Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook

About the Book:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: When Hailey Kendrick loses it all she has to decide how much to risk to get it back- and if she wants it back at all. (Ooh, intriguing. She doesn't want it all back? I must read this, stat.)

Reviews: "Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review

"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author: Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family that loved books and reading. As soon as I understood the concept that someone was responsible for making up the stories in books I knew that was what I wanted to do. Then in college I decided that wanting to be a writer was like wanting to be a princess, a nice idea, but not realistic. Years later I would decide that was stupid and I should go for it.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I took a writing course and my instructor encouraged me to send my writing out. When I told her I was worried that I might be rejected she told me “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you are already not published. The worst thing that is going to happen to you is that you still won’t be published.” (OH MY HECK. I LOVE THIS.) That’s when I decided to stop letting my fears be more important than what I really wanted.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
I would never make it on Survivor. I would be that person that no one remembers in the reunion show because I got kicked off or stung by killer bees in the first five minutes. I would bring my iPad so I would have access to a lot of books and could book a flight home on the internet.

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
This is like Sophie’s Choice! I’m going to go with chocolate, but only if it is dark. (Foiled again.)

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

I am so excited to read this one! I loved Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, and I may or may not be biased toward Simon Pulse novels.

Other Bookanista reviews going on today:
Michelle Hodkin gushes about The Near Witch
LiLa Roecker celebrates XVI's book birthday
Christine Fonseca raves about Wither
Shannon Messenger travels Across the Universe with a special giveaway
Shelli Johannes-Wells gets Lost in the River of Green
Scott Tracey falls in love with Across the Universe
Beth Revis is captivated by Prisoners in the Palace
Carolina Valdez Miller is mesmerized by The Healing Spell
Megan Miranda takes a peek through The Marbury Lens
Shana Silver digs Delirium
Jamie Harrington tells the truth about The Liar Society
Jen Hayley dies for A Touch Mortal
Bethany Wiggins dotes on Paranormalcy

Man, the Bookanistas are rockin' 2011! So, what did we miss? What have you read lately you want to gush about?

36 comments:

S (Book Purring) said...

Foiled again - LOL

I'll check this out on goodreads :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the comment from her writing instructor. That's the best writing advice I've ever heard.
I've been hearing good things about this book. I'm definitely going to have to check it out.

Matthew MacNish said...

This probably isn't for me, unless there are sword fights?

Still, even something I don't normally read can sound pretty enticing when you break it down Elana. Well done!

Theresa Milstein said...

Love the premise. Characters who take for granted the path they're on, and then something makes them reevaluate always interests me. I'm going to give this one a read.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great interview. I love her instructor's advice. Good luck with your book Eileen.

Unknown said...

Nice interview. This story sounds interesting, now there's another one to add to my TBR list.

Christine Fonseca said...

OOhhh...sounds good!

Tracey Neithercott said...

I love what her writing instructor told her. That's so true. It kind of sucks the fear right out of querying. Mostly.

Susan R. Mills said...

Great interview and great advice from her instructor.

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Thanks....and now I wonder. Is there such a thing as chocolate covered bacon? That would be my choice.

Angela said...

Great review and interview, thanks for sharing!

LTM said...

oh! I saw her "what would emma do" book, and wanted to read it. Now I'm seriously adding it to the pile... watch. Here I go~ ;p

Thanks, Elana!

Lisa Aldin said...

I'm going to check this book out! Adorable cover!

Tina Lynn said...

Interview me. I'll say bacon :D

Colene Murphy said...

Sounds great! Thanks Elana for another eye opening, fun authot q&a!

Jen said...

The comment from her writing instructor is GOLDEN. Thanks for sharing this wonderful interview!!

Cheers and Happy New Year!
Jen

Carolyn V. said...

That was awesome what her teacher told her! I love that.

Great interview. =)

Shari said...

Great interview. I'm going to have to keep this one in mind.

Heather said...

I love what her writing instructor told her. That is beyond awesome! Every writer needs to hear that. Great interview!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Elana, I love the way you do reviews. Nothing you do is EVER boring! This sounds like a fun book. :-)

ali cross said...

Another one for my TBR list! Huzzah!

Sara B. Larson said...

Her instructor's advice is maybe the best advice, ever!!

This sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

That is really great advice from her teacher.

I'll have to check this out. I like the want/not want factor. =D

Stina said...

I also enjoyed Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood. TEHK is definitely on my TBR list.

Krispy said...

LOVE that advice! Talk about putting things in perspective. Lovely interview. There's so many books I want to read, and wow, there's a lot more Bookinistas!

Eileen said...

I knew I should have chosen bacon. CURSES!

Thanks so much for having me!

Liza said...

Fun review. I loved the survivor answer...I'm with her!

WritingNut said...

Ooh.. it sounds great! :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Ok, so how awesome is her Survivor answer? Brilliant. She clearly thinks ahead. I'd never make it on Survivor either. First day without food and I'd go into a coma. Seriously, how can these people function, let alone compete in strenuous activity on nothing but freaking rice??

Anyway, sounds like an intriguing book. I WANTS.

And super advice, by the way. Totally true. What's the worst that can happen? "OH NO! I got unpublished!!" hehe.

Roy said...

There are some negative points of technology such as distraction, the most important thing that effects the education as children start to take interest in other activities on internet like games apps and social networking face-book etc.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for nice article.

Anonymous said...

your idea about cooking is very informative , i learned so much from your article . hope next time you will write more exciting things check it and choose your option to write your papers.

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