We Heart YA

Trilogy Blues

2013-05-10T11:01:00.000-04:00

Every so often around the inter-world, I hear "I'm all trilogied out" or "I have trilogy fatigue." This is interesting to me because I quite like epic stories with characters that make you want to follow them through Introductions, Make-Outs, and War. Adventure in three parts, huzzah! You don't have to work hard to sell that to me.

However, I get what people are on about. I prefer companion books, like Kristin Cashore has done with her Graceling series. Being in her world at different times with new voices keeps everything fresh. A continual discovery, unveiling those hidden hinter-worlds, those shaded parts of the map. (Don't even get me started on maps...you can have your hot guys, I'll drool over the maps).

You have to read some stand-alones to get some perspective on the beauty of a trilogy. On why a trilogy is a natural thing--a number that makes sense to me. Beginning, Middle, End. Each individual book has these parts, but how meta to spread this over a series as well. How divine.

So why have I titled this post Trilogy Blues? Because lately I've been finishing up trilogies. Stories that I've loved that have been a part of my life for quite a while. I'm not fatigued, but the finishing is making me all sad and stuff.

THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS trilogy I read in little bits before bed to stretch it out as far as it could go. I just wanted to hang out there for as long as possible. I re-read each book, hoping to catch something new. Another patch of shaded territory on the map in my mind. After finishing THE BITTER KINGDOM, I felt so verklempt. Like, this couldn't be all there is. Don't get me wrong, it's a "smashing, satisfying end" to a series. It's so, so good. But it's over. Like done. I may even have to write a story in answer to this one, simply because it spoke to me so. And I'm still holding on.

Likewise, at the moment I'm reading QUINTANA OF CHARYN and I keep talking out loud to the characters: "Stop fighting!" "You love each other." Inside, I'm thinking: "I only have so much time with you." "Don't travel so fast!" I'm sort of worried I'm turning in to my mother. She doesn't like to let go. And I guess neither do I. And, indeed, the characters aren't letting go of each other. This end to the series is, so far, perfection (if painful).

What's to be done?

Trilogies! You are bittersweet. You make me love you, and then you leave. xx

Twitter Tuesday (Fan Art edition)

2013-05-07T12:05:00.002-04:00

Breaking the rules of YA (with CODE NAME VERITY)

2013-05-03T16:08:00.001-04:00

If someone were to create a list of "Must"s for YA novels, it might look something like this:

1. Must be fast-paced.
2. Must feature a hot guy.
3. Must include romance (preferably with aforementioned hot guy).
4. Must not include stodgy words like "aforementioned."
5. Must take place in a cool city (like New York, Paris, Chicago) OR in a remote and unusual town (like Forks).
6. Must not make allusions to obscure historical facts.
7. Must not make allusions to obscure literary works.
8. Must be written by John Green.
9. Must be turned into a movie starring Shailene Woodley and Alex Pettyfer.

Well, you get the idea.

Anyway. There are a lot of great YA books that follow the rules, but today I want to talk about a great YA book that doesn't follow any of them.

CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein

Because CNV doesn't follow the rules, readers tend to either love it or hate it. Personally I LOVED it. One thing that helped: I had been warned that it is a "slow burn" kind of story, so I waited until my reservoir of patience was at its very fullest before I started reading. That patience was deeply rewarded.

All I will say about CNV's plot is that it revolves around two young women (a spy and a pilot) who are part of the British military efforts against Nazi Germany in World War II. To tell much more would risk spoilers -- but there isn't some major mystery or twist that I could ruin. It's just that reading CNV is like putting together a puzzle that you lost the box for: You still have all the pieces, and you know the general theme of the puzzle, but the picture won't become fully clear until it's all assembled.

So, back to rule-breaking. CNV is not fast, does not have any hot guys or romance, includes ton of stodgy words and obscure references, isn't written by John Green, and I hope like hell if there's a movie, it won't star Alex Pettyfer. (He would make a very odd Kittyhawk.)

But what CNV does do, it does amazingly.

1. Strong female characters. Not strong like "I bench press 100 lbs" or "I'm queen of the dragons," but strong like fully developed, richly written, truly interesting, and complexly nuanced characters -- who just happen to be female. Verity is now one of my favorite characters OF ALL TIME. And Kittyhawk's pretty great too.

1b. Female friendship. We need more of this, everywhere. In YA, on television, in real life.

2. Layers. Sort of like Sixth Sense (but without ghosts, I promise!) CNV tells a story that looks a certain way from one angle, and then looks very different from another angle. Both stories are true, and both stories are compelling, and when you put them together, it just might blow your mind. Or break your heart. See #3.

3. The bridge scene. Enough said.

Believe it or not, I could keep on extolling the virtues of this book for quite a while, but I'll spare you any further lists.

Tell me, have you read CODE NAME VERITY? Were you in the "love it" or "hate it" camp? What other books have you read that broke the YA rules? For that matter, what other YA rules did I forget?

KH

Twitter Tuesday

2013-04-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

The Fearless Leader

2013-04-27T11:05:00.001-04:00

While I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have several adults in my life that were really inspiring. From my third grade teacher, Mrs. Johnstone, who taught me a love for storytelling, to my ninth grade English teacher, Mr. Nicholson, who was the first person to tell me I was good at writing. These people were a big part of what shaped who I’ve become.

I’ve always loved films like Dead Poets Society, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and Freedom Writers that show how an adult who cares can leave a lasting mark on a kid’s life. I think those people really do exist. They’re not perfect, never as eloquent as in movies, and we don’t always appreciate their influence as it’s happening. But most of us have had at least one of those people in our lives.

I see these leaders a lot in Science Fiction and Fantasy — Dumbledore, Gandalf, etc. — but rarely is Contemporary YA. I heard a literary agent (who will not named… partly because I can’t remember who it was) define YA as always having the adults in the background. I don’t think this is true at all. One of the biggest parts of being a teenager is how you interact with the adults in your life.

I would love to read a Contemporary YA novel about the relationship between a kid and a parent, or a student and a teacher. There are a few out there, but it’s usually a subplot, never central to the storyline. Someone write one pretty please!

Twitter Tuesday

2013-04-23T09:20:00.000-04:00

Rock the Drop

2013-04-18T09:25:00.000-04:00

**Our giveaway winner from last week's Indie Bookstores post is Cassie@Knows Prose!!! Please send us an email at weheartya(at)gmail(dot)com. Hope you like DON'T BREATHE A WORD as much as we did!**

So excited to participate, once again, in Readergirlz' annual shindig--Rock the Drop. All the details are over at their site. Basically you print off a bookplate, attach to a book you're willing to donate, Drop It someplace that people (teens) will stumble upon it, take a pic, tweet #rockthedrop and hope someone comes along to pick up a great--and free--read!

Since we're in Cincinnati, we will be leaving books around our hometown. If you're local, pay attention to our twitter feed tomorrow and see if you can figure out the places we've dropped them. Which books, do you ask?

A signed ARC of ONE by Leigh Ann Kopans. This book is getting a lot of buzz (people we know LOVE it), and is being released in two short months. But you could be part of #TeamONE simply by snagging this copy. It has one of our favorite signature messages...ever...but you'll have to find the copy to see it. We very nearly Rocked the Drop to our bookshelf with this one. :)

A signed hardcover of DEFIANCE by CJ Redwine. This book is a page-turner, filled with action and a unique mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, and post-apocolyptic elements. The girls over at Epic Reads recommend this book nearly every week. Get it before the sequel comes out this August!

A hardcover of WICKED GIRLS by Stephanie Hemphill. This novel in verse relives the Salem witch trials through the eyes of the girls being accused. Publisher's Weekly gave it a star and said, “The expressive writing, masterful tension, and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant page-turner. ”

An ARC of CRASH AND BURN by Michael Hassan. The Goodreads blurb says: "Michael Hassan's shattering novel is a tale of first love and first hate, the story of two high school seniors and the morning that changed their lives forever. It's a portrait of the modern American teenage male, in all his brash, disillusioned, oversexed, schizophrenic, drunk, nihilistic, hopeful, ADHD-diagnosed glory. And it's a powerful meditation on how normal it is to be screwed up, and how screwed up it is to be normal." Compelling and relevant stuff.

Are you participating this year? We'd love to hear which books you've placed and what hometown. Happy Dropping (and hope you snag some good, free books out in the wild). xx

What's Your Indie?

2013-04-11T18:41:00.000-04:00

We’ve all got one. You know, that special independent bookstore tucked into the corner of town where you browse around, get lost in the nooks and crannies and pages, and blissfully block out the real world. Or maybe it’s the place where you meet local authors and have enlightening discourse over a cuppa joe. Or perhaps you curl up there after school in a big overstuffed chair intending to finish your trig homework—only to find yourself marvelously distracted by all the shiny book spines surrounding you.

Here in the Rocky Mountain region, my bookstore of choice is the Tattered Cover. I discovered this gem several years ago and fell in love with its creaky floors, towering shelves, and endless rows of books. Back then, the Tattered Cover was a landmark establishment located in Denver's Cherry Creek North district. Now, there are three different Tattered Covers around town to choose from—one is even housed in an historic theater! It's a bit of a drive for me, but always worth it.

Currently, there are about 2,000 bricks-and-mortar independent bookstores in the U.S., which is down from the 7,000 or so that existed in the 1990s. Due to market competition from the big chains and the rise of ebooks, many of them are struggling to survive. Now, I love all bookstores, but there is something special about indies. Let's make sure they stick around.

Spread the indie bookstore love and tell us about your favorites, big or small, far and wide!

And if you leave a comment on this post, you'll be entered to win a copy of Holly Cupala's DON'T BREATHE A WORD (USA/Canada only; winner will be posted next week).

“A room without books is like a body without soul.” - Cicero

Twitter Tuesday (author event edition)

2013-04-09T11:20:00.000-04:00

If you didn't know, Animaniacs is back on television. On the Hub. It pretty much makes my day, just like it used to do "back in the day." My favorite feature in the cartoon is Good Idea-Bad Idea. As Kristan and I were driving to Dayton for an author event with Rae Carson, Victoria Schwab, and Cinda Williams Chima at Books & Co., I kept thinking of some genius way of getting the authors to play Good Idea-Bad Idea with the audience. Of course, genius comes slowly to this padawan, and the idea fell as flat as the Ohio countryside. But since I had an oops this morning composing my normal twitter roundup, I thought perhaps you'd play along with me...

Good Idea: use the Storify app on my iPad

Bad Idea: save the story and then delete your twitter favorites because you trust the Storify app to be glitch-free and actually post your story. Then realize you can't re-do or un-do and have to make-do.

Okay it's not very good. You see why I couldn't bring it up at the signing.

l. Rae Carson, r. Victoria Schwab (sorry Cinda, we didn't get you in this shot)

But Kristan did capture some good one-liners to tweet. In case you missed them:

It was a great discussion/ panel, and we thoroughly enjoy their books. Wish you were there with us! The End.

Shock, Shock, Horror, Horror

2013-04-04T15:42:00.000-04:00

Over the past year or so, I've heard a lot about the Horror genre slowly creeping in to YA Lit. I'm not bringing up trends again, I promise, but I've really been looking for a way to talk about some darker books.

Last year, one of my favorites was I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga. If I hadn't read and loved one of his previous novels (The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl), I might not have gone for it. I'm not a huge fan of serial killer narratives...never watched Hannibal Lector bully Clarice...to date I've read only one Stephen King novel. Scary movies and scary books tend to...scare me. And I'd much prefer to laugh.

That isn't to say that I can't appreciate good storytelling when I see it. And I Hunt Killers was one of those reads for me. Yeah, it completely creeped me out, but not unbearably. In fact, the main story is about the son of a notorious serial killer and how he's trying to deal with everything that comes after his father is imprisoned. And when dead bodies show up, he he has to convince the town that it isn't him, picking up where his father left off. That's compelling stuff. Matched with Lyga's prose and you've got a seriously good book. The sequel is coming out very soon...and despite my hesitations about the scary, I'm going to have to get it. (I did snag a short story pre-quel and preview of The Game, which helped put me back in that mind frame. So good!)

I don't even know what force drove me to pick up a copy of Andrew Smith's The Marbury Lens. I remember people talking about this book a few years ago and it's always been on my radar. What piqued my interest was the main story about a boy who can see into an alternate world with a pair of purple glasses. That's just quirky enough to get me obsessed. Of course that world--Marbury--is in turmoil. It's hellish, and really painful to experience. And yet the main character (and me) can't resist going back. The scenes in Marbury are really intense and incredibly described. The story hasn't left my mind--much like those who happen to own the glasses that see into Marbury. The characters are run through a gamut of horror, and yet, I feel like this dark stuff is so important to fictionalize.

What is it about horror that draws us to it?

I love a story that gets me thinking about the human experience (I mean, that's a requirement, honestly). And Horror gives us a place to discuss the uncomfortable, and that's really important. Especially to people who have, unfortunately, experienced horrors of their own.

Twitter Tuesday

2013-04-02T08:39:00.000-04:00

Trending toward Contemporary

2013-03-29T14:39:00.000-04:00

If you haven't heard, last week there was a massive publishing convention in Bologna, Italy. Obviously, we haven't been, but we follow a lot of agents and editors who go every year. Foreign publishers let agents and editors know what books they're looking for, what trends they're seeing. Everyone goes to market to buy a fat pig...then home again, jiggity jig.

As readers this doesn't impact us a ton (as writers, probably). But whoa were we excited when we caught this tweet:

And considering how 2013 has been going so far, we can't dispute it (nor would we like to). So far everyone has fallen in love with ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell...there's a great review on iEatWords, if you need more convincing...Kristan snagged JUST ONE DAY by Gayle Forman...Sarah devoured 17 & GONE by Nova Ren Suma...then bought DR. BIRD'S ADVICE FOR SAD POETS by Evan Roskos (yawp!)...

And last night she finished something beautiful. A love story about a girl and music.
THE LUCY VARIATIONS by Sara Zarr. It's simple, and gorgeous, and inappropriate (deliciously so), and full of rebellion and decision. There's red dresses, near kisses, first sips of wine, and music, music, music. There's having an audience, and being true to yourself. Loving yourself. Loving the moments we're given.

Contemporary is in its stride. But there's always been room for a good, current story. And as that girl says in the AT&T commercial, "We want more."

Here's our advice...read up, store up, on these fantastic Contemps before QUINTANA of CHARYN, THE BITTER KINGDOM, SIEGE & STORM, REBOOT, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, THE CHAOS OF STARS completely grab your attention with the shiny...we know we weren't the only ones drooling at all the books at Epic Reads #ARCparty this week.

What's trending for YOU so far this year? What are you reading and loving?

How can you look at this cover and not be completely mesmerized?!?

Twitter Tuesday

2013-03-26T08:58:00.001-04:00

33 Going on 17

2013-03-21T10:17:00.000-04:00

To date, I have had exactly three diaries. All of them have been destroyed in dramatic ways: fire, ripped into tiny pieces then scattered in the back crick, smooshed down into the side of a rubbish bin full of slime...where no one would dare go to retrieve it. I even deleted all posts (but one) on my personal blog. All of this would not be shocking if you knew me well.

In fact, I get enormous delight from the horror that others display at my single-handed mission to destroy the person that I Was. Picture me laughing like a villain. Right. Now. That picture is much more indicative of me as a person than any diary entry from age ten or fifteen or twenty-one. (Possibly I'm trying to destroy the evidence of all the "I hate my mom" entries...technically, I just did another one so there's not much hope this post will survive for very long).

"I am large, I contain multitudes" (thank ye, Walt Whitman). Much more Now than Here or There...

If you haven't heard, Nova Ren Suma's latest novel 17 & GONE is being released today. RELEASED. (After this post, I'm heading to the bookstore. I don't mess around). And this week on her blog she's been hosting several author's entries on what haunted them at age seventeen. Three of my fave posts, Jon Skovron, Kat Rosenfield, and Libba Bray still haunt me Now.

me at 17, pixelated

I don't remember being haunted at seventeen, but I am often haunted today by my seventeen year-old self. And I've been systematically trying to destroy her. Not because she's embarrassing (she is) or naive (holy smokes) or hideous (it's important to be hideous)...but because she isn't me. She's not true any longer. But I can't escape her just the same.

actress Sharon Rooney

Recently I discovered a UK television show that is so me, it's ridiculous. MY MAD FAT DIARY (based on the book by Rae Earl). It takes place in a town in Lincolnshire (northish part of England) in the late 90's. YOU might have to look around the TUBE to find this show as it's not been released in America. But there are sneaky ways to find it, if you're of the sneaky variety (why are you not?) Rae is boy-mad, overweight, overlooked, music-obsessed, and trying desperately to keep herself together. She is everything.

There's also this book you might have heard about...reviewed by John Green, hit the NY bestseller list..ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell...ringing any bells...yeah? that book's me too. I could go on and on listing things that are me. Music, plays, puddles..."I am large, I contain multitudes" but I think you get the picture (at least I hope you do).

everything here is me, but the flower

Because here's the other thing. I don't just find myself in stuff, but I put myself in places (that's my diary)....In rearranging a new artsy nook, in placing my pencils in a perfect row, where I hang pictures on the walls, the songs I wake up to in my head, the jokes I tell (because "there ain't no rust on the Happiness Bus"), the stories I write over and over and over. In the next life, I'll be a poltergeist.

my car at 17, old buddy, old pal

Anyone who creates knows IT'S NEVER PERFECT. You keep editing until someone takes it out of your hands or you place it in hiding (or you destroy it). And Being Sarah is another one of those things that I'm always working on. I'm mostly me Now. The biggest leap of faith I'm willing to take is that I will be something else pretty Soon.

See you around.
(and please share your stories of what haunted you at 17 or just anything so I'm not on here all by myself looking large, thank ye).

Tweets on Tuesday

2013-03-19T08:42:00.002-04:00

2 For the Price of 1: Dual Narratives

2013-03-14T20:47:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite life mottos is K.I.S.S. -- "keep it simple, stupid." That goes for my romantic life, my professional life, and especially my writing life. However, that's just MY personal philosophy, and I don't expect -- or even want -- everyone else to live by it. In fact, I love when authors juggle lots of characters. I love when they weave multiple plot lines into complex, colorful tapestries. And I love smart, wham-bam twists that complicate everything.

I'm looking at you, Laini Taylor and Melina Marchetta.

And now after reading PIVOT POINT and MIND GAMES, I'm also looking at Kasie West and Kiersten White. Both books use dual narratives, in totally different ways but to same powerful effect.

"YOU DON'T CHOOSE THIS."

PIVOT POINT's two tracks are alternate realities, which our heroine Addie has to choose between. That's her superpower: being able to see what will happen if she chooses X and what will happen if she choses Y, before she actually has to choose -- which means she can always make the "right" choice. The only problem is, what if both choices suck?

Even though paranormal abilities serve as the engine for this story, I thought it had a surprisingly contemporary feel. Addie is a (more or less) normal teen trying to work her way through normal problems -- like managing her relationship with her mother, making new friends in high school, and keeping everyone from finding out just how unusual she really is. There are two fun love interests (but no love triangle -- the benefit of living 2 separate lives!) as well as a hint of mystery. But what I loved most were the rich, moving relationships between characters.

TAP TAP TAP

MIND GAMES's double trouble comes in the form of sisters who take turns narrating the story from their very unique perspectives. Annie is blind and Fia is, well, a little bit crazy. (I say that with love!) See, she's pretty powerful, but she's also young and very protective of her sister, and those weaknesses get exploited to coerce her into doing bad things.

So once again, we have a story about choice, but unlike Addie in PIVOT POINT, Fia doesn't get to know ahead of time which path is right. She simply acts on instinct, and then she has to live with the choices she makes -- and worse, the choices she isn't allowed to make.

MIND GAMES doesn't spell things out for readers, but personally I love getting to connect the dots and fill in some of the blanks for myself. Makes me feel like I'm teamed up with the author. Also, what I really, really, really loved about this book was how complex each and every character was. There isn't simply good or evil, right or wrong -- there's the whole messy spectrum in between.

As I said, these two books are anything but simple. And they both have clever, wrenching endings that brought tears to my eyes. Happily, they're quite satisfying as standalones -- but I think we can expect sequels (or at least companion novels) in the near future.

KH

Twitter Tuesday

2013-03-12T10:44:00.002-04:00

Teen Interview: Thoughts on Life, Libby and The Last Song

2013-03-08T10:23:00.000-05:00

**Winner of The End Games ARC is Anna from Anna Reads! Congrats and please email us at weheartya (at) gmail (dot) com so we can get your postal address.**

We are super excited to welcome Nicole to weheartya for our second Teen Spotlight Interview! She's been gracious enough to answer some questions about her life and 'all things teen' to share with our readers...

Nicole
Lives in: Midwest
Age: 18
Grade: 12

1. What YA genres are you typically drawn to, and why?
My favorite YA genres are contemporary and romance or a combination of both. I'm drawn to these genres because I feel they are relevant to my life and deal with similar situations that I have found myself in before. I can develop a deep connection to the characters and feel their emotions as I read. Plus, I'm a "hopeless romantic" at heart so that aspect of a book keeps me intrigued.

2. When you're deciding whether or not to buy/read a book, what are the things you consider most?
The genre is the most important thing to me. After that, my biggest deciding factor is the back cover blurb. It's the first thing I look at after the title, of course. I try not to pay attention to the cover art, but for some odd reason it does play a role in choosing books. If there were two books I was interested in reading, I would most likely pick the one with the "prettier" cover art. I have an open mind when it comes to author and length. I don't usually read book reviews because everyone has different opinions on what they like.

3. Do you have an all-time favorite book? My all-time favorite book is THE LAST SONG by Nicholas Sparks. I love every component of this book. It's devastating, exciting, romantic, and (at times) funny. My emotions are pulled in all directions and I believe it's so much more than just the typical teen romance novel. The complicated relationships the main character has with her family are just as powerful.

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?

"Libby"

In my spare time I enjoy shopping, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Also, I love taking care of my little dog, Libby, who I treat like a child.

5. Do you ever read author blogs/websites? What do you mostly use the Internet for? If you enjoy a book, do you actively search for other books by the same author?
We Heart YA is the only author blog I have ever read. I use the Internet for almost everything, but mostly for doing my online classes. If I enjoy a book, I usually check to see what other books that author has written to see if there's something I would be interested in.

6. What are your feelings about online schooling? What social and academic challenges have you faced not being in the classroom? Benefits?
It's certainly been tough not having a "typical high school experience" and missing out on things like homecoming and prom, football games, boyfriends, and just being social with my friends. On the other hand, there are many negative aspects of high school that teens encounter that I am fortunate for not having to go through. Some academic challenges of doing school online is the need for self-motivation and having to teach yourself the curriculum. On the other hand, I have been able to learn from home at my own pace which is profoundly accommodating for when I am sick. My health has been improving lately and I'm truly excited to start college in August where I'll be attending regular classes and being social with people my age.

7. What issues facing young adults today do you think are the most important / compelling?
Today, there are a variety of issues facing teens and I think a lot of them are due to the influence of social media. I believe the most compelling problems as of now are drugs and alcohol, anxiety and depression, sex and relationships, and bullying. Young adult literature is wonderful in how it shines light on these difficult topics and hopefully encourages parents and teens to talk about them more often.

8. As a teenager, what do you feel are your biggest struggles / hurdles?
As a teenager, my biggest struggles have definitely been dealing with my medical complications. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 11 and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (a progressive liver disease) when I was 13. After that, my life dramatically changed and has involved countless medications, doctors, tests, procedures, and unfortunately feeling extremely sick at times. Consequently, I had to grow up faster than most of my peers and live a different lifestyle. I only went to 9th grade for the first quarter and have been doing school online ever since. Although I have dealt with some hardships, which everyone experiences at some point, I have learned so much and matured as a stronger person.

9. What are your favorite TV shows? Movies? What do you like about them?
I'm a huge TV show and movie junkie. Currently, my favorite TV shows are Survivor, House Hunters, Teen Mom, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and Teen Wolf. As you can see, I've been sucked into the lovely world of reality TV, but for some reason these types of shows entertain me the most. As for movies, some of my favorites are The Notebook, Pursuit of Happyness, The Vow, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Hangover, A Walk to Remember, Life as We Know It, The Lucky One, Titanic, and of course, The Last Song. I enjoy different movie genres, but I lean more toward romance/drama, which corresponds with my taste in books.

10. Do you have any ideas about what careers you might want to pursue in the future?
I'm very certain that I want to become a dental hygienist. Ideally, I want to work at a pediatric dental office because I love kids. I have been interested in teeth since I was really young and I find oral hygiene very important. In addition, this career has many benefits such as flexible scheduling, good salary, comfortable work environment, and job stability.

Thank you so much, Nicole, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. You're such an inspiration-- and we love your little dog!

Twitter Tuesday

2013-03-05T08:24:00.000-05:00

Braaaaaiiiins

2013-02-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Something there is...that loves a good zombie book.

Not because zombies are pretty and smell great. Not because they flip their hair or smolder (although Warm Bodies may have changed our minds on the romantic potential). But because zombies are a hive of human fear. A collective of horrors that you simply can't outrun. They are compelling, their danger only made worse by underestimating them. Make no mistake, they're going to consume your brain.

A few of our YA favorites:

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan. This book started it all for us. Even started off an incredible series of fauxtographs. This book is not just about zombies, but about the forces that keep you isolated, that make you aware of your vulnerability. And how inconvenient zombies can be when you're in the middle of a good love story.

THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers. A lot of people like to say this book isn't about zombies, but instead about a group of teens trapped inside a high school. And we must admit there's very much a "Breakfast Club" feel to it in the best of ways. But the zombies in this book serve as a force that each of the characters must reckon with. It's not easy living in the aftermath of carnage, and being confronted with the consequences of your true self. Sometimes that's where the horror lies.

THE END GAMES by T. Michael Martin. SO GLAD we snagged an ARC of this book. In this world, two brothers must immediately figure out a way to adapt to the changing world around them. There is no going back to before. We can't say too much so we don't spoil the story for you, but the characters each go through their own journey, and there are so many twists and moments where you have no clue how things will turn out. But the whole time you're rooting for these very human characters and daring to hope there's a way to survive a creature that adapts more quickly than you.

In a good zombie book, there's a guaranteed fight. A survival story--often the least likely human you'd think would ever make it or deserve it. There's guts, and the skin of your teeth, and anger at how some creature so stupid and shuffling could outsmart you. Because the thing is...in survival, not often the strongest or the smartest survive. But the most adaptable.

Sooooo...If you were in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, would you rather be alone in your quest for survival or would you want someone with you? Who might that be (fictional or real)? Comment on this post to be entered to win our well-loved ARC of THE END GAMES. (US/Canada only; winner posted next week).

Twitter Tuesday

2013-02-26T09:09:00.000-05:00

Books That Don't Exist (Yet)

2013-02-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

The WHYA girls meet every week to read and critique each other's writing. Recently we’ve incorporated brainstorming sessions into our meetings where we hammer out new ideas for books we want to write in the future. All this talk about books we want to write has us thinking about books we want to read.

Here are our wish lists at present:

Stephanie

a YA Indiana Jones
a YA novel about the lost city of Atlantis
a sequel or companion novel to Robin McKinley’s THE BLUE SWORD and THE HERO AND THE CROWN

Sarah

a contemporary set in Montana with cowboys and horses
a sci-fi set on another planet
a sequel to CHIME by Franny Billingsley

Kristan

a YA Battlestar Galactica
more stories featuring strong animal bonds/friendships (esp. dogs and horses
companion novels (but NOT sequels) to SCORPIO RACES (set on Thisby) and HUNGER GAMES (like POVs from other districts)

Ingrid

a sequel or companion novel to JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta
more books with family and sibling relationships that are central to the storyline rather than just subplots
books about Amish teens

What books would you like to wish into existence?

Twitter Tuesday

2013-02-19T08:39:00.001-05:00

Majoring in Life

2013-02-14T17:59:00.000-05:00

SAT scores are due this week...I want to talk to those of you whose verbal score is basically carrying you on to college.

There's this rumor that if you go on to study English Literature that you will both lose your passion for reading and will have no practical job to go to upon graduation. It's kind of a scary thing.

But for me, it just isn't true.

I started college as a photography major because it was the single subject in school that I enjoyed. This was before digital, mind you, but there was no place I'd rather be than in the photo lab with smelly chemicals and an enlarger. I didn't love taking the photos as much as I loved manipulating them afterward. It was magic.

And then it was obsolete.

But I switched majors in college well before the Stop Bath went down the drain. I absolutely could have carried on and learned new things and I'd have realized my dream of working for National Geographic. Maybe. But at some point, I realized photography probably wasn't practical. And maybe I wasn't good enough.

So I switched to English Literature (hahahahahahaha).

I was going to community college and paying my own way, so I didn't want input from my parents. But they were a little relieved when I explained to them that I would go on to teach or I could go into any sort of occupation requiring communication. Which is, like, EVERYTHING (feel free to use my logic when approaching parents).

But I had read most of the "classics," and thought there might be nothing better than reading all friggin' day and getting graded for it. I had opinions. I had evidence for those opinions. That was me sorted.

But I was petrified that I'd lose my joy for reading and creating. What's awesome is that my appreciation for the written word was heightened, challenged, validated, and my views simplified. It was the best thing this verbal girl could do.

My education was spread out over several years from community college (if you're thinking of this option, I would wholeheartedly encourage it depending on your location. I basically had a private college education from moonlighting professors, for $68/credit. Bargain!) to a state college to a year's study abroad in England, and ultimately finishing my degree from a little place in the Midlands.

As you're deciding your course of study, know this: you can't predict how your life will go. You might start out at a four-year college, write a book and get published before graduation. Hello, Kody Keplinger (author of The DUFF and other gems). You might switch majors for what you think is a practical reason, but probably more about passion and being true to yourself. But the important thing during college is that you're adaptable.

The important thing to remember is that you're Majoring in Life. (You know you just starred that bit of genius).

Twitter Tuesday

2013-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:00