Sophie claims shes not "photogenic", so she attached this cartoon of herself instead.

During my time there, I had begun reading GirlVert by Oriana Small aka Ashley Blue (an adult film star’s memoir). Sophie asked me about it, so I read a few passages aloud. We both raised our eyebrows and laughed. She admitted to recently finishing Fifty Shades of Grey and I suggested a book swap. On my last day there, we exchanged books and I asked her if she’d be willing to participate in our blog series. Today, I was thrilled to receive her answers to ‘the same 5 questions I always ask’. Enjoy!

1.      What book has been the biggest influence in your life? My grandmother would read to me when I was little. She had a series of books that were falling apart even back then. Sadly, I don’t recall the name or the author. There were 6 small books, each containing a life lesson: Listening to your conscience, the power of honesty, treating others with kindness, and so on. My favorite story was about treating others as you wanted to be treated. I’m convinced those books are responsible for me being a nurse.

2.      What author and/or character do you identify with most? I have a hard time identifying with characters on a personal level. I can relate to their feelings and empathize with their situations. But I haven’t ever read a book that embodied my character. I’m sure it’s out there though.

3.      What do you think happens to you when you die? Growing up in a Catholic household had me convinced that we’re all going to heaven when we pass. Now that I’m older, I’m not sure. I love the hope that heaven brings, it’s a lot less daunting than other afterlife alternatives. But I’m a traditionalist. It makes sense for me to believe in heaven. There’s nothing wrong with having a little faith.

4.      Have you ever penned anything yourself? And if so what’s the recurring theme? My goodness, I haven’t picked up a pen to write anything in over a decade. I prefer to read than to write. I think I lack the gift. My mother would buy me diaries as a teenager and I’d write two entries and then forget about it.

5.      If you had to re-live your life as a character in a book, what book/character would it be? Lisbeth Salendar, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. We are complete opposites. I have no idea what its like to be a rebel, but I’d like to find out.

Thank you, Sophie. You rock!

Earlier this week, I found myself at Starbucks redeeming some old Christmas gift cards that were burning a hole in my wallet. I realize they’re four months old, but I tend to frequent my local ‘mom & pop’ coffee shops more since they need the business. While standing in line contemplating their selection of pastries, I noticed three men standing in front of me. Each of them had an iPad in hand, scrolling away with their fingers. A year ago, these men would’ve had a Smartphone stuck to their ears, forcing everyone within a 15 foot radius to listen to their one sided phone conversation (I hate that). But on this day, all I could hear was the melancholy crooning of Thom Yorke seeping out from the speakers in the ceiling above me. I’m not gonna lie… I was kind of amazed. Glancing around at the cluster of tables I saw numerous folks captivated by their electronic devices. Without staring, I counted 3 laptops, 2 MP3 players, 1 Smartphone (their finger movement made me think they were playing a game), and 5 eReaders. That’s 8 eReaders if I count the 3 in line!

This Croatian coffee shop offers iPads to their customers to read the newspaper. Wow!

Later the same day, I saw two (separate) women pushing carts through my local grocery store with their iPads propped up in the child’s seat. Lists maybe? A few days later at the car wash, I sat among 6 other folks waiting for our vehicles. The woman to my right and her son (at a guess I’d say he was 12) were each using a Kindle Fire. Seeing them so deeply engrossed made me annoyed that I’d left mine at home.

My book consumption is a mixture of old school and new school. I love my Kindle and its lightning fast speed. I’ll see a book on Amazon I’ve been lusting after and within seconds it’s mine to enjoy. What’s not to like about that? But there are also times when I want nothing more than the feel of a nice soft paperback in my hands. I love the look of a crisp new book and the familiar scent of ink and paper that consumes me as I flip through its pages. It’s nice to have options! But one thing is for sure – eReaders are taking the nation by storm. Feeling skeptical? Take a look around.

Which do YOU prefer? eReaders or paper all the way? Comment below and share your thoughts!

Something for Everyone!

Los Angeles Times Book Festival 2011

The Los Angeles Times Book Festival has a little bit of everything. Check out the Target Children’s Stage to watch fun musical acts and listen to authors like Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and Fátima Ptacek & Regan Mizrahi, the voices of Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Boots the Monkey! The LA Times Stage will host various celebrities like, Sugar Ray Leonard, Cheryl Burke, John Cusack, Ricki Lake and more. There will be marching bands, slide shows, book sales and signings, artwork, musical performance, etc. The list goes on and on!

For the complete schedule, please click here.

Admission: Free!

Want to Donate a Book?

The USC Office of Civic Engagement is sponsoring a book drive benefiting the USC Family of Schools. They’d love to receive your donation! Click here for info and a wish list of book titles to donate.

Dates & Location

April 21-22, 2012

Sat 10 AM – 6 PM

Sun 10 AM – 5 PM

Map

A clean workspace does wonders for your brain!

People often associate this time of year with “Spring Cleaning”. I know I do. But instead of cleaning out our closets, pantries and garages, let’s shift focus and look at some additional things in need of a little TLC, shall we?

Write, Write, Right! Talking about writing is one thing, but sitting down and actually writing is another. Don’t be all talk and no type! Make a commitment to yourself that seems fair and stick with it. Something simple, like “I’m going to write for one hour every day before bed”. Getting yourself into a writing routine is a great way to stay on track.

Out With the Clutter: Is your work desk getting overrun with papers, odds ‘n ends, coupons, crafts and doggie treats? De-clutter! Set your timer for 20 minutes and go to town. Straighten up, organize and clean up your work space. Desk looking a little dull? Put some flowers in a vase or add a few photos to liven things up.

Inspired Mind = Creative Mind: Some day’s creativity spills from your fingertips effortlessly. Other days you feel stagnant, repetitious, and unmotivated. Days like the latter can be discouraging, but its important not to let them get you down. Feeling uninspired? Try writing in a new environment. Coffee shops, parks, libraries, museums, and art galleries are all writer friendly. Break up the monotony and venture out!

Don’t Forget to Mingle: I’ve never particularly liked the word “networking”, but I love what it represents. Making connections, staying in contact, cultivating friendships, maintaining relationships – it’s so important, yet easily overlooked when writing is your primary focus.  Look at it this way: If you build and maintain these relationships while you’re working on your book, you won’t have to start from scratch once you’ve finished! Stay in the know. Check out what’s going on in your community. Book fairs, book readings, theatre events, author events, etc. Get out there and make yourself known!

Update Your Online Presence: How’s your BookRix profile looking these days? Is it up to date? Are you active in our community? Engaging with other authors and readers? If not, log in and take charge. Add a new profile pic! Let everyone know what you’ve been up to! Share what you’re working on, what books you’ve recently read, and what events you plan on attending.

Have an idea you’d like to share? Leave us a comment below! We’d love to hear from you.

1. What book has been the biggest influence in your life?
Bad Childhood Good Life, by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. I think so many people (myself included) use their less than perfect childhood as an excuse to live their lives as perpetual victims because it’s easy. When someone suggested that I read it, I was skeptical. Self-help books are a dime a dozen. But I gave it a chance and soon found myself agreeing with what she said. Bad Childhood Good Life showed me that when you’re a victim, the past is in control of your present but when you’re a conqueror…the present is controlled by your choices. It was very inspiring.

2. What author and/or character do you identify with most?
A few come to mind, but I would have to say Marianne Dashwood, from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
3. What do you think happens to you when you die?
Sleep? I don’t really think about it.

4. Have you ever penned anything yourself? And if so what’s the recurring theme?
I have several drafts on my computer that I’ve been working on and one day hope to self-publish. It’s about growing up with a bi-polar parent, essentially, it’s a book about my life. I’m not writing because there was anything special about my circumstances, but because I’ve never seen any other books written from this perspective. At least nothing for teens and young adults and I think its important for them to be able to relate to something or someone. Just to know they’re not alone. Growing up is hard enough, having to do it amidst chaos is a challenge in itself. I’d like to tell anyone out there going through something similar that it gets better.

5. If you had to re-live your life as a character in a book, what book/character would it be?
Scarlett O’Hara. I’ve always wanted to wear a hoop-skirt on a daily basis. Just don’t tell my husband that.

Due to the candidness of her answers, Isabelle asked that I not post her photo in our blog. I respect her wishes and am thankful for her honesty (and look forward to reading her book).

Thanks, Isabelle!

Lisa Logue, author of Cursed Secrets

If you’re a BookRix member, you’ve most likely seen Cursed Secrets by Lisa Logue listed in our gallery. This week I had the pleasure of getting to know the girl behind the book through an informal interview. This BA pursuing, Tennessee transplant is as down to earth as she is articulate. Lisa enjoys spending time with her two sons, her boyfriend of five years, family and friends – who describe her as “southernized”. As you may have guessed, she’s passionate about writing, is an avid reader and is a self proclaimed movie buff. What else has Lisa got up her sleeve? Check out our Q&A below and see for yourself.

What inspired you to start writing? And is that what inspires you now?

I’ve accepted the fact that there wasn’t such a thing as one inspiration for me. I’ve been writing since about first grade and the stories were quite graphic. I think I’ve always been compelled to write about reality within fantasy. The most important thing for me has been creating a world with people who seem real, even if they only exist in my imagination!

What would you like readers to take away from Cursed Secrets / Why should people read your book?

Personally, I don’t have a lesson or a moral that I’d like for people to learn. My hope is that readers can use their imaginations and decide for themselves what they want to take from the characters or the story. I’d like to think that Cursed Secrets is a bit of a refreshing twist on the typical books in the fantasy genre right now. Perhaps that’s the main reason it should be read? The characters are different, the relationships are different, even the story has a few interesting twists and turns that don’t normally occur in a fantasy novel.

We’re excited to hear about the sequel to Cursed Secrets! What can you tell us about it?

~The sequel is titled Binding Secrets. There’s a lot of work to be done still, but it’s coming along nicely. I’ve had several people ask about the fate of Lia and Christian and I can say that some of this will be resolved. However, there are still obstacles to overcome. Some new and old characters will surface as Lia embarks on her journey before and after The Council, adding more drama to the already tumultuous situation. No cover available yet, but one should be released in late Summer!

What made you want to self publish through BookRix?

I’ve always liked the community and I’ve met some really great people. Some of the best books I’ve read have been written by indie authors versus traditionally published books. There are so many different genres and options out there for people to write and read, it’s almost impossible not to find it on BookRix. So, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.

What do you think are the advantages of publishing through BookRix rather than another self publishing site?

As I said before the community is great, as is the support team. I also found that BookRix is more user friendly than Smashwords and I didn’t have to convert the files myself like the pubIt program with B&N. That was the selling point for me!

Cursed Secrets is blowing up on BookRix. Congrats! How do you feel about its success so far?

It’s absolutely surreal! I can’t even explain how it feels, literally coming out of the gate and BOOM I’m selling like crazy. I think I had to catch my breath! But I’m incredibly humbled by the kind words given by those who’ve read Cursed Secrets. It’s definitely wonderful to know that I was able to convey everything in such a way that it was recognized by my readers the way I envisioned it. I can only hope to continue to do the same thing.

- Cursed Secrets on Amazon

- Cursed Secrets on BookRix

This increasingly popular genre has managed to take various age groups by storm. Which is why I was especially interested to see what our indie authors were working on. This week on BookRix.com, Cursed Secrets by Lisa Logue was the first book to display when I selected ‘Books’ from the nav bar. The cover peaked my interest, as did the blurb and tags (Tags: Fantasy, Vampire, Witchcraft). I downloaded it to my Kindle, took a seat in my arm chair and started in reading.

The storyline is stitched together nicely with a good combination of suspense, mystery and love. Well played, Lisa.  After reading it myself, I emailed the book link to my old roommate, an avid Twilight/Team Jacob fan, and told her to check it out. Within two days, she responded with a glowing review and enthusiastically asked if the book was part of a series. I’m not certain, but I suspect it might be.

Whether you’re a huge supporter of the vampire/fantasy genre or you’ve yet to dabble in it, try out Lisa Logue’s latest book, Cursed Secrets. And while you’re it, leave her a review! Here’s how to find it:

Amazon

BookRix

BookRix Office in Munich, Germany

We arrived on a Sunday afternoon (6am LA time) and Tim picked us up at the airport. I immediately took on the role of stereotypical tourist and began snapping photos of everything that moved (and a few things that didn’t). If you haven’t been to Germany, I highly recommend it. Cobblestone streets and gorgeous architecture are in abundance. People on the street are polite but keep to themselves, and unlike where I’m from, they walk everywhere. It was so refreshing, seeing people walk that is, that Stefany and I adopted the same mentality and walked ourselves into leg cramps so we could see the most of the city.

As for the BookRix team, they were just as down to earth and friendly as I had anticipated. Conference calls and video chats are a great way to connect when your company is halfway across the globe. But nothing beats human interaction, face to face conversations, and good old fashioned office banter. We talked with Gunnar Siewert (Co-Founder), Davor Dregza (Co-Founder) and Johannes Conrady (COO) about the future of BookRix and their exciting plans for the company. We worked with Lineh (BX Community Manager) and Tim (Head of Business Development & Coordination) on the launch of our eBook distribution services and had some fun with marketing campaigns and social media strategies.

One Friday a month, BookRix gathers all their employees together at a local restaurant for dinner and drinks to show appreciation for the hard work everyone has put in. Luckily we were able to attend and spent some quality time with the team. We even got to taste authentic bratwurst, sauerkraut and German beer. It was fantastic! And what trip isn’t complete without a tour of the city? Both Lineh and Tim took us out on the town for some amazing site seeing spots throughout Munich. In the end, we were there for 9 days, but it still felt short. We came for work, but we left with so much more. The BookRix team really is a family. We all work hard because we love the company, and it shows. I can’t wait to meet up with my team later this year.

Without going horribly off topic as I sometimes tend to do, I’d like to focus on one thing in particular: Reviews. These days you can write a review for a variety of things: restaurants, retail stores, movies, hotels, etc. The list goes on and on. And who can resist using Yelp? It’s addictive! But this week I stumbled upon this informative article by Kaitlyn Davis and was compelled to write about it. In a nutshell, Kaitlyn was the victim of ill intentioned book reviews. Not only were they fabricated, but they accused her of plagiarism. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Before you start rationalizing this as “everyone has a right to their own opinion”, read her experience and you’ll understand this was a staged attack. And to put things into perspective, that mean spirited review could just have easily been about your book. Obviously you’re not going to love everything you read, but you can take a stand (see also: act like an adult) and make a conscious effort to provide honest reviews with effective and useful feedback for authors.

Like many of you, I love to read. And over the years, I’ve gone through hundreds of books. And through all that reading, do you know how many reviews I’ve written? Two. I feel awful even typing that. But going  forward, I’m going to write a review for each completed book. Not because I want to change the book industry one book review at a time (gimmie a little credit here). I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do. And I encourage you to do the same. Every little bit helps and if people like us can write a review on our dining experience at a local hot spot, then we’re more than capable of putting together some positive or constructive words for the author who poured their soul into what we just read.

C’mon. Who’s with me?

Through this five day a week, hour and a half commute, the narrator is careful not to engage with the surrounding transit passengers, stating “being too social with the same riders can be a nightmare”.  Yet the dead expressions of people heading to various destinations is unintentionally captivating. Is this really just the end of the world as we know it? That seems to be the reoccurring prediction of passing billboards: “Blow the trumpet, Warn the people!” What does it all mean?

Through a strange series of events, readers are left wondering what is real and what isn’t. Mind games? Hallucinations? The result of exhaustion?

Let ‘Rapture 7’ grip you as it did us, and download Happy Dagger’s book today.

Have you already read it? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts! (No plot spoilers please)