SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010
This book one the National Book Award in 2005. This story
reminded me of a more modern version--only a younger group of sisters--of
Little Women. Both books have four sisters and a neighbor boy to whom they make
friends with, only in the Penderwicks their father rented a vacation house.
When I first read this book, I thought is was a quaint, quiet story which I enjoyed, but when I began listening to it on audio I was distracted by how many times the author uses said as a dialogue tag. All-in-all, the innocent adventures the girls find themselves makes a charming read.
When I first read this book, I thought is was a quaint, quiet story which I enjoyed, but when I began listening to it on audio I was distracted by how many times the author uses said as a dialogue tag. All-in-all, the innocent adventures the girls find themselves makes a charming read.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010
This novel was a National Book Award Finalist and I understand
why. Copyright 2008 and published by Little Brown, the book is told in first
person, past tense.
It was an excellent example of contemporary realistic Y.A. fiction. The family dynamics in Deanna Lambert's home was honest and believable. This is how I want to write. The subject is serious and similiar issues like this exist for girls today: how can a girl recover from a tarnished reputation. I would recommend this book to any young girl age 14+.
It was an excellent example of contemporary realistic Y.A. fiction. The family dynamics in Deanna Lambert's home was honest and believable. This is how I want to write. The subject is serious and similiar issues like this exist for girls today: how can a girl recover from a tarnished reputation. I would recommend this book to any young girl age 14+.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010
It is hard for me not to be biased when I discuss this author. I
met her at my first writing event (La Jolla Writer's Conference) in November
2007. She reviewed the first chapter of my novel--I had no idea of the writing
process which was clearly evident.
Deborah, instead of telling me that my work was crap, wrote a list of about fifty books and told me that if I want to write I must read. One-third of the books on the list were on the writing craft, while the other portion of the list included contemporary and classic MG and YA novels.
I read all the books she suggested (and haven't stopped reading these genres), than re-submitted my novel to her for a editing critique. "Better," she said, but now you need to join SCBWI and find a good critique group. Once again, I followed her direction and have learned (and continue to learn) so many important things about the writing craft. I will always be grateful for the direction she gave me.
She currently runs the website Dear-Editor.com to give advise to aspiring writers. I attended her breakout session at the 2010 SCBWI conference and she gave 10 tips for self-editing were fabulous which I will share in another blog entry.
Now, back to Honk If You Hate Me. Published by Delacorte Press and copyright 2007, I read this Y.A. book before I started on my reading frenzy. When I re-read it recently, I am able to see how the author practices everything she preaches in regards to style, setting, character, plot, and voice.
Deborah, instead of telling me that my work was crap, wrote a list of about fifty books and told me that if I want to write I must read. One-third of the books on the list were on the writing craft, while the other portion of the list included contemporary and classic MG and YA novels.
I read all the books she suggested (and haven't stopped reading these genres), than re-submitted my novel to her for a editing critique. "Better," she said, but now you need to join SCBWI and find a good critique group. Once again, I followed her direction and have learned (and continue to learn) so many important things about the writing craft. I will always be grateful for the direction she gave me.
She currently runs the website Dear-Editor.com to give advise to aspiring writers. I attended her breakout session at the 2010 SCBWI conference and she gave 10 tips for self-editing were fabulous which I will share in another blog entry.
Now, back to Honk If You Hate Me. Published by Delacorte Press and copyright 2007, I read this Y.A. book before I started on my reading frenzy. When I re-read it recently, I am able to see how the author practices everything she preaches in regards to style, setting, character, plot, and voice.
Published by Atheneum Books, this novel won the 2007 Newbery
Medal. It is told in third-person, past-tense and is the sweet story a
ten-year-old-girl. I enjoyed this book and the many sweet and tender moments
enclosed within.
Published by Holiday House and copyright 2006, this historical
novel is told in third person based on the life of a young William Shakespeare.
I read this book a few years ago. It was a fast paced read and I remember
enjoying it, but main plot of the novel slips my mind. I will re-read and
update another time.
This was a very unique plot which I enjoyed on many levels.
First, I could relate with the character Hannah Baker. Second, the idea of
telling the story through the first-person, present-tense POV of the m/c, Clay
Jensen while he listens to cassette tapes made by a former classmate is genius.
The emotions evoked by this book are believable and is probably one of many reasons why it was a NY Times best seller. [Update... this book was made into a Netflix series. It was devastating to watch and traumatized my daughter in a haunting way that lasted for weeks. The Netflix show dramatizes and exaggerates the intention of Asher's novel and I would not recommend watching it. The book experience is much different!]
The emotions evoked by this book are believable and is probably one of many reasons why it was a NY Times best seller. [Update... this book was made into a Netflix series. It was devastating to watch and traumatized my daughter in a haunting way that lasted for weeks. The Netflix show dramatizes and exaggerates the intention of Asher's novel and I would not recommend watching it. The book experience is much different!]
I read
the first two books in the Y.A. series: Twilight
and New Moon. I believe it is important to read/study all kinds of books and
writing styles of other authors and I was able to see the romantic way the
author of these books creates her world of vampires and werewolves. I
understand why they are such a huge success among readers; but, for me, I felt
the m/c was whiney, needy and weak.
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