I am SO excited to introduce you to our *NEW*Junior Correspondent here at The Sweet Bookshelf!
She will be reviewing children's books of all ages, interviewing hip kids author's, and letting us in on her top kids books every month! This is the place to be!
My niece Lizzy is 7 yrs old and in the 1st grade. She just finished participating in a Read-a-thon at her school and has contributed over 10,000 minutes! Only 10 people in her whole school did more than 10,000 min! What a star! Lizzy loves books of all genre's but is really into Fantasy right now.
Interesting Facts: * Started her own kids book club w/ her friends.
* She has 2 little brothers
* Started reading at 3 yrs old
* Taking gymnastics & piano lessons * Reads several grade levels above her own. (4-6 grade)
It is so great to have Bree make a stop here at The Sweet Bookshelf on her blog tour! Let's give her a warm welcome and get to know her a little better. Let me introduce you to Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine.
Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner-city teens from Philadelphia and New York. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two young sons, and her beloved TiVo. The Dark Divineis Bree's debut novel.
Let's get this sweet party started!!
For those who haven't read The Dark Divine, what can we expect from your debut novel?
Romance, hot guys, intrigue, mystery, monsters, hot guys, kissing, an ancient curse, brotherly love/hate, redemption, fight scenes, . . . um, did I mention hot guys yet?
What are the best and worst parts of writing your first novel?
The best part was when things really started to come together for the story and I started getting feedback from my critique partners and mentors that my novel had the potential to make it all the way to being published. It was really thrilling to see how excited people got about the story and the writing.
Self doubt is the hardest part. Even after hearing so much great feedback on the book, and even landing an agent for it, and then getting a publisher, there’s always that little voice in the back of my head that tries to tell me that my efforts still aren’t good enough. Learning to shut that voice off is something I think most writers/authors struggle with on a daily basis.
What are some of your favorite books? Works of art? Artistic creations?
I love Shakespeare plays, especially OTHELLO and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. My favorite YA novels are SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, SWEETHEARTS by Sara Zarr, and PANTS ON FIRE by Meg Cabot. I also love TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee.
I also love modern art running the gambit for Renoir’s DANCE IN THE TOWN all the way to Jackson Pollock’s LAVENDER MIST and SHE WOLF and pop art by Roy Lichtenstein.
What is the BEST part of being a published author?
I would definitely say it’s all the awesome people I get to meet, from readers, bloggers, other author, and industry professionals. There are so many wonderful people I would have never met in a million years if it weren’t for my author career.
What is your favorite sweet/salty snack?
Dark chocolate anything.
Anything you'd like to say to The Sweet Bookshelf readers?
Thanks so much for stopping by! And thanks to The Sweet Bookshelf for hosting me on my blog tour. I truly hope you all enjoy THE DARK DIVINE…and the hot guys in it!
Thanks for stopping by Bree! We wish you all the best in your career, and can't wait to read what is next!
This past weekend LD and I were moving the furniture around and had to take all my books off the shelves to move the bookcase. I started looking through the books and found many that I knew I wouldn't read again, that I got free, and that I didn't like but knew someone else might.
I bagged up over 20 books and took them to my local library today. The librarian was over joyed to see them as most of their funding for new books has been cut. They take what the can use and what they can't they then donate them to a local charity and they sell them on for profit to help the organization.
This got me thinking. We all have shelves and shelves of books. Why don't we pass them on??
I'm guessing we all have several books we won't read again and are just collecting dust. Although the thought of having my own library brings a smile to my face, I should pass on some of the goodness that has been bestowed upon me.
Can you find 3 books on your self that you can donate to your local library, literacy center, or favorite charity? Let's pass on our love of reading and good books for others to enjoy also.
I know I've not been posting much lately. Sorry guys! I'm working on a fresh look, new and exciting content, and some other little surprises for you. I'll still have some posts going up, to keep you satisfied, but just not as many. I'll be introducing the new content slowly through these next few weeks! Keep an eye out!
Be patient and I promise in a few weeks time The Sweet Bookshelf will be back in full swing, and better than ever!
Do you lend your books out? When you read a really good book and want to share it, do you let your friends/family borrow your copy? Do you ever get them back?
Yesterday I just got 3 books back that a "friend" borrowed back in July. Yes, July 09. Among them was my coveted Hunger Games! I've been after this "friend" to please give my books back for months and months. She at one point said she didn't have them anymore because she let one of her friends borrow them! WHAT?! I am currently on the hunt for a remaining 5 books that are amongst "friends."
Am I a library? When did it become OK to NOT return a book that was borrowed? Is there a borrowing code? Do any of you have a system you use when you lend out your precious books? Any ideas for getting my remaining 5 books back?
I'd like you to get to know some Scottish Authors. Because they aren't in America they don't get as much air time, but they are FAB! Carmen Reid is HUGE here! I hope you'll check out some of these ladies books. FYI: JK ROWLING lives in Scotland. :) We're cool.
Chick-lit author Carmen Reid was raised on a farm near Montrose, but the self-confessed urbanite escaped to London to study English Literature at University College London. A number of journalism jobs followed, in the local, regional and national press, before she gave up work to have children. She was aged just 28 when she started her first novel, and was published four years later.
Her popular novels, starting with Three in a Bed in 2002, have now been joined by a series of novels for teenagers, which are set in a fictional Scottish boarding school called St Jude's.
Carmen Reid is married with two children, and lives with her husband in Glasgow. (NEAR ME!)
Edinburgh-based author was born and raised in Switzerland. She studied English and German at Zurich University and the University of Aberdeen, before starting her Pd.D. in Zurich. In 1993 she moved to Edinburgh after meeting and marrying the Scottish poet Ron Butlin.
She first wrote in German, but switched to English when moving to Scotland. She is the winner of the Edinburgh Review Tenth Anniversary Short Story Competition; her works include the novelThe Beauty Room and the short story collection Inside~Outside. Claire is a creative writing tutor at the National Galleries of Scotland. Her second collection, Fighting It, was published in June 2009, and she is currently working on a second novel.
Although born in Yorkshire in England, Kate Atkinson studied English at Dundee University and now lives in Edinburgh. After winning a short story writing competition in Woman's Own magazine in 1988, she began to write professionally. Her debut novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, was published in 1995, winning her the Whitbread Book of the Year award. Atkinson has written short story collections, novels, and plays for radio, TV and stage.
After her short story collection Not the End of the World was published in 2002, she has written three novels featuring former policeman Jackson Brodie, including the Saltire Society Award-winning Case Histories.
Kate Atkinson is a fan of country music and steam trains.
I'm totally excited about these writers! I've read some Carmen Reid, and LOVED THEM! If you'd like to check out more Scottish authors like Robert Burns and JK Rowling{click here}
My niece Lizzy (7yrs old) made this shirt to wear to school to celebrate! It has quotes from all her favorite books on it! Lizzy is currently participating in a read-a-thon for her school. Lizzy has contributed 7,500 minutes so far! Her class reads 8,000 minutes monthly and Lizzy chips in 1,500 minutes every month!! What a star! GO LIZ! We'll see some of her reviews here on The Sweet Bookshelf soon!
What is NEA's Read Across America?
NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
NEA's Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.
In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA's Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students' reading.
Harry Potter is America's Favorite
J.K. Rowling's teen wizard continues to captivate America's readers according to results from NEA's Favorite Book series poll. The Harry Potter series outpaced its competitors, capturing one-third of the votes cast. The runners up included the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Hit the Road, Cat!
NEA's Read Across America Cat-A-Vans hit the road again, with stops in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Evansville, Indiana and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cat-A-Vans showcase readings by NEA Executive Committee members to hundreds of students and donations to local school libraries.
It's the Cat's Meow--Millions Celebrate NEA's Read Across America Day
It's NEA's Read Across America week and more than 45 million readers across the nation have joined the nation's largest reading celebration.. From book balls to pajama read-ins to week-long read-ins, the celebrations mark the thirteenth year for NEA's signature literacy event. Looking for news and ideas? Check out the Read Across America pledge site where events large and small are being posted and don't forget to post your own.
Capitol Favorites
Wonder what children's books inspired your Member of Congress? From Green Eggs and Ham to The Lorax to Chronicles of Narnia, here's a collection of Congressional Favorites and the reasons why your leaders love them.
Thank Your Readers with a Read Across America E-Card
Looking for an easy way to thank guest readers, parents, and community leaders for joining your celebration? Send this animated Read Across America e-card, created especially for NEA by our partner Reading Rockets. You'll be able to customize your invitation or use the e-card to send thank you's to guest readers. Don't forget to check out the entire lineup of e-cards offered by Reading Rockets.
Join the Cause
Join theCause page on Facebook. You'll be able to share photos, videos, and ideas, plus hear the latest news
Help Replenish Public School Libraries—Donate to NEA's Books Across America
NEA's Books Across America is helping school libraries give the gift of reading to students who are most in need, and you can help. Think of creative ways to raise funds. Whether it's a challenge you make to your local shopping mall, a bake sale in your back yard, or a "run for reading race," your efforts, big and small, will help this worthy cause. NEA Foundation Website
About NEA's Read Across America
The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA's Read Across America. Now in its thirteenth year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.
NEA's Read Across America Day, NEA's national reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too!
On March 2, the National Education Association calls for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.
I'm going to donate my used books to my local library to get involved. I'll also be donating to the Foundation Site. What will YOU be doing to get involved??
Thanks to The Hachette Group we've got 3 copies of This One is Mine by Maria Semple to giveaway! How lucky are we?!
What do you have to do to be entered? It's easy here at The Sweet Bookshelf!
Just enter your name, email, and mailing address in the link below and you'll be entered.
US & Canada ONLY. Sorry my International lovelies. I don't make the rules. Ends: Monday 15th March
Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again. Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap.
A book trailer is a video advertisement for a book which employs techniques similar to those of a movie trailer. Book Trailers can be acted out, full production trailers, flash videos, animation or simple still photos set to music with text conveying the story.
Besides being used to promote books, book trailers are a way to get otherwise reluctant readers to become motivated to read. Which I think is a great tool. Any ways we can find to get people to read are great in my book!
Here are some sample Book Trailers:
What do YOU think? Does it make you want to read the book? Should I incorporate any book trailers in my reviews? Is this the first time you've seen a book trailer?
The News Stand is a weekly feature. Here we dish on tidbits, news, and important things bookies should know. So scroll down to hear what you can glean from this week.
MockingJay: Hunger Games 3 book summary has been released! Check out what we can expect from this final installment in the trilogy!Squeel!!!
The Guardian has an article about how libraries need to quit stacking books and have a more active part in the community. Check it out.
A materials review committee formed by The Wisconsin School District has denied a request by a parent to remove One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies from the school-library shelves. Great News!!
*Julia
*6 years old and is in kindergarten.
*She has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and is hyperlexic.
*she has 271 children's books in her own personal library (not including activity-type books)!
*Julia doesn't have a favorite book but she does have characters and authors she likes. Sandra Boynton is one of her favorite authors. A few of her favorite characters to read about are Sponge-Bob, My Little Pony's, and anything Sesame Street or Muppets.
Spencer
*9 yrs old
*Loves Harry Potter & City of Embers
Benton
*7 yrs old
*Loves Captain Underpants Books!
Laura
*5 yrs old
*Loves Fancy Nancy & Fairy books!
NEA's Read Across America Day, NEA's national reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too!
