Blue Love

So I probably talk a little too much about Blue October on here, but since this is my blog, I LUV BO, and I used one of their songs to title my blog....I guess it's OK.

But today I'm thinking about Blu & especially Justin a little differently. I talked recently about how they were going to be testifying/speaking to a Congressional SubCommittee about Mental Health Issues & Suicide Prevention. This is something they are quite passionate about, especially Justin who makes no secret of the battle he has fought and continues to fight every day. Word came on Tuesday night that due to a medical emergency Justin would not be there, I believe that none of BO was. So now I am left to worry..... like a Mother about a child, (only I don't look at Justin like my child LOL believe me) It must be something serious for them to have had to pull out. My thoughts & prayers are with them and they are in my heart. Hopefully we will hear something soon.

I leave you with this video of a live performance many years ago. For those who don't 'get it' or maybe just never really thought about it. Watch this and listen to him, I mean really listen. Maybe you or I have never felt quite this low, but maybe we can help others who have.

I continue to be blown away by his honesty and willingness to share this with others. And one last thing, here's a really recent video of Justin (& Matt) talking about the Pick Up The Phone Tour.

Fallenarchangel.com. Spreading the Hush, Hush love.

I'm gonna let my sister Rebecca say it for me, since she said it so well!!

I couldn't let October 13, 2009 pass without mentioning the small detail of today being the official release day of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Not only because I think it's an incredible book that you should all read, but as I've mentioned before my sister and I started Fallenarchangel.com, a Hush, Hush fansite.

Yep, we love it that much.

We've got all sorts of great stuff, a forum, a blog (for those of you who have read it you get why it's called The Coldwater High eZine) contests, twitter, even an "Ask Becca" thread on the forum where she'll stop by on Mondays to answer questions. She is just that super cool and down to earth. Just ask Lisa and Laura who posted 13 reasons why they love Hush, Hush!

While it's still insane to think we have an actual fansite, things have REALLY started to get exciting. Especially with the release today! Jenn (that's me!) and I are going to be at our local Borders in Scranton, PA this Friday from 7-10 pm to help promote Hush, Hush with giveaways (bookmarks, posters, a signed copy!) and a reading. Eeek, we even plan on wearing t-shirts with Fallenarchangel.com on them. Becca will be in Philly next month so we are working on arranging a time to meet her. In person!!! We've had the pleasure of working with Simon & Schuster here and in the UK. So many amazing things and more in the works.

And let me tell you Becca'a fans are incredible. One of the best parts about starting the site (aside from getting to work with Becca) is meeting the people who love Hush, Hush like we do. We have 119 amazing members who have been already built an awesome community with pics of who they see as Patch and Nora, other books and TV shows the love and more. Then there's Brittany who has been pumping out some killer banners using the teaser lines we posted the last ten days leading up to the release today. I'm telling you, they are just the best fans a girl could ask for. Becca is one lucky lady!

Hopefully if you've read Hush, Hush you will come join the fun and show your love for Becca. And if you haven't read it, you'll go pick a copy up today and come hang out with us when you finish at http://www.fallenarchangel.com/.

So here's a BIG shout out to Becca Fitzpatrick on her very first release day! Thank you for writing one of the best stories I've ever read, and for being so supportive and just plain awesome. I am beyond excited to see what lies ahead. Hmm, Crescendo (the follow up to Hush, Hush) anyone? Heck yeah!

In Defense of YA. Does it Really Need Defending?

This morning I was thrilled to see the announcement that the movie rights to Maggie Stiefvater's "Shiver" series have been snatched up!! I love this book, cannot wait for the sequel and now look forward to a big screen adaptation.

"Shiver" is the latest, in a long line of Young Adult books, to see cross-over success and popularity with teens, young adults and adults alike. The Young Adult 'genre' is breaking free of the small racks in the corner of the children's section, and is being featured prominently, in its own section. Front and center! This trend may be getting more attention now, because of the Twilight series, but it's been there, working it's magic slowly, quietly for a while. Because of this there's a whole lot of great writing and storytelling finding it's way into the hands and hearts of a lot more people. People, who 5 years ago would NEVER have thought of buying something from the Young Adult Section of their bookstore.

Heck, I am 36 years old and have been reading YA books like crazy for the past year. And you know what....I love them, many rank among the best books I have ever read!

Some are quick to criticize authors, publishers, production companies, etc who are currently promoting or moving forward with this sort of project; saying they are exploiting or latching onto Twilight's success, cashing in on it. I don't see it that way. Someone or something will always have to come first, to blaze the trail and the others can either move forward into this new territory or be left behind. Which would you rather be??

I think we should celebrate the turn things have taken lately. The fact that the Young Adult 'genre' (I just don't know if that is the right term) is getting so much attention and has become so successful, is a hugely positive thing. Just think about how many more teens and young adults are reading because of this! I have seen firsthand how falling in love with a book or book series can turn someone, who only read for school, into a voracious reader. What could possible be bad about that?!

Note: I guess I should mention that I am the co-owner and admin of a fansite dedicated to a Young Adult book about a Fallen Angel. Clearly my love for this type of book is obvious and so I may be a little, tiny bit biased :-)

Another Note: MTV.com has posted an article today titled "'Shiver' Is Latest Werewolf Love Story Latch Onto 'Twilight' Success" I felt the need to comment on the post, perhaps you will want to as well.

I have read Shiver and love it! I should mention that I am a huge fan of Twilight, and in fact this entire genre. Yes, they are both Young Adult Urban Fantasy books, and both authors have taken artistic liberties with their 'supernatural' characters BUT I don't really think they should be compared beyond that. I am pleased that SHIVER is moving to the big screen, I hope that it will be blessed with a great screen writer and director who will bring the book to life, not re-invent it.

btw 'latching onto Twilight's success' sounds kind of negative... I think bringing the world of Young Adult books to the bigscreen is great and the fact that Twilight lead the way should be celebrated. Others are smart to follow in it's footsteps instead of being left behind :-)

Blue October Takes On A Cause

Another justification for my Blue October love.....

Their latest round of appearances is being dubbed the "Pick Up The Phone Tour". It's a "music tour committed to reducing the stigma associated with mental health as well as making the access to help and hope for all safe and without fear." (Indiestar.tv) This tour marks the first time a tour has been solely devoted to suicide prevention.

Blue's lead singer and songwriter Justin Furstenfeld has made no secret about his own battles with depression and his struggles with his own mental health. He has been able to turn his emotions into music, amazing music, and has spoken on more than one occasion about trying to help others learn to channel theirs into other directions, art, music, writing, etc.

I admire him very much for having the courage to put his own battles out there for the world to see, and at the same time providing a glimmer of hope for those who haven't found their own outlet yet.

So, if the Pick Up The Phone Tour comes your way, go check it out. Not only will you see an AMAZING show, but you'll be helping to raise funds & awareness for suicide prevention!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've been super busy lately with some really great stuff!

My sister Rebecca and I have started a HUSH, HUSH fansite, blog & forum called FallenArchangel. HUSH HUSH is a fabulous new YA book by Becca Fitzpatrick which debuts on October 13. After reading an ARC we fell in love with the book and decided to go for it!! It's been a lot of work, and is still in progress BUT check it out! Becca has been a great help and we are currently working with the publisher on some great stuff.

Also working with our local TwilightMoms to make plans for the Midnight Release of New Moon. Lots of good stuff coming this Fall!

Witch Hunts, A Real Trailer & Catching Fire

I just returned home from a meeting in Salem, Mass. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it.

While I was in Salem, and had only my mini-netbook computer with me, the newest New Moon Trailer was released. I am going to call this the real trailer since the others didn't really count. The first was a little teaser, the second was propaganda for Jacob (not that I didn't enjoy it, but it just wasn't a theatrical trailer in my opinion) and now what we have all been waiting for ....yay the real trailer! I saw it on the VMA Awards and then found it in HD on-line, but the little teeny weenie screen just didn't do it for me. One of the first things I did when I got home was to check it out in all it's glory on my 17" screen. It's really great!

On the subject of the VMAs, I know I'm a day late on this, I still cannot believe what Kanye did to poor Taylor Swift & Beyonce. How utterly awful for Taylor, obviously. But poor Beyonce must have been mortified as well. I'm not really gonna give him any more of my time, he's just not worth it. However, I think Beyonce deserves some props for the way she called Taylor back on stage, following a win of her own, and allowed her to deliver her acceptance speech.

I took CATCHING FIRE with me on my trip and read the heck out of that book. I was sooo close to the end when I arrived, but saved the rest for my trip home. I'm not going to say much about it yet. I need to digest it a little more...I will say I didn't want it to end!

Borders Ink is having a YA promotion...check it out

Bad Celery, Really Good Cookies and Summer Wrap Up

I haven't had much time to blog lately, busy on a project which will be revealed on Saturday. It's a lot of work, but should be totally worth it in the end. I hope I will be able to get my part done (and done well), please send some positive thoughts my way.

I also haven't picked up a book in a while and let me tell you Catching Fire is calling my name! Hopefully I will get to read that soon. My sisters and I are planning to read it together, leach of us will take a turn reading it out loud to the others. Could be lots of fun (or not lol), but it's a little bit hard to sync up all of our schedules.

Here's some randomness from today....

• I Love Farmers' Markets, spent the morning at a local one.
• Discovered, quite possibly, the BEST chocolate chip cookies in the world at aforementioned Farmer's Market.
• Ate the worst piece of celery EVER while trying to snack 'healthy' this afternoon. See what happens when you try to be good.

Some more randomness (in pictures) from Summer, which began with cleaning out a senior citizen's apartment, a really big mohawk and locks of love. And pretty much ended when school went back this week.

He was allowed to do whatever he wanted with his hair for Summer Vacation, however this only lasted one week before I took him back to get it cut in half. I think this still qualifies me for The Coolest Mom contest.

Her second donation to Locks of Love.

Me learning to love the Barleycorn. This is one of many things from my Grandmother's apartment that we still have to find a home for.

The kids and their cousin - Amusement Park Fun! (Knoebels)

Friends raising $$ for Alex's Lemonade Stand



NEPA TwilightMoms - This picture was taken the day we met for lunch (and drinks, of course), had some discussion of The Time Traveler's Wife book & then went to see the movie.

Steamtown train museum & train ride. My Aunt, my sisters, the kids & I spent the day having local fun....train museum, train ride, lunch at Moe's, ice cream, Riverside Park & stops at a few produce stands.

Back to School

Of course there was a heck of a lot more that went on, but I won't bore you with any more. Back to school brings about a complete change, a return to routine, a tighter schedule.....sigh. But on the bright side Fall is my favorite season and changing leaves are just around the corner!