Hey everyone! As some of you may know, I was part of the Ana of California Blog Tour a few days ago. I LOVED this book, and I’m super excited to share some amazing extra content from Andi Teran and Penguin!
A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables.
In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.
When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.
As I mentioned before, I really enjoyed this book–I love Anne of Green Gables and this one was a fantastic retelling. There’s a fabulous Book Club Kit that comes with this book–check out the awesome content below!
You are obviously a fan of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. What made you want to reimagine that story in a modern way?
I loved Anne of Green Gables growing up. To use Anne’s words, it felt like I’d found a kindred spirit in L.M. Montgomery’s books. I think so many of us fans find something in Anne that we can relate to—from her dreamy imagination and unbridled chattiness to her staunch conviction and propensity for feeling different from others. It was the first time I remember recognizing strength of character coming from just being who you are. Also, for a talkative child such as myself, it was encouraging to read that this could be an asset rather than something worthy of punishment.
I wanted to reimagine the story in a modern way because a character similar to Anne felt like something we needed more of in our current culture. I’m a huge fan of outspoken heroines who aren’t born with the greatest of luck in life but choose to find a way to better their situations for themselves. I always want to root for the go-getters and self-starters; those who are told no but choose to live their lives as a gigantic yes.
When I sat down with what I envisioned to be today’s Anne—aka Ana—she immediately spoke to me on the page. She was older than the precocious, 11-year-old Anne, and she had languished within the foster system longer. I immediately related to her spirit, which was much different from the original Anne. She was more street savvy and subdued, as if her imagination and outspokenness had been progressively silenced and driven deeper into her over time.
The characters of Abbie and Emmett, the counterparts to Marilla and Matthew, came out much differently than I expected too. They were much more self-aware about their situation on the farm and truly struggling—like many small farmers today. It was important to me to highlight that while also creating a nontraditional family unit. The rest of the characters just appeared, quite naturally, and sometimes shared attributes with the originals, but were mostly born from my own imagination. To be honest, I couldn’t stop writing. It was so much fun to enter this whole new world that came from a place that felt so beloved and familiar even if it was often at the back of my mind.
Enter via the Rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
GIVEAWAY #2:
Enter to win:
One (1) copy of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L. M. Montgomery!
(This version specifically!)
Enter via the Rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And thats all!
Thank you so much to Rebecca at Viking and Penguin Books for the giveaway, and may the odds be ever in your favour!
A Map of Hadley
A Conversation with Andi Teran
(Only a snippet of the interview was used)
You are obviously a fan of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. What made you want to reimagine that story in a modern way?
I loved Anne of Green Gables growing up. To use Anne’s words, it felt like I’d found a kindred spirit in L.M. Montgomery’s books. I think so many of us fans find something in Anne that we can relate to—from her dreamy imagination and unbridled chattiness to her staunch conviction and propensity for feeling different from others. It was the first time I remember recognizing strength of character coming from just being who you are. Also, for a talkative child such as myself, it was encouraging to read that this could be an asset rather than something worthy of punishment.
I wanted to reimagine the story in a modern way because a character similar to Anne felt like something we needed more of in our current culture. I’m a huge fan of outspoken heroines who aren’t born with the greatest of luck in life but choose to find a way to better their situations for themselves. I always want to root for the go-getters and self-starters; those who are told no but choose to live their lives as a gigantic yes.
When I sat down with what I envisioned to be today’s Anne—aka Ana—she immediately spoke to me on the page. She was older than the precocious, 11-year-old Anne, and she had languished within the foster system longer. I immediately related to her spirit, which was much different from the original Anne. She was more street savvy and subdued, as if her imagination and outspokenness had been progressively silenced and driven deeper into her over time.
The characters of Abbie and Emmett, the counterparts to Marilla and Matthew, came out much differently than I expected too. They were much more self-aware about their situation on the farm and truly struggling—like many small farmers today. It was important to me to highlight that while also creating a nontraditional family unit. The rest of the characters just appeared, quite naturally, and sometimes shared attributes with the originals, but were mostly born from my own imagination. To be honest, I couldn’t stop writing. It was so much fun to enter this whole new world that came from a place that felt so beloved and familiar even if it was often at the back of my mind.
There’s more of this interview in the Book Club Kit!
Recipes
Author’s Note and Playlist
Music played an important role in the creation of Ana of California. Before I even began writing, I put together a playlist of songs for each of my characters—soundtracks to their pasts, present, and future that often unlocked the secrets to their histories. I immersed myself in Mexican folk songs, classic American rock from the 1960s and 1970s, hair metal from the 1980s, and further explored my current obsession with modern California girl punk bands. The songs often spoke for my characters when they couldn’t express themselves in words, and the collective sound from the combined lists created the sound of Hadley, California. With these character maps, I was able to find my way home—if I ever got lost—to the place where all of these people lived.
I’ve created a playlist that is a sampling of what I listened to while writing. I only wish I
could have included a song from the Hex, the only fictional band in the book who were an amalgamation of all of my favorite female-fronted bands from the past to the present. If you substitute your own favorites, you’ll still be able to hear their unique sound. I’m sure you’ll recognize a few familiar songs on this list, but I hope to introduce you to artists you may not have heard before, too. Happy listening...
Click HERE to go to the Spotify playlist!
Further Reading
I obviously couldn’t include everything so,
Click HERE to check out the rest of the Book Club Kit and download it it!
and
Click HERE to see the full Reader’s Guide for Ana of California!
Click HERE to check out the rest of the Book Club Kit and download it it!
and
Click HERE to see the full Reader’s Guide for Ana of California!
But wait–
That’s not all!
There are TWO fantastic giveaways lined up for you all!
GIVEAWAY #1:
Enter to win:
One (1) copy of ANA OF CALIFORNIA by Andi Teran!
Rules:
- This giveaway is US ONLY!
- It will run until the 21st of July (that means 22nd midnight it will end!).
- You have be 18+ to enter this giveaway–or 13+ with parent’s permission.
- The prize will be sent out by the publisher.
- Only the publisher and I will see the winner’s mailing address.
- I am not responsible for any lost/damaged packages.
Enter via the Rafflecopter below:
GIVEAWAY #2:
Enter to win:
One (1) copy of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L. M. Montgomery!
Rules:
- This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY as long as The Book Depository ships to you for free (not sure? CHECK HERE).
- It will run until the 21st of July (that means 22nd midnight it will end!).
- You have be 18+ to enter this giveaway–or 13+ with parent’s permission.
- The prize is sponsored by me and will be sent out via the Book Depository.
- Only I will see the winner’s mailing address.
- I am not responsible for any lost/damaged packages.
Enter via the Rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And thats all!
Thank you so much to Rebecca at Viking and Penguin Books for the giveaway, and may the odds be ever in your favour!
I never read the books when I was younger, but I practically memorized the movies! One of my favorite movies growing up!
ReplyDeleteRead a few of the books when I was younger, but then became enthralled with the show. Such a great idea to do a retelling. I can't wait to read it! :)
ReplyDeleteit sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteAnn of the green gables retelling? Count me in! Plus, I love the playlist! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteCarolina M on rafflecopter
The cover is exquisite! Ann of Green Gables, You cannot go wrong!
ReplyDeleteI love retellings, they're a big portion of what I read honestly. Probably about not wanting a story I loved to ever die!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to read it! :)
ReplyDelete