Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

From February onwards there will be two books chosen for monthly reads. I think two is a good number as it gives the reader an option.

Rules:

1) Authors cannot vote for their own book.
2) It has to be an edgy YA book, otherwise it will be disqualified regardless of numbers. There are plenty of other YA groups that have non-edgy books.
3) Considering how many authors are amongst us, including me, the voting will not be hidden, so that everyone can see it's fair.
4) The two books with the highest number will be chosen.
5) Each person can only nominate and vote for one book a month.
6) I have noticed that there has been problems with another group where some Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' authors have tried to cheat. If I see any of this happening the book will not be chosen. Please play fair as a few sales isn't worth ruining the idea behind this concept.

Nominations:

Please use the "add book/author" feature at the top of the page when nominating. Place both the author and the book's name in the message.

For example, type:
I want to vote for Smack by Melvin Burgess.

Although I will not discount a nomination if this isn't done, it just makes things easier for me to check if the books are edgy YA or not.

The nomination deadline is January the 20th. All books nominated will be put into a poll, which will run until the last day of January. The two chosen books will be put up on the first day of February.

Thanks :)

My nominations are Rot & Ruin and/or
Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
I read Rot & Ruin already, so that's why I named both books.

I nominate Rot & Ruin byJonathan Maberry. Just like Carien, I have already read Rot and Ruin but I do plan on reading the copy of Dust and Decay (The sequel) that I just got in the mail.

Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess I have not read it, but it's on my list.

Breathing Underwater. I haven't read it, but it looks really interesting. It's by Alex Flinn.

I want to read Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

I want to read I Am the Messenger byMarkus Zusak

I want to read La Linea by Ann Jaramillo

Can everyone just choose one book to nominate as it's going to be too big a list. Keep the other ones in mind for different months. Sorry, I should've made myself more clear in the instructions. Number 5 on the rules was including nominations. I'll fix it.

Marita wrote: "Can everyone just choose one book to nominate as it's going to be too big a list. Keep the other ones in mind for different months. Sorry, I should've made myself more clear in the instructions. Nu..."

Mea culpa. My bad.

Mike wrote: "Marita wrote: "Can everyone just choose one book to nominate as it's going to be too big a list. Keep the other ones in mind for different months. Sorry, I should've made myself more clear in the i..."

No worries :)

I already have a copy of I Am the Messenger byMarkus Zusak so I'm going to nominate that too

I'm almost done with that one, but if it gets picked, I will participate. I'm not sure I'd class it as YA, though. The themes, etc, don't really fit the genre. But it's still a good read.

But, can it be classed as edgy? I couldn't tell from the blurb.

I would not call it edgy, but having not read it thinking it YA, I'm not sure. It's certainly not edgy for an adult book.
I'll try to break down some of what I think makes a book "edgy":
violence--there are some fight scenes, not terribly graphic
sex--none so far, but I think there will be a sex scene towards the end
language--some, nothing too noticeable.
urban/gritty language, atmosphere--no. The guy is a poor taxi-driver, and the language is sometimes really unique & poetic, but it doesn't have that 'edgy' feel to me. But others might think so.
I don't want to dissuade people from reading it, but no, I would not call it 'edgy.' But some might, so if you guys pick it, I will definitely participate in the discussions.

I just assumed it was edgy since someone else mentioned it. I admit to having had a copy for ages and not really knowing anything about it. I'd actually be happy with anything that I can easily get a copy of ie amazon.

Regarding, I Am the Messenger

Lena wrote: "I would not call it edgy, but having not read it thinking it YA, I'm not sure. It's certainly not edgy for an adult book. "

Edgy is in the eyes of the beholder and the beholder's life experience.

From Wikipedia:

The story begins with an introduction to the character of Ed Kennedy, a down-and-out underage (emphasis added) taxi driver who is hopelessly in love with his best friend Audrey, who, to his dismay, feels that she cares about him too much to date him. Ed is standing in a bank queue when a robbery takes place. He accidentally foils the robbers' escape, and is proclaimed a hero. Shortly after, he receives an ace in the mail. The ace is from an unknown source. On the ace is written a list of addresses and times. These represent a series of tasks that Ed must complete.
His tasks are as follows:
He must save a woman who is raped by her husband every night. Not EDGY?
He must comfort a lonely old lady.
He must show a teenage girl how to take control of her life and become more confident.

Awards

2007 Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
2006 Michael L. Printz Award Honor book 2006 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
2005 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year-Children
2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award[5]
2003 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature

This novel was intended for a YA audience, but could be appreciated by adults as well. I agree with you, Lena, reading this as an adult, perhaps an adult might not feel it "edgy." However, the target audience was not adult.

As I said, some people might call it edgy. I did not.

Also, it is shelved in the adult section of my library, where I got it. So I never thought of it as being a YA book until someone nominated it on here, although the characters are young (19 or early 20s, maybe? I can't remember).

Again, I'm not saying anyone shouldn't read it. I like it so far. I just wouldn't call it edgy. Maybe it's because of the voice & tone of the book. I'm not against it being nominated--like I said, I'd be happy to discuss it (including whether or not ppl think it's edgy). I was in no way trying to knock your selection.

Mike wrote: "This novel was intended for a YA audience, but could be appreciated by adults as well. I agree with you, Lena, reading this as an adult, perhaps an adult might not feel it "edgy." However, the target audience was not adult.

..."

Also, that's not what I said. I said it was not edgy for an adult NOVEL. While I read this, I did not feel like I was reading a YA novel because of the way the author writes, the themes, and the voice.

My not thinking it's edgy has nothing to do with being an adult (I read lots of YA books that I do consider edgy).

Lena wrote: "Also, that's not what I said. I said it was not edgy for an adult NOVEL. While I read this, I did not feel like I was reading a YA novel because of the way the author writes, the themes, and the voice.

My not thinking it's edgy has nothing to do with being an adult (I read lots of YA books that I do consider edgy)."

Lena, please do not feel I was trying to be argumentative. I merely stated my opinion. Should we disagree, I respect your opinion as I would hope you respect mine. Congratulations on publication of your new Y/A novel.

No worries :)

Actually, I don't have any YA published, but maybe someday. But thanks anyway...I'll take that as motivation.

I nominate Fade to Black by Alex Flinn.

The book is definitely edgy (I tried to get it added to my schools curriculum, but I was turned down because of the content).

My nomination is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

Before a teen girl commits suicide, she records a set of audio tapes to be delivered to some of her classmates and "friends". The tapes contain the reasons why she killed herself.

Diane wrote: "My nomination is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

Before a teen girl commits suicide, she records a set of audio tapes to be delivered to some of her classmates and "friends". The tapes cont..."

My daughter told me about Thirteen Reasons Why. They're making it into a movie and Selena Gomez is playing the main character. Sounds harrowing.

I've wanted to read that for a long time.

I was thinking 13 reasons would be a good fit for this particular group. I listened to it mid2011 and it was utterly captivating, and one I think about often. The audio in particular was really well done - you can hear the click of the tapes etc. I think I gave it 5 stars

I nomination Behind the Hood

Hi, I would like to nominate Goddess of Legendby P.C. Cast

Neisha wrote: "Hi, I would like to nominate Goddess of Legend
I have read it, but would definately read again. Loved it!"

I had a look at the blurb. Is it edgy YA? Because the blurb didn't show it. It looked more like fantasy/romance.

Yeah sorry it probably is more YA fantasy. I'll keep thinking and let you know what I come up with.

Neisha wrote: "Yeah sorry it probably is more YA fantasy. I'll keep thinking and let you know what I come up with."

Thanks.

I'd like to nominate Neal Shusterman's Unwind. I'm already half-way through and it captivated me entirely.

Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors

s.penkevich wrote: "Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors"

I adored "The Graveyard Book!"

s.penkevich wrote: "Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors"

Do you mean Chuck Palahniuk? I thought he was a transgressional writer. Does he do edgy YA too?

Marita wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors"

Do you mean Chuck Palahniuk? I thought he was a trans..."

I wouldn't classify Palahniuk as YA. I worked in a bookstore and I'm wracking my brains right now for a title that may have been, but there is none that comes to mind. And I don't think Graveyard Book is edgy. It was considered an intermediate read, which is ages 9-12.

Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors"

Do you mean Chuck Palahniuk? I thought..."

I was wondering that about The Graveyard Book. I haven't read it, but didn't think the blurb suggested Edgy YA.

Not edgy by my standards, but it was a great read.

I nominate Burned by Ellen Hopkins.

I love Ellen Hopkins books. Don't know if any of you guys have read her books, but I think that they are phenomenal. I haven't read this one yet, but I do own it and have been wanting to read it. Yet it just sits on my book shelf while I read other books. Its time will come sooner or later...

I'll nominate Adam Rapp's Under the Wolf, Under the Dog. I've read it and most of Rapp's other books but am happy to do a reread.

Kerry wrote: "I'll nominate Adam Rapp's Under the Wolf, Under the Dog. I've read it and most of Rapp's other books but am happy to do a reread."

Both yours and Paige's suggestions fits the category nicely.

I vote for The Graveyard Book. It's not like most of the books on here, but still a dark and awesome YA book. One of the best I've ever read.

Marita wrote: "From February onwards there will be two books chosen for monthly reads. I think two is a good number as it gives the reader an option.

Rules:

1) Authors cannot vote for their own book.
2) It h..."

The poll will go up tomorrow (the 20th), so last chance to nominate a book. Remember, only one nomination per person. Another note: The book must be edgy. Being dark is not enough as this can cover books that are not edgy.

I don't think The Graveyard Book is edgy at all. It's more of a younger book.

But, I agree. It's great, just not edgy.

Marita wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Hmm I'd recommend Neil Gaimen's graveyard book or maybe something Pahleniuk but I really don't know many other YA authors"

Do you mean Chuck Pal..."

Ellen Hopkins's books are all edgy. Her newest one is called Perfect. It's great. I haven't been disappointed with any of her books. I met her last September in Arizona, and she is a phenomenal speaker as well as writer.

Paige wrote: "I nominate Burned by Ellen Hopkins.

I love Ellen Hopkins books. Don't know if any of you guys have read her books, but I think that they are phenomenal. I haven't r..."

Shelly wrote: "I don't think The Graveyard Book is edgy at all. It's more of a younger book.

But, I agree. It's great, just not edgy.

Marita wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Marita wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "H..."

Yes, The Graveyard won't be put into the poll as more than one person has agreed it's not edgy.

Just wanted to note something...

Shelly wrote: Ellen Hopkins's books are all edgy. Her newest one is called Perfect.

I don't know if you were nominating this book or not, but I do know that it does kind of go with her book Impulse. So I do not know if it would be the best one to nominate first. I haven't read Perfect yet, so I can't say from experience...but I have heard that it is better if you've read Impulse first.

And I just wanted to say that it is awesome that you got to meet her! I would have loved to hear her speak as well. Must have been quite the experience!

Carien wrote: "My nominations are Rot & Ruin and/or
Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
I read Rot & Ruin already, so that's why I named both books."

Hi, I've looked at the blurbs for these two and these are zombie books. I haven't read them, but I class zombie books in a different category: Horror. I think edgy books deal with realism, like Ellen Hopkins, Melvin Burgess, etc.

Guys, let me know what you think.

I will be putting up the polls early next week as I'm out of the country this weekend.

Carien wrote: "My nominations are Rot & Ruin and/or
Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
I read Rot & Ruin already, so that's why I named both books."

I've just found the author's description and it looks like this series could possibly be classed under edgy. Although I still consider them horror, I'll let them be included unless I get any disagreement.

This is what Jonathan said about his books:
"My Rot & Ruin series (from Simon & Schuster) is post-apocalyptic novels set 14 years after a zombie plague has wiped out most of humanity. The novels deal with issues of death, grief, the nature of humanity, religious intolerance, child abuse, and man's predatory nature."

I think that counts as Edgy.
Rot & Ruin is more about relationships and growing up than it is about zombies.