Hey there,
I’m Jami B., one of Brina’s “lit lieutenants.” I’m here to check in and help fill the gap while Brina is on sabbatical. To wit … you’ll find all kinds of good bits once you jump on in and read my inaugural post: One of the things that I love about young adult literature is that it’s EVERYWHERE! It impacts everyone. We’ve all read at least one book in our youth that really made an impact and stuck with us. And we all know young people who are discovering their own favorite books.
• Just this week, I heard Senator Barack Obama discussing both the Harry Potter and Twilight books with Ryan Seacrest on Ryan’s morning radio show. The audio link isn’t up on the website yet, but I suspect it’ll be here in the next few days.
• And a few weeks ago screenwriter/author Diablo Cody wrote a really interesting essay on Judy Blume, her influence, and her oeuvre for Entertainment Weekly. It’s interesting to read another female writer’s opinion on the infamous Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret? I happen to dig Cody’s writing, and I’m looking forward to some of her upcoming screenwriting projects – but I’d love to read more about her literary past, too. Lets hope she circles back to the topic with another essay sometime soon! You can read the essay here.
• There’s been a lot of talk about Gossip Girl’s TV incarnation, but I’m finding the WB’s other YA lit adaptation — PRIVILEGED — to be much more my speed. For those of you who don’t know, the series is based on Zoey Dean’s novel (which was the authors’ first marketed to an adult audience), How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. I’ve noticed differences between the book and the show (casting, for one) but even so, I’m digging the series. It’s got a lot more heart – rather than smut – at its core. Maybe that’s because the showrunner used to work on Gilmore Girls, while the showrunners over at Gossip Girl all came from The O.C. Are there any Zoey Dean fans out there who want to share their thoughts on PRIVILEGED? I’d love to hear them.
• Am I the last person on the planet to find out that The Babysitters Club series has been reincarnated as graphic novels? If you want to check out some of their art, or if you’re like me and wanna take the “Which Babysitter Are You? Quiz (I’m a KRISTY? No way …) then hop to it.
• And finally … I’ve been meaning to post my thoughts on Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Check back tomorrow and I’ll be ready to review.
• A reminder: Please don’t forget to vote if you’re eligible! Early, often, and before you check back here. Go to the polls, grab your free cup of coffee or scoop of ice cream, and then settle in for a quick peek at YA New York while waiting for awesome election night coverage to commence.
Wait, Ryan Seacrest’s show as in KIIS FM in the morning? OBAMA WAS ON THERE?! WHAT? Why does no one tell me these things?
And it’s so good to see YA New York alive! Yaaay.
Thank you so so so much, Jami, for picking up the slack.
I’ve been pretty sick for awhile and am slowly (but surely) recovering. Can’t wait to hear what you thought of Nick and Norah — which, since I’ve been sick, I still haven’t gotten to see.
And thanks for reminding everyone to get out there and vote tomorrow. My own awesome election eve story? On the way back from the doctor’s office this evening, a most auspicious celebrity sighting: Paul Begala in the flesh. His ties are as nice in person as they are on CNN. And when it comes to pundits, only James Carville would be more saliva-inducing. (Why, I cannot say.)
I’ll be back soon, with lots of reviews to come: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, one of the most excellent books I’ve read this year. A bunch of interviews I’ve had on the back burner. And, coming quite soon, my choice for best YA book of ’08. Give me another week or so to recuperate, and hopefully I’ll be up and around before you know it.
Much love!
brina
Feel better Brina!
Hi, Jami!
It’s nice to see an update around here. Thanks for the list, YA really is everywhere.
Great stuff! I used to work at The WB covering Gilmore Girls – which showrunner do you mean for Privileged? Not Amy?
Brina, hope you’re back on your feet very soon!
No, not Amy S-P, I’m not sure what she’s been up to since the Parker Posey sitcom shutdown … but she’s a great writer, so I’m sure she’ll be back with something cool and interesting soon!
Last I heard, Rina Mimoun is running PRIVILEGED and she has Everwood, Pushing Daisies, and Gilmore on her resume, among other things. I was at an event hosted by the Paley Center and TV Guide back in September where she spoke on a panel about PRIVILEGED. She (along with other creative team members and some of the actors) really came across as polished and passionate about their show and its message to young women. Hoping it pans out and remains at the CW. Its good.