Showing posts with label On The Spot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label On The Spot. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Welcome to another fabulous edition of On the Spot! I love having other bloggers join me and today I've got the fantastical Linny! You may know her, you may not. But here she is, on the spot! (Rhyme in progress)
Linny recently graduated high school and she loves anything artsy and design related. Make sure you check out her blog, she did it all! Oh and did I mention she works at an ice-cream place? I'm so jelly. She's super fun and her blog is epic! And so is this interview!
Besides a love of books, what made you want to share your reviews with others?
I want to help people. Isn't that the worst thing in the world when you waste some of your precious reading time on a book that you hated? I want to give people (who have a simular taste in books as me) a heads up of what books they should skip and what books they should use their reading time on instead.
Any books to-be-released that you are most excited for?
That list is way too long! One book I'm excited for though is Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes, which comes out this December.
Favorite books/authors?
Some
of my top favorite books/series (so you can call the authors my
favorites) are The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, The Host, Demon Kissed,
and Demon Princess.
Favorite color?
You'd probably think pink from my blog design, but it's green!
When did you really start reading a lot?
I
used to read a lot during elementary, but I stopped for a long time. I
started up again about 3 years ago in my 10th grade year of highschool.
Favorite book genres?
Anything Young Adult fiction. No realistic-fiction for me though!
If you were fictional, what character from a book would you be most like?
Well, I hopethat
I would be most like Katniss. But I would probably be more like Ivy
Taylor from Demon Kissed. Starts out ordinary and slowly grows into an
amazing MC through the story, but still makes mistakes.
Are you more prone to buy or borrow books?
Definitely
buy them. I can't stand people who dog-ear or bend pages and I don't
want to share books with those people, even if they're not really my
books haha. Plus, I can have them there for me to read whenever I want -
no waiting lists etc.
You can have any author to dinner. Who is it?
I would have dinner with Suzanne Collins and we would have lamb stew.
Favorite fictional crush?
Peeta Mellark! There are so many though, haha.
Best book quote?
There
are quite a few. Here's one that made me cry though! “It's not the
face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say.
It's not how you look in that body, but the thing you do with it. You
are beautiful.” -Ian O'Shea, The Host
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis, like in the movie Chronicle.
Could you say that reading from a bloggers perspective has changed the way you read books?
The
only thing that it's changed is that I keep a notepad to write good
quotes and my ideas for my reivew on. I still think about the book the
same way, or rather I still get dragged away and am not really thinking
at all.
How did you get your current blog name?
I
wanted it to be simple and let people know that my blog was based
around a person, not a company or professional reviewing group.
If you could pick any book or series to be made into films, what would you pick?
The Demon Kissed books! An alternate ending for the 5th film required though..
Are you a Morning, Noon or Night person?
Noon.
Favorite reading spots?
In my bed with my cat at my side, haha.
Harry Potter or Hunger Games?
What kind of a loaded question is that? Haha! I LOVE both, but if I had to choose I would say Hunger Games.
What do you tend to spotlight in your reviews?
I
try to cover everything, but I go more in depth about the things that
really made or ruined the book for me. Like if there was something about
the writing style that really bothered me, I'll explain what about it
got to me and give quote examples.
Thanks so much for dropping by Linny! It was a blast?
Want to get On The Spot?
Email me! (sidebar) I'd love to have you!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
It's time for another fabulous blogger to join me! This time I've got the lovely Krista over from her lovely blog Nawanda Files! The only galaxy known to man that revolves around books and inhabiting by robots! Krista herself is a science nerd and is studying to become a doctor. Welcome Krista!
M&M's Or Skittles? M&M's! Chocolate all the way!
Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others? Honestly, I just love the whole YA community. Sharing my reviews is awesome, but I love to interact with all the other YA bloggers and readers out there.
Favorite Books/Authors? Oooh, this is definitely a hard one. Of all time, I'd have to say the Harry Potter series. Recently, I'm really digging Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, and The Selection by Kiera Cass.
Favorite Color? Red!
When did you start really reading a lot? When I was ten. My twin sister and I had a contest to see who could read the most in a year. We went to the library almost everyday and had a whiteboard tallying our book count and page count. We were a bit competitive :)
Favorite fictional crush? There are so many! Probably Kaidan Rowe from Sweet Evil. That book is steamy for young adult!
If you designed your own fortune cookie what would it say? Don't eat yellow snow. (Because we all know that is some sage wisdom)
Could you say that reviewing from a bloggers perspective has changed how you think about books? Not really. I'm still reviewing it like I would before I started blogging. My review just may be more in depth.
How did you get the blog name you use now? Nawanda comes from the movie Dead Poets Society. There is a character in the movie named Charlie who decides that he wants to be called Nuwanda (but I changed it to the other spelling). He's a free thinking, really independent person, and I've always valued individuality. It's my favorite movie, and my sister and I have been using the name Nawanda as screen names and such since we were kids. It just kind of seemed appropriate to name my blog after a name that kind of stands for individuality when I've always tried to be myself.
If you could pick any one book to be made into a movie what would it be? Under the Never Sky would be an epic movie.
What do you look for in a book that will go into a review? I don't know if I look for anything. I just kind of read it and if there is something that makes me laugh, smile, or cry I'll write about it. If I get irritated I'll write about that too. I'm not opposed to bad reviews as long as they are honest.
Thanks so much Hannah for the interview! It was lots of fun!
It was a blast having you On the Spot today Krista! Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you all visit her rocking blog! TNT,
Want To Be Interview For On The Spot? Email me via the sidebar!
Monday, July 2, 2012
About The Author
It’s A.J.’s world. A strange place where patterns jump out and catch the eye, very little is missed, and most of it can be recalled with a deep breath, it’s different from the world the rest of us inhabit. But the rest of us can see it – when we read. In this world, the smell of Florida takes three weeks to fully leave the senses and the air in Dallas is so thick that the planes “sink” to the runways rather than actually landing. For A.J., texture reigns supreme. Whether it’s air or blood or virus, it can be felt and smelled. School is a privilege and two science degrees (a BA and MS) are mere pats on the back compared to the prize of knowledge. Teaching is something done for fun (and the illusion of a regular paycheck) and is rewarding at all levels, grade school through college. No stranger to awards and national recognition for outstanding work as a teacher, trainer and curriculum writer, like most true teachers, the real joy for A.J. is in the “oh!” - the moment when the student sees the connection and it all makes sense. A.J. has lived in Florida and Los Angeles among a handful of other places. Recent whims have brought the dark writer to Tennessee, where home is a deceptively normal looking neighborhood just outside Nashville. |
Jason has a brother he doesn’t remember existed. He doesn’t remember his life before he was adopted at age seven. He only knows that he was rescued from the fire that took his birth mother’s life. But the story is deeper than that, and the foundation on which he built his world is now cracking. The brother he doesn’t remember it out there somewhere, left behind.
Armed with only this stunning new piece of information, Jason embarks on a quest to find the truths buried deep in his past. As he searches, one by one the pieces of his life fall like dominoes. And the more he uncovers, the more everything he thought he knew
about himself and his past begins to turn to ash. His truth isn’t true at all . . .
On The Spot
What inspired the idea for this story? Was it totally random or based on something? For all my other books, I can definitively state their origins, but for PHOENIX, the plot was always just 'there'. I did have the idea that I wanted to tell a story without 'deus ex machina' ('God outside the Machine' ). I wanted to tell a story that didn't depend on things happening TO the characters so much as characters shaping their own destinies, either on purpose or by accident.If you had to rename your book what would you name it? This is tough! The story is about Jason, who is in a fire as a kid and it changes his whole life. As an adult he becomes a fire fighter like the
one who saved him. He is the Phoenix in the story - I don't know that it could have any other title than PHOENIX.
When did you know you wanted to write? I always wanted to write. In 3rd grade, I wrote an 80 pg novella by hand. Like many writers, I constantly started things I didn’t finish. But I really ‘became a writer’ when I learned to buckle down and finish.
Was there an author that inspired you to write a fabulous book? Of course! I love Nabokov for his writing style and because he made the bad guy the protagonist in “Lolita”. I worship Orson Scott Card for weaving so many wonderful pieces together so well. You never read his stuff and think "Why/How did that happen?" (Read "Enchantment" - often overlooked, but fantastic!)
Most excited books by other authors to read this year? The list is too long. I think Amazon should just have a standard Tuesday bank withdrawal from my account, I have so many.
Who was the most supportive in your writing process? Most influential? Aside from the usual suspects (a very supportive family and friend network), I have to name my friend Susan Benesh. She’s an RN who worked tirelessly to find me a firehouse to do a ride along. And I MUST thank everyone at the West Columbia Fire Department in South Carolina. They let me camp out at the station house and ride along on their calls. They really helped shape the book. THANK YOU GUYS!!
What are your Favorite scenes to write? Anything cliff-hangery. I love a good fight scene. I live to write the moment the fire jumps the line and they all hear the crack of wood, but can’t see what’s coming. And my heart pitter-patters when I write in a clue, something I know that the reader doesn’t yet, but I’m tipping you off. . .
If you could have any superpower what would it be? Definitely stopping time. I want to write more, spend more time with my family and travel more. There aren’t enough hours in the day.
Any advice to Aspiring Authors? I was an aspiring author not that long ago. My first advice is this:
decide who you are writing for. If it’s yourself, then don’t worry about publishing, but if you are writing to get published, then you have an audience, agent and publisher you need to think about!
There are a ton of things I wish I had known before I started and I found a lot of the advice out there to be wrong. I’m sure it worked for some, but it seems to be gospel for new writers and it’s not. I started
a blog about writing PHOENIX and it’s full of tips from me and my manager about writing in general and about getting published for the first time! (www.PHOENIXtheBook.com)
Any upcoming projects we should look for? PHOENIX hits the shelves and the internet later this year. But I’ll be traveling with pre-sale copies. So come find me at ComicCon San Diego, WW ComicCon in Chicago, DragonCon and others. Later, Phoenix will be made into an AudioMovie like all my other books. And shortly, I’ll be starting the next book – INERTIA. You can always
find weekly posts and podcasts at Smart Chickens, my blog. Both are online at www.SmartChickens.com and on iTunes.
Thanks for stopping by AJ!
AJ will be at plenty of Comic-Con's this year so make sure to stop by and visit her! And don't miss any of her thrilling books like Phoenix!
Friday, June 22, 2012
About Anna:
Besides reading, Anna loves to dance! Especially Ballroom. She's also a crazy big shopper and phone caller/texter. Her favorite artist is Degas and she loves the Norton-Simon Museum in Pasadena. She's got amazing friends and spends a lot of time with them and her super boyfriend!
M&M's Or Skittles? Actually, it's crazy, but I'm not too
much of a candy person. I have an obsession with staying thin. Also, I
can't eat M&Ms because I'm allergic to them. So, I'd have to go with
Skittles.
Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others? I've
always enjoyed writing reviews, and I wanted to be able to share them
with a wider audience. I also wanted to interact more with authors and
things like that, plus, I love doing giveaways. Also, I'm the type of
person who is easily bored and often quits a job halfway through, and
blogging has encouraged me to push on and work hard.
Favorite Books and Authors? I loved Illuminate by Aimee Agresti,
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, and
Unearthly and Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. I also love absolutely anything
by Tamora Pierce. However, my favorite books of all time are not young
adult at all but are The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and Pride and
Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm romantic to a fault, and I admit it
freely.
What's your Favorite Color? My favorite color is pink! I'm a total girly-girl in some ways.
What's your Favorite Book Genre to read? Oh goodness, just one? I love them all! I mean, I love horror and fantasy the most. I know that's two genres, but oh well.
Favorite childhood book? The Wizard of Oz and all the other Oz
books. I think there's fourteen in total, although The Wizard of Oz is
the best known because of the movie. They're all awesome and one of my
earliest memories is my dad reading them to me.
Are you more inclined to check out books or buy them? Buy
them. I very rarely check out books from the library. One, because
they're usually not in great condition and I like to own books. Two, I
almost always forget to return them and have had library bills of over
$100. I only really check them out if I've heard a ton of negative
things but still really want to read it.
Best book quote? "I will be with her again, or I will die. There aren't any other options." from Julie Kagawa's The Iron Knight.
Mismatched or matching socks? Matching. I have OCD. Like, I actually have it. Diagnosed and all.
Best breakfast food? I hate eating. Especially breakfast. I only eat when I get hungry, not at set meal times.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Flying. Or invisibility. No way could I choose between those two unless I actually had to.
Flying. Or invisibility. No way could I choose between those two unless I actually had to.
Could you say that reviewing from bloggers perspective has changed how you think about books? Yes. I've had to analyze them more, instead of reading purely for pleasure.
Favorite thing so far about book blogging? Reading all of the lovely comments that people leave me. They truly make my day. And doing giveaways! They're the absolute best.
If you had to change the name of your book blog what would it be? If
I had to? I love the name Sparkles and Lightning! My blog was
originally titled The Dancer Says, but I scrapped that quickly. Sparkles
and Lightning is cute and it fits me and my personality. But if I
really had to change it, I suppose I'd go with something similar, just
because that's all I know now. Maybe something like Glitter and Thunder.
(Actually, I really like that. Maybe I'll use it for that other blog
I'm working on...and no, you don't get to know what kind of blog it is
yet. That would be revealing the secret!) I'm original I know.
As you are reading do you think in terms of how you'll review it? Definitely. I'm a huge annotator. I try not to do too much margin writing, but, eh. I always take notes on a separate sheet of paper at least and write down quotes and such. I imagine the things I'll say and take note of that.
What do you look for in a book that will go into a review?
I focus on several different aspects in detail: the characters, the plot, the romance, the writing, and the ending. I need to have enough to say on each of these categories. I look for character traits, twists and such in plots, and good romance, as in no instalove. I look for lush description and sensory details in the writing and cliffhangers or not in the ending, and how artfully done everything was. This is just a basic rundown, but I can't tell you too much--that's my secret.
~~~
Thanks so much Annabelle for stopping by! It was crazy fun! I loved reading all your answers, and I hope you all did to! Make sure you all go visit her and her Sparkly blog!
As you are reading do you think in terms of how you'll review it? Definitely. I'm a huge annotator. I try not to do too much margin writing, but, eh. I always take notes on a separate sheet of paper at least and write down quotes and such. I imagine the things I'll say and take note of that.
What do you look for in a book that will go into a review?
I focus on several different aspects in detail: the characters, the plot, the romance, the writing, and the ending. I need to have enough to say on each of these categories. I look for character traits, twists and such in plots, and good romance, as in no instalove. I look for lush description and sensory details in the writing and cliffhangers or not in the ending, and how artfully done everything was. This is just a basic rundown, but I can't tell you too much--that's my secret.
~~~
Thanks so much Annabelle for stopping by! It was crazy fun! I loved reading all your answers, and I hope you all did to! Make sure you all go visit her and her Sparkly blog!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
M&M's Or Skittles?
M&Ms
Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others?
I started my blog in Dec 2011. That was right after I was done with A-Levels. I honestly had nothing to do and I wanted to something fun with my time. When I realized about the numerous book blogs out there, I decided I wanted one too. It seemed so fun. Plus, I love meeting people from all over the globe and blogging has helped me accomplish that !
Favorite Books and Authors?
I adore The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. It's one of those series that I don't mind reading over and over again. Plus, I also love Veronica Roth's Insurgent, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and all of Tess Gerritsen's books.
I adore The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. It's one of those series that I don't mind reading over and over again. Plus, I also love Veronica Roth's Insurgent, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and all of Tess Gerritsen's books.
What's your Favorite Color?
Dark Blue
When did you start really reading a lot?
Since I could read the alphabets. Mom says I never asked for toys when I was little. All I asked were for books and books.
If you were fictional, what character from a book would you be/ most like?
I haven't ever read about a character who was completely like me, because book characters are way too cool.
Are you more inclined to check out books or buy them?
I usually buy them, but I also borrow a lot from the library.
If you could have any author to dinner what would it be?
That's a difficult question ! How about all of them? I'll lean towards Richelle Mead. That woman is just awesome ! :D
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
The ability to time travel !
Could you say that reviewing from a bloggers perspective has changed how you think about books?
Before I started blogging I didn't really think about the message that the books I read give, but when I started reviewing seriously for the blogs, I forced myself to think of reading as more than a form of entertainment.
Favorite thing so far about book blogging?
Meeting the wonderful bloggers out there.
If you could change one thing about your blog what would it be?
I would like to host more giveaways on the blog, but right now all my money comes from THE PARENTS, so I can't really afford to, but when I get a job I promised myself that I would host a huge giveaway for my followers :)
If you had to change the name of your book blog what would it be?
Something a lot more interesting and unique than Nick's Book Blog.Thanks for stopping by Nick! Make sure you all visit her sometime (Link up above)!
Monday, February 27, 2012
 |
| Visit Thalia Here |
Welcome Thalia!
Thanks! I'm excited and honored to be here with you!
Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews with others?
I'm always upset when I'm blindsided in a book with something inappropriate that makes me uncomfortable. I know at least through my reviews, I might be able to warn someone away from a book with something like that in it so they don't have a similar experience and have to read what I did.
When did you start really reading a lot?
I've always been reading something or other, but definitely when I started my blog last year is when I started reading a lot, and with a purpose. Plus, I've been reading a wider variety thanks to the recommendations I get from followers and friends.
M&M's or Skittles?
M&Ms, but only as long as they're peanut.
What's your favorite book genre to read?
Aah! Anything Young Adult, but if I had to be more specific I'd say Paranormal Romance
If you were fictional, what character from a book would you be most like?
Hmm...I'd probably say Yorda, from "Ico: Castle in the Mist". She's really quiet and shy, but when it comes down to right and wrong and doing what's she thinks is going to help people she loves, she goes to whatever lengths she can to protect them. I like to think I could be like that, too.
What's Your Favorite Color?
Sky Blue!
Most excited books to read this year?
I'm most excited for "Of Posiedon" by Anna Banks. I've had that on my TBR list for like, eight months!
Favorite Book?
I really love the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, the Pendragon series by DJ MacHale, and "Ico: Castle in the Mist" by Miyuki Miyabe!
Mismatched or Matched Socks?
Seeing as my socks are almost never matched, I will have to say mismatched.
Best Book Quote?
"It was all right to be sad. It was all right to lament. It was all right to feel anger. But it is not all right to run away.” Miyuke Miyabe
Thanks again for having me! It was most fun!
Make sure to check out her blog, literature inspire photos and fabulous reviews. I know I love them!
Inky
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