Book by its Cover Revealed

The Tear Collector

I feed from you

Not your blood

Not your love

Not your life

But your tears

Prada and Prejudice

Did you have

A nice fall?

With your tea cup ways

Sisters of Misery

Mused hair

Freckled Skin

Copper

Droopy flowers

Of Misery

A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Synopsis: “In A LONG WAY GONE, Beah, now twenty-six years old, tells a riveting story. At the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Eventually released by the army and sent to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, he struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion. This is, at last, a story of redemption and hope.”

Review: I was required to read this memoir for a school assignment—Civic Leadership—to become more globally aware. I found myself captivated of his tale yet I have to question it at times. You can imagine us as an impromptu “Book Club” as we discussed the book every so often during class. One question that was brought up was Beah’s vivid recollection. While being a child solider for the government Beah takes many drugs: Brown brown, a combination of crack and gun powder, heroine (this one I’m 50-50), marijuana, and this white pill that makes him addicted. The credibility of the memoir is questioned. If the memoir was written as a fiction based off a true story then I’m sure that it would much better receive. So to make easier on me, my review will pretend that A Long Way Gone is a “fiction” piece.

The first half of the tale is the tension building or how we perceived it, the bore. As terrible as it may sound, it’s how we all summarized it. Beah travels to a village to see his grandmother and to perform in a talent show, rumors spread that the rebel army (an army trying to overthrow the government who captures children for their army) are coming, so he flees. We arrive in Destination B, same thing happens again. Destination C—and again except this time he loses his friends and brother during an actual rebel raid. Destination D he runs into a group of acquaintances and joins them. They travel together for another few destinations (E, F, H…) until finally they reach a village where his family is staying along with his brother (that he lost previously). The first half ends rebel raiding the village, killing lives, burning down huts, and shooting at the group while they run away towards the bush before reuniting with his family.

The second half is where the real tale begins for me. This is where he is captured by the government army, trained, fought in the war, and finally given to UNICEF. Beah goes through rehabilitation where he develops a friendship with the nurse that aids him to recovery. The reader follows Beah through his anguish, mistrust, despair, and horror. He finally rejoins society when a distant uncle picks him up from the center. I’ll end it at that.

The question comes up for me was how and why was he chosen to come to New York. Beah lets the reader know what he is there for but why him and not the other hundreds of child soldiers. There are some iffy aspects during the read. He goes off tangent at points; quickly shuffle through one thing then goes into a long-winded description of another.

Overall: It is the message it delivers that makes this memoir powerful, not the actual tale.

Cover B

I would recommend watching Blood Diamond with this memoir.

Christmas Winner 2

We're keeping up with the holiday cheer by announcing the second winner for the Huggles 2:

Bingo!

Please shoot me an email once you see this! Choices remaining: JR Wards, YA ARC pile, and the Hush, Hush poster. Katie emailed me liking lightening!

Merry Christmas Winner

Quick before Christmas ends, congrats goes to KatieDoll for being the first place winner of my Huggles 2 contest! Once she gets back to me or emails me with her choice I'll pick the 2nd place winner, announce it, and so forth.

The actual drawing process took less than I imagined--less than 2 hours from start to finish with all of the extra entries. I also gave an extra entry to certain contesters for their creative answers (one of whom that received an extra entry was Katie!). The most common ones involved dogs/cats with napping or some type of lazing around lol.

So Katie shoot me an email once you see this because I probably won't email you this week. Readers do check out her Fan Art! They are amazing--I love looking at them! Some favorites of mine include Brightly Woven, Willow, The Forest of Hands and Teeth and Wake.

Also congratulations to Sara who won my Sherrilyn Kenyon contest a while back. We've already contacted a couple weeks ago and her prize should be arriving soon--I hope.

*waves*

Hearts at Stake

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey (December 22nd 2009—Walker)

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Summary: “Solange Drake always knew she was destined to become a vampire queen. And as the only female vampire ever born, not made, she is surrounded by danger on all sides—from vampire suitors who want to join with her lineage to bounty hunters who are set on destroying her and her family. When she is kidnapped, it’s up to her older brother Nicolas and her human best friend, Lucy, to save her. But can Lucy save herself from Nicholas, who tempts her with his every look? And what will be Solange’s own fate if she surrenders her to the vampire hunter helping her survive the deadly intrigue at the royal court?”

Review: Hearts at Stake is a feel-good book. I found this book a perfect stress reliever in between cramming sessions for Finals. It was a wholesome enjoyment when you are feeling down in the dumps looking for a quick fix of laughs, smiles, adventure and love. Hearts at Stake features two point of views—Lucy’s and Solange’s—with two separate tales occurring at the same time.

Despite Lucy’s affection towards physical actions (i.e. punching people in the nose) her chapters revolve around the relationship with Nicolas. I found myself really captivated by this pull and push relationship as neither one wishes to accept the fact that they like each other though I do believe that Nicolas has liked Lucy for quite some time now. He’s just one of those typical males that tease girls that they like. I found Lucy such a riot to the point where my affection for her character can be summed thusly: I ♥ Lucy.

Solange’s story involves more action with bloodthirsty vampires as well as hormonal vampires who shower her with blood bags and cats’ hearts? Can we say ‘Yum’?. Luckily for the readers, she is as grossed out as we are and does not go into a deep discussion of its delicious tangy taste though I have heard that it is better than chocolate. It’s rather fast-paced with fighting, an evil queen, and a very much awesome butt-kicking mother. I ♥ Solange’s butt-kicking mother. I happen to like most of the characters….

The only issue I have is the development of both relationships in the book. We start off with both hating each other than all of a sudden they like each other. It does delve deep and is predictable that makes it such fun read.

I cannot wait for Blood Feud when comes out later next year. CAN. NOT. WAIT. Okay maybe just a little.

Cover A-

FTC: Review copy was provided by the publisher

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey (June 22nd 2010--Walker)

"It's been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena's royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha's reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte - a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself - the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles - told from both Logan's and Isabeau's perspectives - has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more."

I believe that is indeed the UK cover. I much prefer the US cover of Hearts at Stake than the UK version so hopefully the US cover of Blood Feud would be better as well. The Drake Chronicles is like that of an adult vampire series where the sequel features the next sibling of some sort. At any rate, I've read the prequel to this book and really liked it as a semi-light read during those stressful times. It is highly addictive. Be sure to check out my review of Hearts at Stake some time this week!

This meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Some Girls Are

Some Girl Are by Courtney Summers (January 5th 2010—St. Martin’s Griffin)

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Summary: “Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard—falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High...until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past”

Review: Some Girls Are had me blubbering along rotating from a tissue to a stress ball in one hand while death-gripping the book in the other. Some Girls Are is a malicious, shameful, tension driven, gut-wrenching, throat-clenching, tear-jerking read that I loved every minute of. And I have to blame it all on Courtney Summers’s twisted sick mind for that.

Very few books break me down to the point where I needed to cut the book off, breathe in and out, vent on twitter and dive back in a few minutes later, yet Summers seem to be able to create this situation countless times. Regina does not get a break many times throughout the novel and neither does the reader.

We follow Regina on this roller coaster ride of turmoil as she faces every possible malevolent scenario. From not-so-innocent shoulder slams and chairs digging into her side to locker “mishaps” all the way to ditching her in the middle of nowhere with no shoes…in the friggin’ cold…beaten and bloody. But Regina could take it all and dish it back because she’s strong. Yet she is still vulnerable. However, there are times when things begin to lose its credibility when the reader questions if such a person exist? Can a person be so devious, so spiteful, so full of hate?

Every character Summers introduces is memorable and captivating. Her writing style is engrossing and straight to the point. Just as how a poet chooses his words carefully, every word Summers uses has a purpose—to guide its reader, to astound them, to mesmerize them. The love interests that she cultivates buds and has the possibility to blossom at the end of the novel.

Overall: Courtney Summers will suck you and never let you go. She will trap the readers into her world and will have them gasping…from shock? for air as they cry? from the tenderness that Regina demonstrates to Michael? One thing is for though, readers will be watching for the next novel by Summers.

Cover B-

FTC: Review copy was provided by the publisher

Monday Mystery: News

Except change "summer" with "winter". Now that your ears/eyes are bleeding here's the news. Because we just got hit with this massive snowstorm (16-20 inches worth of snow) therefore school's out! At least for today anyhow. I'm doing absolutely nothing for today--woot!

In other news I celebrated my blogversary yesterday! So Happy Birthday Books by Their Cover for being 1 year old now. It seems as though I felt more excitement during my half-year mark than yesterday lol. Oh well.

Freaks and Revelations Giveaways

Ahhh another giveaway! Sorry the mass spam of giveaways.

Anyway this time I have 3 final copies of Freaks and Revelations by David Wills Hurwin!

"This raw, moving novel follows two teenagers-one, a Mohawk-wearing 17-year-old violent misfit; the other, a gay 13-year-old cast out by his family, hustling on the streets and trying to survive. Acclaimed author Davida Wills Hurwin creates a riveting narrative told in alternating perspectives of their lives before and after the violent hate crime that changed both their futures. This tragic but ultimately inspirational journey of two polarized teens, their violent first meeting, and their peaceful reunion years later is an unforgettable story of survival and forgiveness.

This story is inspired by the real lives of Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal, who have shared their story on The Oprah Winfrey Show and NPR."

You can also read an excerpt of the book: click me. <--I am hoping that it works.

Comments will not be counted. The 12th person to enter will automatically win~ Contest will end in 2 weeks!

Waiting on Wednesday (38)

Star Shack by Lila Castle (June 2010--Sourcebooks Fire)

Pete and Annabelle live for their summers together on Gingerbread Beach. They've always believed they were a perfect pair… until junior year, when Annabelle becomes obsessed with astrology. Now they can hardly stand each other. Pete thinks that Annabelle (a Leo) has become a total flake; Annabelle thinks Pete (a Scorpio) has become an uptight jerk.

When Annabelle dares Pete to open a summer business on the Boardwalk generating personalized horoscopes, their fast-paced, hilarious bickering soon rises to a fever pitch. The he-said/she-said advice of the Star Shack is wildly popular and seems able to fix any relationship problem… except their own.

But when one of Annabelle's star charts helps catch a thief, Pete might have to admit that the stars could really hold the key to the future…and to his own heart.

Interesting use of horoscopes...

This meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

The Naughty List

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young (February 4th 2010—Razorbill)

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Summary: “As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility!

Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?”

Review: I’ll be the first to admit that I was petrified to read this book. I do not sit well with overly cute summaries. Just something about them gives me goosebumps and kicks up the gag reflexives. But partially into the book I was found giggling in a little corner with this sweetie.

The Naughty List is a perfect read when down in the dumps. It took a few chapters in before I found myself enjoying this book. This book is energetic, fast paced after the first few chapters, sexy (in the not overly so), and oh so fun and adorable to read. Sometimes it gets to be too much but that mostly depends on your level of cuteness. Okay I have got to stop—I’m already smiling just by writing this review and recalling the book.

My only major complaint is that I kind of, just a teensy weensy bit, need the next book soon aka like right now. I am prepared to bake a dozen cupcakes for it (with those cute sprinkles on top too).

Overall: Do you have to be a cheerleader to be a SOS member?

Cover B-

Um, should the models’ hair color switch?

Monday Mystery: Tattoos

What does one do when one gets bored and is surrounded by temporary tattoos? She tattoos their respected books for the heck of it and prays that there would be no water damage.

If anyone is actually curious enough to want to do it themselves, just leave me a comment asking. Otherwise it's pretty much straight forward.

This is What I Want to Tell You

This is What I Want to Tell You by Heather Duffy Stone (March 1st 2009—Flux)

Grade: 3 stars out of 5

Summary: “Nadio and his twin sister, Noelle, always had a unique bond. And somehow, Keeley Shipley fit perfectly into their world. But when Keeley spends the summer in England, she comes home changed, haunted by a dark memory. As she and Nadio fall in love, they try to hide it from Noelle, who's jealously guarding a secret of her own. Slowly, a life-long friendship begins to crack under the crushing weight of past trauma, guarded secrets, jealousy, obsession . . . and an unexpected love that could destroy them.”

Review: This is What I Want to Tell You is a book that is okay while it lasts. There is a conflicting battle within me because I do see some potential yet I did not like how the book was laid out for the reader.

This is What I Want to Tell You is a double sided love story back to back. Noelle’s is the semi-tragic, coming of age love story whereas Nadio’s tale begins with Keeley coming back home and coincidentally falling in love with your childhood best friend. Oh and did I mention that she’s also Noelle’s best friend? Awkward…. So throw that in a pot and some family trouble you’re left with a 200+ page book that kind of needed more pages.

The relationship of Nadio and Keeley was too fast for me. Sometimes I question if they were jumping the barrel. Noelle’s relationship juxtaposes her twin brother’s relationship: While his continues to grow and strengthen, hers became frenetic and grasping the thin straws. I feel as though the reader follows this tornado of emotions. You can’t decide which way you’re facing: towards the happiness for Nadio and Keeley or the despair of Noelle.

As I mentioned before this book has potential. The writing style was not one that I particularly liked which made the book hard for me to really like as well.

Overall: N/A

Cover B

Oh My Goth

Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter (November 20th 2006—MTV)

Grade: 1 star out of 5

Summary: “A fiercely individualist Goth girl wakes up to discover that the whole world has gone Goth and she's actually—gag—popular.

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They're considered the "freaks" of their high school. But when Jade's smart mouth lands her in trouble—again—her principal decides to teach her a lesson she'll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won't talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade's stuck in a virtual reality game—because she's stuck there, too, now living the life of a "freak." Together, they realize they might never get back to reality...and that even if they do, things might never be the same.”

Review: Oh My Goth was oh my god bad. I slammed the book—twice—on the countertop while reading. I ranted to my brother how much I disliked the book. I fumed for a good 10 minutes afterwards. My ‘dogma’ of how MTV books could never go wrong has proven to be blasphemous with this book.

When reading the summary I thought ‘hey this sounds pretty good’. When I finished I nearly—gagged—myself.

Jade needed a new sense of what it means to be an individual. She needs to understand that wearing clothes that a majority of her peers do not wear and moaning and groaning about how they all suck does not mean to be an individual. She needs to know when to stick up for yourself instead of running over people like a fortified tank half of the time and being trampled like a calf the other half. She condemns people because they all dress alike yet she and friends seem to dress very similar. Jade needs to let go of her past and stop living her life by a code—a sentence—her mother had spoken before her death. A powerful message it was, but the way Jade acts because of it makes her a mindless zombie.

This whole book could have acted as a strong message to teens but the delivery made it nothing short aside from being a kindle to a fire.

Overall: As uncouth as this may sound: Piss off.

Cover N/A

I refuse to even look at this book.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly by Julia Golding (October 20th 2009—Marshall Cavendish [originally published in May 1st 2008 UK])

Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5

Summary: “Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he’s not too pleased either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance.

When Tashi and Ramil are kidnapped, they fear there’s no escape—from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure—including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of pies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen—help them or betray them to the enemy?”

Review: By the time I had reached midway through the book my reaction can be summed up as disappointment. This is partially my fault for believing that Tashi would be a kick-ass sword wielding princess as depicted by the UK cover. Instead I was met with a Japanesesque priestess whose faith in the Goddess and a sling was her weapon of choice. It took me several chapters for me to finally be resigned with this fact.

Some call Dragonfly similar to that of The Princess Bride. I myself have never read the book so I will neither agree nor disagree with this comparison. I did, however, find some similarities to that of Asian cultures. Tashi is described to be wearing a white face powder with kohl marked around her eye (like a Geisha). There are many mentions of origami—as a token of affection and giving of their love—with brightly colored robes. A combination of western life and eastern tradition. As for a subcharacter—the strong giant—I saw a bit of George from Of Mice and Men in him. He has his own understanding of justice, a willingness to please, and the habit of petting [Tashi’s] hair.

There is a lingering sluggishness throughout the book as well as excessively dialogues at times—though infrequent if the reader does not believe that political bickering and enemy gloating counts as such. The action finally picks up near the end of the book as the main climax of a revolt and through several skirmishes.

The reader will fall in love with many of the character as I have done—the giant, the female warrior, the intelligent professor—and will steady become comfortable of the faults of others—Tashi, Ramil—and begin to appreciate their growth throughout the book. I still find it unprecedented that Tashi managed to escape death countless times by sheer luck.

Overall: If the reader understands what he or she is going into then I have no doubt that he or she may enjoy the book far more than I did. Dragonfly is a crafted book with action, adventure, hope, and frenemies.

Cover A-

I must say, I absolutely love this cover. After reading the book I do feel that a paper dragonfly would be a better representation. Though on the other hand if it had been so we would not have had the lustrous effect by the gold that attracted me so in the first place. I like the theme of gold of the cover—the dragonfly, the author’s last name, and the eye makeup of the girl in the background.

Waiting On Wednesday (37)

Other by Karen Kincy (July 1st 2010--Flux)

"Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive."

(click on the photo for the FULL image in all it's amazing glory)

Sherrilyn Kenyon Trailer and Giveaway

New from St. Martin's Press is #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon's 3-book series, 'The League'! With over 19 million books in print, Sherrilyn Kenyon is renowned the world over as "the reigning queen of the paranormal genre that she pioneered long before the world had heard of Twilight." All three books in the series are available now.

St. Martins Press is also offering your readers a chance to enter a sweepstakes to win digital downloads of all three books from 'The League'. Here is the link

In addition, here is the final book trailer for Sherylin Kenyon's latest trilogy, 'The League'. It is an enticing compilation consisting of clips from all three of the official book trailers ('Born of Night', 'Born of Fire' and 'Born of Ice').

Link to Official Sherrilyn Kenyon Sites:

http://www.Livetheleague.com

http://www.Sherrilynkenyon.com

http://www.Officialsanctuary.com

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I am also giving away a book from The League series. Winner's choice of: Born of Night, Born of Fire, or Born of Ice.

Contest will end in 2 weeks, December 15th 2009. US only. Winner must send me their name, address, email address, and telephone number. Please be aware that I am not selling your information nor am I am distributing it throughout the internet. The book is being sent by a company else via UPS. It's just a precaution in case anything happen.

To Enter:

Comment below with your email address (required).

+1 to every person you refer (they must state your name)

+1 to the person who was referred.

Winner

Congrats goes to MJ for winning me! Just email me letting me know which flavor you want: regular biscuit with chocolate dip, strawberry dip, vanilla dip, or chocolate/strawberry dip. OR you can get a chocolate biscuit with vanilla dip.

P.S. If anyone cares, my email address is kind of a mixture of YanYan and pocky (which is a very similar treat like a YanYan). I switch the second Yan with pocky :3

Monday Mystery: Lauren Bjorkman

1. You're asked to disguise yourself and given a choice of a wig. Which type would you pick? (A neon purple afro, a platinum blonde fohawk, a midnight blue mallet, etc?)

I’m partial to a bright fuchsia bob with bangs. Imagine me in a plastic mini skirt and high-heeled boots to match. And large, very dark sunglasses.

2. Have you done any awesome pranks that you would like to brag about?

I like to do silly things to get a reaction, like wearing flippers to bed or offering a friend a shot glass full of water.

One late evening when I was a teen-ager, I unscrewed the light bulb in my dad’s bathroom and put Saran Wrap over the toilet. This was very daring of me on account of his temper. Then I hid out in my bedroom, which was the next room over, to listen. First he cursed the light. After that I heard a sound not unlike rain hitting an umbrella. What the…? After a few seconds, he laughed loudly. Phew!

3. What unmentionable foods have you eaten or would like to try?

I once had coagulated duck blood soup in a meat market in southern China. Never again. The same goes for sea cucumber. But I enjoyed yak butter tea, except when there was a fly in it. I could imagine ordering haggis after a pint or two at a pub in Ireland.

(I've had pigs blood and I kind of like it coughcough)

4. I like waffles, do you? Or are you a pancake fan?

Crispy brown waffles with blueberries. Yum

5. Ever lit anything on fire?

My husband is the pyro of the family. He likes to fill a plastic bag with hydrogen and light it on fire. It makes a satisfying fwoosh and ball of flame.

I haven’t lit anything bad on fire—I’m too well behaved I guess :D But recently my son lit a candle in his room. He came out to talk to me, oblivious to the fact that the hood of his shirt had caught fire. I tackled him to the ground and rolled around to put it out. No one was injured. He saved the shirt as a souvenir to brag to his friends.

6. Do you have any future plans of a book?

My new YA, Miss Fortune Cookie, will come out in spring of 2011. It is the story of a friendship triangle gone wrong—with bad advice, teen pregnancy, a Mini Cooper, an unexpected romance, and fortune cookies. My agent is calling it a Chinese-American Juno.

I’m also working on a story about a girl who runs away to Morroco to search for her mother that abandoned the family years before.

There are more ideas brewing.

7. What is your favorite nursery rhyme (I'm currently doing a research paper on that)?

When I was small, I enjoyed the old woman who lived in the shoe because I liked the idea of unconventional living spaces—caves, tree-houses, underwater palaces, etc.. And I loved Humpty Dumpty because I didn’t get to eat eggs as often as I wanted them. Just kidding. Sort of. I felt sorry for him, too.

Thanks for the fun and creative questions, Yan!

Lauren

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Check out my review of My Invented Life here. Find Lauren are her website