What am I reading?

This topic came up at a good time because I have been reading more than usual lately. Right now, I'm reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which was recommended to me by my mom. I've read 6 chapters and am eager to read the rest but life (usually in the form of a 36, 10, 7, or 3 year-old boy) keeps interrupting my reading time. I brought The Help (even though it's huge) with me on my vacation to Hawaii last week, as well as Sweethearts by Sara Zarr. If you want to see a photo of it on a Maui beach and the brief review I posted this morning, click HERE. Right before these 2, I read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey. It was cute, and I loved the concept of how an American farm girl (think could really be a Romanian vampire princess.

I'm also in the process of writing a proposal for a new book, so I'm reading my own writing (over and over again). I even worked on it a little in Hawaii, as you can see in the photo. :)

So ... have you read any good books lately???

Book Clubs: A Maiden Voyage

Though The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren is soon approaching its one year anniversary, last night was my first guest author appearance at a ladies' book club meeting. I have to admit I was a tad nervous. Would I spend the evening stuffed in a corner, listening mutely to their high intensity debates about my book? What if they hated it? And while I feel very comfortable presenting to teenagers at schools and other writers at conferences, I wasn't sure what to expect with a group of adult readers.


I'm glad to report it was a major success. I got to meet new people and eat a variety of delicious foods, all while answering questions about how I managed to become a published author, how I got the idea of writing about a modern-day teenaged Siren, and how I balance my writing with raising three little boys. The best part was getting to hear what they liked most about the story.

I know some authors don't "do" book clubs, but I'm officially going on the record saying I had a marvelous time and I hope another book club invites me to come in the near future. (That's me, in the middle of the front row.)