I received a press release this week that I could not resist sharing with you. The facts are interesting and relevant — and oh yeah, they offered up a cool giveaway. Do you agree with the blurb? Do you see yourself in it?
Do you look for books that have just the right amount of fantasy, romance and excitement which act as the perfect anecdote to the craziness of the real world and life’s adult-sized problems? The Twilight series has certainly peaked people’s interest in paranormal romance, science fiction and fantasy and opened the door for books that, although considered “young adult fiction,” are now widely read by many, many adults. The numbers don’t lie: a recent survey revealed that 47 percent of 18- to 24-year-old women say most of the books they buy are classified as young adult (YA). In fact, nearly one in five 35- to 44-year-olds say they most frequently buy YA books for themselves. So, if you secretly LOVE to curl up with a great book teeming with romance, faeries (or vampires or angels or ghosts or mindreaders!) and teenage angst – you are NOT alone!!!!
As a response to the groundswell, the Smart Chicks Kick It Tour was created. The twelve-city, two week tour features eighteen of today’s most buzzed writers of young adult paranormal romance – from international bestsellers and award winners to the genre’s hottest newcomers.
Attending a stop on this tour would make for a very fun mom’s night out (or a terrific way to bond with your teen). Featuring six to nine Chicks at every venue, the author line up in every city will be different so no two events will be exactly the same. Here’s the link to the tour information, including dates, times, locations and who will be appearing at each stop.
The tour kicks off in Austin, Texas on September 13. The other cities on the tour (ending September 25), including Houston, TX, Jackson, MS, Scottsdale, AZ, Menlo Park, CA, Pasadena, CA, San Diego, CA, Naperville, IL, Dayton, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Brampton, Ontario.
Three authors will be at all the stops (Alyson Noel, author of the Immortals series, linked to my review, Mary Marr, author of the Wicked Lovely series, Kelley Armstrong, the author of Darkest Powers series), and the others vary, but include Mary Pearson, author of The Adoration of Jenna Fox, linked to my review. For a complete list of dates and times and authors, check out this list.
Leave a comment if you’d like to win a surprise pack of three randomly selected books from the authors appearing on tour. Just leave a comment if you’d like to win (U.S. and Canadian residents only). We’ll announce the winner on September 22. I’d also love to know if you are one of the women mentioned, who enjoy YA just for you. I know I am!
This giveaway is closed!
Here are the winners of giveaways that closed this week. We still have several giveaways open, so check them out. You can also subscribe to our feed, and/or follow us @5M4B on Twitter.
- Amish Proverbs: Bekahcubed
- Nanny McPhee Returns: #12 Barb@1Sentence Diary, #7 edj, #11 Page Turner, Heather
- Her Fearful Symmetry: #34 Carolyn and #8 Weng-Him Cheung.
Who wouldn’t want new books?!
My DIL recently confessed to her liking of YA fiction and fantasy and gave interesting reviews of several. Now I’m curious.
I have always loved YA (I was a middle school teacher before SAHM). I loved the Twilight series, but haven’t tried out the other new paranormal writers… as I’ve been more in the picture book realm recently. Would love to though!
I don’t typically read YA, BUT I love books written for all ages, so I think I would enjoy these!
I would gift these to my daughter, she does YA reading and loves it.
I’d sure like to win. Thanks for the possibility!
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
This looks like fun.
Love books – love to win!
I am in my twenties, and am proud to say that I have still not outgrown my love of YA fiction. I always say that there is something special about a book that is written for teens- the author is free to explore the tough subjects and emotions and issues without the pressure of writing for adults. Emotions seem more real, characters more lovable, danger more extreme, and love more enticing. Give me a YA book any day!
Katie–that’s exactly what I love about it (and middle grade lit too).
This would be terrific. I read anything I get my hands on.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to be entered to win. I am really into the paranormal romances and YA reads right now.
YA fiction is kinda like my guilty pleasure. I enjoy them so much. They are just fun. 🙂
I would love to be included. And I really do love YA mainly for me, but if I find something really good I will try to get my niece to read it too.
Donna–it’s great to read with the teens in our life. I love sharing great stuff with my daughter, too.
And you won! So please reply to this email notification and send me your address.
I’d love this!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’d love a chance at winning!
I would love to win! Thanks so much for the chance
These books sound Great !!
Always need a new book to read, thanks.
I’ve started reading paranormal books, since son showed an interest in the Twilight series, and I’m reading Eclipse at the moment. I’m interested in this giveaway!
I read YA mostly to see what my daughter’s reading, but I agree that well-written YA transcends the genre and I admit to enjoying certain books. And my daughter would LOVE to win some new books 🙂
That was my primary motivation, but now I’m reading a lot more that I KNOW she won’t be reading for a few years, and then when I DO read something that I like that I know she would like, I end up letting her read it, even though I think it would probably be better for her to wait a year or two. I don’t know what that says about me as a parent!
All new authors for me, would be great for the teen, please count me in!
would love ‘to win’ a surprise package…thanks 🙂
I adore YA! I hope I can get over to Jackson to see them… SO wish it wasn’t on a Thursday…
I’d love to win a surprise packet of three books! Reading is one of my only ways of “getting away”! Thanks for the wonderful contest!
Who could ever resist free books???? eawa I love to loose myself into someone else’s hand be lost for hours. Great giveaway.
I could go for some new awesome books 🙂
I would love to win this pack-a surprise is always nice!
Actually, I think my YA love began with the “Twilight” books, then continued with Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, and was pounded in by Graceling. So, I definitely read YA for myself! BUT, I also have a 17-year-old and a 21-year-old reader who grab “my” YA books as soon as they see them!
Never read YA. But hey…..
I love YA – always on the lookout for new series and authors. Love fantasy.
I’d like to be entered to win.
This books sounds like a great read this fall
while sitting in front of a roaring fireplace…
Thanks, Cindi
I have to admit I have circled the YA section at the library looking for a quick, fun read. I am actually kind of embarrassed about it…maybe with these stats I really shouldn’t be. LOL!
Awesome! I actually haven’t had a chance to read any of these authors yet, but have heard so many great things about them that I would love the chance!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I have read a few YA’s but to be honest i just read what I like & that’s a pretty big variety.
Please enter ms, thanks.
[email protected]
There is some really impressive YA fiction out there. Would love to win these and give these authors a try! Thanks for the chance to win.
safoga at gmail dot com