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Archives for Sep 2008

Random Hour #16: Gender Questions

The minute you were born, you were exposed to gender stereotypes.

You probably were either wrapped in a blue or pink blanket and automatically, your parents associated these colors with the gender you are. As you age, you pick up many other beliefs about how girls are boys are "supposed" to act and what is socially acceptable.

For example, girls play with dolls and make-up while boys play with cars and trucks. Even as you enter your teen, young adult and adult lives, you will be constantly confronting gender stereotypes and social mysteries.

Your social-circle of friends, your peers, your siblings and the mass media will all offer many different views of gender identity and development. Some of these influences will demonstrate positive theories and some negative stereotypes, but it's your choice to decide what's right. Because our modern culture is more open to change, a lot of stereotypes like, men go to work and women stay at home are being broken.

These thoughts have been inspired by my latest read, Cycler, by Lauren McLaughlin. Cycler tells the exciting story of a teenage girl who morphs into a boy four days out of the month and is a completely different person. Jill and Jack's journeys both focus on typical things that occur during the adolescent years, and also show how teenage boys and girls socially interact.

Now I'm looking for thoughts from you! What are some of the gender stereotypes you've been confronted with? How are you looking to fight them? Do you notice any gender stereotypes mentioned in Cycler? Do you think any of the characters fought any stereotypes?

Posted Sep 26, 2008 by buzzinteen | 22 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Cycler Random Hour

Juliet Marillier Author of Cybele's Secret Joins Random Buzzers!

In just a few short weeks, author Juliet Marillier of Cybele's Secret will be joining us here on Random Buzzers and chatting with you on the buzz boards! Juliet is the author of several highly popular fantasy novels for adults including Wildwood Dancing and the Sevenwaters trilogy. Check out her website!

If you haven't had a chance to read an excerpt from Cybele's Secret, check it out right HERE then head on over to the buzz boards to help us welcome Juliet!

Random Buzzers is also giving away 20 advanced copies of the book to 20 random members who participate in the Cybele's Secret: Precious Artifacts activity! Enter your submission today then head on over to the forums to share your entries and check back to see if you're won a copy!

Stay tuned for a special note from the author herself!

Posted Sep 26, 2008 by HeadBuzzer | 5 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Cybele's Secret Juliet Marillier

Random Hour #15: What exactly is the perfect boyfriend anatomy?

No one said your teen years were going to be easy. You have to balance school, activities, sports, your social life and maybe even a part-time job. Learning time management skills while trying to have some fun with your friends can be challenging and stressful. Then, to make things even more confusing and complicated, you throw in friendship, love, relationship drama, and the anatomy of it all. You may think to yourself, "Why is making friends so tough?" or "How can I meet some new people?" or maybe "How will I ever know when I find the right person to date?" If you're feeling like this, stop worrying, take a breath and listen up!

In lieu of Random House's new release, Anatomy of a Boyfriend, I've decided to list some of my favorite tips in my experience in how to find that special someone and meet some new friends along the way. All of our anatomies are a bit different (our own and in relationships in our lives!) so my tips and experiences might not be close to yours, but I look forward to us all sharing our relationship formulas :)

Remember, our culture today tends to put a lot of pressure on teens and the one thing to remember is to not let any of those pressures influence you! You are in control of your own decisions and you should do what's best for you.

So without further ado, here are some of my thoughts (and remember to share yours below!)

Join a group

Join a club. Join a team. Join an after-school activity. Join something that interests YOU! If you do something you enjoy doing, you will be able to express yourself truthfully. Therefore, you'll meet someone that likes you for you.


Try new things

Trying new things is always a good way to meet new people. If you try something new, you might like it and if you don't, you can try something else. Who knows? You may meet someone you never would have met if you didn't step out of your comfort zone.


Don't be shy

You know that cute guy that sits next to you in your biology class? Don't be afraid. Talk to him! Ask him a question about homework, ask him to be your lab partner or ask him for help if you're not sure about something. Making small talk may lead into more conversation. If you're weary, make progress everyday and keep talking!


Don't settle

If you're dating someone just for the sake of having a relationship, this will not work for either person. If you know exactly what you want in a person, keep those standards up. Otherwise, you're going to be wasting their time and your time. Take the time to really think about what you like and dislike in a person and let the search begin.


But these are just a few of my thoughts and I am CERTAINLY not an expert, I'm just trying to discover my anatomy formula, same as everyone else.I know we all have many different components that determine the anatomy of our relationships. What are some of your tips when looking to make new friends, or meet a potential boyfriend or girlfriend?

Posted Sep 24, 2008 by buzzinteen | 8 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Random Hour

What's YOUR Anatomy of a Boyfriend?

Random House has a new paperback coming out today called Anatomy of a Boyfriend where Domnique explores the depths of the relationship with her first boyfriend at an intimate standpoint. The story is both about exploration and discovery of self for Dominique who is getting ready to enter her first year of college:

Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body... (read more)

Choosing the right boyfriend and girlfriend is a very complex decision with many factors involved. We want to know the basic anatomy of your boyfriend through a little game! This might not be the most realistic of boyfriends but your outcome may surprise you! Play the game then let us know about the boyfriend you've created in our Anatomy of a Boyfriend activity to earn 2500 buzz bucks!

Then read an excerpt from the book and take the quiz to earn even more buzz bucks!

Posted Sep 23, 2008 by HeadBuzzer | 3 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Anatomy of a Boyfriend random house

The Big Release of Brisingr Is Finally Here!

Hey, Dragon Riders!

The day is almost here! I am sure all of you are camping out to get your copy of Brisingr, right? I AM SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY STAND IT.

Make sure you check in here to tell us about where/when/how you got your copy of Brisingr and share your thoughts on this awesome day of anticipation finally arriving! I want the full scoop on where you got your copy, what other awesome Inheritance Cycle fans you encountered, and what your first impressions of the book are.

The ability to review the book, new Brisingr and Inheritance Cycle activities, and some special new Brisingr rewards are coming soon. For now, you can go check out a special message that Christopher Paolini has written for his fans and watch his interview on the TODAY show in the Spread the Word area. Make sure to pass these along to your friends!

So stay tuned and check back often and remember to chat with other excited fans on the Buzz boards over HERE.

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the book!

Head Buzzer

Posted Sep 19, 2008 by HeadBuzzer | 37 Comments | Share It

Filed under: brisingr The Inheritance Cycle

Random Hour# 14 - Book Signings!

Hello again, Buzzers!

So we have recently post some new very exciting events that are going to be happening in your area! There will be books signings and appearances by some of your most favorite authors! You should definitely check them out and see when an author will be near you.

I have always loved book signings and appearances and think it is a great way to meet authors and talk to the people who wrote your favorite book. Does anyone have an experience that they would like to share? I am sure your fellow buzzers would love to know about the time you met your favorite author, or heard them read an excerpt from a great book. Maybe there is an author that you haven’t gotten a chance to meet, but hope will be coming to your home state soon!

Come on buzzers! Let's share those great experiences!

Posted Sep 17, 2008 by buzzinteen | 5 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Random Hour

Likely Story Soap Opera Family Goes To Dinner

The set of the Random Buzzers' Likely Story soap opera set is spicing up! With Juliet's arrival to the already bustling Bed and Breakfast, what will happen next? Will Liz's fiery personality clash with the new addition?

If you haven't already, check out the latest script update to the Random Buzzers' Likely Story soap opera and catch up on all the drama that you, Random Buzzers, have been writing up! Read it HERE! Next up on the set of the soap, we are asking you write up a dinner situation for the bed and breakfast family (and latest character additions) and let us know what you'd imagine to happen next! Submit your entries and you might see your part added to the script in the next update. To participate, go HERE for complete details.

Here is an excerpt from the latest update written by your very own fellow buzzer, Wannabkenobi:

FROM BLACK: EXT.-CITY STREET-DAY
Black Corvette parked against the curb next to bookstore. JULIET (20’s) LEANS casually against door of car, arms FOLDED impatiently. Black sunglasses, black skinny jeans, white blonde hair pulled into high pony tail, large white disc earrings match black and white outfit. DALLIS (20’s) exits store, ARMLOAD OF BOOKS. Slight, dark haired, square glasses. Short girl, vest and boots. Juliet rolls eyes.

JULIET
It’s about time, girl! I still have to take you home, and I’m going to end up being late to see Randall.

DALLIS
Randall, shmandall. You hardly even know the guy. Besides, how can you like some idiot who told you that he had cancer so he could get a ride from you?

Dallis looks pointedly at Juliet. Juliet rolls eyes again and opens door of car for Dallis.

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Seems like Dallis would get along with us here on Random Buzzers, no? Make sure to get your scripts in for a chance to have your lines included in the next update!

Posted Sep 11, 2008 by HeadBuzzer | 3 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Likely Story soap opera script

Random Hour #13: Location! Location! Location!

The new featured books this month are great reads and will definitely get you through the beginning of the school year!  I was thinking about where I would go to get the new featured books, and then it got me thinking about my favorite book store. I always love going to Barnes and Noble. I used to go to one on 5th avenue and sit there for hours reading new books, and trying to decide which one I would actually take home with me. I have also really enjoyed libraries. It is always a wonderful experience to be able to go and get something free, especially something as wonderful as a book. Sometimes having the right location can make a world of difference in how enjoyable it is for you to read your book. Quiet places are always the best, but sometimes a little background noise isn't too bad either. I usually prefer a quiet place, but what about you?

Let's share with our fellow buzzers our favorite places to pick up a good book!  Perhaps we will learn about a new place that we have never been to. There are so many places to get books, read books, thing about books, and share books. Let's try and make a list of all of our favorite places!

Posted Sep 10, 2008 by buzzinteen | 11 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Random Hour

Random Hour #12: Fall is fast approaching and so is the time for new books!

The new school year has quickly come! I am sure that many of you have been very busy preparing for your first new day. One of the most exciting things for me is meeting teachers, and getting new books for classes. I know that there have been books that we have all liked, as well as ones that did not make the top of our list. Luckily though, most teachers always try and get something that can be educational, but also pleasing to read.

I think this is a great time for us to share what kind of books we are getting! Not only for school, but other fall books that you are starting, or plan on getting to help you get through the school year.

Have any suggestions for books that we should read? Or maybe you just got a new book in one of your classes that you think was a great choice. Let’s take this time to share with our fellow buzzers the ups and downs of the books in school, and your personal books that you think are going to make a great fall choice!

Posted Sep 3, 2008 by buzzinteen | 12 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Random Hour

Ann Brashares Writes From Fire Island!

It's been a crazy busy summer for author Ann Brashares with all the excitement and hype for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 hitting theaters and if a major release wasn't enough, she has also been busy making a big move with her family. You may have noticed that Ann has been dropping by the boards at random times to check-in. Her internet connection from her new home is a bit unpredictable and a bit troublesome but she did want to pass a note along to you:

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A quick note to my friends at Random Buzzers,

I apologize for my long absence. I moved my family out to Fire Island, a skinny barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean, for most of July and August. This Island is wonderful for many things, but it is TERRIBLE for staying connected via the internet. Our service shuts down all the time, and even when it works it doesn't work. Each time I try to post on the boards my browser freezes and I have to restart my computer. It's very frustrating. Next time I'll stick to my home computer.

Thank you for being patient with me.

xo,

Ann

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She has also been going through your questions and answering as many as she can - go check out her responses!

Posted Sep 2, 2008 by HeadBuzzer | 4 Comments | Share It

Filed under: Ann Brashares