Thursday, September 16, 2010

2010 BBAW - Forgotten Books?

Today, we've been asked to come up with a book that we feel has been kind of forgotten.

Forgotten Treasure
Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction.  This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!

Ugh! I don't know about you, but this is a tricky one for me. Like many of you, I get caught up in the "big books" and the new releases. I know it's not necessarily a good thing, but I love all of the hype surrounding new books and I tend to read the same books as many fellow bloggers.

I don't read a lot of classics, but I did read two excellent ones this year -- EAST OF EDEN and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Obviously, neither one of these books count as a forgotten classic!

However, I have also read quite a few more recent releases that I've enjoyed a great deal. And, for whatever reason, I haven't seen a ton of coverage for them in the blogosphere -- yet!

Since I am coming off of the 2010 Lititz Kid Lit Festival, I thought I'd mention a couple of wonderful Young Adult books that I think many of you would just love:

THE DUST OF 100 DOGS by A.S. King - I absolutely adore Amy and she truly blew me away with the novel. It is dark, edgy and unlike anything you've ever read. Plus, it has girl pirates -- what could be better?

Summary: In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with "the dust of one hundred dogs," dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body-with her memories intact.

Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica. -- Flux

Amy also has another fantastic book coming out in a few weeks that is a must read -- PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ.



THE DARK DAYS OF HAMBURGER HALPIN by Josh Berk - You can read my review here, but I truly loved this murder mystery about a very funny teen boy who also happens to be deaf.

Summary: Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)

Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut. -- Knopf


What book do you think I just have to read?

10 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I just picked up East of Eden yesterday at the library's on-going booksale (10 cents) and in very good condition as well...LOL

bermudaonion said...

I totally agree with you on The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin! It's a gem! I'll have to seek out The Dust of 100 Dogs.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I too hope to see more coverage for The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin!

Pam Pho said...

The titles on both those books kept me away. A great forgotten classic that I read a lot is Moll Flanders!

Jo-Jo said...

East of Eden and To Kill a Mockingbird are a couple of my all-time favorites! I haven't heard of the others you mentioned though.

Sherry said...

Looking over your blog, I think you might like Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger. I feature it here: http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=2067

Sam and Boo Book Reviews said...

Oooh. A reincarnating female pirate whose last 100 lives have been canine? That sound bizarre enough I'm going to have to check it out. Thanks!

S. Krishna said...

East of Eden and To Kill a Mockingbird are both great classic suggestions!

Maw Books said...

Thanks for the nudge Julie. I've seen both the books you mentioned around but I love the title of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin. On the list it goes!

Tribute Books said...

Love East of Eden, thanks!