Links Galore

March 23, 2012Leave a comment

More links to take you into the weekend:

Love this list of superstitions, most of which I’d never heard of.
Lots of great events (YA and otherwise) at the LA Times Festival of Books. West coasters, check it out and report back!
I have a no guilt policy when it comes to the New Yorker, but I understand the pressure.
Who exactly was behind that giant pot shipment to St. Martin’s Press? Famous literary characters, that’s who! (If only.)
Great round-up of non-traditional families in YA/children’s lit. So glad to see Ballet Shoes included!

Get Ready to Rock the Drop

March 19, 2012Leave a comment

It’s my favorite guerilla reading effort–Rock the Drop. To celebrate Support Teen Lit Day on April 12, readergirlz and Figment organize Rock the Drop, in which you leave a favorite YA book (with Rock the Drop bookplate) in a public spot for some lucky reader to find.

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Stuff

March 15, 2012Leave a comment

With the clocks shifting ahead an hour on Sunday, you might feel like your sense of time is off. Fortunately, there are two lists of time travel-related reading. We’ll get that hour back somehow!

At The Hub, Sarah Debraski has a great list of mostly YA time travel stories, including Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (which involves a time loop) and The Midnighters Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld (in which time stands still). At Secrets & Sharing Soda, Katie expands a little to MG, bringing in titles like The Time Trilogy by Madeleine L’Engle (love!).

When I was in middle school, one of my favorite time travel books was Both Sides of Time by Caroline B. Cooney. It had everything I liked–romance, the Victorian era, feminism, vague fantasy/sci-fi elements, and mysteries. When I found out there were sequels, I freaked. (The last one didn’t thrill me, sadly.)

For very mature YA readers (probably junior/senior high schoolers) I’d also recommend The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I assumed it would be kind of schlocky, but a friend gave it to me with enormous enthusiasm, and I found myself really enjoying it as well.

And of course, if you’d rather watch something about time travel, you need to check out Doctor Who. Immediately.

(image: Emo DJ Steph)

Party Like It’s 1849

March 14, 2012Leave a comment

Love these literary birthday cards at The Wandering Reader:

Kind of wish I’d gotten this one my office for Charles Dickens’ birthday. (H/T Book Riot)

Battle of the Books: Round 1!

March 13, 2012Leave a comment

The first round of SLJ’s Battle of the Books goes to…

Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming! It was a close fight, but judge Matt Phelan says:

“Amelia Lost succeeds in what it sets out to do, but for this reader it also manages to do more. Thanks to this book, an icon became a living breathing extraordinary human being with ambition, drive, and personality. I now know about the not-so-famous characters who are part of her story. But most importantly, this book provided more than facts. It inspired me to feel this story in my imagination, to experience a part of history.”

Of course, I have a special place in my heart for books about Amelia Earhart. Glad to see this one move on! (Will have to check out Anya’s Ghost as well, since that sounds fabulous too.)

Make sure to check out the brackets so you can make your own predictions!

Which Tribute Are You?

March 12, 2012Leave a comment

My Hunger Games Tribute persona:

Name: Twill Goldenwood

Congratulations! You had the honor of being a District 12 tribute in the 69th Hunger Games!

You were killed by eating a poisoned apple.

Very Snow White! Get your Hunger Games name and history here.

The Madness of Books

March 9, 2012Leave a comment

Out of Print has awesome literary clothing, and now they’re running Book Madness? Be still my heart! Check out the March Madness style competition in which books go head to head. Sadly not a lot of YA/children’s lit included but I’m hoping The Hunger Games or Harry Potter can emerge victorious.

Fill out your brackets and you could also win a $500 gift card. If I win, I’m totally buying the Pride and Prejudice fleece.

Which book do you think will be the last one standing?

A Bird in the Book is Worth Two in the Hand

March 7, 2012Leave a comment

The brilliant albatross bookmark that always keeps your place–even while you read.:

You can pre-order them, too. (via Swissmiss)

A Literary Holiday

March 6, 2012Leave a comment

I love the UK. When I was in college I had the opportunity to study abroad in Oxford and London. The classes were fantastic, and I felt immediately at home in both cities. So this list of children’s literature landmarks in the UK has me ready to pack my bags.

There are fantastic suggestions for fans of Harry Potter (I’ve had my picture taken at Platform 9 3/4, of course), Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, and more. I’d also add checking out castles in Scotland for a dose of Susan Cooper’s The Boggart, or dash around Oxford like Lyra in The Golden Compass–but watch out for Gobblers.

Where would you want to go on a children’s literature tour? (image: Oxford City, UK by mridula)