24 Jan 2010
Rambling Reader: The Best YA Books You Haven’t Read
Kelly at YAnnabe contacted me about this special Blog Blitz she was organizing and although I was very interested in participating I failed because this was an extra-busy week and I have had little to no time to blog. So my post is late, when it should have been up on Thursday, or even by the end of Sunday. Since I am writing this Sunday morning and I decided I wanted to do a video post that still needs to be filmed, I don’t know if I’ll make the deadline. I got it up in time, go me!! Either way, I still think this is a great idea to post about some of the best YA books that people have read that didn’t seem to get as hyped as others.
My top YA picks from the video are:
The Puzzle Ring – Kate Forsyth
The 13 Treasures - Michelle Harrison
The 13 Curses – Michelle Harrison
Sisters of Misery - Megan Kelley Hall
The Lost Sister – Megan Kelley Hall
The Swan Kingdom – Zöe Marriott
The Good Girls’ Ghouls’ Guide to Getting Even – Julie Kenner
Good Girls Ghouls Do – Julie Kenner
If you head on over to Kelly’s original post you can see the list of participants, last I heard it was 39, which I think is pretty impressive!
I really do hope that this post has helped some of you discover fantastic new YA fiction to pick up and enjoy. Spread the word!
(Background music provided by: Ian Axel “This is The New Year” CD out now!)
Ohh, thanks for sharing! I hadn’t heard of ANY of these books, excluding The Puzzle Ring, but I’ll definitely have to check them out. They seem good and all of them have beautiful covers. (:
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I shop by covers.. is that sad?
Jenn (Books At Midnight)
January 24th, 2010 at 3:21 pmpermalink
Thanks for doing a post like this. There are so many great books out there that get overlooked because they’re not hyped as much as others.
I really want to read The Puzzle Ring. I’m drawn to stories about Scotland; I guess it’s in my blood.
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Three of them aren’t even available in North America yet, so it’s hard to get the word out if you can’t get it easily in the store. I am glad that Michelle Harrison is about to break into NA now!
La Coccinelle
January 24th, 2010 at 4:16 pmpermalink
I really want to read all of these…
Kailana
January 24th, 2010 at 5:28 pmpermalink
Hi Kat! *waves* It’s so cool to see/hear you!
You chose some great books to spotlight there, and you’ve made me really excited to read The Puzzle Ring. I’ve been staring at the cover since it arrived – it’s lovely. And thumbs up for bigging up the 13 series
Jenny Reply:
January 24th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Woops… I spelt your name wrong. D’oh. Apologies
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Hahahah! You’re so funny. I’ll just consider that a rogue K.
Read that Puzzle Ring STAT! If you loved the 13s you’ll love Puzzle Ring, too!
Jenny
January 24th, 2010 at 7:11 pmpermalink
What a cool idea to do a vlog for this project!
Thanks for posting your list…I haven’t read any of them!
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I’m sorry it was tardy. Even though you did push the date back. I’m normally not as swamped with things as I was last week. How odd! And Glad you liked the video, strangely it was quicker to do than the writing.
Kelly
January 24th, 2010 at 10:57 pmpermalink
Do I get a cookie if I’ve heard of The 13 Treasures before?
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
*tosses you a cookie*
Anastasia
January 24th, 2010 at 10:57 pmpermalink
Love your list, Cat!
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
AND EVERYONE SHOULD READ LOVESTRUCK SUMMER. I meant to include it on this list. Gah! Sorry, Melissa. I did adore it!!!!
Melissa Walker
January 24th, 2010 at 11:33 pmpermalink
Hey! Wanted to say thanks for featuring the Ghoul books and for the nice reviews! (Yes, Google Alerts is fun).
I wanted to answer your question re the series: Alas, while I get a lot (a LOT) of mail about these books, they haven’t sold well enough for the publisher to want to buy more in the series, so I’m considering other options for finishing out Beth’s stories, but don’t yet have a firm answer. I’ll tweet it, facebook it, blog it and FAQ it when I do, though!
Thanks again, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the stories.
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I hope you DO get other options! Because I would love to read more about Beth! It didn’t come across all that well in the video, but I DID love them! I think everyone should read them. They made me laugh out loud.
Whatever happens, please keep me posted (if you remember my blog!) I’d love to know!
Julie Kenner
January 25th, 2010 at 1:08 ampermalink
A. LOVE the video!
You are the cutest.
B. I am reading the Puzzle Ring right now
C. Ooooo the 13s are on my TBR list.
Cat Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Thanks, Juju.
I don’t like to do videos as much because I have too many chins. 
If you own the 13s you should read them right after you finish The Puzzle Ring!!
Juju
January 25th, 2010 at 9:24 ampermalink
Such a great vodcast! Lots of really interesting books which I will be checking out asap – especially the Puzzle Ring which sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Kay Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Saw 13 Curses in the bookstore yesterday and bought it – just because of this vodcast. You should be proud! ♥
Cat Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Yay! I am so happy that I made it sound interesting enough – I hope you like it. Now I’m worried about the pressure! ha!
You should read 13 Treasures first though! I don’t believe this should be that hard to follow if you haven’t read the first one because it’s sort of a stand-alone book set after the first story. Can’t wait to read your review!
Kay
January 26th, 2010 at 7:24 pmpermalink