Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 108

BOOK REVIEW: MY MOTHER WAS NUTS by Penny Marshall

MY MOTHER WAS NUTS
Penny Marshall
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Adult - Memoir


At the age of twenty-six, Penny Marshall was a divorced mother of one living in the Bronx. One year later she starred in a Head & Shoulders commercial (she was the one with the dandruff) with Farah Fawcett. So began the unlikely career of one of Hollywood’s most accomplished directors

My Mother Was Nuts tells the story of Marshall’s incredible life, from her starring role on the classic sitcom Laverne and Shirley to her trailblazing moment as the first woman to direct a movie grossing more than $100 million at the box office.
The book is a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life, exploring her friendships with John Belushi, Lorne Michaels, Art Garfunkel, and Carrie Fisher, her marriage and eventual divorce from Rob Reiner, and her experiences working with Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Geena Davis, Denzel Washington, and Drew Barrymore.
MY REVIEW:
As a kid, I was a huge fan of the TV show Laverne & Shirley. Who wasn't? I also have loved many of Marshall's film including Big and A League of Their Own. I listened to Marshall's memoirs via Audible and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hearing the stories told in her own voice was entertaining and at time shocking. But she's honest and at times blunt about her experiences and choices, never making excuses or apologies, but just telling her life like it is--all with a whole lot of Penny Marshall humor. I laughed out loud throughout much of the book.


CONTENT RATING:
Profanity:  HighViolence:  MildSexuality:  Moderate

WHAT I'M DOING NOW

As most of you know, my new book CONTACT was released on June 23rd with Hallowed Ink Press. That was an exciting day for me, the culmination of two years worth of hard work.

But I'm just getting started.

What am I working on now?


** This Thursday (July 24th) I will be doing a reading at Book'd in Burbank. After that, I will likely not be doing a lot of book events until after Christmas because of school...see below.


** My short story "Mirror, Mirror" is tentatively scheduled to appear in Hallowed Ink Press's anthology White Rabbit. Not sure of the release date, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out out.


 ** I have been submitting my middle grade  historical novel, The Storytellers, to agents. My immediate goal is to find a literary agent. After 9 years of writing and 3 published novels, I still don't have one.



**  I am part of a critique group and am working on a revision of my young adult novel Memorable with the hopes of submitting it to agents in the fall. In the meantime, it is a finalist in the YA Romance Writers of America contest. The winner will be announced this Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

 
** The third book in The Celestine Chronicles series, The Seer of the Guilde, is about 1/3 of the way finished - at least the rough draft. I hope to have it done by October, and to my publisher by December. With any luck it will be published some time in 2015.


** My last year of graduate school begins late August. This semester I'm taking a theory of Literature course as well as class about comic book artist Art Spiegelman (Maus).



** I am also learning how to play piano. My immediate goal was to learn to read bass clef (I have known treble clef most of my life, but never learned the left hand.) I am happy to report I've pretty much got it down thanks to my daughter, who is my piano teachers, and I've just completed the Micheal Aaron Adult Piano Lessons, Book I.



** I have set a life long goal for myself to learn a new language each year, at least enough to get by in a basic conversation. I've started learning Spanish via Rosetta Stone. I chose that first because even though I've been married to a Hispanic for 21 years, I never mastered the language. It's about time.

So that's about it for now. The rest of my time is pretty much taken up with homeschooling my kids, working for Middle Shelf Magazine, and trying to keep up with housework.

WINNER OF CONTACT PROMO PACK!!!

Congratulations to ALLYSA EBERLE!!!

Allysa, you are the lucky winner of the CONTACT PROMO PACK! I have emailed you requesting your mailing address. You have one week to respond.

Thank you to everyone who entered! Remember, you can purchase copies of CONTACT on Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon .

Also, stop by my CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY HOP for a chance to win a $15 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY HOP

Welcome to the CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by  I Am A Reader and Laurie Here. I've decided in lieu of giving away a Christmas book, I would give away a gift card so you can choose your own book.  To be eligible to win, you must be a follower of this blog.

Scroll down to see the complete list of participating blogs for more chances to win!

Happy Christmas!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
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ENTER TO WIN CONTACT PROMO PACK! LAST CHANCE!

Today is the final day in the CONTACT PROMO PACK GIVEAWAY! Promo pack included coffee mug, hot cocoa mix, & music CD!!! Winner will be announced on Tuesday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH
Carrie Ryan
Random House Children's Books
Ages 14 +


In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death? 
MY REVIEW:

I got on a zombie kick this summer, and Ryan's book is one of several titles I selected. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This is a strong story about a small community protected from a vast infestation of zombies by a fence. The zombies are relentless and hungry, and one bite will infect the next victim.
Ryan's descriptions of this world are tight and frightening. The characters are strong, the story engaging. Basically, I really enjoyed the read enough to purchase book two in the series, which I rarely do.
If you crave a little bit of gore and lot of tension, then The Forest of Hands and Teeth is for you.


CONTENT RATING:

Profanity: Moderate
Violence:  High
Sexuality:  Mild

ONE WEEK LEFT TO WIN!!!

Just one week left to win the CONTACT PROMO PACK, which includes:

A CONTACT Coffee Mug


Starbucks Hot Cocoa Mix 

And a music CD 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: PAINTING THE RAINBOW by Amy Gordon

PAINTING THE RAINBOW
Amy Gordon
Holiday House
Ages 8 - 12

In this eloquent middle-grade novel, which takes place over the summer of 1965, thirteen-year-old Holly and her cousin Ivy accidentally discover family secrets no one has spoken of since World War II
Holly and Ivy have always been close, but this summer at the annual month-long reunion at the Greenwood family lake house the girls seem to be growing apart. Although they spend hours together painting an old row boat the colors of the rainbow, they don't talk about things that are important . . . until they begin to find letters and pictures relating to a Japanese boy named Kiyo. Uncovering the mystery of this ghostlike boy leads the girls to the many subjects no Greenwood adult will discuss, such as their Uncle Jesse's death during the war.
In this insightful and expressive novel about complicated family dynamics, two girls show their elders that with honesty, courage, and empathy, even old wounds can be healed.
MY REVIEW: 
Cousins Holly and Ivy spend every summer with their grandparents at Otter Lake in New Hampshire, but this year they make uncovering the mystery surrounding their uncle’s death during World War II and his connection to a Japanese boy named Kiyo a priority. Thanks to clues such as a journal and some letters, the girls break down painful barriers and misunderstandings that have divided their family for years.
Painting the Rainbow explores the fear and racist attitudes that resulted in thousands of Japanese Americans being incarcerated during World War II. Though a story about the dark side of our nation’s past, the issues are still, sadly, relevant today. Gordon masterfully weaves the story of Kiyo in 1943 with that of the Greenwood family in 1965. Part historical novel, part mystery, Painting the Rainbow is a touching tale of about standing up for what is right. A perfect summer read for any age.


CONTENT RATING:
Profanity:  NoneViolence: MildSexuality:  None  

BOOK REVIEW: ZOM-B by Darren Shan

ZOM-B
Darren Shan
Little, Brown
192 pp.
Ages 12 -17

When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.
B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks.
That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.
MY REVIEW:
Shan's Zom-B was a fun gore-filled romp! Only the 2nd zombie book I've ever read, I actually enjoyed it immensely. Shan's unembellished writing style and straight-to-the-point narration made for a fast-paced ride. Some elements I particularly enjoyed was the shocking revelation at the end of who the protagonist "B" really is.  Also, the themes of racism, domestic violence and personal integrity give this story depth. But the best part is just the guts and gore, zombies eating people's brains and eating them alive. The descriptions are not overly disgusting, but you get enough of the picture to image the zombie-infested school and "B"'s desperate race to escape. Zom-B is short, too, just 192 pages with pretty large type and plenty of pen and ink sketches, perfect for the otherwise reluctant reader. And yes, the ending came as a shock. Hee hee.

CONTENT RATING:
Profanity:  Moderate (mostly British)Sexuality:  NoneViolence:  High

BOOK TOUR: THIS IS SARAH by Ally Malinenko

 _________________________________________ 
THIS IS SARAH
Ally Malinenko
Bookfish Books
Ages 14 +


When Colin Leventhal leaned out his bedroom window on the night of May 12th and said goodbye to his girlfriend, he never expected it would be forever. But when Sarah Evans goes missing that night, Colin's world unravels as he transforms from the boyfriend next door to the main police suspect. Then one year later, at her memorial service, Colin makes a phone call that could change everything. Is it possible that Sarah is still alive? And if so, how far will he go to bring her back? 


As Colin struggles with this possibility, across the street, Sarah’s little sister, Claire learns how to navigate the strange new landscape of life without her sister. While her parents fall apart, Claire remains determined to keep going, even if it kills her. 


THIS IS SARAH serves as a meditation on loss, love, and what it means to say goodbye.



EXCERPT:

I get up early to run because it’s easier in the morning. There's no one up yet at five am, and the streets belong to me. I don’t even bring music anymore. I only want to hear the steady thwack of my sneakers on the pavement, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the huff of air coming out of my lungs. It sets up a rhythm that allows my brain to shut off for a while so my mind stays empty. Not thinking feels good. It’s one of the few things that still feels good.            I crest the hill at the top of Cedarhurst and pick up speed going down. My lungs feel clean and clear, and I think about sprinting the last five or six blocks back to my driveway. My energy seems a little low, but I figured I can probably push it. The sound of my feet hitting the pavement intensifies, and I pump my arms hard, small tears forming in my eyes from the wind. I clear my mind. I am no longer Colin. I’m just muscle, tissue, and bone— a complex and delicate machine pushing its way against gravity and inertia, covering distance on this rock floating in the darkness of an ever-expanding space.            When Claire pulls her bike alongside me, I nearly jump out of my skin. Where the hell did she come from? She pedals hard, riding off the seat, her blonde hair whipping back. She passes me, looks back, and smiles. As the distance between us grows, I’m overcome with loss and a sort of panic, like I need to catch up to her. I’m not sure what it is, but I watch her move away from me—her blonde hair streaming,