As you read the reviews on Bookshop Talk, you'll notice that every review is positive. No, we're not a bunch of literary
pushovers who love everything we pick up; we just see no point in telling you about a book if we didn't like it.

April 29, 2011

Buying Used Books

Guest Blogger, Joëlle Anthony - Young Adult Author

Before my book, Restoring Harmony, came out, I never really thought twice about buying used books. I come from Portland, Oregon, “The City of Books,” home to Powell’s Bookstore, and used books are part of the fabric of all Portland readers’ lives. Not to mention, my book budget has always been anywhere from nil to nonexistent (thank goodness for libraries!). Used books made sense.

But then my book hit the shelves. When I saw that Powell’s had a used copy, I felt like I’d really made it. I also felt a bit annoyed that the next person into the store with the intent of picking up my book would probably choose the discounted used copy. How is a girl supposed to earn out her advance and make a living when people choose used over new? It certainly gave me pause the next time I was shopping at Powell’s and had a choice between new vs. used.

This got me thinking about the value of used books. Are they good for publishing? Should I, as a writer, only buy new? And why should a used bookstore make money off of my book when I won’t see a dime from it?

These are not new questions and many people will oppose my conclusion, which is that used books sales actually help both the author and publishing. Others will jump up and argue that I don’t have a clue and used books actually hurt the publishing industry, but there’s always someone to fight for both sides, so that doesn’t bother me. Remember how riled up everyone got over Garth Brooks and his used CD rant back in the nineties? I’m sure there are perfectly valid arguments against buying used books, but I don’t subscribe to them.

Here are a few reasons I think that even if you want to support your favourite authors, you shouldn’t worry too much about buying the used book if that’s more in your budget (or just your philosophy). Used books do several things.

·   They keep an author on a shelf when a bookstore might not necessarily have room, resources, or interest in ordering new copies.

·   They create new readers who may become fans and buy your next book. If someone has twenty dollars to spend and can get two gently read copies instead of one new release, well, your chances of being “discovered” by that reader go up.

·    Independent bookstores, like Powell’s rely heavily on used book sales to keep their doors open. And the more indies that stay open, the more the publishing industry as a whole is served.

Chapters/Indigo, one of the big chain stores in Canada, has been very good to me. They’ve given this new author shelf space in many of their stores (as opposed to only carrying it online), and when I’ve offered to sign their stock, they were very nice to me, putting “autographed” stickers on the books, asking me questions, and promising to recommend it. But the emails I’ve gotten about my book being hand-sold have mostly come from people who bought their copy in independent bookstores. It’s imperative that we keep the indie bookstores open, and if buying used books is one way to do it, then I’m all for it.

Nobody has asked me how to save the independent bookstore that sells new books, but since I’m in charge of this post, I’ll just tack it on here. I think, even on a very small scale, following Powell’s lead is what could save many stores that want to carry new books.

We have a bookstore here on the island. When you walk in, you would incorrectly assume it is a new bookstore. The shelves are beautifully arranged, it’s not too crowded, and all the books are in stellar condition. They’re also not that cheap – usually half of the new price. My guess is that about three quarters of the books are used, the other twenty-five percent are new. This mix has kept the store thriving in an uncertain market. They can also order pretty much anything new that you want too.

Restoring HarmonyJudging by the number of new copies of Restoring Harmony that I’ve signed for them, I am guessing they have sold roughly twenty-five copies of my book. Granted, I’m a local author, but still, that’s a huge number. To offer a comparison, I was in a Victoria bookstore yesterday, signing books, and the children’s book manager was very excited because over the past year since RH came out, they had sold nine copies. She said that was, “extremely good for hardcover.”

We must keep our independent bookstores open, and if buying used books does that, creates new readers, and lets our book dollars go further, then I’m all for it. But I’d love to hear what you think.

Thanks to Bookshop Talk for having me today.


To find an independent bookstore near you, visit Indiebound.org


Anyone else out there have an opinion on buying new-vs-used books? And while we're on the topic, where do you come by most of the books you read?

April 28, 2011

THE GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale, 2003


The Goose Girl (Books of Bayern)Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life under her aunt's guidance learning to communicate with animals. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her. Becoming a goose girl for the king, Ani eventually uses her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny. (Amazon)

Reviewed by Shelby N, bookworm extraordinaire

Most fairy tale retellings that are on the bookshelves of the nation are exactly that.  They are retellings.  Sometimes you cannot even tell what fairy tale the author started out with.  Not with Shannon Hale!  Instead of retelling a fairy tale, she creates one.

As you can guess from the title, the story Mrs. Hale chose to retell is 'The Goose Girl'.  This story takes place in the fictional cities of Bayern and Kildenree.  The main character is the Crown Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, or just Ani or Isi.  The story tells of her journey, not just to a foreign land, but also of her journey into finding herself.  Ani grows up with birds and horses as her friends, as she can converse with them.

After having her mother rob her of her right as future queen, she is sent to distant Bayern to marry a Prince she has never met.  True to the original story, Ani's lady-in-waiting over powers Ani, and tells the King and Prince of bayern that she is the Crown Princess, leaving Ani as a goose girl.  With the help of many new friends, who know her as Isi, some geese, an unexpected love, and her newfound powers over wind, Ani defeats her lady-in-waiting and reclaims her title of Princess.

'The Goose Girl' is not a fairy tale retelling in which the plot barely resembles the original story.  Instead, it dives into the story and deepens the plot.  The original tale may leave readers asking 'Why?' or 'How?'.  Mrs. Hale fixes these problems with imaginative ideas.  One thing I did not like about the original 'Goose Girl' was that the prince Ani weds loves the false Princess, but the minute she is charged of being a traitor, loves the real Princess.

Mrs. Hale cleverly comes up with a solution!  Whereas many fairy tale retellings I have read are sometimes choppy to read, this wonderful story is easy to read.  With beautiful sentences, strong characters, and a wonderful plot, this is a must read for all fans of fantasy!

Market: Young Adult
Language: None
Sensuality: None
Violence: Mild
Mature Themes: Death

Book formats:

To learn more about the author, visit: Shannon Hale

April 25, 2011

The CLICK, CLACK, MOO Picture Book Series by Doreen Cronin, 2000-2008



Review by Laura Madsen, mom, veterinarian and writer

Author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Betsy Lewin have created a wonderful series of picture books featuring Farmer Brown’s clever animals. All of the books are appealing to both children and adults. The illustrations capture the animals’ personalities, and the text is suitably silly. Kids will root for the animals as they confound Farmer Brown.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That TypeIn CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE (2000), a Caldecott Honor Book, the cows and hens send Farmer Brown typed notes demanding electric blankets in the barn. He refuses and they strike. Finally, Farmer Brown negotiates a settlement: he will give the animals electric blankets if they will surrender their typewriter. But the supposedly neutral negotiator, Duck, takes the typewriter for himself and demands a diving board for the duck pond.

Giggle, Giggle, QuackIn GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK (2002), Duck is again up to no good. Farmer Brown goes on vacation, leaving his brother Bob is charge. Farmer Brown leaves written instructions for Bob regarding the animals’ care, but Duck uses a stolen pencil to alter the notes. Bob dutifully orders pizza for the farm animals (“the hens prefer anchovies”), gives the pigs bubble baths, and lets the cows watch movies in the farmhouse.

Dooby Dooby MooIn DOOBY, DOOBY, MOO (2006), the farm animals conspire to enter a talent contest at the county fair. Farmer Brown is sure they are up to something, but he can’t catch them in the act. Duck wins the talent contest with his rendition of “Born to be Wild,” and the animals all enjoy the prize—a trampoline that they install in the barn.

Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky AdventureIn THUMP, QUACK, MOO (2008), Duck is causing trouble yet again. Farmer Brown is preparing a corn maze in his field and recruits the animals to help. Duck only reluctantly helps when Farmer Brown threatens to take away his “special-order organic duck feed.” Duck gets the last laugh as he covertly alters the corn maze from a picture of the Statue of Liberty to a portrait of himself.


To order any of these books on Amazon, click on the links above, or a picture of the book. 


To learn more about the author, visit: Doreen Cronin

April 23, 2011

GREGOR THE OVERLANDER by Suzanne Collins, 2003

Gregor The Overlander (Underland Chronicles, Book 1)When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever. (Amazon)

Reviewed by Rachel Birch, Secret Chef

(Gregor the Overlander is the first book in the Underland Chronicles, written by the same author as The Hunger Games). 

The book starts out as Gregor (the main character) has to stay home from summer camp to care for his toddler sister while his Mom is at work.

Gregor's dad has disappeared and the family is on the brink of poverty.  On one sweltering hot day, Gregor and his sister "Boots" go in the basement of his apartment building to do a load of laundry.  He is throwing a ball around the room to entertain Boots while doing the laundry.  Boots disappears and Gregor discovers she has fallen through a vent.  He immediately falls after her.  They find themselves in a land of underground cities, giant rats, helpful bat companions, and giant roaches who worship Boots. 

As the story progresses we find that Gregor's arrival has been foretold in a prophecy and we follow Gregor on an adventure to save human life as the underground city, Regalia, knows it.  Gregor discovers himself, gains skills and finds a major missing part in his life.  
 
This book is the first of five in a series.  I have read the first three and have enjoyed them all.  "Gregor the Overlander" reads fast and is very engaging.  I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a quick and fun escape to new adventures.

Market: Middle Grade

Language: None

Sensuality: None

Violence: Mild (Science fiction battle between fantasy creatures)

Mature Themes: Poverty

Book formats:

To learn more about the author, visit Suzanne Collins

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!

Drumroll, please . . . 

The Winners of our Giveaway for Submitting Reviews are:

Shelby N 
Debbie (who reviewed ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY)
& Megan Hutchins

CONGRATULATIONS to you all!! 

Please email us at BookshopTalk@gmail.com with your mailing address and book choice so we can send off the books right away.


A big, BIG thank you for everyone who submitted reviews!! YOU are all the reason Bookshop Talk is a success!!


And just as a reminder, Bookshop Talk considers reviews from anyone, at any time. So please take a look at our guidelines here, then tell us about a book you love!

April 20, 2011

INTERVIEW with Author JESSICA DAY GEORGE!


Interviewed by Kim Thacker, Bookshop Talk Host

I first “met” the lovely Jessica Day George when I read her book, PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL, for book club.  When I adore a book, I always try to contact the author to let them know how much I loved it, and when I went to Jessica’s website to find her contact information and to browse a bit, I discovered two things that I knew meant we were destined for friendship:

Fact #1:  Jessica has great taste in books (I know this, because I like many of the same books she likes.).
Fact #2:  Jessica worked at a video store at one point in her past (Me too!  Is this a prerequisite for becoming a great writer?  I hope so...).

I discovered lots of other stuff about Jessica, too, such as the fact that she is one of the hosts of Bookshop Talk!  Of course, when I learned this, I became an avid fan of this site.  Imagine how thrilled I was when Jessica and Amy Finnegan (another Bookshop Talk host) asked me to join their team?  I. Was. THRILLED.  I’m still thrilled.  And the fact that I get to interview Jessica today has me wriggling like a puppy.  But first, here’s a bit more about the lovely Jessica Day George:

From her bio here on Bookshop Talk:
Jessica Day George has lived in four states and traveled extensively in the US and Europe (there was also an ill-fated trip to Brazil which we will never speak of again). She has a degree in Comparative Literature and Scandinavian Studies, making her an ideal docent for rare collections of Icelandic manuscripts, but otherwise unemployable. In her free time she knits, plays viola and piano, reads, eats chocolate, and teaches old dogs new tricks. She is the mother of two children, and the author of seven books: Dragon Slippers, Dragon Flight, Dragon Spear, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, Princess of Glass, Princess of the Midnight Ball, and the upcoming Tuesdays at the Castle. Jessica has won numerous awards and was on the American Library Association’s 100 Best Books for Young Adults lists in 2009 and 2010.

You can learn more about Jessica by clicking on these links:

Now for the interview!

Kim Thacker:  Your website biography says that you “took eight years of German, four of Norwegian, and even studied Old Norse.”  Can you tell us how your love of languages has influenced your writing?

Jessica Day George:  Well, I can totally pull out awesome names like Thorbjorn Thiflsen when I need to!  Also, in the spirit of “write what you know” I tend to set my books in Nordic or Nordic-like countries.

KT:  What made you want to write fantasy and fairy tales above all other genres?  Did you choose your favorite fairy tales to retell, or do you have other favorites?

Sun and Moon, Ice and SnowJDG:  Everything I do generally turns into fantasy.  I set out a couple of years ago to write a book about WWI, and it ended up having talking horses, so I figured that I’d better change the names of the countries before the WWI enthusiasts went after me . . . I guess it’s just the way my brain works!  I really only set out to write one fairy tale retelling: East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon is my favorite fairy tale of all time.  But after I got done writing Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, I had been talking to someone who had retold her most hated fairy tale, in order to make it better.  I started thinking about how confusing The Twelve Dancing Princesses is to me, there are dozens of variations, and some things just don’t make sense: “And they lived happily ever after, and they never danced again.”  Hm, what?  Didn’t they like the dancing?  And after that one (Which became Princess of the Midnight Ball), I started thinking about other fairy tales it would be fun to put my princesses into, like Cinderella (if you never wanted to dance again, what if you had to dance in glass slippers?).

KT:  Your novels feature wonderfully strong heroines who seem to discover or grow into their strengths by the books’ conclusions.  Will you tell us more about your personal heroines or about your favorite heroines in novels you’ve read?

JDG:  I love heroines who are tough but don’t know it, if that makes sense.  I dislike it when they actually go through the thought process of: But I’m just a girl, what can I do? . . . wait!  I am strong!  GRRRR! (Um, no.  No one thinks that way.)  I loved Aerin from Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown, because she just never questions it: I have to do this, this is my duty, I got it done.  Harry from The Blue Sword is much the same.  She trying her best, she does what she can, other people take some of the responsibility.  It makes it more real.  You can’t think, I NEED STRONG FEMALES!  MUST MAKE HER MORE MANLY!  Also great is Alexia Tarabotti from Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series.  It’s not stylish to carry a gun, so instead she’s got a weaponized parasol: feminine, yet effective!

Princess of the Midnight BallKT:  PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL features the twelve dancing princesses, each of whom is named for a flower:  Rose, Lily, Poppy, Jonquil, Petunia, Iris, Violet, Hyacinth, Lilac, Daisy, Orchid, and Pansy.  I think of this book as Rose’s story, though all the sisters play an important role in the plot.  Another of your novels, PRINCESS OF GLASS, features Poppy as a main character.  Does this mean you’re going to write a novel for each of the twelve princesses?  Pretty please?

JDG:  Nope.  Sorry.  Lily’s already married, so she’s off the market.  You’ll notice that Rose is the oldest, Poppy was in the middle, so now I’m doing Petunia’s story to finish it off with the youngest!

Princess of GlassKT:  I love Galen, the knitting soldier-hero in PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL, and if I were the slightest bit crafty, I would try my hand at making a scarf like the one he knits for Rose.  You make picking up such a skill very tempting, since you’ve included a pattern for how to make a scarf like Rose’s in your book, along with another knitting pattern!  In fact, both PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL and PRINCESS OF GLASS contain knitting patterns as extra goodies at the ends of the books.  Has knitting always been a passion of yours?  Why did you decide to make it a part of your books?

JDG:  I have been knitting since I was twelve years old, and it was my grandfather who taught me.  I’ve made sweaters, blankets, hats, scarves, shawls, ponchos, hair ornaments, and even my own socks! I have a good friend, a guy, who knits and was truly hurt that I didn’t mention him in the note at the back of Midnight Ball (Sorry, Kyle!).  Knitting is easy and fun and I firmly believe that everyone could (and probably should) learn how.  I decided to make Galen a knitter in Midnight Ball because I wanted to use a felted wool chain as part of the magic, and I had just been reading an article about how soldiers were taught to knit their own socks and etc. because it was easier to send wool to the front lines in a war than socks and mittens in different sizes.

Dragon SlippersKT:  I never knew dragons collected anything but gold, fair damsels, and bloody knights’ armor until I read your novel, DRAGON SLIPPERS.  One of the dragons in this book collects stained glass windows, another collects dogs (pets, not potential meals), and still another collects shoes.  If you were a dragon like the ones you write about, what would you collect?

JDG:  Books.

KT:  Can you tell us about your newest book, TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE?

JDG:  Tuesdays at the Castle was a delight to write, and will hopefully be a delight to read!  It’s a lot younger than my other books, about an 11 year old princess who lives in a castle that is basically alive.  If it likes you, your room is extra nice.  If it doesn’t like you, it might shoot you out a chimney.  But nobody really knows how to get the castle to do what they want it to do, or what it’s going to do next.  Celie, our young princess, needs help when her parents are in trouble, and so she tries to get the castle on her side . . . it’s a bit Home Alone (if the house were alive), and a bit Hogwarts’ Room of Requirement (if it were the entire castle).

KT:  What are your favorite books?

JDG:  The Short List:
Catch-22, Dune, I Capture the Castle, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dogsbody, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Hero and the Crown, Beauty, The Blue Sword, Sailing to Sarantium, Lord of Emperors, The Woman in the Walls, Jane Eyre, The Hamish MacBeth Mysteries, War of the Flowers, The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Trilogy, The Westing Game, Skellig, Neverwhere, American Gods, Good Omens, The Harry Potter books, Mike Nelson’s Death Rat!, Little Women, A Christmas Carol, Possession: A Romance, The Blind Assassin, Jack the Bodiless.

Thank you for visiting with us today, Jessica!

April 19, 2011

WIN A BOOK of Your Choice!!

Giveaway Reminder:


We want to hear about your favorite books!


Between now and April 22nd, if you submit a review of a book you liked (no matter how long ago it was published), you will be entered into a drawing to win ANY BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE that has been reviewed on Bookshop Talk, or written by an author that we’ve interviewed. You can even win more than one!


We will give away one book for every ten reviews we receive. And your name will be entered into the drawing for every review that you submit.


So raid your Goodreads & Amazon reviews, blog, whatever, and send Bookshop Talk reviews of the books that you would like to recommend to others!


For instructions on how to format and submit your review (you only have to write 3-5 paragraphs) visit our Contact page here.
Below is an alphabetized list of the books that have already been reviewed, or will be posted before the end of the drawing. Please look over this list before you submit a new review):


A KISS IN TIME, by Alex Flinn 
ALANNA: SONG OF THE LIONESS, by Tamora Pierce
BALLET SHOES, by Noel Streatfeild
BEAUTY, by Robin McKinley
BEFORE I FALL, by Lauren Oliver
THE BELGARIAD SERIES, by David Eddings
BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, by John Shors
THE BLUE CASTLE, by L.M. Montgomery
THE BOOK OF LOST TALES, by J.R.R. Tolkien
THE CATER STREET HANGMAN, by Anne Perry
CHICKEN CHEEKS, by Michael Ian Black
THE CHOICE, by Og Mandino
CLEOPATRA: A LIFE, by Stacy Schiff
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare
CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK, by Elizabeth Peters
CROWN DUEL, by Sherwood Smith
THE DEATH-DEFYING PEPPER ROUX, by Geraldine McCaughrean
DINOSAURS LOVE UNDERPANTS, by Claire Freedman
DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, by Christopher Meyerhoeffer
DON'T WAKE UP THE BEAR, by Marjorie Dennis Murray
EMMA, by Jane Austen
FAERIES OF DREAMDARK: BLACKBRINGER, by Laini Taylor
FEVER 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson
THE GLASS CASTLE, by Jeannette Walls
GOOD OMENS, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
GRACE, by Elizabeth Scott
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by Neil Gaiman
THE GRIMM LEGACY, by Polly Shulman
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
HARMONIC FEEDBACK, by Tara Kelly
HARRY POTTER (you could choose any book in the series), by J.K. Rowling
THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
THE HIDING PLACE, by Corrie Ten Boom
THE HOBBIT, by J.R.R. Tolkien
HOMER’S ODDYSEY: A FEARLESS FELINE TALE, OR HOW I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE WITH A BLIND WONDER CAT, by Gwen Cooper
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, by Dr. Seuss
THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, by Dodie Smith I LOVE YOU THE PURPLEST, by Barbara M. Joosse THE INSIDE OUT/OUTSIDE IN SERIES, by Maria V. Snyder 
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot
JEMIMA J: A NOVEL ABOUT UGLY DUCKLINGS AND SWANS, by Jane Green
JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL, by Susanna Clarke
JUST ELLA, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
KETURAH AND LORD DEATH, by Martine Leavitt
THE LAST WALTZ, by G.G. Vandagriff
LEVIATHAN, by Scott Westerfeld
LIMBO, by A. Manette Ansay
THE LION AND THE MOUSE, by Jerry Pinkney
LOVE AMONG THE WALNUTS, by Jean Ferris MAGYK, by Angie Sage
A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE, by Wendy Mass
MARTINA THE BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH, by Carmen Agra Deedy
MATCHED, by Ally Condie
MIDNIGHT PEARLS, by Debbie Viguie MOON OVER MANIFEST, by Clare Vanderpool
MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS, by Leila Sales
MR. WILMER, by Robert Lawson
MY FAIR GODMOTHER, by Janette Rallison
NATION, by Terry Pratchett
THE OUTSPOKEN PRINCESS AND THE GENTLE KNIGHT, edited by Jack Zipes
The PARASOL PROTECTORATE SERIES, by Gail Carriger
PEGASUS, by Robin McKinley
PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS, by Patricia Reilly Giff
THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, by Ken Follett
THE PIPER’S SON, by Melina Marchetta
POSSESSION: A ROMANCE, by A.S. Byatt
RESTORING HARMONY, by Joëlle Anthony
ROMANCING MISS BRONTË, by Juliet Gael
SAILOR MOO: COW AT SEA, by Lisa Wheeler
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, by Baroness Orczy
THE SECRET GARDEN, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
THE SHADOWS, by Jacqueline West
SHANGHAI GIRLS, by Lisa See
THE SHEEN ON THE SILK, by Anne Perry
THE SIXTY-EIGHT ROOMS, by Marianne Malone
SO BRAVE, YOUNG, AND HANDSOME, by Leif Enger
STARDUST, by Neil Gaiman
SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW, by Jessica Day George
THE SWEETEST FIG, by Chris Van Allsburg
THE THIEF, by Megan Whalen Turner
THREE CUPS OF TEA, by Greg Mortensen and Oliver Renin
TIMECAT, by Lloyd Alexander
TOOTH AND CLAW, by Jo Walton
THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE, by Gail Carson Levine
THE UNDERNEATH, by Kathi Appelt
THE WAR OF ART, by Steven Pressfield
WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED, by Judy Blundell

AUTHORS WE’VE INTERVIEWED:
Claudia Gabel
Eileen Cook
Gail Carriger
Guy Gavriel Kay
James Dashner
Joëlle Anthony
Leila Sales
Sarah Beth Durst
Sara Zarr

Remember, the deadline to submit is 11:59 pm on April 22nd. If your name is picked in the drawing, you can choose any of these books, and your chances go up with every review you submit.


Winners will be announced April 23rd!


Good Luck!!

*If your name is drawn and you live outside the Continental U.S., we will send you an Amazon Gift Card for $15.