The Best Reader:
interview

It's that time of year, Twitter and my GR is buzzing with the excitement of another year gone and another year here. With all the upcoming Reading Challenges and Goals for the new year, I can't help but feel motivated and ready (whether my classroom is or isn't is another question). Yesterday I looked at all the books I read and came up with my top ten favorites. Feeling a little extra motivated I even made a video — beware: it is my first video, and while I'm extremely proud of it, it isn't perfect.

Books mentioned:

10. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
7. Beastly by Alex Flinn
6. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5. Matched by Allie Condie
4. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
2. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Colli ns

After making that list I still felt like something was missing, like that list alone didn't sum up 2010. I continued to think about it this morning and then it hit me: it isn't always the books that mean the most, sometimes it's the authors. I read 65 books in 2010 and the above are my favorite reads, but what about my favorite authors? The authors who were crazy kind, excited to talk to me, and who were full enthusiasm?

Here are my top authors of 2010:

• Lauren Oliver — Besides being an awesome writer, you were so approachable at BEA and I was so impressed when you remembered my name when you say me randomly walking around!
• Shannon Delany — You single-handedly were the reason Sheila and I made it to the Author Event at BEA where I met so many great women! You were so friendly, understanding, and patient with my back and forth Twittering to find where you all were. I so appreciate everything you did and can't wait for your second book.
• Courtney Summers — Your books never cease to amaze me, but I'll never forget your Author Interview with my struggling readers (and they never will either). You really demonstrated to my students that authors are people too — no matter how famous! Thank you!
• Denise Jaden — Girl, "Losing Faith" rocked my socks off but you are just as outstanding (if not more!). You have such an outreach to readers and bloggers, I am so impressed!
• Violet Haberdasher — I loved "Knightley Academy" and the main reason I bought it at BEA was because of how approachable you are! You were so friendly and excited to be at the NYC library! I can't wait for book two!
• Simone Elkeles — I haven't even read one of your books (yet), although I do have all of them on my bookshelves and in my classroom. Your books are books that I don't have to pitch to students — they pick them up, love the cover, love the synopsis, and come to me later saying "I loved this novel! Give me another one like it!" At BEA you were so friendly and even joked about me actually being a teacher because of my size (true story, my students think the same thing!). You gave me two signed posters and they were the first posters up in my classroom. My students can't believe I met you! Thank you so much for giving a first year teacher some credibility!
• Shari Maurer — I still need to read your book (I know, I'm behind), but I love your enthusiasm for reading and for struggling readers! I will never forget at BEA how willing you were to talk to me about my students (and I hadn't even met them yet!). Thanks!
• Karen Essex — I read a review of "Dracula in Love" on a blog and commented that I really wanted to read your novel but had gone to BN and it was $25, within a half an hour later you had emailed me and asked if I'd like a copy for review. It was one of those moments that my students said, "That didn't just happen, did it?" And it did. Thank you for being so awesome!
• Simmone Howell — My first Australian author! I am so excited to read your books in the near future! Your enthusiasm for reading and for students means a lot to me!

August 2010 Wrap Up

While I think six is a decent number of books read, the blog really went on hold this month. I began teaching, I was still moving in, Dan moved in, etc. I definitely struggled with keeping a balanced life in August.
Books Read:

• Linger
• I Am Number Four
• 13 to Life
• The Duff
• Losing Faith
• Mockingjay

September 2010 Wrap Up

Again, I struggled in September, only reading three books (someone slap my wrists and say "shame"). Books Read:

• Need
• Matched
• The Ivy

At least in October I read four books... right? I know, this post is beginning to sound like the post of excuses, but I did get engaged! Books Read:

• The Dark Divine
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• Captivate
• Dracula in Love

There really is no excuse for November... world, I apologize. Books Read:

• The Eternal Ones
• Intrinsical
• Fall for Anything

Finally! Redemption! I read six books in December! WHOO! Books Read:

• Knightley Academy
• The Deathday Letter
• Pretty Little Liars
• Finding Forrester
• Shade
• To Kill A Mockingbird

Monday I will be posting my review of "Source of Miracles," and thanks to Julie at FSB Associates, I am able to post the introduction to the book as a sort of teaser for my review.

Introduction — The Lord's Prayer

Kathleen McGowan

Author of The Source of Miracles: 7 Steps to Transforming Your Life through the Lord's Prayer

On Easter Sunday in the year 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that two billion people worldwide were united by one powerful common denominator: the Lord's Prayer. On that date, nearly one third of the planet's population

While Christianity has been divided since its inception into factions with theological differences, this single prayer unifies all of them. The content of the Lord's Prayer cannot be affected by dogma or politics. Even while different denominations may make minor variations, the essential words and the teachings they impart remain unchanged since the day that Jesus first taught them to his followers. The two billion souls who call themselves Christians often differ in more ways than they are alike, yet this single prayer is the common ground for all of them. Jesus gave us a prayer so universal and impactful that it would endure for thousands of years and against the harshest odds. It is not only indelible, it is eternal.

The Lord's Prayer is now, as it was when Jesus lived, the incorruptible formula for personal and global transformation.

Most Christians learn the Lord's Prayer in early childhood and can recite it by rote and without effort. It is so ingrained in our memories that we don't even have to think about it.

And therein lies the problem. We don't even have to think about it.

While most of us can rattle off this greatest of prayers and know that it is a cornerstone of Christianity, the full extent of our understanding often ends right about there. Many of us have forgotten the extraordinary power and meaning behind the words, if we ever thought about them to begin with. I learned the Lord's Prayer when I was three years old, in preschool, many years before I would ever know what words like hallowed, trespasses, or temptation mean recited that prayer in their native languages as an expression of faith.t. There wasn't a child in my class who could have told you the meaning behind the prayer, and yet we were all able to recite it flawlessly on Parents' Night. We were taught to speak it on cue, like obedient little parrots who could make the appropriate sounds come out after endless repetitions but had no ability to understand the somewhat exotic-sounding syllables.

I can assure you that we were not taught the origins of the prayer as children, and even if someone had tried to explain it to us, we were far too young to understand it as a dynamic spiritual practice and a fool-proof recipe for creating a joyous and fulfilled life.

So we grow up never knowing that, with the Lord's Prayer, Jesus was giving us the formula for manifesting miracles — not only when we most need them, but on a very regular basis.

While interviewing a random selection of Christians from different denominations, I was stunned to find how few of them even knew that this prayer came directly from Jesus. "Wait a minute — Jesus created the Lord's Prayer?" was the shocked question I heard over and over again. Even some truly devout churchgoers looked at me in surprise when I said this prayer was the work of Jesus. Some didn't believe me, even when I cited the gospel accounts that attest to this origin. One replied, "But they didn't teach us that in school," as if such an omission in our spiritual education were unusual!

But Jesus was, in fact, the author of this most perfectly constructed blueprint for spiritual change. In the New Testament, the Lord's Prayer can be found in the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 6, verses 9-13, as a component of his Sermon on the Mount, and then again in Luke, chapter 11, verses 1-4, when one of the disciples asks Jesus to "teach us to pray." And teach us he did. In doing so, he gave us this priceless treasure: a set of simple and unchangeable directions, in the form of a prayer, for discovering the real secret of how to have the life you truly desire — a life filled with love, happiness, and yes, even wealth. The prayer shows us that all these wonderful gifts come about through an increase in faith: faith in God, faith in ourselves, and faith in our fellow humans — in that order.

The Lord's Prayer addresses the issues that hurt us, confound us, and impede our progress, and illuminates the way in which we can overcome these obstacles. The prayer is our guide to purifying our spirit of anything that troubles it and holds us back from being "fully realized" human beings — which is to say, human beings functioning at our highest potential, a potential that leads directly to happiness and abundance. Using this prayer regularly as a spiritual practice creates real and lasting change at the soul level, change which becomes manifest in very earthly, visible ways.

When spoken with faith and intention, these are literally magic words.

On the eve of my thirtieth birthday in the spring of 1993, I became an ordained minister as an expression of my commitment to studying and understanding the teachings of Jesus. Fifteen years, thousands of pages of reading, and hundreds of hours of spirited discussions later, I have come to what some may consider a simplistic, and therefore perhaps controversial, view of Christian teachings. I believe that if you study and hold tight to the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, a handful of parables, and what Jesus tells us in Matthew 22, verses 37-39 — love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and love thy neighbor as thyself — then you pretty much have everything you need to live a perfect life and encourage peace on earth. But foremost of these gifts, the center from which all blessings spring, is the Lord's Prayer. While the other elements teach us valuable spiritual lessons, this great prayer is the tool that connects us immediately and directly to the source that is within each of us: the source of faith, the source of love, the source of forgiveness. And in combination, those things are the source of very real miracles.

My own life has been transformed dramatically by utilizing the Lord's Prayer as a regular spiritual practice. As a result, I have witnessed the most miraculous events, including wonders of life and death. I have been blessed with extraordinary abundance and joy. But this was not always the case.

To show you how I came to truly know the Lord's Prayer as the perfect formula for dramatic transformation — and how you can do the same — I must first take you with me into the past, through the once locked doors of a secret society and into the heart of a medieval mystery school.

I must first introduce you to the Mystery of the Rose with Six Petals.

The above is an excerpt from the book The Source of Miracles: 7 Steps to Transforming Your Life through the Lord's Prayer by Kathleen McGowan. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2009 Kathleen McGowan, author of The Source of Miracles: 7 Steps to Transforming Your Life through the Lord's Prayer

Author Bio

Kathleen McGowan, author of The Source of Miracles: 7 Steps to Transforming Your Life through the Lord's Prayer, is an internationally published writer whose work has appeared on five continents and in at least fifteen languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three sons. Kathleen is a dedicated activist, and commits a portion of her time and royalties to causes that protect women and children from the horrors of human trafficking and sexual slavery. She has teamed with The Emancipation Network and Made by Survivors to fund and participate in programs which provide shelter and safety for victims of abuse, and raise awareness of this global epidemic.

For more information about the book, please visit www.KathleenMcGowan.com.

The purpose of this blog is to inform reluctant readers of great literature that will get them passionate about reading.

I accept review copies from authors and publishers and I love to participate in blog tours, host contests and interview authors. As a first year teacher, my time is limited; because of this, I am not able to accept every book offered.

All my reviews are original and honest. I have never been compensated and all of my thoughts are my own.

Types of Genres I enjoy: While Young Adult and Adult literature is my main focus, I do accept and review some middle grade and children's titles. I am partial to fantasy, paranormal, chick-lit, romance, historical fiction, literary fiction, anything that addresses social issues, mysteries and thrillers.

I do not prefer to read a series out of sequence. If you have a review request that is part of a series that I have not read, I will ask that you provide a copy of each of it’s predecessors. This will allow for a more effective review, all reviews of the series will be posted as well.

Genres I don't usually pick up: I normally do not read non-fiction, memoirs/biographies or science-fiction. But, if you feel that a particular book would be beneficial and interesting towards reluctant readers — I'd be willing to consider it. Currently I do not accepting e-books or pdfs for review. I do occasionally accept self-published books.

When I accept a novel to review: It does not guarantee that I will write a review. While I strive to complete each book, if I find myself unable or unwilling to finish it, I will not force myself to read. I truly believe that reading should be enjoyable — if the book I am attempting to read becomes a "chore," I will put it down. I do promise to read 100 pages of each book accepted for review before putting it down. If I do not finish a book, I always pass it on (unless the provider of the review book asks me not to) in, what I call, a "Quick Giveaway." I simply give the book to the first responder with a Guest Review. An example of a Quick Giveaway. If you do not want a book to be passed on, please tell me before hand or I can make no guarantee that it won't be handed off to another reader.

While I try to only accept review books I think I will like, I cannot guarantee that the review will be positive, but it will be fair. I don't take pleasure in negating someone's work, but my reviews will be my honest opinion. My reviews include a synopsis of the novel (generally provided by Amazon or the publisher's website) and my personal thoughts about the book.
How long will it take for a review: I try to read the review titles that I receive in a timely manner but I do have time constraints. If the book is an ARC, I will try to review the book in the month surrounding its release date, in most cases before the book is released or shortly after. If the book is already released then it may take me anywhere from 2-4 months to read and review it.

Note of Clarification: Review if I do not plan on keeping the book in my classroom. If this is not something you want, please tell me before hand — just in case. Also, I love hosting giveaways or Author Interviews — if this is something you'd be interested in, please let me know.

Traffic Details: According to Google Analytics, I receive about 200 visitors a day and generally have 10 to 15 comments a day. This blog is not particularly meant to generate huge amounts of outside traffic. This blog is meant to introduce reluctant young readers to different novels. During the school year my students visit this blog daily and will contribute to the reviews listed. My students will use this blog as a reference when looking for a "good book to read for fun."

If you're interested in knowing a bit more about me — please visit my About Me page.

Disclosure: All of the books I receive for review are provided by the publisher or the author. I do not expect, accept, or receive monetary compensation for my reviews.

"Be prepared when picking up this addicting novel: it is the most honest and utterly raw novel I have ever read." — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on... but are some questions better left unanswered?"

Why I read this: After adoring "Cracked Up to Be " and "Some Girls Are " and interviewing Courtney Summers, I knew I had to read "Fall for Anything."

Plot: The plot of this novel, like all Summers' novels, is fast moving and completely addicting. I couldn't put this book down. I found myself crying throughout the novel at it's realness (yes, I cried during 6th period). Even though you know the outcome, he's dead (right?), you will it to not be true — to have an alternate ending (much like "Before I Fall "). I kept willing the book to go faster in order to find the next nonsensical clue.

Characters: I think all of the characters in this novel, even the father, are extremely strong and real. Eddie and her mother's pain are honest and excruciatingly sad. I couldn't help but become curious about Culler Evans and found myself in love with his image — that sympathy card was so... perfect and honest. I adored Milo, Eddie's best friend, and couldn't help but want to date him myself (shh, don't tell Dan). But not everyone is who they seem in "Fall for Anything."

Cover: This cover is amazing! It's so dark and completely captures the tone/mood of the story.

Random Thoughts: The ending of this book was so honest and almost anticlimactic — it was perfect.

Final Thoughts: This book did not disappoint — it was absolutely perfect. I was surprised at the ending, almost foolishly so. After reading this book my school librarian and the student who begged me to email Courtney about an interview wrestled over the book to see who got to read it first (no student was harmed prior to reading this novel) and the librarian won (after promising to have it to the student in 24 hours). This teacher didn't like it because it was so heartbreakingly honest; the student adored it because of it's honesty. Be prepared when picking up this addicting novel: it is the most honest and utterly raw novel, fiction or non, I have ever read. With a topic like this, I would expect nothing less from Courtney Summers.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 98/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Received from the Author

"Fall for Anything" will be released on December 21st, 2010

A few weeks months ago I asked for your opinion: what books would you recommend to my students. I had a fantastic response. If my stats for that post are any indication, this question has been asked many times before and people, especially teachers, are still looking for those great recommendations. Well, after asking my mom (a school librarian) and the librarian at my school, I'm finally making public what we have put together. I'm pretty sure everybody can find something on this list; I know that nonfiction is an area I need to work on as well and as I'm expecting one nonfiction read from my students by the end of the semester I've set the same standard for myself.

If you'd like to look at these lists in a Google Doc format: Recs from Readers and Recs from Teachers

Here are the recommendations from other readers:
Title of Book
Diary of Anne Frank
In the Garden of Beasts
Manhunt
Farewell to Manzanar
Graphic Novels: Maus and Persepolis
Half Broke Horses
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed
What is the What
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Freakonomics
Under the Black Flag
Cleopatra: A Life
All But My Life
Freedom Riders
Einstein's Refrigerator
Brothers in Arms
The Devil In The White City
Little Princes
360 Degrees Longitude
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

You Had Me at Woof
Decoded
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Night
Eat, Pray, Love
I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee
The Glass Castle
The Children's Blizzard
Rocket Boys
Stitches: A Memoir

And here are the recommendations compiled by two fantastic school librarians:

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At the beginning of this school year I realized that I had at least three girls who were severely struggling, not only academically but socially as well. When these girls came into my classroom each day they had this look of defeat on their faces — such a sad look for a freshman. When we started talking about recreational reading and that each freshman would be required to read two recreational books a quarter and that each Friday would be devoted to reading, I heard many of groans of agony I assumed I would receive.

These three girls came up to me after school and said, "Miss Remmers, we have no idea what to read. Nothing sounds good. Nothing is real." I immediately turned to my trusty bookshelf and handed them my copies of "Cracked Up to Be" (review) and "Some Girls Are" (review) . Four days later, each of the three girls had devoured both of these books and were begging for more. I don't have a copy of Courtney's next release "Fall For Anything," so I needed to find something to stall their ferociously growing appetite for YA.

I emailed Courtney's agent asking for an author interview; to my absolute delight, Courtney responded. When I told these girls, which has now gone from the original three to my "Girls Read" thirteen student After-School Book Club, they couldn't wait to put in their questions. Without further ado, I would like to welcome Courtney Summers, author of "Cracked Up to Be," "Some Girls Are," and the upcoming "Fall For Anything," not only to this blog, but to my classroom as well.

You have fantastic characters. They are so honest and real — just like us! How do you come up with your characters? Do you have any inspiration? Do you have a writing process you do for character development?

Thank you! Inspiration varies from character to character. With Parker and Regina, I was interested in writing female protagonists who were not traditionally nice. Parker was inspired by the pressure we place on girls to be perfect, often at the expense of themselves. In Regina, I wanted to write a character who didn't make likeable choices, but I wanted to see if I could make readers understand why she made those choices. I don't do any pre-writing in terms of character development (like interviewing my characters etc.)--once I have their general story in my head, I usually dive right into the book.

While I loved "Some Girls Are," it was almost painful to read it because of the issue of bullies. What was your inspiration for Regina and the other characters in "Some Girls Are"?

As a girl who bullied and was bullied, I had a lot of questions about my own experiences. I wanted to make sense of them and find out if I was alone in them, and that's ultimately why I wrote the book. As I mentioned above, in Regina, I wanted to write a female character who wasn't always nice or made good choices, but I wanted readers to understand why she made them. She's in a very toxic relationship with these girls she has known all her life and thinks of as her friends and she's constantly worried about her own immediate survival within her group. This fear inspires her to act in not always the best ways. But I think that's a sadly common situation girls find themselves in.

We learn in school that we have to practice our craft and setting up a routine is the best way to be consistent. Do you have a routine when you write? Any thing you have to have when you sit down to write? When do you write and where?

It's definitely important to be consistent; that will help you turn your writing into a discipline. I write every night (I'm a night owl) at a desk in my room. Pretty basic! I like to have water or coffee nearby and I absolutely have to have my headphones, so I can listen to my favorite songs while I type.

Parker, from "Cracked Up to Be," and Regina, from "Some Girls Are," were such fantastic characters. I can't wait to read your next novel. "Fall for Anything." Can you tell us anything about the protagonist of that novel?

Thank you! The protagonist of Fall For Anything is a girl named Eddie Reeves. She's seventeen and she's VERY unlike Parker and Regina.
She's my first non-mean girl character. Eddie is a very vulnerable and open girl who is trying to make sense of her father's death (he killed himself). She's very single-minded in her quest to unravel the mystery and find out the truth.

What advice do you have for fourteen year old aspiring authors?

If it's what you really want to do, don't let anyone talk you out of it. And always set flexible goals!

What's your favorite and worst high school memory?

My favorite memory of high school is when the last bell went and I got to go home.;) The worst memory was walking down the hall and seeing a boy get publicly humiliated. A crowd had gathered and they were all laughing at him. It was awful.

What songs are on your iPod right now?

Sooo many. Here's a sampling:
Marina & The Diamonds' album, The Family Jewels (fave tracks: Oh No! and I Am Not a Robot)
Florence + the Machine's album, Lungs (fave tracks: Dog Days Are Over, My Boy Builds Coffins)
Lissie's album, Catching a Tiger (fave tracks: Record Collector, Bully, Stranger)

Who is your best friend? How did you meet?

I have a few best friends who have come into my life in different ways... one of them is in the dedication of every one of my books.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you so much for reading my books and for your thoughtful questions! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

Thank you so much Courtney for taking the time to talk answer my girls' questions. They were so excited to read your answers and demanded a printed out copy. These two novels not only opened up a world of YA fiction to these struggling readers, but they also provided an outlet and new found community. "Girls Read" meets every Tuesday after school; we are currently reading "Shiver."

"Fall For Anything" comes out December 21st, 2010.

What a week! I wish I would have been more prepared to have reviews of Banned Books! But plenty of people knew how to celebrate in style! But before I get to that, I still have "I Read Banned Books" pins to give out! There (at last count) nine still to ship out! No entries necessary! Send me a review and I'll send you a pin! Remember, the review can be of a book you've recently read or a review you wrote a year ago. Interested? (Of course you are!)

Ok, back to the important things — Banned Books Week and Blogs. To sum it up...

• Mary at The Sweet Bookshelf celebrated by reviewing Lord of the Flies
• Natasha at Maw Books celebrated with an awesome list of challenged books she's read and a video
• Misty the Book Rat celebrated by listing the top ten most challenged books
• Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books celebrated with a contest!
• Kristen at Bookworming In the 21st Century celebrated with a video and an interview
• Leslie (That Chick That Reads) celebrated with a vlog about censorship
• The Park Avenue Princess celebrated with a contest
• Misty the Book Rat celebrated AGAIN by listing childrens' book that have been challenged
• Leslie (That Chick That Reads) celebrated AGAIN by asking "Who Started This Mess?"
• Thea, from the Book Smugglers, celebrated by posting the list of books and trends of banned books
• Mary at The Sweet Bookshelf started her celebration off with a bang! (Probably one of my favorite posts)
• Misty the Book Rat celebrated YET AGAIN by looking at words more closely

BBAW is finally here and I am so excited to welcome Chachic from Chachic Book's Nook.

You're from the Philippines! That is so cool! Are there other book bloggers in your area? If so, what are they! I'd love to visit their blogs!
I'm so glad you think it's cool that I'm from the Philippines! There are actually a number of book bloggers here. I only started blogging this year but I noticed that there have been Filipino book bloggers for several years and more and more are popping out lately. I noticed that we didn't have a site that brings together all Filipino book bloggers so I decided to create Filipino Book Bloggers (http://filipinobookbloggers.wordpress.com/) . I know the name isn't that creative but I'm happy to get to know some of the book bloggers out there. We're having our first meet up soon and I'm really excited for that.

That's so awesome about the meet up! I hope it goes awesome! Because English is your second language, is it hard to read YA novels written in English? What about writing the reviews? Here in the Philippines, we actually use English as the medium of instruction. The Philippines was colonized by the United States and it was Americans who established education in the Philippines. All of our subjects, starting from nursery up to college, are taught in English except for Filipino and a couple of other History subjects. That's why English books aren't translated to Filipino over here and I'm comfortable with reading books and writing reviews in English. Also, I've never mentioned this on my blog but I actually work with Americans. I'm a research analyst for a Business Process Outsourcing company and I report directly to people in the US.

As an international book blogger, what differences in book blogging have your noticed between international and US book blogging?
One of the main differences is we don't get review copies. International shipping is really expensive so I understand that publishers would have a hard time sending review copies and it also takes a couple of weeks for the books to get here. I've never received a copy for review and most of the other Filipino book bloggers that I've talked to also haven't received any review copies. The books that I review on the blog are given as gifts, bought, or borrowed.

On a positive note, I love it when US book bloggers are amazed with some of the things that I mention in reviews like how I've never seen snow or how we don't have public libraries over here. You don't have public libraries! Wow, that really makes me appreciate my library.
You host a meme called "Want Books?" where readers can highlight books that they want but can't have either to it not being released in their country yet, not having the money for it, a far-out release date, etc. Where did you come with the idea? When is your weekly post up? How many bloggers generally participate? I love the photo too! Are you familiar with the meme Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), which is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine (http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/) ? In WoW, you can feature upcoming releases that you're eagerly waiting for. I used to use that meme but then I realized that it would be better if there's a meme that lets you feature books that have already come out that you can't get for some reason. Instead of complaining about books not being available here, I thought it would be better if I could create a meme to highlight them. So that's how I came up with Want Books. I put up a post every Saturday and anyone can participate. It isn't a popular meme though and only a handful of book blogger friends have participated. I don't mind because I don't think I'll ever run out of material for the meme, there will always be books in my wishlist.:)

I see that you have a giveaway ending TOMORROW! What is it and who is eligible? Yes! I have a Mortal Instruments giveaway but sadly, it's only for residents of the Philippines. All you need to do to enter is tell me what review of mine is your favorite and why. Learn more about it here. We both read a lot of YA, what books would you recommend to struggling young adult readers? Oh gosh, I have so many recommendations! Here you go:

Fantasy
The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Sasharia En Garde duology by Sherwood Smith
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
The Changeover by Margaret Mahy

Fairy Tale Retellings
Beauty by Robin McKinley
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

YA Contemporary Fiction
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Jessica Darling books by Megan McCafferty

Historical Fiction
Sunbird, The Lion Hunters, The Empty Kingdom by Elizabeth Wein
A Countess Below Stairs, The Reluctant Heiress and A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson
Thanks for all the great recommendations! Wow! I'm going to steal one of your questions because it was so good! What is your "good read" preference — contemporary YA, epic fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction or dystopian? I read read books from all of those genres but I have a special place in my heart for epic fantasy.

What are your comfort reads? Books that you go to on a rainy day for a reread when nothing seems to be going your way. The books that I listed in the recommendations section are my favorites so they're really my comfort reads. I've reread most of those several times already.

What book are you pinning for — that you can't wait to get your hands on? Oh so many! Check out my Want Books meme because I have weekly posts on books that I'm pining for. Although if you're asking for books that are yet to be released, I can't wait to get Bayou Moon and Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, Pegasus by Robin McKinley and Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier.

Chachic, thank you so much for stopping by! It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and discovering your blog. Readers, please remember to stop by and visit Chachic at Chachic Book's Nook.

So I kind of completely forgot to do this. But I figure, better late than never.

Books Read:

• New Moon — Stephenie Meyer
• Elemental Shaman — Omar Rosales
  
• Benny and Shrimp — Katarina Mazetti
  
• Dancing with Ana — Nicole Barker
  
• Blue Bloods — Melissa de la Cruz
  
• Eclipse — Stephenie Meyer
  
• On the Bluffs — Steven Schindler
  
• Masquerade — Melissa de la Cruz
  
• Revelations — Melissa de la Cruz
  
• Breaking Dawn — Stephenie Meyer
  

• Nicole Barker — Author of "Dancing with Ana"
  

• My Name is Will — Jess Winfield
• Benny and Shrimp — Katarina Mazetti
• Boy Toy — Barry Lyga
• Dancing with Ana — Nicole Barker
• Sugar Time — Jane Adams
  

• The Hunger Games — Suzanne Collins
  
• The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte — Syrie James
  
• Suite Scarlet — Maureen Johnson
  
• Sugar Time — Jane Adams
• Now and Then — Jacquelin Sheehan

• Everything Austen Challenge

• I Rock Award
  
• Lemonade Award
• Zombies and Chickens Award
  

I need to get back on track; school has started and I need a steady routine. I miss my blog and I miss having reviews to post. I hate having to use "fillers" so that throughout the week I've posted something. Life is stressful, my job is stressful, I have tons of work to do, lessons to prepare, and assignments to correct; but for the past three weeks it seems that is all I've done. The only time I read for me is on Fridays when six of my seven classes have recreational reading. As much as I love talking books with struggling readers who don't really believe me, I really miss talking books with people who already love to read. This is apart of my life I miss.

To "get back on track" I'm going to start a little list of things I want to accomplish this week (blog-related). I'm counting on you all to keep me accountable.

• Do my BBAW interview (I've really neglected my partner)
• Surprise Author Interview #1
• Surprise Author Interview #2
• Ask Author #3 for an Interview
• Ask Author #4 for an Interview
• Jane Austen Giveaway
• Write culture post
• Contact Publishers about Mysterious Classroom project
• Find three author guest posts
• Print off Author Pictures for bulletin board
• Request Blogger Guest Posts
• Devote at least thirty minutes a day to blog hopping and keeping up with my Google Reader
• Read for an hour everyday recreationally — not the stories/books I need to read to teach
• Collect at least ten Guest Reviews. This is a habit I got out of and it makes me sad. That, and I feel it's a huge loss for my students.

I definitely got some things accomplished this week compared to last week. This week I was super busy reading, reviewing, cleaning, and packing. I wanted to get through most of the books from my mom's library so that I wouldn't have to take them with me — but, alas, yesterday when I moved back to school I did have to pack the last two (Eighth Grade Bites and Ninth Grade Slays).I also packed up all of my review books (I think there three or four), the books I've won but have yet to read, and of course the books I'll be giving away here in the coming weeks — "My Name is Will ", "Dancing with Ana", and "Boy Toy".

This week I finished Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, and On the Bluffs. I also had an Author Interview with Nicole Barker (author of "Dancing with Ana"). I went from fourteen followers to 26! I am super excited — welcome everybody to my little world of madness!

This week I sent "On the Bluffs" off to Sheila.

I am all moved into the dorm as of yesterday and begin RA Training on Tuesday night. So I'm spending these few days with my best friends and enjoying my last bit of summer. This week my goal is to get through "Eighth Grade Bites" and "Ninth Grade Slays" and start "Frozen Tears". I'm not quite sure how much time I'll have for reading this week (and next) — but it'd be awesome if I could get all three of these finished in a week. I also have a surprise scheduled for Thursday — so stay tuned!

This week's Guest Review was "Suite Scarlett" by Megan from WriteMeg! If you're interested in submitting a Guest Review — please find out how.

Last (but definitely not least), it's official. I made it into the Harry Potter class. It was completely full and I was number four on the waitlist — but I didn't really expect three other people to drop out. So I emailed the new professor (it's her first semester teaching at the college level), and was like "Are you going to be accepting more than forty students?" If not, I'd completely understand — that's a lot of papers to grade for a new teacher! But it is my last semester to take a Lit class (I'll be student teaching in the Spring) and I need another Lit class to fulfill my Literature Specialization. I played it up that it was cool if she wasn't going to take more students, but I'd rather know now so that I can look into alternatives. She replied (a week later — but better late than never) sayin that since it was my last chance to take a Lit Course she'd sign my add slip right away! I'm super pumped! Very VERY excited. Best part — I don't have to purchase any more extremely overly expensive books because I already own the HP books (we will only be covering the first four though). I'll make sure to keep you all posted with what we talk about!:)

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

OH and just a heads up — ignore my posts on Tuesday. I'm adding a 'box' to my side bars to help students find out the order of books in popular series (Harry Potter, House of Night, Blue Bloods, Sookie Stackhouse, Twilight). To you and I, many of these things are second nature. But to struggling readers, it might not be so obvious that Eclipse comes after New Moon. So I'll be posting several (probably five) of these posts — simply with the order of the books in the series — so that students who are unsure of which book to read next can find it quickly. Sorry for filling up your Reader — but it is necessary. Thank you for understanding. If you know of any other awesome series I should put down... please comment!:)

This is my last Summer post — today I head back to school (literally, as you are reading this I am on my way back to the middle of nowhere, South Dakota). I have got a lot accomplished this summer — seeing as how a couple of months ago I was barely reading a book a month and this blog didn't exist.

Since June, I have read and reviewed 23 books. And I have hosted NINE Guest Reviews that are posted as of right now. But I have scheduled Guest Review posts every Wednesday until Sept 30th — so really, that's SEVENTEEN Guest Reviews. I'd like to give a big thanks to the following people who made time out of their crazy schedules to be a Guest Reviewer — you have no idea what it means to me. Thank You!

I'm forever going to be looking for Guest Reviewers — if you are interested please check out this post. If you'd like to learn more about my mission — look at my blog.

I have received the following awards: I Rock Award, Let's Be Friends Award, The Lemonade Award, and the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you for all of these great awards!

I have hosted the following Giveaways: "My Name is Will", "Boy Toy", "Dancing With Ana", "Benny and Shrimp", and "A Vengeful Spirit".

I have interviewed these authors: Preetham Grandhi, Lizzy Armentrout, Nicole Barker

I have won these books: "The Imposter's Daughter", "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict", and "A Duty to the Dead", "The Darcy’s & the Bingleys", "The Plight of the Darcy Brothers"

I have acquired 24 followers. Thank you — it means the world to me!

I have joined Twitter (@google), Goodreads, Book Blogs.

While you probably won't see as many reviews or posts from me this fall, I am determined and I am dedicated (you can quote me if you want) to finish at least two books a week (exception is Finals Week).

I have about a year to build up as many reviews as possible before my students see my collection. But very soon (could be as soon as December!) employers will be stopping by to see all the reviews I have collected and they will discover my mission. I can't wait to begin my senior year so that I can soon begin the rest of my life. It's indescribable and I'm not doing it justice. I am so ready to share my love of literature with others and make a difference. Again, thank you so much to the Guest Reviewers who have sent in reviews — this wouldn't be possible without you. (Well, it might be — but all the reviews would be of books I like and am interested in.) If you're interested to adding your name and blog to the list — please let me know at missremmeres[at]gmail[dot]com and check out this post.

Guest Reviewers

• Sharry — Always Dreaming
• Scarlett — From the Heart
• Sharon — Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
• Nicole — Books and Bards
• Hannah — About Books
• Sheila — One Person's Journey Through A World of Books
• Megan — writemeg
• Cassandra — Happy Book Lovers Blog

To celebrate the awesome interview I had with Nicole Barker yesterday, today will be the start of a new giveaway! I have a signed copy of "Dancing with Ana" and an ARC to giveaway — thanks to Nicole! This contest is open to all US and Canada residents (sorry world) and will be closed on August 31st.

"Beth is a lucky girl... she comes from a loving family, she has three best friends. She loves to surf and lives five minutes from the beach. She also recently discovered that the boy she's grown up with has the most amazing green eyes... Beth has every reason to smile. Every reason to be happy. Every reason to feel blessed.

Then why is she sticking her fingers down her throat?""

For entries--
+1 Comment with your email address
+3 Become a follower/Already a follower
+3 Link to 'http://www.dancingwithana.com/' via your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc (leave a link, please)
+3 Join Nicole's Facebook Group: Dancing with Ana +2 Follow Nicole on Twitter @dancingwithana
+2 Sign up for the message boards on Nicole's website under the 'Giveaway Entrants' section

Only one comment is necessary (unless you need to come back later — that's good too!). But please post in the format above. Keeps it easier for me:) Please check out my review of "Dancing with Ana". Like I said, this book is perfect for mothers, teachers, and librarians (not to mention any young female in middle/high school). The language is so honest and it doesn't shy away from the issues that we, as authority figures, need to talk about with children. It's a fast read full of heart. Highly recommended.

Thank you so much to Nicole for making this giveaway possible! She's also going to send me a copy for my own classroom with an inscription for unsuspecting readers. I can't wait until one of my female students grabs "Dancing with Ana" off of my shelves, goes to sit down, and opens the book to find a beautiful inscription from the author. How awesome is that going to be! Gives me goosebumps! Good luck everyone!

Today I'd like to welcome Nicole Barker, author of "Dancing with Ana".

"Beth is a lucky girl... she comes from a loving family, she has three best friends. She loves to surf and lives five minutes from the beach. She also recently discovered that the boy she's grown up with has the most amazing green eyes... Beth has every reason to smile. Every reason to be happy. Every reason to feel blessed.

Then why is she sticking her fingers down her throat?"

I loved "Dancing with Ana" — check out my review if you haven't read it yet!

What was it like writing this book?
It was simply amazing. There were days when I would write for three or four hours straight, not stopping to answer the phone, do laundry... eat. When I'm writing, I'm a bit compulsive and obsessed. I'm not quite sure my husband and kids would call the experience amazing... but they were incredibly supportive.

How long did it take you to write "Dancing with Ana"?
I wrote the first words at the end of August 2008 shortly after my kids started school and my final words right around Thanksgiving. Of course, I use the word “final” very loosely, because I rewrote and edited the book for another six months, finally letting it go at the beginning of June. There is no doubt I could pick up Dancing With Ana any day of the week and still find things I would change, but I had to release it. I was starting to embody Jack Torrance from The Shining.

Where did the idea for this book come from?
Well, it kind of came out of the blue. I've always had a desire to write a book for young adults. I have an incredible amount of respect for this age group, as I can remember my own issues and struggles during this time. It was important to be able to write about a subject that is very common in their lives, whether it affects them personally, a friend, a family member, etc., but still create an entertaining story that involves friendship and love. I didn't want it to be clinical.

Where did the title come from?
When most people think of anorexia, they picture a young woman very thin, bones protruding, starving to death. They picture the extreme of the disease. There are many stages of anorexia, just as there are many reasons why a person would choose this way to cope with an issue. Most victims start off merely dancing with ana, which is still an intensely painful and isolating experience. It's when they stay too long at the dance, or can't leave, that ana becomes a living, breathing entity they both fear and need.

What or Who inspires you to write?
I have two sisters who are severely mentally and physically disabled. Not a day goes by when I don't think of them. To say there is so much they aren't able to do is such an understatement it's almost laughable. They inspire me to live my life to the fullest, not be afraid of failure, be courageous.
My children are also a huge inspiration. I want them to reach for their dreams, so I need to be an example of that. There is a quote from a Blues Traveler song that I always tell them, “There's no such thing as a failure who keeps trying, coasting to the bottom is the only disgrace.”

What do you like on your pizza?
Plain old cheese, NY style

What is in your CD player/iPOD right now?
I have to laugh, because I could spend the next hour writing what is in my Ipod. Music is everything to me. If I could sing or play an instrument, I would try to start a band. To name a few... The Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Blind Melon, Gwen Stafani, Janis Joplin...

And finally, if you could say anything to your young readers — what would it be?
Try to keep a journal, write whatever pops into your head. You'll look back and realize that this part of your journey is very profound. Oh, and I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much Nicole for stopping by! I was really wondering where the title came from — but now that mystery's put to rest.:)

Really — make sure to read this book. It's one of the best and most honest I've read all summer. Tomorrow stop by because I'll be giving away two copies of Nicole's book — "Dancing with Ana". Visit Nicole online at Nicole's website.

This week was a little anti-climatic after last week — although I am now 22 instead of 21 (BTW — Thanks everyone for the Birthday Wishes!). But starting tomorrow my book life should perk up, Momma and Poppa Remmers are leaving town for the week so I'll have nothing to distract me. It's also my last week home — I leave for school on the 15th. Very excited to start my senior year and see all my friends again, but I know that with school my blogging and reading life will be reduced a bit (which makes me sad).

This week I finished Eclipse, Benny and Shrimp, My Name is Will, and Dancing with Ana. I received a rocking award from Gofita's Pages! I am also hosting (is that the right word) my first poll! Look in the left sidebar and read this post to find out more. I went from nine followers to fourteen over the weekend! Very exciting — welcome everybody to my little world of madness! And I, once again, joined Twitter — add me @google. If you are at all interested why, find out here.

Be sure to check out my giveaway for My Name is Will by Jess Winfield! This week I sent "Elemental Shaman" off to Nicole and "A Vengeful Spirit" to Wanda. On Monday I will send a the copy of "Benny and Shrimp" to Sharon!

I also have THREE more books to giveaway. A brand spanking new copy of Barry Lyga's "Boy Toy" and two copies (one brand new and one 'once read' ARC) of "Dancing with Ana". And sometime this week, Nicole Barker (author of "Dancing with Ana"), will be stopping by for an interview! So a big week coming up!

And I'm all caught up with posting and scheduling my Guest Reviews! Every Wednesday until the middle of September has a scheduled Guest Review — isn't that awesome! I am very excited! If you're interested in submitting a Guest Review — please find out how.

Sadly — I'll be skipping this week's Monday Musings. This week's question: "Do you have a favourite publishing house — one that puts out books that you constantly find yourself wanting to read? If so, who? And, what books have they published that you’ve loved? (question courtesy of MizB) " I don't really have an opinion on publishing houses — so there's no point in me posting a Monday Musings with a simple no comment. I am sad though, it's one of the three meme's I participate in and I really look forward to it. But oh well — always next week.

Like I said, this is my last week of 'freedom'. Especially literary freedom. I am working on my literature specialization this semester so I'll be getting my fill of Milton, Chaucer, and J.K Rowling (YES! I am taking a class on Harry Potter! This is of course more for the fun of it than anything else!). But I do have a huge stack of books I want to get read before I leave. I need to read Breaking Dawn, Eighth Grade Bites, Ninth Grade Slays, The Imposter's Daughter, and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. So all those reviews and a couple new contests coming your way this week!

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Author Nicole Barker was kind enough to send me a copy of "Dancing with Ana" to review. I finished it in two sittings. Be prepared for a glowing review.

"Beth is a lucky girl... she comes from a loving family, she has three best friends. She loves to surf and lives five minutes from the beach. She also recently discovered that the boy she's grown up with has the most amazing green eyes... Beth has every reason to smile. Every reason to be happy. Every reason to feel blessed.

Then why is she sticking her fingers down her throat?"

I absolutely loved "Dancing with Ana." I'm so excited to say that this is the first book I've read all summer that I will be putting in the box labeled "Miss Remmers' Classroom". I am so thankful to Nicole Barker for emailing me and sending me this book. It will be a great asset to my future classroom.

It's a quick read, like I said — I finished it in a couple hours. And when I had to go to church, I found myself thinking about Beth and her friends during the extremely long winded homily (gasp!). Female students will not be able to put this book down after they read the first page. The cover won't bring them in (not a big fan), but if I challenge them to read the first two pages I know that they will need to finish it. It's a short book (170 pages) with big font. So even very reluctant readers won't feel intimidated. But don't let the size bother you — there's a lot of story between the covers of this book.

It has the right amount of romance — but the romance is the supporting issue. Teenage girls dieting is the big issue (obviously). Girls who weigh 120 pounds who decide to lose 10 pounds and try to hide it from their questioning mothers. It's been a while since high school, but I remember that game. "Dancing with Ana" is written so honestly that it's inspiring.

The language is beautiful and moving. When Beth describes her hunger for food — I was literally craving HoHos (no joke)! When Beth feels sick and guilty, I felt sick and guilty. It was astonishing. There's a lot of story in these pages and I'm glad that the book is this size — it's emotionally draining to read about eating disorders. The girls' thoughts are so honest (askew — but honest). Their relationships with their mothers, fathers, boys, and girlfriends are believable and easy to relate too.

If I could change anything — I would change the cover. It doesn't draw people in like it should for such a great book. Overall, it's an amazingly inspiring, honest, good book. But like I said, it's emotionally draining to read. But for the sake of my students (gasp) I'll suffer through it. That's complete sarcasm — I hope you got that. I'm going to email the author to see if I can set up an interview. And I'm hoping she'll send me another copy with a short letter inside for my female students so I can giveaway the original 'once read' copy of "Dancing with Ana". Stay tuned — because you'll definitely want to get your hands on this book.

If you're wondering about the title (I really was) stay tuned, hopefully Nicole will answer that question for us.

Find out what other readers are saying about "Dancing with Ana".
Tara — Tales of a Book Addict
Missy — Missy's Book Nook
The Eclectic Reader

This week I'd like to welcome Nicole, from Books and Bards, as this week's Guest Reviewer! Check out her original review here!

*******************
In the not-too-distant future, the continent of North America has become Panem, a totalitarian country divided into twelve territories. Every year, each district is required to send a tribute of a young boy and girl, chosen by lottery, to fight to the death like gladiators while the nation watches on live television. Sixteen-year-old Katniss lives with her mother and sister in the most impoverished section one of the poorest districts, where she must illegally hunt in the forbidden woods to stay ahead of starvation. When her younger sister, Prim, is drawn for the Hunger Games, Kat steps in and volunteers in her place. And just like that, she is shipped off to the Capitol, along with Peeta, the baker’s son, to fight for her life. I love novels that disturb or unsettle me. Needless to say, I gobbled this one in a single sitting, completely transfixed and desperate to find out how it ends.

The writer in me admires Suzanne Collins to pieces, and I couldn't help geeking out over her command of language and her spareness of words. One thing that turns me off to a lot of sci-fi is authors who get bogged down in conveying every minute detail of the brilliant world they've created. Collins conveys just enough necessary detail to serve the story and lets the rest take care of itself. Her sci-fi world, filled with brutality and speckled with genetically engineered creatures, is merely a backdrop for the struggles of a cast of complex and believable characters.

Katniss, an ace with a bow and arrow, is a fascinating heroine--sort of Annie meets Huck Finn. I have to confess I found myself girl-crushing on her a bit while hanging out in her head and seeing this twisted version of the world through her eyes. One of the things I love about this book is the way Collins draws upon both classical literature and pop culture, blending them seamlessly together to tap into certain universal fears of the human psyche. The story has its roots in the Greek myth of King Minos, whose son died on a state visit to Athens. Furious, Minos captured Athens and imposed a harsh punishment: Every nine years, Athens must send him seven of its young men and seven maidens, whom he then fed to his Minotaur.

On the sci-fi end of the spectrum, Collins weaves in an element of reality television gone wrong, with a bloodthirsty nation devouring the brutal spectacle on TV, placing bets on who will win, and demanding more excitement when the games become stagnant. Beforehand, the tributes are trussed like turkeys, interviewed, and sized up on camera. Once inside the arena, they form alliances, calculate strategies, and receive unexpected boons (or hindrances) from the hidden but omnipresent gamemakers. It’s Survivor meets Lord of the Flies.

At the core of this novel is the question of humanity, and what it means to be human. As Kat forms alliances of her own, she grapples with the realization that she will have to slaughter people she has come to care about and confronts the question of whether survival is worth the loss of her humanity, especially knowing her beloved sister may starve back at home without her. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, carried along by Kat's determination to survive and to not be subdued by the atrocities she witnesses. I was frequently horrified, occasionally touched, and always on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next twist. Find out what other people think about this book! Alea — Pop Culture Junkie ******************* Thank you so much Nicole for an awesome review — I've been meaning to read this forever! If anyone else has a great book to recommend to high school students, please email me (my profile has the address). Check out this post for more information on how to become a guest reviewer. Please share some book love and check out Nicole's blog, Books and Bards. Thanks again, Nicole!

I've been feeling a little... book clutter... going on in my small room. So I've decided to simply pass on a few books. I don't want to host ANOTHER giveaway at the same time as the "My Name is Will" Giveaway so this is going to be really simple.

I'll send a signed copy of Lizzy Armentrout's "A Vengeful Spirit" to the first person who emails me at missremmeres [at] gmail [dot] com. All you need to do is include your address AND a review of your favorite book that you'd like to 'pass on' as a Guest Review. This is really simple — check out this post to find out what is necessary. You can simply copy and paste from your own blog (with a link) or if you really want to be lazy (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!) simply put the direct URL to your review and I'll do the work. It's that easy. I'll comment on this post once I receive the first email and the book will be on it's way by Wednesday.

Check out my review of "A Vengeful Spirit" and my interview with Lizzy Armentrout.

UPDATE AUG 4: Still no one? Come on, just a simple link to a review of your favorite book. Super simple.

UPDATE AUG 5: Still no takers? Hm — this is depressing. I have another book to hand out but I don't want to have too much stuff going on at once. Somebody email me!:)

UPDATE AUG 6: And the book goes to Wanda from Canada! I went to the post office and found out that because we are so close to the border it costs about the same than to send it anywhere else — so that's perfect. I've decided to make the "My Name is Will" Giveaway open to US and Canada residents to celebrate! Wanda — as soon as you send me an email — the book will be on its way today or tomorrow!

Books Read:

• Betrayed — P.C. and Kristin Cast
• Chosen — P.C. and Kristin Cast
• Untamed — P.C. and Kristin Cast
• Hunted — P.C. and Kristin Cast
• The Man Who Loved Jane Austen — Sally Smith O'Rourke
  
• A Vengeful Spirit — Lizzy Armentrout
• Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride -Helen Halstead
  
• A Circle of Souls — Preetham Grandhi
• Suspense and Sensibility — Carrie Bebris
  
• Jane Austen Ruined My Life — Beth Pattillo
  
• Twilight — Stephanie Meyer
• Prada and Prejudice — Mandy Hubbard
  
• Elemental Shaman — Omar W. Rosales
  

• Lizzy Armentrout — Author of "A Vengeful Spirit"
• Preetham Grandhi — Author of "A Circle of Souls"

• My Name is Will — Jess Winfield
  

• Emma
• Twilight
• Pride and Prejudice
• My Sister's Keeper
  

• The Book Thief — Marcus Zusak
• Audrey, Wait — Robin Benway
• Nothing But Ghosts — Beth Kephart
• North of Beautiful — Justina Chen Headley

• Everything Austen Challenge
• Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

How did July work out for you?