Wednesday, December 25, 2013

DID I NOT TELL YOU??

     So The Real John Green very favorably reviewed A.S. King's REALITY BOY in this past Sunday's New York Times Book Review.  Hello?  What is the big surprise here?  Have I not been telling everyone who will listen that A.S. King is an exceptionally talented YA author whose game only gets better with each book she publishes?  Yes, I believe that I have been doing exactly that, loudly and often.  So why doesn't anyone listen to me???  Because, let's be totally honest here: whether or not I ever get any of my own books published, I have always been blessed with excellent literary taste.  IF I TELL YOU A BOOK IS GOOD, IT IS, OKAY?  But, clearly, I am chopped liver at best, because for some obscure reason A.S. King is gobsmacked when John Green reviews her book in the NYT, but seemingly unmoved when I do so in this blog.  Go figure.  But by the way: A.S. King is not just humblebragging and pretending to be gobsmacked.  She is simply humble.  Don't you wish humility was spread around more fairly in this world, concentrated heavily in people who actually deserve to be humble?  I know I do.
     Oh, and Holly Schindler's debut middle-grade novel, THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, is going to be released in a little over a month from now, and has already garnered some stellar reviews, including from Kirkus.  Now, have I TOLD you to keep an eye on Holly Schindler?  Hmmm???  Yes, I believe that I have.  But have you been following her the way you should have been as a result?  I dunno - have you?  Well, in case you haven't, will these reviews and trailers convince you to run right out and preorder SUNSHINE AND LUCKY immediately?  I sure hope so.  If not, I have taught you nothing.  And another thing: are you going to check back in with me on January 25th, when Holly will send me a vlog about SUNSHINE AND LUCKY to post here?  The answer had better be yes, that's all I can say.  Don't make me come after you.
     I hope that those of you who celebrate Christmas are having an extremely merry and bright one, surrounded by people you love and a pile of newly-gifted books.  And for the rest of us, and in honor of the late, great Roger Ebert: I'll see you at the movies!!


5 comments:

  1. Good call - and yes, we writers and readers know a good book when we read one, and don't need reviewers to tell us what's worth the money. Happy New Year!

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    1. And a very happy new year to you and yours, Pam! Thanks so much for stopping by! Which reminds me... Have to go order The Right Wrong Man, now that it's available in print version!!!

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  2. John Green did a video on books he recommended for gift-giving last year. He should have done one this year and mentioned "Reality Boy" in that. If he had, sales would have skyrocketed as every Nerdfighter in Nerdfighteria bought a copy. =/

    A review in NY Times is good too though. :]

    I liked A. S. King's humblebragging gobsmacked post. Especially the short version.

    I did get a pile of new books for x-mas. Two of the authors are friends of John Green. He's becoming omnipresent.

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  3. Dana: I think that John Green has BEEN omnipresent for quite a while now! I'm kind of afraid that one night I'll wake up and find him in my room. Enjoy your stack of Christmas books, and please let me know what the good ones are. Happy New Year!

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    1. A disembodied Pizza John head that haunted houses at night would make for a scary horror story. o.o

      You should do an x-mas book haul post if you have nothing else to write about next week. :]

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