Favorite Reads of May

Oh, the covers for this month are delightful! I chose my favorite L.M. Montgomery cover art as a gift for you, dear reader.

The Penderwicks in Spring, the fourth in a series from Jeannie Birdsall (with whom I share an editor!) features an enormous cast of characters, but sensitive young Batty is the central focus. As usual with these books, I enjoyed a very cathartic cry toward the end. There are many parallels to Little Women, and one fraught relationship in Penderwicks prompted me to rethink my attitude toward Jo and Laurie. (I suppose it really isn't romantic to watch a young man try to make someone love him.)

Anne of Green Gables (love this cover from the Nook edition) -- this re-read launched my pre-PEI celebration of Lucy Maud Montgomery. It goes without saying that I adore Anne, and during this reading I got so tickled with some of her melodramatic sayings ("The iron has entered into my soul" or "You harrow up my very soul" -- I really need to use these in conversation). After finishing the book I watched the TV adaptation, which was wonderful as ever, but I had to stop before the sad Matthew part because I didn't think my heart could take it.

Emily of New Moon (the Virago edition) -- What a delight! Perhaps even more delightful than Anne of Green Gables? The only shadow on my pleasure during this reading was the introduction of Dean Priest. He gets creepier every time I read this book. ("The happiest countries, like the happiest women, have no history." Ugh. Is that why you start wooing them when they're 11, Creepy Dean?)

Pat of Silver Bush (the link takes you to the Sourcebooks edition, but the cover featured above is from a French edition) -- I'm pretty sure the Pat books were my mom's favorites growing up, and I always think of her when I read them. They are probably the least dramatic of LMM's stories, but they are so warm and cozy to read.

In case you missed it, follow the link for my thoughts on Jane of Lantern Hill (in short, WONDERFUL).

Stay tuned for my Prince Edward Island recap -- coming soon!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Read or Write Anywhere!

Hey guys! I’ve teamed up with the YA Chicks and many participating authors on a global campaign to encourage readers, writers, students, and teachers to share pictures of the places -- both ordinary and extraordinary -- where they are reading and writing. This is open to all readers/writers of both middle grade and young adult books!

You can also take part in A MONSTER GIVEAWAY!

I’m giving away a signed hardcover copy of:

At the turn of the twentieth century, Spiritualism and séances are all the rage—even in the scholarly town of Cambridge, England. While mediums dupe the grief-stricken, a group of local fringe scientists seeks to bridge the gap to the spirit world by investigating the dark corners of the human mind.

Each running from a shadowed past, Kate, Asher, and Elsie take refuge within the walls of Summerfield College. But their peace is soon shattered by the discovery of a dead body nearby. Is this the work of a flesh-and-blood villain, or is something otherworldly at play? This unlikely trio must illuminate what the scientists have not, and open a window to secrets taken to the grave—or risk joining the spirit world themselves.

[Learn more about The Dark Between HERE]




Every author participating in this campaign is giving away books, critiques, swag and/or Skype visits. I addition to my book giveaway, I will be offering a free Skype visit as part of the Classroom giveaway pack!

So are you ready?



Can you guess where I am? Here are some clues:

-- It was built for a World's Fair

-- For 41 years it was the tallest man-made structure in the world

-- It sparkles at night

-- You could have (a hideously expensive) dinner here

-- It was featured in the James Bond film A View to a Kill (and in the Duran Duran video for the theme song)

Easy, right? Don't write the answer in the comments. Instead, head over to the YA Chicks site and:

--Officially enter the giveaway by inputting each author’s name and your guesses about our locations. Every author location you guess correctly increases your chances to win.

--For even more chances, post a picture of yourself reading or writing on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ReadOrWriteAnywhere (must have the hashtag).

For writer prize packs:
--Post pictures of yourself writing in a fun location on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #ReadOrWriteAnywhere. Then follow the directions on the Rafflecopter giveaway to let us know you did it.
--For even more chances, gather your writer friends together and post a group shot with the hashtag #ReadOrWriteAnywhere (must have the hashtag). And hey, since you're already together, why not host a write-a-thon?

For teacher prize packs:
--Post pictures of your class reading or writing on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #ReadOrWriteAnywhere (must have the hashtag).
--Then let us know you did it when you enter the Rafflecopter. If you don't have a Twitter or Instagram, you can email your picture directly with the picture pasted directly into the email (no attachments--we won't open them) AND the subject, “Read or Write Anywhere.”

You can also check out the YA Chicks Read or Write Anywhere lesson plan, available on their site.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and READ OR WRITE ANYWHERE!

#ReadOrWriteAnywhere

The GHOSTLIGHT jacket and a GIVEAWAY

GHOSTLIGHT releases in exactly three months, so this seems a fine time to share the final jacket design!

(click the image for a larger view)

If you are on Goodreads, you can enter for a chance to win an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Ghostlight. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Ghostlight

by Sonia Gensler

Giveaway ends May 14, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

Or feel free to pre-order the finished copy at these retailers. (Pre-orders are MAGICAL.)

I can't wait to share this book with you! Please stay tuned for more updates, book trailer reveals, and additional GIVEAWAYS.

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Favorite Reads of March and April

"Tea and a Book" was great fun, but it will go on hiatus for a bit. In its place I'll share a brief list of interesting reads for each month. Obviously I am playing catch-up with a two month report, but it's still rather short. (which distresses me!)

How to Be a Victorian: A Dawn-to-Dusk Guide to Victorian Life, by Ruth Goodman. A wonderful resource for reenactors or writers of historical fiction, this book is written in such an engaging way that anyone with a passing interest in the period would find it a fascinating read. Goodman is a reenactor who has participated in the BBC's Victorian Farm and Victorian Pharmacy. Learn more by reading this New York Times review.

August Folly, by Angela Thirkell. I've been devouring every Thirkell novel I can get my hands on, and this one seemed quite promising with its "village puts on a Greek play" premise. Though it had a slow start with characters behaving in tedious ways, soon enough the humor broke through and interesting things began to happen. Not my favorite Thirkell, but still quite good.

Impossible, by Nancy Werlin. I'm not usually one for fairy stories, but this clever tale inspired by Scarborough Fair makes an outlandish situation very gripping with its deft characterization. Highly recommended!

The Mirk and Midnight Hour, by Jane Nickerson. A unique and atmospheric Southern Gothic inspired by the Ballad of Tam Lin. I've never read anything quite like this book, and I look forward to more from Nickerson.

These were my favorites from the last couple of months -- I sincerely hope to ramp up my reading in May. Any recommendations?

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

Friday Favorites: Writing Retreats

A couple of days ago I returned from a seven night Kindling Words West retreat in Marble Falls, TX. The Retreat at Balcones Springs offered cozy cabins and beautiful scenery, and our workshop leaders Nancy Werlin and Karen Romano Young provided guidance on how to find "unseen visuals" in our stories that could help transform our writing.


The goal for our morning workshops was to work on visual poems and other graphic representations of our stories, but Nancy and Karen encouraged us to follow our own path as much as we liked. As it turned out, I got caught up in this (not great) watercolor painting. I started with a random tree, added to it each day, and ended up understanding so much more about my protagonist and her relationship with nature. (Also, I got to live inside her brain in a new way, for she is an artist who works with pencil and watercolor.)


The bulk of each day was spent in silent retreat, and this was my main work station from 10am-5pm. Working on a bed is a little unorthodox, I know, but it turned out to be a good shift for my brain and body. (And strangely enough, I never napped!)


We didn't spend all our time working. Each morning we had the option of yoga, and during the day there were always opportunities for long walks. We encountered bluebonnets and other wildflowers, live oak and mesquite trees, insects, snakes, lizards, and for one group, a herd of wild boars! I really, really need to remember that when I'm blocked, a good walk can shake things up nicely. (I'll steer clear of the boars, however.)

I so appreciated all the time for writing (without the usual distractions), and I treasured the opportunities for communion with other writers. You artistic types out there -- give yourself the gift of a retreat! It doesn't have to be Kindling Words (though I strongly recommend it). You could take a day alone, or gather with friends for a weekend or longer. No matter how or with whom you arrange it, I really urge you to set aside silent work time.

For those who make a regular habit of retreating, what sort of activities, formats, locations, etc., inspired you?

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]