Category: Book Trailer (Page 7 of 7)

The Pages I’ve Read in 2010

January 6, 2011 / Katie L. Carroll

As we turn the page on 2010 to a new one on 2011 (yeah, yeah, pretty corny!), I’ve been thinking about the pages and pages I’ve read this year, which just happens to be enough fill 65 books (not to mention all the magazines, newspapers, blogs, and cereal boxes I’ve read). Interestingly that was the same exact number of book I read in 2009. I had hoped to read more books in 2010, but I put reading somewhat aside in the second half of the year in order to give myself more writing time, or as was often the case, more revising time.

Throughout the year, I featured the book trailers of some of my favorite books, including my absolute most favoritest book of the year: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (which my twin-not-twin sister gave to me for my b-day). I also picked up a bunch of signed books (some of which are still on my to-read list): Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (which came highly recommended by my 11-year-old nephew), Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton, and Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock to name a few.

In honor of Banned Books Week, I draped myself in only banned/challenged books. After reading that post, a certain book buddy of mine gave me The Giver by Lois Lowry when she found out I didn’t have my own copy.

As for 2011 in addition to print books, I’ve now had my Nook for over a year and hope to add to my Nook book collection. At Girls’ Christmas a new book bag was started. Basically, a group of us girls pass around the bag of books and when it’s out turn to have the bag, we can read none/any/all of the books in it and write in the enclosed journal if we choose to. Then you take out any books you had previously put in and add more books if you want to.

Up next, I’ve got some 2011 releases I’m really, really looking forward to reading! Enter a great contest on Anna Staniszewski’s blog to maybe win some of those books. What were your favorite books of the year?

To Kill or Not to Kill Off Characters in YA

November 29, 2010 / Katie L. Carroll

One thing I like about young adult books is that the authors aren’t afraid to kill off main characters. It’s not that I like it when fictional characters die (although I’ve gotta admit, I did give a little cheer when Renee Walker from 24 kicked the bucket…she was pretty freakin’ annoying!), I think it makes YA books more authentic, more unpredictable, and more suspenseful.

Let’s face it, in real life people die, and not just the ancillary ones (one of my pet peeves about movies is how dispensable the ancillary characters are…who cares when a character dies when you had absolutely no emotional attachment to him?). At some point in your life, someone you care about, and sometimes even love, will die. And really, any of us could die pretty much anytime. That’s life, and books should reflect that.

I get that fiction–whether it be books or movies or whatever–is supposed to be an escape, but I subscribe to the thought that a piece of work that stirs my emotions and surprises me is better than one where all things turn up roses. I’ll never forget when I first read the part in Little Women when Beth dies. It was terrible and heart-wrenching, but it was so good too because it’s real. It’s one of the things that keeps that book on the top of my favorite list.

Here’s the book trailers for three books I’ve read over the last year that deal with the possibility of the main character dying (don’t worry, I promise no spoilers below!).

If I Stay by Gayle Forman deals with the most fundamental question of all: Do I choose to live or die today? In a way, we all deal with this question each and every day of our lives, maybe not on the scale that Mia does or with the same stakes or while facing a tragedy, but it is still the most basic choice we face day in and day out.

In Before I Die by Jenny Downham, Tessa doesn’t have the choice to live or die; she’s terminal. Imagine having to complete your bucket list by the age of 16? The end of this book had me silently sobbing (and it takes a lot to make me cry) so hard that I scared my husband when he looked up from his laptop and saw my face. I had so many tears in my eyes, I couldn’t even read the words on the page.

Samantha dies right at the beginning of Before I Fall (yeah, pretty similar title to the previous book…there is theme going on here) by Lauren Oliver and gets seven chances to live her last day. An interesting thing about Samantha–and I found this to be true of Tessa too–is that she isn’t always likable. She was even cruel at times, but that made her all the more real.

I would definitely recommend all three of these books…just make sure you have a box of tissues nearby. What books or movies do you like where there’s a real chance the main character dies?

The Personal Heartbreak in Reading THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

September 4, 2010 / Katie L. Carroll

Book trailers are great. I can’t wait to make one for my own book someday. I’ve decided to share trailers and some thoughts (not a review, just some thoughts) of books I’ve read recently. The first one I’ve selected is Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere.

My older sister (my not-really-twin twin sister) gave me this book for my birthday. As I started to read it, I knew exactly why she selected The Sky is Everywhere: It was like Jandy Nelson had been in my brain when my younger sister, Kylene, had died and took my deepest thoughts and feelings and put them on a page. It’s about what happens after, how to refind your life, and how to learn how to live it again. This book is heartbreaking, beautiful, and ultimately joyful.