Ja čitam, a ti?: Blog tour & Giveaway: Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan

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Author's

Book summary:

Lindsey, a high school freshman, views her new school as a place to start over. With the help of her friends, she hopes that a change in her wardrobe will prompt a change in her image. She has some success until her long-time nemesis, Avery, reminds Lindsey of her place. Without asking for help from the adults, the main character and her friends struggle to manage the bullying. Despite their efforts, tensions rise, and people get hurt. The ending of this book will leave the reader shocked and heartbroken.

Changing My Wardrobe is a cautionary tale about the immutable problem of bullying. This story not only looks at bullying from the victim's point of view but also explores the motives behind the aggressors’ actions. Changing My Wardrobe demonstrates the fluid and complex nature of bullying by shining a light on the contributing factor of social media.

I have few things to admit here. First time when I read this book was a year or so ago. I got the copy from Deb and as far as I remember that was actually first copy that I'd got from any author. I remember how scared I was! Don't laugh, but I was afraid what if I didn't like the book. What will I do. What can I say, I was naive. Lucky I liked the book and everything turned out fine! You can actually read my first review of this book. Another thing is that first thing I noticed (logically as it's first sentence in the book) is mentioning Florence and The Machine. One of my favourite bands and main character likes them. Now I and Lindsey had something in common.

I'll stop talking about me now and start talking about the book.

At the beginning of the book we meet Lindsey. She is freshman in high school and she hopes that it'll be big beginning for her. She wanted to change her image and start better period in her life. She was pretty much as every freshman girl. Only life had some other plans for her. Everything seemed normal at the start. She has her best friend Tenny at her side and her brother Grouper. She even meets cute guy Marco. But problem is that her old friend Avery is still there. There we come to the story about bullying. Even in my craziest dreams I couldn't imagine that this book will end like that.

Bullying is big problem around the world. Like I said first time I live or better said I grew up in different times and in country that was different and luckily that time was different when it comes to education and growing up. Bullying existed but it wasn't as huge problem as it is now. Unfortunately things have changed, even for us here. Bullying is becoming bigger and bigger problem. Deb did great job here. She wrote YA book which is appropriate for young readers who are mostly victims of bullying or bullies. Hopefully after reading this book some of them will consider their actions.

This book is really readable. You'll maybe finish it in few hours but trust me you'll remember it for a long time.

About the author

I live with my husband and three teenagers in the Chicagoland burbs. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Chemistry, I worked at a nuclear power plant for five years. I then left my career to stay at home with my three kids.

Seemingly, overnight, I went from being crazy-busy to having way too much time on my hands. With my husband working long hours and my kids pursuing their own lives, I had to reinvent myself. So, I decided to write that book I always wanted to write. Changing My Wardrobe is my first novel.

Interview with the author

I had a chance to talk with lovely Deb about her writing, inspiration and future plans. Here is what she said.

1. What (or Who) inspired you to become an author?

My entire adult life, I wanted to write a book. I started to write several times, completed forty or fifty pages, and then threw my work away. About three and a half years ago, I finally reached a point where I realized it was “now or never.”

2. How long it took you to write Changing My Wardrobe?

It took close to two years. I took a lot of breaks.

3. Did you know how the book will end or you changed your mind in the last minute?

The incident in front of the school in Chapter 17 was the seed for the whole book, so no. I wrote that tragic scene at the beginning and changed very little of it. However, I did change the final scene with Teeny and Marco. Initially, they were supposed to have that final conversation at the dance in the gym, but I liked the idea of ending the book where it started, so I moved it to Lindsey’s room.

4. Is there somebody special who inspired you to write this book?

Not one person, in particular. Many of the incidents in this book are based on the bullying I experienced in grammar school and the bullying I saw in the lives of my own kids. Avery and Cal are a conglomeration of every bully whom I’ve ever met.

5. What are you plans for the future? I know your next book is coming out soon.

I’m almost done with my next book, Vestige. Vestige is a supernatural horror story about the Antichrist and the End Times. It is the first book in a two book series. It is for an older crowd—maybe late teens. It has some mild sexual situations and strong language.

And few this or that question!

ebooks or paperbacks

Ebooks. I love my Kindle. I hate clutter so having all my books on one little device is great for me.

Vestige or Changing my Wardrobe

I love them both but in different ways.

Fantasy or Realistic books

I have to say I like realistic books better. Although, I do love a good fantasy in a realistic setting.

books or movies

I like both. It depends on my mood.

summer or winter

Definitely Summer. I live in the Chicago area and we get some very cold and snowy weather in the winter. I hate it. I want to move to Florida or California someday.

white or black chocolate

Black Chocolate with no nuts, nougat, or caramel—just plain old chocolate.

Thank you Deb for your honest answers! :)

Giveaway

Deb is also offering one of our readers one ebook copy of this book! We'll keep it simple.

- All you have to do is fill this rafflecopter form.

- You don't have to be a follower but we'd appreciate it.

- Giveaway ends in seven days time (it means next Saturday - June 9th)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. When you're here you also have a chance to win a Kindle Fire. I guess now you wonder how. All info you can find on Deb's blog, here is the link How to Win a Kindle Fire. So be quick leave the comment below and hurry up at other stops at Changing My Wardrobe Blog Tour.

Good luck!

Until the next time,

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*