Thanks for Introducing Me to This Book!

[bookgazing]

You might have noticed how many young adult novels I’ve read this year. This is a new and exciting reading development for me, which would not have developed without the helpful recommendations of other book bloggers. As my contribution to the Thursday task for BBAW (talk about a book you found via another blogger) I’d like to showcase those bloggers who provided me with fantastic fodder for my young adult reading list:

Coleen of Chasing Ray is the first blogger I turn to for great young adult picks. I’d hung around her Bookslut column for a while, appreciating her critical reviewing skills that managed to be thoughtful and still make every book she talked about sound like a winner. Then one day I decided I needed to actually try the kind of books she was so passionate about, created a humungous list based on her back issue columns and added a ton of books to my Amazon basket (then took out some because I need money for saving, then added some back in because I couldn’t resist). She’s the reason I picked up ‘Empress of the World’, which you may remember went down a treat with me. In the last couple of months I’ve branched out into reading her main blog and dang if there aren’t books she talks about there that spin their siren song around my head ( ‘Funny How Things Change’ has just arrived).

I’ve been reading Bookshelves of Doom for years and quite a few of the books she reviewed went into that first Amazon basket of young adult books. ‘The President’s Daughter’ is probably the book Leila reviewed, that I’ve liked the most so far. Her feelings about the rest of the series keep me really excited about the books to come. Oh and duh she is the reason why I will die with a copy of ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’ in my bookshelves. I could have lived my whole life without that book if she hadn’t kept bringing it and the progress of its movie adaptation up.

I know Guys Lit Wire is a collaborative blog (that both the women above are involved with) but I have to mention it. Not only is it constantly adding to my growing reading list, but it’s already pointed me in the direction of some cool reading experiences. I know they were the reason I decided to pick up ‘Saints of Augustine’, which was one enjoyable ride and I think they may have talked me into finally buying ‘Slam’ (although that one was a mixed bag for me it is a really well written book, with a convincing British, male character).

Finally Renay from YA Fabulous deserves a mention. She’s the joint reason I put ‘Dooley Takes the Fall’ into that initial basket, that began my whole infatuation with YA. I read her enthusiastic review of the book and then read the compelling first line at Guys Lit Wire. She is the reason I’m restlessly waiting for the second book in the trilogy to be released and why I want some darker young adult fare to read (could ‘Gentlemen’ be the answer?). She has wonderful recommendations as well (must get 'Graceling' because of her analysis of its feminist aspects).
Now if only I could remember where I first saw ‘Flygirl’ mentioned, so I could lavish some love on that blogger (it was so good, review soon hopefully).

Quick note: Congratulations to everyone who has picked up an award so far at BBAW! I’m nervously waiting to see if my nomination for best book of 09 makes the grade. Good luck to all of you still waiting to hear, thanks for the guest post content at the site dedicated guest posters and big hugs to Amy and her helpers for working so hard.