Utah Book Month 2015: Week Four

Hello! It's the last week of Utah Book Month. It's hard to believe it's almost over. But it's not over yet. Here's what's happening during week four!

WEEK FOUR THEME: UTAH BOOKS

Our focus this week is on all of the lovely Utah books. We usually define Utah books as those written by authors who currently live in Utah. But it can really go farther than that to books set in Utah or by authors that used to live in Utah, etc. This week, we'd love to have you share some of your favorite Utah books. Here are some ideas to get your started:

• Round up your favorite Utah books of all time
• Spotlight a book that takes place in Utah
• Give us a look at a Utah publisher
• Use "Follow Friday" (#ff) on Twitter to highlight a Utah book or two

Of course, you can take this theme and run with it in any way you can think of. For inspiration, check out our lists of Utah publishers and presses  and Utah authors (let us know if we missed one).

If you do a post on a Utah book this week, please link to it here:

WEEK FOUR MINI-CHALLENGE: BOOK COVERS

This week's mini-challenge is all about book covers (from books by Utah authors of course)! Head over to Kami's blog for all of the details. Participating in this mini-challenge will earn you an entry into the UBM mega-giveaway (more details on that below).

UTAH BOOKS SOCIAL

Our annual Utah Books social is coming up this Friday, August 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in Lehi! Here are the details:

Utah Book Month Bash

Friday, August 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

Wines Park, SW Pavilion (500 N. Center, Lehi) 

• Bring a dessert or snack to share; we'll provide plates/forks/napkins/cups/water.
• We do have a pavilion with picnic tables, but you may also want to bring chairs or blankets for sitting on the grass.
• Families are welcome - there is a playground for kids.

For directions and more details, check out this post. Please spread the word! We'd love to see you and all your friends and writing buddies there! 

WEEK FOUR EVENTS: TWITTER CHATS

We're thrilled that so many Utah authors have agreed to participate in Twitter chats during the month. We've had such a great time chatting with Utah authors, and we have another three chats scheduled this week to round out our month:

• Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MT - Jessica Day George
• Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MT - Sara B. Larson
• Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. MT - Julianne Donaldson

Check out the schedule page for the full Twitter chat list!

READALONG: NOT IN THE SCRIPT, BY AMY FINNEGAN

Last week marked the official end of our readalong (#ubmreadalong) of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan. If you haven't done so yet, make sure to check out these discussion questions for Part 1 and for Part 2.

REVIEWS OF UTAH BOOKS

Continuing with tradition, we have a separate post all set up for links to your reviews of Utah books. If you read and post about a Utah book this month, make sure to head over and add your link. This also earns you an entry in the mega-giveaway!

MEGA-GIVEAWAY

Your participation in Utah Book Month activities and events earn you entries into the Utah Book Month Mega-Giveaway! Here's what's in the mega-prize pack:

• A signed copy of Jessica Day George's newest release, Silver in the Blood
• A signed copy of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan
• A copy of Ink and Ashes, by Valynne E. Maetani
• A copy of When Women Were Birds, by Terry Tempest Williams
• A $10 Amazon gift card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's to final great week!

Utah Book Month 2015 Read Along: Not in the Script Part Two Discussion

Today marks the end our of Utah Book Month read along! We hope you have enjoyed reading Not in the Script as much as we have!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this book, so we came up with a few questions. If you'd like, you can post your answers on your blog and link up here so we can be sure to find you. Or, you can just comment here if that's easier.

Not in the Script Part Two Discussion Questions

1. Have your opinions of any of the characters changed from the first half?

2. Would you watch Coyote Hills?

3. Did everything go down like you thought it would?


4. If there's a lesson to be learned from this story, what do you think it is?

5. How do you feel about the portrayal of the parents of these characters?

6. What parts felt realistic and what parts felt unrealistic?


7. What was your favorite part?

8. Who was your favorite character?

9. Do you have a favorite quote from the book?

10. If you were in charge of a sequel, what major plot would you include?


Anything else you want to add? Please feel free elaborate! Thank you again for joining us! For more about the lovely Amy Finnegan, check out her website and this spotlight post by Suey. Remember, too, that for the whole month of August, you can get Not in the Script for only $1.99 for Kindle on Amazon!

If you write a part two discussion post, link up here:

Utah Book Month Bash 2015

It's time once again to have a Utah Books party! We've been doing this for YEARS, even before we had an official Utah Books month. We'd love to have all bloggers, authors, aspiring authors, sellers, publishers and anyone locally that has anything to do with the bookish life here in Utah join in the fun. It's a blast to meet together in real life, match faces with online personas and gab for hours about our favorite thing!

We will be meeting at the same park as we have for the past three years. Here are the details:

Utah Book Month Bash

Friday, August 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

Wines Park in Lehi, SW Pavilion 

• Bring a dessert or snack to share; we'll provide plates/forks/napkins/cups/water.
• We do have a pavilion with picnic tables, but you may also want to bring chairs or blankets for sitting on the grass.
• Families are welcome - there is a playground for kids.

*From I-15, take Lehi Main Street Exit. Turn west onto Main Street (toward Lehi Roller Mills). Turn right onto 100 East, then left at 500 North. Our pavilion is in the southwest corner at Center Street and 500 North. (Not the one we were at last year, but the one we were at the two years before that!)

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SPREAD THE WORD! 

Memories from last year's gathering!

Utah Book Month 2015: Week Three

Hello! We're at the half-way mark with Utah Book Month. It's just getting better and better. Here's what's happening during week three!

WEEK THREE THEME: UTAH BOOKISH PLACES

Our focus this week is on all places in Utah that are bookish. From libraries to bookstores and parks to coffee shops, we'd love to have you share your favorite literary places in Utah. Here are some ideas to get your started:

• Show us around your favorite places to read in Utah
• Spotlight your local library
• Take us with you to your favorite bookstore
• Use "Follow Friday" (#ff) on Twitter to highlight a Utah bookish place or two

Of course, you can take this theme and run with it in any way you can think of. For inspiration, check out our list of Utah bookstores (let us know if we missed one).

If you do a post on a Utah bookish place this week, please link to it here:

WEEK THREE MINI-CHALLENGE: CHARACTERS

This week's mini-challenge is all about characters! (From books by Utah authors of course). Head over to Jenni's blog for all of the details. Participating in this mini-challenge will earn you an entry into the UBM mega-giveaway (more details on that below).

WEEK THREE EVENTS: TWITTER CHATS

We're thrilled that so many Utah authors have agreed to participate in Twitter chats during the month. We've been having a great time chatting with Utah authors, and we have another two chats scheduled this week:

• Monday, August 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. MT - Sara Zarr
• Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. MT - Shallee McArthur
• Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. MT -  Courtney Alameda

Check out the schedule page for the full Twitter chat list!

READALONG: NOT IN THE SCRIPT, BY AMY FINNEGAN

Thursday will mark the official end of our readalong (#ubmreadalong) of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan. If you're following along and haven't done so yet, make sure to check out these discussion questions for Part 1. Discussion questions for Part 2 will be up here on Thursday.

REVIEWS OF UTAH BOOKS

Continuing with tradition, we have a separate post all set up for links to your reviews of Utah books. If you read and post about a Utah book this month, make sure to head over and add your link. This also earns you an entry in the mega-giveaway!

SAVE THE DATE: UTAH BOOKS SOCIAL

Our annual Utah Books social is coming up on Friday, August 28, 2015 in Lehi. More details are forthcoming, but make sure and save that date!

MEGA-GIVEAWAY

Your participation in Utah Book Month activities and events earn you entries into the Utah Book Month Mega-Giveaway! Here's what's in the mega-prize pack:

• A signed copy of Jessica Day George's newest release, Silver in the Blood
• A signed copy of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan
• A copy of Ink and Ashes, by Valynne E. Maetani
• A copy of When Women Were Birds, by Terry Tempest Williams
• A $10 Amazon gift card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's to another great week!

Utah Book Month 2015 Read Along: Not in the Script Part One Discussion

Hey everyone! If you are reading Not in the Script along with us, today marks our halfway point. We'd love to know what you think of the book so far and what thoughts you have, so we've come up with a few questions. If you'd like, you can post your answers on your blog and link up here so we can be sure to find you. Or, you can just comment here if that's easier. And if you haven't started the reading yet, there's plenty of time to join us. It's very fast reading so no worries there. Also, right now you can get it for only $1.99 for Kindle on Amazon, so you should take advantage of that for sure!

Not in the Script Part One Discussion Questions

1. What's your overall impression of this story so far? Are you liking it? If so, what do you like? Are you not liking it? If so, what do you not like?

2. Do you like the cover? What does it suggest about the book?

3. What do you think about the dynamics of Rachel and Emma's relationship? How would you feel if you were Emma? If you were Rachel?

4. Let's talk about the slow build up between Jake and Emma. Which part was your favorite?

5. Brett has a playboy persona with a tidbit of actual humanity hiding underneath. What do you think he's really like? What are his motivations?

6. What real celebrities would you cast for these pretend celebrity characters?

7. What do you think about the behind the scene particulars of filming a TV show? Does it sound fun? Hard? Exciting? Boring?

8. What do you think about Emma's vow to never date a guy she works with? Do you think real life celebrities have this same policy?

9. If you were Emma, would you have told Rachel what's going down with Jake WAY before now? Or do you think Emma is justified in keeping things secret?

10. What's your evaluation of Jake's character so far?

Anything else you want to add? Please feel free elaborate! If you write a post, link up here:

Utah Book Month 2015: Week Two

Hello! Here we are at the onset of week two of Utah Book Month. We had a great first week, and we're so excited to turn our attention to week two. Let's get started!

WEEK TWO THEME: UTAH AUTHORS

Our focus this week is on our awesome Utah authors. We are very lucky to have so many great authors call Utah home. All week we'll be using Twitter, Instagram, and our individual blogs to spotlight Utah authors. Here are some ideas:

• Spotlight a new-to-you Utah author
• Do a roundup of some of your favorite Utah authors
• Showcase a Utah author's complete works
• Use "Follow Friday" (#ff) on Twitter to highlight a Utah author or two

Of course, you can take this theme and run with it in any way you can think of. For inspiration, check out our list of Utah authors (let us know if we missed someone).

If you do a post on a Utah author this week, please link to it here:

WEEK TWO MINI-CHALLENGE: FIRST LINES

This week's mini-challenge is all about first lines of Utah books (by those great Utah authors). Head over to It's All About Books for all of the details. Participating in this mini-challenge will earn you an entry into the UBM mega-giveaway (more details on that below).

WEEK TWO EVENTS: TWITTER CHATS

We're thrilled that so many Utah authors have agreed to participate in Twitter chats during the month. We had quite a lot of fun with Michele Paige Holmes last week, and we have FOUR chats scheduled this week:

• Monday, August 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. MT - Amy Finnegan
• Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MT - Jenn Johansson
• Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. MT - Johnny Worthen
• Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MT - Bree Despain

Check out the schedule page for the full Twitter chat list!

READALONG: NOT IN THE SCRIPT, BY AMY FINNEGAN

We're moving along with our readalong (#ubmreadalong), Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan. As a reminder, here's the schedule we're following:

• August 1-10: Pages 1-183
• August 11-20: Pages 185-370

On Monday (August 10) and August 20, we'll have discussion questions up here at the Utah Books blog. We're so excited to discuss this one with you.

If you haven't already, you can sign-up for the readalong using the linky below:

REVIEWS OF UTAH BOOKS

Continuing with tradition, we have a separate post all set up for links to your reviews of Utah books. If you read and post about a Utah book this month, make sure to head over and add your link. This also earns you an entry in the mega-giveaway!

MEGA-GIVEAWAY

Your participation in Utah Book Month activities and events will not only result in positive feelings but will also earn you entries into the Utah Book Month Mega-Giveaway! Here's what's in the mega-prize pack:

• A signed copy of Jessica Day George's newest release, Silver in the Blood
• A signed copy of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan
• A copy of Ink and Ashes, by Valynne E. Maetani
• A copy of When Women Were Birds, by Terry Tempest Williams
• A $10 Amazon gift card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's to another great week!

Utah Book Month 2015: Week One

Hello! And welcome to week one of Utah Book Month, a celebration of all things literary here in Utah. As we mentioned in the sign-up post, we're organizing things by week this year. So, check back here each Saturday for a full run down of each week. Let's get started!

WEEK ONE THEME: UTAH BLOGGERS

Our focus this week is on our awesome Utah book bloggers. All week we'll be using Twitter, Instagram, and our individual blogs to spotlight Utah book bloggers. Here are some ideas:

• Spotlight a new-to-you Utah book blogger
• Spotlight a feature or post by a Utah book blogger that inspired you
• Do a roundup of some of your favorite Utah book bloggers
• Use "Follow Friday" (#ff) on Twitter to highlight a Utah book blogger or two

Of course, you can take this theme and run with it in any way you can think of. For inspiration, check out our list of Utah Book Bloggers (let us know if you should be on it) and the list of bloggers signed up to participate in Utah Book Month.

If you do a post on a Utah book blogger this week, please link to it here:

WEEK ONE MINI-CHALLENGE: INSTAGRAM

This week's mini-challenge is all about posting bookish fun on Instagram. Head on over to The Bluestocking Society for all of the details. Participating in this mini-challenge will enter you in a giveaway hosted by Jessica at The Bluestocking Society, as well as earn you an entry into the UBM Mega-Giveaway (more details on that below).

WEEK ONE EVENTS: TWITTER CHATS

We're thrilled that so many Utah authors have agreed to participate in Twitter chats during the month. Check out the schedule page for the full list, but here is what we have coming up this week:

• August 4, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. MT - Michele Paige Holmes

READALONG: NOT IN THE SCRIPT, BY AMY FINNEGAN

The votes are in, and our readalong book has been selected! We'll be reading Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan. (We strongly encourage you to read the runner-up, Ink and Ashes, by Valynne E. Maetani, as well.) Here's the schedule we'll be following for Not in the Script:

• August 1-10: Pages 1-183
• August 11-20: Pages 185-370

On August 10 and August 20, we'll have discussion questions up here at the Utah Books blog. We're so excited to discuss this one with you.

If you'd like to officially declare your intention to readalong with us (so we can give you a little cheering along the way), go ahead and sign-up using the linky below:

REVIEWS OF UTAH BOOKS

Continuing with tradition, we have a separate post all set up for links to your reviews of Utah books. If you read and post about a Utah book this month, make sure to head over and add your link.

MEGA-GIVEAWAY

Your participation in Utah Book Month activities and events will not only result in positive feelings but will also earn you entries into the Utah Book Month Mega-Giveaway! Here's what's in the mega-prize pack:

• A signed copy of Jessica Day George's newest release, Silver in the Blood
• A signed copy of Not in the Script, by Amy Finnegan
• A copy of Ink and Ashes, by Valynne E. Maetani
• A copy of When Women Were Birds, by Terry Tempest Williams
• A $10 Amazon gift card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Utah Book Month 2015 Review Linky

Hey everyone! Welcome to Utah Book Month! We'd like to challenge you to read one, or two or more books by Utah authors this month. Once you post a review on your blog, come back here and link it up so we can visit you, and see all the different Utah books that are being read this month.

Awesome!

Check out this post for more details about things we have planned all during the month to celebrate Utah books. We hope you join us!

Readalong Poll

During Utah Book Month, we're going to have a readalong! We’ve narrowed it down to debut books by two Utah authors: Ink and Ashes by Valynne E. Maetani and Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan. Please help us decide which book to read together by voting in the poll below. We’ll announce the winner and readalong details on Saturday.

Here’s a synopsis of each book to aid you in your decision-making process:

INK AND ASHES, by Valynne E. Maetani

Claire Takata has never known much about her father, who passed away ten years ago. But on the anniversary of his death, she finds a letter from her deceased father to her stepfather. Before now, Claire never had a reason to believe they even knew each other.

Struggling to understand why her parents kept this surprising history hidden, Claire combs through anything that might give her information about her father … until she discovers that he was a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime syndicate. The discovery opens a door that should have been left closed.

The race to outrun her father’s legacy reveals secrets of his past that cast ominous shadows, threatening Claire, her friends and family, her newfound love, and ultimately her life.

NOT IN THE SCRIPT, by Amy Finnegan

Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss – a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore … particularly her relationships.

Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor … if she would just give him a chance.

When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected–and romantic–ways.

P.S. You don’t have to participate in Utah Book Month to participate in the read-along or vice versa, though we'd love to have you along for both.

 

2015 Utah Book Month Sign-Up

It's almost Utah Book Month! You know what this means, right? It means we celebrate Utah books and authors by reading Utah books all month long and blogging about all the things we love about the Utah book community. We'll be celebrating again when August rolls around as we have the past few years. We'd love for you to join in the fun, even if you aren't living in Utah. It would so cool if you choose a Utah book and read it this month!

Here are some of the things we've got planned:

• Twitter chats with Utah authors
• themed weeks all month long
• mini challenges
• giveaways
• a review link up
• a party, IRL
• a read along of a Utah book (watch for a poll to select the book)

We'll have more details posted here, at the Utah Books blog, on August 1 to kick off the event and each Saturday in August after that. And, as always, we'll fill in the 2015 schedule as we solidify plans. 

If this sounds like something you'd like to participate in, by reading one or more Utah books, chatting with Utah authors, participating in a challenge, or blogging once a week on the theme of the week, let us know by signing up below. 

P.S. You only need to sign up once. Though a linky will appear here and on several blogs, they all work as one.