Halloweenin'

I've been busy plotting novels (such fun!), so apologies for being absent around here a little. I promise to be better in November.

But today, it's all about Halloween! Peanut butter cups, KitKats, M&Ms--this holiday is really bad for my plans to eat healthy and be fit and all that. The costumes are fun though, and I wanted to share these literary Halloween costumes over at the L.A. Times site (link stolen from my good writer pal Jenny)

Good fun. Happy Halloween, YA Sleutheri!!!

Monday Music: I Need A Dollar

I watched The Graham Norton Show (BBC America, home of the dry wit) this weekend, and Aloe Blacc blew me away with this song. Great old soul/funk/blues/whatever-the-label sound with a modern twist--I love it when an artist can pull that off.

Get your funk on, people. It's Monday, after all.

On National Day on Writing, Tweeting, And Why I Write

Imagine a really, really busy airport (London's Heathrow comes to mind, but I'm sure you have your own visual there). People are buzzing around, trying to get to where they need to be. You catch bits and bites of conversations, but nobody was talking to you, right? So you just listen. You're entertained as you overhear stuff while you wait for your next flight.

That's how I looked at Twitter for the longest time: a busy airport. Tons of noise, but not a lot of talking.

At least, that's how it seemed to me at first. But then you get on the plane, and you actually get to know the person next to you. The person tells you about their favorite books, food, family, the dog, whatever. You get to know someone a little, someone you otherwise would've just passed by on your way to bagage claim.

It's pretty cool.

Here's why I'm talking Twitter: I caught this cool article in the NY Times on National Day on Writing--and it's today! The article suggests you Tweet about why you write, so I did.

Neat stuff. Join me, all.

Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens

It's Teen Read Week! I know, it almost passed you by too, didn't it?

This year's theme is Picture It @ your library, featuring the graphic novel; for my teacher and librarian friends, find out more here at the YALSA website.

I never got the whole graphic novel thing myself--not until I found myself with a reluctant reader. We picked up the graphic novel Smile by Raina Telgemeier, which my kiddo loved. Then there's the Wimpy Kid series, which I still re-read from time to time when I want a good laugh. Graphic novels are awesome.

Since I move more in the middle-grade realm now, I've been looking for more MG graphic novels. I found this list over at the fabulous ALSC (kidlit ALA division) of graphic novels for kids and middle-graders to fill my shopping list. Very exciting stuff.

So what are you doing still hanging around here? Go read a graphic novel already. And if it's a good one, be sure to let me know.

Monday Music: Dream a Little Dream

In a classic mood today--enjoy!

12 Coolest Libraries in the World

Check out this slideshow of the 12 coolest libraries in the world (Calgary Herald; thanks to BV Lawson for the link).

Some of them look like they're straight out of a movie, right?

I think this picture of the Library of Trinity College in Dublin is my favorite...

Denver Event For YA Fans

Announcement on the Tattered Cover website--if only I still lived in Colorado!

Thursday, October 6 at 7:00pm at the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover, Claire Martin will moderate a discussion with YA/MG authors Jessica Brody, Alyson Noel, Mary Pearson, and Gabrielle Zevin.

If you're going, let me know how it was...

Pretty, Pretty Covers

I ordered this new book Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver today--isn't the cover beautiful?? Can't wait to read it.

It did get me thinking, though: would I have bought this book if the cover wasn't pretty? Maybe. But it sure matters to me, at least when it comes to getting my attention. I guess I'm shallow that way... Which had me thinking some more about what makes me buy a book. For me, it's because:

1. Someone recommends the book, can be blog or friend

2. It's by a favorite author

3. The cover looks nice, and I like how the book description sounds.

I don't care about blurbs, personally.

How do you pick your books?

Monday Music

Love this song...