What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, so we can check in with each other. To join, just check out Jaime Morrow or Erin Funk's blogs for the link widget and sign up!
WHAT I'M READING
Lots of reading since last I blogged. I finished HEIR OF FIRE and reviewed it here last week (but beware some spoilers if you haven't read any of Throne of Glass books), and the book is out now. I also finished the moving and uplifting A TIME TO DANCE and mini-reviewed it on goodreads.
As with the first book, ANTIGODDESS, I blasted through MORTAL GODS over the weekend. Kendare Blake's modern take on Greek gods and heroes is one of my favorites and the most fun. She also writes cruel, killer endings. My feels are still a mess from it. The book isn't out until October, so it means I have even longer to wait for the next! Aaahh!
I'm currently reading the lushly written, dark fairy-tale-esque THORN JACK, and my first Nina LaCour book with EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU.
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WHAT I'M WRITING
I've taken a break from the verse story, but I've been reading some poetry and verse for inspiration. Been tinkering with the Cinderella WIP as well.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
The Sis and I have recently gotten hooked on the reality TV show: THE QUEST. I'm not much for reality TV in general, but this show is kind of amazing. It puts contemporary contestants in a fantasy world, Everealm, on a mission to find the one "true hero" who will save the 12 kingdoms from darkness. It's great because it's basically a fantasy nerd's dream!
I also attended my 10 year high school reunion, and it was actually quite fun! It was great catching up with people but also reconnecting with old friends (the ones that I don't still hang out with). Props to my college roommate and HS senior class president for organizing most of the reunion from Paris. She's a boss.
Yesterday was the Sister's birthday! We tried to get Captain America: The Winter Soldier on BluRay, but alas, it was sold out! Hopefully, we'll be able to pick it up later in the week.
As part of her birthday gift, I have created a new Instagram account for her, one that we've discussed in the past. You see, the Sister has a knack for imitating things and it's about time that talent was celebrated. So check out @ImitationCat on Instagram and follow! It's still being built now, but here's a sample of what's to come.
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CALL FOR YA BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Instead of an Inspiration section this week, I wanted to use this space to help out my friend and fellow YA reader/writer/tweeter Sarah (@sarahgoldberg) with an academic project of hers. This is fitting for this section anyway because Sarah is inspiring!
Anyway, Sarah is doing all sorts of cool stuff in grad school, and she's thinking about participating in a YA Panel at a conference in the spring. But to do that, she needs to read up on YA books pertaining to her topic. Here's what she's looking for:
"I'm looking for YA, especially of the last 15 years or so, that deals (more than usual) with consumerism, capitalism, and critiques thereof. In other words, I'm interested in books that explore how teens are initiated into our (capitalist) consumer society, and points of tension in that process: examples where that initiation breaks down, because of exclusions or marginalization from the system; instances where characters question, reject, or rework its basic tenets, etc.
For example, books in which teens have jobs or books that take place in or feature identifiable consumerist settings (like the mall) might be likely to deal with these issues. Some of the books I already have in mind are THE BLONDE OF THE JOKE, CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS, FANGIRL, and THE VAST FIELDS OF ORDINARY.
This list is very contemporary YA heavy and not very diverse, so I'd also be interested in ideas of books from other genres or representing a more diverse range of experiences."
So if you know of any books that might fit this criteria, please let me know or tweet them at Sarah! If you know anyone who might be able to help, please signal boost this request!
Many thanks!!
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10 comments:
The reunion looks fun! My old senior school had one for its 45th anniversary a few years ago and it was soooo weird going back and seeing old friends and teachers.
Wow, loads of reading! Enjoy ^_^ And happy birthday to your sister. Good luck tracking down that Winter Soldier... ;)
I don't have any recommendations for your friend, but she might want to check out this article on recent YA dystopias. I found it to be a rather interesting perspective: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/01/ya-dystopias-children-free-market-hunger-games-the-giver-divergent?CMP=twt_gu
I love your review of A TIME TO DANCE. It's on my TBR! As for your friend I recommend DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS and TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT ME. Good luck to the both of you!
What channel is The Quest on? It sounds really fun! As always, your photos are beautiful, and happiest of birthdays to your sister. Best of luck finding inspiration in the poetry you're reading. I want you to finish your verse WiP because when you do, I'm going to BEG you to let me beta read it. :-)
Me and the hubs are watching The Quest too and it's incredible all the effort they put into it! We're behind by a few episodes though.
Hmm, I can't think of any books that fit that criteria, but I'll keep thinking.
I'm going to have to check out Kendare Blake's books. I've read ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, but that's it. And HEIR OF FIRE is on its way here, so I'm pretty excited about that!
I've never been to a single reunion and I'm closing in on 20 years in 2016. (Eek!) I'm not sure I'd ever have the guts to show up, though part of me wants them all to know just how different I am than I was then lol. Glad you had a good time! Have a great week, Alice! :D
Sounds like you've been doing a lot of reading! :) Great photos - your reunion looks like fun!
I love Kendare Blake! But I haven't read her new series yet, because of her killer endings. I had to wait to read ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD until GIRL OF NIGHTMARES came out. Even so, that ending killed me.
I've read a lot of YA and can't think of any good economic related stories. There are stories about rick teens, and stories about less fortunate teens, but I can't think of any that actual present consumerism in a way I'd want to hear about in a panel. I guess that's why Sarah is asking for suggestions.
Have a great week!
I'm totally reading the same Nina LaCour right now! If you love it, you should read THE DISENCHANTMENTS. That book is amazing.
And the first book that comes to mind for your friend is FEED by M.T. Anderson. Definitely deals with this exact subject, and it's not a contemporary! :)
Was late night blog perusing and concluded again that the world is SO small... I went to Cal with Michelle, who I saw was in town for the reunion! :) (@bethxness on Twitter)
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