Back to school and what that means

I'm going back to school.

These are words that I didn't think that would be uttering for about 10-15 years.

I was ambitious in high school. I pursued a college degree while I was in high school, and graduated with an associates degree at the same time I got my high school diploma. I started a bachelor's program in public relations and was preparing to take that degree with me to law school.

But a funny thing happened. I started taking communications classes and law classes. And I hated them. I liked the principal of communicating with a large number of people, but I did not like the program or how it made me feel about my future.

Then, I decided that maybe a career in business was a better idea, so I got a business management minor and thought I could just finish the program and do something in corporate communication as well.

That didn't work either. I had an absolute crisis of self that culminated in the dissolution of a long-term relationship that I was in. And at that moment, I realized that just about everything in my life was unhealthy. My outlook on my future, my relationships with so many people in my life and everything was so incredibly out of control and I had no idea.

I spent the summer after that taking careful evaluation of who my friends were and where exactly I wanted to end up. What did I want to do when I graduated? So, I switched universities and started a program in secondary education with an emphasis in business. I attended one semester, got married at the end of it, and decided that I just needed a break from school.

So, here I am almost 5 years later. I've been working at the same place the last 4 years. I've been married for 5 years in December, and I have a daughter. And I've decided that it's time to go back to school.

This is a seed that has been growing in my mind for the last year or two. I've always wanted to finish that bachelor's degree, but I wanted it to be in something that I loved. And I think I finally know what that is.

I love words. I love to write words, and I love to read words. I love the English language and I love stories. I want to be an editor.

Yes, I could have finished that public relations degree and saved myself a year or so of coursework. But, I decided that if I'm going to do this, I'm going to have to be energized. Because with a family and a full-time job, I can't afford to be burned out this time around.

So, what does this mean for the blog? Well, I'll still be here, and blogging consistently. I'm fortunate to have three other writers here that will help with the reviews and reading. So, you really shouldn't see all that much of a change, except perhaps a little less from me, and a little more from them. You'll probably just see me a little less on twitter.

But, I just wanted to reassure you that I will definitely not be abandoning the website. It seems silly to abandon the endeavor that got me on the path to wanting to be an editor in the first place. Thank you to you all for reading, and for those of you who have offered your much-appreciated support and encouragement.

Interview with Penelope from The Reading Fever

I hope you all have enjoyed Utah Book Month as much as I have. Don't forget to check out and participate in the mini-challenges, reviews and other great stuff going on this month!

Today I'm interviewing Penelope from The Reading Fever. Penelope is awesome! She organized our great Hunger Games get-together, and I love seeing her at events with her darling little boy. So, I'm glad to have a chance to make sure that all of you know her too! (She also participated in this last round of Blogger Confidential).

How long have you been blogging at Reading Fever? How have your blogging habits changed since you started?

It's been a little over year and a half, now. My blogging habits have definitely changed; I developed a schedule for posting, which has really helped me keep my posts organized.

Is there anything you wish you would have done differently when you started Reading Fever?

Yes! It seems small, but I wish I had purchased my domain right from the beginning. With Blogger, it isn't very expensive to do so, and I could have saved myself the trouble of having to redirect my links and traffic, like I had to do for a month after I switched. Blogger did most of the work, but there was a definite change in my stats and followers that I wanted to make up for. I'm also a big fan of smooth branding, so I got new business cards and changed all my blog buttons and such, to reflect the new blog address. This all sounds finicky, but I wasted a lot of time on doing these things twice, when I could have had them that way from the beginning. If only....

What books by Utah authors are your favorites? Any that are "under the radar" that you wish more people knew about?

I just love anything by Brandon Sanderson; I adore the worlds and characters he creates. I also love Shannon Hale's and Brandon Mull's novels. Two new favorites of mine are: Ally Condie and Elana Johnson. As for "under the radar" authors: I have a weakness for books written by Annette Lyon, who is a wonderful author. I would say she's under the radar mainly because she writes LDS fiction, which isn't as popular as other genres...but her love stories are beautiful.

Any books coming up for Utah authors that you are excited about?

Yes! I'm really excited to read James Dashner's new book, INFINITY RING.

Origin by Jessica Khoury: Review

Origin
by: Jessica Khoury

Pia has lived her life in a secret compound deep within the Amazon rainforest. She has never ventured outside the electric fence that keeps her protected from the dangers of the jungle outside. She is the culmination of decades of work that has resulted in an immortal being. Her skin is tough as steel, and her intellect is sharp. In a word, perfection. When she discovers a hole in the fence and ventures outside, she is faced with the reality of what the outside is really like, and also the dangers that lie within the fence.

The first 15 pages or so of this book are phenomenal. I was definitely drawn into the action and excited about where the story would take me. Ultimately though, the fabulous premise boiled down to a vehicle for a insta-love romance.

About the time of the first meeting between Pia and Eio, I started to slip off the hook. Their initial meeting was awkward, with very clunky and juvenile dialogue that didn't seem to fit two teens talking together (both around 17 years old). Instead, it felt like much younger children meeting together and talking. Their relationship, of course, gets off to a fast start, with only a few short meetings being enough to completely throw off Pia's determination to become a member of the head team researching Immortis. Pia displays some moments of curiosity, but it seemed implausible that someone as intelligent and scientific as herself wouldn't question more of the world that surrounds her. She takes an awful lot for granted about her existence which just isn't consistent with the way scientists operate.

But, my major gripe with this novel is the age-old battle between scientists and natives. The scientists are cold and calculating, bent only on results and crafting an immortal race. They will do anything to preserve the project. The natives are peaceful people who only want to live in their village unharmed by the scientists that live nearby. It isn't a new concept, and frankly one that I have grown weary of.

The concept was incredible. I loved the Amazon rainforest setting, a few of the supporting characters that had great depth. And much of the writing was smooth and enjoyable to read. I just wish I would have had more depth to the villains and the heroes.

---

king's english | amazon | goodreads | author twitter | author website

Utah Books Month: Interview with Jennifer Nielsen

The False Prince was one of my favorite books this year. So, today I'm so excited to share an interview with the author, Jennifer Nielsen, with you.

Sage has often been compared to Eugenides from The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. How do you feel about this comparison? In what ways do you think that Sage is different from Gen?

I always consider the comparison of Sage to Eugenides as a major compliment. Megan Whalen Turner is an amazing author, and a legend within her genre.

I definitely understand the comparison, but in my mind, Sage and Eugenides are very different people. Although they have some similarities, Sage operates far more from the hip than Gen, has a slower burn on his temper, and has deeper insecurities. If the two were ever to face off, it would be interesting to watch. Eugenides is probably better with a sword, but Sage might be more tenacious. If they both survived the dual, I think they’d end up as friends. Maybe.

How did you use the tense and point of view to create tension and mystery in The False Prince? How was that important to the story?

The tense and point of view were both choices I thought best served the story. With POV specifically, I thought it was really important to let Sage narrate the story so the reader could be inside his head. But I balanced that with allowing Sage to control the information he doles out to readers.

How important was the setting that you chose for your novel? What type of planning or research, if any, went into developing the world that Sage lives in?

A lot of careful planning went into Farthenwood (the place where Sage lives when the nobleman Conner takes him from the orphanage) because the layout is very important to how the story unfolds. As Sage’s world expands throughout the series, the country of Carthya and surrounding countries will become even more important too.

I actually enjoy research, not only study about medieval times, but also the etymology of words, and the strategies involved in swordplay, horsemanship, and other experiences Sage will have in the sequels. I love to discover an interesting tidbit and try to figure out how to incorporate that into the story.

How has your experience differed with this book from your other novels that you've published? Does your experience with The False Prince, particularly its reception, make you nervous or apprehensive about the sequel?

Scholastic has been a top of the line publisher to work with and has done an extraordinary job at every stage of the process in bringing The False Prince to life. It is the greatest of honors to be counted as one of their authors.

It’s been amazing to see the way readers have responded to this book over the last several months, and it’s found an even wider audience than I’d have anticipated. There have been a few incredible moments when I’m certain the world must’ve paused in its rotation, just long enough for me to catch my breath.

Book 2, The Runaway King, will be released next spring. I know there are high expectations for the sequel, but I think this will be a story that readers really enjoy. That said, I’ll definitely be holding my breath as the first reviews start to come back.

What can readers look forward to in the next book in the series?

I hope readers can look forward to being awake far too late at night, dreading the morning alarm, but turning the page to start another chapter because they just can’t put it down.

Oh wait, were you asking for plot details? Okay, yes, at this time I can confirm that in Book 2, there will be a plot, and there will be plenty of details in it. Especially in the middle when there’s not much else going on.

---

Find Jennifer on the web!

twitter | facebook | author website | blog

Buy The False Prince

king's english | amazon | barnes and noble

The Kill Order by James Dashner: Review

The Kill Order
By: James Dashner
Review by: Kylie Comfoltey

*Note: may contain Maze Runner series spoilers!

Set thirteen years before the time of Thomas in the Maze, Mark and Trina have survived the brutal sun flares that destroyed the world as they knew it. Just as things are looking brighter, the eastern United States falls victim to a disease that causes anger and insanity, and leaves its victims begging for death.

The disease is swiftly changing with each new wave of victims, worsening and ultimately killing off everyone it touches. There is no escape and no known cure. Mark and Trina find themselves with the weight of humanity's future on their shoulders, caught in a desperate race against time and lunacy.

Wow. I think a book has just broken my heart for the first time. Truly. It took me two days to get over it and move on to something new.

James Dashner has the enviable ability to capture his reader's attention from the first page and hold it to the last word. He keeps the reader guessing from one page to the next. I am a HUGE fan of the Maze Runner series and couldn't wait to get my hands on The Kill Order. That said, The Kill Order was not what I was expecting. It was also more than I had hoped for.

I am bursting with both great pride and complete disappointment in humanity. I want to cry and clap and soak up every beautiful thing this world has to offer. Mostly I want to hug my babies and read up on the probability of solar flares. Perpetually prepared: that's my motto!

Oh, that Dashner. He did not disappoint! If you loved the Maze Runner Series, you need to read this book. The world-building is strong enough to build a mental picture, but doesn't overwhelm the story or add unnecessary length. The primary characters are well-developed and relatable.

Dashner's main protagonist, Mark, is a strong boy with a huge heart. He is rational and selfless and, while not overly brave, he acts when most would crumble. He is kind when the world is mean. I found him to be a very believable character. The romance between Mark and Trina is mild. This is an intense, action-packed story that leaves little room for snuggles and tender moments. I didn't feel the story was lacking because of this. On the contrary, the action had my heart pounding and I devoured the book in a few sittings.

If you are expecting a book about the creation of The Maze or more on the Thomas/Teresa relationship, stop expecting that. I know you want it. I want it! But you won't find it in The Kill Order. So slap that pout off your face and immerse yourself into this gripping, disturbing, overall outstanding book. The Kill Order has secured a place in my Top 10 of 2012.

    

Sexuality: Mild. Insinuated and assumed sexual behavior among crazy Cranks.
Drugs/Alcohol: Mild--these things were mostly charred with the solar flares, you know.
Profanity: Mild. Good ol' James Dashner!
Violence: Moderate. The Cranks are lunatics. They want to eat each other. Even the non-crazy people are crazy because they are running from the crazies. Expect plenty of apocalyptic violence, but not a lot of gore.

---

amazon | goodreads | author twitter | author website

Utah Books Summer Party

Although most of the UBM celebration happens online, some of it actually takes place IN UTAH for REAL! Please come and join us for our summer social! Whether you're a blogger, author, or anything in between WE WANT TO SEE YOU! Here are the details:

Utah Book Blogger Bash

Friday, August 24, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Wines Park in Lehi*

Pavilion #3, SW corner

• Bring a dessert to share; we'll provide plates/forks/napkins/cups/water. If you can, please consider bringing a gluten free dessert.
• We'll be having a book swap again, so bring a book(s) to give away!
• You may also want to bring chairs and blankets for sitting on the grass.
• Families welcome

*From I-15, take Lehi Main Street Exit. Turn west onto Main Street (toward Lehi Roller Mills). Turn right onto 100 East. Turn left onto 500 North.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! We don't have long to let everyone know this is happening! Don't be shy! Post on blogs, twitter, etc! And please feel free to use the banner image. Copy the code here:

Authors ARE Rockstars Tour: Brodi Ashton

I'm so pleased to have earned a stop on the Authors ARE Rockstars tour. I'm particularly pleased, because I'm hosting Brodi Ashton, which coincides nicely with Utah Book Month.

Brodi wrote Everneath, which is one of my favorite books this year (review). The sequel, Everbound will be out in January, and I must admit to feeling very anxious to make its acquaintance.

So, thank you to Brodi for stopping by and answering a few questions:

How has your writing process changed since you published Everneath? Is there anything that you swore you wouldn't do that you find yourself doing now related to your writing?

I think the thing that has happened the most is now that I'm published, I have to write whether I feel the passion at the moment or not. Before Everneath, I could write when I felt like it, without anyone waiting on me. Now, with deadlines, and people on both coasts who have expectations of me, I have to write even when I'm not necessarily feeling it. It's been a learning curve for sure.

As for things I swore I would never do, at one point I swore I wouldn't teach myself to inhale candy while writing. That promise has gone out the window. Along with my figure.

If you could choose any author to co-write a novel with, who would it be with, and what would the book be about?

Good question! Right now, it would Lindsey Leavitt, mostly because I think to co-write a novel, you have to love the person and love their books, and with Lindsey, this is true in both cases! And we just spent some time at a conference together, and daydreamed about writing a novel.

She writes contemporary, and I write paranormal, so I'm thinking our book would be about a girl who is seeing a therapist, but at the same time, she is seeing demons.

(sidenote: I would totally read this book!)
 
The style and tone of your writing in your blog posts and tweets are so different from your novels. How are you able to channel this different, more melancholy side?

It was hard! The first novel I ever wrote - about a girl who hunts aliens - was very much a similar tone to my regular writing style, like the stuff you find on my blogs. But that novel didn't sell. So when I set out to write a new novel, I was all, "That first novel didn't sell, so I'm going to write one that feels like the EXACT OPPOSITE of that first one."

Once I had the situation, and the story in my head, it was pretty easy to grasp the melancholy tone of the novel. I mean, it's about a girl who has six months to say goodbye to her loved ones forever, before she's sucked down to hell. There's no way to give it a lighter tone.

Is there anything in the first drafts of Everneath that didn't get included in the final version that you now wish were there? How about the opposite? Anything you'd like to get rid of?

Most of the changes during revisions came from adding more scenes, like the prologue of Nikki and Cole ending the Feed at the beginning, and all of the scenes from the Shop-N-Go. I think adding so many new scenes helped make the world a richer place, so I don't regret any of the changes.

But I did have to make Cole... let's just say I had to make him more sexy. My editor has a thing for Cole. This was the thing I resisted the most, but in the end, it forced me to really get to know Cole. Biblically. Kidding.

Major round of applause for creating a romantic interest that is centered in reality (though with a definite mythical flair). How important was this to you? Do you think that it has resonated well with readers?

It was very important to me that both of the main love interests are human. That's why I'm a little unsure about being categorized as a "paranormal romance" because PR usually means a human falls in love with a paranormal creature, and the differences in their makeup is what keeps them apart. I wanted to take two humans, and try to make their connection as strong as the "otherworldly" connections out there are.

I think it has resonated, because often when I'm talking with readers, and I point out that both of the love interests are human, they are often surprised, as if they hadn't thought about it that way before. I think this is a version of success, because they're not saying, "Oh, it's just two humans in love. Boring." They don't even notice it!

Thanks again to Brodi for stopping by! If you haven't already, check out more great posts for the Authors ARE Rockstars tour, as well as Utah Book Month!

Utah Books Month Update

Hey everyone! I wanted to highlight some of the great stuff that we have going on during the month of August for Utah Book Month.

We've had some great guest posts and interviews of our fabulous Utah Authors. Heather Dixon, author of Entwined, was hosted at The Alcove for a guest post. Sara Zarr was interviewed by Kathy of Read This Instead (and there is also a giveaway to go with it, but it ends soon!). Diana from Diana's Amazing Book Adventures has hosted two of our Utah Authors, Dan Wells and Danyelle Leafty. Heather from Fire and Ice interviews Kathryn Jones. My besty, Kami from Kami's Library Thoughts, interviews one of her favorite authors, Carol Lynch Williams. Suey hosts Robison Wells for an interview at her blog, It's All About Books. Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine trilogy, answers some questions at Jenni Elyse's blog.

Don't forget to participate in some of the great mini-challenges that we have going on too!

8/1 – Utah Books in the Wild at The Reading Fever

8/1 – Review a Utah Book at Squeaky Books

8/3 – Utah Books Quote Quiz at It’s All About Books

8/5 – Pinteresting Utah at The Bluestocking Society

8/6 – Utah Title Puzzles at Books a True Story

8/8 – Utah Book Buffet at Diana’s Amazing Book Adventures

8/8 – I Spy the Utah Author at Debz Bookshelf

I hope that you are enjoying Utah Book Month so far. I've read and reviewed Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale. Andy has reviewed Vodnik by Bryce Moore. And Kylie has read The Kill Order by James Dashner, which will be posted this month as well. I've also got some great Utah books on my shelf, waiting to be read.

And, for every book you review and mini-challenge you complete, you get an entry into the Grand Prize!

When Authors Get Political: My Take

I have very much appreciated everyone's comments and great discussion on the survey results from Wednesday's post. As promised, here are my thoughts on the subject in general for those who are interested. You can also check out Maggie Stiefvater's post.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was in concert band. Like many kids my age, I felt awkward, ugly, unsure of myself, and eager to prove myself. I had a teacher that didn't care a bit about actually teaching and rarely held structured class. During one of these such classes, a couple friends and I got into a heated discussion about some current events (this was during the invasion into Iraq, so I'll let you put together the pieces of when and how that discussion went). I had an opinion that was not in the mainstream, but that I felt very strongly about. My friends and I were having a civil discussion, when the teacher came out and joined a group of senior boys who were opposed to my position. What was a good, civil discussion quickly escalated to a argument about my gender, my age, and my intelligence. I ended up walking out of the class and didn't return. But to this day, I remember how humiliated I felt. And it was a very long time before I felt comfortable discussing political things with anyone except my very immediate family.

I share this story as an introduction to this post, because I think it's important to realize that as adults, we have a certain amount of authority and influence when it comes to teens, even though it may not seem like it. And words that may not mean anything to us mean a great deal to them. Because no teen should feel attacked or bullied by an adult because of their political or religious beliefs.

I am a very politically active person. My career is political in nature, and I work deep in the trenches of political stuff that would probably bore you to tears. I spend 40 hours a week with three TV's going tuned to different news channels and CSPAN. I talk on the phone all day long about health care, immigration, social security, gun control, and every political topic under the sun. However, I am very careful to keep my political beliefs off my twitter stream. And this is a personal decision on my part, because I try to keep my political life and my reading life separate. I don't expect anyone to be as guarded as I am.

This, for me is not a discussion about whether authors, public figures, or anyone really CAN post their political beliefs on twitter. Of course they can, and they have a right to. And they can be as inflammatory or as polite as they want. It's not even about whether they SHOULD. Because it's a personal decision.

What this is about is how it's received. When I first meet someone, I don't immediately begin talking about politics. Even when I meet someone for the first time, and they ask what I do, I usually give a very basic answer. Because I want them to get to know me first, and to understand who I am as a person beyond my politics.

When something is posted on twitter, so much of our ability to communicate is handicapped. I can't look into your eyes and see how you are receiving what I'm saying. Even now I feel at a disadvantage, because I don't know what you as the reader are taking away from what I'm writing, and you can't communicate back with me like we could if we were face to face. Words that I may not mean to be harsh or offensive may be taken that way. It's even worse when we're limited to 140 characters.

I know that many authors and public figures have strong political beliefs, just like I do. I expect them to. As smart, insightful, and compassionate people, I know that they have things that they are passionate about.

Do I unfollow people for posting political things on twitter? Absolutely. Because it's my twitter stream and I can do what I want with it. (sidenote: I have also unfollowed people for posting too many cat pictures, or overusing the word sexytimes) I get so much of it in my day job, that I don't think I should be judged for wanting to keep my reading life, which I keep separate, free from a discourse on twitter about politics. This doesn't stop me from reading books that have a political nature, or that deal with serious topics, because I love them and I think that they are important.

Have I not read a book by an author because of things that they have posted on twitter? Yes. I can think of a few instances where I couldn't connect with an author's work any more because I felt like I just couldn't relate to them on a personal level. Conversely, there is an author that I follow on twitter that posts political things that I disagree with pretty often. However, I've met them in person, and they were so lovely, kind, and just such a class act that I didn't care what their political beliefs were. I don't know that I would have ever read any of their books if I hadn't had such an incredibly positive interaction with them.

Ultimately, authors can choose to be whoever they want to be on Facebook and Twitter. And readers can choose how they will react. I will continue to manage my twitter feed the way that I choose, and authors will post what they feel like best represents them. Neither of us are better or more right than the other. But, in this age of instant communication and the wonderful opportunity to interact with our favorite authors, I think it's important to take a look at our online presence every now and again and decide, is this how I want people to see me? Make sure that you make it count.

Vodnik by Bryce Moore: Review

Vodnik
By: Bryce Moore
Review by: Andy

Vodnik has a sort of coarse charm, due mostly to it’s setting. It is the story of a young boy who survives a nasty fire which causes his parents to relocate their family to Slovakia, where they are all originally from. He then proceeds to find out that supernatural Slovakian creatures are real, and he is one of the few people able to interact with them. It was very, very nice to read fantasy not based in traditional fairy tale folklore. I would have preferred, however, simply MORE of that fantasy. It felt like a book that should have been steeped in it, drawing the reader more completely into a different culture. What it did show me was tantalizing, but I could have done with less talk about bullies and more opportunities for Tomas to show his character in a nontraditional setting. Tomas learns medieval fighting from his uncle (who is a fantastic character in his own right, by the way), and uses those abilities plus some others to give them their just desserts at one point. It’s not the main plot of the story, and it could have easily been done away with. Speaking as a guy who remembers what it was like being a teenage boy who read a lot of fantasy growing up, I didn’t need to learn martial arts to take down people who bothered me. What I needed was to be given opportunities to stand up for myself and others regardless of my physical abilities to defend myself. Being able to fight isn’t as important as being willing to. But I digress.

Each chapter has a section heading that gives advice from a book about dealing with various supernatural characters for Deaths in Training, which I found incredibly fascinating, and I wish the book had built more on that premise, although I have no doubt that further installments will do so. The author also has a particular talent with villains, I think. Indeed, all of the most interesting characters were at the very least morally ambiguous. The Vodnik himself was a fascinating, deranged character that I particularly enjoyed, and the big bad Death herself has definite potential for future books. All in all, the book is a tad rough, and I would have preferred being dropped into the supernatural side of the cultural vat, rather than wading in the shallow end, but it was still very enjoyable and should be a decent read for any teenage boy. I give it three and a half stars.

As far as adult content goes, it’s pretty tame. One or two bikinis and references to hot girls, but that’s as far as it goes. The awesome hot girl in the beginning that he drools over for a bit turns out to be his cousin pretty quick. It does, however, deal a lot with the topics of racism and prejudice, although only in a positive, educating way, which was quite nice.

---

amazon | goodreads | author twitter

When Authors Get Political: Survey Results

This is a topic that has the potential to get heated, so I hope that we can all respect everyone's beliefs and have a rational discussion.

I created a short survey and put it out on twitter. I asked 4 questions, and a open-end response question. Here are the results from this (unscientific and non-random sample of people I follow and that RT'd me). I had 102 responses (thanks to everyone who contributed!)

I know that this post is incredibly long, but I wanted to give a good overview of how people think. You might be surprised by the results. I have not added my thoughts or opinions on this issue to this post. However, I will post them on Friday in a separate post (found here).

How would you classify yourself?

Here are the answers from everyone, not broken out into groups. I've also included comments directly from the survey that I thought corresponded with the question. I tried to pick out a good variety of comments. If yours wasn't included here, it's not because I didn't think it was valid or good. It's just that with almost 100 comments, it would have been even longer than it is now. ETA: All comments on this post came from this survey. Some I hated, some I didn't.

Does it bother you when an author tweets about or retweets a link that is political/partisan?

 

"I should say 'sometimes' instead of yes. It depends on the issue and how they treat it. I unfollowed {author name redacted upon request} because some of the things she was saying were downright offensive to my religion (she apparently hates all Mormons). I feel like some people think that they're the only ones entitled to an opinion on a subject and if you don't agree, then you get to have all sorts of nasty things said about you. Sorry, but that doesn't fly.

I held off reading any of her books for the longest time, but eventually gave in and read {name of book redacted}. I didn't want to like it, because I really don't like her, but I did like it. I'm still iffy on her other stuff though." -Author, Blogger, Teacher/Librarian


"Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it. That being said I don't need it shoved down my throat. The occassional I've had to unfollow an author have all been for those reasons. There is such a thing as too much a good thing, or in this case...someone's personal opinion." -Author, Blogger, Publishing Professional

"I've never noticed an author making a political comment that I disagreed with! I don't know what I'd do if one of them did." -Blogger

"It doesn't bother me because everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I'd be a hypocrite if I let it bother me since I tweet and retweet political things every once in a while. I'm glad people feel strongly enough to share their viewpoints." -Blogger

Have you ever not read a book by an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

"A lot depends on whether they are using their twitter account as a 'public face' for their books, or whether they are simply using it as a private citizen. Something an author tweets won't stop me from reading their books, but I will occasionally unfollow someone who tweets too often (even political issues I am in complete agreement with) because that's not why I am on twitter." -Teacher/Librarian

"I think it's OK for an author to have a political opinion.  However when that opinion is expressed as a character attack rather than a discussion of the issue itself, it is a turnoff and makes me not want to read that author's work.  Same when I am reading a book an it starts to spew political potshots, I often cannot finish the book and feel that the book was written solely to promote the authors political views rather than to further my entertainment.  I feel this is an abuse of my trust in said author when I purchase the book." -Reader

Have you ever unfollowed an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

"The issue is mainly ad hominem, douchbaggery commentary. If someone was doing a well-reasons Twitter commentary on politics, I would actually like it. But that's not what I see. I see writers and agents (!) posting character attacks in 140 words or less. I unfollow these people and I avoid their books. Often times these are people who lean left. I hate to point that out, but there it is. If you're going to shrill for a certain side, at least put some thought into it. And I don't give anyone a pass for re-tweeting political hacks. Bottom line: Life is too short. I don't follow or read books by assholes." -Reader

"Authors who make misogynistic comments, are racist, or tea-party right-wing are automatically unfollowed. The minute someone degrades me as a woman, they're unfollowed. Period. Socially conservative people who are public about that don't get my money.

I allow a little more leeway for people who are fiscally conservative and don't talk about it too much, but on the whole I have very little patience for right wing politics and views. There are plenty of books in the world and plenty of authors writing them, so I don't see why I need to support people who oppose everything I stand for.

As an author I'm relatively quiet on how I vote and for whom, but I make no secret of the fact that I'm left-wing in general and I am a very proud outspoken feminist. I'm okay with losing readers over that, since it's more important to me than sales.

That's how I tend to weigh any political opinion I post: 'is it worth losing money over?' Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't." -Author, Reader

What do the authors think?

Here is a break-down of the respondents that identified themselves as an author. (They could have selected another category as well).

Does it bother you when an author tweets about or retweets a link that is political/partisan?

Have you ever not read a book by an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

Have you ever unfollowed an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

"You can't expect authors to not have political leanings or not to share them—they're people first. As long as they/their posts aren't rude and offensive, I don't have any issues with it. I'm free to agree or disagree." -Author

"I actually enjoy seeing what other people think or believe, even if their views differ from mine. The only time I have an issue with people voicing their opinions is when they verbally attack me for mine. If an author has a memoir, I would hope they're willing to stand their ground on topics." -Author, Blogger, Reader

"Telling the truth is more important to me than the hundred or so people who might not buy my book because I'm not conservative enough for them." -Author, Blogger, Reader

"Some authors have separate accounts for discussing extracurricular topics (John Green's @sportswithjohn comes to mind), and I think highly political authors should try that out." -Author

"Don't do it." -Author

"It bothers me when authors use their twitter accounts as a political platform. I think that your twitter account should be dedicated to your profession, not to your personal beliefs." -Author

"I come to Twitter for book news. If I disagree with political tweets, I always want to debate, but I hate the frustration of debating politics online. Life's too short to be frustrated. I don't mind an occasional political tweet, but a constant barrage ends up with an unfollow." -Author, Blogger, Reader

What do the readers think?

Here is a break-down of the respondents that identified themselves as a reader. (They could have selected another category as well).

Does it bother you when an author tweets about or retweets a link that is political/partisan?

Have you ever not read a book by an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

Have you ever unfollowed an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

"I'm 13 I don't care bout politics we follow authors 2 get insight on the books their writing and other things about the books." -Reader

"For me, as long as the author isn't trying to convert me to believe what they believe, they can state their opinion all they want. Just because they are in the spotlight more, doesn't mean they can't talk about their political opinions like the rest of us." -Reader

"As long as the comments are respectful and the author has some support to his/her argument I truly don't mind if they share their views on political matters." -Reader

What do the bloggers think?

Here is a break-down of the respondents that identified themselves as a blogger. (They could have selected another category as well).

Does it bother you when an author tweets about or retweets a link that is political/partisan?

Have you ever not read a book by an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

Have you ever unfollowed an author because of a political comment made on twitter?

"I feel this way about about most people, not just authors. I find that so many of the people I follow are preaching to the choir no matter which stance they take. It feels like being bombarded with spam from the left and the right. I'm particularly dreading the next few months. 2008 was bad enough.

I have never followed someone to learn more about their political opinions. From what I can see, no one is changing the minds and hearts of others. At the end of the day, I simply don't care about anyone else's political opinions. If they get too vocal or - worse - snarky, I simply unfollow them. Leaving a bad taste in a person's mouth is never a good thing." -Blogger

"Everyone has a right to speak their mind, so if they want to post the stuff fine. The moment I start caring is when it comes offensive or constant. Politics is a touchy subject and therefore should be posted with a careful eye." -Blogger

"Quite honestly, I am not a huge fan of people talking about politics in general. But when it is brought into a professional setting such as Twitter, I find it even worse. I have always viewed politics as something you keep to yourself. No one else needs to know your personal opinions on such a touchy subject." -McKenna, Young at Heart Book Blog

"Maybe I just don't follow authors who discuss political issues, but I can't recall being upset about a (political) tweet." -Blogger, Reader

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even authors. That's why this country is great. Many people have died protecting that right, we should be able use it without fear of offending someone." -Heather, Redheaded Bookworm Blog

"Let's just say they shouldn't." -Blogger

"Authors need to be prepared for the consequences of what they say, no matter what it is. They must understand that people who like their books (which is the REASON they follow you on twitter) may not agree with their political views, and feel trapped. I know that there's almost nothing worse than loving an author and their books, but feeling like you can't connect with them because they keep hammering down their own political agendas." -Enna Isilee, Squeaky Books

Come by on Friday for my take!

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale: Review

Palace of Stone
By: Shannon Hale
Series: Princess Academy

note: There will inevitable spoilers for The Princess Academy in this review. However, there are no spoilers for Palace of Stone here.

After completing her time at the Princess Academy and even setting up a school for the children at Mount Eskel, Miri is given the opportunity to attend school off the mountain at the Queen's Castle in Asland. Miri is delighted to be with her friend Britta again, but soon learns that there is serious unrest in the kingdom. Between being faced with the big city, new friends, and challenging new ideas, Miri's loyalties are torn.

Oh yeah, and Peder is there.

Though I trust Shannon Hale implicitly to tell a good story, I was very.... curious to see how she would continue Miri's story when I felt like Princess Academy wrapped up so well. And it went in a direction that I absolutely was not expecting. And I mean that in the best possible way.

For some reason, I read the acknowledgements first. And I immediately knew that this book was going to be something special. Hale mentions that a portion of the proceeds of the book will go to LDS Humanitarian Services to help those who can't meet their most basic needs.

And on that note, I began the book. And I was bowled over by the most expert way that Hale handles complex situations like revolution, poverty, loyalty, and love. I've often felt that the best children's writers are able to take a sensitive issue and pose it in a way that is both thoughtful and respectful. There are so many ways that this book could have become preachy or false. But, it was handled so beautifully that I really think that I loved Palace of Stone more than Princess Academy. Which I didn't think was possible.

Miri is a strong girl. She has a strong, sound mind. Though goodness knows I love a girl that kicks butt ala Katniss, I really loved that Miri is most definitely not violent. But she is equally as strong. She comes off her mountain and out of her comfort zone. And she is stretched and tested in many ways. She doesn't always make the best decisions, but she does a darn good job of using her head and trying her best to help in a situation that is most definitely not black and white.

In regards to Miri and Peder. Peder comes with Miri in order to work as an apprentice to a stone carver in Asland. While Miri immerses herself in her studies, Peder works with equal fervor in his job. In fact, Peder becomes so entrenched (and exhausted!) by his work, Miri starts to wonder if he really does care for her. Which allows the sneaky addition of another character that opens Miri to questions about where she really does belong.

If you enjoyed Princess Academy, you are going to ADORE Palace of Stone. But, if you haven't read Princess Academy yet, you'll definitely want to get on that.

---

goodreads | amazon | author twitter | author blog

want a signed copy? check out The King's English!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: Review

Throne of Glass
By: Sarah J. Maas

Calaena Sardothien has spent a year in the salt mines at Endovier in the harshest of conditions. As the most renowned assassin in Ardalan, Calaena is plucked from the mines and offered a chance at freedom. She must compete against thieves and assassins across the kingdom for the opportunity to be the royal assassin. After she has served 4 years, she will have her freedom.

It is no secret that I have a soft spot for thieves and assassins. Especially when they are girls that exceed expectations. With all the elements of books that I have loved, I thought that this one was a sure winner.

However, I found myself confused and slightly disappointed by Calaena. In the first few chapters I was charmed by her wit and unwavering courage. I was baffled at her frequent mentions of how much she enjoyed clothes and shopping, but that this facet of her personality didn't seem to be consistent with the rest of her. She also seemed remarkably tame for an assassin and easily trusted those around her even after a year in the mines.Though there was a lot of talk of windpipe crushing and head bashing, there was very little of the blood and gore that I expected.

Calaena's inconsistencies continued with her relationship with Prince Dorian and her trainer Chaol Westfall. There is some reference to Calaena's distaste for Dorian's family, though it isn't fully explained. Perhaps a little more introspection into Calaena's past and her connection with the royal family would have helped me really get what her motivations were.

There were so many great things going on with the story, but I kept getting pulled out by Calaena's inconsistencies. Try as I might, I just could not nail her down. In the end, I saw it through because I saw great promise in the supporting characters (particularly Princess Nehemia and Chaol) and the overall story.

Despite my disappointment, there is still a chance that I may pick up the sequel next year. If only to see how the villainy of the King pans out. 

    

---

goodreads | amazon | author twitter