Christine Seifert's Blog: Lady Professor Reads, page 13

How Do You Make a Day Longer?

I’m trying to finish a draft of my second novel. Between that and my real job, I’m having trouble keeping my head above water. What’s the best way to make a day longer? I can’t cut back on my sleep or I get wonky. So what’s the most nonessential thing you can cut out of a day? Hmmmm.

I’m pretty tied to things like brushing my teeth and reading before I fall asleep. I already skimp on exercise more often than I should. And, as you can tell, I let blogging and other online social interactions fa...

Adolescent Literature

I’m teaching a class in YA literature next semester. I’m trying to decide which books to include on the syllabus. I want a couple “classics,” but I want the bulk of the reading list ot be contemporary. In particular, I want to look at how YA books today treat issues of gender, race, class, and power.

So here’s what’s on my short list for consideration. I haven’t read all of them yet, so I’m on a quest to find out what others think about these books:

1. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

2. Monster...

Guest Post at The Bookish Type

Thanks to Casey for letting me post about books on her very cool blog!

My Favorite Dystopian Novels

I’m glad to see the resurgence of dystopian novels lately. Who wants to read those pie-in-the-sky utopian novels, right? It’s much more fun to think of a totally messed-up future than to think about one filled with unicorns and rainbows. For whatever reason, we seem to be attracted to thinking about our potential dark sides.

One of the reasons I love dystopian narratives so much is that they remin...

Guest Blog Posts: From Watch YA Reading

I’ve just completed a really fun thirty-day blog tour. Just for kicks, I’m going to re-post those blog posts here, and I’ll include a link to the blog host.

The first blog post was at Watch YA Reading, a great book site run by five super-smart ladies: Caitlin, Kate, Christine, Katie, and Leiah. Thanks to Christine for sending me some fun questions to answer. Here’s the interview:

1)The Predicteds sounds amazing. Where did the idea for it come from?

Thanks! I hope people like the concept and the...

It’s That Time Again…

I’m pretty excited for the first day of school. It’s my favorite day of the whole year.I’m happily sharpening pencils and buying new notebooks.

In anticipation for all theschool reading that will occupy me come fall, I need to relax this week and read a great book that features school. Any suggestions? What’s a goodbook that’s either set at a boarding school or features school as a significant setting? Ideas?

I’m looking forward to making a list with my fresh pencils and new notebooks!

It's That Time Again...

I'm pretty excited for the first day of school. It's my favorite day of the whole year. I'm happily sharpening pencils and buying new notebooks.

In anticipation for all the school reading that will occupy me come fall, I need to relax this week and read a great book that features school. Any suggestions? What's a good book that's either set at a boarding school or features school as a significant setting? Ideas?

I'm looking forward to making a list with my fresh pencils and new notebooks!

Hiatus Is Over

Well, kids, summer is just about over, and I am *this* close to finishing a rough draft of my next book. That's just a draft, mind you, and I'm not above throwing it all away and starting over again. But at least I have something to work with.

And my course syllabi are almost ready to roll. When school begins on August 22, I might actually have everything done that needs to be done. (Might is the operative word here. I never completely rule out the possibility of a Mad Libs-style syllabus, so...

Blog Interviews

Thanks to the lovely Jaskirat for posting an interview with me over at her blog. Check it out.

I also did an interview over at Safari Poet, a brilliant blog chock full of book news, interviews, and reviews. You can even win a signed ARC of The Predicteds over there! Go take a look. That's my last ARC, follks.

Book Readers

The best thing about writing a book is hearing from readers. I luuuurve to talk about books with anyone who will participate in the conversation. And there's a lot of conversation out there. I can't believe I just discovered book bloggers! Where have I been since 1998?? The only downside is that I never get anything done anymore. It takes me all day just to keep up with everyone's reviews and discussions. I need an assistant to do my actual work. (Anyone want to teach my class this summer? Ta...

Videos

I'm doing a little series of videos (produced by one of the most talented professional communicators out there, the lovely Anita Boeira). I'll be answering questions about writing, reading, and probably The Jersey Shore. What do you want to know? What should I talk about? Submit your questions here, and I'll make sure to adress them!

Videos will be posted here and on my Facebook page throughout the summer.