News

The season of lists is upon us

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And Seraphina has made Amazon’s Top 20 YA Novels of 2012! It’s #13, no less, which I find highly amusing.

That particular article also lets you know which ones were John Green’s favourites, in case you were burning with curiosity about that (follow the link to Omnivoracious to learn what they all are).

I have to admit, I tend to read older books. I mean, I feel guilty reading newer stuff when I haven’t even finished my TBR list from the 80s yet. How can I have any pudding if I haven’t eaten my meat?

I will say, though, that the few 2012 books I read IN 2012 were some of the best books I read all year. Code Name Verity tops the list, along with The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Nielsen and Bitterblue. It’s wonderful that there are so many good books being published, particularly in YA. We’re having a little YA Golden Age, here, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

Updated to Add: And here’s another list, from Library Journal Reviews, Best Books 2012: YA Literature for Adults. I was about to claim Seraphina is #3 there, but it looks like it’s actually my surname that is #3 in alphabetical order. Still, another informative list, just in time for the holidays. I imagine that’s not a coincidence.

Congrats to Susin Nielsen, and others!

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A big congratulations to all the winners of the 2012 Governor General’s Literary Awards!

As you probably already gleaned, this list does not include me, but y’know what? It’s fine. I read Susin Nielsen’s winning book, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, and I knew as I read it that here was a powerful contenda indeed. Here’s my review on Goodreads, and I really, really hope that the G.G. award leads a lot more people toward reading this worthy, painful, hilarious, wonderful book.

Goodreads Readers’ Choice nominee!

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I was pleased and surprised this morning to see that Seraphina has made it to the semifinal round of the Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards! They put a lovely orange badge on the book page and everything.

“Pleased” is, I’m sure, self-evident. “Surprised” is because the book wasn’t on the main page in the opening round. If people wanted to vote for it, they had to write it in. Looks like a few people must have done just that. Thank you all so much!

 

And a lovely Wednesday to you!

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I will say exactly this about the US elections: I’m glad they’re over! I couldn’t stand the suspense.

I am still in suspense about one thing, however: the Governor General’s Literary Awards. Here’s a lovely article at CBC Online profiling the five nominees for the English Language Children’s Text award.

The only other nominee I’ve read is Susin Nielsen’s The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would be perfectly content and feel there is justice in the world if I lost to her. I’m sure the other three are also great. Mostly, though, I’m ready for the suspense to be over.

(I’m not in suspense over the Carnegie Medal because March is very far away. Ask me again in February.)

In other news, NaNoWriMo proceeds apace. I have been logging time and falling short of my goals, which is all pretty much par for the course. You’d think, since I have already announced I’m cheating, I could just cheat myself ahead, but apparently even cheaters have principles. I’m a cheater but not a liar, perhaps, although I realize that’s cutting it fine.

Really, it means I need to go put my bum in the correct chair. Like, now. Toodle-oo!

Sunday Shindig, 10/28

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Mark your calendars now! The inestimable Christopher Paolini, peerless Stefan Bachmann, and I will be participating in an online Circus of Awesomeness, Cavalcade of Pie, Book Chat at Shindig. Here’s the information. I urge you to look at the main Shindig page to learn more about how this book chat will look from your end. I think it looks pretty nifty.

Anyway, please do spread the word! I’d love to see you there!

(Just to note, they’ve put our pictures in a different order than our names, but you probably figured that out. While I’m sure it would be lovely to be as young as Stefan Bachmann again, I’m not sure I would wish my prehensile hair on anyone.)

A couple nice things

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I wrote a guest blog post for Indigo about my thoughts on being nominated for the Governor General’s award.

Here’s a nice review at Talespinning.

So there you go: book love and Canada love. That’s a lot of love for a Monday.

Last excitement for a while, just as the rain sets in

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To the kids at the event today who were wondering about the Estonian bagpipe metal, the band is called Metsatöll. Here’s one of my favourite of their songs, with plenty of bagpipe and a men’s chorus (special for this song), performed in a somewhat more formal venue than usual:

Yes, I really did mention them at my event today. The kids seemed interested, but then who wouldn’t be? Estonian bagpipes, after all. Supah awesome.

My heartfelt thanks to the organizers of Vancouver Writers Fest, who put me together with some really wonderful writers for these events. I got to talk to Susin Nielsen, Susan Juby, and Kenneth Oppel, who were all thoroughly delightful. I met a few more YA authors last night as well, Richard Scrimger, Arthur Slade, and Janet Wilson, and got to see my pal (from last week) Shane Peacock as well. Lots of good writing happening in Canada, friends! I merely mention the fact!

Ah, but I’m ready for things to slow down now. I have had so much fun and met so many people that I can tell it’s time for quiet, work, and (of all things) rain. Vancouver’s providing a lot of the latter right now, right on schedule. It’s perfect working weather, maybe because I don’t feel any real drive to go out in it.

Neither does the dog, who gave me a sarcastic look when I tried to take her out at noon, walked stiff-legged for blocks, and then decided to show her enthusiasm for turning back toward home by pulling my arm off. Ah, yes, back to normal!

Sunday updates

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Hello, darlings! I had a wonderful time in Calgary. Thank you so much to the organizers of WordFest for inviting me and for running such a well-organized show! I’ve been on the other side of convention organization before, and I know how many unexpected challenges come up. I thought y’all did a particularly nice job with this.

I met many interesting writers and artists at WordFest, but I want to give a special shout-out to Shane Peacock, who did a program with me at the Calgary Public Library. He writes the Boy Sherlock Holmes series, which I am definitely going to get for my son. I think they sound right up his alley. Shane also gives a really engaging presentation for kids, if you ever get a chance to hear him. Super fun.

I spoke at two schools, Ecole Lawrence Grassi Middle School and Alice Jamieson Girls’ Academy, and I could not have asked for two nicer groups of kids. Y’all were good listeners and you asked great questions. Thanks so much for having me!

This coming week we have two bits of excitement. First: Tuesday is the book birthday of the Italian edition of Seraphina: la Ragazza con il Cuore di Drago. Happy birthday, book!

What an arresting image!

Secondly: I will be appearing in two events as part of Vancouver Writers Fest this week, Words Run Amok with Susan Juby (moderated by fellow GG finalist Susin Nielsen) on Tuesday, and Flights of Fantasy with Kenneth Oppel on Thursday. Come see us, if you have a chance!

Busy days, but fun!