Book roundup! Yeee haw!

On Friday, my bookstore-manager friend called to remind me that the shop was hosting a Young-Adult (YA) writing workshop and I was supposed to come. Whaaaaaaat? 

I swear, with my level of dipshittiness lately you'd think I've become a stoner. I haven't. Thought about it, but, no.  Nothing wrong with it, except it causes exceptional dipshittiness in me.

I hadn't remembered the YA workshop but friend Rob was very convincing. He thinks I should write a YA book, bless his heart. I've never read one, at least, not since I was a young adult myself. Is Judy Blume's Forever considered YA?

I guess it was on Twitter where Rob connected with A.S. King (Amy) and Josh Berk and said, "You guys are funny. Come do a workshop."

So I ventured to New Jersey to meet Amy and Josh.  I'm always surprised when published authors talk about how scary it is to write. Or how crazy they feel. Or how they have full time jobs and a home life and yet try to write like 5 novels in 10 years, and are working on 3 at a time in different stages.

Blogging doesn't scare me at all but writing a longer story, whether it's true or fiction, really is frightening. Every writer has fears: What if I SUCK? 

And if you are so cocky that you don't think you could ever suck, that you think an agent and publisher are gonna LOVE you, then I think you might be an asshole. 

Josh and Amy aren't assholes. I quite enjoyed them.

I immediately bought A.S. King's book which promised to encompass trailer-park living, 17th century pirate swashbuckling, and dog training tips woven all together. Amy described it as YA but "crossover." There was some adult content. Well, not adult adult, you know what I mean.

I started the book that evening and couldn't put it down til I finished the next morning. I'm a slow reader. I can't wait until her next book comes out this fall. Until then, read this one.  Get it for the teens in your life.

Then, I decided since I'm on a roll with reading again, and I had just spent lunchtime on Sunday, after a much needed facial, at a coffeeshop reading the latest issue of Vanity Fair, the one where Angelina Jolie looks totally gorgeous, that I had to read another book. I picked up one of the finds from the bargain book stack on my floor.  Celebutantes would be the perfect transition from the August issue of VF.

I had tried to get into Celebutantes a few times over the past few months but never got past the 3rd page. This time I was determined.  Question for writers:  How is a work of fiction penned by two people?  What's that like?  Jeeeezus it's hard enough doing it on your own I can't imagine the "team approach."

I read it cover to cover, just to say that I did so in one day.  So I'm saying it. The story of Hollywood leading up to the Oscars stressed me out and made me really dislike all the shenanigans, the dress lobbying and million-dollar-jewelry throwing tizzies and the mean bitches. And nowhere in the book does Lola drink champagne with not one but TWO straws!  A NYT bestseller - really? 

Anyway from now on I'm boycotting Oscar dress critiques (take that Cojo!) and will not watch the Rachael Zoe Project because of this book.

 

Next up on the reading list, I change gears to memoirs and dive into Just Kids, the memoir of Patti Smith and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe.

Oooh are they on the Coney Island boardwalk in this photo?  Mmmmm...hot dogs.

Comments

[KtP]

I love books. Last night I finished "Girl with Dragon Tattoo." I didn't love it. I'm also reading 2 other books right now, and I hate when I do that - I couldn't imagine writing multiple books at the same time, eek!

[blaugra]

You didn't love it? That's on my reading list just because I thought it should be.

I also have a borrowed copy of "Water for Elephants" I must read. Another one of those books that everyone says is sooooo goooood.

[Robin]

Yes, Judy Blume's Forever is a YA novel. 8-]

On the whole, YA fiction is much better written than adult fiction (with notable exceptions *cough*.) I say that as a librarian and an avid reader of both.

[Peeved Michelle]

FYI, your posts are now truncated in your RSS feed. You used to publish full posts.

[lg]

Water for Elephants IS sooooo gooood (was I one of the people who told you that?). Also, John Irving. That's all I'm sayin'.

I used to be a big reader -- I could read a book or two a day. But then I went and became a writer and a mom and I haven't had the time to read books in forever (if I get a spare minute, I pick up US Weekly or Allure and get in and get out). I'm jealous of my mom who blows through books like a whore does crack (if she's a crack whore, that is). She's a member of a NetFlix-type thing for books plus she lives within walking distance to a Barnes & Noble.

Anyway, I bought a few books for my honeymoon. Got into one and loved it immediately. It wasn't until I was half way done that I realized it was a YA book. I was sorta embarrassed and sorta inspired . . . that's the kind of book I could write (and totally agree that you could, too!). I used to love the Sweet Valley High series and would write my own.

Apparently, it's a booming market (again -- it took a hit in the 90's).

Also, I just finished a hysterical memoir called Mennonite in a Black Dress (or something). I bet you could write a great memoir..............

[blaugra]

Thanx Michelle I will fix that.

Robin, what are the other hot YA books your library visitors are devouring? Is the Twilight series one of the exceptions to the great YA market? I've never read them but judging from the first movie I just caught on TV...don't want to.

Salty D. actually just read Water for Elephants and I feel like we might be able to have a book club discussion if I read it.

Thanks for the recommendations!

[KtP]

I read GwDT b/c a friend loaned it to me and said it was good. I had never heard of it, but it's apparently all the rage.

Water for Elephants was good. I think I need to reread Poisonwood Bible, that was good too.

[blaugra]

I have Prodigal Summer by Kingsolver on my nightstand. I never got to Poisonwood Bible. Aaaah now all I want to do is read non-work-related stuff!

(yay)

[Robin]

There's a lot of buzz about Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. Right now, my students are mainly into the Twilight books and the Lightning Thief books (movies do a lot to increase interest.)

And yes, I was refering to the Twilight books, amongst others.