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Odds & Ends on the Web: February 2nd Edition

2/2/2013

23 Comments

 
Readventurer Odds & Ends Logo
Aaaaand we’re back!  We didn’t necessarily intend to take such a long break, but with stressful life events happening for all of us (including the welcoming of the newest little Readventurer), it’s been quite a while since we did an Odds & Ends post. 

Conveniently, it looks like we’ve returned just in time to wrap up a ton of major awards!  The Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz awards were all announced last week, going to The One And Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen, and In Darkness by Nick Lake, respectively.  Numerous other awards and honors were awarded as well.  Publisher’s Weekly has a great review of the major awards given to children’s and young adult literature here.  (I was personally very excited to see one of my favorites, Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe, win a few awards.)  Another of our favorites from 2012, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, was given the William C. Morris Award last week!  Congratulations, Rachel!

YALSA’s 2013 Best Fiction For Young Adults and The Rainbow Book List were also published.  And remember when Flannery spent months tirelessly reading young adult sci-fi and fantasy for the Cybils awards?  No?  Well, she does.  The Cybils shortlists were announced earlier this month and the awards will be presented in February.

There was also a lot of talk last week in the book blogger world about plagiarism, with several bloggers reporting personal incidents of being plagiarized and how they dealt with it.  We really appreciated Sarah’s very professional and informed advice over at Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.

In book-related movie news, the film version of The Spectacular Now premiered last week at Sundance. (Ha!  I almost wrote “debuted.”  I fail as a movie blogger.)  It also looks like the film version of The Fault in Our Stars may be coming to the big screen sooner than expected. Yesterday, the casting was announced for Rose, Lissa, and Dimitri in Blood Sisters, the movie based on the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. Mark Waters (of Mean Girls fame) is on board to direct. 

We were very excited to read that Amy Poehler will be publishing an “unconventional memoir” next year, which apparently will be “an illustrated, non-linear diary full of humor and honesty and brimming with true stories, fictional anecdotes and life lessons,” according to publisher It Books.  I’m intrigued at the possibility of illustrations but I personally am really hoping she’ll narrate an audiobook for it.

Speaking of illustrations, Jezebel did a piece this week on the hideous "makeover" of several covers to classic books. One thing's certain: We won't be buying any of these versions.

Here are some wonderful interviews with some of our favorite authors from last week:
  • Margo Lanagan talks with Radio National (a podcast).
  • A fantastic interview with Ursula K. Le Guin over at The Millions.
  • A Q&A with Rainbow Rowell over at Publisher’s Weekly.
  • Melina Marchetta gives us a tidbit from the Jellicoe Road script (eeeeeh!) and posts a Q&A she did for Quintana of Charyn.

And, (saving the best for last) Flannery had the wonderful opportunity to attend ALA Midwinter over last weekend, where she met a few great people and picked up a few great books.  She's here to tell you all a bit about it.  Take it away, Flannery!


So, for several reasons I am not going to do a recap of going to ALA midwinter, but I did go to the exhibits portion of it as I live in Seattle and I wanted to see what it was like. I was ecstatic to spend a lot of time with Rachel from The Reader's Den (who I'd met before) and Arlene from WinterHaven Books (who I've known online for years but had never met in real life). I had a blast chatting, going out to meals, and walking the aisles with them, even though they are so much better at networking than I am. While they were chatting amiably with reps about upcoming books they were excited about, I told a HarperCollins rep all about how I loved Stuart MacBride and how in one of his books the serial killer grinds people up in an animal slaughterhouse. Because that's the kind of thing I do. I picked up a few ARCs that I knew Tatiana, Catie, and/or I would be interested in reading/reviewing and had (I think) three books signed by authors that I will read/review as well. I know I am always curious, as a reader and as a blogger, what ARCs are  out in the wild and I actually sit and watch book haul videos on Youtube with a pen and paper to write down titles that sound or look interesting. I hope someone does do a book haul video of the books they picked up, but here at The Readventurer, I'm just going to tell you about the ones I have ants in my pants about:
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The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
(May, Little Brown)
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Game by Barry Lyga
(April, Little Brown)
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A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty
(Aussie version already released, US version is April, AAL)
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Vortex (Insignia, #2) by S.J. Kincaid
(July, Katherine Tegan)
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Yellowcake by Margo Lanagan
(Aussie version already released, US version is May, Knopf)
All three of us are total Sara Zarr fangirls so I was ecstatic to find an ARC of The Lucy Variations, as I know Catie, Tatiana, and I all want to read it. (I wonder if Sara is doing the audiobook?) I am also very excited about that book because it features a piano player--not that I am any good on piano but I like reading about musicians. One of my favorite reading experiences last year was I Hunt Killers, for which I made a 4-quadrant graph in my review. I was chatting with a rep at Little Brown about an upcoming blog tour we are participating in for one of their titles and she asked me what I am most excited to read of theirs and I think we're all friends here and you know how excited I get about serial killer books. Blahblahblah, she put an ARC of Game in my hands and I almost french kissed it. Graph, part deux, here I come! I still have yet to read any Margo Lanagan books but I did attend an event of hers and she is absolutely lovely and so is her writing style. I'm certain I'll enjoy Yellowcake, which is a selection of short stories. It was released in Australia in 2011 (I think) but it won't be released in the US until this spring. A Corner of White is a similar tale--published in Australia already but coming to our market in a few months. I am a bit nervous about this one, as I find Jaclyn Moriarty to be one of the funniest writers in YA. Will I like her more serious stuff? Time will tell. (but my kindred spirit Nomes loved it, so I bet I will) Last but not least is the sequel to Insignia, Vortex, which won't be released until July. I bet you didn't even know I'd read Insignia! Well I did, when I was part of the Cybils panel on YA sci fi/fantasy. I had so much fun reading that book and it will kill me softly that I have to hold off on reading/reviewing it for a few months. Weeeelll, I guess I could just read it and then review it later. 

It's hard to judge books on their jacket copy, covers, author recognition, etc. I'm equally sure that I should've done a lot more research on publisher Spring/Summer catalogs. Here are just a few books I hadn't heard anything about but that piqued my interest because of publisher pitches (I don't have all of these):
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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
(May, Putnam)
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Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
(March, Putnam)
Picture
The Wall by William Sutcliffe
(June, Walker)
Picture
Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith (May, Katherine Tegan)
Picture
The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
(May, Disney-Hyperion)
I would also be over the moon to read the new (and last) Maeve Binchy book but I was too intimidated to pick it up. All the publishers I spoke with were seriously lovely and knowledgeable about their books and I kept thinking that it must be hard to try to pitch your books to people. Buzz words for one person are sometimes turn-offs for another reader. (e.g. some of my buzz phrases are things like "serial killer," "rehab," "depressing," "makeover," "heavy," "witty,"  and "epistolary") Nevertheless, I have tons of new books on my radar and absolute intent to review everything I now have in my possession. A sincere thank you to all the librarians present for allowing me to be an enthusiastic interloper at their conference (or ignoring my presence altogether) and to the publishers for being amazing (or letting me creep around their book piles like Gollum). 

Other fun highlights include meeting and chatting with Kelly from Stacked, Kirsten Hubbard, Sarah Enni, Lenore Appelhans, and Kristen Kittscher, having someone read my name on my badge and realize that we shared a mutual best friend (mine from college, hers from graduate school), and getting blisters on the pads of my feet from walking so much.
23 Comments
Sarah link
2/2/2013 02:58:21 am

Oh, Flan, I am so jealous of your Lucy Variations ARC! That and Wild Awake were the two on my ALA wishlist that I didn't get (both were only available at a certain time, I was told). I have an eARC of Maeve Binchy's last book and am reading it right now and enjoying it a lot (it's my waiting in line book so I've been reading for weeks). It's charming, but has depth as well.

Thanks for the shout-out of my plagiarism post. I really hope people take my advice if they find themselves plagiarized.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
2/3/2013 05:26:46 pm

I'm so sad it will be MB's last book. I always find her stories so lovely even when they're filled with horrible people doing awful things. The way she was able to capture groups of people in small town Ireland (or in neighborhoods) always wows me.

Reply
Maree link
2/2/2013 05:59:27 am

I love seeing all these ALA posts - I LOVE seeing all the new books coming out! Very jealous of The Lucy Variations ;) I hope you enjoy it, I can't wait to see your review! ALA and BEA sound so amazing, I really wish we had something similar over here. Oh well, for now I will just live vicariously through you guys! :)

Reply
Heidi link
2/2/2013 09:09:54 am

Okay so for starters CONGRATS ON LITTLE READVENTURER!! Also, I TOTALLY understand a long break, it really helps to step back and recharge BUT I'm happy to see posts here again. I <3 you ladies. Love the chat about ALA, thanks, Flan! Commence with even more blather: OMG YELLOWCAKE!!! You need to read Lanagan, seriously (have I beaten this dead horse enough?). So excited about Game, and really interested in The 5th Wave. I've really wanted to read his Monstrumologist series, and now that it's coming to a close I probably will.

Also...the cover of Anne books with a BLONDE CHICK make me so mad I can't think strait. HEIDI SMASH.

Reply
Belle link
2/2/2013 03:30:29 pm

Congratulations on the Little Readventurer! Wonderful news :)

Reply
April Books & Wine link
2/2/2013 11:04:35 pm

Hurray! I am so glad The Readventurer is back. I've missed you guys in my reader.

Can I just say The 5th Wave looks fantastic, Rick Yancey rocks.

Reply
Tatiana (The Readventurer) link
2/3/2013 12:51:27 am

I am assuming Lanagan's podcast is specifically for me. I will definitely listen to it during my next midnight rendezvous with my little Readventurer:)

Like Sarah, I am very much interested in Wild Awake. I'd been following its author for a while, back when she was blogging as Intern.

And VA movie? I am actually quite excited about it. Not sure why.

Reply
Catie (The Readventurer) link
2/3/2013 04:35:32 am

Perhaps because you have a fondness for horrible vampire movies? :D Haha, I will have to make the trip down when it comes out.

And yes, I did think of you when I added that podcast. :)

Reply
Tatiana (The Readventurer) link
2/3/2013 07:03:14 am

Maybe this time I will make it to your place? We'll just leave hubses to babysit?:)

Holly link
2/3/2013 07:00:51 am

Ah, I'm so glad that you got both The Lucy Variations and Game. I, too am excited about TLV because 1) It's Sara Zarr, and 2) It's about a pianist, and I play a little. I'm trying to hold myself off for a few weeks since I still have February and March ARCs to read.

I also have A Corner of White (I have since November) but I'm hesitant to pick it up. I've only read one Jaclyn Moriarty (The Ghosts of Ashbury High), and it was a frustrating read to say the least.

I'll be pulling my copy of Aristotle and Dante off the shelf sooner rather than later thanks to you. :) So glad to see you guys back and that you had a great time at ALA.

Reply
Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
2/3/2013 05:14:04 pm

Oh Holly! Definitely give A Corner of White or Feeling Sorry for Celia or A Year of Secret Assignments a try. Ghosts of Ashbury High is definitely not the Moriarty I would start with, and I don't think it's most representative of her skill.

Reply
Flannery (The Readventurer) link
2/3/2013 05:28:21 pm

AGREE!! Do NOT judge her on that one. Read the two Maggie recommended so you can see why we actually like Moriarty's stuff so much.

Kristen Kittscher link
2/3/2013 07:13:46 am

Wasn't it a blast? Great to meet you. I now want to pause time for, oh, a good three months to read all these good books..

Reply
molly @ wrapped up in books link
2/3/2013 11:44:45 am

I love your link roundups and enjoyed the ALA spotlight. So jealous of GAME! I didn't get that one, but I have DARK TRIUMPH and several others so I can't complain. Hope you guys are all back to more regular posts--you're one of my favorite blogs, and I appreciate your thoughtful reviews!

Reply
VeganYANerds link
2/3/2013 05:03:48 pm

I have to read The Spectacular Now so I can go see the movie - all the movie news this week is exciting!

And I am thrilled about Amy's book :)

Flann, I think (and hope) that you will love A Corner of White - it is beautiful :)

Reply
Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
2/3/2013 05:22:34 pm

Congratulations, Tatiana! :)

Flann, I wish I went to ALA just to hear you talk about serial killers to the unsuspecting. I know, you've Sara shamed me for not reading her yet, but Lucy Variations is one I'll definitely read. Piano, SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival)... memories of my childhood *shudder*

I can't wait for you to read Corner of White. Your bosom friend wouldn't steer you wrong!

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Bonnie link
2/4/2013 02:19:45 am

Oh wow, it sounds like you had so much fun!! And look at all those beautiful book goodies. Do you know that I've never read a Maeve Binchy book? I do hope this means we can still continue being friends. Maybe you should recommend me one. :)

I'm going to have to check out Margo Lanagan's Yellowcake. I've been reading a ton of anthologies/short stories lately and have been meaning to read something of hers for ages.

Reply
michelle link
2/4/2013 08:01:33 am

Congratulations on the newest little one!

Wow, Flannery, I am so jealous for so many reasons! I really want to check out ALA some time, but it always seems so very big and intimidating. I'm glad you had fun and got to meet so many cool people. And I think I would have kissed Game as well. :) My green monster didn't just peak up at that, it roared! I am also pretty darned excited about Yancey's The 5th Wave. I think we are in for a very good year of books.

Reply
michelle link
2/4/2013 08:05:50 am

p.s. I'm really glad to have you guys back!

Reply
Catie (The Readventurer) link
2/4/2013 08:39:02 pm

I am so excited to see you back too Michelle! Ack, I just went to your blog and realized you've been back for a while! So sorry I was too out of it to notice.

Rachel link
2/6/2013 05:57:59 am

I had fun hanging out with you, Flann. I don't know how great I was at networking. I was just trying not to stick my foot in my mouth which is hard when I'm rambling on because I'm nervous. :)

Reply
Kate C.
2/8/2013 11:22:14 am

OMG, that cover of Anne of Green Gables is HIDEOUS! She doesn't even have RED HAIR. Has that person never read the series???

Reply
Arlene link
2/9/2013 02:29:22 am

Flann, I had such a great time hanging out with you in Seattle. I hope we can meet up again soon! XD a...

Reply



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