Author Interview and Blog Tour with Scott Nicholson (plus Kindle Giveaway)

Today we welcome supernatural thriller author Scott Nicolson to My Reading Room.  I'm participating in Scott's Blog Tour and he's giving away a Kindle and some other goodies to one commenter during the blog tour, so read the interview, and then check out the end of the post for information about how to enter the giveaway.  I will have a review later in the day of The Skull Ring.

NOTE TO ALL:  Though the interview talks about the horror genre, please know that the one book of Scott's I have read so far, The Skull Ring, is very low on the blood and gore spectrum.  Think of it more in the supernatural thriller genre and he's right when he says in the comments below, there is a lot  more gore in James Patterson books than in The Skull Ring.  I plan on reading more of his books and expect the same.  So don't let my use of the word horror frighten you away - Scott is an author worth trying if you like thrillers with a supernatural element.

How did you celebrate when you found out The Red Church would be published?

I jumped out of my chair. After all those hundreds of rejections, it was great to get the phone call. I figured it would happen sooner or later, because I was going to stick with it, but it might have been much, much later. Validation!

How would you describe your books to others?

Usually “supernatural thrillers,” but it depends on where I am and the crowd I am in. Sometimes just “thrillers.”

Where did the idea for The Skull Ring come from?

It was an attempt to write a more conventional suspense novel, with no supernatural elements. But it’s still set in the Appalachian Mountains like my other books.

Who do you think has influenced you the most to write in the horror genre?

Probably Stephen King, just because he happened to be a great writer and the most commercially successful writer on the planet. And I loved those old mountain ghost stories my grandmother used to tell.

What made you decide to write horror novels?

It was partly because there were so many horror short story markets, so I had some sales, and figured I would be able to find an audience from there. And I guess the supernatural just interests me because of all the spiritual mysteries.

I think I read my first horror novel when I was about 13 (Christopher Pike and soon moved to Stephen King), my son is already reading Goosebumps books at 8, when did you first read a horror novel?

I jumped in without knowing it, reading The Exorcist and The Sentinel at a very early age, two religious-themed horror novels. So I guess the die was cast since I also like religious or spiritual overtones.

Did you plan your books out or do you just write and see where they take you?

I usually have a general idea but I never outline. I like to see where I will end up.

Do you get time to read? What are your favorite types of books to read?

I love to read but I do so much reading on the Internet, keeping up with books, bloggers, and publishing changes, as well as all I have to read as a newspaper reporter, that I have to do most of my “reading” on audiobooks. But I usually work on several books at once.

What is your favorite room in your house?

We love the kitchen but I spend most of my time in the main room, where we have desks and computers. There’s a big picture window and an undeveloped mountain, and my neighbors are horses and cows. It has white walls and pine floors and glows when the sun shines.

What is your favorite spot to read in?

Bed or the bathtub.

What is your favorite snack food?

Popcorn or chips and homemade salsa.

What is your favorite season?

Autumn.

Do you have a schedule for writing each day or do you just do it when you can?

I work best when I have a couple of hours every morning but life doesn’t work that way right now, so I just do it whenever I can.

Where do you do the majority of your writing?

At my desk at home, but I will work on my laptop if I am too mobile.

Did you find writing The Skull Ring to be difficult or did the book just take off with no problems?

It was fairly straightforward and I didn’t have to revise it too much. I would like to bring Julia Stone back and maybe make a “cult buster” character out of her, since it takes her the entire novel to gain her strength and will.

Any book signings/conferences/public/blog appearances in the near future?

This blog tour is about all I can think about right now. It’s more fun that going to big conferences where so much is going on, it’s hard to keep up with it all. I will try to do one big event a year and I teach at occasional writing workshops. I also run a comic-book show so that’s another place I meet readers.

Do you have a new book in the works?

Right now I am collaborating on a novel called “Cursed” with J.R. Rain. It will be out in November. 

Anything else you would like to say?

This tour has been a wonderful chance to meet readers and bloggers, and I appreciate all the comments. I’ve learned a lot and I wish I could give everyone a Kindle. Don’t forget to sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter to increase your chances of winning a Kindle and other future prizes. And don’t forget to leave some form of contact info in the comments in case you win.

Thanks so much for agreeing to do an interview with me.

Thank you, Crystal.

---------------------

Scott Nicholson is author of The Skull Ring, Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, and nine other novels, five story collections, four comics series, and six screenplays. A journalist and freelance editor in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, he often uses local legends in his work. This tour is sponsored by Amazon, Kindle Nation Daily, and Dellaster Design.

To be eligible for the Kindle DX, simply post a comment below with contact info. Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. Visit all the blogs on the tour and increase your odds. I’m also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free ebooks to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. And, hey, buy my books and put me in the Top 100 and I’ll throw in another random Kindle 3 giveaway. Thanks for playing. Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

What are you Reading Monday - September 27

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week 

• Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin (review)
• Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow (review)
• Definitely Dead (audiobook)
• Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
• Secret Society by Tom Dolby (review)
• The Trust by Tom Dolby (review)
• The Ivy by Laura Kunze (review)
• The Skull Ring by Scott Nicholson (review)

Reading Now:

• Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
  
• Love Means Zero by Daisy Jordan
• Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast (audiobook in car)
  

Next: 

• Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten
• The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
• Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
• Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund

Reviews completed this week (books read before this week):

• Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
• Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
• Manifest by Artist Arthur
• The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff 

Other books still need to review:

• Wings by Aprilynne Pike (library) 
• The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (mine)  
• The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz
• Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook)
• Matched by Ally Condie (review)
• Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook) 
• Evermore by Alyson Noel (library)  
• Spells by Aprylynne Pike (library) 
• Nightshade by Andrea Cremer  (review)
• Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler (review)
• God is in the Pancakes by Robin Epstein (review)
• Candor by Pam Bachorz
• Crusade by  Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie  
• The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan 
• Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck 
• Tough Customer by Sandra Brown
• Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales

Summary -
Great reading week - I participated in the Fall Catch-Up Read-a-Thon and had a blast reading 5 full books and finishing up three others.  I also made it through some overdue review and hope to continue that this week and also complete my scheduled reviews as well.


Best of the week:  The Skull Ring because I forgot how much I missed this genre - supernatural suspense or horror, whatever you like to call it - it was nail-biting and good. My review will be going up later today along with an author interview which you can comment on to be eligible to win a Kindle 3!


For humor and making me laugh it was a great week as well.  I was sitting at a stop light one day this week listening to a scene in Hard Eight with Grandma Mazur, Stephanie, a guy in a Bill Clinton mask and a guy in a rabbit suit and I had tears running down my face I was laughing so hard.  This also happened Friday night at home while reading The Ivy which has some serious moments, but one scene that had me in hysterics.

Fall Catch-Up Read-a-Thon: Finish Line

I participated in the Fall Catch-Up-Read-a-Thon hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict.  It was a lot of fun and helped me catch up on some of my reading.  I'll never to totally caught up but I'm a sucker for read-a-thons!. 

Stop by The True Book Addict and see who else is participated.

What I hope to read:

Finished:
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (audiobook, had already started) 
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich (audiobook,  had already started) 
Secret Society by Tom Dolby
The Trust by Tom Dolby 
The Ivy by Lauren Kunze 
The Skull Ring by Scott Nicholson 

Still Reading:



Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

Didn't Get To:

Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci
The Starlet by Mary McNamara
Poison by Sara Poole


My goal was 5 books and I read 5 full books start-to-finish, and finished up 3 other so I am thrilled.  It was a great reading week with no duds and a lot of fun to partake in the read-a-thon!

Author Interview: Katherine Chloe Cahoon

Today I have author Katherine Chloe Cahoon joining us at My Reading Room, she is the author of The Single Girl's Guide to Meeting European Men which comes out October 1.  I have the book in my hands and I'm anxious to read it, so my review will be coming in the next week or so.  Until then please enjoy this interview.  More information about the book follows the interview.

How did you celebrate when you found out The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men to would be published?

I vividly remember the day I received my book deal. I was in LA juggling what seemed like a kazillion meetings…some were at studios and some at production companies. Because my meetings were back-to-back and I had to dress more formally at certain places, I was literally changing en route. It was crazy! When I got the news, I absolutely wanted to celebrate, so I went to Crumbs Cupcakes. If you have never been there, it’s a must-go! This is cupcake heaven. Seriously, I can’t think of what better celebration a girl could have…well maybe she could add an appealing man to share her cupcake.   

How would you describe The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men to others?

My book is a hybrid of dating/relationship and travel with a chick lit feel. The latter comes from all of the true man-meeting stories it features about my girlfriends and me. I tell what worked, what didn’t, and why. These stories can be read just for fun, or to obtain practical advice. My book is a useful travel guide in the sense that I tell where different types of girls can go in 20 different European countries to find intriguing European men. The spectrum ranges from top places for ladies interested in outdoor sports to ones for those who want to hit the clubs. Every hot spot in my guide is tried and true…meaning that my friends and I had très excellent experiences at them!

Where did the idea for The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men come from?

Every time I returned to Vanderbilt after a summer in Europe, my girlfriends asked me an avalanche questions about the guys I met and my flirting tips. They urged me to write a book to help with their vacays abroad, so I did. I wanted them to have fabulous times too!

You spent summers in Europe during college, what is one of your most memorable moment when meeting a European man?

There are so many memorable moments! One of my favorites is when I first dared to venture out in Europe on my own. In my book, I advise women to not be afraid to go places by themselves—that is, during the day when it is safe. The first time I got the courage to go solo was when I was in London. There was this restaurant in the performing district that was shaped like a theater. Noteworthy opera singers showcased their work and guests dined at tables in the balcony, boxes, and orchestra pit. I really wanted to go, but for some strange reason, none of my friends were interested. I went alone and had the best time. The host seated me at the only table onstage. It was next to the pianist. The lead singer dedicated a song to me, and some appealing guys invited me to join them for tea. Then they invited me out for the evening.

What is one tip you would share from your experiences?

Don’t worry about being so-called “perfect” looking. What is that anyway? I feel like today when plastic surgery is so prevalent, girls think they are supposed to look a certain way. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against letting a girl look her best, and I’m not against plastic surgery if that is what she truly wants. I have just noticed that many females don’t feel good about themselves if they don’t fall into the “perfect” cookie cutter image. Let’s face it, no one does.

From spending so much time in Europe, I have noticed that many men there are much more concerned about a girl’s personality than her physical features… So a woman should play up the great assets that she does have and go out with confidence. I have a friend who is in Scotland right now. She emailed me recounting a story of when she arrived. Having traveled for hours, she entered a pub in sweats. All of the other girls were dressed to the nines in mini-skirts, but this didn’t seem to matter. My friend had a charming personality that drew the men in. She was swarmed by suave Scots. 

Did you plan this book out or do you just write and see where it took you?

I honestly jumped in, started writing, and saw where the ideas took me. As I stated before, I originally wrote The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men as a little tip book for girlfriends. Then during a meeting for one of my screenplays, a producer asked if I had ever written a book. He had been affiliated with the movie He’s Just Not That Into You and was interested in book/movie adaptations. I told him about my little tip book. He loved the idea, gave me guidance, and encouraged me to turn it into a real book.

Do you get time to read? What are your favorite types of books to read?

I try to find time to read. Honestly, I love a variety of books from The Catcher in the Rye which mostly appeals to my guy friends, to very girl-centric classics like Gone with the Wind.

What is your favorite room in your house?

I know it sounds bad, but I would have to say the kitchen. I LOVE to eat!!

What is your favorite spot to read in?

A bubble bath. I pick out a Lush bubble bar fragrance depending on the feel of the book. For example, if I’m reading a romance novel, I go for something like their French Kiss bar which is made with lavender and is soothing. If I’m reading a book filled with history that calls for deep thinking, I choose something like their Phoenix bar which has rejuvenating ingredients to turn on the brain.  

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite healthy snack food is fruit…I especially like straight pineapple blended into a smoothie. I first had it in Hawaii and drank the blend directly from the pineapple. My favorite unhealthy snack food is Ben & Jerry’s ice cream all the way!

What is your favorite season?

I really love fall with the turning leaves. When I was little, my grandpa and I would rake the leaves up after they fell and make Halloween decorations out of them, so fall brings good memories. He has passed away, but every time I see the leaves, I feel like he is near.

Since fall is such a favorite of mine, it is especially nice to have my first book come out during that season.

Do you have a schedule for writing each day or do you just do it when you can?

I write almost everyday, but not at set times. My writing schedule really depends on when my meetings are held. I have quite a few of them between my book and my screenplays. Sometimes I get my best ideas when I am doing other things, like going to a party, taking a dance class, or getting ready for bed. I often keep a little notebook handy where I can jot down thoughts. 

Where do you do the majority of your writing?

I travel between Seattle, my hometown, and LA, where I take screenwriting meetings. Because of this, I write in a variety of places from in my office to on airplanes, and at the beach. When a fast-approaching deadline was bearing down on me, I even took my netbook to the salon and typed away while getting my hair cut. My stylist joked that her salon could double as an office!  

Did you find writing The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men to be difficult or did the book just take off with no problems?

I especially enjoyed the creative stages of my book. The ideas flowed easily. The hardest part of writing my book was the editing stage. I’m dyslexic, so I often mangle letters within words and words within sentences without knowing it. For example, I’ll write that a girl sits on a “coach” instead of a “couch.” Not exactly the meaning I intended! I really have to eagle eye all of my work before submitting it.  

Any book signings/conferences/public/blog appearances in the near future?

I’m doing a philanthropy U-Tour (University Tour). At these book signing events, I will donate all my proceeds to a sorority’s favorite philanthropy. I’m very excited to be able to do what I love and at the same time support worthy causes. At one of the schools, a student was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so we are planning a special event to help her. The students are coming up with such creative ideas for these occasions. One is even setting up a European male runway show. It will be a lot of fun! 

I have other book signing events and a radio tour. I keep an updated list of the events that are set in stone on my website: www.MeetingEuropeanMen.com

Do you have a new book in the works?

I actually wrote a children’s book a long time ago. It is a story about one of my childhood fantasies written in the form of a poem. I used it as inspiration for a secret garden in my backyard. When I was 16, The Northwest Flower and Garden Show gave me the Golden Scoop Award for it. I was their youngest winner ever. Here is the link to The Seattle Times article about my garden based on my poem: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2003/0511/plant.html

Last summer, some little girls wanted to come to my garden for a tea party. Their grandma had asked me for a copy of my children’s book and read it to them. They were so adorable! They had the story memorized and reenacted everything in my garden. Maybe when my life settles down, I will submit my children’s book to publishers. Think about going from The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men to a children’s book…quite the crazy leap!

Anything else you would like to say?

There are some man-meeting events and tips in The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men that I thought would be best understood if girls could see them in addition to reading about them. Because of this, I created short video-blogs to accompany my book. They are on my website, www.MeetingEuropeanMen.com, under “Video Archives.”

An example of an event-based v-blog is, “Oktoberfest…a Manfest for Single Girls!” In it, I show pictures of the festivities with commentary and reenactments to help girls get a feel for the event and how best to meet the guys.

A tip-based video is “Be a Beach Beauty…On a Ben & Jerry’s Diet,” In it, I show different bathing suits that are flattering for different girls’ body types. The idea for this v-blog came about after my appealing girlfriend was so self-conscious about her body that she wouldn’t take the cover-up off her bathing suit at a European beach. Sadly, she stayed on her towel and didn’t meet the Euro men. Some friends and I took her shopping to find a bathing suit that she felt good in. I created this video because I don’t want any girls feeling bad about their bodies the way she did. They can be having so much fun instead.

I will be posting more videos in the future.      

 

Thanks so much for agreeing to do an interview with me. It was my pleasure!

The Single Girl's Guide to Meeting European Men 

by Katherine Chloe Cahoon

Publisher:  Greenleaf Book Group Press

Release Date: October 1, 2010

Paperback, 272 pages

About the Book:

A one-of-a-kind book packed with road-tested tips on finding love or lust abroad, and everything in between.

Forty flirty tips, plus a hookup guide broken down by country: This unique book first gives single girls forty proven tips for meeting and interacting with European men, and then takes them through the hottest man-meeting spots in Europe country by country--including phone numbers, addresses, and websites.

Designed for any type of woman to catch any type of European man: Whether scouting around for a spontaneous European fling or prowling for Mr. Love-of-Her-Life, single girls of all kinds can benefit from Cahoon's tips, which take into account the various approaches, boundaries, and goals that women have while dating in Europe. Her advice ranges from the traits of men from different countries, to how to stay safe while meeting them, and how to deal with beaus back home who may complicate an amorous European getaway.

Written with its target audience in mind: With sexy and often hilarious real-life stories from each country, and told in a frank, trendy voice, The Single Girl's Guide will appeal to women ages 18 to 35 who are Europe-bound and looking for a new man-filled adventure. Single girls have found that Cahoon's flirting tips are so successful they work on men at home too.

Book Review: Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

 
Low Red Moon

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Publish Date: September 14, 2010

Hardcover, 256 pages
Young Adult

My Review:
Why I read this:  It sounded like a good book.


How is the novel driven:  This is more suspenseful than a typical young adult paranormal, so I believe it is more plot driven.  Characters are important and I think Ms. Devlin has found a great balance between driving  the plot and developing the characters.


My thoughts: I loved the suspense element of the book.  I loved the romance in the book and I loved the paranormal aspect.  Ms. Devlin does a beautiful job balancing all three and making a book that kept me turning the pages until it was finished.  When it was finished I wished there was more even though things were tied up in the end.  I just didn't want to leave Avery and Ben, I found their stories fascinating and want to read even more.

The characters are well-developed,  yet not completely developed since in a suspense novel you need questions about the characters and there are definitely questions surrounding each of the characters.  I enjoyed watching Avery come to terms with the world that she finds is around her and as she tries to do what is right and fights with her head over her heart.  Ben is mysterious, he is suddenly there and then not and then back.  I like him and like his backstory and want to know more about him and get to know some more through the book.

The book is full of tragedy but Avery and Ben work to overcome it.  It is by no means a depressing book, it is a serious book with a great suspense plot.  I had an idea of what was going on, but was still surprised in the end by who the evil character was, so that made the book great in my mind.

If you enjoy some suspense and romance in your young adult paranormal then this is just the book for you.  Ms. Devlin shows great promise as a writer in this genre and I can't wait to read more of her books.


I see now that Ivy Devlin is a pseudonym for Elizabeth Scott who has a bunch of YA books out.  I have a couple of hers on my TBR pile and I will have to read them very soon.

My Rating: 4.75/5.0

About the Book:
The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver—deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy in school—Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. When Ben reveals he's a werewolf, Avery still trusts him—at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died.Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping, headlong romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. As breathless as Twilight and as spooky as Shiver, this is a book to be devoured in one sitting—by an acclaimed YA author making her paranormal debut under the pseudonym Ivy Devlin.

About the Author:
IVY DEVLIN is the pseudonym of a popular and critically acclaimed author of teen fiction. With Low Red Moon and the Ivy Devlin name, she makes her paranormal fiction debut. She lives in Virginia.

Her Website
Trailer for Low Red Moon


FTC Information: I received this book through 1-ARC Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Review: Manifest by Artist Arthur

 
Manifest

Publisher: Kimani Tru

Publish Date: August 1, 2010

Paperback, 256 pages
Young Adult

My Review:
Why I read this:  It sounded like an interesting book.  I love the cover and the main character's name is Krystal (spelled different than mine), which is not a name that is used often, I could not resist.


How is the novel driven:  Character though events play a main role too, but this is all about Krystal really learning about herself and her power and being introduced to Sasha and Jake as well.



My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the weather aspect affecting the main characters' powers and what happened in the community.  I liked the different take on paranormal with the characters having specific powers.  I also liked having the small group of characters with these powers and getting to know them.

Krystal was an interesting character and I enjoyed seeing her growth during this novel.  She learns more about herself and comes to grip with a lot that goes on in her life.  I like how she finally takes a look around and notices other things besides herself.  I think a lot of teens can relate to what Krystal is going through and Ms. Arthur portrays her in a honest and real way.

I think Jake and Sasha make interesting characters as well and can't wait to read more about them in the next two books in this series.  They make the group of three really interesting with the different social statuses, and completely different types of people they are, yet when thrown into the situation they are in, they work together and become friends.

The ending wrapped up this book nicely but left it very open for the next two books.  I like it when a series does that.  I'm eager for the next book, but not upset because I was left completely hanging.  Ms. Arthur does a wonderful job pacing the book and finishing the book - it was a very enjoyable read.


My Rating: 4.25/5.0

About the Book:
When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

About the Author:
Learn about her here.

Her Website
Twitter


FTC Information: I received this book through Around the World Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Review: The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff

 
The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Publish Date: September 1, 2010

Hardcover, 296 pages
Young Adult

My Review:
Why I read this:  It sounded interesting, simple as that.


How is the novel driven: It's all about the characters - this is the story of Noah, Lily and Simon who are friends in some ways and yet not friends in others and it's told from each of their points of view, so it's all character.


My thoughts: I couldn't write my review of this one right after I finished it.  I admit I don't write most of my reviews right after I finish the book, but with this one I needed to think about the book for awhile.  Why?  Because it is so real that it made me stop and think.  Yes there are a lot of YA books out there that look at teenagers just like they are, but there are just as many that aren't completely real.  Neither one is better than the other, but when a book like this comes along, it just makes me think.

Told from the point of view of three apparent friends, Lily, Noah and Simon,  you get each ones' views on the friendship, their own life and that of their friends.  Lily's life is in a downward spiral, one she freely admits at the beginning she could have stopped.  Noah's life is at the bottom and has been for awhile.  Simon, he's somewhere in-between and until his story is told (and his is told last) you aren't really sure where Simon is.  It's an interesting contrast of a book, showing the story from all sides.  Showing how what one person sees can be different from what actually is.  I found the book fascinating.  It was hard to put down and hard to read at the same time.  Hard to read because of the harshness of these kids' lives.  It's all there in black and white and this isn't a happy story, but it is a worthwhile story.

I finished The Absolute Value of -1 almost 3 weeks ago but it has stuck with me.  If you like a serious YA novel from time-to-time or all the time, I highly recommend this one.  I enjoyed this book and it will continue to stay with me and hopefully make me aware as my sons become teenagers of things going on in their lives.  Steve Brezenoff writes an amazing story and does a great job getting into the heads of these three teenagers and keeping the book moving along for the readers' enjoyment.


My Rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:

The absolute value of any number, positive or negative, is its distance from zero. So what's the absolute value of a friendship? Of love? Just how far apart are we, anyway?

Lily: "For three years, I'd been trying to hold on to Simon and pull him up against me. He was a bar of soap in the shower, though: slippery as hell, and one false move¯squeeze a little too tight¯and he's gone. And picking up a wet bar of soap in the shower is pretty difficult."

Noah: "Lily has these big brown eyes. It sounds corny, but they totally get me. They make my stomach and heart flip five times a piece. So I looked away quickly, because I have a tendency to kind of stare at her if I don't catch myself. It's been like that forever."

Simon: "I never thought much would change with Lily being my girlfriend. I mean, she and Noah were the only people I hung out with much anyway, so now I'd be kissing her and fondling her and she'd be kissing me and fondling me. Not much of a difference, really."


About the Author:
Steve Brezenoff has written several chapter books for young readers, and The Absolute Value of -1 is his first novel for teens. Though Steve grew up in a suburb on Long Island, he now lives with his wife, their son, and their terrier, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

His Website
His Blog
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Trailer for The Absolute Value of -1


FTC Information: I received this book through 1-ARC Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.