Leigh Bardugo's Blog, page 740
May 13, 2013
riggles323:
therockandtheriver:
menagerelle:
minutes-till-midn...
I’M ON THE FLOOR DYING AND I DON’T THINK I’LL LIVE.
hyperventilation
I. CANNOt. BREATHE.
Must reblog
(Belated) Thanks
Tomorrow, we get into the second phase of the pre-order campaign for Siege and Storm. But right now I just want to say an overdue THANK YOU for all the love and support you guys gave “Winter Prayer” last week.
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: Best. Readers. Ever.
Thank you for being such a fun, funny, awesome crew.
May 12, 2013
Sarah Rees Brennan: lbardugo: BASICALLY i’m really angry because it seems that nowadays a...
BASICALLY i’m really angry because it seems that nowadays a lot more young adult books are geared toward girls rather than guys which is fine but i’m a guy and while guys *can* read about girls falling in love with the perfect guy while trying to save the world… it’s not really…
I don’t really see how the original post was telling women to be “silent.” Sure, there are absolutely people out there who are trying to put us down and all, but this guy was just asking for book recommendations. He says he “can read about girls falling in love” but it’s just hard for him to relate to. I totally get that. I’ve read books where a guy was describing his attraction to some girl, and I think, “Well that’s cool, but she doesn’t really do it for me. I’d rather be reading a lengthy description of the many fine physical and mental attributes of Jace Wayland through Clary’s eyes.” Girls want to read romance from a girl’s point of view, and guys want to read romance from a guy’s point of view. I don’t think that’s sexist.
He is in luck: the majority of books are still written from a guy’s point of view.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110503151607.htm
http://ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org/38016.html
‘half of YA award winners in the past twelve years had male protagonists, 15% had both male and female protagonists, and 36% had female protagonists’
The fact that people are saying they are ANGRY because there are now more books written about girls than there used to be (ignoring the fact there are still many about guys, and more attention is given to them) seems rather silencing of women to me.
I’m not saying it was meant that way. I’m not saying that people can’t have personal preferences, because all people do.
But think about how the world informs those personal preferences, and about the world you want to live in.
Eff to the yeah. SRB with the good sense.
Siege and Storm launch party on June 3rd!
Before I head out on...
Siege and Storm launch party on June 3rd!
Before I head out on tour, I get to celebrate with friends and readers in my hometown. (And in a gorgeous venue, see above ^.)
Ravkan photobooth! Exclusive swag! General merriment! And of course, booooooks!
Hope to see some of your lovely faces there. RSVPs appreciated (here or on FB) since that helps us figure out how much in the way of books, snacks, and bubbly to stock.
Parking: Valet is $10. Steep, I know. Will try to offer a map of local lots soon.
And if you can’t make it, do come by one of my tour stops this summer.
*This invitation brought to you by the awesome Kayte who came to my rescue and made design magic.
redefiningbodyimage:
bornofanatombomb:
Janelle Monae
From her...
Janelle Monae
From her speech on “Black Girls Rock”:
“When I started my music career, I was a maid. I used to clean houses. My mother was a proud janitor. My stepfather, who raised me like his very own, worked at the post office and my father was a trashman. They all wore uniforms and that’s why I stand here today, in my black and white, and I wear my uniform to honor them.
This is a reminder that I have work to do. I have people to uplift. I have people to inspire. And today, I wear my uniform proudly as a Cover Girl. I want to be clear, young girls, I didn’t have to change who I was to become a Cover Girl. I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.
Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.”
- Janelle Monáe
I just adore her.
Got my first look at the hardcover of #siegeandstorm and it is...
Got my first look at the hardcover of #siegeandstorm and it is so beautiful. Not sure these pics do it justice. Expanded map, raised silver font, the red! I love you, @mackidsbooks #jeanwang #richdeas #shadowandbone
(I’m not sure why the red looks pink, prolly cuz I photographed against the clashing rug, but it’s gloriously, gloriously RED.)
doooood. this made my day.
doooood. this made my day.
BASICALLY i’m really angry because it seems that nowadays a lot more young adult books are...
BASICALLY i’m really angry because it seems that nowadays a lot more young adult books are geared toward girls rather than guys which is fine but i’m a guy and while guys *can* read about girls falling in love with the perfect guy while trying to save the world… it’s not really that relatable. ok also sorry if i sound sexist. anyway do you have any book recommendations more geared toward guys?
This was not addressed to me, but it came up in the Shadow and Bone tag so I’m going to respond to it briefly.
1. Would you have skipped reading Harry Potter if it had been told from Hermione’s POV (or assigned POV)? Would you have skipped reading Percy Jackson if it had been more explicitly Annabeth’s journey? Then you would have missed out on two incredible, game-changing series.
2. There is no shortage of fiction (literary, genre, children’s) that focuses on male protagonists. I think it’s possible that the popularity of YA speaks to the hunger for more female protagonists. I don’t see why that should incite anger.
3. Also, what YA are you reading? Sure, there are stories that follow the formula you describe, but it’s also pretty reductive. I think if you do a little looking, you’ll find a category brimming with fantastic stories, new worlds, action, and adventure. Yes, there’s often a romantic element, but most of the YA I see coming out now doesn’t focus on that as the ultimate goal of the story. It’s more about the hero or heroine’s journey and there isn’t always a happily ever after in the offing.
Also, I’d point out that there are frequently romantic elements in stories that focus on male characters or multiple POV and this is true across all genres. Tom Clancy, George R.R. Martin, James Patterson, John Grisham, Stephen King—the heavy hitters don’t shy away from romantic entanglements. Maybe we cut them more slack because they’re presented through the male lens?
If you’re looking for male protags in YA, literally the first that come to mind are Finnikin of the Rock and its sequel Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta (high fantasy), The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith (horror/fantasy), Taken by Erin Bowman (dystopian), and Looking for Alaska by John Green (contemporary). I don’t know if these are “geared toward guys.” They all have different focuses for their narratives and different levels of romance. In the end, I think it depends on the guy.
Finally, regarding sexism: Saying that you don’t like romance in your stories is different than saying that you can’t relate to female characters. I’m not sure which is true for you because they kind of got conflated in one statement “finding the perfect guy and saving the world.” If you didn’t like Bella’s story because it focuses largely on her relationship with Edward and that’s not your thing, I get it. But if you can’t relate to Buffy or Katniss or Jane Eyre or Jo March—any girl with a job to do who might fall in love or lust or whatever along the way—that makes me kind of sad.
There’s room for all kind of heroes and heroines and some of our greatest stories happen to be love stories too. Love, friendship, sexual attraction— all essential parts of life. It’s only when girls or women become the audience that we start to turn our noses up at something that we all care about.
May 10, 2013
hollyblack:
Had a great night at Wild Rumpus and made some new...
Had a great night at Wild Rumpus and made some new friends.
so many reasons to love Holly Black. should we start numbering them?
jonathanofconte:
ya meme | ten series or books
iii. the...
ya meme | ten series or books
iii. the grisha trilogy by leigh bardugo
Love this take on the Orders.
