Book lovers Escape to Austin for The Texas Book Festival

This blog post is for adult readers specifically.  Here's a chance to win a trip for 2 to Austin Texas for a literary escape to the Texas Book Festival.  

PR by the Book's "Escape to Austin " Contest

To celebrate its 10^th Anniversary, PR by the Book will award one literary lover a trip to the home of storytellers like O. Henry and Willie Nelson: Austin, Texas

AUSTIN – Now in its 10^th year of operation, with a growing pool of star literary talent and media personalities, PR by the Book has become a go-to firm in the book publishing industry for innovative publicity campaigns and top-tier media placement. 

Founded in 2002 by Marika Flatt, PR by the Book has grown from a one-woman operation to a team of 10, representing everyone from The Berenstain Bears series to Rex Pickett, author of the beloved book-turned-movie, Sideways.

Now, PR by the Book has decided it’s time to share the love. And what better way to do that than to award a trip to the town where it all got started: Austin , Texas ?

" Austin has burgeoned into a bustling literary community. When I started in book publicity here in 1997, I’d meet people who would be surprised I wasn’t from New York or Los Angeles ,” says Flatt. “Now, when I travel for work and people ask where I’m from and I tell them Austin , the response is something similar to: I adore Austin and what a literary town that is!”

The contest is called "Escape to Austin " and will be a truly one-of-a-kind trip for the lucky winner. The prize package includes round-trip airfare for the winner and a guest, a two-night stay at The Hilton Garden Inn downtown Austin, dinner for two at TRIO in the Four Seasons, a $50 gift certificate to historic Hyde Park Bar & Grill and a couple of bookish perks.

Drawing the likes of Susan Orlean and Chuck Palahniuk, the Texas Book Festival is one of the premiere literary fests in the country. Last year, the festival featured 243 authors and attracted 40,000 attendees. The winner of the "Escape to Austin" contest will be granted two VIP passes to the weekend-long festival October 26-28, as well as a pass to one of TBF's invitation-only author parties.

"We are very excited to partner with PR by the Book for this contest package," says Lidia Agraz, TBF's Executive Di rector. "We're still early in the talent line-up process, but I can say that this year's festival will offer attendees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commune with true literary icons."

To enter "Escape to Austin ," contest hopefuls must simply "like" PR by the Book on Facebook and fill out the entry form.The contest runs August 1 – August 31, 2012, and a winner will be selected by September 7 (open to U.S. residents only.)

PR BY THE BOOK is a boutique publicity firm specializing in literary media relations campaigns, publishing consultation, small business publicity, and publicity tours for authors and experts. Our team of seasoned publicists has worked on books in nearly every genre, and with dozens of major publishing houses and small presses. Visit prbythebook.com to learn more.

For the Facebook link to enter:  click here

or copy and paste this link

https://www.facebook.com/prbythebook

Good Luck!

Meeting Ally Condie

Most of you know that MATCHED by Ally Condie is one of my favorite books.  At ALA yesterday, Ally was signing books.  Since I already own a personal copy and one in my school library Ally was kind enough to sign this promotional poster for me (made out to Stephanie, my daughter).  Ally is so sweet and so kind and we had a lovely conversation.  I told her she helps make my job so easy :)  My review for MATCHED can be read by clicking here.

Meeting Nikki Grimes

Today I attended the American Library Association's conference.  It is so exciting to meet authors, illustrators and publishers.  Pictured here is Nikki Grimes autographing a book for me.  Nikki Grimes is the author of many wonderful books including PLANET MIDDLE SCHOOL.  To read my review of PLANET MIDDLE SCHOOL click here.

Jennifer Lawrence : Star of The Hunger Games by Katherine Krohn

From a young age Jennifer Lawrence knew she wanted to act.  With determination, supportive parents and talent she is now on the brim of becoming world famous as Katniss in the soon to be released movie THE HUNGER GAMES based on the book by Suzanne Collins. 

In this biography Katherine Krohn gives us a glimpse into Jennifer's life.  What stood out to me was the way Jennifer prepared for auditions.  For instance instead of dressing up and being made up she showed up to the Katniss audition a wreck from a long flight and no sleep!  The book is infused with photgraphs that readers will pour over.  The writing is accessible to reluctant readers and fans of THE HUNGER GAMES will clamour for it.  Every library should have this book as it is going to be a bestseller (I don't predict that often).  It's on my wish list for my library!

Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Lerner Publishing Group via Netgalley.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

It is 145 years after the fourth World War in New Beiijing. Cinder is a cyborg and a mechanic well known for fixing androids, netscreens, hovercars and more.  Her stepmom and one of her stepsisters are relentlessly mean to her while the other stepsister is her friend.  By chance she meets the prince when he needs his android repaired.  Sadly, the emperor is dying as are thousands of other people as a plague unyet curable sweeps across the nation. 

Science fiction is not usually a genre that I am drawn to.  However, once I started Cinder I could not put it down.  It was hard not to visualize Iko and the other androids looking like R2D2 from Star Wars.   The feelings developing between Kai and Cinder did not feel rushed.  I love the fact that Cinder couldn't blush.

Cinder will take her place along side other strong and intelligent female characters such as Katniss, Katna and Kat. While part of me would have liked the story tied up and over with I will patiently wait for book two in The Lunar Chronicles and most likely books three and four.  Marissa Meyer style of writing is appealing and quick paced.  Loved it!

Cinder is a YA book I would recommend it for even the younger end.  Science fiction fans would enjoy it as well as those that enjoy (very fractured) fairy tales.  There is enough romance to appeal to girls that enjoy romance but are willing to try something different.

Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via Netgalley. Cinder is now available from your favorite bookseller.

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Honestly I would never have read this book if a friend in the children's book industry hadn't not only recommended it to me but she sent me the book.  While I do enjoy YA literature and occasionaly science fiction a book about zombies is not a book I would normally pick up.  With a pile of books from the floor to ceiling, not to mention all the advanced readers copies on my kindle last week I finally started ROT & RUIN by Jonathan Maberry and finished it late last night.  Ok, I'll admit it.  I liked it.

Living in a future world where people turn into zombies upon dying, Benny grows up thinking his brother Tom is a coward.  Benny's earliest memory is Tom, much older than him, taking Benny from their mother's arms and running away.  At fifteen Benny learns that Tom is anything but.  The book is scary and graphic but as the cover states it is also full of heart.  That is where it shines. 

Sprinkled with pop culture mentions that made me smile, readers who enjoy the genre will gravitate to ROT & RUIN.  Someone looking for something different will find it here.