kt literary » Cruel Summer

Pressure

Kate — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:12:02 +0000

Unfeasible Enterprises over here is having a bit of a water pressure problem — in that there is none — as well as a pressure to get a bunch of reading done, both to get back to authors whose material I’ve been sitting on for too long, and also because I just picked up three new books at the library and I’m eager to read them. And I can’t do that until I clear out some of my work reading.
So, on this beautiful summer Friday, I’m popping some stuff in the mail and then taking a reading day. If you need me, I’ll be on the deck.
Oh! And if you’re looking for something to read yourself, may I suggest Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel? It just got a great review on Teenreads.com!

A Cruel Summer giveaway!

Kate — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:29:18 +0000

Good news for those of you who refuse to believe summer is nearly over (Take THAT Toys R Us!) — Tera Lynn Childs is giving away a copy of Alyson Noel‘s Cruel Summer in the spirit of the Olympic Games. Not sure what I’m talking about? Read Tara’s blog and it will all make sense.
Meanwhile, a nice review from Reading Keeps You Sane for Alyson’s Saving Zoe.

Cruel Summer in SLJ

Kate — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:39:03 +0000

Woot! Just got word of a wonderful review of Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel in the August issue of School Library Journal. An excerpt:

The protagonist’s venting and observations are alternately whiny, wistful, strident, and hilarious. Despite typical teen self-obsession, Colby is likable and ultimately well intentioned. As she deals with her feelings, she blunders her way rather charmingly into a new maturity.

Go Colby!

Another Seventeen Beach Read!

Kate — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:16:11 +0000

Today’s a short work day as I have to pick a friend up from the hospital this afternoon, and I’ll be away from my lappy. That being said, here’s some great news on an otherwise somewhat dreary day in the front range — Alyson Noel’s Cruel Summer is another one of Seventeen‘s Summer Beach Reads! Go Colby!

Holiday week!

Kate — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:55:52 +0000

It’s a short week, and many of you may be lucky enough to be heading to the beach. What better book to stash in your beach bag than Cruel Summer? If you hop on over to Alyson Noel’s blog, you can find out how you can win an entire bag full of summer reads, including Cruel Summer.
And, well, if you’re me, you’re spending the week hoping to get a lot of reading done, finalizing a contracts (fingers crossed!), and negotiating a new deal for one of my clients. My dreams of heading to the beach will have to wait until later this month, when I relocate to the New York office for a week and can actually get to the ocean. Woot! Until then, since summer’s the theme and all that, tell me: What are your favorite Summer books? Whether that’s a book you read in the summer, a book you read every summer, a book that’s about summer, or a book that somehow, for some reason, just screams “Summer!” to you.
For me, summer makes me think of big, juicy reads, like the ones the Brits have termed “bonkbusters.” (Yes, it means what you think it means.) I love Louise Bagshawe‘s books, and know there’s several of them stashed on various shelves in the Unfeasible Beach House, with sand in the spine and slight water damage. Now, apparently Louise has gone a bit mainstream and entered politics or something, but there’s also her sister Tilly. Both write books I consider delicious summer reads.
Your turn!

Tab-closer

Kate — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:58:08 +0000

It’s been a busy few days around kt literary headquarters, and I have loads of news and links to share with you. So let’s get to it!

Seventeen‘s Summer Book Club is featuring Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Teen and tween librarian Green Bean Teen Queen reviewed Alyson Noel’s Cruel Summer
The Bermudez Triangle by MJ is available as an audio download from Audible. Hear the book that was banned in Oklahoma!
On July 13th in Hollywood, Alyson Noel will be participating in the first ever Rock n’ Read Festival. More details on the website or on Alyson’s blog.
On a sad note, Tasha Tudor passed away on Wednesday. I loved her illustrations of The Secret Garden.
The famed and fabulous dancer Cyd Charisse also passed away last week. If you’re not a musical geek like me, you may know the name as the movie star the main character of Rachel Cohn’s Gingerbread is named for. (Not a kt literary client, but still an awesome book.)

And I think that’s a good start to a Monday! More soon, including a recap of the panel I spoke on at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop Lit Fest this past weekend.

SUMMERtime… and the reading is easy

Kate — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:34:10 +0000

Cuidad Magazine shares their thoughts on Alyson Noel’s Cruel Summer. In brief:

Noel convincingly captures Colby’s self-transformation as the character comes full circle and realizes that perhaps instead of fighting life and all the things out of her control, she should let go and embrace them. Through the typing fingers of Colby Cavendish, Noel teaches her readers that all the years of suffering through teenage awkwardness are just a phase and, in the end, if a person allows it, she can learn more about herself than she ever thought possible

Of familiar faces and friends

Kate — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:11:21 +0000

Sitting in my hotel lobby grabbing some free wifi before I head out to a bunch of meetings, I came across these two websites which happen to mention a few kt literary projects. First, Under the Coversthinks Maureen Johnson’s SCARLETT cover model looks like Scarlett Johanssen, while Jose Bloss’ BAND GEEK LOVE seems to deliberately call to mind Alyson Hannigan’s famous band geek character in American Pie. Hmmm…
Then, over on the blog Garish & Tweed, the author ponders the theme of YA protagonists without friends, or somehow separated from their friends for the course of the novel, mentioning SUITE SCARLETT again. I couldn’t help but think also of CRUEL SUMMER by Alyson Noel, whose heroine Colby is an ocean away from her new group of friends, with other actions separating her from another good friend.
Does your WiP or novel fit this mold as well? Or, conversely, what examples can you give me of a YA novel protag with a strong group of friends, not a la Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, when all four friends share protagonist-ship, but a single central character with a realistic numbers of buddies?

Five Stars for Colby!

Kate — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:50:58 +0000

Even in LA, I’m still getting good news! Thank goodness for wireless, that’s all I can say. It’s how I was able to read this wonderful five star review for Alyson Noel’s CRUEL SUMMER, from TeensReadToo. What I especially love about the review is how the writing style mimics the voice of Colby — the narrator of CRUEL SUMMER. Enjoy!

The reader will relate to her habit
of over-thinking every comment, gesture, or word of an email, and the insecurity she feels around Yannis. I loved this book and totally devoured it. For this reason, I give it five stars!

SUMMER’s on the way!

Kate — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:31:26 +0000

CRUEL SUMMER, that is, by Alyson Noel. I just got my early finished copies the other day, and they look great! Of course, now I’m also thinking of hot sand, and long beaches, and cool blue water…
But then, I have a short beach vacation coming up this weekend, and I’ve already got my stack of books ready to be packed. if I hadn’t already read CRUEL SUMMER, it would certainly go to the top of the pile. And if you can’t get a certain song out of your head after seeing the title, may I helpfully link to a song/video? Not the original, but a remix featured on the soundtrack of Blue Crush. Don’t mock me, readers, I have a weakness for girlie sports movies!