What's Up Wednesday

I found this awesome weekly meme, created by Jaime Morrow, called What's Up Wednesday that is specifically geared towards readers and writers. It's a great way to let you know what I'm up to this week and then, hopefully, you will do the same. The four headings in this meme are:

• What I'm Reading
• What I'm Writing
• What Else I've Been Up To
• What Inspires Me Right Now

If you have a blog of your own and you wish to participate, then head on over to this week's post on Jaime's blog to add your link to the widget in her post! Here's my update:

What I'm Reading

I'm all over the place on this one, so bear with me.

AUDIOBOOKS

 

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, read by Wil Wheaton. This book has been long recommended to me as "nerd canon" type of reading. However, it was very important to those who recommended it that I listen to it being read by Wil Wheaton, one of the great nerd gods. I downloaded it from the library, started listening this morning and I am a little disappointed that I had to stop it because my husband need quiet homework time.

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Gregor and the Curse of The Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins, read by Paul Boehmer. I wasn't planning on downloading this. I already had Ready PLayer One to move on to, but when I finished Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane (Book 2 of The Underland Chronicles), I was ready for more. The Underland has been the place I have been going every night for about a month now before I go to sleep. I will NOT be happy when I am done with this series.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

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The Poor Bastard by Joe Matt. The Picturebooks Anonymous Club meeting at Comic Book Jones is this Monday and I NEED to finish this book before I get there. It's a quick read, but with this depressing protagonist I am dragging my feet.

BOOKS

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An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. It is crazy I haven't bought this book. I probably will when I finish it. For now, it is my "in-store read" every time I go to Barnes and Noble and I'm not writing. Sometimes, in fact, I go up to B&N for the sole purpose of finding out what is going on with Colin. I love this book. John Green is my hero.

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Multicultural Teaching by Tiedt and Tiedt. This is one of my husband's grad school books. For anyone interested in teaching literacy in a multicultural way, this book is an invaluable resource - it has page after page of books to share with your students, lesson plans and cool activities. Next chapter I'm reading is on Art History!

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The Fantastic Family Whipple by Matthew Ward. This is another BEA book. It is an ARC of a middle grades book that is coming out in August. It's a really fun premise of a family that constant breaks world records and the one kid in the family who doesn't fit in.

31 Days To Build A Better Blog by Darren Rowse. As part of the StoryDam.com relaunch in August, I will be bringing the 31DBBB challenge to the StoryDam community. This challenge is part challenge, part book club surrounding Darren Rowse's book. I am rereading it to refresh myself and get ready for the introduction.

What I'm Writing

Dear 302, a YA novel It's still CampNaNoWriMo, and even though I abandoned ship for awhile, I'm back on board and I am rewriting/editing Dear 302, the first novel I ever completed. I have finished seven chapters at over 11,000 words, so  hopefully I will make it to my 50K goal by the end of the week (miracle?).

My husband has made me vow that I be brave enough to just go ahead and do something with this once I am done with it. So that's happening. Time for me to put some big girl pants on and finish up and move forward! As soon as I am done with this post, I am diving right in again.

Trifecta I've been looking for weekly memes and hops to join in on to keep Rivera Runs Through It more active during the summer. One that I found that really intrigues me is Trifecta - a weekly writing prompt based on a word and one of its definitions. The writing is short (from 33 to 333 word limit), so I am going to participate. This week's word is "charm," as in charming an animal like a snake charmer does. Check out tomorrow's post to see how I did!

What Else I've Been Up To

Limping My back has been in a lot of pain this week, so mobility is sucky. I am actually propped up against my large heating pad while writing this.

Bike Reading This is where I go on my stationary bike and reading while I cycle. This is an incredibly important activity to do each day just to get my muscles unwound and at least partially mobile.

Writing outside my house. I have been basically living at the Barnes & Noble up the block from me. The baristas know my husband and I and they were actually shocked when we left the other night before closing. I am feeling a little bit of withdrawal since we didn't go yesterday (I was super symptom-y) and I am not sure we will make there today!

Reading "Poets & Writers" at the park while eating really bad stuff. The purple minion says it all. I was being crazy. I was being bad. But, in the end, I was having fun. It was an afternoon picnic with my husband while we watched the duck and turtles in the pond and read about writers. (I read about Neil Gaiman while my husband read about Joe Hill in Writer's Digest.

Prepping for The StoryDam Celebration As alluded to above, I am at least one part of the relaunch effort taking place next month. I'm doing everything I can during my good days, so that when the bad one comes in the middle of the relaunch (this is bound to happen, I am sure of it), I will not be leaving the rest of the team in the lurch.

Snapshots Birthday Bash I am still promoting my two posts from yesterday about the awesome YA LGBT scifi novel, Snapshots by Patricia Lynne. For some reason there are no entries in my giveaway which makes me sad, so I am trying to tell more people about it! Here's the Book Review and Author interview (Patricia Lynne is awesome) for you to learn about the book. But, if you just want to try to win it, the widget is at the end of this post!

Working Towards a Masters Degree in Literacy Education I joke. My husband is actually doing this, but since I have been helping him each weekend, I feel like I am back in grad school again. The sad part is that I am loving it. I love learning. I love talking about teaching and I find everything about it, but my husband's stress levels, to be so much fun!

What Inspires Me Right Now

The Online Community In preparing for the StoryDam relaunch, I have been exploring the online world again and it is just wonderful. The memes, writing prompts and celebrations have been very inspiring to me. Also, the CampNaNoWri community is second to none. I feel extremely guilty that my health didn't allow me to keep up this month, but I am extremely proud of the work my cabinmates have been doing.

My writing group This Saturday is my next writing group meeting. Hopefully I won't have to cancel like I did last time. Every time I leave a meeting, I come out completely recharged and ready to WRITE. I love it. I look forward to it and I am mad that August's first meeting lands on my anniversary.

What's going on in your week?

What are you reading?

What are you writing?

What's inspiring you?

____________________

Snapshots Giveaway!

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Book Review: Snapshots by Patricia Lynne

I have long had Snapshots by Patricia Lynne on my to-read list. One look at the cover and then a sneak peek at the book's description, and, of course, I was hooked. However, being that my "to-read" list grows exponentially with every day that passed, it often takes some fire under my butt to come back around and grab up those I have been waiting for. In this case, it was the Birthday Bash Patricia Lynne is throwing for her book. Seizing the opportunity to celebrate a book, I contacted Patricia and told her I'd come along for the ride! A hugely welcomed step one: read Snapshots.

About the Book

My name is Cyclop Blaine and I am a real person.
    “You are mine.”
I am a real person: heedless of a childhood spent under the supervision of an old man I only know as Master.
    “You belong to me.”
I am a real person: regardless of my teenage years bound by violence as the adoptive son of the Victory Street Gang's leader.
    “You will obey me.”
I am a real person: despite the visions I see in others' eyes. Snapshots of their futures.
    “You will cower before me.”
I am a real person: my life will be my own. I belong to no one.
    “You. Are. MINE.”

My Review

This was a fun and fast read. The book is told from Cyclop's (Cyc) perspective in a very realistic first person. Cyc's questions about himself both in his superhuman abilities and in his all too human confusion about his sexuality ring true throughout the book. The relationships Cyc develops throughout the book feel genuine and Cyc's world is fully fleshed out (I half expected to run into some members of the Victory Street gang right in my neighborhood... maybe hanging out on Victory Boulevard!).

In the end this is a great scifi summer read. However, what I'm sold on even more than the scifi is the reality of Cyc's confusion about his sexuality. Patricia Lynne creatively presents a confusion that is surely shared by many LGBT teens that I have not yet seen in any other books I have read. When time marches on and the details of this story fade from my mind I know that this part of it will stay as it has opened me up to a new way of thinking.

I highly recommend this book to those who like scifi and are not uncomfortable with multiple definitions of love and partnerships.

More About the Author

As part of the Snapshots Birthday Bash, I got the opportunity to interview Patricia Lynne. To learn more about her, her taste in Anime and what else she's writing, head over to today's other post: Author Interview Patricia Lynne.


Where To Get Your Copy Of Snapshots

Are you ready to start reading? Patricia has her book selling all over the web in whatever format you'd like to tote around with you:
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

Smashwords
Kobo
iTunes
Sony eBooks

But WAIT... There's more. In order to fully celebrate Snapshots' birthday, Patricia Lynne has been awesome enough to share her book with Rivera Runs Through It readers! AND... she's offering up two versions: eBook and Paperback! If you are interested in winning a copy of Snapshots, use the widget below to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Patricia Lynne

I first met Patricia Lynne through the Story Dam writing community. I wasn't intimidated by her in the first couple of chats I had with her because I didn't realize that she was a published author at the time. When I finally came around to knowing this, it was too late for any intimidation to arise. I found out she was a cool person who was easy to chat with and to learn from! This week Patricia is having a Birthday Bash for her novel, Snapshots. I asked to join in the celebration so that I could introduce her and her novel to the readers of Rivera Runs Through It!

Patricia Lynne's Book Loves 
 
Of course, I began the interview with a focus on my own obsession: reading. When I asked Patricia what her first book love was, she reminded me of a book I once fell in love with as well, Black Beauty, "I remember reading it over and over in elementary school," she said, and as if suddenly compelled to do so again, she added, "I wonder if Mom still has it." Patricia had a number of reasons to fall in love with the children's classic. Due to a reading program she was participating in school she "got a lot of points for it towards prizes since it was so long." Then, like so many beginning readers, she noted that "It also had pictures on every other page," but, coming back to what turns every good book into a book love, Patricia admitted,  "I loved the story."

Coming back to present time, I asked Patrica what book is capturing her attention and imagination right now. As co-host of the Canadian Reading Challenge, she's the perfect person to ask! She said, "I’m reading my friend Marie’s book, Undressed. It’s five short, steamy stories. Some of those men in them… *fans self* Don’t tell my hubby." (Let's hope he doesn't read Rivera Runs Through It!) Needless to say, Patricia has come a long way since that sexy black horse (...or has she?).

The Overlap Of Patricia and My Husband

On Patricia's website, she mentions she is a fan of Anime. This is something that never really came up in Story Dam chats, so I took the opportunity during the interview to ask her for her suggestions for must-see Anime films every budding fan should see. My motivation? My husband is the adviser to the Anime Club in the high school he teaches in (it was a club we once shared). Quite excitedly, Patricia endorsed Trigun, saying, "I love Vash the Stampede. He’s got the big gun and the red coat and he’s so damn funny." Since these are three criteria for a super-cool anime characters (cool weapon, cool outfit and hilarity), I think she's on to something! However, it was her second recommendation that had both my husband and I wondering if Netflix would have the recommended title, "Also Martian Successor Nadesico. That one is hilarious. I saw it first in the anime club when I was in college and missed out on some dialogue because everyone was laughing so hard." Any time people are laughing so hard that you have to rewind, I'm in!

A Lesson From Snapshots

The protagonist of Patricia's novel, Snapshots may not be Anime material, but he does have a great look (you'll be wishing you had a green bandana to sport after reading the book!) and some mysterious powers. I say "mysterious" because, as we meet him in the beginning of the novel, he's not really sure where they come from or how to control them. In fact, Cyclop, or Cyc, is confused about a lot of things and some of them are not as surreal as having abilities normal people wouldn't understand.

One major struggle Cyc deals with is defining his sexuality. A friend of his tries to help him explore various options concerning what he might categorize himself as, and there were options I had never heard of! I asked Patricia how important she thought education about this topic is. I love her answer,

I think it’s very important. When I was in seventh grade someone spread a rumor about me and another girl kissing. I was so embarrassed and ashamed because being LGBT was different. I’m certain the majority of my classmates and myself weren’t homophobic, but we didn’t know that it was okay to be LGBT. It’s still like that so whenever I have a LGBT character I want them to accept themselves so my readers know that’s it’s okay to accept themselves too whatever their orientation is.

Patricia's distinction between being homophobic and being uneducated is such a salient point that could probably inspire a story all its own.

Patricia's Writer-ly Wisdom

As your imagination starts to swirl with all types of story ideas based on Cyc's lesson, let's close up this interview with some talk about Patricia's experience as a self-published author. Patricia took the leap into self-publishing for Snapshots and her first novel, Being Human, because, in her words, "I like the control, even though promotion is kind of a pain." For those who are thinking about following in her footsteps, she advises, "Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are tons of authors and writers out there who have the answers you are looking for and they are willing to share. It’s the great thing about the writing community. We all want to see each other succeed." Which I have to agree with - the "writing community" is one pretty cool club to be in!

Want More Patricia?

Patricia continues to be a wildly productive part of that writing community, so don't worry if you are an instant fan! Once you finish reading Snapshots, you can move on to her first novel (if you haven't already read it), Being Human which Patricia describes as "a YA paranormal with vampires. Tommy’s not really interested mingling with the human race like Cyc is… unless he’s hunting. Then Tommy mingles." (Uh-oh... I don't think I really want to "mingle" with Tommy!) Once you're done with both of those novels, you'll just have to wait with the rest of us for Patricia to finish up her work on the TWO works in progress that she is bouncing in between! Here's what she has in store for us:

The first is a YA LGBT called Out of Secrets. JJ is a closeted teen wanting to come out. When his secret is revealed and his parents kick him out, he joins his undead boyfriend, Cage in immortality. But Cage has secrets of his own, putting JJ and the human life he thought he left behind in danger.

The other story I’m working on is a four part short story series called Path of Angels. It’s New Adult so the romance is a little steamier than Being Human or Snapshots. It’s up to Michael and his brothers, Zadekiel, Jophiel and Gabriel to hunt down fallen angels escaped from Hell. But the path isn’t as clear as they’ve been led to believe.

You can keep track of Patricia's progress online. She's pretty active on Twitter and Facebook, and she has an awesome website as well. Finally, if you are a Goodreads member, don't forget to check out Patricia Lynne's author page.

Where To Get Your Copy Of Snapshots

Are you ready to start reading? Patricia has her book selling all over the web in whatever format you'd like to tote around with you:
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble

Smashwords
Kobo
iTunes
Sony eBooks

But WAIT... There's more. In order to fully celebrate Snapshots' birthday, Patricia Lynne has been awesome enough to share her book with Rivera Runs Through It readers! AND... she's offering up two versions: eBook and Paperback! If you are interested in winning a copy of Snapshots, use the widget below to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 10 Words/Topics That Make Me Not Pick Up A Book

It's been a while since I have participated in a Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and The Bookish blog, but I figured it was time to get my act together. This week's topics is:

Top 10 Words/Topics That Make Me Not Pick Up A Book

I didn't think I'd be able to come up with ten since I will read almost anything that stops moving in front of me long enough, but here they are:

1. Erotica

Even when Fifty Shades of Grey was all the rage and all of my family and friends were raving about it, laughing about it and insisting the I, "the reader" must read it I knew it wasn't my thing. I don't know what it is, but I am just not interested in a story where the point is sex. Sex can be a part of a story and oftentimes should be, but not the driving force. 

2. Historical Fiction

I keep telling myself that I should reconsider this particular aversion, but right now it exists. I didn't really appreciate History as a subject in school either. Now I wish I paid more attention. I worry I will have the same thoughts one day about historical fiction as well. Oh well... it isn't going to happen unless I stumble upon a historical fiction story that knocks my socks off (suggestions?).

3. Unauthorized Biography
This just feels all kinds of shady to me.

4. Abridged
Oh hell no. When I was younger I once read a Reader's Digest book that had four abridged novels jammed into one hard covered book. I distinctly remember that one of the books was Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy. It was painful to read through the rush. I was in junior high school and I knew there was a problem!

5. [in audiobooks] Enhanced
I am cringing as I write this. Whenever an audiobook has been enhanced with music or, even worse, sound effects I just want to throw a pillow over my head. There is nothing more distracting to me than this. It does not enhance the story for me at all - it takes me right out of it!

6. John Grisham/Dan Brown
I am not trying to be a hater here. I loved the books I read by these two men. In both cases, when I read their books I was in some serious head-over-heels book love. I look back on the reading experiences of The Firm and The DaVinci Code with great fondness. However, in both cases, when I dove in to read more from each author, I found myself reading the same story again. This irked me so much that, as much as I loved them both, I have been turned off.

7. Ernest Hemingway
Don't throw anything at me! I had a bad experience. It was called The Old Man and The Sea. Grant it, I was probably too young or immature to read and fully grasp whatever the heck was going on, but that was one high school book that I thought was torture to read. Surprisingly, even though I later read A Farewell to Arms and loved it, it wasn't enough to shake my aversion to him.

8. Part (anything but 1) of a _____ book series
If I wasn't waiting anxiously for this book's release, then that means I haven't been reading the series. If I haven't been reading the series, I am not picking up a book that is somewhere in the middle. I keep telling myself that I have to get over this, but it is not working!

9. Based on the video game ________
My husband reads some of these. He was particularly hooked on one author of the Halo books. I suppose I haven't needed to stay in a video game world without the graphics, so these books just never appealed to me.

The last one is a topic that gives me pause, but I'll probably pick up the book anyway. 

10. High Fantasy
Is there anything more intimidating than these two words? I love high fantasy, but it scares the heck out of me. I wait until I have tons of recommendations before I take the leap into the dense reading that is high fantasy. 

What about you? What words or topics keep you away from a book?

Celebrations on the Horizon

It's been a bit of a rough month in the Rivera Riviera, but really now... ENOUGH of all of that. Moving forward! There's a bunch of fun and fantastic stuff just ahead and I'm getting super-excited about it.

Snapshots Birthday Bash

First up is the birthday celebration for Patricia Lynne's book, Snapshots. Tomorrow you'll get to "meet" Patricia when you read the interview I had with her in celebration of her book's birthday. Then you can read my review of her YA novel, Snapshots. Finally, once you're hooked, you can enter TWO different giveaways to win either a copy of the Snapshots eBook, or paperback copy of the novel! Once you're done with all of that fun, you should head over to Patricia's website and blog to see who else is involved and what other fun stuff she has to offer you personally.

Story Dam Relaunch

The next party is for the entire Story Dam writing community - we are relaunching storydam.com! I'm super excited because, starting on August 1st we are going to be celebrating for one whole week by offering you tons of new posts, new contributing authors and - it wouldn't be a party without them - GIVEAWAYS!  I'm sure to have more details as the date grows nearer, but right now I have to get to work on my part of the big project. I look forward to it and I hope all of you budding and continuing writers will join us as we share more author interviews, friendly accountability check-ins, how to build a better blog, a look at the connections between writing and music, our super-trending #StoryDam chat recaps and more!


In the meantime, I'm wondering:

What is your favorite blog published by a writer?

Who is your favorite author to follow online?

What got you hooked on their web presence?