Interview with TBF author: Terry Trueman

Hey readers!

If you had a bad day, I hope reading this interview puts a smile to your face.

On January 25th, I sent interview questions to Terry Trueman. I didn't hear anything for about 2 weeks. With Stephanie's permission, I was allowed to give Terry a gentle warning:

...if you don't answer the questions for the interview by Friday, February 15, a hot pink tutu will be added to your TBF mascot uniform...

And Terry didn't respond. I decided to be generous and give him another 2 weeks. Can you guess what happened next?? If you said, "He didn't respond" you are correct! Since I didn't hear anything from Terry, I sent him another email:

I'm very concerned about you. Are you trapped in a desert in Tucson with no water? Or are you in the hospital because you got bitten by a poisonous snake? Please, if you're well and alive, answer the interview questions for the blog and your adoring fans.

 Within 1 hour, I got a response:

Save the tutu. I'm on it.

So here is the belated interview with Terry Trueman:

Miranda Reads:  So, Mr. Terry Trueman, you have been coming to TBF for 8 years now (and we LOVE it!). What makes you come back every year?
Terry Trueman: Actually my friendship with the Godmother of TBF, Stephanie S. is likely the reason I keep being invited back, and in fairness, Stephanie and I kind came up with the idea for TBF back at the very beginning. Her contribution was to do everything that it took to make it a reality. My contribution was to say, "Yeah, good idea . . .you go gurl!"

MR: Since you’ve been attending every TBF event, the TBF Committee has decided to crown you the official TBF mascot. Yay! So now you will have your own uniform (only for Terry Trueman). A little birdie told me that your uniform is a pink leotard with spandex tights. Any comments?
TT: I think that 'uniform' would look really great on . . oh, let's say Barry Lyga or Edward Averett . . .anyone but me.

MR:  At the opening ceremony, you love picking on authors. Out of all the years, what TBF author was your favorite to pick on? Why?
TT: Funny, I don't think of my interactions as 'picking on' other authors and in truth I can't think of any other authors I've ever met at TBF who I didn't really like and enjoy. Todd Strasser and James Kennedy come to mind as worthy adversaries if we insist on defining this as 'picking on' or being 'picked-on'. But so many of my friends have been invited and all the authors I've ever met at TBF feel like friends to me now too.

MR: Are you currently working on a top-secret book? We love your books…and we read ALL of them…
TT: I have felt in the last few years that the books I'm working on at that time were always going to be my last book. As you know LIFE HAPPENS NEXT was released in hardbound last August, and I have another book in to my agent right now. I think it might be my last :). Seriously, though, I'm feeling the pull of wanting to write poems again more strongly than I've felt it for many years and I'm also feeling like I have written about pretty much everything I want to write about in material appropriate for y.a. I want to write poems for adults and y.a. But I don't want to be restricted in terms of language, content, style, etc. so we'll see what comes next.

MR: What author are you most looking forward to meeting (and picking on) at the 8th annual Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival?
TT: Once again, I don't think I ever 'pick on' any authors; I tease and play with some authors more than others, those who seem to enjoy the teasing as much as I do. I never know who I'm gonna hit it off with best but somehow we always find one another. And to be honest, as much as I LOVE TBF and love my special relationship to it; I'm such an egomaniac that I never really look too closely at who else is coming or not coming year to year . . . if I had my way, I'd be the only author there but I'd be hoisted onto a special chair and carried around like Cleopatra from one place to the next by Laurie H-Anderson, James Kennedy, Roland Smith, Todd Strasser, Alex Flinn. And I'd have Stephanie S. following behind us all, yelling at them once in awhile so they'd remember who's in charge!

MR: I'm looking forward to seeing/meeting you again.
TT: Looking forward to seeing you and and all my beloved TBF peeps too!!!!!

PS:

TT: BTW, back to this 'offical uniform' issue, don't you think that attached pic is painful enough??!!

MR: Hmm...I'll think about it, Terry.

Last day for giveaway!!!

Make sure you enter our giveaway today! February 26th is the last day to leave a comment. All you have to do is tell us what TBF book you want to read next, and you could win two ARCs and $10 credit to TBF.

Book Trailer: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Book trailer for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. One word: Adorable!

Hadley's Video

 

 

Oliver's Video

 



Book Review: This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

I picked up Jennifer E. Smith’s novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight last year, not quite sure what to expect, but I loved it and finished it in one sitting. So when one of my best friends told me that she had a new book coming out, I was incredibly excited, and even more so when I received and advanced readers copy of it last week. And I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Graham, a famous teen actor, accidentally sends an email to Ellie, and soon they’re emailing back and forth every night. The only thing is, neither one knows exactly who the other is, other than they’re a teen girl and boy, and that they’re starting to fall for each other. When Graham’s next movie begins filming in the small seaside town where Ellie lives, they finally meet. But much as they like each other, Ellie doesn’t like the publicity that their relationship could bring. Will they find a way to be together?

This is What Happy Looks Like, much like The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (Smith’s previous novel), goes way beyond what you’d expect based off of the back cover. If you were just to read the blurbs and summaries the wrong way, This is What Happy Looks Like would seem incredibly cheesy; but this is one of the most enjoyable romances (and realistic fiction novels) that I’ve ever read. Jennifer E. Smith’s characters are complex and fully developed, and you get drawn more and more into the story as it progresses.

I hope you’ll look into This is What Happy Looks Like as soon as it comes out on April 2nd; it’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. Check out Jennifer E. Smith’s website at <http://www.jenniferesmith.com/>. I hope you’ll come see her at the festival in May!

Happy reading!
Elizabeth

Crash by Lisa McMann

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Today, I finished reading a very theme-appropriate book: Crash by Lisa McMann, author of the Wake trilogy, Cryer's Cross, Dead to You and middle school series The Unwanteds.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.

The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

Romeo and Juliet romance + paranormal + really smokin' hot guy = Love. Jules definitely has a lot going on in her life between admiring her crush, Sawyer, from afar, to having horrible visions and pleasing her family by hating Sawyer and his family. I have to give Jules brownie points for the courage she has to save someone she loves who doesn't love her back. Especially if she feels like a loser in the process. But hey, I'm sure everyone has felt that way. I know I have. Valentine's Day advice: If your crush doesn't like you back or you don't have a valentine, it's not the end of the world. It may seem like it is but it's not. Have faith that the Universe has other plans for you.

For any of you, who needs more Valentine's Day themed books, I suggest Beautiful Creatures by TBF author Margaret Stohl (the Beautiful Creatures movie is now in theaters!) and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by TBF author Jennifer E. Smith.

Be sure to write a comment here to enter the TBF giveaway.

Have a relaxing and fun February vacation!

Miranda

Book Trailer: Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia

Book Trailer: The Hunt Series by Andrew Fukuda

Talk to us

Miranda and I would love to hear from you, and we'd love to get your suggestions as well. Tell us in the comments about what you like and would like to see more of on the blog. Feel free to ask us questions as well. And we'd love to know what TBF books you think we should read next. :) We can't wait to hear from you!

Happy reading!
Elizabeth

Book Review: Marly's Ghost by David Levithan

So I know many of you will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with your significant other, but for those of us who are single, why not curl up with a great book instead – especially if that book is about Valentine’s Day, is based off of a wonderful classic, and is written by David Levithan?

Ben has given up on love. Ever since his girlfriend Marly died, he’s decided that love won’t last. But on the eve of Valentine’s Day, he is visited by Marly’s ghost, who urges him not to give up on love, and tells him that he will be visited by three spirits which will show him the truth about love. Reluctantly, Ben goes along, and what he sees, remembers, and experiences will change him forever.

If you think that story line sounds really familiar, you’re right – Marly’s Ghost is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, one of my personal favourite books. David Levithan literally worked on this retelling page by page, and it shows. Not only is Dickens’ original story line and style preserved, but the story is also embellished with Levithan’s own distinct style. This is now one of my favourite books, and I fully intend to read it again and again.

Don't forget about our giveaways either! Keep leaving us comments too; let us know what you think!


Happy reading!

Elizabeth

Scarlet Release Information!!!

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer just came out yesterday, and you can bet we're excited about it! Marissa Meyer is incredibly excited too, and she has some cool events scheduled for the release. There will be some giveaways via other blogs, and Marissa Meyer will be going on tour. Check out the rest of her website too, and make sure to read Scarlet's prequel Cinder too!

52 Reasons to Hate My Father Book Trailer

Jessica Brody Giveaway

Check out the giveaway on Jessica Brody's tumblr! The paperback edition of 52 Reasons to Hate My Father has just been released, so she's giving away autographed copies of all her other books and some other fun goodies. All you have to do is buy 52 Reasons to Hate My Father any time this week (February 3-9). Check out her tumblr and website for details!

TBF Giveaway and a Challenge from a TBF author...

Today is very exciting! Why? TBF giveaway! Yippee!

Giveaway: 1 Advance Reader Copy book of Shadowlands by Kate Brian, 1 ARC of His Fair Assassin: Dark Triumph by Robin LeFevers and $10 TBF gift certificate (Note: the gift certificate can only be used the day of the festival May 18th, 2013 and only for TBF merchandise, no books).

How to Enter: Tell us what TBF book you are reading. Leave a comment in the comment box.

Deadline: February 26th, 2013

Since we're on the topic of giveaways and prizes, TBF author, Matt de la Pena has a challenge for all readers. If you can explain the reference, "Wha'chu talkin' about, Mexico" he will give you a special prize! Sounds like a pretty good deal.

Happy reading!

Miranda

Interview with TBF Author: Stacey Kade

Hello everyone,

I had the pleasure of chatting with Stacey Kade, author of The Ghost and the Goth. Here is the book review to refresh your memory.

Miranda Reads: In The Ghost and the Goth, there’s some sizzling chemistry between Alona (the ghost) and Will (the Goth). Did you have an inspiration for their love-hate relationship?
Stacey Kade: I've always loved couples who fight and squabble even though you know they care about each other. :) Han Solo and Princess Leia in Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and Marion in Raiders of the Lost Ark, David and Maddy on the old show Moonlighting. :) (For classics lovers, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing.)
I think you learn more from someone who's willing to push you outside your comfort zone, just a little. :D Someone who makes you challenge your assumptions. And I definitely feel that's the case with Will and Alona.

MR: Alona “haunts” Will throughout the book. Do you think someone is haunting you?
SK: I hope not! *shudders* Though I do, every once in a while, say hi to my Grandpa, just in case he's hanging around. I miss him still. I have zero sensitivity to ghosts, and I'm grateful for it! (I know this because I have a friend who IS sensitive and will talk to me about it/them. I never have a clue that anything supernatural is going on, thankfully!)

MR: One of your five fun facts says that you’re afraid of ghosts and haunted houses. Is there any fictional ghost you’re slightly fond of?
SK: In one of those absurd twists, I LOVE ghost and haunted house stories. I gobble them up. I think it's only the real life aspects that freak me out a little. :D Off the top of my head, I'd say I've always had a soft spot for Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter books.

MR: So I take it that you don’t like Halloween (because you have more than ghosts to worry about)?
SK: Halloween is actually okay! It combines two of my favorite things--clever costumes and candy. So, no worries there. Now, if you asked me to do anything remotely creepy on Halloween (walk through a graveyard, play with a Ouija board, etc.), my response would be the cloud of dust left in my wake as I ran away like a big scaredy cat.

MR: Your new book, The Rules, is coming out in April. Can you tell us what it’s about?
SK: Absolutely! :) Ariane Tucker was raised in a secret lab for the first six years of her life. She's a science experiment, essentially: an extraterrestrial/human hybrid. She escaped and now lives among the humans with her adoptive father, hiding in plain sight. She goes to high school and pretends to be normal. But she has to follow this very specific set of rules to keep from being discovered by the company that created her and still searches for her.
1. Never trust anyone.
2. Remember they are always searching.
3. Don’t get involved.
4. Keep your head down.
5. Don’t fall in love

But when a cruel prank against her one and only friend goes awry, Ariane is suddenly at the center of a lot of attention, including that of the police chief's son, Zane Bradshaw. Zane is fascinated by this strange, quiet girl. And Ariane, who has worked for years to not be noticed, finds his attention to be frightening and also really enticing. Suddenly, everything is way more complicated because Ariane has to choose between the Rules she's followed all of her life and what she feels. 

I should note, this is not a dystopian or post-apocalyptic story. It's set in the present day. It just happens to include government conspiracies, aliens, and genetic experimentation. :)

MR: What author are you most looking forward to meeting at the 8th annual Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival?
SK: I've been fortunate enough to meet several of the authors at other events, and I'm very excited about seeing them again! :) In terms of someone new, I'm looking forward to meeting Laurie Fara Stolarz and Lisa McMann. I'm a huge fan of both of them and their books!

Thank you Stacey for chatting with me! We're looking forward to meeting you!

For more information about Stacey, you can go to her website.

Book trailer: Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Book Trailer: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

52 Reasons to Hate My Father Book Trailer

Hey! Check out this fantastic book trailer of 52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody. I love it!

Miranda