Margo Kelly's Blog, page 6
May 6, 2020
Insecure Writer's Support Group: Writing Rituals
Have you visited the Insecure Writer's Support Group website recently? Rated one of the top websites for writers, you will find tons of invaluable information there. Check it out: www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com . . . and while there, be sure to sign up and join the group.
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
May's Question: Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?
My Answer: Yes! Music. With each manuscript, I choose at least one song that represents the mood and energy of the story. Sometimes, I create a playlist of multiple songs. I listen to it to set the right tone and focus my mind. Other times, I will listen to high energy music and dance around the room with my dog to vitalize my mind. And other times, I'll listen to instrumental music while typing to help my mind zero in on the words and flow of sentences. Music is a huge resource for me.
What about you? Do you have writing rituals?
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htmlMay's Question: Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?
My Answer: Yes! Music. With each manuscript, I choose at least one song that represents the mood and energy of the story. Sometimes, I create a playlist of multiple songs. I listen to it to set the right tone and focus my mind. Other times, I will listen to high energy music and dance around the room with my dog to vitalize my mind. And other times, I'll listen to instrumental music while typing to help my mind zero in on the words and flow of sentences. Music is a huge resource for me.
What about you? Do you have writing rituals?
May 3, 2020
Book Review: THE SEVENTH POWER by Kevin Hancock
I love the topic of leadership, and as a fan of nonfiction books, I jumped at the opportunity to read THE SEVENTH POWER by Kevin Hancock. Scroll down for my complete review.
The Seventh Power
by Kevin Hancock
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1642934069
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Description from the Publisher:
A corporate executive loses his voice and discovers a new pathway to organizational excellence built on the premise of dispersed power and shared leadership.
“Kevin Hancock’s personal journey holds universal messages for people at all levels of business and community. The Seventh Power’s new, more inclusive approach to leadership and management will give you important insights into your life, your career, and your company.” —Chip Conley, Hospitality Entrepreneur and Bestselling Author
“Many business books have discussed management, innovation, culture, and how to be great, but none grab you like Kevin Hancock's The Seventh Power: A CEO’s Journey into Shared Leadership. One has to admire what Kevin has accomplished after experiencing a serious speech impediment. Kevin takes what most of us would be an insurmountable challenge and uses it as a learning tool to make himself, those around him, and his company better. The Seventh Power is not only a good read, it's a must read for all aspiring leaders and even those of us who have been around a while. It's never too late to learn!” —Rick Holley, Chairman of the Board, Weyerhaeuser Company
“From his home in Maine to Navajo and Lakota communities in the West to Ukraine, Kevin Hancock takes the reader on a personal journey of more than 15,000 miles in which he learns to listen and empower people. The Seventh Power is an exploration of a new model of leadership in which individual voices are heard and the human spirit is celebrated. The principles that Kevin puts to work in his 171-year-old family business offer an enlightened way forward for all institutions.” —U.S. Senator Susan Collins
About the Author:
Kevin Hancock is the President of Hancock Lumber Company. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber operates ten retail stores and three sawmills that are led by 460 employees. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine.
Hancock Lumber is a multi-year recipient of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a past recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, and the MITC ‘Exporter of the Year’ award.
Kevin is a past chairman of the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association as well as the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat For Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Boy Scouts of America ‘Distinguished Citizen’ Award, and Timber Processing Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ Award. Kevin also spent 20 years coaching middle school basketball for the Lake Region school district.
Kevin is a graduate of Lake Region High School and Bowdoin College. He is also a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In 2015, Kevin published a book about his experiences with the Oglala Sioux Tribe titled, Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse. The book won the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award, first place in leadership and runner-up in the spirituality category.
Kevin is an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community such as Pine Ridge—through listening, empowering, and shared leadership.
My Review:
I LOVE IT!!!
In case you'd like a more in-depth review, read on . . .
Whenever I pick up a nonfiction book, I have a process:
* I open to the Table of Contents and scan through the sections and chapter headings to determine if the book is organized and logical.
* I flip through the pages to see if the layout is easy to navigate and diagrams are easy to understand.
* Then I read the book.
The Table of Contents in The Seventh Power contain simple chapter headings, but they are thought provoking, making me curious to read more. The diagrams, also, are simple and easy to read. In addition to the diagrams, there are pictures at the back of the book that allow the reader to see the significant real-life players of the book.
The layout looks more like a novel or memoir than a leadership book, but after reading the book, I discovered that's because it is narrative nonfiction. Much of it is memoir based, taking from the author's personal search for self-actualization and interviews he conducted with various people around the country and world.
But make no mistake . . .
Kevin Hancock skillfully threads leadership lessons throughout the entire narrative of The Seventh Power.
Some leadership books allow the reader to just jump around from topic to topic, but these chapters need to be read in order to fully grasp the lessons being shared within the pages. The concepts being taught build sequentially upon each other.
Overall, while I love this book and highly recommend it to everyone, there are elements I disagree with, and there are sections that were too heavy handed and/or wordy. For example, on page 109, the value of therapists is questioned. I believe skilled therapists help people find themselves and improve their lives every day. Another example, in the beginning as well as the epilogue of the book, Hancock tries too hard to force his "spiritual" perspective on the reader. The main chapters of the book teach great leadership principles - so don't be distracted by the spiritual concepts (if that's not your cup of tea). However, part of me is glad he included those passages because I always enjoy exploring ideas "outside my lane," but they distract from the body of the book and make it feel as if there are two books/concepts forced into one.
The Seventh Power would be a great reading selection to be discussed at a business retreat or a book club.
"The five big social institutions (family, school, place of worship, place of work, and government) are lagging behind the individual aspirations of their members. Around the globe, memberships in traditional organizations are dwindling, engagement is falling, and participants are rebelling." (page 18)
Leadership styles, goals, and guidelines need to change.
"The new goal: create a socially transformative work culture for the 21st century in which employee engagement soars because everyone feels authentically heard." (from jacket description)
Within the opening pages, Hancock suggests that everyone is a leader, but I know people who prefer being followers. And then if to respond, Hancock writes on pages 20-21, "Following has one big advantage: you don't ever have to take full responsibility--someone else can always be held accountable if things go wrong, as they often do." Hancock continues to advocate, quite convincingly, that everyone is capable of being a leader in their area of expertise.
A few of the most valuable leadership principles within the book include these ideas:
-- Leading through listening is essential.
-- Great people are everywhere.
-- In nature, power is dispersed.
-- Organizations exist to improve the lives of the people who belong to them.
Hancock offers a lot of terrific one liners to post on your desktop and remind yourself of higher thinking. Such as:
-- "Seeking is the biggest step in finding." (page 43)
-- "Proving others wrong rarely creates progress." (page 61)
-- "Moving at nature's pace has regenerative powers." (page 72)
-- "It's respect for the diversity of thought that creates unity." (page 126)
-- "The power of princes and presidents pales in comparison to what all the world's strangers can do just by being nice to each other." (page 118)
-- "Personal growth is an act of faith followed by action. (page 254)
As I got deeper into the book, I started wondering if the ideas presented are too Utopian in nature. Is it unrealistic to have wide-spread dispersed power? With all the narcissists and misogynists and sociopaths in the world, will it ever be possible to achieve Hancock's idealistic leadership model? Or will ego and pride prevent our evolution? There's no simple switch to flip. Within the book, Hancock explores groups who've had their voices taken away but what about the groups and individuals who TAKE those voices away? What happens to the dominant and aggressive personalities in the Utopia proposed by Hancock?
Hancock seemingly answers my questions with this repeated idea: "We change the world by working on ourselves." (page 85)
Reading The Seventh Power by Kevin Hancock is certainly a major step in "changing the world by working on ourselves."
Hancock's interviews with compelling people give readers glimpses into lives foreign to their own, broadening perspectives and deepening awareness.
The Seventh Power contains seven important lessons encapsulated in seven main chapters. These lessons include:
1. GREAT PEOPLE are everywhere.
2. CULTURE makes the difference.
3. CHANGE is created first from within.
4. LOCALIZE and shrink the center.
5. LISTEN for understanding, not judgment.
6. OVERREACHING has consequences.
7. BROADEN the mission.
I highly recommend The Seventh Power by Kevin Hancock.
A few of my favorite passages:
"The problem with a preoccupation with external enemies is the opportunity cost of internal exploration. As long as there is an adversary 'out there,' we can postpone the real work of looking inward." (page 74)
"Transcending the urge to judge, fix, solve, or transform others is what actually creates the conditions for communities (or companies) to progress. When people feel heard, not judged, they relax. When people relax, they think. When people think, they grow." (page 127)
"Making the time to listen to the stories of the other side creates a new set of possibilities. Awareness and connectivity are powerful acts." (page 206)
"The challenges faced by disenfranchised communities, in my view, are exacerbated by people staying in their lane and not engaging humanity more broadly." (page 223)
[I received a free copy of this book from FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
The Seventh Powerby Kevin Hancock
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1642934069
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Description from the Publisher:
A corporate executive loses his voice and discovers a new pathway to organizational excellence built on the premise of dispersed power and shared leadership.
“Kevin Hancock’s personal journey holds universal messages for people at all levels of business and community. The Seventh Power’s new, more inclusive approach to leadership and management will give you important insights into your life, your career, and your company.” —Chip Conley, Hospitality Entrepreneur and Bestselling Author
“Many business books have discussed management, innovation, culture, and how to be great, but none grab you like Kevin Hancock's The Seventh Power: A CEO’s Journey into Shared Leadership. One has to admire what Kevin has accomplished after experiencing a serious speech impediment. Kevin takes what most of us would be an insurmountable challenge and uses it as a learning tool to make himself, those around him, and his company better. The Seventh Power is not only a good read, it's a must read for all aspiring leaders and even those of us who have been around a while. It's never too late to learn!” —Rick Holley, Chairman of the Board, Weyerhaeuser Company
“From his home in Maine to Navajo and Lakota communities in the West to Ukraine, Kevin Hancock takes the reader on a personal journey of more than 15,000 miles in which he learns to listen and empower people. The Seventh Power is an exploration of a new model of leadership in which individual voices are heard and the human spirit is celebrated. The principles that Kevin puts to work in his 171-year-old family business offer an enlightened way forward for all institutions.” —U.S. Senator Susan Collins
About the Author:
Kevin Hancock is the President of Hancock Lumber Company. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber operates ten retail stores and three sawmills that are led by 460 employees. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine.
Hancock Lumber is a multi-year recipient of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a past recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, and the MITC ‘Exporter of the Year’ award.
Kevin is a past chairman of the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association as well as the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat For Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Boy Scouts of America ‘Distinguished Citizen’ Award, and Timber Processing Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ Award. Kevin also spent 20 years coaching middle school basketball for the Lake Region school district.
Kevin is a graduate of Lake Region High School and Bowdoin College. He is also a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In 2015, Kevin published a book about his experiences with the Oglala Sioux Tribe titled, Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse. The book won the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award, first place in leadership and runner-up in the spirituality category.
Kevin is an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community such as Pine Ridge—through listening, empowering, and shared leadership.
My Review:
I LOVE IT!!!
In case you'd like a more in-depth review, read on . . .
Whenever I pick up a nonfiction book, I have a process:
* I open to the Table of Contents and scan through the sections and chapter headings to determine if the book is organized and logical.
* I flip through the pages to see if the layout is easy to navigate and diagrams are easy to understand.
* Then I read the book.
The Table of Contents in The Seventh Power contain simple chapter headings, but they are thought provoking, making me curious to read more. The diagrams, also, are simple and easy to read. In addition to the diagrams, there are pictures at the back of the book that allow the reader to see the significant real-life players of the book.
The layout looks more like a novel or memoir than a leadership book, but after reading the book, I discovered that's because it is narrative nonfiction. Much of it is memoir based, taking from the author's personal search for self-actualization and interviews he conducted with various people around the country and world.
But make no mistake . . .
Kevin Hancock skillfully threads leadership lessons throughout the entire narrative of The Seventh Power.
Some leadership books allow the reader to just jump around from topic to topic, but these chapters need to be read in order to fully grasp the lessons being shared within the pages. The concepts being taught build sequentially upon each other.
Overall, while I love this book and highly recommend it to everyone, there are elements I disagree with, and there are sections that were too heavy handed and/or wordy. For example, on page 109, the value of therapists is questioned. I believe skilled therapists help people find themselves and improve their lives every day. Another example, in the beginning as well as the epilogue of the book, Hancock tries too hard to force his "spiritual" perspective on the reader. The main chapters of the book teach great leadership principles - so don't be distracted by the spiritual concepts (if that's not your cup of tea). However, part of me is glad he included those passages because I always enjoy exploring ideas "outside my lane," but they distract from the body of the book and make it feel as if there are two books/concepts forced into one.
The Seventh Power would be a great reading selection to be discussed at a business retreat or a book club.
"The five big social institutions (family, school, place of worship, place of work, and government) are lagging behind the individual aspirations of their members. Around the globe, memberships in traditional organizations are dwindling, engagement is falling, and participants are rebelling." (page 18)
Leadership styles, goals, and guidelines need to change.
"The new goal: create a socially transformative work culture for the 21st century in which employee engagement soars because everyone feels authentically heard." (from jacket description)
Within the opening pages, Hancock suggests that everyone is a leader, but I know people who prefer being followers. And then if to respond, Hancock writes on pages 20-21, "Following has one big advantage: you don't ever have to take full responsibility--someone else can always be held accountable if things go wrong, as they often do." Hancock continues to advocate, quite convincingly, that everyone is capable of being a leader in their area of expertise.
A few of the most valuable leadership principles within the book include these ideas:
-- Leading through listening is essential.
-- Great people are everywhere.
-- In nature, power is dispersed.
-- Organizations exist to improve the lives of the people who belong to them.
Hancock offers a lot of terrific one liners to post on your desktop and remind yourself of higher thinking. Such as:
-- "Seeking is the biggest step in finding." (page 43)
-- "Proving others wrong rarely creates progress." (page 61)
-- "Moving at nature's pace has regenerative powers." (page 72)
-- "It's respect for the diversity of thought that creates unity." (page 126)
-- "The power of princes and presidents pales in comparison to what all the world's strangers can do just by being nice to each other." (page 118)
-- "Personal growth is an act of faith followed by action. (page 254)
As I got deeper into the book, I started wondering if the ideas presented are too Utopian in nature. Is it unrealistic to have wide-spread dispersed power? With all the narcissists and misogynists and sociopaths in the world, will it ever be possible to achieve Hancock's idealistic leadership model? Or will ego and pride prevent our evolution? There's no simple switch to flip. Within the book, Hancock explores groups who've had their voices taken away but what about the groups and individuals who TAKE those voices away? What happens to the dominant and aggressive personalities in the Utopia proposed by Hancock?
Hancock seemingly answers my questions with this repeated idea: "We change the world by working on ourselves." (page 85)
Reading The Seventh Power by Kevin Hancock is certainly a major step in "changing the world by working on ourselves."
Hancock's interviews with compelling people give readers glimpses into lives foreign to their own, broadening perspectives and deepening awareness.
The Seventh Power contains seven important lessons encapsulated in seven main chapters. These lessons include:
1. GREAT PEOPLE are everywhere.
2. CULTURE makes the difference.
3. CHANGE is created first from within.
4. LOCALIZE and shrink the center.
5. LISTEN for understanding, not judgment.
6. OVERREACHING has consequences.
7. BROADEN the mission.
I highly recommend The Seventh Power by Kevin Hancock.
A few of my favorite passages:
"The problem with a preoccupation with external enemies is the opportunity cost of internal exploration. As long as there is an adversary 'out there,' we can postpone the real work of looking inward." (page 74)
"Transcending the urge to judge, fix, solve, or transform others is what actually creates the conditions for communities (or companies) to progress. When people feel heard, not judged, they relax. When people relax, they think. When people think, they grow." (page 127)
"Making the time to listen to the stories of the other side creates a new set of possibilities. Awareness and connectivity are powerful acts." (page 206)
"The challenges faced by disenfranchised communities, in my view, are exacerbated by people staying in their lane and not engaging humanity more broadly." (page 223)
[I received a free copy of this book from FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
April 1, 2020
Insecure Writer's Support Group: How Are Things in Your World?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
April's Question: The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, our question this month is: how are things in your world?
My Answer: Whew. Boy. What a month March 2020 was! Events canceled/postponed (including a wedding shower, a wedding, and a baby shower within my immediate family), significant loss of income, state-wide stay-at-home order, and then yesterday: a 6.5 earthquake - in Idaho! The last significant earthquake here was in the 1980s! And yet, on the immediate horizon: the birth of our first grand-baby could be any day now. I'm packing the car and getting ready for the call to hit the road. A road trip during a pandemic is not my idea of fun, but I will be there for my daughter and son-in-law, unless of course, they close the border between Idaho and Utah. Then we'll re-evaluate.
How about you? How are things in your world?
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
April's Question: The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, our question this month is: how are things in your world?
My Answer: Whew. Boy. What a month March 2020 was! Events canceled/postponed (including a wedding shower, a wedding, and a baby shower within my immediate family), significant loss of income, state-wide stay-at-home order, and then yesterday: a 6.5 earthquake - in Idaho! The last significant earthquake here was in the 1980s! And yet, on the immediate horizon: the birth of our first grand-baby could be any day now. I'm packing the car and getting ready for the call to hit the road. A road trip during a pandemic is not my idea of fun, but I will be there for my daughter and son-in-law, unless of course, they close the border between Idaho and Utah. Then we'll re-evaluate.
How about you? How are things in your world?
March 10, 2020
Book Review: MALICE by Pintip Dunn
Malice by Pintip DunnMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pintip Dunn delivers a fun, twisty, time-travel adventure in her latest novel, MALICE!
Dunn wastes no time jumping right into the story. So buckle in before you pick this one up because you'll be turning pages to find out what's going to happen next. Of course, if you're afraid of the current real-life virus spanning the globe, you may want to wash your hands and wear a mask (not really, just joking!) because this story is a mix of TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger and PANDEMIC by Yvonne Ventresca.
I loved the majority of the story. The only part that rubbed me wrong was the gun handling. As a person from Idaho, where we love our guns, go target shooting, and teach safe gun handling, I felt like the characters were uneducated in the safe handling of and respect for dangerous firearms. It felt too casual, as if no training is necessary and as if taking a life is no big deal. Other than that ;) I enjoyed the book.
Dunn writes, "Because of the virus ... It was manufactured to be highly contagious ..." YIKES! And the main character says, "I refuse to think about the Voice. Because it either means I'm slowly but surely losing my grip on reality...or someone really did hack into my brain and can now force me to do anything she wants." YIKES!
So . . . as you stock up in preparation for the current real-life pandemic, be sure to add MALICE to your stack of books to read while quarantined.
[I received a free copy of MALICE from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
View all my reviews
March 4, 2020
IWSG: Family Traditions in Stories
Oh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group has proposed an interesting question this month . . .
March Question: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
My Answer: I had to think really hard on this one! It's a great character development idea, too. In my first novel, Who R U Really?, the main character's mother gives her a "quote of the day" calendar every year for Christmas. That's their tradition, and one year, the mom changes the calendar. No good. Goes back to the tradition.
Here are a few quotes from that fictional calendar tradition:
To learn more about the Insecure Writer's Support Group, visit the website: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
How about you?
Have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
March Question: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
My Answer: I had to think really hard on this one! It's a great character development idea, too. In my first novel, Who R U Really?, the main character's mother gives her a "quote of the day" calendar every year for Christmas. That's their tradition, and one year, the mom changes the calendar. No good. Goes back to the tradition.
Here are a few quotes from that fictional calendar tradition:
To learn more about the Insecure Writer's Support Group, visit the website: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
How about you?
Have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
March 2, 2020
BOOK REVIEW: Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters by Suzanne Kamata
When I was invited to read and review Suzanne Kamata's latest middle-grade book, I was so excited! She's a terrific author, and this book exceeded my expectations. Scroll down for my complete review.
Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters
by Suzanne Kamata
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
ISBN: 978-1947159365
Publisher: One Elm Books
Description from the Publisher:
Thirteen-year-old Satoshi Matsumoto spent the last three years living in Atlanta where he was the star of his middle-school baseball team―a slugger with pro potential, according to his coach. Now that his father's work in the US has come to an end, he's moved back to his hometown in rural Japan. Living abroad has changed him, and now his old friends in Japan are suspicious of his new foreign ways. Even worse, his childhood foe Shintaro, whose dad has ties to gangsters, is in his homeroom. After he joins his new school's baseball team, Satoshi has a chance to be a hero until he makes a major-league error.
"A heart-warming story about a baseball player who learns that teamwork is much more important than being the star of the team. I loved the family dynamics and depiction of life, and especially baseball, in Japan."―Shauna Holyoak, author of Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers (Hyperion, 2019)
"A story set in Japan rich in details only Kamata, an insider, could share. With ease and respect, she weaves the pressures, agonies, and loyalties of Satoshi's life at home, at school and on a junior high baseball team with the practices and traditions of the game played in Japan. I am a big fan of this middle-grade homerun!"―Annie Donwerth Chikamatsu, award-winning author of Somewhere Among (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2017)
About the Author & Illustrator:
Award-winning author Suzanne Kamata was born and raised in the United States, but has lived in Japan for over half of her life. Suzanne raised two kids and now lives with her husband in Aizumi, Japan. Tracy Nishimura Bishop is an illustrator working in San Jose, CA. She grew up in Japan and got hooked on drawing when she won an art contest in Kindergarten.
My Review:
Suzanne Kamata knocked it out of the park with her middle-grade novel, Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters!
Whether you live in the United States, Japan, or elsewhere in the world, Pop Flies by Kamata allows insight into two cultures by comparing and contrasting many moments throughout the story via the lens of a middle-grade boy. Even the act of changing from outdoor shoes to indoor shoes and to bathroom slippers gives awareness to variances between the USA and Japan, often making me, and other readers, pause to ask the question, "Why don't we do that?" But then also the question, "Why do they do that?" Such as when Kamata writes, "I remember how my classmates in Atlanta made fun of me when I peeled my grapes before eating them ... I never knew what I was doing to make people laugh." The story also gives examples of similarities between the two countries, not just baseball but also malls, Rock, Paper, Scissors, bullying, and teamwork.
Reading Pop Flies together as a class would allow middle-grade students to discuss not only cultural differences but also household and friendship differences, which would expand their understanding and compassion for classmates.
This story was a breath of fresh air. In addition to the cultural comparisons and explorations, I thoroughly enjoyed the various dynamics of the characters' families, including the well-described use of sign language. And whether intended by the author or not, I was struck by the parallels between sign language gestures, cultural gestures, and friendship gestures. All have great meaning. "A piece of fruit is hardly enough to thank them ... Still, gestures count."
The artwork is engaging and captures pivotal moments of the story. For that reason, I would highly recommend purchasing this book in the print form to best appreciate the artwork.
Great writing. For example:
"I churn my legs like mad, trying to make up for lost time, but I'm still a hundred feet away from the front door when I hear the chime for first period."
"The guys from Ikeda are wiping at their eyes and noses. I'd almost forgotten about the crying. In America, if you cry after losing a game, you're a total wuss. In Japan, crying after a loss is almost required."
"Now that the rain has lifted, the heat and humidity of summer have moved in. Even this early in the morning it feels as if a dragon is breathing down my back."
Bottom line?
Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters by Suzanne Kamata is a must read and must purchase for anyone who enjoys baseball, middle-grade novels, Japan, cultural exploration, and reading in general.
[I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters
by Suzanne Kamata
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
ISBN: 978-1947159365
Publisher: One Elm Books
Description from the Publisher:
Thirteen-year-old Satoshi Matsumoto spent the last three years living in Atlanta where he was the star of his middle-school baseball team―a slugger with pro potential, according to his coach. Now that his father's work in the US has come to an end, he's moved back to his hometown in rural Japan. Living abroad has changed him, and now his old friends in Japan are suspicious of his new foreign ways. Even worse, his childhood foe Shintaro, whose dad has ties to gangsters, is in his homeroom. After he joins his new school's baseball team, Satoshi has a chance to be a hero until he makes a major-league error.
"A heart-warming story about a baseball player who learns that teamwork is much more important than being the star of the team. I loved the family dynamics and depiction of life, and especially baseball, in Japan."―Shauna Holyoak, author of Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers (Hyperion, 2019)
"A story set in Japan rich in details only Kamata, an insider, could share. With ease and respect, she weaves the pressures, agonies, and loyalties of Satoshi's life at home, at school and on a junior high baseball team with the practices and traditions of the game played in Japan. I am a big fan of this middle-grade homerun!"―Annie Donwerth Chikamatsu, award-winning author of Somewhere Among (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2017)
About the Author & Illustrator:
Award-winning author Suzanne Kamata was born and raised in the United States, but has lived in Japan for over half of her life. Suzanne raised two kids and now lives with her husband in Aizumi, Japan. Tracy Nishimura Bishop is an illustrator working in San Jose, CA. She grew up in Japan and got hooked on drawing when she won an art contest in Kindergarten.
My Review:
Suzanne Kamata knocked it out of the park with her middle-grade novel, Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters!
Whether you live in the United States, Japan, or elsewhere in the world, Pop Flies by Kamata allows insight into two cultures by comparing and contrasting many moments throughout the story via the lens of a middle-grade boy. Even the act of changing from outdoor shoes to indoor shoes and to bathroom slippers gives awareness to variances between the USA and Japan, often making me, and other readers, pause to ask the question, "Why don't we do that?" But then also the question, "Why do they do that?" Such as when Kamata writes, "I remember how my classmates in Atlanta made fun of me when I peeled my grapes before eating them ... I never knew what I was doing to make people laugh." The story also gives examples of similarities between the two countries, not just baseball but also malls, Rock, Paper, Scissors, bullying, and teamwork.
Reading Pop Flies together as a class would allow middle-grade students to discuss not only cultural differences but also household and friendship differences, which would expand their understanding and compassion for classmates.
This story was a breath of fresh air. In addition to the cultural comparisons and explorations, I thoroughly enjoyed the various dynamics of the characters' families, including the well-described use of sign language. And whether intended by the author or not, I was struck by the parallels between sign language gestures, cultural gestures, and friendship gestures. All have great meaning. "A piece of fruit is hardly enough to thank them ... Still, gestures count."
The artwork is engaging and captures pivotal moments of the story. For that reason, I would highly recommend purchasing this book in the print form to best appreciate the artwork.
Great writing. For example:
"I churn my legs like mad, trying to make up for lost time, but I'm still a hundred feet away from the front door when I hear the chime for first period."
"The guys from Ikeda are wiping at their eyes and noses. I'd almost forgotten about the crying. In America, if you cry after losing a game, you're a total wuss. In Japan, crying after a loss is almost required."
"Now that the rain has lifted, the heat and humidity of summer have moved in. Even this early in the morning it feels as if a dragon is breathing down my back."
Bottom line?
Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters by Suzanne Kamata is a must read and must purchase for anyone who enjoys baseball, middle-grade novels, Japan, cultural exploration, and reading in general.
[I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
February 17, 2020
Book Review: THE SEVENTH SUN by Lani Forbes
Months ago, I was asked to read an early copy and write a blurb for the debut novel of Lani Forbes, THE SEVENTH SUN. I was honored, and it's so fun to see part of my review published on the back of the audio book edition:
Additionally, Tuesday, 2/18/20, at 7pm in Boise, Idaho, I will have the pleasure of interviewing Lani at the launch party for her book. If you're in town, join us:
Scroll on down for my complete review of Lani's novel, but here is additional information about her book:
THE SEVENTH SUN
Author: Lani Forbes
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1982546090
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Description from the Publisher:
Thrust into leadership upon the death of his emperor father, young Prince Ahkin feels completely unready for his new position. Though his royal blood controls the power of the sun, he's now responsible for the lives of all the Chicome people. And despite all Ahkin's efforts, the sun is fading--and the end of the world may be at hand.
For Mayana, the only daughter of the Chicome family whose blood controls the power of water, the old emperor's death may mean that she is next. Prince Ahkin must be married before he can ascend the throne, and Mayana is one of six noble daughters presented to him as a possible wife. Those who are not chosen will be sacrificed to the gods.
Only one girl can become Ahkin's bride. Mayana and Ahkin feel an immediate connection, but the gods themselves may be against them. Both recognize that the ancient rites of blood that keep the gods appeased may be harming the Chicome more than they help. As a bloodred comet and the fading sun bring a growing sense of dread, only two young people may hope to change their world.
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Maya people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of apocalyptic disaster.
About the Author:
Lani Forbes is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer, which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books. A California native whose parents live in Mexico, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest where she stubbornly wears flip flops no matter how cold it gets. She teaches middle school math and science and proudly calls herself a nerd and Gryffindor. She is also an award-winning member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
My Review:
With THE SEVENTH SUN, Lani Forbes joins Leigh Bardugo and Alwyn Hamilton in the ranks of the most talented fantasy authors of today.
Ancient civilizations, mythologies, head dresses, jade pendants, noble families, obsidian daggers – whoa boy – Lani Forbes’s debut novel, THE SEVENTH SUN, kept me glued to the page as I became fully immersed in the rich cultural experience of the Chicome people. With two main characters: Ahkin, a devout young prince who is expected to become emperor and lead his people, and Mayana, a heretic who could win Ahkin’s heart and become the next empress, THE SEVENTH SUN is full of conflict, emotion, and drama that will keep readers turning pages late into the night to find out what will happen next.
Forbes’s amazing writing enveloped me in the world of the story. Here are some of my favorite passages:
“Her heart drummed a rhythm so deep it pounded inside her ears, making her wonder how many beats it had left. Would they cut it from her chest and burn it on an altar? She shuddered, pressing her hand against it as thought she could shield it from such a fate.”
“Love does not hold grudges or demand payment.”
“Why had her father taught her every important ritual and rule under the sun but not how to hold the hand of a prince?”
“Human finger bones rattled from their shields and their quivers were filled not with arrows, but with sharpened bones from enemy arms and legs.”
I am a fan of series, but my favorites are ones where each book has a completed plot and the next book continues with the same awesome characters conquering a new plot. So be warned, THE SEVENTH SUN is the first book in a trilogy with a cliff hanger at the end. But hey, let’s be real, if that is my only criticism, that’s actually a huge compliment!
THE SEVENTH SUN, by far, is the best book I’ve read in ages, and I am so excited to continue reading the series.
Lani Forbes delivers lush storytelling, vivid characters, and heart-pounding drama in her compelling debut novel, THE SEVENTH SUN.
[I received an early copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion of the book.]
Additionally, Tuesday, 2/18/20, at 7pm in Boise, Idaho, I will have the pleasure of interviewing Lani at the launch party for her book. If you're in town, join us:
Scroll on down for my complete review of Lani's novel, but here is additional information about her book:
THE SEVENTH SUNAuthor: Lani Forbes
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1982546090
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Description from the Publisher:
Thrust into leadership upon the death of his emperor father, young Prince Ahkin feels completely unready for his new position. Though his royal blood controls the power of the sun, he's now responsible for the lives of all the Chicome people. And despite all Ahkin's efforts, the sun is fading--and the end of the world may be at hand.
For Mayana, the only daughter of the Chicome family whose blood controls the power of water, the old emperor's death may mean that she is next. Prince Ahkin must be married before he can ascend the throne, and Mayana is one of six noble daughters presented to him as a possible wife. Those who are not chosen will be sacrificed to the gods.
Only one girl can become Ahkin's bride. Mayana and Ahkin feel an immediate connection, but the gods themselves may be against them. Both recognize that the ancient rites of blood that keep the gods appeased may be harming the Chicome more than they help. As a bloodred comet and the fading sun bring a growing sense of dread, only two young people may hope to change their world.
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Maya people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of apocalyptic disaster.
About the Author:
Lani Forbes is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer, which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books. A California native whose parents live in Mexico, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest where she stubbornly wears flip flops no matter how cold it gets. She teaches middle school math and science and proudly calls herself a nerd and Gryffindor. She is also an award-winning member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
My Review:
With THE SEVENTH SUN, Lani Forbes joins Leigh Bardugo and Alwyn Hamilton in the ranks of the most talented fantasy authors of today.
Ancient civilizations, mythologies, head dresses, jade pendants, noble families, obsidian daggers – whoa boy – Lani Forbes’s debut novel, THE SEVENTH SUN, kept me glued to the page as I became fully immersed in the rich cultural experience of the Chicome people. With two main characters: Ahkin, a devout young prince who is expected to become emperor and lead his people, and Mayana, a heretic who could win Ahkin’s heart and become the next empress, THE SEVENTH SUN is full of conflict, emotion, and drama that will keep readers turning pages late into the night to find out what will happen next.
Forbes’s amazing writing enveloped me in the world of the story. Here are some of my favorite passages:
“Her heart drummed a rhythm so deep it pounded inside her ears, making her wonder how many beats it had left. Would they cut it from her chest and burn it on an altar? She shuddered, pressing her hand against it as thought she could shield it from such a fate.”
“Love does not hold grudges or demand payment.”
“Why had her father taught her every important ritual and rule under the sun but not how to hold the hand of a prince?”
“Human finger bones rattled from their shields and their quivers were filled not with arrows, but with sharpened bones from enemy arms and legs.”
I am a fan of series, but my favorites are ones where each book has a completed plot and the next book continues with the same awesome characters conquering a new plot. So be warned, THE SEVENTH SUN is the first book in a trilogy with a cliff hanger at the end. But hey, let’s be real, if that is my only criticism, that’s actually a huge compliment!
THE SEVENTH SUN, by far, is the best book I’ve read in ages, and I am so excited to continue reading the series.
Lani Forbes delivers lush storytelling, vivid characters, and heart-pounding drama in her compelling debut novel, THE SEVENTH SUN.
[I received an early copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion of the book.]
February 5, 2020
IWSG: Inspiration from Art
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.comThis Month's Question: Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?
http://www.uv.es/cultura/c/docs/exppinacotecapsiquiatrica09cast.htmMy Answer: While researching my novel, UNLOCKED, I came across this piece of art (above) from Spain's Psychiatric Gallery. It moved me. It did not inspire the novel, but it inspired elements of the main character and her struggle with what was happening in and to her mind. Mental health is a fascinating topic, and the art derived during therapy can be mesmerizing. I loved this piece of art so much, I described it in the novel.
What about you? Has piece of art ever inspired a story for you?
February 4, 2020
Book Review: THIRD TO DIE by Allison Brennan
Oh, I love a good murder mystery, so I was excited to read this new book by Allison Brennan, who is an author I've never encountered before. Scroll on down for my complete review.
The Third to Die
Author: Allison Brennan
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
ISBN: 9780778309444
Publisher: MIRA
Description from the Publisher:
New York Times bestselling author and gifted storyteller Allison Brennan's new standalone thriller features a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer.
Brennan's novel will launch a book-a-year series featuring a fabulous cast of recurring characters. It’s the story of a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer; and the bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for the future books in the series.
Detective Kara Quinn is visiting her hometown of Liberty Lake, Washington, after being placed on administrative leave by the LAPD, when she comes upon the mutilated body of a young nurse during an early morning jog. The manner of death is clearly ritualistic; she calls it in. Meanwhile back in DC, special agent in charge Mattias Costa is meticulously staffing his newly-minted Mobile Response Team. One of his first recruits is the brilliant FBI forensic psychologist Catherine Jones. When word reaches Matt that the Washington state murder appears to be the work of the Triple Killer--it will be the first case for the MRT. Jones has done the only profile on this serial killer, but she is reluctant to join the unit, still shaken by the death of her sister a year ago under circumstances for which she holds herself responsible. But only she holds the key to understanding the killer's obsessive pattern--three murder victims, three deep slashes a piece, each three days apart, each series beginning on a March 3rd--3/3, then a three-year hiatus before he strikes again.
This time they have a chance to stop him before he claims another victim strikes, but only if they can figure out who he is and where is is hiding.
About the Author:
Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of three dozen thrillers and numerous short stories. She was nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers, has had multiple nominations and two Daphne du Maurier Awards, and is a five-time RITA finalist for Best Romantic Suspense. Allison believes life is too short to be bored, so she had five kids. Allison and her family live in Arizona. Visit her at allisonbrennan.com
Social Links:
Author website: https://www.allisonbrennan.com/
Facebook: @AllisonBrennan
Twitter: @Allison_Brennan
Instagram: @abwrites
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My Review:
Third to Die by Allison Brennan is a page-turner!
With a balanced cast of characters, a fascinating plot, and interesting locale, Third to Die provides all the best elements of a terrific FBI mystery.
If you're a fan of police-procedural novels and/or a fan of the TV show Criminal Minds, you'll love Brennan's latest novel. This is the first book I've read by her, and now I'm a forever-fan!
The story is based on a "Mobile Response Team, a new squad of the FBI" which will aid small towns and underfunded communities in the solving of major crimes.
While there is a lot of head-hopping with multiple points-of-view (there are a LOT of characters), Brennan does a fine job of clarifying whose perspective we're reading the story from. The only time it got weird was when the POV switched to a five-year-old boy. And yet, while it was weird, I must admit, the conclusion of his POV choked me up - almost to tears! The main characters were set up with personal wounds they each had to overcome in order to help solve the crime, and these emotional hurdles made them so much more lovable. For example, Brennan writes about Kara: "She left this place for good at the age of eighteen with a GED in her pocket and the hope of being a cop in her heart." And regarding Catherine: "You're the single best profiler the FBI has. You're the one who has these skills, this awesome and terrifying ability to get into the heads of killers ... if you leave the FBI now, because of your sister's murder, it will haunt you forever." Additionally, while I assumed from the beginning that some of these characters would have to die, when the time came, I was still surprised in the moment and impressed with how Brennan handled it.
There were several places throughout the narrative where I felt like Brennan's writing was repetitive, but overall I loved the writing. For example, passages like: "Catherine disliked the word normal because there was no true normal. To her, normal simply meant a person who flew under the radar, who didn't register as good or bad, kind or cruel, attractive or unattractive." If you have an aversion to the f-word, be warned, Brennan uses the word a lot, but not so much that it made me stop reading.
As the story reached its climax and the hunt for the killer was at full-throttle, I was fully engaged and reading faster and faster in order to see how the story would be resolved.
I'm always concerned when I see that a novel is the first in a series, because I dislike cliff hangers at the end of a novel. My favorite way to read a series is to have each book have its own plot neatly tied up at the end, with the characters continuing from novel to novel. I am thrilled to say this new series by Brennan does just that! I look forward to reading the next in the series and continuing on with this great cast within the Mobile Response Team.
[I received an early copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
The Third to DieAuthor: Allison Brennan
Publication Date: February 4, 2020
ISBN: 9780778309444
Publisher: MIRA
Description from the Publisher:
New York Times bestselling author and gifted storyteller Allison Brennan's new standalone thriller features a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer.
Brennan's novel will launch a book-a-year series featuring a fabulous cast of recurring characters. It’s the story of a troubled female police detective and an ambitious FBI special agent who wind up at the center of a ticking-clock investigation into a diabolical serial killer; and the bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for the future books in the series.
Detective Kara Quinn is visiting her hometown of Liberty Lake, Washington, after being placed on administrative leave by the LAPD, when she comes upon the mutilated body of a young nurse during an early morning jog. The manner of death is clearly ritualistic; she calls it in. Meanwhile back in DC, special agent in charge Mattias Costa is meticulously staffing his newly-minted Mobile Response Team. One of his first recruits is the brilliant FBI forensic psychologist Catherine Jones. When word reaches Matt that the Washington state murder appears to be the work of the Triple Killer--it will be the first case for the MRT. Jones has done the only profile on this serial killer, but she is reluctant to join the unit, still shaken by the death of her sister a year ago under circumstances for which she holds herself responsible. But only she holds the key to understanding the killer's obsessive pattern--three murder victims, three deep slashes a piece, each three days apart, each series beginning on a March 3rd--3/3, then a three-year hiatus before he strikes again.
This time they have a chance to stop him before he claims another victim strikes, but only if they can figure out who he is and where is is hiding.
About the Author:Allison Brennan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of three dozen thrillers and numerous short stories. She was nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers, has had multiple nominations and two Daphne du Maurier Awards, and is a five-time RITA finalist for Best Romantic Suspense. Allison believes life is too short to be bored, so she had five kids. Allison and her family live in Arizona. Visit her at allisonbrennan.com
Social Links:
Author website: https://www.allisonbrennan.com/
Facebook: @AllisonBrennan
Twitter: @Allison_Brennan
Instagram: @abwrites
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My Review:
Third to Die by Allison Brennan is a page-turner!
With a balanced cast of characters, a fascinating plot, and interesting locale, Third to Die provides all the best elements of a terrific FBI mystery.
If you're a fan of police-procedural novels and/or a fan of the TV show Criminal Minds, you'll love Brennan's latest novel. This is the first book I've read by her, and now I'm a forever-fan!
The story is based on a "Mobile Response Team, a new squad of the FBI" which will aid small towns and underfunded communities in the solving of major crimes.
While there is a lot of head-hopping with multiple points-of-view (there are a LOT of characters), Brennan does a fine job of clarifying whose perspective we're reading the story from. The only time it got weird was when the POV switched to a five-year-old boy. And yet, while it was weird, I must admit, the conclusion of his POV choked me up - almost to tears! The main characters were set up with personal wounds they each had to overcome in order to help solve the crime, and these emotional hurdles made them so much more lovable. For example, Brennan writes about Kara: "She left this place for good at the age of eighteen with a GED in her pocket and the hope of being a cop in her heart." And regarding Catherine: "You're the single best profiler the FBI has. You're the one who has these skills, this awesome and terrifying ability to get into the heads of killers ... if you leave the FBI now, because of your sister's murder, it will haunt you forever." Additionally, while I assumed from the beginning that some of these characters would have to die, when the time came, I was still surprised in the moment and impressed with how Brennan handled it.
There were several places throughout the narrative where I felt like Brennan's writing was repetitive, but overall I loved the writing. For example, passages like: "Catherine disliked the word normal because there was no true normal. To her, normal simply meant a person who flew under the radar, who didn't register as good or bad, kind or cruel, attractive or unattractive." If you have an aversion to the f-word, be warned, Brennan uses the word a lot, but not so much that it made me stop reading.
As the story reached its climax and the hunt for the killer was at full-throttle, I was fully engaged and reading faster and faster in order to see how the story would be resolved.
I'm always concerned when I see that a novel is the first in a series, because I dislike cliff hangers at the end of a novel. My favorite way to read a series is to have each book have its own plot neatly tied up at the end, with the characters continuing from novel to novel. I am thrilled to say this new series by Brennan does just that! I look forward to reading the next in the series and continuing on with this great cast within the Mobile Response Team.
[I received an early copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
January 21, 2020
Book Review: DON'T READ THE COMMENTS by Eric Smith
I've admired Eric Smith's work as a literary agent for years, and when I was offered the opportunity to read his new novel, I jumped at the chance! He's a great agent, but can he write, too? Scroll on down for my full review.
Don't Read the Comments
Author: Eric Smith
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
ISBN: 9781335016027
Description from the Publisher:
Two teen gamers find their virtual worlds—and blossoming romance—invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxxing in the gaming community.
Divya Sharma is a queen. Or she is when she’s playing Reclaim the Sun, the year’s hottest online game. Divya—better known as popular streaming gamer D1V—regularly leads her #AngstArmada on quests through the game’s vast and gorgeous virtual universe. But for Divya, this is more than just a game. Out in the real world, she’s trading her rising-star status for sponsorships to help her struggling single mom pay the rent.
Gaming is basically Aaron Jericho’s entire life. Much to his mother’s frustration, Aaron has zero interest in becoming a doctor like her, and spends his free time writing games for a local developer. At least he can escape into Reclaim the Sun—and with a trillion worlds to explore, disappearing should be easy. But to his surprise, he somehow ends up on the same remote planet as celebrity gamer D1V.
At home, Divya and Aaron grapple with their problems alone, but in the game, they have each other to face infinite new worlds…and the growing legion of trolls populating them. Soon the virtual harassment seeps into reality when a group called the Vox Populi begin launching real-world doxxing campaigns, threatening Aaron’s dreams and Divya’s actual life. The online trolls think they can drive her out of the game, but everything and everyone Divya cares about is on the line…
And she isn’t going down without a fight.
Author Bio:
Eric Smith is an author, prolific book blogger, and literary agent from New Jersey, currently living in Philadelphia. Smith cohosts Book Riot’s newest podcast, HEY YA, with non-fiction YA author Kelly Jensen. He can regularly be found writing for Book Riot’s blog, as well as Barnes & Noble’s Teen Reads blog, Paste Magazine, and Publishing Crawl. Smith also has a growing Twitter platform of over 40,000 followers.
Social Links:
Author website: https://www.ericsmithrocks.com/
Twitter: @ericsmithrocks
Instagram: @ericsmithrocks
Facebook: @ericsmithwrites
My Review:
Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith is a fun quick read!
At first, I was concerned that this story would only appeal to gamers, with terms like doxxing, trolling, and streaming. (Doxxing--or doxing--means, according to Google: "searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.") But even with gaming description and terminology, this story will appeal to all fans of young adult literature.
With diverse characters, a captivating plot, and unique settings, Don't Read the Comments kept my attention from the first to the last page!
I enjoyed almost all the characters, except for Divya's mom. She relied on Divya too much and had huge blinders on when it came to Divya's needs. And, actually, Aaron's mom, too, was not my favorite. I wanted at least one mom who encouraged and facilitated their child's dreams. But the story wasn't necessarily about the moms. It was about the teens who wanted to enjoy and pursue their online gaming experiences without being harassed by stupid Internet trolls. Seriously, don't those people have better things to do with their time?! They need a worthwhile hobby or a team sport to better utilize their energy! I do wish the characters had been developed a bit more with richer, fuller arcs. Specifically, I wanted Rebekah's inner demons resolved. Aaron, by far, was my favorite character!
The sections that feature gaming details read like a science-fiction novel. It was fun to have a sci-fi element embedded within a contemporary novel. For example: "With a hum, the landing pads extend, emitting a soft rumbling under my feet."
However, some of the gaming references and details felt like commercials for products. "...plugins courtesy of Samsung."
If language matters to you, there are a few f-words spattered throughout, but overall there are minimal cuss words.
There were sections that made me gasp. Such as the moment Divya realizes just how close the trolls have gotten to her in the real world: "I click it. It opens. And I see a photograph of my apartment building. My breath catches in my throat. How? How could this have happened?"
Overall, I highly enjoyed Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. The writing is terrific and the story is fun.
[I received an early copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
Don't Read the Comments Author: Eric Smith
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
ISBN: 9781335016027
Description from the Publisher:
Two teen gamers find their virtual worlds—and blossoming romance—invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxxing in the gaming community.
Divya Sharma is a queen. Or she is when she’s playing Reclaim the Sun, the year’s hottest online game. Divya—better known as popular streaming gamer D1V—regularly leads her #AngstArmada on quests through the game’s vast and gorgeous virtual universe. But for Divya, this is more than just a game. Out in the real world, she’s trading her rising-star status for sponsorships to help her struggling single mom pay the rent.
Gaming is basically Aaron Jericho’s entire life. Much to his mother’s frustration, Aaron has zero interest in becoming a doctor like her, and spends his free time writing games for a local developer. At least he can escape into Reclaim the Sun—and with a trillion worlds to explore, disappearing should be easy. But to his surprise, he somehow ends up on the same remote planet as celebrity gamer D1V.
At home, Divya and Aaron grapple with their problems alone, but in the game, they have each other to face infinite new worlds…and the growing legion of trolls populating them. Soon the virtual harassment seeps into reality when a group called the Vox Populi begin launching real-world doxxing campaigns, threatening Aaron’s dreams and Divya’s actual life. The online trolls think they can drive her out of the game, but everything and everyone Divya cares about is on the line…
And she isn’t going down without a fight.
Author Bio:
Eric Smith is an author, prolific book blogger, and literary agent from New Jersey, currently living in Philadelphia. Smith cohosts Book Riot’s newest podcast, HEY YA, with non-fiction YA author Kelly Jensen. He can regularly be found writing for Book Riot’s blog, as well as Barnes & Noble’s Teen Reads blog, Paste Magazine, and Publishing Crawl. Smith also has a growing Twitter platform of over 40,000 followers.
Social Links:
Author website: https://www.ericsmithrocks.com/
Twitter: @ericsmithrocks
Instagram: @ericsmithrocks
Facebook: @ericsmithwrites
My Review:
Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith is a fun quick read!
At first, I was concerned that this story would only appeal to gamers, with terms like doxxing, trolling, and streaming. (Doxxing--or doxing--means, according to Google: "searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.") But even with gaming description and terminology, this story will appeal to all fans of young adult literature.
With diverse characters, a captivating plot, and unique settings, Don't Read the Comments kept my attention from the first to the last page!
I enjoyed almost all the characters, except for Divya's mom. She relied on Divya too much and had huge blinders on when it came to Divya's needs. And, actually, Aaron's mom, too, was not my favorite. I wanted at least one mom who encouraged and facilitated their child's dreams. But the story wasn't necessarily about the moms. It was about the teens who wanted to enjoy and pursue their online gaming experiences without being harassed by stupid Internet trolls. Seriously, don't those people have better things to do with their time?! They need a worthwhile hobby or a team sport to better utilize their energy! I do wish the characters had been developed a bit more with richer, fuller arcs. Specifically, I wanted Rebekah's inner demons resolved. Aaron, by far, was my favorite character!
The sections that feature gaming details read like a science-fiction novel. It was fun to have a sci-fi element embedded within a contemporary novel. For example: "With a hum, the landing pads extend, emitting a soft rumbling under my feet."
However, some of the gaming references and details felt like commercials for products. "...plugins courtesy of Samsung."
If language matters to you, there are a few f-words spattered throughout, but overall there are minimal cuss words.
There were sections that made me gasp. Such as the moment Divya realizes just how close the trolls have gotten to her in the real world: "I click it. It opens. And I see a photograph of my apartment building. My breath catches in my throat. How? How could this have happened?"
Overall, I highly enjoyed Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. The writing is terrific and the story is fun.
[I received an early copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]
