I am a proud reader of Young Adult novels. When presented with the option of reading a “grown up” book versus YA, I almost always choose the book about a teenager. Why? Because I love them. I love the drama, the excitement, and roller coasters of emotions. And I believe them.  I still remember what it was like to be a teenager. I see teenagers every day at the library. And when I read about a 16 year old who is head over heels in love with someone, would move heavens and earth to be with them–I believe it. 16 year-olds believe it, too. And reliving that stuff? It’s fun.  Not only is it fun to feel those emotions with those characters, it’s a relief to come back out of the pages and go “thank god it’s all behind me!”.

That being said, I want to devote this post to the Queen of YA lit: Sarah Dessen.  In honor of the release of her new novel Saint Anything, below are 5 things to love about Queen SD.

1. Her female protagonists are awesome.  They don’t have weird klutzy diseases that make them stumble in front of guys and then agonize over it later. They are smart, rational, rock star ladies, and I would be BFFs with any one of them.

2. Her novels deal with issues. Real issues. Even when it isn’t the center of the plot, there are things happening around the main character that are real life problems.  Anorexia, alcoholics, bad parenting, drug abuse, etc.  I am a strong believer that seeing these problems in books helps people, especially teenagers, deal with them in real life. It also makes them feel like they aren’t alone in their problems.

3. Her characters are real people. There is no perfect guy or girl, nothing comes easy to anyone, they work hard to get what they’re after.

4. Fairy tale endings are only for fairy tales. Sarah Dessen writes believable tales that don’t necessarily end in “Happily Ever After”.  She veers away from tragedy, but she doesn’t make everything all hunky-dory at the conclusion either. I like that.

5. Her characters talk like real people. I never scoff while I’m reading and go “nobody talks like that” or “no one would say that”.  They have real conversations that I can easily hear in my own head.

So if you somehow haven’t read Sarah Dessen yet, I suggest you get reading. Her latest novel came out yesterday, and you’ve got 11 more to read on top of that. I’m currently catching up and reading “Along for the Ride” and “Lock and Key” which were on $2.99 deals for my Nook this weekend. I somehow missed these two gems while I was graduating from college and working at Random House, when I had no time to read anything outside our own publishing house. But now I’m glad I missed them, because delving into them as summer spring hits our area (FINALLY) is absolutely perfect.

Pick up a Dessen today. You won’t be disappointed!

10:06 AM Update

I didn’t make it you guys. I tried. I really did. I opened Lena Dunham’s book at 2:30. And I like the book! But a night owl I am not. And so I found myself caving to the darkness and the kitty snuggles and the snoring husband at 3 AM. 

BUT. I read 3 full books, 2 short stories, and 4 hours of audio books. While I only made it 19 hours instead of 24, I’m still pretty proud of what I did. I think if I didn’t have to work today (Sunday) I might have been able to convince myself to have another cup of coffee. But responsibility won (lame, I know). 

Thank you to everyone who visited me here, on Twitter and on Instagram. It was so. Much. Fun. And you can bet I’ll be doing it again next time. (But I’ll know to take Sunday off in advance.) congrats to everyone for your diligence and your awesomeness! Rah rah readathon!!!!

   
 10:03 Update

Finally home and snuggled on the couch. Hour 15 has begun. Starting to really lose steam. But read I must and read I shall. 

  
8:27 Update (Midevent survey)

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? 

Like No Other by Una LaMarche

2. How many books have you read so far?

I have finished 3 (one short story, one graphic novel, one print book) and I’ve listed to parts of two audiobooks. 

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

I don’t know! Maybe The Secret History or the Handmaids Tale

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Interruptions have mostly been of my own making because I’ve been on public spaces for much of the day. But that often helps me focus more than reading home alone in the quiet. 

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

How tired I am!

7:55 Update

Guys. The struggle is real. It’s been 12 hours and this is still fun but also hard. I’ve been listening to my audio book and am now out to dinner with my husband. I brought a book. I’m struggling to find one that hooks me. Help! Any recommendations? 

  
5:05 Update

Finished my third story! In Real Life was an awesome and eye-opening graphic novel. Now. To stare at my stack and decide what’s next. I think I need a snack break first!!!

  
4:29 Update

I finished the read-a-long, The Yellow Wallpaper. It was as delightfully creepy as I remembered. I had chills of delight reading it. Just wonderful. Onto “In Real Life”, a graphic novel by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang! 

  
2:57 Update

Book 1 is officially in the books! I loved The Wrong Side of Right. Absolutely loved it, way more than I expected. I laughed out loud, I cried in public, it was wonderful. And now, as I sit curled up on a couch at husband’s winery, I delve into The Yellow Wallpaper before my next full book! (Haven’t decided what it will be yet, but I’m excited!!)

Currently reading: The Yellow Wallpaper, read-a-long

Currently drinking: Delicious Barnstormer Rosé

   
 1:07 Update

Phew! 5 hours of reading under our belts! Hurray for my fellow readthoners! I’ve got about a quarter of The Wrong Side of Right left to go (and I am loving this book–Scandal meets YA) and I’ve got The Yellow Wallpaper on deck. The library has been cooperatingly quiet today, which is fabulous. At 2 pm, I’ll switch back to The Interrupted Tale on audio, and then head to the winery my husband manages for a glass of wine and some more reading! 

Hope everyone’s having as much fun as me! You all ROCK. 

Pictured below: snack break 1  
11:07 Update

I’m just having the MOST fun. Seriously, the camaraderie of readers out there is fantastic. I’m loving the challenges and the cheerleading and, obviously, the reading. So far, no ones interrupted me at the library (it’s a quiet Saturday, thank goodness!).

Here we go into hour 4!

Still reading: The Wrong Side of Right

Challenges: 4 covers for 4 seasons via Bart’s Bookshelf!

9:57 Update

We’re getting ready to enter hour 3! This morning I mostly listened to my audio book (Book 4 of The Incorrigible Childrenof Ashton Place) while I waked the dog, cooked and ate a delicious omelette, washed the dishes, and drove to work. I’m at my library desk now for the next 4 hours. Barring any major interruptions, it should be some steady reading time!

Current reading: The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne. YA

Currently drinking: A delicious dirty chai from my favorite café.

 

7:30 AM
It’s here! It’s here! I’m up at 7:15 on a Saturday so I can get ready to read at 8!!

Meme number 1:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Upstate NY, The Finger Lakes. Beautiful wine country. I have to work at my library from 10-2, but will be reading at my desk (around interruptions), and I have dinner plans this evening (and an audio book for the car). 

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

The new Lisa Lutz book! (And kind of the Yellow Wallpaper. I haven’t read it since college and I love it. Looking forward to the reread/read along)

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

My chocolate covered espresso vena from Oak Hill!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I’m a youth services librarian in a tiny one-stoplight town. I am married to a tasting room manager, so my life is books and wine. We have a bulldog we rescued 2 years ago, and three cats who are all named after Egyptian royalty. I think books are the best bonding agent amongst new friends. 

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

This is my first! And the camaraderie, I think. I’ve already made new Instagram friends and we’re going to cheer each other on today. How cool is that?