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.