Reading...

At the moment I am reading Crank. I know I know, I should have been done with it already, but I haven't. I am really busy, and am lucky that I already are halfway through the book. I have had volleyball/soccer tuesdays and thurdays, American Idol to watch, one more day of soccer a week, and add that with homework, you've got a busy as a bee schedule. Sorry. But I will update soon. 

Ellen Hopkins everybody!

I have been lucky enough to be granted an interview with the splendid Ellen Hopkins. She is the author of the favorite books Crank, Impulse, Burned, Indentical, and Glass. She is a poetic and deep writer, making her work one of another world. Thank you so much Ellen Hopkins. 

Q&A with Ellen Hopkins

Q: What was your inspiration for Impulse, Crank, and your other books?

Inspiration comes from many places. Friends, family, in the news. Readers' stories, even. With Impulse, it was because we lost two teens to suicide in one year, in the small valley where I live. With CRANK, it was a personal story (see below).

Q: Where do you get inspiration for your characters? Are they based off people you know, or made up entirely?

CRANK and GLASS are loosely based on my daughter's story of meth addiction. There are threads of real people in most of the other characters, too. I think all authors bring threads of real life into their writing.

 

Q: How do you start writing your books? Do you get an idea, and go from there, or research for the perfect topic?

Ideas come to me all the time. I have more ideas than time to right them. Once I know what I want to write about, however, I research meticulously.

 

Q: Are you a natural writer or have you taken classes to get to where you are today?

Writing with passion takes a certain intuitive talent, I think. I have taken many classes to learn how to write better, but the drive is inborn.

Q: When did you begin writing?

I've been writing pretty much since I learned how. Even when I wasn't writing to make a living, I was writing something. Poetry. Short stories. Later articles and nonfiction books, all before tackling novels.

Q: When you were young you were adopted. How was did that effect you? Did that have any influence on your own adoption?

I always felt wanted because I was adopted. Of course it stung a bit to think my biological parents didn't want me but I understood they were to young to raise me well. I suppose it influenced our decision to adopt Orion, because every child should feel wanted and loved.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite books and why?

I was a big Stephen King fan, and especially loved his earlier work--Thinner, Dead Zone, The Shining, Carrie. All are character-driven, which is important to me. A close second is Ken Kesey, who wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and my favorite--Sometimes a Great Notion. Again, character-driven, and hard-hitting. Superb books.

Q: Many young teens are wishing to be the next Ellen Hopkins or Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games). What advice do you have for young writers. 

To read voraciously and write from the heart. Build multi-layered characters first, and let plot flow from character. Never try to force your characters into a plotline you conceive first. That's where you'll get into trouble.

Q: How were you and your books discovered?

I sat down at a writers conference with an editor at Simon and Schuster. She was critiquing manuscripts and I showed her a picture book, which she loved. However, she didn't edit picture books and asked if I had anything else. I had five pages of Crank written at the time. She liked it and asked to see it when I was finished. Two months later, I had 75 pp finished. I emailed her and asked if she'd like an exclusive first look. She said yes. Three weeks later, I had a contract.

Q: Why do your books tend to end in a sad tone? Do you do this for a certain reason? 

I tend to write about difficult subject matter. Rarely do these issues result in "happily ever after." I hope I leave readers feeling like I gave them honesty and at least a small sense of hope for my characters.

Thank you very much for this interview Ms. Hopkins. I really appreciate it. 

The Patron Saint Of Pigs

The Patron Saint of Pigs

Lauren Myracle

In this installment of "Let It Snow", Jeb's ex girlfriend is suffering severe separation issues. She didn't mean to cheat on him with Charlie, and she definitely should have died her hair pink. Now Abbie, is trying to survive the Christmas Season, without Jeb. 

I really like the ending part of this book. It has all the characters from all three of the books meet in Starbuck's. She see's happy Stuart with Jubilee. The Duke with Tobin... This was though one of my most unfavoritest of the threesome. It was kind of slow and confusing. She makes it like that woman depend on man to live a complete life. It should seem that way though. I would give this book a B.

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle

Tobin, Duke (girl), and JP are in the ultimate race to get down to the Waffle House, first to see the 14 cheerleaders that are cooped up there. The catch, they have to be there first, with TWISTER, to be admitted, and their not the only ones looking for the prize, other are in it to win it, and ontop of that are feets of snow. Will they get there in time? Only reading this story as soon as you can can tell. =]

I like this story first off because John Green wrote it. Another factor is that it is a romance also. It was pretty good except for the fact that some of the acts were unreasonable. I mean to hike in the snow miles just to get to a waffle house, and then going back because you forgot your twister. Gracetown might be a small town, but much mischief occurs. 

I would give this book an A- to a B+

The Jubilee Express

The Jubilee Express

Maureen Johnson

This is the first story of the three part story "Let it Snow". I decide even though they are connected, that i would review them separately. 

Jubilee, after her parents go to jail after being caught in a squabble, is left on christmas eve to be sent to her grandparent's house to spend christmas. Away from her boyfriend, the perfect Noah. After her train get stuck in the snow, she treks to the nearest heated building, a waffle house. She meets Stuart, and learns alot about her relationship with Noah, while staying with his family for christmas. 

I love this book. Stuart is such a sweet character, and Jubilee in this book has a teen epiphany about her boyfriend. Noah, isn't a mean and horrible boyfriend, he is just a little bit too not concerned with her well being, and after being through a horrible day, he still is the same, and Stuart helps her realize that. I would give this short story an A. 

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Kate Brian

After solving who killed Cheyenne and who was haunting her with her death, Reed is off to St. Barths with the Billing Girls for the Christmas Break to relax at last. But Reed is a "hurricane", bringing destruction where ever she goes. And even miles away for Easton, she gets into trouble. Trouble In Paradise?

I like this book, though the end is just like the previous book. Upton, the "single hottest male specimen to walk this earth", is a main character in this book, and is new. He is British, and all the girl covet him. Seriously, what do you think the 'Upton Games" are about. I think he's pretty cool for a playa. This is a good book, not the best I've read, not the best of the series, but definitely gets some props from me. I'd give it an A in the PaperMovieReportCard. 

Just to comment on the cover, I don't really like it. In the book they supposedly dress like super models all the time, but in this cover I just think that the are looking like dopes. Who wears all green? Also, why do all the models look older that 16 - 18 year olds? If your going to get models to promote the book, try to get models that match some of the characters in the book. The ones in the background aren't as bad, but the first one, eesh.... She looks mad and evil...... Like Medusa without the purple and snakes.