Smugglivus Day 29 – Guest Blogger: Amy of My Friend Amy

Welcome to Smugglivus – Day 29!

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: Amy, the blogging force of nature behind My Friend Amy. Not only does Amy run her own blog, but she also undertakes the massive coordination effort of creating, organizing and executing Book Blogger Appreciation Week! We know how busy Amy can be, so we were thrilled when she agreed to write us a piece for Smugglivus.

Ladies and gents, the lovely Amy!

I was so excited that Thea and Ana invited me to post for Smugglivus! I think the world of them both and their ability to add to my wishlist!

I have no one special genre that I specialize in at my blog…I will pretty much read anything that catches my attention. Therefore my list of favorite reads might seem a bit eclectic.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown certainly wins points for making me cry every other page.

This fantastic book, told from the perspective of a school shooter’s girlfriend, was layered and rich in characterization. There were no clear criminals and plenty of emotions to go around. I am definitely looking forward to more from Jennifer Brown.

I also loved the latest installment in Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely Series. Fragile Eternity raised the stakes for all our key players and was filled to the brim with delicious teen angst. I loved every second.

I personally think no 2009 list is complete without a mention of Catching Fire the second book in the addictive YA dystopian series.

I sacrificed a night of sleep to get tickets to stand in line for this book at BEA and when I read it, I wasn’t at all disappointed. I also find myself dragged into a Team Peeta/Team Gale debate every so often on Twitter, and all I have to say to that is Gale rhymes with fail.

On the more quiet literary front, I fell in love with the writing of Beth Kephart. I even tried to start a little campaign to encourage people to buy her newest YA offering, Nothing But Ghosts, which was a beautiful book about loss and healing. Beth writes so beautifully her words must be savored as you read and enjoy.

I also loved Short Girls by Bich Minh Nguyen which had some of the finest characterization I’ve read all year. A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman wrecked my heart with its exploration of class and priviledge.

And finally, since I’m known for my reviews of Christian fiction, my favorite books in this genre of the year include The Passion of Mary Margaret by Lisa Samson and Love’s Pursuit by Siri Mitchell, both novels about love and taking risks to both love and be loved.

I’m incredibly excited for 2010! I am very much looking forward to Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr, Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer, Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart and The Passage by Justin Cronin. I’ve received an advanced review copy of that last one and I’m dying to dig into it over break.

On my own blog, if you stop by, I’m also endeavoring to read more graphic novels in the coming year, read more about various issues of social injustice around the world in coordination with the Social Justice Reading Challenge, and of course keep up with all the latest and greatest in the genres I love. Here’s to another fabulous year of reading!

Thanks Amy!

Next on Smugglivus: Harry of Temple Library Reviews