Before I get to my final round of slightly more esoteric beach reads, I've got to address a recent Twitter comment. Someone sent me a tweet along the lines of, "Sigh... I long for the days when your summer reading suggestions weren't about cross-promotion."
Oh. Really.
My initial response was to tweet back, "Sigh... and go fuck yourself with a very sharp, cross-promotional stick," but I've been trying to conduct myself in a more professional, less profane (possibly less psychotic) manner. Also, although this statement addresses my sentiment, it doesn't adequately explain why this tweet made me angry.
First, if I'm "cross-promoting" anyone, it's because I honestly enjoy and endorse their writing. And if I know them, the chances are good I met them because I'm a fan. If an author's work moves me or makes me laugh, I'll email them or friend them on Facebook. Sometimes I'll go to their signings. Most authors aren't J.D. Salinger - they want to meet their peers. We communicate and connect with each other because we're in a complicated business; we lean on each other and share advice and rally together to support new players.
I've paid for every book on this list except for a couple and that's only because their editors or agents sent me copies before I had the chance to buy them myself. We tend to be friends with each other because it's the nature of the business. And part of being friends is supporting ones friends. That's why we actually spend our own money on one another's work and why we often buy multiple copies to give away on our websites. Like, you know how waitresses are always the best tippers? Same principle. But apparently this gal on Twitter has confused "karma" with "conspiracy."
As for "the days when [my] summer reading suggestions weren't about cross-promotion" I just looked at my recommendations from 2009. Out of last year's authors, I'd either read an advance copy or met the author in person in every single case, whereas I only know about half the folks on this year's list. On previous lists, I run about 50/50 on authors I know. So I'm not doing a goddamed thing differently now than I've ever done.
Finally, on all the books I've mentioned over the years, maybe two of them have been on my label, the NAL imprint. Believe me when I say there's zero pressure from my publisher to talk up their books. Generally, when I get free copies of anything, they come from my friends who edit for competitors. Even that's fairly rare.
I guess the bottom line is this - I worked too hard to build a name and reputation for myself and the last thing I'd to do is abuse readers' trust because I owe someone a "cross-promotional" favor. I get very angry when my integrity is questioned in a public forum, particularly when the Twitter accuser doesn't even have her facts straight.
And that's why I Twitter-blocked the bitch.
Okay, so maybe I'm not quite professional yet. But I didn't unleash an unholy army on her, so it's a step in the right direction. Anyway, speaking of unholy armies, let's talk about zombie books.
ZOMBIE BOOKS
Apparently I love zombie books. Zombies are totally the new angst-ridden teenage vampires.
Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry: Mark Henry is a deeply twisted individual and I mean that in the best possible sense. He's the one who made me realize I dug zombie books in the first place. That's likely because his undead socialite heroine Amanda Feral is sort of the Bitter Is the New Black version of me... if I ate brains. Does his writing get a little blue? Yes. Is it a bit gory in parts? Yes. Does he make me laugh out loud? HELL, YES. I absolutely adore every word Henry writes. I realize zombie books aren't for everyone, but if you're so inclined, this is a great place to start.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan: I met Carrie at my book event in North Carolina. When we chatted, she mentioned she was a writer. She was so causal and low key about it that at no point did I realize that meant she was a NY Times best selling author. (Me? I slip that fact in every chance I get.) (See? I just did it again.) Anyway, I downloaded her book that night and now I totally see why fans loved it. The story is a more literaryTwilight meets M. Night Shymalan's The Village meets Dawn of the Dead. Although the book is technically for young adults, there's all this amazing subtext about the state of society and organized religion that really captured my imagination. Even though her zombies aren't Prada-wearing, cocktail-swilling smart-mouths like Henry's, I found the story no less riveting.
Knowing now that I dig the genre, I'm excited to see what else I discover.
YOUNG ADULT
Good writing is good writing; that's why I pick up the occasional YA book. Novels don't need to be about me, or my situation, or my generation to be a great read.
An Off Year by Claire Zulkey: In this novel, Zulkey chronicles protagonist Cecily's decision to not attend her freshman year of college. Of course, she only comes to this conclusion once she reaches her new dorm, with her tuition paid and her entire life packed up in the trunk of her family car. This coming of age story chronicles exactly what it's like to be trapped in that odd gap between childhood and adulthood. There's no magical realism or big, happy coincidences, or sappy Hollywood ending. Simply, this is a story that's so honest and direct that it's hard to believe it's not a memoir and it's a must-read for any parent about to send their kids to college. (Or for anyone who just wants to get lost in a good book.)
Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook: I love that Cook, one of my favorite chick lit authors, is now doing YA. Her book is a perfect example of how hell hath no fury like a teenager scorned. In it, the heroine's shamed so badly in junior high that she has to leave town, reinvents herself, and comes back years seeking revenge. The book has just enough Mean Girls in it to be familiar but enough of Cook's quick wit to feel like an entirely new concept. Now someone please quick make this into a movie because poor Lindsay Lohan could really use the work.
The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell: I saw Bushnell in Dallas in May and I wish I'd thought to ask her this next question. She's gotten some criticism about her book on teenage Carrie Bradshaw. Uber-fans have complained that the action in this story doesn't always line up stuff mentioned on the show, e.g. her first love. I wonder how she handles this? Is she all, "It's my goddamned book, my goddamned characters, and I'll create the back-story I want!" (I suspect that's how I'd be.) Regardless, I had such fun following Young Carrie's escapades and loved how Bushnell subtly showed the source of all of Adult Carrie's proclivities. And the last page of the book could not have been more awesome. Trust me on this.
In terms of full disclosure, I do know all of the authors on today's list. Sort of. I've met Bushnell three times and but as she continues to have no idea who I am, I'm pretty sure she doesn't count.
That's it for the 2010 summer cross-promoting reading list.
Enjoy!
Or sigh.
Your call.
