HERstory: Meet the Author of a New Book About Cleopatra’s Daughter

As the last Pharaoh of Egypt and one of the most famous women in history, Cleopatra’s fascinating reign is synonymous with female empowerment.

And so it is no wonder that most people want to know about Cleopatra’ life. Me included.

But how much do we know about Cleopatra’s daughter? Or did you know she even had one?

Well she did. And her name was Cleopatra Selene.

I am so excited to help spread the news that Vicky Alvear Shecter has done a splendid job writing Cleopatra’s Moon, a recently published young adult novel described by its publisher (Scholastic, Inc.) as a “stunning novel [that] brings to life the personalities and passions of one of the greatest dramas in history and offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.”

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

There are few thing as admirable as being able to introduce history (ancient at that) to young people in such an accessible, alluring, and exciting way.

The author of two nonfiction books about the ancient world: Alexander the Great Rocks the World (a VOYA Honor Pick for Nonfiction) and Cleopatra Rules!, Vicky Alvear Shecter is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University (in Georgia).

Cleopatra Rules! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Today, we welcome Vicky to “The LOVE Spot” to discuss her newest book, Cleopatra’s Moon.

Philana Marie Boles (PMB): Welcome to “The LOVE Spot”, Vicky! As you know, I am very excited about your newest novel, Cleopatra’s Moon!

Not only is Cleopatra’s Moon very well written and exciting, it is also quite informative. I happen to love any opportunity to learn without feeling like I’m being taught. Such is the case when I read your work.

Before we discuss your newest novel, first please tell us what inspires you to care about ancient history in the first place?

Vicky Alvear Shecter (VAS): Everybody’s got their “thing,” you know? That one area of life that seems endlessly fascinating.

For some it’s science or music or bugs or baking or whatever. For me, it’s always been ancient history.

I just happen to be one of those history nerds whose heart starts to race with joy and excitement when I stand in the presence of ancient artifacts, whether it be a mummy or a chipped bowl someone once ate out of.

I think these things move me because they evoke a sense of “one-ness,” of a shared humanity that crosses all barriers—time, sex, race, religion, etc.

In the end, the study of history brings me to a place of compassion—thousands of years later, we’re all still seeking the same thing: connection, community and meaning.

Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra's Moon

PMB: Interesting… And so true!

I know you studied at Florida State University. Was history your area of focus? Actually, what all did you study in college?

VAS: I got a degree in English though I wanted to get one in Humanities. They had those then! However, I didn’t pursue a Humanities degree because I didn’t know how I would make a living with it. As if English was any better, right?

My minor was comparative religions which, in a way, combined history, art, politics and religion.

PMB: Ah, Humanities… Interesting point. I suppose though that as English scholars we are some of the deepest and most passionate thinkers, yet we are not always the most practical.

Your minor sounds like it was the perfect preparation for the career path you chose.

Before we talk about Cleopatra’s Moon, let’s discuss Cleopatra’s Rules—The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen—which is your mid-grade biography of Cleopatra. Which, by the way, I found to be impossibly cool.

There are so many impressive elements to complement the book such as notes and time-lines and such. How do you approach your research?

VAS: I start with the primary sources and then read the latest works from the most respected scholars to see how they interpret the primary sources.

Some people say, the primary sources should speak for themselves, but if, for example, several scholars point out a mistake or a bias, then it’s important to know that!

For example, Roman enemies–who were clearly trying to make Cleopatra look bad–wrote most all of the historical resources discussing her life …

It is vital to understand the biases and prejudices and motivations of the sources for a fuller understanding of what really happened.

Too Sweet for Words; My Interview with Gaby Triana, Owner of “Cakes by Gaby”

As a reader of this blog, “The LOVE Spot”, you probably know that I created “The LOVE Spot” as a place to share news about things that I consider fabulous. It’s my way of spreading LOVE in a world so (sadly) over saturated with haters.

Today I’m so excited to share my interview with Gabby Triana!

Gaby Triana, author and also owner of "Cakes by Gaby"

First, I love Gaby’s books. She is the author of four–which you’ll read about in the interview–and I had the great pleasure of meeting her as a result of sharing a fantastic editor, Leann Heywood, who edited Little Divas.

But as one of Wedding Wire’s recently recognized “Bride’s Choice” recipients, Gaby is truly a multifaceted talented artist and I asked her to stop by “The LOVE Spot” for another reason. Gaby is the Owner/President and designer extraordinaire of “Cakes by Gaby” and I want all of my readers to know about these cakes (if you don’t already).

Gaby refers to her cake designs as “whimsical custom-designed cakes for all occasions”. and I assure you–you have to see for yourself to understand what an understatement that is. Her cake designs are “Too Sweet for WORDS”!

Check out a few of my favorites of Gaby’s cake designs:

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

And YES all of these incredible cakes are also EDIBLE!

And they are delicious, too!

Can you believe that this young woman with over twenty years of baking experience is completely self-taught? Impressive, right?

Gaby’s fabulous cakes with innovative designs are exactly why “Cakes by Gabby” is all the buzz of Southern Florida.

Cake design (c) "Cakes by Gaby"

The Miami Herald, The Sun Sentinel, and The Boston Globe have all featured articles on “Cakes by Gaby”. One of my favorite rappers–Pitbull–even calls upon “Cakes by Gaby” for his special events.

And, now, today Gabby is HERE in “The LOVE Spot.” Read on for my fun and informative interview with Gaby!

*Who You Calling a B.I.T.C.H?* My Interview with Tami Roman…

Welcome to “The LOVE Spot”. Please check out my interview with Tami Roman—actress, television host, entrepreneur, devoted mom, soon-to-be author, and enormously popular cast member of VH1’s Basketball Wives.

Tami Roman

During our interview, Tami defines and then redefines the “b” word, even calls a few people the “b” word, and perhaps also ignites a “B.I.T.C.H” revolution. Ah, you just have to read on to understand…

As the enormously popular star of–now two–reality shows, Tami Roman is one of the few willing to keep the REAL in Reality TV.

Remembered worldwide from MTV’s “The Real World, Los Angeles”—Tami is a pioneer in the entire genre of reality television. Now—as the former wife of NBA star Kenny Anderson—Tami is back on television thanks to Basketball Wives, a show with nearly two-million viewers every week.

In addition to being a reality show star, Tami Roman is a former VJ for MTV—where she hosted such shows as “Beach MTV”, “MTV Jams”, and “Primetime MTV”. She has appeared on “JAG”, “One On One“, “The Drew Carey Show”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, and “Summerland”.

Tami’s other acting experiences include gigs on television and in films alongside Kevin Hart, Mo’Nique, Terrence Howard, Elise Neal, Ice-T, among others.

A long withstanding figure in popular culture, Tami has been featured in articles and graced the covers of magazines such as Vibe, Essence, Teen People, Hype Hair, Today’s Black Woman, and Sophisticates Black Hair.

Tami  has also been interviewed on 20/20, ESPN, The Sharon Osborne Show, ESPN, Inside Edition, Dateline, and yes—The Oprah Winfrey Show.

She lives in New York City with her two beautiful daughters—Jazz and Lyric—where Tami is working on her memoir.

Today, Tami Roman visits “The LOVE Spot” to shed light on the “b” word that keeps the bleeeeep button so busy on television these days

Here’s our B.I.T.C.H talk…

I’ve waited exactly one hundred and sixty three days to tell you this…

Just before my birthday in October (2008) I received in the mail an advance reader’s copy of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I was immediately struck by its cover, so rich and stunning. It literally made me gasp.

Wintergirls is the newest YA novel by the incomparable Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak (among other novels). An immensely talented photographer named Alexandre Denomaycover designed the cover . What a wonderful and unforgettable image for a book that can only be described as the same.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has, for years, sat on or around my desk as a symbolic reminder of the enchantment that can occur during a reading experience, the achingly beautiful thrill of reading and being touched by an author’s authentic characters and fluid prose.

As an author, I’ve never wanted to forget that feeling as a reader.

Laurie Halse Anderson’s works have unfailingly served as testaments of such beautiful occurrences in literature. What an awesome thing it is when a writer forgoes the pressure to “plot” and allows instead their characters to live and breathe and ultimately touch lives naturally, allowing plot to evolve naturally.

Sometimes–as a character-driven writer–it can, however, be a downright disheartening challenge to stay dedicated to character amid the constant popularity of contrived plots.

I so often remember characters–Holden Caufield, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, Astrid Magnussen and Winter Santiaga to name a few–more than I remember, incident by incident, what happened to them.

And now Lia. Laurie Halse Anderson is one of my literary heroes once again. Thank you, Laurie Halse Anderson, for giving us Lia.

And, to anyone reading this blog, I have waited one hundred and sixty three day to tell you this…

Go out, today, and purchase (or get from the library) a copy of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (Penguin/Viking (ISBN 978-0-670-01110-0).

It is yet another of Anderson’s incredible contributions to literature.

And if you happen to have a teenaged daughter in your life, trust me, this is a book they should experience. Check out the trailer here:

Back in October, I read Wintergirls in one weekend. This week, I just re-read it again.

Wow. There really are no other words…

But, if you don’t trust my response, here are a few samples of what the critics are saying:

“As difficult as reading this novel can be, it is more difficult to put down.” –Publishers Weekly

“Due to the author’s and the subject’s popularity, this should be a much-discussed book, which rises far above the standard problem novel. –Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Readers will be absorbed by this gripping tale…” —BCCB, starred review

You will not regret reading Wintergirls, a gripping experience in literature.

Love!

pmb

P.S. I promise to tell you later, eventually, how it is that I received an advanced copy of this book in the first place. Promise. xoxo

Have you read RED?

Red: Teenage Girls in America Write on What Fires Up Their Lives Today (Plume ISBN 978-0-452-28983-3) is a wonderful collection of essays edited by the enormously talented Amy Goldwasser–as in Elle, Seventeen, The New Yorker, Vogue, Runner’s World, The New York Times, New York… etc. (Okay, I also think she is exceptionally jazzy for having also hailed from the Midwest, smile, but I digress…)

After recently meeting Amy, I read, in one weekend, my autographed copy of RED, now out in paperback. In regard to how the eclectic list of teen essayists was compiled, Amy says in her introduction, “It was really important to me that Red not be based on the stories of a privileged few in large cities on the coast. This book is a true representation of girls across the country, writing across the spectrum of geographic, socioeconomic, political, racial, and religious upbringings.”

DON’T. YOU. JUST. LOVE. THAT?!?!? I sure do.

Teen Vogue calls Red, “A must-have.” And I agree.

I attended a panel discussion this evening with Amy as moderator. Three of the essayists were present–Kelly Otterness, Olive Panter, Zoe Mendelson and Maya-Catherine Popa–and I thought it remarkable that, while on one hand I wanted to encourage them and applaud these young talented women, clearly they don’t need such validation. These women know who they are. Hopefully, after reading this book you will, too! Out now in paperback, I highly recommend it for gift-giving… (Sorry, the season is approaching and why not start making suggestions now? smile…)

I love Red and particularly admire Amy’s colorblind inclusiveness of its authors. I hope she’s igniting not a trend but a new truth in literature.

Sigh.

I’m a bit inspired tonight. (Those closest to me would say… Philana when are you NOT inpired? LOL) But seriously, our country is evolving into an America where so many previously unheard voices are carving out ways to co-exist and tonight I’m particularly thankful for that.

I don’t think it necessary, in our progress, to eradicate any voices in order for others to be heard, yet balance in literature is in desperate need. Entertainment is a force of influence on young girls and it is warming to have some of the void of diversity filled via this book. There is so much room for everyone at the table. And it is okay to have a selection of books from which to choose, no?

Red is a new classic, a quiet storm collection of voices–not shouting–but just speaking… and being heard. You’ve gotta dig that.

Dr. Maya Angelou put it best last week, when she simply concluded, “I’m an American, baby!” Thank God for a country where everyone has a right–and is getting more opportunities–to be heard. Amy Goldwasser has made a way for 58 teenaged girls to do just that.

Get this book! Read it. And, as always…. love!

xoxo…

Philana Marie Boles