Teen Reader Awards & Best Book from September
So, the Teen Reader Awards (a poll run by the Canadian book chain Indigo — ah, I used to spend many an afternoon at Chapters & Indigo) have been announced. Over 300,000 people voted. Way to go teens for supporting literature!
So who won you ask?
Here are the results:
- Best Read: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Best all time fave: Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
- Best teen series: Vampire Academy: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
- Best book-to-flick: Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
- Best hero: Percy Jackson from The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
- Best villain: Alice Milthorpe from Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
- Best new writer: Fallen by Kate Lauren
- Best hottie: Jace Waylaynd from Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
- Best lip lock: Bella & Edward from Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
- Best Canadian read: Darkest Power: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
No real shockers there, although I must admit I hadn’t heard of Darkest Power by Kelley Armstrong — it’s on my list now!
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And onto Road Trip Wednesday from the writers at YAHighway: Best Book I read in September.
Well, I fell head-over-heels for M.K. Hobson’s The Native Star and got sucked into a great manuscript from a fellow writer, but…the best book I read… Hmmmm.
It’s gonna have to be The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. I know, I know — I’m amazed I haven’t read it before either. It’s a MUST READ for writers.
I don’t care if you “don’t believe” or subscribe to the Hero’s Journey concept, you should still give this book a thorough read-through. I’ve always been skeptical (I mean, my heroine isn’t reluctant!), but then I read the The Writer’s Journey. Turns out The Spirit-Hunters does follow the hero’s journey. Right down to the the very last period.
Huh.
Still not a believer? That’s fine. But you should still learn the steps and history of storytelling — you can’t “break” the rules unless you know them. Heck, it’s a really interesting book for non-writers too.
Oh, and be sure to get the 3rd Edition. It’s got a lot more wisdom, examples, and helpful diagrams.
So on to you — what was the best book you read in September?
-S.
September 29, 2010 @ 2:47 pm
sounds really cool and I’m such a n00b I hadn’t heard of it,
thanks for the rec!
September 29, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
You’re not “such a noob” — and like I said, I hadn’t read it until now! It’s great, though… I definitely think it’ll help me for the next novel I deign to write.
September 29, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
I haven’t read The Writer’s Journey but I’ve heard it and now it’s on my must read list.
September 30, 2010 @ 6:27 am
I’ve been a big fan of Vogler’s stuff for ages — I’m sold, I’m going to grab the third edition. Bless you, Book Depository. I find his structure really handy for brainstorming plot. Your plot doesn’t necessarily have to follow the structure he outlines, but when I’m stuck, I look at the next step in his structure, and ask myself what could happen next that would fit with that step. It keeps the thoughts moving!
October 1, 2010 @ 4:02 am
So glad THG won best read. Thank you for the congratulations too!
December 21, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
Canada for the win! I’m sorry to say I only liked HP and Percy Jackson on that list of winners; Cassandra Clare is already too popular for me to consider reading her (yes, my mind works in strange ways). Twilight and Hunger Games were turn-offs for me. I think I like male protagonists.
Did I say it yet? Canada for the win! PS: I’m from the Nation’s Capital. 😀
December 22, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
Oh, I love Ottawa! I went there for a conference (when I lived in Ontario), and it was great. The people were so friendly, and I LOVED the museums.
December 22, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Oh yeah, we have some killer museums. I think some other cities were protesting because the government was putting them all in O-town. 🙂