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Author Highlight: Jen Lancaster
So here’s a new one, she may not be as well known or high profile as authors I’ve put in the notable section but damn if she isn’t funny. And well known in her own mind.
I’ve read only two of her memoirs, Bitter is the New Black and Pretty in Plaid but they give you a good overview of who she is. Loud, opinionated, obnoxious and arrogant but she’s honest about it. She’s pretty unashamed that she can be a bitch and she’ll rip you a new one to your face but it’s all hilarious. In fact, she’s so brutally mean that I almost started believing this was some sort of satire. But she says it’s true.
Which I can only admire her chutzpuh in admitting she can be an awful person and show all her failures, tantrums and messes to the viewing masses. But then again, she’s making money off of it so. . . genius.
Or maybe it’s because she’s from New Jersey.
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Book Highlight: K-Pop Revolution
Stephan Lee delivers a highly satisfying sequel/conclusion to K-Pop Confidential with Revolution as Candace becomes the head of big changes in the K-Pop industry and S.A.Y. Entertainment. Or so she thinks?
With the bombshell she dropped on live television, Candace’s life is left in what seems to be ruins but with the widespread support she gains for her radical honesty, S.A.Y. Entertainment saves face by hiring a new fresh CEO and bringing Candace back in the fold to continue her dream to become a K-Pop idol.
Yeah, I was on Cadence’s side in being intially suspicious of this about-face. It seems too perfect, too easy but new CEO Lena seems so young and millenial and understanding I was eased into it too. I mean the woman offered them candy and mental health checks, it seemed like they were really making an effort to listen to what new consumers wanted for the new K-Pop industry.
But Lee keeps it intriguing and fastpaced. The previous book covered training to be an idol, this details what it takes to be an idol starting their debut, All-Kill signals, MV and Music Show competitions. You thought training was tough? Being an idol can eat you alive. Not only with the constant work hours, and practicing intense in-sync choreography. But there’s the reality show, (unlike the US it doesn’t promote catfights but does encourage each girl to fit a role), brand representation and in Candace’s case, school.
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Kelly Thompson Interview
Kelly Thompson is an Eisner-award winning writer of comics and graphic novels. Here, she kindly takes the time to talk about her work in revamping classic characters, taking Marvel icons to new heights as well as her novel, The Girl Who Would be King and upcoming endevours. 1. How did you get started in the comic industry?
I actually went to college to study comics, I graduated from The Savannah College of Art & Design with a degree in Sequential Art. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything, but it’s absolutely not necessary to have that experience in order to break in to comics. How I ACTUALLY broke in was by starting to write reviews and op-eds about/for comics for a few popular comic websites and blogs – and that, paired with me working on my own stuff – so I’d have work to show when the door cracked open – was how I (eventually) got here.
2. What is your daily routine on the job, if you have one?It really varies unfortunately. I sort of work all day every day, which is a terrible and not sustainable way to do this in my opinion. I try to create structure and follow that, but I’ve come to accept that it’s something I’ll be searching for and/or trying to conquer my whole life. It’s nice to work from home and have the flexibility to set my own hours for the most part, but it’s also requires a lot of responsibility and discipline, which is not my greatest strength.
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Book Highlight: Song of the Lioness
Ah, The Song of the Lionness. The quartet that helped put Tamora Pierce on the map as premiere fantasy novelist with a feminist hero for the ages. It also founded the expansive Tortall universe.
Since the books have been around since the 80s I’m not going to repeat what happens in them. Everyone has probably read it by and if not, here’s why.
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Rupi Kaur Poems P2
I’m back with more of my favorite poems from Rupi Kaur’s second collection, the sun and her flowers.
i long/for you/but you long/for someone else/i deny the one/who wants me/cause i want someone else-the human condition (Kaur 39)
i hardened under the last loss. it took something/ human out of me. i used to be so deeply emotional i’d/crumble on demand. but now the water has made its/ exit. of course i care about the ones around me. i’m just/ struggling to show it.a wall is getting in the way. i used/to dream of being so strong nothing could shake me./now. i am. so strong. that nothing shakes me.
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and all i dream is to soften. –numbness (Kaur 60) -
Jennifer Brody Interview
Jennifer Brody, pen name Vera Strange, the award winning sci-fi and horror author of The 13th Continuum, Deep Spectre 6 and the ongoing Disney Chills series kindly allowed me an interview. Here she talks about her previous career as CEO of Continuum Entertainment Group, her pivot to writing and inspiration for the genres.
1. Starting from the beginning, when did you first begin writing?
I’ve always read voraciously and written in various ways, but I didn’t start seriously writing until I turned 28 — and that’s when I began teaching myself how to write prose and novels.
2. However you started your work in film, founding Continuum Entertainment Group, working on films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Lord of the Rings. What work did you do as CEO?
I began my career in Hollywood working for A-list directors and movie studios, but now I’ve shifted to writing, packaging and producing my own IP (books, stories, graphic novels) for film/TV. It’s fun to combine both of my worlds — and favorite things.
3. How did (if it did) your experience in film help you as you entered writing?
It helped tremendously! It gave me a solid foundation in shaping ideas and story structure. I also worked on a ton of big book to film adaptations — THE GOLDEN COMPASS, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL, LOTR — which was a nice gateway to fiction and publishing.
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Sleepaway Girls Review
Ah summer camp, the pine trees, the color wars, the bug spray. I never got the appeal but Calonita makes a good case for it with Samantha Montgomery who heads to Whispering Pines for a change of scenery and to get away from being the third wheel to her BFF and boyfriend love bubble.
Right away she meets camp mean girl, Ashley who is also the director’s daughter (of course!) and is set on that girl’s hit list. She also meets the camp casanova, the true love interest and three close knit buds that make this summer one to always treasure.
I’m not going to go too into the details because then I’d just be explaining the book’s plot but it was an overall enjoyable book.
For one thing, Calonita blessedly cuts the whole love triangle thing short quick and lets Sam figure it out early on that casanova is a a jerk. Such a breath of fresh air so we can enjoy her flirtationship with Cole, the right guy.
Furthermore, Calonita weaves an important personal arc for Sam as she learns to set boundaries for her people-pleasing self in regards to her friend from home and in dealing with Ashley. She’s usually against confrentation but after Ashley oulls one too many, some physically-injurious, pranks, it’s cathartic to see Sam let loose.
Furthermore, the friendship between Sam, Emily, Courtney and Grace is just lovely. Full of gossip, support and giggles as they record their days in their self-named Sleepaway Girls videos. I just ereally enjoyed how they clicked and stood up for each other and help one another whether it be pranking Ashley or finding the courage to confess their crushes.
Another feel good book in Calonita’s repertoire with a distinct heroine and a summery atmosphere.
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Turn It Up Review
As one can tell from the very fun cover, Calonita takes a cue from Pitch Perfect in her new novel about three friends trying to achieve a capella championship by bringing the failing Bradley Academy’s all girl acapella group, The Nightingales from rag tag group to passable winners for the November, Turn It Up competition.
But don’t worry, it’s not a total ripoff I swear.
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When You Get The Chance Review
This book made my musical lover heart sing! The summary was on point when it’s a fun take on Mamma Mia. Or in this case Millie Mia.
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Kathryn Reiss Interview
Kathryn Reiss was a Fulbright Scholar and is currently a professor of English and Creative Writing at Mills College alongside her work as a writer, specializing in mysteries and suspense. Here she kindly answers questions regardingg her work, the genre and writing journey. 1. Your suspense varies from gothic-lite to time traveling adventures to mystical reincarnation. What are some of your favorite tropes to explore in mystery?
I love to write the sort of thing I love to read! Some of the tropes that especially draw me are the baby left on the doorstep, the imposter among us, something hidden in plain sight, a situation thought long gone that rears its head in the present day, or—likewise—a person long gone who is not really gone (ghosts?!). I love stories of memory (especially faulty memory), big old houses (and doll houses), and unquiet spirits who need help to move on.
2. What are some of your favorite suspenses that influenced you or got you into the genre?
I read and loved all the Trixie Belden mysteries when I was a girl, as well as other mystery/adventure series (Robin Kane, Donna Parker, Judy Bolton—these last were from my mother’s generation; I found a trunk of them up in my grandmother’s attic and spent our summer visits lying on her porch, lost in the stories!).
I loved books of magic and mysteries and families with lots of kids who had lots of adventures—such as those by Edward Eager and Elizabeth Enright. I loved series set in the past, especially All of a Kind Family, by Sydney Taylor, and the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. As a teen I also read gothic romance by Victoria Holt, Philippa Carr, and Daphne Du Maurier. All of these tales and so many more helped shape my imagination.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 