My Rgz Top Ten read in 2008

Every year Readergirlz asks their postergirlz to come up with our individual top ten. Not specifically just the best books published of the year, but the best girl-power books that we read this year, regardless of copyright date. Each of the postergirlz (Little Willow, Miss Erin, Alexia, Hip Writer Mama, Shelf Elf) comes up with their own list, which we then send in to the powers that be, who then work through the lists and think about whether the titles would work within their vision for featured titles. If it does, and they wish to devote a month to a title, they then see if they can get the author's participation. I spend months agonizing over it - this one was started in October.

And so, after much gnashing of teeth, here are mine!

My Top Ten for Readergirlz 2008 (in alpha order, no less!)

1. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
2. Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught
3. Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, The by E. Lockheart
4. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Allison Goodman
5. Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
6. The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson
7. Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
8. Graceling by Kristen Cashore
9. Northlander (Tales of the Borderlands) by Meg Burden
10. Ten Cents a DanceTen Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher

Mighta made its if we hadn't picked them/the author already:

1. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
2. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
3. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

Almost made it, but were cut at the last second:

1. A la Carte by Tanita S. Davis
2. Impossible by Nancy Werlin
2. Meridian by Amber Kizer
3. The Plain Janes (Minx) & Janes in Love (Minx) by Cecil Castelucci

What would you have included in your girl-power Top Ten read in 2008? What am I missing (Hunger Games, I'm guessing you'll say...)?

Can't get enough of Twilight Mockery

I wonder if that's because Breaking Dawn was such a let down? Probably. I no longer feel any the need to defend it as I did after Eclipse.

Anyway, I'm several weeks behind in my blog reading, but I had to share Alan Gratz's TWILIGHT IN SUNNYDALE. Forgive me, those of you who have already encountered it. Those of you who haven't, enjoy!

Interlude

I love Meg Powers.

That is all.

PS: Loved her here, too. Two more!

Over the Rainbow (music meme!)

Ok, I skip a lot of memes, so it's a little strange that I'm doing one that I don't have to do, but Sara Zarr stuck it up on her blog, it's possibly the best meme ever, and the questions sound very much like high school. That all makes it relevant for this space, right? So... let's have some fun!

Take your iPod in your hand:

1. Put your Music on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Mr. Pinstripe Suit - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (um... I did just buy a cool fedora inspired hat...)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
So Long-Farewell-Goodbye - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (omg. Kyle, you aren't allowed to leave me)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Mind Trick - Jamie Cullum (Am I diabolical or something? Has no one told me this?)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Oh God - Jamie Cullum (is shuffle even working?)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
My Funny Valentine - Michael Buble (that's better, if weird)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
(I am so scared to hit the forward button) That's the Way - Led Zeppelin (wait, what's this song actually about?)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Space Boy - Splender

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Forever - Dropkick Murphys

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
You'll Never Know - Michael Buble (HA!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Homeward Bound - Dropkick Murphys

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Good People - Jack Johnson

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Jackass - Bloodhound Gang (BWAHAHAHAHHAHA!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA ...Mom?)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Screaming at the Wailing Wall - Flogging Molly

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Barroom Heroes - Dropkick Murphys (they appear to be disproportionately represented, also, I really don't want to die in a bar fight.)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Lady Madonna - Beatles (This really would have been better under the parents question. Let's interpret this as I Like Art. 'Cause I do. Like Art.)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Blue Rain - Glenn Miller (lame...everyone knows that I'm in Seattle...and that I miss the 5-hour-away boyfriend...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
A Man's Gotta Do - Neil Patrick Harris, Felica Day & Nathan Fillion (Dr. Horrible! Yay!)

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I Could Write a Book - Harry Connick, Jr. (well, there goes that thought...)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
(wait, I thought I was dying in a bar fight?) Queen Anne's Revenge - Flogging Molly (man, I'm really going to die violently, aren't I? sad.)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
People Watching - Jack Johnson (heh)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
In Too Deep - Sum 41 (laugh because I kinda can't believe that's on my iPod...)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson (aw.)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Next Door Blues - Harry Connick, Jr. (since the song is instrumental, I guess we're not supposed to know.)

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
The Gauntlet - Dropkick Murphys (I totally do. It's all, "Is this ok?" and I'm like, "to The Gauntlet with you!")

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
The Mooche - Duke Ellington (dude, it's MY money!)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me - Louis Armstrong (say it together now, awwwww)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead - Harry Connick, Jr. (???!?!?!)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Michelle - The Beatles (damn you Michelle)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Over the Rainbow - Ingrid Michaelson (yeah, that's the way to do it, iPod, pick the least interesting title. Thanks. Love the cover, though)

Zarr didn't tag anyone, and I'm not sure it's a requirement, but Kyle, my love, you're done with exams, so you have to do it. Also, Shane. And Erin I think, when she gets a chance, because I'm interested to see what's on her iPod. The rest of the Kidlit world, feel free to do it, and if you do, let me know in the comments, 'cause I'm interested.

Mock Printz 2008 *UPDATED*

Or should it be 2009, since they are eligible for the 2009 Printz? I don't know. Whatev.

Today my library is having their very own Mock Printz. It's the first time they've done this (although the Teen Coordinator did it at her last library system), and the first time for me too.

A couple months ago all the teen librarians voted on our shortlist (pretty much our favs that were published before about August (to give everyone a chance to read):

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Little Brother
Sunrise Over Fallujah (just finished last night! Review to come!)
Sweethearts

We're supposed to go solely off of the Printz criteria as we understand it for this.

I'm so excited! Who do you think will win amongst those five? Can you guess which one *I'M* rooting for?

UPDATE:

Frankie won with 28 points.
Jenna had 23,
Little Brother had 14,
Sweethearts had 11, and
Sunrise received 4.

I went in rooting for Jenna, argued myself into Frankie, then voted for Jenna anyway. Because I'm psycho like that. But see, Jocelyn said that Jenna's writing was "Elegant" and that made me happy. It was interesting to discuss these titles and disregard popularity entirely, judge them on just their literary merits - something we didn't take into account when nominating the titles in the first place. It was also just nice to talk to people about books in real life.

My system has a staff member on the Printz committee this year, and she came in to talk to us about process and rules and all the little things involved that you wouldn't think of, like that you have to read any nominated book at least twice, but that listening to an audio book doesn't count as a read, since the audio version can give a different interpretation than the print with vocal emphasis, acting and production. Fascinating stuff. It didn't dissuade me from wanting to be on the committee someday, despite the fact that it did dissuade some of my colleagues.

Morris Award Shortlist.

Dedicated readers of this blog probably realize that I'm even more sporadic about posting awards stuff than I am at posting this blog at all. I figure if you care you'll get the info elsewhere, if you haven't already sought it out on your own. I'm only going to say something if I have something to say. However, this is the inaugural year for the ALA's Morris Award which is to be given to the best debut novel for young adults; it must be the author (or illustrator's)first published book. I'm interested in the limits and freedoms they have ascribed here, especially this part: "Its proven or potential appeal to a wide range of teen readers."

Here's the shortlist:

A CURSE DARK AS GOLD by Elizabeth Bunce
Despite good recommendations by Sarah Miller, I'm pretty ambivalent on this one. I think it needed to be tighter and cover a shorter period of time - the plot just flat out draaaaged for me and I felt that it was trying to be a cross-over novel to adult women; that it didn't have a clear sense of its audience and was therefore uneven. Concept was sound and interesting, it just didn't move fast enough for me.

GRACELING by Kristin Cashore
Love this book. Love. Love, love, love. Strong girl character in the fantasy tradition of Tamora Pierce plus a hot, idealised, love interest? Yeah, I'm predisposed to like that. Add in the fact that the girl has special killing powers? I couldn't get this into my hands fast enough. It lived up to the buzz.



ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS by James Lecesne
Haven't read, but have heard great things. I want to read.



MADAPPLE by Christina Meldrum
Also haven't read, and have heard mixed opinions, although most have acknowledged it's uniqueness. I can't decide if I want to read.





ME, THE MISSING, AND THE DEAD by Jenny Valentine
I liked this far more than I thought I would. It's very British. Not that that means anything other than it being a reflection of a very strong voice. The more I reflect upon this title, the better I think it is, however, if not thinking terribly hard, I forget it entirely. Weird.


This is just the shortlist - the winner will be announced in January at ALA Midwinter. I like the whole shortlist concept. I wonder if there would be less shock and controversy for the Newbery and Printz if people had a little warning and time to read the books themselves. Or, maybe not.

More here and here.

More Twilight Hilarity

This time attempting to figure out why women love Edward so much:



Full post here.

Thanks Kelly!

Well that snuck up on me.

Huh. It's December 7th. That means this blog is three years old today.

Didn't see that coming.

Here's the first post. Not that I can imagine any scenario where you'd be interested.

Now that's just not fair

Right, so that last post? I just got notification that someone picked up the Travel Bug in order to TAKE TO FLORIDA.

That is not the right direction. That is the exact opposite direction. You can't really get much further away from Seattle and stay in the Lower 48. I have to say, GISH1982, you aren't really following directions well. Posing with a giant bronze Humpty Dumpty won't make up for it. I'm a TEEN librarian, nursery rhymes won't work on me.

Just you watch, it will finally get out of the, er, warmness of Florida and slowly work it's way NW before getting stuck in Kansas for another year. Not to be pessimistic or anything.

All of this said, if someone were to pick the thing up and take it to another country, I'd be cool with it.

I think I need to do another experiment, sending one to my brother in Virginia and see what happens.

UPDATE: Yep. There it is. In Florida. Sigh.


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Kansas is like the Bermuda Triangle

or something.

A year and a half ago my mom released a Travel Bug into the wild (Swimming Upstream). It's goal was Spokane, where I was living at the time. I've since changed that goal to Seattle, where I live now, but I somehow doubt that it matters 'CAUSE IT CAN'T SEEM TO FREAKIN' GET PAST FREAKIN' KANSAS. Please, any readers in Kansas, will you please, please, please move the little fishy along? North and West, please.


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If you aren't a Geocacher* and none of this makes sense to you AND you are actually curious read here, or if you are the lazier sort, wait for Justina Chen Headley's upcoming book NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, out in February. It's touching, wonderful, and full of all sorts of geocaching awesomeness. But I might be a little biased as I'm in the FREAKIN' ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS! Holy Rusted Metal, Batman! I didn't do anything to deserve it, I swear! My mother is nevertheless quite proud.

I promise I'll talk about more books soon.

*I've been Geocaching for probably 5 years, but I never log any of my finds, so please don't judge me by my profile. But feel free to friend me if you are a fellow cacher!