Category: fun


Oct
2018

If You Liked This, Then You’ll Like That

categories: Adorkable, Be Yourself, doing what you love, fun, nice surprise, Romance, YA

A while ago, I mentioned something about ADORKABLE being an if-you-liked-this-then-you’ll-like-that book.  You’re probably thinking, “What the heck does that mean?”  Well…although I’m a little uncomfortable comparing my books to others, I noticed a few times where people have mentioned my debut/me in connection to other books! 🙂  It was surprising and actually pretty sweet.  I just love seeing my books mentioned; I think it’s an author thing.  No, you say?  It’s just you and your weirdness lol?  Well okay, I’ll own it then.  I love seeing people mention my books–when it’s something nice, of course ;).

Here are some if-this-then-that things I thought were cool and thought you might like, too.

This first one is from a blog called Bookcrushin’ posted by Kelli Spear.  She basically says that if you liked Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, you may like ADORKABLE.  What I found so freakin’ hilarious was that she hoped she wouldn’t “catch heat,” hoped it wasn’t “sacrilegious” to say such a thing–and those were my thoughts exactly LOL!!!  I love Rainbow Rowell.  She’s one of my all-time favorite authors.  And while I admit I haven’t read all of the other books in this post (yet), I have read Fangirl.  And yeah…that is a high bar right there.  I’m not even touching that lol!  But I gotta say…I love her for saying it! <3  Thank you so much Kelli for even mentioning ADORKABLE in connection with anything Rainbow Rowell-related.  You’re lovely!

This next one is from a review written by Jen from Star-Crossed Book Blog about a book called Glitter and Sparkle by Shari L. Tapscott.  Jenn writes, “If you’re a fan of Cookie O’Gorman, or even the feelings you got while watching the movie Clueless, then you definitely have to give this one a try!” First off, Jen rocks.  Second, she has great taste in books, and I’ve found several through her awesome reviews.  Then she had to go and mention Clueless, which made my heart go gooey.  I love Clueless, and I love that Jen thought of me when writing a review for a book she loved!  It was such an awesome suprise–and Glitter and Sparkle is definitely now on my TBR list!

The third screenshot is from the blurb for a book called My Fake Valentine by Kellie McAllen.  This is the first (and only) time I’ve ever seen another author say if you liked ADORKABLE, you’ll like my book, too.  And it was so cool!  Now, I haven’t read this book, but it was still all kinds of fantastic to see that someone thought ADORKABLE was worth a mention :).

And lastly, of course, I have to include this amazing article written by Kerri Jarema from Bustle called 10 Rom-Com Novels With Fake Relationships That Will Give You Serious Lara Jean & Peter Kavinsky Vibes.  Okay, so I don’t know Kerri.  I have no idea how she found ADORKABLE.  I do know that several readers compared it to Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and that that is what drove me to read the book last year.  Having ADORKABLE mentioned on Bustle (Bustle, you guys!) in the same post as this awesome book right around the time the awesome Netflix movie was released?  My mind was officially blown.  But one of the best parts about it?  My Aunt Pat, who I love so much and miss every single day, used to LOVE Jennifer Crusie–and one of Crusie’s books, Strange Bedpersons, is right above ADORKABLE.  I really think Pat would’ve liked that.

So yeah, apparently ADORKABLE is an if-you-liked-this-then-you’ll-like-that book.  Who knew? 🙂  I hope you’re all doing well and having a great fall so far!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Aug
2018

Happy National Book Lover’s Day!

categories: fun, Romance, YA

Apparently, it is National Book Lover’s Day–although, let’s be honest; isn’t that every day for us bookworms lol? 🙂  One of my students sent me this (thanks, Brady!), and I just had to do a post.  Books are wonderful, fabulous, amazing things.  They have the ability to transport us to different places, pick us up when we’re down, make us cry one moment and smile the next.  (Note: I prefer the feel-good books that make me laugh and/or swoon :))  I don’t know what the world would be like without books, but I do know I never want to find out.

Have you read any good books recently?  Here are two that I’m looking forward to reading and one that I enjoyed (a lot more than I probably should have):

  1. Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
  2. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
  3. Love Me Never by Sara Wolf

I’ve been waiting to read the first two for a while.  Eliza and Her Monsters just sounds awesome and will be my first read from Francesca Zappia.  In the past, I’ve loved Holly Black’s books about fairies, so of course, The Cruel Prince captured my interest immediately.  Then there’s Love Me Never which I’ve already read and enjoyed.  A lot.  This book was…wow.  It reminded me of Boys Over Flowers–one of my favorite Asian dramas–actually strike that, it is my favorite lol.  Love Me Never was nowhere near as sweet, but it was definitely a guilty pleasure read.

Have you read any of these books?  Did you enjoy them?  I hope you’re all doing well and having a great week!  And again, Happy National Book Lover’s Day!!!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

 

 


Aug
2018

Friday Fun :)

categories: Adorkable, Fan Art, fun, nice surprise, Romance, YA

I have some very sweet/awesome/fun things to share with you this Friday :).

ADORKABLE came out at the end of June as an audiobook–yay!!!–and if that wasn’t awesome enough, on one of my random searches of my books (don’t judge lol), I found these beauties.

This is, to my knowledge, the first and possibly only hand-drawn piece of ADORKABLE fan art!!!! <3  It was apparently on Pinterest, and seriously, I LOVE IT!!!!!  I love everything about it from the little Yoda, to the soccer ball for Becks, to the Gryffindor crest for Sally, to all the characters’ names (including Sally’s mom and all of Becks’s brothers *sigh*).  And I noticed this part last, but that’s a German flag!  Because Sally speaks German in the book!  Gah, it’s so freaking perfect and just…ADORKABLE! 🙂  Wherever you are Amber, thank you SO much for this!

This beautiful collage is for Kamuzások, Kavarások (the Hungarian version of ADORKABLE), and all I’ve got to say is WOW 0__0.  The pictures are amazing and were paired with a very sweet book review on Bookworm’s Bookshelf blog.  Thank you so much, Lillsz!!!  You’re wonderful! <3

And that, my lovely readers, is a picture of ADORAKBLE alongside all of the other “Most Read This Week” in Young Adult Romance on Goodreads!  It was such a nice/wonderful surprise!

I know school is starting back for a lot of my readers, and if you’re one of them, I hope you enjoy it!  Whether you’re starting back or long past your school days: Have fun, read books, be YOU because you’re fantastic, and don’t let the muggles get you down.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman

 


Jul
2018

Summer Reading Event

categories: Adorkable, fun, giveaway, Romance, YA

Hi everyone!  KM Shea contacted me a little while ago asking if I wanted to be a part of her Summer Reading Event–of course, I said yes!  Summer + Books + New Author Friends = Awesome :).  This week, from July 29-August 4, is all about YA contemporary books–which I love!!!  There are giveaways and great books, and the coolest part (at least for me)?

ADORKABLE is one of the featured reads!!!

If you want to check it out, here is the link.

One giveaway is for a book by one of my favorite authors, Meg Cabot, so actually I want to enter that one lol!  The other book, Engaging Mr. Darcy, is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice.  I love all things P&P, so that sounds awesome as well.  Also, Kitty just seems like a nice/cool person, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity for ADORKABLE to be a part of this.

Have you guys discovered any great reads this summer?  I’ve found a couple that I loved, and I’ve still got some sweet things to share with you.  Hoping to post at least once more this week, and I hope you are all doing well!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Jun
2018

The Art of Taking Chances

categories: fun, Romance, The Art of Taking Chances, YA

It’s release day for “The Art of Taking Chances” anthology! 🙂

Nine authors with nine short YA romance stories and a beautiful cover.  I was honored to write the foreword–but you may just want to skip that and get right to the sweet stories!  I wouldn’t blame you lol.  It looks like the book is available in paperback and e-book (for just $0.99), so check it out!

Happy Friday, everyone, and be on the lookout tomorrow for another post about another release that I can’t wait to share!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Feb
2018

Happy V-Day Giveaway!

categories: Adorkable, Amazon, doing what you love, fun, giveaway, Happy V-Day Giveaway, Ninja Girl, The Unbelievable Inconceivable Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder

It’s the day of romance, candy hearts, flowers, book boyfriends and L-O-V-E <3.

Okay, so I added in the book boyfriends lol.  But they rock, and we all love them, so why not, right?  February 14th kind of snuck up on me this year, but I do have a sweet giveaway for all of you!

The Happy V-Day Giveaway will run from today until March 7, 2018.  The awesome part: There will be 2 winners!!!  One winner will get a $10 Amazon gift card, and one winner will get a signed copy of my YA romance NINJA GIRL!  You can enter using the rafflecopter below (and there are a lot of ways to enter–including adding my upcoming release, THE UNBELIEVABLE, INCONCEIVABLE, UNFORESEEABLE TRUTH ABOUT ETHAN WILDER, on Goodreads :)).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Dec
2017

Tis The Season

categories: Adorkable, fun, Happy Holidays, Harry Potter, Merry Christmas, YA

It’s two days before Christmas.  I’m finally done shopping–thank goodness!–and now I can slow down and just rest for a bit :).

One of my good friends (one of my only friends lol.  Thanks, Nina!) got me the little mystery box pictured below.

I’ve gotta admit: I was way too excited about what was in there.  Harry Potter lovers, you feel me on this, right?  It could be anything.  A thestral, dragon, pixie, owl, a Neville or *gasp* a Snape <3.  The mystery is the best part, so if you know any HP fans, I would definitely recommend!

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So, what you ask was in the box???

 

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A mini Harry Potter!!!!!  Awww, isn’t he just the cutest?  He is totally adorkable with his sorting hat and glasses <3.

Mini Mr. Potter definitely brightened my day, and I just wanted to say: Happy Holidays to all of you!  And if you’re someone who struggles through this time of year, I hope you know that you are not alone.  It can be hard, and I’m right there with you.  But I hope you find a bit of magic this holiday season, something to make it wonderful.  Merry Christmas, my lovely readers, I wish you only the best books and all of the best times with those you love!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Nov
2017

NINJA GIRL Fan Art!

categories: doing what you love, Fan Art, fun, NaNoWriMo, nice surprise, Ninja Girl, YA

I love fan art!  It is one of the coolest, most thoughtful, best things out there, and it has personally helped me find books/movies over the years that have become some of my favorites!  I love it when a reader takes time out of their busy schedule and creates a picture, drawing, video etc.  They put not only their time but their talent into making that, and it means so much.

As much as I love it, though, I never really expected anyone to make fan art for my work.

But someone did, you guys!!!!!

I got this tweet from Alyssa last Friday (it was sent a couple of days earlier, but I didn’t see it until then).

Ahhhhh! Isn’t it awesome?!? <3 <3 <3

I couldn’t stop staring *____*.   Snow looks SO perfect, strong and kickass and so dang cute!  (Sidenote: I’d always thought Snow would be doing a high kick on the book’s cover but never found the right pic.)  And then take a look at the bad guy–notice his wince as our NINJA GIRL is kicking butt and taking names.  And then, oh my goodness, Ash!!!  He is possibly my favorite part of this whole scenario.  His little heart eyes as he watches Snow are…sigh…perfection <3.

The tears came even though I tried to stop them.  They were the good kind of tears because I was just so moved.  Alyssa didn’t have to make this; she didn’t have to draw an action scene of NINJA GIRL.  But she did, and I am over-the-moon grateful for this!  Go check out her instagram (@fanbookart) and while you’re there look at her other amazing pieces.  I’m particularly fond of the Harry Potter drawings ;).

This was such a cool and unexpected surprise.  To get to see Snow and Ash drawn like this…it is just incredible, made me cry like a baby.  Honestly, I still can’t stop looking at it.  If I ever see Sally and Becks from ADORKABLE rendered this way, going by my previous reaction?  Well, we better get the tissues ready lol.

To Alyssa and all of the other fan art creators out there: You are amazing, and as a writer and a lover of awesome things to fangirl over, I am SO thankful for your talent and your thoughtfulness.

It’s almost the middle of November, and I’m still NaNoWriMo-ing.  Surprises like this and the encouraging comments I’ve heard from other readers/writers definitely have given me the drive to push forward.  I’ve added over 11,000 words to my WIP, and I’m hoping to add more.

I hope you are doing well and are having a great week!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Oct
2017

We have a winner!

categories: Adorkable, fun, giveaway, Happy Fall YA'll, YA

That title is absolutely correct.

We do indeed have a winner of the Happy Fall YA’ll Giveaway!!!!

But first, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who entered.  It did my heart good to see those entries–1,813 people in all which is absolutely incredible!  Thank you so much for being interested in my work, for wanting to know more about Sally and Becks and ADORKABLE.

Without further ado, the winner of the Happy Fall YA’ll Giveaway is…

Anthony!!!

Congratulations, Anthony, and thank you so much for being a part of the giveaway!  Your signed copy of ADORKABLE will be on its way very shortly.  I hope you enjoy the book, that it puts a smile on your face and gives you all the feels :).

In other news, since Halloween is coming up, I’ve seen some awesome costumes in my classes!  No ninjas, jedi or X-Men unfortunately, but there is always next week lol.  (There was one fantastic Hermione, though; she had a time-turner and everything!  Go girl!)  Seriously though, the kids I teach are so creative which makes me feel kinda bad because I struggle to come up with new ideas.  I’ve been a Hogwarts student for the past two years–proud HP alumi/supporter right here!–and it’s also a great reuse of my graduation gown ;).  I’ve also been a newsie, pumpkin, fairy, cat etc.  This year I went as “sleepy teacher” (who may make a recurrence next week).  This includes pajamas, messy hair (which is a given), slippers, robe etc.  It’s an accurate representation/costume, and it’s just soooooo darn comfortable :).

I wish you better luck with your costume ideas–if you go as your favorite book characters, I will be majorly jealous…but also impressed–and I hope you have a great weekend!

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman


Oct
2017

A Jedi, A Bad Guy and A Porg

categories: Adorkable, doing what you love, fun, Geeking Out, Star Wars, writing, YA

Hi readers!

You’ve probably already seen it, but I’m sharing something that made me go WOW and totally fed my inner-geek this week.  My girls–Sally Spitz and Snow-Soon Lee–would be all about it, and I am as well :).  The light sabers, the female jedi who looks like she’s going to be a major Force in the universe (pun intended lol ;)), a bad guy that I can’t help but love (that voice!!!), and of course, the cutest creature in all of the galaxy: the Porg! <3  Here’s the trailer for the upcoming movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Sooooo, what did you think?  Like I said, you’ve probably already seen it, but man!  That was an awesome trailer.  I also thought that glass/crystallized fox-thing was really cool.  That said, I really hope nothing bad happens to the crystal fox-things or the porg.  That would make this writer very upset :/.

In other news, the Happy Fall YA’ll Giveaway has ended and the winner of a signed copy of ADORKABLE will be announced next week!  Yay!  And you guys, I’ve been writing, working on my newest manuscript.  I know you’re probably like, “Duh, isn’t that just what you do?  Write?”  Well, sometimes the words won’t flow, but recently they have been–and this book!  Gah, I’m loving it.  Double yay!! I hope you all have a great weekend.  And of course, may the Force, the porg, and Becks be with you :).

Happy reading,

Cookie O’Gorman