Another book in the blurbed-by-me stack comes out this week: Skinned, by Robin Wasserman. Here’s what I said about it:
A spellbinding story about loss, rebirth, and finding out who we really are inside.
But there’s much more to be said about Skinned than that! So I decided to do an IM interview with Robin, like this one with Lauren McLaughlin a couple of weeks ago. It turned out to be another rollicking trip through the wilds of science fiction, teen angst, and writing advice.
Enjoy!
So while I’m on tour with Justine next week, Robin will be guest blogging a couple of times here at Westerblog. (Because I know you all hate the dead air.) I’ll be back next weekend, though, with tales (and pix) from the road.
Click here for details on all of Justine’s tour dates.
By the way, here’s what Skinned looks like:
You can buy it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Powell’s. Or at bricks and mortar bookstores everywhere!
If you have any questions for Robin, I’m sure she’ll be monitoring the comments and will answer them.
Ciao for now!
September 16th, 2008 06:06
OMG FIRST COMMENT
September 16th, 2008 06:06
ok now real comment…this book looks so interesting ahh i really need to go to borders!!
September 16th, 2008 06:38
Wow! I need to buy this tomorrow when I go to B & N. *Adds to list*
September 16th, 2008 06:39
Also- what sort of im system do you use? It seems much cleaner than aim which hates my guts. I need to find something better to use.
September 16th, 2008 06:40
Will you be going to Philly with Justine?
September 16th, 2008 07:01
ImInLoveWithJonathan!: We were using google chat, which I agree works pretty well (although less well when your crappy internet connection dies midway through the conversation…). As I think I may have mentioned (ad nauseum), much technology hates my guts. So I feel your pain.
September 16th, 2008 07:12
ooooo…. sounds intense. I’ll have to check it out… once I finish all the other books I currently want to read. Have fun on the tour!
September 16th, 2008 07:37
i wanna read. the cover scares me though the top looks like normal scifi but the top lloks like dark fantasy
September 16th, 2008 07:47
Oh My Gosh!! That book looks soooooo good. I have to go order it!
September 16th, 2008 07:47
I’m totally go buy it win I buy Justine’s fairy book! I can’t wait for it!
September 16th, 2008 07:53
Don’t be scared, Haddy-la! It’s totally sci-fi. No faeries allowed.
(No fairies, either. I’ll leave those to Justine, because it’s clear no one could handle them as awesomely as her.)
September 16th, 2008 08:01
I have this book on hold from the library and am waiting to read it.
And I’m liking these IM interviews, they’re interesting. Cycler is sitting on my TBR pile and is currently within my line of sight.
…right next to the essay I should be starting right about now. *dashes away*
September 16th, 2008 08:17
yay!
i’m number 13!
September 16th, 2008 08:18
You keep making my book list long!! I have like 14 books I NEED, awesome. Now to go to Barnes & Noble…haha.
I like those interviews too, they’re pretty rad.
And yay! Guest blogger!
September 16th, 2008 08:20
that sounds soooo faazing;
fantastic and amazing together!!!
i’m going to the mall in a feww,
so i’m gonna go get skinned!!!
(hopefully i won’t fall off my bike
and skin my knee, though)
L8ter!!!
: )
September 16th, 2008 08:21
and your #14. go figure
September 16th, 2008 08:24
btw i also got cycler about a
week ago.
It was soooooooooooooooo
fantabulous!
( jumping for joy next to my labtop )
you were right, scott; that iss awesome!
i hope you like my words, too. i have lots:)
September 16th, 2008 08:45
I’ll be buying that book with HTDYF tomorrow! YAY! New books!
September 16th, 2008 08:49
I really hope you continue with these IM interviews! They’re unique and fun to read… and keep adding to my “Books To Buy” list.
September 16th, 2008 08:57
hmmmm interesting…
September 16th, 2008 09:05
I just finished this yesterday! Score one for me. I really liked it. I kind of wanted to cry at the end though….but I think that’s just me.
Also, great interview! I like these IM things.
September 16th, 2008 09:27
great… another book to go on my long list of “books i have to get”
September 16th, 2008 09:52
khy: Glad you liked it! (I’m still kind of amazed whenever I discover there are real people out there reading something I wrote. You’d think I would be used to it by now…)
September 16th, 2008 10:50
Big Knowing that Changed Everything: The second law of thermodynamics.
On a more positive note, it looks like I’ll enjoy this book. Nothing like a good dystopia!
Scott, why do so many authors say that their ideas come from Schenectady?
September 16th, 2008 10:58
AWESOME
September 16th, 2008 10:59
HEY Y”ALL VISIT MY BLOG
September 16th, 2008 11:00
oops wrong link now click on name and visit blog please people!!!!!
September 16th, 2008 11:16
dudes I just bought this book!
I was looking for that cycler book then
I saw Scott westerfeld and was like
sweet so I bought it and its a trilogy
so Im happy
September 16th, 2008 12:24
i want this book!!!
September 16th, 2008 12:28
SO READING THIS!
September 16th, 2008 12:29
requesting @ library now…
September 16th, 2008 13:07
Awww… I just went book shopping.
I will get it in a couple weeks.
I already got Cycler, but I am cooped up reading Garth Nix’s Abhorsen trilogy.
A must read though.
totally.
September 16th, 2008 13:08
I’m reading Scott’s book Evolution’s Darling right now. My book store said it was out fo print but my new librsary had it. =]]]]]]] I’m going to have to read this and Cycler right after I finish it, 1984, and HTDYF.
September 16th, 2008 13:27
Yay! I’m reading Skinned right now and am LOVING it so far!!
I’m about 100ish pages in. Gonna be reading more after my shower. I love these interviews, and they always seem to be posted right around the time I’m reading them, lol. I’m reading Skinned now, and was reading Cycler when Lauren’s interview was posted. I hope more of these interviews happen in the future!
Can’t wait to see what Robin posts about!
September 16th, 2008 13:32
Oh, and just saw the comment about the cover. I LOVE THE COVER. It is so awesome, and is actually what made me want the book in the first place. I don’t think I even read the summary before asking Robin for a review copy; I just wanted this cover in my hands, haha. But I’m enjoying the book, which I knew I would cuz I love most everything which is why I can make these kinds of decisions based on the cover, lol.
September 16th, 2008 14:59
wow. this looks really kewl. i’m liking the cover. haven’t actually had a chance to read the interview or anything yet, but it looks sweet!
today is one of those days where i just lost at life. ya know those days? like some days you win at life… where everything goes your way.. and then there are those not so good days where you lose at life. yea well my volleyball pictures mysteriously disappered from the school comp and someone might have deleted them which would suck cuz i spent like hours taking them and editing them for the paper. and they weren’t anyones but mine to delete. so i’ll pretty much be p.o.ed if i found out they were deleted. and then everything else just sucked today. and my mom and dad are going on a business trip for 4 days so i’m stuck with my grandma.
and i have 2 big tests tomorrow that i am in no way ready for. yep i lost at life today.
September 16th, 2008 15:26
LOL, this is actually really funny (well, to me, anyway)–I JUST bought this book at B&N this weekend, and the first thing that attracted me to it was that the covern resembled a Scott-la book, lol.
September 16th, 2008 15:34
BTW, if Robin even bothers to read this comment, just want to let her know that IT’S SO AWESOME! I technically didn’t get to “read” it (I’m discouraged from reading multiple books at a time
/), but I skimmed it so thoroughly that it’s almost like I did (although I will go back and properly read it, when I’m done with my current book).
September 16th, 2008 17:21
Robin, the book sounds really good! This is definitely going near the top of my reading queue. At first it kind of reminded me of Bionic Woman. Although it doesn’t sound like there’s any butt kicking in Skinned…or is there?
September 16th, 2008 17:28
Robin, also, before I decide to read the book, can you tell me if there’s any sex/swearing/taking the Lord’s name in vain in the book.
September 16th, 2008 22:36
PrettyxMindedxRusty: I definitely read your comment, and thanks!!!
(While I’m at it, thanks to all the rest of you guys, too, who have already read Skinned or are about to. You’re awesome!)
Tam: Not so much with the butt kicking, although there’s definitely a little action (and a lot more in the next couple books). There is a smattering of sex/swearing/taking the Lord’s name in vain, though. Sorry if that’s a problem.
September 16th, 2008 22:43
PS — Kay-wa, I know exactly how you feel, I’ve been having a whole month of those days. And when I was in high school…let’s just say there were times I could have won a trophy in the ‘lose at life’ championships. (I worked for the school paper too, and while some days it was fun, some days it was DISASTER.) Good luck with the rest of the week!
September 17th, 2008 00:52
Hi Robin,
You’re book looks great. I’m putting it on my TBR list — at the top.
Skinned has a premise on the flip side -sorta- of Anne McCaffrey’s brain ship books. In her books the person is glad to have their mind controlling the machinery (ships) and find a new way to expand themselves. So I’ll be very happy to see how you handle your view.
Keep on typing!
September 17th, 2008 01:03
meehh too many books to read!
I have this, justines book,city of ashes, Im reading a haddix book now…my school library needs more good books!!
meeh!
September 17th, 2008 01:33
Hey, Kenzie-La — I love haddix! Which one are you reading?
September 17th, 2008 05:40
I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT TO READ SKINNED! Oh, my god, the book was AWESOME. I can’t wait for Volume 2!
Although staying up all night reading gave me a migraine, and I was tired all the next day, it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!
I’ll probably be checking out the 7 Deadly Sins later… :3
(ARGH. I still need to read Specials, darn it!)
September 17th, 2008 07:48
sounds totally awesome!!!!! definitely gonna read it along with Cycler, How to Ditch Your Fairy, and all the other bazillion books that are just waiting to be read! can’t wait for HTDYF’s tour i am sooooo going to Philly!!!
September 17th, 2008 07:59
i must start a list mymymy i shall put it on my wall
September 17th, 2008 08:06
Thanks, Meg, I’m glad you liked it! (Though sorry about the headache.) Doing my best to finish up #2 — PLENTY of headaches on this end as well…
September 17th, 2008 08:56
That cover is pretty stellar.
And Dessa-la, thats pretty lucky you can ride your bike to the mall. It’d probably be dark, and closed, and three days later by the time I got there.
But I re-read the interview and these were the parts that I liked..best…
Robin
…And thats because the fact is, when we talk about what really makes us human — and what really makes us alive — it’s not in the end, what the philosophers talk about. It’s not some complex, ineffable, essential quality separating animate from inanimate, man from machine. It’s basic things, like the ability to laugh. To smile. To cry and bleed. We process the world through our senses, and everyone’s senses are telling them that Lia’s not human. Her senses (the ones that still work, at least) are telling her the same thing.
Scott-la
So your crumpled future world is a metaphor for high school.
(Because EVERYTHING is a metaphor for high school)
Robin
More frighteningly, I would argue that high school is a metaphor for the rest of the world — frightening because that means you can graduate, but you can never escape…
Robin
I guess that’s the secret. It would never have occurred to Lia to want to escape — but then she gets kicked out. Best thing that ever happened to her? I’m not sure she would say yes, because obliviousness tends to be rather pleasant, but once you realize you’ve been oblivious, there’s no turning back. You can’t un-know what you know.
You know?
Scott-la
So staying clean is important, and outlining is important for your process.
The high school part is scary, and obliviousness[don't know if you have it..] is a tridecalogism soo is archbishopric[history class woot!] I sit around and count the letter of words now….
[and whoa ironic to the #14 thing!!]
oh ohoh
and
I think we should call [we, hehe] Robin Robin-wa
cause her name is Wasserman.
Peace.
September 17th, 2008 09:00
…. and I suppose this might as well make me “Meggie-wa”. which, now that I think about it, is the most adorable nickname I can imagine. Is it bubbly?! (Yes, yes it is…)
Ugh, in other news, I have got to get off the computer…
September 17th, 2008 09:11
Meggie-wa is pretty bubbly.
September 17th, 2008 11:53
the new book Found Im almost finished! It so good!
September 17th, 2008 13:56
k i have to seriously get a job or something cuz i’m pretty sure that my sister and my mom are going to strangle me if i make them buy me another book… but i spent all the money i made this summer and all my school shopping money…so long story short i need money
oh and skinned looks really good i read the excerpt off of Robin’s website and now i have to read it!!!!
September 20th, 2008 05:23
AHHH one of the coolest covers ever
September 22nd, 2008 08:58
i seriously have to read this book now
September 27th, 2008 09:39
I absolutely LOVED Skinned. Even if all the kids who saw the book thought it was horror. *rolls eyes (Ah, the joys of being in 5th grade)*
September 27th, 2008 09:42
I know, wasn’t it fawesome!! Reminded me of Specials, both with the cover, plot and the end…I SPOILED NOTHING! Lol. I envy you. I wish I were back in simplistic 5th grade.
September 27th, 2008 09:46
I know, it’s very simplistic, except for math. I relentlessly bang my head against a wall at math (6th grade math).
I know. I feel sorry for Lia, and er, uh,
*sort-of-spoiler-y, warning!*
Auden.
October 11th, 2008 11:02
Omg.
I am so picking this up.
Her Seven Deadly Sins series is AMAZING.
I’ve made like, three people but it. x3
This plot looks really cool. <3
Definitely at the top of my to-read list.
October 11th, 2008 11:04
*Buy it.
@_@
November 24th, 2008 09:08
OMGOMGOMG….. read Skinned. Absolutely loved it. I seriously want to know when book 2 comes out….
May 11th, 2009 11:38
ah ah lol:
” Are you kidding me? This is going to happen every month?”
rofl
May 11th, 2009 11:42
I JUST bought Skinned last night and finished it today!! i love that book…
May 19th, 2009 14:16
what an amazing interview. I need to buy this asap *adds to list*
Love the chat format! It looks like the iPhone texting format.
May 20th, 2009 02:31
Seconding Carly-wa, the interview was awesumness. ^-^
Speaking of, I just read Skinned — and I am speechless. It’s a fantabulastic combination of sci-fi, friendship, and of course “finding out who we really are inside”. (hehe!
) What a page turner! Not only did it make you want to find out more about Lia every time you turned one, but it made you question things about yourSELF as well. I’ve never read a book like Skinned that made me think the things I thought while reading it.
I wish I could do a standing ovation for this fantastic work of Robin Wasserman’s. As it is, I’ll have to make do with WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 30th, 2009 06:57
I just bought Skinned like two days ago and I’m like already half way done!!
SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!
July 30th, 2009 07:01
PS i was so lucky! i got the very last copy!
June 29th, 2010 08:04
i love Bionic Woman. i wish there were real bionic women out there.`;”