Final Fridays - Megan McCafferty

8 Questions with Megan McCafferty
Megan McCafferty, one of my favorite authors, was kind enough to stop by for the first Final Fridays of '09! She's written the Jessica Darling series - Perfect Fifths comes out April 14, '09 - and edited Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday. Her website is awesome - check out her (retro)blog - and she's currently holding a competition to win an ARC of Perfect Fifths!


Heyyyyyyy, Megaaaaaaaan! Everybody loves Jessica Darling, and I haven't talked to one person who can't find a bit of herself in Jessica. Do you see any of yourself in Jessica?

I'm flattered that you think everyone loves Jessica! Jessica was the most like me in Sloppy Firsts but as the series has progressed she's became her own person who says and does things that I would never do or say! I'm fascinated by how girls on opposite ends of the popularity spectrum identify with her angst. It just proves to me that we all feel like alienated outsiders sometimes—even if we're not.

The most popular people aren't welcome among the fringes of society, and vica versa. Nobody's ever welcome everywhere! Perfect Fifths is written partially through Marcus' point of view. Where did you find the inspiration for that?

This final book in the series is really all about Jessica and Marcus—told over eighteen hours spent together in/around an airport. I thought that after ten years of Jessica's version of events, it was time for a more subjective telling of their shared story. I also hope that this shift from first to third person reflects a certain growth in Jessica, a willingness to get outside her own head and think about others for a change.

I can't wait for it to come out, I really can't! -bouncy- Okay, (retro)blog are all the old things you wrote waaaaay back when. Like, in the dinosaur age. (Not really. You're not that old.) Do you remember what your favorite author/book/song/food/type of rock to throw at people was back then?

It all depends on your definition of “back then” because the (retro)blog covers my writings between the ages of 10 and 26. I enjoyed Judy Blume, The Xanadu Soundtrack and blueberry pancakes at ten and twenty-six--and still enjoy them at thirty-six.

I. Love. The. Xanadu. Soundtrack. The plotline to the movie, not so much. Nice choice! ^^ Since Perfect Fifths is your last installment of the Jessica Darling series... what do you have planned next? Writing another book, becoming a ninja, taking over the world...

I'm researching/brainstorming/pre-writing what might be a stand-alone novel, but I think has potential be a new series. I'm calling it my dystopian high school sex comedy and don't want to say much more about it than that. I hope to make an official announcement about it by the time Perfect Fifths is published on April 14th. I have a lot of work ahead of me!

Haha, that sounds interesting. Dystopian high school sex comedy? That's an... odd genre... o_O You get around a lot - you love visiting colleges. What college is your favorite?

I can't pick a favorite. Columbia, Wellesley, The College of St. Elizabeth, The College of New Jersey, UCLA...I appreciate every invitation I've received. College audiences have grown up with Jessica and seem to relate to her struggles and successes more so than other readers.

I'm kind of glad Syracuse isn't on there. It's cold up there! (It's the only reason I'm not going. -shudder-) Were you surprised at how well your books have done? I know you have all of my friends addicted.

It's not something I think about on a daily basis. I'm proud to have invented characters that readers are so passionate about! And I'm grateful that that I can make a living doing what I love.

Cookies are yummy. What is your favorite cookie?

Whatever one is fresh out of the oven. I'm non-monogamous when it comes to cookies.

Cookies are little pillows of heaven. Let's end with something completely random. Hmm... If you could transport yourself into any book either as yourself or as another character, what book and character/you?

I would transport my sixteen-year-old self in the film tie-in paperback version of A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon starring River Phoenix in his prime. For um, obvious reasons. (Google image him to see what I mean.)


I looked him up, he's not that bad. No Robert Pattinson or Johnny Depp, but hey... ^^

Thanks for stopping by, Megan! Keep an eye out for Perfect Fifths, coming out April 14th!

~Nicole

Waiting on Wednesday

Evermore
Alyson Noel
I heard about this over at Mrs. Magoo Reads and was, like, "OOO. I LIKE IT!"

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Can somebody say interesting?
Once again, the sci fi and fantasy fan in me likes it. As does the vampire fan.

Comes out February 2 '09

Hooked

Hooked
Author: Les Edgerton
Series: ---
Publisher: Writer's Digest Books
How Received: borrowed

Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one will keep reading. It's just that simple. Hooked provides readers with a detailed understanding of what a beginning must include (setup, backstory, the inciting incident, etc.); instruction on how to successfully develop the story problem; tips on how to correct common beginning mistakes; exclusive insider advice from agents, acquiring book editors, and literary journal editors; and much more.

It's a book that teaches you how to write a proper beginning to a story.

And it's probably the most helpful writing book I've ever read. Edgerton teaches things in a fun and helpful manner, dissecting where things often go wrong, what every novel beginning needs to have, and quotes from editors and publishers about what they're looking for.

I haven't read any other help books recently, so I have nothing to compare it against. XD But it was very, very helpful!

Rating: As a book, it was easy to put down, but it's a help book. It gets a 10/10 in the help department and a 8/10 in the interesting department, giving it a 9/10 overall in the long run!

Happy reading, all.

~Nicole

Inkheart

I saw Inkheart with my friends Scott, Kellyn and Alanna last night.

First off, I loved the whole movie. They stuck mostly to the plotline without changing too much of it.

Secondly, whoever they cast as Eleanor was amazing until she took off her wig thing. Then I kept laughing because her and my chem teacher have the same hair. XDDDD

Thirdly - Dustfinger? Hot. And whoever plays "Aladdin" or whoever he was is, too, and Jacob-worthy. Or Sam-worthy. OOO. SETH WORTHY.

Just saying.

~Nicole

The Summoning

The Summoning
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers (#1)
Publisher: HarperTeen
How Received: publisher

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

OMG.
SUCH A GOOD BOOK.
EEEEEEEEEEWEEEEEEEEEE!
NO PLOT HOLES AND GREAT CHARACTERS!
And I'm shipping ChloexDerek.

... er, yeah, I liked it.


Overall Rating & Final Comments: ... you really are dense if you didn't get my fangirly excitement from the caps lock and the OMG. I looooooved The Summoning! 10/10
The Summoning or The Ghost of Bobby?: Both involve ghosts, but The Summoning is so much better.

They're not as good as the Bloody Jack series, but they're close. ^^

Happy reading!

~Nicole

WORD for Teens on Facebook

You can now keep up with WORD on Facebook!

I started a group to keep up with WORD on Facebook --> link <-- You can talk about what books you're waiting for, argue over how amazing or not amazing a book is, or just hang out and watch everything happen. I'll update with the winners of contests and when a new contests starts, along with tidbits from the interviews and such to get you to come here!

Have fun, guys! All are welcome.

~Nicole

Waiting on Wednesday

Ghost Huntress
Marley Gibson





What can I say, I'm a sucker for the paranormal! (I'm addicted to Ghost Hunters. ^^) It seems interesting enough, and if it's written well, it could turn into an amazing series. Possibly an addicting one.

As if I don't read enough addicting series.

Comes out May 4 '09

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl
Author: Eoin Colfer
Series: Artemis Fowl
Publisher: Hyperion Books
How Received: own

The Fowls are a very cunning family. They get what they want, when they want it, illegal or not. Artemis Fowl is the smartest of them all. He's also only twelve.

What he wants is proof of fairies and fairy gold. And when he get Captain Holly Short of the LEP Recon squad... who knows what'll happen.

This is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. Colfer brings us into a believable world of magic and science combined. Though I can't read this story anymore -- I've read it over fifty times and have random passages memorized -- it's a fantastic read for fantasy readers who haven't read it before.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 plus a little fairy gold
Artemis Fowl or Magyk?: Magyk, though an interesting story, doesn't have the same caliber story as Artemis Fowl.

Happy reading!

~Nicole

Final Fridays

I promised myself I'd do an interview with an author once a month this year for you guys - the problem this year was, "When do I post them?"

And then I was trying to fall asleep last night and had a BRILLIANT idea. (In my humble opinion.)

On the last Friday of every month, you'll have your interview!

This month is Megan McCafferty, so keep an eye out.

~Nicole

Waiting on Wednesday

A Little Bit Wicked
Kristin Chenoweth

This is the only weekly thing I've seen for bloggers that's interested me. So... why not do it?

(Note: that is a lie. I'd love to do the mailbox one, but I don't get enough books per week to do that.)


Since there's no summary on Barnes and Noble yet, it's Kristin Chenoweth's autobiography. Why did I choose this for my first week? Because I like autobiographies, Krisin Chenoweth is my favorite singer, Wicked is my favorite musical, and I am an overall nerd.

Comes Out April 14 '09

The Ghost of Bobby

The Ghost of Bobby
Author: David Miller
Series: ---
Publisher: 72andSunny Publishing
How Received: publicist

Ten-year-old Sammy and her feisty twin brother Thomas live a happy life in late 19th century London until misfortune hits their family. Suddenly poor, they have to move to an old, decaying house and in doing so, they meet Bobby, a huge, powerful and mysterious dog. Their newly found poverty forces the family to take in a lodger, a hideous and menacing looking man named Skeats. Quickly, Sammy and Thomas discover just how special Bobby is, and at the same time their suspicions about the evil Skeats grow. It's only a matter of time before they find out that something terrible has happened in the past between he and Bobby. The connection between Bobby and Skeats leads the twins into an action-packed adventure. With Bobby s help, Sammy and Thomas must dig deep for the strength and courage they need to survive in a frightening world of robbery, kidnapping and even murder.

Though the story had potential to, if more thoroughly explored, make a great YA novel, it's more of a darker fairy tale for children, as it has a happy ending. A great story to read a loud before to a younger brother or sister before you go to bed, it's not something that I'd choose to read on a regular basis if I had known.

There's a great quote in it, however, about revenge.

If you seek revenge, it means you're scared or you feel guilty for what happened in some way. It's okay to be angry with someone, but don't think about revenge. It's like a disease that eats you up.

It's on page 70, if you ever find it.

Overall Rating: 6/10
The Ghost of Bobby or Tithe: A Modern Fairy Tale?: Tithe, for me, is much more my style fairy tale. It's fantasy, it's out there, and it's got a better plot line. The Ghost of Bobby, however, is better for reading out loud with younger siblings.

Happy reading!

~Nicole

Contest Update

CONTEST UPDATE
You can find out more about the contest by entering here.

IF you blog about the Mosh Pit contest and tell me about it, I'll give you TWO extra entries. Two! You do, however, have to tell me about it by posting /here/ or telling me when you enter over at the original post.

Happy reading! And entering!

~Nicole

Suzanne Collins

I was looking Suzanne up the other day - I was wondering when the next book in The Hunger Games series was coming out - and I'm staring at her website.

"I've seen this site before..."

I stared at the picture of Suzanne with a giant rat on a rock in Central Park.

"OMIGOD!"

I might be the only person who read Suzanne Collins before Suzanne wrote The Hunger Games. I read the Gregor the Overlander series two summers ago, and I absolutely loved them, even though they were for children younger than me. I still need to read the last two.

I just found that highly entertaining...

Happy reading!

~Nicole

Shadow Kiss

Shadow Kiss
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy (#3)
Publisher: Penguin Group
How Received: borrowed

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomir princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken...

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. And now that Lissa and Rose's sworn enemy, Victor Dashkov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing but suddenly there's way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most..but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

MEGAN! I STILL THINK YOU DIDN'T WARN ME PROPERLY! YOU KNOW HOW I GET INTO BOOKS!?

Okay, done with the accusations.

I shall try to warn you all sufficiently: if you do not like suspense and general angst and unhappiness, do not read past a certain scene involving a certain couple. You know what scene I'll be talking about when you read it.

Richelle Mead writes more interesting characters, more intriguing plotlines, and more vivid description than Stephenie Meyer or any other vampire novelist whose books I've read. Sorry, Stephenie. I couldn't put Shadow Kiss down, and when something angst making happened, I was ready to kill Megan, who lent it to me. She didn't properly warn me. I love Dimitri, and... GAR.

This is probably one of the best series I've ever read, and I really need to pick it up to add to my bookshelves.

I'm not just saying that, either - I resolved to be more ruthless in my book reviews this year. Hard to prove that when you start with an amazing book!

Overall Rating: 10/10 with awesome little stars dancing around it because of my love of Dimitri.
Vampire Academy or Twilight?: Hot guy versus hot guy, amazing main female character versus week whiny female character, amazing plotline versus really good plotline... Sorry, Twilight, but Vampire Academy should really own your plot line.

Happy reading!

~Nicole

January '09 Giveaway - "The Mosh Pit"

This giveaway is over.

"The Mosh Pit" Giveaway"

Happy January, everybody! It's the month where we're trying to start working towards the goals we set for the New Year, and the month where most of us decide whether we're going to succeed or fail. So this is the month where my giveaway ranges over all types of books.

You can enter by either emailing me at nickiheart16@aim.com or commenting on this blog by telling me either what your favorite book in 2008 was or what book you're looking forward to in the new year. I can only ship to the United States though (sorry, English/France/etc. people)! (And don't forget your email so I can contact you!)

Snapshot is the book that can be used in school, or if you're looking for a more real-type book. Here's my review of it if you want to see what I thought of it.

How To Raise Your Parents is the teen girl's survival guide. (Sorry, boys. I'm sure you can find somebody to give it too.) I figure, hey, we can start the new year by training our parents. Could be helpful, no? My review of that is here.

The last three books in the giveaway are Chris D'Lacey's Firestar series. The whole series - The Fire Within, Icefire, and Firestar. I haven't read them, but I heard they're really good.


Enjoy, and Happy January Mosh Pit Giveaway!

~Nicole

My 2008 Reflection

So it's 2009. WOOHOO! Another year of book reading and blogging and overall spiffeh-ness!

So let's go over what I did last year. I had a goal of 200 books and only read 141 books - but for somebody with an AP English class and annoying schoolwork, that's not bad!

My favorite books that I read this year are The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

My least favorite book? All Quiet on the Western Front - I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand that book.


But now's the start of the new year... and a new year of reading books! :D


1. The Vampire Diaries -- The Awakening (L.J. Smith)
2. The Vampire Diaries -- The Struggle (L.J. Smith)
3. The Vampire Diaries -- The Fury (L.J. Smith)
4. The Vampire Diaries -- Dark Reunion (L.J. Smith)
5. Does My Head Look Big In This? (Randa Abdel-Fattah)
6. Digital Fortress: A Thriller (Dan Brown)
7. Sloppy Firsts (Megan McCafferty)
8. A Countess Below Stairs (Eva Ibbotson)
9. Second Helpings (Megan McCafferty)
10. Atonement (Ian McEwan)
11. Crossroads at Twilight (Robert Jordan)
12. Every Crooked Pot (Renee Rosen)
13. Dragon's Blood (Jane Yolen)
14. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint Exupery)
15. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale (Holly Black)
16. Knife of Dreams (Robert Jordan)
17. The Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman)
18. The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis)
19. The Face on the Milk Carton (Caroline B. Cooney)
20. Inkheart (Cornelia Funke)
21. The Voice on the Radio (Caroline B. Cooney)
22. ttyl (Lauren Myracle)
23. Fell (David Clement-Davies)
24. The Lost Years of Merlin (T.A. Barron)
25. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging (Louise Rennison)
26. All Quiet on the Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque)
27. To Catch a Pirate (Jade Parker)
28. Book of a Thousand Days (Shannon Hale)
29. Glass Houses (Rachel Caine)
30. The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It (Lisa Shanahan)
31. Song of the Sparrow (Lisa Ann Sandell)
32. I Heart You, You Haunt Me (Lisa Schroeder)
33. Marked (P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast)
34. Just Ella (Margaret Peterson Haddix)
35. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Libba Bray)
36. Game (Walter Dean Myers)
37. The Dead Girl's Dance (Rachel Caine)
38. Midnight Alley (Rachel Caine)
39. The Rabbit Trap (Sandra K-Horn)
40. Extras (Scott Westerfeld)
41. The Other Boleyn Girl (Philippa Gregory)
42. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
43. Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead)
44. The Vampire's Assistant (Darren Shan)
45. Geek High (Piper Banks)
46. Secrets of my Suburban Life (Lauren Baratz-Logsted)
47. Heart's Blood (Jane Yolen)
48. A Sending of Dragons (Jane Yolen)
49. Truancy (Isamu Fukui)
50. The Queen Geek Social Club (Laura Preble)
51. Queen Geeks in Love (Laura Preble)
52. Frenemies (Alexa Young)
53. Teen, Inc. (Stefan Petrucha)
54. The Diary of Melanie Martin (Carol Weston)
55. Crystal Doors: Island Realm (Rebecca Moesta) (Kevin J. Anderson)
56. New Spring (Robert Jordan)
57. Crystal Doors: Ocean Realm (Rebecca Moesta) (Kevin J. Anderson)
58. Violet on the Runway (Melissa Walker)
59. Snapshot (Ryan O'Reilly)
60. She's So Money (Cherry Cheva)
61. Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
62. Airman (Eoin Colfer)
63. Hush (Donna Jo Napoli)
64. Screwball (Keri Mikulski)
65. Madapple (Christina Meldrum)
66. Charmed Thirds (Megan McCafferty)
67. Saving Juliet (Suzanne Selfors)
68. I'd Tell You I'd Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You (Ally Carter)
69. Fourth Comings (Megan McCafferty)
70. A Curse Dark as Gold (Elizabeth C. Bunce)
71. Magic's Pawn (Mercedes Lackey)
72. Magic's Promise (Mercedes Lackey)
73. Magic's Price (Mercedes Lackey)
74. Zombie Blondes (Brian James)
75. The Host (Stephenie Meyer)
76. Burned (Ellen Hopkins)
77. Frostbite (Richelle Mead)
78. Hell's Belles (Jackie Kessler)
79. The Elite (Jennifer Banash)
80. Seize the Night (Sherrilyn Kenyon)
81. Wicked Lovely (Melissa Marr)
82. The Secret Hour (Scott Westerfeld)
83. Gone (Micheal Grant)
84. City of Bones (Cassandra Clare)
85. First Daughter: EAM (Mitali Perkins)
86. First Daughter: WHR (Mitali Perkins)
87. Ink Exchange (Melissa Marr)
88. Hollywood Nobody (Lisa Samson)
89. Finding Hollywood Nobody (Lisa Samson)
90. Poseur (Rachel Maude)
91. How To Raise Your Parents (Sarah Burningham)
92. When the Day of Evil Comes (Melanie Wells)
93. The Soul Hunter (Melanie Wells)
94. My Soul to Keep (Melanie Wells)
95. Dear John (Norma L. Betz)
96. Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)
97. New Moon (Stephenie Meyer)
98. Eclipse (Stephenie Meyer)
99. Wild Magic (Tamora Pierce)
100. Wolf Speaker (Tamora Pierce)
101. Night Rising (Chris Marie Green)
102. The Bell Jar (Sylvia Path)
103. Midnight Reign (Chris Marie Green)
104. Breaking Dawn (Stephenie Meyer)
105. I Am America [And So Can You!] (Stephen Colbert)
106. 24 Girls in 7 Days (Alex Bradley)
107. Slipping (Cathleen Davitt Bell)
108. The Crucible (Arthur Miller)
109. Warriors: Firestar's Quest (Erin Hunter)
110. Emperor Mage (Tamora Peirce)
111. Realm of the Gods (Tamora Peirce)
112. Physik (Angie Sage)
113. Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
114. Living Dead Girl (Elizabeth Scott)
115. Black Elk Speaks ("Flaming Rainbow")
116. Crank (Ellen Hopkins)
117. Anatomy of a Boyfriend (Daria Snadowsky) [Out Of Place]
118. The Angel Experiment (James Patterson)
119. Sharp Teeth (Toby Barlow)
120. Bloody Jack (L.A. Meyer)
121. Curse of the Blue Tattoo (L.A. Meyer)
122. Wicked (Gregory Maguire)
123. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Eoin Colfer)
124. Under the Jolly Roger (L.A. Meyer)
125. School's Out - Forever (James Patterson)
126. Saving the World (And Other Extreme Sports) (James Patterson)
127. Belly of the Bloodhound (L.A. Meyer)
128. Mississippi Jack (L.A. Meyer)
129. Oedipus Rex (Sophocles)
130. Brisingr (Christopher Paolini)
131. Schooled (Anisha Lakhani)
132. The Final Warning (James Patterson)
133. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
134. Twilight [Movie Companion] Mark Cotta Vaz
135. The Sight (Erin Hunter)
136. My Bonny Light Horseman (L.A. Meyer)
137. Feast of Fools (Rachel Caine)
138. The Great Gatsby (Scott Fitzgerald)
139. Bad Kitty (Michele Jaffe)
140. Ryann Watters and the King's Sword (Eric Reinhold)
141. Something, Maybe (Elizabeth Scott)

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009, everybody!

-fireworksconfettiballdrops-

I hope everybody celebrated accordingly last night. ^^



On another note, my giveaways will start next week, and I'll pick up blogging again next week as well - all three of the computers in our house are being hit by a virus. Two have crashed and the laptop I'm on is holding on by a thread.

Never fear, I will be back soon!

Until then, happy reading, and I'll do my "2008" summary later. ^^

~Nicole