Happy Pi day! Mmmm …. pi(e).
There’s always room for some pumpkin pi(e). And yes, now I will stop making pi(e) jokes.
In other news, I’m blogging today over at Chick Lit Writers of the World about my top five reasons to read and write YA. Stop on by and add your own reason(s) in the comments if you’re so inclined.
Too good not to share.
First, the non-writers:
And now the writers:
I’m over at The Long and the Short of It review site today, in the Young Adult/Middle Grade section as the guest blogger. My topic?
Forget the Stars, Reach for the Humiliation
Which would make an awesome title for a memoir. For now, it’s the title of a blog post. Click through to read if you’re so inclined.
Week 4 Fifty/Fifty check in! Can you believe that January is almost over?
This week, I’m again experiencing the books vs. movies conundrum. I read three books. I watched … zero movies. I’d planned to watch a movie last night, had it all picked out and everything. But then I weighed my options and realized the wiser decision was to finish Rita book #2.
And it was the wiser decision; it really was. If I keep pace at one book a week, then I’ll finish up before the deadline with a few days to spare. After I’m done, I’ll have to have a movie madness month to catch up on the challenge. Or maybe I could get the flu and watch an endless stream of them (she says optimistically).
So, here’s my check in for the week:
To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918 by Adam Hochschild (War Through the Generations challenge book)
First book for the WWI War Through the Generations challenge and it was a good one. I won’t say much about it here, because I’ll be writing a longer review for the challenge, but I really enjoyed this.
iDrakula by Bekka Black
I picked this up at the library on a whim and read it while I was sitting poolside at Kyra’s swim lessons. It was cute, quick, and fun–a modern retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula with text messages, emails, web pages, and so on. It was the perfect thing to read in between Rita book #2 and Rita book #3.
Rita Book #2
Finished this one last night. Onward with book #3.
So excited to announce that The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading is a YALSA 2012 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults pick in the Get Your Geek On category!
In fact, I’m so excited, I keep checking the list–and then zooming past our listing. Then I’m all:
Oh, no! I just announced this to the world and look, we’re not there!
Then I check again. Yes, yes. We’re (still) there.
In the words of Darcy: I ❤ librarians.
We do. It’s true. Also true? There’s some good reading in those lists. Just from 2012, you can choose from:
But take a look at all the lists compiled through the years. If you’re doing the Fifty/Fifty challenge, you could build a major or a minor based on those categories.
So, what are you waiting for? Get reading!
In 2011, I read 70 books. My goal was 75. Yes, I fell short. I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of George R. R. Martin. I waded into A Song of Ice and Fire books, reading the first two: A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings.
Those are some long books, y’all. I’m not sure if I’ll tackle the next in the series in 2012 or not. Long, epic fantasy is a mood read for me. So, if I’m in the mood, I’ll search out the next in the series. If not … I’ll read something else.
But it wasn’t just a year for quantity. A large majority of those 70 books were four and five star reads for me. A few of the best:
Writing book:
The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller, John Truby
Debut:
Rival, Sara Bennett Wealer
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
YA
Please Ignore Vera Dietz, A.S. King
Revolution, Jennifer Donnelly
Middle Grade
Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo
The Magician’s Elephant, Kate DiCamillo
Adult
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand: A Novel, Helen Simonson
A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan
War Through the Generations challenge books (Civil War)
Two Girls of Gettysburg, Lisa Klein
Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War, Tony Horwitz
And the War Came: The Six Months That Tore America Apart, Jamie Malanowski
Last book read
A Monster Calls: Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd, Patrick Ness (a five-star read–bring tissues)
But really, if the book is on my list, I more than likely enjoyed it. I’m putting my 2011 list below the cut (70 books makes for a very long blog post). If you’re interested in my take on any of them, let me know. I love to talk books!
It’s hard to believe this is the very last day of 25 Days of Debs. Where did November go? Our very last, but certainly not least, Deb is Jenny Moss, a former NASA engineer and author of three terrific books.
Anthology story: Evan and Penny
First line:
“Didn’t you say this was your stop?” he asks me.
A really sweet story of “first like” and the perfect way to end The First Time anthology.
2009 Debut: Winnie’s War
Most recent: Taking Off
Wow! Even more cover love! This story centers around Christa McAuliffe and the space shuttle Challenger accident.
Catch up with Jenny: visit her blog.
It’s Thanksgiving here in the US and I’m thankful for many things. When it comes to writing and publishing, I’m unbelievably thankful for the 2009 Debs. This community of authors is so caring and helpful and awesome and I’m always a little astonished that I’m somehow included in this group. I can’t imagine navigating the world of publishing without them.
Today, on our second to last day of 25 Days of Debs we have Teri Hall, author of a very interesting YA dystopian novels.
Anthology story: The Corridor
First line:
Pho’s waiting in the corridor, just like he said he would be.
This story is set in the same world as Teri’s books The Line and Away. If you’re a fan, you’ll want to read this one for sure. If you haven’t read Teri’s books yet, I have the feeling you’ll want to after sampling the world of this story.
2009 Debut: The Line (debuted in 2010 ~ Teri is another Deb who had her release pushed into 2010)
Most recent: Away
Hard to believe we’re nearly done with our 25 days of Debs! Day 23 features a really terrific story from Janet Gurtler, author of three terrific YA novels.
Anthology story: Two of a Kind
First line:
Fab glances down at the feet of the girl lying on top of him.
Okay. It’s not what you think. Then again, maybe it is. This story is a little bit edgy wrapped up in the sweetness of two young people finding each other.
2009 Debut: Waiting to Score (written as J. E. MacLeod)
Most recent: If I Tell
Catch up with Janet: visit her blog.
Up today is middle grade author Kurtis Scaletta, who has three terrific middle grade novels to his name. Just ask Kyra. She loves his most recent release.
Anthology story: Azalea
First line:
Dennis Erikson had penciled lines on the doorjamb of his bedroom at every quarter inch between four feet, nine inches and five feet high.
A warm, heartfelt story that takes place in a garden center. Missing summer on this blustery November day? Then curl up with this story of many firsts.
2009 Debut: Mudville
Most recent: The Tanglewood Terror
Love that retro cover! This is a book both girls and boys really love. Kyra’s teacher is reading it right now as the read aloud book for their class and the kids just can’t get enough. This would make a great holiday gift or the middle grade reader in your life.
Catch up with Kurtis: visit his off-topic blog.
Writing Wrongs 