I read a series of paranormal mysteries by Deborah Coates recently, did I mention her already? She's really good. They're not urban fantasies because they're set in rural South Dakota and everyone is basically a ranch hand.
The heroine is in the Army in Afghanistan, gets injured badly enough to die briefly, and when she is revived, she can see ghosts. She comes home to South Dakota when her sister dies, and that's how it starts. Turns out there's more in the world than just ghosts.
But they're really well written, with a vivid sense of place and clear, believable characters. I really like the lead character, and the slow-building relationship she gets into with one of the sheriff's deputies. Recommended.
sj, if you get a chance, try Eleanor & Park or Fangirl. Those two just made me happy! I tried Attachments, but the concept kind of creeped me out, and Landline hasn't really caught my attention.
I recently tried a book called ... "Dark Heroine"? anticipated to be part of a series called Dinner with the Vampire (not sure ... obviously it made quite an impression on me) by someone named Gibbs. She was in her teens when she began writing, doing it online (fan fic?). Anyway, I can't really recommend it, even to Jilli - there were some good ideas but she seems to have been a little young to really address them.
Anyway, I can't really recommend it, even to Jilli
I am delighted that I am the low bar recommended reader for trashy vampire books.
I'm at John Darnielle's (of the Mountain Goats) book reading/signing for his novel
Wolf in White Van.
Exciting! During the Q&A I asked him if he'd ever consider writing YA - I think he'd be perfect for that audience.
Kate, did you read his 33 1/3 book? It has a teen protagonist.
I am delighted that I am the low bar recommended reader for trashy vampire books.
What I love about this is that Jilli is saying it with zero sarcasm.
I am delighted that I am the low bar recommended reader for trashy vampire books.
What I love about this is that Jilli is saying it with zero sarcasm.
HA. Yeah, I wouldn't read it any other way. It's Jilli!
Kate, did you read his 33 1/3 book? It has a teen protagonist.
I did! And loved it, especially the first section. I thought it was one of the best YA novels I read that year. That's what made me think to ask the question. (He says no, or at least that he doesn't write with a particular audience in mind, but says if he wrote a book and his publisher told him it was YA, that would be fine with him.)
What makes something YA? I've never been sure.
