In the Book Reviewer Hot Seat: Little Willow

Next up in the hot seat, the force behind one of the most comprehensive YA and MG book review blogs in the industry, Little Willow!!! We literally have to raise the roof to fit in all the books she's read and reviewed! In fact it is so crowded, we must part with one--and you can leave a comment for your chance to win Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle! (Deadline to enter is June 29th, winner announced June 30th).

Okay, here we go with some quick stats:

What's your handle? Little Willow
What kind of books do you review? Most of what I review is young adult fiction, but I read and enjoy a wide variety of books: classic literature for both adults and children, contemporary adult fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery, contemporary juvenile fiction, non-fiction works pertaining to Ancient Egypt, math, science, and language, the occasional biography, some picture books, and other reference materials. I love words and will read the dictionary for fun.
Approx # of books reviewed?Hundreds.
Where can we find your reviews?
http://slayground.livejournal.com/
http://slayground.livejournal.com/tag/reviews
I also post some of my book reviews at other websites and online communities, such as Young Adult Books Central, The Edge of the Forest, Amazon, and the readergirlz forum. As a freelance journalist, I sometimes submit my reviews to print magazines and papers as well.
Reading turn-ons:Realism. Compassion. Intelligence. Imagination.
Reading turn-offs:Cliches. Excessive swearing. Debauchery.
Class of 2K8 books Reviewed:
The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher (author interview)
(I also created Liz's website:http://www.lizgallagher.com/)
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury (author interview)
Read My Lips by Teri Brown (author interview)
Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab (author interview)
Undone by Brooke Taylor
Samantha Hansen Has Rocks In Her Head by Nancy Viau

I have additional titles in my to-read pile:
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer

Wow, awesome list! Okay, let's get into the tough questions, shall we. We love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with - tell us how you came up with yours! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.

The first time I went online was in the spring of 1997, shortly after the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer started airing. I went to the show's official website and found a forum there. Realizing that I needed a handle, I came up with Little Willow. At that point in the show, the character of Willow was a book-smart brunette, so I related to her. I tacked on the Little because I was younger and shorter than the actress who portrayed her.

"At that point in the show..." are you distancing yourself from Evil Willow perhaps? Since we know you're not evil (stay away from that black magic, okay?), let's talk about your grading system and how that translates to the reader?

I don't usually grade books in my reviews, but in some of my booklists, like the Tough Issues for Teens booklist- I give each book a rating according to the United States movie rating guide - G, PG, PG-13, or R - based on content, and a number of stars - four being the best - based on quality, in my personal opinion.

Book ratings are a hot topic right now, but we could be here all day if we started discussing that! Tell us--how do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you?

Some book reviewers are employed by newspapers, magazines, websites, etcetera, and they may or may not have to review certain titles. I'm not employed by any such publications. I work as a bookseller full-time and blog about books to share my love of literacy with others. I review books I enjoy and want to encourage others to read.

You say you read books you enjoy, but do you ever read books that wouldn't normally interest you - and if so have you ever been surprised by what you've read?

I read a variety of books. No matter what the genre, I love when a book impresses me and surprises me a good way.

What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?

Ask booksellers, librarians, friends, family, and other trusted individuals for recommendations. Don't form an opinion of a book strictly based on the cover, nor strictly based on someone else's review - read it yourself! One person's junk is another person's treasure, so you might greatly enjoy a book that someone else reviewed negatively, and vice-versa. Readers: Read to learn. Read to experience and consider new things. Read to escape. Read for the story. Read just to read. Authors: Be yourself. Believe in your book, your story, your characters, and your writing. Be positive, realistic, and optimistic. Your book will find its way to those who will appreciate it. Consider your audience. Think about why you wrote the book and for whom it was written. Don't be pushy when approaching reviewers, buyers, and others in the book community. Tell them about your book and see if they seem interested. Don't demand that they read it, review it, buy it - just talk about it.

Great advice! Let me ask you something else, if you really aren't feeling a book - will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?

If I start a book, I have to finish it. That's my own personal rule. On average, I read a book a day, more if there are picture books and short works in the mix!

One a day! WOW! So if you really love a book - will you read it again? If so - what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?

Oh, yes! As a kid, I re-read my favorite books and checked out cherished stories from the library again and again. It was like visiting friends. Books I've read a countless number of times include Anne of Green Gables, The Westing Game, The Phantom Tollbooth, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. A few years ago, I sat down with The Great Gatsby intending to simply locate a quote within its pages and ended up re-reading the entire book right then and there. I enjoy reading and re-reading Christopher Golden's books.

Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review - or does it depend on the book itself?

I like when reviews are informative, passionate, and truthful! Be it a professional or a more informal review, it ought to include the book's premise as well as the reviewer's thoughts on the story and the writing. The style and length of the review may depend not only on the book, but also on the reviewer and/or the publication. Some magazines and reviewers follow a strict format and adhere to a word count. I write what I feel.

Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open,you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.

Yesterday, I read Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinski. It made me laugh and smile quite often. It was absolutely precious. I simply did not want to let that book go! I returned it to the library this afternoon like a good little patron. I eagerly await the sequel, Toy Dance Party, which comes out in September. Maureen Johnson's books (and her blog) crack me up without fail. Christopher Golden writes jaw-droppers. Thief of Hearts, the second book in his line of Body of Evidence mysteries, truly made my jaw drop. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read a certain chapter. Oh my goodness. There are few books (or films or TV shows) that bring me to tears. The Book Thief did. So did Wizards at War, one of the Young Wizards novels by Diane Duane.

The Book Thief claims the life of yet another hankie! Now, for a favorite question of any avid reader of YA or MG books. Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?

Yes! Oh, there are so many I could list. I'll limit myself to ten or less right now, or I'll never shut up. Characters I'd love to speak with:
Nick from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables
Turtle from The Westing Game
Parker from The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson

Places I'd love to visit:
Phantásien from The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende (Fantastica in the English version of the book; called Fantasia in the films)
The Kingdom of Wisdom from The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Strangewood from the book of the same title by Christopher Golden
Never Land from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Those would be amazing places to visit! What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?

I recommend my favorite books and authors to people every day, but I also pride myself on the ability to personalize recommendations for each reader. I cherish books like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and books by Christopher Golden because they are intelligent and inventive.

Okay, you know it's coming, are you ready? Here it is: the Extra Scandalous Question! Really bad reviews - do you ever fear giving them?

I read hundreds of books a year, but I do not review every single book I read. At my blog, I review books I really enjoy and those that I think my readers will like. There are plenty of books I do like that I simply haven't the time to review. I would rather post about good books than bad ones. I write my blog for other readers. I'd rather spend half an hour writing about someone or something I believe in. Time is precious - why waste it being negative? I want to accentuate the positive. If I were writing a weekly column for a publication that asked me to review certain titles, that would be a different situation, but I would still always be honest.

Being positive is a good thing! Now for a bad thing--Ever had an author get upset with you? (It's okay - you can tell us, just don't name names!)

Yes, I have, and it hurt. I always get upset when someone doesn't like me.

And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?

Of course, an author hopes to receive favorable reviews. Everyone likes being liked, and anything negative in life can sting. There's a difference between offering constructive criticism and tearing something or someone apart, between being thoughtful and being flat-out mean. As I said earlier, I encourage authors to believe in their stories and in themselves. Don't get hung up on any negative reviews. Keep writing.

Great answer! One last question:if they aren't scared off by all that bad review talk and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?

To me, there's a difference between asking, "Would you like to read my book?" and "Will you review my book?" The latter implies a written review, published in some way, while the former is more casual and less pushy.

Here are some places you can find Little Willow:

http://www.slayground.net/
http://slayground.livejournal.com/
http://www.slayground.net/yourgirl/
http://www.slayground.net/rocktherock/
http://www.slayground.net/bildungsroman/

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win Marissa Doyle's Bewitching Season! Little Willow has yet to review it but here's what others are saying:

"This wonderfully crafted debut novel braids several very different storylines into an utterly satisfying whole." --Booklist, starred review

"Doyle offers a heart-throbbing romance full of magic and royal-court intrigue....Fans of historical mysteries will find this a page-turner."--Kirkus

(Click here for more great Hot Seat interviews)

In the Book Reviewer Hot Seat: Reader Rabbit

Next up for the hot seat, Reader Rabbit! Erm, or should that be hot seats--I see there are actually two of you! Okay, well this should be interesting... But just in case, let's also give away a book--just leave a comment to be entered to win Shift by Jennifer Bradbury! (Deadline to enter is June 29th, winner announced June 30th).


What's your handle? Reader Rabbit 1 & 2
What kind of books do you review? We primarily review YA but we'll review anything if it sounds good.
Approx # of books reviewed? About 40 and counting!
Where can we find your reviews? Readerrabbit.blogspot.com/ or on Chapters.ca
Reading turn-ons: Strong, well-developed characters, and descriptive writing. Any genre's good, though.
Reading turn-offs:
RR2: Annoying, and unrealistic characters, who get on my nerves. And then I want to shoot them. *waves gun, enthusiastically*
RR1: Ummm, RR2?
RR2: Uh, sorry *hastily puts gun away* Maybe not to that extent.
RR1: Agreed and slow moving plots can really put me off.
RR2: Slow beginnings are okay, though. Some of the best books I've read have slow beginnings.

Class of 2K8 books reviewed:
RR2: May I take this opportunity to gush enthusiastically about Shift? *gushes*
RR1: Ooh, yes, we loved Shift. One of the best books I've read this year.
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
Read my Lips
And expect reviews of A Difficult Boy, Bewitching Season and The Lucky Place are coming up soon!

Yay, we can't wait! We love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.

RR1: Do any of you remember those old Reader Rabbit Children's games...we were avid players. (LALAA WE'RE TOTALLY ORIGINAL)
RR2: *hums Reader Rabbit theme song*

Describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?

RR1: Basically we average the score that we think the book deserves in rereadability, originality, characterization and it all adds up to how much we like it, out of 10. We're planning on changing the system soon so that all the categories are separately scored per review so look out of that coming soon...

That should be interesting! How do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn't normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you've read?

RR2: If we're sent a book by an author or publisher, then we'll review it for sure. Other books we might review because we have something to say about it, or we just want to recommend it, because we think it's great.

What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?

RR1: The best way to find good books are to read our blog, of course.;) Ha, just kidding. But that is one way.
RR2: Another way is to read authors blogs. They often have recommendations. Or I suppose you could ask your librarian. Or, if you're anything like me then you may just stare at the bookshelf and choose whichever book pops out at you the most.
RR1: Advice? Hmm..well, sending us a review copy works…or really, just write a really good book. Good books speak for themselves.
RR2: Or if you want to be sure that we'll read it, then, you could just wave it in our face. That is a sure way to get it noticed.
RR1: That too, I suppose.

And don't forget to send carrots, right? Sorry, bad interviewer. Moving along, if you really aren't feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?

RR1: For sure, especially if someone has taken the trouble to send it to us for reviewing.

If you really love a book—will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?

We adore rereading. I swear I've read every single book on my shelf at least 10 times, so I'll pick the ones I've reread a gazillion times!
RR1: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas and City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
RR2: Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
Both: All 7 Harry Potters <3>Great choices!

Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?

RR1: Well, we always include a summary, and some points on why we thought the book was good or bad.
RR2: But, really it depends on the book. Some books we'll have more to say on than others.

Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.

RR2: Hey, I never cry.
RR1: Uh, yeah, you do. You totally cried when you read The Book Thief.
RR2: Uh, no I didn-oh, fine, I did. But it was only a little. And, you cried when , when…
RR1: HA, you can't think of anything.
RR2: Well, you laughed when you read The Squad books. You laugh when things aren't even funny.
RR1: But Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Squad books are great, so check them out!

Did you know Book Chic almost cried reading Alive and Well in Prague, New York? Just sayin'. Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?

RR2: Oh, yes, I wish that Eugenides from The Thief would come to life. (I mean, who doesn't?) And Flannery from the Basic Eight so I can figure out how mentally stable she really is.
RR1: *dreamily* I wish for Edward. No explanation necessary of course.
RR2: Uh-huh. Well, for places I was going to say Bayern from Shannon Hale's books, but then I realized that Bayern was real.
RR1: uh…no, it isn't.
RR2: Uh, look over there, I can see Enna Isilee galloping across- oh
RR1: yeah.

Focus rabbits! What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?

RR2: The King of Attolia, and The Book Thief because they ROCK.
RR1: Uh, I don't think that's a good enough reason…
RR2: But it's true. Besides, I bet you can't do any better than me.
RR1: Bet you I can. *smugly* I do everything better than you.
RR2: Oh, yeah! Well, what about that time when you-
RR1: *whispers* Be quiet or I'll tell them about that other time-
RR2: I mean, do continue.
RR1: Harry Potter because-
RR2: You don't need to recommend that. Everyone's heard of it.
RR1: *elbows*
RR2: Owwww…
RR1: Anyway, Twilight because Edward's in it.
RR2: Typical. Jacob's better! UNITE, JACOB-FANS, UNITE!
RR1: *ignores RR2* And Fearless by Francine Pascal. They're so entertaining and the story just absorbs you with its quick pace.
RR2: Well, The King of Attolia because I love the way that the author allows you to figure out things on your own and I love the surprises that she throws in (and then you go back and realize that were she was hinting about it all along). It has a little bit of romance, quite of a lot of trickery and believable characters. The Book Thief, on the other hand- hey! Are you listening?
RR1: *snores*
RR2: ahem.
RR1: Wha-? Umm…that was brilliant. Wait, what were you talking about again?

Okay, this should wake RR1 up, our Extra Scandalous Question (note the capital letters! That means wake up!!)—really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It's okay—you can tell us, just don't name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?

RR2: Yes, I hate the idea of giving a bad review because I can hardly imagine the time and effort spent on such an enormous task. You'll notice that on our blog there are very few negative reviews. This is mainly because our blog was created to recommend books and we don't like to review books we don't like because we know that a book we may hate may be loved by someone else.

So, chances are the negative reviews seen on our site are reviews of books sent to us for review-as per our policy we review every book we receive. And if we dislike a book, we will give an honest review.

Advice? Hmm...just to not take it personally- remember that it's only my opinion. It's nothing personal. And I may hate a book that the rest of the world may love. Besides for all you know, I was grouchy the day I read it or maybe it was just personal taste. Either that or I spent too many hours listening to RR1 worship Edward…

Note: This conversation is (almost) entirely manufactured. In case you're wondering, this blog is not written by one schizophrenic-there are actually two of us. And we are not as crazy as we sound. RR1 is not an Edward-worshiper (well, not that much anyway). RR2 has never touched a gun in her life, and plans to keep it that way, and also, she does not hallucinate. (At least as far as she knows).

Yeah, right....we believe you (erm...both). We also believe you love Shift by Jennifer Bradbury--so much so we are giving a copy away--all you have to do is comment to be entered to win! (deadline to enter is June 29th--winner will be announced Monday June 30th)

"(Shift) is riveting, from the start to the finish, once I started I was unable to stop until I'd consumed the entire book.So basically, anyone (boy, girl, alien...) should pick Jennifer Bradbury's debut (Class of 2k8 baby!) up." Reader Rabbit

(Click here for more great Hot Seat interviews)

In the Book Reviewer Hot Seat: Book Chic

Welcome Book Chic! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY (err Anniversary?), we hear that 1 year ago today you launched your book review site! (And, ahem, throwing quite the the party all month long--so if you haven't been there already--go now! You just might come home with a free book!) Speaking of--be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab!!! (Deadline to enter is midnight June 29th, winners will be announced on Monday June 30th.)

OK, Book Chic, please take a seat and don't mind the heat, just the facts first:

What’s your handle? Book Chic
What kind of books do you review? Young Adult books with some Middle Grade and Adult Chicklit thrown in every so often.
Approx # of books reviewed? Oh goodness, who knows… over 100 at least
Where can we find your reviews? http://www.myspace.com/bookchicclub
Reading turn-ons: complex and realistic characters, humor, compelling plot, unpredictability
Reading turn-offs: the opposite of above, haha, although not every book I read has to have humor

Class of 2k8 Reviews so far:
Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab
I Heart You, You Heart Me by Lisa Schroeder

La Petite Four by Regina Scott, Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle, and Undone by Brooke Taylor will be coming up soon, and more will be on the way throughout the year!

YAY--That's what we love to hear! Okay, now let's get down to the in depth interview, shall we? We love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.

My handle really went through a LOT of changes before I made the site. My friend Lauren and I would spend whole IM conversations just trying to come up with a good handle for the site that would be easy to remember and fun. It’s much harder than it seems. Anyway, “Book” is there for obvious reasons, and “Chic” is there because I wanted the site to seem classy because I was thinking of fashion chic when coming up with it, haha.

As to how I got into book reviewing, the full story is in the first Ask Book Chic up on the blog way back in February, I think. The short story is that Lauren Barnholdt wanted to do promotion for her book Two-Way Street early last summer, so she asked her livejournal and myspace friends to post reviews on their blogs of Two-Way Street. She also said that she would be available for interviews, if we wanted her to. So, as I was coming up with questions, I thought to myself “Hey, this is fun. I should make a whole blog about this.” and so I did. And I’m so excited I did.

We are too! But reviews can be complicated to decipher sometimes, can you describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?

I actually don’t have a grading system. I just write about what I liked and didn’t like about the book. However, I am easy to please, so I end up giving out positive book reviews all the time, and hardly find any fault with the books I read. So usually, it’s just me telling my myspace friends how much I love whatever book I’m reviewing, haha.

Nothing wrong with that! So, how do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn’t normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you’ve read?

I just pick books that interest me. I keep a book calendar, and just look at that for titles that are coming out in the future. Then, I ask the author if I can get a review copy of the book. Other times, I get books from publicists and publishers who email me about reviewing.

I have read lots of books outside of what normally interests me- what comes to mind first are Sarah Dessen and Ellen Hopkins books, which I avoided because of their heavy subject matter. But now I love their books- they’re fantastic, and I was pleasantly surprised while reading them.

We love Sarah and Ellen's books too. Finding new reads can be a challenge, what are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?

I don’t know about the best way, but what I usually do is just randomly browse the shelves of a bookstore or library and just pick out books randomly. I’ve found a lot of good books that way.

For getting noticed, just email reviewers. I usually take on most every book that is offered to me that is being published by a major publishing house, and I’m sure it’s the same for most other reviewers. Also, be available to answer questions in a quick manner, should the reviewers have any.

If you really aren’t feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?

Actually, what usually happens is that I put them aside for a while, and move on to another book until I have more time for it. But I will eventually finish it, and it’s not always necessarily that I don’t like it, it just may not be the right time for me to read it. But I usually get around to every book I receive and finish each one, no matter what.

If you really love a book—will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?

Due to the large amount of books I receive, I haven’t re-read anything I’ve reviewed, but I have read books over again. Some include Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (a HUGE favorite of mine!), Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot, and Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett.

Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?

It all depends on the book itself because each book has its own strengths, and obviously each book is different in how things are handled or written. I just include what I enjoyed, and occasionally write what I didn’t like, if there was something. But usually, I love almost every book I read, so it’s usually a bunch of gushing.

Authors love gushing reviews!! Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.

Well, I laughed while reading Sucks to be Me by Kimberly Pauley and In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg. In Your Room was just a fantastic, romantic book that really made me smile and say “Awww” after finishing it. It is a great book, and highly recommended when it comes out this October. Sucks to be Me is a hilarious, original take on vampires.

I don’t think I’ve cried while reading a book, but I think I came very close while reading Class of 2k8 author Daphne Grab’s book Alive and Well in Prague, New York a little over halfway through the book.

We didn't mean to make you cry, Book Chic! Let's talk about something else. Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?

Hmm, maybe all the hot guys in teen and adult chicklit fiction? Haha. Not sure there’s any specific ones, though I think Charlie from In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg (esp. if he looks like the same model used on the cover) would be a good choice. I also like JP from the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot, as well as Gabriel Luna from her new book Airhead. And probably lots more, lol.

What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway because it’s awesome and filled with laugh-out-loud humor; In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg because it is so romantic and has a great, original concept; Airhead by Meg Cabot because it’s a great new direction for her and different from her previous books; Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman because of its awesome and hilarious take on the Apocalypse.

Great choices! Okay, I can't hold off any longer, time for the Extra Scandalous Question—Really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It’s okay—you can tell us, just don’t name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?

I do fear giving bad reviews, but I basically never do, lol, because I’m very easy to please. There may be one or two aspects I may not like but overall, I normally enjoy the books I read. My advice though to authors who do get bad reviews would be to just see it as like a workshop-type criticism, and to take it into consideration, especially if the same complaint comes up again and again. Learn from it, and your writing can only get even better.

The only time I’ve had an author get upset with me, and she wasn’t even really upset, was when Alexa Young kept asking me to say something bad about her book Frenemies, haha. She enjoys getting constructive criticism from reviewers because it can help her future writing, and it’s a great attitude to have.

That is a great attitude and we hope getting to know book reviewers such as yourself will help other authors find you and your kind less scary! So thank you for all the great answers! Now if they aren’t scared off by all that bad review talks and an author would like you to review his/her book, what should he/she do?

It’s VERY simple. All an author would have to do would be to email me on Myspace, Facebook, or through my regular email if the author isn’t on either of those sites. My regular email address is: bookchicclub at gmail dot com. And usually, I will say yes, and then just send me the review copy.

Thanks so much for inviting me to be part of this reviewer week! I had a great time answering these questions and, if anyone has any more questions, feel free to put them in the comments and I will answer them when I can (which will be very often as I have no life and will be checking this blog entry pretty much every half hour, lol).

Thanks Book Chic! Stalk Away! But you won't get extra entries for the super giveaway!! Remember to leave a comment to have a chance to win a signed copy of Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab!

"Grab's debut is absolutely riveting and is told with such emotion and tenderness, which made it an absolute joy to read this book. The characters are very realistic and complex, especially Matisse, and it's just fascinating to read about her. She felt very real to me as a reader, and it's great when an author is able to convey and make that connection. Filled with wit, realism, and warmth, this is another debut book you do not want to miss. " BookChic

(Click here for more great Hot Seat interviews)

In the Book Reviewer Hot Seat: Julie M. Prince

We are sooo excited to kick off our mega week of book reviewer interviews with the wonderful Julie M. Prince! And..AND we will be giving away A CURSE DARK AS GOLD by Elizabeth C. Bunce! All you have to do is leave a comment and you'll be entered. Deadline to enter is midnight June 29th, winners will be announced on Monday June 30th. Okay, now let's get quickly acquainted with our very first book reviewer!


What’s your handle (alias)? I don’t have one, which makes me feel awfully boring all of a sudden. Maybe I should make one up right now. Um. Yeah. Any suggestions?

What kind of books do you review? I review picture books, middle grade, and young adult (fiction and nonfiction).

Approx # of books reviewed? 54 so far this year, with another 84 in my queue. Yikes!

Where can we find your reviews? ALAN Online , Teens Read Too, YA (& Kids) Books Central, The Edge of the Forest , and my blog, “Off to Turn Another Page.”

Reading turn-ons: I love humorous middle grades and witty, sarcastic YAs.

Reading turn-offs: I’m not big on science fiction or high fantasy, although I’ve been known to enjoy both types of books on occasion.

Class of 2K8 books that you’ve had the opportunity to review:

Oh boy. Let’s see:

A Curse Dark as Gold – and here

The Opposite of Invisible

Alive and Well in Prague, New York

I Heart You, You Haunt Me – and here

The Gollywhopper Games

The Magic Thief

I hope I didn’t miss any. Most of the time, I only review a book once, but if an editor needs a particular book reviewed and I’ve read it, I’ll volunteer to write a second review…especially if it’s a book I enjoyed and want to share with as many readers as possible.

I have four more 2k8 books in my possession (and one on the way), but I won’t tell which ones.

Oh, you could just whisper it, couldn't you? No? Okay, moving on... we love the crazy handles (alias) book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours!

Okay, now the handle thing is really starting to bug me. Seriously. Any suggestions?


Ask and you shall receive! For the reviewer formerly known as Prince, we've come up with several! Naturally with your blog being Off to Turn Another Page--the name Paige Turner was brought up (however we believe it is already in use, probably by several people!), other possibilities included Read Eyes & Over Booked--since you are clearly very busy! And last but not least (and my personal favorite!)--Miss Prints!

Okay, fun time over, back to the hot seat Miss Prints, how did you get into book reviewing ?

I was asked if I’d like to write some reviews for ALAN online (The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents). I loved the thought of reviewing books, but I’d never done it. This reasoning was soon squashed by the words, “neither had I, until I did it.” Good point, David. As soon as I got my first batch of books, I knew I was hooked on reviewing. What better job is there than one that pays in books?!

Describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?

Since I review for several sites, my grading system adapts accordingly.

How do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn’t normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you’ve read?


Some are sent to me by the editors of the sites I review for, some are sent by publishers, some I purchase or request directly from the publisher myself because I’ve heard of them and they sound so fabulous I can’t resist.

I absolutely read books that wouldn’t normally interest me because I’ve stopped reading jacket flaps and blurbs. I don’t have any idea what most of the books I read are going to be about until I open them and start reading. I get a lot of surprises that way. I like surprises.

We like surprises too! Especially learning about new books. What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers?

Right now, the internet is our friend, I think. There are so many sites and blogs that review and recommend great books. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the old-fashioned way, either…browsing the bookstore to see what looks interesting. When my family and I go within 500 yards of a bookstore, Hubby always says, “Go ahead. I’ll find you in the kids section later.” I personally believe that a web presence is important in getting your books noticed, but if you’re an author reading this, you probably already know that.

Yep, we sure do! Okay, so what happens if you really aren’t feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?

Not very often. There are just too many books waiting that I know I’d enjoy. In the past two weeks, I’ve put down two books that I couldn’t get into. Right now, I’m reading one that’s “okay,” but I’m willing to keep reading this one because I was specifically asked for a review of it by an editor. Sorry, now I have all the authors wondering, “is it mine?”

Hey, you're supposed to be in the hot seat, not us! LOL. Let's move on to better stuff--if you really love a book—will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?

I rarely re-read books. I mentioned that I like the element of surprise, and if I’ve read a book, that surprise factor is gone. I’m sure I’d enjoy them again, but I’m more likely to pass a good book on to a friend I know would enjoy it than to let it gather dust until I get around to reading it again. I guess we all love books in different ways, and I love good books by sharing them and getting the word out about them. Having said that, there are some books (like all of L.M. Montgomery’s) that I have re-read many times.

Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?

I like to include a little bit of summary and then tell what I liked about a book, or what I thought was missing. I mix up the order a lot, and I try to keep my reviews fairly brief, because I think people trying to find a book are more likely to really read (not just skim) short reviews.

Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.

It happens a lot, actually. If a book can make me either laugh or cry hysterically, that book is guaranteed a great review. If it brings out that kind of strong reaction and emotion, the author has gone above and beyond.

Is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?


I wouldn’t mind hanging out with the Penderwick sisters or Emily of New Moon. I’d like to stay at the Hopewell Hotel, and I think a visit to Hogwarts would rock my world!

We think Hogwarts will be a popular answer this week, LOL! What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?

I love Elizabeth Bunce’s A CURSE DARK AS GOLD, because it’s so unique and the writing is extraordinary. I fell in love with THE MAGIC THIEF because I know kids will adore it, and I want to help readers connect with the book. Same with THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDEAU-BANKS. That one has an audience out there of some really brilliant and opinionated teenagers who are going to (and already do) love the book. I want to get it into the hands of as many people as possible. Then there are books I just want to talk to people about, like BEFORE GREEN GABLES. I want to hold a worldwide book club meeting about that book so I can find out what all the L.M. Montgomery fans think of it. There’s Coe Booth’s TYRELL, and Jeannine Garsee’s BEFORE, AFTER, AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN, both of which I think are excellent examples of real teens in the real world dealing with real issues. I love real as much as I love escapism in books. I think both are important to have available. I could go on and on, but I’m probably boring you.


Ha ha, not even close... go on... please...

crickets: (chirp chirp)

Ok, now for the Extra Scandalous Question—

Really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It’s okay—you can tell us, just don’t name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?

I knew you were going to ask this, and I dreaded it. *sigh*



I hate giving bad reviews. It’s like taking foul medicine or drinking spoiled milk. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

For the most part, the sites I review for are about connecting books and readers. They don’t like to post negative reviews because tastes vary so widely.

However, it sometimes happens that I’ve been specifically asked to write a review and I won’t shy away from being honest with readers if I don’t like a book. What kind of credibility would I have if I just handed out “good” reviews about every single book I read?

True, but we'd still love you! So, any advice for authors who get a bad review?

I don’t think authors need the advice, because if they’re in this business to begin with, they know all about subjectivity (or they should).

I think it helps to keep in mind that old adage “any press is good press.” If people are out and they pick up your book because they remember reading about it, that’s a good thing. Many people just skim reviews (as much as my ego would like to believe otherwise). “Real” readers don’t dissect and analyze reviews the way authors do. They just want to find a book to read.

Thanks for all the great answers! One last question: if they aren’t scared off by all that bad review talk and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?

1) Keep in mind that it may be a very long time before I can get to the book. I do try to coordinate my reviews with release dates, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. I don’t read books in order of receipt. I often read strategically for projects that I’m involved in (articles I’m writing or authors I’m interviewing for other publications, etc).

2) I don’t guarantee that I’ll review every book I receive, nor do I guarantee that every review I do write will be good. Ouch. It bothers me to even write that, but it’s true, and authors should know up front.

3) If all of the above sounds dandy to you, please feel free to contact me. You can find review links and my contact information over at: http://www.juliemprince.com/.

Thanks so much for interviewing me. The Class of 2k8 is full of talented and creative people, and I’m proud to have participated. This was fun!

Thank you! And don't forget to leave a comment to win A Curse As Dark As Gold!

"Every word counts in this amazing book. The language, while assuredly stunning and appealing, is never frivolous. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, and I eagerly await whatever Ms. Bunce wishes to put in front of me next, as it's sure to be delightful and satisfying if it's near the quality of A CURSE DARK AS GOLD." Julie M. Prince

(Click here for more great Hot Seat Interviews)

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About...

Book Reviewers!

Even though we sometimes get upset stomachs thinking about reviews, and checks of review websites often happen with one hand over our eyes, debut authors LOVE Book Reviewers. They are our very first, out-in-the-real-world feedback and if we’re lucky they might be our very first fans. There is nothing quite like the thrill of reading a good review, and even if the review is not always so good, we still appreciate you getting word about our books out to the public! No really, we do.

They're usually the ones who interview us, but for one week we turn the tables on several YA & MG book reviewers and ask them the hard questions! We even tackle bad reviews. You don't want to miss one answer!

And if that isn't enough, we're giving away tons of Class of 2K8 books--Two-A-Day! So keep watching, keep coming back, and be sure to leave comments after each interview and you could win!

Shameless Saturday!

Reviews

Yay, Nina Nelson and yay, us!

And Another Book Read said this about Nina Nelson’s BRINGING THE BOY HOME:

“I think this was definitely the most unique and original coming-of-age story I have ever read!”

AND this about the CLASS OF 2K8:

“This group of authors seems to be putting out some of the best books this year.”

Thanks Tasha!

Daphne Grab gets some launch-week love:

Check out this review of Daphne Grab’s Alive and Well in Prague New York from Melissa at Mango Firefly says, " Debut author Daphne Grab writes a stunning first novel, full of heart, forgiveness, and the human experience."

More with Daphne Grab as she gets a review and interview from Motherreader:

She says, "Great characters and conflict give the book a subtle power in a short time."

Zu Vincent's grinning from ear to ear with two more great reviews this week!

"...Very well developed characters, vivid vignettes, and a story that grips your heart," says The Potato Vine Blog after reading The Lucky Place by Zu Vincent, calling the novel "a perfect book to review on Father's Day as it is a touching story that invites girls and women to consider their own relationships with their fathers."

Zu Vincent's The Lucky Place, is "...a unique story, one that I have not yet come across in another title, and one that will stay with you after the last page is completed," says Amanda's review at A Patchwork of Books.

Debbie Reed Fischer's Braless in Wonderland

A Flamingnet Top Choice!

Jennifer Bradbury is shifting into high gear:

Jennifer Bradbury's SHIFT received a rave review from the Christian Science Monitor.

Interviews

Daphne Grab is in the hot seat at Hip Writer Mama.

Day 5: Daphne's Real World Book Launch!

2K8ers love a good blog party, but nothing beats a debut author's first real world launch party!

I had my book party (Alive and Well in Prague New York) at the wonderful Bank Street Bookstore in my neighborhood in Manhattan. Friends and family braved fierce heat to come out and help me celebrate.



This is me and my super fabulous editor Jill Santopolo, who is an excellent author in her own right. She introduced my reading. I was pretty nervous about it but it was a sympathetic audience and they cheered me on. Afterwards I signed books.

This is my friend Keith Bunin who is a terrific playwright and screenwriter. He was one of a group of friends from high school who came out to show their support. It’s neat to have friend who actually knew me as a teen read my teen book!


Here are some other friends and my awesome-beyond-words agent Alyssa Eisner-Henkin. Writer Kathryne Alfred is in there too along with a couple of other friends. After the signing we headed out for food and drinks at a nearby restaurant.

And here’s another group that came out to support me: some Class of 2K8ers! This is me with Donna Freitas, Courtney Sheinmel and Nina Nelson.

It was so much fun to celebrate my book’s arrival in the world and I’m so grateful to everyone who came!

Thanks for a wonderful week, Daphne!