Guest Blog with Amber Kizer + Giveaway Update

Posted August 25, 2009 by shooting in Uncategorized / 33 Comments

Guest blog posting by Amber Kizer

I’m a reader first and foremost. I love books, so I thought I’d share my favorites of the moment. One of the best things about YA right now is that the quality of the content in the books rivals anything in the “adult” section—so these are also my recommendations for parents, grandparents, teachers and other “over eighteens” that might want to check out the section but don’t know where to start.

I read 20+ books concurrently. I read pages and then switch books like some people channel surf. There comes a point where I absolutely have to finish a book, but I read everything and anything. Okay, I’m lying. I don’t read computer programming or math theory. I’d rather run streak a crowded football stadium than try to untangle either of those! But, I’m huge reader of nonfiction as well—I never know where an idea might germinate from so I keep my mind open to anything that might strike my fancy. I find some of my best books in airport bookstores—I don’t know if it’s the selection or because I’m just in a survival gut mode and make unusual picks based on sleep deprivation or too much caffeine. Don’t know, don’t care, will keep buying books when traveling!

My monthly newsletter always has my current favorites plus bits of my opinions—readers can sign up for that on http://www.amberkizer.com/ if they want to follow my recommendations. Here are my top ten favorites of the moment—liable to change at any time!

Daniel Waters Generation Dead, I love the subtext in this book. It’s a very entertaining zombie, or shall I say “Living Impaired,” story, but it also has great discussion points for racism, homophobia, gender discrimination. The second one is out and I can’t wait to read my way down to it! Elizabeth Scott’s LIVING DEAD GIRL, was creeptastic. So beautifully written and so horrible at the same time. I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a feel good book by any stretch of the imagination, but the ending is completely satisfying and I think will speak to teens in a way that other books might not. Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why. This is the book I tell any adult who works with kids or who wants to write YA to read. I think as we get older (speaking from a ripe age of 31 here!) we get enough experience under our belts that little things don’t seem so big anymore. I think it’s easy to lose the understanding of the magnification everything takes on as a teen. This book brings it right back front and center. Plus it’s a great book for teens, again definitely could start a few family conversations that might be hard to have otherwise.

The Willoughbys, by Lois Lowry is a story that can be read as is, but is so much more if you’re familiar with classic children’s books—orphans, nannies, adventures, etc. Very funny in a subtle way but it totally works if you don’t know anything, like if you’re a nine year old and haven’t read any of those other classics. Laura Resau What the Moon Saw, beautiful writing but also a lovely story about culture clash and immigration. Wonderful word choices and imagery. Jenny Downham Before I die, I have always loved death books—that genre I’m fairly certain Lurlene McDaniel invented of kids getting cancer or working in hospitals with other kids. They take on taboo subjects and help kids deal. I always know I’m going to cry, but feel satisfied when I pick up one of Lurlene’s books. This debut novel by Jenny Downham felt similar to me, but also had a strength and purpose I appreciate.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox Mary Pearson is realistic science fiction. You don’t have to be a fan at all of the genre to like this book. It’s a wonderful, unfolding story about coming of age and learning about family secrets. The end is priceless. On of my all time most cherished books is THE STAND by Stephen King. I’m a sucker for dystopian and survivalist type stories which is probably why I love Life as we knew it and The Dead and the Gone by Susan Pheffer.

WHAT IT IS by Lynda Barry is an incredible visual feast. I can’t explain the book, but anyone interested in story, art, writing, journaling or edgy, uncategorizable work should find this book.

I became fascinated by the Holocaust when I was in middle school. I ended up winning awards for state projects and poetry so I’ve read a lot of books about the time period—both fiction and non. Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli is masterful. The voice, the characters, the story—are amazing. A must read. Which makes me think of THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak, again fabulous story told by death which could be really hard to pull off, but somehow works in a way that is utterly artistic and entertaining.

Impossible Nancy Werlin’s , is a great modern day fairytale slash riddle slash realistic fiction about finding your identity and strength. And lastly, I’m not usually impressed with short stories—probably having to read too many bad ones in high school. But I love Black Juice by Aussie Margo Lanagan. Fantastic!

Okay, okay, so that’s more than ten and that’s not even adult titles or nonfiction…I also feel like I should point out that I’ve only met one author on this list—so if they’re here it’s because I really love their work and not because we’re BFFs, or I get a kickback or anything! Happy reading! Amber

Giveaway Update-

To win Meridian and One Butt Cheek at a Time look in the left hand sidebar under Contests, but leaving a note here will get you one extra entry.

Also, this is now open WORLDWIDE so enter away!

33 responses to “Guest Blog with Amber Kizer + Giveaway Update”

  1. Kate

    Thanks for such a great post. I can't believe she can read 20 books at one time. That is talent. Personally, I can only read one at a time.

    Reply
  3. Zombie Girrrl

    I can't read more than five at a time without getting 'em all stirred together!
    I love a bunch of the same books; Life As We Knew It was awesome! And if you love subtext and zombies, you should check out Breathers by SG Brown. It's adult fic and subsequently has more smut than I felt was necessary, but it was really good and I totally recommend it. 😀

    Reply
  12. Sara

    I could never handle 20 books at a time – I think I'd get confused…! But I totally love The Adoration of Jenna Fox and Impossible!

    Reply
  14. Rachel

    She mentions so many good books. I loved the Book Thief. It made me hooked on Markus Zusak. And, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is definitely a must read.

    Reply
  15. Pam

    I can't even read 2 books at a time wihtout getting characters confused! 20 books is completely amazing!

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  18. Charles

    Sometimes authors use a novel or screenplay to support political or social beliefs; or to cry out for morality and ethical principles. This is no more clearly evident than with Holocaust books and films. Whenever we stand up to those who deny or minimize the Holocaust, or to those who support genocide we send a critical message to the world.

    We live in an age of vulnerability. Holocaust deniers ply their mendacious poison everywhere, especially with young people on the Internet. We know from captured German war records that millions of innocent Jews (and others) were systematically exterminated by Nazi Germany – most in gas chambers. Holocaust books and films help to tell the true story of the Shoah, combating anti-Semitic historical revision. And, they protect future generations from making the same mistakes.

    I wrote "Jacob's Courage" to promote Holocaust education. This coming of age love story presents accurate scenes and situations of Jews in ghettos and concentration camps, with particular attention to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. It examines a constellation of emotions during a time of incomprehensible brutality. A world that continues to allow genocide requires such ethical reminders and remediation.

    Many authors feel compelled to use their talent to promote moral causes. Holocaust books and movies carry that message globally, in an age when the world needs to learn that genocide is unacceptable. Such authors attempt to show the world that religious, racial, ethnic and gender persecution is wrong; and that tolerance is our progeny's only hope.

    Charles Weinblatt
    Author, "Jacob's Courage"
    http://jacobscourage.wordpress.com/.

    Reply
  20. Jenny N.

    Wow 20+ books at a time. I could never do that. I'm one of those people that have to read one book at a time or I get confused and forget what is happening in each book.

    Reply
  21. Ikutorocks12

    I'm always swapping books in the middle of reading just to get variety 🙂 Amber seems to like some of the books I like too. 13 reasons why and generation dead are great books.

    email:miriamfrancos[at]dsl[dot]pipex[dot]com

    Reply
  24. wdebo

    Twenty books at a time WOW 🙂 I am reading five or so books now…but twenty…how AMAZING 🙂

    And I love her list of books.

    Wdebo 🙂

    Reply
  27. BrittLit

    I used to always read a ton of books at one time. When one started to get slow I would switch to another one. Now that I'm reviewing them and recommending them at work I try to just stick to one book at a time.

    Reply
  29. Book Sp(l)ot

    I'll definitely have to check out the books on that list that I haven't read yet because the ones I've read or started (Impossible & Generation Dead) I really enjoy…

    and thanks for having the great giveaway, too

    Reply
  30. Kiara

    "I read 20+ books concurrently." OMG!!! That's amazing!!! Specially because I dont't even have the money to buy so many books at one time. *cries* 🙁

    Thank you for the giveaway!! :D!!

    Reply

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