A Curious Mind - The Secret to a Bigger Life

     I am guilty of failure to post a Perfect Picture Book Friday post two weeks in a row!
     Not because I haven't read some great ones, in fact I am taking Susanna Leonard Hill's fabulous Picture Book Magic class and reading tons. Unfortunately, the writing has been homework, not picture book recommendations.
     C'mon, you're probably saying. You couldn't fit in ONE recommendation?
     Okay.
     In addition to reading boatloads of picture books, I read an adult title that has to get a shout-out first. A book that smacks you up-side-the-head with the power of possibility. This recommendation can't wait.

jacket image by Jeff Koons

Title: A Curious Mind - The Secret to a Bigger Life  
Authors: Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2015
ADULT NF
Theme/Subject: Curiosity
Publisher's summary: "From Academy Award-nominated produced Brian Grazer and acclaimed business journalist Charles Fishman comes a brilliantly entertaining peek into the weekly "curiosity conversations" that have inspired Grazer to create some of America's favorite and iconic movies and television shows--from 24 to A Beautiful Mind."

What I liked about this book: I'm not a movie buff. I don't watch a lot of television. So yes, I have a seen A Beautiful Mind, but I've never watched 24. So why would I want to read, and recommend, a book written by a movie producer?
     It isn't really about movies, television, or even Hollywood. It's about the benefits and process of being curious. My interest was piqued when I read that. But as a busy person, what made me go that step further? I didn't recognize the name Brian Grazer or Charles Fishman. Why would I want to spend my evenings reading something they wrote?
     I read in a promo that Brian Grazer had interviewed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov and medical researcher and polio vaccine creator Jonas Salk. As a writer and someone with a MS in Microbiology, my inner geek screamed "I have to read this one!" And Malcolm Gladwell blurbed it on the back cover. Ooh, I'm a Gladwell fan.
     I plunged in.
    And I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put it down. As a creative person, the reminder that our creativity comes from everywhere around us, and that we can take an active role in pursuing it is a great one. Its use may not be immediately obvious but ever interaction is growth. Brian uses his life experiences in Hollywood to illustrate concepts that apply to everyone, everywhere. You don't need to be interested in Hollywood. You don't need to be a writer. You don't need to know anything about microbiologists past or present. It's just a great read. Engaging. Inspiring. Energizing.
     And now I do know a little about what a Hollywood producer does. At least more than the zero I knew before. Bonus.
Go. Read. This. Book. Tell me what you think.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through Shelf Awareness. No other compensation was received.  No review was required. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE MONSTORE - Book Birthday!

If you were expecting the final installment of my conference prep posts, I apologize. I'll catch you up when I get back next week. But just like all the major news channels, I interrupt this blog with BREAKING NEWS.

Today is my friend’s “book birthday”. Tara Lazar’s The Monstore is in bookstores today. 

Two caveats.

First, I’ve never actually met Tara. Not in person. And not yet. I have followed her blog for two years, and Tara is the kind of person who puts herself out there and makes you feel like she speaks to you in each post. However, I will get to meet her in just three short days at the NJ SCBWI conference! And when I see her, even though she’s critiquing one of my manuscripts and I know I should act like a writing professional, I plan to give her an unprofessional hug (you are warned, Tara!). Writers know how important point of view is—and from my point of view Tara is already my friend.

Second, The Monstore is officially released today, but Tara explains here why her book won’t be in Barnes and Noble, at least not yet. This is absolute craziness.

In the press release provided by Simon & Schuster, Tara summarizes The Monstore brilliantly so I’ll give you her words:

“The Monstore began with a hush-hush location, a trap door, a password knock, and a boy’s hope that he’d find his perfect monster, just right for doing tricky things around the house. Like scaring pesky little sisters away.”

She had me at trap door. 

Illustrator James Burks gives the book a 3-D crazy feel. I don't know how he did it. It's magic genius. His website says that he's works on a raft of animated movies and TV shows and he translates that onto the page with perfection! In the hallways of the children's home even the photos on the wall have an eerie 3-D quality like Walt Disney's Haunted House ride.

I got my copy of The Monstore yesterday! Like a kid in a candy shop, I gobbled in the words and illustrations. Yes, it’s a book about monsters. Yes, it’s a book about kooky hidden places. But most of all, it’s a book about brothers and sisters.

Speaking as someone who was (and maybe still is) a pesky little sister, The Monstore rang true. Don't believe me?  I'm not the only one who thinks so. 

The Monstore currently has five star status on Goodreads. 

 PPBF 's Catherine Johnson had an advance review. 

My friend Carter Higgins reviewed it today, too on her Design of the Picture book blog.

Why are you still here? Go find a copy!
(Call Tara's local indie, The Bookworm to order a signed copy to be shipped to you: 908-766-4599.)