Madhuri Pavamani's Blog, page 46
February 26, 2014
Killing It
Did you see this last night? Because it is ALL. KINDS. OF. AWESOME.
http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-performs-medley-of-hits-on-seth-meyers-new-video.26278.html
“For my theme song, my leather black jeans on, my by any means on” – Kanye West
February 24, 2014
Badass at BAFTA
I know this is completely not book-related* but did you see the BAFTA red carpet? I was out of town so am only just seeing it now, so if this is old news for you, just bear with me. But seriously, as soon as I saw these pictures, I knew I had to post something. They are simply too hot not to post.
Lupita, looking so pretty and my girl, Angie, looking so freaking fierce. God I love that woman.
Admit it: you wish you could rock a tux that hard.
Check them out…
She is just total perfection 
Angie just leaves me speechless in this tux
*and this isn’t totally unrelated to books since I do dream of Lupita playing Dev and Angie playing Sam when THE GIRL hits the big screen.
February 22, 2014
Twelve Random Facts About My Upcoming Book, THE BOY
I’m hoping to have Book II in The Sanctum Trilogy complete this spring, which is about a month away but feels much further off as I write from the land of snow and disgusting, dirty ice that has become my Jersey City Heights neighborhood.
[By the way, big up to the guys at Mod Cup for opening a coffee shop in The Heights…on Palisade Avenue no less. HOLLA. I think I might be in love with you guys, for real. Not only are you brewing my favorite drink (I love coffee even more than I love tequila, and that's saying something right there), but you're doing so in my 'hood, on the very avenue I've been hoping would start seeing some commercial development. So YEA! Let's go drink some coffee.]
[That was a totally random aside, relevant only to my neighbors, but who cares. Similar to when I quote Kanye West, the same rationale applies to random asides - it's my blog so here and there, I might be a little self-indulgent. It happens. Whatever.]
Anyway, I thought it might be a good teaser, maybe get folks a little amped up and ready for THE BOY, by putting together a list of random facts in the book:
12 Random Facts About THE BOY
Ryker’s family owns a pretty sweet brownstone in Fort Greene
Rinshun Palace is huge
Do not get it twisted – Darby is always in Chanel
Just as portals can open, so can they close
Darvin gets a new place to live
Ava gives new meaning to the phrase “bad mother”
Coco has some competition when it comes to creating deadly blades
Shapeshifters are great lovers
Jools carries a part of Wyatt with her wherever she goes
New Green Bo makes awesome dumplings
Ace Morrison fancies himself a chef
Dev hates the color green
February 11, 2014
February 10, 2014
Fan Art
So yesterday was all about shouting out my first YA fan. Today it’s all about my first fan art for The Sanctum.
AM. TOTALLY. PSYCHED.
I’ve scoped out the blogs of some of my favorite fantasy authors and when doing so, often come across these really cool renderings of characters in their books, drawn by fans and sent to the authors. They’ve always struck me as little gifts from the readers, almost as a way of saying thanks to the author for creating an amazing place for the readers to lose themselves for a bit.
In other words, if you’re doing something right, you’ll get some fan art.
Well, guess what? I just got some.
Check it out – it’s freaking fabulous.
There are really no words for how I feel right about now. All I can say is thanks, Kayti. You made my night.
Holla.
February 9, 2014
Shouting Out My First YA Fan
Since I started this journey of creating The Sanctum trilogy and writing THE GIRL, I’ve experienced many firsts along the way, some of them good, and others? Well, they could have been better.
Some of the good ones: the first draft of THE GIRL I sent to my sister-in-law, my first review on Amazon, when my parents first told me they loved the book. And some of the not-so-good ones: my first bout with writer’s block, the first time I deleted three chapters of writing, my first bad review.
Like any other Indie author out there, I’ve been blogging, tweeting, pinning and posting about THE GIRL every chance I get, hoping to grab the attention of my next thoroughly delighted, rabidly loyal reader. I mean, this is the goal of the whole (horrible) and seemingly narcissistic process of marketing myself and my work, right? Trying to pull in new fans.
And just so you know, I totally suck at the marketing game. I hate doing it and my skills are pretty shitty. Reeling in new fans is slow and tortuous work and I constantly feel like I’m failing miserably at the game.
That said, I must have managed to do something right because a couple of weeks ago I learned that I gained a pretty significant fan in a pretty significant fan base:
And who would that first young adult fan of THE GIRL be, you ask?
The one and only
Austin Milner-Rawlins.
Check him out – he’s pretty freaking cool.
And then read my interview with him:
HOW OLD ARE YOU? WHAT GRADE ARE YOU IN?
I’m 12 and in the 6th grade
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES?
Playing sports and video games
DO YOU ENJOY READING? AND IF SO, WHAT TYPES OF BOOKS? GIVE US YOUR FIVE FAVORITE BOOKS.
I love to read.
[Yea! Kids + books = all kinds of awesomeness. Kudos to mom and dad for raising a reader.]
My top 5 books would probably have to be
5. Wonder
4. Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix
3. Percy Jackson and the Battle of the labyrinth
2.Divergent
1.Rangers Apprentice The Battle for Skanida
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GIRL?
my mom told me about it
DID YOU ENJOY THE BOOK? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PART OF THE BOOK?LEAST FAVORITE?
I loved this book.
[Oh yeah! Holla. Fist pump and little happy dance.]
I think my favorite part was the ending because of just the epicness of Dev making a… [I had to delete this part because as much as I love Austin, I'm not quite ready to give up the ending of my book].
I really did not have a part I didn’t like in the book
WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER AND WHY?
I like Darby because of her mysteriousness
WHICH CHARACTER WOULD YOU WANT BY YOUR SIDE IN A STREET FIGHT?
Definitely Dev
If you had to describe THE GIRL to your friends to get them to read it, what would you say?
It’s action packed and very funny
[Funny…that's a new one but I'll take it.]
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TELL US?
I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy!
[Hopefully you won't be waiting much longer.]
I’ve heard from a lot of adults that have read THE GIRL, I’ve met with a book club of adults and we discussed THE GIRL and THE GIRL has been reviewed by a bunch of adults. But to connect with someone under eighteen is pretty freaking sweet.
So Austin, this post celebrates you, the fact that you took the time to read THE GIRL and more importantly, that you loved it. You’ve made me really, really happy and inspired me to continue doing this thing and you’ll always hold a special place in my heart cuz that’s how I get down.
You Rock.
February 6, 2014
BJ + Mindy = Perfection
I’m not sure how I feel about book trailers just yet, but you cannot deny the brilliance of BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling. Put them together and even I can’t resist the charm of this trailer.
It might even convince me to buy the book.
Girl Crush: Hermione Granger
Yesterday was all Matt Damon. Today is looking like Hermione.
I admit, I’m a bit obsessed with the Muggle, but is that really such a bad thing?
Anyway, I stumbled across this Buzzfeed list this morning and had to share it. She really is spectacular. And who can resist a girl who gives good bitch-face? I certainly cannot.
23 Signs You Are Hermione Granger
1. You are physically incapable of controlling your hair.
wandsandblueboxes.tumblr.com
2. You would rather be in a library than anywhere else.
Via donotcallmeamudblood.tumblr.com
3. This was you in every class, from elementary school to college.
Via donotcallmeamudblood.tumblr.com
4. You can be a little intense.
llyrsknight.tumblr.com
5. And so people often have this reaction to you at first.
Ellie Hall
6. You consider it your duty to keep your friends in line and down-to-earth.
fuckyeahkillingtime.tumblr.com
7. And you always find yourself being the voice of reason in a group.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
8. You never go anywhere without bringing something to read.
hpchallenge.tumblr.com
9. This is your bitchy resting face.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
10. You can be a little bit judgmental.
jamescook.tumblr.com
11. But let’s face it… you’re normally always right.
myiblife.tumblr.com
12. You would literally commit murder for a Time-Turner.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
13. You have no patience for PDA.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
14. Mostly because you have a hard time expressing your feelings.
http:/hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
15. You give very enthusiastic hugs.
Via wickedleviosa.tumblr.com
16. And all of your (close) friends are used to this.
the-fantasy-lover.tumblr.com
17. You often find yourself overwhelmed by the stupidity of others.
gb-ab.tumblr.com
18. You can’t stop yourself from correcting people if they’re doing something wrong.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
19. You’re not being bossy, you’re helping!
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
20. You don’t take shit from anybody.
whatshouldwecallswingdance.tumblr.com
21. And you aren’t afraid to get physical about it (but only if you’ve exhausted all the logical options and it’s truly necessary).
doughnutdl.tumblr.com
22. You’re an incredibly loyal friend and will do just about anything for the people you love.
hermionegrangergifs.tumblr.com
23. You’re not above a humble brag because, let’s be honest, you’re awesome.
February 5, 2014
Some Girls Have All the Fun
This is my friend, Sharmila, with my man, Matt Damon.
Matt-fucking-Damon!
What a lucky bitch.
I just gotta love me some Sharmila (she’s the same girl that sent me a shot of herself and Uma Thurman, aka, Beatrix Kiddo, aka, one of my hardcore girl crushes).
I’m totally party-crashing with her next time.
Just saying.
February 4, 2014
Book Review: Niko by Kayti Nika Raet – A Badass Girl and Her Bat
YA Dystopia
Published: April 28, 2013
One can live for several weeks without food but only a few days without water, a fact seventeen year old Niko is only too aware of as she struggles to provide for her two younger brothers in a post apocalyptic landscape where the rain burns like acid, food grows increasingly scarce and any Slither that crosses her path is laid low before it can sink its teeth into her.
Then one night everything she’d ever worked for and loved is consumed by a raging fire, leaving her with one brother missing, the other dead and herself gravely injured.
She’s rescued by the Rose Circle, a rogue group of Slither hunters. They sneak her into Amaryllis City, a decadent metropolis where those able to pay the exorbitant entrance fee live a life of relative ease.
But for Niko, Amaryllis City is not the haven she grew up believing it would be and her unique abilities as a Slither hunter make her a particularly visible target to a city with hopes of experimentation, replication and other nasty bits.
All Niko ever wanted to do was find her baby brother, but that’s proving to be harder than expected.
–MY TWO CENTS–
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, practically devouring the final third of it last night, having become so caught up in Niko and her quest.
Niko is the first book in The Outsider Chronicles from Kayti Nika Raet. Taking place in a dystopia that has suffered an apparent cataclysmic environmental disaster, leaving its inhabitants fearing the acid rain that falls from the skies, dodging heart-eating Slithers and generally fighting to survive, Raet deftly creates a world full of despair and anger, with glimpses of hope interspersed throughout, setting up the reader for what I can only imagine is going to be an interesting ride.
Her main character, Niko, is the kind of girl I love and would like to see more of: badass, hardcore, take-no-prisoners, survival-of-the-fittest types and she is one of the more fit specimens running around the city. Having lost her parents, she is the caretaker for her younger brothers, scouring the outer city for food and that precious commodity, clean water.
Coming home from one such mission results in personal tragedy and the beginning of Niko’s adventure, one that will take her inside the city walls to live in the lap of luxury, drink all the clean water she can ingest, kill Slithers and learn more about what is really going on with her cohorts in the Rose Circle, all while never giving up hope to find her brother. Especially refreshing is Niko’s devotion to her mission–that of saving her brother–and her refusal to be sidetracked by any of the boys she meets along the way. Niko is a rare gem, who I am certain has some vulnerabilities, but it so very good at hiding them.
My only criticism is more of an editing note than anything to do with the storyline, plot development and the like. There are some grammatical and spelling errors here and there, but these are easily worked around and ignored and probably only stand out to me because I am totally Type-A when it comes to such things.
All in all, this is a great story from a talented and very creative writer; you will get sucked into Raet’s world and root for Niko, and her deadly baseball bat, all the while. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy and seeing what Miss Raet has in store for us. I am certain she will not disappoint.
Kayti Nika Raet
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Kayti Nika Raet moved down South when she was 11 where she was bit by the writing bug as well as other less friendly insects. She the author of the YA dystopia, Niko, the upcoming sequel Harm, as well as the short stories Slither and Tape the Devil’s Mouth . She’s also a reviewer for Readers’ Favorite and has her own Youtube Channel Kayti Edition. Her procrastination aids are reading, K-pop, and photography. Kayti lives in Milledgeville, Georgia.
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