My list has gotten out of control this past week! Nine books added to it. That brings me to a total of 95 and I don’t know how I’m ever going to make a dent in it. Oh Reader, I’m begging you; let me know if any of these are terrible or not worth my time. I can only read so much before I die.
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: After reading Fangirl, Nicole started on this one and assures me that it’s amazing. Two teens who know falling in love won’t last, but can’t help doing it anyway.
- The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly: Here’s another book I won on First Reads! And to make it even better, it’s set in the 20s and talks about bootleggers. I couldn’t be more excited. It’s the story of two detectives who go to investigate the disappearance of fellow agents and get mixed up with Miss Dixie Clay, the most notorious bootlegger in the south.
- Writing Fiction for Dummies by Randy Ingermanson: On my previous post talking about the credentials a writer needs, Nicole send me a list of links and one was to Ingermanson’s blog. I liked is writing style and advice so I think a read of his book might be in order.
- Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson: The logical following of a book on writing fiction is the more niche book on YA fiction.
- Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys: I have a theory that if you see a book twice, you should just scoop it up and read it. I saw Sepetys book once on Bermuda Onion’s Weblog so when I saw it again (Lord knows where), it had to go on the list! The daughter of a prostitute, Josie longs to get escape New Orleans but the thread tying her to a mysterious murder is strong. It sounds like some solid YA fiction that I’m glad I found.
- Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox: After how much I disliked Jaycee Dugard’s memoir, I was hesitant to add Knox’s to my list. When a friend from my Spanish group recommended it, I couldn’t resist and here it is! If you’re unfamiliar with Amanda’s story, I’ll summarize. She was 20 and studying abroad in Italy when her roommate was killed. Amanda was tried and convicted of the murder, spending four years in Italian prison before new evidence brought the case back to trial and she was acquitted and allowed to move home to the US. This is her story.
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed: This is another book I’ve seen repeatedly and couldn’t keep off of the list. This memoir traces a woman’s decision to escape from a crumbling life and hike alone on the West Coast trail with minimal experience. I do love a good memoir and this one seems to have won many awards (hopefully for the right reasons).
- Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market by Victoria Hanley: I asked at my writer’s workshop if anyone had read any good books about YA publishing specifically and this one was recommended. I hope to give it a go soon!
- Writing and Selling the YA Novel by K.L. Going: This was another workshop recommendation and I’m not as sold on this one. Any suggestions, reader?
- The Round House by Louise Erdich: Recommended by my supervisor who reads almost as much as I do! When his mother is violently attacked, Joe is desperate to bring her back from the edge as she draws into herself. His quest takes him and his friends to the Round House, a sacred place of worship of the Ojibwe.
Reader, I implore you for your help! Which of these are keepers and which can I pitch? Please help me prune down the ever-growing list to a manageable size!
Taking On a World of Words 
I think you’ll like Out of the Easy and Eleanor & Park – they’re both terrific! Thanks for the shout out!
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I’ve only heard good things about Eleanor & Park. Out of the Easy sounded too interesting to pass up. I think the only Louisiana based book I’ve read is Chopin’s The Awakening, so it’s about time I read something different.
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Hi! Louise Erdrich has a very specific style…if you want to get a sense of her without committing to a novel, I have a book of her short stories you could borrow. (She went to Dartmouth so she visited my creative writing classes a lot.) I think with the how-to-write-YA books, you might want to consider which author is more in line with your style/niche. (Of course it doesn’t always matter – I loved Stephen King’s book on writing despite never reading or writing horror.) Victoria Hanley writes fantasy novels and KL Going writes misfit fiction…
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The way you say ‘very specific style’ makes me think it wasn’t for you, haha. What about it is so unique?
From what you say on Hanley and Going, Going might be more my type for my first WIP, but I have a fantasy YA novel in the works as well. I’m glad to hear King’s book is worth a read because it’s definitely on my list!
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I just read a book review from another blogger I read on Amanda Knox’s book, and they said it was a great read! I definitely think Wild Ink sounds like a great one as well. Good luck with your list! Mine is out of control too.
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I’m worried about memoirs from news sensations after I read Jaycee Dugard’s book and found it lacking. My list is now at 98 so I’m reading like a fiend to bring it down!
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