The Story is About   +  YA Connection

YA Connection: Week of Nov. 21-28, 2008

The YA Connection is a collaborative column collected by Kristi (The Story) and Steph (Reviewer X). In it can be found links from around the YA blogosphere, including, but not limited to, contests links, author blog links, review links, and miscellaneous news pertaining to the age group. Also, Kristi and Steph hold weekly contests accompanying the column, as well as a book and author spotlight.

Usually Steph hosts the contest for the YA Connection because she's cool like that, but unfortunately she is out of books and cash. So, I thought I would host a contest this week. I have an extra copy of Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz. Revelations is the third novel in the Blue Bloods series. If you would like this book to reside on your bookshelf, please email me: YA Connection Contest. Please include your name and address in the email. Deadline is Friday December 5, 2008. Contest is open to all. And if you want an extra entry leave a comment on Steph's post telling her how much you love the contests she hosts for YA Connection.

Contests (Compiled by Steph)

Presenting Lenore is giving away a "publicist's choice" pack and a signed set of the Gemma Doyle books (!!)

Harmony Book Reviews is giving away a copy of Amigas and School Scandals by Diana Rodriguez Wallach.

I'm also having a hard time finding more contests. Add on to comments?

I found a few more around lurking so I'm going to add them to Steph's list.

The Compulsive Reader is giving away a copy of Revealers by Amanda Marrone and Francey by Martin Dubow.

Carol of Bookluver-Carol's Reviews is having an excellent contest!

Alea of Pop Culture Junkie is having a slew of giveaways!

Stephanie of Juiciliciousss Reviews is giving away a copy of Dark Dude by Oscar Hijuelos.

Tower of Books is giving away a $25 gift card to Amazon!

Author Musing (Compiled by Steph)

A.S. King (The Dust of 100 Dogs) still rules all.

Alexa Young (Frenemies) is SUCH a girl. Hey, her words, not mine. But I must be one too, cos that movie trailer is so fully totally amazingly capturing my attention. I blame Alexa.

Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder) got her jacket blurbs!

Heather Davis (Never Cry Werewolf) got her cover!

Danielle Joseph (Shrinking Violet) talks about how she picks character names.

Sarah Dessen (Along for the Ride) got in a domestic dispute. The question is: Should they use paper towels or dish towels?

Jackson Pearce (As You Wish) shares a funny mall story.

Mandy Hubbard (Prada & Prejudice) goes back in time and looks at an entry she wrote when she received her first editor rejections, before her book was accepted for publication.

Jennifer Hubbard (Black Mountain Road) wrote an excellent post about flashbacks. As a reader, I have to say, too many of them is like dying a slow, painful death. Unless they're needed, of course.

Justine Larbalestier (How To Ditch Your Fairy) asks if those who like to get their books signed prefer unique messages along with that too, or not?

Lisa McMann (Fade) posted the winners of her huge Contest O'Thanks.

E Lockhart (The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau Banks) recaps the National Book Awards.

All C.K. Kelly Martin (I Know It's Over) wants for Christmas is a new government. Just adding this in, C.K.'s blog is filled with a lot of thought-provoking political posts, for those interested.

Meg Cabot (Being Nikki) as usual tackles a wide range of subjects I can't describe in one sentence only, so you know what? Go check it out. You even get a picture of her bookmarks and book plates, all of which are very pretty.

Author Spotlight

Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers lives and writes in Canada where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and word-processing program when she’s not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse. She enjoys Archie comics, Trailer Park Boys, and other fine art. Pierre Trudeau is her hero and if you are a volcano, she would like to know you. http://courtneysummers.ca/

Blogger Blurbs (Compiled by Kristi)

Gabbi of All Five Stars reviewed Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith. "I thought this book was pretty good, but it was kind of like a more sensual version of Stephenie Meyer's novel."

The BookWorm of Au Courant reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. "The Hunger Games was a unique book that I looked forward to reading ever since I saw its book trailer. I was not disappointed."

Cat of Beyond Books reviewed Graceling by Kristin Cashore. "I have never read a fantasy novel where the heroine was intent on giving self-defence lessons to others. She wasn’t all that self-centered either, like I find with other fantasy novels."

Amee of Bookity Book Books reviewed The Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky. "It is a more realistic portrayal of a teenage romance than you’d find in most YA. It’s quick, interesting, and at times, laugh out loud funny."

Book Chic reviewed Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn. "I absolutely loved this book. During my time volunteering at the library, this book came across my path when someone was returning materials and it looked like a very intriguing and original book."

Kate of The Book Nymph reviewed A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker. "This book captured the thoughts and hearts of teenagers, and shows just how harsh high school can be, yet at the same time, just how wonderful it can be."

Hillary of The Book Reader reviewed Private by Kate Brian. "I was very surprised by this book and I'm very excited to read the rest of the series."

Em of Em's Bookshelf reviewed Chalice by Robin McKinley and Bite Me by Parker Blue.

Hope of Hope's Bookshelf reviewed Death by Latte by Linda Gerber. "The book is over before you even want it to be with all the events in it!"

Kelsey of Just Blinded Book Reviews reviewed Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab. "Overall, it was a bit of a let-down after all of the glowing reviews I'd read about it."

Liv of Liv's Book Reviews reviewed Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach. "Mariana is definitely a character I want to visit again because despite the issues I had with Amor and Summer Secrets, it's a rather endearing book and it makes for some nice light fluff on a dreary day."

Lenore of Presenting Lenore reviewed You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay. "Still, I liked the world creation so much that I would definitely be interested in reading the planned sequel Undead Much!"

Chelsie of Read Read Read reviewed Skinned by Robin Wasserman and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Reader Rabbit reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. "Utterly captivating."

Kelsey of Reading Keeps You Sane reviewed Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra and You Had my at Halo by Amanda Ashby.

Megan of Simply Books reviewed Paper Towns by John Green and The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.

Tempestt of Temppatt reviewed Burn by Suzanne Phillips. "All and all, Burn did keep me hooked to the end and the fact that what I thought was going to happen didn’t happen offered an unpredictable plot twist."

The Book Muncher reviewed Paper Towns by John Green and The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer.

Taren of The Chick Manifesto reviewed Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz. "Ultimately, I think of Revelations the way I do about The Godfather Part III. Unlike a lot of people, I actually really liked The Godfather Part III. It's just hard to appreciate something for what it is when it's inevitably going to be compared to the awesomeness that came before."

Interviews (Compiled by Kristi)

Carol of Bookluver-Carol's Reviews interviewed Anna Levine author of Freefall.

Bookworm of Bookworm Readers interviewed Sasha Watson author of Vidalia in Paris.

Gabrielle of Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen interviewed Jay Asher author of Thirteen Reasons Why.

Mrs. Magoo Reads interviewed Melissa Walker author of The Violet Series.

My Favorite Author interviewed Margaret Ronald author of Spiral Hunt.

Lauren of Shooting Stars Mag interviewed Jordanna Frieberg author of In Your Room.

Book Spotlight

Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty

Old flames are reignited in this eagerly awaited fifth and final book in the Jessica Darling series. Captivated readers have followed her through every step and misstep, from a tormented, tart-tongued teenager, to a college grad stumbling toward adulthood. Now a young professional in her mid-twenties, Jess is off to a Caribbean wedding. [SPOILER ALERT! Proceed with caution if you haven't read Fourth Comings.] As she rushes to her gate at the airport, she literally runs into her former boyfriend, Marcus Flutie. It’s the first time she’s seen him since she reluctantly turned down his marriage proposal three years earlier—and emotions run high. Marcus and Jessica have both changed dramatically, yet their connection feels as familiar as ever. Is their reunion just a fluke or has fate orchestrated this collision of their lives once again? Partly told from Marcus’s point of view, Perfect Fifths finally lets readers inside the mind of the only person who’s both troubled and titillated Jessica Darling for years. Expect nothing less than the satisfying conclusion fans have been waiting for, one perfect in its imperfection.

Our Reviews

Kristi reviewed: You Just Can’t Get Enough: Gossip Girl The Carlyles by Cecily von Ziegesar, Untamed: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, Fabulous Terrible: The Adventures of You Sophie Talbot.

Steph reviewed: the fangirly Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson and the mehish Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz.

Visitors of The Story this week!

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time and leaving a comment on my blog! I get so excited every time I see one! I just want you to know that I really appreciate your support and that you continue to make my work at The Story feel appreciated. THANK YOU!

The Book Muncher
Lenore of Presenting Lenore.
Paradox of Paradoxical.
Hylianvampire
Tempestt of Temppatt.
Book~Adorer of Book~Adorer Forever Reading.
Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.
Emily of that one girl emily.
Shalonda of Shalonda's Blog.
Diana Dang of Stop, Drop and Read.
Sarahbear9789 of Sarah's random musings.
Stephanie of Juiciliciousss Reviews.
Meredith of Meredith's Musings.
Tay-Toe of Taylor's Rambles.
Hillary of The Book Reader.
Lauren of Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf.
Amee of Bookity Book Books.
Sara of What a Girl Reads.
Valeria of Happy Shrub Friends.
addicted reader of Reading is a Drug.
Lindsey of A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts.
cata ananias
YA Book Realm
Liv of Liv's Book Reviews.
TruBlu93 of Starry Night.
Jennifer Banash author of The Elite.
Gabbi of All Five Stars.
Vanessa of What Vanessa Reads.
C. Leigh Purtill author of All About Vee.
cindy of The Book Book.
Wendy of Seriously?
Sarah Cross author of Dull Boy.
cat of Beyond Books.
The Solicitous Scribe
R.J. Anderson author of Faery Rebels.
Book Chic
Shooting Stars Mag
Speed Reader of My Favorite Author.
Tina Ferraro author of The ABC's of Kissing Boys.
Keri Mikulski author of Screwball.
Tehani Wessely of Australian Small Press.
Amanda of That Teen Can Blog!
Harmony's Book Reviews
Zoealea of Zoe's Book Reviews.
The_Book_Queen of TBQ's Personal Book Palace.

Stefania K., Yan, shelburns, Rima, WannebeWriter, AmandaSue, BookBegger, GirlwiththeBraids, kimmyl, smrtria1220, ellie_enchanted, Jessica, LitMuse, Tiffany, Judi, and Lexie.