Top Ten Tuesday: Pick my brain

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP THINGS ON MY READING WISHLIST

Ah, Inspiration!! Lately, this school mural keeps my mind active, as I picture all the possible worlds books can take us.

Here is my wishlist of crazy things I would like to read about.

1. Cursed Superheroes

Not everyone wants to be different. How would the MC deal with superhuman powers that can create more harm than good?

2. Paranormal Activity Stories

Centered around YA. 

3. Road Trips

I really need this. Winter, here in Montreal, is too long.

4. Books with tears all over them

The ones where I cry but not the characters. No one wants a whiner.

5. Break-up Stories with Karma

He/She treated the MC like crap -- they should pay.

6. Evil Sororities with a serial killer clown

There is something weird about clowns. Think about it, under all that make-up ...

What is on your wishlist?

                                                 

Author Spotlight: Introducing Hank Kellner

I'm pleased to welcome author Hank Kellner today to promote his YA novel, I Don't Want to be an Orange Anymore!

Growing up in the fictional town of Meadowview, young Willie Watson objects to being required to play the part of an orange in the school play when he is nine and in the fourth grade. But that's just the beginning of his problems. As he continues through elementary school and into junior high school, Willie has to deal with Brucie Schultz, the town bully; Christmas with his relatives; the death of a schoolmate; the loss of his girlfriend; the theft of a fountain pen, and his broken eyeglasses.

But that’s not all. Willie doesn’t want to eat his peas; take the garbage out; deal with his troublesome kid sister; try to climb the ropes in gym class while his gym teacher harasses him, or have to stay after school until he’s “…old enough to grow a beard.”

Readers will discover how Willy becomes a member of Brucie’s gang; what happens in the old movie house on Main Street; how feisty old Grandma inspires Willie, and much, much more.

I Don’t Wanna Be an Orange Anymore contains a wealth of humorous and often touching descriptions of a young boy's fantasies and life experiences as he grows up in a small town many years ago. Written from the point of view of an adult, this coming of age book is suitable not only for young adults, but also for readers of all ages

                   Find it on Smashwords                                               

Hello Hank, thank you for being with us. Please do tell, what inspired you to write this book?

I  felt that many people would be interested in reading about the coming of age experiences of a young boy from the time of World War II until the Korean War.

If you could host a diner party with two writers who would you pick and what would you serve?

If I were to host a dinner party, I would invite Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell to dine with me. I've always admired Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and Orwell's 1984.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

If you are an aspiring writer, you should read everything you can get your hands on regardless of genre. Wide reading is one of the keys to successful writing. You should also master the rules of grammar, study your market, and zero in on your audience. Be sure to set aside a time to write a few hundred words each and every day. And above all, never give up no matter how often editors reject your writing.

What are you working on now -- or would you rather surprise us?

I am working on a satirical novel that will poke fun at all levels of society.

You can find Hank Kellner:

Website




Thank you for being with us Hank, and good luck on all your future projects.

Feature and Follow Friday: Only the persecuted know how I feel inside

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Who is your blogger BFF? If not tell us why you need or don't need a blogger BFF.

With society today and books such as: 

10 Ways to Kill a Cupid

Satan is the New Cupid

The Day I Shot Cupid

makes it incredibly frightening for this BookCupid to socialize at will. Oh, but what I wouldn't do to meet fellow book bloggers and play character Scrabble :( 

 

Review: Roomies

Going to college is always a rush. You feel accomplished and in control of your future. But moving in with a roommate can easily remind you of just how vulnerable we all really are.

Elizabeth (EB) grows tired of living alone with her absentee mom and looks forward to move in with Lauren. The problem is Lauren has a panoply of younger siblings and for her, college, meant freedom and alone time. As the girls try to cope with their personal baggage everything comes crashing down. Suddenly, EB realizes her mom is an adulterer and risks jeopardizing her relationship -- and Lauren understands that family is not something one can run away from. 

Both Zarr and Altebrando gave us two distinct voices easy to relate to. EB and Lauren dealt with their problems selfishly at times due to the stress of the situation making it impossible to see them as fictional characters. The emails sent between one and the other were kept short, allowing the story to breathe. Don't be scared -- lots of dialogue was included.  

Prepare for a big twist at the end. 

Love-o-meter theme: is farewell sex a good idea, adultery and how kids suffer.    

Caught my arrow # 28

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Starting my 2014 Resolutions Book Challenge! I vow to do something different every month and read a book that relates to it. Can't wait! This week I:

Bought

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Borrowed from Library

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor and The Elite by Kiera Cass

What are you reading this week?