Annie Cardi's Blog, page 28

Tonight! YA Authors at the Barrington Public Library

My first panel event as an author is tonight in my very own home state of RI! I’ll be talking with fellow YA authors about how we became writers, what YA is for us, and more. The details:

Voice. Heart. Connection. An Evening with 5 Extraordinary Authors of YA Fiction
May 14th, 6pm at the Barrington Public Library
184 County Rd
Barrington, RI 02806

Thanks so much to Barrington Books for organizing this event and more as part of Children’s Book Week. If you’re in the RI area, make sure to check out this fantastic local bookstore. And come to the panel at the Barrington Library tonight!

Links Galore

I’ve been hoarding some good links:

I’ll be at the Barrington Public Library tomorrow with a few of my favorite YA authors. Come by, ask questions, and get books signed!
Honored to see The Chance You Won’t Return on this list of YA novels that deal with mental health.
Glad to see Stanley Yelnats on this list of literary underdogs.
Surprised they didn’t include JK Rowling as a Knockturn Alley witch in this list of author movie cameos.
This 9th grader has some Leslie Knope spirit!
The novel is not dead and books like the Harry Potter series are part of why it’s still around.
Definitely going to return to these questions to ask to make scenes pop.
Books + cooking = my favs.
Also books + tea.
Librarians are teachers, event planners, tech wizards, and more.
Helpful tips for publishing diverse writers/books.
E. Lockhart on being taken seriously as a teen and as a writer.
Claudia always wins for best BSC outfits.
The Game of Writing Life.
Time for summer reading recommendations!
Who’s in for the 48 Hour Book Challenge? I participated last year and loved it!
Your (sort of) very own librarian? Awesome!

 

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! Is it just me, or was this week about three weeks long? Good thing we’ve got the Friday Fifteen to carry us into the weekend. Here are this week’s micro-book-reviews:

1. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Marchetta book about a girl and family mental health? No way I couldn’t love it.

2. About Animals (Childcraft: the How and Why Library #5) by World Book-Childcraft International

Why don’t I remember this one at all? Maybe I was afraid of potential spiders.

3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher’s Guide, Volume 1 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher’s Guide #1) by by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder

Before there was Tumblr, fans had to buy books about their favorite shows. Olden days!

4. Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare

Mostly I remember the pub stuff. Probably should watch a version.

5. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food by Stan and Jan Berenstain

I didn’t understand the problem.

Hamster Birthday Parties and Writers Being Silly

Today in funny things writers do, Tao Lin teaches us how to draw a hamster (which are basically just giant faces):

Tao Lin: How to Draw a Hamster from Graham Kolbeins on Vimeo.

Lin’s drawings inspired me to give my own hamsters a try. Here are my hamsters, celebrating a birthday:

And this is why I’ll never be a children’s book illustrator. Still, it was fun to see a writer like Tao Lin talk about a random, silly thing he likes to do, and it was also fun to give hamster-drawing a try. It’s a nice reminder that play isn’t just for kids–it’s great for creative people of all ages.

Ten Reasons Why You Should Read…Lies We Tell Ourselves

When I was first learning about the Civil Rights movement in elementary/middle school, I heard about desegregation and people like the Little Rock Nine. Their bravery and strength stuck with me, and, as a young reader, I was horrified that kids would be harassed and assaulted just for trying to go to school. So when I heard about Robin Talley’s Lies We Tell Ourselves, which tells the story of two girls on opposite sides of desegregation who feel an unexpected connection, I knew this was a book that would connect with me. Having read it, I can honestly say that this is a book that will connect with so many readers. Here are a few of my reasons to read Lies We Tell Ourselves.

1. Sarah

The book is told in two perspectives, and opens with Sarah Dunbar, one of the black students integrating Jefferson High School in Davisburg, VA. Sarah is a compelling, deeply sympathetic character. It’s so painful to see Sarah, who is so smart and thoughtful and talented and strong, have to stand up to the horribly bigoted, violent people in her town. I was immediately invested in Sarah’s character and my heart broke seeing her go through such awful experiences (and seeing her experience such inner turmoil).

2. Linda

When I got to the first Linda section, I was a little startled–how could I possibly sympathize with such an aggressively small-minded character, especially after reading about the totally sympathetic Sarah? But soon I found myself equally compelled by Linda, who is dealing with her own struggles and anxieties. Kudos to Robin for creating an ‘unsympathetic’ character who becomes complex and incredibly sympathetic.

3. History

Again, desegregation is a part of history I find deeply moving and fascinating. Robin doesn’t shy away from detailing some of the awful things students like Sarah would have experienced–violence, hateful slurs, cruel comments from classmates and teachers, violence toward family and friends. It’s an important part of history and I hope readers will find it similarly affecting and arresting.

4. Un-told History

Lies We Tell Ourselves isn’t just a book about desegregation–it also deals with young lesbian woman at a time and place in which being a lesbian was basically unheard of. Sarah and Linda experience an unexpected attraction to each other, and it’s heartbreaking to see them struggle with their feelings, which they’ve been taught to see as unnatural. I loved getting this story of two young women who yearn for a love that society tells them is wrong. Even though there were just as many LGBTQ teens in history as there are now, we don’t get many of their stories. I’m so glad to have Sarah and Linda’s stories here.

5. Family

So I have a thing for family stories, but I loved getting to see both Sarah and Linda’s home lives. Sarah’s parents are active in the NAACP and want to bring about equality, but it puts enormous pressure on their daughters, who have to go to school everyday and face violence and cruelty. Meanwhile, Linda wants to escape her seemingly perfect family, especially her cold and cruel father. The girls’ worlds feel just as real as the main characters themselves.

6. Honesty

I don’t want to spoil anything here, but Robin doesn’t pull punches for her characters, which makes Lies We Tell Ourselves a tough but honest read. I appreciate that she’s willing to make hard choices and keep things historically accurate, even while that can be difficult for the characters and the reader. These characters live in a very particular, unfair world–one not that removed or different from our own. The book–and the reader–are far better for it.

7. Lies

Each chapter is titled with a particular ‘lie’ a character is telling herself–which of course gave me major heartbreaking feels at the beginning of each chapter.

8. Chills

Every time I read a part of  Lies We Tell Ourselves, I would leave practically shaking from anxiety and anger and sadness and for the characters. This is a book that leaves you shaken in all the right ways. I know it’s one I’ll keep thinking of and will want to share with a wide variety of other readers.

9. Hope

Even though Lies We Tell Ourselves is a heartbreaking, chilling book, it’s still ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Sarah and Linda find a new kind of strength and peace with themselves. I loved seeing them grow as characters and challenge the world around them, and found great hope in thinking about their lives beyond the end of the book.

10. Robin

Robin is a fellow Fourteenery member and one of the coolest, most thoughtful writers/people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. She’s the kind of person who you could easily talk with about deep issues or random life stuff. (She also sous-chef-ed the hell out of my dinner at the Fourteenery retreat.) Robin is an author to follow and an awesome person to know.

Lies We Tell Ourselves is due on September 30th. Get it on your pre-order list now!

Friday Fifteen

After a brief break last week, we’re back with another Friday Fifteen! Here are this week’s book reviews in fifteen words or less:

1. Jenney’s First Year Latin by Charles Jenney, Rogers V. Scudder, Eric C. Baade

Takes me back to translating sentences about Roman armies on the march.

2. Fault Line by Christa Desir

A powerful, challenging, necessary read about sexual assault and how we all respond. Love Christa.

3. The Runaway Duck by David Lyon

Another book I remember sitting with on my own, enjoying the illustrations.

4. Second Best (Sweet Valley Twins #16) by Francine Pascal

We’re siblings but we’re so different! Oh wait, we’ve heard that before.

5. Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book by Better Homes and Gardens

Lots of helpful basics. Great for beginning cooks; one I refer back to.

Children’s Lit and Literary Fiction: a New Blogging Project

I’m excited to introduce a new project: over the next several months, I’ll be a regular contributor to the Ploughshares blog, sharing thoughts about children’s/YA lit and literary fiction and how the two can function together.

As an Emerson alum, I’m thrilled to be a little part of Ploughshares. They have such a great literary tradition, and their blog features some fantastic content.

My first post is now live. This week, I’m talking about the power of children’s literature, Tuck Everlasting, books that stay with you forever, and my reaction to business school bumper stickers.

What books are yours forever? Share in the comments!

Books, Cake, and a Dress with Planes on It: The Chance You Won’t Return Launch Party

Being a writer can seem like a very solitary job. You spend a lot of time alone with your computer, thinking about imaginary people, and occasionally tweeting about things those imaginary people are doing. But sometimes you get a reminder that being a writer involves so many people, that it’s about connecting and sharing. Sometimes that reminder comes with cake. On Tuesday, I had the launch party for The Chance You Won’t Return at Porter Square Books, and it went so well. Check out some of the photos:

An awesome night like this doesn’t just happen. Some very special thanks to:

Porter Square Books for letting us use their fantastic space, for being so gracious and professional, and for being a kick-ass bookstore.
My incredible critique group who made t-shirts, got a delicious cake, did all of the pre-party prep, managed the crowd, and made me feel super supported. I’m so lucky to be part of this group.
The Candlewick Press team, aka, the best people in the publishing business. It was so cool to see some familiar and enthusiastic Candlewick faces in the crowd!
My friends and family who came out on a chilly Tuesday night to listen to me read, ask me great questions about writing, give me big hugs, and let me sign their books. I am overwhelmed by love.
The fine people of Modcloth who sold a dress with tiny airplanes on it. May all my future launch parties feature book-themed dresses.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out. I couldn’t have asked for a better launch party!

Tonight’s the Night: The Chance You Won’t Return Launch Party!

The Chance You Won’t Return‘s been out for a week, which means it’s high time to party! Come out tonight to Porter Square Books at 7pm for reading, Q&A, cake, and happy dances:

Hope to see you there!

Books, Giveaways, and Cake: Launch Party for The Chance You Won’t Return

The Chance You Won’t Return is now available at your favorite bookstore, but the launch party is still to come! Come to Porter Square Books on Tuesday, April 29th at 7pm for:

book signings…
read aloud time…
questions and answers about writing, life, Amelia Earhart, never-have-I-ever…
hearing me talk about how awesome YA is…
cake!
giveaways!

Jones, Leslie, 1886-1967 (photographer)
Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

But not just any giveaways! Come to the launch party in a TCYWR cover-inspired red hoodie and get a prize. Come to the launch dressed as Amelia Earhart and get a super special prize. Or just come to the launch party and get the chance to win your very own signed copy of The Chance You Won’t Return!

And even if you don’t win anything, there is still delicious cake–so really, everyone is a winner.

The details:

The Chance You Won’t Return launch party

April 29th, 7pm at Porter Square Books

RSVP to the Facebook event page

Hope to see you there!