Friday, 17 April 2009

Operation Retirement Rescue

All this talk about ARCs this week kinda bummed me out. None of us got into this YA reviewing gig to get free books (if you are, shame on you). We are here because we love YA. We love reading. We love the journeys that YA authors take us on. So this is my attempt at a mini challenge.

Before May begins I would like you to post reviews for 1-2 YA titles that -
1) were published more than five years ago,
2) hold fond memories, and
3) post the icon somewhere in your review.

I thought this might be a great way to direct attention to our sources of blogging inspiration, take the emphasis off ARCs and remember some oldies but goodies. What YA titles do you consider your classics?

My first one will be Meg Cabot's Teen Idol - her recent post on the television show Glee mentioned this book, which initiated my Meg adoration.

This is not meant to be a pimping exercise for my site. I don't expect you to mention or link me, just use the un-hyperlinked icon to identify your review as part of the challenge. Leave a comment if you are signing up for this mini-challenge of YA blogging positivity. Good luck!

**If this post promoting sunshine and rainbows was a little too sugary for you, traipse over to Khy's lovely post on hypothetical YA blogger revolt scenarios as inspired by Sarah Ockler.

20 comments:

H said...

This is a very cool idea. I'm going to try to get some old book reviews posted!

Aubrey said...

Great idea! I think our month is already booked, but I will look into it for the future! We reviewed a book today that is 3 years old...that's close....

I agree with you. I think it is good to know that we all might be a bit too grabby when it comes to books, but also to realize that getting free books is not what this is about. In fact we give away all of our books that we recieve at one point or another. And usually end up buying several copies among us contributors and our friends because we love the books so much.

I love this idea though! Thanks for the challenge Adele!

Liz said...

I am liking this idea...but gosh, five years ago...five years ago I didn't even realise that a) YA literature was out there and b) that this is what I wanted to write...no strike that, what I needed to write. But I'll scrounge and see what I can find...I do remember some Chris Woodings which I read.

Most of my kids books I receive, once reviewed / considered for reviewing but then passed over, gets handed in a big bag to a local primary school for usage in their library - this helps them not spending oodles on books. And I do a good deed. Others I give away by the bucketload to friends for their kids.

But I am liking this challenge and will have to think back a good old ways and decide what to do.

Liz x

Reverie said...

Kuddos!! great idea and I got a few books I am dying to read that are old but OLD faves. thanks for doing this and its a great idea.

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

Hey, this is a really great idea so you can count me in!

Thao said...

Please count me in. I don't have many old books but I'll try since this is fun and very meaningful : )

Emily said...

A lot of the books I (re)read & write about are old favorites anyway - count me in!

Khy said...

Definitely going to do this!

As soon as I find books old enough...

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

I like this idea. Someone else had an Oldie but Goodie meme idea awhile back too. I try to review older books as well as newer books, because it can get a little boring reading about the same book all the time.

Elizabeth said...

Nothing can replace the old classics, and I'd love to see more posts with readers' takes on them today. Great idea.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I don't know if I can get books that are at least five years old, but I'll try and put up a few reviews that are older titles that I love. :)

-Lauren

Kelsey said...

I don't know if I can actually post the reviews, but I will say them: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants of course! And The Princess Diaries series. Those books are the books I read like 3 years ago and they are the reason I am were I am today!

This is and excellent idea Adele, thank you sooooo much for the chance! I will *try* to do it!

Carrie said...

This is a great idea. I did a post for Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles last week, but I'm planning another older series to put up today. I love talking about older titles. It'd be great to raise some interest in some "old" books. Thanks!!

vvb32 reads said...

i like this idea. i've been meaning to re-read some of my favorites from waaay back, like don't call be katie rose by lenora mattingly weber. i'll try to post next week.

Natalie Hatch said...

FREE BOOKS!!! Woooohoooo! ... what? Oh you're not in it for free books? Bum. I am. LOL.
In all seriousness I like reading, the more opportunities I get to read books I'd never see here in Oz the better.
As for a good book, Garth Nix's "Abhorsen" series. I've just finished them and really enjoyed all three books. Plus there's zombies of a sort in it.

susan said...

Adele,
Adele,

Well I'd love to see reviews on books that were published before yesterday. Honestly, the recently published reviews were beginning to wear thin on me so I'm glad to see your challenge.

I normally read books that pubbed more than five years ago so I won't formally participate but I do look forward to seeing what others' write about.

Prior to the bruhha and I was hoping someone would create a challenge like this and you did! Cool beans. Thanks.

susan said...

5 years is old? You guys are kidding me. Are you telling me most teens only read books recently published?

Normally I don't mind being the senior, but 'oldies'?

Janice Robertson said...

Great idea. I've posted a couple, but intend to do some more.
One of the reasons kids only read the more recent stuff is because it's hard to get your hands on older material. Paperbacks, after being read by 6 or 7 students (lugged home and back in backpacks etc.) tend to wear out, and unless you bought the hard cover, they don't last that long ESPECIALLY if they're popular or good tales! Often the really great "classic" books get worn out!

susan said...

Janice,

Harder to get in the stores maybe but not in public libraries. Not sure about all teens, but it strikes me that teen bloggers/readers focus on new books because 1)they get review copies 2)they want to be in the know about current releases, 3)these are the books most talked about on blogs and other network sites.

susan said...

Okay, before this ends, I have one for you, From The Notebooks of Melanin Sun