Batty About The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Week Three

Batty About Books presents

The Archived

by Victoria Schwab

This week we meet Owen, find a knife, people are shelved where they died not where they lived, about alterations, that Wesley carries a bo staff, that archive paper can be used to send messages both ways, the Histories are getting older and more numerous, that either Wesley or the Coronado are bringing Mac's parent’s back to life, and Ben is awakened. Oh, I forgot to mention the bo staff… so cool!

If you missed it:

Week 1 - Cover Appeal

Week 2 - The Beginning - pgs 1-110

Here are my thoughts in blue (@thebrainlair) and Maria's (Maria's Melange, @mselke01) in purple.

Don't forget to head on over to Maria's Melange to see what she was thinking and my responses to her!

Week 3 - The Middle - pgs 111-214

Being Mackenzie

“I should backtrack, but it’s too late to lie when the truth is halfway up my throat.” p142

“...there’s finally something good in my life and I’m already making a mess of it” p143

“...hanging up feels like letting go” p147

Maria: Great selection of quotes! I’ll have to make some of these into images for the page.

Mackenzie is this strange mix of teenager and adult. On the one hand she wants be “M”. Just a girl who hangs out with friends but she is so steeped in being a Keeper that she doesn't easily communicate with other teenagers. She takes life seriously and thinks it would be easier to just be alone. She wouldn't have to remember to lie and she could focus on her job.  But, she recognizes that she is missing out. That having Wesley and Lyndsey in her life are “something good”. I wonder how she will deal with this now that she has Owen.

Maria: While Mac’s life is extreme - I think it’s a good reflection of that awkward time in our lives when we are stuck ‘between lives’. I think that’s one of the reasons I identify with Mac in some ways. There are always the lies we tell our parents, the lies we tell our friends… I guess even as an adult, right?

Kathy: Right!

Parenting

“Mom squints at me, and for a moment, part of me begs for her to see through this, a flimsy, half-concocted lie. p148

“He’s supposed to care. ...And suddenly I need him to care.” p164

“I’m not, not at all; but his worry gives me the strength I need to lie. To pull back and tell him I’m fine.” p165

These two scenes with her parents also remind me that she is still a child. And no matter how old we are, we want to know our parents care. The scene with her mom illustrates how far apart they’ve grown. She wants her mom to know she is lying so they can talk but she doesn’t expect her to, really. The scene with her dad also illustrates their relationship. While she doesn’t think her mom will get it, she depends on her dad to be there for her. Even if she can’t tell him the truth, it’s somehow ok if he knows she’s lying. He must have always supported her in the past. Again, it makes me think he knows she’s a Keeper.

Maria: I think the loss of her brother really made the rift between Mac and her mother bigger. It sounds like Mac’s thought her mom was a bit “wifty” for a while… her strange predilections and impulsive behavior sound like an established pattern that just got worse once Ben died. I wasn’t happy with her father in the first section of the book, but I think this chunk really helped show that there is strong relationship there. She WANTS their help… but she knows she can’t have it. Another big part of Mac’s journey to adulthood.

Kathy: "Wifty", yes. We hope that her mom settles down with the coffee shop and they can start sharing again. They love each other. They just need to find their way back to each other.

History

M  - “I understand clinging to one’s own past, but when it comes to the pasts of other people, I don’t get it.”

A - “Everything is valuable in it’s own way. Everything is full of history...”

“A tether to other people in other times. As long as I have that, I’m not alone. And they are not really gone.”

A - “Some things should be allowed to fade.”

M - “Everything deserves to be remembered.” p145

This conversation between Ms. Angelli and Mackenzie brings to mind an earlier conversation about memories and the purpose of Histories.

In a way, it seems like Mackenzie is of two minds, that she doesn’t care about other people’s past, just her own but she also says that everything should be remembered. Does she just mean, each person’s family should be responsible for their memories? But what about your friends? Wouldn't you want to help them preserve their memories? Ms. Angelli is an antiquities collector because she wants to remember the past. It gives her a connection. But she also says that some things aren’t worth remembering. So, like Mackenzie, she is of two minds. They both want to select what should be remembered.

Like we do, though it doesn’t always work. I sometimes remember painful experiences that I’d like to forget and sometimes forget the good things. But, can we really forget or do we just have a hard time accessing those memories?

Maria: I think the theme of memory and history is so important to this story (I talked about it, too!) As a history minor in college, I have to say I think history is vital. When we lose our connection with the past, we lose so much. We lose our ability to learn from the patterns of success and failure. We lose our sense of being part of a bigger picture. We lose the idea of how far we have come - or how much farther we have left to go in issues of human rights and equality. When people ask me what superpower I would like to have, I often respond with “memory”. I want the ability to choose, though. To choose what to remember with crystal clarity and what to blur into just the shape of what has gone past. I hate the idea of losing my memories, and especially the idea of having someone ELSE choose what I can keep and what gets tossed.

Kathy: I wish social studies classes focused more on the connections through history instead of just trying to memorize dates or judge the leaders of the past. It would be great if we thought more about what was happening in society that allowed each leader to "succeed" or led some to "failure". What had the people experienced or what were they hoping to experience? How does that relate to us now? Students would get so much more out of school, I think.

Busyness

“But it’s not just the simple absence of sound and life. It is a silence that spreads behind my eyes, where memories should be. It is a silence that doesn't stop at our skin, but reaches into me, fills me with cottony quiet, spreads through me like calm.” p166

This passage brings two things to mind; being so busy that your mind can’t rest and the silence reaching where “memories SHOULD be”. There are times I need to slow myself down and just be. I’m running myself ragged and need to get some downtime and some sleep. I know that relaxation and sleep are restorative but have also led myself to believe that I’m too busy. And when I want to relax, I can’t. So I crave this silence Mackenzie finds with Owen. This absence of not just noise but thoughts and this bearer of calm. This was why I chose the word preparation this year. Because the more prepared I am, the more time I have to step back and relax and reflect.

What do you think of the statement “where memories should be.”Does Owen’s silence bury Mackenzie’s memories?

Maria: That’s an interesting question. I know I’m often so busy that I can’t take the time to really reflect and store my memories. I feel like Owen’s gift of silence gives Mac the chance to rest, but I didn't get the sense that it would damage her memories in any way. Sometimes just the break from the constant barrage of noise and thoughts can help me regain the energy to deal with things. But maybe that’s just my introversion talking.

Just for fun

“You know...that despite my title, this isn't really a library, right? We don’t lend, we don’t check out, we don’t even have a reference-only reading area. ” p173

Ha. Even though the first two things mean the same thing - lending and checking out - I find it funny and sometimes tease the students that I’m not there to help them, I’m too busy reading all the books!

Maria: This also reminds me of one of my bigger questions about this world - what IS the point of the Archive? What role do the Librarians play? I get what Keepers and Crew do… as long as we accept that the Archive is needed. But what is the actual role of this library of memory?

Kathy: I'm going to search for this - to see if it's answered in the next part. That's a great question.

Overall

So we answered the question of who Owen is but not the question of why? How did he die and why isn't he slipping?  I also wonder what happened to Robert. And who killed all the Coronado residents? Time to finish the book and, hopefully, get all my questions answered!

Check out our Batty About Books Facebook page where we will post quotes from the final pages of the book. Or at least Maria will! What are your thoughts so far?

A Little Slice of Life - Wrapped Up in Books

In the middle of last summer, several teachers got together and we started a book club. It's been so much fun. I think we spend more time catching up on the past month than actually talking about the books. We've read a wide selection so far

1. The Ocean At The End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
2. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
3. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
4. The Panopticon by Jenni Fagan - most of us did not finish this one.
5. Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
6. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton- only 4 of us finished this one 
7. The Archived by Victoria Schwab

With the exception of number 4, I would say pick any of these if you have a book club.  Some I really enjoyed reading and some I really enjoyed discussing! Although I've lead many book clubs at school, this is the first adult one I've ever been involved in and I highly recommend it!  Next up, The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson.

I'm slicing it up with Two Writing Teachers for the month of March. The goal is to write something each day in March.

Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder - Review and Giveaway

Snyder, Maria V. Storm Watcher. Leap Books, 2013. 184p. $10.99. 978-1-61603-033-9.

Affiliate Links: Amazon
| IndieBound

Genre: Adventure (search and rescue, storm watching, dog training)

Cover Appeal: Action lovers, kids who like storms

Immediately After: The cover doesn't do the book justice and is slightly deceptive. Really should have put at least one of those dogs on the cover.

Luke is having a hard time coping with his distant father and annoying older brothers. His twin brothers, Jacob and Scott, spend a lot of time teasing Luke and his father never stopped them. Ever since their mom died, Luke doesn't feel like he is a part of the family any more.  In addition, his birthday is coming up and he doesn't know how to tell his dad that he doesn't want a bloodhound like everyone else in the family. He wants a papillon.

Not being able to talk to his dad is only one of Luke's problems. He is also afraid of storms, or any bad weather. Luke spends a lot of time glued to The Weather Channel so he can be prepared when a storm arrives.  He stays home when things get bad outside and he wishes everyone else would also stay safe.  

Luke gets a summer job helping out at Storm Watcher Kennel for the summer. He hopes that he can earn enough to get the dog he wants instead of the one his dad wants. He meets Megan, the owner's dad, and they become fast friends while helping Megan's mom, Willajean, train dogs for Search and Rescue. Luke believes he can change his dad's mind about papillon if he can show how good they are at Search and Rescue, his dad's job!

When Megan's father moves back home, things get complicated. Luke also decides he can't tell his father the truth about the dogs which leads to more complication.

How will Luke and Megan get back on track with their families?

This was a deceptively simple read. On the surface it's the story of a boy trying to find his place in his family, now  that his mother has died. In reality, it's so much more as each person in Luke's family tries to create a new dynamic without the person that held them all together. Luke being the youngest, and most sensitive, takes a huge burden on himself. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still enjoyed the read. I look forward to sharing this book with our 6th graders. 


Get Your Own Copy

Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Website | Facebook

Maria V. Snyder writes adult and young adult fantasy novels and short stories. Formerly an environmental meteorologist, she earned a Masters degree in writing from Seton Hill University; she is currently a teacher and mentor for the MFA program. Storm Watcher is her first middle grade novel. You can contact her at maria [at] mariavsnyder.com.

Check out all the Tour Stops!

Feb 19 - Mar 5, 2014

Hosted by readnowsleeplater.com
Join us for interviews, guest posts, reviews, and giveaways!

Tour Schedule

Wed 2/19 - The Book Monsters - review & giveaway
Thu 2/20 - I Am a Reader - interview & international giveaway
Fri 2/21 - Unleashing Readers - guest post & giveaway
Mon 2/24 - Bookalicious - review & international giveaway
Tue 2/25 - Kid Lit Frenzy - guest post & giveaway
Wed 2/26 - Sharpreads - review & giveaway
Thu 2/27 - The Mod Podge Bookshelf - guest post & giveaway
Fri 2/28 - The Windy Pages - review, interview & giveaway
Mon 3/3 - Teenage Reader - review & giveaway
Tue 3/4 - Read Now Sleep Later - review & international giveaway
Wed 3/5 - The Brain Lair - review & giveaway

A Little Slice of Life - Realize

Back in February my daughter accepted at Yale. Yes, we are super duper excited.

As just as sad.

My baby is going to college. She is so much more than my daughter. We are the best of friends. She has helped me move past my comfort zone in so many ways. She is also my staunchest supporter.

She's worked hard to get to this place. And she deserves it. And she will rock it.

But, I am already missing her.

I'm slicing it up with Two Writing Teachers for the month of March. The goal is to write something each day in March.

A Little Slice of Life - Time to Change

Lately I've been griping about everything and everyone.

I've been staying up way too late because I can't relax.

Constant headaches.

Can't keep up but won't accept help.

I've been here before. 

About 8 or so years ago, I would get up and I would dread going to work. No particular reason why. I was at a fabulous elementary school with a super staff. I loved, and still do, love those people. It wasn't them, it was me. 

Weirdly, I'm always looking to change these up and work. But, if it's a huge deal, I avoid the change. And that's what I was doing. There was a job opening in the library at the middle school but I didn't feel qualified. In my heart, I've always to own a bookstore and even though I could see this would be a great stepping stone, I didn't want to leave my comfort zone.

So someone stepped in and changed it from a comfort zone. 

Now I'm in he BEST.JOB.EVER.  I work with an incredible staff who have supported and encouraged me and believed in me. And that's not just the principal!! I am blessed.

But, that feeling is back. It's been here for about a year. Even though I only started to give it a name. 

There is something I want to do. Something.

else.

I'm slicing it up with Two Writing Teachers for the month of March. The goal is to write something each day in March.

Batty About The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Week Two

Batty About Books presents

The Archived

by Victoria Schwab

This week we tackled the first part of the book. In these pages, Victoria Schwab introduces us to the Archive and the people who work there as well as our main character, Mackenzie Bishop, AKA Mac.

If you missed it:

Week 1 - Cover Appeal

Here are my thoughts in blue (@thebrainlair) and Maria's (Maria's Melange, @mselke01) in purple.

Don't forget to head on over to Maria's Melange to see what she was thinking and my responses to her!

Week 2 - pg 1-110

This first part was all about the setup. I enjoyed learning about the Bishops, the Coronado, and how the The Archives work. I liked the way she used the text to cue us in to when we would read more about the Archive and how what Da taught Mac led us to the place we are in now. At first I thought we were just learning about the past, but when Mac looks back on when Ben died, we didn't get the change in font.

Maria: Oh, that’s perceptive! I didn't notice that - or at least that change. I did pick up on the different fonts, of course. I just didn't think about the difference in the types of memories. Neat!

The Writing

Schwab’s writing is beautiful. Even when not on an intentional hunt for quotes - I found myself pausing to re-read sentences and phrases. She has a way of making you slow down and pay attention to the story.

“The stairs run from the top floor down to the second, where they spill me out onto the landing...”

“The Narrows sigh around me as I enter, humid breath and words so far away they bled to sounds...”

Maria: Agreed! I had fun finding quotes to post on our page. Of course, around 50 pages in I got so sucked into the story that I had trouble slowing back down to pay attention to (or at least write down) quotes. I guess that’s a benefit to rereading a book, right? Ha! I only slowed down because I knew we were posting quotes! And doing this post!

SERVAMUS MEMORIAM (we protect the past)

I loved learning about the Archive and all it’s parts and people who keep it running. The Keepers, Crew, and Librarians. That it has branches. The Returns and the Narrows. The Doors. The cool archive paper where the keepers get their assignments. Roland whose “eyes are tinged with something between pain and longing...” I wonder how and why it all got started. Has it always existed? Why do Keepers choose to leave the fight and become Librarians? Why do Librarians need to have a longer lifespan?

Maria: Yes! I’m fascinated by Roland. I have a thing for this kind of librarian - he reminds me a bit of Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I wrote a note about the archive paper that Keepers use, but then didn't end up writing about that. I’m so glad you brought it up. I loved that detail. I’m also curious about this hidden world. Is it OUR world -- or a near future world where something has changed?

The Keepers

Mac - At first I wondered how old Mac was. She’s been through so much that sometimes she comes across as old. She has such a complicated relationship with her father and mother “I love you. The words taste strange...it’s the only thing I said that wasn't a lie.”  Why did Da choose Mac and not his son? What about her said - I can handle fighting and staying up all hours and keeping secrets? Also, sometimes it seems like her dad knows she is hiding something. Did he know what his father did? She calls reading the past her “talent”. Was she born with it? Or did Da bestow it on her?

Maria: I had a lot of questions about the family relationships, too. Dad seems almost ‘faint’. I wonder if Da considered choosing his son at some point? I know he talks about how his son wasn't a good choice for this calling. Mac does seem a lot older than the book makes her, but her lifestyle certainly had her grow up quickly. I also wrote some notes about teens and responsibilities. She is sure she is ready. Sometimes I think we overly hold on to the childhood of kids today beyond where THEY want to hold it. So hard to see them grow up! Even though it what’s you are trying to help them do! Such a conundrum!

Wesley - “I can’t tell if the eyeliner makes him attractive, or if he’s good-looking in spite of it.” Another Keeper! And he’s as young as Mac. He sounds like he has a different take on being Keeper. He makes it seem like a fun adventure! It appears he will be able to help Mac but what about his own territory?

Maria: I really like Wesley already. I like the fact that she has someone she can share her secrets with now. I wondered about his job as well. Maybe he lives in an area that isn’t very intensive… so he longs for more action and takes on jobs in other territories?

The Librarians (or as I like to call them - the brain lairs!)

So far we’ve met Patrick, Roland, Lisa, Elliot, Meredith, Allen, Carmen. They sound all hipster librarian with their cool glasses, gold fingernails, and Chuck Taylors. I love them. I am them. Without the hipster part. But definitely the chucks and nails.

My nails inspired by The Archive

Maria: I loved the red Chucks detail. I really hope we get to know more about these characters. Again, they definitely have a Watcher vibe for me. Maybe it was all those years of watching and reading Buffy. So, is the point I mention I’ve never seen Buffy? ::hangsheadinshame::   

The Histories

The Librarian have their own section in the Archives - The Special Collections. But everyone else is arranged - how? Mac can never find Ben on her own. To keep her moving forward I’m sure. And some of the histories escape the Archive and try to get home before they “slip”. Why are some so young again? Do grown ups never wake up? And where did Jackson get that knife?

Maria: I guess I made a few assumptions. One was that younger Keepers end up getting the responsibility of Returning the less dangerous Histories - and those tend to be the ones who died young. I assumed it was the Crew that takes on the older, more dangerous ones. I am curious about “slipping”... I’m still not clear on that.

Overall

This was a slow, but packed, beginning. Full of everything and everybody. We were introduced to many people and several places. All within 110 pages! We know about the family and how people are connected. We’ve met some of the people who live in the Coronado and some who work in the Archives. We’ve also been introduced to a mystery! A lot has happened and I’m left with so many questions!

Maria: What a cliffhanger, too! I’m ready to move on and find out what happens next!

Don't forget you can head over to:

Batty About Books Facebook

Batty About Books tumblr

We will continue to post quotes and talk about the book throughout the week in those places. Stop back here on Saturday, March 8th when we discuss part 2 pgs 111-224!

GIVEAWAY - Dear Mrs Parks - SIGNED BY ROSA PARKS

Dear Mrs. Parks autographed by Rosa Parks courtesy Lee and Low

This is not your ordinary giveaway! 

Lee and Low is giving away a signed copy of 

Dear Mrs.Parks: A Dialogue With Today's Youth 

by Gregory J Reed

SIGNED!

This book is signed by 

ROSA PARKS HERSELF!

Last date to enter is 

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 

SO HURRY

Head on over to Lee and Low's Facebook page to enter!

From Lee and Low's blog:

Rosa Parks received 500 to 1,000 letters a month from children throughout the United States and the world. Dear Mrs. Parks is a product of her desire to share her legacy with all “her children,” and create a conversation that will exist for generations to come.

Eloise Greenfield, author of Paul Robeson and When the Horses Ride By, reflects on Rosa Parks: 

When I think of Rosa Parks, the words that immediately come to mind are “self-respect,” “courage” and “dedication.”  Her self-respect is clearly expressed in her choice to walk to work on many days, rather than accept the demeaning rules of the Montgomery bus company. Her decision to keep her seat on the bus, on December 1, 1955, although it would mean going to jail, where history had shown that she could be beaten or even killed, was an extremely courageous act. Her years of work with the NAACP and the Montgomery Voters League, preceding the bus incident, were early signs of her dedication to the cause of freedom for black people.

For me, Rosa Parks is one of a multitude of African and African American people who, beginning with the kidnappings in Africa, have shown courage, self-respect and dedication in the cause of freedom.

Purchase Dear Mrs Parks by Gregory J Reed
Win Dear Mrs Parks by Gregory J Reed

Batty About The Archived by Victoria Schwab - Cover Appeal

Grab the badge if you want it for posting on

your own blog!

Welcome to all those who decided to do a read-along with Batty. Welcome to those who are just stopping by the blog to hear about The Archived. Today’s post is entirely spoiler free, as we are just chatting about the outside of the book! Want to join in the fun? 

Check out our…

Post on Nerdy Book Club explaining how we’re opening up our Batty Duo to everyone this time around!

Facebook Page

Tumblr

Now, let’s talk Cover Appeal!

As always, Maria's posts are in purple and mine (Kathy) are in blue! Check out Maria's Melange for more science fiction fun. 

Since I've already read The Archived, we decided that I would only respond to Maria's thoughts because we wanted to keep this SPOILER FREE!

Spine:

Maria: I’m going to start with the spine. In some bookstores, The Archived may not end up facing out. Would that spine design be enough to pull me in? Between the intriguing title (I admit it, I love books… and the word “archive” sounds fascinating) and the parchment-like quality of the letters themselves, it would absolutely cause me to at least yank the book off the shelf to learn more. The spine seems designed to appeal to a bibliophile. I am curious about where it might be shelved in a larger bookstore, because that would impact who would even get to see the spine!

Kathy: I love the spine. Like you, I’m a book lover and I’ve been known to buy books because they have pretty spines! The faded look of the font and the deep, dark blue would have pulled me over. And once I touched it?? That suede-like feel would have me rushing to the cashier.  Did you notice the leaves on the spine??? Also, I bet in our Barnes and Noble it would just be in the teen section alphabetically. I will pop over there later and see if I can snap a picture. If I find it, I’ll post the pic on Tumblr!

Front:

Maria: Once that book is in my hands, the front cover would absolutely lure me in. The face in the smoke billowing out from a golden key looks so intent. Honestly, what appeals to me most about that face is that it is clearly female and yet is not “posing” for me. She’s gazing into the distance, with a clear purpose in her eyes. So often the women on covers look like they are overly aware of the people looking at them. They pose to be “alluring”. This young woman breaks that mold, and I like it.

Kathy: Agreed! She looks intent and focused. She also looks a little sad to me. And also young. Despite the dark color to the cover, I started to wonder if this was MG or YA based on past experience. At this point, I still haven't’ read the back!

Maria: One question I have about this cover, though, is will it draw in boys? I think with the popularity of Hunger Games, boys are less likely to just ignore books that seem to be mostly about a girl. I think the color scheme and the lack of any “frills” on this cover would also make boys feel comfortable taking it off the shelf. What do you think?

Kathy: I agree with this. Especially since it was brought to my attention by one of the male teachers.  Also, lately boys have pretty much been checking out anything from our library. They know I’m not judging. The City of Bones series is popular right now, despite the shirtless boy on that first cover. I think the less I (or other adults) act as if it means something, the more students will pick up whatever reading material they are interested in - despite its cover.

Maria: The background of blue and black really makes the golden key and face stand out. I’m curious about the walls behind her. Are they brick? Is she in an alley? Or does the glint on those blocks behind her mean that material is something else?

Kathy: It looks like brick to me with some light glowing down, just not everywhere.  I also think the key looks important since it’s at the top and it’s sending the smoke down that leads to the girl’s head.  I have to tread lightly here, though, based on what I can remember about the story.

Maria: I’m also a fan of the current trend toward velvety type texture on the book jacket.

Kathy: I mentioned this above! I love this suede-y velvety infinitely touchable cover. I’m sad that students won’t get to experience it because we cover the books with plastic before putting them out. Neither will the people who have the e-book.  There’s something about this that makes the book holdable.  I’m inclined to carry it around. Which will hopefully spark conversations about it... It also makes the book appear more literary? important? ancient? I think deckle-edged paper would have been another perfect touch.

Back:

Maria: Did you spot those gargoyles hunkered down on the top of the building? Is that a weather vane? Gargoyles are awesome. Sometimes they are part of a rain spout system, but traditionally they protect against evil. (Did you watch the cartoon series as a kid?) These two look slightly bored.

http://www.authenticireland.com/gargoyles/ (this link is information about gargoyles in Ireland!)

Kathy: I have never heard of a cartoon series called Gargoyles! Was it good? When was it on? The rest of this comment has been REDACTED. LAUGH! Now I’m extra intrigued!

Maria: The rest of the building seems creepy. Are the top windows boarded up, or is that just the reflection? The clouds above the building make it look like a storm is coming. All of these elements, combined with the color scheme, definitely give The Archived a haunted and creepy feel.

Kathy:I think the windows are just a reflection, though it does appear that all the windows have been shuttered from the inside. Add the crumbling paint and yes, it does look haunted! Is this why she needs the old-fashioned key? The building looks impossibly tall and I picture it on a hill somewhere sorta staring down at all who pass by. Huh, on closer look, those windows on the second floor do look painted over or boarded up at least on the bottom half!

Inside Cover Copy:

Maria: So the outside of the cover would definitely get me to pull it off the shelf and give it a chance, but the real test (for me) is the plot blurb inside the front cover.

Kathy: “Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.” I can imagine it! I like that the first paragraph sets up the entire book in less than 35 words! And again, she sounds like a young kid with a tough job. This will draw in the 7th and 8th graders.

Maria: I’m sold. Between my love of books and my love of history, it feels like this storyline is calling my name. Can you imagine walking up to the History of Joan of Arc, or Elizabeth I and getting the full truth? Now imagine that someone is purposefully destroying that information…. Yes, I know that The Archived is set in another world and my favorite faces from history won’t be in this tale, but I’m ready to hear about Mac’s world. Let’s get started!

Kathy: This appeals to my book lover and my librarian sensibilities! It’s beautiful on the outside and hints at beauty on the inside. Even without the jacket the book is appealing with it’s dark blue cover and silver writing. The end flaps have a nice silver fleur de lis on a black background. Did you notice that the author’s name matches the color of the key? And the title is actually a light blue instead of silver - same as the girl’s face? A lot of thought went into this book design. Let’s “uncover” how well it matches the story!

Pick up a copy of The Archived (Amazon Kindle Edition
| Amazon
| Shop Indie) and read along with us.  

Next Saturday, March 1st, we'll discuss pages 1 - 110.