#BIR2010 - Book Giveaway: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner + Author Interview

James Dashner is the author of The Maze Runner, 13th Reality & The Jimmy Fincher Saga. In 2010 James released the 3rd book in the 13th Reality series as well as book 2 in The Maze Runner series: The Scorch Trials.

Tonight I've got a great interview with James and then a book giveaway for The Scorch Trials.

Interview:

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Oh, man, that's a toughy. I love history, and I've always fantasized about how cool it'd be to go back and observe Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc. Even cavemen would be pretty cool. But how could you pass up the chance to leap 500 years in the future and check out all the new gadgets and gizmos? Could I do both? Please?

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Stephen King, JK Rowling, Judy Blume, Dean Koontz, and Justin Bieber (trying to stay tight with the young kids these days).

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
iPad, Wifi, and a Walmart.

What is one book everyone should read?
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

If you were a superhero what would your name be?
Novel Dude.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Indestructible and immortal.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Cookies and Cream.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns with Tobasco Sauce and OJ.

What's your favorite music genre? Favorite artist? Song?
Rock. Staind. Epiphany.

Is there anything you need in order to write? (ie Chocolate, quiet, music)
I love to listen to movie soundtracks, like Lord of the Rings, Aliens, Braveheart, The Matrix, etc.

Night owl, or early bird?
Night owl for sure.

One food you would never eat?
Cooked peas. Yuck!

Pet Peeves?
Mean people.

Skittles or M&Ms?
M&Ms for sure!

Favorite Cartoon?
Spongebob

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Football.

How do you react to a bad review?
I get sad, no matter how many times I tell myself the next time won't bother me. I always get sad.

What is your favorite book that has been made into a movie?
Lord of the Rings. Without a doubt the greatest cinematic achievement of all time.

Where is your favorite place to read/write?
A cafe or a bookstore. I finally have an office in my new house, but I still love to get out for a change of scenery.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Lots of people die, but lots of people live, too.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?
Lord of the Rings, preferably AFTER they destroy Sauron.

What is your dream cast for your book?
I kind of like what this gal came up with: http://fantasycasting.blogspot.com/2010/08/maze-runner.html

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
Child: Superfudge by Judy Blume. Teen: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
James Dashner: Man or Myth?

What is your guilty pleasure?
Movies. Lots and lots of movies.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?
Ellen Degeneres. Hey, don't laugh!

Write a haiku about your book.
Thomas in the Maze
Memories of a life, gone.
Hope when there is none.

I appreciate James taking time out of his busy schedule to answer so many questions!  Thank you! And my daughter agrees with you about not eating cooked peas!

The Scorch Trials: Sequel to the Maze Runner
By James Dashner
Released Oct 12, 2010
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
http://www.jamesdashner.com/

The Maze was only the beginning...

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more Variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety... until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, much of the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated--and with it, order--and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal.

The Gladers are far from done running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder--does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

Giveaway Details:
One copy of The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Open to those with a US mailing address.
Giveaway ends 12/16/10

If you have not yet done so please fill out my BIR2010 address form if you plan to enter multiple giveaways.
To enter this giveaway for The Scorch Trials please fill out this form:
This giveaway is now closed

Giveaway: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

It's time for a new Giveaway!

In celebration of the upcoming young adult release of The Scorch Trials by James Dashner today's giveaway is for the first book in the series, The Maze Runner. I loved this book and am looking forward to the sequel being released on October 12, 2010.


When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade.
And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Please see my review of The Maze Runner HERE.

Giveaway Details:

Since I purchased this book for the giveaway you must be a follower of this blog to enter. You can become a new follower to enter. This is a brand new paperback copy of the book.

Giveaway is open only to US residents. You have until October 3rd, 2010 to enter. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on October 4th.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

There are 3 extra entries available:

+1 Become a friend of "Inspired Kathy" on goodreads.

+1 Share this giveaway on your blog or website. Leave a direct link.

+1 Follow me on Twitter @toobusyreading and tweet about this giveaway.

This Giveaway is now CLOSED. Thanks to all who entered.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade.
And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.


I had no idea this book was a trilogy when I picked it up. Had I known I would have waited to read it! Especially now that I'm finished and the book left me with as many questions unanswered as answered ones.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner was a page turner. It kept my interest from the very start. Sci-fi, mystery and action adventure all rolled into one. It's been described as a cross between Lord of the Flies & The Hunger Games. Often when I read a book I can guess where the book is going but this one was full of twists and turns and it wasn't until I literally read "the writing on the wall" with Thomas about half way through that I figured out where the books was headed. The plot was suspenseful and fast paced. A very entertaining read. However I'm still a little ticked he killed off one of my favorite characters at the end!

The second book in the trilogy The Scorch Trials will not be released until October 12, 2010. I will definitely read the next book.

Content: I would consider this book appropriate for ages 13+. My 10 year old daughter started listening to it with me but I think it's a little beyond her. There is a lot of death in this books and she doesn't like it when characters get killed off. My 12 year old son would enjoy this book. Although there is a lot of violence and death, none of it is described in gorey detail. However there are characters we come to know and like that die. No sexual content. There was no real language in this book but I was bothered with the slang that was used. The "gladers" had their own vocabulary, often using the terms shuck, klunk and shank in their conversations. Unfortunately every time they said "shuck it" it brought the F bomb to my mind.

Rating: A 4.5 star book. Kept my attention throughout the whole book. A quick moving book with a very interesting plot. A great book for teenage boys.

I'm interested in reading some of James Dashner's other books. My 10 year old has read and enjoyed James Dashner's 13th Reality series. I think I'll check them out.