STAPLE! is an independent media expo in Austin, Texas. This year it started today and runs through tomorrow. I attended today and had quite a bit of fun - more about that later when I show off the books I bought.
Before you went into the hall, theatre, or annex, there was a booth with information about The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas. They need volunteers to teach English as a second language, help people learn basic computer skills, serve as teacher's aides, read to children, and serve on the Board of Directors. You can also donate or attend events. More information is at their site (linked above) or by calling 1 (866) 518-7323.
At the end of the day I watched to documentary "Comic Book Literacy" directed by Todd Kent. The name is a bit of a misnomer. The documentary covered a variety of subjects including the practical applications of comics, which included far more than literacy.
The Hero Foundry (thefuture@theherofoundry.org; (214) 957-1018) provides comic books and graphic novels to children through libraries, schools, and hospitals. Their goal is to increase literacy, inspire creativity, and provide children with examples of heroism. The accept monetary donations as well as comic books.
Heroes4Heroes distributes portable media (comic books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc.) to deployed troops. They need volunteers as well as donations, so check out the website. It's a really cool nonprofit.
So there you go. Attend an expo and learn about all sorts of (relatively) easy ways to help others.
March 4, 2011
Contest: Archvillain and Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga
Quite awhile ago, Barry Lyga offered copies of his books to bloggers for giveaways. When I moved, I promptly lost mine. Then when I moved again, I found it!
To make up for the lateness of this contest (and since it's my blogiversary), I'm throwing in an extra book. You can win an ARC of ARCHVILLAIN or a hardcover copy of GOTH GIRL RISING.
I am mailing both novels. Thus this contest is international, but if you live anywhere other than the US or Canada you (probably) have to pitch in for shipping. Contest ends 3/18.
To make up for the lateness of this contest (and since it's my blogiversary), I'm throwing in an extra book. You can win an ARC of ARCHVILLAIN or a hardcover copy of GOTH GIRL RISING.
I am mailing both novels. Thus this contest is international, but if you live anywhere other than the US or Canada you (probably) have to pitch in for shipping. Contest ends 3/18.
March 3, 2011
Save Texas Schools with BookPeople
I'm sure everyone knows about school budget cuts in the United States by now. The Save Texas Schools March and Rally is on March 12.
From now until the 9th, if you make a purchase at BookPeople and show them this flyer, a portion of the sale will go to Save Texas Schools. Don't live in Austin? Type "Save Texas Schools" into the notes field when you checkout online.
I know I'll stop by BookPeople during this time, to see Kim Harrison on tour with PALE DEMON, the latest in the Hollows series. After that I intend to swing by the Forever Young Adult Book Club at the HighBall where they will be discussing PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ. (Don't forget that I reviewed it this week.) I'm glad I'll be in Austin on one of the days they're meeting!
P.S. Contest coming tomorrow!
P.P.S. PALE DEMON is $26.99. $26.99! My budget will be blown. At least some of it will go to charity.
From now until the 9th, if you make a purchase at BookPeople and show them this flyer, a portion of the sale will go to Save Texas Schools. Don't live in Austin? Type "Save Texas Schools" into the notes field when you checkout online.
I know I'll stop by BookPeople during this time, to see Kim Harrison on tour with PALE DEMON, the latest in the Hollows series. After that I intend to swing by the Forever Young Adult Book Club at the HighBall where they will be discussing PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ. (Don't forget that I reviewed it this week.) I'm glad I'll be in Austin on one of the days they're meeting!
P.S. Contest coming tomorrow!
P.P.S. PALE DEMON is $26.99. $26.99! My budget will be blown. At least some of it will go to charity.
March 2, 2011
"Waiting On" Wednesday: Un-Fug Edition
Last Wednesday, Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (the Fug Girls) announced that they'd written a YA novel. SPOILED will be available June 1 from Poppy - the Hachette Book Group imprint that's home to Gossip Girl, A-List, The Clique, and various other series. I think it's a good fit for Cocks and Morgan's humor and attention to sartorial detail.
How cute is that cover? I'm super excited for this one, since GFY is one of the few sites I read every day.
Back cover blurb:
I feel it prudent to mention this link I found via GFY: Your 2011 Books-Into-Film Lineup by Rachel Syme for NPR.
How cute is that cover? I'm super excited for this one, since GFY is one of the few sites I read every day.
Back cover blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Molly Dix has just discovered that her biological father is Brick Berlin, world-famous movie star and red-carpet regular. Intrigued (and a little terrified) by her Hollywood lineage, Molly moves to Los Angeles and plunges headfirst into the deep of Beverly Hills celebrity life. Just as Molly thinks her life couldn't get any stranger, she meets Brooke Berlin, her gorgeous, spoiled half sister, who welcomes Molly to la-la land with a smothering dose "sisterly love"...but in this town, nothing is ever what it seems.
Set against a world of Redbull-fuelled stylists, tiny tanned girls, popped-collar guys, and Blackberry-wielding publicists, Spoiled is a sparkling debut from the writers behind the viciously funny celebrity blog GoFugYourself.com.
I feel it prudent to mention this link I found via GFY: Your 2011 Books-Into-Film Lineup by Rachel Syme for NPR.
March 1, 2011
Review: Falling Under (and Contest)
Don't forget! March is my blogiversary month, which means lots of contests.
By Gwen Hayes
Available now from NAL (Penguin)
Review copy
First, I love the cover of this book. The photo and color scheme are somewhat typical, but the foil letters are fun and the material is soft. It's a nice book to hold in your hands and feel. (Yes, I'm shallow, that matters to me.)
FALLING UNDER has a lot in common with the TWILIGHT series. Girl meets guy who warns her that he's dangerous. Eventually, they get separated and the girl pines. It's a typical formula, but one that can be well done. FALLING UNDER is fun and romantic, and heroine Theia Alderson holds it all together.
Theia's rather sheltered and naïve, due to her father who is strict but rarely present. She starts having strange lucid dreams – and waking up with grass stains on her nightgown. Then the boy in her dreams shows up in school, drawn to her but refusing to touch her and trying to drive her away by hanging out with other girls. Pretty soon Theia decides that Haden Black's routine is kind of annoying and takes matters into her own hands. It's foolhardy but awesome. She keeps that kind of attitude throughout the book, most triumphantly when she decides to go after Haden instead of moping in his absence.
Short passages are in Haden's point of view. This is good because it rounds his character out some, but bad because I prefer Theia's diction. Luckily, as he spends more time around normal teenagers he becomes less flowery.
Theia has two good friends, Donny and Ame, who both have their own romantic plotlines. I liked that Theia remained involved with her friends and their lives. Gwen Hayes uses their beaus into the main plotline so that their story doesn't slow down the speed of the book. That’s good since FALLING UNDER is the kind of book you read in one rush before going to sleep.
If you're tired of teen romance paranormals, the FALLING UNDER probably won't be your thing. But if you enjoy that genre, FALLING UNDER is worth picking up.
You also have a chance to read FALLING UNDER for free, thanks to Penguin. One reader with a US or Canada address (no PO boxes) will receive a copy. Fill out the form below to enter. Contest ends 3/14.
By Gwen Hayes
Available now from NAL (Penguin)
Review copy
First, I love the cover of this book. The photo and color scheme are somewhat typical, but the foil letters are fun and the material is soft. It's a nice book to hold in your hands and feel. (Yes, I'm shallow, that matters to me.)
FALLING UNDER has a lot in common with the TWILIGHT series. Girl meets guy who warns her that he's dangerous. Eventually, they get separated and the girl pines. It's a typical formula, but one that can be well done. FALLING UNDER is fun and romantic, and heroine Theia Alderson holds it all together.
Theia's rather sheltered and naïve, due to her father who is strict but rarely present. She starts having strange lucid dreams – and waking up with grass stains on her nightgown. Then the boy in her dreams shows up in school, drawn to her but refusing to touch her and trying to drive her away by hanging out with other girls. Pretty soon Theia decides that Haden Black's routine is kind of annoying and takes matters into her own hands. It's foolhardy but awesome. She keeps that kind of attitude throughout the book, most triumphantly when she decides to go after Haden instead of moping in his absence.
Short passages are in Haden's point of view. This is good because it rounds his character out some, but bad because I prefer Theia's diction. Luckily, as he spends more time around normal teenagers he becomes less flowery.
Theia has two good friends, Donny and Ame, who both have their own romantic plotlines. I liked that Theia remained involved with her friends and their lives. Gwen Hayes uses their beaus into the main plotline so that their story doesn't slow down the speed of the book. That’s good since FALLING UNDER is the kind of book you read in one rush before going to sleep.
If you're tired of teen romance paranormals, the FALLING UNDER probably won't be your thing. But if you enjoy that genre, FALLING UNDER is worth picking up.
You also have a chance to read FALLING UNDER for free, thanks to Penguin. One reader with a US or Canada address (no PO boxes) will receive a copy. Fill out the form below to enter. Contest ends 3/14.
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