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TEENREADS.COM
NEWSLETTER
AOL Keyword: The Book Bag
Teenreads.com
February
23, 2001
Dear
Reader,
How is everyone doing this week? Not much going on with
me...probably because so much of my day is consumed by wanting
to kill my sister (who also happens to be my roommate, and
who shall NOT remain nameless --- Katie!) that I simply don't
have the time to pursue other actives. Don't get me wrong,
I
love my sister and would do anything for her. It's just that
sometimes I want to chase after her with sharp objects (not
that I would ever do that...running with sharp objects, especially
after a beloved family member, is bad, bad, bad). For example,
I KNOW Tuesday is garbage night. It's been garbage night since
we moved into our apartment two years ago. Why then, does
my sister feel the need to remind me of this fact the minute
I walk in the
door from work every Tuesday? Just because I never actually
remember to take out the garbage, doesn't mean I don't when
the night to do it is. Sheesh! Do you see what I have to deal
with?
We share the same two insane parents, and that's where the
similarities between us end. She's short; I'm tall (freakishly
so, like 6'2"). She's a cranky brunette while I'm a bubbly
blonde (alright, so it comes from a bottle). She's obsessively,
compulsively, neurotically clean while I'm a supporter of
water conservation via infrequent dish-washing and a big fan
of creative clothes placement. I mean, why must clothing be
confined to closets and dressers anyway? Are jeans not still
jeans if they're laying in a pile on the floor?
We don't even agree on books. She's into the classics, while
I favor newer, cooler stuff...like the books we have for you
this week.
Want to chat/vent/whine/cry/scream about siblings whom you
love dearly but sometimes wish would run away and join the
circus? Drop me a line at: Babyswingster@aol.com,
and I'll post your responses in the next newsletter.
LOVE BYTES 2001 REVISITED...
So, after I poured my heart out about my Valentine's Day humiliation
in high school, I received an outpouring of sympathy from
many readers. Some of you were so sweet, assuring me that
my writing was so genius any guy would regret passing me over.
Others took a tough love approach, telling me to get over
myself, grow up and stop prattling on about things that occurred
years ago. Still others consoled me with their own Valentine's
stories. Of the bunch, two were especially noteworthy. One
was so depressing I found it hard to get out of bed the morning
after reading it; the other was so redemptive and joyous I
felt my adolescent injustices personally vindicated. See if
you can guess which is which:
>"This is true. I had a crush on this cute boy in
my school. I really liked him. Then one day I heard he moved
to a different school in Lancaster. My heart was broken, until
I thought that maybe I would see him in a store or sumthing.
Then another day, I found out that he moved to Florida. My
heart was even more broken. I thought, how could he do this
to me? I did not know if he liked me because he never, like,
noticed me. I am still waiting to hear from him. (Tear, cry)"
--- submitted by: Alysleo90
>"Fresh off the worst 4 years of my life, the wounds
are still fresh. All my friends went to a different high school,
along with my boyfriend. So, my junior year I wasn't expecting
any type of presents until after school. So, when my boyfriend
showed up before school with 2 dozen long stemmed roses and
a teddy bear, people were shocked. Suddenly people started
saying that I got them for myself! Yeah, that was until he
showed up in his grandfather's Mercedes sports car to pick
me up after school! Talk about typical high school behavior!"
--- submitted by: Wildfire0k
What are you reading now?
"Actually, I just finished BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
yesterday...and it was so WONDERFUL. It is a science fiction
type novel, but I'm not the sort of person who enjoys that
sort of stuff at all. Unlike most science fiction novels,
this was incredibly easy to understand and at the same time,
relate to. This book really makes a statement about society
and the values we place on such things as life, material possesion,
and love. It's WONDERFUL!!"
What are you reading in school?
"GRENDEL by John Gardner was one of the best school-required
books I have ever read...its a retelling of BEOWULF, this
ancient poem, but its so much better than that, because its
really deep and thought-provoking, even a bit disturbing...it
is also very controversial...does anyone else have an opinion?"
And remember, you can always write to me and suggest new
topics at: Babyswingster@aol.com
READERS RECOMMEND...
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL series
SUMMER SISTERS by Judy Blume: I just got through reading a
book called SUMMER SISTERS by Judie Blume. I think that this
book was great. It talks about these two girls and how every
summer since they were in the sixth grade, they've gone to
Martha's Vineyard --- and that's where they had their friendship
put to the test. I liked the book because it showed one of
those friends that you can't forget, you can't quite forgive,
but you can't stop loving either.
NEW
THIS WEEK...
In
Celebration of Black History Month...
Recognition of achievement is the real driving
force behind Black History Month. In celebration, Teenreads.com
is paying tribute to Afro-centric literature with a round-up
of new and notable books. Check
it out!
From
An Author We Know You Love...
John Grisham's new book, THE PAINTED HOUSE, is
finally out. So what's the big deal? Well, this time around
it's not a legal thriller but a more serious, literary novel
set in rural Arkansas, where he grew up. Think THE PAINTED
HOUSE will be as good as THE FIRM? Take a look at an excerpt
and our review.
Coming
To A Theater Near You...
From HARRY POTTER to THE PRINCESS DIARIES, it's
becoming pretty apparent that the movie industry would be
hopelessly lost without the book world. Need proof? Just check
out our long list of movie/book
tie-ins.
Teenreads Chats With:
Margaret Mahy,
author of 24 HOURS and MEMORY.
Teenreads.com writer Audrey Marie Danielson talks with Margaret
Mahy about the challenge of compressing a whole, twisting-turning
story into 24 hours, the inspiration behind her books, and
how she keeps in tune with the youth of today.
24 HOURS by Margaret
Mahy
Just home after graduating from prep school, seventeen-year-old
Ellis meets former grade-school classmates Jackie Cattle and
Christo Kilmer. These two boys, along with three sisters,
will help trigger the bizarre events of the next twenty-four
hours. You will be held spellbound as you read on to find
out what changes each new hour brings about in Ellis's life.
Read our review, an excerpt
from the book, and a biography
of the author.
MEMORY by Margaret
Mahy
Jonny Dart can't forget the haunting memory of his sister's
Janine's death in a fall over a cliff. Was he responsible?
Could he have saved her? Only he and their friend Bonny witnessed
the fall and agreed to say that Jonny was not near the cliff
when Janine fell. Jonny must connect with Bonny to relive
these events again and try to make sense out of his jumbled
memories.
More Reviews...
LESLIE’S JOURNAL by Allan
Stratton
Leslie is an angry, confused and rebellious girl. School'
s hard, and life's even harder. But things start looking up
for Leslie when she meets Jason --- the perfect guy. And when
he suddenly kisses her in front of her friends, she's the
envy of all her female classmates. Unfortunately, it is not
long before Leslie realizes Jason is anything but perfect.
Prepare yourself for a roller-coaster ride through relationship
hell with an abusive control freak at the helm.
GODDESS OF THE NIGHT
by Lynne Ewing
Four friends try to fit into the Los Angeles scene as normal
teenagers. However, their unusual abilities make it impossible.
What is the strange power that the moon has over them? Why
does the dark of the moon change everything?
STILL
GOING STRONG...
BRIDES
OF EDEN: A True Story Imagined by Linda Crew
The young people of Corvallis, Oregon are completely transfixed
by Joshua, the handsome drifter who claims to have a special
knowledge of God's will. They follow him without hesitation
and believe in his end-of-the-world preaching with a blind
faith. But eventually 16-year-old Eva Mae Hurt, a "chosen"
disciple herself, becomes troubled by his strict rules and
the "secret rites" he performs with his "brides of Eden" alone
in his tent. Will she find the courage to resist Joshua's
brainwashing? Read our interview
with Linda Crew and an excerpt
from the book.
WITCH: The Wild Ride
from Wicked to Wicca by Candace Savage Take a journey
back to the 16th century and travel on through to the present
while seeing the true story behind witches, warlocks and the
occult unfold before your very eyes.
THE WATCHER by Margaret
Buffie
Does Emma have the courage to play out the real game of life
and death that will draw in each member of her family, as
she tries to understand her role in this frightening new magical
world?
SECRET SACRAMENT by
Sherryl Jordan
Gabriel Eshban Vala's gift as a healer is finally legitimized
when he is accepted into the Citadel. In gaining Empress Petra's
favor, he makes powerful enemies and witnesses firsthand the
corruption that is weakening the empire.
It's tons of fun and filled with interesting facts and how-to
guides. Bet you didn't you know that you can use hair ribbons
to bind people or parts of a spell together!
Is it possible that Ivan, the hottie gypsy, is really evil?
Will Prue's feelings for him get in the way of her kicking
some serious demon
RECENTLY
REVIEWED...
THE BOOK OF SHADOWS: The
Unofficial Charmed Companion by Ngaire E. Genge
CHARMED: The Gypsy Enchantment
by Carla Jablonski
SPIKE AND DRU: PRETTY MAIDS
ALL IN A ROW by Christopher Golden
IN
MY ENEMY'S HOUSE by Carol Matas
DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT
(Dragonlance) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Have a great week, guys! And remember, if you have any suggestions
on how I can improve the Newsletter or www.teenreads.com,
or if you just want to say hello, write me at:
Babyswingster@aol.com
--- Sarah Brennan for Teenreads.com
talkback@Teenreads.com
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