Hi! I missed my chance to appear here last month—did anyone miss me? But here I am, Lou Sylvre back again, thanks to the kindness of Love Bytes. As I have in the past, I’m going to babble on for a while and then tell you about this month’s contest. The only difference is, this month I’m not going to babble as much (I hope), and I’m going to babble about books that Lou Sylvre didn’t write. (Imagine that!)
Well, I might be cheating a little because a certain Lou Hoffmann’s books will be mentioned, and you know, she and
I are very close—she looks exactly like me, talks like me, walks like me, uses (hogs) my computer, and sleeps in my bed—on my side of it—with me! No, it’s not a Patty Duke identical cousin thing, which is a reference only for those of you old enough to remember that, along with Doby Gillis, My Favorite Martian, That Girl, and Mr. Ed.
Lou Hoffmann writes YA for the gender spectrum, and YA books are the focus for this blog. I know some readers of romance and other books written for the adult market don’t read YA, and I’m going to want some feedback from you a little later, so if you’re not interested in hearing about some YA books, skim down until you see the question I have for you—maybe you’ll favor me with your thoughts? (Also note, there is a choice of a Lou Hoffmann or a Lou Sylvre book prize for the contest.) For those of you who, like me, have enjoyed a lot of books in YA category, I have a question for you too. But first…
Quick intro—the category of YA is a truly vast umbrella, right? Every genre, many target readerships, all styles, and so on. Until recently, YA alone covered books intended primarily for readers age 12 to a flexible upper end of about 18-22. The defining features that separated YA from general literature or a broad genre usually had to do with the primary point-of-view character (often the protagonist but not always) rather than subject matter. Lately, books for older teens and twenties age group have begun to be classed as NA—new adult—a great development in my opinion.
Another promising development—YA and NA books that feature characters whose sexuality would land somewhere on the queer (QUILTBAG?) spectrum are being published more and more often. Here’s a few I have appreciated:
This is Not a Love Story by Suki Fleet (Harmony Ink): This is truly one of the finest love stories I’ve ever read, but it isn’t a “pretty” story, or light reading. It reaches for truth and hits it square on the head.
The Dreams of Fire and Gods series by James Erich. (Harmony Ink): About as different from Suki Fleet’s novel as you can get. It’s fantasy—a big, engrossing read with great characters, interesting magic systems, and an inventive cosmology.
Wet Paint and Pitch (Transitions series) by Will Parkinson (Harmony Ink): Parkinson lays down a contemporary story that entertains as it shows young people dealing with challenges —from coming out to violence to the persistence of honest love—challenges they aren’t prepared for.
Here’s a couple I want to read but haven’t yet;
Slaying Isadore’s Dragons by Cody Kennedy. (Harmony Ink, available now at the Dreamspinner catalogue) C’mon! It’s Cody Kennedy! And look at that cover, oh my!
Spinner by Michael Bowler (Cool Dudes Publishing, coming in August)—Okay I confess, I got to see early copy of this one. Contemporary fantasy, truly innovative, marvelous characters that are not at all the usual.
Now about Lou Hoffmann (yeah, that’s me):
First book in the Sun Child Chronicles came out last September: Key of Behliseth (Harmony Ink, available at Dreamspinner catalogue).
Second book, Wraith Queen’s Veil, coming up fall 2015, and you are the first to get this bit of Lou’s news! As you can no doubt glean from the title, it’s fantasy. Spans worlds, plays fast and loose with science, stars a 15-year-old boy who calls himself Lucky even though he hasn’t been.
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Okay, time to talk prizes!
(1a) If you don’t read YA, tell me why in a comment.
(1b) If you do read YA, name a favorite book or author.
(2) (This one’s for everyone, multiple choice.) Who the heck is Lou Hoffmann? (a) The next president of the United States of America; (b) A German baker’s granddaughter; (c) A champion Irish Wolfhound.
Answer 1a/1b and 2 in comments, and you’re entered! Brevity is fine, but if you have more to say, please do! The contest is on until June 30th. The winner may select either an e-book of either Key of Behliseth or any of the five novels in the Vasquez and James series.
Thanks for reading!
1b. I do read YA, but don’t have a favorite author. I like Geoff Laughton and Beau Schemery from DSP (sticking with a theme).
2. I’ll guess b (or the YA pseudonym of Lou Sylvre).
Hi, Lou. I haven’t gotten to read any of your works yet, but am looking forward to doing so. Though I don’t read a lot of YA, I have enjoyed some really good books. Jayson James’ T.E.D. is the first one that comes to mind. (I think I’ve read most of his.) I’m not sure if you could be C or even possibly B, they next US president. 🙂 If a M/M author made it that far, just think of the changes for the positive that could be made. Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.
I read YA but I don’t have a fav author and I don’t remember an specific one at the moment, except for J. Roman’s series Keeping Secrets and Caught in the Act series by Robbie Michaels, which I really liked. Specially book 2 because of all the drama it has. =P
I do read YA and some of my favorite authors are Sara Alva, Matthew Metzger, Madison Parker and Cody Kennedy (I am reading Slaying Isidore’s Dragon right now).
For the 2nd question, I am going to guess b, but if a were to come true that would be totally awesome.
Thanks for the great post!
I tend to not read much YA. I guess I need to try it.
Oh and I would guess B, but A, heck everyone else is running.
1b) Dreams of Fire and Gods series by James Erich.
2) I’m going to go with B.
I love reading YA. Echoing jenf27’s sentiments, I adore Sara Alva (read her SILENT since you loved Fleet’s …LOVE STORY) and Matthew Metzger’s books. Also, Bill Konigsberg, JH Trumble, and Jay Bell’s stories. Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You the Sun is a recent favorite, and Benjamin Alire Sanchez’ Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a forever love. (Are you sorry yet that you asked?)
I only recently found out from some author (AHEM!) about this German baker’s granddaughter who has written a YA book I might want to read. I’m looking forward to it, though I haven’t gotten to it yet.
Thanks for sharing with us, Lou!
1a: Haven’t read any yet
1b: I have the Suki Fleet book shown above, but haven’t read it yet
2: Hopefully, B. 🙂
I read some of them. I hope I am correct in saying Hunger Games and Divergent are YA. I did enjoy them. I am going to guess B for #2.
1a: I don’t read YA mostly because I’m worried it will contain underage sex. That really is a no go for me. I have read and enjoyed several NA books about college aged characters. One of my favorites is Jamie Fessenden’s Screwups.
2: b – A German baker’s granddaughter.
1a: I loved This is Not a Love Story by Suki Fleet and you are right it’s not pretty or light reading. I also have Slaying Isadore’s Dragons by Cody Kennedy but haven’t read it yet.
2: A German baker’s granddaughter?
I have just started reading a little YA and so far so good. Makes me wonder what took me so long!
1. I don’t read a bunch of YA, mostly because I’m afraid it’ll be too angsty. I know it sounds crazy, but I just prefer books without much angst and boy are those teenage years full of it. However, I will say that I have been delightfully surprised by a few books that really made me change my thoughts about YA. Two of the books that come to mind are Superhero by Eli Easton and On The Right Track by Sam Kadence.
2. B sounds the coolest. 🙂
1b I have read quite a few YA and NA books I’ve especially enjoyed books from authors Cody Kennedy, Geoff Laughton and Mia Kerick.
(b) A German baker’s granddaughter.
I’ve read various YA books. Eli Easton and Amy Lane are two authors that come to my mind.
Would choose 2b.
1b. Hideous
2. (b) A German Baker’s granddaughter.
Thank you for the giveaway.
shortychelle@outlook.com
Thanks for the post.
I do read YA and NA. I have quite a few authors that I like in MM genre that write YA
1b) C Kennedy (Omorphi), Mia Kerick (One Voice series), Jeff Erno (Dumb Jock series) are authors that I have read and loved. but there are so many more. John Goode (Foster High series) , Hope Ryan (The Geek and the Artist) ,Sam Kadence (Vocal Growth series), Geoff Laughton (By the Creek and At the Lake) to name a few.
2) B a German Bakers grand daughter