The lovelies over at YA Highway (seriously, YA writers who love travel–where do I sign up?) have little blog feature called Road Trip Wednesday. It is basically a blog carnival where they all blog about the same topic and invite others to as well. Then, all the links to the blogs are in one neat little place, so anyone who wants can read everyone else’s thoughts on the topic.
Today is my first RTW, but since I have a bit of a blog crush on YA Highway, there will certainly be many more to follow. Today’s RTW is a nice little (really hard to answer) Q&A.
What are the three best books you’ve read this year?
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. This is one of the best books of all time! That sounds like total hyperbole, I know, but I don’t know how else to say it. This is easily the best debut novel I have ever read, and, in my opinion, the best contemporary novel out there (and let’s face it, it holds it’s own against the timeless classics pretty well). It is beautifully written with a compelling gothic plot. Really, really an unputdownable (not a word? Whatever; I am a writer, I am allowed to make them up) novel. I recommend it to everyone.
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Wow. Wow. Wow. I had heard the ravings about this one for a while before I picked it up. It seemed interesting enough, but a novel narrated by a dog could easily go into gimmick territory, and I didn’t want to read a gimmicky novel. This one does not go into that territory. It is poignant and heartbreaking. Clever. Funny. Beautiful. Real. I love this book and will read it again and again.
- Wings by Aprilynne Pike. As a YA writer, how could I not put a YA book on this list? I have read a lot of great ones this year, but Wings really sticks out for me. I can’t really pinpoint what it is about this book that I love so much; I just know I love it. Maybe it is Aprilynne’s clean, crisp, clear, concise writing (really, all the Cs came naturally…I wasn’t trying to overdose on the alliteration). Maybe it is the simple, yet compelling plot. And maybe, just maybe, it is my soft spot for science-geek David. Whatever it is, there is something about Wings that sings to me. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Wow. Only three allowed? That was tough.
If you could meet one author (living or dead), who would it be?
Fyodor Dostoevsky. After I learn my Russian, of course. What good would it do to resurrect the dude and meet him if I couldn’t understand him? Dostoevsky’s mind amazes me, and he led quite an incredible life. I would just like to shoot the breeze for a while. Maybe pick his brain a bit. That would be quite the conversation, I think.
What book are you most looking forward to in 2010?
Hmmm. Just one? That is TOUGH. I think I am going to have to go with Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. It just sounds so intriguing, and Evie’s voice is great! I am super excited to read that one.
Of course, there are rumors circulating that Diane Setterfield will have her sophomore effort on the shelves next year. If that is the case, Paranormalcy might be bumped down the anticipation list. Sorry, Kiersten. You are great, but come on–it’s DIANE SETTERFIELD!
And thus concludes my first adventure with Road Trip Wednesday.
P.S. Have you entered the awesome contest over at YA Highway yet?
3 Comments
I bet if we’re resurrecting people from the dead, we can probably manage to get them to speak to us in a language we understand!
I hope you enjoyed your first RTW, and I hope you keep doing them after this. Love your blog!
Thanks! I think RTW is such a great idea-I will definitely be doing them from now on.
Also, good point about the language barrier. But I am learning Russian anyway, so all is good.
Ooo, Dostoevsky would indeed be fascinating to meet. Thanks for playing along this week!