YA New York

This week has been a tangled mess. I’ve not finished a book since I read Margo Rabb. Indeed, I’ve been reading no fewer than three — no, four — books at once. Thing is, they’re all too smart or too emotional or too literary, and right now I’m too frazzled to read anything that requires my undivided attention. What I really needed was bubble bath reading. What I really needed was something pink and shiny.

And this weekend I stumbled upon Rachel Maude’s Poseur. And it’s exactly what I needed. Better yet, her next book in the series is due out in October. Which means you have time to catch up.

Four girls who could not be more unalike end up in the same class at the prestigious Winston Prep in L.A. Worse still, it’s a class they each proposed, but unfortunately it’s nothing like any of their ideas. Melissa wants a class that is all about her, while Charlotte proposes a “sewing circle.” Petra is anti-fashion in a sort of vegan/PETA way, and Janie … well, Janie just wants to design things that are totally rock and roll.

I tend to stay away from series stuff if I can. Not because it isn’t any good, but because it’s hard for everyone to follow and because I have a weird 1980s knee-jerk response to any series. It’s like Sweet Valley High and The Babysitter’s Club scarred me for life. If you don’t know what these books are, that’s good. Stay that way, my friend.

But when it comes to Rachel’s work, it’s hilarious, insightful and evil simultaneously. This is a good thing. Poseur is pretty much pure chick lit gold: Catty high school girls meet Project Runway. Only, I met Rachel once, and she seems like this shy sweet young thing who hasn’t a cruel bone in her body. Then again, Lauren Myracle also seems incredibly sweet, and her newest book — which I’ll tell you all about in a week — is about scary evil nun ghosts. So people can surprise you.

Anyway, Rachel’s next book, The Good, the Fab and the Ugly, is available for pre-order on Amazon now, and hits the shelves on Oct. 1. So get cracking on that first book, yeah?

Darlings, I’ve neglected you terribly. I must confess that the reason I took a blogcation was that I have a little bit of a deadline coming up next Monday, and while it’s not an “off with her head!” type of deadline, I am of course still stressing about it.

So I’ve been working non-stop on my own project, and YA New York has fallen into disrepair. I promise I’ll be back amongst the constantly-blogging soon. But today! Today is my 29th birthday, and I am going off to Playland in Rye, New York, where I celebrate my birthday every year.

Anyway, I thought I’d link to some of the best YA blogs around today, so you’d have something to read in my absence:

• Maureen Johnson is always hilarious. I think it’s a rule that she has to be.
• John Green is also worth reading, though even more worth watching, as he and his brother Hank do lovely crazy YouTube videos.
• E. Lockhart, who has gotten a lot of accolades lately for her fabulous book, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, is also a great blogger. As for her book, it is hands down number one on my Best Books of 2008 list. Of course, it’s possible that could change in the next few months. But I doubt it.
• Meg Cabot is not only the High Priestess of YA, she also rivals Maureen Johnson for best YA author blogger. And if you have lots of time on your hands, you should check out her YouTube videos. Awesome!

First, a reminder:

In just three hours, you, yes, you, could be here:

Books of Wonder
18 W. 18th Street
Reading with:

Melissa Walker
Lisa McMann
Linda Gerber
Claire Mysko
Katie Davis
and
Jenny Davidson

I, however, cannot be there, due to circumstances beyond my control. Alas, no pics from me tonight, but there will be another night with other authors, and though I can’t send pics and gossip from these, I’ll send pics and gossip from those.

Hopefully, you can go tonight. And if you do, and you want to snap your own shots and write something up for us, I’ll send you a box of literary goodies. Let me know if you’re up for it, or for covering any other YA NY events e-mail me!

Dearest darling friends,

This ear infection of mine (I haven’t had one since I was sixteen, by the way) has dragged me down way more than I hoped it would. Which means I’ve read a lot of books, done some kind of shoddy reviews lately, and not posted a billion things I want and need to. Here’s a glimpse at what you’ve got in store:

• An interview with Suzanne Supplee, which I have not yet had the time or energy to edit
• A review of the Worldweaver trilogy by Alma Alexander
• An interview with the uber-fabulous Lauren Mechling, which I will be posting just before her new book, Dream Girl comes out on July 22
• A review of The Opposite of Music by Janet Ruth Young
• Some discussion of the similar universes of Melissa Marr and Holly Black — Faeries in contemporary American teen lit, or something along those lines
• Actually, there’s way more than that coming at you, and I can’t even remember what else I’ve got on the back burner. There are all these books I’ve read and meant to review, but things have gotten lost in the construction dust. (Have I mentioned that I hate contractors and hope I never, ever have to deal with them in my apartment again?) But please be patient. I can’t really hear you very well right now. I mean, I can if I listen with my right ear and you speak reasonably loudly. But my left? No dice.

For now, I suggest you satisfy yourself by reading what Libba Bray and Justine Larbalestier are saying about writing a book and how it is a soul-sucking, terrible process that no one should ever suffer. Well, Justine says it’s demonic, and Libba compares it to a nasty love affair. As for me, with my current book, I think I’m still in the throes of passion. Don’t worry; it’ll fade, I’m sure. And then I’ll get back to that place: “Me? Write a book??? HAH! Hah! As if. It could never, ever happen.” But Libba and Justine have both proven it’s possible, even when you reach that place. Anyway, their blogs are very funny and entertaining, so go read them.

Smoooch!
brina