Reading, Writing, and Me

The conversation about how much social media and book influencers (not the best term, but I need a catch all for all the wonderful book bloggers, bookstagrammers, booktubers, and other people who talk about books) play a role in selling books has circled around again. Oftentimes, publishers discount the ability of the Internet and it's many areas to turn buzz into sales they can see. It's difficult to definitively quantify just how far an influencer's reach goes even when using special codes or affiliate links for tracking purposes. The nature of the way people use the internet to learn about books and buy new items almost negates the power of these tracking tools. I also think that certain kinds of marketing is more important to certain demographics. Since, I occupy a number of spaces in the book world, I thought I'd give my opinion on this issue. But, just so we're clear, the Internet and social media does sell books. It's probably one of the greatest gener

Today I'm doing something I've never done before! I've partnered with Algonquin Books for Young Readers to bring you the first chapter of The Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton. I'm excited to let you dive into the story, and if you get hooked, you won't have to wait too long to read the rest of the book. It comes out on April 9th and can be preordered here* !  The book is set in 1958 Atlanta where Ruth has just moved from New York City. She hides her Jewish faith to fit in with the Southern society and be a debutante until a horrifying hate crime forces Ruth to come forward and speak out. All too timely, this book is getting tons of buzz and is a wonderful addition to the YA world that I can't wait to read as well!    1 The Whole Truth 1959 The navy dress was just where I'd left it, hanging hollow as a compliment behind the gown I'd worn to the Magnolia  Ball the night everything went to hell in a handbasket. I

Every Moment After by Joseph Moldover (April 9) To Purchase From Your Indie Bookstore  * Overview: A whole class of first graders had their lives changed eleven years ago. Some of them lost their lives, some never walked again, and some had eyes permanently turned to them. The school shooting changed the town, and, even as the class is graduating, the grief still hovers over everyone. And, that summer, it hits two best friends particularly hard, best friends who were once part of a trio.  Overall: 5 Characters: 5 Cole is an introvert, and he is probably made more so by being the boy in the picture. He became the poster child of the shooting when a picture of him getting carried out of the school is plastered on every newspaper and magazine cover. He's kept a relatively quiet existence, and, in the last year, he watched his father slowly deteriorate from pancreatic cancer. Finally, though, the summer before everyone goes their separate ways for college, he decides to go for s

April is a month I've been waiting for since the start of the year! I have so many wonderful posts planned that I can't wait to share with you! Most days this month I'll be posting almost five times a week! I have wonderful authors that are coming on the blog, a giveaway, and an early excerpt! Along with the posts listed, I'll also have discussion posts on Saturdays and Weekly Reviews on Sundays which will highlight the books I got at Book Con! To hear about my experience there, you can check out my discussion  here . Every Moment After Infuriatingly timely, this book highlights what it's like to live in the aftermath of a school shooting. After senior year, Cole and Matt are left to reflect on what happened in their first grade classroom eleven years ago. They were two of the survivors of the school shooting that changed the town forever, and, after all those years, it still informs every action in the town. This book hit me really hard. I also loved that

Comics Will Break Your Heart  by Faith Erin Hicks (340 pages) Overview: Comics collide with small town Canada when Weldon Warrick is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in his dad's hometown for the summer after he gets suspended from school. He's the son of the CEO of the Tomorrow Man franchise, grandson of the co-creator. Miriam Kendrick also lives in the town. Her grandfather was the other creator, but her family settled the lawsuit that was fought for years over him getting pushed out of the company before it took off. Even though their families are supposed to hate each other, Miriam and Weldon start to fall in love. Overall:  4  Characters: 4 I really like Weldon and Miriam, but I still feel like I barely know them. I wish that they'd been dug into a little more because the makings on awesome characters are all over the page! Miriam is somewhat shy, she's insecure and unsure where her life is going, and she's not sure what she wants. She also doesn'