Melissa C. Walker's Blog, page 60

Cover Stories: Shine Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

[image error] Neesha Meminger's Shine Coconut Moon is high on my to-read list (also: The Gossip Girls are reading it!). I heard an excerpt from it last year, and I just know I'll love it! Read the very cool Lyn Miller-Lachmann's review on readergirlz.Plus: The Cover. I had to find out the back story. Here's Neesha: "Thank goodness no one asked me for my thoughts on what should go on the cover! As I was writing the book, the only thing I could think of was a giant coconut in the shadow of a waning moon. Ug...

Photo Friday: Her Name is Rio

I believe I've mentioned that I was in Rio for a week. Sigh. I'm back now, but the memories live on. And you know how I like to share...So there was definitely lots of fun stuff on the runway, like blue-flame hair at Coven: [image error] Erin--who's blogging Rio Fashion for glamour.com (check out her gallery of male models)--and I got front row, and even in front of the photographers' pit, at most shows (which was unexpected and awesome!):[image error]The audience was lovely also--these girls were dressed to the nines e...

Win-It Wednesday: Enter Last Week's

The giveaway for Hold Still by Nina LaCour is going for another week... enter to win.

I'm in Rio! Wheee! (Did I mention that?)

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Happy Wednesday!

Washing My Heart

[image error] I drank straight from this coconut today, and my new friend Basil from Fashion TV Canada told me that Jamaicans say that drinking from a coconut is washing your heart because it's so purifying.

How sweet is that? I'm considering this my Rio health routine.

Cover Stories: Dream Life by Lauren Mechling

[image error] Lauren Mechling (she of the enviably glossy hair) shared her Cover Story for Dream Girl here last year. Now, she's back to dish on the sequel, Dream Life, which is all butterflies, all the time. Whee!" Dream Life is a sequel to Dream Girl, so I knew it would likely feature a cover in keeping with the visuals of the first book, which always reminds me of Japanese candy. Shortly after I'd started writing it I was given an even more specific idea to store in the back of my mind: my very cool edit...

I'm in Rio de Janeiro!

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Did I mention that? And yes, this is an actual guy who stood in front of me on the beach in Ipanema yesterday. WOW. It's the necklace that really makes the look, no?

Photo Friday: Garth and Julia's Wedding!

Weddings are like adult proms. But, you know, without all the angst and chaperones. Delightful! On 12.12, I went to the wedding of my college friends Julia and Garth. Their first dance song? "Never Tear us Apart" by INXS. Give 'er a listen while you view the photos. It really sets a mood.G & J are gorgeous: [image error] And I am a photo hog, obviously (sorry, Megan!), but aren't my college friends cute? [image error] They are my Prom King and Queen for sure: [image error] Happy Friday!PS-Photos by (the obviously very talented) Michael ...

Bonus Cover Stories: Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, by Eileen Cook

[image error] The lovely Eileen Cook is here to share the story of her new release, Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood. "There is a scene in the book where the main character dresses up a Barbie doll in a cheerleader outfit and then chucks it into a wood chipper. I thought it would be fun to show someone holding a Barbie doll by it's hair and sticking a pin into it- voodoo style."I shared my idea, but the art department warned me that Barbie is trademarked so they frown on people sticking pins in her on book ...

Win-It Wednesday: Hold Still by Nina LaCour

The winner of How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman is... Esther! Send me your address, E. Thanks to everyone for telling me about all the gifts--I love hearing about other people's hauls and present ideas. [image error] This Win-It Wednesday is going to stretch out over two weeks, because I'm going to Brazil next week (Rio Fashion Week!! Eeee!) and I won't be around to blog much. But trust me, this book is worth waiting for two weeks. Nina LaCour's Hold Still is one of the most realistic books about dealing w...

Beth Kephart Chats!

Join readergirlz tomorrow (Weds) night for a LIVE! chat with Beth Kephart, the first readergirlz Author-in-Residence! [image error] Here's the thing about Beth: She blogs like a dream (seriously, check it out), she dances, she takes amazing photographs, and she writes incredible, lyrical books. Yes, I'm jealous (but in the admiring sense, not in the evil way).So if you've ever wanted insight into a fantastic writer's tips and methods and wise words, you should be at this chat. Her books? They rule. (See som...