Archive for November, 2009

Five books I can’t wait to get in 2010

Friday, November 27th, 2009

(in order of release date)

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner – Possibly my favorite YA series of all time, and I’ve had to wait three years for this fourth book, so you’d better believe I’ll be at the book store bright and early on release day to find out what Eugenedies, Sophos, and the rest of them have gotten themselves into now.

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer – Life As We Knew It was one of my favorite books read in 2007, and now we get to find out what happens after for Miranda and her family. I suspect it’ll be heart-wrenching, but that won’t stop me from grabbing it as soon as I can.

The Magic Thief: Found by Sarah Prineas – I adored my introduction to Conn’s world in Stolen, was intrigued by the twists and turns of Lost, and now am eagerly awaiting the chance to find out how this exciting trilogy will wrap itself up.


(picture from Catching Fire as none available for Book 3)

Hunger Games Book 3 (no title at present) by Suzanne Collins – Speaking of exciting trilogies… I suspect this is the most anticipated YA novel of 2010, and for good reason. After the cliffhanger ending of Catching Fire, waiting until the fall to find out who survives, who doesn’t, and where District 13 will take us is torture.


(picture from The Treasure Map of Boys as none available for Real Live Boyfriends)

Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart – I finish every Roo book desperately hoping there will be another, so I can spend more time with her awkward yet incredibly charming self. So it was to my great joy that I found out she’s getting a fourth book, even if I have to wait until the end of 2010 to get it!

What books are you most looking forward to pick up next year?

Flashback: Little Things

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

June 1995 (Megan is 14)

It is amazing how the tiniest thing could weigh on my mind so much. I keep remembering his hand was shaking when I was trying to help him with his math. The shaking of a hand comes to express the whole nervousness I feel around him. And, somehow, that little thing has become proof that he feels the same way. Such a little thing.

Words cannot express the feeling when you finally have something that proves more than anything really could something you’ve wanted for so long. Just the fact that he called as soon as he woke up, well, I just have to smile.

An Introduction to Flashbacks
The Flashback Cast
The Flashback Timeline

New (Big!) Giveaway plus reminders

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Looking to score an awesome pack of books? The Enchanted Inkpot has three up for grabs! Click here to read all the details.

And don’t forget, if you’re a librarian (or know one–pass the info on!), there’s still some time left to enter the Debs’ 46-book giveaway and the Class of 2K9′s three-set giveaway!

The other kind of Friday Five

Friday, November 20th, 2009

My bookish Friday Fives will be returning next week, but I figured after the two reading guides yesterday I’d done my bit for this one. So, what’s up with me this week?

1) If you want to discuss GHOST with fellow readers, Bitten By Books is featuring it in their Daily Book Chat.

2) Final call–come meet me, grab some swag, and get a book signed at Chapters – Barrie tomorrow between 2pm and 4pm!

3) For the first time ever, my favorite contestant from the beginning has become America’s Next Top Model. Is this deeply important news? No. But it makes me happy. :) Go redheads!

4) Okay, I don’t actually have five separate things, because my life for the last week has been consumed with…

5) Chris and I have bought our first house! We are so excited and looking forward to moving in sometime in January. Check out the pics here! (Let me know if the link doesn’t work.)

What’s new with you this week?

Recs for science fiction fans

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

As promised, here are my suggestions for readers wanting to try out more YA science fiction! I haven’t included adult SF novels that now get categorized sometimes as YA because I figure most SF fans will already have read those.

My YA Science Fiction Reading Guide

And here’s my YA Fantasy Guide, if you missed it. :)

As before, feel free to share your own recs!

Recs for fantasy lovers

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

I know this will mostly be preaching to the converted, but if there’s anyone reading this who hasn’t dabbled much/at all in young adult fiction, I’ve got a bunch of YA fantasy suggestions up at Tor.com right now!

My YA Fantasy Reading Guide

Feel free to add your own recs to the list!

A second post covering science fiction will be coming later this week.

Upcoming events!

Monday, November 16th, 2009

First off, I’d like to remind everyone of my event in Barrie this coming Saturday, November 21st! Stop by and chat, grab some swag, and get a book signed. Would love to see you!

Saturday, November 21st, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Chapters – Barrie
76 Barrie View Drive
Barrie, ON

I also have three new appearances to announce, as part of the 2009 Debs Holidaze Tour. I’ll be in New York on December 6th with several fellow Debs, and a bunch of Debs will be joining me here in Toronto in early January:

Sunday, December 6th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th St.
New York, NY
(with Sarah Cross, Deva Fagan, Neesha Meminger, Kate Messner, Shani Petroff, Jon Skovron, and Michelle Zink)

Thursday, January 7th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Indigo – Yorkdale Shopping Centre
3401 Dufferin St.
Toronto, ON
(with R.J. Anderson and Neesha Meminger)

Saturday, January 9th, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Indigo – Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON
(with Neesha Meminger, Sarah Ockler, Rhonda Stapleton, and Lara Zielin)

For the full list of Holidaze tour dates, including Chicago and the San Francisco area, click here.

Hope to meet a bunch more of you in the next couple months!

Debsness time!

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Only two more months of Debsness left! Click on the image below to enter to win a bunch of fun items from the 2009 Debs:

Find Out What's In The Bag And Win It Today

Interview and Giveaway!

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Wanted to remind you all that my event at Bitten by Books is happening right now! You have until noon EST today (Saturday) to enter to win a pack of awesome ghost books, ghost scents, swag, and more.

Read the interview and find out how to enter here.

Hope to see you there!

Story Psych: The Draw of the Bad Boy

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Despite criticism of the trope, the “bad boy” character remains immensely popular among readers and audiences. Whether he’s got a supernatural side that makes him potentially lethal, like True Blood’s Eric and Twilight’s Edward, or a callous side that could turn him into a heartbreaker, like Lost’s Sawyer and Gossip Girl’s Chuck, they catch other characters’ eyes and make fans swoon. (“Femmes fatales” likely serve the same function, for similar reasons, though they seem to be less common in stories these days.) The theory most often suggested is that we like the idea of a love interest we can change for the better. But wouldn’t it be easier to go for someone who doesn’t need changing in the first place, and who isn’t so likely to rip out our hearts (figuratively or literally)? Why is dangerous so much more appealing than safe? I think psychology may provide an answer.

Read on!

Comment there or here!