Author: annalaforestwrites
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Book Post: With and Without You
What do you get when you have a long distance relationship, pressure to plan for the future, and less and less certainty about what you want? You get With and Without You by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. Happy Reading!
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Book Post: The Counselors
Don’t just read The Counselors…Experience it! I read The Counselors by Jennifer Goodman when I was in the mood for something dark. Goodman definitely delivered. As her story unfolds in two different timelines, I found myself on the edge of my seat. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say pillow since this is…
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Book Review: Rules for Being a Girl
Don’t just read Rules for Being a Girl…Experience it. I read Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno because, well, Katie Cotugno. She just may be my favorite current YA author. I love how she writes strong female characters who tend to find themselves in impossible circumstances and are forced to…
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Book Post: The Charmed List
Don’t just read The Charmed List… Experience it. I read The Charmed List by Julie Abe after yet again pouring over manuscript wish lists on agent websites. At this point, I spend a lot of my life doing this. While it hasn’t yet left me with an agent of my very own, it has helped…
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Writer’s Blog: The Importance of Critique Groups
I know I’m lucky. This time last year I was in the early stages of my Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators mentorship. I still can’t believe how fast it flew by. Having a mentor who was a published author with industry experience had a huge impact on my writing—I could list countless examples,…
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Book Post: See You Yesterday
Don’t just read See You Yesterday…Experience it! I read See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon when I couldn’t get my hands on her book Today, Tonight, Tomorrow. After Reading See You Yesterday, I know I’ll be making a point to read everything of hers! Here goes: All Barrett wants is to leave high school behind…
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Book Post: I Love You So Mochi
Don’t just read I Love You So Mochi…Experience it! I read I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn because the cover captured my attention. The background, beautiful pink cherry blossom trees, almost looked like a blurred photograph. The figures in the foreground were in focus, but definitely hand drawn, cartoonish. The varied styles made…
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Book Review: The Sky is Everywhere
Don’t just read The Sky is Everywhere…Experience it! I first heard of The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson after seeing it on a number of agent’s manuscript wish lists as the type of book they are looking to represent. It had been on my list to read for sometime, and then it was personally…
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Writers Blog: One Year?
It’s hard to believe I’ve been at this blogging endeavor for a year. So much happened in 2022. I read countless books, ate a variety of new foods, listened to a lot of new music, learned about other cultures, tried my hand at new hobbies, among other things. The possibilities really are endless when you…
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Book Post: A Year of Books
In 2022, I read (and experienced!) A LOT of books! What was your favorite book you read this past year? I’d love to hear in the comments section! Still looking for the perfect gift for the YA reader in your life or maybe yourself? Consider seeking out one of the many books I highlighted this…
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Book Post: Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)
Don’t just read Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)…Experience it! I read Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys) by Amy Spalding because it had a little blurb recommending it by Stephanie Perkins on the front cover. Perkins is the author of several great YA reads including, but not limited to, Anna and The French Kiss,…
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Book Post: Flirting with Fate
Don’t just read Flirting with Fate…Experience it! I read Flirting with Fate by J.C. Cervantes because I tend to like books with a magical flair. In this particular one the magic is embedded in the main character’s culture. Ava Granados absolutely, positively DOES NOT believe in fate. But when she can’t make it to her…
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Book Post: Long Story Short
Don’t just read Long Story Short…Experience it! I read Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor because its primary setting was a summer camp. I absolutely love a good camp read, because I have so many fond memories of my summer camp trips. There’s something about going to a place where you’re surrounded by people who…
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Book Post: Emergency Contact
Don’t just read Emergency Contact…Experience it! I read Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi during my ongoing deep dive into literature set at college. A big part of writing is identifying titles that are comparable to your own works. This book was a fun read along my journey to discovering some for myself. Here we…
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Book Post: Salaam, with Love
Don’t just read Salaam, with Love…Experience it! I read Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg after finding a list of 100+ of the Best New YA Books of 2022 So Far. As I perused, I immediately went on a downloading spree. This was the first book I picked to read. Dua wants to spend…
Anna LaForest Writes 