Inspirations and Influences

Shatter Me Blog Tour & Giveaway: Tahereh Mafi on Inspirations & Influences

“Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The cool thing is that the writers are given free reign so they can go wild and write about anything they want. It can be about their new book, series or about their career as a whole.

Today’s guest is Tahereh Mafi, a debut Young Adult author with one of the most talked about novels of the fall, Shatter Me. A romantic, dystopian, and highly stylistic book, Shatter Me tells the story of Juliette, a girl who can kill with a single touch.

Please give a warm welcome to Tahereh!

I’ve been in love with dystopian novels just about forever. The Giver changed my life in seventh grade; I’ve read 1984 too many times to count. I grew up watching documentaries about Nostradamus and his eerie predictions for the future, so my mind, at a very early age, was always looking forward and wondering where we would end up and what we might do to get there.

Action/adventure stories were also very central to my adolescent life; I spent many, many afternoons watching every Bruce Lee movie ever made and too many Old Westerns and episodes of Kung Fu and Walker, Texas Ranger with my dad — the same person who introduced me to Planet of the Apes and Terminator and RoboCop and Lost in Space and Soylent Green.

On the other hand, I was also lucky enough to have a mom who bought me The Secret Garden and A Little Princess and Little Women and sat me down to watch every Jane Austen novel adapted for the big screen. She and I have seen (and own) every episode of Little House on the Prairie. We’ve also watched just about every movie Jimmy Stewart has ever played in.

So I don’t know; I guess deep in my subconscious I was meant to end up writing something that would have action and romance, but would also ask questions about the world and what we’ve done to it.

I never thought I was capable of writing a book, much less anything dystopian, but I think Shatter Me became exactly what it was supposed to be: the amalgamation of 23 years worth of questions and experiences in my head.

About Tahereh Mafi: She’s 23. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Orange County, California, where the weather is just a little too perfect for her taste. When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.

SHATTER ME is her first novel.

You can find out more about Tahereh on her website: www.taherehmafi.com. Thank you, Tahereh!

About the Blog Tour:

Make sure to check out the other stops on the tour!

Monday: The Story Siren

Tuesday: Bookalicio.us

Wednesday: Reading Teen

Thursday: Girls in the Stacks

Giveaway Details:

We have ONE autographed copy of Shatter Me up for grabs! The contest is open to US addresses only and will run until Saturday, November 19 at 11:59 PM (PST). In order to enter, simply leave a comment here letting us know what your favorite dystopian YA novel is. Only one entry per person, please! Multiple comments will be disqualified. Good luck!

87 Comments

  • Carolyn Hester
    November 11, 2011 at 12:39 am

    For me, nothing will ever top The Giver (although Gathering Blue and The Hunger Games come close). Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Ashley
    November 11, 2011 at 3:27 am

    I’ve also got to say The Giver. A teacher read it aloud to our class, but never finished it, so during the summer break I got my own copy and started reading from the beginning. I was shocked to discover that the teacher had been leaving out major portions of the book when she read it to us, so the double-whammy of being introduced to dystopias and learning that ‘the Man’ (well, woman) was *lying* to me (kinda sorta) left an impression.

  • Justine
    November 11, 2011 at 4:23 am

    The Hunger Games re-introduced me to YA as an adult and I’m continually YAvangelizing the trilogy.

    Is The Giver categorized as YA? It was assigned reading when I was in elementary school so I always considered it to be children’s or MG. I saw Lois Lowry at a signing recently (for The Chronicles of Harris Burdick) and she said the fourth The Giver novel should be released in Fall 2012.

  • Mini Bookdom
    November 11, 2011 at 4:49 am

    My favorite YA dystopian novel is Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres. After reading it I decided to give the dystopian genre another chance.

  • Katy
    November 11, 2011 at 5:52 am

    The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, hands down!

  • SwiftScribbler
    November 11, 2011 at 6:06 am

    I have to say the Hunger Games. It just rocked my socks.

  • Ellie
    November 11, 2011 at 6:14 am

    The Giver was my first favorite, but now it’s a tie with the Hunger Games.

  • Ashleigh
    November 11, 2011 at 6:32 am

    I’m not a huge fan of dystopian novels (I’m waiting for the right one to come along and wow me), but I quite liked The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge. It’s more steampunk than anything, but I feel it has dystopian elements to it too and I enjoyed it.

  • rissatoo
    November 11, 2011 at 6:54 am

    I’d say the first YA dystopian that I read a million years ago as a young teen is my favorite, because it has stayed in my mind. I can’t remember the author, but it was called The Girl Who Owned a City. More recently, I very much liked Ann Aguire’s Enclave.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    rissatoo AT gmail DOT com

  • CrystalGB
    November 11, 2011 at 7:15 am

    I would say The Hunger Games is my favorite. Shatter Me sounds good. 🙂

  • draconismoi
    November 11, 2011 at 7:22 am

    This Time of Darkness by ….. I can’t remember who. But I could find it in my old library blindfolded.

  • Kaethe
    November 11, 2011 at 7:25 am

    I love too many. I’ll say the collective Chaos Walking trilogy. I can’t wait to read Shatter Me.

  • Natalie H
    November 11, 2011 at 7:55 am

    I hate to say the same thing as everyone else but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say the Hunger Games!

  • Shannon H
    November 11, 2011 at 7:57 am

    I snagged an ARC of Under the Never Sky and I absolutely loved it. From stuff that is already out, I liked Divergent a ton as well

  • MarieC
    November 11, 2011 at 8:20 am

    I would say right now, Hunger Games and Divergent.

  • bigfoot24
    November 11, 2011 at 8:55 am

    I absolutely loved the Hunger Games trilogy, my favorite of the three being Catching Fire!

  • SandyG265
    November 11, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Divergence is my favorite.

  • Sara M
    November 11, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Divergent is definitely my favorite YA dystopian novel, closely followed by Wither.

  • de Pizan
    November 11, 2011 at 10:17 am

    Probably the first one I read is still the one that stands out the most to me, The Tripods series by John Christopher.

  • Beth S.
    November 11, 2011 at 10:32 am

    My favorite dystopian novel is the classic 1984 by George Orwell. I think this is the novel that led the way for all others.

  • melissa @ 1lbr
    November 11, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Tough question. I’ll have to do a three-way tie between The Giver, Fahrenheit 451, and Hunger Games. Cheating or what? 🙂

  • Sheila
    November 11, 2011 at 10:46 am

    Gonna go with The Hunger Games. Great use of first-person narrative, in my opinion. Thanks!

  • Rachel
    November 11, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Oh, “The Giver,” or “Feed,” definitely.

  • Kendra
    November 11, 2011 at 11:46 am

    Going to have to go with The Hunger Games-never read any YA dystopian, so it pretty much introduced me to so many other great reads!

    Can’t wait to hear what you think of Shatter Me!

  • Angie
    November 11, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    Gotta go with HOW I LIVE NOW.

    Also, yay for Jimmy Stewart love!

  • Lauren
    November 11, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    My favorite is Feed, but so excited to read Shatter Me too!

  • Liz
    November 11, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    I’ve always loved Gathering Blue, but The Hunger Games has finally managed to unseat it as my favorite YA dystopia.

  • Scribe Kira
    November 11, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    The Giver (the classic), The Hunger Games (the epic), and the Chaos Walking Trilogy/ How I Live Now (the ones that may not count, but i love so much i’m including anyway)

  • Kristyna
    November 11, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I have to say Matched by Allie Condie. It changed my world.

  • Jennifer P
    November 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I love The Giver. And then I read the Hunger Games. And I like that one too. =)

  • JenP
    November 11, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    The Giver has to be my favorite of all time.

  • ashelynn hetland
    November 11, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    i like the old dystopians — a handmaiden’s tale, the giver, etc. — but if i actually had to CHOOSE what dystopian is my favorite? The Hunger Game series. Catching Fire still remains my favorite of the three, but that series is just mindblowingly awesome. i love them.

    thanks!

  • jenn
    November 11, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    The Giver, I suppose because it was the first dystopian novel I ever read,.. I read it when I was 7, I remember, and it was just amazing. =D

  • Ruby
    November 11, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Unwind by Neal Shusterman, definitely. I’m thrilled there’s going to be a sequel. More recently, I loved Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari, but that’s more Post-Apocalyptic than Dystopian. Though the argument could be made that Post-Apocalyptics are Dystopians (but not all Dystopians are Post-Apocalyptic).

  • Evika
    November 11, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I would have today that The Giver is my favorite dystopian novel.

  • JenM
    November 11, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I don’t read much YA dystopian, but The Hunger Games was an exception. I only read it because it was for my bookclub, but it was great.

  • Jen B.
    November 11, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Hands down, it’s the Hunger Games. I recommend it to everyone!

  • Chris Bails
    November 11, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    I have not read any dystophian novels before. I would love to try out this genre. I would love to win and read this book, so please choose me for the giveaway. I love this cover.

  • Emily Thompson
    November 11, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    Can I say the “Uglies” series by Scott Westerfeld and not get any frowny faces? I just think it’s great, and also greatly under appreciated. And I kind of wish it was real life…

  • Emily L
    November 11, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    My favorite YA dystopian novel is Delirium by lauren Oliver!

  • LiLi
    November 11, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    My favorite YA dystopian will always have to be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Not only was I introduced to a whole new setting and style of writing, the intricacies of her plot lines are absolutely amazing! 🙂

  • Emy Shin
    November 11, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Aside from THE HUNGER GAMES (which would be a very predictable answer), my favorite YA dystopian novel is LEGEND by Marie Lu, coming out at the end of this month. I just adore the two main characters in LEGEND.

  • Sumner Brinkley
    November 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    I love the book Divergent by: Veronica Roth 😀

  • Tiffany M.
    November 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    I haven’t really read that many, so I’ll go with The Hunger Games. 🙂

  • Stephanie K.
    November 11, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    My favorite is the Hunger Games.

  • Nimue
    November 12, 2011 at 12:27 am

    I’m still getting into dystopian literature. At the moment I have to say Mockingjay would be my top dystopian book. So disturbing but brilliant.

  • Audra Holtwick
    November 12, 2011 at 12:43 am

    I love the HUNGER GAMES
    audie@wickerness.com

  • Susan Laura
    November 12, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Most recently I have enjoyed Teri Hall’s “The Line” and the follow-up “Away”.

  • Lina Moder
    November 12, 2011 at 5:28 am

    My favorite is The Hunger Games.

    Thanks for the giveaway:)

    linamoder at gmail dot com

  • Becky
    November 12, 2011 at 6:38 am

    The Hunger Games is my favorite of my favorite genre. But I also love The Gone series and pretty much everything written by Lois Lowery and the Uglies series I love too! Actually, I think I love too many to list! YEAH DYSTOPIANS! 😆

  • Mandi Venard
    November 12, 2011 at 7:23 am

    I have to many to name just one,a few are Gone by Micheal Grant,ShipBreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi and Girl in the Arena by Lisa Haines.Please enter me in the contest.Thanks.

  • JJ @ JJ iReads
    November 12, 2011 at 7:45 am

    I have too many because Dystopian has become my favorite sub-genre, so I cannot pick just one. My favorites are:
    Hunger Games
    Divergent
    Wither
    Matched
    Dearly, Departed
    All These Things I’ve Done
    Eve
    and of course, Shatter Me, Duh!! 🙂

  • Tina
    November 12, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I think Divergent is probably my favorite Dystopian.

  • Julie Witt
    November 12, 2011 at 10:40 am

    I would say as of now The Hunger Games is my favorite 🙂

  • Carol M
    November 12, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Divergent is my favorite!

  • erin
    November 12, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I’m torn, because I love The Hunger Games, but I think I’d have to say that my favorite dystopias are the ones that stuck in my head in middle school and never left: This Time of Darkness by H.M. Hoover and The Giver by Lois Lowry.

  • Renee
    November 12, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin or the Mazerunner by Daschner

  • Ashley Holt
    November 12, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    I would say Divergent by Veronica Roth!

    ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com

  • Sophia
    November 12, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    Divergent by Veronica Roth is not only my favorite dystopian, but my favorite book ever! The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Delirium by Lauren Oliver are close seconds. 🙂

  • Allison
    November 12, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    My favorite dystopian is, of course, the first I ever read–The Giver

  • Lucia Hua
    November 12, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    I would say The Hunger Games. Nothing else has ever really compared.

  • Priya
    November 12, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    My favorite dystopian is definitely the Hunger Games series! They’re such incredible books.

  • latisha depoortere
    November 12, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    I have to say my favorite is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ! This sounds like a great book can’t wait to read it! Thank you for the great giveaway!

  • Kristen
    November 13, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Definitely The Hunger Games, but Maze Runner is winning my heart!

  • Rachael L
    November 13, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    My favorite dystopian novel is The Hunger Games. Thank you for the giveaway!

  • emily
    November 13, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    My favorite dystopian books are the Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix!

  • Karen
    November 14, 2011 at 7:05 am

    My favorite is still the one that made me love dystopian novels in the first place – The Hunger Games.

  • Throuthehaze
    November 14, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Divergent by Veronica Roth is my favorite.

  • Merry Gravett
    November 14, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    I really like The Giver, by Lois Lowry.

  • Rena
    November 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    Definitely the Hunger Games! and Among the Hidden! 🙂

  • Elena
    November 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    ooh, it ends on my birthday! Anyway, my favourite dystopian novel is Divergent. I also really appreciate Fahrenheit 451! 🙂

  • Jessica R
    November 14, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    My fave dystopian YA novel is Delirum by Lauren Oliver. The world building is amazing and the characters are realistic and the love story is heartbreaking. I read it in two days and thought about it for days after.

  • Jessica R
    November 14, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    My fave dystopian YA novel is Delirum by Lauren Oliver. The world building is amazing and 😈 the characters are realistic and the love story is heartbreaking. I read it in two days and thought about it for days after.

  • Ivy Hawthorn
    November 14, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    I really loved the Matched trilogy, am reading Crossed right now, and I also loved Delirium by Lauren Oliver! There are so many good ones out right now!

  • Joint Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi | The Book Smugglers
    November 15, 2011 at 2:28 am

    […] Shatter Me Blog Tour & Giveaway: Tahereh Mafi on Inspirations & Influences […]

  • April X
    November 15, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    So far, it’s the 26 chapters of Shatter Me I read on Shatter Day 😀 But I can also say Divergent by Veronica Roth and Possession by Elana Johnson 🙂

  • Meg S
    November 16, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I will probably have to say The Hunger Games!

  • Mindy Zhang
    November 17, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    My favorite YA novels is Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, Shiver, Linger,Forever, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, Matched, Crossed,Fool’s Girl,Entwined, evermore,blue moon,shadowland,dark flame,night star, everlasting,shimmer,radiance,dreamland,So B. It, hush,hush,incarceron,twilight,new moon,and Hoot.

  • Tammy H
    November 17, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    I love the Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (:

  • Julie Thompson
    November 18, 2011 at 11:24 am

    I love Divergent by Veronica Roth and can’t wait for the next one!

  • Audrey M
    November 18, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    the giver all the way!

  • Karen
    November 18, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    I’d have to say SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi is my pick for this year!!!

  • Lana
    November 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I love The Hunger Games and The Giver is a classic dystopian novel, but I think Shatter Me is going to become my new favorite!

  • Hoot
    November 19, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I loved Delirium

  • Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi |
    February 1, 2012 at 7:04 am

    […] Opinions: @Finding the Write Way @The Book Smugglers @Kid Lit […]

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  • Laura
    July 25, 2014 at 8:16 am

    I would have to say the hunger games, it really introduced me to the genre, and I loved the fast paced books. I went through them very fast and they were very thought provoking.

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