Thursday Morning Book Club

One to read and one to watch for!


Madapple by Christine Meldrum

"THE SECRETS OF the past meet the shocks of the present. Aslaug is an unusual young woman. Her mother has brought her up in near isolation, teaching her about plants and nature and language—but not about life. Especially not how she came to have her own life, and who her father might be.When Aslaug’s mother dies unexpectedly, everything changes. For Aslaug is a suspect in her mother’s death. And the more her story unravels, the more questions unfold. About the nature of Aslaug’s birth. About what she should do next. About whether divine miracles have truly happened. And whether, when all other explanations are impossible, they might still happen this very day.Addictive, thought-provoking, and shocking, Madapple is a page-turning exploration of human nature and divine intervention—and of the darkest corners of the human soul."

Blog readers know how much I love dark corners of the human soul--the cover also grabbed me.


The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Another great cover and a concept that I wished I'd come up with--twins born on either side of midnight--one can see the future and one can see the past.

"Meredith and Mallory Brynn are mirror twins born on either side of midnight one snowy New Y ear’s Eve. They have always been inseparable. But after they are nearly killed in a mysterious fire on their thirteenth birthday, the bond that has always joined them unravels. They begin to have visions and dreams that reveal the deep secrets kept by the people around them. Meredith and Mallory realize they have each been given a gift: Mallory can see deep into the past; Meredith can see the future. But when they discover that one boy is not what they imagined, their lives will be changed forever. If they can survive . . . "

Marketing and Me

When I thought about what the day to day life of being an author would entail I imagined sleeping in, putzing about in my PJ's with my laptop at the ready and characters yammering on my head... etc... I really didn't think too hard about marketing and publicity. I sort of thought I could maybe get away with being like that author (played by Jack Nicholson) in As Good As it Gets. Basically a recluse with a bad attitude, expensive apartment, and a cute dog (that I'd never put down the trash chute!). Not so. Last night I had a long conversation about publicity with Bella Stander of Book Promotion 101. It was in turns... painful and enlightening. And then when I went on her blog today I saw the following video (by Dennis Cass, author of HEAD CASE: How I Almost Lost My Mind Trying to Understand My Brain) and had to laugh out loud (LOL). All I can say is at least I'm not the only one.

Shift

You don't have to be patient any longer Jennifer Bradbury's SHIFT is shipping from Amazon early! YAY!

It's Friday...I'm in LOVE!!

With Miss Fluffy BooBoo, my new puppy who will be coming next week. I need a name. I've kind of been referring to her as Cookie. And CoCo is a cute name. I'd love to name her after a cool female character from a book, but my mind is blank. So far Roxy Hart and Harley Quinn have been in the running, but I need desperate help with some suggestions. If your name fits, I'll come up with a cool prize--like chocolate or books.

On the TBR Pile

The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Check out the amazing book trailer below, it totally sells itself:

Cradle's Still Rockin'

I actually watched some of last night's Rock The Cradle live... it has gotten better, more performance driven. The band is more involved. And the song choices better. I'm sad about the double eliminations, especially this round because at least one of my favorite people (Chloe Latanzi, Jesse Blaze Snyder, or Lucy Walsh) will be going. I voted for Lucy this round, because she just blew me away with her version of Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade. Beautiful song and I loved her voice. Just perfection.

I enjoyed Chloe's version of Freak on a Leash (and who doesn't love that song?) and I still think she is the most unique and unusual contender. And I do like me some unusual. But I also feel like I've seen enough to know I like her, she needs to work on controlling her vocals, and when she's polished up a bit I'd totally be buying whatever she's got to sell.

That brings us to Jesse Blaze Snyder. He's ready for something. Not sure what. Not sure I'm ready for the eighties rock star revival. I'd like to see him dress more modern, 'cus he's hot and I don't feel like crushing on a guy in patent leather. Been there, done that, got the t-shirts. So please, Jesse, I know you can do it--dress like you belong int his decade. Thank you! Ring of Fire was rockin' btw.

It's all about your ride...

Every guy knows that chicks dig a sweet ride... but a Chinhook? Come on, Wills... stop reaching into Prince Harry's playbook...

"The prince, second in line to the throne, landed a Chinook helicopter -- normally used for transporting troops -- in a field next to the home of Kate Middleton, according to the News of the World tabloid." CNN.com

You have to watch the video!