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X Factor


Apr
27.12

Posted in A to Z Challenge, Books, I Love Joss, Random, Television | 1 Comment »

Today’s post is devoted to those favorite things of mine that I wanted to mention earlier this month but didn’t because either other things popped into my head at the last minute or Joss Whedon trumps all.  I’m calling it “X Factor” because (a) it’s X Day and (b) because these things (All right, well one’s a person) have completely captured my attention/imagination in a way that’s usually only reserved for the Whedonverse.

Books

I first read the novels of Ellen Emerson White when I was in the seventh grade and both my mother and my English teacher were desperate to get me to read something— anything— that didn’t feature a pair of beautiful blond twins. So, one day, when I was wandering around the library searching for said anything, I came across The President’s Daughter.  It’s the story of Meg Powers (one of my all time favorite characters)
, a sixteen year old girl whose mother runs for (and wins) the Presidency of the United States.  I don’t remember why exactly I picked it up but I’m super glad I did because it was the start of a beautiful love affair— all right, maybe a little one sided love affair— that has lasted until this day.  And just so you understand how long I’ve been in love with this book/series, it’s been quite a while since I was in the seventh grade.  Like, more than one decade.  And then some.

Ellen Emerson White taught me so much about writing a story. She taught me so much about creating a character with layers.  She taught me so much about character voice.  My writing changed forever after reading these series of books.  And if you like YA, you should most definitely read this series.

Here’s the series list in order:

1.  The President’s Daughter (which is currently a paperback bargain at Amazon— $4!!)

2.  White House Autumn

3.  Long Live The Queen

4.  Long May She Reign

I also love White’s other novels The Road Home, Life Without Friends, and In Case of Emergency, Ring Super.  These three titles are out of print and therefore, harder to come by but they’re fantastic novels all.

Television

Sherlock is a British series that offers a contemporary spin on the Sherlock Holmes stories.  I started watching it this year (just a couple months ago) and was addicted probably within the first ten minutes because it’s that awesome.  I was very disappointed to find out there were only three episodes though.  Fortunately, the next series starts up in the States on May 6th.  And BOY am I excited.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson) are terrific.  The writing rocks and the mysteries are good ones.  (Even if, between A Study In Pink and a certain episode of the British series Luther, I am now afraid of London cab drivers…)

Here are some of my favorite lines from the first series:

Mycroft:  You don’t seem very afraid.
Watson: You don’t seem very frightening.

Sherlock:  Anderson, don’t talk out loud. You lower the IQ of the entire street.

Sherlock:  I’m not a psychopath, Anderson. I’m a high functioning sociopath. Do your research.

Sherlock:  Look at you lot. You’re all so vacant. Is it nice being me? It must be so relaxing.

Watson: (shouting while pissed at Sherlock) I’m Sherlock Holmes and I always work alone because no-one can compete with my massive intellect!

Comics

And just for something different and for something that actually starts with X, I’d like to make mention of XKCD, a comic strip featuring stick figures and geek humor (I guess, lacking a better way to describe it).  A lot of the strips, I don’t understand because a lot of it is science centered and my level of science understands tops out at Mr. Wizard (or Bill Nye the Science Guy for those of you too young to know who Mr. Wizard is).  Apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way because there’s a site called Explain XKCD that does just day: explains the comic to the rest of us.

But my favorite comic from them is this one:

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Robin Hood


Apr
20.12

Posted in A to Z Challenge, Books, Movies, Television | No Comments »

What can I say?  I’m a fan.  I always have been.  The story of Robin Hood was one of my first inspirations.  When I was a kid, I always wanted to run around the yard with my homemade bow (a slightly curved stick with a piece of kite string tied to either end) and play the rebel, the outlaw.  All right, fine.  Sometimes I still do that.  The only difference is I can now afford slightly better weaponry.  Not that anything has met its demise at my hands.  Except that one lamp.  And the corner of my desk.  And that one spot on the wall in The Man’s office.  But other than that, I have done no harm.

Yet.

So I thought today would be a perfect day (being ‘R’ day and all) to feature all things Robin Hood, more specifically books, television and movies.  And I’m not going to talk about all of them.  There’s too much so this will be a limited (although it made not feel like it right now) list.  As always, if I don’t talk about your favorites (sorry, Errol Flynn but that picture’s all you’re gonna get), please feel free to admonish me in the comments.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Books

The King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead.  This series includes the titles Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. Scarlet is my personal favorite of the three and is told through the POV of Will Scarlet.  In this series, Robin Hood is Bran ap Brychan, a Welshman hunted by the Normans who takes to the woods to save his life.  This series is deep and dark and so gorgeously written. Hood was the first novel by Stephen Lawhead I’d ever read and it was good enough to turn me into a lifelong fan.

The Outlaw Chronicles by Angus Donald.  Told through the POV of Alan a Dale.  If Stephen Lawhead’s series is dark then this series is just plain brutal.  This is not a happy sing-song Robin Hood here.  This is a man who, if crossed, will cut out your tongue before he cuts off your extremities.  Angus Donald doesn’t pull any punches in this series and it’s awesome.  It includes Outlaw, Holy Warrior, King’s Man (which I am reading now) and the soon to be released Warlord.  I liked these books so much that I was willing to order my copy of King’s Man from England when I couldn’t get a copy here in the good ole USA.

Lady of the Forest and Lady of Sherwood by Jennifer Roberson.  I’m not going to write tons about these two novels but I just wanted to mention it because it’s written by a woman and tells the Robin Hood legend from the POV of Maid Marion.  The new cover makes it look like a real bodice ripping romance and it isn’t.  Both books are a good read.

Television

In 2006, the BBC released this AWESOME reboot of the Robin Hood legend.  Jonas Armstrong starred as the titular character.  It lasted for three seasons.  Fun fact: I wasn’t sure I’d make it through the first episode because it’s a little cheesy.  And by ‘a little’, I mean a lot.  But once you just embrace that fact, this show is just plain fun. Speaking of fun, I think Keith Allen (who played the Sheriff of Nottingham) had entirely too much playing his role.  I always love it when he shows up on screen (yes, this show has made it into my repeated viewings rotation along with Firefly, Buffy and Veronica Mars.)  And while the first season is a variable cornucopia of physic defying stunts and improbable escapes and plot lines, the second season took all that and added some drama.  There’s a big shocking death at the end of it that ensured that Season Two would remain ever my favorite.  This series is available for instant viewing through Netflix.

Movies

Disney’s Robin Hood.  Released in 1973.  Fun fact: this script had eight writers and if you have (or can get your hands on) the Most Wanted DVD edition of this movie, you can see the alternate ending where a wounded Robin Hood is about to be stabbed by Prince John when King Richard, home from the crusades, interrupts in the nick of time.  It was deemed too dark and was hence changed.

Another Fun Fact:  I’ve probably watched this movie at least 800 times.  Maybe 8,000.  It was a big, big hit in my family. I can still sing the songs.  And sometimes do, much to the delight of everyone surrounding me at the time.  I do apologize to the people on that airplane that time I flew over Nottingham.  It’s just… I was so excited to be that close.  You understand, I’m sure.

Robin Hood: Men In Tights.  Released in 1993.  Directed by Mel Brooks and, according to IMDB, written by five people.  I’m laughing just thinking about this movie.  Cary Elwes (whom I adore in everything he does… and hey, he’s guest starred on Psych too!) is a perfect Robin Hood in this most excellent spoof.  Richard Lewis plays Prince John and you know what?  The entire cast is perfect and I can’t list them all.  If you haven’t seen this film, you really should.  You’ll love it. Unless you hate things that are funny. Then I can’t help you.

My favorite line in all too quotable movie comes after Prince John asks why people should listen to Robin Hood and Robin answers, “Because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent.”  (Kevin Costner, I’m looking at you.)

And to leave with you today, here’s my favorite scene:

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Queens (the evil kind)


Apr
19.12

Posted in A to Z Challenge, Books, Movies, Writing | No Comments »

Today we’re talking about Evil Queens.  Yes, I know.  This is the second post this month I’ve devoted to the awesomeness of evil characters and you’re concerned for me and my seeming lack of moral fiber.  That, or you’ve read this blog long enough to know that in place of moral fiber I was just given an extra snark gene. Or twenty.

But it doesn’t change the fact that we’re talking about evil queens.  Good queens are well and… well, good (yes, folks!  Marvel at my command of the English language!) but the evil queens get to have all the fun and they often times make a fantasy story that much more interesting.  Not to mention they’re often times rather integral to the plot.  Not every good fantasy story has an evil queen but some of the very best do and this post will be dedicated to four of them (listed in no particular order).

1.  The Queen of Hearts from Alice In Wonderland.

First of all, give yourself bonus points (no cash value) if you now have a certain Juice Newton song stuck in your head. (If you don’t have a certain Juice Newton song stuck in your head, it’s possible you’re too young to read this blog. That, or I’m in desperate need of a life.)

Second of all, the Queen of Hearts is noted for being a short tempered, foul tempered croquet enthusiast.  She is NOT the Red Queen from Alice In Wonderland’s sequel, Through The Looking Glass.  And then there’s this (courtesy of Lewis Carroll):

The Queen had only one way of settling all difficulties, great or small. ‘Off with his head!’ she said, without even looking round.

2. The Wicked Queen (AKA the Evil Queen) from Snow White.

Interesting fun fact:  In the first edition of the Snow White tale, the wicked queen was Snow White’s biological mother.  Not her stepmother.  Also, Snow White’s name in the first edition was actually Snowdrop

Another interesting fun fact:  The Disney version of this character ranks #10 on the American Film Institute list of the 100 Best Villains of All Time

Famous line:  Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

3.  The White Witch from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Jadis is her name and freezing Narnia is her game.  When The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe begins, this winter has lasted for 100 years and her castle is filled with petrified ( as in ‘turned to stone’) Narnians.  Yikes.

She’s also the reason we have a “don’t take candy from strangers” policy for our children as she lures Edmund Pevensie into her sleigh with Turkish Delight.

4.  Queen Bavmorda from Willow

All right, so just how awesome was this movie?

This is a character from the 1988 film directed by Ron Howard.  It also starred Val Kilmer (Madmartigan) and Warwick Davis as the titular character.  Queen Bavmorda hears a prophecy stating that a newborn baby girl will bring about her downfall so naturally, she imprisons all pregnant women in her stronghold until the child in question is born.  Of course, a midwife takes the child and escapes and all hell breaks loose.  Bavmorda sends out the troops to track the child down.  While she waits for the infant to be returned to her, she turns people into possums, other people into ice, and some into pigs.  At least she has variety, right?

Right.

And now… It’s Shameless Plug Time!

My own fantasy series, The Coileáin Chronicles, has an evil queen of its own, Zaide Romanza Brollachan.  I thought about posting the scene from Effigy where she ascends the throne but it’s way too long for an A to Z Challenge post.  If you’re interested in reading it, you can do so HERE.

Thanks for stopping by… see y’all tomorrow!

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Novels, New Girl, and Noooooooo!


Apr
16.12

Posted in A to Z Challenge, Books, Sports, Television | No Comments »

It’s going to be 80 degrees today in the Mount Washington valley and my hammock is calling my name so let’s get right to it, shall we?

Novels

Night Sky by Jolene Perry

Jolene is probably the most prolific writer I know (makes me look like a sloth.  Of course, George R.R. Martin also makes me look like a sloth.  A really slow sloth.) and Night Sky is her second novel (the third I believe is coming out next month).  I read this book in March but as the A to Z Challenge kind of shoved my March book review out of the blog line up, I wanted to make sure I mentioned this book.  I read a lot of bad books in March but this wasn’t one of them and deserves some special attention.  Here’s what I had to say about it:

Jameson is a great character and I thoroughly enjoyed his narrative.  And while I knew how the Sarah corner of the triangle was going to resolve itself, I didn’t know that about Sky’s corner and I liked that I couldn’t see it coming.  I also liked how when it came down to a choice between reading the next chapter of this book or watching the next episode of Game of Thrones, I picked the book.  Pause for shock and awe.  It also made me want to pay Las Vegas another visit, something for which The Man will be forever grateful.

Nether Bound by Bonnie Rae Louwerens

This is Bonnie Rae’s first book and was released last week.  It’s  YA paranormal novel with a pretty kick ass novel and premise.  I haven’t read it yet but you can buy it for your Kindle on Amazon.  For more information, including a synopsis of the novel, you can head out to Bonnie Rae’s blog or her webpage.  Congratulations, Bonnie Rae!

(more…)

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I, I, I


Apr
10.12

Posted in A to Z Challenge, Blogfests, Books, Music | No Comments »

Yeah.  That title’s my very clever way of saying I don’t have a very clever title.  I don’t even have a very clever post.  In my A to Z Challenge calendar (yes, I created an actual calendar for the event. My one stab at planning ahead), “I” is a big ole blank.  So is the end of the alphabet but that’s a problem for another time.

I have a post so I suppose that’s something.  I actually had to look at last year’s post because I couldn’t remember what I came up with (It was Influential Authors).

Here’s what I came up with ten minutes ago this year:

Isabel Spellman

Isabel Spellman is the main character of a series written by Lisa Lutz.  Isabel is a PI in her parents’ private investigation firm.  She’s been living the PI life ever since she was born so it’s pretty much all she knows.  She’s smart as well as a smart ass and occasionally screws things up big time.  She has no luck with members of the opposite sex, sometimes drinks too much and prefers climbing through windows rather than using the front door.  Her family makes even the most dysfunctional families seem much more normal and I can’t get enough of these books.  There are five books in the series so far.  The picture on the right is the fourth book in the series.  I picked it because it’s my favorite of all five.  There’s hilarity, there’s sadness, there’s some absolutely just moving moments, plus one moment that made me hoot and holler and jump up and down with excitement.  The one drawback is that Isabel still refuses to reveal the name of the San Fran bakery that makes the awesome chocolate croissants.  Uncool.  But what is cool is that I never would have known about the awesomeness of Isabel (well, maybe not never) if a group of my fellow bloggers hadn’t  brought her to my attention.  Thanks!

Iron And Wine

I’m afraid that  Iron and Wine (aka Samuel Beam) might be best known for having a song (“Flightless Bird, American Mouth”) on the Twilight movie soundtrack.  It’s the song that Bella and Edward dance to at the prom.  The song makes another appearance in Breaking Dawn, Part One (at the wedding).  I don’t know if that’s true or not.  I hope it isn’t because this singer/songwriter is rather amazing.  I mean, not that is isn’t good that he got this exposure.  Maybe Twilight netted him a whole bunch of new fans who went out and bought every single album he’s produced.  I hope that’s true.  Anyway, I’m rambling so here’s one of my favorites, Woman King (from the album of the same name):

Indifference

This song by Pearl Jam appears on the album Vs..  It’s long been one of my favorites and another one of those songs that appears on the official unofficial soundtracks I create for my books.

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In Which I Review Books


Mar
01.12

Posted in Books | No Comments »

I know you’ve all just been dying to know what I read in February.  So here it is… some of my reviews this month, I’ll admit, are much shorter than usual but I promise you’ll still know on what side of the fence I am.

Juliet Immortal-  Stacey Jay-  A very interesting take on the Romeo and Juliet story.  The cover is gorgeous and the first chapter made me swoon.  I did think after that the story dragged in parts but overall, it’s really pretty good and makes me want to read the sequel when it’s released.

Seductive As Flame- Susan Johnson-  Yep.  Another formula following romance novel.  I’m brain dead, I tell you, brain dead.

Catch Me- Lisa Gardner- Her latest D.D. Warren novel.  A lot of this book read like a who’s who of Gardner novels as many of her past characters put in a cameo appearance here.  I’m never one to mind cameo appearances.  I always got a kick out of it when Robert B. Parker did it but this particular novel with four characters from previous novels felt like too much.  Curious too to know why Bobby Dodge was nowhere to be found.  Everyone else got to pop in to say hi, why not him?  Anyway, the mystery is pretty good.  I was a little worried early on.  I read the book jacket blurb and thought, “Didn’t I see this on an episode of Monk?” But it turned out to be pretty interesting.  I thought I knew whodunit early on but boy, was I wrong.  Overall, I always enjoy Gardner’s novels.  Not to sound condescending or anything (after all I am an unpublished nobody), but I think she’s come a long way as a storyteller.

The Name Of The Star- Maureen Johnson-  An interesting book with an interesting premise.  I saw a lot of things coming but it was still a good read that made me want to move to London to fight ghosts.

Shotgun Gravy- Chuck Wendig- A novella not for the faint of heart.  I love Chuck Wendig.  His writing consistently makes me laugh until I can’t breath but I did not love this story.  I wanted to, I really did, but I just couldn’t.  I don’t know if I’ll bother reading the next one but, let’s face it, I probably will.

Fever- Lauren DeStefano- The second book in the Chemical Garden trilogy.  I really enjoyed the first novel, Wither, and so I was looking forward to reading this story.  And I was kind of bored for the first half.  I wasn’t invested in the characters or what they were doing. I’ve never really been a huge Gabriel fan and while Maddie is very interesting, she didn’t really seem to serve a lot of purpose (hope that changes in the third book) The second half was more interesting and left off without having really resolved anything so now I find myself in need of the third novel.  Let’s hope this series stays a trilogy unlike certain other YA novels…

With Or Without You- Brian Farry- YA contemporary not for the faint of heart.  It tackles some serious stuff and more than once just left me slack jawed and a little devastated.  This is a very good, very intense read.  I worried about the main character so much it made my stomach hurt.

Trail of the Spellmans- Lisa Lutz-  (WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS…SO DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T YET READ THE BOOK. WENDY, I MEAN YOU!) First off, Isabel Spellman, I do believe I am your biggest sentence-enhancer fan.  Second of all, while I am very glad to know that I can now date Henry Stone (apologizes to my own significant other…), I am so sad that he and Isabel have broken up.  That development weighed down my enjoyment of the book because I really do love these characters.  That said, the rest of the book is zany sentence enhancing (you’d get that part if you read the book) goodness.  It made me laugh and then laugh some more.  I need another one.  Now.

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21 Questions


Feb
20.12

Posted in Books, I Love Joss, Music, Random | No Comments »

The latest craze sweeping the blogosphere is this question and answer thing where you are tagged and asked to answer ten or eleven questions.  Well, this weekend I was tagged twice.  Once by Ava Quinn over at Tongue In Cheek (a wonderfully hilarious blog you should check out if you haven’t already) and once by Jessica Salyer at Just Following A Dream.  These questions combined number 21, hence my very clever title. Here are my answers to their questions:

Ava’s Questions:

1.  When is your favorite time to write?

My favorite time to write is at night, after all other mammals in my household are asleep.  That’s when I can barricade myself in my office and break out the weaponry.  Both literal and figurative.

2.  What would you like to change about the place where you write?

I’d like it to be located in some fabulous oceanfront home on Mount Desert Island in Maine.  Other than that, I’d say I need more bookshelf space.

3.  Who is your favorite villain?

My favorite villain is Dr. Horrible.  Running a close second is Dr. Doofenschmirtz.  I also have a soft spot for Skeletor.

4.  Which do you prefer?  Mel Brooks’ movies or Monty Python’s?

Ava mentioned she thought this was the toughest question and I think she might be right but I have to go with Monty Python because Monty Python and the Holy Grail is on my top ten list of all time favorite movies.

5.  Who is your favorite character from The Princess Bride?

The second toughest question.  I have debated on this question for a while (a very long time) and have decided to go with Fezzik.

6.  If you could meet anyone living today, who would it be?

Joss Whedon.  Next question.

7.  What is your favorite dish that your mom used to make for you?

I am the quintessential picky eater and so my favorite meal growing up (and still today) was dubbed the yellow meal.  It was homemade macaroni and cheese, corn and cornbread.  It bored every other member of my family.

8.  What song are you really into right now?

Right now, I am really into the song Come Back Home by Chris Pureka.  The lyrics are lovely.

9.  If you had a kickass Halloween party to go to and you had unlimited resources to prepare, what would you go as?

I don’t know exactly.  But assuming I’d also have the unlimited confidence to pull it off, I’d say some kind of medieval-esque celtic warrior woman.  But let’s face it… it would really be an excuse to procure myself some kick ass weaponry.

10.  Who from your past would you Facebook stalk but never want to see in real life?

I guess an ex-boyfriend or two but other than that, I really don’t know.

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In Which I Review Books


Dec
01.11

Posted in Books | 4 Comments »

Here’s what I managed to read during the month of November (holy crap, I can’t believe it’s now freaking DECEMBER!) , in between endless shifts at The Store, Thanksgiving and writing a NaNoWriMo novel:

The Spellman Files- Lisa Lutz-  A while back, I asked for suspense/thriller book recommendations and a few of you mentioned this writer.  I found her books in the library and took a chance.  You weren’t wrong.  This was a very fun and funny read and I highly enjoyed it.  I thought the mystery was a little on the light side (had it almost figured out before the actual reveal) and the end a little too crammed with stuff (the Snow mystery plus the sister’s disappearance) but overall, this is a great read.  I love Lisa’s writing style.  I love how she crafts a character.  I loved the use of footnotes and I really got a huge kick out of the author’s acknowledgements at the end of the book.  Too funny, really.  Look for the follow up novels to show up here soon.

Curse of the Spellmans- Lisa Lutz- I love Isabel and I have a serious crush on Henry Stone.  However, Rae is a pain in the ass and because of this, her parents (on occasion) are too.  Still, I’m loving this series.

Revenge of the Spellmans- Lisa Lutz-  Isabel goes to therapy.  Still loving this series even if Rae and her parents continue to irritate.

Robert B. Parker’s Killing The Blues- Michael Brandman-  The most notable thing about this novel is that it’s a Jesse Stone novel NOT written by Robert B. Parker.  It’s written by Michael Brandman who has written the screenplays (teleplays) for the Jesse Stone tv movies starring Tom Selleck.  There’s even a quote from Tom saying how Michael is the perfect guy for the job for continuing on this series.  I just wish he’d done it by not trying to emulate Parker’s trademark style.  This fact that Parker does not write this book is  right there on the cover  and becomes blatantly apparent on the very first page.  I shouldn’t expect anyone to be able to write like Parker and I really didn’t expect it when I picked up this novel.   I was just curious to see what it would be like and it was, to be honest, kind of annoying.  The first thing Brandman has Jesse do is move out of his condo and into the house where Jesse lives on the TV movies.  Irritating.  Also, there were too many things going on, plot-wise.  There was the car jacking plot, the high school mean girls plot, the ex-con seeking revenge on Jesse plot, the Jesse sleeps with a girl who’s way to young for him plot (which does ultimately and hysterical help tie up  the revenge plot) and (let’s not forget) the Jesse makes friends with a stray cat plot.  Way too much.  Next time, Brandman should try writing like himself.  It would probably work out better.


Read anything interesting lately?  Reeling from the fact that it’s freaking DECEMBER?  Tell me about it…

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Waiting On Wednesday


Nov
30.11

Posted in Blogfests, Books | No Comments »

Well.  It’s the end of November which also means it’s the end of the I Love Dark YA Blogfest hosted by the YAtopia crew.  Today’s topic is “Waiting On Wednesday” where participants are asked to blog about the dark YA books they’re most looking forward to.  I’m looking forward to hopping around to see what everyone else writes because I love suggestions on books that I should read.  Not that I’m ever running low on books to read (my goodness, you should see the number of books I bought at the Borders going out of business sale.  I should really have no need to buy another book until 2013 but hell, I couldn’t even make it until the end of 2011.  I am what I am.) but I still like to add to that TBR pile.

Yesterday, as I prepared for this blog, I was looking over my Amazon wish list and there are a lot of exciting titles coming out in 2012 (get ‘em out now before the world ends, kids!) but these are the three dark YA titles over which  I am near breathless with excitement:

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YA Saves


Nov
23.11

Posted in Blogfests, Books | No Comments »

Today is week four of the I Love Dark YA Blogfest hosted by the Yatopia quartet.  It’s #YASAVES week in which participants are asked to blog about how a dark YA book made an impact in your life.

But I don’t really want to.

See, it’s true that YA saves.  It’s true that certain books can make a huge impact in a person’s life (a young adult or even a older one).  It’s true that they can bring eye opening understanding and I want people to know this.

It’s just that talking about my personal experience tends to get me a little… emotional, shall we say and me getting emotional usually leads to me being either (a) super surly as I attempt to deny the fact that I have feelings that occasionally makes salt water leak from my eyes or (b) super sad wherein I have to fight the urge to retreat to my bed, crawl beneath the covers and not come out until one of my dogs tells me they have to pee (I have very smart dogs.).

And since I have to go to work today, I can’t really do either of these things.

But I will tell you the two novels.  I’ve mentioned them in this blog before.  Twice in the last month, both in connection with this particular blogfest.  But I mention them a lot anyway because not only are they a master class in how to construct a story and create characters, they had a huge impact on me personally.  They are:

Speak

and

Wintergirls

Both novels are by the amazingly talented Laurie Halse Anderson.  If you’ve read them then you know what they’re about (and you should also maybe know that I didn’t have these experiences.  Someone very close to me did.).  If you haven’t read them, you really should.  Even if you don’t think you like YA.

You hear so much about dark YA ( It wasn’t all too long ago that Speak came under fire) and how it’s bad for kids to read stories that don’t involve sunshine and candy hearts or whatever (though I suppose candy hearts should be considered dangerous…too many of them will lead to cavities after all.) and picture perfect teens who’ve never been led off (or pulled off) the straight and narrow.

But you know what?  Sometimes, bad things happen to good people.  All too often does that happen and we need to be able to understand and deal with these things and sometimes the written word can help.

Shit.  I’m getting emotional.  Time to wrap this up.

I feel very strongly about this.  Which is why, back when I was teaching, a miracle on the order of loaves and fishes occurred:  I was given the opportunity to order new books for my classroom.  I immediately asked for Speak (I don’t think Wintergirls had been released yet).   My boss asked what it was about and so I told him.  Afterward, he was a little reluctant to order the books and was even more reluctant to have me teach it to a group of students.

“Something like that,” he said.  “You just don’t know what it’ll lead to…”

“If me teaching that book leads to even one kid coming forth about something that’s happened to them,” I said (as I was getting a little emotional), “then it’s absolutely worth it.  If it leads to one kid to have a better understanding what’s happened to a friend then it’s absolutely worth it.”

Because YA Saves.

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