As the new school season quickly approaches, there is no better way to prepare for the new semester by picking up a brand new book along with your school supplies. A book, especially a good one, is the perfect way to escape your strict teachers and massive piles of homework, while also doing something productive. Anne E. Cunningham, an education professor, discovered that reading every day is a guaranteed way to learn something new every day. So, the next time you dive into the swarming office supply store to pick up your dreaded school supplies, make sure to grab a new copy of
Harry Potter,
or maybe something like
The Fault in Our Stars.
Happy reading!
Happy Reading!
Kate E., Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member
PS: Don't forget to enter for the
Advanced Reading Copy giveaway below!
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Second Keynote
& Registration
Opening Soon
for
2017 Colorado
Teen Book Con
brought to you by
Tattered Cover Book Store
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Littleton High School in Littleton, CO
All day. Free. Exclusively for teens. (But, if you're an educator or school librarian, come and volunteer!)
Registration will open in this month! Watch your email for details! For more information and updates, please visit our
2017 Colorado Teen Book Con webpage.
In addition to
MAGGIE STIEFVATER, our second keynote is
DAVID
LEVITHAN! He'll be in conversation with
Bill Koenigsberg and
Billy Merrell! They'll be discussing queer YA.
 DAVID LEVITHAN
Who is David?
David Levithan is an American children's book editor at Scholastic Press and award-winning author. "I find it downright baffling to write about myself, which is why I'm considering it somewhat cruel and usual to have to write this brief bio and to update it now and then. The factual approach (born '72, Brown '94, first book '03) seems a bit dry, while the emotional landscape (happy childhood, happy adolescence - give or take a few poems - and happy adulthood so far) sounds horribly well-adjusted. When not writing during spare hours on weekends, I am a publisher and editorial director at Scholastic, and the founding editor of the PUSH imprint, which is devoted to finding new voices and new authors in teen literature. (Check it out at
www.thisispush.com
for a full list.) Among the authors I've edited and/or published under the Scholastic Press imprint are Suzanne Collins, Maggie Stiefvater, Ann M. Martin, Garth Nix, Patrick Carman, Natalie Standiford, Alice Hoffman, Gordon Korman, M. T. Anderson, Blake Nelson, Cecil Castellucci, and many, many other awesome writers."
David's most recent book, co-authored with Nina LaCour,
You Know Me Well
is solid. Delightlyfully emotional, fast-paced and poetic. It's about listening to your heart, but trusting your head.
BILL KONIGSBERG
: Bill Konigsberg is the author of
Openly Straight
, which won the SCBWI Sid Fleischman Award for Humor and was named to the YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults list;
The Porcupine of Truth
, which won the Stonewall Book Award and was named a Booklist Editors' Choice selection; and
Out of the Pocket
, which won the Lambda Literary Award. Bill was also an award-winning sports writer for ESPN.com and The Associated Press
. Bill lives in Chandler, Arizona, with his husband, Chuck.
BILLY MERRELL
: Billy Merrell is the author of Talking in the Dark, a poetry memoir published when he was twenty-one, and is the co-editor (with David Levithan) of
The Full Spectrum: A New Generation of Writing About Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Other Identities
, which received a Lambda Literary Award. Merrell is also a contributor to the New York Times bestselling series
Spirit Animals
, and has published fiction, poetry, and translations in various journals and anthologies. Born in 1982, he grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and received his MFA in Poetry from Columbia University. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his husband, author Nico Medina.
AUTHOR LINE-UP as of August...
Author acceptances are still coming in. See who we have so far!
2017 Colorado Teen Book Con
YA Author Happy Hour
Once again, we'll be hosting the CO Teen Book Con YA Author Happy Hour on Friday, November 3 in the evening at Tattered Cover Colfax. it was such an incredible event and we have a lot more amazingness planned for this year. 21+ over YA fans: don't miss this!
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YA Author Donna Cooner Visits Tattered Cover with fellow YA authors Melanie Crowder and Traci L. Jones
Article by Kate E.
Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member
On Saturday, July 22 at Tattered Cover Aspen Grove, I attended the book talk with YA author Donna Cooner! Before her presentation, I had some time to interview her, so I asked her about her book,
Worthy.
Cooner told me that her main themes were self-esteem and judgement by others.
"
Worthy
is a judgement of people and their relationships. It throws people into the limelight, and judges them based on their relationship."
"For me (
Worthy
) was really close to my heart. My husband and I are very different. When he and I first started dating, we were judged for our differences. I tried to m  ake this book relatable to teenagers, who deal with judgement of themselves and their relationships on a daily basis."
Donna Cooner, Traci L. Jones , and Melanie Crowder, all authors featured at the book talk, each gave the audience a writing tip.
Jones, author of
Standing Against the Wind
, gave a very inspirational piece. "It's important to consider yourself an author before anyone else does. No matter what people tell you, you got to focus on your writing, and use criticism your advantage. I think it's important to learn your craft, and get better in all the ways you can."
"Write even if you don't want to." Crowder, author of
An Uninterrupted View of the Sky 
, said. "It's important to lace up your boots and work hard, even if you feel as if you should just give up. All authors experience a time where they feel as if it's time to give in, but it's so important to ignore that voice, and do what you love."
Finally, Donna Cooner, author of
Skinny
and
Worthy
,
gave advice to practice while writing. "Exercising or doing something you like will help get the ball rolling. I personally like to listen to music to help me set the mood in the writing. If I'm writing a sad scene, then I like to listen to sad piano music, which seems to help a lot more than just writing in silence. Or, if you like exercising, try writing while on the treadmill, or taking a walk in the park!"
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YA Author Alison Gervais
Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board members
On Friday, July 28 at Tattered Cover Aspen Grove, I had the amazing opportunity to interview Alison Gervais and attend the event for her debut novel, In 27 Days.
Alison was incredibly nice and so excited that her book was out on the shelves. Throughout the entire event she kept repeating, "That's my book!" because it is a stunning accomplishment. Her editor first approached her in August 2015 through the platform Wattpad. It took almost 2 years to publish, and a folder in her email called "rejection letters", but this summer the book was finally published, her dream since she was 16--the age she began to seriously consider writing as a career. When I asked her about her inspiration for the book, she said, "I have no idea. I was on a flight back from a youth conference and I asked the guy next to me for pen and paper."
She just started writing and three drafts later,
In 27 Days
was born.
Alison is an lovely person as well, just 21 years old, already a published author, and with a brig  ht future. I learned that we share a common love of the TV series, Supernatural, and she also gave some really great advice to young writers,
"Write for yourself, you have a story to tell... let it all go and put it out into the universe, whatever happens happens."
The story was first posted on Wattpad where she had many fans who loved the new and fascinating story about time travel, love, and perseverance. The story itself is very unique with the personification of death, and constant motif of family. She had some haters at the beginning but she said, "They still read the book, so I feel like I kind of won on that part".
She was very energetic and laughed a lot throughout the entire event. She answered questions about the book, all with a smile. She was very kind and encouraging to anyone out there willing to write, and totally understood the struggle of editing. All and all it was a really fun event, filled with great people and even cake!
Photos from the event
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Upcoming YA Events
Wednesday, August 16:
Wendy Terrian with
The League of Governors; 7pm at Tattered Cover Aspen Grove
ABOUT The League of Governors:
Jason Lex just saved the world. Now he's immersed in training as a new Rampart Guard to protect the shield that enables humans and cryptids like Skyfish, Bigfoot, and the Black Shuck to live side by side and danger-free. A summons from the League of Governors, the clandestine organization that presides over the human-cryptid treaty, takes a suspicious turn when Jason's dad and sister disappear on their way to League headquarters. Jason must find them before things go bad, so he follows their trail to London where he discovers the League of Governors may not be the benevolent organization everyone believes.
Injured and alone, Jason doesn't know whom to trust. After a shocking loss sends him reeling, news about his family forces Jason to make a terrible choice. When he learns of a secret plan to enslave the world, Jason must risk his life to defeat a powerful enemy and reunite what's left of his family. But can he stop a dominating adversary and again save the world before it's too late?
ABOUT Wendy Terrian:
Wendy Terrien received her first library card at age two, and a few years later started writing her own stories. Her debut novel, The Rampart Guards,
earned a Kirkus starred review
and was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2016. The novel is a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist, a Next Generation Indies Award Finalist, and is the first in her intriguing urban fantasy series. The next two books in the series will be The League of Governors and The Clan Calling.
Wendy graduated from the University of Utah
and transplanted to Colorado where she completed her MBA at the University of Denver. She focused her marketing expertise on the financial and technology industries until a career coach stepped in and reminded Wendy of her passion for writing.
Wendy lives in the Denver area with her husband, Kevin, and their three dogs. Visit her at www.wendyterrien.com.
Saturday, August 19
:
Laurie Ann Pokin
with
Dear Aunt Catherine
; 6pm at Tattered Cover Colfax
An exciting tale of an unlikely friendship between the royal princess to the Chinese empire and a penniless street thief. Together, they set out to solve the mystery of an ancient myth and find the magical Tears of Hathor. The Tears are the only thing that can lift the fearsome curse that plagues the Chinese people and their Emperor.
Through a series of daring and action-filled adventures, the princess and the rogue must rely on their new friends to help them battle evil forces that seek to eliminate them. This two-book series is sure to keep you turning the pages for more.
ABOUT RICHARD JOHNSON:
Richard J. Johnson is an award-winning non-fiction writer as well as a novelist.
He has lived the adventures and studied the stories, myths and folklore he brings to life in The Princess and the Rogue book series. He made his career as a medical doctor at the University of Colorado Health and is known for his groundbreaking research on the effects of sugar on the human body. Richard J. Johnson is a fabulous story-teller having travelled the world over seeking adventure and knowledge which created a great love and passion for his craft as a novelist.
 ABOUT A Court of Wings and Ruin
:
Feyre has returned to the
Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. In this thrilling third book in the #1
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.
 ABOUT SARAH J. MAAS: The #1
New York Times
bestselling author of the
Throne of Glass
series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms - and the series' prequel, The Assassin's Blade; as well as the Throne of Glass Coloring Book, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and A Court of Mist and Fury. A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and
dog.
www.worldofsarahjmaas.com
,Facebook: /throneofglass, Instagram: therealsjmaas, Twitter: @SJMaas
Saturday, September 23: Kyle T. Cowan with Sunshine is Forever; 2pm at Tattered Cover LoDo
 ABOUT KYLE T. COWAN: Kyle T. Cowan is an actor whose first big-screen appearance was in Odd Thomas. Most recently, he appeared in Better Call Saul, Preacher, War on Everyone, and MANH(A)TTAN. He is also recognized for writing, directing, producing, editing, and starring in the indie feature film, Camouflage. Cowan holds a fine arts degree in writing and directing from the University of Colorado Denver. He now resides in Los Angeles, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sunshine is Forever is his first published novel.
- ABOUT SUNSHINE IS FOREVER: After a life-changing event, Hunter decides that he can
 't go on??which lands him in Camp Sunshine, a rehab center for depressed teens. Hunter is determined to keep everyone there out of his head, especially his therapist. But when he meets Corin, a beautiful, mysterious, and confident fellow camper, all Hunter wants to do is open up to her?despite the fact that he's been warned Corin is bad news. When Corin devises a plan for them to break out of the camp, Hunter is faced with the ultimate choice?will he run from the traumatic incident he's tried so hard to escape, or will he learn that his mistakes have landed him right where he's meant to be?
Saturday, November 4: 2nd Annual Colorado Teen Book Con; Littleton High School in Littleton, CO For more information, click here!
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YA Books We're Loving
Review by Kayla, Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member.
2017 Colorado Teen Book Con Author!
"Far in to the future the upper classes of humanity live in space and have created diabolics, which aren't fully human and can only love the person they are made to protect. When the king calls for Sidnoia to come join his court due to her father's illegal behavior her diabolic, Nemesis, goes in her place quickly having to learn how to act like a human to protect Sidona. This beautifully crafted science fiction book is one of my favorites I've read this year with excellent world building, unique characters and leave you wondering as to what really defines humanity.
"
ABOUT THE BOOK
"The perfect kind of high-pressure adventure." -- TeenVogue.com
A
New York Times bestseller
Red Queen meets
The Hunger Games
in this epic novel about what happens when a senator's daughter is summoned to the galactic court as a hostage, but she's really the galaxy's most dangerous weapon in disguise.
A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you've been created for. Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator's daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe. When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia's father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia--a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators' children. It's a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything. As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life--and the empire.
Review by Zoe J., Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member.
"
The setting in Montenegro provides a fitting background for this magically spun tale. A book that reads like a modern fairytale,
Wicked like a Wildflower
follows two sisters as they trace their heritage and uncover their identity in their quest to save their mother. This book is wonderful as it examines the good and bad in characters and the relationship between mother and daughter.
"
ABOUT THE BOOK:
"Lush. Delicious. Bewildering. And darkly magical. Popovic has created a world that you tumble into from the very first words and wish you could stay in forever." -- Evelyn Skye, author of The Crown's Game
"Wicked Like a Wildfire was like devouring a succulent fairy fruit--it will rob your time, settle into your dreams, and leave you starving for more." -- Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen
Fans of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo will be bewitched by Lana Popovic's debut YA fantasy novel about a bargain that binds the fates--and hearts--of twin sisters to a force larger than life.
All the women in Iris and Malina's family have the unique magical ability or "gleam" to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line--but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
Wicked Like a Wildfire is the first in a two-book series. Readers will be rapt with anticipation for the sequel.
Reviews by Kayla, Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board members.
"
In this historical fiction novel Henry "Monty" Montague is a bisexual upper class teenager setting off on his tour around Europe with his best friend Percy and Monty's younger sister. But this trip is more than Monty expected with his growing feelings for Percy and when he steals from a duke things take a turn for the worst for the threesome. A fun historical read with entertaining characters that is a quick read, despite it's size."
A hilarious and swashbuckling stand-alone teen historical fiction novel, named one of summer's 20 must-read books by
Entertainment Weekly.
A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by
This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee--
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.
Henry "Monty" Montague doesn't care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family's estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty's reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
by Patrick Ness
Review by Anna, Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member.
"
The Rest of Us Just Live Here
is a fascinating book with a fascinating concept: a town where all the "hero" kids go off on their adventures, and everyone else lives a "normal life". The book follows Mikey, his sister, Mel, his best friend, Jared, and the girl Mikey's not-so-secretly pining after, Henna. Not only does Patrick Ness create an engaging narrative that actually feels like it's about real teenage characters and not archetypes, it pokes fun at the stereotypes that often accompany YA books in the most friendly ways possible. Perfect for fans of contemporary and fantasy.
"
ABOUT THE BOOK:
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults * Cooperative Children's Book Center CCBC Choice * Michael Printz Award shortlist * Six starred reviews * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * VOYA Perfect Ten * NYPL Top Ten Best Books of the Year for Teens * Chicago Public Library Best Teen Books of the Year * Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books * ABC Best Books for Children * Bank Street Best Books List
A new YA novel from novelist Patrick Ness, author of the Carnegie Medal- and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning
A Monster Calls,
The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a bold and irreverent novel that powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.
What if you aren't the Chosen One? The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?
What if you're like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.
Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.
Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions.
by Sharon Cameron
Review by Jacob, Tattered Cover Teen Advisory Board member.
"The Forgetting tells the story of a quiet heroine, Nadia. From outside the walls of Canaan lies the unknown, and the Forgetting has cemented the cities isolation. But Nadia may be able to save it. She may hold the key to remembering. In this modern epic we see the strength of a silent rebellion, and the effect it has on a city. Sharon Cameron weaves words into a story you won't want to forget."
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What isn't written, isn't remembered. Even your crimes. Nadia lives in the city of Canaan, where life is safe and structured, hemmed in by white stone walls and no memory of what came before. But every twelve years the city descends into the bloody chaos of the Forgetting, a day of no remorse, when each person's memories -- of parents, children, love, life, and self -- are lost. Unless they have been written.
In Canaan, your book is your truth and your identity, and Nadia knows exactly who hasn't written the truth. Because Nadia is the only person in Canaan who has never forgotten.
But when Nadia begins to use her memories to solve the mysteries of Canaan, she discovers truths about herself and Gray, the handsome glassblower, that will change her world forever. As the anarchy of the Forgetting approaches, Nadia and Gray must stop an unseen enemy that threatens both their city and their own existence -- before the people can forget the truth. And before Gray can forget
her
.
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August ARC Giveaway!
Deadline to enter is one week from the date of this email.
HOW TO ENTER
Email
Kristen with "ARC Giveaway" in the subject line expressing your interest in being entered into the random drawing to win the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC).
THE RULES
You agree not to sell the ARC. You agree to not quote from the ARC. You must be able to pick up the book at one of our Denver Metro locations (Colfax, LoDo, Aspen Grove).
by Melanie Crowder
Melanie is one of our
2017 Colorado Teen Book Con Authors!
AND
Meet Melanie in the Local Author Spotlight in this
issue!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Modern history unearthed as a boy becomes an innocent victim of corruption in Bolivia's crime world, where the power of family is both a prison and a means of survival.It's 1999 in Bolivia and Francisco's life consists of school, soccer, and trying to find space for himself in his family's cramped yet boisterous home. But when his father is arrested on false charges and sent to prison by a corrupt system that targets the uneducated, the poor, and the indigenous majority, Francisco and his sister are left with no choice: They must move into prison with their father. There, they find a world unlike anything they've ever known, where everything--a door, a mattress, protection from other inmates--has its price. Prison life is dirty, dire, and dehumanizing. With their lives upended, Francisco faces an impossible decision: Break up the family and take his sister to their grandparents in the Andean highlands, fleeing the city and the future within his grasp, or remain together in the increasingly dangerous prison. Pulled between two undesirable options, Francisco must confront everything he once believed about the world and his place within it. In this heart-wrenching novel, Melanie Crowder sheds light on a little-known era of modern South American history--where injustice still looms large--and proves that hope can be found, even in the most desperate places. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys, Matt de la Pena, and Jacqueline Woodson.
★ "Crowder delivers a disturbing portrait of innocent families trapped in corrupt systems, as well as a testament to the strength of enduring cultural traditions and the possibility of finding family in the unlikeliest places." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Readers will feel utterly invested in Francisco's various challenges...A riveting, Dickensian tale." -- Kirkus, starred review
★ "Themes of poverty, social injustice...violence toward women, coming-of-age, romantic love, and a sliver of precarious hope are woven into the plot... An] important addition to libraries."--School Library Journal, starred review " A] trenchant novel...This hard-hitting, ultimately hopeful story will open readers' eyes to a lesser-known historical moment and the far-reaching implications of U.S. policy." -- Booklist
★
"This novel is raw, gripping, poetic and bold....Crowder takes you on an emotional pilgrimage that you won't want to end." -- RT Book Reviews, five-starred review
ABOUT MELANIE CROWDER
MELANIE CROWDER
Melanie Crowder is the author of National Jewish Book Award finalist and ILA Notable Book for a Global Society Audacity, as well as A Nearer Moon and Parched. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Melanie lives with her family on Colorado's Front Range where she has worked as an educator for more than a decade.
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We look forward to seeing you at Tattered Cover and online!
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Follow Us!
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EDUCATORS!
Save the Date
Tattered Cover's
Thursday
September 7
6pm - 9pm
Tattered Cover Colfax
We had a glitch with ticket sales "ending" but it's fixed now.
Go register!!!)
It's official! We're hosting our very first Educator Night! This is a special event expressly with school educators in mind. Come enjoy a unique, fun-filled evening celebrating books and reading --
and you.
Mingle with our wonderful local authors, meet our publisher rep friends who will "speed date" their top fave books coming out this Fall, learn about Tattered Cover's school initiative to get kids reading and how we can work together and share our resources throughout the year. Libations, snacks, ARCs, prizes, trivia, networking, meeting new friends, and fun a-plenty! You'll leave excited, enthusiastic and energized.
Bring your educator friends! Teachers, principals, school librarians, etc.
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Tattered Cover's
YA Bestseller List
July 2017
Based on Tattered Cover sales from July 1 - July 31, 2017
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YA Local Author Spotlight
A special section celebrating our rich local literary culture.
Meet
MELANIE CROWDER!
Melanie is one of our 2017 Colorado Teen Book Con Authors!
Enter to win an ARC
of her new YA book
at the end of this email.
ABOUT MELANIE
Melanie Crowder is the author of National Jewish Book Award finalist and ILA Notable Book for a Global Society,
Audacity, and the new,
An Uninterrupted View of the Sky for young adults, as well as middle grade books,
Three Pennies,
A Nearer Moon and
Parched. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Melanie lives with her family on Colorado's Front Range where she has worked as an educator for more than a decade.
Melanie loves to visit schools -- and she lives right here in Denver! Check out her school visits information on her website at
www.melaniecrowder.net.
LIGHTNING INTERVIEW
1.
What do you hope teens will take away from stories like Audacity and AN UNINTERRUPTED VIEW OF THE SKY?
I hope Audacity inspires young people to make our world a more just place.
Oh, gosh. How long do you have?
Okay, I'll try to make this short. I volunteered in Bolivia in the late 90s and learned some things about the human cost of the U.S.'s War on Drugs that your average citizen was unaware of.
My hope in writing An Uninterrupted View of the Sky was that people would read the book and ask themselves: What is my role as a participant in this democracy in holding our government accountable for their actions around the world?
3. What do you find is different between writing for middle grade and young adult?
I think middle grade is all about coming to understand our interior worlds, and YA is reckoning with the exterior. But at both ages, readers are smart and inquisitive, and such a delight to write for!
4. Do you have any writing advice for teens (or kids)?
I like to tell young writers to be kind to themselves. At this stage in their writing life, it's all about exploring, taking creative risks, being brave and having fun. There is plenty of time down the road to be critical. For now, simply enjoy it!
5. What is your favorite word?
I'm fascinated by words in other languages that don't have an English translation. My favorite right now is a Japanese word: Komorebi, which means sunlight filtering through trees.
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Teen Advisory Board
This is a group of book-loving teens who meet every month or so to plan and produce programming for anyone excited about YA literature. Board members have the opportunity to use their creativity, social media skills, and enthusiasm for books to help with all aspects of event promotion, planning, and execution; introduce (and hang out with) authors at events; write book blurbs; give book talks; get FREE advanced reading copies; and even help select authors who come to the store for events or visit schools. It's fun, rewarding, and a great resumé builder. Currently, we meet at our Aspen Grove and now our Colfax locations. For more info, read our
TAB Info & Application. To sign up for the TAB, email
Kristen Gilligan. (And tell your bookish friends!)
NEXT MEETING @
Aspen Grove:
Tuesday, August 22 from 7pm - 8:30pm
TAB @ AG Book Group is reading
The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody. We'll be discussing it just before the September 12 meeting from 6pm - 7pm.
NEXT MEETING @
Colfax Avenue:
Wednesday, August 23 from 7pm - 8:30pm
TAB @ CF Book Group is reading
The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young. We'll be discussing it just before the August 23 meeting from 6pm - 7pm.
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Author Visits
in Schools
They're FREE!
I mean, who doesn't love a school assembly?
Seriously though, Tattered Cover can bring an author into your school to speak to smaller groups of English or writing classes, or a full school-wide assembly.
The best part is that's there no cost to the school. If this sounds interesting, just connect us with your school librarian or principal.
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Write a
Book Review!
Have you ever walked through a bookstore and seen little cards sticking out of shelves with book reviews? Have those reviews ever made you want to buy a book?
Those cards are called shelf talkers, and we're looking for teens to write shelf talkers for their favorite books. Your friends and family -- and a lot of total strangers -- can see your reviews on the shelves at Tattered Cover. How cool is that?
To write reviews, send an email to
Kristen Gilligan with "Teen Book Review" in the subject line.
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Listen:
It's a great way to enjoy a book!
Multi-task in style!
Download the free Libro.fm app, buy an audiobook and get stuff done. Listen while you workout, fold laundry, go on a road trip. Libro.fm has just about every title you could want. It's easy and convenient!
LIBRO.FM MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE!
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"Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood."
--John Green
"Most of what makes a book 'good' is that we are reading it at the right moment for us."
--Alain de Botton
"If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book."
--J.K. Rowling
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