The month of January has a new meaning for me.
The month I:
- Began blogging
- I wrote a novel
- I found Blue Willow
- I met Ally Carter
- I realized I was a young adult author
Definitely wasn't going to try my hand at becoming a chef. The inspiration, however, was born, there I started a blog and began to write. Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Stephen King also inspired me.
All of you taught me to love books. Not just any books, Young Adult. A concept so foreign to me I was afraid to even visit the section in a bookstore.
I'm no longer afraid. I love to read and write young adult. It is where my passion is and will always be.
Thank you Blue Willow for showing me your love of books (especially young adult) and thank you bloggers for doing the same.
Now after all that sap and story telling we get to the good stuff.
BOOKS! Here is what I have to read... oh yes, I plan on reading all of them.
Don't worry I won't leave you hanging... Here's what I have:
Close to Famous by Joan Bauer (release date: Feb 2011)
Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee (release date: Apr 2011)
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (out NOW!)
Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout (release date: Jan 2011)
Entwined by Heather Dixon (release date: Mar 2011)
Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson (release date: Dec 2010)
Head Games by Keri Mikulski (release date: Jan 2011)
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard (release date: Dec 2010)
Pink by Lili Wilkinson (release date: Feb 2011)
What are you reading?
NEXT WEEK: I planned on it being revision week, but my love for Harry Potter is so large that every post will have a Harry Potter theme... get ready for the awesome!
75 comments:
Awww..that is such a sweet post:)...I am so glad I fould your blog and I can read those amazing stories you write each day.It looks like you will be busy reading some amazing books:) I am reading the Commited by Elizabeth Gilbard:)
Happy Friday,sweetie
found:)
What an awesome year!
I love books too :)
and, speaking of books - what an awesome stash! I've read Pink by Lili Wilkinson and really loved it :) I hope you enjoy it - it;s been out in Australia for a while (different cover though :)
I'm reading Candor by Pam Bachorz. So far--so awesome.
I plan to read Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick next. Patch...sigh.
Have a great weekend!!
So awesome. I've been beta reading for three different authors. Secrets...hah. I'm also reading Perilous. Got to be ready for my review/blog post next month.
Enjoy your weekend.
I love books! Atm I am reading 'The black Dagger Britherhood' by J.R.Ward and I love them!
Wish you a nice weekend :)
I'm reading Birdwing by Rafe Martin
Great story!
I'm reading The Lying Game by Sara Shepherd right now. It's quite enjoyable right now, actually.
I can feel your enthusiasm with this post! I completely relate to being apprehensive about checking out the YA section at the bookstore. I used to (and sometimes still do) feel like people are watching and thinking "What is that old lady doing in that section?"!
Aw, such a nice post. I'm running over to Blue Willow now. The Duff is next up on my read list, along with the 2nd Steig Larsson
In the spirit of Nano, I'm reading Water for Elephants!
I think YA is a very skilled and specialist genre. When I was a teenager I couldn't get enough of YA books, they were inspiring and taught me to believe I wasn't the only one struggling with 'growing up'. Judy Blume was my fav, just brilliant. I love books too! x
I'm working my way through some sequels. I'm going to start CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones tomorrow. Then I'll be reading LINGER by Maggie Steifvater (I probably spelled that wrong). I"m debating whether to read CRESCENDO by Becca Fitzpatrick. I'm curious what will happen, but had my problems with the first one.
Great stash!
I'm currently reading The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller.
Have a great weekend!
It's been a Banner Year for you! I feel the same way... books + Amber = LOVE.
Right now, I'm reading Barbara Kingsolver's THE LACUNA. I'm having a hard time getting into it, but I adore Kingsolver's writing... I think the lack of connection to the story is just due to baby-distraction.
This year, I discovered Laurie Halse Anderson, and I just finished reading PROM. It's not my favorite of her books... but I thought I would throw her name out there in honor of your YA Fabulousness. ;)
I just read Goosegirl, now I'm onto the next book of the series: Enna Burning. My sister in law went to high school with the girl who wrote Julie and Julia, isn't that funny?
Happy early blogiversary! Soon it will be January again and look how far you've come. What is it now, three or four books later that you've written? Not to mention a blog that is THE place to be every day! :)
Right now I'm reading "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown and the complete short story collection by Roald Dahl. My to-read pile has too many books to list! But the next three I'll probably be reading are "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart; "Love the One You're With" by Emily Giffin; and "Ford County" by John Grisham.
Plus, every December I re-read all the Harry Potter books. I can't wait for that! Every year I tell myself I'll slow down and take my time. Yet every year I finish them in a week. *Sigh* They're just SO good and I still can't put them down even though I know everything that's going to happen!
Happy reading this weekend, Jen!!!
I'm reading Some Girls Are by Courtney Summmers( and loving it). Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr is up next.
Ooh, I'm looking forward to reading The Mockingbirds. I've heard a lot of good things about it. Currently I'm reading Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick. It's awesome so far.
ooh nice I just finished Mistletoe and the lost stiletto by Liz Fielding
What a great haul! So sweet of them to give those to you! I just finished reading Nightshade, which you definitely have to read--sooo good. I'll lend you my copy :)
Love books too! Have a wonderful weekend:)
Yes Julie and Julia started me off blogging too! I am reading The Kite Rider at the moment. A break from my usual diet of chick lit :O)
Few things are lovlier than written words... they inspire feelings of such emotion and can transport us to anywhere our hearts and minds desire to go!!!
Hi, Jen! Guess what? You WON my giveaway for a paperback copy of THE UNDERNEATH. Yay, you!! Please email me your address so I can order it and have it shipped to you.
mrso_d at yahoo dot com
So glad you decided to go for it and follow a new path. And that you found your niche with the young adult writing. Yay! I am reading Daisy Whitney's 'The Mockingbirds' right now. Wonderful so far.
Happy Friday, Jen! You know - your passion for writing and reading is so clear and I think it's just amazing what you've accomplished with your blog in not quite even a year! AMAZING! :) You go, girl!
I'm into The Mazerunner (James Dashner) right now. I also feel a need to re-read all the Harry Potters (can't wait for the movie!!!! 1 week and counting!!!!) and then I want to read Lisa McMann's WAKE series. I also have The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo lying around somewhere...
OMG! I started blogging because of Julie and Julia too! LOL. Plus my mean aunt is in that movie. She plays the third author that they basically kick out of the group. Perfect role for her.
It is amazing to me how many people don't realize how amazing YA really can be! (I didn't until I started reading them either) But it's great when people come around to it though!
Happy Reading!
I am actually reading Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls right now, an mg. I read a lot of middle grades this year since I am almost finished writing one!
I LOVE HP, too. Can't wait!
Enjoy all those books. :)
I really liked this post. It's amazing all that can happen in such a short time.
Yay, January! And your To-Read pile looks great!
Oh, and you will never hear me complain about an adundance of HP posts :)
Glad you love to write. Me too. It's just so great to do. And I love love rewriting, editing -- all of it. It's just a fantastic way to spend time.
Best to you.
I just saw Julie and Julia for the first time about three weeks ago. I remember wondering how many people the movie would inspire to blog. So it's interesting that you stated it here.
What I am reading right now? Two books but one of them is full of wonderful useful information for anyone that loves to write fiction. It's called "From where you dream" by Robert Olen Butler. Wonderful book so far.
That’s an awesome list of books. How exciting.
I love January too. It's the month where I usually start things (January Joiner anyone?) but only the good stuff sticks around...like writing everyday.
Just finished Incarceron and I'm reading The Book Thief right now.
Julie & Julia is one of my favorite movies. I found it inspiring too. Big things happen when you start doing what makes you happy!
Fantastic list. I want to read Mockingbirds!! yay for your love of books. Mine has gotten a little out of hand. I've read 66 books this year and I bought all but 10 of them. Insane!! Great idea for Harry Potter week.
Have a great weekend. :)
I just got the new VC Andrews book, Daughter of Darkness. I've read every single VC Andrews book since Flowers in the Attic.
Okay, so how do you get so many ARC's? what's your secret?
Holy crow girl! Way to have a ton of Arcs! That is so awesome! This week I'm reading Beautiful Creatures. I haven't started it yet but I'm reading it now!
SO excited for next week girl!
Isn't it amazing how far you can come in one year? And it hasn't even been a year! Yay for you!
OMG, I'm so excited for your posts next week and for next week period because then it's HP7 movie time!!! :D
Ahem, I'm reading Torment by Lauren Kate with Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld to follow. :) Recently though, I've been reading my friend's thesis; it's a fantasy novel and I'm loving it!
What a great post. Books are so wonderful. I just went to my favorite local kids bookstore to spend my coupon.
Currently I'm reading Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
Thanks for sharing your story. It was so touching.
And thank you for the HP sidebar love. Thanks to you, I have one on my blog as well. Can't wait for HP-themed posts.
Happy weekend!
I'm feeling you and all other people who love books. We share a special connection.
Your passion shines through, luv. I have a feeling it comes through in your writing as well. Enjoy all your books! You've got some great reading ahead of you!
I love having stacks of books to read. It's the nicest, coziest feeling. I'd enjoy hearing your reviews of those lovely books--as if you're not busy enough already!
I have so many books to read and not enough hours in the day what with nano and revising and two sons and eating/breathing/sleeping. But I've started the Hunger Games. And The Lightning Thief.
I think it's wonderful that you can pinpoint a time when things begin for you. :) And that pile of books is so awesome -- I'm definitely looking forward to reading several of them!
You are a blogging superstar! So glad you got the idea last January!
I have a stack of books too, though mine is more messy!
I'm reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card right now. I can't believe I never read it before. Next up is The Marbury Lens, which I just won on Shannon O'Donnell's blog - can't wait to get started!
Hey Jen,
I love books too! And of course Y/A. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I always enjoy meeting a HP addict like myself. As I am writing this to you I am watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! I am so looking forward to HP themed blogs this coming week!
I so excited about the blogfest I'm hosting too. I hope to have the linky up over the weekend. I would so appreciate it if you mentioned in your side panel. I want as many HP lovers as I can. I might even have to get a few more gifts from Wizarding World.
Thanks so much for your enthusiasm, too!
Your new HP Pal,
Michael
I'm reading Hunger Games again! I have a whole stack of TBR but I needed something that I could zone out and still know what was happening at the end of a day writing this month!!
I'm still trying to catch up on my TBR lists of books that have been released for at least a year. Kudos to you for being prepared prior to release date. And great accomplishments this past year!
I'm in the middle of Graceling, and have Cassastar on my immediate TBR pile. I have ton of others but really can't remember- how awful is that! (and I am too lazy to get up from my couch and go look in my room at all the books on my TBR pile)
Hope you know we enjoy reading your blog as much as you enjoy writing it. I envy your TBR pile, and I've signed up for the blogfest.
Such a sweet post. Your blog is great, and I love reading it. All thanks to Julie and Julia now!
I'm reading Perfect Chemistry and Twenty Boy Summer, now.
Sounds like an exciting anniversary coming up in January! Also, I sent you a message, but in case it got lost in cyberspace, there is an award for you on my blog.
Have fun reading! I'm not reading anything right now. I'm trying to concerntrate on my revision and other stuff that's going on.
Jai
I'm a crime thriller reader (and writer)and I'm currently reading Patricia Cornwell "Trace"
Earlier in the year I decided to read the whole Kay Scarpetta series from the beginning which was 1996. I'm now on 2004 so have nearly caught up to her current stuff.
One thing I haven't read though are the Harry Potter books. Much as I love the films. So the next book waiting for me is the first Harry Potter book. Another full series to read myself through :)
Lovely post, and I'll make a list of those books for when I'm Christmas shopping.
I'm not reading anything (except blogs!) at the moment, just finished The Old Man and The Sea- never thought i'd read that again after I left school! But it was a great book.
ha, I keep buying books and they keep stacking up (think adding a room onto the house-made from books)
What a great TBR pile!!! :)
Lovely pile of books. I should pile up all the books I haven't read and post a picture of them... I'm afraid they won't all fit in one shot. lol.
Right now I'm reading Twenty Boy Summer and I'm re-reading HP and the DH (at least half of it) to get ready for the movie!!! I'm so excited!!! Can't wait for your week of HP posts!
Aren't piles of book just grand??? I love seeing the pile on my nightstand. What's on it now?
currently reading: Blue Fire (the second book in The Healing Wars Trilogy by Janice Hardy)
Waiting for me: Fire by Kristin Cashore, Jelicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, and the entire House of Night series which I won in a contest (woot!).
OMG Harryyyyyy!!! *Ahem* I like Mr Potter too.
Thanks for sharing this Jen, it was lovely. Mr. King inspired mehself too actually. So yay!
And I am dieing to read mockinbirds! But for now I'm trapped inside Stephen King's HUGE novel called "Under the Dome", then I'll go through "After Sunset" also from him (Is it that obvious I'm studying King?), and them "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman, another of my favourite authors. But then, I'll definetly read Mockinbirds!
I love Harry too. Michael Gideon is having a Harry Potter blogfest. The banner is on my site. I'm not reading a book right now, still buried in edits. But I'm making progress.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
How wonderful that you found your niche!
How wonderful to find a passion for something you want to do. I simply sell young adult books, but it never fails to impress me when someone who wants to write them can and does so well. I've been trying to read even more YA in order to make recommendations to customers. I just finished 'The Replacement' and enjoyed it a great deal.
(Thank you for stopping by my blog recently. I apologize for not getting back sooner, but some things in life came up. You asked if I had a follow button, and I apparently don't, even though I've been blogging far long enough to know I should! One of these days, I'll update my format. Until then, I apologize for not having one!)
This post is so cute. And, randomly -- ZOMG I loved the Mockingbirds so much.
I can't wait for your Harry Potter posts. God, I love Harry.
And I'm excited to hear your take on that stack of books. I want to read eeeeverything and the practical part of me knows that it isn't possible.
I loved that movie too! I wish I had a little book store that made me fall in love with books. I have two writers that made me fall in love with the idea of being a writer (again). One is now a successful romance and mystery writer, Laura Bradford/Elizabeth Lynn Casey. I met her at our daughters' dance studio in Saint Louis. The other writer is Steve Swinburne. Most of his work's are non fiction picture books. They are wonderful reads...He has some poetry books and is coming out with his second mg novel soon. :)
Another great post. Suzanne and Stephen are also huge inspirations for me. Lots of luck with that TBR pile!
Congrats Jen for winning the Gypsy Diaries / Blog Couture giveaway! Please send me an email indicating what would you like to choose from the store along with your address and I'll send you your prize ASAP! ;)
Happy Monday!
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
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