Monday, January 14, 2008

Huh. These things are always interesting.

I'm not really one to predict things. I try not to expend too much energy on thinking about events over which I have no control. That's what always makes the ALA awards interesting. I'm a bit scattershot with what I've read this year, but I'm really quite pleased with the Printz, even if a tad surprised:

Printz Winner:
The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean. I read this over Christmas. As I put in my notes, it's "bloody brilliant" (the author is English, and you can feel it in the language of the book). This said, I didn't really think of it for the Printz. I thought it'd be overlooked by most everyone. If I can muster up the energy (I have tonsillitis. This post has already taken a ridiculous amount of time between naps), I'll post a review today or tomorrow.

Printz Honors:
Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox. I've heard enough good stuff about this one that I've been giving it out successfully (despite its blech cover), but have not read it due to it's sequel status and my general too-many-books syndrome. It was already on my to-read list. Will move it up.

One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke. Heard of. Heard good things. Haven't read, haven't given it to anyone. Wasn't on my to-read list. Will now schedule it for, oh, March? I should have time in the book queue about then... sigh.

Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins. Love, love, love this title. Reviewed. Surprised, but very happy to see it on the list. Very funny, but not without (heh) soul.

Your Own, Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill. Really, really, really wanted this to be on the YA Cybils list, but poetry got it, so I haven't been able to read it yet. But I totally would have by now if the last three months of reading hadn't been required.

McCaughrean is English. Knox is from New Zeeland. Clarke is Aussie. Good ole A. M. Jenkins lives in Texas, and Hemphill is from Los Angeles. Just an observation. I didn't know where Hemphill was from, but I knew the first three weren't from the states, so I was curious.

As for the rest:

Go Hugo Cabret! Woo! And Wednesday Wars! And Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! All lovely books (and I am so behind on reviewing).

Anyone else a little surprised by the lack of Sherman Alexie? Story of a Girl? Boy Toy? Anything else? (Perhaps Miss Spitfire?)

10 comments:

Abby said...

I'm completely surprised by the lack of Alexie...! But they look like stellar choices all around and I can't wait to get my hands on The White Darkness, as it looks awesome.

Rachel said...

It's a good thing I have The White Darkness on my reading shelf, eh? Too bad I most likely won't have it read in time for booktalks tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I'm also surprised that Alexie wasn't on the list. And Tamar, The Arrival, or A Swift Pure Cry.

The biggest shock for me, though, is that Hugo Cabret won the Caldecott.

Trisha

Sherry said...

I've been sniffing about Miss Spitfire all day.

Sarah Miller said...

Sherry & Jackie -- smooches to the both of you!

If you can't win, it's awfully nice to be lamented instead. ;)

Anonymous said...

i was pleasantly surprised by the lack of alexie. i'm sick to death of all the hype.

Jackie Parker said...

Ooo, Anon, what was it about Alexie that you didn't like?

Anonymous said...

i liked the alexie fine, but by the time i read it i had heard so much about how great it was i thought it was going to change my life and YA literature forever. but it was just a nice coming of age story.

Jackie Parker said...

Fair enough. I suspect it wasn't complicated or layered enough in light of the competition. So much easier to say from this end, though.

Anonymous said...

*snugs the poor, sick Jackie*

So much to read, so little time...