Hi, Sarvenaz! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Sure! I’m the author of 8 books and counting for kids, teens and adults, including The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love, A Whole Song and Dance and my latest middle grade mystery, The Queen of Ocean Parkway. I live in Brooklyn with my family where you can often find me geeking out about showtunes, board games and, of course, books.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

In my second grade class, when my teacher started reading Beverly Cleary to us. I was a very shy kid who had just moved to her third school in three years, but I was enraptured by the stories of Ramona Quimby and Beezus and Henry Higgins. I started getting those books from the library and then others, soon discovering a whole world of friends and adventures that could be had right from the comfort of my bedroom floor. It wasn’t long before I was inspired to try my own hand at making up stories in my composition books.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Henry Higgins
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Witches and The Westing Game
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Westing Game

Your latest novel, The Queen of Ocean Parkway, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Kid sleuth investigates missing tenant.

What can readers expect?

They can expect a fun mystery that will take them to some iconic locations in Brooklyn and introduce them to two very determined sleuths.

Where did the inspiration for The Queen of Ocean Parkway come from?

I’ve pitched it as Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy, and I feel like those two comps were definitely inspirations. But the main inspiration came from my own neighborhood and my kids and all of the Brooklyn adventures we’ve had together (particularly during the pandemic, when I was very much missing all of the everyday pleasures like subway rides and Coney Island trips).

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing my main character, Roya, who is the superintendent’s kid and therefore gets a lot of access to the goings-on of her large apartment building including the little mysteries that pop up when you get to observe people living their daily lives. It was a lot of fun to put a character as curious and resourceful as Roya in that situation and watch her explore it.

What’s next for you?

The Queen of Ocean Parkway will have a sequel! It’s called The Treasure of Ocean Parkway and will be out in Fall 2025. This time Roya and her friends find a secret room in their building that leads them on an epic scavenger hunt through their neighborhood.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

I loved Happy Medium by Sarah Adler and The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. I’m really looking forward to The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan.

Will you be picking up The Queen of Ocean Parkway? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sarvenaz Tash, Author of ‘The Queen of Ocean Parkway’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Virtually Yours is the third YA novel written by the Iranian-American author, Sarvenaz Tash. Winner of the Amazon Best Book of the Year and YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for the Reluctant YA Readers with her sophomore novel The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love (2016), Sarvenaz Tash offers a down-to-Earth and straightforward representation of romantic relationships. Unafraid to open up about the messiest side of love, with Miriam and Caleb’s second chance, Tash explores the ugly side of romance and rightfully so. More authors should dare to offer a more realistic representation of relationships, which usually are as complex as humanity itself.

In the case of Miriam, we get a glimpse of the wreckage caused by the break-up after a long-lasting relationship. She finds herself unable to move on, because she put so much of herself into her relationship with Caleb that she doesn’t know how to continue on her own. Dependency and unyielding emotional attachment are what drive her into attempting to become an item again. Furthermore, while thinking back about Caleb and Mariam’s relationship, the author also explores the tendency of becoming isolated from friends while being in a romantic relationship and the toll it eventually has on a person once they go back to being single.

Although that is the essence of the novel, Sarvenaz Tash also addresses an elating array of exquisitely relevant topics. For one, she pays special attention to the risks of the Internet and virtual dating, such as catfishing, identity theft, and the abuse many companies make of personal data. Some other refreshing topics she deals with are the harsh reality of going to university and the usual feeling of uncertainty many young people have during their freshman year. Last —but not least— throughout the book, she also sprinkles some poignant moments where she openly explores the feeling of “otherness” many second-generation Americans share due to racism. She debunks the fallacy of the American dream, both by exploring Mariam’s and Jeremy’s experiences as non-white American citizens (her parents are Iranian, while Jeremy is Mexican-Italian) and by illustrating the very limited opportunities that are available to poor people and the homeless in the US.

Going back to the novel itself and in contrast to the heavy topics she deals with, Tash makes use of a deliciously fast-paced writing style, which makes of Virtually Yours a rather easy and enjoyable read. Set in what appear to be the present day, the virtual reality factor is also quite believable. Its more developed use presented in the novel, even if not available in real life, is not farfetched and relies on current technology enough for it to be reasonable.

On the downside, Virtually Yours is a bit lacking on the character department. Due to Mariam’s self-discovery narrative, the first-person voice becomes a bit suffocating and self-centered. The rest of the characters are just shadows of what they could have been, and it is a shame, because some of the strongest characters are those secondary ones, despite not being as developed as they could have (especially Hedy, Mariam’s roommate, who constantly steals her spotlight with her brilliant personality). Mariam, as the main character, is rather selfish, and the other characters seem to exist solely to allow her to vent about her problems and to give her advice. To add insult to injury, their advice tends to be worryingly catered to what Mariam needs to hear. Quite frustrating, as the reader knows from the very beginning how her decisions are destined to fail. At the same time, after a few times of Mariam asking her friends about their personal life just to tune out and start an internal monologue about herself, the whole situation becomes understandably infuriating.

Despite these minor flaws, overall, Virtually Yours is a relevant and enjoyable read. Even if the main character is not entirely likeable, Sarvenaz Tash maintains a light, entertaining writing style throughout the novel, while she deals with topics that are realistic and refreshing. Reading about happy endings is always nice, but shining a light on the hardest parts of relationships is also necessary to illustrate the reality of being human.

Virtually Yours is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Have you read Virtually Yours? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Modern love plus online anonymity is a recipe for romantic disaster in this lighthearted new romance from the author of The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love.

How bad can one little virtual lie be?

NYU freshman Mariam Vakilian hasn’t dated anyone in five months, not since her high school sweetheart Caleb broke up with her. So, when she decides to take advantage of an expiring coupon and try out a new virtual reality dating service, it’s sort of a big deal.

It’s an even bigger deal when it chooses as one of her three matches none other than Caleb himself. That has to be a sign, right?

Except that her other match, Jeremy, just happens to be her new best friend IRL.

Mariam’s heart is telling her one thing, but the app is telling her another. So, which should she trust? Is all fair in modern love?

The post Review: Virtually Yours by Sarvenaz Tash appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our June YA picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking any of them out!

The Beholder by Anna Bright
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lush landscapes, dazzling romance, and captivating intrigue await in this stunning alternate historical YA debut—perfect for fans of The Selection or Caraval.

The Paper & Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie – about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in and let your weird out! It’s time to join The Paper & Hearts Society …

Stronger Than A Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.

Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This is a bighearted, sprawling epic about friendship and love and the revolutionary act of living life to the fullest in the face of impossible odds.

Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer pens a new emotionally compelling story about two teens struggling in the space between right and wrong.

Before The Broken Star by Emily R. King
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fierce young female adventurer battles time itself to claim her destiny in a sweeping new fantasy saga from the author of the Hundredth Queen series.

Emmie and the Tudor King by Natalie Murray
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One moment, Emmie is writing her high school history paper; the next, she’s sitting with a gorgeous 16th century king who vacillates from kissing her to ordering her execution. Able to travel back to her own time, but intensely drawn to King Nick and the mysterious death of his sister, Emmie finds herself solving the murder of a young princess and unraveling court secrets while trying to keep her head on her shoulders, literally.

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in alternative viewpoints and inspired by classic romantic comedies, this engaging and edgy YA novel follows two strongwilled young women falling for each other despite themselves.

Virtually Yours by Sarvenaz Tash
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Modern love plus online anonymity is a recipe for romantic disaster in this lighthearted new romance from the author of The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love.

The Haunted by Danielle Vega
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Danielle Vega, YA’s answer to Stephen King, comes a new paranormal novel about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance, and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places.

All Of Us With Wings by Michelle Ruiz Keil
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Michelle Ruiz Keil’s YA fantasy debut about love, found family, and healing is an ode to post-punk San Francisco through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl.

Better Than The Best Plan by Lauren Morrill
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Lauren Morrill’s Better Than the Best Plan is a fresh, funny, romantic YA novel about a teenage girl who finds an unexpected silver lining in her life when plans get turned upside down.

What June 2019 young adult release are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post June 2019 Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We’ve all heard of conventions, whether it be the more traditional ones like science conventions or to the hyped-up life experience that is San Diego Comic Con and essentially a nerd dream come true. If only there were more con in my country, I would be attending each and every one of them! There’s something about entering a convention as it’s an entire building filled with people who love and are passionate about the same thing as you, where you can all celebrate it together. You also have the opportunity to meet people you may have met through the Internet, and not to mention meeting actors and authors!

For the past few years, we’ve seen a rise of “characters who read” in Young Adult books, which creates characters who seem even more relatable to us. With how ingrained and prevalent the convention culture is, it was only a matter of time before they started to use it as a theme. This year and last year we’ve seen many books which are set in a convention where it unites the characters and gives them a sense of belonging, just as it does in reality.

To celebrate the way conventions unite us, and to prepare you for the upcoming convention season, we’ve picked our four favourite books set in conventions!

Check them out and tell us if you will be reading one in the comments below!

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Brian Katcher | Sci-fi Convention

It all begins when Ana Watson’s little brother, Clayton, secretly ditches the quiz bowl semifinals to go to the Washingcon sci-fi convention on what should have been a normal, résumé-building school trip. If slacker Zak Duquette hadn’t talked up the geek fan fest so much, maybe Clayton wouldn’t have broken nearly every school rule or jeopardized Ana’s last shot at freedom from her uptight parents.

Now, teaming up with Duquette is the only way for Ana to chase down Clayton in the sea of orcs, zombies, bikini-clad princesses, Trekkies, and Smurfs. After all, one does not simply walk into Washingcon. But in spite of Zak’s devil-may-care attitude, he has his own reasons for being as lost as Ana-and Ana may have more in common with him than she thinks. Ana and Zak certainly don’t expect the long crazy night, which begins as a nerdfighter manhunt, to transform into so much more…

The Geeks Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash | New York Comic Con

Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Archie and Veronica. Althena and Noth.…Graham and Roxy?

Graham met his best friend, Roxy, when he moved into her neighborhood eight years ago and she asked him which Hogwarts house he’d be sorted into. Graham has been in love with her ever since. But now they’re sixteen, still neighbors, still best friends. And Graham and Roxy share more than ever—moving on from their Harry Potter obsession to a serious love of comic books.

When Graham learns that the creator of their favorite comic, The Chronicles of Althena, is making a rare appearance at this year’s New York Comic Con, he knows he must score tickets. And the event inspires Graham to come up with the perfect plan to tell Roxy how he really feels about her. He’s got three days to woo his best friend at the coolest, kookiest con full of superheroes and supervillains. But no one at a comic book convention is who they appear to be…even Roxy. And Graham is starting to realize fictional love stories are way less complicated than real-life ones.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston | Starfield (Fictional TV Show) Convention

Anything can happen once upon a con…

When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest sponsored by the producers of Starfield, she has to enter. First prize is an invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. Elle’s been scraping together tips from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck behind her stepmother’s back, and winning this contest could be her ticket out once and for all—not to mention a fangirl’s dream come true.

Teen actor Darien Freeman is less than thrilled about this year’s ExcelsiCon. He used to live for conventions, but now they’re nothing but jaw-aching photo sessions and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Federation Prince Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the diehard Starfield fandom has already dismissed him as just another heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, closet nerd Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde | TV Show Con

When BFFs Charlie, Taylor and Jamie go to SupaCon, they know it’s going to be a blast. What they don’t expect is for it to change their lives forever. Charlie likes to stand out. SupaCon is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star, Reese Ryan. When Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.

While Charlie dodges questions about her personal life, Taylor starts asking questions about her own.

Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about the Queen Firestone SupaFan Contest, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.

The post Love Conventions? Check Out These Books Based at Cons! appeared first on The Nerd Daily.