Bibliovore (great name) at Confessions of a Bibliovore noted that Donna Freitas, visiting professor of religion at Boston U. and YA author, published a lovely article in the School Library Journal highlighting her favorite “sweet, sexy romances” for the YA reader. While some of her choices I don’t agree with, she singles out some books I missed that are so interesting, I may have to go shopping asap.
Speaking of awesome, the American Library Association has released the 2009 Reading List. Tops of the list in romance: The Spymaster’s Lady’, a book I enjoyed a hell of a lot. [Thanks to SonomaLass for the link.]
Illustrator Joanne Renaud, who contributed some fab pictures to Beyond Heaving Bosoms, wrote an article – and did the cover art! – for Astonishing Adventures magazine. Her article, on “Toga Porn,” or Rome-set pulp novel covers. Cover art? Bring it on! The samples in the magazine are a total scream. They beg to be framed, some of them.
I agree with some of the YA picks especially Will & Lyra from the Pullman books.
I need to check out some of the others though.
The Pullman books are definately hanky needy.
I haven’t read the Cabot one yet, although I did read the first one. I will need to find it.
Ew. Twighlight.
Oh I was so glad to see Megan Whalen Turner mentioned. I have been pimping her books like crazy. It has one of the MOST romantic story lines. The Thief sets the stage and is excellent but you really hit the jackpot with The Queen of Attolia and the King of Attolia. In the Queen of Attolia there is a complete WTF, I can’t believe that happened moment, but then then she slowly shows you how a totally barbaric act can be understood and she totally redeems a character that you would think would be unredeemable. But the King of Attolia is complete magic-imagine a Scarlet Pimpernel that takes place in an ancient Greek type setting. Anyway the King of Attolia’s cover is beautiful and the artist really understood the story to get so many subtle things perfect. Audioversion is really good too.
Thanks for the link, and the compliment! I like my name too.
If you haven’t yet read Graceling, get ready for some yowza, or at least as much yowza as you can get away with in YA.
Michelle, I’m so glad you’re with me on the Queen’s Thief series! Attolia is about the most difficult female lead I’ve ever read in a romantic plot (adult or YA)—so damaged and guarded, and Gen himself is so young at the beginning of The Queen of Attolia. They both have to grow toward each other a lot.
I just picked up GRACELING after hearing a lot of good buzz about it, and now I’m even more anxious to get started on it! Thanks for the lists. I love “best of” lists, whether they’re from “professionals” or every day readers like myself.
graceling is really killer-amazing. soooo much better than twilight.
Last month, my library system held a Mock Printz, where the teen librarians voted on what books they thought would win the big award. Graceling was one of our honor books. Even non-fantasy readers in the book discussion group liked it. It was a phenomenal book and I couldn’t believe it was a debut novel. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!
I have Graceling on my list, figuring it will be one of the DA BWAHA books. Guess I’d better move it up a few spots to make sure I get to it soon!
Thanks so much for putting upthe link to AAM, Sarah- you rock!! XD