Smugglivus Day 3 – Guest Author: Melissa Marr

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 3!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s guest: Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the modern day tales of faerie Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity and a Manga based on the series. Wicked Lovely won a RITA for best Young Adult novel in 2008 and is set to become a movie produced by Wild West Picture Show Productions and adapted by Caroline Thompson. You can check out our interview with Melissa HERE.

Recent Work: Fragile Eternity, the third book in the series (tentatively shortlisted for both Smugglers’ top 10 of 2009). You can read our review here, as well as the author’s Inspiration and Influences article on writing the book.

Please welcome Melissa Marr with her favourite reads of 2009:

Melissa:

What I loved in 2009 (or at least the stuff that my memory says I read in 2009):

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (YA):

This one is one of the best YA novels I’ve read. Instead of fitting into an easy category, Beautiful Creatures opts to forge a new path. It’s a big tome of a book, too—not because it lags or has editing fail, but because there’s serious story here.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (YA):

A girl who can find dead things, the boy who is her friend and beloved, and a serial killer. This is another read-in-one-sitting book for me.

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore (YA):

I have read & enjoyed all three of the author’s prior books, but this is a different tone and style. I worried, but it’s as good (better?) than her HELL series.

Immortal by Gillian Shields (YA):

Mmmm. Move over Heathcliff. I taught Wuthering Heights in university, so I have pretty picky standards when it comes to Gothic Romance. Shields’ books are wonderful.

This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James (adult romance):

SIGH. I love James’ books. If you want great historical romance, James is hands down the best choice. And, if you need a book for a reader who thinks she doesn’t read romance, try this series.

Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs and Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men by Molly Harper (adult romance/general fiction):

If you like Sookie, you’ll like these. Southern, quirky, & snarky. The protag is a librarian who gets vamped. I’m pre-ordering the 3rd in the series.

Dying Bites by DD Barant:

This is one of the urban fantasies that rocked me this year. Again, it was utterly unlike the pack. The worldbuilding was fab, and I had that “damn, where are the rest of this author’s books??!” reaction. It’s a first book, though, so I’m hoping there are more coming.

Three Days To Dead by Kelly Medding:

This is my other top UF pick. I begged, err, asked calmly to read it after my crit partner scored an early look (and blurbed it). Actiony and interesting and all those words that mean “more, please.”

Sunshine by Robin McKinley (adult/YA crossover; romance/fantasy crossover):

This is a re-reader for me. I’m on my 4th read, but it still tilts me every time I read it. It is one of the best vampire novels I’ve ever read (& as a folklore geek, I’ve been consuming vamp stories for most of my life). LOVE it.

Thanks very much Melissa! And here are her upcoming 2010 releases (both coming out in April) that we are really looking forward to:

You can read more about Melissa on her website and blog. Thanks again, Melissa!

Next on Smugglivus: a chat with Alma Alexander