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It's true, it just occurred to me that it's Friday, and I'm about to reveal the cover of FRIDAYS WITH THE WIZARDS! So exciting!
I love this cover, I think it might very well be my favorite. No . . . it is. It's my favorite. It's another beautiful painting by David Hohn. He's done all my Castle Glower covers, and he's the artist behind my amazing new covers on the DRAGON SLIPPERS trilogy. (True story: when he sent me the sketch for the cover of DRAGON SLIPPERS, I started to cry. It's my Shardas, and my Creel, and his beautiful windows!) David is fantastic, and he really tries to capture both the heart of the book, as well as highlighting the little details. On the cover of TUESDAYS, you will note that Celie is carrying her atlas and colored pencils, but did you also notice that the Castle is sort of leaning in above her? That's because, as David said, "It's giving her a hug." Couldn't you just die? Did you notice that on the cover of WEDNESDAYS, Rufus' paws are too big for him and his tail is longer than his body? He's clearly a young, gangly, growing griffin! So fantastic!
Well, this one does not disappoint.
It's based on an early design that David and I both loved for TUESDAYS, which seemed mysterious and exciting, but didn't really scream: First book in a new series! There's also some little details that I'll discuss after . . .
I . . .
reveal . . .
the . . .
awesome . . .
cover . . . !
Are . . .
you . . .
ready . . . ?
Are . . .
you . . .
sure . . . ?
Of . . .
course . . .
you . . .
are . . . !
Shall we now discuss how much we love it? Because we all love it a lot, right?
I mean, for heaven's sake, look at that griffin! That's Lord Griffin, by the way, and he is NOT HAPPY. Look at that expression! He's about to rip somebody apart like a worn out chew toy.
Look at Celie! We decided that since she's now about to turn thirteen, she needed a more grown up gown, and I just adore it!
And behind Lord Griffin we see Bran, in full wizardly regalia. And what's in Bran's hand? Well, I won't tell you, but it's really key to the story. Webmaster Mikey pointed it out to me first, and when I realized what it was, I started jumping up and down. YES! IT'S ON THE COVER!
So, I won't drop any more hints, because I know that they're maddening, but I will say that it comes out February 9th, 2016!
Summer!
Long days by the pool, glorious sunshine, the satisfaction of mowing the lawn on a Saturday morning!
Oh, who am I kidding?
I don't know how to work a lawnmower, and when you're a redhead, summer is the time when everything is trying to kill you. The heat. The sun. The bugs. The pollen. It's just one massive red sunburn/rash.
Last weekend we went to Idaho and I was on my parents' ski boat for four hours, covered in sunblock. I got massive burns on my legs and all around my hairline. YAY.
I like to stay indoors, where it's cool, and read. And as all of you know, I also like to set reading goals. The other day on Twitter I saw some authors asking, mystified, why people ask grownups about summer reading, because grownups don't get a summer break. But I would like to contend that we do, in a way. I'll be sitting by the pool because of the children, which means I'll be able to read while they have lessons. There's less running back and forth to school and school activities. Also, I have a babysitter come in the summer so that I can write, and when I have good solid blocks of writing, I like to take reading breaks.
So! Summer reading for adults is totally a thing!
Let's talk goals!
Last year it looks like I read 54 books between June 1st and Labor Day, I see nothing wrong with saying, Let's do that again! Maybe even, dare I dream, 55 books?! Also, though I know it's an impossible dream, I'd like to get my Goodreads To-Read shelf under 300. It's at 328 right now. The trouble is, for every 1 book I read off that shelf, I add 3. Why? Why? Why are there so many books to read?! WHY.
I also want this to be the Summer of the Rereads. I've already reread WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE? (because I now own my own copy) as well as reading THE LAST GURU to the kids. (Love me some Daniel Pinkwater! And so do the kids!) I also now have my shiny box set of IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT, and I'm dying for my own copy of THE NIGHT CIRCUS. Not to mention rereading JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL, now that there's a BBC series! So let's say I read at least 30 books off the ol' Goodreads To-Read, and reread at least three favorites? Sounds good, right?
And of course, since we're like, halfway into June already (how did THAT happen?), I've already got a few books under my belt!
So far, since June 1st, I've read:
VERY GOOD LIVES by J.K. Rowling
SHADOWPLAY by Tad Williams
REFLECTIONS by Diana Wynne Jones
ROYAL WEDDING by Meg Cabot
WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE? by Maria Semple
THE LAST GURU by Daniel Pinkwater
ALL BETTER NOW by Emily Wing Smith - This is a memoir by my dear friend Emily, who has suffered all her life from depression, as well as having a brain tumor and a traumatic brain injury when she was just eleven years old. The book won't be out for several months at least, but is WONDERFUL and I cannot recommend it enough!
I'm currently reading the kids FAT MEN FROM SPACE and FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK for myself. So we're off to a great start!
Also, some exciting news: SILVER IN THE BLOOD comes out on July 7th! So many events planned for the summer! A launch at The King's English on the 7th! An event at The Provo Library on July 29th! And ILA on the 18th! Plus a blog tour and giveaways! Keep checking the events page for dates and times!
Happy Summer Reading!
The news is out, for those who read Publisher's Weekly!
But for those of you who don't, I thought I would give you the rundown of what books are coming from me, and when and with which publisher. That's right: after ten years with Bloomsbury, I've just signed a contract with Random House! This is for a brand new YA series that will start in 2016.
But what about Bloomsbury, who publish the Castle Glower books? you ask. Well, fear not! I will still be writing the Castle Glower series, and working with my dear friends at Bloomsbury on other books, too. A lot of people who saw the announcement that I'd signed a deal with Random House seemed to think that I had parted ways with Bloomsbury, and would not be writing any more Castle Glower books, which is why I thought I'd set the story straight.
I also thought I'd take the opportunity to answer some frequently asked questions!
This is what my publishing schedule looks like, as of today, February 16th, 2015:
July 7th, 2015: SILVER IN THE BLOOD, Bloomsbury, young adult
And please let me stress that this is indeed young adult or teen. I'm seeing a lot of comments from people saying, "My daughter loves the Castle books! She'll be so excited!" This book is intended for teens, and skews older than any of my other books so far. It is not for my young fans of Princess Celie and her Castle. Please read responsibly!
February 2016: FRIDAYS WITH THE WIZARDS, Bloomsbury, middle grade
Yes, for those of you who were worried, I am continuing the adventures of Celie and her Castle!
Also in 2016, final date to be determined: STOLEN CROWNS #1
This is the first book in an exciting new YA series about the children of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and other fairy tale royals. When their mothers are kidnapped, the teenaged sons and daughters go after them on a strange quest that will lead them all across their world!
2017: SATURDAYS WITH/IN/ON/AT SOMETHING
As of right now, I'm planning on this being the last Castle Glower book. But don't worry: the ending will not leave you hanging! I will do my best to tie everything up very neatly so that they can live happily ever after!
2017: STOLEN CROWNS #2
Etc.
So, to answer your questions:
How many Castle Glower books will there be? As of right now: five.
How many STOLEN CROWNS books? I don't know. However many it takes.
Is STOLEN CROWNS #1 really the title of the book? Nope. It's the name of the series. The actual title is undetermined as of right now.
Whatever happened to HORSE BRIGADE? That book is done, the next next two are mapped out, and I just need to consult with my Bloomsbury editor (the first book is on a contract with them) about when it would fit into the schedule.
Is SILVER IN THE BLOOD part of a series? Maybe! It's a solo adventure, but if it does well, I have other things in store for the characters! (The ones who survive, anyway. Heh heh heh.)
When will you write more DRAGON SLIPPERS books? Listen, I love the dragons as much as you do, but do you SEE this insane schedule? I'll get around to them one day, all right?
When will you write the other nine Princess books? First of all, I NEVER SAID THERE WOULD BE TWELVE BOOKS! Like, half of them are already married at this point! Second, I might write one more, but again, the schedule she is cray-cray, and we will just have to see!
Aloha! I'm writing this post from my private cabana on Disney's Castaway Cay!
...
No, just kidding. I'm sitting in my bed and I need to shower.
Anyhoo! I know you're all dying to know: What did Jessica love in 2014? What books moved her? What movies thrilled her?
WAIT NO MORE!
I now present to you: THE BEST OF 2014 ACCORDING TO MOI!
Beginning, as ever, with the movie picks:
Movies for Grownups:
Guardians of the Galaxy (So much to love, from the story to the humor to the action to the characters themselves. We ARE Groot!)
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (I had to watch it twice to really appreciate it. It really leads in so well to the Lord of the Rings movies.)
Interstellar
Maleficent
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Winter's Tale
Live. Die. Repeat. (aka Edge of Tomorrow)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Chef
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
The Monuments Men
Movies for Kids:
The Lego Movie
Big Hero 6
The Secret of Kells (This movie is several years old, but I finally saw it, and it was gorgeous!)
Muppets: Most Wanted
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Planes: Fire and Rescue
And now, the books! BOOKS! BOOOOOOOOKS! So many good books this year! So many! As those of you who follow me on Goodreads know, I actually made my goal of reading 160 books in 2014! I'm so proud of myself! And so pleased, too, that I discovered so many great books!
Also, for the most part, these lists are all ten-way ties. To choose which one I liked better, LANDLINE or ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, is simply ridiculous, because they were both amazing, and so different. It's like asking which I like better: steak or dark chocolate.
Books for Grownups, Fiction:
LANDLINE - Rainbow Rowell
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE - Anthony Doerr
THE BONE CLOCKS - Brian David Mitchell
THE ROSIE PROJECT - Graeme Simsion
WINTER'S TALE - Mark Helprin
THE HUSBAND'S SECRET - Liane Moriarty
THE SILKWORM - Robert Galbraith
DANIEL DERONDA - George Eliot
GIDGET - Frederick Kohner
DEATH OF A POLICEMAN - M. C. Beaton
Books for Grownups, Fantasy/Sci fi:
SOME KIND OF FAIRY TALE - Graham Joyce (Graham, who was so kind and hilarious and wonderful, passed away this fall after a long battle with cancer. If you haven't treated yourself to one of his gorgeous books before, start with this one.)
MY REAL CHILDREN - Jo Walton
WORDS OF RADIANCE - Brandon Sanderson
ANATHEM - Neal Stephenson (It took me two tries to get into this book, because the language is so different, but once I did . . . WOW.)
THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS - Patrick Rothfuss
THE BONE SEASON - Samantha Shannon
BLOOD OF TYRANTS - Naomi Novik
ODD THOMAS - Dean Koontz
FARTHING - Jo Walton
THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS - M. R. Carey
Books for Grownups, Nonfiction:
THE EGG AND I - Betty MacDonald (I loved the movie as a kid, and just recently discovered that it was originally a book, which was autobiographical, and by the author of my beloved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books!)
EVERY LIVING THING - James Herriot
AS YOU WISH - Cary Elwes
Young Adult, Fiction:
I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN - Jandy Nelson (Definitely for older teens and adults, but so beautifully written and heart-breaking, it's my pick for the Printz Award!)
THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE - Leila Sales
WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE - Trish Doller
NOT IN THE SCRIPT - Amy Finnegan (Amy is a good friend of mine, and this debut YA book of hers is simply to die for! A fabulous rom-com!)
THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH - Rosemary Sutcliff
MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME - edited by Stephanie Perkins
THE SCANDALOUS SISTERHOOD OF PRICKWILLOW PLACE - Julie Berry
SKINK - NO SURRENDER - Carl Hiaasen
THE CHAPEL WARS - Lindsey Leavitt
THE OUTSIDERS - S. E. Hinton (Nope, I've never read it before. Yep, it was great!)
Young Adult, Fantasy/Sci fi:
DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS - Laini Taylor (Gorgeous ending to this trilogy!)
MIDWINTERBLOOD - Marcus Sedgewick (The Printz winner, and so deserving of it!)
A BREATH OF FROST/WHISPER THE DEAD - Alyxandra Harvey (The first two books in the Lovegrove Legacy and I couldn't put them down!)
IN THE SHADOWS - Jim diBartolo and Kirsten White
IN THE AGE OF LOVE AND CHOCOLATE - Gabrielle Zevin (Another great trilogy ender!)
THE SHADE OF THE MOON - Susan Beth Pfeffer
BLACKOUT - Robison Wells
CHASING POWER - Sarah Beth Durst
STEELHEART - Brandon Sanderson
AFTERWORLDS - Scott Westerfeld
Middle Grade, Fiction:
LIAR & SPY - Rebecca Stead
WEST OF THE MOON - Margi Preus
HOMECOMING/ DICEY'S SONG - Cynthia Voigt
CHARLOTTE'S ROSE - A. E. Cannon (This book is hard to find, and has been out several years, but it is just gorgeous, and fans of Little House on the Prairie will love it!)
THE SECRET OF THE FORTUNE WOOKIEE/THE SURPRISE ATTACK OF JABBA THE PUPPETT/PRINCESS LABELMAKER TO THE RESCUE/EMPEROR PICKLETINE RIDES THE BUS - Tom Angleberger (Basically, if you haven't read this series, you really must!)
THE MYSTERIOUS HOWLING - Maryrose Wood
LIFE ON MARS - Jennifer Brown
THE SPY CATCHERS OF MAPLE HILL - Megan Frazer Blakemore
Middle Grade, Fantasy/Sci Fi:
THE HERO'S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE - Christopher Healy
NIGHTMARES! - Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
THE NIGHT GARDENER - Jonathan Auxier
THE MAGIC HALF - Annie Barrows
IRON-HEARTED VIOLET - Kelly Barnhill
THE SEARCH FOR WONDLA - Tony DiTerlizzi
THE WIDE AWAKE PRINCESS - E. D. Baker
THE PRINCESS IN BLACK - Dean and Shannon Hale
THE QUIRKS: WELCOME TO NORMAL - Erin Soderberg
THE FAIRY TALE MATCHMAKER - E. D. Baker
Graphic Novels:
TREATIES, TRENCHES, MUD, AND BLOOD - Nathan Hale
EL DEAFO - CeCe Bell
SISTERS - Raina Telgemeier
WHY GRIZZLY BEARS SHOULD WEAR UNDERPANTS - The Oatmeal
DRAMA - Raina Telgemeier
RESIDENT MAD SCIENTIST - Howard Tayler
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 1: COSMIC AVENGERS - Brian Michael Bendis
ANDRE THE GIANT - Box Brown
Picture Books:
SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE - Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett
MOO! - David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka
GASTON - Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson
HUG MACHINE - Scott Campbell
THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES - Brigette Barrager (My daughter has had the Princess Matching Game based on this for years, and I just realized that there was a book featuring this beautiful art, and the princesses are all flower names, too!)
UNI THE UNICORN - Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager
WAITING IS NOT EASY - Mo Willems
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS - Jan Pienkowski
THE PIGEON NEEDS A BATH - Mo Willems
FOUND - Salina Yoon
Over the years, I've done a number of posts on my favorite Christmas books and movies and music. I'll let you peruse the blog to find those lists, because this year it's time to do something a little bit different.
It's time to do some holiday shopping.
I do, in fact, enjoy shopping. I particularly enjoy shopping for presents for other people. It gives me a thrill to find something I know that someone else will love for Christmas. Notable exceptions include my husband, Webmaster Mikey, who is a) picky and b) buys himself whatever he wants the second he wants it, and my brother Jason, who is . . . pretty much exactly the same. "I got you a panini maker!" "Ugh, I have like, five of those!" "Here's a shirt!" "Meh, I probably wouldn't wear that."
GAH.
But other people are great to shop for! Particularly my kids! My kids love everything they receive! They even like getting clothes! It's fantastic!
So that made my holiday shopping pretty easy this year, which means I have ample time to help you, dear reader, with your shopping lists! Especially since I have been up in arms about Gifts for Book Lovers, or what passes as a Gift for a Book Lover According to Entertainment Weekly. Now, I've been a subscriber to EW for almost twenty years now. I like movie gossip, mm hmm yes I do. It's true that I occasionally I think, "Wow, they are either super out of touch with the average human being, or am weirder than I thought," but mostly it's been a good relationship. EW is where I learned about Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, one of my favorite books of all time, and Penelope, one of my favorite movies of all time, and where I go for all things Hobbit movie related.
And then, a couple of weeks ago, they published their Holiday Gift Guides, as they do every November. These are broken into categories like, For the Music Lover, For the Film Lover, etc. And the very first one? For the Book Lover. Huzzah! What excitement!
But I looked at the products on that page, and I squinted, and I checked the heading to make sure I was reading the right list, and I blinked a few times . . . and it didn't change. There still wasn't a book on that list. There were, in fact, things on that list that no self-respecting book lover would even purchase for someone else.
There were subscriptions to electronic reading services that deliver books to your e-reader, which seems okay, except that you can't choose the book or even the genre, it's a total crapshoot. You might get the latest Dave Eggers, you might get a cookbook, you might get . . . I honestly don't know. There was a baby onesie that had the EW logo on it. Which is cute . . . and has diddly poop to do with being a book lover. There was tea. Because all book lovers drink tea, amirite? And then, my personal favorite, a bookmark. Sounds like a good idea, right? I can always use a new bookmark! I love bookmarks! But this one was made out of filigreed brass, which is heavy and slick, two things that aren't that desirable in a bookmark, and it ended in a sharp point on one end, and that point was a pen. That couldn't be capped. That's right, it was A HEAVY, SHARP, SLICK, INK-FILLED BOOKMARK.
What is the WHAT, EW?!
I mean, seriously! It was honestly like they couldn't find someone who actually read actual paper books to ask, so they grabbed some random freebies they'd been given in the past year and slapped them on the page.
I just . . . I can't even. I'll stop now, and instead present you with a list of REAL gifts for the book lover in your life!
Ahem.
1. A book.
Can't go wrong there, right?
Don't know what title to get? Ask them! Say: "What book are you really excited to get your hands on?" I can guarantee that they'll tell you!
Or, here's an idea: Say that your friend raves on and on about The Hobbit, or Jane Eyre, or A Little Princess. Is there a new anniversary edition of that book? An illustrated edition? I just found darling little "pocket-sized" versions of Tolkien's books, with his original art on the covers! And I just helped someone at the King's English (I was a bookseller for a day, it was fabulous, btw) find an anniversary edition with new color illustrations of The Secret Garden for her grandchildren.
You can also purchase gift cards for their favorite bookshop, and let them have the joy of picking out a book themselves! Or do they like authors who are still alive? Check that author's website: It may be possible to get signed and personalized copies of the author's books! (Ahem. You can order my books, all signed and stamped and personalized, via the King's English Bookshop.)
2. A bookcase.
This could be pricy, but a number of people on Twitter brought it up. So, if you're a parent or a spouse of a book lover, how about it? How about a bookcase, maybe with a new book to go on it? Bookcases are kinda important, if you're a chronic biblioholic.
3. Bookmarks.
Yep, bookmarks. Even after my rant. But they are still useful. My favorites are the kind that have a tassel, or maybe some beads dangling from them, and there are infinite varieties that don't weigh five pounds and leak ink. There are book tabs that you can use to mark favorite pages. There are bookmarks with quotes on them, and bookmarks with jokes on them, cartoon and movie and book characters and even Justin Bieber! You must know a little bit about your book lover's habits or likes and dislikes! Get them a fun bookmark! Or, do they lose bookmarks a lot and complain about it? Do you see them marking books with scraps of paper or even a square of toilet paper? (We've all done it, don't judge.) How about getting them a whole bundle of bookmarks? I once got a whole packet of cheap little bookmarks with dragons on them for Christmas, and they were my favorite thing. I was a teenager, and lost bookmarks on a daily basis. They seemed to be in endless supply (though eventually I lost them all), but because of the cute dragon picture I really did make an effort not to leave them in library books.
4. Jewelry/clothing/book bags.
Check out www.outofprintclothing.com for starters. They feature a vast array of t-shirts, sweatshirts, baby onesies, socks, tote bags, wallets, notebooks, you-name-it, all featuring the original covers of classic books, portraits of authors, or favorite characters. They also have "library wear" that features library cards or banned books. Get your book lover a Pride & Prejudice t-shirt. A book bag that looks like an old-fashioned library card. Socks that feature banned books with the titles blacked out. A "doubleplusgood" necklace inspired by Orwell's 1984. So many fun things! Also, for every product sold they donate a book to a school in Africa.
Another good place for bookwear is Etsy. Do a search for "book jewelry" or "Jane Eyre" or whatever it is you're looking for. I have a bracelet that I love that has a favorite quote from Little Women on it: "She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain." Awesome, right? There are scarves with the entire text of Hamlet printed on them, or the map of Middle-Earth. Lockets with romantic quotes from Jane Austen. Beautiful prints of book covers, or book quotes, or even quotes about books. Embroidery. T-shirts. SKIRTS. No lie: there is a person who makes women's skirts with typewriters on them, or books, or the covers of classic books. The fabric must be custom made, and they are awesome (and under $50!). Etsy is chockfull of fun things for book lovers!
5. Notebooks/diaries.
Is your book lover also a writer? How about a list maker? I love to get notebooks! I use them to jot down ideas for books, or names that I might want to use in a story. I also like to carry one around in case I need to write down the name of a book or an author I might want to read. There are also a lot of fun journals and diaries geared toward book lovers, too, where you can make lists of favorite books and what they meant to you, or keep track of what you want to read or have read in a more organized fashion. These are usually found in the diary section of bookstores.
All right! Did that help?
GOOD.
Now, go do some shopping!
And remember: 'Tis always better to seek out the local bookstore than to click that button on Amazon!
(And if you're wondering about the picture at the top of this post: It's a Christmas book camouflaged against my Christmas sheets.)
Remember AGES and AGES ago when I went to Romania? Remember when we had that fun contest where you guessed where Shardas was? And he was in Bucharest and Sigisoara (can't spell that) and Sinaia? That was awesome, right? Then remember how I didn't talk about it for a looong time?
Well, guess what? I'm going to start talking about it again!
See, I came home from Romania in spring of 2010 and I really did write a book, using my travels as research. But then . . . I sort of sat on that book for a while . . . and that 'while' became four years. Because Super Secret Romania Project was so different from anything else I'd done, my editor and I kept pushing it aside. First because I wanted to finish my Twelve Dancing Princesses story arc, and get rid of the King Under Stone once and for all. Then there was a Castle, and that Castle needed some griffins. And then one day I was talking to my new editor about some story ideas and what to write next, and I said, "Or we could dust off SILVER IN THE BLOOD, ha ha!" and she said, "What's that?" And I found out that I had been sitting on that manuscript for so long that my trip to Romania had fallen into myth at my publisher, and people didn't even know if I'd managed to write a book about it or not.
But I did! A book that I, personally, love so much that I'm about to wax biblical:
For thus the manuscript was duly brought out of hiding, and dusted off, and inspected from all angles, and lo, it was as good as I remembered. And my editor and I did work upon it, and we did love ye story. But behold, it was very different from all previous books. And my editor said, "We should do something totally different with this cover." And I did say, "Oooh, yeah."
And a choir of angels sang....
And thus we see this cover of this Advanced Reader Copy. Which I will soon be giving away, once I can think more clearly thereon. And the book may be procured July 7th, 2015, and is for Young Adults, and those who are Young Adults At Heart.
And furthermore: Check out the EVENTS page here on ye websyte, for there are book tour dates for THURSDAYS WITH YE CROWNE.
So! Happy New Year! 2013 was quite the year, eh?
I don't know about you, but I had some ups and downs this year. For instance (on the up side), Baby Roo turned one! I read 151 books! And saw some really great movies!
Oh, and I also discovered I had a couple of kind of serious health problems, but that's all under control now. (Side note: don't drink soda, kids!) Also, I had set a goal of reading 160 books this year, and fell nine books short. Sigh.
But of course, WEDNESDAYS IN THE TOWER was a New York Times Bestseller, so that's a win, right? And I found out it was on the list while I was on a cruise . . . so yes, also full of win! I went on my first ever book tour, which was fun, but also exhausting. Baby Girl turned 5! Boy turned 9! I turned an age between 35 and 40!
What's in store for 2014, you ask?
Well, I've written some updates for the FAQ page, and those should be up this weekend. My next book will be out in September, and is yes, the sequel to WEDNESDAYS. The title is THURSDAYS WITH THE CROWN, and the cover will be by the same fantastic artist, David Hohn, and I hope to post it soon!
Also coming soon to the website will be my always anticipated BEST OF lists, like the best movies and the best books of 2013, according to me! So watch this space!
News, news, news! (Also, more news!)
I haven't blogged much lately, so there is lots to cover! Strap yourselves in!
First of all, WEDNESDAYS IN THE TOWER will be out on May 7th! Mark your calendars, kids! And how much do you love this cover? Because, personally, I love it a LOT! I will be going on a book tour to celebrate the release, which is super exciting! There are no firm dates/locations yet, but places being bandied about include: Chicago, Florida, Philadelphia, Houston, and Washington DC. That's in addition to places around Utah, of course. As soon as we get fixed dates and details, I will post them. Please remember that if you are in a place where I will NOT be signing, you can always order a signed and personalized copy of any of my books through The King's English in Salt Lake City. They are wonderful, and they will be happy to help you!
Second: Lots of people have been telling me how much they loved PRINCESS OF THE SILVER WOODS, and I thank them for their very kind words! It's a great book, if I do say so myself! So please remember to show it some love! But then they want to know when the next princess book is coming out . . . and, um . . . there isn't one. They all live happily ever after! The end. (Sorry! But a twelve book series just isn't my style.)
Third: TUESDAYS IN THE CASTLE is nominated for a Beehive Book Award. HOORAY! So all you Utah peeps, head over to the library and vote for Celie and Castle Glower!
Fourth: This fall SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW will be released with a brand new cover! I have seen this cover, and behold, it is beautiful! It's by the same artist who did the Princess covers, and I screamed and jumped up and down when I saw it. As soon as it gets finalized with titles and pretty shiny things, I will be sure to post it. It will only be available as a paperback, both beautiful AND affordable!
Fifth: In February of 2014, the DRAGON SLIPPERS trilogy will be released with new covers as well! The new covers are by David Hohn, the fantastic talent behind the Castle Glower covers. I've seen some of the sketches, and I actually burst into tears. Tears. Burst. Into. No shame. The new DRAGON SLIPPERS cover, even as a pencil sketch, is . . . is . . . Okay, I love Peter Ferguson's original painting for the DS hardcover. I bought it, it's hanging in my house, I love it. He also does the Sisters Grimm books, and he's wonderful. But seeing the sketch for the new cover reminded me of what it was like to be writing that book, eight years ago, and I wept. I can't wait to show you these covers, guys. Shardas lives!
Sixth: I am planning not one, but several giveaways in the next few months, so be warned. The best, easiest way for me to do a giveaway is through Facebook. Make sure that you have liked my author page, please! I usually ask for likes or comments as entries into the contests. If you don't have a FB account, get someone you love to check my page for you!
Seventh: If you want to see my crazypants to-read shelf (currently clocking in at 321 books) and my reading challenge over on Goodreads, make sure and friend me over there! I love Goodreads, because I'm one of those nuts who loves lists anyway. I am trying to read 160 books this year, and I've currently read 26! I'm about to finish the awesomely twisty thriller MIND GAMES by Kiersten White, and next up will be TIMELESS by Gail Carriger! Love me some good books!
And now, to eat some chocolate! Farewell!
Hello!
It's that time of year again! That wonderful, exciting time when awards are given out, and lists are made, and everyone is all abuzz with the books they read last year that have stayed in their brains until 2013. And I? I am no exception! I love to make lists! All kinds of lists! But especially lists of books!
So here, without any more rhapsodizing or navel-gazing, are my favorite books from last year, in the random categories that I felt like putting them in!
Adult Nonfiction
1.
Life’s That Way - Jim Beaver
2.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling
3.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Most True Memoir - Jenny Lawson
4.
Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson
5.
Confessions of a Scary Mommy - Jill Smokler
6.
Hoboken Fish & Chicago Whistle - Daniel Pinkwater
7. Bringing Up Bebe - Pamela Druckerman
8.
It Itches. - Franklin Habit
9.
In the Pleasure Groove - John Taylor
10. The
Place of Knowing - Emma Lou Warner Thayne
Adult Fiction
1.
The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey
2.
I Am Forbidden - Anouk Markovitz
3.
The Sisters Brothers - Patrick deWitt
4.
The Casual Vacancy - J. K. Rowling
5.
The Twelve - Justin Cronin
6.
Lost Melody - Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
7.
Size 12 And Ready to Rock - Meg Cabot
8.
Death of a Kingfisher - M. C. Beaton
Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
1.
Blackout/All Clear - Connie Willis
2.
Among Others - Jo Walton
3.
Wise Man’s Fear - Patrick Rothfuss
4.
The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
5.
The Hollow City - Dan Wells
6.
Ghost Story - Jim Butcher
7.
Monster Hunter Alpha - Larry Correia
8.
Redshirts - John Scalzi
9.
Tongues of Serpents - Naomi Novice
10. Ganymede - Cherie Priest
YA Fiction
1.
The Underdog/Fighting Ruben Wolfe/Getting the
Girl - Markus Zusak
2.
Everybody Sees the Ants - A. S. King
3.
Every Day - David Levithan
4.
Smile - Raina Telgemeier
5.
The Diviners - Libba Bray
6.
Scarlet - A. C. Gaughan
7.
Withering Tights - Louise Rennison
8.
Keeping the Castle - Patrice Kindl
9.
Dead End in Norvelt - Jack Gantos
YA Sci fi/Fantasy/Horror
1.
Goliath - Scott Westerfeld
2.
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer/Necromancing the
Stone - Lish McBride
3.
Rot & Ruin - Jonathan Maberry
4.
Because It Is My Blood - Gabrielle Zevin
5.
Rampant/For Darkness Shows the Stars - Diana Peterfreund
6.
Feedback - Robison Wells
7.
Eternally Yours - Cate Tiernan
8.
Cinder - Marissa Meyer
9.
Team Human - Justine Larbalestier and Sara Rees Brennan
10. Seraphina - Rachel Hartman
Middle Grade
1.
The Finn Family Moomintroll series - Tove Jansson
2.
Big Bad Ironclad - Nathan Hale
3.
One Dead Spy - Nathan Hale
4.
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick - Various Authors
5.
The Thirteenth Child - Patricia C. Wrede
6.
A Tale Dark and Grimm - Adam Gidwitz
7.
Unexpected Magic - Diana Wynne Jones
8.
Earwig and the Witch - Diana Wynne Jones
9.
Lady Friday - Garth Nix
10. Darth
Paper Strikes Back - Tom Angleberger
Picture Books
1. Grandpa Green - Lane Smith
2.
I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
3.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs - Mo Willems
4.
The Duckling Gets a Cookie - Mo Willems
5.
The Santa Trap - Jonathan Emmett, Poly Bernatene
6.
Dinosaur vs. The Potty - Bob Shea
7.
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses - Ian Falconer
8.
Llama Llama Time to Share - Anna Dewdney
9.
Dracula – A Babylit Counting Primer - Jennifer Adams, Alison Oliver
10. Hooray
for Amanda and Her Alligator - Mo Willems
So there you have it! If I had to say what was my FAVORITE book overall, it would be Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis. (Technically it's one long book split into two: Blackout and All Clear. But the second you finish Blackout you will need All Clear.) So freaking fantastic! And such an amazing feat! I cannot even begin to understand how much research she must have done to create what has to be one of the clearest and most heartrending portrayals of English life during WWII . . . AND it's a science fiction novel. Also, I cannot stress this enough: Markus Zusak's Underdogs trilogy are some of the greatest YA books ever written. Yes, I love The Book Thief. I know it won lots of awards. But I'm sorry: Getting the Girl is better. Before you try to argue with me, kindly read Getting the Girl, then we'll talk.
* Remember kids: the books listed as "Adult" are for adults, and Auntie Jessica is not responsible if you read, say The Casual Vacancy, your brain explodes from all the swears, and your parents get mad. Please read responsibly.
**I will say that Blackout/All Clear is suitable for teens.
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