Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Interviews With Authors: T.L. Peters

It's time for another spectacular Interviews With Authors!  Today I'm happy to introduce T.L. Peters, author of The Boy Who Loved Bach!  Thomas was kind enough to answer my questions on what it's like being a self-published author and how many of his experiences have influenced his writing.  Thank you so much T.L. Peters!  The Boy Who Loved Bach is a wonderful coming-of-age story about one boy's struggle to survive the pressures of high school, all while trying not to spread himself too thin.  This read will surely make you laugh along as Edward tries to figure out where he fits in and struggles to navigate the new world of high school.  You can find my full review of The Boy Who Loved Bach here.

Now here is, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With T.L. Peters!


A Talk With T.L. Peters

Author of The Boy Who Loved Bach

By T.B.

1) What gave you the idea for your young adult novel, The Boy Who Loved Bach?

I remember the incident precisely. It was two years ago almost to the day. I was sitting on the outdoor patio of Moe's Southwest Grill in a suburb of Pittsburgh enjoying a vegetarian nacho while watching a group of raucous high school kids out for an evening on the town, when it occurred to me to write a novel about a young man with a lot on his plate. As you noted in your excellent review of the book, like many young people the protagonist of the story, Edward, faced an array of competing pressures and demands on his time, and eventually he discovered that it was up to him to sort through them all and find for himself what was really important. That general theme allowed me to get inside Ed's skin, so to speak, and write the story, solely from his unique perspective, of how he went about meeting those challenges, while having some fun along the way too.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Redheart by Jackie Gamber

Redheart

Author: Jackie Gamber

Publisher: Seventh Star Press

5 out of 5 stars

Scattered villages pass by below you, with their inhabitants bustling away at their tasks. Your shadow passes over, eclipsing the sun for just a moment. A young boy glances up, but you keep gliding by. The once-beautiful lake sprawls beneath you, but its water level is now low due to the drought. You bank to the left, turning away, not wanting to think about it. The wind whips around you and you try to fly as fast you can to outrun it. This is the life you think, this is exactly how I want to live. A blood-curdling scream interrupts your thoughts. You wonder what could have possibly sounded so frightened, and you glance down to see a young woman cornered by a band of men. A human, you think with indifference. You start to fly on, but then the terrified look in the human’s eyes come back to you. Will you save her? Maybe just this once you think, as you beat your wings to fly downward, hurtling to the earth. 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

The Marbury Lens

Author: Andrew Smith
 
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

4½ out of 5 stars

Putting them on means venturing into a whole different world. One similar to ours, but different in more ways than you can count. It is a world at war. A world where unimaginable creatures travel in clans, killing any who stand in their way. But you’re there too. You might not know that you exist in this alternate universe, but you’re there. You’re one of the few that exist both in Marbury and our own world. Is this a curse, or a blessing, to be able to visit this land by simply slipping on a pair of glasses? Well… there’s only one way to find out.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Between Two Ends by David Ward

Between Two Ends

Author: David Ward

Publisher: Amulet Books

4 out of 5 stars

Hot sand swirls all around you as the sun sets. You see the guards shouting, and gaining ground with each passing second. You glance around furtively, but there is nowhere to hide. All around you is the open desert, with the palace looming far in the distance. You’ve made it this far though. You can’t possibly turn back now. The guards are bearing down on you, and they’ll soon reach you. A tear slips down your face as you realize that this is how you will die… in a story. But then you remember that you can break your wish, and escape.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Invasion

Author: Jon S. Lewis

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

4½ out of 5 stars

Colt thought that it was just going to be an orientation for summer camp. He would go and do who knows what, and they would see if he would be accepted. All of his older brothers had gone, and now it was his turn. They all said that they played some sort of video game or something. Ok, cool, Colt could handle that. But what Colt finds out at the orientation is something much bigger than just video games. Colt learns that aliens… are real.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Through Her Eyes

Author: Jennifer Archer
 
Publisher: HarperTeen

4½ out of 5 stars

They say it’s worth a thousand words. A photograph, capturing a moment in time that says everything, yet at the same time reveals nothing. What would it be like to immerse yourself into the time and place during which the picture was taken? To live in the moment, and be aware of what was going on and what was going through the people’s minds. To experience their thoughts and emotions, as if you were really there yourself. Impossible and ridiculous, most would say. But I guess Tansy Piper isn’t like “most” people, because she can do just that. She can go into the photos.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Runner by Carl Deuker

Runner

Author: Carl Deuker

Publisher: Graphia Books

4 out of 5 stars

What does it feel like to be barely scraping by, to suddenly having more than enough? Well, Chance Taylor knows this feeling. Chance could barely pay the bills with his small job of washing pots on the weekends, now that his dad is out of work. It was hard enough to pay the bills when his dad did have a job. But in just one day things turn around for Chance. He’s offered a way to make some easy money, and how can Chance refuse? He obviously needs the money, and here it is, practically being handed to him. What do you do though when this way of earning “easy money” turns into something much more? Something that could threaten not only Chance, but put the lives of thousands in danger.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Interviews With Authors: Bettina Restrepo

Here with us today is Bettina Restrepo, author of Illegal!  Bettina was kind enough to answer my questions on her experiences as an author, and what gave her the inspiration for her novel.  Thank you so much Bettina!  Illegal is a tale of one immigrant's journey to make it in America, all the while working against the odds.  This book will surely warm your heart, as Nora does all she can to achieve her dreams.  You can find my full review of Illegal here.

It is with pleasure that I now present, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Bettina Restrepo!


A Talk With Bettina Restrepo

Author of Illegal

By T.B.

1) Where did you get the idea for your new young adult novel, Illegal?

I was working in Houston in the supermarkets described in the book. At the time, I was playing with a picture book idea about a girl who lost a library book and was afraid to tell her teacher. As I drove through the neighborhood (you can now see the photographs of the actual 5th ward neighborhood on my website), I saw a girl in profile. I had a feeling she was lost or was looking for something. She became Nora.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Guest Post at The Unread Reader!



Interested in finding out what I do when I'm not reading?  Head on over to Missie's blog, The Unread Reader!  I got the wonderful opportunity to guest post on her blog.  Thanks so much Missie!  I hope you get a chance to check it out, and read a bit more about me!

Also, keep an eye out for my upcoming Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Bettina Restrepo, author of Illegal!  It'll be up very, very soon and I can't wait to hear what you think of it.  Bettina Restrepo was so kind to answer some of my questions.  Thank you Bettina!  So stay tuned!


 
-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die For Me

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher: HarperTeen

4 out of 5 stars

After the tragic car accident, sixteen-year-old Kate Mercier is left parent-less. Kate can’t handle what has happened and she doesn’t know how she can ever get back on track again. Is there anything worth living for anymore? Kate and her older sister Georgia move from Brooklyn to Paris to live with their grandparents. Kate hopes that the beautiful city of Paris will distract her mind from the past that she can’t seem to overcome. But there might be something else that will demand Kate’s attention… the undead.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

5 out of 5 stars

Dauntless- the fearless and the brave. Abnegation- the selfless and the simple. Erudite- the intelligent and those that hunger for knowledge. Amity- the joyful and carefree. Candor- those that seek the truth and those that question. These are the five factions. You are born into one, and at sixteen you take the aptitude test to determine your fate. Once you choose there is no going back. This will be the way you live for the rest of your life. So think about it, and choose wisely…