YALitLovers

What Art Thou, Steampunk?

girlreading — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:11:36 +0000

The May Y’ALL book was Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. A question that arose during discussion was what is “steampunk”? Below is a starting point to sources more qualified to answer and recommend titles for further reading.

We also brought our lists for best YA books of all time that we submitted to Persnickety Snark. Here’s my list:

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (although now I think it should have put Order of the Phoenix).

9. The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake

8. Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar

7. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

6. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

5. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

4. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

1. Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

June book is Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Odd-Fish Podcast Interview

girlreading — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:31:44 +0000

The group was very lucky to score a video Skype interview with James Kennedy author of Order of the Odd-Fish.

Order of the Odd-Fish by James Kennedy

This book is about Jo Larouche who was found with a note declaring her a “dangerous baby”. After thirteen years of a relatively quiet life with her eccentric Aunt, Jo is swept up in an fast-paced adventure and find out just how “dangerous” she really is.

Visit James Kennedy and the Odd-Fish Call for Submissions

Listen to the audio podcast.

YA’LL Reading List 2010

girlreading — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:29:34 +0000

March to October 2010 reading list:

March – When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, Newbery winner (SciFi)
April - Going Bovine by Libba Bray, Printz winner (Realistic Fiction)
May – Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (Steampunk SciFi)
June – Liar by Justine Larbalestier (Realistic Fiction)
July – Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba by Margarita Engle (Poetry)
August – Magicians by Lev Grossman (Adult/YA crossover, Fantasy)
September – Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman (Non-fiction/Book & Movie: Creation)
October – 3rd Hunger Games book by Suzanne Collins (Apocalyptic – book releases August 24)

September Book

girlreading — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:30:05 +0000

September 2009 book is your choice of John Green books: Paper Towns or An Abundance of Katherines.

Paper Towns by John Green

You can watch the video of John Green talking about the book on Penguin’s web site. Paper Towns Discussion Questions and An Abundance of Katherines is available. And, should you fall in love with anagrams try the Internet Anagram Server/I, Rearrangement Servant.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

August Book Read

girlreading — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:05:23 +0000

We are reading Unwind by Neal Shusterman for August. There are discussion questions (PDF) on Neal’s website.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

2009 reading list so far…

girlreading — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:07:44 +0000

January’s book was Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

February’s book is Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.

March’s book is Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Updated Reading List

girlreading — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:10:03 +0000

At the July meeting the reading list was slightly changed and is now completed to the end of the year.

August: 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher (audio version)

September: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

October: Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

November: Any vampire book you want to read

December: Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Previously, on YaLitLovers…

girlreading — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:05:38 +0000

Finally, listing books from May’s meeting. Get reading!

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Clumpets Go Sailing by Jan Wahl

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (Sandpiper Books) by Dubuse Heyward

House of Night by PC & Kristin Cast

SoonerCon 2008!

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt; review by Book Dweeb

Taste for Rabbit by Linda Zuckerman, review by Book Dweeb

Where’s My Cow by Terry Pratchett, , and Pratchett web site

Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett, and teacher’s guide (pdf)

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, movie, book, NPR report on the effect of the film on the family and the reading guide

As You Wish…

girlreading — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:41:56 +0000

The discussion of Princess Bride was very good. I think everyone agreed the male relationships; friendship, and father/son were very well written. Male-female relationships not so much. And, Buttercup is basically a tool. A plot tool, that is. The movie went with the book very well, although we could have used more fight scenes.

In light of our great discussion, we planned the next books until November. And, they are:

July – My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

August – TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY (audio version) by Jay Asher (request now on interlibrary loan)

September – Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

October – Teen Read Month in Oklahoma! Read any vampire book you want. Books with Bite, Bay-beeee! [Teen Read Week 2008 | Books with Bite @ your library].

November – Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt Book Review by the New York Times

Stardust

girlreading — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:40:34 +0000

We read Stardust by Neil Gaiman for May’s book/movie. We liked the movie and the changes that were made from the book only enhanced the story. I finally finished the book, and I do like the movie ending much better (yeah, non-cheesy happy endings get me every time). And, having the dead brothers comedy routine was a very good addition.

June’s book is The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Everyone has seen the movie many, many times, but there are a few who hadn’t read the book yet. As good as the movie is, the book is sooo much better. <ReadingGroupGuides.com – The Princess Bride by William Goldman>

See you in June!