What is The Next Big Thing in YA literature? Is it angels? Mermaids? Garden gnomes? In November I spent three days in St. Louis with a gaggle of librarians and authors who tried to answer this very question at the YALSA Literature Symposium. And what did we decide?
No one knows.
Seems like a disappointing end to three days worth of conversations, doesn’t it? But you know what? It isn’t. In fact, it’s some of the best news I’ve heard in a long time.
Since I work both as a librarian and writer, I know what it’s like to feel the pressure to find The Next Big Thing. I’ve spent a million hours worrying whether or not I’ve bought the right books for my collection or if that new story idea will become/still be mainstream once I get it written. I’ve read industry articles and blogs and followed conversations on social media sites in an attempt to spot trends early on. Heck, I drove all the way to St. Louis (a city in which both Mello Yello and sweet tea are scarce) to get ahead of the curve.
Quite frankly, I’m exhausted.
At some point, and I’m not sure when it was, I began obsessing over trends instead of books. I wanted to be the cool librarian who always recommended the hot new book before anyone else. I wanted to become the writer who released a book at just the right time instead of a few years too early or too late. I worried about popularity and numbers instead of what is truly important... the story.
What I took away from St. Louis was that trends are unpredictable. Who knew a year ago that I wouldn’t be able to keep bondage erotica on the shelf at my small town Kentucky library? Small town Kentucky. Bondage erotica. It’s crazy! And it came out of nowhere. Why? How? Because people got so attached to the story, they told their friends. And those friends read it, became attached, and told their friends. It went on and on until you couldn’t turn on a morning talk show without hearing the words “Fifty Shades”. Could anyone have predicted it was going to happen? I don’t think so. Because you can’t predict emotional responses to books, and those are what make The Next Big Thing happen. Writers, editors, and marketing specialists might be able to somewhat steer popular taste, but it takes passionate readers to create a trend-setting phenomenon.
So, what does that mean for those of us whose job it is to be on top of book trends? What are librarians, teachers, and writers supposed to do? I think the answer is simple. Find the passion. Read books that set you on fire, and then tell others about them. Buy books that excite you, and then hand sell them to your patrons and students. Write the stories that are clawing to get out of your brain. Don’t worry about what is supposed to be The Next Big Thing, focus on the thing right now that gets under your skin and won’t let go. Maybe that book you’re telling every person who will listen about will become the next every-human-must-read-it-and-watch-the-blockbuster-movie book, and maybe it won’t. It doesn’t matter. What matters is getting excited about books and spreading that excitement. The rest will work itself out. And if you end up feeling blindsided by that garden gnome trend, don’t worry about it. Most of the rest of us will be scratching our heads and wondering where it came from, too.
Thanks to Miss Tammy for sharing your insights. Tammy Blackwell is the Young Adult Services Coordinator for a public library system in Kentucky. When she's not reading, writing, or cataloging books, she's sleeping. She is the author of the YA Novels - Destiny Binds, Time Mends, and Fate Succombs .
Tammy has a special treat for fans of her Timber Wolves Trilogy - From January 4th to 6th, At First Sight: A Timber Wolves Companion will be available as a free download for Kindle on Amazon. It is a wonderful peek into her fabulous characters.
Author: Joëlle Anthony Publisher: Putnam (April 26, 2012) Audience: Young Adult Fiction * Cults * Homelessness
Description from the publisher: Jamie should have known something was off about the church of the Right & the Real from the start, especially when the Teacher claimed he wasn't just an ordinary spiritual leader but Jesus Christ himself. But she was too taken by Josh, the eldest son of one of the church's disciples, and his all-American good looks. Josh was the most popular boy at school, too, and the first boy outside the drama geeks to give Jamie a second look. But getting her dad involved in a cult was not part of the plan when she started dating Josh. Neither was her dad's marriage to the fanatic Mira or getting kicked out or seeing Josh in secret because the church has deemed her persona non grata.
Jamie's life has completely fallen apart. Finding her way back won't be easy, but when her dad gets himself in serious trouble, will Jamie be ready to rescue him, and maybe even forgive him?
Today is author Joëlle Anthony's birthday and she is celebrating with the release of the book trailer for The Right and the Real:
For more information about Joëlle Anthony and wish her a happy birthday, check out the following sites: website | facebook | twitter
Look for The Right and the Real at your local school or public library. When possible, please consider purchasing from an Independent Bookstore.
Blog Tours are a fun way for readers to learn more about a new or favorite author or about an upcoming new book or a continuation on a book series. I am excited to be a part of Dom Testa's The Galahad LegacyBlog Tour. Dom has taken a moment to answer a few questions, there is an excerpt from Chapter 2, and a giveaway. So what are you waiting for...get reading.
One thing that always fascinates me is to learn how an author plans out a book series and develops the world in which his/her story takes place. The Galahad Series is comprised of six books. Did you have an idea of what kind of adventure your characters would take from the beginning or did each book unfold individually?
Alyson, this same question intrigues me when it comes to series that other authors have created. It might sound crazy, but when I began the Galahad series I had (a) no idea how many books it would eventually include, and (b) no idea of the plot for each individual volume. The first book, The Comet's Curse, ended how it needed to end, which then led me to sit down and pick up the tale in volume two, The Web of Titan. But at the end of each book I honestly didn't know what would happen in the following book. And the truth is, I really enjoyed writing them that way.
In this last book, The Galahad Legacy, there were huge questions that I didn't even know the answers to when I was halfway through the manuscript. One of the biggies, in fact - What's in the Storage Sections? - didn't occur to me until I was about a month away from finishing the book. That made it as much fun for me to find out as the readers!
Characters seem to take on a life of their own after they have been created. Did any of your characters change in unexpected ways from what you originally thought?
That's a definite Yes. Two of the main characters reached a point where they questioned their participation in the mission, and of all the characters, they would've been the LAST two I would've thought would feel that way. But the circumstances leading up to these feelings made their reactions understandable. As an author, you kinda mumble, "yeah, I suppose she WOULD feel that way."
And there was a personal relationship that began to unfold in the last book and a half, really, that I didn't see coming. I never suspected those two would get together, but they obviously were connecting while I wasn't looking.
When I think about writing a Science Fiction story, I freak out a little. The idea of researching and getting the balance between techno-babble and story to balance out seems like a challenge. What was the process like for you?
I understand what your saying about freaking out a bit, but it's probably different for me because I've always been such a science nerd. I guess it's like this: If I was just sitting around at lunch trying to share this really cool space/science info with you, your eyes might roll back in your head or you'd yawn yourself to death. But if I'm able to slip it into an action/adventure story, then it becomes part of the fabric, in a sense. Suddenly it's much more accessible to think about what it's like jumping through a wormhole when you're worried about Triana (the lead character) doing it. Will she survive? Will she make it back? What happens to you when you pass a boundary like that? In a sense, a science fiction writer is essentially camouflaging the "science" in the stories, so that it just seems natural to want to absorb it.
I went a step further, even, by creating a series of features called The Science Behind Galahad. They're short (2 or 3 pages), fun looks at some of the real science nestled within the pages of the Galahad series. I have one on Comets, one on Artificial Intelligence, one on Earth-like planets, and more to come. Teachers and readers really seem to like them.
Can you share with readers any plans for future books or what they might be able to expect from you now that the Galahad Series is ending?
I'd like to someday revisit the characters from the Galahad series and see what they're up to. I don't know what that project will look like, but I've already had a lot of inquiries about that. So it's always an option.
I'm also in the midst of creating a new series for Middle Grade/Young Adult. It's a mystery series, and I'm loving it. The first book is finished, and I'll likely finish numbers two and three before I sell it. Stay tuned.
Loving books as a reader is one thing. Wanting to write a book is another thing. Was there a book that inspired you as a reader and as a writer?
I credit the Hardy Boys and The Three Investigators as the books that really got me hooked on reading, followed by some of the sci fi masters like Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. I was in seventh grade when I read Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain, and that completely captivated me. It was real science mixed with action/adventure, which is how I see the Galahad books, too.
But the one book that convinced me to be a writer (also in seventh grade) was Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke. The last line of that book blew me away. (By the way, don't cheat and just read the last line...you have to read the whole thing first, or you'll ruin it!)
If you could write a sequel to any book (not written by you), what would it be and why?
Cool question. My gut instinct is to say "none," because I'd hate to think I took a great book and didn't fulfill the author's vision, blah blah blah. But, to play along, I'll say H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. I'd be fascinated to see what happened between the Eloi and the Morlocks.
As a child, I always wanted to insert myself into the story as I read a book either as the main character or another character in the story. Did you ever imagine yourself as a character in a book? If so, what book/character?
I thought it would be cool to be Milo from The Phantom Tollbooth.
What advice would you give to parents or teachers who are trying to encourage boys to read or read more?
My belief is that it's not so much a matter of encouraging boys to read, as it is finding the kinds of books or blogs or magazines that excite them. I'm also a believer that our culture portrays reading as a "chick thing," which is why so many boys think it's uncool for them - or unmanly. The more men that read - and make it known that they read - the more younger boys will accept it and find their own joy in it.
What does a typical writing day look like for you? Where do you write? Do you have any routines that you like to follow?
I have no firm writing time; it's truly a "write when you can" approach for me, primarily because of my hectic schedule. I host the top-rated morning radio show in Denver (The Dom and Jane Show on Mix 100), and I also run a non-profit foundation called The Big Brain Club. We help students recognize that Smart Is Cool. With all of these things on my plate, I have to carve out time to write, but, as a writer, it's what you have to do.
I've also found that I get the most writing accomplished when I leave my house. I'm too easily distracted, so I pack up my laptop and my notebooks and I get away by myself. If you see a guy in a restaurant, alone, with his laptop open and a glass of wine beside him, that's probably me.
What is currently in your To-read pile?
I'm on the third and final book in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars" trilogy. Next up will be Child 44, by Tom Rob Smith. I'd also like to read Captain Nemo, by Kevin J. Anderson. And then I'll probably find an Elmore Leonard book I haven't read yet, just to bask in the dialogue.
Alyson, thanks for the opportunity to participate in this interview with Kid Lit Frenzy, and thanks for all you do for readers and writers.
~ Dom
Thank you Dom for stopping by and for all the answers to the questions.
Check out this video of Dom talking about Creating the Curse:
Excerpt from the 2nd chapter:
“Oh, I’m bursting with thoughts,” the computer said. “But before we go on, is there any chance of getting some popcorn? How are you guys just sitting there, listening to this, without popcorn?”
“Well, let’s start with your thoughts on the wormhole,” Gap said.
“To begin with,” Roc said, “you have to stop thinking of a wormhole as a tunnel. It’s not. It’s a theoretical doorway between points in the universe, with no real depth to it. Does that make sense?”
Channy, who had been listening to everything with her fingers tented in front of her mouth, dropped her hands into her lap. “Or a window. When Triana shot through, it was like crashing through a window, from one side to the other.”
Please visit Star Shadow for the next excerpt from the second chapter of The Galahad Legacy.
DOM TESTA has been a radio show host since 1977. He is currently a co-host of the popular "Dom and Jane Show" on Mix 100 in Denver. A strong advocate of literacy programs for children, Dom began The Big Brain Club to help young people recognize that Smart Is Cool. More information on Dom Testa, his books and educational work can be found here at www.DomTesta.com.
* Saturday, April 14th: Murder by the Book, Houston, TX; 11:00 am
*Wednesday, April 18th and Thursday, April 19th: Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX; various times
*Friday, April 20th: Barnes & Noble, 1000 Research Drive, Austin, TX; 7:00 pm
*Saturday, April 21st: Barnes & Noble, 15900 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX; 2:00 pm
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Enter to win a copy of The Galahad Legacy - Contest Rules:
1.
Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any
personal information in the comments section (including your email,
website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will
not be posted.
2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
3. The Giveaway is open from April 1, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 7, 2012.
4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If
you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
Cross-posted from Now That's Filmworthy (Visit Kate's blog for a chance to win Ripper!)
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Publisher: Philomel Books / Penguin Young Readers
Release date: March 1, 2012
Source: Advance Readers Copy
Audience: Young Adult
Good Reads Description:
Carver
Young dreams of becoming a detective, despite growing up in an
orphanage with only crime novels to encourage him. But when he is
adopted by Detective Hawking of the world famous Pinkerton Agency,
Carver is given not only the chance to find his biological father, he
finds himself smack in the middle of a real life investigation: tracking
down a vicious serial killer who has thrown New York City into utter
panic. When the case begins to unfold, however, it’s worse than he could
have ever imagined, and his loyalty to Mr. Hawking and the Pinkertons
comes into question. As the body count rises and the investigation
becomes dire, Carver must decide where his true loyalty lies.
Full
of whip-smart dialogue, kid-friendly gadgets, and featuring a then New
York City Police Commisioner Teddy Roosevelt, Ripper challenges
everything you thought you knew about the world’s most famous serial
killer.
Kate's thoughts on this book:
Ripperby
Stefan Petrucha was a fun read for me. Being a history groupie, you
always find that there are certain places, people, myths, and mysteries
that pique your interest. The case of Jack the Ripper is one of those
interests of mine, so I was especially excited to read this book. As I
read, I began to see past the history and appreciate the writing style
of the novel as well as the characters introduced. To be honest, it
reminded me of another one of my favorite adult mysteries, Caleb Carr’s The Alienist.
The book’s setting of the
turn of the 20th Century allows the author to explore the advances in
forensics and early investigative techniques. Petrucha takes full
advantage of the opportunity. I thank him for it! The novel’s pacing and
adventure makes it a great read for those guys who like a good mystery.
(There is romance, but it isn’t overwhelming. It is more of an
opportunity to give Carver, our hero, someone who is unconditionally in
his corner.) The story of the Ripper does include some disturbing
murder and mayhem, but it doesn’t get too explicit or overpowering.
The
characters were intriguing. I loved seeing Mr. Petrucha’s take on Teddy
Roosevelt. He really gave us an opportunity to relate to such a
life-sized personality in US history. The themes also jumped out at me:
the idea that your fate is our own no matter who your parents are, where
you grew up, but what actions you take. No person should be
pigeoned-holed especially as they are just discovering themselves.
Author: Beth Fantaskey Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books Release Date: January 10, 2012 Audience: Young Adult Source: ARC for review Reviewed by: Kate
Fiction * Paranormal Romance
Description from GoodReads: It’s one thing to find
out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually
rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time
feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence
in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into
solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to
clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale
investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep
getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s
time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom
she can trust—before it’s too late?
Jessica’s journey is about what happens after the happily ever after. She’s surrounded by men (befanged men) and politics, and in the way of most people starting a new life, needs to find this ‘new’ self. Is it all of the old self, just in better attire? or is it parts of the old self, with new thrown in?
This was a highly anticipated sequel for me. I am completely in love with the journey I took in Beth Fantaskey’s first novel, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. Beth’s characters are three dimensional. I really enjoyed getting to know them as they got to know each other. I couldn’t imagine what would be next for Jessica and Lucius.
Fantaskey answers this question in Jessica Rules the Dark Side. The tone and mood is unexpectedly a lot darker. I had a bit of trouble getting into the change but I was soon rewarded for my patience. This new direction gives us readers a great chance to see Jessica come into her own as a woman and as a princess. She is dropped in the middle of this world full of old traditions, rituals, rites, and grudges. Jessica is forced to navigate these new waters on her own terms. Will she succeed? Don’t despair, dear readers. Beth gives Jessica some new friends along with her wise-cracking, no-nonsense, bit grumbly best friend, Mindy for help; keeping any Fantaskey fan avidly reading along as Jessica challenges this new world.
Here’s a heads up. Keep a lookout for Raniero, especially. I love characters and Raniero is definitely one to cherish. When you meet him, cliches will abound but persevere. He was one of the best book friends I meet last year. YES, I have book friends. Doesn't everyone?
**Check out The Wedding Chapters for the scoop on Jessica and Lucius’ paranormal and unconventional Wedding, found here:
1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section,you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest. Any comments with personal information will be deleted.
2. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, June 24, 2011.
3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
4. You must be a follower of the blog.
5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.
Author: Gae Polisner Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (May 10, 2011) Pages: 208 Audience: Young Adult Source: Advanced Reader Copy for Review Genre: Contemporary Fiction Read with: Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck
Description from GoodReads: While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy of Of Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.
Characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make this a truly original coming-of-age story.
Here is one of my litmus tests for a book that I really like - I pick it up to read and get interrupted but it stays in the back of the mind whispering for me to find it and finish reading it. In the story, Jaycee and Nick are discussing foreshadowing in reference to Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Jaycee tells Nick: "I guess. But that's what makes it so brilliant. Because, if I closed the book now, you'd want to know what happens, right? Sure, you know something's is going to happen, but you don't know what. And you care about them, so you want to know." (quote taken from p. 87 of the ARC)
Here I was suppose to be finishing a pile of books for a project, and I start reading The Pull of Gravity. By about 50 pages in, I realized that I had to return to my book stack and reluctantly put it down. Yet, I was already attached to the characters in Gae Polisner's debut novel, The Pull of Gravity, and wanted to know what was going to happen. I loved that Polisner managed in less than 50 pages to already make me care about the characters and that I knew this would be a book that I would go back to and read.
Likable characters are not the only thing I enjoyed about The Pull of Gravity. I truly appreciated that the book had short, readable chapters and was only a little more than 200 pages. With some teenagers, I have the challenge of trying to convince them to read a book. If they already think they don't like reading and I hand them a book that is 400 pages long, I might lose them. If I can read a couple of quick chapters to them, make them laugh, and hook them in, then I will usually be successful in convincing them to give it a try.
The Pull of Gravity also has a boy narrator who actually seems like a 15 year old boy. I spend a considerable amount of time with children and teens and the majority of the teen boys I meet do not seem like the suave, got it all together male heart-throbs in some YA novels. Many are kind of geeky, awkward, and not sure what to do around a girl they might potentially like. Nick (the main character and narrator) says/does/thinks a bunch of things that made me chuckle basically because it seemed real. And yet despite all of the awkwardness, you really find yourself liking him. He is paired up with Jaycee, a quirky classmate, who wears necklaces made of troll dolls and slinky bracelets. Together they set out on a road trip guided by the lessons of Steinbeck, and with the mission of reuniting a first edition copy of Of Mice And Men with the estranged father of of their dying friend, Scoot. If you have been counting, you'll notice there are several things about this story that I like (characters you care about and who seem real, short chapters, humor). Here is another one, the road trip has a purpose. By this, I don't actually mean why the characters went on the road. Instead, the road trip has the purpose of helping the characters change and grow. Road trips without purpose, no matter how fun or quirky it may be, actually irritate me. This is probably my own personality quirks coming out but still, it makes my list of another reason I liked the book. I, also, have to admit not being exactly a true fan of contemporary fiction. Partially because so much of it is filled with way too much high school drama. Consequently, I can probably count on one hand the ones I really like. Books such as Natalie Standiford's How To Say Goodbye In Robot or Allen Zadoff's Food, Girls, And Other Things I Can't Have stand out in my mind as contemporary fiction that I adore. Polisner's The Pull of Gravity will likely appeal to fans of those books.
Finally, Polisner creates an ending for Nick, Jaycee, and the others that is right. Not a perfectly wrapped up ending but one that feels right for the book and for the characters. Polisner's debut novel is an enjoyable read and I certainly look forward to future offerings. For more information about Gae Polisner, check out her website: http://gaepolisner.com/ On Twitter, you can follow her: @gaepol
Below is the official book trailer for The Pull of Gravity:
Author: Claudia Gray Publisher: Harper Teen (March 8, 2011) Audience: YA Source: For Review (Dark Days Supernatural Tour)
Description from GoodReads: The fourth book in this electrifying vampire series has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s Evernight books runaway successes.
Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last.
Readers have fallen in love with Bianca and Lucas, and they will be thrilled to read this exciting conclusion to their romantic adventure.
Claudia Gray's Afterlife is the highly anticipated final chapter to her best-selling Evernight series, a young adult series about vampires and humans living together at the reclusive Evernight boarding school. Personally, I was really looking forward to seeing how things would end for Lucas and Bianca and how the mysteries surrounding the school would resolve, and I wasn't disappointed.
This is a spoiler free (!!) review of Afterlife, but it does reference events from the first three books in the series, so you have fair warning.
Afterlife lived up to expectations for me. At the end of Hourglass, book 3, Bianca had become a wraith and Lucas was turning into a vampire, the one thing he had been resisting for the whole series. This brought a new dynamic to the duo as they adjusted to their new bodies... or forms, in Bianca's case as a wraith. I loved watching Lucas struggle with what he had become and how that affected his relationship with Black Cross, especially his mother. I also loved seeing Lucas and Bianca back at the academy. I enjoyed them being on their own, out in the real world in Hourglass, but it felt great to have them back on familiar territory, readjusting to life now that they were both so different.
There were many unpredictable plot twists, especially with Mrs. Bethany and her relationship to the vampire/human/wraith populations at the academy. There was also some interesting Balthazar moments in there for fans eagerly awaiting Balthazar's spin-off novel. It's difficult to discuss the novel without giving too much away, because so much of this book ties up loose ends. I will say that I loved how Claudia Gray ended Bianca and Lucas' romance. I was worried about how they would work everything out, but I was more than satisfied with their ending. Overall, I really liked this one -- lots of action, romance, and drama to make it a real page-turner.
Now, on to the fun part: THE GIVEAWAY!
Here are the rules:
1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section, you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
2. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. on March 26, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. on March 31st.
3. You do not need to be a follower of this blog to enter, but if you are it will earn you an extra entry.
4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. This contest is only open to UK participants .(Sorry U.S. and International Followers...there will be another contest for you coming soon)
Author: Lish McBride Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. (October 12, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Source: Personal Copy Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Description from GoodReads:
Sam leads a pretty normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but he’s doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak. Turns out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . . . or else. With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin?
My review:
Imagine living your life just thinking you are a regular guy?! Nothing special, maybe a little bit of an underachiever. This is Sam. He has dropped out of college, works at a hamburger joint (kind of funny considering he is a vegetarian), hangs out with his best friend from childhood, and concerned that he isn't going anywhere fast. But then comes Douglas. Literally overnight, Sam's life changes and so does the lives around him. Douglas is apparently a necromancer for hire and doesn't like the idea of another necromancer sharing in any potential job opportunities. It seems that being a necromancer can be quite profitable. After a serious beating, and a very personal message, Douglas gives Sam a week to become his apprentice or lose his life.
McBride manages to pull it all together in her debut offering. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer has all the ingredients of a great book - a well-balance ensemble of characters, humor, a little romance (but not over doing it), and pacing that doesn't drag (I pretty much read this in one sitting and refused to go to bed until I finished it). Sam is a likable; your every day sort of guy. His friends are kind of eclectic. There is Ramon (a childhood friend/like family), Frank (a bit of a dork, but dependable), and Brooke (fiesty & entertaining). Even secondary characters such as Sam's mother (with her own secrets) and sister, or his neighbor - an on the go, 70-something granny (who has a more active social life than Sam) add rather than detract from the overall story. And well then there is an assortment of paranormal creatures (were-creatures, harbingers, witches, etc.) that Sam discovers on his quest to understand what a necromancer is and how he managed to not know about these unique abilities.
For fans of Urban Fantasy/Paranormal stories, this will be an easy sell. In my opinion, it is one of the best books within this category that I have read recently. True there are some places that require suspending reality (like the immediate attraction between Sam & Brid - a cute shape-shifter- while they are stuck in a cage but then it was hot, & steamy in a fade to black kind of way) which I don't see as an issue. This is after all a fantasy story. However, when I finished it, I wanted more. Sure, this was a complete book - no huge cliff-hanger ending, but readers can easily imagine this story continuing. I can imagine and hope that this book will continue for at least several more installments. So please somebody tell me that there will be a book 2 and a book 3?!
For fans that may not be prone to reading a good Urban Fantasy, I suggest giving this book a read through. Hopefully, it will be a pleasant surprise. If not, maybe you can have fun identifying all the songs that McBride uses as chapter titles.
You can find out more about author Lish McBride on her website, click here. Or you can follow her on twitter: @teamdamanation
Also take a moment to check out the Book Trailer for Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
It was harder to chose 2010 release books to focus on for this year's End of the Year YA post. In my attempt to read with more diversity, I didn't read as many 2010 releases as I had hoped to read. However, there were some incredible reads and I decided to go with my 5 top picks from 2010 and several sequels that I really enjoyed. I am also going to reflect on my favorite debut author books in a separate post.
Top 5 picks (in no particular order):
FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Anthony John - I tend to prefer fantasy or sci-fi fiction. So when I come across a contemporary fiction book that I loved, it means I really loved it. I can't rave enough about this book. Great concept (a deaf teen who becomes the manager of a rock band), an ensemble cast of characters that are all well developed, and a great sense of place & people (Seattle, references to Kurt Cobain, and Jimi Hendrix). This was my absolute favorite YA read of 2010.
WHITE CAT by Holly Black - This is the first book in The Curse Workers Series and Black has done an outstanding job in mixing fantasy with present day. In some ways, this book is the Sopranos meets Magic but way better. In this world, everyone is required to wear gloves because you never know who might be a Curse Worker and by wearing gloves it prevents people from using touch to unleash their powers. Cassel comes from a family of Curse Workers and yet doesn't seem to have a gift/ability. However, he does have a secret and can run a con as well as the rest of them. One of the many things I loved about this book is that there are consequences to the use of these powers. I so can't wait for Red Glove (Book 2) to come out this spring of 2011.
CHASING BROOKLYN by Lisa Schroeder - I had been under some erroneous impression that I didn't like novels in verse. This probably came from the belief that I am not really a big fan of poetry so I wouldn't like novels in verse. However, in about a span of a couple of days (really more like a couple of hours), I read through all three of Schroeder's novels in verse. I loved the books, and I loved her writing. Chasing Brooklyn is a companion novel to I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME and though it can be read separately, I was glad that I had read them in order. This book was particular strong in that it is told from both Brooklyn's and Nico's perspectives in alternating chapters. Chasing Brooklyn is filled with grief, loss, healing, love, and hope. And Nico is one of my top fictional crushes. *heart beats a little faster*
THE RED UMBRELLA by Christina Diaz Gonzalez - I was trying to reserve all of the debut books for a separate post but I just had to add this one to the list. The Red Umbrella is a historical novel that takes a look at a lesser known part of history - the children who fled Cuba in 1961-1962 during Operation Pedro Pan. I had an unique opportunity to hear Diaz Gonzalez speak to an audience of predominately Cuban American who had experienced this reality first-hand. To feel their appreciation for having their story told was amazing. And Diaz Gonzalez was so wonderful with them as well. This may be an underdog but I do hope it garners some kind of award recognition.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare - I might be cheating here but this is the first book in a new series even if it is a prequel to her previous series. And since this is my blog and my picks, I'll allow it. Set in Victorian England in the late 1800's, Clockwork Angel mixes in steampunk features with the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that we have come to love in Clare's Mortal Instruments Series. Though this book seems to bring up more questions than it answers, I am certainly hooked and ready to find out more about Tessa, Will, Jem and the others.
Just a quick nod to the following 2010 sequels:
MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins - How can a look at 2010 books not include Mockingjay?! Three years ago I discovered The Hunger Games. It was literally one of the best books I had ever read. The conclusion to this series by Collins came in August with the release of Mockingjay. Though probably the most hotly debated book this year, I appreciated that Collins choose to end her book in a way that was faithful to her vision even if that was different from how I might have wanted the book to end.
BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - I love the world that was created by Garcia & Stohl in Beautiful Creatures. I wasn't disappointed with this second book in the world of Caster Magic. Old friends, and new characters, and new challenges move the series to the next level. The third book in the series will be on my books I pine for in 2011.
And technically this is a 2011 release, but I read the ARC in 2010 so I will add it here.....
FURY OF THE PHOENIX by Cindy Pon - I had the great privilege of reading this in 2010 despite the release not being until March/April 2011. This is Pon's sequel to her 2009 Debut SILVER PHOENIX. I will be reviewing this soon, but let me say that Pon took her sequel in a new direction that shows her growth as a writer. Fury is a beautiful story of decisions & choice, and love & forgiveness in the beautiful world of Xia that she created in book one. If it isn't on your list of books to read, it definitely should be.
Author/Illustrator: Anthony John Publisher: Dial (November 11, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Source: Copy for Review Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Description from GoodReads:
The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.
The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.
The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?
Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb.
With a great concept and a very cool looking cover, I wondered whether Anthony John's new book FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB would be a shining star or hit a flat note. Could he pull it off in a way that was believable and entertaining? Or would there be a significant amount of creative license taken to make for a good story?
Honestly, I approached this book with a critical eye. After the first 6 or 7 chapters, I sent an email to a graduate school friend of mine who works with deaf teens. We had both attended Gallaudet (note: the main character in the book has a goal of attending Gallaudet University - the world's only University for the Deaf). I peppered her with questions, and I thought seriously about her answers and my experiences with the Deaf community.
My initial protest began when Piper (the main character in the story who is Hard of Hearing) claims that she has had the same hearing aids for nearly 10 years, I rolled my eyes. Yes, hearing aids are expensive. Yes, they come in all kinds of bright colors which young children like. But seldom would a 17 or 18 year old be wearing the same pair of hearing aids as when they were 7 or 8 years old (i.e., the character would have physically outgrown her hearing aids automatically necessitating new ones). And even with "olympic precision" lip-reading, we are talking about someone getting only 46% of spoken language?! I was concerned that if John had taken some creative licenses to fit his story or failed to get some basic details correct where would the rest of the story go? So I took a deep breath, reminded myself that the average reader would not know these facts and pushed on.
It wasn't hard to move on with FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB. Despite my initial irritation over some technical stuff, I was really enjoying John's writing. The short chapters made it feel like I was flying through the story. But there was so much more about this book that kept propelling me forward.
First, I like books that I would call "ensemble" stories. Meaning that all of the characters truly play an important role in the book and develop along with the main character. This is an ensemble book - Piper may be the main character but her family, and the members of the band all have significant roles to play and they all grow and develop over the course of the story.
Second, yes, there is some romance in the book...but we don't spend page after annoying page reading about every detail of how wonderful, or beautiful the lusted after romantic target is. It is subtle and appropriate to the story. Plus I really found myself wanting the two of them to get together.
Third, not only does the book focus positively on a character with special needs but also has characters of various ethnic/racial/socio-economic backgrounds. Yay for diversity that is not overly done but included in just the right way.
Fourth, I actually appreciated many of the adults in this book even with their flaws. Piper's relationship with her parents is one of the things in the story that seemed the most honest and real. There is a natural conflict when you are a deaf child dealing with hearing parents - this is one part that I felt John nailed. Along with how John describes Piper's reaction to her sister's cochlear implant.
I also liked the interesting advice and mentoring she received from Baz, Mr. Belson, Tash's mom, etc. And though Piper's brother Finn is not an adult (so maybe this should go under another point but...) - I found myself pleasantly pleased with how that relationship developed. It was surprising in a very good way.
Finally, despite my initial irritation over the technical details and sometimes wondering if John was trying to fit some of his thoughts about deafness to his story, I definitely found myself loving the book. The book's back drop of Seattle, mentions of Nirvana & Cobain, and Hendrix provided a complimentary and story enhancing references. Once I started it, I pretty much couldn't put it down resulting in several hours of lost sleep that evening.
After completing the book and pondering the technical vs. the literary, I am giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I will say that I was a little relieved to discover through an email conversation with the author that he had actually based some of the things I had questioned on real incidents. Yes, sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.
In 2009, the stand out YA Realistic Fiction story for me was Allen Zadoff's FOOD, GIRLS & OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE. I loved that book. It made me laugh and it moved me emotionally. I know that we haven't gotten to the true end of 2010 yet, but I would have to say that Anthony John's FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB is currently sitting in my top spot for YA Realistic Fiction for the current year. It is funny, smart, touching, and just a great read. I would encourage to find this book and read it. And I look forward to future books by this author.
Publisher: Knopf Book for Young Readers (May 11, 2010)
Reading Level: Upper Middle Grade/YA
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 Star (A definite must read)
Description from GoodReads:
The Red Umbrella is the moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan—an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.
In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. Her friends feel like strangers. And her family is being watched.
As the revolution's impact becomes more oppressive, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States—on their own.
Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?
The Red Umbrella is a moving story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.
In late November 2009, I signed up for The Story Siren's 2010 Debut Author Challenge. The challenge - to read at least 12 novels by debut authors in 2010. With this review, I will be logging in on #12. WooHoo! I still plan on continuing with the Challenge for at least another 12 books. Now on to the review....
History does not have to be dry and boring and Christina Diaz Gonzalez proves that to us in her debut novel The Red Umbrella. In this powerful and personal story of a young teenage girl named Lucia, readers learn about the events that took place in Cuba and the United Stated in the early 1960's. Gonzalez used the stories of her parents and mother-in-law as the original seed for telling the world about Operation Pedro Pan, when families in Cuba sent their children to the U.S. to avoid Castro's revolution.
According to Gonzalez, there were nearly 14,000 children who arrived in Miami during the years of 1960 to 1962. Some were met by family and friends while others were placed in a camp until a foster home could be located for them. Her research uncovered that of these 14,000 children nearly 90% were reunited with their families over a period of time.
With this as her background, Gonzalez paints a vivid portray of what life would have been like for a teenager in Cuba in 1961. What might she have worn, or what music she listened to, or even what movie she might have seen. This attention to detail and desire for accuracy rather than slow down the story allows the reader to image what life would have been like. Lucia, along with her younger brother Frankie live a comfortable life with their parents. Initially, their parents seek to protect them from the realities of Castro's revolution. However, there comes a point when their parents are no longer able to keep out the atrocities that are occurring. In a final attempt to protect them, Lucia and Frankie are sent to the United States in hopes that they will eventually be reunited as a family.
The book is divided into two parts - the first half of the story provides you with the background and what is happening in Cuba. The second half explores the reality of what it is like for Lucia and Frankie to live in a foster home while they wait and hope for reunification.
As I read The Red Umbrella, I was emotionally moved by the story of the Alvarez family. Their story is one of loss, love, grief, and hope. I seem to be saying this a lot lately, but keep a box of tissues near you as you read this book, and you do need to read this story.
For me, the story of the Alvarez family was made even more real when I had an opportunity to see Gonzalez at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. The audience was filled with predominately Cuban Americans. Many of these individuals had either been Pedro Pans or had left Cuba in some manner during the 1960's. The Red Umbrella was not just a story, but it was their story. Some had hardly shared this story with their families. Others were using this book to share a piece of their personal history with their children or grandchildren.
This is a powerful story, and an amazing debut novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez. I look forward to her next book whenever it is released and I hope that this book will receive the attention, accolades and awards that it is due. If you don't have this on your "to-be-read" pile, then get it on there.
The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.
Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help.
Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.
When I received the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of Restoring Harmony, I was bogged down with books to read for book club or prior books for review. In addition, work/life was just really busy. Some books I have a gut sense that I am going to enjoy and I don't want to rush through them. I had that feeling about Restoring Harmony and I found myself carrying it around but not reading it because the time wasn't right. Finally, I had just the right time and I devoured the book in one sitting.
Let me just start with what I liked about the book...
I have discovered that I love books with short chapters. This may be a silly thing but it makes the book feel like a super fast read even if it takes me exactly the same time to read as any other book with the same number of pages. Additionally, it means that the book will go on my list to recommend to reluctant readers.
Another reason that this will go on my list for reluctant readers is that Anthony grabs you from the beginning and keeps you hooked in until the end. I really don't feel that as the reader I should wade through 75 or 100 pages before the book "gets good". My reluctant readers won't even hang in there for that many pages before giving up on the book.
My third reason for loving this book - I loved the characters. Molly is a wonderful protagonist. She is bright, tenacious, resourceful, and just plain likable. She is sent out on a journey to contact her grandparents and convince them to return to Canada with her. Molly embraces her mission and despite obstacles and set-backs plunges forward without giving up and without annoying the reader. Molly isn't the only character I loved. There is Spill. You really need to read the book - you will fall in love with Spill too. He is swoon-worthy in a very good way. I am adding him to my list of fictional crushes.
My fourth reason for loving this book - I truly appreciate books that have a sense of community in them and adults who are not all jerks. I realize YA is written from the perspective of teens, but not all teens hate all adults.
Just a few more things...I can share Restoring Harmony with readers from sixth grade on up. I appreciated the timeless feel to the book, and the dialogue did not annoy me. Have you ever read a book where the voice of the characters just irritated you? I have and it really is a turn off - not so with this book.
Finally, the writing of the book was wonderful. Anthony does an incredible job in describing her world, the struggles of the society, the challenges facing the characters, the emotions behind the words. There is intensity and darkness balanced with hope.
Joelle Anthony's debut novel, Restoring Harmony, is a wonderful offering and one that I hope really gets the attention that it deserves. I look forward to future books by this author.
Check out Joelle's blog for more information about Restoring Harmony and to listen to some related music or check out the wonderfully done book trailer.
