Laura Bowers profile picture

Laura Bowers

Writing without the reins

About Me

I'm a young adult novelist, wife, mother of two great boys, horse lover, Orioles fan--no matter what their record is, and compulsive list keeper. My first book, BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT , a "Steel Magnolias for teens," was recently named one of Bank Street College's starred Best Children's Books of the Year. Check out MY WEBSITE to find out more or LIVEJOURNAL BLOG!


*STARRED REVIEW* ". . . Teens will find Abbey’s emotional turmoil rings true, as does the reason behind her final act of forgiveness. But it’s the multigenerational friendships-the feisty, sniping conversations with Granny Po and her close circle of friends, "The Widows," brim with humor-that make Bowers’s first novel a delight."– Publisher’s Weekly
"As homey, gossipy, and charming as a small-town beauty shop, Laura Bowers' first novel will soothe your mind, cleanse your pores, and make your hair curl with laughter." --E. Lockhart, author of The Boyfriend List and Fly on the Wall.
"Bowers gets all the emotional details right in this warm-hearted story. These are the kinds of characters you hate to leave behind when you finish the last page." –-Ellen Wittlinger, author of Hard Love.
". . . Funny, aching, and authentic, Laura Bowers' debut is one of the finest, most entertaining I've ever read." --Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Tantalize.
(More reviews.)
Some tidbits about me:
1. I make great chili.
2. I can wiggle my ears, which makes for a great party trick.
3. I've never tried sauerkraut because I can't stand the smell.
4. I really liked the Spice Girls movie.
5. My first love was a pony named Jumper.
For those who have read my book, (THANK YOU,) check out my Fact or Fiction page on my website that shows what elements from my life made it into Beauty Shop for Rent!
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My Interests

I love hanging with my family, writing, reading, horseback riding, baseball, archery, camping, gerber daisies, white lights on trees, historic main streets, town festivals, and Australian Blue Heeler dogs.

I'd like to meet:

Writers, readers, librarians, booksellers, teachers, and students.

Music:

Jonatha Brooke, Rachel Yamagata, Dar Williams, The Corrs, Alanis Morrissette, Dolly Parton, Frou Frou, Bob Seger, Tori Amos, Nora Jones, Shania Twain, Aerosmith, The Oakridge Boys, Charlie Pride, Enya, John Mellencamp, and Alison Krauss.

Movies:

A League Of Their Own, Pharlap, Pretty in Pink, Secondhand Lions, Steel Magnolias, Under a Tuscan Sun, Waterboy, Where the Heart Is, While You Were Sleeping

Television:

Ugly Betty, Gray's Anatomy, House, American Idol, America's Next Top Model, Top Chef, Gilmore Girls, and reruns of Touched by an Angel.

Books:

I read mostly young adult novels, an occasional adult novel or classic, and I love rereading older favorites like Little Women, The Clan of the Cave Bear, The Valley of Horses, Jane Eyre, Hope was Here, or any of the Little House on the Prairie books. It's like comfort food.

What I'm reading now: DEADLINE, Chris Crutcher

My Blog

Shop Talk Tuesday with Daphne Grab!

Happy Tuesday, all! Today's interview is with Class of 2k8 member, Daphne Grab, the author of the young adult novel, Alive and Well in Prague, New York! Matisse Osgood is a New York City girl through...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Tue, 27 May 2008 04:43:00 PST

Wallet Whoes

I read somewhere how it's a good idea to make photocopies of all the items in your wallet, like credit cards, insurance cards, etc., so if your wallet is stolen or lost, you'll know exactly what's mis...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Mon, 26 May 2008 07:25:00 PST

Friday Five

1. My presentation on Wednesday night was a blast, despite all my worries! I always get so uptight before a library visit. On the entire drive there, I worry that no one will show up, or I'll forget w...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Fri, 23 May 2008 06:26:00 PST

Correction to yesterdays post; Walkersville Public Library presentation tonight

It's official.  I am a duffous.And when this duffous screws up, she screws up big.  In my mad rush to post my Shop Talk interview yesterday before going to the office, I made a HUGE mistake....
Posted by Laura Bowers on Wed, 21 May 2008 06:29:00 PST

Shop Talk Tuesday with Michele Barker!

Today we have Michele Barker joining us in the beauty shop! Michele is a Class of 2k8 member and author of A DIFFICULT BOY, Holiday House, a PEN New England Children's Book Caucus Discovery Award...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Tue, 20 May 2008 08:47:00 PST

In case you’ve ever thought . . .

. . . an author's life is full of glory and glamor, enjoy this video making the rounds on writer's blogs. Why? Because most of us can surely identify with it! Also, yesterday, I did so...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Mon, 19 May 2008 06:32:00 PST

Movies I cannot wait to see!

1. Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.2. Sex in the City, although all the talk about the sadness in the movie has me worried. 3. THIS!!!! ...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Fri, 16 May 2008 06:15:00 PST

One, two, three

First of, I'm almost forty, right? So tell me when, when, WHEN will I learn to never cut my bangs, huh? Good grief. They're now lopsided, and the more I tried to fix it, the worse they got. And it no...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Thu, 15 May 2008 09:19:00 PST

Tip of the Day

Let me give you a little bit of advice:  Always BACK UP your songs on iTunes before downloading a newer version.  Seriously.  Do it now.  Why?  Because after my last download,...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Wed, 14 May 2008 08:14:00 PST

Thursday This and Thats

1.  I thought I was late this morning taking my dog, Jamie, to the vets, but I wrote the wrong time in my Day Runner so I was early.  How you doing?  I love when things like that happen...
Posted by Laura Bowers on Thu, 08 May 2008 10:48:00 PST