YA and Book Trailers

I am sure most of you have heard about the Wall Street Journal article "Darkness Too Visible" that basically slammed the YA genre. I wanted to post a much different blog post (mainly one with swearing and rants) but decided to give myself some time to cool off. They also posted another article slamming book trailers.

If you somehow managed to miss this please see the two articles -

Darkness Too Visible

The Insane World of Book Trailers


It seems that the Wall Street Journal is just bashing YA novels without really taking the time to do proper research. Have they heard of Anna and the French Kiss by the lovely Stephanie Perkins? The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot? Not every author that writes YA focuses on the dark. There are plenty of novels that are on the lighter side. These were sadly not even mentioned.

I would also like to bring up the fact that YA novels that were published years ago also were quite dark. Lord of the Flies anyone? The fact is that death, suicide, addictions, rape, etc. exist in the world. It's more important that we don't ignore these topics and get people to talk about the issue. I love that a lot of these books (really I mean the authors) take the time to provide hot line numbers, support websites and other information for people to get help if they are suffering. This wasn't mentioned in the article either.

I also don't know about most readers, but reading the same style, or type of book would get a little boring after awhile. I like that I can have a wide variety to choose from that includes both light and dark. I am not always a bubbly happy person and yes, my entertainment choices reflect that. There are times that I want to be challenged, be made to think and be left with something after I read a book, and other times I want to lay on a beach with something light and girly.

The trailer issue to me didn't really make sense either. The whole point is to get people talking, buzzing and wanting to learn more about your book. If an image, a video, or synopsis does that I don't think it's a bad thing. Shouldn't every tool possible be used to encourage EVERYONE to pick up more books? It seems like a no- brainer to me. I am going to post some amazing trailers that I do think helped get the book out into the public.

Trailers -

Room by Emma Donoghue




This simple, yet highly effective trailer has made me want to grab a copy of this book. I am not so patiently waiting to get my hands on it from the library. I know this book is not YA but they slammed all trailers so...


Wither by Lauren DeStefano



This tells you in such a brief time what you can expect from this novel. I think it captured it perfectly.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare



One of the first book trailers I watched. I thought it was so unique and different. It give you the feel and mood of the novel.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi



As if I wasn't excited about this book enough. This trailer has made me even more curious and has made me want to read this book even more.

In closing, I just wanted to say that I could not have been more proud when I saw #YASaves trending on Twitter. There are times that I am in awe of this book community I recently become a small part of, and that was one of them.

What do you think? Can you think of any trailers or books that go against what Wall Street Journal is proclaiming? Leave them in the comments and I will check them out!

Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession by Elana Johnson
Release Date – June 7, 2011
Publisher – Simon and Schuster
Pages - 416
My Rating- 7.5/10
*Simon and Schuster GalleyGrab*

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

I am going to start this review talking about something that really has nothing to do with the review- the cover. It’s stunning. So pretty.

Vi is the heroine of Possession. I really enjoyed her. She was feisty, head strong and different from other female characters that have been in the books I've recently read. I did find her a little over the top at times, but mostly I loved how strong she was.

The triangle is made up of Zenn and Jag. Sadly, I didn’t really feel that we got to know Zenn that much so comparing the two of them is not really fair. I did like Jag. He was sarcastic, charming and I could see why Vi would fall for him. Zenn is a little more mysterious. We learn the most about him from Vi, and since he is brain washed by The Thinkers we are left wondering how much of what we know is the real Zenn.

The other characters in the book I had a harder time connecting to. I am not sure what caused it. The writing itself was not an issue and the story had tons of potential. I just ended up not really feeling strongly about them one way or another.

I have to admit that there were points during the novel that I was a little confused. I had a hard time picturing the world that was being built and keeping some things straight. It got better as the book went on and I got more comfortable with the world, but it could be a deal breaker for some people. The moment where I feel immersed in the world happened later than I would have liked.

I do think that there will be people who love this book, and while I thought it was well written and some of the characters are amazing I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would.

Die For Me Winners!

I recently held my first ever contest. I should have announced the winners awhile ago but with Book Expo, visiting family and such I got distracted.

The winners -

The book and signed bookmarks winner is - The Bookish Brunette. You can see her blog here.

The other 4 winners of a set of signed bookmarks are-

Michelle - see her blog here

Nicole S - see her blog here

Lisa @ Fic Talk

Valia - see her blog here

I have emailed all the winners and they have 48 hours to send me a mailing address or I will select another winner.

Thank you to everyone that entered. The response was fantastic. I just want to thank everyone for following my little blog, and hope that you stick around!

Follow Friday/Blog Hop

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends. This weeks question is:

Q. What are you doing to prepare for an upcoming zombie apocalypse and/or the return of Mel Gibson to the silver screen? (Both of which could be terrifying.)

I am sadly unprepared. I have some non-perishable food items, and water, but if zombies did hit I would be in trouble.



Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy-For-Books.com. It's a great way to meet new people and friends around the blogworld!

“Share your favorite post from the last month and tell us why it’s close to your heart!”

My favourite post would be the interview I did with Aimee Carter. I interviewed her character Henry. It is my favourite because it was so much fun to do. Aimee was so sweet as well. You can view it here.

Red Glove by Holly Black

Red Glove by Holly Black
Release Date – April 5, 2011
Publisher – Simon and Schuster
Pages - 325
My Rating- 9/10

Here is the synopsis from GoodReads

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

I love White Cat. Holly Black made me fall into this world she created. The world was so well developed that I was excited to return to it again in Red Glove. I was not disappointed.

You can read my White Cat review here. This will have spoilers for White Cat so if you haven’t read it you may want to come back once you have (and go pick up a copy right away).

At the end of White Cat we found out that Lila had been worked by Cassel’s mom to love him. This in Cassel’s view made it impossible for him to ever really be with Lila. I felt so bad for him. I honestly believe that Lila did like Cassel even before she was worked, but sadly Cassel will not believe it even if Lila does admit it. I am a sucker for romance and Cassel’s love of Lila is actually a sweet backdrop to the grit, crime and film noir feel. I have to say that my book crush on Cassel is still very much intact. Lila is crazy to not have snapped him up earlier! J

The big question of this novel is who killed Cassel’s brother Philip. The pacing and way in which clues are revealed is perfect. We learn things as Cassel learns them and this results in us only knowing who the killer is when Cassel figures it out. Holly is able to keep the feeling of suspense going and as a result you keep turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. I was surprised by who the killer was when we did find out. I was thinking it was someone else.

I love that because of the cons, curse work, and the mobster feel that we don’t know who to trust. Everyone is suspect and we treated to a few twists and reveals as a result of the lies, and cons going on.

I still love Cassel’s friends Sam and Daneca. It’s nice to see Cassel have actual friends that he can lean on and even trust. They are the only slightly stable thing in his life.

Cassel’s mother was exactly what I wanted her to be. I loved to hate her. What she does I this book made me raise my eyebrows and I can’t wait to see how it plays out in the next book.

I really enjoy Holly Black’s writing style. It really does have a crime noir feel. I mentioned that I thought Holly got Cassel’s voice exactly right in my White Cat review, and I am happy to see that it is still pitch perfect in Red Glove.

I adored Red Glove as much as White Cat. I am now dying to see how Cassel’s story will continue in Black Heart.

Book Expo - Day 3

The last day of the Expo. I was heading right to Maureen Johnson's book signing for Name of the Star. It was one of my "Must Gets" and I knew it was going to be busy. I got there really early as it didn't start until 10, but I lined up at 9. I was in front of a group of people that seemed to let in a whole bunch of other people. I ended up being much further back than I should have been as a result. Again, I didn't say anything because I don't really know anyone and it just felt awkward. Needless to say others in line were not happy about it. Eventually the line got going and I got to meet Maureen and get a copy of the book. She's super funny.

While I was doing this my friend Nikki was going around seeing what books were available. She got me a copy of Eve (thanks Nikki!).

We went to a bunch of signings. Marianna Baer was sweet. She was telling me how nervous she was. It was nice to hear that they were nervous to meet us as well.

The books I got on Day 3 are -

Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo, Natalie Zaman
Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Eve by Anna Carey
Frost by Marianna Baer
Family by Michol Ostow
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Those Accross the River by Christopher Buehlman
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Wintertown by Stephen Emond
The Bridge to Neverland by Ridley Pearson, Dave Barry

In closing New York was amazing, Book Expo was amazing. I fully intend to go back next year. I will leave off with some of my favourite pictures from NYC!

Waiting on Wednesday - The Vampire Stalker

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis -

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

This sounds like a unique premise. I am really excited to get my hands on it. The cover is eye catching too.

Expect release date - June 1st 2011.