*insert singing* On the 12th Week to XVI, the author gave to me... a teaser of twelve real places in Chicago (past & present) that inspired places in XVI. *end singing*
1. Marina Towers
2. Like Young (no longer there)
3. A restaurant near Clark & Wrightwood (no longer there)
4. My friend, Kathy's brownstone
5. Waller High School (no longer there)
6. Lincoln Park
7. State Street (the Loop)
8. Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile)
9. The Art Institute
10. Where Lincoln, Wells and Clark Streets come together
11. The Chicago River
12. Union Station
Up this week: A signed ARC of XVI by Julia Karr!
Okay, let's find out FOUR things about Julia.
1. Have you always wanted to be a writer? In one form or another, yes. When I was little I was constantly writing poetry. I was also a marathon letter writer. (Ten pages, front & back, no erasures or x-outs.) In my twenties, I wrote a musical (that will, thankfully, never see the light of day!) When my daughters were little, I started writing stories for them. Then I attempted a couple of novels (adult), which I may or may not finish one day. Throw in a few essays for the local paper and a completed middle grade novel (which I have plans for.) *smirks* *rubs hands together* Then, I wrote XVI and I can't stop writing now! 2. What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication? I think I've always wanted to be published. My first published works were essays in the local paper. Then a couple of poems (adult.) And, after I started writing for my girls, it just seemed natural to want my writings to be read by someone besides me. Also, the whole process of getting a manuscript ready for submission to agents and editors means that each successive iteration my work is (hopefully) getting better, more polished, closer to what I really am trying to say. So, not only is there a goal in mind, but the path to the goal requires growth and stretching myself to get better. I like that.
3. Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take? You know, I may be the only person on the planet who has never seen survivor. *Googles Survivor* Well, uh... luxury item... bug spray, lots of bug spray!
4. And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate? Heh! This one is easy (mainly because I'm a vegetarian!) Chocolate. (Although I do like a good Fakin' Bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwich!)
More about XVI!
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What I Thought: Brilliant. The voice. Nina. Sal (dude, I was SALivating). The pacing is fantastic and the dystopian jargon is not distracting or confusing. There's tension from several threats in the novel, enough to keep you turning pages like crazy. You definitely want to get this one. It comes out on January 6, 2011, and you can preorder it here.
This week's winner will be chosen from comments. It will be open until next Thursday. And, all commenters (even the winner) will be entered in the GRAND PRIZE drawing on the final week! In case you missed last week's contest on Lisa and Laura's blog, you have until tonight at midnight to enter! You can read the first chapter of XVI here.
What have you read recently that kept you up at night, turning pages? I want to read that.
Find out what the other Bookanistas are up to today:
Lisa and Laura Roecker are head over heels for Half Upon a Time.
Christine Fonseca is celebrating Cinders.
Shannon Messenger is inspired by Selling Hope.
Shelli Johannes-Wells and Myra McEntire can't get enough of The Near Witch cover.
Megan Miranda is excited about Monsters of Men.
Carolina Valdez Miller highlights the hottest November releases.
62 comments:
XVI sounds amazing. Can't wait to read!
The last book I've read that kept me turning pages was Ironside by Holly Black. Loved it! :D
If there are secret, lies, and murder, I'm there. Sounds good!
Sounds like a great premise in 139 characters!
The last book that kept me turning pages was The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller.
I would love to win, but is the competition open to foreigners?
The most recent book I read that had me compulsively turning pages was Devil's Teardrop by Jeffrey Deaver.
Great interview Julia. You're not alone. I've never watched Survivor either. And I'm a vegetarian too, so no bacon. Good luck with your book.
It sounds like XVI will be keeping me up turning pages once I get my hands on it. In the more recent past, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith has kept me up--not so much in suspense as with laughter. The combination of grand biography and vampires is funny, not to mention all the people who have asked me if it's fiction or nonfiction.
Great interview. I agree, bug spray. Interesting to know she is vegetarian. Very excited for this release.
Sounds great! Count me in as entering to win.:)
OOhhh....can not wait to read this one too!
Ooh! This book sounds amazing! Great interview, Elana!
Great interview.
No one seems to select bacon, though.
XVI sounds very interesting, congratulations Julia!
I'm currently reading The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, it's so magical beautifully written the pages seem to turn themselves.
I would say that this would be a total buy on the cover alone. Awesome job...
This book sounds awesome :) I love the twitter version synopses, lol!
Yeah. I've been pining for this one since I first heard of it!
I've been DYING to read this book!
The last thing I read (and am still reading) that kept me up late was/is Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting. It's brilliant!
*crosses fingers and hopes*
addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com
I read I AM NUMBER 4 the other day. Yeah, 440 pp in one day (unless you include staying up until 3AM a second day). It was magnificent.
Thanks! This sounds great!
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Happy 12-week celebration!!! I love the cover of your book.
Happy 12-week celebration!!! I love the cover of your book.
ooh this sounds awesome! Sign me up!
I'm reading Boneshaker right now and totally digging it.
As a former Chicagoan, I'm intrigued by your book! Lincoln Park? I am so there!
I'm pumped! I've taken so many suggestions from you Elena and never been disappointed in book choices! I loved Paranormalcy and you should try Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken.
This book sounds really intriguing. I'm adding it to my list. Great interview!
Oooh! That does sound good. Congratulations Julia on your debut!
WoW ! This sounds so good!
Congrats on the debut that looks so amazing Julia!
Sounds so good! Can't wait for another awesome dystopian! :)
I love reading dystopian books, so this one has been on my wish list for a while:) Srsly can't wait to read it!
"SALivating" ha ha ha. I LOVE it! This book is already on my wish list. It sounds so great!
My most recent "up nights turning pages" books = The Preacher's Bride and of course, The Scorch Trials!! :-)
I am dying to read this one. Love Julia. Love dystopian. Hurry up fellow bookanistas--I want my turn!!! :)
And great interview. I'm still laughing over SALivating. ;)
Why have I not heard of this book. Sounds like a great premise and I love the pitch.
Why have I not heard of this book. Sounds like a great premise and I love the pitch.
Me please :)
XVI sounds great! I have to know: do we say, "ex, vee, eye"? Or do we say "sixteen"?
I've been reading GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray, which is excellent. Also BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, ZORGAMAZOO (Middle Grade book) by Robert Paul Weston, and ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card. All page-turners. I've hit a lucky streak with my book choices lately.
Love your interviews, Elana! Sorry more people don't pick bacon, although this was close. XVI sounds great!
hi miss elana and miss julia! that was a pretty cool interview. i like learning stuff about good writers. mostly it gives me hope for being a good writer some day. that book sounds really neat but im thinking its kinda old for me. im 10 but im gonna be 11 next week on wednesday! yippeee! i got 4 older brothers and 1 older sister that im gonna tell about your book. all of our family reads lots and lots of books. for my page turner book i didnt get it yet but for sure i got my fingers and toes crossed that for my birthday im gonna get miss hilarys book nightshade city. i think thats gonna be one i gotta read all day and all night til i get it done. hooray for rats! ha ha.
...smiles from lenny
I really want to read this one. Awesome. And a recent book that I loved?? hmm...John Belushi is Dead. LOVED IT.
-Lauren
sounds like a great book!
I love the concept behind this book. Can't wait to read it!
This sounds like a good one! I was sad to see bacon fall behind in the races again though. =P
I stayed up all this week reading "The Gathering Storm" to prepare for "Towers of Midnight"'s release in November. It was worth it. ;)
Sounds like a great book---and a wonderful success story! Thanks to both of you.
Really want to read this one! I stayed up last night to finish Black Hole Sun.
Been wanting this book for so long! Looks so awesome! Thanks so much :D
Ishta, you say "ex, vee, eye." So glad you guys are excited about this book--it's awesome, you're going to love it!
This book sounds awesome! I love the title, too--XVI is certainly original.
Hmmm. I am enjoying YOU by Charles Benoit right now! It's turning out to be really good.
Great interview! Trust me, you are not the only one out there who hasn't seen Survivor! *laugh*
A book that's kept me turning pages till the wee hours is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. Though it's not a recent release, I've just discovered it to be an amazing book!
XVI is one of the books I've been curious to know more about since I heard of it. So many cool dystopians coming out!
I also haven't watched any Survivor.
Sounds amazing!! I'll take 15! Or you know, one.
This book sounds awesome.
I can't wait to read this one! And bug spray is such a good luxury item :)
Woo hoo! Great interview. The book sounds awesome.
The last thing I read that kept me turning pages was an adult (unlike what most people read or write here) romance called "The Bikini Car Wash".
And please, don't choose me at random because I don't read YA. It just doesn't do anything for me.
Great interview and review of the book! It looks fantastic!
I've been reading Mockingjay, but you've already read it!
Great interview!
I'm currently reading Harry Potter (on the 6th book right now)... and since I'm the last person on Earth who hasn't read it, I doubt I can suggest it. But if by some chance, you haven't read it... go do so now!
Great interview! Can't wait to read it.
Survivor who?
I'm still really excited about this book. I just finished The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan and couldn't put it down. There's just something about our wolrd going all to hell that keeps me turning pages.
Thanks for the pronunciation tip, Elana!
Looking forward to XVI... is there a teaser somewhere to read? Hmmn, maybe I'll win it!
I have been up turning pages late at night with the Mysterious Benedict Society. I'm a third of the way in, it's very mysterious, I'm so hooked. I think it qualifies as a dystopian.
Gah!!!!! I'm dying to read this. Why do I have to wait so long to read it?? *Makes puppy Dog eyes*
I sort of love that Julia has never seen Survivor. Okay, I've seen it, but I rarely watch TV anymore, so I start to feel sort of like an outcast sometimes because I'm one of the few who don't watch all of the most popular TV shows. So, now that I know there are two of us on the planet...booya!
Was it a stretch to assume because she's never seen Survivor that she also doesn't watch other shows?
Wow - thanks for all the great comments, everyone!
Margo - you can read the first chapter at: http://web.me.com/juliakarr/Julia_Karr/XVI_Chapter_One.html
And, Carolina, I am having my cable unplugged. I hardly watch anything & what I do watch (Masterpiece Mystery & Masterpiece Theater), I can get online. So - it was not much of a stretch! :)
And, the winner is Meredith! YAY!!!
Congratulations, Meredith! I've sent you an email.
Thanks everyone for commenting & you're all entered in the Grand Prize drawing on release day.
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