Thursday, 17 September 2009

BBAW: Finding Jessica's Guide...

BBAW Day 4: Today we encourage you to blog about a book you read only because you discovered it on another book blog. Preferably, this will be a book you loved! You might also write a bit about the blog you discovered it on!

In my first month of blogging I was getting increasingly frustrated that all the competitions were USA based. Not that I am a competition-whore but when you are Australian, you are somewhat ‘out of the loop’ with the majority of YA bloggers and it’s a tad disheartening, though completely understandable (postage $$$).

When I was first swimming around the YA blogosphere I found myself really gravitating towards Teen Book Review, a delightful blog by the awesome teen reviewer Jocelyn (who since gone on an extended hiatus). On this day in January, she had the lovely Kaz Mahoney stop by for a guest post where she wrote about her adventures in starting out as a YA writer. (Those of you in the know would know that Kaz’s short story (Falling to Ash) was part of the Eternal Kiss anthology.) As Kaz is a delightful lady she also put some books from her own collection up for a competition (international YAY) and guess who won.....me!

I won an ARC of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey and a signed copy of the new UK edition of Tithe by Holly Black. I know, great huh? I thought finding Jocelyn’s blog was a reward in itself but these books were icing on the cake. I received them knowing very little but I was excited and the Spiderman postcard that Kaz sent along appealed to my comic geekiness. I picked up Jessica’s Guide and immediately fell in love. Debut author, Beth Fantaskey had written “...an intense, hilarious and moving” tale (quote from my review in January) and I fell in love with this spin on Bit Lit .

Beth’s book set a few things in motion - a friendship with Beth and Kaz, a favourite vampire book for 2009 and lastly, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side securing a 2010 Australian release. Thought Jessica’s Guide didn’t necessary hit the stores with a BANG, it has gained momentum over the months since it’s February release and bloggers have universally loved it. As one of the first YA bloggers that reviewed it, I like to think I played the tiniest part in getting the ball rolling but honestly, the book is fab!

It was with great excitement that the cover art for Beth’s sophomore title, Jekel Loves Hyde made its splash across the YA blogosphere last week. The fondness to which we (YA bloggers) feel toward Jessica’s Guide has inevitably added to the excitement for this novel - good writing has its rewards and this Aussie blogger is a happy camper.

Jocelyn's blog - http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com
Kaz Mahoney's blog - http://kazdreamer.livejournal.com
Beth Fantaskey's Website - http://www.bethfantaskey.com
(Beth is currently running an interactive online wedding for her characters where readers can choose all the main elements.)

5 comments:

prophecygirl said...

What a great choice!

I absolutely loved this book (as you know), and I remember your blog being one of the first times I heard about it. The cover and your review drew me in straight away, and I'm so glad I was lucky enough to end up with a copy (thanks, Beth!). It's one of my favourite 2009 titles, and I can't wait for Jekel. :)

Karen Mahoney said...

I am soooo thankful that you won that giveaway. :)

*hugs*

Great post, dude.

And yeah, Beth's new cover ROCKS!!!

brizmus said...

Wow, I somehow had never even heard of this book (perhaps living in France puts one even more behind?), but after reading this post and checking out your review, I am totally psyched to find a copy! Yay! Thanks!

Alix said...

Bit Lit! I love that. I just began Jessica's Guide and I love it but I keep imagining Lucius voice as Hugh Laurie's (the one he does in friends not House) which is kind of ruining my appreciation of Lucius!

Great post, glad you found a good book and made friends.

gautami tripathy said...

The blogosphere adds to our TBR pile and I am lovin' it!

BBAW: Thanking Feminist Reviews