My Favorite Books to Give: Young Adult Fiction

When I got the news that Lucky Press would be publishing my first novel, Max and Menna, I was overjoyed… and confused. The publisher indicated that she intended to market this novel, full of sex, violence and other “adult themes” as YA. At the time, I knew YA as Judy Blume and Sweet Valley High and had no idea how my novel would fit into that world.

My quest to learn more about YA led me to Libba Bray. I’ve now read almost everything by her, and had the delightful opportunity to meet her in person once (read about it here). The book that sucked me in was Going Bovine.

I guess this could be called fantasy, depending on your point of view. I just call it brilliant. The School Library Journal review sums this one up rather perfectly:

In this ambitious novel, Cameron, a 16-year-old slacker whose somewhat dysfunctional family has just about given up on him, as perhaps he himself has, when his diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jacob, "mad cow" disease, reunites them, if too late. The heart of the story, though, is a hallucinatory—or is it?—quest with many parallels to the hopeless but inspirational efforts of Don Quixote, about whom Cameron had been reading before his illness. Just like the crazy—or was he?—Spaniard, Cam is motivated to go on a journey by a sort of Dulcinea.

This book made me realize that YA today is made of much tougher stuff than Nancy Drew (though I still love me some Nancy). It is a great book for any YA reader on your list, though I recommend reserving it for age 13 and above.

Some thoughts on the Hunger Games

I am always a bit late to the party. I discovered Adele three months ago, just saw Iron Man for the first time, and didn't realize Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a trilogy until the shocking similarity on covers smacked me over the head with the fact. Periodically, I discover something new that makes me wish I was more with it!

Several of you bloggers plus a bunch of friends kept nudging me towards The Hunger Games. So over the holidays, I read them. I actually devoured the books, reading the first in six hours.

For the record, if you haven't read The Hunger Games, do it. Do it now! It is an amazing read and you won't regret it. And then... well, you decide if you feel like moving on, because something odd happens in the second two.

One of the things I loved the most about the first book was the main character, Katniss Everdeen. Having read a lot of YA fiction, and living in the era of Bella Swan, I loved Katniss in Book #1, because, quite frankly, she kicks ass. Bold, kind, strong, and fierce, Katniss is an amazing character and a true role model for young girls and grown women everywhere. She takes care of her family, and manages to keep her dignity and humanity in the harshest of circumstances. And then... and then...

In book #2, Katniss is a bit less likeable. I actually 100% buy that she goes through some awful things in book #1, and may be struggling to put her psyche back together. But then, in book #3, Katniss turns into a stereotypical angsty teen. She is moody and rebelious and angry. Though she remains strong, the strength is accompanied by what can only be described as whiney.

I've got to say, thank goodness for Libba Bray and the Gemma Doyle series, because the young women of YA are taking too many hits in the most popular books of the day!

What other books do you think have (and maintain) a powerful and kind female voice? What am I missing?

Reflections on the Baltimore Book Festival

A few weeks ago, I had the privelage of participating in the Author's Tent at the Baltimore Book Festival. I was extremely excited to be part of an event that included two of my favorite authors- Libba Bray and Sherman Alexie-- and to have the chance to sell some books on my home turf.

Reality, however, rarely lives up to what you envision. And my vision of selling some books and feeling all literary was swept away by rain. Lots and lots and lots of rain. I sat amidst some very interesting self-published authors, and we all worked together to move tables and save our books from frequently sprouting leaks.

I didn't sell a single book. In fact, I didn't even come close to selling a single book.

But the day was not a total bust! Late in the afternoon, when I was contemplating packing up and calling it a day, a confused woman wandered up to my table and asked if I knew where the authors were supposed to go. I looked up, resigning myself to the fact that I was to be nothing but a direction giver at this festival, and found myself talking to Libba Bray.

What a totally awesome lady! I threw on my (already drenched) sweatshirt and walked her to where she needed to go. As we got pelted with rain, I chattered very nervously, a little intimidated by conversing with an author I so adore, but got nothing but kindness back from Ms. Bray. As we arrived at her destination, she thanked me for walking her, and asked me the title of my book and the publisher.

I won't soon forget the way she said "Max and Menna. Lucky Press. I am going to get it!"

I only hope she did, but regardless, getting to associate such a sweet, approachable, and interested person with the name on so many of the books on my YA shelf made sitting in the rain oh so tolerable!