Five Things For Monday!

I know that Five lists are usually reserved for Fridays, but there's so much going on I have to tell you today.  So without further adieu...

1.  IN HONOR comes out in 15 days, which means I am excited and nervous and everything in between!  I'm also gearing up to hit the road with Jenny Han and Morgan Matson for the Summer Lovin' tour, which will hit bookstores in CA from LA to San Fran. Shenanigans are sure to happen, so if we're near you, stop by! Full schedule here: http://morganmatsonbooks.tumblr.com/post/21740221524/final-tour-dates

2.   Just in time for pre-launch madness, I've booked a writing retreat led by two of my YA heroes, Sarah Ockler and Heidi Kling, in Fairplay, CO from May 3rd to 6th!  I've never been on a writing retreat, but this one is YA centered and led by two of the most awesome writers around, so I'm super excited! Also, the inn where we're staying is rumored to be haunted--not sure where I stand on that except that I'm happy not to be bunking alone.  Promise I'll take pictures.

3. In honor of the release of IN HONOR, there's so much road trip goodness coming up on the blog!  You've already been treated to interviews with some of my favorite YA writers.  Stay tuned for road trip dishing by Jenny Han, Morgan Matson, the lone guy of the crew (who also happens to be the Printz winner, Corey Whaley), and many more!

4.  With the return of the lifeguard towers on the beach and the sunshine on Saturday, this weekend felt THISCLOSE to summer.  And these people, who were getting married on the beach in Crystal Cove gambled and won as far as SoCal weather goes!  I couldn't help but ogle and ooh and ahh at this adorable beach wedding.  Pink board shorts?  Love.

5.  And lastly, today, April 30th, marks the last day to enter the IN HONOR Book Club In A Bag giveaway, in which one book club will receive 10 finished copies of the book and TONS of extras, including an author visit!  Details here:  http://jessikirby.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-honor-book-club-in-bag-giveaway.html

Not a bad way to start off the week.  Hope you all have a happy Monday!

xoxo,

Jessi

On the Road with YA Authors, featuring Jessica Love!

In less than a month, IN HONOR will be out in the world!It’s a story of a letter, a mistaken last request, and the road trip those things lead to.As a countdown to its release on May 8^th, I’m hosting a Road Trip Interview Series featuring all of my favorite author friends!Stop by daily for dream cars, playlists, and tales from the road!

Today I have with me fellow Bookanista AND English Teacher, Jessica Love.  Jessica is also a contemporary YA author repped by Jill Corcoran of Herman Agency, and can often be found on Facebook and Twitter too!

Thanks so much for stopping by Jess! Let's get down to the road trip dishing...

All road trips begin with a set of wheels. Close your eyes. Imagine your ideal road-trippin’ vehicle. What do you see? Why?

I'm a tall drink of water and I'm all about comfort, so really the only thing that matters to me is leg room. I know it't not particularly cool, but I honestly picture myself in one of those full-sized vans, because it would be the one ride where I wouldn't feel like my legs were stuck up under my chin. Maybe I could find a really awesome van...like The Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo.

http://toomanysebastians.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mystery_machine.jpg

Next up: travel companions. The right ones can make or break the whole thing. Who would you hit the road with? You can choose anyone—alive or dead, real or fictional. As many or few as you like.

My bff is always my favorite road trip companion. We drove up the California coast to see Incubus together at a state fair back in the day, and since then there is no one I would rather be stuck in a car with for hours. We have no shortage of inside jokes, crazy stories, and songs to sing along with. She is so much fun.

It’s true that road trips are about the journey, but what’s your ideal destination?

I have been trying to plan an east coast road trip for awhile now. Some good friends just moved to DC, and bff and her husband live in CT. So I really want to do a DC, NYC, CT, Boston road trip, and hit up any other exciting stops on the way. I also really want to do Portland, Seattle, Vancouver one of these days.

Is your style more ‘map it out’ or ‘meandering route’?

I'm a little more of a map it out type because there are always places I definitely want to hit and things I definitely want to see. I would be way irritated if I ended up missing something I was looking forward to because we took a seat-of-our-pants detour to see the world's largest ball of twine.

What 5 songs are absolutely necessary on your perfect road trip playlist?

Big Casino - Jimmy Eat World
Because every road trip needs to start with this song

Drumming Song - Florence and the Machine
Because you need music that gets to the core of you

Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis
Because you need that song to just sing and dance around to

Sad Sad City - Ghostland Observatory
Because you need that awesome song that no one else has really hard of before

I'm A Slave 4 U - Britney Spears
Because you need that guilty pleasure song that everyone loves

La Vie Boheme - RENT
Because no soundtrack is complete without showtunes

Here is this little playlist on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/jessrlove/playlist/3JgIRGxl6cuhJDFAfcYOq7

We all know that food consumed while on the road never counts against you. That being said, what are your favorite road snacks and/or eating establishments?

I love snacks that are salty AND sweet, so chocolate covered pretzels are a must have. And when it comes to stopping for food on the road, nothing is better than In-N-Out. Nothing!

Well, the original Del Taco in Barstow on the way to Vegas is close...but not quite. They dont have Animal Fries there.

Problems sometimes happen and inquiring minds want to know: Can you change a tire?

In theory...yes. I have not been put to the test and I hope I never will be.

Best road trip memory:

Driving up to Lake Tahoe with my parents and my brother. My dad would always play Simon and Garfunkel and Billy Joel and my brother and I would play games like Slug Bug and I Spy. I had something I called The Bag O' Fun that I filled with crossword puzzles and games to keep us entertained. I honestly feel bad for kids who have DVD players in their cars now...my family and I made so many fun memories together by actually talking and playing together on the road.

Worst road trip memory:

Driving home from Vegas with my then-boyfriend (now husband) and his three friends. Five of us, all close to or over six feet tall, squeezed into my tiny Toyota Tercel. And then there was an accident on the 15. So we were stuck in there, clown car style, for close to seven hours. Talk about my knees in my chin...I could hardly move. It was a miserable experience. We all hated each other after that drive. I didn't speak to any of them for months.

Any road trip pictures you want to share?

I took a solo road trip to Big Sur on the central California coast for the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, and I made sure to do the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. There was a storm brewing, and it made for some pretty dramatic photos!

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing Jess!  Happy road trippin'!

On the Road with YA Authors, Featuring: Beth Revis

In less than a month, IN HONOR will be out in the world! It’s a story of a letter, a mistaken last request, and the road trip those things lead to. As a countdown to its release on May 8^th, I’m hosting a Road Trip Interview Series featuring all of my favorite author friends! Stop by daily for dream cars, playlists, and tales from the road!

Today I am so happy to have with me fellow Bookanista and NYT Bestselling Author Beth Revis!  Beth is the author of the YA fantasy/science fiction novels Across the Universe and A Million Suns, both of which are must-reads!

 

Beth, thank you so much for stopping by!  Let's start with my favorite question.  All road trips begin with a set of wheels. Close your eyes. Imagine your ideal road-trippin’ vehicle. What do you see? Why?

A Jeep Wrangler--I need something that can go off-road, and a Wrangler's just a fun vehicle to drive.

Next up: travel companions. The right ones can make or break the whole thing. Who would you hit the road with? You can choose anyone—alive or dead, real or fictional. As many or few as you like.

The husband: he's my best friend, and the only person I can stand for extended periods of time.

The dog: he's my second best friend, and also warm and fuzzy.

Hermione Granger: (a) she's magical, (b) she's proven that she is quite good at camping, (c) she's magical 

It's true that road trips are about the journey, but what's your ideal destination?

I'd say that I'd like to start somewhere big--say, a major city such as NYC, London, Florence, Cairo, Tokyo. And then move out to the country, going further and further away from civilization. Starting in a big city means you get the chance to do the big famous stuff, and also get a feel for the way the country is (i.e. traditional foods, language, customs). Then moving further and further into the country means you get a feel for the way everyday people are. My goal in travel is to (a) SEE ALL THE THINGS, and then (b) be mistaken as a local.

Is your style more ‘map it out’ or ‘meandering route’?

It's not a roadtrip unless you get good and lost at least once. Maps are for wusses.

What 5 songs are absolutely necessary on your perfect road trip playlist?

Something by Jack Johnson

"Remedy" by Jason Mraz

Something by the Beatles

"Baby Girl" by Sugarland

"You and I" by Lady Gaga

We all know that food consumed while on the road never counts against you. That being said, what are your favorite road snacks and/or eating establishments?

GUMMY WORMS FUEL ROAD TRIPS

Also: caffeine

Problems sometimes happen and inquiring minds want to know: Can you change a tire?

Er. Technically? I mean, I know *how*, I've just never done it. So, yeah. Maybe.

Best road trip memory:

Heh. There was that one time my friends and I slept in a car in a fancy neighborhood in Georgetown. We couldn't afford a hotel, and figured Georgetown would be a decently safe place to sleep in our car. The neighborhood didn't appreciate it, though.

Worst road trip memory:

When I went with a friend on a very long trip a few months after she had a baby. This was the first time she was more than a few hours away from the baby and she...didn't handle it well. It basically ruined the whole trip. Here we were in Europe, after saving up for nearly two years for the trip, and our primarily objective tended to be to find a phone so she could call home. I can still tell you where the best pay phones in Rome are.

I love it! Thank you so much for stopping by, Beth.  You can sleep in your car in my neighborhood any day!

Want to know more about Beth and her books?  Check her out on the web!

 www.facebook.com/acrosstheuniversebook

www.acrosstheuniversebook.com

www.bethrevis.com



On the Road with YA Authors: Featuring Nikki Katz

On the Road with YA Authors

In less than a month, IN HONOR will be out in the world!  It’s a story of a letter, a mistaken last request, and the road trip those things lead to.  As a countdown to its release on May 8^th, I’m hosting a Road Trip Interview Series featuring all of my favorite author friends!  Stop by daily for dream cars, playlists, and tales from the road!

Today I'm happy to welcome Nikki Katz!  Nikki wears many hats, a few of them being Author, Social Media Consultant, Editor, Mom, Freelance Writer, Blogger, Reviewer,
Rocket Scientist, Reality TV Addict, Avid Book Reader, and Social Media Nut
... Not necessarily in that order :)

She's also a fellow Bookanista!  You can check out her blog here, or find her on Twitter or Facebook!

So Nikki, thank you so much for stopping by to dish about road trips!

I'm going to preface these answers by saying that I never really took a road trip when I was younger. There were a couple "drives to California for vacation" from where I lived in Tucson, but never a trip that was the vacation in itself. Road trips to me now involve tons of snacks and entertainment for the kids, so these answers are all based in the realm of me being a teenager. Because that's the kind of road trip I'd prefer to take :) 

Got it.  That being said, all road trips begin with a set of wheels. Close your eyes. Imagine your ideal road-trippin’ vehicle. What do you see? Why?

Red convertible Mustang. Top down all the way.

Next up: travel companions. The right ones can make or break the whole thing. Who would you hit the road with? You can choose anyone—alive or dead, real or fictional. As many or few as you like.

I'd have to go back in time and take a group of my girl friends.

It's true that road trips are about the journey, but what's your ideal destination?

Up the coast to San Francisco.

Is your style more ‘map it out’ or ‘meandering route’?

In a normal situation I'd want to map it out, but in this trip, definitely just take it as it goes!

What 5 songs are absolutely necessary on your perfect road trip playlist?

Here's my 90s Road Trip playlist (need Spotify to see though!)

http://open.spotify.com/user/1213370675/playlist/1rn8fN3sIRECpR5rQ5Wh0A

We all know that food consumed while on the road never counts against you. That being said, what are your favorite road snacks and/or eating establishments?

Sour Patch Kids and Diet Coke.

Problems sometimes happen and inquiring minds want to know: Can you change a tire?

No, but I'd still try!

Best road trip memory:

The best trip in a car has actually always been by myself. I love belting out songs (in my absolutely horrid singing voice) and letting my mind wander.

Worst road trip memory:

The worst trip in a car would probably have to have been when I was much younger and traveling with my parents. Not a whole lot to do back in the age before handheld gaming devices. I did read a lot, but car sickness was an evil side-effect.

Ick. Car sickness is not allowed in my car.  HOWEVER--awesome 90's playlists, sour patch kids, and diet coke are, so...shall we head up to San Fran???

Road Trip Interview Series Kickoff with Elana Johnson!

YA Authors on the Road!

In less than a month, IN HONOR will be out in the world.  It’s a story of a letter, a mistaken last request, and the road trip these things lead to.  As a countdown to its release on May 8^th, I’m hosting a Road Trip Interview Series featuring all of my favorite author friends!  Stop by daily for dream cars, playlists, and tales from the road!

Here to kick off the series is Elana Johnson, fellow Bookanista, author of POSSESSION and the forthcoming SURRENDER, both kick-ass, dystopian thrillers, and all-round awesome person! 

So Elana...

All road trips begin with a set of wheels. Close your eyes. Imagine your ideal road-trippin’ vehicle.  What do you see?  Why?

A muscle car, like a Dodge Challenger or Charger or a Ford Mustang – convertible. Because all road trips need to happen in the summer with the top down, right? Right.

Next up: travel companions.  The right ones can make or break the whole thing. Who would you hit the road with? You can choose anyone—alive or dead, real or fictional. As many or few as you like.

1.       My husband. He’s the best person to get lost with.

2.       Hugh Jackman. He has a sexy accent. I’d like to hear him tell me to turn left or something.

3.       Oprah. She has a lot of stories, and we’ll need someone to entertain us when the radio gets    boring.

It’s true that road trips are about the journey, but what’s your ideal destination?

Somewhere tropical, with sand and sun and waves.

Is your style more ‘map it out’ or ‘meandering route’?

Meandering route, wherever we want to go, guided by the Food Network’s list of amazing restaurants. Yeah, that sounds about right.

What 5 songs are absolutely necessary on your perfect road trip playlist?

Maybe not songs, but bands? (Are they even called bands? Groups?)

1.       Maroon 5

2.       The Script

3.       Joss Stone

4.       Paul Simon

5.       Linkin Park

6.       Michael Jackson

If we have those albums, we’re good.

We all know that food consumed while on the road never counts against you.  That being said, what are your favorite road snacks and/or eating establishments?

Favorite road snacks: pretzels and M&M’s. Red vines. Sour Patch Kids. And grape soda.

Best eating establishments? Uh, I’m all about hole-in-the-wall joints and regional cuisine. So I’d use my smartphone to find the best places to eat locally, and go there. I can get Olive Garden where I live, you know?

Problems sometimes happen and inquiring minds want to know:  Can you change a tire?

No. But I can make a phone call!

 Best road trip memory:

I once took a camping road trip to Yellowstone. It was awesome. The company was great, the ride was scenic, and the destination was spectacular. It was fun gabbing and getting caught up and just being out in nature – without my smartphone!

Worst road trip memory:

We were driving to Arizona from Utah, and in like, Page or something like that, we had to stop and get new tires. ALL NEW TIRES. So not an expense I was thinking of. That road trip was expensive, and we had to sit in this disgusting tire shop for like, 2 hours to get the freaking new tires.

Then, as the gift that keeps on giving, the next winter in Utah (which are no picnic), I slid off the road because of course they don’t sell snow (or even all-purpose!) tires in bloody Page, Arizona. So I got to replace my tires AGAIN.

Yeah, I sort of hate Page, Arizona. 

Roadtrip Gallery:

Thank you for stopping by Elana!  And I hope you never have to go to Page, Arizona ever again.

Want more from Elana Johnson?

You can find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook

IN HONOR BOOK CLUB-IN-A-BAG GIVEAWAY!!!

Happy April!

With the release of IN HONOR a little over a month away, I'm in a giddy, giving kind of mood.  In honor (shameless pun, I know), of readers and book clubs everywhere, I've put together a very special Book Club In A Bag Giveaway, and I think you're gonna like it... 


What's the prize???

One Book Club will win:                                             

*10 Hardcover copies of IN HONOR

*An annotated playlist

*Map of Honor & Rusty's Route

*Book discussion questions & special
"Behind the Book" extras

*An author visit--either in person or
by Skype, depending on location

All contained in a cute, portable canvas bag!

Who's eligible to win???

Any book club, anywhere! Whether you are a library book club, school book club, neighborhood book club, mom book club...you get the point, right? ANY book club is eligible to win.

How do you enter???

It's easy.  Just fill out the form below and submit!  Contest will run through April 30th, and the winning book club will be randomly drawn on May 1st.