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:
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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.
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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
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19 Responses to Smugglivus Day 3 – Guest Author: Melissa Marr
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I have a great love for Eloisa James, and am exceedingly pleased Melissa shares this love!
I couldn’t agree more about Eloisa James! She is one of my top favourite romance writers and her Desperate Duchesses series is made of awesome. I find it a shame that she is so rarely reviewed in the romance blogs.
Great picks! I’m reading Beautiful Creatures right now
Thanks for the shout out, Melissa. And I am a Robin McKinley girl, all the way. SUNSHINE is brilliant!
I love’d Sunshine too. But it’s Malissa Marr I love above all else, she’s one of the few authors I go completely fan girl for (& that’s pretty rare for me). Can’t wait for Radiant Shadows or the Wicked Lovely movie!
Ginny, you can check out http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/1990-radiant-shadows-wicked-lovely-4 I’m giving away 10 copies of SHADOWS. I’m also giving away another 20+ copies for videos & linking said videos http://melissa-writing.livejournal.com/388315.html
Margie, yes, SUNSHINE is brilliant. I’m so giddy that they’re re-issuing it as a YA.
Brooke,
I made the mistake of starting late in the day & had to stay up to finish BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. I’ll be starting in the morning when I get the sequel.
Sarah & Ana, I keep trying to find a historical I like as well, but none can match Eloisa James.
Ana & Thea, thanks, as ever, for inviting me to be on your blog. *smooches for the Cheeky Ones*
I <3 Melissa Marr…really like all of her books.
Can't wait for Radiant Shadows and the Wicked Lovely movie!
Hi
Thank you for the great list of books Melissa. Thank you very much for sharing.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Melissa, great list of books, new and old. I, like many others, love Robin McKinley. But really interested in 3 days to dead…Great cover..
I just came across your blog through several different links, and I think it’s wonderful! Will definitely be following you. And I love the ideal of Smugglivus
Great list of books! Adding more to my “to buy” list.
*grumble* I bought NICE GIRLS DON’T HAVE FANGS today. Melissa tipped me over the edge…
I’ve been hearing good things, and it looks like a lot of fun.
I’ve already read the first couple of chapters and it’s soooo good!
Nice to see I have so many other book-loves in common with Melissa. SUNSHINE… *happy sigh*
Cheers,
Kaz
To Melissa Marr:
My god I’d love to, but I live in England! *cries* Guess I’ll just have to wait for the UK release here.
*Fan girl moment*
OMG I can’t believe Melissa Mar spoke to me!!!!!! *screams*
*Fan girl moment over*
Yeah, bummer.
I’m smack in the middle of Beautiful Creatures and such a wonderful, spooky, romantic, all consuming read.
will definitely check out Sunshine & Eloisa James!
Thanx for the rec’s Melissa!
hadn’t known of them before.
I really enjoyed Immortal & Molly Harpers books, and the rest are on my tbr list already so I’m excited
Can hardly wait till April
Great article! Since you recommended those books, I ran out and bought two of them, Beautiful Creatures and Splendor Falls-the rest are on the TBB list
Sunshine is one of the best vampire books out there-I have two copies because my first one fell apart. That is exciting news they are going to re-issue as YA. That book does stay with you for months after reading it.
Your books are incredible; I love how you really are not afraid to put anyone into a situation that isn’t real-You do really put Ash through the ringer (not that she doesn’t deserve it sometimes). If I am at the bookstore and someone is looking at your books, I am always “begging” them to buy the books (they probably think I am a crazy book stalker, on well!)
[...] Melissa Marr, author of Fragile Eternity, at the Book Smugglers [...]
I’m just going to have to check out Eloise James and Sunshine sounds great!
Melissa’s the 2nd person this week who’s mentioned the Kelly Meding book. Onto the wishlist it goes!