5 great YA movie deals

Yep ~ Psnarks FIVE challenge

5 YA Movie Deals

In order of excitement... countdown style

5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Whenever it happens, I think this will make the kind of YA movie I'd really love, even if it differs from the book. Strong on family relationships and big on choices with an emotional hit. Plus, it's a little bit sexy.

4. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson

I so loved reading this book and all the concepts in it and the vibe in general. It's going to be a fab movie, I'm thinking... (also, the sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox is coming out in 2011...)

Here's the official book trailer

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The book is HUGE, I'm thinking the movie will be pretty HUGER ;)
This fan-made book trailer is actually pretty spectacular and completely convincing, you know, if you haven't read the book already... do yourself a favour and watch it.

2. Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams

How much do I LOVE this book? I have hopes for a rocking cult-classic vibe movie. CANNOT WAIT. It's funky and just a bit sexy and extremely funny in the oh-so-quirky-feel-good-way.

Here's a fan made book trailer :)

1. The Dead of the Night by John Marsden

(#2 in the Tomorrow Series)

WHY, YES, I THOUGHT THE FIRST MOVIE THAT CAME OUT THIS YEAR COMPLETELY ROCKED.

So thrilled that they have announced a second and a third movie. And there's talk of a spin-off TV series...
I re-read the entire Tomorrow Series this year and it's about as nostalgic as I'll ever get about any characters, ever. So looking forward to seeing them again in Hell.

In case you missed it the first time around ~ here's the official trailer for Tomorrow When the War Began, which is now out on dvd in Australia. (Hits the big screen in the UK in April).

So there's mine ~ three Aussie movies and two US...

WAIT! There's more!

TWO movies I am most appropriately psyched about:
Obviously, I'm hanging out for The Hunger Games. Just thought, like, everyone would be choosing that and I like to have my own vibe... 
 
And, why, yes, Melina Marchetta is working on a script for On The Jellicoe Road. That's all I know... 

What YA movie deal has you doing the squee thing?

5 Hopes for YA in 2011

Another FIVE challenge courtesy of Persnickety Snark. 

Topic: 5 hopes for YA in 2011

At first I wasn't going to join in on today's topic. Mainly as I am a happy little YA reader ~ rarely running into annoying tropes that other people seem to be stumbling upon, mostly  full of admiration and love for the YA books that find themselves in my greedy little YA-loving hands.

But then I was thinking it over today and, yeah, I realised there are some hopes I have.

Also, I happen to enjoy making lists... :) Here's my 5:

ONE

 Me talking about the Aussie stuff again :) That more Aussie titles are available internationally. I so (completely unbiased ;) believe there's some brilliant books down under that just don't get to fly in the international market.

TWO

A selfish hope: Ahh, you know, I'm keen on some older protags in YA ~ crossing over in the new adult market.

• This year I SO loved Good Oil which was 2 POV's, Amelia who's 15, Chris who's 22. 
• Also, loved Elizabeth Scott's Stealing Heaven with Dani who's 18 and Greg who's 20.
• And, of course, Kirsty Eagar's Raw Blue where Carly is 19 and Ryan is 26

I'd love some more books set in university (college) ~ like Psych Major Syndrome. Just love that older protag vibe and the scene and themes that come with it.

THREE

A hope for older readers: I hope YA continues to grow in it's older adult readership.

That any shame older folk feel in raiding the YA shelves fades as YA is continually recognised as a brilliant genre for people of all ages.

This year was the first year that Aussie YA was awarded with the Prime Minister's Literary Award ~ yay for national celebration of the outstanding YA novels written for Aussie teens.

I hope the Young Adult genre is increasingly seen as a genre of intelligent, thoughtful, fun and smashing titles that impact teens and that provide quality reads for adults as well. That those outstanding YA authors are honoured and respected and celebrated and widely read. That YA authors aren't made to feel even the tiniest smidgen of a bit lesser of an author because of the age bracket they write for.

FOUR

Kind of pertaining to the YA blogosphere... and readers in general: That people would make time to discover older titles, not just chase after the shiny new ones. Also, that hidden gems wouldn't remain so overlooked in the shadow of Big Deal Hype Novels. I love to see lesser known novels shining rather than the same novel over and over again being flogged everywhere.

FIVE

Lastly, a little hope for my favourite YA authors. That they would know how much I am in awe of them ~ how much their books mean to teens and adult readers a like. And that in the current economic climate, their labours would be rewarded with publishing deals and readership support that ensures they can keep on writing :) It's a tough world out there...

Cheers,

Nomes

A side note: Mate, in general, how much do I love YA? (well, obviously, as I'm reading it :) To people who want more male POVs, strong protags, realistic love stories, compelling love triangles, and characters dealing with real teen problems ~ there's an abundance of that stuff already out there. There's so much brilliance already on the shelves if you're looking in the right places.

I hope you find the perfect YA reads for you in 2011 :)

What are your hopes for YA in 2011?

5 anticipated titles for 2011

Still rolling with Persnickety Snarks FIVE challenge. 

Five books I am anticipating ~ coming out 2011
(links, with blurbs and publishing details, go to goodreads)

My most most anticipating: Jaclyn Moriarty's Kingdom of Cello book
It's only by my most entirely favourite author ever - and a new series 'set partly in a Kingdom and partly in the real world.' It's going to be amazing. But ~ I'm scared... it maybe won't make the 2011 mark?

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell. 
Why, hello, and welcome to YA. 
I ADORE her novel Dovey Coe, am thrilled she's gone YA and have you read the blurb? How many kinds of awesomeness does it sound? the cover? Mate, I'm in love already.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. 
WHO WROTE ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS.
September 2011 FTW :)

Between Here and Forever / As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott.

Elizabeth Scott is one of my favourite authors. She writes for teens so spot on. AND she has TWO novels coming out next year. 

Can I hear an amen?

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

You know it's going to be awesome.

"It's about a boy. 
His name is Clay. 
He's building a bridge. 
And he wants that bridge to be something truly great and miraculous."

Honourable mentions ~ a la cheating on the 5 meme

Two Aussie titles ~ courtesy of BRIGID LOWRY and LILI WILKINSON

A sequel and the last in a trilogy...

What are you hanging out for in the 2011 YA scene?

winners, and hey, peace out for Christmas xo

Thanks to all who entered & so hoping you enjoyed the end of year Aussie YA thing here.

Selected via our ever-so-popular randomDOTorg are two winners who can choose any book from the left :)

Congrats to:

Anna from Cherry Banana Split

&

Tahlia 

Here's a really messy but cool list full of Aussie YA recommendations and wish-list books from everyone who entered.

Was going to fiddle with formatting and pretty it up, but hey ~ it's Christmas and I know you all don't care if it's a scrawly bumpy looking post :)

BTW ~ some of you guys are really funny! Grinned my way through reading these (haha) so THANKS!

From you guys

My favorite Aussie YA is definitely Jellicoe Road, I've been recommending it left and right ever since I finished reading it. But I also enjoyed reading Jaclyn Moriarty's books. I really want to read Graffiti Moon and Six Impossible Things.

Jaclyn Moriarty - really anything by her but especially Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments. Love those!

Anything by Melina Marchetta, Markus Zusak and Maureen McCarthy-everything I read of any of them is unforgettable.

I've only read the Tomorrow series by John Marsden. It was a good dystopian novels and I couldn't wait to see the film-adaptation. :)

I LOVE Melina Marchetta, she is one of my golden pillars of writing awesomeness.
My favorite: Jellicoe Road.
Dying to read The Piper's Son.
I would love to know more Aussie authors though!

All of Melina Marchetta & Markus Zusak's books.

you've got ALL my favourites: all the books by Melina Marchetta and the book thief!! xD

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is definitely the title I recommend most.I would love to read Stolen or Looking for Alibrandi.

Anything and I mean anything by Melina Marchetta, same with Mark Zusak. Their brilliant authors but I love the Book Theif and On the Jellicoe Road the most.

I really want to read SAVING FRANCESCA and STOLEN. Frankly any Aussie book you've featured on your site -- I want to read it!!

The book thief, everything by Jaclyn moriarty

I want to read Tomorrow When the War Began and Jellicoe Road!

I'm really looking forward to reading Stolen by Lucy Christopher as well as Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe!

saving francesca and the book thief are books i've been wanting to read for a while. my fave aussie YA would be giutar highway rose or feeling sorry for celia or the messenger. all of which are on your list funnily enough.

Saving Francesca, The Piper's Son and Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta :)

Finding Cassie Crazy and Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty

My Big Birkett by Lisa Shanahan

I love everything by Keri Arthur if you like Shifter books, you need to check the Riley Jensen series out, and I recently read Shadowfae by Erica Hayes and Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O'Hara.

Beautiful Malice by R. James and Burnt Snow by V. Bandham.

Anything by Jaclyn Moriarty. She rocks!

Everything by Melina Marchetta but especially Saving Francesca

Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

Well, all my faves are originally from your blog, but here goes:
Notes from the Teenage Underground, Feeling Sorry for Celia, and Stolen.
Just ordered TWTWB by marsden for myself... hoping it arrives by the weekend.

From the list above, I'd love Jellicoe Road!

I love me some Aussie YA. :) My favourites are probably.... Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden, Pink by Lili Wilkinson and Dreaming of Amelia by Jaclyn Moriarty.

I love Steven Herrick's The Wolf and By The River anything by Jaclyn Moriarty and of course Jellicoe Road.

Everything Beautiful. I really, really want to read this book XD

Genesis (The Rosie Black Chronicles #1) by Lara Morgan I'm dying to read this book, but Book Depository doesn't have it in store and neither does Amazon. Not cool. :/

Jellicoe Road, it's on my shelf! I just haven't read it yet. And I've heard everything beautiful is good.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher, I LOVED this book!!

I LOVED Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta but the title I really want to read (and am slightly embarrassed that I have not yet managed) is Tomorrow When The War Began.

These are my faves and I would love to own any of the as they were all borrowed from the library (bless it's soul!):
Saving Francesca, Melina Marchetta
Piper's Son, Melina Marchetta
Six Impossible Things, Fiona Wood
Beatle Meets Destiny, Gabrielle Williams
Stolen, Lucy Christopher
( I'm not positive the next two are YA...oops)
Finnickin of the Rock, Melina Marchetta
Heart's Blood (Whistling Tor 1), Juliet Marillier

I don't know much Aussie books, but I would love to read Stolen. My friend has read it and has recommended it to me :)

Jellicoe Road! :D

I'm looking forward to Stolen the most. I haven't read any others.

Jellicoe Road!!!! And Saving Francesca. I believe I'm developing a bit of an author crush on Ms. Marchetta!

Girl Saves Boy - Just finished this one and really enjoyed it

I haven't read a lot of Aussie YA, but it is hard to go past The Book Thief by Markus Zusak! I really need to read Melina Marchetta

I have actually read a lot of these!  I love the Tomorrow When the War Began series but have never gotten past the 2nd one due to their availability in America.  I plan on rectifying that situation soon!  I love both Markus Zusak and Melina Marchetta (as you know).  Feeling Sorry for Celia looks intriguing!  Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway. :)

On the Jellicoe Road

Saving Francesca

Hollywood Ending ooorrr John Belushi is Dead (as it is in the US) by Kathy Charles

The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzack is near the top of my wishlist.

The Wrath of the Silver Wolf, by Simon Higgins

Beatle Meets Destiny
The Year of Secret Assignments
Jellicoe Road

My fave Aussie read was How to Ditch Your Fairy

I haven't read any before, but the ones I've got on my to-read shelf are The Book Thief and Stolen.

You've been rec'ing me so many good Aussie YA titles. I'd really like to try one of Kirsty's novels.

I've not read as much Aussie YA as I'd have liked, in part because much of it hasn't been available in the UK. I do plan to read more of it. But two I have read and would recommend are Melina Marchetta's Looking for Alibrandi (and the film version, for which MM wrote the script, is well worth seeing) and Lucy Christopher's Stolen.

Guitar Highway Rose seems really interesting!

I love Jaclyn Moriarty! But if I won, I would LOVE to have Everything Beautiful or  My Big Birkett! Thanks for your wonderful blog!

I really want to read six impossible things, and feeling sorry for celia. my favorite of course, is jellicoe :)

I haven't read any that I know of but I have heard great things about Lili Wilkinson so I'd love to check her out.

i really dont know (; hahaha.

Kate Forsyth's The Chain of Charm series was pretty good.

Definitely Stolen by Lucy Christopher *points to the picture above* That book was fantastic! I'm always itching to get my hands on Saltwater Vampires by Kristy Eagar.

I loved Stolen by Lucy Christopher.

I really want to read The book Thief! It sounds awesome! And all of Shaun Tan's books are works of art!
I really want to read the Book Thief! And any of Shaun Tan's work is absolutely amazing!

Fury looks amazing!

DAY BY DAY ARMAGEDDON by J.L. Bourne is an AMAZING zombie novel.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher has been on my wish list for some time.

I LOVED the Book Thief.

Stolen!

Oh gawd, what don't I want to read?!  My fav is Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar (since that's the one I've gotten my hands, but the book is BRILLIANT!), but Jellicoe Road is one I am looking forward to.

Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!  I hope more Aussie lit gets published in the US!
most want to read Jellicoe Road

I've read the following quite a while ago (more than a year...?) but I can still remember their awesomeness!
Black Taxi by James Moloney
My Big Birkett by Lisa Shanahan
Borderland by Rosanne Hawke
Zenna Dare by Rosanne Hawke
Mishaps by Nansi Kunze
Starfish Sisters by J.C Burke
Nine Letters Long by J.C Burke

I'm gonna have to go with Jellicoe Road, though I Am The Messenger really blew me away as well.

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
Graffiti Moon by ""
John Bulushi is Dead by ???

Well, despite living in Australia for all my 17 years, I haven't read that much Aussie YA (how awful, I know!)
However, anything by John Marsden, most especially his Tomorrow series, holds a special literary spot in my heart.
I'd also have to say that I'm a fan of On The Jellicoe Road - a story that I really took a lot out of.
Aside from those novels and a few others, I'm a sad and sorry case. Hopefully I'll be able to change that soon though. :)

These books sound great (from your list above):
*Jellicoe Road
*Everything Beautiful
*Feeling Sorry For Celia
*Guitar Highway Rose

My 2 most favorite books are: Ghosts of Ashbury High (Dreaming of Amelia)  and Beetle Meets Destiny. I am hunting down the rest of the Ashbury series with no luck(. And i just added Good Oil to my TBR pile).

Loved, loved, loved Stolen!!

Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series is a favourite of mine!

I loved Saving Francesca, Tomorrow When the War Began, and The Book Thief but I haven't read the rest of the books by those authors. I'd love to, though!

Some Aussie books I want to read: The Piper's Son, Looking for Alibrandi, Graffiti Moon and Stolen

I want to read A LOT of aussie titles...but right now I´m mostly curious about Melina Marchetta´s LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI. :)

Have an awesome Christmas, yeah? 

It's already Christmas here ~ wahoo!

It's, ah, raining here (again, again, again) but we'll be hanging out down at the beach for a bit anyway :)

The Best of Aussie YA - Wrap Up

About the mini series & best of Aussie YA current give-away

in case you missed it:

 1 - Tye from The Book Gryffin

2 - Steph from My Girl Friday

3 - Jess from The Tales Compendium

4 Nic from Irresistible Reads

5 - Vee from Musty Pages

Me: 9 favourite Aussie books this year

Me: 5 of my all-time fave Aussie authors

I so loved hearing from everyone what Aussie YA books they love, hey. Hope you guys did too. Here's a visual of all the books featured in this series ~ all the recommendations on one funky inspirational post :)

Thank you SO much to all my guest posters ~ and all my enthusiastic commenters. I love how you guys get just as pumped about Aussie YA as me :)

And, hey, the rest of this post is just one long scroll of awesomeness ;)

From Ty:

My Girl Friday:

Jess:

From Nic:

From Vee:

From Me :) 

Also, a couple of people were asking where to buy Aussie YA internationally. Honestly, it's tough. I do know The Book Depository only stocks some titles ~ in case you were interested I made a list of what titles they stock that were mentioned in this series.

A couple more asked where to start with Jaclyn Moriarty. I always recommend either: Finding Cassie Crazy (also published as The Year of Secret Assignments) OR Feeling Sorry for Celia

Will announce two winners of the Aussie YA give-away tomorrow. You can still enter here. All titles in the give-away are from books featured in this series

The following titles mentioned in this mini series are available through The Book Depository with free international postage:

• Beatle Meets Destiny
• I am the Messenger
• The Book Thief
• Jellicoe Road
• The Piper's Son (pre-order for March 2011)
• Looking For Alibrandi
• Saving Francesca
• Finnikin of the Rock
• Pink (Aussie edition available/US hard cover on pre-order)
• My Big Birkett (also published as The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly Completely Lost it)
• Everything Beautiful
• Feeling Sorry For Celia (plus all of Jaclyn Morairty's books)
• Guitar Highway Rose
• So Much To Tell You
• Tomorrow When the War Began (plus complete series)
• Beautiful Malice
• John Belushi is Dead
• Stolen
• One Whole and Perfect Day - Judith Clarke
• In Ecstasy Kate McCafferty
• Grace - Morris Gleitzman (pre-order for March 2011)
• Once - Morris Gleitzman
• Thursdays Child - Sonya Hartnett
• Butterfly - Sonya Hartnett
• The Simple Gift
• By the River
• Cold Skin
• most of Kirsty Murray's books

ALSO the ever-so-lovely Chachic just brought Better World Books to my attention. Another book shop with FREE international postage. They also stock second hand titles ~ which is BRILLIANT as you can get older and out of print titles, sometimes at a bargain price. I haven't spent much time dawdling around on there, but it could have some Aussie gems and might be worth checking out :) (I already found an out of print New Zealand YA book I have been desperate to get my hands on...)

Peace out,

Nomes xo