Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tens List: Christopher Grant + Teenie


As part of a promotional tour through Teen Book Scene, I have author Christopher Grant joining me on the blog today to share with us some of his favorite places in the world. Thanks so much for stopping by Christopher!

TOP TEN PLACES YOU WOULD LOVE TO USE
AS A SETTING FOR A BOOK


I love to travel, so this list is biased towards places I’ve been or would like to go to in the near future.

1. Grenada - It’s a small Caribbean Island not too far away from South America. I had the pleasure of living there for six months and it changed my life. It was a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of New York City. There was rhythm to life there. It was everywhere, in the food, in the music, in the way folks communicated with each other. I love that I am of Caribbean descent. We have a colorful way of expressing ourselves. Everyone has a nickname and believe me, they’re spot on. My barber’s name was Cow. I asked him, “Cow, why do they call you Cow?” He answered, “I guess because of my nose.” …Wow.

2. Dubai - The gap between the haves and havenots was startling. I met some interesting people there, folks who emigrated from Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Ukraine, all in an effort to make a better life for themselves and their families. I know every man thinks his burden is the heaviest, but watching some of those guys doing hardcore manual labor in 110 degree heat was humbling.

3. Costa Rica - I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but it’s high on my list. My wife has talked about the pace of life, the natural beauty, tarantulas as big as my hand, belligerent monkeys that steal and DRINK alcoholic beverages, and boa constrictors curled up in her room. So much to write about!

4. India - Yet another place that I haven’t had the privilege of visiting, but plan to shortly. I have always been fascinated by the culture, the food (seasoned with lava), and the caste system.

5. Gaza - Rich in history and (unfortunately) conflict. The area is a character in and of itself.

6. Arizona - I’m sure I could pump out a few hundred pages about their controversial, “Jim-Crow-like” immigration policies.

7. Tibet - I’ve got to know how those monks survive in such treacherous conditions. Mind over matter?

8. Jamaica - My father was born there. My sister told me that one of our great grandmothers was a Maroon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Maroons).
I will write something about this one day. That is a guarantee.

9. Scotland - From discussions with my father, I’ve learned that my great-grandfather was born in Scotland. Though he lived in Jamaica for much of his life, my great-grandfather still wore a kilt. I would love to explore and write about that part of my lineage, though I’m a bit unsure of how my chicken legs would look in a kilt.

10. Barbados - My mother was born in Barbados and I’ve spent quite a bit of time there. It’s commonly referred to Little England. They still wear wigs in court and have that trademark British arrogance. A friend of mine asked my aunt why Bajans (short for Barbadians) thought they were better than everyone else. Her response, “Because we are.”

For more information on Christopher and TEENIE, you can find him here:

Website
Twitter
Facebook

TEENIE (from Goodreads)

High school freshman Martine (Teenie for short) is a good student, with a bright future ahead of her. She's desperate to be accepted into a prestigious study abroad program in Spain so that she can see what life is like beyond the streets of Brooklyn. She wouldn't mind escaping from her strict (though lovable) parents for awhile either. But when the captain of the basketball team starts to pay attention to her after she's pined away for him for months and Cherise, her best friend, meets a guy online, Teenie's mind is on anything but her schoolwork. Teenie's longtime crush isn't what he seemed to be, nor is her best friend's online love. Can Teenie get her act together in time to save her friendship with Cherise, save her grade point average so that she can study in Spain, and save herself from a potentially dangerous relationship?

24 comments:

  1. This was a new way to interview, loved knowing more about the author this way!
    Thanks.

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  2. Very interesting choices. I would love to read books set in these places as well. It struck me when reading this list that there really isn't a whole lot of variety in the countries that the books I read are set in.

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  3. Great list! I love reading books set in different countries. I think Dubai and Costa-Rica would be interesting :)

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  4. I would not say no to more books about Scotland ;D or the rest of those places for that matter

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  5. Love the list! I would love to visit Barbados and Dubai. Great picks!

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  6. I really enjoyed Teenie and so have my students. As far as settings, I have been very interested in India and and love Scotland too. I would enjoy any book set in a far away place though. Great guest post. Cannot wait for more books by Grant!

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  7. Wow, love the synopsis on the book. And I love book based on Scotland. Their accent makes my knees melt.

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  8. What I wouldn't give to travel to all those places, especially since they sound so fantastic.

    And I hope to see that Maroon story someday.

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  9. LOVE Costa Rica and I would love to go to Scotland one day. =) Scotland for the beauty and the hot guys with brogues. ;)

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  10. These are all places I would LOVE to visit! (Okay, except Arizona. It's hella hot over there!) *sigh* Now I really want to travel...

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  11. I live in Arizona and whilst it is quite hot (Lauren M did say it well), it will be warm when everyone else is drowning in snowy misery, so I'm okay with it. Plus, we have the most amazing air-conditioning. :D Plus, I feel that books having to do with our stupid immigration laws would be FREAKING awesome! Also, I want to go to India, Dubai and Scotland. Although, when I was in Ireland, the Scottish men never tired of accosting me...not that I didn't like it, just that they did it a lot. *smiles*

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  12. I have not come across many books set in these places so it would definitely make for an interesting read.

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  13. I've been curious about Barbados ever since I read The witch of Blackbird Pond in the 7th grade!

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  14. I had to laugh about AZ. :) I would love to read that book.

    I also love your reasons for visiting the other places. Oh I want to travel!

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  15. Dubai would be awesome! I wish there were more books set in the Middle East. Ha...AZ! Gosh, I could write that book for sure. I live in AZ. I thought it was nice when I first moved here...well it is as far as the weather and it's pretty, but the the people and politics...ugh! Okay, I could go on and on. LOL Cool list!

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  16. Great choices for settings. Can I vote for Grenada and Tibet...although maybe not in the same book. :)

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  17. I would love to go to Gaza and Scotland, both rich in history and in conflict at some point. Actually, these all are great places to travel to.

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  18. Usually, YA books tend to be set in US, Canada or Europe so I think reading about characters based in some of those countries would be really interesting.

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  19. This sounds like such an interesting story! And I loved the interview -- very unusual places on that list and some great reasoning behind wanting to go there. Thanks!
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  20. What fabulous choices - it's funny to see Arizona on that list haha Love the powerful premise of this one :)

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  21. Yay for Arizona. I'm from there. But boo for their immigration laws. I'd love to go to Dubai.

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  22. Thanks for the great comments folks.

    Chris
    @nycsubwaywriter

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  23. Wow, this was so new. And eeeee! I'm from Barbados! It was thrilling to actually see the name of my country somewhere and not have anyone ask if it was in Jamaica. Lovely post and I would love to read books set in any of these wonderful places.

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