How to Rate a City

As promised a few weeks ago, I want to share some of my travel photos with you. Calling them "photos" is probably elevating these a bit much-- they are snapshots. Mostly when I am exploring a city and taking pictures, I am by myself, stealing a few moments away from a work trip. This doesn't leave a lot of time to really get to know a place, so I have a simple rating system that helps me separate the "I like this place" from "I don't ever want to go back." Here it is:

• The locals-- This category usually gets entirely judged by how nice the cab driver that takes me from the airport to the hotel is, though sometimes it is supplemented by servers, gift shop workers, and the odd pedestrian I ask for directions when I get lost. The food-- The biggest perk for me of travelling is getting to sample excellent local faire. So, do you have any?
• The scenery-- Is there anything to look at? I only get to judge this one when I stay in town, and not at a convention center or in a suburban Hampton Inn.
• The history/attractions-- I am a history nerd, so I love going places where something happened, or there is something great to see. .

• The weather-- This is big for me. I hate hot and muggy-- it isn't an automatic bad mark if a place is hot and muggy-- New Orleans is my FAVORITE city, but I would never go in the summer.

And so, here is a quick recap of my latest trip, and one that surprised me-- Memphis, Tennessee. I really liked Memphis, and I didn't expect to. For one, I was going south in July and expected hot (which it was), and other cities I have been to in Tennessee have been.... well, just fine. Memphis is different, though.

The people were friendly, and I stayed smack in the middle of downtown. Though the entire area felt a bit economically depressed, Main Street was beautiful and charming. Beale Street is a great attraction for music lovers or foodies. I got a crawfish po-boy. Anywhere that serves me a crawfish po-boy is a winner to me!

I didn't get to do Graceland, but still feel like I got the entire Elvis experience just by being in Memphis. I snapped a bunch of photos, and am attaching some, but if you're looking for a winter getaway... see Memphis.

James Dashner on Trial!

And it is an easy trial—he’s been found awesome. The author of The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, along with several other books, writes true adventure with a fun, edgy, YA spin.


Thomas is the hero of both books, and what a reluctant hero he is. At the opening of The Maze Runner, Thomas awakens in an a box with no memory other than his name. After some time in darkness, the box opens and reveals an idyllic glade, occupied by 40 or 50 other boys that arrived in much the same circumstance. In fact, a new boy has arrived once a month for as long as they could remember, so Thomas is nothing new.

Until the box opens to reveal a girl who brings an ominous message.

Dashner has created a world full of mystery and vivid, rich characters. From page 1 of the first book through the last page of the second, I was hooked. I found myself staying up way to late at night just to see what was going to happen next, which is always a test for me (I like sleep entirely too much to give it up for anything less than awesome).

I have only two mild complaints. One is that the boys of the Glade and beyond are faceless, other than Thomas’ friends, who are dynamic and thorough. Whenever someone dies or gets injured, Thomas notes that it is no one he knows, somehow diminishing the gravity of the situation. It also frustrates me because the characters that are developed are developed so well, that the facelessness of supporting boys seems rushed and haphazard, which is totally out of line with the rest of the tenor of the novels. I understand it when there are 50 of them, but when you are down to 11 or so in some situations, I would at least like to see 11 names.

And secondly, which may turn out to be a minor or major complaint depending on book 3 is disaster fatigue. Dashner has pulled me in so completely, and I have toiled with Thomas and the gladers so intently, that even I feel like I need a nap. I seriously hope these boys get a break sometime soon.

All in all, and excellent series, and a thoroughly fun read.

More on Cool Kid Melissa Kline

After much excited waiting, when Melissa Kline’s My Beginning landed in my hands, I literally giggled. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve met Melissa because we both were published through Lucky Press, small publisher extraordinaire. We’ve developed an online camaraderie, and her personality and passion for writing made me so excited to read this book.


Adding to the excitement is that this book is right up my alley. Dystopian world? Sweet. Science fiction twist? Woohoo. Romantic story line that I will pretend to tolerate while really gushing over? Yes, please!

In all of these things, My Beginning did not disappoint. Imagine Battlestar Gallactica meets Never Let Me Go. A thoroughly excited read, and a truly fun story, I am happy to report that my excitement was not misplaced.

Melissa weaves the story of Ivory, raised in a stark and limiting Institution where free time, thought, and will are foreign concepts. Despite being forbidden to speak to the opposite sex, Ivory falls in love with Aiden (like you do when you’re 16), the mysterious new boy. The bond between the two forces them to seek out a new life and learn about life outside of the walls that have so oppressed them.

Melissa has captured the feeling of being 16 so well in Ivory that I literally found myself speaking aloud to her at times. Give it a read. You will be pulled in, for sure!

On Being Rejected and Loving Baltimore

Two concepts recently converged for me, reminding me of why I call Baltimore home!

Concept 1: I have to live somewhere diverse. I love places with lots of types of things to do and people from all different backgrounds and situations. These things breed possibility, and sometimes dissonance, and such things are fodder for the writer in me. Because of this, I love, love Baltimore.

Concept 2: I don't handle rejection well. Seriously, I don't. Innevitably after every rejection letter I receive, I spend at least a day convinced that I have absolutely no talent and should quit trying to be a writer. And the annoying thing is that I KNOW rejection is part of being a writer (and I do talk myself out of it), and I know I shouldn't get so upset, but I do.

These concepts converged on Tuesday night when I came home from a bad day at work to find a rejection letter. And the worst kind-- the kind I waited six weeks for and thought I had a real shot at. I commenced  my normal post-rejection letter freak out, which led to a trip to the grocery store for a post-rejection Berger Cookie.

If you're not from Baltimore, you may not know what a Berger cookie is, so let me enlighten you. This is a Berger cookie. It's like a cakey-cookie and fudge had a baby and their sweet baby helps get me out of a funk every now and again.

While in line to buy my Berger cookies, I noticed that behind me were two tall, muscular men in their mid-forties. They began discussing a friend's recent arrest, referring not only several bail bondsmen but also several guards at central booking by name. Following this, one man picks up a magazine about the upcoming wedding of Brad Pitt and Angelina Joley. He looks at his friend and says "Damn, it is about time he marries that woman."

The other man agrees, adding "And that mofo better $*)#( wear Armani to his #(%)#( wedding."

And I couldn't help but smile, inwardly thanking my city for always providing me with something random to make me laugh.

I immediately came home and began writing. I love you Baltimore!

The Official Conspiracy to Get to Tell Sherman Alexie How Awesome He Is!

If you read my blog with any regularity, you know that I adore Sherman Alexie. Seriously, intensely. If there was a literary equivalent of Tiger Beat magazine, I would buy ever issue that mentioned his name. I think he is one of the most talented, diverse, profound and damn cool authors living today.


So when my friend shared a link with me saying that he would be at the Baltimore Book Festival, I was VERY excited by the opportunity to see him.

And then I thought "Holy Crap! You know who else is signing at the Baltimore Book Festival? ME!??!?!?!"

I am signing at the same event as my frigging hero. Which is so amazing and also makes me just a little bit sad... because... it means I won't get to see him. I have to be in the author tent during his talk, likely. So I won't ge tto talk to him.

To remedy this highly unnacceptable situation, I am initiating an official conspiracy. I need 5-10 good men or women who are going to see Sherman Alexie talk. I need them to wait in line. I need them to have him sign a book (trust me, I can supply you all with copies of his books). Then, as he signs, say "There is a rookie author in the author tent who thinks you're cooler than Justin Bieber and it would make her life if you walked over there and said "hi."

Who is signing up? Seriously... I am more excited than 13-year-old me would have been if Jonathan Brandis asked me to the eighth grade prom. For realz.

...And the winner is!

Theresa! Thank you for your suggestions. (And Tia, and I right there with you on Taylor Lautner). I greatly appreciate everyone's participation in July's Who Would You Cast Blog Contest.

I have been very, very quiet so far this July. The reason is that I morph into a lower lifeform when it is hot. Seroiusly, that's me, I am a heat-snail! I secretly believe that I am an unclaimed decendant of Nanuck and when it gets hot, I suddenly am unable to think, or move without an immense amount of whining.

What I have been doing (aside from work and school), is reading a lot. So, over the next couple of days (weeks if the temperature gets above 95 again), check back for reviews of:

• My Beginning by Melissa Kline
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
• The Color of Night by Madison Smartt Bell

I think I am also going to start sharing some of my travel photos soon. I am NOT nor do I claim to be a photographer, but I do like to get pictures of the cool places I have been as of late.

Be back later, after the sun sets.

Book Giveaway Contest Extended

I am not just a lazy blogger, I swear! Last week was a mid-terms for grad school, and so I was overlooking my blog life in favor of forecasting, linear regression equations and some hot productivity anaylsis. I promise you, I'd rather have been here.

So two things:

1. The holiday gave us a slow start on our "Who Would You Cast" contest-- many thanks to our two entrants, but I think we can do  better. So the contest from my last blog has been extended, and you have until July 13. I will announce a winner on the 14th. Come on.. it's fun, and all the cool kids are doing it. Here is the link: http://mmshaunakelley.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-would-you-cast-giveaway.html

2. I try really hard not to get political or controversial here, so I won't share any of my thoughts or opinions on Casey Anthony's aquittal last week (if you don't know what I am referring to, you must not live in the U.S.). I will say this, though-- I think it is criminal to not report that your child has been missing for over a month. And, more than a million people agree with me. Change.org has a peition in place to encourage states to make it a felony to not report that your child is missing or dead in a timely manner. If you agree with us, I encourage you to add your name to the petition. http://www.change.org/petitions/create-caylees-law

And I will be back around more this week, now that I have proven my Operational Management prowess.

Who Would You Cast? A giveaway!

I saw this on Holly Schindler's blog and thought "what a great idea..."

I've heard from many, many people now that they feel like Max and Menna would make a great movie. I'm on the fence about that (I'm not sure how you would stay true to a story when the main characters cover at least 5 different ages throughout the book), but I am a very visual person! I actually have people in my head that have always been Max, Menna, or Nick to me.

But who would YOU cast? Share your thoughts, cast at least 1 character, and it may just be worth your while. One lucky commenter will win their choice of several Lucky Press titles (outlined below).

And if you haven't read Max and Menna, no worries. Keep in mind that Max, Menna, and Nick all have black hair, and read the synopsis below for some information. I am also shamelessly posting some review links so maybe you would want to read Max and Menna.

Titles to Win:
My Beginning by Melissa Kline
Norah by Cynthia Neale
Guardian Spirit by Sarah Martin Byrd
Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples
String Bridge by Jessica Bell (pre-order)

And here is some more information on Max and Menna

MAX AND MENNA tells the story of two siblings surviving a deplorable home life in the South in the early 1980s. Telling the story from each of their viewpoints, Max and Menna outline their reliance on each other and on Nick, their only friend, as they cope with growing up in poverty, living with an alcoholic mother, and having no indication of the other half of their parentage.

The story really begins when Max and Menna meet Nick, a Native American, and the story continues to take place during their summer vacations progressively through high school. Max, quiet and introspective, struggles to understand how to be the only man in the house and protect a family that seems determined to destroy itself. Menna is quick-tempered and vivacious, and grows to love and view Nick as a method of coping with a childhood that requires her to be very adult. Despite the strength of the bond the three of them share, however, their environment works against them. As the children of the town drunk, the younger siblings of the town slut, and the friends of an Indian from "over the fence," Max and Menna fight not only to grow up, and get out, but to stay together, and stay safe.

Reviews for Max and Menna:
http://actinupwithbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-max-and-menna-by-shauna-kelley.html
http://maggiesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/08/max-and-menna.html
http://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/max-and-menna/
http://www.rebeccasreads.com/Reviews/ReviewKelleyMaxAndMenna.html

Summer Reading List #3-- That book you always meant to read

Of all of my summer reading suggestions, I imagine that this is the one that the most people will have already read. But if you haven't, why not??

On vacation, I always try to read the "How have I never read that before??" book... last summer I read The Picture of Dorian Gray because I couldn't believe I had made it this far in life without reading that book. So here is my suggestion for you...

The Handmaids Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Seriously, if you haven't read this book, do it!! It is honestly one of the most important books of the twentieth century (and that isn't just me talking... most of the literary world agrees).

In 1986, Margaret Atwood (already a powerhouse voice in the feminist community by then) gave us a frightening vision-- a future where women are so controlled, so restricted, that they have simply become labels to society. The demure and "morally fit" Wives serve as companions to important men, while "Marthas" clean their homes and prepare their meals. Most disturbingly of all, the Handmaids exist in the society to bear children. They are assigned to a man deemed worthy of a child, and become known only by his name (our narrator is Offred, or Of Fred). Their function in life is to get pregnant, give birth, and watch as their child is taken by a wife to raise as her own.

This isn't my favorite book... it isn't even my favorite Margaret Atwood book (that honor goes to The Blind Assassin). But, it is a thoroughly enjoyable and extremely important book. Women, writers, literary lovers... all types. This is a book for everyone!