on my desk monday

So I'm a little embarrassed to say that there is another Grace Lin biography. I have to say that my vanity prefers the cover of the other book as I think I look strange in this cover image. Though it is probably realistic!

But it's nice that this book continues from the other book (though they are done by two different companies and are not related at all) and there's a picture of me at the Newbery Awards in my special dress:

Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to have a third one created!

on my desk monday

So this is another new experience...books ABOUT me vs by me! Yes, it's a Grace Lin biography! I got a sneak peek of this book during my school visit in Bristol, but I was happily surprised to receive some copies from the publisher recently.

I'm so honored to be a part of this author biography series! When my friend Janet Wong had a similar book  (by a different publisher) produced about her, I was in awe. I remember thinking, "I guess that is when you know you've made it!" Which is why I  am having a hard time now believing there is a book about me.   In this series,  am along side such amazing authors such as Jeff Kinney and Christopher Paul Curtis! Pinch me!

on my desk monday

In the most recent issue of Storyworks Magazine,  there is a story written and illustrated by me!  It's a little story about a girl who would rather play jazz instead of classical music at her  piano recital. The paper piano from Year of the Dog also makes a cameo.

I also got a big kick on the author spotlight they did that accompanied the story:

What a thrill!

inimitable is good, right?

Just saw this super nice, lovely review of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by the super smart people of PaperTigers! (And I mean it when I say smart. I had to look up "inimitable", what does it mean when you need a dictionary to understand a review of your own work?) Here's an excerpt:

The story is sweet without being overly sentimental, smart without being preachy, exciting without sensationalism. Everyone learns important lessons about friendship, strength, honor, courage, and love in this heartwarming and engaging book that will surely become a classic.

Yay! That means they liked it! Read the whole review here.

She really got it!

I just read this lovely review of my book, I'll excerpt my favorite part:

This is a flawless little gem of a book, written in a straightforward, warm tone that always has a hint of a smile in it... There is a lovely sense of satisfaction as one link after another is connected, until the entire shape of the book is revealed like a Chinese knot - seemingly complicated yet pleasing and harmonious.

She really got it! I couldn't have said it better myself. The theme of the red thread and interconnectedness was an important one to me; I am so thrilled people are seeing it. Thanks so much Eva (of Eva's Book Addiction)!

goody! they like it too!

My book just got a really nice write-up at the Seven Impossible Things blog. Thank you, Ladies!

seeing stars

Guess what?

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has already received TWO STARRED REVIEWS!

This news took me by complete surprise, considering the final books have not even been printed yet (and I think the final book with its full-color illustrations will be even better). But it's true! Both Kirkus and Booklist have given the great honor of a starred review. Booklist says:

“In this enchanted and enchanting adventure, Minli, whose name means ‘quick thinking,’ lives with her desperately poor parents at the confluence of Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River… With beautiful language, Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine and a mystical land. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot. Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of green and the joy of gratitude.”

I am truly, truly thankful and grateful that the book is already being well received and only hope that is it a sign of how the rest of the readers will feel.