Sad news today.  Maurice Sendak has passed away.

(photo and art by Debbie Ohi)

Veronica Roth reading from somewhere in the middle of INSURGENT

Last night in Cincinnati, a rock-star author visited Joseph Beth Booksellers (our local indie) to a huge crowd.  Kristan, Stephanie, and Sarah were close to the front so we had a pretty good view.  We hadn't been to such a big signing before, and while we think it's great for Veronica Roth (and JB) to have such a turn-out, we kind of prefer the smaller events.  It's awesome to get to interact with the authors and chat.  Big events sort of negate that option.  But the atmosphere was fantastic, and it was great to see lots of teens out in the crowd asking questions.

Look at all these people!  (photo from Joseph Beth's facebook page) Also, if you look far right, halfway up, that's Steph (with the great hair) and Sarah (in the white top)

Proof that John Green's influence is everywhere:  When Veronica was asked what she's reading right now, she mentioned THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and the audience cheered and clapped.  She also said she reads a lot of books that aren't out yet, like Leigh Bardugo's SHADOW AND BONE.  (We can't wait for this one too!  Go here and pre-order, get a free map).

We Heart YA: l. to r.  Sarah, Kristan, Stephanie and Veronica Roth!

While we waited to get some books signed and photos taken, we grabbed some dinner at Bronte Cafe, which is right in the bookstore.  They have the BEST food.  So yummy.  Except...would you drink something this green??

The only one brave enough to try the "Dauntless" at Bronte Cafe inside Joseph Beth Booksellers

We don't usually gush over book releases because so many other book bloggers do that part so well, but did you know you can now get your hands on a copy of Kristin Cashore's BITTERBLUE?!?  As Vector says in Despicable Me, "Oh yeah!"



Also, word on the street is that PRETTY AMY by Lisa Burstein is also available.  Best hashtag of the week goes to her editor Stacy Abrams tweeting her favorite lines from the book #prettyamy:

YA literature is juicy, hot, delicious, and filling -- but is that enough?


Whether you’re a young-at-heart adult like us, or a real live bona fide teenager, we could all use some variety in our literary diet. It’s like the food pyramid, but with books: consuming different genres, styles, and subjects will help you grow strong and healthy bones -- er, brains. So if you’re trying to figure out how to add veggies and fiber to your reading feast, we’ve got a few tasty ideas.

(Note: This will be a recurring feature. Probably. Unless you hate it. In which case, we weren’t here and this never happened.)

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Recently we stumbled onto this absolute GEM of a book. Seriously, go get it now and be prepared to transform.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

You will laugh and groan at Victoria’s social ineptitude. You will scream at her when she is SO FREAKING CLOSE to happiness but still can’t figure out how let herself have it. Your heart will break and mend, break and mend.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. It’s too lovely not to.

BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY by Helen Fielding

Maybe you’ve heard of this one? (Or watched it. Mmm, Colin Firth…) Well, even if you’ve seen the movie, the book is worth a read. But be warned: you might find yourself snorting with laughter, so don’t drink anything unless you’re cool with it coming out your nose.

Bridget Jones’s Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget’s permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement -- a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult -- and learn to program the VCR. Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds… but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic.

In a world full of vampires, werewolves, and fallen angels, not to mention evil governments and brutal battles to the death, we could use an awkward, optimistic heroine. Bella may be wish fulfillment, and Katniss may be a role model, but Bridget Jones is real. Bridget Jones is the everywoman. Bridget Jones is funny, ridiculous, British. What more do you need?



Well, those are our ideas for today. What about you guys? Read any good non-YA lately?

Congratulations to our Iron Fey giveaway winner--Jessica T! And big thanks to everyone for participating and spreading the word. Also, voting is now closed for the Independent Book Blogger Awards, and we can't wait to see which fantastic blogger won!

It's going to be hard to do a Twitter roundup without saying something about the recent accusations of plagiarism surrounding The Story Siren. Without "choosing sides," the girls at We Heart YA just want to say that plagiarism is wrong. In a community of readers and writers, there's nothing worse than taking someone's hard work and not crediting the source. Sharing good ideas, good posts, good writing is the best part of blogging--linking to each other's reviews and discussions is part of the deal. There's no shame in giving credit where it's due. In fact, that's the humblest and most noble thing to do. It's why we're a community.

In support of Teen Lit Day, we are totally droppin' it like it's hot. And by it, we mean books. And by droppin', we mean leaving them in a public place for someone to find and enjoy. This awesome initiative was started by readergirlz a few years ago, and you can learn more at their site.

So if you're in the Cincy area (specifically around Loveland) keep an eye out for these:


If you're not in the Cincy area, we'd still like to "drop" a little something for you. Think of it as a thank you for all your support/votes in the Independent Book Blogger Awards. (Psst: Voting is open through April 23rd. *wink wink*)

Anyway, how would y'all like SIGNED copies of the Iron Fey series, books 1-3?


ONE winner will receive ALL 3 books. If you would like to be that winner, please enter by commenting on this post by April 23rd. If you rocked the drop, tell us which book(s) you set free. If you didn't rock the drop, tell us which book(s) you'd love to find in the wild.

Winner will be announced on our Tues, April 24th post. Must have US mailing address.

Also, this isn't a requirement, but we'd love for you to spread the word about our giveaway. Thanks!!

- the WHYA girls

PS: Kristan did a really fun interview about blogging, books, and diversity for the All Things Asian celebration. She's also giving away 2 copies of her ebook TWENTY-SOMEWHERE, about 3 best friends tackling life after college. Check it out, yeah? Man, we're all about the free books today. ;)