Hiyo Sunday!
Here’s what we have on the agenda this week.
Nerds Heart YA 2011
Nerds Heart YA is an annual competition that was started in 2009 by Renay of subverting the text with the aim of showcasing books that had not received as much publicity as the uber-popular books of the year. The annual bracket-style tournament is back this year, better than ever and they need our help! If you haven’t heard of Nerds Heart YA, here’s the skinny (from the website):
The Nerds Heart YA tournament is returning in 2011. Now in its third year Nerds Heart YA will continue to bring attention to books that have received less attention in the book blogging world.
Through a bracket style competition, judges who are passionate about getting more visibility for fantastic, under represented books will whittle down a shortlist of thirty two young adult novels until one ultimate winner is given the Nerds Heart YA sash and sceptre.
It’s not just about the winner though, Nerds Heart YA seeks to draw attention to all the books on the shortlist. The contest focuses specifically on books that in some way represent groups of people who are typically under represented in YA fiction. Any young adult fiction, first published between 1st Jan 2010 and 31st dec 2010, that is written by authors, or contains characters that fit into one of the categories (see below) is eligible:
- Person(s) of Color (POC)
- GLBT
- Disability/Mental Illness
- Religious Lifestyle
- Lower Socioeconomic Status
We hope that everyone who participates in this contest will find lots of new books to enjoy that will expand the diversity of their reading experience.
We need your help!
In 2011 you can get involved by applying to judge a bracket once the shortlist is created. Each judge will read two books (which they must obtain themselves) and decide which book should move on in the contest. Think of the power!
Applications for judges will be taken between 28th January – 14th February. For details on becoming a judge and to apply please see the application form.
Nominations for books to be included in the Nerds Heart YA tournament will open once we have our judges.’
We cannot wait for the event, have applied to be judges (fingers crossed) and hope to see everyone join in!
This Week on The Book Smugglers:
On Monday, Ana reviews Doomsday Book by Connie Willis – who just might be one of her new favorite authors. (Spoiler alert: Ana LUUUUURVED the book)
On Tuesday, it’s Ana’s first DNF post of the year – she talks about Lauren Oliver’s Delirium, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, and Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeline Roux, and why these books just didn’t cut it for her.
On Wednesday, Thea gives a doubles shot of YA urban fantasy with her reviews of Firespell and Hexbound by Chloe Neill, books one and two in the ongoing Dark Elite series.
Thursday, Thea reviews one of her most highly anticipated books of the year, Rachel Caine’s Unseen (book 3 in her Weather Warden spinoff series, Outcast Season). (Spoiler Alert the Second: Thea LUUUUUURVED it)
And, on Friday, we close out the week with a bang – it’s our first “What She Said” of 2011! Ana reviews The Waste Lands by Stephen King (the third book in the Dark Tower series, which is Thea’s FAVORITE series of books of all time, and happens to be one of Thea’s favorite books of the series!), and Thea reviews Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda.
On that note, we leave you until Monday.
6 Comments
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January 30, 2011 at 3:02 am[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Book Smugglers, Rachel Jameson. Rachel Jameson said: RT @booksmugglers: Smugglers' Stash and News http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/01/smugglers-stash-news-25.html […]
Jodie
January 30, 2011 at 4:14 amThanks so much for mentioning NHYA 🙂 And I saw your names pop up on the judging spreadsheet which is very exciting.
Looking forward to seeing what you made of Devil’s Kiss.
Ceilidh
January 30, 2011 at 5:39 amLooking forward to the Delirium review. Most of the reviews I’ve seen say the world-building is incredibly weak which is the automatic death mark for a dystopian novel. Sadly most of the dystopian YA novels coming out this year I’ve seen reviewed make similar complaints. Damnit people, I love that genre!
KB/KT Grant
January 30, 2011 at 9:01 amThe reviews for History of Wtiches has been steller. Uh oh if Ana DNFed it. Can’t wait to see why.
As for Delirium. I’m not surprised. YA is publishing some major lacking book to feel a need for more. It depresses me.
April (Good Books & Wine)
January 30, 2011 at 2:51 pmBLAINE!!!
Okay, I am waiting with baited breath for that review, because The Dark Tower is my favoritest series EVER.
And I really like the King Tut graphic at the end. I’ve been following the whole Egypt thing at work.
Thea
January 30, 2011 at 5:30 pmCeilidh – WORD. The past few dystopian YA titles I’ve picked up have been pathetically meh. The same wishy-washy “romantic” voice, the same pathetic worldbuilding…it’s one of my favorite subsets of fiction, so I’m right there with you dude. Sigh.
April – OMG you have no idea how freaking excited I am that Ana is FINALLY reading The Waste Lands (I have been pestering her to continue with the series for years now). The DT series is MY favoritest series of all time too!! *HIGHFIVE* And yes, Charlie the Choo Choo/BLAINE! 19! ALL THINGS SERVE THE BEAM!
I am so tempted to do a readalong with Ana! Books 3-5 are my favorites! Ok. That’s enough DT geeking out for now. (I am so stoked to find another fan, though
YAY!)