Taut and emotionally wrenching… I couldn’t put it down. Josie Bloss is an author to watch.

Josie, take it away!

I was inspired to write Albatross after realizing something important from personal experience – the obsession that sometimes accompanies infatuation can be a terrible thing.

There are plenty of YA books that depict the intensity of first love as sweet and wonderful. I wrote about it in Band Geek Love, in which the main character, Ellie Snow, was drawn out of her defensive shell by devoted Conner. Even if Ellie and Conner weren’t meant to be together forever, it was a formative and positive relationship for Ellie and helped her become a better and more mature person.

But sometimes the object of our affection is not…deserving. Sometimes a crush is manipulative, knows the power he or she has and uses it to take advantage. If it involves the wrong person, sometimes an infatuation doesn’t fill us with light and happiness but instead drags us down into the worst parts of ourselves. Into jealousy and darkness and self-destruction where we molder away until we find the strength to climb out again.

That’s what happens to Tess, the main character of Albatross, when she moves to a new town after escaping her controlling and emotionally abusive dad. In the midst of that turmoil, Tess meets and becomes entranced by Micah, an intense and (literally) biting boy who knows exactly how to manipulate and push all of her buttons. Her intense pseudo-relationship with Micah progresses as he gives her just enough to keep her hanging on. Tess becomes obsessed with the girl she considers her competition for Micah’s affection, lies to her mom, and neglects all her other friendships. Because of her infatuation, Tess slowly turns into a version of herself that she despises. It’s only when she finds the strength to confront her dad that Tess is able to really face what her screwed-up relationship with Micah has become.

I sometimes joke with friends that writing this book-of-my-heart almost ended me, that I felt like I was going through every wretched minute of confusion and despair with Tess as she fought her way through her obsession with Micah and out the other side. But the payoff feels worth it. My favorite stories are about a girl casting off her demons and finding her inner-badass, which Tess most certainly does. And I still tear up (happily) whenever I read the last page. Tess is my hero.

Remember, you can win a copy of Albatross by commenting on yesterday’s post with a story about a high school experience that involved music. Or you can order your own copy at Amazon, B&N, or your favorite independent bookseller.

Bookshelves of Doom has a few words for Maureen Johnson. Namely:

ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME INTO A CRAZY PERSON? How could you leave me hanging like that? Seriously? The only thing that stopped my agonized “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” from actually being verbalized was the fact that I was reading under the blankets with a flashlight, trying desperately not to wake my snoring husband. You, madame, are a monster. Also, I am way tired this morning. So thanks for that, too.

Also, is it gross that I’m kind of in love with Spencer?

For the record, no, not gross at all. Click through for the rest of the review.

Over on the Flux blog, they’ve got a great interview up with Josie Bloss about Albatross, and it’s similarities and differences with her previous Band Geek books. An excerpt:

FLUX: The tone in Albatross is more serious than your previous two books. Here, you’ve chosen a far darker story and style. What inspired this change?

JB: Though the story is darker, I think the themes of a girl finding her voice and her inner strength are quite similar to the Band Geek books. Honestly, this is a story that called to me and demanded to be written. I was going through a tough time in my personal life and when my world is upside down, it can be difficult to think or write about anything else. I borrowed significant parts of my own experiences for this book. In some ways, Albatross was my therapy and my method of productively processing these difficult experiences . . . and it’s a fist-bump to other people dealing with similar situations. Sometimes you just need to hear that you’re not alone.

Also included on the Flux blog is a excerpt — check it out!

But wait, there’s more! Author Elana Johnson on Ellen Booraem‘s The Unnameables: “Holy blazes, the woman knows how to use the right words to tell the story.”

And the pun-derfully titled Prose and Kahn says Powerless by Matthew Cody, “is an awesome debut novel and will not be a shelf sitter.” Woot!

And finally, the winner of a book of their choice on Tuesday’s entry is… *drumroll*… Comment #8 (thanks to Random.org). Jean, I’ll email you for your address and book preference!

Full disclosure: By my nature as a literary agent, I get a commission on sales of books by my clients, through any eventual royalties. My links to the Amazon pages of their titles also earns me a small fee, if you click through and buy a copy.

But which review was the best? And how do you quantify “best” when it comes to reviews? Justine Larbalestier had a post recently on the topic of reviews, but for my part, I enjoy a review that makes me rethink my own reaction to a book, and has me wondering again what it means. To my mind, then, there are TWO winners of this contest, JJ and Anna. JJ’s is a little more spoiler-iffic, but both hers and Anna’s had me contemplating my reaction to the book again, and that can only be good. So, guys, send me an email with your addresses, and I’ll keep you each off a copy of Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss.

And speaking of Josie, have you seen the gorgeous cover for her forthcoming book Albatross? Check out my clients’ page, or Josie’s blog, and don’t miss the Meg Cabot quote which calls it:

“Taut and emotionally wrenching… I couldn’t put it down. Josie Bloss is an author to watch.”

I hope you’ll agree!

If you also got a chance to read one of Cassie’s Mortal Instruments books recently, or Catching Fire, OR any book by a kt literary client, don’t forget to leave a link to your posted review in the comments here or on my post about Catching Fire, for a chance to win a copy of Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss.

And speaking of Josie — I’ve got some fab news to share soon about her next book, so stay tuned!

P.S. If you’re not already a fan of Cassie’s “Very Secret Diaries” of the characters from The Lord of the Rings, I highly recommend checking them out. “Still not king.”

Anyway, it made me think of other books where I’ve decided to wait until a series was complete before starting to read it, purely so I didn’t have to deal with that agonizing waiting period. Everyone keeps telling me to read George R. R. Martin, for instance, but if the books are as good as everyone says they are, I want to wait until I can read them all, one after the other — though I imagine I’m going to have to devote a whole month to the effort.

It also reminded me of why I say your manuscript — even if you envision your book as the start of a series — really needs to stand on its own. You don’t want to piss off a reader by getting them to the end of a book and then pulling the rug out from under them, saying, “Sorry, buy the next book for the conclusion!” Nobody likes an angry mob with pitchforks, and if you don’t think readers get mad when you mess with their favorite characters, you haven’t been paying attention lately!

What book series have you decided to hold off on, in order to know they came to an end, and which books do you wish you waited to read, so you didn’t have to deal with a cliffhanger?

Also, don’t forget, leave a link to your review of Catching Fire in the comments in order to win a copy of Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss!

As you’ll recall from my original post, you too can participate for a chance to win a copy of Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss. All you have to do is also read Catching Fire or any one of the Mortal Instruments books (and just so my clients don’t feel left out) OR any book by a kt literary client, and post a review on your site or somewhere linkable (i.e. GoodReads totally counts). After Labor Day, I’ll put up a “Recent Reads” post, and anyone who comments there with a link to their review of one of the above books will be entered to randomly win Band Geeked Out.

Ready? Set? Read!

And what a story! I may be the last person in publishing to have read this, but The Hunger Games was fantastic. If, for whatever reason (“everyone else likes it, so I’m going to be contrary and avoid it,” to name one) you haven’t picked this up yet — just do it. And I was lucky enough to grab a galley of Catching Fire at BEA earlier this year, so I can read the sequel RIGHT AWAY. Or rather, the next time I get some time off, whenever that will be.

So that was Friday night, after dinner. Saturday, after my massage, Rexroth and I sat next to the San Juan River, reading and alternately dipping into the hot springs, testing them all out for temperature and comfort. I got sunburned (my family would say, “What a surprise!” and totally make fun of me AGAIN) but I did so in order to finish reading The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, so it was completely worth it.

And I realized both of these were books I’d had on my “To Read” shelf for far too long, and that’s there’s probably scores of other books I’m going to love as much, that I already own, and the only thing keeping me from them is the time to sit and enjoy.

And then I remembered — Labor Day Weekend is only 3 weeks away, and what better time to dip into a few more summer books before “back to school”? Sure, kids are going back to school out here in Colorado THIS WEEK, but I find that an abomination against nature. Everyone KNOWS school starts after Labor Day. And if I’m going to read some neglected soon-to-be-favorites, maybe you’d like to join me?

So here’s what I’ll do. I’ll commit to reading two more books (for fun) between now and the end of the Labor Day weekend. But which ones? That’s where you come in. Tell me which books are on your “To Read” piles, and I’ll compare them against the ones on my shelf. I’ll pick the two most popular titles (that I already own), and report back after I finish them. If you ALSO commit to reading at least ONE of them, and post a review of it of your blog or otherwise linkable corner of the web, and come back here to share it, then you’ll be entered to randomly win a copy of Josie Bloss‘ Band Geeked Out.

What will I read? Only YOU know! It could be Catching Fire, or another E. Lockhart title I hear is great, Dramarama. I still haven’t read Going Bovine or Little Brother yet, or Kiki Strike. Or the Mortal Instruments trilogy — do I have it in me to tackle three books? Maybe!

I used to devour books, and I still love to do so, but I just don’t get as much of a chance to do so as I used to — not when I’m trying to keep up with queries and partials and client manuscripts, which take priority. So sign out in the comments and make some book recommendations! I’ll report back in a week or so on the most popular suggestions.

First, the School Library Journal ran one librarian’s “Open Letter to Kids’ Book Publishers.” Then, editor Andrew Karre wrote a rebuttal to her point about the length of books being published.

I don’t disagree that there are books out there that are too long, and I really love short novels, but I respectfully (but firmly) reject the notion that there is a meaningful general limit to length.

Today, he tweeted librarian (and author) Lisa Chellman’s response to the Open Letter, with a brilliant riposte to the original writer’s request for more books with books instead of girls.

Hey, listen up writers and editors! Any book that doesn’t specifically deal with breasts and periods and pretty, pretty princesses should be about boys. Because boys don’t see themselves reflected in literature, film, politics, science, or sports nearly enough. Because boys are the default. Because we’re lazy slaves to the patriarchy.

Excuse me while I barf.

Thinking of Andrew Karre, who was kt literary client Josie Bloss‘ first, brilliant editor makes me think of Josie herself, the cover of whose latest book Band Geeked Out is featured on Jacket Whys, picking up on another trend in cover design. A note for Jacket Whys: Band Geek Love had the same style design!

Then on to another kt literary client, S. Terrell French! Into the Wardrobe has a great interview posted, where Susannah talks about her inspirations and the rewards of writing Operation Redwood. There’s another short review from the King’s English Bookstore in Salt Lake City here, which calls Operation Redwood “intriguing and sensational”!

Next, a quick mention of Vacations From Hell in the Sacramento Bee — notable for being a list of fantastic summer titles not just for kids, but for all readers.

And I’m sure you already heard about the brouhaha around Alice Hoffman’s response to a bad review, but you should check out Jennifer Weiner’s blog about it in the Huffington Post.

And finally, I still want this.

What’s on your mind? Any links you want to share? Add ‘em in the comments!

But what should you buy? Well, the paperback edition of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson is available now, as is S. Terrell French‘s debut Operation Redwood. And don’t forget Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss, the sequel to Band Geek Love! Or #1 New York Times bestseller Evermore by Alyson Noel.

But say — for whatever reason — you want to expand the possibilities beyond kt literary clients. Well, then, why don’t you do as kt lit client Stephanie Perkins is, and take today as an opportunity to pick up one or more of those books you keep meaning to read, and haven’t gotten to yet. You know — the ones that embarrass you to admit you haven’t read yet.

What’s on MY list? To make it worse, they’re books that I already own, but haven’t read yet. Books like Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and Extras by Scott Westerfeld.

*hangs head in shame*

So today, when I head to Tattered Cover to pick up City of Ashes and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, keep me company and let me know what’s on your May reading lists, or what you’re going to buy today!

We also had three write-in votes for the second copy of BGO, so I’m going to go with my executive privilege and give the prize to Tim White, for “Civil Disobedience with Guns,” for originality and sheer fear factor.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to icing my toe and responding to partials I read this weekend. What’s YOUR favorite thing about Spring? I’m so totally picking bee stings.