Kristi Chestnutt's Blog, page 8
April 30, 2012
A to Z: Zusak (The Book Thief)
Goodreads Description:
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
My thoughts:
Wow. This book was different for me, but in a really good way.
It isn't what I would consider a page turner. You won't rush through the book trying to get to the end, or at least I didn't.
It's deeper than that. The characters draw you in and the world Zusak has created comes to life. You fall in love with them. You befriend them. You get a taste of life during their time, what it means to be hungry, what it means to be scared, what it means to hide a Jew. But the amazing thing about this book is that it never feels heavy. You experience some very unsettling things, but the way they are presented leaves you hopeful. It makes you think.
Did it make me cry? Yes. Did I love the beauty of every page? Yes. Could it have ended any other way? I really don't think so.
In my mind, this is a must read and I don't believe you can appreciate how great this book is until you get to the very end and see things full circle. There's beauty in the journey and in the conclusion.
April 28, 2012
A to Z: Yes to Yogurt
My favorite go-to writing food of choice?
Voila.
That's right. Ben & Jerry's frozen yogurt!
My current flavor addiction?Chocolate Fudge Brownie
It doesn't matter whether you're celebrating that first draft being done, drowning your editing sorrows (for the millionth time), or trying to take the edge off the dreaded query process.
Yogurt is the answer.
Trust me. It makes it better.
Right now, as I revise my MS *yet again*, it's keeping the happy in place.
Don't get me wrong. I love editing. But after awhile, forcing yourself to open up that word document and dive back in, knowing there are things to tighten, well, that's the hard part. Opening.
Once I'm "in the zone" I typically enjoy the revision process. I mean, who doesn't like taking the time to make their writing sparkle? It's just the dread of working on your project *again* that is the pain. It's the expectation.
My point? Keep yogurt on hands at all time (or your personal favorite go-to writing snack) and it becomes much much more doable.
What's your favorite writing snack?
Voila.
That's right. Ben & Jerry's frozen yogurt!
My current flavor addiction?Chocolate Fudge Brownie
It doesn't matter whether you're celebrating that first draft being done, drowning your editing sorrows (for the millionth time), or trying to take the edge off the dreaded query process.
Yogurt is the answer.
Trust me. It makes it better.
Right now, as I revise my MS *yet again*, it's keeping the happy in place.
Don't get me wrong. I love editing. But after awhile, forcing yourself to open up that word document and dive back in, knowing there are things to tighten, well, that's the hard part. Opening.
Once I'm "in the zone" I typically enjoy the revision process. I mean, who doesn't like taking the time to make their writing sparkle? It's just the dread of working on your project *again* that is the pain. It's the expectation.
My point? Keep yogurt on hands at all time (or your personal favorite go-to writing snack) and it becomes much much more doable.
What's your favorite writing snack?
April 27, 2012
A to Z: Xander
One of my favorite characters ever?
Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I offer the following as Fun Friday proof of his excellence:
What say you bloggers? Team Xander?
Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I offer the following as Fun Friday proof of his excellence:
What say you bloggers? Team Xander?
April 26, 2012
A to Z: Writers' League of Texas - 2012 Agents Conference
My first writers' conference! This is where my Krit buddies and I will be this June...I can not WAIT! Pretty much thrilled, excited, and terrified--all at once.
Not only will I get to shmooze and learn oodles of information about YA publishing, but I get to meet my blogger buddies in person for the first time.
Check out the website HERE.
Anyone else going?
Have any fun tips/sites/advice?
We should meet up.
April 25, 2012
A to Z: Voldemort
That's right people. I *totally* just said his name.
GASP!
And I'm not talking about the evil-creepy-snake-like dude from just the books and movies either. He has a Twitter account too. Did you know that?
If you've never checked it out, you should. (And suddenly I feel like Dr. Seuss with those last two lines.)
You don't have to have a Twitter account to view it online and trust me, *some* of the tweets are hilarious. I've never read a lot of fan fiction but this is what I imagine it to be, though I could be WAY OFF the mark here.
Anyhoo, if you're a Harry Potter fan and loved the books as much as I did and like to chuckle here and there during the day, I recommend following this Lord Voldemort twitter account: http://twitter.com/#!/lord_voldemort7
A few of my favorite tweets from the above account:
*Books > Movies. Read. That is all.
*"Gaga is Immortal" is trending. WHAT? Who told her about horcruxes???*Happy Tax Day. Suddenly the Death Eaters don't look so bad, right?*Facebook just bought Instagram. No need to make horcruxes at this point, facebook will own most people's souls soon anyway*If you're reading this it means you've already given up on interacting with your family today. Wise choice.
*I'm fairly certain that this Tuesday is just a Monday that took polyjuice potion.*JK Rowling's no longer a billionaire because she has given so much money to charity. OR she's hiding it in Gringotts. Believe what you will.
GASP!
And I'm not talking about the evil-creepy-snake-like dude from just the books and movies either. He has a Twitter account too. Did you know that?
If you've never checked it out, you should. (And suddenly I feel like Dr. Seuss with those last two lines.)
You don't have to have a Twitter account to view it online and trust me, *some* of the tweets are hilarious. I've never read a lot of fan fiction but this is what I imagine it to be, though I could be WAY OFF the mark here.
Anyhoo, if you're a Harry Potter fan and loved the books as much as I did and like to chuckle here and there during the day, I recommend following this Lord Voldemort twitter account: http://twitter.com/#!/lord_voldemort7
A few of my favorite tweets from the above account:
*Books > Movies. Read. That is all.
*"Gaga is Immortal" is trending. WHAT? Who told her about horcruxes???*Happy Tax Day. Suddenly the Death Eaters don't look so bad, right?*Facebook just bought Instagram. No need to make horcruxes at this point, facebook will own most people's souls soon anyway*If you're reading this it means you've already given up on interacting with your family today. Wise choice.
*I'm fairly certain that this Tuesday is just a Monday that took polyjuice potion.*JK Rowling's no longer a billionaire because she has given so much money to charity. OR she's hiding it in Gringotts. Believe what you will.
April 24, 2012
A to Z: Utopian vs Dystopian Fiction
It's quite possible that all you other bloggers/writers/readers out there are more brilliant than I and this is quite possibly NOT news to you. But the other day someone mentioned something about a book being Utopian instead of Dystopian and I had that moment where I was at a loss.
Mostly because, as most of you know, the YA market for Dystopian literature is so HOT right now. It's what we've been reading. So when I heard Utopian, I had to pause. Is it a joke? Something someone made up? I've heard the word before and knew it was a proper term, but was it a proper GENRE of book?
According to Wikipedia, which is never wrong *snicker*, it is. Also, I found it on Goodreads, which I consider to be much more legit.
Utopian is based on the creation of an ideal world as the setting for a novel, whereas Dysopian is the opposite, the creation of a "Nightmare" world if you will.
Obviously the latter (in my opinion) lends itself to being much more interesting to read about. Then again, is there really any Utopian society? Like people, society has its flaws. There will always be something to "rise up" against. So maybe the two terms are more intertwined than they seem at first.
All I know is that this genre has some of my most favorite books, the ones that tend to stick with you in the long term.
A few among the Utopian/Dystopian crew: The Hunger Games, Divergent, Delirium, The Uglies Trilogy, 1984, Matched, A Clockwork Orange, The Stand, V for Vendetta, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies...the list goes on and on.
What about you? Are you a fan of the genre? Have a favorite?
Mostly because, as most of you know, the YA market for Dystopian literature is so HOT right now. It's what we've been reading. So when I heard Utopian, I had to pause. Is it a joke? Something someone made up? I've heard the word before and knew it was a proper term, but was it a proper GENRE of book?
According to Wikipedia, which is never wrong *snicker*, it is. Also, I found it on Goodreads, which I consider to be much more legit.
Utopian is based on the creation of an ideal world as the setting for a novel, whereas Dysopian is the opposite, the creation of a "Nightmare" world if you will.
Obviously the latter (in my opinion) lends itself to being much more interesting to read about. Then again, is there really any Utopian society? Like people, society has its flaws. There will always be something to "rise up" against. So maybe the two terms are more intertwined than they seem at first.
All I know is that this genre has some of my most favorite books, the ones that tend to stick with you in the long term.
A few among the Utopian/Dystopian crew: The Hunger Games, Divergent, Delirium, The Uglies Trilogy, 1984, Matched, A Clockwork Orange, The Stand, V for Vendetta, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies...the list goes on and on.
What about you? Are you a fan of the genre? Have a favorite?
April 23, 2012
A to Z: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Loading...
"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"
According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chanc...moreGoodreads Description:"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"
According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer. My thoughts:There were tears. Lots and lots of tears. Special Moments. Heart-wrenching, lovely, and sometimes soul-crushing moments. It was beautifully written. The important thing about the reactions I mention above? That I had a reaction. Isn't that what most of us are looking for in a great book? To be swept away somewhere else and feel something? Because this book nails that. I loved that the story felt real, that the characters reactions felt real, and that while it didn't always take you places you wanted to go, that in the end, it left you at peace. It was a great picture of loss and healing, as well as teenager angst.It made me a huge fan of Sarah Ockler. :)
April 21, 2012
A to Z: Stephanie Perkins
Stephanie Perkins, as in, one of my favorite YA authors ever.
I'm convinced that she could probably write a grocery shopping list and I couldn't put it down. The girl has some serious suck-you-in-so-you-can't-put-her-book-down chops.
Did I mention she writes my favorite YA books ever? Which ones?
These:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?
Want to stalk, er, get to know her better?
Web: http://www.stephanieperkins.com/
Blog: http://naturalartificial.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @naturallysteph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stephanieperkinsbooks
Haven't READ either of these books yet? Because I'm pretty sure you might be the last one on the planet and that *may* get embarrasing for you. Just sayin'.
You won't regret it. Promise.
I'm convinced that she could probably write a grocery shopping list and I couldn't put it down. The girl has some serious suck-you-in-so-you-can't-put-her-book-down chops.
Did I mention she writes my favorite YA books ever? Which ones?
These:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.
Want to stalk, er, get to know her better?
Web: http://www.stephanieperkins.com/
Blog: http://naturalartificial.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @naturallysteph
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stephanieperkinsbooks
Haven't READ either of these books yet? Because I'm pretty sure you might be the last one on the planet and that *may* get embarrasing for you. Just sayin'.
You won't regret it. Promise.
April 20, 2012
A to Z: Room on the Broom
Goodreads Description:
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
My thoughts/review:
One of my son's favorite books! Fun for Halloween and great when read aloud!
What about you? Have any favorite seasonal books your kids adore? I love adding to our collection.
April 19, 2012
A to Z: Query Quandary
Double points again!
And yes, I had to look up how to spell quandary and make sure it meant what I *thought* it meant...hey, don't judge. :)
This is a hot topic for me and my krit partners right now...all three of us are in the process of putting a decent query together and it's SO.NOT.EASY. Squeezing an entire book into three succinct paragraphs takes lots and lots of patience, coupled with lots and lots of revisions.
And because I've been patrolling the internets tonight for nuggets of query wisdom, I thought it the perfect time to share the wealth of knowledge that is available out there. There's so much.
Here are just a few of the things I found UBER helpful:
Successful Query Letters and Advice:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries
http://www.nelsonagency.com/faq.html
http://www.childrenspublishing.blogspot.com
http://www.agentquery.com/
http://www.misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/
http://www.queryshark.blogspot.com/
http://yalitchat.ning.com/
http://www.querytracker.net/
And now, onward, with lots and lots of ice cream!
Best of luck to all of you out there, like myself, about to tread the query waters!
And yes, I had to look up how to spell quandary and make sure it meant what I *thought* it meant...hey, don't judge. :)
This is a hot topic for me and my krit partners right now...all three of us are in the process of putting a decent query together and it's SO.NOT.EASY. Squeezing an entire book into three succinct paragraphs takes lots and lots of patience, coupled with lots and lots of revisions.
And because I've been patrolling the internets tonight for nuggets of query wisdom, I thought it the perfect time to share the wealth of knowledge that is available out there. There's so much.
Here are just a few of the things I found UBER helpful:
Successful Query Letters and Advice:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries
http://www.nelsonagency.com/faq.html
http://www.childrenspublishing.blogspot.com
http://www.agentquery.com/
http://www.misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/
http://www.queryshark.blogspot.com/
http://yalitchat.ning.com/
http://www.querytracker.net/
And now, onward, with lots and lots of ice cream!
Best of luck to all of you out there, like myself, about to tread the query waters!
Kristi Chestnutt's Blog
- Kristi Chestnutt's profile
- 26 followers
Kristi Chestnutt isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
