Between The Lines is a sporadic feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which authors and other industry professionals provide further insight into the writing and publishing process in the form of interviews, guest posts, etc. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy as we read between the lines.
Hi everyone! I know I said that Pop! Goes The Reader would remain on hiatus until September 7th, but there are some opportunities that are simply too special to pass up. When I reviewed Julie Murphy’s 2014 debut Side Effects May Vary last year, I made no secret of the fact that I thought it one of the best YA contemporary novels I had read in that or any year and that I was positively smitten with the wit, candour, courage, and unforgettable power of the author’s narrative voice. So, when Julie reached out and asked whether I would like to host a giveaway in honour of her forthcoming sophomore release, Dumplin’, I couldn’t have been more thrilled! Please read on to find a fun list of Julie’s top five favourite Dolly Parton quotes, as chosen by the author herself, as well as an opportunity to win a wonderful Dumplin’ gift box complete with a copy of the novel and lots of lovely Dumplin’-related goodies!
Title Dumplin’
Author Julie Murphy
Pages 384 Pages
Genre Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Publisher Balzer + Bray
Publisher On September 15th, 2015
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon.com ● Chapters ● The Book Depository
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin'” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American-beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.
Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant — along with several other unlikely candidates — to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City — and maybe herself most of all.
With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine, Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.
About Julie Murphy
Julie Murphy is a potty-mouthed Southern belle who was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, but found her home in Fort Worth, Texas. She’s never seen Star Wars, but has yet to meet a made for TV movie she didn’t love. When she’s not writing, Julie can be found cruising Costco for free samples, watching Sister Act 2, stalking drag queens on instagram, obsessing over the logistics of Mars One, and forever searching for the perfect slice of cheese pizza. She lives with her bearded husband, two vicious cats, and one pomeranian that can pass as a bear cub. Dumplin’ is her second young adult novel.
This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada (Hooray!) and will run until Monday, August 31st. So what are you waiting for? Go enter!
Hey, U.S. readers! Want another chance to receive some awesome swag? Pre-order your copy of Dumplin’ today and Julie will send you an adorable, limited edition lapel pin with proof of purchase! Click Here for more details!
43 Responses
I super can’t wait to read this book! And the giveaway is FABULOUS – thank you so much. Whoever wins will be lucky!
As for my body, I love my breasts. They look super great in a bra, but they’re pretty awesome sans puppysweaters too!
C.M. Lloyd recently posted…sheisbooked:
i need more books where girls fall in love with girls
Ahhh I can’t wait to read this book! It seems like such a wonderful and empowering read. Besides, all I’ve heard so far are amazing things about it! Also, what a tricky question lol I guess if I had to pick one thing I like about my body I would go with my eyes.
Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
Sophie @ Seamless Reader recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #1: Top Ten Auto-buy Authors
This may sound sappy, but I actually love my stretch marks. They remind me of what I’ve accomplished.
Destiny Cole recently posted…Recommendation: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I used to not like my body because I felt entirely timid and frail. As someone who had to go an operation at a young age, my body couldn’t keep up with me when I wanted to do certain things, even now.
I’ve always been conscious of how I looked, especially since I was bullied throughout grade school and high school. But I let that go a long time ago. I’ve learnt to love my body because I only have one of it, and if I have one part of my body I really love, it would be my lips. I used to hate it because it’s so thick and it was also one of things that got me bullied, but I love it and I won’t let anyone tell me otherwise.
Jayvee @ Writer For Misfits recently posted…Review: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid
I love my smile. I feel like it’s the one thing that can really boost my self confidence.
I love my hair and my boobs
Alice Lionel recently posted…Back to School 2015
I love my legs. They are long and strong and they carry me through this life. I used to not like them, (they are 36 inseam) and make it impossible to buy pants, but the older I get the more I embrace them. They are me!
xo
I love my hair and my feet!
1. I AM SO HAPPY YOU’RE BACK! 2. My favorite thing about my body is my height. I like being tall 😀
Kristin recently posted…YouTube: Top 5 Fall TV Shows
I love my legs!!
Thanks for hostingt his giveaway!
Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway! This is one of my most anticipated reads of this year xD I love my eyelashes and my hair! 🙂
Christine recently posted…The One Direction Book Tag!
Thank you for this great giveaway!! I’m super excited for the chance to win!
As for my body — my favourite thing is my eyes. I think they’re beautiful, and if people are paying attention, they can always see what I’m really thinking or feeling by looking at my eyes.
Oh this book seems so awesome!! Thank you for the giveaway! I guess the thing I like most about my body is my eyes…not totally sure why but I just like them 🙂 Thank you again!
Fantasy Angel recently posted…Friday Finds: Week 47
Just posted my review of this book today – I ADORE IT.
I think it says something that I have to think pretty hard to think of something I love about my body. Maybe my smile? (This is why Dumplin was such an important book for me!).
Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit recently posted…“Beauty Beyond Compare” Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
I love my hands and feet! LOL
Thank you so much for this amazing giveaway!
One thing I love about my body: my hair.
What fun! Thanks for the chance 😀
I love my dimples and my hazel eyes despite their squintiness.
I am so excited to read a book about confidence. I find this in bits and pieces in other stories but it’s hard to find those moments in abundance.
I am so excited for this book! Everything about it just makes me happy! I love my big, green eyes and my tiny feet. 🙂
I love my laugh….let me explain, when I was younger I learned that it was better to be funny than to be a “traditional beauty”.
SO EXCITED.
I love my hair and my freckles!
I love my eyes!!
Hair! Smile! Eyes! Matching moles on each ear!
This is the most adorable post! Love all of the Dolly quotes and the graphics! Hmmm…I guess I like my eyes and my small feet. And my hair, but only sometimes. 😛
starryeyedjen recently posted…Random House Children’s Launches #FIRSTINLINE + Giveaway!!!
I’m really looking forward to this release, and these giveaway boxes are so cute. Lately, I’ve been loving my legs because they’re thick and strong.
Brandy recently posted…Cookbook Catch-Up
I can throw a pretty decent punch, I gave birth, and while I’m not the best runner, I’m pretty sure I could run away from trouble if I needed to. My body is a lot stronger than I give it credit for.
Breenah recently posted…Link Up Awareness
Aww love the question to answer! I am just a complete fan of body positivity. I love my legs and feet. They are long and slender but good for kicking people 😉 !
Jess @ Princessica of Books recently posted…I’m a failure. (okay, not really, but still.)
Thanks so much for the opportunity! I guess I would have to say I like my eyes….they’re hazel and change with the weather.
I think if I did put my body into parts I wouldn’t like it at all, but if I took my body as whole, one human being, I’ll say: every inch of me is beautiful and my favorite.
This sounds like a super read!
I am super excited for this book…and as a proud East Tennessean, I’m pretty psyched about the Dolly quotes too. 😉
My hair. It grows long and thick. It’s very curly and easy to straighten. Basically it’s a ton a fun and makes it really easy to change my look up from day to day.
I guess I’d say my eyes or my hands, both kind of pretty, and definitely useful. Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like such a good read! I love my eyes best although my hands aren’t too shabby either. 🙂
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Awesome giveaway! Very happy it’s U.S. AND CANADA!!! It’s so disheartening to constantly see “U.S. only” hundreds of times on Twitter. It’s one of the many reasons I love your blog!! I learn about so many books!!!
As for my body. I really love my freckles, I don’t know why, but I love them!! Also love my eyes 🙂
I love my eyes and my eyebrows! So excited for this book, great giveaway!
I love every curve new and old, even when I’m feeling particularly unloveable because of them. I love my hands and my feet even though they are bigger than average. I love my face because I always think I know it best, but every once inawhile I find a surprise mole or a wrinkle that I swear wasn’t there the night before. In truth, I like every part of myself because to choose just one part would be an injustice. It took me a long time to love this ever-changing body of mine, but I love all of it for all it has been through, and I will love it even after all it will go through. But it’s always for me and no one else. 🙂
Legs! Especially with my tattoos. Love my arty legs. & am really looking forward. To this book.
I love Dolly Parton and all of these quotes so much! I cannot wait to finally read this book!
As for the question, it has taken me a long time to be comfortable with my body and there are days I still struggle with it. I haven’t worn a bathing suit in at least 5 years. And this year marked the first time I wore shorts and the first time I wore a tank top in public in at least 10 years. But that’s not what you asked…I love my eyes, my hair, my ears, my nails, and slowly but surely I am learning to love and accept my curves despite what the world & society tells me with their ads & sizing of cute clothes. Now, if I could just get my short, little legs to grow a few inches.
I love my hair – it’s red and wavy and thick and really pretty.
One thing is my legs