Reviews

[Love Is Murder Conference]

I have 45 books near my bed right now. I don't say nightstand, as that is long since covered with books. Some are know on a dresser, and on the floor. I have one review due Monday, a column due in two weeks of 7 -8 reviews, and a couple other mystery titles that I need to review in two weeks as well.

In one of the other blogs I read, there was a discussion about whether or not it is smart marketing for authors to court libraries and librarians. There are of course, many many good reasons to get involved with librarians. Not the least of which is the number of librarians who review for the major journals. Libraries get free books when the librarian reviews. I also review to stay current on the latest teen and adult mysteries. A favorite author of mine has a new book coming out in January. I asked one of my writing assignments if I could review it because 1. I know I'll like it based on my reaction to her other books, and 2. I get it early. I suppose there is also the little reason of helping my profession with reviews so other libraries know to order good books.

So how can I review so many titles in so little time? It's pretty easy, actually. Many of the teen books I brought home are not as good as I'd hoped. If I know 30 pages in it's not a traditional mystery or any good, it goes in the 'probably not' pile.

Who publishes my review is another factor. I had the pleasure of meeting Carol Fitzgerald of the Book Report Network several years ago at a BEA panel on teen trends where we both spoke. She invited me to review for Bookreporter.com and Teenreads.com. Both get over 150,000 hits a month. But they have a unique style that is sometimes a challenge for me, being used to writing critical reviews for librarian journals. We are supposed to write positive reviews, or we can choose not to do a review for a book. Also, when the readers of reviews are teens, the tone is more conversational.

I used to review professional titles for some journals, and teen fiction with my teen advisory board. We would each write and rate titles, and that was always revealing too. Often the teens were harsher than I was, as they have no patience for being talked down to, which happens in some teen books.

I now also do a column for every other issue of Crimespree Magazine. I do this for a few reasons. 1. I don't like the current trend of discounting YA and childrens' mysteries in some arenas. Bouchercon bothers me with this notion. When I led a panel on youth mystery authors last year in Madison, one of whom had won the National Book Award recently, the booksellers refused to carry their books, saying people wanted only adult titles. Really? And they learned this how? That was a chicken and egg scenario. Our room was packed - no one wanted the titles in there? Very odd. Also, the fact that a panel on writing mysteries for youth even happened was the result of the nagging I and another author did. Some conference planners for this conference don't think folks want to write for youth. Frankly, I have yet to meet the author who does not have some ideas of writing for children or young adults in some fashion in some way. I just read another horrendous title from a NYT bestselling author, female this time, who thinks she can do YA. She really really can't. That didn't even go do the 'probably not' pile - it went back to the library. **Thanks to the reader who correctly identified James Patterson from my trivia question in a previous blog post. She is going to receive an autographed book as a prize. Can anyone figure out who I mean this time?

But back to Bouchercon. This year the YA category was eliminated from the Anthonys due to lack of good titles nominated. Again, appalling. Folks, there were mysteries written last year better than any adult titles I've read - ever. So I can now get to my other main reason for reviewing for Crimespree - respect for Ruth and Jon Jordan. Ruth has asked me and another librarian to suggest titles for next year's Bouchercon so the category is not dropped again. Bless her! The magazine that family produces is fun and intellectual and they try very hard to promote all levels of mystery reading and trends. I love Jon's graphic novel writeups too. All in all, it's pretty rewarding writing for them. If only I wouldn't let the reading all go to the last minute...

[Jana Oliver]

I'll be honest, I had no clue that YA mysteries were being shunned by the Anthony. It doesn't make much sense. What better time to "hook" young readers on mystery and crime fiction than in their teens? And what better way to get notice for top notch book than bestowing awards upon them?

Since there is such interest in YA paranormal right now, there is no reason one can't blend a bit of the supernatural with a strong mystery to appeal to young readers. It works for adults.

Hopefully Bouchercon will reinstate the YA category for the Anthonys. I applaud your efforts to supply them with a list of excellent YA reads.