#WeNeedDiverseBooks

I don't know if you've heard, but the Book Expo of America has renamed "Power Reader's Day" to "Book Con." I'm super excited for this event because my favorite authors are going to be there!!!

But why all of the controversy about Book Con on Twitter? All 31 of the guests are white. Most are male. Now, that has angered lots of people.

I am an adopted Chinese girl who can speak French in a white male dominated society. But I love John Green, Rick Riordan, Lemony Snicket, and Cassandra Clare. Am I a bigot? No!

The invited guests are talented and hugely successful, so why are we blaming Book Con for bringing people we want to see? The people that chose these authors can't change that these successful authors have white skin. They're just trying to bring in the largest crowd by hosting the most popular authors.

But, there's a reason for why all of these successful authors are white.

Maybe it's because minorities don't have the same opportunities. I'd like to think that if you have the talent to be an author, you will have success, but there are people that don't get recognized for their work when they deserve it. Maybe it's because readers are still biased, and when they pick up a book written by someone with an ethnic name, they put it right back down.  I don't know.

There is neither much diversity in books that I read nor in their authors.

That is the real problem.

The way to fix it is for the audience to demand that the publishers produce what it wants. We have to tell them that we want a "Mexican Katniss", as Matt De la Pena said.  Then we'll see new faces at Book Con, but in the meantime stop blaming Book Con for their chosen guests when you know you love their books too.  Don't discredit authors because they're white. Talent is talent.

Audio books for the Car

I got my driver's license a little while ago.  I actually just had a fight with the curb and tire, and the curb won today.  Yes, I smashed my car into the curb and need a new tire so I'm feeling depressed.  Anyway, I don't like to listen to music.  I swear that I won't even know what a hit song is now that my sister is away at college.  So, I went to the library and picked up an audio book.  Oh my good golly day, they are all soooo long.  Who can kill 10 hours?  So, I chose The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan.  3 Discs.

I'm not sure if I like audio books yet.  Well, I keep forgetting to turn it on.  But, I find myself not paying careful attention to the story because I'm concerned about driving and not getting lost.  But I suppose that's because I'm a brand new driver.

Oh, and another weird thing is the narrator!  Sometimes you can have a really good one, but I think this one sounds really weird.  He has a young voice, and all I can think of is Logan Lerman as Percy.

Do you like audio books? Where do you listen to them? Or do they put you right to sleep?

New Percy Jackson Poster

Additionally, there will be a new trailer out next week!  WHO'S EXCITED?

Movie News: Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters to be Released One Week Earlier

Who else is excited to hear that SOM is coming out one week earlier on Aug 7th???? I loved The Lightning Thief even though it was meant for a younger demographic.  It was funny, you must admit it.  "This is a pen."  And can't forget about Grover.

While I was doing "research" aka stalking Jake Abel and Max Irons a little while ago, I discovered that SOM was supposed to be released the same weekend as The Host.  However, it was decided that SOM would be in 3D so it got pushed back to summer.  I'm not a fan of 3D, but I think this is one movie that would be pretty awesome in that format, getting to see all that ancient Greek mythian magic come to life.

The new SOM still

Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters Trailer (Take 2)

A few days ago, I posted a video of the trailer before it was released. You could only see it during the previews of The Host, so the video was literally a moviegoer recording it. The video was shaky and included the swoons of many as Logan Lerman emerged onto the screen. I thought it would e taken down because of copyright issues, but the user took it down.

The official trailer has actually been released so here is a quality version:

I think its kinda funny that Alexandria Daddario now has blonde hair like Annabeth in the books. Why didn't she dye it before? Can you believe The Lightning Thief came out three years ago? The actors specifically Logan Lerman and baby faces! They do not look 13 like in the books but of course the ages got bumped. 12 years olds battle bad in The Lightning Thief wouldn't have been too believable on screen, so I was glad to see older actors. I guess just Jake Abel, but I don't think he can pull off teenager anymore. Another sequel if its successful could be even tougher since we all only get older every day.


What do you think??

Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters Trailer

The trailer can only be seen within the previews of The Host, so that's a little motivation to go see a movie that received a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes.  But in all honestly, I enjoyed The Host and a review will be up next week.

So obviously someone recorded this while in the theater  thus explaining the shaky hand and annoying girls swooning over Logan Lerman, but it's better than nothing.  Watch it before YouTube takes it down for copyright infringement.