Top Ten Underrated Books on Goodreads (under 2000 ratings)

So I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish in AGES, but I just had to jump in on this week's topic, which is:

Top 10 Books that have under 2000 ratings in Goodreads

If you'd like to participate in this bloghop, jump on over to The Broke and the Bookish and link up!


NOTE: Okay full disclosure, I may have cheated and a few of these have just slightly over 2K ratings, but not by much!

Also this is more like 20 books, but oh well!


Middle Grade

I have been on a middle grade kick lately. Anyone else know of some great underrated MG reads?

  

 

Words With Wings - Nikki Grimes
I loved this novella-in-verse so much that I had to name-drop it a few times in my latest WIP.  :oD

Heaven - Angela Johnson

Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond - Brenda Woods

Mia's Optiscope - Natalie Rose

Honorable Mentions  (these were "classics" in my house growing up):
The Fairy Rebel - Lynne Reid Banks
The Search for Delicious - Natalie Babbit



Memoir

For fans of Eat, Pray, Love and Wild: some people have normal "midlife crises" some might even might pick up a new hobby like sailing. Most people don't put their life on the line and their new hobby to the test by sailing halfway across the world! I loved this trans-Pacific sailing adventure complete with close-calls and bonus tropical marine biology tidbits for the marine bio geeks like me.

Call Me Captain - Susan Scott





Science Fiction

All of these are really gorgeous and thought-provoking and well, sci-fi FTW!

        

  

  

Ardulum - J.S. Fields
This is probably my favorite sci-fi book of all time! Neek is an exile from her home planet -- shunned because of her rejection of her people's religion. When she meets a child strangely reminiscent of her people's gods, her whole world (and the rest of the galaxy) is thrown into chaos.

Beyond the Red - Ava Jae
(okay kind of cheating because it's a pretty new release, which would account for fewer ratings. But I'm putting it on there anyway because it's one of my favorite reads of 2016)

Bounders - Monica Tesler
(ditto above comment)

Starglass - Phoebe North

Salvage - Alexandra Duncan

Tin Star - Cecil Castelucci

The Galaxy Game - Karen Lord


Young Adult / New Adult  --- Fantasy & Realistic

Umm... so the only reason I can think that these don't have more ratings is that they are relatively new?? Here we have gorgeous historical of Malcolm X's days before the X, an incredibly immersive and artistic urban fantasy, a super hottt ballet/post-ballet story, a fantastically creepy yet fun Australian fantasy, a high fantasy with a beautifully wrought magic system, and a contemporary about a mixed-race school club that launches a movement.

     

X - Ilyasah Shabazz & Kekla Magoon

Second Position - Katherine Locke

Shadowshaper - Daniel José Older

Isla's Inheritance - Cassandra Page

Magic's Stealing - Stephanie Flint

The Latte Rebellion - Sarah Jamila Stevenson


Terrifying Reads

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and admit that I am a COMPLETE scaredy-cat and I can't really handle books like this that are incredibly terrfying. BUT it was a really good book. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly:

Damage Done - Amanda Panitch

And a couple others in my Soon-To-Read Stack that I've heard GREAT things about but don't have many ratings yet:

This Side of Home - Renee Watson

All American Boys - Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely


What about you? What are some of your favorite, yet underrated books?

Previously in April ...

"Previously..." is a Bloghop recapping the previous month's goals and accomplishments. It's hosted by the lovely Miss Cole on the last Wednesday of every month. For more details on how to participate visit the Previously page!

Previously in Writing

This month (and in March), spurned on by an amazing brainstorming Skype session with my agent, I ended up re-visiting my YA sci-fi WIP after a long hiatus and added two new threads to the story that I'm SUPER excited about. Squee! It's so nice to be excited about this project again after so long feeling a bit stuck with it. Now my agent's reading it and we shall see what he thinks. Eeep!

I sent out my my NaNoWriMo MG novel #IslandGirlWIP  in March to a second wave of readers to get more of my target audience's thoughts on the manuscript and am still waiting on that feedback.

In April I also participated in #CampNaNoWriMo -- like National Novel Writing Month, but where you set your own goals. I set a goal of 40K for my new WIP -- a YA Contemporary about a Teen Journalist (#TeenJournalistWIP) and *fingers crossed* I will meet that goal!! Right now I'm sitting at 32K  -- well, 54K total ... I had some written beforehand. Unfortunately, due to a new plot thread I just invented *whoops!* it looks like I won't technically "finish" the novel by the end of April. That's okay. I might actually just skip a few scenes and write the end ones I know and then go back and fill in the other ones in May. It is a SUPER research heavy MS. The most researchy I've ever attempted. May is going to be filled with non-fic books and journal articles to do some serious fact-checking and adding of technical details I glossed over!


Previously in Reading

This month, I did a LOT of critting for #DVPit entries so I haven't done quite as much novel reading as usual. Right now I am reading Sarah Jamila Stevenson's THE LATTE REBELLION ... which is super fun so far. It pairs well with #TeenJournalistWIP thematically, so that's good! I started I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson, which was flat out gorgeous (as I expected) but alas the library stole it back from me before I had a chance to finish :oO I also started THE BLOSSOMING UNIVERSE OF VIOLET DIAMOND, which I was loving, but set it aside because I think it will pair better for me reading at a time when I'm working on my MG book again.

(I'm so matchy-matchy like that!)


Next Time in Goals

Next month, I hope to be finished with a round of additions and first-round edits on #TeenJournalistWIP and hopefully done outlining my next book, which is going to be an MG Steampunky-Victorianesque Fantasy ... it also needs a hashtag. Hmm ... she helps solve arson cases so ... #FiregirlWIP ? Right now I have two chapters and a very loose idea, but I need the key plot points. It's actually a story that's been in my head way back from the very beginning of time { aka five years ago when I realized I wanted to be an author ;o) }

In May I hope to read A LOT for #TeenJounalistWIP research. Like  A LOT A LOT. But maybe not fiction. Which makes me kind of sad. Except I guess I will actually be reading fiction too because I have a big beta backlog!!! Whee!!!

A Word of Advice

Moral of the story? There's no better motivator for getting work done than an impending 2nd child!!!  o.O

Is that advice? No, not really. Don't try this at home. Or do. But not because you want to get a lot of projects done. Although that aspect of it HAS worked in my favor.

... I'm just sayin'

Previously ...

Previously... is a Bloghop recapping the previous month's goals and accomplishments. It's hosted by the lovely Miss Cole on the last Wednesday of every month. For more details on how to participate visit the Previously page!

Previously in Writing

This month, I've continued editing my NaNoWriMo novel #IslandGirlWIP -- an MG Contemporary reimagining of one of my favorite childhood books. I finished a round of edits at the end of January, and am now editing based on feedback from my first round of betas. My babysitter is still on summer break so I don't have much time for writing, writing, but hopefully next month!

Previously in Reading

This month, I did a lot of beta-reading so I haven't done quite as much novel reading as usual. However. I did get a chance to read BOUNDERS  -- an MG Sci-Fi by Monica Tesler, and absolutely loved it! Seriously, I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book. It's like Enders Game but somehow more lighthearted without sacrificing suspense, and way funnier. Plus? It's got a neurodiverse cast! Full of win.

I'm now halfway through Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, which is something that the MC in the novel I'm editing would probably be reading! I really like trying to pair my reading with my writing/editing in that way, because it totally helps me stay in the groove even during those hours I'm not writing.

Next Time in Goals

Next month, I hope to be finished with the next round of edits on #IslandGirlWIP and hopefully 50% done with my new book #TeenJournalistWIP! Right now it's at about 30%, but it's a super research-heavy book, so we shall see! I also hope to read at least two or three new books. It will definitely help to have my babysitter back!

A Word of Advice

When in doubt, have a dance party!

It's Here!! MAGIC'S STEALING - by Stephanie Flint { + Giveaway!!! }

As you know, I don't often post book release news on this blog.

But.

I had the pleasure of being a reader for Stephanie in an earlier incarnation of Magic's Stealing, and I'm thrilled to be able to share in the excitement of its release!!

Now. Stephanie contacted me and, being the sweet person she is, offered me a free copy of the ebook in all its final glory. However, I'd already pre-ordered it, and so, because she's totally awesome, she's letting me pass on my free copy to one lucky winner!!

The Rafflecopter Entry for the Giveaway is below. 

Update: The Giveaway is over!! Stephanie has emailed the winner!

You can read more about MAGIC'S STEALING and Stephanie's other works on her website.
Or purchase it from  Amazon  || Smashwords || Barnes & Noble || Kobo

The Goodreads Summary is below:


Magic's Stealing

By Stephanie Flint

Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 151

Goodreads Summary:

For centuries, ribbons of magic have provided the kingdom of Cirena with light, healing, and protection. Then, in a span of minutes, those ribbons fly from their masters, stolen, save for the magic of a few chosen mages. One of these mages is Toranih, a young noblewoman who would rather have a sword in her hand than use her powers to heal or throw fireballs. As a result, her magic skills are lacking. But with former mages dying from magic withdrawal, and the looming threat of an army of shadows who are impervious to mortal weapons, she must either embrace the responsibilities of a mage or watch her home perish.

You can read more about Magic's Stealing and Stephanie's other works on her website.
Or purchase it from  Amazon  || Smashwords || Barnes & Noble || Kobo


Magic's Stealing ebook Giveaway Entry:







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Does your YA Paranormal Romance have enough clichés?

Does your YA Paranormal Romance
have enough cliches?
Click to find out!

Life's gotten hectic lately so for this month's IWSG, I've decided to resurrect an older post!

For all of us out there writing  urban fantasy/paranormal stories with elements of romance, this flowchart should help us feel more secure in our capacity to avoid (or embrace) the cliché. Also, check out @TropeHeroine on twitter. She's not me, but so full of awesome I had to give a shout out on this page!

(Ok, so yes the subject is only tied to writer insecurity in the loosest sense, but hey - it's fun, and that's what IWSG is about too -- taking a breather from the stress of writing/editing)

               And now ... the original post:

Think you've written a YA Paranormal Romance? 

YAPRs can be difficult to write, because there are so many things to think about: physical attraction, hero swoon-factor, broodiness, eye color ... and the list goes on! No need to worry - just follow my recipe for success! Before sending your manuscript out to agents, use the following flowchart to make sure you've included enough clichés!

Flowchart:   Does Your YA Paranormal Romance Have Enough Clichés?

Click the flowchart
to find out

The flowchart is broken down into five key sections:

Plot || Pacing || Chemistry || Him || Her

Each of the sections includes valuable questions such as:

"Is he too dangerous for her, but can't stay away from her?"

"Has she been invisible her entire life until the new hotter-than-life paranormal guy comes to town and notices her?"

"Does the first kiss include a 'soft moan' of any sort?"

The flowchart's easy yes-or-no question threads take you step by step through each aspect of your novel. Click on the link or the image above to see the full flowchart. Following each line of questioning are detailed recommendations for increasing the heart-throbbing swooniness and cliché -count of the manuscript. Don't cheat! Follow the recommendations on this flowchart to the letter and you'll soon be on your way to a best-seller!

Other Random Pages of Distraction:  Pitch Factory - Generate Your Own Twitter Pitch || List of YA SFF Lit Agencies

Who Are You Reading for Aussie Author Month?

Did you know that April is Aussie Author month?

In celebration of the month-long party, I've been cozying up with a few great reads by Australian authors. I'm always an enormous fan of anything by Garth Nix or Markus Zusak.

Two of my new favorites this month?

• ON THE JELLICOE ROAD - by Melina Marchetta
• GRAFFITI MOON - by Cath Crowley

           ** Reviews coming soon!**

What about you? Who are your favorite Aussie Authors? 

Who are you reading for Aussie Author Month?
Who should I read next?

Review-cipes: Crewel, Glow & Scarlet

Having had zero time lately for full-on reviews, I decided to give you, dear readers, a quick reading update in the form of book recipes:



Crewel -- by Gennifer Albin

Spin:

1 thread Mad Men
2 skeins Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale
A snippet of quiet determination

Weave together in a tapestry of intrigue and subversion, where young women have power over the very fabric of the world ... but not over their own lives. 

Similar Warps & Wefts: Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi




Glow -- by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Synthesize:

2 at-odds starships en route to a new planet
1 vial of genetically induced infertility
A questioning of religiosity and reproductive ethics

Add: A healthy dose of action, a heroine questioning her "match," and a dash of agrarian, a dot of art.



Related Flavors: Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, Divergent by Veronica Roth
Similar Themes: Bumped, by Megan McCafferty, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Matched by Allie Condie



Scarlet -- Marissa Meyer

Pack in a Basket:

Red hooded sweatshirt
Farm goods to trade
Grandma's Lunar secrets
Brainwashing skills

Warning: This combination may attract Wolf and/or Malcolm Reynolds-esque Captain -- both of which will inevitably make life more complicated for you. 


Similarly Tasty Snacks: Cinder by Marissa Meyer ( ...you have read this already, yes??), Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Fire by Kristin Cashore


Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts? 

Any other ingredients to toss in the review mix?

Any other book recommendations with similar flavors to these?

Romance in YA: Too Much?

How Much Romance is Too Much?
(Photo: bored-now)

Bookstores are flooded with YA novels where romance is the key ingredient. As we read yet another book where the love interest is the focal point, the stories start to blur. Sure, romance is marketable, but at what cost? What other aspects of life aren't we exploring in YA novels as a result? Which brings us to the question...

Is romance necessary in YA novels?

Today, to explore that question, I have a guest post from fellow author Jessie Peacock. She's currently working on her debut novel, and has a lot of fantastic short stories published. She blogs over at
A Thousand Words, and seriously folks, if you are a reader or writer of YA, you need to check her blog out!

Without further ado, Jessie:

Hold the Romance

Looking at my Facebook and Twitter feeds filled with the posts of YA writers and readers, I get the feeling that I am a misfit, a nonconformist. Well, I already knew that, but how so this time? It’s this: I am a YA writer and reader. And I don’t adore romance. At first glance, it seems like I am alone in that regard.

So much YA entertainment these days hinges on romance as a major element. I don’t have scientific numbers, but the vast majority of YA books I see marketed mention a hot crush—or even two hot crushes. But is that what young audiences crave? My Sociology degree insists that some market research would be helpful. Specifically, does the market demand that there MUST be at least a smidge of romance in every book aimed at teens to be successful? Does there HAVE to be a love interest in every story?

I see the arguments for both sides. The target audience for YA lit is … young adults. These people are, in their real lives, batting hormones, discovering love, figuring out their sexuality, and enjoying (or botching) first kisses. So one could argue that romance is critical because it’s relevant to the reader.

Conversely, one could also argue that young adults experience a heck of a lot more than those things. I think it’s okay not to include romance in every story. Because there is more to life than romance. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think romance is evil or necessarily unhealthy. I chose to fall in love and get married, after all. I even enjoy some fictional romance. But let’s not limit our young readers to one topic when they are so diverse.

Great YA books in which romance is almost nonexistent
(OR in which romance is present but in the background ...off the top of my head):

• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Terrier by Tamora Pierce 
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings 
• The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
  (though I have my own issues with there being virtually no female characters of note in the whole book)

As a reader, my personal preference is toward books that are light on romance.

What about you? Do you prefer romance? How much or how little is your personal preference?

What are your favorite YA books that are romance-light? 

Examples of books that have done romance well?

Jessie Peacock is still working on publishing Her Big Debut Novel.
She has some short publications and can be found at www.jessiepeacock.com

(Full disclosure: my as-yet-unpublished YA fantasy does include romance!)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Spring / Fall 2013 TBR Books

It was so hard to pick only 10 of my most anticipated books in my Upcoming 2013 TBR stack. Check out the The Broke and the Bookish's Top 10 this week for more suggestions, and to participate in the blog hop!

Now technically the topic is my "Spring" TBR List -- however here in the Southern Hemisphere we're headed into fall so, here are my...

Top 10 Books on my  [Insert Equinox]  TBR List

Some of these are stories that I just haven't been able to to get to yet. Some of them are new releases that I am SUPER excited about ... for obvious reasons.

INTRIGUE
Spies, assassins, undercover trickery and covert plots. I've been aching to get my hands on these:

Etiquette and Espionage - Gail Carriger
Honestly, I have no idea why I haven't started this series yet! Oh yeah, because I'm super busy trying to finish my PhD. (boo). But THIS LADY is the queen of Steampunk mystery. And this is her first YA series! My mouth is watering at the thought of it. ( goodreads ) ( author )


Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
An assassin fights for her freedom in a king's tournament. But when her fellow combatants are hunted down by an unknown killer, her fight for freedom becomes a fight for her life, and the survival of the world.
( goodreads ) ( author )



DRAGONS OH MY!
Because there really aren't enough books about dragons, you know?

Seraphina - Rachel Hartman
Really, the author had me at "Mathematical Dragons." Top it off with a royal intrigue and draconine music loving heroine? The icing on the cake. ( goodreads ) ( author )

Firelight - Sophie Jordan
I know this series has been around a couple years now, but I haven't had the chance to start in on them! Shape-shifting draki falling in love with a dragon-hunter.
( goodreads ) ( author )



FUTURE STARS -- 2013 YA Sci-Fi Debuts
I wasn't here for the Debut Bloghop earlier in the year, so I'm cheating and highlighting some of the winter/spring debuts on my  2013 must read list here!!

Level 2 - Lenore Appelhans
Heaven, hell, angels - high stakes? What more could I want? Caught in Level 2: the blinding white afterlife suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself caught up in a struggle to remember her past and save not only her future, but that of all humankind.  ( goodreads )  ( author )


Dualed  - Elsie Chapman
Pitched as "Hunger Games meets Matched" -- Dualed is set in a future reality where people must train to kill another version of themselves. ( goodreads ) ( author )

Pivot Point - Kasie West
Addison is a Searcher: she can see into the future, thereby determining the best path to take in the present. But the future isn't always clear, and her life is balanced on a single decision. ( goodreads )  ( author )

    .      .      

Altered - Jennifer Rush
After escaping from a secret underground lab, four genetically altered boys and the home-schooled girl who helped them try to piece together the secrets of their past before they are caught. ( goodreads ) ( author )

Reboot  - Amy Tintera
In a future where people can be "rebooted" from the dead, Wren trains the new recruits. Not all of them make the cut, which doesn't bother her until she meets Callum. ( goodreads )  ( author )

Transparent - Melanie Whipple
Love the premise of this: Most teens only feel invisible, but Fiona actually is. She's also a pawn in her dad's mob game -- until she decides she's had enough.
( goodreads ) ( author )

                                           .  




Also, Check Out one of my Recent Reads:

Novel: A Penny's Worth Author: A. M. Hooper The last thing 17 year old Emmaline expected was for her perfect boyfriend, Cephas, to kidnap her.

What are your most eagerly awaited books of Spring (or Autumn) 2013 To-Be-Read List?  
Have you read any of the titles above? What did you think?

Book Review: A Penny's Worth

Novel: A Penny's Worth Author: A. M. Hooper Release Date: 15 Jan 2013 Publisher: Prose By Design, LLC Genre: YA Romantic Thriller Pages: 250 His kisses are passionate. His romance is flawless. The last thing 17 year old Emmaline expected was for her perfect boyfriend, Cephas, to kidnap her. Now she'll have to outsmart and outrun those closest to her in this fast- paced adventure of insubordination and torrid love.  Friends will become foes and trust will gave way to bitter lies as Emmaline tries to save innocent lives which may perish at the hand of Cephas's crooked boss. With a posse of lethal hit men hot on her trail, Emmaline must decide whether unraveling the truth is worth enduring the betrayal, destruction, and deceit that stand in her way. Cephas Bourdon is trouble, but maybe she could kiss him again . . . just one more time. It couldn't hurt.   (Goodreads)

Quick Look

In this romantic thriller, readers will hitch a ride with 17 year-old Emmaline as she goes from girlfriend of the high school basketball star to a hostage at the center of a high-speed chase. Her captor? A criminal mastermind ... and the boy she'd thought loved her.

Full Review

For the first few chapters, A Penny's Worth appears to be a contemporary romance - Emmaline is finishing up her senior year, complete with all its typical and relatable teenage drama. But after a few chapters the tone of the story shifts when she's taken hostage by her new boyfriend Cephas. From there, the latter half of the novel shifts to a complex sequence of dramatic chase scenes, tense moments at gunpoint, ever-changing loyalties, and ever-shifting uncertainty about whether to trust her head or her heart.

Throughout the story Emmaline struggles with her attraction to guys that are wrong for her (read: abusive). Initially, she stands up for herself, shutting down at least one suitor that's been physically harming her. But she   gets confused when the abuse from another guy turns psychological. I can't say I fully agreed with or understood some of the decisions Emmaline makes in this book. That said, kudos to the author, who has decided to tackle some pretty serious subject matter that so many novels leave unquestioned!!

I do wish that the protagonist had a bit more agency in her decision making. She had shining moments, but was often not privy to the plans of her allies and therefore had less agency in the latter parts of the story.

Overall, this was a thought-provoking, fast-paced read. It will certainly keep you guessing! Plus there's a scene with a fascinating discussion on U.S. agricultural policies -- a subject near and dear to my heart!!

Recommended for fans of:  Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris, or Morgan Rice's Arena One


Book Soundtrack: I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift

Favorite Quotes:

"What are you saying?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously. I couldn't believe I'd been dating such an idiot.

"Maybe that's all you need: someone to remind you of your capabilities every now and then."

"I wasn't sure I could ever love him again. At least not out loud."


Want more book suggestions? See my other Book Recommendations.

Need some more convincing? Check out reviews of A Penny's Worth on Amazon, at Goodreads and from Wordpaintings Unlimited.




You can buy A Penny's Worth from these sites:

   

Book Recommendation: Candor

Pam Bachorz
Pages: 272
Ages: 14+

Oscar Banks is perfect. Straight A's, community service advocate, all-around model citizen. Just like every other high schooler in Candor.  Which is why a slot in the model community is in such demand by parents of troubled teens. 

What people don't know is that in Candor, you are what you hear.




Candor is definitely one of my favorite recent reads. In the vein of Megan McCafferty's Bumped, it's one of those books that gets under your skin. Primarily, I was drawn in by the premise: a planned community where teens are brainwashed by the town founder through subliminal messaging.  The founder's son, meanwhile, spends his days and nights trying to fight the brainwashing with messages of his own ... while making somewhat shady business deals on the side. I will say that I would have loved to see the concept and the relationships developed quite a bit further. I know there's no sequel, but I would have liked one! I felt like the book ended just when I wanted more. 

Candor was a fast-paced read. Nearly impossible to put down (I technically did, but only because I had to get off an airplane)! The characters were well-layered, and I found it fascinating to watch them struggle to bend the 'Messages' to their own free will. 

Sometimes it was difficult to like the characters: Oscar - arrogant, underhanded, and selfish. Nia (love interest) - somewhat standard quirky-artist type, rebellious, promiscuous ... and then of course the brainwashed masses of Candor High. But the fact that they were difficult to like made them all the more real, and re-emphasized the extent to which they were products of their own environment. 

Books like Candor:

Similar mind-games themes: Maze Runner by James Dashner, Insignia by S.J. Kincaid, Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore, Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Similar voice: Feed by MT Anderson, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Want more book suggestions? See my other Book Recommendations.

Need some more convincing? Check out reviews of Candor from Don't Take my Books Away, Lucid Conspiracy, and Eating YA Books.