News

01
Aug

Thrice Interview: CANARY

Hi! I’ve been such a bad blogger this summer. Sorry, guys! I meant to do a post yesterday about brainstorming a new book but I’m visiting my parents and they’ve got a new kitten so: productivity fail, basically.

But today we are celebrating the release of Rachel Alpine’s CANARY!

They say:  

canaryIn this debut novel, a high school girl tries to understand the world, figure out where she fits in, and learn how to stand up for herself when everything falls apart. With the passing of her mother, Kate Franklin’s life unravels at the seams as she loses the only emotional mooring in her family. Her dad shuts down completely, and her brother enlists in the army. Things start looking better when her dad is hired to coach at Beacon Prep, home of one of the best basketball teams in the state. In a blog of prose and poetry, Kate chronicles her new world—dating a basketball player, being caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, and discovering the perks the inner circle enjoys. Then Kate’s fragile life shatters once again when one of her boyfriend’s teammates assaults her at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad’s vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The once welcoming community has betrayed Kate, her family is disintegrating, and she’s on her own to grapple with whether to stay quiet or speak out and expose a town’s hero and destroy her father’s career.

I say: I haven’t read this one yet, but the topic (unfortunately) sounds very relevant, and I’m excited to pick it up! And two authors whose work I really love have given it great blurbs:

“The subtle way Rachele Alpine addresses love, loss, popularity, and friendship makes this book a realistic and arresting read. For anyone who ever struggled with frenemies and fitting in, CANARY is an important addition to contemporary YA discussions.” —Jennifer Brown, author, HATE LIST

“Alpine’s CANARY is a deeply-felt, poignant account of someone trying to find strength in a world that has hurled its worst at her. Alpine has created a compelling narrator in Kate and the challenges she must face are both realistic and heartbreaking.” —Colleen Clayton, author, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Now for our interview with Rachel:​

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Kate is loyal, brave, and strong.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

CANARY is an honest, powerful, contemporary novel.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Sassy, spunky, silly writer

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

Australia, Italy, Cyprus

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

I’ve always wanted to be a manicurist and tattooist and learn photo editing. (JS: Ooh, I like both manicures and tattoos!)

6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Doggy day care, food critic, travel writer (JS: what fun choices!)

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

​Tulips, lavender (is that a flower?), baby’s breath (JS: I love lavender too!)

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Sushi, coffee, gummy candy

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

THE GREAT GATSBY, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, PREP

Thanks so much for playing, Rachel!

Rachel has agreed to give away a CANARY swag pack to a lucky reader in the US. To enter, just comment below and tell me: would you rather get a manicure or a tattoo? What would it look like? Contest is open ’til next Fri (August 9) at noon EST.

You can add CANARY to your Goodreads list here, read Rachel’s blog, or follow her on twitter.

10 Responses

  1. Tynnika

    I would get a teensy tiny tattoo on my wrist and it would be a small treble clef..

    Don't bother putting me in the competition though. I live in Australia.

  2. WriterWannabe

    I already have two tattoos and spoil myself with my nails on the reg (my ONE high maintenance trait I promise!). But I would love to get another tattoo.. I have matching ones with my parents on my hip and a Harry Potter one with my BFFL ribs. I would def get another quote with my sissy or a book tat on my wrist.

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