Blog Tour: Amy Reed Interview

1. Your covers are very bold and eye catching, yet, in a way, simple. What were your thoughts on seeing them for the first time? Were they what you had expected?

I loved both covers when I first saw them. My experience with the Beautiful cover was most dramatic because that’s the first time I saw the exciting concepts that both books share--the use of white negative space and the handwritten titles. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I think my biggest fear was that the covers wouldn’t stand out, that they wouldn’t be special. Luckily, my fears were totally unfounded. The covers are striking and haunting and they really embody the characters’ internal states. I love how the model on the cover of CLEAN is basically in a box, which is a perfect metaphor for addiction.

2. What is the biggest thing you hope readers of CLEAN take away with them?

A lot of things. I hope they might think a little about the consequences of certain actions and decisions, that some ideas that may seem exciting in the moment have long-term effects that look very different. For kids who maybe aren’t doing the kinds of things the characters in CLEAN are doing, I hope they find some compassion for the kids who are, some understanding of how deep down we’re all the same even though we have different experiences and different tools for dealing with them. Mostly--and I think this applies to anyone, no matter how much they do or don’t relate to the kids in CLEAN--I hope readers realize that we’re all capable of great change and transformation. There is always hope, no matter what.

3. If you could give teenagers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Follow your heart. Listen to that little voice inside that knows what’s right and wrong for you. Choose right even if no one else does. This is the most revolutionary kind of rebellion.

4. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to? What has been your favorite travel destination so far?

I want to go everywhere, the wilder the better! My perfect vacation would be a combination hiking, camping, kayaking adventure in the jungle and/or ocean, followed by a few days in a secluded cabin on a tropical beach with a couple scuba diving trips thrown in. So far, my favorite vacations have been a road trip through Baja, exploring the rainforest and Mayan ruins in Belize, and scuba diving the islands of Thailand.

5. What's next for you writing wise?

I just finished my third book with Simon Pulse, CRAZY, which will probably come out next summer. This is how my editor recently described it on Twitter: “A raw, unforgettable book about a boy falling in love…with a girl who’s falling over the edge.” It’s a love story told in letters written between the two main characters. I’m currently working on something new that I’m really excited about, but I’m afraid I have to keep it a secret for now ;)

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Thanks so much, Amy, for stopping by! Be sure to visit her website for more info, as well as the Clean tour page for links to the rest of the stops!

Beautiful Book Review

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: October 6, 2009

Source: Publisher/Author

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.

Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

Review:

Beautiful was an interesting change from what I've been reading lately. The last few books I've read- The Hollow, Hush Hush...- have all been fantasy. Beautiful was a real book about what could be a real person. Cassie kind of reminded me of Christina in Crank by Ellen Hopkins at first. She had good grades, friends, and a family, but other than that, this book was completely different than Crank or any other book I've read about someone dealing with drugs. From the girl on the cover I assumed Cassie was in high school or older, not the case. Cassie was only thirteen. She was dragged into the drug world by another girl- one who was equally friendless. Alex hung out with high school age kids, went to wild parties, did drugs, drank, smoked, and never thought twice about doing anything. Cassie, shy, friendless, lonely, and new to the school was tempted to join Alex' excited world, where boys called her "beautiful" and everyone wanted to be her friend. I liked how this book was in first person so I could really see when Cassie began to change and read all her feelings about everything. Beautiful was detailed and original and thoroughly described the life of a girl like Cassie.

One thing I didn't really like about this book was that Cassie changed too fast. One minute she was shy and studious, the next she's off partying with people way older than she and doing drugs like she always has. Cassie goes from barely even talking to boys to having sex all the time. Maybe this was too show how when you're taking drugs and drinking your life can get out of your hands, but sometimes I felt like it was a little unrealistic. All in all this was a book that I'm really glad I read. It was informative, sad, scary, and everything in between. Cassie's story was from the heart and you wanted to help her, but could do nothing. The reader is like a by stander watching Cassie from behind a glass wall, unable to help. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under thirteen. There was bad language, sex, drinking, drugs, etc. This is a book you'll definitely want to pick up if you're a fan of Ellen Hopkins work or books like Go Ask Alice. The cover is another great feature of the book- I love the lipstick writing of the title.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars