Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion
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What Are You Reading Now?
Oh I'm so sorry that you lost books Jamilla! My sister's closet flooded and all the books she didn't have room for on her bookcases were turned to mush, it's heartbreaking to hear of it. I'm curious too, what is the controversy with I am Number 4?
I'm reading A Local Habitation and I have to say I'm enjoying this authors S.F. world.
The controversy with "I Am Number Four" is that one, it is written by vilified author James Frey, and two he doesn't really "write" this current series. James Frey is "writing" under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore, but where the heat really turns up on this guy is that he has a stable of young and talented writers who have sign an iron-clad contract that they will ghost write for him and take no credit or else face his attorneys. The Wall Street Journal wrote an excellent article in November 2010:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...
If this link doesn't work, try Googling "Wall Street Journal James Frey's Next Act".
Tatiana wrote: "The controversy with "I Am Number Four" is that one, it is written by vilified author James Frey, and two he doesn't really "write" this current series. James Frey is "writing" under the pseudonym ..."Interesting article...but still a good book and well worth the read - no matter who wrote it.
Jen wrote: "Tatiana wrote: "The controversy with "I Am Number Four" is that one, it is written by vilified author James Frey, and two he doesn't really "write" this current series. James Frey is "writing" unde..."No arguments there; I have two copies of the book circulating non-stop in my library, and my husband read it in two days on our Kindle. But, if one is asking what the deal is with the book and its surrounding controversy, James Frey is at the center of that heated discussion. I have students talking about his book factory company, and how they feel about it, but either way, most still enjoy the book. It's an interesting subject matter as readers and those who promote books should wonder if this is the wave of the future. Could we compare this new series to other popular kids/teen series that has had multiple authors penning the books?
Why wouldn't anyone sign a contract that like? I would prefer to struggle than to write for someone else and give them the credit.
Amy wrote: "Why wouldn't anyone sign a contract that like? I would prefer to struggle than to write for someone else and give them the credit."I think that is what the ghost writer for "I Am Number Four" struggled with, but Jobie Hughes was already contractually obligated to Frey and Full Fathom Five when it occured to him that he no longer liked his professional arrangement with Frey. I think talented young writers are so desperate for that big break in the book industry, that there has to be a certain lure and appeal to be "chosen" to write a major YA novel that will be distributed by a prominent publishing house like Harper Collins, without taking into consideration the long-term consequences of such a legal commitment until it's too late. I myself have yet to read the book, and with the stack of books that stares at me as I write this, I might pass for that reason alone. Here's another article on Frey and his book company by the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/...
Tatiana wrote: "Amy wrote: "Why wouldn't anyone sign a contract that like? I would prefer to struggle than to write for someone else and give them the credit."I think that is what the ghost writer for "I Am Numb..."
I clicked on the Guardian link, curious and began reading. Then it struck me that I wasn't interested in reading about such people. So I closed the window and went back to my own writing.
And to keep with the theme of this thread - what are you reading right now - I'm currently loving the second installment of The Books of Elsewhere called "Spellbound." Jacqueline West has to be one of my favorite middle grade writers right now, and she has created a wonderful girl in Olive.
I'm currently juggling three books: The Wednesday Sisters for my book club (and it's super slow going), Pretty Neat (an organizational book) and Love Is Hell which I was excited to read but finding that I'm not really loving it. At this point I'm just trying to finish it.
Amy wrote: "I'm currently juggling three books: The Wednesday Sisters for my book club (and it's super slow going), Pretty Neat (an organizational book) and Love Is Hell which I was excited to r..."I agree about Love is Hell. There were a couple of good stories, but overall it was just okay. I gave it 3 stars because at least the boring ones weren't too long!
I'm working on a few books right now myself. Two adult books: Where I Was From which I am reading for my California History class (and is such a slow read!!) and The Color Purple on audiobook which I am loving. I am also reading Deadly Little Games which is good so far. I wish I could remember more from the last two books though!
I'm currently reading Spider Woman's Granddaughters: Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing by Native American Women by Paula Gunn Allen.
I'm hurrying to finish Shiver in the few free moments I have, so I can get back to the saga about Alanna by Tamora Pierce.
I love the Tortall series. I think I've read them all. I also started the Circle books. These stories are pretty good.
Eden wrote: "I'm currently reading Spider Woman's Granddaughters: Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing by Native American Women by Paula Gunn Allen."That sounds interesting! How is it?
Just finished Love is Hell by Melissa Marr. Definitely not worth the read.Getting ready to start Crescendo.
Kellyflower wrote: "Starting 
"Please let me know what you think. I heard a great plug for this book and it's follow up "Outside In" on the Teen Book Buzz webinar.
Cassie wrote: "Eden wrote: "I'm currently reading Spider Woman's Granddaughters: Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing by Native American Women by Paula Gunn Allen."That sounds..."
I'm only about 30 pages in, but it's good so far. I'm liking the stories and the introduction by Paula Gunn Allen is interesting.
Amy wrote: "Just finished Love is Hell by Melissa Marr. Definitely not worth the read.."This was an anthology, did you dislike all the stories or just the one by Melissa Marr?
Tatianna - I liked Inside Out. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Snyder makes this complete world up where your trapped in it right along Trella. Pushing and sliding along the pipes.
Paula wrote: "I just downloaded the audio of Inside Out. I'll be listening to it in a few minutes."Hi Paula. Is it a dramatised version or simply someone reading the book?
Sounds like someone reading the book.
I disliked most of the stories. The only one I liked was the last one about the selchie. The rest were okay and there was one that I thought was particulary bad (the one with the Immortals book).Right now I'm reading Crescendo.
Halfway through
and I'm loving it! Can anyone recommend other road trip books?
My current YA read is Very LeFreak. It seems to have some pretty negative reviews, but I've been on a Rachel Cohn kick all month and loved everything I've read (Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List), so hopefully this one will stay the course. I didn't like I Am Number Four at all, but people seem to be pretty divided on it and I'm glad others are enjoying it.
Heather wrote: "Almost finished with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, then I get to read my valentine's day present from my sweetie: The Ask and the Answer!!"That might be the best V-Day gift ever! :)
I spent most of the weekend reading the remaining three books of The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce: In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man and Lioness Rampant. Really enjoyed them ... and didn't get much sleep because of it.
Jamilla wrote: "I am reading I am number 4. I know there is some controversy surrounding this book, but it is a good book. Sorry I haven't really participated this month, but I had a flood in my classroom and lost..."Are you in need of a few replacement books? E-mail me and I might be able to find a few replacements through BookCrossing.com for your classroom library.
I am just starting: Sing Them Home. This is for an upcoming book discussion.
I'm finishing up The London Eye Mystery - it's a fun, interesting little read. Probably not the best book I've ever read from an autistic perspective, but I love how it portrays family and sibling relationships. Plus, it's full of cool British slang! I've had to look up so many terms and expressions that I now feel really smart, haha.
Heather wrote: "How are you liking it so far, Alan?"Excellent! It takes an effort not to spend all my time reading it :-)
I finished The Golden Compass. Excellant story! Loved so many characters.I'll never like Lord Asriel and mommy dearest is right up there with him. What loathsome characters.I continue with Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie.
Oooh I think Coulter was worse than Asriel, she really creeps me out. They're both horrid though. That's interesting about I Am Number Four. I'm going to treat it like I treat a kid. Just because the parents are messed up doesn't mean the kid should be blamed. I haven't read it yet, but I did just see the movie and I rather liked it. I do think authors should think long and hard before they sign in on such a questionable deal. Frey leaves me a bad taste, obviously not big on ethics that one.
I finished up Seanan McGuire's trilogy with An Artificial Night and I loved it. The first two were good, but Artificial was excellent. Now I'm on to Poison Study which is also keeping my attention. Yay for a run of good books!
Madeline wrote: "Oooh I think Coulter was worse than Asriel, she really creeps me out. They're both horrid though."I agree, Mrs. Coulter is souless and her actions demonstrate this fact. I felt there was some hope for Lord Asriel, so my disappointment was great when he crossed the line at the end of the book. May karma bite him in the butt.
Paula wrote: " Madeline wrote: "Oooh I think Coulter was worse than Asriel, she really creeps me out. They're both horrid though."I agree, Mrs. Coulter is souless and her actions demonstrate this fact. I fel..."
Each has their role to play ... read on.
Just published short pieces on Shiver and Inside Out here on Goodreads and also on Secret Paths: http://secret-paths.com/EN/Books-en/T...
Laura wrote: "I'm on page 296 of XVI."This is on my TBR list.
Madeline wrote: "Oooh I think Coulter was worse than Asriel, she really creeps me out. They're both horrid though. That's interesting about I Am Number Four. I'm going to treat it like I treat a kid. Just bec..."
Regarding I Am Number Four, my personal thoughts are that if it gets a reluctant kid or teen reading, that is fabulous and outweighs the negative circumstances that the book was produced under. I don't think that kids need to be dragged into the politics - if they enjoy it, great.
However, as an adult, I do care about consuming ethically and responsibly. Just as I prefer to drink fair trade coffee, buy locally-grown veggies when possible, and not knowingly buy clothing produced in a child-labour sweatshop or buy tribal art from a broker who didn't fairly compensate the traditional artists, nor do I want to spend money on a book written under ethically-questionable circumstances where the co-author was treated poorly and not fairly compensated for his work. (I also like to sound preachy and sanctimonious, haha, although I really just intend the afore-mentioned to be examples to help illustrate my point). Unfortunately, whether I like it or not, spending money on something as a consumer tacitly communicates approval.
That said, I do understand why a lot of people feel that if a book is a good story and an enjoyable read that's all that matters, because you can't politicize everything. Sometimes you just want to be entertained. I guess I just get especially rankled when it comes to books, because I would hate to see fiction and literature turned into this highly commercialized industry where books are mass-produced and published based on what can be turned into a money-making franchise with movies, numerous unnecessary sequels, lunchboxes, macdonalds toys and whatever else sells. A book like I am Number Four seems to me to be the epitome of over-commercialized fiction that was published in the interests of profits (which Frey has openly stated), rather than in the interest of art, merit or commenting on societal/social issues.
On top of that, I found the story to be bland and cliched with a weak, annoying female lead, but I'm probably not in the intended demographic. I tend to prefer slow, even "boring", character-driven novels over action and romance.
Read Jo Knowles Lessons from a Dead Girl yesterday. A very disturbing book! I'll write something about it when I have time.
Wild Things: YA Grown-Up
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I could prob..."
Darren Shan also has the Demonata series - really good - and another stand alone book that just came out is called The Thin Executioner - also very good!