Review: I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert

[Description:]

Punk rock is in Emily Black's blood. Her mother, Louisa, hit the road to follow the incendiary music scene when Emily was four months old and never came back. Now Emily's all grown up with a punk band of her own, determined to find the tune that will bring her mother home. Because if Louisa really is following the music, shouldn't it lead her right back to Emily?

[Info:]

{Title} I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

{By} Stephanie Kuehnert

{Publisher} MTV Books

{Release Date} July 8, 2008

{Pages} 352

[Angel's Thoughts:]

Now this, my dear readers, is the book I'm always pleased to find when I buy new books. Stephanie Kuehnert has a gift when it comes to writing. Especially writing books that feel unbelievably real. In her debut novel, I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, Stephanie introduces us to Emily Black, a girl born to rock. You journey through her life, the formation of her band -- She Laughs -- and her desire to find her mother again, and understand just why she left in the first place.

When I started reading I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, I was working the 9 to 5 life as a volunteer in a medical clinic. I would take books in to read on my break. Needless to say, I hid out whenever I could once I began reading, and somehow managed to read every page in one day. There were times in which I completely forgot I was reading fiction because it felt so absolutely real and raw. There were times that I felt like I knew exactly what the characters felt, and times where I felt like I was being shown a life unlike my own. All the while, I still couldn't get a grasp on the fact I was reading a fictional story about a fictional girl, though I'm sure her story is likely to be lived out somewhere.

If I could, I'd kick Twilight off the "Bestseller" list and place I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE where it should be -- on the Bestseller list. This is a book for the young, and the old. For the reader, and for the one that is searching for something that really speaks out to them about the chaos in their life.

So, if you haven't read I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE, do so. Stephanie Kuehnert does not disappoint. Look forward to my review of her second novel, BALLADS OF SUBURBIA, as soon as I get it read. I've got to tell you, I was so excited to buy it, I went to Borders on my VACATION in Boston to pick up my copy.

And if you want to read my interview with Stephanie Kuehnert, go here:

http://angelyoungreviews.blogspot.com/2008/09/interview-stephanie-kuehnert.html

~Angel

Interview: Heather Brewer!

Heather Brewer, Myself, and Jackie Kessler -- New York, Backspace Writer's Conference, August 2008

The one, the only -- the fantastic Heather Brewer!

1.) What was the inspiration for The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod?

I was extremely unpopular growing up and as such, I know what it's like to feel like a total freak. The story of Vlad is very much a way for me to deal with the issues I faced every day as a teen. Also, my son Jacob is very much like Vlad. So Vlad is kind of a half-me/half-Jacob hybrid.

2.) What are some of your favorite things about being published?

My absolute favorite part of being published is getting to hang out with my Minions regularly. Going to work in my jammies is a close second.

3.) What made you want to be a published author?

I learned quickly to escape into books, into other worlds when I was younger. I've always wanted to provide someone else with that escapism.

4.) What inspires you?

Everything. Dreams, reality, conversations, silence. Everything.

5.) You have an ever-growing Minion Horde. Tell us a bit about your thoughts of the relationship between authors and their fans?

I think a strong relationship between readers and writers is crucial to success. As an author, I'm having a conversation with my readers. Without them, what's the point?

6.) What is the craziest thing to happen to you at an event?

A girl asked me if I'd sign her butt once. I declined. Oh, and a boy asked me if anyone ever followed me home after events – when I said no, he said (in a creepy stalker voice), "Well, how would you know, with all those people on the road?"

7.) If Vlad had his own soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

"Animal I Have Become" by Three Days Grace is absolutely Vlad (especially in the third book, Tenth Grade Bleeds). Some other songs I'd have to include are "Shut Me Up" by Mindless Self Indulgence and "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails.

8.) And what about yourself? Do you have a theme song?

I'd love for my theme song to be Darth Vader's theme music, but it's probably closer to "White and Nerdy" by Weird Al.

9.) Any advice for the aspiring authors out there?

Follow my formula for getting past those "stuck" moments: butt + chair = writing.

There you have it, ladies and gents -- the one and only, neato groovy sock wearing, vampire loving: Heather Brewer! Now, stay tuned all this week for more Vlad-related things, all in celebration of the next and greatest installment of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod - Tenth Grade Bleeds!

~Angel

Are you ready?!?

The Vladimir Tod themed agenda for this week:

- Tuesday: Interview with Heather Brewer!
- Wednesday : Review -- The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod (Eighth Grade Bites, Ninth Grade Slays, and Tenth Grade Bleeds)
- Thursday: The release day for Tenth Grade Bleeds!
- Friday: A SURPRISE! ('cause I'm not 100% what idea I'm going with. Haha.)

And then, of course, Saturday is the Launch Party in Fairview Heights, Illinois. And yours truly shall be attending. I'll post picks and whatnot either Sunday or Monday!

So stay tuned, kiddies. It's going to be a FANGTASTIC week! Follow the blog, even get your friends and family to follow!

~Angel

Interview: A.S. King!

A couple of days ago, I posted a review for The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King. Luckily for us, my readers, she agreed to do an interview with me!


First of all -- YOU ROCK! I absolutely LOVED The Dust of 100 Dogs!
Now that I have that out, onward to the questions:

1.) How did you get the idea for The Dust of 100 Dogs, and what effect did living in Ireland have on your novel?
The book wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t lived in Ireland . I got the idea while walking my dogs during the time I was learning about Cromwell’s 1649/50 invasion. I realized there was a very good chance Cromwell’s troops used the very road I was walking on—which made the history lesson very powerful to me. The more I learned about Irish history, in general, the more I felt the urge to write about it. I hope to write more about Irish history in future books.

2.) What made you want to write books for publication?
I know I wanted to write books when I was in 8th grade—but the idea I had then was more of a non-fiction thing. I always wrote poetry and worked hard at my research papers and other writing assignments. Even in art school (I have a photography degree) I thought that my pictures would one day land in a book, with essays. But I didn’t have the time or opportunity (or guts) to write until I moved to Ireland when I was 24. I remember the book that pushed me to say, “Hey! I want to do this now!” It was Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. If I ever write a book as enjoyable and intelligent as that one, I will be really happy.

3.) What was your publication journey like -- was it smooth, or rocky?
Rocky and long. I wrote 7 novels over 12 years before I found an agent. But now that I’m on this side of it, I’m thrilled it took me that long. Sound crazy? Maybe it is—but what I learned was amazing. Patience, great writing habits, and most importantly, the ability to write books for myself, without caring about publishing. I write for me, and I do it because I love it. This is more important than I can say.

4.) What inspires you?
Music, great books, great art, and great people. I have met many people who have overcome ugly things. Those people inspire me greatly. I feel our culture gives attention to shallow stuff (the various weights and wardrobe accessories of TV stars, for example) while ignoring the depth of human experience. I am inspired by the reality of human experience, even if it isn’t easy to look at, because it’s real and people who navigate through difficult times are heroes.

5.) What is one of the craziest things that you’ve experienced at an event?
I have to say—having so many of my former classmates turn out for my first local event was wild! For an hour, it was like a mini-reunion, and it was inexplicably cool. Their support is incredible and just goes to show you—you never know what’s going to happen in the future. If you’d have asked me in high school if I’d even THINK about going to my 20th class reunion, I’d have laughed at you. Now, I see people from high school every month or two, and enjoy their company immensely. Also, since we’re on the subject of crazy things & events…I find it pretty crazy when haters come out to confront authors. Being a positive person, I find the motive a bit odd. Why not go to an event of an author you like and say nice things, rather than openly hate an author whose book you didn’t like? I mean—who doesn’t know that reading is a subjective thing?

6.) If there was a soundtrack for The Dust of 100 Dogs, what songs would be on it?
Yay! No one ever asked me this before! Here’s a playlist:

Crisis by Bob Marley & the Wailers
Burnin' and Lootin' by The Wailers
I Wanna Be Your Dog by Iggy Pop & The Stooges
Running Away by Bob Marley & The Wailers
War Pigs by Black Sabbath
Stepping Razor by Peter Tosh
Draw Your Brakes by Scotty
My Life by TLC
Night of the Living Baseheads by Public Enemy
You Can Get it if You Really Want by Jimmy Cliff
Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals
Adore by Prince

7.) And how about you -- what would your own theme song be?
Impossible to choose! Here are my top three, though: The Wailers’ Small Axe or Duppy Conqueror, and Jimi Hendrix’s If 6 Were 9.

8.) What kind of advice can you offer for aspiring authors out there?
Write every day. Read a lot. Then write some more. Then read some more. Learn to write because you love writing and forget about the publishing business at first. (And don’t forget that stories come from life experiences, so all that crappy stuff that happens to you will actually come in handy one day.)
Thanks so much for having me around to your blog, Angel! And thanks for reading D100D & shouting out about it!



There you have it! An amazing interview from an amazing author! Now, go out and buy The Dust of 100 Dogs IMMEDIATELY!


~Angel