Put A Ribbon On is a Feature of mine in which I share the books I have received each week, which is inspired by..
The Story Siren's IMM, and is held every Saturday/Sunday
Bookalicious Bookies!
For review/Gifted/Bought
Goodies
I would like to give a big warm welcome to Lisa Schroeder!
Lisa Schroeder is a native Oregonian, which means her childhood summers were spent camping, fishing, reading books (of course!), and playing in the sun, when it finally came out. These days, Lisa spends her summers, and every other part of the year, sharing all the wonderful things Oregon has to offer with her husband and two sons. She is the author of three novels for young adults published by Simon Pulse - I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, FAR FROM YOU, and CHASING BROOKLYN. Her middle grade debut, It's Raining Cupcakes, will be published by Aladdin in March, 2010.You can find Lisa Schroeder at
As soon as i finished I Heart you, you Haunt me i knew instantly that I wanted to interview the author. There were so many things I wanted to ask her as the novel had left me in thought for quite some time. Lisa was such a darling and answered my questions within hours of sending them despite her busy schedule!. I will point out any spoilerish questions so don't worry, Enjoy!
Synopsis -
Girl meets boy.
Girl loses boy.
Girl gets boy back...
...sort of.
Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear hisvoice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she'scrazy, but she knows he's here.
Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.Does Ava remind you of yourself or anyone in particular?
You know, she does kind of remind me of myself, in that I'm more of a quiet person. I like to read and listen to music, and bake yummy things. I never thought about it before - that's interesting. I don't really like to swim, though. I can swim, and I'm a pretty good swimmer, I just don't like it the way she really likes it. So that's one difference.
Was there a certain inspiration may it be small or large that triggered in you writing I Heart You, You Haunt me?
Back in 2006, YA was starting to really grow. Before that time, YA, believe it or not, was sort of a side-thought. It was shelved in with the middle grade books in the bookstores, it didn't even have its own space. Melissa Marr's big deal for her series had just been announced, Twilight had been released and was making a big splash, etc. I'd been mostly writing novels for the younger crowd and not having any success. I went to bed one night and prayed for inspiration for a YA novel. I really wanted a *big* idea. Ideas are hard for me, and even harder are ones with a big hook. That night, I had a dream about a girl whose boyfriend died but he loved her so much, he didn't want to leave her, and he came back as a ghost. I got up the next morning and started writing. It came out in this sparse, poetic way, and that scared me. I had been a fan of verse novels for a long time, but I was afraid I wasn't qualified to write one. But I liked what I had so I kept going.
What was the most challenging part about writing I Heart you, you Haunt me?
It's been so long ago now, it's almost hard to remember. It actually poured out of me, in a way no other book has. And I've learned that's usually a pretty good sign, for whatever reason. But I think the hardest was me worrying all the time about whether I was being poetic enough. Story is always most important, in any kind of novel, but because this was my first verse novel, I was really afraid people would criticize my poetry, or lack thereof. And sure enough, people did. But the book has touched many readers, and has sold well, so maybe it could have been better in some ways, but I'm also proud of the book as is.
Describe Jackson in three words
Adventurous, passionate, gone-too-soon
What would your advice be to those who are considering writing a novel in verse?
Read as many of them as you can, by a variety of authors, and find the format and style that works best for you. Read poetry, and be familiar with the poetic devices that should be used throughout your novel. Always remember story comes first - if you don't have a compelling story with interesting characters, the verse doesn't matter because no one will keep reading. If anything, because of the verse (which can turn some people off), the story needs to be really strong and compelling.
How did the title of the novel come about?
For a while, I had HAUNTED LOVE STORY and it just wasn't doing it for me. I think one day I started brainstorming, which is just me and a piece of paper and playing around with words, and I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME came to me. When I sold it, I wondered if they would change the title, because it's sort of hard to say out loud. Like it doesn't flow very well. But they loved it, and thought it looked great on the cover. And now, looking back, I do think the title combined with the amazing cover is what has really helped sell that book.
What is the most touching comment that you have ever received relating to the Novel?
I have received many wonderful comments from readers. And I've saved them all! But the one that was probably the most touching was from a 19-year-old guy who had lost his partner in a violent crime. He said he was hanging out in the bookstore with his cousin, and she saw my book and said, "you should read this." So he bought it, read it and wrote to me and told me about his loss and how hard it had been for him. He said, "Your book made me feel less alone in the world."
To know that something I wrote did that for someone? Wow. It's more than I ever could have hoped for.
Jackson seems quite mysterious to me, is there a fact that you could share about him that you don't mention in the book?
I know some people have wished they could have gotten to know Jackson better. And sometimes they thought he acted so strangely, almost stalkerish. And I guess, to me, being dead and being apart from Ava is new to him, and he's having a hard time adjusting. I mean, it'd be hard, right? So the strange things he does, it's him sort of being lost, and trying to find his way. They both have to figure out how to adjust to what's happened, not just Ava. I think Jackson had a passion for life. He lived it fully and he lived it hard and if you got to know him, you would be one of those people who'd be like - come on, let's go find some fun. And you'd never be quite sure what kind of fun you'd find, but you'd probably find some.
What is Ava and Jackson's favorite song and why?
Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer. It was playing on the radio the first time Jackson told Ava he loved her. :)
Spoiler!
If you were Ava would you have let Jackson go?
Yes, I would. It would be hard, but I would. It's like what Nick says to Ava when she asks if it was hard letting go of her. He tells her what she knows to be true, but just hasn't quite accepted it yet. "Not as hard as holding on to something that wasn't real." Trying to have a relationship with a ghost isn't a real relationship. And eventually, anyone in Ava's place would realize that and know letting go is the best thing.
I had a major sqee moment when you mentioned their favorite song because I'm so addicted to it right now, thanks for the amazing answer and i thoroughly enjoyed this interview, once again, thanks Lisa!
The Last Song
By Nicholas Sparks
Rating;
Pub. Date: September 2009 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages Source: Bought
Synopsis - Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside?down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.
The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels? first love, love between parents and children ? that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.
My Thoughts - Jonah and Ronnie are on their way to live with their father for the summer, whilst Jonah is filled with joy Ronnie couldn't be more unhappy. The mere thought of her father makes her vent. She hates him for abandoning them and for being a coward, for not making the effort to stay in touch.
Soon after moving in Ronnie discovers that life is different here from the city, and Ronnie is finding it hard to adjust, she can't comprehend how she will be able to stay here for the whole summer.
That changes momentarily when she first comes across a girl called Blaze. They instantly connect or so she thinks. Marcus - Blaze' boyfriend shows interest in her gives her but also gives of a bad vibe and he should, not only is he a jerk, but he has a dark and dangerous side to him.
This was something quite new for me in a Nicholas spark novel. This dark edginess that I sensed from Marcus was something I didn't expect from the novel, and it threw me of. I found myself weary, and even slightly afraid of him. He treats Blaze horribly and Ronnie can't understand why she stays with him. More-so what could he possibly want from her?
What unnerved me about Ronnie was her attitude, I understood that she felt betrayed by her father and for a time period I felt angry at him with her to, but her attitude and the extent to which she disrespected him went way to far *which I noticed was very toned down in the movie*. The fact that her father took her crap without a word also annoyed me. Ronnie seems like a very bitter girl, and on the rebellious side, so when she watches a volleyball tournament from afar and in result gets a drink thrown all over her, the cute lean boy under the name Will apologises but of course, Ronnie being the angry girl she is will take none of it and gives him a piece of her mind.
There's a steady connection and attraction there and it shows. What I liked about them was how things didn't progress until later. Instead they took their time getting to know and trying to figure each other out. He also seemed to bring out the best in her and softened her up. Like her father she is exceptional if not more talented in playing the piano.
There are things Ronnie does not know, a secret her father and Will are hiding, what her father tells her will change everything, it will make her hate herself for ever doubting him and make her realise she couldn't have gotten things more wrong. What I also wasn't expecting was the twist near the end, it turned everything completely upside down and when the moment came I was a mess.
Like I mentioned before I have read my fair share of Nicholas Sparks novels and I don't think I have ever comes across a character quite like Marcus. I think what attracts Marcus to Ronnie in his own twisted way is not only the challenge itself, but the determination and adventure he sees in her, and her spirit which is so strong and fearless.
Will couldn't be more opposite as he is a complete gentleman and perhaps even to nice for Ronnie, but as we see throughout the novel maybe it's a goody to shoes and someone grounded that she needs most of all. THE LAST SONG completely exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to all Romance lovers!.
Love is fragile. And we're not always its best caretakers. We just muddle through and do the best we can. And hope this fragile thing survives against all odds.
I Heart you,You Haunt me
By Lisa Schroeder
Rating
Pub. Date: January 2008 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Format: Paperback, 240 pages Age Range: Young Adult Source: Bought
Synopsis: Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear hisvoice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she'scrazy, but she knows he's here.
Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.
My Thoughts - I Heart you, you Haunt me, is written in verse, something i was completely unaware of until i opened the very first page. I will admit i was apprehensive at first since i am used to my pages filled with detailed writing and also due to not encountering such a book before. However as i continued to read i found the writing style in fact fresh and a pleasant change. The story follows a girl called Ava who happens to be at her boyfriends funeral. Things are quite vague at first, all you know is that she loved her boyfriend dearly, he seemed like the "real deal" and she is struggling to cope without him.
Soon enough she has started to isolate herself from close friends and family and is ignoring her ex boyfriend advances. She is in so much pain, and is more like a shell than anything else. Through this period of grief the last thing she expected was for Jackson to return, but .. in the form of a ghost. At first she is over the moon and sheds tears of happiness, she wants to ask for forgiveness and tell him how sorry she is.There are a lot of touching moments and you empathize with both Jackson and Ava. you feel their frustration because they truly want to be together. Yet when she comes to terms with reality she starts to realise that she can't live in this limbo waiting for Jackson to come back when he is dead, a ghost can't offer a solid body, he can't return her Jackson. She then has to decide will she forgive herself and move on and figure out what Jackson is trying to tell her. Or will she accept this never ending limbo and remain in this shell. The choice is hers, but that doesn't mean that Jackson can't help her along the way.
I have been waiting for this book for so long that it was a relief more than anything else to finally hold it in my hands, the first thing i noticed although it's completely irrelevant was how soft the cover was literally like velvet!, there was definitely a lot of Oooohing and Aaahing! I was amazed by the authors ability to give us so much through such a small amount of detail, writing in verse can either in my opinion go completely wrong or be the most rewarding experience for an author and its reader, in this case i have to say the author did a fantastic job, it made me feel that all the waiting was worth it and even gave me a little lesson to take with me, "Sometimes its okay to let go"
Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Vintage; New edition edition (4 Jun 1998)
My Thoughts; Chiyo and her sister Satsu are taken away from their family and sold. Chiyo being the pretty sister is taken in by a geisha house whilst Satsu is forced into prostitution. It's horrific what the two of them go through.
For days Chiyo mourns her family. She is a child who has been ripped apart from the only people she has ever loved. But she quickly comes to realise that if she is to survive, she will have to conform to her surroundings. Hatsumomo, a geisha, instantly takes a dislike to her and makes her life a living hell whilst another apprentice - Pumpkin - quickly becomes her friend.
Yet it's not until The Chairman shows her kindness that she finds a new meaning to life. She sees the two geisha beside him, she notices their sophistication and yearns to be the one by his side. From that day on she works hard, but it's when Mameha knocks on their door - somewhat of a rival of Hatsumomo - does her real journey begin, and does she become Sayuri.
I remember reading this book for the first time and just being blown away. The gorgeous descriptions and writing were just breathtaking to me. I was mesmerized.
There's more to this than one girls journey. It is the life of a geisha which pulls me in. Although I may disagree with some of the things the author depicts in the novel, I can still appreciate those amazing moments for what they are.
There is something beautiful about this book.
Every character has their own story. But do keep in mind, this is not a happy - go book. There is bitterness, anger, hate and pain that consumes its pages. Yet this book does something to me. There is this heap of true love that Sayuri has for someone, yet she dares to love him knowing she can never really have that happy ending. What comes to mind is when Mameha mentions that a geisha does not love. And one can see why after what Sayuri goes through. Some may have not been able to endure all that she does and come out of it half sane, much less braver than ever. And although our protagonist is strong, and happy in her own way - I can't help but think that she deserved better. After all that she has been through, she deserved more of a happy ending.
Yet I fell in love with The Chairman. I was charmed by him as was she, so a part of me can see why she fell for him.
When I think of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA - not only do I think of Sayuri, little Chiyo and The Chairman, but I think of those who were wronged. Hatsumomo who despite her cruel ways simply wanted to love. She may have been horrible at times but there was this vulnerability about her that made you want to reach out to her. It's not easy watching anyone become self - destructive and it wasn't any easier in her case either. I felt for her. There is something so sad about her story. I think of Pumpkin. This sweet child who has to grow up too fast like Chiyo. But perhaps her naivety is her downfall just like Nobu. And this is where I become angry at Sayuri, because she had a part to play in both of theirs. Sayuri goes through a lot, and I rooted for her for the majority of the novel, but she was also very selfish and was willing to do anything to get what she wanted - even if it meant hurting those that loved her. And it's this very trait of hers that left me a little torn.
People will have their conflicted thoughts. Some will hate this book and some love it, but regardless of its flaws, I don't think I could bring myself to dislike it even if I tried. It's one of those books that imprinted on my heart a long time ago, I am much too fond of it to think otherwise
For days Chiyo mourns her family. She is a child who has been ripped apart from the only people she has ever loved. But she quickly comes to realise that if she is to survive, she will have to conform to her surroundings. Hatsumomo, a geisha, instantly takes a dislike to her and makes her life a living hell whilst another apprentice - Pumpkin - quickly becomes her friend.
Yet it's not until The Chairman shows her kindness that she finds a new meaning to life. She sees the two geisha beside him, she notices their sophistication and yearns to be the one by his side. From that day on she works hard, but it's when Mameha knocks on their door - somewhat of a rival of Hatsumomo - does her real journey begin, and does she become Sayuri.
I remember reading this book for the first time and just being blown away. The gorgeous descriptions and writing were just breathtaking to me. I was mesmerized.
There's more to this than one girls journey. It is the life of a geisha which pulls me in. Although I may disagree with some of the things the author depicts in the novel, I can still appreciate those amazing moments for what they are.
There is something beautiful about this book.
Every character has their own story. But do keep in mind, this is not a happy - go book. There is bitterness, anger, hate and pain that consumes its pages. Yet this book does something to me. There is this heap of true love that Sayuri has for someone, yet she dares to love him knowing she can never really have that happy ending. What comes to mind is when Mameha mentions that a geisha does not love. And one can see why after what Sayuri goes through. Some may have not been able to endure all that she does and come out of it half sane, much less braver than ever. And although our protagonist is strong, and happy in her own way - I can't help but think that she deserved better. After all that she has been through, she deserved more of a happy ending.
Yet I fell in love with The Chairman. I was charmed by him as was she, so a part of me can see why she fell for him.
When I think of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA - not only do I think of Sayuri, little Chiyo and The Chairman, but I think of those who were wronged. Hatsumomo who despite her cruel ways simply wanted to love. She may have been horrible at times but there was this vulnerability about her that made you want to reach out to her. It's not easy watching anyone become self - destructive and it wasn't any easier in her case either. I felt for her. There is something so sad about her story. I think of Pumpkin. This sweet child who has to grow up too fast like Chiyo. But perhaps her naivety is her downfall just like Nobu. And this is where I become angry at Sayuri, because she had a part to play in both of theirs. Sayuri goes through a lot, and I rooted for her for the majority of the novel, but she was also very selfish and was willing to do anything to get what she wanted - even if it meant hurting those that loved her. And it's this very trait of hers that left me a little torn.
People will have their conflicted thoughts. Some will hate this book and some love it, but regardless of its flaws, I don't think I could bring myself to dislike it even if I tried. It's one of those books that imprinted on my heart a long time ago, I am much too fond of it to think otherwise
We don't become geisha because we want our lives to be happy; we become geisha because we have no choice."
"I don't know when we'll see each other again or what the world will be like when we do. We may both have seen many horrible things. But I will think of you every time I need to be reminded that there is beauty and goodness in the world. "
The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books
Today's Question - Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?
Actually no. That might be quite strange for someone as me who is such a music Junkie, I mean I have attempted it but it doesn't work for me. I need utter focus when I'm reading. I don't like being distracted and for me music is the ultimate distraction. So I don't think I would be a able to engross myself in a book with music nearby :)
WoW is a Meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.
Pub. Date: October 2010 Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Format: Hardcover, 528 pages Genre: Young Adult
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Rating;
Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: MTV Books (20 July 2010) Genre:Young Adult - Contemporary Source: Author
My Thoughts - Zoey has always tried to be perfect. But it's hard to give the perfect image when your father has left you and your mentally ill mother to marry a twenty something girl. When your mother has recently tried to kill herself and when you've recently been in a car crash and can't remember a single thing from that day.
Zoey tends to makes some pretty stupid choices - like thinking that her best friend Brandon would actually be faithful to her. She knows exactly what he's like - more than anyone else. He tells her what girls are on his hit list for gods sake, and is a complete player, so what the girl is thinking getting with the guy is beyond me. Definitely not one of her most finest moments.
Echols trademark - fast pace, hot boys, addictive read are all here. Something was a little off though. Most likely the fact that the Zoey managed to really got on my nerves at times. She makes so many careless mistakes and decisions that it's kind of too easy not to like her.
The thing is she has no idea what happened the day of the crash. She knows that Doug was in the car, but that's it. So when her closest friends start acting strange around her including Brandon, and when Doug is hinting to something more - it leaves our MC trying to put the pieces back together again. But with people now avoiding her she may just have to evaluate who she can and cannot trust.
Lets get down to the person who made this book. Doug. That boy was a complete dare - devil. The smexy kind. Too freaking hot for his own good if you ask me. He is the character that will keep you turning the pages.
FORGET YOU was weaker than previous novels such as ENDLESS SUMMER AND GOING TOO FAR which I was a pretty disappointed about. Yes it was highly entertaining and enjoyable, but it could have done without some things. For example; the main character could have acted less like a bimbo despite supposedly being quite intellectual, and I think Brandon could have still been a jerk without making him a even bigger bimbo. I'll definitely be picking up more of the authors books, because lets be honest - they are addictive as hell!
Posts
