Welcome to a VERY overdue installment of “What’s on the Nightstand.” First, I need to give our new friends from Belarus a shout out. Welcome! P.S., I totally had to get out a map to find you guys. Thanks for teaching me something new and please visit often! J
The good news of the day is that my book, UNWILLING, is once again a complete manuscript. *cheering, firecrackers and pompoms of GLORY all around!!* This revision has had me by the throat for several months but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading some great books in my microscopic amount of spare time.
I have been awed by the talent in this batch of writers. If you’re looking for some amazing new stories, there are plenty on this list to keep you busy for a while. So give a book and its creator some love and I’ll catch you guys next week with a brand new snippet from UNWILLING.
Till Then,
KD
65. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson – This book goes in my top ten for 2012. I love what Rae did with these characters. It’s a meaty, deep and intense ride start to finish. 
66. Unicorns and Zombies (Anthology) – This was a cool read and exactly what I needed to break the YA reading rut I fell into a few months ago. All excellent writers with a zinger sense of humor.
67. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher – This is actually one I picked up at the Hernando Library on CD. And I’m glad I did. Jay weaves a very serious message in this story. By the halfway mark I found myself so heavily invested I had an actual, physical pain in my chest. Not my usual kind of read but a good one. 
68. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
69. A Million Suns by Beth Revis – Beth taps into that part of me that loves Star Trek with this series. Both are excellent stories and I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next for these characters with the next installment. Nashville, TN peeps, if you’d like a chance to meet Beth and some other cool writers. She, along with Stephanie Perkins, Tessa Gratton, Victoria Schwab, Sonia Gensler, and Myra McEntire will be at Parnassus Books in Nashville on October 28th (2:00p.m.). And if you tell me you went, I shall keel over with the envies because I want to go so BAD!
70. Wicked Game by Jeri Smith Ready
71. Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith Ready – Who doesn’t love a scintillating vampire story partnered with great music? With this series you get both! Though not wearing her YA hat for these books, Jeri has created a fantastic world for adults where vampires rule the night time radio waves.
And now for MORE from Jeri:
72. Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith Ready 
73. Voice of Crow by Jeri Smith Ready – I really enjoyed immersing myself in this story. With these books Jeri created a dystopian series that held me captivated with so many questions even after I closed the book. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games these are an excellent next step for older teens and adults. 
74. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg – This was a clean and fun story to read. It wasn’t so heavy that I slogged through it but still had texture to its bones. I highly recommend this book for teens. 
75. Red Glove by Holly Black – A great next chapter for these characters. I’m anxious to see what Holly has in store for them. 
76. Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller – I love books based in the south! Kristen writes excellent dialogue and that’s one of my favorite things in a story. Definitely something different from the other YA’s out there right now and worth a read. 
77. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – This is the ONLY book with “shade of gray” in its title you will see me talking about. This book is also in my top ten of 2012. It’s a fabulous story about a young girl’s experience through a very dark time in our history. My oldest son also gave the book two thumbs up. And he’s even harder to please than I am. If you haven’t read it, DO SO, immediately.
78. Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey – Zombie love story? Yes, please J I love me some zombie stories. This is a great read with excellent characters. 
79. Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry – My oldest son and I had been waiting for this one with baited breath. After reading it, my kid says Mr. Maberry is a bit of a sadist to his readers LOL! But hey, in my book that makes for an excellent story. Well done and I highly recommend this series for teens and adults. 
80. Hourglass by Myra McEntire
81. Timepiece by Myra McEntire – Time travel with an exceptionally crafted group of characters set in a realistic, non-Gothic south? Yes, Ma’am! May I have another please! I had the pleasure of meeting Myra on her tour stop in Memphis. What a cool lady! These books are wonderful and I highly recommend them for teens and adults. Also, for Springhill, TN peeps, Myra will be at your Books A Million on October 24th at 6:00 p.m. She’s a blast to talk to so drop by and get your copy of Hourglass and Timepiece signed. 
82. The Siren by Tiffany Reisz
83. The Angel by Tiffany Reisz – Though I’m writing YA, I still read all different kinds of books. At Myra’s signing a few weeks ago, one of the ladies mentioned Tiffany’s work. I decided to give The Siren a try after she raved about it so. Boy am I glad I did. Tiffany’s writing blows that 50 sack of swill out of the water. From the first line, her writing sets hooks into your skin and won’t let go. Each line is crisp and funny and tragic all at the same time. This is exceptional, exceptional, exceptional writing and a story full of characters that will burrow into your flesh and heart. But it’s not for the prudish. Adults only. 
