Jessica Schein

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Posts tagged with "Young Adult Literature"

Jan 19

Wondering why these four books are shown here together?

Oh just ‘cause they represent #1, #2, #3, and #4 on this week’s USA Today bestseller list.

Basically, they’re a really big deal and yeah, young adult books rock.

Posted 1 year ago

5 notes

young adult books, young adult literature, the hunger games, the fault in our stars, john green,

Dec 19

Where’s the Love for Contemporary YA Fiction?

Over the past few years, thanks to the explosive popularity of The Hunger Games and Twilight, paranormal and sci-fi/fantasy teen lit has become hot. It seems that every week there is a new novel about girls with special talents, romances that span centuries, and the latest trend—living in a restrictive society that has banned love, caffeine (**shudder**), and pretty much anything else that is enjoyable.

Given today’s political and economic climate I see why reading about what could happen should the U.S. government go all totalitarian is appealing. No choice in your future partner? Hell no I’ve said to friends over dinner, kicking off a long discussion about the things we could live without. Conclusion: the Kardashian family, jeggings, and the idea of pizza sauce as a vegetable. 

But, guys, there’s so much more great lit in the genre.

I certainly appreciate a good dystopian novel or YA fantasy as much as the next person. Delirium, The Scorpio Races, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and All These Things I’ve Done are just a few of my recent favorites—and I’m not alone. Nearly all of these books made the New York Times chapter book best-seller list at some point in the past year. 

Yet in 2011 I also read a number of amazing contemporary young adult novels like Kimberly Marcus’ debut Exposed, Jenny Downham’s gritty You Against Me, and Cris Beam’s powerful I am J—just to name a few. Although included on year-end best-of lists here and there, these books never managed to garner the same widespread love, and I don’t understand why. Personally, for every heart-pounding moment of action outrunning a sinister government agent/zombie I read, I found an affecting passage that made my chest thrum just as loud. 

It’s wonderful to see how much the YA genre has grown in the past few years and I can’t wait to see what comes next. But whether it’s robots or mermaids or maybe just a good old high school friendship gone awry, lets honor the authors who show us our world in new and beautiful ways right now.

Posted 1 year ago

3 notes

young adult literature, fiction,

Nov 21
Guys, Stalked is seriously good. Buy it because it’s a quality read, of course, but also ‘cause it’s NINETY-NINE CENTS until December 31st. That means it’s a steal, in case you need a refresher on the cost of activities-you’re-sure-to-find-enjoyable. Still not sure? Here are a few things this book is cheaper (but more enjoyable) than: A NYC subway ride: Crowded, uncomfortable, and costs $2.50—2.5 times more than Stalked. Also, subway riders will be able to relate to Rikke’s (the protagonist) cramped quarters in steerage while on a steamship to America. Kringle: Okay, it may not be more enjoyable than this delicious Danish pastry, but it’s just as good and way cheaper! This place is charging $28 for the dessert before sales tax, shipping, etc. Say what? That’s a lot. Stalked is food for the brain without the calories! Potential Overdue Library Fees: Everyone has a book they’ve a) forgotten to return or b) can’t get rid of ‘cause they’ve fallen in love with the story. Since overdue fines are 10 cents a day (last I checked) you’d have only 240 hours past the book’s return date to read (ahem, re-read) Stalked. But if you buy it now, you can have it forever on your Kindle. FOREVER. A Stalker (assumed costs: installation of an extra lock, legal fees, etc): Stalking isn’t cool, obvs, and in case you’re wondering if the guy/gal who keeps eying you is just being overly-friendly, or if you have a possible issue on your hands, this book will help you realize whether or not your suspicion(s) are unfounded. All joking aside, Rikke is kick-ass strong considering that she’s penniless in a new country. She’s a treat to read about and you may even be able to glean a few tips for evading those you’d rather not see. Happy reading, indeed! grutty: After more than 20 books with some of the biggest publishing houses, my Mom has set off on a self-publishing adventure. Her first self-published book is now available for just $0.99 on the Kindle. If you like suspense or thrillers, you’ll love Stalked. Go check it out! Stalked by Krisitiana Gregory. Available on the Kindle for $0.99 for a limited time only. About Stalked: Young Adult Thriller: When Rikke Svendsen, a 15-year old Danish servant arrives at Ellis Island in 1912, she realizes that a fellow passenger on her voyage across the Atlantic—whose advances she had spurned—is stalking her. In the chaos of immigration and trying to flee him, she gets stranded in New York City instead of being able to meet family in Racine, Wisconsin. Relieved to have eluded the man, she finds work in the tenements as a seamstress for a film company and struggles to earn money for a train ticket north. Meanwhile, through letters and telegrams, she learns that mysterious accidents are befalling her loved ones in Racine with deadly results. As Rikke pieces together clues, frantic for her beloved Viggo, she seeks to unravel what or who is behind the terror.

Guys, Stalked is seriously good. Buy it because it’s a quality read, of course, but also ‘cause it’s NINETY-NINE CENTS until December 31st. That means it’s a steal, in case you need a refresher on the cost of activities-you’re-sure-to-find-enjoyable.

Still not sure?

Here are a few things this book is cheaper (but more enjoyable) than:

  • A NYC subway ride: Crowded, uncomfortable, and costs $2.50—2.5 times more than Stalked. Also, subway riders will be able to relate to Rikke’s (the protagonist) cramped quarters in steerage while on a steamship to America.
  • Kringle: Okay, it may not be more enjoyable than this delicious Danish pastry, but it’s just as good and way cheaper! This place is charging $28 for the dessert before sales tax, shipping, etc. Say what? That’s a lot. Stalked is food for the brain without the calories!
  • Potential Overdue Library Fees: Everyone has a book they’ve a) forgotten to return or b) can’t get rid of ‘cause they’ve fallen in love with the story. Since overdue fines are 10 cents a day (last I checked) you’d have only 240 hours past the book’s return date to read (ahem, re-read) Stalked. But if you buy it now, you can have it forever on your Kindle. FOREVER.
  • A Stalker (assumed costs: installation of an extra lock, legal fees, etc): Stalking isn’t cool, obvs, and in case you’re wondering if the guy/gal who keeps eying you is just being overly-friendly, or if you have a possible issue on your hands, this book will help you realize whether or not your suspicion(s) are unfounded. All joking aside, Rikke is kick-ass strong considering that she’s penniless in a new country. She’s a treat to read about and you may even be able to glean a few tips for evading those you’d rather not see.

Happy reading, indeed!

grutty:

After more than 20 books with some of the biggest publishing houses, my Mom has set off on a self-publishing adventure. Her first self-published book is now available for just $0.99 on the Kindle. If you like suspense or thrillers, you’ll love Stalked. Go check it out!

Stalked by Krisitiana Gregory. Available on the Kindle for $0.99 for a limited time only.

About Stalked:

Young Adult Thriller: When Rikke Svendsen, a 15-year old Danish servant arrives at Ellis Island in 1912, she realizes that a fellow passenger on her voyage across the Atlantic—whose advances she had spurned—is stalking her. In the chaos of immigration and trying to flee him, she gets stranded in New York City instead of being able to meet family in Racine, Wisconsin. Relieved to have eluded the man, she finds work in the tenements as a seamstress for a film company and struggles to earn money for a train ticket north. Meanwhile, through letters and telegrams, she learns that mysterious accidents are befalling her loved ones in Racine with deadly results. As Rikke pieces together clues, frantic for her beloved Viggo, she seeks to unravel what or who is behind the terror.

Reblogged 1 year ago from grutty

4 notes

Kristiana Gregory, Young Adult Literature, Young Adult Books,