M.L. LeGette's Blog, page 48

Slight Change Up

Don’t worry, you’re not lost. And if you are, sorry to hear that. I’ve once again changed up my theme and though I was very attached to the old one, I rather like this new layout. I’ve become a very ‘orange’ individual recently. I’m also restructuring what this blog is about. There’s going to be a lot more weight on book reviews with a splattering of my own randomness and publishing news. Other than that, it’s the same old blog with a new hairdo.

the places you will find me hidin’

Artist – The Head and The Heart

Album – The Head and The Heart

Song – Down in the Valley

Notes – My favorite song from this album. I’m really interested to see what they put out next.

Shop Ickle Fickle – OPEN

My shop Ickle Fickle is currently open. There is now a direct link on the page SHOP at the very top of the blog. There you will find autographed copies of my work, Garden Windows note cards, and (coming soon) Lazy Willow handmade soap. I ship anywhere in the USA, but will ship outside of the country. Simply contact me with where you live and I will calculate shipping.

I hope to see you there!

~melissa

Mally Biddle Giveaway

Goodreads Giveaway: The tale of Mally biddle

A festive, fast paced read for all ages.

Now until December 30, 2012, Goodreads members can enter to win a signed copy of my second novel, THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE. Only 5 copies are up for grabs. Snatch up this opportunity while you still can! USA only (sorry).

If you aren’t a member, it’s very easy to join this book loving community.

Click ENTER to sign up!

Best Books for Reluctant (young) Readers

Now that we are on the other side of Thanksgiving, Christmas looks startlingly close. I’ve only bought one thing–eek!

Books are always a great gift, but we may not know which ones would be best. Here’s a list of my top ten favorite books for reluctant readers. And I would know about reluctant readers as I was one. These books grabbed me about the ears and tugged me headfirst into the pages. They were books that I would put down for only half a minute before snatching them back up again. They were books that made my family (who knew all about my reluctant-ness toward books) blink in surprise. So, if they worked on me they just might work on your young reluctant reader.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

My top pick probably for all of time. This book completely changed the way I felt about reading. After finishing it I understood (FINALLY) why people read books.

 

 

 

 

2. Animorphs – The Invasion

To be honest with you, I tend to never mention Animorphs to people as an excellent choice for young readers as I was teased INSISTENTLY by my older sister for reading such silliness. Morphing into animals–puh. But man, they were awesome. They are also the only series of science fiction that has grabbed and held my interest. And this series was the one that initially sparked my love with creative writing.

 

 

3. Bunnicula

Hilarious and well written, Bunnicula to this day is one of my most cherished childhood books.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Matilda

A summer beach read before I hit eleven. Magnificent.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Sideways Stories from Wayside School

There was a period during my childhood when Sideways never left my person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Holes

I read Holes in middle school and l.o.v.e.d it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. The Giver

I read The Giver a day after reading Holes (they were both Christmas presents from my sister). I had heard much talk about Giver–that it had been banned from my school, etc–but I wasn’t interested until I read the first page. Dazzling. Captivating. Wonderful.

 

 

 

8. Redwall

As a writer, I envy Redwall. It’s the sort of book that I wish I could write. Animals that talk, feast, sword fight, sail, and construct. This was my brother’s first novel that he remembers reading. It has a place of honor on my bookshelf.

 

 

 

 

9. The Lightning Thief – Percy Jackson

This is the only book on my list that I first read as an adult, but it took me right back to middle school, something that many modern day childrens books have not done.

 

 

 

 

 

10. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

I can’t think of my childhood and NOT think of Oz. And though the movie version is an icon, the book version is far superior. And if you like the first one, don’t stop there! The series is magical.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s my top picks! To see the rest of the list visit Goodreads. What are your favorite childhood books?

Ready–Set–PAGE FLIP! (Bunnicula)

Welcome to a new way to express your joy for books: Ready–Set–PAGE FLIP! It’s very easy to do. Simply pick up a book you own (or is currently near you), flip to a page at random and share it with us. Take pics of the cover and text, too!

To celebrate the opening of this new venture, I’m starting with BUNNICULA, one of my fondest childhood books. The copy in my possession actually belongs to my older sister. Her name is neatly inked on the inside cover. (She’s always had far better pen control than me).

On page 33…

“Gee, Dad, it looks like a white tomato.”

Just then, Mrs. Monroe and Toby came in the door.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Mrs. Monroe asked.

“We were just trying to figure out what this is.”

Toby pulled it down so he could get a better look.

“Well,” he said, “it looks to me like a white tomato.”

Mr. Monroe took a good long look. “You know,” he said to his wife, “it really does look like a white tomato.”

“There’s one way to find out,” said Mrs. Monroe, who always was the practical one. “Let’s cut it open and see what’s inside.”

Everybody gathered around the table. I jumped up on a chair, and in all the excitement, no one noticed that I had my paws on the table (which under normal circumstances was discouraged, to say the least). Chester wasn’t so lucky.

“Chester, get off the table,” Mrs. Monroe said. Chester jumped onto Toby’s shoulders, where he stayed to view the proceedings.

If you join in, link back here, so I’ll see what you love!

The Tale of Mally Biddle ~ Latest Publication

My second novel, FOR THE KINGDOM has just been republished as THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE. It is up on Amazon.com at $14.74. Kindle version is coming soon.

Cover art by Ileana Hunter based on the photograph ‘Freckles II’ by Sergiu Cioban.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Taintor T’day – Thanksgiving

If I could find a way to see this straight…

Artist – Young the Giant

Album – Young the Giant

Song – Cough Syrpup

Notes – I am utterly addicted to this song at the moment all thanks to fellow blogger, LilyPetal. Really. I can’t stop listening.

Immortal Longings by R.G. Dole

I wanted to spread the word that a friend of mine has just published her first novel: Immortal Longings. Vampires, werewolves, possibly a tragic love affair, a young man determined to learn the truth of who he is … it sounds like a book that should be read while eating chocolate.

Congratulations, Ms. Dole! I’m looking forward to reading this.

~melissa