C.'s comments
(member since Aug 20, 2008)
C.'s comments from the YA Book Club group.
(showing 1-20 of 23)
The book is certainly compelling. I would have liked to have seen Katniss challenged a little more when it came to killing someone - it was all done by others. I love Peeta, though, and appreciated that Collins didn't simply make Katniss fall in love with him just because he was in love with her.
Melody, I love the word ruralish...I once lived in a ruralish town in PA too! Good luck in the contest!
I LOVED the Rings movies and have watched them many times over but when I tried to read the first book, my eyes swam! Props to all who can get through the series.
Yes, please do. I think it's important for people to know why books are challenged - the subject matter others find objectionable or consider inappropriate. I happen to believe all material has worth to someone and it's up to parents to guide their children on an individual basis - not to ban something for everyone.
Angie, why was The Chocolate War so often challenged? I reread that recently and can't for the life of me think why anyone would want to censor it. In fact, I think the book was taught back when I was in high school.
Ooh, Marie, I want to read that. Heard it's very good.I'm reading "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead, "Petals on the Wind" by VC Andrews (for a book challenge), "The Tarot Cafe Novel" by Chandra Rooney and "Revolutionary Road" by Richard Yates. Kinda eclectic...
Dec 15, 2008 07:59AM
Ann, it IS unfortunate. The business model is changing and lately it's been like the movies where a movie is pulled from a theater if it doesn't have "legs." I had 2 books come out this year (the PB of my first book which came out over a year ago plus a new book) and only NOW is that first book being recognized by teens and librarians. It just takes a long time to get books into people's hands, especially those of us whose books are not the "big" titles.Thanks for giving us newbies a chance!
As a general rule, YA authors are told to write up so 12 year olds want to read about 15 year olds and 15 year olds want to read about 18 year olds. The editor of my first 2 books told me that my novel with a 15 yo mc can be read by 12 yo and up while my book with an 18 yo mc is aimed at 14 yo and up. A book with an 11 yo mc is going to be read by an MG audience (8-11), not a YA audience (12-17).
Crystal, I have mixed emotions about Bella being considered a role model for anyone -teen or not. While I think the book is good escapist fantasy, the concept of a teen girl so easily willing to give up her life and her humanity before having truly experienced it is ludicrous at best and irresponsible at worst. While it's true there is no bad language or sex in the first 3 books, there is a lot more to "role model behavior" than merely the conventional vices.
LOVED Haddon's book. There's an interesting backstory to it about US vs UK book marketing in terms of YA.
I'm almost finished with Breaking Dawn and have to admit I did what Steph did with this and with New Moon and Eclipse - I skimmed much of it because there was a lot of repetitive exposition. Twilight kept me turning pages that I actually read, in much the way Brown's The Da Vinci Code did.
I'll try to get to the John Green book - would love to join in the discussion. But I'm currently reading Breaking Dawn.
Angie, Cooger goes to Miss Foley's house as her nephew to lure her to the carnival, just as he uses other ways to lure the boys and others in. Miss Foley succumbs to his manipulation to be young again because of her vanity. Indeed, much of the book is about people's fears - aging, loneliness, etc.
Marie- that happened to me with this movie too! I was sooo disappointed because I remembered it being quite scary. Maybe it's time for Hollywood to jump on a remake before Ray B passes.
Agree with Sandi - as a kid, the carnival was the creepiest thing ever but now as an adult, I notice the father much more, and identify with him, so I felt more melancholy than scared this time.
Beth, I have been really lucky to hear Ray B talk at several venues since I moved to LA. He is really active in book fairs, books signings, and of course, his plays. And for his recent 88th birthday, one bookstore held a big bash for him and he actually came! He's so inspiring.
I reread this recently. Just heard Bradbury speak at a small book festival here in LA. So brilliant and passionate about writing!
I'm *patiently* waiting for New Moon to come in at my library, Ashley...and in the meantime I've picked up Frank Beddor's "The Looking Glass Wars," which I've been anxious to read.
I just finished the Sherman Alexie book that won the National Book Award: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Fantastic! This is one of the best YA books I've read recently. I also read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely which was completely engrossing. I couldn't put either of them down -they kept calling to me.
I second the titles Maggie suggests and would add A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson.
