YA News From Poland

So I've been in Poland for the last month. Last year, I asked all the students if they'd read Twilight, and no one had even heard of it. This year, it seems to be enjoying the same popularity and craze that it does here in the US. I gave away some ARCs I had, and the students seemed pretty excited about them. This year, my mission was to spread the word about Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, especially once I discovered that it's already been translated into Polish and is already in paperback there. I'm told the title translates to something like "Death Olympics."













In Krakow, I went to this bookstore in the center of the Old Town:




















And in addition to the many YA novels I saw there (including Sarah Dessen's Lock & Key with the same pink cover as the US edition), I saw this:




















I was impressed they had Meg Cabot there. They also had this Cassandra Clare book:

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Awhile back, I received a review copy of Being Nikki by Meg Cabot. Being Nikki continues on where Airhead left off with Emerson still in the body of a supermodel (how terrible, right?). For Emerson, it is, because she is still in love with her old best friend from high school, but is prohibited from telling him her true identity.

I found Being Nikki to be much more suspenseful than Airhead. And towards the end, the book takes a turn that caught me completely off guard. I love Meg Cabot, but let's be honest, her books are usually predictable. Not this one. I won't spoil it for you, but it is really intriguing. The only thing that frustrated me is that it totally leaves you hanging at the end. I am so tired of reading books and then having to wait impatiently for the next one in the series!

So long, Mia Thermopolis

Shortly before Christmas, I received an advance copy of Princess Diaries, Volume X: A Forever Princess by Meg Cabot. I have been following the Princess Diaries series ever since the first book and it was a bittersweet feeling to hold the final installment in my hands. While I was ready for some closure already, I was also sad to say goodbye to Mia. I have to say, this was my favorite book in the whole series aside from the first one.

A Forever Princess starts at the end of Mia's senior year. For her senior thesis, she has written a romance novel which she is trying to get published under a pseudonym. She is also still dating J.R. and planning on losing the big V to him on prom night. I won't say any more to avoid giving away key plot points, but I will say that I loved the way it ended and the all drama along the way.

Airhead by Meg Cabot

I received an advance copy of Airhead a couple of months ago, but was asked not to review it until May when the book was going to be released. Of course, that didn't stop me from reading it as soon as it reached my fingertips. And let me tell you, this book? Awesome. I want to tell you all about it and describe what happens to the main character (Emerson. Cool name, right?), but every time I start I feel like I am giving away the mystery. You'll see what I mean when you read it. Something major happens to Emerson almost right away, an accident, and she wakes up in a hospital a totally different person. But I can't tell you anything else from there. Just trust me, you'll like it. And, even better, it is going to be a series! I can't wait til the next one comes out.

**OK, sorry, this has got to be the most poorly written review ever. Wait until you see how I butcher my review of Stephenie Meyer's new novel, The Host!**

Book Giveaway!

Meg Cabot's awesome publicist sent me 5 copies of How to Be Popular (thanks, Rachel!). And I have decided to give one away in A True Reality's first ever blog giveaway!

You will love this book. The main character, Stephanie, is this adorable, klutzy girl who really wants to fit in with the in-crowd. She stumbles across an old book called How to Be Popular and uses it to aid her in her quest for popularity. This is just a really sweet, funny book. Also, there is a little of that boy-next-door romance going on, which you just have to love.

If you want a chance to win a copy of How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot, just tell us your favorite YA book and/or author along with why it/he/she is your favorite. On Friday, I will do a totally random drawing and announce the winner. I look forward to reading your responses!

Speaking of Meg Cabot

which I was in my last post ---

I think she and Daria and I need to go see Kathy Griffin perform. I mean, KG is like THE celebrity I'd most like to meet, and Daria and Meg both really like her. Not sure how I can persuade them to take me along with them, but maybe I can work something out. And then maybe we can join Rachel Cohn and David Levithan for a "My So Called Life" marathon. Maybe YALSA can sponsor this as a Dream Prize or something (and I'll win, naturally). "Win a Night With Daria Snadowsky and Meg Cabot to see Kathy Griffin Live, Followed by a Night of Watching 'My So Called Life' on DVD With Rachel Cohn and David Levithan." It could work. I'll bring cupcakes.

Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot was on the Today Show today talking about girls wanting to be popular. Man, I love her blog. She's so hilarious, and her pictures are just great. It's hard to believe she wasn't popular when she was younger because not only is she super funny, but she's got great style.

My "boyfriends"

Ever since I met John Green at TLA, I have referred to him as my boyfriend. I have even referred to him as my boyfriend on A True Reality. It is silly and juvenile, so it is hardly surprising that I felt a little embarrassed when John Green himself visited our blog on one of the days I referred to him as my boyfriend. But, I do not have to feel foolish about it anymore because the Queen of YA Literature, Meg Cabot, also has boyfriends. And she's married, too! So it is perfectly normal. My other boyfriends are Colin Firth and John Cusack. Who are your boyfriends?


p.s. I feel as though I used the term "boyfriend" a ridiculous number of times in this post. Very unseeming for a married woman.

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are hugely popular among the teens at my library. As the YA librarian, I try to read the same books my teens are reading, but I have not been able to force myself to read graphic novels. I just don't like pictures with my books for the same reason that I always read the book before watching the movie. I like to form my own visual images of characters and such. Not that I don't appreciate the manga and graphic novel genre. Anything that encourages kids to read is a good thing. I have noticed a lot of popular YA authors are coming out with their own versions of graphic novels. For example, Meg Cabot just released a sequel to her book Avalon High (2007 Lonestar Award winner) and the sequel is in graphic novel form. I really enjoyed Avalon High and was so disappointed when I heard that the sequel was going to be all comic book-y. I guess if I want to keep up with the teens, I need to bite the bullet and start reading some manga.

Pants on Fire

Title: Pants on Fire

Author: Meg Cabot

Grade: D-

I just finished listening to the audio of Pants on Fire and I cannot even begin to say how disappointed I was. I have read almost all of Meg Cabot's books and enjoyed most of them. I was looking forward to a pleasant drive to and from work listening to her newest creation. Oh. My. Gosh. I have never been so annoyed at an audiobook. There were times when I was literally shouting at my CD player. "You already said that! FIFTEEN times!" The story lasted like the span of three days and nothing really happens during that time other than the main character, Katie, repeating key phrases over and over again. I can not even tell you how many times she said "What is wrong with me!" and "But, he is so hot!" Also, Katie is supposed to be this supremely likable person. Almost perfect, in fact, despite her tendency to lie. I don't know if it was just the tone the narrator used on the audiobook or what, but she came across as a whiny brat. And she was always yelling at her makeout boys, yet they still kept coming back for more. Really? I did not find much likable about her other than the fact that she rode a bike rather than drive because she cared about the environment.

I still love Meg Cabot, but let's just say this was not her finest work.