Robbie's Reads

This is not my contest.

Over at the Beautiful Creatures site, they’re giving away an awesome swag pack including the amazing-looking Crash Into Me by Albert Borris. Also a kickass necklace, nail polish, Twizzlers, yanno, necessities. Go check it out!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

As much as it disappoints me to say this, I will not be attending ALA as planned next week. It just is not financially responsible or feasible for me to do it at this time.

This will allow me to put more time and energy into the Eyes Like Stars Launch Week Glitter Party, so that is a plus.

I will still be attending Sirens in October and ALA in January in Boston. I may jaunt down to New York after the Boston one, so we shall see.

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren wherein I discuss the books that have come into my possession through various means over the week. This week I received no books in the mail and purchased no books. However, I was a greedy little bookslut at book club. Click on the cover(s) to go to a summary.

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Lisa Mantchev’s debut novel Eyes Like Stars launches on July 7, and I am most pleased to announce

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

I’ve had a special fascination with LGBT fiction since a while before I realized I liked boys, and I am a firm believer that LGBT fiction can help teens in trouble if they have access to it. Here are my recommendations.

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Probably the most famous of contemporary LGBT fiction is Nancy Garden’s classic Annie on My Mind, which is still fresh and just as controversial as it was twenty-five years ago. What’s more, it has a positive, hopeful ending, which I feel is important in reminding LGBT youth that they are not sick or wrong, but normal, healthy teenagers.

Julie Anne Peters has several books out, many with a lesbian theme. Keeping You A Secret is about a girl coming to terms with her own sexuality. Luna is a Cinderella retelling where Reagan is the fairy godmother to her transgendered brother Liam, who transforms into Luna at night. Between Mom and Jo takes a different angle, and tells Nick’s story as his two mothers go through a divorce.

David Levithan is another prolific author; his titles include Boy Meets Boy, Wide Awake, and a short story collection callled How They Met and other stories.

Brent Hartinger’s novel Geography Club tells how five teens start a GSA at their school under the guise of being a Geography Club. There are two sequels, The Order of the Poison Oak, and Split-Screen: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies/Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies. Oddly enough, that one has little to do with zombies.

Perry Moore is one of the producers of The Chronicles of Narnia movies, which are expressly aimed at a Christian audience seeking wholesome family entertainment. His novel Hero is about Thom Creed, whose father is a superhero, and his struggle not only with his own superpowers and his father’s shadow but also his sexuality.

Alex Sanchez has several titles available. His Rainbow Boys Trilogy is popular, including Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road. Other titles include Getting It, where the main character (gay) helps a (straight) friend catch a girl, and The God Box, which is about God + Homosexuality = ?

Absolutely, Positively NOT by David LaRochelle is about Steven, who is absolutely, positively NOT gay, but what if he is?

And last for today is Chris Crutcher’s Ironman, which combines Crutcher’s usual moral message, sports, and sardonic wit.

I hope this helps you in your search for GLBT fiction! If yoou have any other recommendations, leave a comment!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous Story Siren. These are the books that have come home with me this week from various sources.

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

I’ve been wanting to read this, especially with all the pre-buzz. So I dropped a subtle hint to Lisa on Twitter and she got me hooked up. Currently reading it, and loving it.

Bait by Alex Sanchez

When a guy in his class looks at him funny, Diego punches him in the face, and ends up on probation. At first he wants nothing to do with his probation officer. But as Diego starts to open up, he begins to realize that Mr. Vidas is the first person in his life who ever really wanted to listen to him. With Vidas’s help, Diego begins to make real progress in controlling his anger. He even opens up enough to tell Vidas about the shark tooth that his stepfather gave him that he uses to cut himself. But only if Diego can find the courage to trust Vidas with the darkest secrets from his past will he be able to heal completely.

In this bold story of a boy trying to grow beyond a painful past, award-winning author Alex Sanchez calls upon his personal experience as a probation officer to reveal the complexities of one of his most genuinely realized characters to date.

I love me some Alex Sanchez. Picked this up at the library.

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

What do you do if you can deadlift a car, and you spend your nights flying to get away from it all? If you’re fifteen-year-old Avery Pirzwick, you keep that information to yourself. When you’re a former jock turned freak, you can’t afford to let the secret slip.

But then Avery makes some friends who are as extraordinary as he is. He realizes they’re more than just freaks—together, maybe they have a chance to be heroes. First, though, they have to decide whether to trust the mysterious Cherchette, a powerful wouldbe mentor whose remarkable generosity may come at a terrible price.

Another one that has been generating buzz. Totally excited for this one. Got it at book club. Snatched it up from the cart before anyone could pry it from my vicegrip.

Link your Mailbox posts here and I’ll come check them out!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

4/5 Quality, 4/5 Popularity

Anna and Frankie are BFFs, and they’re both really close with Frankie’s older brother Matt. So when Anna and Matt start a secret relationship, they decide that Matt should tell Frankie about it on Matt and Frankie’s family’s upcoming annual trip to Zanzibar Bay. Then came the crash.

A year later, Frankie and Anna are gearing up for the Absolute Best Summer Ever. Four weeks in Zanzibar Bay. If they meet one boy a day for twenty days, Anna’s sure to cash in her V-card, right? But what about the secret that Anna still hasn’t told Frankie…?

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Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

I’ll keep updating this as we get closer to the actual dates. Most of this stuff is tentative anyway.

Friday 10 July

8.30–Exhibits Opening Ceremony

Most of the day–Wander exhibits. Meet with Representatives. Pass out business cards, schmooze. Snag ARCs? Must remember to stop at VOYA booth. Also Abrams, HC, Scholastic, Penguin, LB, Macmillan, Tor, etc.

5-7 PM–”Happy Hour and Fashion Show”–(remember to buy ticket for $10)

7-10–ALA Open Gaming Night

Saturday 11 July

8-9 A.M.–Auditorium Speaker: Gregory Maguire

10.30-Noon–”Literacy Leadership and Librarian Flair: Engaging 21-st Century Readers with Three Award Winning Young Adult and Children’s Authors”–Laurie Halse Anderson, Jaqueline Woodson, Alan Lawrence Sitomer

Probably will be at my nephew’s 1st birthday party this afternoon ^_^

Sunday 12 July

10 AM–Scholastic Brunch

10.30-11.30–Random House presentation, conference room W473. Will be late for this.

This would be a good day to go to lunch.

Also good day to drop in on QP Committee.

4-5.30–Book Cart Drill Team World Championships

4-5.30–VOYA Reception. I see a problem here.

Monday 13 July

9.30–Sarah Ockler Signing @ LB Booth

10.30-11.30 A.M.–President’s Program: Lisa Scottoline

1.30-3–Forty Years Since Stonewall

Tuesday 14 July

9–Exhibits Closing Ceremony

Secret, As-Yet-Unspecified Time

Abrams Cocktail Party (?)

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Ok, so my contest for a copy of The Roar has a grand total of four entries thus far. While you can still click that link and take my survey (which would make me happy), I want more people to enter!

1 Entry for filling out the survey.

1 Entry for joining Bookring. You must have a book review blog for this, though.

1 Entry for joining Bibliocon and posting a thoughtful introduction post. Of course, please do stick around and don’t just join for the contest!

For these second two ways, please post a comment on THIS post for each one if you do either/both. You do not need to post a comment if you fill out the survey, I will know.

Still only open to US/Can (my next one will be worldwide!), and the date to enter by is still June 21!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Where did the idea for The Two Pearls of Wisdom/Eon come from?
I was reading a history of Feng Shui as research for another novel when I came across a short paragraph about an ancient Emperor who ordered all of his Feng Shui Masters to build his son a Palace of Good Fortune. Once the Palace was built, the Emperor immediately had all the Masters murdered to keep the secrets of his son’s stronghold safe! As soon as I read that, the story of Eon just exploded in my mind. I grabbed a pen and paper and in about ten minutes wrote the entire outline. It was one of those rare moments when all the elements of a story came together in a rush of energy.

What is up with the title and demographic changes?
As my agent was selling the finished manuscript of The Two Pearls of Wisdom/Eon around the world, it quickly became apparent that it was being viewed as a crossover novel i.e. a book that would suit both an adult and young adult audience. So, as it sold, some Publishers bought it as an adult title, some bought it as young adult, and a few bought it as both.  The title changes are generally to do with the target audience of the Publisher. The Two Pearls of Wisdom, which is not a fantasy specific title, is aimed at an adult mainstream audience, while Eon is aimed at a young adult or fantasy reading audience. The duology has now been sold into 13 countries, so there are quite a few titles floating around now, but most of them are a variation on Eon/Eona.

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Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

This is another meme I’ve never done, but I’m making an effort to bring my readers more content, and I cannot read a book a day (much as I wish I could). So, I’ve decided to start doing this one. However, I am going to try to pick books that are close to coming out, to tie in with their release, and also so that I/we don’t have to wait much longer! Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Fairy Tale

by Cyn Balog

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They’ve been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they’re totally hot for each other.

But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam’s awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.

When Morgan demands answers, she’s shocked to discover the source of Cam’s distance isn’t another girl- it’s another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.

I firsts heard about Fairy Tale when Cyn Balog was hosting a contest for not only a signed copy of the book but also some adorable fortune cookie necklaces that tie in with the novel. It comes out on June 23, and I cannot wait!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

This week’s teaser is from 20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, which is in stores now. It’s some great chick-lit/romance. Which is a super nice change after all the heavy fantasy/sci-fi I have been reading lately. This teaser is from page 16, and the plot point it contains is on the flap of the novel, so don’t fear for spoilers.

The chorus started again through the speakers and I sang louder, “Ca-sey Jones, you bet-ter..watch your speed…” Frankie laughing from the backseat, Matt smiling at me sideways, fingers secretly brushing my knee, the noon sun laid out and happy on the dusty road ahead.

Together. Happy. Whole.

The three of hearts.

The possibilities endless.

And then…my sundae flying out of my hands into the dashboard.

Veering.

Screaming.

Slamming.

Broken glass.

A wheel spinning.

Casey Jones skipping, over and over. “Watch your–watch your–watch your speeeeeed.”

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

The Roar by Emma Clayton
2/5 Quality

5/5 Popularity

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

If any of y’all YA Book Bloggers (or authors!) are going to be at ALA in Chicago from July 9-15, I would love to meet up with you! We can grab lunch and maybe troll the exhibits together or go to an event.

If you’re a publisher or author at ALA, I would love to meet you you and/or your reps, discuss upcoming books, and attend any events you have planned. Let me know!

My email is boywithbooks@gmail.com, feel free to email me there.

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Welcome to the first post about the YA Book Blogs Book Awards 2009! This is an idea I had. We, as book bloggers, hold both a tight-knit community, and also a lot of power. People listen to our reviews, be they good or bad. Why not band together and compile a yearly list of the best of the best of YA books? Sort of a BBYA-Blog-Style.

Anyway, I will be the host and committee leader for this first year at least. I am looking for ten other book bloggers who would like to serve a term on the committee. Just post a comment or email me at boywithbooks@gmail.com if you are interested.If I get more than ten people interested, I’ll pick ten that I respect and have high-quality blogs, but if you aren’t picked it doesn’t mean I don’t love and adore you!

We’ll nominate books published from December 2008-November 2009, and then do a final vote the week before ALA in January. Then, at ALA, I will post the winners when the “official” lists are announced!

Still working out some things, but know that you’ll most likely have to read all of the nominated books which I am guessing will be about fifty. Don’t worry, you’ve probably read some already!

We may also have specific categories of honor for certain things, like best debut, etc.

Let me know what you think!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Hosted by The Story Siren, this is my first time paricipating! Let me know if it’s a meme you would like to see me continue with

L.A. Candy

by Lauren Conrad

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can’t wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun.

When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a “reality version of Sex and the City,” they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!

Soon Jane is TV’s hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she’s lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane’s spotlight.

In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it’s not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

L.A. Candy is a deliciously entertaining novel about what it’s like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad.

I don’t watch The Hills, so I have no clue who this person is, but I absolutely love the cover and have been craving some chick lit recently!

That’s it for this week! Comment and tell me what you think. Also, LINK to your In My Mailbox posts so I can check them out!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

My friend Catherine is giving away Alana: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce over at On the Nightstand.

What’s cooler than that is she’s ordering from BookDepository.co.uk, so anyone in the whole world can enter!

Mirrored from BoyWithBooks.com.

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