Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story

There are some things I would happily get terminal cancer to make happen. I'd like Superman to fly into Iron Man in Man of Steel (although the winner of the battle of wits is pretty obvious). I'd like J.K. Rowling to write a short story in which Harry Potter kills some vampires. I'd like a character in the Kane Chronicles to run into some weird kid in an orange t-shirt with a pen. Mostly, I'd like there to be a minisode of Doctor Who in which he and Sherlock Holmes walk past each other on a London street and don't notice each other. How hard would that be? Moffat, four cheekbones, two minutes, and one Christmas charity telethon and the donations you'd get would end world hunger and get us colonies on Mars. All in probably less than ten hours.

But everyone seems to be too stuffy for crossovers. Even though an episode of Doctor Merthur Wholock: the Downton Abbey Years could get us to the final frontier, we have to keep our art separate because that's The Rule.  And sometimes, like in the case of something potentially titled Doctor Merthur Wholock: the Downton Abbey Years, I can see why we have Rules. That sounds like a really horrible idea.

But you don't have to look very far down Netflix or the best sellers lists to notice that the artists having the most success are the ones that have started to have just as much fun toying with their work as a fan fiction site.

So anyway, let's congratulate Ally Carter for being cooler than Steven Moffat and writing a short story mash-up between her two lovely series, Gallagher Girls and Heist Society! It made my day to stumble across it. The novella is called Double Crossed and available for free online through this classy little site she's set up on Kindle, iBookstore, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, and as a PDF file for your computer. Does anyone know what Kobo is?

While I haven't finished yet it's been the perfect thing to get me through the last week before Perfect Scoundrels, the latest Heist Society book, comes out (Feb. 5!).

Did I really write the phrase "cooler than Steven Moffat" up there? You should know before you judge me that it's pretty late at night here. I've been reading witty conversations between Macy McHenry and W.W. Hale. The Fifth. And I'm a little too excited I can say that.

Books to Look for this Spring 2013

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Coming Feburary

It seems like I will never outgrow Ally Carter novels: the ultimate cheesy pleasure. Have I mentioned? This newest addition to the Heist Society series has me ticking down days on my calendar. Don't judge.

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Coming Feburary

So far I've heard only great reviews about Jennifer E. Smith from my favorite authors. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is also sitting at the top of my Books to Read list. This Is What Happy Looks Like is one of those small town girl meets celebrity novels we never can seem to find in in ourselves to get tired of. And I really love whoever does this cover art.

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead
Coming March

Teenage amnesiac awakes with nothing but a copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. Fulfills both of my most statistically unlikely life goals (be named after an author and get amnesia- I could re-cry over all the Harry Potters) in less than 300 pages.

The King's English: 35 Reasons to Buy Local in Salt Lake City

1. It's not a store. 
2. It's a bookshop. 
3. Try saying "I'm off to the bookshop" without smiling.
4. "I'm off to the bookshop!"
5. The shop is converted from an old house. Isn't it charming? I would have lived there before it was stuffed full of books.
6. Okay you caught me, I'd still live there.
7. The book signings held at King's English give you the feel of having a personal chat with the author. 
8. Luckily, any books signing that's any book signing takes place through King's English. For example:
9. These are the people responsible for me meeting Rick Riordan. 
10. RICK RIORDAN. 
11. These are the people responsible for me meeting Shannon Hale. 
12. These are the people responsible for me meeting Ally Condie.
13. These are the people responsible for me meeting Gail Carson Levine. 
14. GAIL CARSON LEVINE. 
15. These are the people responsible for me meeting Ally Carter. 
16. These are the people responsible for me meeting Neal Shusterman. 
17. Their weekly newsletter is the only email I ever read all the way through. Sorry if you email me.
18. I once heard Shannon Hale say, "When a book is put up on display in Barnes and Noble, it's because somebody paid to have it there."
19. "When a book in on display in King's English, it's because somebody read it, and they loved it."
20. They have ivy-covered walls. 
21. One of their booksellers this past year got engaged there. 
22. The bookseller's boyfriend asked her to help him find a book- with a ring inside it. 
23. Would it really matter WHO was proposing to you if they proposed like this. 
24. I guess so but still. 
25. Their reception was on the patio of the store bookshop.
26. You know, next to the ivy-covered walls.
27. I love their children's section. I'm not ashamed of children's books on Read My Print and neither are they.
28. In fact, their children's section is the coolest part of the shop.
29. You just about have to have a PhD in English literature to be hired.
30. I can't get over that proposal.
31. They're responsible for the signings with Ally Condie and Lemony Snicket I'm going to cover this month. 
32. Working there is on my bucket list. 
33. "I'm off to the bookshop."
34. This fall, the shop is celebrating its 35th birthday. 
35. If you're near Salt Lake, celebrate by heading up to The King's English and buying a book. 

www.kingsenglish.com

Keeping Up With Your Favorite Authors: The Author Blog Awards

Authors are my favorite brand of people. They're obsessive readers, they're always describing things dramatically that don't need to be described dramatically, and they write the best blogs out of anyone I know. However, some blogs stick out more than others.

So, welcome to the Annual Author Blog Awards, where the most hilarious stories, best layouts, and most exciting spoiler reveals will all get the applause they deserve. If you see a blog by an author you love, click the links to their sites and make sure to follow. 

Accidentally Laughing Out Loud At Your Computer Award: The Most Hilarious Author Blog

Janette Rallison (janette-rallison.blogspot.com) 

My Fair Godmother, My Double Life

How many times have I posted about Janette Rallison? Like, four or seven. Click on the links I've posted already. Rallison won this award with her post The Worst Pick Up Lyrics of 2012. I won't ever listen to Drive By the same way again. Actually, I've already listened to it again, and I was right. It wasn't the same. Her posts also keep you updated on her (many) new book projects and great giveaways. You'll never be sorry you follow her blog . . . especially if she rewards you with a signed ARC.

Click below to read books by the winner of the renowned Accidentally Laughing Out Loud At Your Computer award:

My Unfair Godmother, by Janette Rallison- THE best book I have read by her. Click here to get the COM in RomCom. And the Rom.

Just One Wish, by Janette Rallison- There is hope for teen lit. There is.

The Fan-tastic Blog Award: The Most Fandom Involving Author Blog

Ally Carter (allycarter.com/blog)

The Gallagher Girls series, The Heist Society series

My apologies are sent to Ally for the horrible pun involved in her award title. Her blog is fantastic, though. It's completely composed of giveaways, contests, trivia competitions and a constant link to her Twitter feed. What pushed the Gallagher Girls to the top for me, though, was this addition to her site: a webpage for the fictional school for spies in her books, where fans can apply to the school, get code names and class schedules, and even read unpublished short stories about the characters. Way to step up the game. 

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, resembles James Bond and Ocean's Eleven- teenage girl style. Written by the creator of the most fandom-friendly blog. I loved these on audio. Click if you dare:
Uncommon Criminals, by Ally Carter- Nothing's classier than an art heist . . . except a jewel heist. Click.
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy, by Ally Carter- ON AUDIO! Double WIN.

The Self-(And Not-So-Self) Help Award: The Best Writing Advice Blog

Gail Carson Levine (gailcarsonlevine.blogspot.com)

Ella Enchanted, Fairest

Advice from the author of Ella Enchanted? Yes. Please. Gail Carson Levine's lovely blog is nearly an advice column for hopeful authors, where she answers comments and messages sent to her about writing technicalities and tricks. She has actually written a book of writing advice titled Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly (which is a great writing read) and I trust her advice 100%. If you're an aspiring writer, author blogs like hers can be a great resource to the inner workings of Publisher Heaven. Take her up on the offer and follow for advice!

Check out the work of Gail Carson Levine, winner of the Self (and Not-So-Self) Help award. I want to be her when I grow up. 
The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine- Adults and teens can handle being mature enough for a good children's story.
The Wish, by Gail Carson Levine- Less popular than her other books . . . why?!

The I'm-A-Guy-that-Blogs Award: For the Guys . . . that Blog
Rick Riordan (rickriordan.blogspot.com)
Percy Jackson series, Kane Chronicles
John Green (johngreenbooks.com and nerdfighters.com)
The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns

Statistically, guys are less likely to have a blog. But guys make great bloggers- especially author bloggers. Take Rick* and John Green as examples. Not only are they two of the funniest YA authors around, but they also host two of the funniest YA blogs.

While any Percy Jackson or Kane fan should see Rick's blog as an essential follow, it isn't only good for spoilers and book tour dates. I've gotten suggestions for great reads from his blog as well. (Not to say his blog ISN'T good for spoilers. It's great for those.)

John Green is a hilarious vlogger and blogger, and his sites have a nearly cult following. Wondering why (like I was)? Follow either of his blogs and you'll figure it out pretty quickly. While I'm going to admit I'm not a Nerdfighter, I can't help but be impressed.

Our buddy Rick. If you haven't read these, you're never getting initiated into that club. Never. 
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan- ON AUDIO. My favoritefavoritefavorite way to read.
The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan- the latest in the Kane Chronicles

I ought to read these, too. 
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green- Yeah, he beat you to that title.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- legend tells of a movie coming soon

While author blogs are a must, no reader's repetoire is complete without a good book blog to follow. Sign in with a Google account to join Read My Print. No, we're not a Nerdfighters cult, but if you follow, maybe we'll let you in on our top secret club password. After initiation, of course.

*As you've probably seen before, I just can't call this guy by his last name. It's like calling your favorite goofy uncle "Mr. Riordan".