Picky Readers

So it's convention season, and you want to go to your favorite book convention (see also: book con). There's one problem: you have no idea how book conventions work. Say you've never been to one, or maybe you've never been to this particular book con, or at this particular location. You're absolutely lost-- but don't worry, I've got you covered! (No pun intended.) (Actually, wait, I take it back, pun intended.) Here are some helpful tips for before, during, and after the convention to help you on your journey through the wonderful world of book cons! Before you go: Look at a map of the convention center. By John Willy (editor and publisher of journal) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons No, I don't just mean that you should see where the convention center is, and how to get there-- though that is important too. I mean you should look at the layout of the convention center beforehand and get familiar with the layout . If possible, use a ...

Background photo by Sean MacEntee on Flickr [ CC BY 2.0 ]; Text by Emma K. Once upon a time, there was a stereotypical young adult character. He was just a typical high school student-- he was good friends with one of his teachers (even though it might have raised some eyebrows from the other parents if they found out about it), he was in lust with an edgy, shy, nerdy, popular outcast who was extremely beautiful and also misunderstood, and lived in a ramshackle house with a broken family. He was really good at one particular sport but wouldn't join the team, despite the coach asking him multiple times to join the team, because he was either too cool or too awkward to join the team, or perhaps both. Photo credit: vanes_hud  [ CC BY-SA 2.0 ] Does this sound familiar? No? Perhaps this one will do the trick: She had light brown hair, and brown eyes, and was as shy as could be, with absolutely no social life other than the boyfriend she was about to meet, and she was o...

Photo credit: Image by Helgi Halldórsson  on Flickr [ CC BY 2.0 ]; Text by Emma K. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start your own book club? Do you ever read a book and wish you could talk about it with someone? Do you have an idea for a book club but just don't know how to start? Well then, this post is for you. A book club, by definition, is a group of people who all read a book and then meet to discuss it. Many libraries and bookstores host their own book clubs for patrons and customers to attend, but it's not that hard to start your own! Here are a few steps to get you started on your path to truly enjoying books with other people who truly enjoy books: Note: As with any how-to, these steps are merely recommendations, and you are free to do whatever you please. Well, they are pretty good recommendations. But still. Step 1: Pick the theme and tone for your book club. Photo credit: Startup Stock Photos on Pexels [...

Photo credit: sebastien lebrigand  on Flickr (under this license ) [text & top/bottom banners added] As someone who's read a lot of young adult books, I can tell you that there are a lot of overused ideas in the genre. To be precise, there are a lot of clichés. Clichés are ideas, themes, and even phrases that are used over and over again, to the point of banality. Here I've highlighted a few of the most popular clichés, and as you read, I'd like you to consider the question: are clichés still effective and enjoyable, or are they irritating and unoriginal? Dead Parents Photo credit: SAHTV  on Flickr (under this license ) [cropped] The protagonist is lonely, depressed, and raised by their aunt/uncle/closest relative. They feel unloved and unwanted. Most of us have read the  Harry Potter  series and know about Harry's borderline-abusive aunt and uncle, who take care of him after his mother and father die in a fateful accident. As a result, Harry oft...

Photo credit: Emma K. Note: Mouseover abbreviations for more explanation. TL;DR review: I wasn't expecting to get into Eliza and Her Monsters , but I ended up crying for more than fifteen minutes. Teenage angst levels: A little angsty, but for good reason. Deadly diseases: Everyone's healthy enough. Use of Magic: The only magic is in our hearts. Danger of imminent death: Safe and sound. Violence: A little bully-fight, nothing serious. Sexual content: A couple sneaky kisses. Number of romantic interests: Only the one, really. Protagonist's moral compass: If it were any farther north, it would go flying from the compass. Sad factor: Prepare to be emotionally ruined. Romance cheese: Melty mozzarella. Dystopia: Modern-day ramblings. (For more on age-appropriate content, check out Common Sense Media .) Original image by Gamemasterz (Own work) [ CC BY-SA 4.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons . Added text by Emma K. Books don't make me cry ofte...

Here are some upcoming author signings and book events in the Chicago area and northwest suburbs! I tried to find as many free programs as I could, but for most of the author signings on this list, you have to buy a copy of the author's featured book to get in. Julius LeBlanc Stewart [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Author: E. K. Johnston Book: That Inevitable Victorian Thing Venue: Anderson's Bookshop Downer's Grove Date & time: Monday, October 23 at 7 p.m. Price of admission: To attend, purchase a copy of the book from Anderson's Bookshop ($17.99) Hosted by:  Anderson's Bookshop Check out That Inevitable Victorian Thing on Goodreads! By Sadichhak (Own work) [ CC BY-SA 4.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons Author: Maggie Stiefvater Book: All the Crooked Saints Venue: Magic Tree Bookstore Date & time: Monday, October 23 at 6 p.m. Price of admission: To attend the event, RSVP and purchase any of her books ($9.95 to $18.99) on the Ma...