Young Adult Literature Lovers

Feminist Book Recommendations.

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:34:02 GMT

Cross posted at various communities.

After regularly reading requests for feminist book recommendations I've decided to create a community for that very purpose.

fem_library

The Feminist Library is a community in which members can recommend books to others. With the use of the tags and memory feature it is hoped that it will eventually provide a resource to the countless requests for book recommendations on feminist sites.

Books do not have to be explicitly feminist, just be of interest to some one with 'feminist ethics.' By this we mean it may have a strong female role model, show gay families in a positive light, include strong characters of colour (not just token references) or positively present children doing things that are gender non conformist. This community was mainly set up for people looking for books for their children and teenagers who were disappointed with many of the themes and messages in the books aimed at those age groups. However it is open to books aimed at any age group.

Both Fiction and Non-Fiction can be posted as long as they have a feminist message and are tagged correctly.

This is not a place to request a certain type of book. You can do so at communities like feministbooks and feminist_lit.

This community is not supposed to tread on the toes of the library thing, LJ Feminist site, simply to provide an alternative.

Black, Holly: Tithe

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:34:49 GMT

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale
Writer: Holly Black
Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 331

Yes, I'm reading ridiculously fast lately.

The next offering is Holly Black's Tithe, so if you're a fan of faeries, you should check this out. I'm NOT a fan of faeries, and read this solely because I was interested in Black's work. And having already read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and Elizabeth Bear's Blood and Iron, a lot of this book felt very, very familiar to me, even though this book was published first.

Still, I enjoyed it, but mostly for the romantic elements than anything else, though Black does have some lovely bits of prose in her pages.

The premise: Kaye's always seen faeries. Hell, they were her "imaginary" friends when she was a kid. But since then, she's traveled the country with her rock-star mom, and has since grown out of touch with her faerie friends. But when an incident forces her back home to Jersey, she soon learns her friends weren't imaginary at all, and what's more, they need her help. Unfortunately, her help could mean her death.

The full review, with spoilers, is in my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.

REVIEW: Holly Black's TITHE

Happy Reading! :)

ARC giveaway!

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:15:53 GMT

I'm running a contest over on my blog to give away an ARC of MODELS. All you have to do is leave me a comment with your worst bridesmaid dress story, and link to the MODELS website on your blog.

You have until midnight on Thursday to submit! Come on by!!

join a new message board dedicated to ya lit!

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:31:43 GMT

Like OMG Teens Read is a message board dedicated to the discussion of YA Literature. Come on by now by clicking the URL: http://z4.invisionfree.com/Like_OMG_Teens_Read/index.php

At Like OMG Teens Read (LOTR) you will be able to discuss the following about YA Literature: classics, recently released, reviews on books, book series, authors, short stories, books made into movies, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, thriller, chick lit, drama, coming-of-age, and so much more. You can upload your own work for others to see as well.

I'm currently looking for a mod. If you think you've got what it takes contact me:
email- likeomgteensread@hotmail.com
myspace- myspace.com/likeomgteensread
become my friend on livejournal
or join the message board and PM me.
Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

-Thanks, Vanessa.

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:01:58 GMT

Here's a great summer read for teenage girls - I read first it in seventh grade and loved it; now I'm entering college and I still think it's brilliant. Everything is written in free verse, with beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended.

(The video is only a minute long; make sure to turn up the sound.)

Happy reading!

Help with PhD thesis

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:15:20 GMT

I’m not sure if this post is allowed here, if not I apologize in advance and please feel free to delete it.

I would like to ask some help from you with a PhD thesis.

Together with two friends I’m working on a PhD thesis about German and English children and young adults’ literature of the 20^th and 21^st century. We would like to focus on questions such as how children and young adults’ literature is defined and by whom and who the readers of children and young adults’ literature are. One aim of this thesis is to find out what makes this literature so interesting not only for children but also for adolescents and adults. In a first step we would like find out which books are currently read and are therefore worth analysing. To do so we have created a short questionnaire. This questionnaire can be found on our PhD website www.beyondharrypotter.com

I would be grateful if you could fill in the questionnaire over there. Any information given is for informational purposes only and will not be shared with a third party and I promise it will not come back to haunt you. Although there is a possibility of giving us your e-mail address it’s not necessary if you don’t want to.

Also, if you could spread the information to others that like to read children and young adults’ novels and might be willing to fill in the questionnaire, I would be much obliged.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:01:36 GMT

Hello all

I am reading Pandora Prescription and now there's this treasure hunt..

can this be real??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbx3qnKKC0Q

A New Dawn: Your Favorite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:33:09 GMT

Want something to tide you over while waiting for the fourth Twilight installment AND the movie?

Teen Libris has created an anthology with popular YA authors' takes on Twilight entitled A New Dawn. We've even got a contest coming soon that you can enter to win a copy of Rachel Caine's Feast of Fools and some other unannounced cool stuff. If you want to read an excerpt of A New Dawn, follow this link.

http://www.teenlibris.com/teenlibris3_NewDawn.html

Larbalestier, Justine: Magic's Child

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:11:07 GMT

Magic's Child
Writer: Justine Larbalestier
Genre: Young Adult/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 291

I was pretty happy to finally be able to pick up the conclusion to Justine Larbalestier's Magic or Madness trilogy when it was released in paperback. Happier still to be finished with my thesis so I could actually read it.

Like Magic Lessons, Magic's Child picks up right where the previous book left off. I really enjoy this trilogy, and I adore the constraints to the magic system, but these are not books you read out of order. Start at the beginning with Magic or Madness and work your way through to the end. Trust me, the story's much better for it.

The wrap-up is good and satisfying, but I think a little too much is packed into this book because so much has to be resolved. Of the three, I think Magic's Child is the weakest, but it's still satisfying, and gives the reader a new insight into the magic ruling this particular urban fantasy. Overall, good stuff, and easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys UF, whether they like it YA or not.

If you're interested in my specific and spoiler-laden review of Magic's Child, it's in my LJ. Just click the link below. ;) As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.

REVIEW: Justine Larbalestier's MAGIC'S CHILD

Happy Reading! :)

Dragons ...

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:25:03 GMT

Can anyone recommend any books involving dragons? Children's, YA, adult, it matters not. Just books with dragons as the main theme. Feel free to also suggest ones you didn't like or are not sure of.

Fiction only please :oD

Teen Bookshelf

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:11:06 GMT

Hello. I would post all of my reviews of teen books I have read and the interviews I have posted, but it'd take a lot of space. Come to my journal http://teenbookshelf.livejournal.com to see my site and sign up for my HUGE contest. We really need some publicity. Thanks!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:16:01 GMT

Name of book: When the Crow Sings
Author: Jacqueline Wales
Genre: Family Saga
Rating: 5 out of 5

Note: You can get the Ebook version free on the author’s website now (as well as off of Amazon or at Borders). Highly Recommended.

Description: Thematically, think The Color Purple. In structure, think Alex Haley's Roots. Add a Scottish dialect, and you have an intensely engaging book that's horrific, enticing, and elegantly executed.

When the Crow Sings is like your best girlfriend, mom's shoulder, lifetime movie, and motivational class all in one. This book is a must read; a page turner, tear jerker, yet still it manages to pull together a solid plot while keeping its prose refreshing. When The Crow Sings is a semi autobiographical family saga. In the hands of a proud Scottish woman as she crosses the ocean with the manuscript of her family secrets, the story traverses three generations of strong women as they endure abuse, and ultimately learn to break heartbreaking cycles, to render themselves independent and powerful. The novel adapts native Scottish dialect, it is at once emotionally powerful and fascinating- a haunting, staying read.

I've got to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I usually enjoy things that have a clear plot line and thematic lines, but this was definitely a rollercoaster of a read, and overarching themes pull things together really coherently

Advice about advice novels

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:11:05 GMT

I'm doing some research...

Can you think of some YA/MG titles that feature a character who gives advice to other characters as a central theme? The only ones that are coming to mind are DEAR MR. HENSHAW and LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET. I'm not talking about GO ASK ALICE-type problem novels, but ones that are more along the lines of Lucy's backyard psychology stand in "Peanuts".

Thanks in advance!

X-posted: yalitlovers, teenliterature, bostonerin

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:30:57 GMT

Hi! Do you keep a Reading or Book Live Journal? Would you like to meet other people who do, in order to make new LJ Friends, and discuss literature, or share common interests? Check out addmy_readinglj in order to do so! (:

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:54:47 GMT

Just wondering if anyone can tell me the title of a book I read once. I can't remember what it was, but it was reviewed in Sassy magazine (yeah, really a long time ago). It was about a boy whose father had either left or died - I can't recall - and he had a camera (can't recall if it was inherited or what) and got really great with photography. That's all I can remember, and it isn't much. But it's driving me nuts and I really want to know the name of it.

Wooding, Chris: Poison

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:06:58 GMT

Poison
Writer: Chris Wooding
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Pages: 273

A friend of mine introduced me to this author via this book, and I have to say, I'm very impressed. I was sucked right in, and anyone who enjoys reading YA, particularly fantasies (of the epic sort) with strong female leads, will enjoy this. I really appreciated how the characters had to rely on wit instead of magic, and while story seems simple, by the end, it's so much more. Makes you think, in a good way.

The full review's in my journal, if anyone's interested. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.

REVIEW: Chris Wooding's POISON

Happy Reading!

Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:31:03 GMT

Please click (here) to read a review I wrote for the new young adult suspense thriller, Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz. :)

(x-posted to lstolarzfans, bifn_fans, bookish, bookshare, teenliterature, yalitlovers)

Mitchison, Naomi: Travel Light

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:00:15 GMT

Travel Light
Writer: Naomi Mitchison
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Pages: 135

Just finished Naomi Mitchison's Travel Light, an enjoyable YA fairy tale that takes your conventional stereotypes and has fun turning them on their heads. For some reason, this reminded me of Catherynne Valente's The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden, without the story-within-a-story structure. The themes, the handling of fairy tales, the settings, are all comparable. It's a good read, recommended for adults and YA alike.

The full review's in my journal, if you're interested. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.

REVIEW: Naomi Mitchison's TRAVEL LIGHT

Happy Reading! :)

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:54:26 GMT

I've got a rare LJ Smith book up for auction. Please check it out.

Kids & Advertisers on LIVEbrary Week 4

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:37:26 GMT

The LIVEbrary, an online educational program from children's book publisher Annick Press, welcomes guest author Shari Graydon for the fourth week of Media Awareness. The two-year program for middle school and junior high schools students, teachers, librarians and homeschoolers is funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Graydon will be chatting about her book "Made You Look," which challenges kids to become aware of how advertisers try to manipulate them. Graydon was also the guest author during Week 2, in which she discussed her book dealing with society's conceptions about beauty, "In Your Face." You can view a transcript from that live chat at the LIVEbrary blog:

http://annickpress.blogspot.com/

Live chats are every Thursday afternoon from 2-3 p.m. ET. The chats are put on with assistance from Skype Technologies <http://www.skype.com>.

The LIVEbrary blog also features lesson plans, instructions for using the chats in the classroom, and registration information. Teachers, librarians, parents and homeschoolers must register in advance to participate in the LIVEbrary.

For more information, please contact LIVEbrary@annickpress.com

Email ring

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:12:58 GMT

Hi I'm starting a new email ring, more info and a sign up post is here at my journal .

x-posted, sorry if this isn't allowed.

Sci-fi Recs Wanted

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:21:03 GMT

Hi there. I’m looking for YA sci-fi recommendations. I’m in the early stages of researching my own novel and I would like to check out the market before I put fingers to keyboard.

Any recs will do. Good, bad, bestsellers, classics, hidden gem, anything at all.

Help, please!

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:24:39 GMT

I just joined this community and am hoping that some of you can help me out. I have a 13 y/o daughter who has recently "discovered" YA vampire books. When I say recently, I mean like two months ago. Since then she has read the following:

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse
The Morganville Vampires (books 1 & 2)
The Vampire Diaries (books 1 & 2)
Vampire Kisses (books 1-3)
Secret Circle (books 1 & 2)
Sweep (books 1-4)

She's read all of these, plus a few manga thrown in for fun, since August. She's reading Twilight for the second time now because she doesn't know what she wants to read next.

I need recs of other similar series. For Christmas I'd like to buy her the first book in a few different series. Then she can use her money to buy the next books in whichever series she decides she likes. She really enjoys books about vampires, but other paranormal themes are good too.

Now here are *MY* requirements (sorry, but the mom in me has to rear her ugly head now): no sex. Period. After all, she is only 13. References to sex are ok, but actual detailed sex scenes are out. Preferably no drug use, although drug references are ok since that is real world. I have no issue with cursing. Wicca is fine also. I am reading the book "Tithe" by Holly Black right now as my daughter asked me to read it first to see if it was age appropriate. I'll be honest - I'm not impressed so far. The smoking/drug use/sexual references I think are geared more toward the 16+ age group (example: when one character asks another if she's ever seen an uncircumcised d*@k, I was a little put off).

I think that is all. Hope I'm not annoying everyone with my request!

Shameless Self Promotion

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:36:55 GMT

As crass as it may seem, I just wanted to mention my own novel, self published, but already adapted as a Lifetime movie called "Custody" and winner of the DIY Book Festival Best Teenage Novel of 2007. It's called "Figures of Echo" and you can read about it here: http://www.lulu.com/content/751923

Thanks for letting me self promote! It's part and parcel of the whole "self publishing" thing!

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:57:05 GMT

L.J. Smith fans, please check out my ebay auction !