"Balkanized at Sunrise" by Joe Tripician

I saw a blurb about this on Shelf Awareness- a daily read alert website for those interested in the book world. If I e-mailed the author, I might win a book. I e-mailed and Joe himself replied and said if I shamelessly promoted his book, I might win a copy. So here it is- go buy this book. It does sound funny.

If I win said copy, I can tell you how much I enjoyed it. What do you say, Joe?

About "Balkanized at Sunrise"

In the immediate aftermath of the bloody Balkan wars of the 90s, a penniless science-fiction author was hired to write the official biography of Croatia's President, Franjo Tudjman.

In an effort to keep Tudjman out of the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, the Croatian government hired Joe Tripician, the author of "The Official Alien Abductee's Handbook", to pen a state-sanctioned biography for US consumption. The biography, far from a whitewashed piece of propaganda, became a darkly comic and sadly tragic tale of deception, danger, death and desire, where guilt abounds, but responsibility remains elusive.

"Balkanized at Sunrise" is the true story of how Joe navigated between toadying government aides, lying politicians, harassed dissident journalists, and Croatian and Bosnian women looking for a quick visa. It's a fascinating memoir of political, moral, and sexual proportions.

More background on the story here: http://joetrip.com/projects/89-balkanized-at-sunrise

Another Young Adult novel that is NOT just for kids

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Another YA novel that will knock your socks off. I couldn't put it down and am waiting eagerly for the next one (waiting my turn at the library) and then the third is due out later this month.

The Hunger Games is set in a future US that has been torn apart by civil unrest and reconstructed into Districts. To entertain the masses, each district offers 2 Tributes each year to the Hunger Games. The object of this game is to be the last kid standing. Only kids from age 12-18 are chosen.

This year Katniss Everdeen takes her little sister's place as Tribute. The boy from her Distriict, Peeta , is the baker's son. To survive the Games, Peeta and Katniss eventually join forces. They pretend they are in love and end up winning the Games-but at what cost?

I love how the book is paced to keep moving . The action is well timed and not too gory (except maybe the last one and the plot twist to that one is something else.) The characters are engaging and believable. Very well written.

I'm looking forward to reading Catching Fire-the second installment in this trilogy.

Author Love

I have to say, authors are a generous and wonderful crowd. Not only do they share their imaginations with us, they often share so much more.

The public library I work for is in the midst of the summer reading program. We have a section for childreen, teens, and adults. Prizes are strongly suggested to be reading related so we have been actively seeking books as prizes. I found some great authors and author sites (I have posted some earlier) but today I'd like to give a shout out to the group at backspace.org. This group of writers support each other and most recently, they have supported me. So thanks to Willam Mills, Bonnie Turner, Carla Buckley, Randy Sue Meyers, A.S. King, and Karen Dionne- Our program would be a pale shadow of itself without you.

New Star on the horizon?

I just finished Alan Bradley's "The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag" -the second Flavia deLuce mystery. It was excellent. As much fun as the first: "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie".
Set in post WWII England, it stars 11 year old Flavia deLuce, budding chemist and the youngest daughter of three born to Harriet (deceased) and Haviland deLuce. She is quite the cheeky thing and drives her older sisters batty as they, in turn, torment her as only siblings of the same sex can. I speak from experience as an older sister.
The plot is complex but Bradley does a "bang-up" job of creating believable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. My only complaint, if you will, is how Flavia can outsmart the police. Not that it is impossible, but perhaps, in this case, it was laid on a little too thick. None the less, I look forward to reading more of Flavia's adventures. And what she thinks of next to get revenge on her sisters' attentions.

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I've been reading, honet. Just not posting. Maybe it will get easier and faster-soon.
Today though, I want to share another blogger's site as she is doing what I would love to do-she takes this whole book review thing to a whole new level-
Liz can be found here Http://Cleverlyinked.blogspot.com check it out and if you find it as interesting as I did-you can sign up for some fabulous birthday prizes from authors all over. And follow Liz as she shares all kinds of good books.

And when you do all that-run to your local library/favorite independent bookstore and check out "The Owl Keeper" by Chris Brodien Jones. It's her second book and they only get better-It's written for young adults but you know that's never stopped me from reading a good book.

The Leisure Seeker

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

Michael’s latest book is the story of Ella and John Robina of Detroit Michigan. They’re both older and he has dementia and she has cancer. What a pair. Ella decides they need one more road trip to Disneyland before it’s too late. Only their kids already think that. No matter. Ella packs up the Leisure Seeker and off they go. Off to travel on Route 66 and down Memory Lane.

It is a great story. I laughed, I cried, I identified. As so many of us will as we deal with aging parents and life that isn’t what we remember it to be. And Michael tells it so well.

I understand Michael has dealt with some of the issues in the book. It is said to write well, one should write what one knows. That and this is Michael’s second novel after Secondhand. You can tell he has gotten better at his craft.

So go see that independent bookseller and pick up a copy or two. Or come to the Romeo District Library (65821 Van Dyke Road, Washington, MI 48095) on May 7^th at 7:30 PM to meet Michael, pick up a copy of his newest book (from my favorite independent bookstore-The Books Connection of Shelby). It should be a fun evening. And there will be cookies.

Find all the places mentioned on the web: www.MichaelZadoorian.com

Romeo District Library www.libcoop.net/romeo
The Books connection www.booksconnectionofshelby.com

ARC's

I received my first ARC (Advance reading copy) a few weeks ago. I can’t tell what a thrill it was for me. Especially since I have met the author but I really didn’t think she would know me from any other librarian out there.
It is for Megan Abbott’s newest book “Bury Me Deep”. (http://www.meganabbott.com/) It was excellent. As Megan’s books always are. Set in Depression era Arizona, it is based on the true story of Winnie Ruth Judd, a woman accused of murdering her two friends. I’ll leave the details at that- you’ll just have to get the book and read it when it comes out in July. Or tell your local librarian to make sure it is on order so you can have in hand on release date. Librarians love it when you do that-trust me.

I love the way Megan can create atmosphere with just a few words. Her novels are considered noir and they really do echo the novels of the time period she writes in. And I do mean in because she must be totally immersed to be able to write as she does. But you’d never know it if you met her. She is just lovely and not at all dark and mysterious-OK, maybe she does mysterious but I’ve only seen nice. After all, most women want to be mysterious every once in a while-even Library fairies.

Go out and order that book. Best yet- order it from an independent book seller. They’re nicer than any big box store and once you establish yourself with one, you’ll never go back.