Mundie Moms

Saturday, March 6, 2010

A Sneak Peek at Kay's TBR Shelf & Giveaway

A Sneak Peek at Kay’s TBR Shelf

As a YA author, it’s probably no surprise that I love to read. The problem is that reading often feels like a guilty pleasure. Yes, I need to stay abreast of what’s being published. And yes, I learn something new about plotting or character development or describing setting every time I read a new book. It’s part of my job as a writer to read.


But I’m an old corporate girl. I’m used to doing work that, you know, feels like work. Not something that feels like I’m playing hooky from work.

So this year, I’ve decided to take a new tack. My new approach to reading calms my guilt while simultaneously taking my own writing in new directions. My goal this year is to read more outside my comfort zone.


I’m a creature of habit. And I’m very much a homebody. When I read, I gravitate toward feel-good, uplifting books that leave me smiling and feeling better about the world. The Cinderella Society is my own version of that. Loving those types of books as I do, it’s only natural that I’d write them too.

But I also love other kinds of books. And having spent the last 16 months in the Tenners, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of fabulous books that really represent the broad spectrum that is today’s YA. They’ve inspired me to branch out even more in my reading and soak up all the YA goodness there is to be had.


So while I still snapped up Ally Carter’s Heist Society and Jen Calonita’s Broadway Lights the day they hit the shelves, here are a few of my latest additions to my TBR bookcase (formerly a single shelf, now almost an entire 5-shelf bookcase).I’m super excited to read these departures from my usual fare.


DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C.J. Omololu

I’ve been wanting to read this ever since I first heard about it. I adore clean-it-up-fix-it-up shows on HGTV (why, oh why, has Mission Organization gone away?). I’m generally super organized and can’t function well when my house or office is in chaos. When my surroundings are cluttered, my mind is cluttered. (Naturally, I’m a big feng shui advocate.) After reading the blurb for DLS, I was immediately mesmerized bythe world of hoarding. It’s both mind-boggling and heartbreaking. I can’t wait to dive into this and get a birds’ eye view of what it must be like to be a girl forced to live under those conditions against her will. It makes me want to give her a big hug just thinking about it.


LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow


I love conspiracy theory books and books that probe the gray areas of the Big Brother phenomenon. For me, this one is all about the underdog’s battle against all odds (and against technology which is another big fave of mine). I loved Enemy of the State and Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard movies are the best!), so I know this one is going to be right up my alley.




NATION by Terry Pratchett

My brother is a huge Terry Pratchett fan, and I’ve always wanted to read a Pratchett book. But I’m really funny about series books (I have to start at the very beginning) and I’ve heard varying reports about which Discworld book I should reallystart with. So when this book came out, I knew it was going to be Kay’s first Pratchett adventure. I love survival books, especially ones that deal with not just the physical and emotional aspects but with the societal impacts of it as well. (I am truly shocked that I have never watched the show LOST. I think if I’d caught it that first season—again with my need to start at the beginning—I would be a huge LOST junkie.) Aaaanywho, I think Nation is going to be a huge win.


So those are just three of the gems on my TBR bookcase. What’s on yours? I LOVE talking books of all kinds, so let me know what you’re reading too. Recommendations encouraged!


And in celebration of the fabulousness that is Mundie Moms (I heart Mundie Moms!), I’ll be giving away a special Cinderella Society “glass slipper” bookmark to one lucky commenter.

Happy anniversary, Mundie Moms!


*This giveaway will end next Saturday, March 13 @ midnight CST*



The Cinderella Society is a must read. We throughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Here's a bit about TCS-

BOOK BLURB:

What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?


AUTHOR BIO:

Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTMreading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your FiveTMweb project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.

23 comments:

  1. I really want to read Dirty Little Secrets and Little Brother sounds great! I also want to read on of Terry Pratchett's books... but there are just SOO many!

    I'm looking forward to April 13th and that bookmark is really really cute. :)

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  2. I think I look forward to reading dirty little secret more than Cinderella society - but in spite of myself I cannot say the bookmark isn't cute! It's a really reaaally cute giveaway!

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  3. I'm looking forward to The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. I loved how The Forest of Hands and Teeth was equal parts heart-breaking and fascinating. The tone and the unpredictable nature captured me. Now I can't wait for the sequel. =)

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  4. Hi Kay (& MundieMoms) - I have so many books on my TBR pile it isn't funny. But I will say Little Brother by Cory Doctorow was way better than I expected. And of course there is one book on my TBR list that is currently being read early...thanks to you Kay. Really enjoying it.

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  5. Kay, thank you so much for your post and holy mackerel, that is quite an awesome TBR List. I will defintiely add a few of your recommendations! And wow. The bookmark?? Lovely. What MM wouldn't want a Cindy Slipper??

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  6. I really enjoyed reading Little Brother, hopefully you will too! All the other books in your pile sound great as well!

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  7. Coincidentally, first on my TBR list is the Mortal Instruments series. Funny that I found this site today, as I am planning to start reading City of Bones this afternoon! I've also wanted to read Dirty Little Secrets, and Little Brother sounds like something my son would enjoy. (He loved The Hunger Games because of the theme of rebellion.) I'm also planning to continue the Maggie Steifvater series. And now I need to add The Cinderella Society to my list; it sounds intriguing.

    On a personal note, I'm glad to hear another writer comment on overcoming the feeling of guilt for reading. I'm still a corporate writer (marketing communications for healthcare organizations) and I fit in my obsession with writing and reading young adult fiction into my spare time. It feels too indulgent to read and finish a book in one sitting, but that's sometimes what I am compelled to do. Thanks for the validation!

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  8. This book looks really great, adding to my TBR pile definitely!!

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  9. Love your reviews- makes me want to read them all-ok I will :) the glass slipper would be magical in helping me turn the pages- thanks,
    Karla
    kduff@oelwein.k12.ia.us
    www.spottoread.blogspot.com

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  10. TCS looks really good and I also want to read Dirty Little Secrets. My TBR shelf keeps growing and growing...there are just so many fantastic books out there to read!!!

    tammyweisensel@yahoo.com

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  11. Dirty Little Secret is on my tbr list. TCS looks good too. The bookmark is beautiful!

    notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. I have so many books in my TBR pile, I don't ever think I will catch up. Especially with all the great books being released this year.

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

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  13. Thanks so much to everyone for coming by to check out my TBR shelf sneak peek! :-)

    Aye - Aren't there such great books out right now? My TBR bookcase has gotten so full, it's almost hard to choose what to read next!

    Dwayne - Thanks for the bookmark cheers! I was so delighted when I found them and snapped them right up. :-)

    Krystey - I wish I wasn't such a big chicken! LOL I adore Carrie and after not being scared during Hunger Games like I thought I would be, I have decided it is time to pluck FOHT from my shelf and finally read it. (During the day, with the lights on, but still.) :-) Glad you loved it!

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  14. Alyson - Hi! So glad you're enjoying The Cinderella Society. :-) And thanks for the props for Little Brother. Now I'm even more excited to read it!

    Katarinas Mama - I know, right? I would love a Cindy slipper myself! :-) Let me know what you think of the TBRs if you read them. I think they're all going to be fabulous.

    Tasha - So glad you liked Little Brother! I've heard such terrific things about it, so I'm convinced it's going to be right up my alley. :-)

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  15. CNC - What luck that you found Mundie Moms today! That is kismet right there. :-) Thanks for adding TCS to your reading list too! And YES, isn't it funny how reading can be a guilt producer even when we're reading for research as much as for enjoyment? Let's band together to banish that! :-)

    Kate - Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy The Cinderella Society!! :-)

    Mrs. Duff - Enjoy them one and all! I think they're all going to be fabulous. So different and memorable. LOVE it.

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  16. Tammy - Doesn't DLS look fab? I adore CJ so I'm doubly excited to read it. :-)

    Amanda Leigh - Awesome on having DLS on your TBR list too! (Great minds think alike, no?) ;-) And thanks so much for adding The Cinderella Society to your list too! I hope you enjoy them both. :-)

    Jessy - I know exactly how you feel. I keep vowing not to buy any more books until I've completely read through my TBR bookcase, but alas... I fear I need adult supervision whenever I enter a bookstore now. ;-) Happy reading!

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  17. The Cinderella Society sounds like a great read. I love books with a fairy tale theme. Love that bookmark. So cute!

    cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. I'm really looking forward to both Dirty Little Secrets & The Cinderella Society :) :)

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  19. All those books looks great. I've heard of The Dirty Little Secret and it interests me for the same reasons (if you could see my flat, you'd understand). Would like to check out the Cinderella Society too :) Please enter me to win the bookmark. Thanks :)

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  20. Cherie - Thanks! I'm a fairy tale gal myself. (Not surprising, right?) :-)

    Iffath - Thank you! I just started DLS and it's already sooo good.

    Lynsey - Ha! My office probably looks like your flat then. :-) Hope you enjoy both books!

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  21. Awesome book :)!~

    alannahjavier@gmail.com

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  22. The bookmark is just fabulous! Totally heart it!! A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!! Please enter me for the giveaway!!

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