Tuesday, July 28, 2015

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.

 

Monday, July 20, 2015

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.