This particular list features forthcoming titles I would like to read. The majority of the books listed below are young adult fiction and juvenile fiction. If I read and review an advanced copy, I link the title to my review. At the close of every month, I move that month's remaining titles from this list to my backlist of books to read.

November 2009
The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Sequel to Deadly Little Secrets)
Destiny's Path (Warrior Princess, Book 2) by Frewin Jones
In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles by Chris Welles Feder
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

( Read more... )

In 2004, Simon & Schuster began publishing romantic comedies for teens as part of their Simon Pulse imprint. The titles were few and far between that first year, but as interest increased, so did the number of titles. Quite a few were released in 2005. Now the line has been firmly established and new titles come out every other month. Simon Pulse romantic comedies are finding their way into the hands and hearts of readers and booksellers.

I was delighted to discover that many of the stories have the main characters deal with school, friends, family, afterschool activities, college worries, and more. In other words, the books are not just about getting the guy, but also about getting the scholarship, reconnecting with parents, balancing school with work, and thinking about life and future careers.

All of the stories star everyday American girls. Most of these stories take place in high school, while others are set during the summer or in college. Some of the tales take place in small towns, others big cities, a few overseas. Rather than being pared-down versions of stereotypical adult romances or competing with the current racy and materialistic teen bestsellers, these are contemporary stories that are surprisingly quirky and, for the most part, refreshingly clean. In general, these paperback stories are recommended for readers over the age of 13. If these books were films, most would carry a PG rating, some a PG-13 rating due to dating situations and the occasional curse word. In other words, they would star Amanda Bynes.

I have spoken to many authors whose stories have been published by Simon Pulse, as well as Amy Saidens, who designs the book covers for the line. Every single author responded to the interview questions with enthusiasm and kindness. Nearly all of them share my love for The Great Gatsby. Check out our exclusive interviews!

Niki Burnham (Do-Over)
Jennifer Echols (Major Crush)
Kelly McClymer (Getting to Third Date)
Aimee Friedman (A Novel Idea)
Erin Downing (Dancing Queen)
Micol Ostow (30 Guys in 30 Days)
Amy Saidens (book cover artist)
Wendy Toliver (The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren)
Jamie Ponti (Animal Attraction)

Here is a full list of Simon Pulse romantic comedies in order of release. If a title is bold, I read it.

( Read more... )

Jennifer Echols created a blog for the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies. Add it to your bookmarks!

I also posted about the Simon Pulse Ro-Coms at the SparkLife blog for SparkNotes.

Love reading (or watching) Gossip Girl? Can't get enough of books set in blog or diary format? Get ready for the The Bradford Novels by Micol Ostow. With all of the frienemies and romantic entanglements, this series will definitely appeal to fans of Gossip Girl. It will also attract those who read the Pretty Little Liars books by Sara Shepard, which also take place on Philadelphia's Main Line.

In western Philadelphia, there's a wealthy area of suburbs called the Main Line in which the posh and the pretty play by day and party by night. Now, readers can journey there, thanks to The Bradford Novels by Micol Ostow. Set an a private school, these books are filled with blog entries brimming with gossip, secrets, and lies. Characters post entries in their private journals as well as their school blog.

The first book, GoldenGirl, introduces readers to Spencer Kelly. Rich, respected, and athletic, Spencer is fierce and poised on the field and off. Her best friends are Paige Andrews (aka FrontPaige) and Madison Takahashi (Madison_Ave). Popular Paige is hiding something that happened to her the previous summer, while Madison is busy designing clothes and playing the violin. Then a new girl named Regan and Spencer's old boyfriend Jeremy enroll, and things get really messy. Spencer finds herself drawn to Jeremy and considers breaking up with her current boyfriend Tyler. Meanwhile, Spencer befriends Regan, even though the California girl's rehab rep precedes her.

When Spencer writes in her personal online blog, All That Glitters, she tells all - but not for all to see. Each chapter is an entry marked with a privacy setting, so you know if it's public (for anyone to read), restricted (only her BFFs have access to posts marked "VIPs" - and they leave plenty of comments!) or private (posts marked "the vault" are for Spencer's eyes only).

Also read my review of GoldenGirl: A Bradford Novel by Micol Ostow at SparkLife.

The second book, Fashionista, will be all about Mads, one of Spencer's best friends. Fashionista will be available in August 2009.

The buzz about the Bradford series has spread, thanks to the blogs and other websites related to the series. These sites offer exclusive content and interactive opportunities for readers. The main characters even have blogs (some through Blogger/Blogspot, others through Tumblr) and Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace accounts.

Check out this video interview with author Micol Ostow on Vimeo!

Bradford Novels Author Video (HD) from FlirtyGirl Productions on Vimeo.

Ever since she was little, Leah's known where she came from: her mother and a donor from Lyons Reproductive Services. She enjoyed life as an only child and didn't mind having a single parent. When her mother got married, Leah gained a stepfather - and later, a little half-brother - who loved her unconditionally. Though very content with her home life, Leah's always had questions about her biological father, questions her mother can't answer. She doesn't know his name, only knows that he was Donor 730, and that her mother selected him based on certain attributes listed in his profile at the clinic.

Shortly after her family moves to a new town, Leah befriends classmates at her new school. That fresh start, along with the family tree assignment given to her little brother, prompts Leah to once again wonder if her donor had any more children. Thanks to an online match system - which she keeps secret from her mom - Leah finds other kids who were fathered by Donor 730. She quickly bonds with a girl her age named Samantha. She is comforted and contented by meeting her half-siblings. She doesn't search for them in an effort to upset her mother, but rather to find what she feels is a missing piece of herself, her history.

I really liked the fact that Leah loved and valued her mother, her stepfather, and her half-brother. She was grateful for her family and never pushed them away. She was frustrated and confused at times, but she was never mean nor difficult on purpose. Instead of having a rebellion or acting out, she truly had a search, something she wanted and needed to do for herself. When she bends the rules, and again when secrets are revealed, she apologizes and she tells the truth.

Sheinmel's young characters sound and act their age. Dialogue between them rings true, as do Leah's thoughts. Each of Leah's new friends - Avery, Brenna and Callie, and, later, her half-sister Samantha - has her own personality and family. Even Avery's college-bound brother Chase factors into the story, as Leah watches him interact with his sister, his father, and his girlfriend, Lizzie. I really enjoyed Leah's stream-of-consciousness narration. She felt so real, so honest. I was utterly delighted by her younger brother. Carefree five-year-old Charlie says the sweetest, smartest things, a combination of intelligence and imagination.

My So-Called Family by Courtney Sheinmel gets my recommendation - and my appreciation. This is a great story about family values and valuing your family. This notable debut has earned a spot on my Best Books of 2008 list.

My favorite quotes from the book include:

Sometimes you know you're about to change you life with just one movement, like the last time I turned off my light in my bedroom at the pink house, or when I saw Mom slip a ring on Simon's finger on their wedding day. That's how I felt when I clicked the link to "Lyon's Sibling Registry." I moved the mouse so the cursor was over the words and I pressed my finger down. - Page 46

Now that I had a secret, I was noticing the secrets everywhere. I couldn't tell anyone what Mom was writing about, and Chase didn't want to talk about Lizzie. Now I wasn't allowed to tell Brenna and Callie about apple picking, and I didn't want to tell Avery what I was starting to think about Chase. My stomach hurt from eating so many apples and from all of the secrets. - Page 98

I wondered what would happen if I just opened my mouth and screamed. Right there in the middle of class. It would be so easy to do. No one was stopping me. I wondered what it would sound like. I don't think I've ever just opened my mouth and screamed like that. [ . . . ] Instead I just sat there with my lips pressed together. - Page 139

"No family is 'normal,'" Samantha said. - Page 181

Related posts at Bildungsroman:
Interview: Courtney Sheinmel (2009)
Interview: Courtney Sheinmel (2008)
Book Review: Positively by Courtney Sheinmel
Family: Courtney Sheinmel
Hope: Courtney Sheinmel

Read my SparkNotes Literature feature article: The Most Promising October Releases for Teens.

From March 14th until March 27th, Simon & Schuster held a Blogfest featuring over a hundred Simon Pulse authors. Readers submitted their questions via the Blogfest website and MySpace page. S&S then selected questions from that overflowing pool and posted the authors' responses each day of the event.

( Read more... )

( The list of authors scheduled to take part in Blogfest )

Footnotes

mediabistro/GalleyCat noted that this new event was inspired by the success of the 31 Flavorite Authors event held last October by readergirlz and YALSA. Thank you, mediabistro.

From the desk of author Jamie Ponti:

In one twenty-four hour period, I submitted the manuscript for Sea of Love, which will come out from Simon Pulse this December, my new book Prama was released in bookstores, and I got my first interview with Little Willow. That's pretty heady stuff for a guy who only got a 3 on the AP English test. I have dubbed it the YA Triple Play.

. . . and now, the interview, filled with references to Sea World, Shelby Woo, and serendipity.

The title of Prama makes me smile because I enjoy witty wordplay. Did you attend your high school prom?

I too enjoy witty wordplay and wish that I had come up with the title. I got it from my editor and I think she got it from her husband. I went to prom my junior and senior years. Both times I went with a friend and ended up having a good but not particularly memorable night. The main storyline in Prama was inspired by a formal I attended in college. It was the 80's and the theme was Moonlighting. I was set up on a blind date with a girl named Denise who had just broken up with her boyfriend. I agreed to go, but then considered backing out when I found out how much the tux rental was. It was college and $75 was a whole lot of money. My friend Eric was with me at the time and said, "But what if she's the one?" That, of course, made it impossible for me to back out.

Eric turned out to be something of an oracle, because I went, had a great time, and, this November, Denise and I will be celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary. It also created good karma for Eric who subsequently met his wife on a blind date. His wife is the actress Ming Na, so that's really good karma.

( Read more... )

Visit Jamie's website.

Colleen of Chasing Ray asked bloggers to name some books they are looking forward to reading this year. I have my eyes set on many forthcoming releases. Check out the entire list. Below are some highlights, including some titles I was fortunate enough to read in advance and others I can't wait to read:

January 2008
Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley - Recovery and self-discovery. (Read my review.)
I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder - This verse novel, Schroeder's debut, sounds literally haunting.
The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher - Growing up doesn't have to mean growing apart. (Read my review.)

February 2008
Crimes of the Sarahs by Kristen Tracy - Quirky-funny, like her previous novel Lost It, but more of a dark comedy. (Learn more.)
The Squad: Perfect Cover and The Squad: Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Spy cheerleaders. (Read my review.)

March 2008
42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer - I adored her 2006 release Reaching for Sun.
The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti - I was truly fortunate to read this early. (Read my review.)
A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian - I read it, loved it, and passed it to my most discerning teen customers, who loved it as well. (Read my review.)

April 2008
Feathered by Laura Kasischke - Utterly captivating and engrossing. I want to put this in the hands of adults and teens alike. (Read my review.)
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen - A girl lost and found. (Read my review.)
Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark - An unexpected and unusual road trip. (Read my review.)
Zibby Payne & the Party Problem and Zibby Payne & the Trio Trouble by Alison Bell - The third and fourth books about a headstrong sixth grader that would become fast friendswith Ramona Quimby. (Read my reviews.)

May 2008
How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt - A solid story that will hopefully move others into action.
A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski - Tom's first solo adult novel! (Read my review.)
Mind the Gap: A Novel of the Hidden Cities by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon - It's like Neverwhere, but with Golden touches and Tim trimmings. (Learn more.)
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - A family tries to keep up a hotel that's been passed down through the generations. This book has burnt food, fresh bagels, unicyclists, Hamlet, a former actress, and shiny things. What more could you want? (Read my review.)
What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando - Perfect title for a story set in Vegas. (Read my review.)

June 2008
A La Carte by Tanita S. Davis - I'm so excited for Tanita, I could burst. (Read my review.)
Almost Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor - I've been reading this series for decades.
House of Dance by Beth Kephart - The slow-quick-quick movement of life and loss. (Read my review.)

July 2008
Poison Ink by Christopher Golden - A new Golden thriller means a new chance to introduce him to teen and adult readers. Start thirsting for it now, people. It's worth it. I had the chance to read it early, and I drank up every drop! Poison Ink is a YA novel/thriller about five best friends who plan to get matching tattoos, and what happens when one of them backs out - and the others start acting strangely after getting inked. I can't wait to get this book into the hands of readers when it comes out in July! (Learn more.)

August 2008
The Brimstone Network by Tom Sniegoski - The start of a juvenile action-adventure/fantasy series. (Learn more.)

September 2008
living dead girl by Elizabeth Scott - I've read two of Scott's novels and am anxious for more. She has three coming out this year: Perfect You comes out in March, Stealing Heaven in May, then ldg. The title has me, and you can thank Faith (from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spinoff, Angel) for that.

October 2008
My So-Called Family by Courtney Sheinmel - A young girl attempts to find her half-siblings. (Read my review.)
Soulless by Christopher Golden - Golden + zombies = BRING. IT. ON. This book is so good, people. So very good. Read it! (Learn more.)

November 2008
Dog and Bear: Two's Company by Laura Vaccaro Seeger - This is the second book about these fun friends. The first book, simply titled Dog and Bear, had three adorable stories, one of which was meta-fiction. That's right - META-FICTION in a picture book! Loved it!

December 2008
I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy - Mysteries and ghosts and rhinos, oh my!

For more titles, check out my entire list of books to read.

Blogs participating in today's highly anticipated round-up include:
Abby (the) Librarian
Angieville
Archimedes Forgets
Bildungsroman
Bookshelves of Doom (Post 1)
Bookshelves of Doom (Post 2)
Bookwyrm Chrysalis
Charlotte's Library
Chasing Ray
Confessions of a Bibliovore
Finding Wonderland (Post 1)
Finding Wonderland (Post 2)
Fuse #8
HipWriterMama
Interactive Reader
Jen Robinson's Book Page
Marlene Perez
Miss Erin
Not Your Mothers Book Club
The Reading Zone
S.A. Harazin
Sarah Miller
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Shaken & Stirred
Teen Book Review
Wizards Wireless
Writing and Ruminating
The YA YA YAs

Whether it's performing in front of a camera, sharing a book with her young sons, or writing a tale of her own, Wendy Toliver likes being a part of a good story. Her debut teen novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF A TEENAGE SIREN, has been released as part of the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies.  Wendy and I recently talked about playacting, playing the flute, and playing the freelance game.

Congratulations on your SECRET.

Thank you, Little Willow! I am extremely excited and honored to be a Simon Pulse Rom Com author.

I love mythology. For readers who aren't familiar with the myth of the siren, care to explain, and share the basic premise of your novel?

According to Greek mythology, three Sirens lived on an island. They played beautiful music for passing sailors, luring them closer, right into a wall of deadly rocks. But when Odysseus heard their song and lived to tell about it, the Sirens threw themselves into the sea and drowned.
When I read that one of their bodies had been found washed up on a southern Italy shore, it got me thinking. What if one or two of the Sirens didn't drown after all? ( Read more... )

Visit the author's brand spankin' new pretty purple website at WendyToliver.com - then swing by the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies blog.

Micol Ostow is a writer, a student, a runner, a dog owner, a Scrabble enthusiast, and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Yes, you read that correctly. Now read the interview to find out how she manages to juggle it all.

You drew upon your Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage to write Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa, which comes out in paperback today! Tell us more about the story, and what else you and Emily have in common.

That's a good question! I think that because Emily and I share similar cultural backgrounds, people expect the story to be much more autobiographical than it actually is. Like Emily, I was raised Jewish (my mother converted before she married my father), but I have more contact with my Catholic family than Emily does. My mother's mother passed away a few years ago, and while it was very traumatic and emotional for all of us, as a catalyst, it sort of functioned exactly the opposite of Emily's grandmother's death.

( Read more... )

Anything else you care to share?

Support your local libraries and independent booksellers! And read read read!

I agree! Thanks, Micol.

Visit Micol in person today at NYPL's Teen Central Jewish Book Month panel featuring Micol Ostow, Judy Goldschmidt, David Levithan, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lisa Ann Sandell

Thursday, November 8th at 4 PM
Donnell Library Center
20 West 53rd Street
(212) 621-0619

Visit Micol online at her website (I hope you like it!) and blog.

Read my previous interview with Micol.

Check out Gwenda's WBBT interview with Micol.

Today's WBBT Schedule
David Mack at Chasing Ray
Paul Volponi at The Ya Ya Yas
Elizabeth Knox at Shaken & Stirred
Ellen Emerson White at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy
Jack Gantos at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
David Levithan at Not Your Mother's Book Club
Micol Ostow at Bildungsroman
Laura Amy Schlitz at Miss Erin
Kerry Madden at Hip Writer Mama
Sherman Alexie at Interactive Reader

A person should never judge a book by its cover. However, you can't deny that the Simon Pulse romantic comedies have incredibly cute covers - all of which have been created by artist Amy Saidens. ( Read more... )

To see more of Amy's artwork, please view amysaidens.com