Today, 15-year-old John J. from DuBois, PA shares which fun, fictional characters he'd want at his birthday bash, discusses the realistic aspects of David Klass's YOU DON'T KNOW ME and shares a set of amusing quotes from one of the greatest American novels ever written.If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
Probably Prince Po from GRACELING. He''s smart, sexy, a fighter, and graced with being able to feel people and read their thoughts about him. And, he''s royalty. What more could you ask for?
What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
YOU DON'T KNOW ME by David Klass. I would suggest it to anyone. The main character is a perfect representation of what it is to be a teenager: confusing, creative, and explosive. Plus, all of the characters are fun to love (or hate)!
Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
1. Gemma Doyle (A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY): She's witty, subtle, and one of the best protagonists I've ever read about. A must have for my birthday.
2. Zack (Beautiful Americans): Fun, snarky fashionista. In male form. Enough said.
3. Schuyler Van Alen (Blue Bloods) - A girl with her own style and flair, but is loyal, intelligent, and responsible. Plus, she could get us into all the best NYC clubs!
Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
Yes, it's from GONE WITH THE WIND. "Well you sir are no gentleman." - Scarlett "And "You are no lady!" - Rhett Butler
Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
1. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell: Unbridled passions, a backdrop of one of the most epic events in American history, amazing writing, and characters that play at the most reserved of your emotions. Truly a masterpiece.
2. RAINBOW BOYS by Alex Sanchez: What GEOGRAPHY CLUB started, this book mastered. The characters are all lovable and different, yet honest. It explains the realities of being a gay teenager, and a teenager in general. Should be on anyone''s top reading list.
3. A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray - Magic, mystery, and Victorian England. Yep. If you don''t want to read it already, well... A teenage girl tries to find herself, when being a lady just isn't her destiny. When her mother is mysteriously killed, she is forced to be shipped off to Spence Academy for Ladies, and discovers magical abilities, things get just a little bit crazy.
If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
Libba Bray! She''s funny, always writes with a creative and delectable style, and has amazing characterization.
1. How did you come up with your characters?
2. What is your next major project?
3. Is there any hope for the Gemma Doyle Trilogy becoming a quartet?
What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?
Gone With the Wind and Twilight are two that stand out. I loved Gone With the Wind with an equal ferocity, but I preferred the novel version of Twilight to the movie, which was satisfying but not at all worthy of the hype it got. Ditto for the second book in the series as well.
Tell us about your favorite book series.
The series I devoured the fastest recently was the Rainbow Boys series, which combined normal teen problems with a topic that many authors tend to avoid in main characters these days. They were quick, dramatic, and catty. Like Gossip Girl. But with guys. And better writing.
