Blisstree » Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Why Are Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Romance Books More Popular Than Literary Fiction?

Mary Emma Allen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:00:05 +0000

Carolyn Howard-Johnson, who wrote This is the Place, a novel loosely based on her life of growing up with a Mormon father and non-Mormon mother, wonders why literary fiction has taken a back seat to Sci-Fi, Fantsy and Romance these days. Although Carolyn writes mainly for adults, her ideas could apply to books for younger people, too.

Perhaps you’d like to take a look at her guest post at Potpourri of Writing and see what you think.

Post from: Blisstree

Why Are Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Romance Books More Popular Than Literary Fiction?

Winnie the Pooh Returns to Print

Marcie — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:54:00 +0000

The estate of A.A. Milne has authorized a sequel to the original Winnie the Pooh books, and will publish “Return to the Hundred Acre Wood” on October 5. This is the first authorized sequal to the 1926 book, Winnie the Pooh and will be written by novelist David Benedictus and illustrated by Mark Burgess.

Benedictus and Burgess have captured the “spirit and quality of those original books,” stated Michael Brown, the trustee of the estate.

Look for the book in early October from Penguin Young Readers. As Jeffrey A Trachtenberg of the Wall Street Journal said today, even Eeyore might smile about this one.

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Winnie the Pooh Returns to Print

Best Graphic Novels of 2008

Marcie — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:04:32 +0000

Comic books, graphic novels, cartoons…

Since prehistoric times, people have been telling stories through pictures so why is the graphic novel such a new and “novel” idea? Well, it really isn’t. A Graphic Novel is similar to a comic book but it has lengthy and complex storylines like novels. In some cases there are also series of graphic novels.

Essentially, a graphic novel is more serious, more literary than a comic book. Neil Gaiman showed us this in Sandman.

According to the School Library Journal these are the Best Graphic Novels of 2008:

Zot!: The Complete Black and White Collection: 1987-1991, by Scott McCloud (HarperCollins)

Snow Wildsmith:Real, vol 1, by Takehiko Inoue (VIZ)

Hatter M, by Frank Beddor & Liz Cavalier, Ben Templesmith (Automatic Pictures)

Johnny Boo, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)

Sand Chronicles, by Hinako Ashihara (VIZ)

Korgi, vol 2, by Christian Slade (Top Shelf)

There’s a Wolf at the Door, by Zoe B. Alley, R.W. Alley (Roaring Brook Press)

Stinky, by Eleanor Davis (TOON Books)

Skim, by Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (Groundwood Books)

Rapunzel’s Revenge, by Shannon & Dean Hale, Nathan Hale (Bloomsbury)

Yokaiden, by Nina Matsumoto (Del Rey)

Hereville, by Barry Deutsch (webcomic)

Song of the Hanging Sky, by Toriko Gin (Go!Comi)

Salt Water Taffy: The Legend of Old Salty, by Matthew Loux (Oni Press)

Invincible, by Robert Kirkman, Bill Crabtree, Ryan Ottley (Image)

Life Sucks, by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, Warren Pleece (First Second)

Amulet, by Kazu Kibiushi (Scholastic)

Bone: Crown of Horns, by Jeff Smith (Scholastic)

Pitch Black, By Youme Landowne, Anthony Horton (Cinco Puntos Press)

Naruto, by Masashi Kishimoto (VIZ)

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Best Graphic Novels of 2008

Marcie’s Favorite Books, 2008

Marcie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:05:37 +0000

As a reading teacher my favorite books for kids are quite varied. They range from educational to entertaining. I love young adult angst books and I adore kiss and hug board books. And I think each has it’s place in children’s literature.

Here are my favorites right now. Some will always remain my favorites (and I will always think they belong in a child’s library) but some I think are just plain trendy.

Corduroy 40th Anniversary Edition Corduroy is celebrating his 40th birthday this year. It’s a perfect time to bring him back.

The Little Engine That Could One of my son’s favorites.

Where the Wild Things Are This was AJ’s first favorite book…he then moved on to The Polar Express and still thinks it is absolutely magical.

I am a big Chris Van Allsburg fan and love his portfolio series that helps kids (and adults) start writing. I used to use this at Halloween time with my students and they loved writing short stories with this. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (Portfolio Edition)

I read Speak when it originally came out and thought it was one of the first innovative YA books. In my opinion, it still is in the top five. Cut is also on that list.

Go Ask Alice

Breathing Underwater Abusive boyfriend? Yes, it happens.

The Willoughbys Lois Lowry does it again….just like she did with The Giver, which ever child and adult should read.

Number the Stars Most kids read this one is school but it is certainly worth it. Almost better than Diary of Anne Frank (Imprint Books)

Because it just rocks…Holes

Night Yes, I know that Oprah loves this book but for the record…I liked it first.

The Outsiders An absolute classic. Written by a teen, loved by teens, cherished by adults. And, the movie touts Rob Lowe (wow).

The Graveyard Book

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Marcie’s Favorite Books, 2008

Holiday Book Buying Guide 2008

Marcie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:31:53 +0000

As this year rapidly races to a halt we here at One Book, Two Book have found some astounding new releases that your kids will be reaching for even before they shake those deliciously wrapped boxes.

With that said, here is your list of stocking stuffers for 2008, complete with our favorites. All of the “Best of” books were published and released in 2008.

The Best Holiday Books, 2008

The Best Non-Fiction Books, 2008

The Best Board Books, 2008

Best Picture Books, 2008

The Best Books for Middle Readers/Tweens, 2008

Best Books for Young Adults, 2008

Mary Emma’s Favorite Books

Marcie’s Favorite Books

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Holiday Book Buying Guide 2008

Best Books for Middle Readers (Tweens), 2008

Marcie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:58:41 +0000

Middle readers, or tweens, include the 9-12 age group and typically fall between 5th and 8th grade. Recently there has been an increase in great books for boys in this category but I am also seeing a decline in the really good books for girls. From what I have seen, authors who tend to write for girls are either in the early reader category or in the Young Adult category (and the topics are too advanced for some girls in the 9-12 age range_.

I would love to see some good solid literature back for tween girls, as I think they are getting tired of bullies and princesses.

The War of the Ember (Guardians of Ga’hoole, Book 15)

The DC Comics Encyclopedia

The Diamond of Darkhold: The Fourth Book of Ember (Books of Ember)

A Giant Problem (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles)

Charlie Bone And The Shadow (Charlie Bone)Doomwyte:

A Novel of Redwall

Inkdeath (Inkheart)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

The Graveyard Book

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)

New Girl (Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls)

Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: Moving Day

Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, The

The Spectacular Now

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Best Books for Middle Readers (Tweens), 2008

The Graveyard Book

Marcie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:16:14 +0000

“The boundaries are always there—between the graveyard and the world beyond, between life and death, and the crossing of them.” – Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has, according to reviewers, done it again. Gaiman is known for his chilling tales, his ghostlike wonders, and his mysterious narrative. Like his infamous Coraline, which broke him into Young Adult Literature, The The Graveyard Book will manage to capture more young readers.

The book is magical, humorous, and attaches a bit to the history of Kipling’s The Jungle Book (Unabridged Classics).

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The Graveyard Book

The City of Ember to the Screen

Marcie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:12:15 +0000

The City of Ember is the only light in a dark, dark world. But, when the light starts to dim because the power starts to fade it’s up to just two children to try to save the city.

There is more to the The City of Ember (The First Book of Ember) than just the darkness. Deep beneath the city is a history that is ignored, there are things like death that have no meaning, much like that in the The Giver.

Ember comes to the screen October 10, 2008. Read the book BEFORE you see the movie!

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The City of Ember to the Screen

It’s Twilight in Hollywood

Marcie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:29:44 +0000

In the Young Adult book world Stephenie Meyer is the next J.K. Rowling. The Mormon author writes disgustingly addicting teen romance novels about the undead.

The three first novel’s in the series have spent a combined total of 143 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller’s list. Currently, The Host: A Novel is number six and has been there for nine weeks. It is not part of the series.

Twilight’s fourth novel in the series, Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) (pre-order here), will hit the shelves on August 2 at midnight, an apt time for a Vampire book, eh? 4,000 bookstores will host midnight parties and in New York City there will be a pre-party with music that Meyer states inspired her writing.

The movie, Twilight, premieres December 12 and there are numerous fake trailers at YouTube (don’t buy into them). Head to the official Twilight Movie Site to see the real Trailer.

Purchase the Collector’s Box Set: Stephenie Meyer: Twilight/New Moon/Eclipse/Breaking Dawn CD Ppk Meyer has already stated that the 4th book is the last in the series.

I have not personally read the book Twilight yet (not quite into the vampire thing and for the record I never was). But, I think everyone needs a good review. So, check out these teen reviews, these adult reviews, and these academic reviews. It doesn’t really matter what the reviews are when it comes down to it though, right? Especially if there are 40,000 screaming fans at 12:01 August 2, just waiting in line for a copy of the newest book. Even if reviewers trash the book the fans dictate sales and those are the people that drive sales and drive the publishing world when it gets right down to it.

Teenage girls love chivalry and they love romance. Twilight seems to be a modern Romeo and Juliet with star-crossed lovers and an opposing gang…and what is better than a teenager falling for Shakespeare? The only issue I have is that it is just way too unreal. Sure, it is fantasy but young girls may actually believe in the chivalrous nature that Edward has and believe that guys just want to cuddle.

Believe me…they don’t.

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It’s Twilight in Hollywood

Artemis Fowl and Flatulence? Oh No!

Marcie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:11:41 +0000

Experience the hilarity of the Irish teacher turned young adult author first hand on July 15th. With over 10 million books sold in the US alone, Colfer surely does not have to tour but with a personality like his it’s no wonder he does…he seems to enjoy kids and the interaction touring brings him.
The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6) will be published July 15th “and will be supported with Colfer’s live one man stage show “Fairies, Feinds, and Flatulence, throughout the US.”

He also recently published Airman.

For tour dates and bookstores to see the show see the Artemis Foul Website.