had perfect exams. But that all changed this week when I went to the dentist and he told me a baby tooth I had never lost needed to come out. Err...

So I sucked it up, got in the tooth shuttle and let the dentist go to work. After several near panic attacks (when the drill slipped I really did freak out), very loud heavy metal on my iPod and a lot of hand-holding from two very kind dental hygienists, I have gone from my usual 28 down to 27 teeth. The anesthetic (which was actually Lidocaine and not Novocaine) wore off long ago and I don't have stitches, and still no pain.

I really don't know what all the fuss is about.

The Punctuation Conundrum, or All It Takes Is a Dot of Ink

2011-08-09T19:04:00.004-04:00

My writers' group goes round and round about punctuation. Seriously, I think it might be the bane of my existence within the group. (That and speaker tags, but I'll save my rantings on that for another post--or three.) So let me indoctrinate you on Kathryn's Punctuation Style Guide.

Comma: Indicates and interruption or change in phrasing to prevent ambiguity. This is a real hot-button issue among writers, especially when even Oxford University's PR department doesn't use what is known as the Oxford (or Serial) Comma. Some people swear by using a comma before an "and" while others insist it's superfluous. I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong, but there should be a balance in the usage of commas in general. Every time you use a comma, it's like saying to your reader, "Look here! This is important!" So if you're using them in a list or for dramatic pauses, pretty soon they go from clarifying choices to pacing nightmares. But wherever you fall on this issue, make sure you use consistency with your format.

Semicolon: Connects two related ideas, often used in place of a period or conjunction but also with a listing where a comma is not a clear enough indicator. Semicolons are becoming an antiquated form of a conjunction as they are awkward to read and are often misused. In fact, I was reading a book the other day that used a semicolon so well I had to read the sentence twice just to reassure myself that people still know how to use them.

Question Mark: Used instead of a period in cases of an interrogative. Because all questions in writing are rhetorical, interrogatives should be used sparingly and only as a stylistic choice for emphasis or to establish an informal voice. Most languages don't even have variations on a period but instead use verbal indicators to punctuate a question, such as ka in Japanese.

Exclamation Mark: Used instead of a period in cases of an exclamatory remark. Because word choice should carry the power in writing, exclamations should be used sparingly or not at all--chose a better verb instead.

Double-Spaced Period: There should be a single space after a period. Always. This has been the commonly accepted formatting principle for the past 10 years when workers trained to type on computers became more common than those attached to typewriters. If you're still hitting the space bar twice after a period, you're showing your age. Either brake the habit or use "Find" and "Replace".

The moral of this story: Don't waste your ink.

Billy Goats Gruff

2011-08-07T21:29:00.001-04:00

Remember that old story Three Billy Goats Gruff? I discovered their bridge this weekend. I think they told people a troll was living under it to discourage visitors. But I know better. It's really surrounded by amazing waterfalls and inspiring forests. Those billy goats just didn't want to share. Selfish billy goats!

My friend Josie and I decided to go on a hike at Great Falls along the Patomac River. Less than an hour from our nation's capitol, you can find yourself in the middle of nowhere with only the most spectacular views to keep you company.

After seeing the main falls, we decided to take a chance on the Billy Goat Trail. What started out as a nice stroll through the woods along a lazy river soon turned into more of a climbing expedition. I guess they call it the Billy Goat Trail because it wasn't really designed for human traffic. It was pretty hot, sweaty work in 95-degree weather with 90 percent humidity.

But reaching the top is always worth the climb.

I believe this answers Carmela LaVigna Coyle's question once and for all. Do Princesses Wearing Hiking Boots? Why yes, indeed we do.

When Old Becomes New, or Two Must-Read Picture Books

2011-08-04T17:30:00.002-04:00

I've been reading a lot of picture books this year as I've fallen a bit behind with the new releases, and there are two in particular I can't get out of my head. I give them as baby-shower gifts and birthday presents at every opportunity, and I recommend them to everyone I talk to. These two books couldn't be more different, but for some reason, their differences will indelibly link them in my mind.

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor

This book of verse kicks it old school with quilting blocks of stories. With influences from collage and found-art mediums, this is anything but your grandma's favorite past time. Though the stories are familiar, the quality of the work makes this a true treasury of rhymes. My personal favorite, "A wise old owl," made me want to reach through the pages and touch the original work.

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Graphically oriented and richly dark, Na utilizes modern technology to give this book a surreal flare. A lot of people describe this book as "quiet," yet it has the potential to completely change how we look at bedtime stories. Where Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon introduced a rhythmic lull to night-time traditions, this book proves that art doesn't have to be simple to help get kids ready for bed.

Both of these authors take their genre to another level. They are the epitome of artistic expression yet still make their work accessible to the youngest generation of art enthusiasts. Honestly, Mavor and Na could probably make a lot of money selling their art to the highest bidder, but instead they're making picture books for children who can't even read them on their own. Now that is dedication to craft.

There and Back Again: My 18-Year Journey to Finish Reading The Hobbit

2011-07-28T17:30:00.009-04:00

Yes, it took me 18 years to actually read The Hobbit. That's an average rate of about 18 pages per year. It only took me 18 months to read the King James' version of the Bible, and I was done with the last Harry Potter book 18 hours after its release.

I first picked it up back in middle school when a boy I had a crush on insisted it was the best book ever written. The crush didn't last much longer than it took me to get board. Then in high school I picked it up when rumors began to circulate that the Lord of the Rings would be made into a movie. I finally gave up on the prequel and managed to get through the trilogy the summer after I graduated. Then again in college I attempted to read if for my Children's Lit class, but there were too many other books I wanted to read. With 18 months until the movie release, I procured another copy, figuring it might take me that long to get through it. I don't know why I was so determined to read a book that can't hold my interest.

This time I finished it in 18 days, but I still don't like the book. I think it's all those dwarves' names. How can you expect me to remember the names of 13 stout men who all look and act so much alike? At least I know Bilbo, Gandalf and Smaug. Or maybe it's that the action is nowhere near as intense as modern adventure novels. Bilbo may be pretending to be a thief and all, but there are far too many riddle wars and too much wandering around starving to really be considered an adventure–fantasy novel. Or it could be more a book for young children and I was just too old to truly appreciate it. There are a lot of adults who love the book, but how much of that is tied to childhood nostalgia?

No disrespect to people who love this book, but I just don't see the appeal. It's not the first time I haven't liked a popular book (even through Markus Zusak is one of my favorite authors, I couldn't get through The Book Thief, and my disdain for many of the classic British authors like Dickens, the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen is well documented). Then again, there are books I love that other people can't stand (like my passion for Greek plays and Roman philosophers—and Shakespeare, I have yet to read something by Shakespeare I don't love). Some books speak to some people more than others, and The Hobbit happens not to speak to me.

So there's another book marked off my Guilty Un-Reads list. Maybe I'll like the movie better. Or maybe I'll just stay home and read a different book.

Writer's blo--

2011-07-26T21:17:00.000-04:00

I've had the worst case of writer's block this month. I sit at my computer, and nothing comes to me. Not even to post on my blog. Not even at work. There's a total lack of creativity emanating from my fingertips. Actually, it probably has nothing to do with my fingertips and more to do with my brain.

Could I be burned out? Good thing I'm going on a mini-writers retreat with my friend at the end of next month. I just hope I don't spend the entire weekend looking at a blank screen.

2x SCBWI WIP LoM

2011-07-20T21:35:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling the love from the acronyms/initialisms. For those of you who need a translation, this means I receives my second Letter of Merit from the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators' Amazon.com Work-In-Progress Grant Committee. (Note that while WIP is an acronym because it's pronounceable, SCBWI is an initialisms, 2x is shorthand, and LoM is just made up for my own amusement.) That's right, I've got two times the merit.

Two years ago I received a LoM for my middle grade historical fiction novel, and this year I was recognized for my YA contemporary novel in verse. And for someone who claimed not to be a poet, I'm totally flummoxed.

This year, I really need to thank my (one and only) creative writing teacher Steven Stewart who encouraged me to write the poem that inspired this novel, even though it got cut from the manuscript. And although she probably doesn't even remember reading it, Maggie Stiefvater read my first ten pages and helped give my idea direction. But most importantly, the women in my writers' group read draft after draft until it sounded good enough to submit for the grant, and then they had the tedious job of reading the grant proposal. Those women are rock stars.

This Year's for You, Harry Potter

2011-07-13T23:29:00.003-04:00

I still can't believe that Harry Potter is ending. In just about 24 hours, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be released, ending an amazing era that changed children's book publishing forever. I began reading those books in high school, and I can't help but reflect upon the time I've dedicated to Harry and his pals. But there are 8640 hours in a year--there's no possible way I've spent an entire year dedicated to Harry Potter. Or have I?

233 Hours of Reading: I've read the first book seven times (1610 pages), the second book six times (2112 pages), five for the third (2240 pages), four for the fourth (3008 pages), three for the fifth (2610 pages), two for the sixth (1304 pages) and only once for the seventh (784 pages). And then there's the supplement books (320 pages). Averaging about a minute per page--and let's be honest, I can't read that fast--that adds up to a lot of minutes
144 Hours of Listening: Jim Dale is one of the most amazing audiobook narrators of all time, and so you can bet I've listened to all the audiobooks at least once. But I've also listened to the second and sixth books twice because they're my favorites. And having driven from coast to coast multiple times, I can assure the folks at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that you can indeed listen to the audibooks while circling the contiguous United States.
109 Hours of Viewing: I honestly don't remember how many times I've seen each of the movies, so I'm just guessing here. I've seen the first movie at least a dozen times (1824 minutes), but I've only seen HP7.1 once (146 minutes). So let's say I've seen the second movie 10 times (1610 minutes), the third eight (1128 minutes), the fourth six (942 minutes), the fifth four (552 minutes), the sixth twice (306 minutes). I've also added a half hour for all the previews I've watched. It's a wonder my vision isn't worse than it is.
200 Hours of Web Surfing: Mugglenet, YouTube, J.K. Rowling's site, Warner Brothers...I've visited them all. Back in college, I could spend hours at a time perusing the chat rooms and trolling for movie stills and hunting for spoilers. I found all the secret treasures on Rowling's desk and watched more tribute videos than I care to admit. In fact, the 200 hours is probably a modest estimate.
24 Hours of Line Standing: Every movie and book release came with waiting in line. Granted, most of these lines were more like parties than actual lines, but I still remember going to the book store at 9 p.m. and not getting my 4th book until 1 p.m.--I was so tired the next day I couldn't even finish reading the book.
24 Hours of Costume Making: While my favorite HP character to play is Rita Skeeter, I've also donned several generic Ravenclaw and Gryffindor uniforms, played a Death Eater and fancied myself as Luna Lovegood.
100 Hours of Event Planning: Midnight Muggle Magic at the Salt Lake City Public Library was a HP event to the max. I ran the charms class and made more than 200 trick wands with wooden dowels, feathers and fishing line, researched Latin so kids could make up their own spells, distributed copies of HP7 after midnight, and then there was the set-up and clean-up for the event. But it was also one of the most memorable nights of my life.
50 hours of Layout and Designing: I did two in-depth design projects for design classes, including a Hogwarts brochure and a magazine layout about the movies. There was also the year that I saved every image from a HP desk calendar and made a collage poster after cutting them all out and fitting them together with lamination paper. Oh year, and all the art projects, homemade cards, scrapbook pages and trinkets I've made for friends who love Harry just as much as I do.
400 Hours of Extras: Television shows (5 hours), movie extras (10 hours), music concerts (5 hours), book clubs (10 hours), webposts (5 hours), shopping (10 hours), gaming (25 hours), discussing (100 hours), magazine articles (100 hours), critical books (5 hours), reviews (25 hours), interviews (100 hours)... All of that, and I wouldn't even call myself a hard-core fan like the ones who design websites, write fan-fiction and know all of the spells in every book by heart.
156 Forgotten Hours: Let's be honest, I'm sure I've had more dreams, told more jokes, worked more references into every-day conversations and thought more about Harry Potter than just about any other franchise out there. And because this isn't exactly a scientific analysis, I'll give myself some nice, round numbers to work with.

Okay, so that only totals 1440 hours, or about two months, of my life dedicated to the boy wizard, but I've still got another good 60 years in me. Give me the rest of my life, and I'm sure I'll be able to tell St. Peter that I lived a full year thinking about Harry.

Dealing with Dark Fiction

2011-07-06T21:58:00.000-04:00

The dark YA fiction debate hit NPR this morning with YA author Maureen Johnson and WSJ contributor Meghan Cox Gurdon, and you can listen to the interview here. I'm so close to this issue that it's difficult to address it with any kind of objectivity, but here's my attempt at a reasonable conclusion.

The majority of my friends are now parents of young children. They rejoice in hearing the sound of their baby laughing, they long for the weekend when they can run and play with their children, they seek out tender moments to kiss chubby cheeks and feel tiny arms wrapped around their necks. They want to read their children books that make bedtime rituals sweetly comforting and curling up together on the couch an exercise in delight. The books they read to their children sets the atmosphere of their home.

Yet sharing tender moments gets more complicated as children get older. The teen years are volatile at best, but young minds are still easily influenced by their surroundings. During my teen years, I didn't feel like anyone understood what I was going through. Though I had a loving family and good home life, loneliness and self-doubt isolated me from the support that I didn't understand how to access. So I turned to books. Through words on pages, I felt compassion and understanding. No matter what happened to me or how depressed I felt, books helped me understand I was never alone.

But no matter how hard we try to justify what we write and read, we can't ignore the facts. Books are just one type of media that influences the way we think and how we view the world. Media can and does desensitizes us to the beauty of loving sexual relationships and makes violence commonplace. It makes us overly critical about physical appearance and gives us unrealistic expectations for relationships. We welcome it into our homes through television and allow it to permeate our lives with advertising.

We can't escape the influence of media, but we can teach our children to make choices for themselves. Exposing teens to a wide verity of media (both positive and negative) and then talking about the things they see/hear/experience improves their lives as well as our own. It makes us more accepting, and it means we are better able to face challenges. If we utilize the teaching opportunities that are placed before us, we don't need to worry so much about what our children are reading because we can trust they'll make good choices.

No matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to protect your children from everything. So why not give them the tools to protect themselves?

Lighted vs. Lit: Illuminating the Sky for 4th of July

2011-07-05T17:00:00.001-04:00

light·ed (adj) having light or illumination; bright. From Old English lēoht, meaning illuminated, with ties to noun forms in German (licht), Latin (lūx) and Greek (leukós).

I'm not sure when a Chinese tradition became synonymous with American independence, but fireworks reign supreme in DC on the 4th of July, and everyone scrambles to find the best seat in the house. After plans fell through for going to the National Mall with out-of-town guests, I was planning on meeting up with some friends at my office to head to the roof for a stellar view over the Potomic River. But that went bust when my parking pass failed to open the garage after hours. Instead, we crashed my friend Gordon's party where he promised spectacular views of all the fireworks shows in DC and Maryland. Only things didn't quite turn out as planned.

Almost an hour before the National Mall show was scheduled to start, the horizon began lighting up with fireworks from Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown, Kensington, Takoma Park, College Park, Six Flags America and Bowie. I'm not sure where we could see them all from, but it was a line of fire stretching for miles. When we could hear the boom came from across the river, we knew the national show had begun. Looking out to the monuments we saw...nothing. Absolutely nothing! Directly in our line of sight, the only high-rise building between us and the Mall stood haloed in multicolored hues of the fireworks we were supposed to be enjoying.

lit (v) a simple past tense and past participle of light. From same origins as lighted. Also (adj) under the influence of liquor or narcotics; intoxicated (usually followed by up). From early 20th century American slang. Also (n) abbreviation of literature. From the Latin litterātūra, meaning grammar.

As we left Gordon's place, one of his friends began admiring a display case by the door. They were talking about how nice it would look "lit up." Of course I had to laugh and say, "I'm sure everything looks cooler when lit." Not understanding what I was talking about (because apparently an IT guy and an architect don't find the same humor in words as I do), I explained the difference between lit as a verb and lit as an adjective. And them, being good friends and nerds of the tech variety, laughed at my lit nerd joke.

So I missed the national fireworks this year, but at least I missed them in the company of some great people. And the well-lighted sky offered a backdrop for a very memorable night.

(Despite common belief that lit and lighted can be used interchangeably, with lit being more informal, that isn't true. While lighted can be used as the past participial for light, lit used as an adjective is always slang for being intoxicated.)

Remembering the Alamo

2011-06-30T17:10:00.001-04:00

I was in San Antonio this week to teach a couple courses on social media and messaging. While I didn't say anything terribly earth-shattering, it reminded me how much I miss working in schools. It also makes me sad that tutoring is finished, and if all goes as planned with grad school, I won't be doing it again for a couple years.

I don't often post about my day job, but here's a little glimpse of my Clark Kent persona. Put me in a suit, an inch of makeup and some contacts, and I'm like an entirely different person. All professional like.

(Thanks to Wayne Sakamoto for the picture. It's a little hard to take a picture of one's self when one is speaking in front of a room full of people.)

Though the week was mostly work and no play, I did get a chance to see the Alamo, at least from the outside. The gardens were beautiful, a little like the bayou meets the desert. And it was hot and humid, just the way I like it.

I love being able to travel to new places and meet new people. Talking and sharing ideas and questioning ideology and suggesting ways to improve strategies--they're all the best part of my job.

Friday Five: smile-worthy YA book news

2011-06-24T19:52:00.000-04:00

Events: All the talk about ALA2011 has gotten me pumped for book events. I won't be in NO this weekend (the association I work for has our big convention in San Antonio), but it got me thinking about the National Book Festival, which isn't until the end of September, but they're already announcing authors who will be participating. Sherman Alexie, Cassandra Clare, Susan Cooper, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, Gordon Korman, Toni Morrison, Katherine Paterson, Brian Selznick, Chris Van Dusen and Rita Williams-Garcia will all be there. (David McCullough will also be there, but as he's an author of history books for adults, I didn't include him in my totally-excited-for list.) Do you know how long I'll be willing to wait in line to get my copy of The Adventures of Hugo Cabret and my Dark Is Rising books all signed? Yeah, you'd better bring a sleeping bag, is all I have to say.

Audiobooks: It's been a good year for Katherine Kellgren, who was recently named Booklist's Voice of Choice, has yet to miss an Odyssey Honor from the ALA's YALSA audiobook awards, and is a 16-time AudioFile Earphones Award winner. Now The Washington Post listed her narration of The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin as one of their three Summer’s best audio books.

Releases: Together again for the very first time. The 2009 Debs officially announced the release of their anthology The First Time. It will only be released as an ebook, but with fantastic authors like Sydney Salter, Carrie Ryan, Jenny Moss, Kurtis Scaletta and Jon Skovron, I'll have my ereader ready for download come October.

Blogs: I'm a big fan of my library's YA blog TATAL, and this week they really outdid themselves. They got a panel of four guys to discuss what attracts/detracts them in a book cover. It should come as no surprise that they prefer action shots to pictures of girls with no heads holding shoes, kissing couples are also taboo, orange is a much cooler color than pink and bold fonts matter.

Personal: I'm officially caught up on all the Jacky Faber books by L.A. Meyer. As I started the series Thanksgiving weekend, that means I've averaged one book a month, and now I'll have to wait until the fall for The Mark of the Golden Dragon. (To tie in to #2, I'll be sure to listen to Katherine Kellgren's audiobook version). Instead of being bummed about the long wait, which really isn't that long of a wait, I've been listening to my sea chanteys and heading over to the Jacky Faber website to get some recommendations from Louis (whom I probably shouldn't refer to so familiarly as I've never met the man, but he does have great taste in music).

Jokes My Father Taught Me

2011-06-19T12:29:00.001-04:00

It's Father's Day once again, and holding with semi-regular tradition, I must insist that my dad is the best dad in the world.

One of the best things my dad taught me is how to laugh, really laugh.

Oh, the Irony
Dad taught me how to find irony in any situation and laugh at myself. No one makes perfect decisions every day, and everyone has a little bit of social awkwardness that can't be hidden, but if you can learn to make those experiences larger than life and give them a sense of the ridiculous, you can make anyone laugh.

Inside Jokes
We have a lot of inside jokes in my family, and most of them involve dinner-time conversations that got out of hand. All of them revolving around my father. Quoting movies, bodily functions (yes, my father is seven at heart) and childhood memories feature prominently in these jokes. With one phrase, Dad can make us all laugh until tears stream down our faces. If you ever join in on one of our family dinners, I recommend you avoid talking about spiders, angry letters, mashed potatoes, moving furniture, wise guys and building camp fires, or you might think you've sat down to dinner with a bunch of raving lunatics.

Bring on the Cheese
While Dad loves to play with words and laugh at good memories, he also has a repertoire of jokes that never fails to make us groan. (I'm trying to keep it fairly clean and P.C., but these are still really bad jokes.)

Q: What’s red and goes ding-dong?
A: A red ding-donger.
Q: What’s green and goes ding-dong?
A: A green ding-donger.
Q: What’s blue and goes ding-dong?
A: Sorry, they only come in red and green.

Q: What’s the last thing that goes through a flies mind before it hits the windshield?
A: It's rear end.

Q: What's red and green and goes 50 miles an hour?
A: A frog in a blender.

Q: Why did the turtle cross the road?
A: To get to the Shell Station.

Q: Why are blond jokes so short?
A: So brunettes can remember them.
(I inherited my blond hair from my father, so he taught me this one early. Of course, he taught me all his blond jokes first.)

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I hope your day is filled with joy and laughter. I know you have filled my life with both.

What Books Are You Missing Out On?

2011-06-16T18:31:00.000-04:00

People are always shocked when they've read a book that I haven't: "What do you mean you've never read (insert book title here)? It's a classic/best-seller/cult phenomenon." I can't tell you what a relief it was to finally read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee this year. While it was a good book, I'm mostly grateful I no longer have to explain to people why I'd never read it.

The truth is, there are a lot of amazing books published every year that I just don't have the time to get to. And then there are the millions of books published long before I was born--let alone before I could read--that I still haven't read. And while the vast majority of them I have no desire to read or have come to terms with the fact that I will never read, there are a couple I know I should read. I really want to read. I even have sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

Guilty Un-Reads:
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Jungle Book by Ruyard Kipling
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
1984 by George Orwell
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Beloved by Toni Morrison

(I refuse to feel guilty about not reading a book that's been published in the last five years. Okay, I still feel guilty about a couple of them, but I try not to.)

So I'm trying to read up this year. I'm in the middle of The Phantom Tollbooth, and then I plan to delve into The Hobbit followed by The Great Gatsby. We'll see how many others I get through. Talking about "getting through" them probably isn't the best way to start...

Children's Books: Picture, Early Reader, Middle Grade, Young Adult

2011-06-09T19:00:00.006-04:00

What's the difference?

I get this question all the time. Whether or not they have kids or have years of teaching experience or read hundreds of books every year, a lot of people don't know the difference. And that's okay, because next year the category names will change or two new ones will appear or we'll stop reading altogether and just have information digitally implanted in our brains.

Picture (ages 0-6)

With such a large age spread, there are many sub-groups within picture books that span from board books to emergent readers. Including story (narrative), novelties (nontraditional layout), informational (nonfiction) and concept (ABCs and 123s), picture books generally have 24 or 32 pages and contain around 500 words. While their rhythmic patterns and recurring themes are good for speech and reading development, they are designed to be read aloud and encourage interaction between the reader and child.

Early Reader (ages 6-8)

Often seen in series, these books generally have simple plots with larger font and possibly a few black and white illustrations. They are also referred to as independent readers or beginning chapter books, though children benefit from reading them with an adult. Capping out at 100 pages or so, they usually have between 2,000 and 10,000 words. While children advance quickly through these books, they are critical for reading development.

Middle Grade (ages 8-12)

Sometimes called juvenile or JV books, these are what people often think of when they think of children's books. They tend to have more literally themes and deal with more complicated issues. With 20,000-40,000 words and about 200 pages, they revolve around more diverse characters with a more dramatic story arc.

Young Adult (ages 12-18)

These books often get passed over for classic novels as teens begin to do more analytical reading for school, yet they still sell well and adults love to read them as guilty pleasures. The word count can range from 20,000 to 200,000 words, but publishes tend to think 55,000 at 250 pages is the YA sweet-spot. They are the children's books most susceptible to publishing and cultural trends.

It's vital that children are exposed to as wide a variety of books as possible. Some kids like to read fiction while others prefer nonfiction, and many children still need to partner read with an adult all through adolescence. You might not like that your child wants to read graphic novels or magazines, but that might be what you need to let them do to keep them reading. Letting a child guide their own reading choices while still encouraging them to stretch themselves is an incredibly difficult balance to find. But if children can graduate high school loving books, they become life-long readers.

YA Saves, Books Save, People Save

2011-06-06T19:00:00.006-04:00

First it was the New York Times, and now the Wall Street Journal has decided to take a passive-aggressive approach to book banning. Because that's what their stance is perpetuating--the need to "protect" our children from this kind of writing.

Yes, there are many "issue" books in YA lit these days that deal with sex, drugs, mental health, death, sexual abuse, crime, violence, dysfunctional families. There is also a lot of "dark" YA fiction featuring the supernatural, dystopian societies, alternate realities, mystical folklore. And while they might not always be realistic, these books do reflect real-life.

While every teen may not feel the urge to cut themselves and they may go their entire lives without witnessing a violent crime, it happens. And it happens to a lot more teens than you might think. I have worked with and known teens who had been victims of kidnappings and other violent crimes, gone through rehab before they could drive, seen a family member murdered in front of them, succumbed to terminal illness, suffered sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a parent, attempted or succeeded at suicide, and so many other atrocities that my heart aches just thinking about these children. Even I experienced some of these things in my adolescence.

Miraculously, most of these children go on to lead full, happy lives. They turn into adults who are productive members of society. They attend college, find jobs, experience love. Then they share the path they took to overcome their trauma with the teenagers they come in contact with. They write books about what happened to them, they love their own children, they talk about it in quiet conversations behind closed doors.

Books about these subjects aren't an instruction manual on how to be unhappy. They don't encourage children to turn to a life of crime. And they certainly don't turn them into teens with a false view of the world. Instead, they make teens more accepting and understanding of other people, they prepare them to deal with challenges, they help them overcome the past. They make children believe they are not alone--because they aren't alone.

You don't have to fight to the death to learn something from Katniss Everdeen. You don't have to be dated raped to feel compassion for Melinda Sordino. And you don't have to run away from home to want something more than Holden Caulfield. But if you read Hunger Games and Speak and Catcher in the Rye, you just might be a better person in the end.

However, there are other options available to children who don't want a steady diet of these weighty topics. Meg Cabot, Jerry Spinelli, Ally Carter, Eion Colfer, Shannon Hale, Gordon Korman and many more authors write lighthearted books for teens. So yes, Lisa Belkin, people do still read Anne of Green Gables. Which means, Meghan Cox Gurdon, there is no reason for a parent to go empty-handed because they can't find a book "appropriate" for their child.

Maybe it's time we stop worrying so much about what teens read and start showing a little more concern for why a lot of them aren't reading. I can guarantee it has nothing to do with a lack of lighter books on the market.

Show your support for YA lit by following #YASaves on twitter.

Friday Five: An Unholiday Weekend

2011-06-03T18:15:00.002-04:00

1. My life has been so busy the past few months that I refuse to do anything but mundane chores this weekend. I'll go grocery shopping, see a movie and finish reading my book. It might even get a bit wild and crazy when I go to renew my membership at Mt. Vernon.

2. I have no idea what movie I want to see. As I rarely go to the movies, I'm not quite sure what I'm in the mood to spend that much money on. Maybe Bridesmaids for a laugh or Thor for some eye candy. There's always nostalgia with On Stranger Tides, or I could go the more intellectual rout and see The Tree of Life. But an insane little part of me suspects I'll be heading to X-Men: First Class as I suspect it has a good bit of nostalgia and eye candy.

3. Now that all of my books are cataloged, I keep wanting to read them all again. Just knowing they're sitting there, unread and lonely, makes makes my fingers itch to pick them up and delve into some of my favorite stories.

4. Revisions aren't as painful as I expected them to be. Because I'll be applying to grad school soon, I need to have some really solid writing samples. While I love working on new pieces, coming back to some of my old work has been fun and enlightening. I'm able to see a lot of my mechanical weaknesses and fix a lot of narrative issues I wouldn't have known were issues five years ago. Time and experience have given me a new perspective.

5. Watch out, Dad, I've got plans for Father's Day. Okay, so they're not particularly good or exciting plans, but they're plans none the less.

A Holiday Post in Three Parts

2011-05-31T00:42:00.003-04:00

Saturday: Excavating with Bones

I'm a little squeamish when it comes to blood and I hate hospitals, but how many people can say they've discovered remains with a real-life forensic anthropologist? Okay, so maybe it was a dead bird we found in the wall while remodeling my friend's kitchen. Her mom really is a forensic anthropologist, and I helped her clean up the mess. She then let me patch the wall.

While Ty Pennington won't be asking me to help on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition any time soon, this is where the washer/dryer is going, so it was a good spot to perform my first spackling job. However, I can rock a paint roller. My new friend McKenzie and I primed and painted the living room while the pros got to work hanging cabinets.

Did I say pros? I meant brave souls.

Sunday: Channeling Betty Crocker

And what would a holiday weekend be without a baking adventure. I tried three new cookie recipes: peanut butter (I know, I've never made peanut butter cookies before), pudding chocolate chip and oatmeal applesauce. They looked really good.

They also tasted good enough for me to give them to a few friends. In fact, they tasted good enough that I ate far too many of them to admit.

Monday: Cataloging Books

I apologize to all my GoodReads friends who opened up their emails to find 500 updates from me this weekend, but I promise it was for a good cause. I now have a record of all the books that I own, including edition and genre. My nonfiction shelves are still a little disorganized, but at least I know what's there now.

I had a little bit of a surprise when I discovered I had a first-edition copy of the first Newbery Award book, The Story of Mankind by Hendrik van Loon. While I hate the thought of a book not being regularly read, I might not be letting any more kids barrow this book. I still can't believe that I've read a first-edition copy of this book let alone that I own one for myself.

Mental Health Month: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness

2011-05-26T18:00:00.006-04:00

While metal health issues may seem frightening, more often than not, mental illness affects us in silence. We often try to deal with anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, clinical depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders on our own so people don't think we're odd or scary or unlovable. But the truth is, almost every one of us deals with mental illness whether through ourselves or someone we love. We learn to deal with and treat these illnesses so we can lead normal, healthy lives.

A few days ago, my local library's teen blog posted some great information on mental health as well as a reading list of YA fiction that deal with mental illness. I used this to inspire my own list of YA fiction dealing with mental health issues that have touched me:

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones
Venomous by Christopher Krovatin
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Everything Is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis
Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams
Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Second Star to the Right by Deborah Hautzig
You Know Where to Find Me by Rachel Cohn
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

For more information on maintaining mental health and being more accepting of those who struggle with mental illness, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Another Family Wedding

2011-05-23T14:14:00.003-04:00

I'm not really a wedding crazy person--I didn't get up at 4 a.m. to watch that British wedding, I don't flip through bridal magazines for fun, and I don't have to take tissues with me when I attend a ceremony--but nothing makes me so content as to see my family happy. So when I got my cousin Bill's wedding announcement, I began planning a trip. And because I wasn't able to make the last family wedding, nothing was keeping me from this one.

Bill and Susie were married by Susie's childhood pastor in her home-town church in Winnebago, IL. You could tell it was just the quiet wedding Susie wanted, and if the smile on Bill's face was any indication, it was just what he wanted, too.

While everyone couldn't make it, the majority of the extended family came to lend their support. Most of us younger cousins were able to make it (my sister is the half-way point of the 21 cousins), and we never seem to be able to spend enough time with each other. A few people had to leave right after the ceremony, but the photographer managed to fit us all into the frame.

Of course with so many people snapping pictures of the big event, my uncle had to get a picture of me taking a picture. But the sunset sure was beautiful at the forest preserve where the reception was held.

So, Bill and Susie, I wish you all the best in your marriage. And remember, there are a lot of people loving and supporting you.

(Thanks to Uncle Ron for the pictures.)

No, really, it's just herbs

2011-05-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

I love living in a big city, but the thing I hate the most is not having room for a garden. At my current apartment, we don't even have a window box let alone a stoop or balcony where we can grow plants. Instead we have a big table under our living room windows where our little pot garden flourished.

We've been growing houseplants there for almost two years, but I miss the edible plants I used to be able to grow in my vegetable garden. Last year I bought a box planter with the intention of making a kitchen herb garden, but I never did anything with it. Until now.

A few months ago I did some research about what herbs grow well indoors, what can be planted in the same space and what needs its own pots. I also thought a lot about what herbs I use most often, what I'd like to use more and what would make our apartment smell good. I then plotted my little garden.

I prepped the soil and started some seeds in mini-pots. I thought about doing everything from seeds, but I don't have such a green thumb that I felt I could pull that off. So I only used seeds that I've either grown before or are hardy enough they should take off with little effort on my part.

I made a trip to a local nursery and bought the remaining seedlings I needed to fill out my garden. Although it's not quite the same as digging my hands into the damp earth of sunny plot of land, I loved the smell of damp potting soil and the black dirt that embedded itself under my fingernails.

After a week, I had lovely surprises popping up in my seed pots. Every day there were new little seedlings pushing through the soil.

This week I used my first clippings from my little garden. I don't know if an omelet has ever tasted so good.

I'm not one of those Midwest farmer's daughters the Beach Boys sing about, but I do understand the appeal of having your only piece of land to grow something that provides for yourself and your family.

Children's Books for Adults, Adult Books for Children

2011-05-16T18:35:00.005-04:00

For almost a month now, an adult picture book has been a bestseller on Amazon, and there's still another month before its official release. While totally irreverent and not at all appropriate for children, it's the irony of Go the F**k to Sleep that has so many people talking. But really, this controversial book really isn't as controversial, unique or earth-shattering as you might think.

Many books we think of as children's classics were not intentionally written for children at all. (Okay, maybe the authors were writing them for children, but the publishers never differentiated.)

Aesop's Fables Aesop (6th centenary BC)
The Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault (1695)
Grimm's Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (1812)
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss (1812)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll (1865)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (1877)
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)

Of course there were a few exceptions, like John Newbery's (yes, that Newbery) A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744) and Johanna Spyri's Heidi (1880). Otherwise, children's stories were published in magazines but not printed in volumes until long after they had proven their popularity.

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen (1835)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1883)
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (1883)
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (1894)
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnet (1905)

It wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that books started to be published specifically for children. And then it took years for the phenomenon to catch on.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)
Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie (1911)

Even today there is a stigma attached to children's books--they don't sell as well, they don't have the same literary value, they just aren't as good as books for adults. The NYT's Sunday Book Review and the New Yorker Magazine both have recently perpetuated this misplaced criticism. So many books are marketed for adults though their characters and themes tend to work better for young readers.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (1943)
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card(1985)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2001)
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (2002)

Yet a lot of books that are published for children do well with an adult audience. (Twilight Moms, anyone? Or what about that billion-dollar empire created by J.K. Rowling?) And you can't forget all the picture books adults love to think they're buying for kids, but really they are written to appeal to adults' sentimentality.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964)
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (1986)
Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss (1990)
You Are Special by Max Lucado (1997)
It's a Book by Lane Smith (2010)

Children's books have a much bigger influence on the publishing industry than a lot of readers realize. They change the way we look at literature, literacy, publishing and sales. I still remember the time when YA books were not distinguished from children's books or adult books, and it wasn't until Harry Potter that the New York Times made a separate bestseller list for children's books. If a non-traditional book makes people pay a little more attention to the struggles of the picture book industry and reminds us that reading to our children is good for them and maybe even better for us, than I hope the publishing industry continues to produce books that challenge the market.

Try a Little Tenderness

2011-05-13T18:02:00.001-04:00

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There comes a point when everyone needs saving. When the grief and the loneliness and the struggles become to much for you to bare. But letting someone help you--love you--is almost as hard as finding your way on your own.

When Jill MacSweeney's father died, she lost her best friend, her greatest supporter and her inspiration. She's alienated her friends, kept her boyfriend at arms-length and made sure her mother knows that nothing can ever make up for her father's absence.

Mandy Kalinowski has never had a home. Sure, her mother always had some boyfriend or another who was willing to put a roof over their heads, but she doesn't know what it feels like to belong, to have a place your heart can reside. When she finds out she's pregnant, she wants to make sure her child has all the love she needs, which is why she's depending on Robin MacSweeney to provide for her baby.

While this story is told from two perspectives, it's really the story of four women who are lost and hurting and looking for home. It might have been Mac who died in a car accident eight months ago, but it's Jill and Robin and Mandy and an unborn baby who need to be saved. And somehow, as they work to save each other, they might just save the most important life of all--their own.

Every word is beautiful and every character is real. I wanted to read this book with a highlighter so I could mark all my favorite passages, and I wanted to hug and cry for and laugh with and talk to all of these women.

No one understands losing yourself and finding home again like Zarr. She writes with such a raw emotion that you come to understand every character and see yourself within the pages of all of her books. Yet this book is different from her others in that it's a little more romantic, a little more hopeful, a little more lighthearted. It still deals with powerful and sad issues (death, abuse, adoption, unfaithfulness), but it's done in such a way that every tear you want to shed is happy. It just keeps getting better and better with Zarr.

How to Save a Life

2011-05-09T18:43:00.004-04:00

Look what I just got in the mail!

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

So guess what I'll be doing tonight. I'll try to give you a sneak peek tomorrow, but it might take me a couple days to digest what I've read.

Click here for my review of How to Save a Life.

A New Kind of Reluctant Reader

2011-05-07T23:10:00.002-04:00

Everything's published in threes now, especially high-concept books. If it's interesting enough for one book, than it can be sustained through a trilogy. It's understandable, really. Publishing is a tough business, and the market gets more competitive every day. So if a writer has a good idea and the talent to pull it off, a trilogy means three-times the sales and three-times the time to gain a loyal following. But in doing this, has the publishing industry created a new kind of reluctant reader?

Now you're expected to commit to an entire series--in essence a 1000-page book published over a three-year period--with no promise of a return on your investment. That's probably why so many readers are overly critical of the last book in the series. "I've spent countless hours and nearly $75 on these books, so the series darn well better end how I want it to. And if it doesn't exceed my expectations...well, then heaven help the author."

Gone are the days of the episodic series of self-contained books with a distinct beginning, middle and end. Now everything is epiphanic, where a single sentence in the second chapter becomes critical to the plot two books later. You see this a lot in modern television as well. If you miss one episode, you're completely lost. But it's also not a new story-telling device. Serial writers like Charles Dickens and Robert Louis Stevenson used to do it all the time on a much smaller scale with their magazine fiction.

I don't even think it's a bad device. If done well, it allows better character development and exciting plot twists. It heightens the suspense and makes you crave to see what happens next even if you aren't sure you'll like it. But sometimes I just want to sit down and read a good book without having to worry that it will be another two years before I can read the end.

Three Amazing Woman with Three Amazing Books

2011-05-03T18:10:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kite Winners! While I'm sure all of the authors and books are wonderful, three have special meaning for me personally.

Kathryn Erskine for Mockingbird

I first met Kathy at a writing conference last year right after she was nominated for the National Book Award. Not only do we share the same name, but we also share the same home state. Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to witness the impact this woman and her books have had on local authors.

Sydney Salter for Swoon at Your Own Risk

Before I could say S-C-B-W-I without thinking about it, I felt Sydney's influence. I got to know Sydney while I was living in Salt Lake City, and she's continued to teach and encourage me from 2,000 miles away.

Kate Messner for Sugar and Ice

I have such great respect for Kate as an author, teacher, mother and friend. Kate's writing career has really taken off in the past couple of years, and I'll continue to learn from her example as more success comes her way.

Sea Chanteys for the Landlubber

2011-04-28T23:06:00.001-04:00

A few years ago my brother introduced me to sea chanteys (or shanties, but I prefer the French spelling because it's a better reflection of the word origin), and ever since I've been trying to convert all my friends. But let's face it, they're not an easy sale, especially if you aren't interested in maritime history and don't appreciate shaky old-man voices or drunken Irishman.

But chanteys have an amazing history. They were the pop-music of their time, a period that lasted about 400 years. (Can you imagine anyone on the Billboard Top 100 staying there for hundreds of years? I get sick of most of them after a few days.) Like modern pop music, chanteys were designed to be simple and stick in your head, but that was because most seamen were illiterate. Chanteys gave a rhythm to the backbreaking work of the seamen and perhaps reminded them of the comforts of home as well as the adventures awaiting them in foreign ports. You can even hear echoes of chanteys in both American slave songs and Application music, although it might be more accurate to say you hear echoes of African tribal music in sea chanteys as it's difficult to say which came first and which influenced the other.

But that's enough history. On to a new playlist of some of my favorite chanteys. While some of these songs are more technically sea ballads or drinking songs, I wanted to give some variety to make the playlist more listenable as well as give it a modern twist.

"The Mallard" by Cliff Haslam
"Blow the Man Down" by Stan Hugill
"Sally Gardens" by the King's Singers
"Whiskey in the Jar" by Wyide Nept
"Cecillia" by Simon & Gerfunkel
"Haul Away Joe" by Wyide Nept
"The Boxer" by Carbon Leaf
"Clear Away the Track" by Stan Hugill
"The Old German Clockwinder" by Cliff Haslam
"South Australia" by Liam Clancy
"Bully in the Alley" by Morrigan
"Blood Red Rose" by Liam Clancy
"Homeward Boud" by Stuart M. Frank
"Santy Ano" by Liam Clancy
"Scarborough Fair" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Mary Mac" by Carbon Leaf
"Bring 'Em Down" by Clark Branson
"John Kanakanaka" by Wyde Nepy
"What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor" by the King's Singers
"I Wish They'd Do It Now" by Cliff Haslam

If you want to read more about sea chanteys from the last real sea chanteyman in the world (he died in 1992), Shanties from the Seven Seas by Stan Hugill is a must-read. Or if you're truly adventurous, you can participate in a chantey singalong at the Griswold Inn in Essex, CT, every Monday night starting at 8 p.m.

He Is Risen

2011-04-25T00:03:00.001-04:00

It's been a beautiful start to spring in DC. Even all the rain we've been getting can't dampen the mood the cherry blossoms bring. One of my favorite things about spring is Easter. I pretty much love any holiday, but I especially love this one that allows me to reflect upon my faith and new beginnings and forgiveness.

Although I didn't have a basket full of sweets waiting for my this morning, I received a special treat during the Easter service at church when my friend Lisa spoke about her faith in Christ and shared a beautiful message of hope with the congregation.

After the service, Lisa and our friend Dave came to my place to enjoy Easter dinner with all the trimmings. None of us have family in the area, so we made everything ourselves.

While I've made deviled eggs a few times, I tried a new baked ham recipe with rosemary and pineapple, which turned out really well. There was a couple minutes of panic when I realized I had no salad dressing, but thanks to the internet, I found a rosemary-dijon dressing I happened to have all the ingredients for.

And lisa made an incredible mince meat pie. This was the first time I've even had mince meat, but I'm a fan.

After way too much food, we decided to to take Dave on a tour of the monuments. (Dave's visiting from LA and leaves early tomorrow morning.) Unfortunately, it started pouring as soon as we got down to the Tidal Basin, so we only made it through the FDR Memorial and walked about halfway to the Jefferson Memorial before we were too cold and wet to do the walking tour. So we drove around the city and pointed to distant, rain-obscured buildings.

Overall, it was a great holiday. I missed my family and Aunt Chris' big Easter bash, but I look forward to heading to Chicago for my cousin's wedding next month. I hope your holiday was filled with good memories, good food and good reflections on the season. On to new beginnings and new blessings in the year to come.

Fairy Tale Retelling?

2011-04-22T14:37:00.006-04:00

A friend of mine had her baby-sitter cancel on her this weekend, and thanks to rain, the baseball game I was planning on attending was postponed. Thus, I was free to watch her three children. And because I don't often hang out with kids without a "teen" in their age, I watched my first animated Disney movie in years (I believe I saw both Meet the Robinsons and Chicken Little on plane rides at some point).

Aside from the predictable dialogue and less than stellar music, I found myself laughing. A lot. Maybe it was because kids' laughter is unbelievably infectious, or maybe it was so predictable that I laughed at the jokes both coming and going. I really don't know. And it's beside the point. Watching this movie made me think about how different Tangled is from the Rapunzel story I heard growing up, yet somehow the story manages to be both recognizable and nostalgic.

Which begs the question, when does a story go from being a retelling to being a completely different story? And if it’s labeled a fairy tale, how closely does it need to stick to folklore before it becomes fantasy?

In lit classes, a lot of professors like to say that there are only a handful of stories that are told over and over. You have the creation, the epic journey, the love saga, the family drama—depending on who you talk to, the archetypes are slightly different. While this might be one of those intellectual quandaries designed to make you think about what you’re reading, I mostly think it’s a cop-out to pave the way for comparative essays.

Ever storyteller uses unique skills to make a story their own. How many boy-meets-girl stories can there really be? Yet each rom-com keeps us wondering how the two hopeless cases will ever get together in the end. And what more can we possibly do with man vs. man? But every time the underdogs sacrificially face an army twice their size, we always cheer when they manage to defeat their foes. Shakespeare often based his stories on mythology and local legends, and even Jesus Christ quoted past prophets and familiar allegories to teach the people in his day. So maybe a story is found more in the audience than the teller.

Throughout the entire movie, my friend’s 7-year-old daughter never batted an eye at the horse who acted like a dog or wondered how simple lanterns could fly or took pause at how a man could jump from a castle tower and not get hurt, nor did she once question how Rapunzel could cart around all that hair without it getting dirty, knotted or broken. What she didn’t buy into was how a tear could heal someone after magic hair had failed. The irony being that it was Rapunzel’s tears the healed the prince in the original story—the Grimm’s Brothers never mentioned there was anything magic about her hair. My young friend was shocked when I told her that was basically the only thing Disney kept from the original.

The next day I gave my friend a copy of Paul O. Zelinsky’s Rapunzel so the family could read a more scholarly version of the fairy tale. But just because it’s based more closely on the Italian folklore doesn’t make it any more valid of a story. After all, how strong can human hair really be?

Etymology vs. Entomology: Two unrelated words with two unrelated stories

2011-04-18T18:02:00.005-04:00

et·y·mol·o·gy (n) the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words. From the Greek étymo, meaning true, and lógos, meaning reason.

For someone with as poor spelling skills as I have, I sure do love me some word origins. So it should really come as no surprise that as a friend and I stood in line at the grocery story, we debated the word origins of ass (i.e. rear end) and asinine (i.e. silly). Our conversation was quite animated, and as we were in a rather busy grocery store in D.C. rather late at night, I'm sure many customers were glad they had left their children at home.

The guy behind us in line--whom I believe was just as intrigued by our conversation as we were--finally looked it up on his phone. Come to find out, ass (i.e. rear end) and asinine (i.e. silly) do not share word origins. However, ass (i.e. donkey) and asinine (i.e. silly) do. We thought this wonderful news as we could then feel completely justified in using the word ass in reference to a person acting ridiculous without being accused of using vulgarity.

(Notice the correct usage of i.e. from the Latin id est, meaning that is, and not e.g. from the Latin exemplī grātiā, meaning for example.)

en·to·mol·o·gy (n) the branch of zoology dealing with insects. From the Greek éntoma, meaning insect, and lógos, meaning reason.

My friend took an entomology class in college, and we'd catch bugs for him to mount and study. At the time I lived in a basement apartment, and my roommates caught this enormous praying mantis because they knew David would want it. This mantis was so aggressive that it hissed and screamed and snapped all the way to the ethyl acetate then frozen for two days*. It was totally disturbing but looked really cool mounted.

Only the next day, David went back to the lab and found that it was a zombie mantis come back to life. Angrier than ever, it was struggling to free itself from the mounting block. So he drowned it in ethanol and did some other things to ensure its demise that I won't go into. I had nightmares about it coming to get me in my sleep for a week. I still can't see a praying mantis without a little shiver running down my spine.

(Despite the homophone--or heterograph--a praying mantis is called such because it looks like it's in the act of supplication and not because of its aggressive perusal of prey.)

*Apparently my memory isn't that good because David had to correct some of my zombie mantis details. But he tells me the mantis is still in the BYU-Idaho insect collection as far as he knows.

Where would we be without books?

2011-04-14T18:50:00.002-04:00

The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom released this week the top ten most frequently challenged books of 2010. There are often books I enjoy on this list, and sometimes even a few of my most cherished books are mentioned. This year, however, three of my absolutely favorite books are on the list: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones. To make matters even worse, two authors I frequently talk about and recommend to others also made the list: Stephenie Meyer and Ellen Hopkins. Just check out my Reading Lists to see how many times these authors and books appear.

This either says something about me or the condition of America. (My brother assures me it speaks to both.)

I almost feel personally attacked by wanna-be do-gooders who do absolutely nothing to promote critical thinking and social acceptance among America's youth. While you might not feel these books are appropriate for you or your children, that doesn't mean someone out there doesn't need the words contained in these books. I can't imagine where I'd be without Mark Twain, Judy Blume, Katherine Paterson, Roald Dahl, Lois Lowry and Madeleine L’Engle--some of the most frequently challenged authors when I was in high school. And how many children would never have discovered reading without J.K. Rowling, Alvin Schwartz, Maurice Sendak, R.L. Stine and Walter Dean Myers--some of the most frequently challenged authors from the past ten years. And what an un-accepting world we'd live in if young people didn't have access to books by Robert Cormier, Maya Angelou, Stephen Chbosky, Toni Morrison and Harper Lee.

Our shelves would be empty of books, and our children would be without the ideals that can change the world. So even if your favorite books aren't on this year's list, make sure you support other people's freedom to read the books they love.

Audiobooks for the Audiophile: In which I make a new list

2011-04-08T18:02:00.000-04:00

In no particular order, here are my ten favorite children's/MG/YA audiobooks. (I addressed the awesome Jim Dale and Katy Kellgren in my last post, so I haven't included their books on this list.)

Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer (Author) and Sean Patrick Reilly (Narrator): I knew when smoky jazz filled the car that I was in for trouble, and I was right. The combination of Eoin Colfer's dime-store humor and Sean Patrick Reilly's melodramatic brogue made me believe I entered the world of a P.I.

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (Author) and Brendan Fraser (Narrator): I had the biggest crush on Brendan Fraser back in high school, which is why I picked up this recording in the first place. But after the first few minutes, I forgot whose voice I was listening to and got totally enthralled by the story.

Heist Society by Ally Carter (Author) and Angela Dawe (Narrator): This action-packed story works so well as an audiobook I can't imagine it any other way. Although I love Carter's writing so much that if I had read it first I probably wouldn't be able to imagine it in audio form.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (Author) and Various Artists (Narrator): There are a lot of wonderful audio productions of this series, but perhaps my favorite is the one produced by HarperAudio featuring Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Stewart, Lynn Redgrave and more. It was like listening to a story behind a story--with each narrator you actually hear how passionate they are about the book they're performing.

Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman (Author) and Various Artists (Narrator): It makes sense that you would want to listen to poetry read aloud, but this book is simply amazing when performed by two voices. Unfortunately, this audiobook has become difficult to find (I still have it on tape even though I no longer have a tape player). Hopefully this will be remastered so a new generation of listeners will be able to get the full effect of poems for two voices.

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers (Author), James Williams (Narrator) and Vanesse Thomas (Narrator): This is the perfect example of when great writing and great performance come together to make something bigger than the sum of its parts. It utilizes the musical talents of real jazz musicians to compliment the poems and illustrations of a beautiful book.

Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (Author) and Robert Ramirez (Narrator): I read the first book in this series and then listened to the second, and I can't tell you which way I enjoyed it more. The action is so compelling when read aloud, yet I wanted it to go faster so I eventually had to pick it up and read the third one myself.

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela (Compiler) and Various Artists (Narrator): I don't know if there has ever been this much buzz about an audiobook before, but with people like Charlize Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman lending their voices to raise funds for children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, it's really not surprising. What is surprising, however, is the quality of the production and how uniquely beautiful each story is. And both the traditional musical performance and the PDF of bright, bold illustrations included with the recording sets this production apart.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Author) and Jeff Woodman (Narrator): I was extremely skeptical when I picked up this audiobook. After all, how would they be able to turn the magic of an illustrated novel into an audio production? But I couldn't stop listening. This production does one of my favorite books of all time the justice it deserves.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (Author), Emily Janice Card (Narrator) and Emma Bering (Narrator): This audiobook blew my mind. Really. I couldn't wait to listen to Card and Bering give a new outlook on a fascinating historical period with beautiful accents, perfect rhythm and infallible timing. Their skills should make every recording artist green with envy. (It probably also helped that Donnelly referenced some of my all-time favorite bands in the same sentences as my most beloved classical composers.)

Of course I can't just leave a list at ten...

I would be amiss if I didn't mentions that Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book), Sara Zarr (Story of a Girl) and Sherman Alexie (The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) recorded their own books. These authors have an unique ability to make characters come alive both on the page and through voice.

If you want more recommendations, the ALA's new Odyssey Award recognizes the best audiobook produced for YA/children, and AudioFile Magazine presents The Audie Awards for many different categories.

This post is the last in a three-part series dedicated to Molly Jaffa, who loves audiobooks only slightly less than I do.

Audiobooks for the Audiophile: In which narrators take precedence to authors

2011-04-06T18:13:00.002-04:00

When I'm looking for a good book to read, I usually base my selection on author. Have I enjoyed a book by this author before? Have authors I love recommended this book? Has the author been compared to another author I love? I don't so much have favorite books as I have favorite authors.

With audiobooks I tend to use a similar philosophy. I look for narrators who can give consistent performances that I can enjoy whether I love the material they're reading or not. There are a couple people who could read the phone book and I'd listen to every word.

For me, there are two truly stand-out narrators in the audiobook profession. Every year they dominate audiobook awards, and their voices have become synonymous with some of the most beloved characters in modern children's lit. The hype their productions have received is well deserved.

Jim Dale and his reading of The Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling played a huge role in making me an audiobook convert. His ability to make those books come alive--and give them a new depth even after reading the books several times--made me want to listen to more. I also watched as several struggling readers followed along with Dale and then took up later HP books to read on their own. Dale has provided the voice for a wider range of characters than just Harry and his friends, including the 100th anniversary recording of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (my personal obsession), Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. You might also recognize his voice as the narrator of the unfortunately short-lived TV series Pushing Daisies.

But Dale is not the only rock star in the audiobook world. Katherine Kellgren has gained well-deserved recognition for her vocalization of L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack Adventures. My obsession with sea chanteys makes these audiobooks easy to love, but Kellgren brings a depth to Meyer's books that honestly isn't there in the printed version. She takes some fun adventure novels and turns them into something truly special. Meyer even admitted in an interview that Kellgren's narrations have changed the way he writes the book and said the books are edited for "readability by voice as well as eye" to make the recorded books more exciting. Kellgren is heralded for her work on the recordings of Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Series by Maryrose Wood, The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan and the Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer.

So what makes a listenable narrator? Versatility.

There are some audiobooks out there that try to accomplish this with full casts, dramatic sound effects and over-zealous productions. But I'm kind of a purist. The best narrators are those who become the characters so effortlessly that you can no longer tell the difference between the author, the narrator and the main character. While the ability to use lots of accents and distinctive voices helps, it has more to do with pacing and rhythm. As the action heightens and the tension comes to a pinnacle, the narration intensifies. You can hear the excitement and fear and passion not just in the words, but also in the voice. Perhaps even more important are the quiet moments of a novel--what is happening between the words. If a narrator can pull off the subtext of a novel so you can hear the character development that happens between the chapters, yeah, you've got an amazing reader.

This post is the second in a three-part series dedicated to Molly Jaffa, who loves audiobooks only slightly less than I do.

Audiobooks for the Audiophile: In which the journey begins

2011-04-04T18:44:00.004-04:00

When I first started writing this post, it was after a conversation I had during lunch at a writing conference where we discussed some of our favorite audiobooks and what makes them so special. The woman I was talking to asked me to post some recommendations, so I got to work making a list. Until I realized how woefully little I actually knew about audiobooks. Sure, I'd listen to a few every year and had a few that were stand-outs. But what really made me enjoy them so much? And why were there a few I couldn't bare to listen to even though I loved reading the book?

The first time I consciously remember listening to an audiobook was back in high school. I'm not a huge fan of British classics (the descriptions are far too plentiful for someone with an American journalism background) but I love the stories, so I listened to David Copperfield, The Lord of the Rings, Vanity Fair. Then I moved on to some American classics I could never seem to find time to sit down and read like The Sound and the Fury and The House of Seven Gables. Then I went through my history phase with Ronald Reagan's autobiography, Tom Brokaw's Greatest Generation series and several books by David McCullough. Then there were the book club books like Daughter of Fortune and, yes, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Before I started my freshman year in college, I had gone from listening to books I didn't think I could ever get through just by reading them to listening to the books because they were fun and beautiful. Not that I didn't love those classics, and I learned a ton for the histories, but all of a sudden I wasn't limited to classic literature methodically read by British stage actors. I was listening to full-fledged productions that merge literature and acting and music. It was like candy for my ears.

And now that I've spent the past six months actually paying attention to what I've listening to, I can literally hear the difference.

I don't pretend that I have listened to everything out there, but it's safe to say that my audiobook experiences reach into the hundreds. When I'm listening to a good audiobook, I have to leave ten minutes early for everything because I have to finish the chapter. And the story and the audio production have be of high quality both independently and together, which means the writing has to be stellar, the narration has to be engaging, and the have to work together.

Access to audiobooks is only getting easier because they don't only come on tape--or even CD--anymore. Even as a Mac user, I can download audiobooks directly to my computer and listen to it or upload it to my iPod. And with those great little Play-Aways that I can pick up at the library and plug into my car or my headphones or my computer speakers...yeah, I'm a fan. They're perfect for long road trips or tedious chores or rainy days or any time at all. If you don't know much about audiobook providers, NextAdvisor.com reviews some of the most popular and features additional information about audiobooks.

I've made it my mission to listen to more audiobooks, specifically children's/MG/YA books. To pay attention to why they work. To get lost in the stories along the way. And the more audiobooks I listen to, the more I discover my journey as an audiophile has just begun.

This post is the first in a three-part series dedicated to Molly Jaffa, who loves audiobooks only slightly less than I do.

The "Yes" Conundrum

2011-03-14T22:03:00.000-04:00

I know I'm not alone in this. I cannot possibly be the only person in the world who can't seem to say "No" to people. Okay, so I don't have any trouble saying "No" to drugs and other illegal activities, but I can't seem to say it to anything else. I spread myself so thin that I don't seem to have anything left to give. I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted and lack the time to take care of the physical.

The biggest problem is that I kind of need to say "Yes" to people. If I didn't, I'd contently spend my life alone in my room reading and writing, and then I'd have no experience to write about and learn nothing new to develop my writing. Plus, I'd go crazy and not even realize what was happening.

The key word missing from my life? Balance. To have a balanced life, I don't need to summarily say either "Yes" or "No" to everything that comes my way. But I need to learn how to discern what are opportunities to learn, provide service, further my personal goals, cultivate friendships and what is just filler.

Yeah, like that'll happen.

One Year Ago Today...

2011-03-02T17:40:00.000-05:00

I still miss Ashley. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. There's still this hole in my heart her smile and laugh and sassy ways used to fill. My brain knows that she's in a better place--no longer suffering, probably smiling that same mischievous smile--but my heart still wants her with us.

The void the death of a loved one leaves is never truly filled. Christmas just isn't the same without my grandmother giving me pajamas or a crochet scarf. I still get a lump in my throat when I look at pictures of my friend Elizabeth who died our senior year in high school. My Uncle Bernie, Prince, Mrs. Flame. They all had a part in making me who I am, and I wish I had one more chance to let each of them know how much they mean to me.

So today I mourn. But tomorrow I live.

Welcome Back, Bloggers!

2011-03-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

It's been one month since my last post. And it was a totally exhausting month. I used those 28 days to prepare my SCBWI WIP Grant application (which goes in the mail tomorrow), get through our big conference for work (which I'm still catching up on work emails I received during that week) and write up a storm (which I actually did). Unfortunately, I also spent the last week of February flat on my back with the worst case of bronchitis and laryngitis I have had in years. In fact, the last time I was that sick was during the great pneumonia debacle three years ago.

Needless to say, I'm happy I stepped away from the blog-o-sphere for that long. I hadn't realized how much time I spend reading other blogs and writing my own posts. But I also missed the connection I have with friends and family through blogs. So if you had a baby or got a publishing deal in the past month, I'm sorry I missed hearing about it, and forgive me for not going back and reading all the posts I missed. That would kind of defeat the purpose of the hiatus.

In the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some new reading lists, spazzing out about writing efforts and maybe posting something worth-while along the way.

So welcome back, fellow bloggers. I look forward to what the next month has to bring.

Honoring SCBWI Keynote Speakers

2011-02-01T22:18:00.000-05:00

Usually after I return from a conference, I write a couple of posts about what I learned and things that I want to work on. I had ever intention of doing that this week as well. Then I decided the best thing I could do was take what Sara Zarr and Linda Sue Park both said in their keynote addresses.

So I'm shutting off the internet this week, possibly even this month. I'll still be posting on facebook and twitter, because let's face it, I'm from the tech generation and would probably never talk to many of my friends if I totally ignore technology. But I'm going to try to limit my internet use, and my blog is officially going into hiatus so I can re-focus on writing.

It's time to go to work.

My Metro Cards

2011-01-27T17:49:00.001-05:00

I have my two Metro cards tucked in my wallet--one for the city I'm leaving behind and the other for the city I'm heading for. I'm trading monuments and the Potomac for skyscrapers and the Hudson. At least for a little while.

The SCBWI 2011 Winter Conference is almost here. In the next few days I'll get to see old friends from all over the country who share my passion for Children's lit. My days will be filled with bookstores and book talks and book signings. I get to learn about picture books and making kids laugh and market trends and writing technique.

Those two Metro cards I keep close at hand give me access to so much more than public transportation. They connect me to the the literary world I love.

The Whitest View

2011-01-26T21:14:00.001-05:00

I got to sit in this for three hours because of the snow in D.C. At least I had the chance to listen to Neil Gaiman read Odd and the Frost Giants, which made half the commute extremely pleasant. I wish I could have gotten a clear shot from a rise so you could see the red lights mixed with the glittering white for miles.

Local Authors Rock, or This One's for You, Lucy Wu

2011-01-19T19:56:00.001-05:00

As I've said before (and will probably say again), I love reading books where I see names and places I know and love. But what I love even more is reading a book where I get that plus it makes me laugh and cry and everything in between. The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by debut author Wendy Wan-Long Shang has it all.

I may not be Chines, and baseball is way better than basketball, but I know just what it's like to be Lucy. Lucy is the every-girl. Feel the black sheep of the family? Feel like you'll never live up to everyone's expectations? Feel lost in your own skin? Feel like no matter how hard you try, things never go your way? Well, Lucy can tell you all about it. And maybe, just maybe, she can also tell you how even when things are going terribly wrong, they always have a way of turning out right in the end.

Friday Five: A Bundle of Book News

2011-01-14T18:27:00.001-05:00

Most of the people who read this blog fall into one of two categories. The first are those who know me and want to find out what's going on in my life. The second are those who love books and come here looking for book recommendations. For the people in the first group, you might not think this post is about my life, but I assure you I have spent more time contemplating these issues than anything else in my life this week (with the possible exception of my not-so-internal grad school debate). For the second group, much of this will be old news though maybe you'll be happy to see someone else cares just as much as you do. And for those of you who fall into both categories, well, that's why you're my best friends in the world.

1. ALA Youth Media Awards: I could not have been more excited for the authors honored by the ALA. This year, more than any year I can remember, the awards reflect a great cross-section on literary works for children that highlight the skill of writers and the diversity of readers. I was, however, disappointed not to see Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos on the nonfiction list. But the Quick Picks almost made up for it by listing several of my favorite QPs.

2. Today Show Snub: My exhilaration was quickly followed by great frustration when those well-deserving winners were cut from the Today Show's usual coverage. We wonder why children aren't reading and media is taking over the lives of our children. Umm...maybe it's because we aren't setting a very good example for them. Maybe it's because we aren't instilling within them a love of books anymore. We should be ashamed of our selves that Snooki, a character who will be forgotten sooner than her tan fades, takes precedence over characters who will be a part of the literary world for more than a hundred years to come. Oh, yeah, and the 90-second Newbery videos being made as a form of protest are kind of hysterical.

3. Copyright Violations: This has not always been an issue I much cared about. But as I've gotten older, learned more about intellectual property and experienced first-hand the frustration of breaking into the publishing industry, this topic infuriates me. People, go to the library! Spend $20 on a book rather than a movie! Find a book exchange! Learn to live without a book! But for heaven sakes, don't steal from a poor author by ripping their books online, no matter how unfair you think the pricing is. Find another way to communicate your frustrations, but don't illegally download books just because you feel you are entitled to the content. Because you're not! The only person who's entitled to that content--legally, ethically and morally--is the author who created it.

4. Sad News from Lisa Madigan: It's not every day you hear a contemporary author so openly address her own mortality. Fortunately, Lisa Madigan exhibits a grace and internal strength that is far from common. A friend going through a mastectomy recently wrote her friends: "I knew I wanted to share this journey with you and not only it would allow others to cry with me but it would allow others to pray for me, to fast for me and to comfort me. Thank you so much for your prayers, for your tears and for your faith!" I thank Lisa for doing the same, and I hope her fans and the writing community will give her the same support my friend is feeling.

5. Comic Books, Poetry and Mark Twain: I think it's funny that stories on all these subjects are currently floating around the blog-o-sphere. I can't tell you how many people tell me they don't get comic books, they can't stand reading poetry, and they hope never to have to pick up another "classic" book again. But the truth is, our lives are richer for all of these types of creative works. They expand our horizons, give us commonality and at least provide us with a medium we love to hate.

The Great Grad School Debate

2011-01-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

This fall I'm applying to four Children's Lit master's programs. I've never applied for grad school before, and I didn't think I'd be doing it for another six years. But recent events in my life have made me realize this is something I want for myself now. I want to be a better writer. I want to be surrounded by people who share my passion. I want to carve out a future for myself in the literary world.

I feel like a high school senior all over again.

The New School--Realistically, The New School MFA program is a pie-in-the-sky dream for me. To be able to move to NYC and study with amazing contemporary YA writers like David Levithan would be a dream come true. But then there's this little set-back about quitting my job and moving to NYC. What a terrifying thought!

The other three programs I'm looking into are low-residency, which means I'd be able to work full time, take correspondence classes and only take about a month off for summer workshops.

Hollins University--The MA program (all of the others are MFAs) at Hollins has the benefit of being both close to home and combining creative writing with literary studies. I'd also have the opportunity to spend a summer in the United Kingdom to do the research on Peter Pan I've been wanting to do for years (not that I'm obsessed with the topics in Peter Pan or anything).

Vermont College--There's a comfort in knowing a lot of my friends have graduated from Vermont College's MFA program. A lot of big names have gone through this program, which, at the risk of sounding like a total fan-girl, is totally exciting. It's a strong program with a proven record, and even the reading lists they have posted on there website get me excited to attend. But it's the school that's furthest away from home, which of course complicates things.

Spalding University--I've read about Spalding, heard graduates speak on panels and read all there prospective student materials, and it sounds like a great school. But unlike all of the other programs, I don't personally know anyone who has ever attended. So if you're reading this post and you're a Spalding fan, what makes you love this school? Because I want to be in love with it, too.

Prepping for SCBWI Conference(s)

2011-01-11T19:58:00.002-05:00

Conferences are a great way to learn about the craft, hear about new publishing trends and bask in the comfort of like-minded writers. Most importantly, they get me excited to work a little harder and do a little better. I'm getting really excited about the SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC, mostly because I keep reading interviews with authors I can't wait to hear speak over at Alice Pope's blog. I've also been contacting some old friends to see if they'll be there so we can meet up and chat--it's been a long time since of seen many of them who are still out in Illinois and Utah and a few who have moved away from D.C.

This conference, there are a few issues I'm planning to talk to people about:

The Master's Debate: Would an MA or MFA be beneficial to my career and help me develop as a writer? Are there other ways I can accomplish the same type of development? Is it a fiscally responsible endeavor? What kind of scholarships/grants/fellowships are available?
Anything But a Novel: What are other forms of writing I can break into? With lagging print sales, are there still opportunities in magazine writing? Ghost writing and series writing seems like a great idea, but how does might it affect my personal writing?
Writers' (Support) Groups: How can I most effectively utilize my writers' group? What kinds of questions should we be asking each other, and how can we help encourage group members while still giving an effective critique? Is there such a thing as too much work-shopping?

I figure if I'm going to be standing in a room with some of the greatest minds in children's publishing, I'd better have something to talk to them about. Whether it acts as an ice-breaker when I find myself sitting at a lunch table with a NYT best-selling author or an agent opens the floor for questions after a presentation, I want to have something to talk to them about. Of course, I'll probably end up talking to them about audiobooks or Matt Damon. Not that those weren't some great conversations. There are also a few people whom I consider friends and mentors who will be there, and I want their feedback, especially on the master's issue.

My part in planning for the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference has also crept up on me. It's not until the fall, but I have my first planning meeting this weekend. Yes, six months before our regional conference we are having a planning meeting, not about speakers or caterers or manuscript critiques, which people have been working on for a year or more now, but about setting up technology (e.g. projector, microphones). I cannot believe the kind of effort that goes into these meetings. My respect for the people who do this year after year just like tripled.

Roll for Initiative

2011-01-09T12:54:00.002-05:00

Hello, my name is Kathryn, and I'm a Girl Gamer.

I know how nerdy it sounds, but I love becoming a character. I love participating in plays and skits. I love those dinner party mysteries where you try to find the killer. And I especially love Dungeons and Dragons.

(Yes, this is my character--a Watersoul Genasi Warlord. I illustrated her while I was stuck in various airports over the break.)

There's something about becoming something different--becoming something more than myself--that I enjoy about D&D. It's fun interacting with other people to face unexpected adventures. It stretches me to use my imagination, to think critically, to react creatively. While it might all be pretend, it changes who I am in the real world.

Reading does the same thing. Good books introduce us to people we would never meet on our own. They help us understand people on a more intimate level. They make us realize that we can become something more than ourselves.

This weekend we started our new campaign. Over the next few months, we'll fight demons and evil warlords. We'll save damsels in distress and rescue cities from pirates. We'll sail dangerous seas and face nightmarish monsters. And we'll do it all from the safety of Gordon's living room while eating pizza and drinking Mr. Pibb.

Transitioning from YA to Adult Books

2011-01-03T20:55:00.004-05:00

After spending years reading young adult fiction, moving on to adult fiction can be hard. While the classics they make you read in school are great books, sometimes you just want to read a contemporary author you like. But don't be fooled: Just because an author writes best-selling adult books does not guarantee their YA books will be worth reading, and often times, YA authors who venture into main-stream fiction fall flat. But knowing authors who bridge the gap between YA and mainstream fiction can make the process a little less intimidating.

Author	Children/YA	Adult
Nick Hornby: One of the greatest contemporary writers of our time, Hornby's books are powerful and gritty, emotional and exposing. Unfortunately, his YA book just can't compare to his novels for adults.	Slam	About a Boy High Fidelity Juliet, Naked
Carl Hiaasen: Probably the most sardonic writers I have ever come across, Hiaasen is the watch-dog for the Florida Everglades, both in his fiction and his columns for the Miami Harold. And where his adult fiction has become formulaic over the years, his children's writing is just taking off.	Hoot Flush Scat	Stormy Weather Star Island
Meg Cabot: No one can crank them out like Cabot. From middle grade to YA to adults, you will consistently have a new book to read every year no matter how old you get. Well, at least until she stops writing, which will probably be beyond the grave.	Allie Finkle Princess Diaries Airhead	Heather Wells Boy Meets Girl Insatiable
Ann Brashares: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants has been hard to live up to, but Brashares is branching out and writing for more diverse ages. Her stories are bitter-sweet without being overly sappy, which I tend to like.	Three Willows Traveling Pants	The Last Summer My Name Is Memory
Shannon Hale: Hale has award-wining, NYT-bestselling books for every age group. But honestly, her books for adults just don't compare to her witty, moving and adventurous fairytale retellings for young readers.	Rapunzel Comic Books of Bayern	Austenland Actor & Housewife
Stephenie Meyer: I know some people will criticize me for including Meyer on this list, but let's be honest, she's done more for cross-over literature than anyone save J.K. Rowling, and J.K. Rowling has never published anything specifically for adults.	Twilight Saga	The Host
Kelley Armstrong: I could also included P.C. Cast, Richelle Mead or about a dozen other paranormal romance authors--they all tend to sell well in both markets. Though I think Armstrong's teen characters are a little underdeveloped, I like that she's branched out into thriller novels.	Darkest Powers	Otherworld Nadia Stafford
Maria V. Snyder: Who would have guessed a meteorologist could write this well. Snyder's books are imaginative and beautiful with the perfect mix of romance and adventure.	Glass Magic Inside Out	Study Series
Carrie Vaughn: A relatively new voice in publishing, Vaughn has been popping up everywhere in the past couple of years. She's just getting started in the YA market, but if the success of her adult books is any kind of indicator, she has many great YA books to come.	Voices of Dragons Steel	Kitty Norville After the Golden Age
Orson Scott Card: He's lost some consistency with his writing, but Ender's Game puts and keeps him on this list. It is a regular part of sci-fi curriculum (especially in high schools), and he continues to expand Ender's universe as well as add new worlds to the mix.	Ender Books Pathfinder	Enchantment Women of Genesis
Brandon Sanderson: Like Vaugn, Sanderson kind of burst onto the publishing scene with unrelenting success. His big break came when he was contracted to complete the Wheel of Time Series, but his personal body of work speaks for itself.	Alcatraz Versus...	Mistborn Trilogy Stormlight Archive
Neil Gaiman: I would be a fool not to include Gaiman on this list. He's won the Hugo, Nebula and Bram Stoker Awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. He is what every author wishes they could be: diversified, talented and successful.	Graveyard Book Coraline	American Gods Stardust
Terry Pratchett: Like with the paranormal romance authors, I know there are a lot more cross-over fantasy authors, but I think you get the point. Plus, Pratchett and Gainman kind of end this list on a high note.	Nation Tiffany Aching	Discworld Novels

A honorary mention should go to both C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia/The Screwtape Letters) and J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings). While there are many other authors out there who have published for both children and adults, I wanted to fill this list with authors who have current publishing contracts in both markets.

A Book-Ended Year

2010-12-31T19:05:00.004-05:00

As the New Year approaches, I've been thinking a lot about the past twelve months: the goals I set, the things I have (or haven't) accomplished, and my hopes for things to come.

1. In a lot of ways, I feel like this year has been book-ended by tragedy. With Ashley's death at the beginning and Prince's death at the end, I've been dealing with a lot of emotions. While Ashley's death was prolonged yet expected, Prince's death was shocking and terrifying. Seeing two children die in such different ways has made me... Well, I'm not sure what it's made me. In some ways a better, stronger person, in other ways more fragile and pensive.

2. Along with the sadness, there have been some incredible highs this year. Between all the traveling I was able to do and the writing conferences I attended, an entire world of ideas and experiences opened for me. I also launched a new look for my website, attended my first live Shakespearean play and saw the beginning of the end of Harry Potter.

3. The weather has been a force to be reckoned with. Early in the year I was trapped at home by Snowmageddon, and just this week I was trapped in Pittsburgh thanks to the unruly weather. Yet I managed to survive--the first time because of a great roommate who kept me from going stir-crazy and the second time because of a wonderful gate agent determined to get me home. And now I have several pairs of warm boots and a heavy-duty shovel I hope never to use again.

4. My reading patterns are constantly changing. This year I stopped doing a lot of book reviews because I wanted to experience some of the great books I missed in my obsession to read the newest releases. Instead I migrated towards creating reading lists to help readers establish good habits rather than forming an attachment to one book/series.

5. And now, my writing. I feel as though my writer self somehow got lost this year in all the tumult in my personal and work life. Plot flaws prevented me from finishing my novel, I wasn't able to apply for the SCBWI WIP grant because of a funeral, I never submitted the magazine article I was working on after realizing it wasn't fitting the submission request, and NaNoWriMo didn't happen because I was working on some big projects at work. I feel like a bit of a failure in this respect, but I also realize I need to move on and do better.

Goals for the coming year:

1. Find joy, even in the sadness. Yes, bad thing happen. To everyone. No one is exempt from tragedy, and we cannot always protect those we love the most. But the thing we have control over is how we react. We can spend out lives being sad or worried or angry. Or we can spend our lives hoping for more, looking for good and living life to the fullest. So this year, I'm going to focus more on the better choice.

2. Live a more active lifestyle. This is not a resolution to lose weight or an exercise plan, but it's a goal to do little things to get me out of the house and interact more with the people around me. I tend to get caught up in my schedule and rarely make time to swim at the pool, take a walk on the Mt. Vernon Trail or go rafting in the Shenandoahs.

3. Visit my brother in Hawaii. Who doesn't want this to be a goal? But it might be harder than it sounds. I need to stop running off to NYC or Chicago and using all my vacation time with out-of-town guests. I have never wanted to go to Hawaii before my brother moved out there, and I kind of wish he'd move back to New England so getting together wouldn't be such a hassle. But spending a week during the fall in Hawaii will make the coming winter bearable.

4. Find balance in reading. I'd like to read more nonfiction this year. I've accumulated a lot of writing-craft books I have yet to open, and I love reading histories, biographies and analytical books. It's also been a long time since I've sat down and read a classic novel. Reading new children's/YA fiction is great and I don't plan on stopping, but I need a well-balanced reading diet, which I'm not currently getting.

5. Make writing a priority again. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. I need to set aside a specific time for writing and writing development. I want to have at least one magazine article (or newspaper feature story) published this year as well as finish my current WIP and get a solid start on something new.

So another year passes. Chapters open and close. Change comes, yet somehow, things stay the same. Time is a fickle thing, and I hope, if anything, this year has taught me to cherish the moments that come my way and hold dear the moments I leave behind.

Best Books I Read in 2010

2010-12-29T18:06:00.003-05:00

For me, what separates the good books from the great ones is the amount of time I think about them long after I close the covers. They stick with me and change me. They might not be the best-sellers (in fact, they rarely are), but they reach out to people of all backgrounds and ages, and I know that I'll be able to pick them up in five years or fifty and still see their beauty and want to share them with others.

I had a really difficult time narrowing this down to five because I read so many fabulous books this year. Although there were several adult books I loved and many nonfiction books I thought were fantastic and the fantasy books I read could have generated a list of their own, I listed these five books because they transcend their own genera and made themselves more than their labels.

Contemporary/Ethnic

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

I love the sardonic humor of Alexie's short stories for adults, so I've been wanting to read this book since its release. Why it's been sitting on my shelf for three years, I'll never know. Junior's story was funny and sad, powerful and simple, ironic and predictable all at once. Books--and this book in particular--have this way of making us want to do more and be better, to improve not only ourselves but also help those around us. After nearly a year-long lull, this book got me excited to read again.

Series/Dystopian

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games series is showing up on everyone's lists this year, but there's a reason for that. Dystopian books make us look at our own lives and see where the decisions we make as a society are leading us. This book takes it to another level and made me examine what makes us love, fight, survive. Kitniss Everdeen is a hero by chance, not by choice, which makes her unique. But even more, she exemplifies that no choices are easy to make, nor are they without their consequences.

Middle Grade/Illustration

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This book is beautify in every way. It is both a literary and literal work of art. The prose are magical and meaningful, and the art is simply astounding. I loved that it felt both timeless and contemporary, and it worked on a level enjoyable for both children and adults. This is the perfect read-aloud. Each night I didn't want to put it down, yet I wanted to draw out the reading process for as long as possible. I will come back to this book again and again in the years to come.

Audiobook/Compilation

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela

While I love the illustrated version of this book, it's the audio production that puts it on this list. Though it's read by some of the words best actors to raise money for an important cause, the folklore is what shines. It gave me a flavor of Africa, yet the stories are truly universal. And the music...I listened to the music for days after finishing the stories.

Nonfiction/History

Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos

Maybe it's because I heard Aronson speak at a conference or maybe it's because I love the Creole stories I learned while living in Louisiana, but the history in this book spoke to me. The researcher within me also loved the primary sources that allow readers to follow along or even recreate the authors' journey of discovery. It's the perfect balance of words and pictures, history and folklore, data and conclusion. After the first few pages, you forget you're reading a history book.

As in years past, I feel as though I need to make a list titled "The Best Books I Didn't Read in 2010" because there were so many books I wasn't able to get to that I know I'll love when I finally do read them. I always welcome recommendations. Maybe next year your favorites will become my favorites as well.

Best Books of 2009
Best Books of 2008