Revision update: Contrary to my lack of confidence yesterday, I buckled down and just finished my revision! Yay! Now on to beta reads. Fingers crossed.
The 2010 ALSC Award winners were announced earlier this week and with them, they bring an opportunity.
We all know that reading good books is one of the best ways to learn how to write — that and write, write, write, of course. And these best-of lists are a great way to find new books to put in your must-read list.
Now, one thing to keep in mind: The books in these lists cover all different genres, and you generally want to read the best books in the genre you write. So, if you’re writing a young adult coming-of-age novel, it might not help you to read a picture book or middle-grade fantasy. So, before you click over to Amazon and order every book on the American Library Association’s list, do some research and see which ones should make it into your shopping cart — or onto your library card.
On that note, I write middle-grade fantasy and I can’t wait to get my hands on Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. (Here’s a great review by Abby (the) Librarian).
Despite the genre, books with great writing, plot and/or characters are also good to read no matter how well they complement what you write, so load up.
What books are in your wish to read list?
Write On!
