I am thrilled to have an interview with Chris Howard, author of Rootless (one of the books on my Christmas wishlist this year!) to share with you as part of the "25 Authors of Christmas" Blog Tour 2012. To see all of the other awesome stops on this tour please visit Bound 2 Astound!!
What is your favorite aspect of the Christmas season?
I really enjoy the whole holiday season, and I love the winter solstice and the feeling of the days being at the shortest - which means they're about to get longer again! It's such a great elemental reminder of the whole cycle of life. And I think Christmas can be just such a reminder, which is why it's great to spend it surrounded with people you love :)
Your YA novel, Rootless, is about living in a world without trees. Do you think that this story takes on a whole new meaning around Christmas time, when a tree stands as a symbol in almost every house?
I love the history of trees being decorated and brought inside at this time of year, and also how they can be focal points for a community to gather around. Trees have such a prominent and important role in so many different religions and mythologies. You might like to check out this post in my blog series "The Art of Tree Building" … It's all about sacred trees, and some of the roles trees have played in various theologies, philosophies, and mythologies around the world. In fact, I think I'll create a post specifically about the history of the Christmas tree :)
What are you excited about doing for Christmas this year?
My wife and I have had a great but pretty hectic year, so we're looking forward to relaxing with some good friends around the fire. Maybe I'll get some good skiing in, too! It's snowing a lot this week in Colorado :)
What's one of your favorite gifts you've ever received for Christmas?
Probably something from when I was a kid… the Millennium Falcon I got always stands out (not a REAL Millennium Falcon, but still very awesome!)
If there's one thing you'd like to receive this year, what would it be?
You know, there's nothing I really need… I would rather everyone spread peace and love around the globe in every way possible. That'd be the best gift for all of us, right?!
Series: Rootless #1
Author: Chris Howard
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic
Genre: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: November 1st 2012
Publisher: Scholastic
Publisher: Scholastic
Size: 336 pages
Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
17-year-old Banyan is a tree builder. Using salvaged scrap metal, he creates forests for rich patrons who seek a reprieve from the desolate landscape. Although Banyan's never seen a real tree--they were destroyed more than a century ago--his missing father used to tell him stories about the Old World.
Everything changes when Banyan meets a mysterious woman with a strange tattoo, a map to the last living trees on earth, and he sets off across a wasteland from which few return. Those who make it past the pirates and poachers can't escape the locusts . . . the locusts that now feed on human flesh.But Banyan isn't the only one looking for the trees, and he's running out of time. Unsure of whom to trust, he's forced to make an alliance with Alpha, an alluring, dangerous pirate with an agenda of her own. As they race towards a promised land that might only be a myth, Banyan makes shocking discoveries about his family, his past, and how far people will go to bring back the trees.
Before he wrote stories, Chris Howard wrote songs, studied natural resources management, and led wilderness adventure trips for teenagers. He currently lives in Denver, CO, and ROOTLESS is his first novel.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a fun post and congrats to Chris on the release! This book sounds fantastic! I love Christmas too, mainly b/c it seems like people are happier and more inclined to be nicer. It's so much fun to read about random acts of kindness and generosity especially in light of horrific events lately. I guess one of my favorite gifts I received was my Kindle Fire! It goes every where with me :) For this Christmas, all I want is some time off to catch up on reading and relaxing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. !
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview thank you.
ReplyDeleteOne year I receive a train set, no Millennium Falcon that's for sure, but a pretty cool gift for a girl.
Fun interview! The book sounds really good, of course my favorite part of Christmas tradition is decorating our tree....and of course its the cats favorite too, he likes to dive into it and knock it over shake it and knock all the ordainments off...yeah its great. Its so awesome getting my blood pressure up chasing a cat around the house with a keep-sake one of kids made me.......
ReplyDeletelol
Geez, I need to proof read my comments...haha...that was suppose to say trying to get a keep sake one of the kids made me away from the cat thats trying to eat it....:D
DeleteI hadn't heard of this yet, it sounds good! I cant imagine a world without trees!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
ReplyDelete"I love the winter solstice and the feeling of the days being at the shortest - which means they're about to get longer again"
I like that. I hate the shorter days, but I like that outlook.
The book sounds great!