Comments on: Review – The Screwed-Up Life of Charlie the Second by Drew Ferguson

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:42:34 +0000

okay trish I just read this one – my review will be posted tomorrow – and I want to know what your quibble is! so email me and we’ll talk.

By: Nerds Heart YA! « A High and Hidden Place

Nerds Heart YA! « A High and Hidden Place — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:48:03 +0000

[...] and Vasilly judged The Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second and Debbie Harry Sings In French. Trish shares their decision [...]

By: HAPPY HYPERLINK FUN TIMES: Nerds Heart YA Isn’t Dead, I’m Just a Terrible Person « YA Fabulous » keeping it awesome since 2007

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:36:32 +0000

[...] and Vasilly judged The Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second and Debbie Harry Sings In French. Trish shares their decision [...]

By: Jodie

Jodie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:46:15 +0000

I love the realisations that this book and the conversations you ahd with people about it brought you. I think it’s really important for all adults reading and reviewing YA to remember that these books were originally written for teens, even though we may all enjoy them as well. When I was a teenager I wanted to read some illicit books (not porn, more things that delat with sexuality) and I was able to because my parents were fairly permissive when it came to reading, but also because adults just weren’t as aware of what sort of issues were discussed in YA. Now we see parents forbidding their kids from reading certain types of books that aren’t harmful, but that do deal with older subjects and I think that’s such a shame. If I had to choose one secret my kids had from me I’d rather it was reading books that featured some swear words than drugs or drinking. Everyone has to explore a little at that age and books really are one of the safest ways for teens to do so.

Ok off soapbox and back to Retweet your decision!

By: Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books

Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:55:45 +0000

Isn’t it great that, although reading is a solitary pursuit, our discussions with other people (online and IRL) can really add to our understanding of (and appreciation for), a book!? Like you, I wouldn’t have picked this up on my own, but the insights you got from your conversations during/after reading it are priceless.

By: Natasha @ Maw Books

Natasha @ Maw Books — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:06:49 +0000

Glad I wasn’t chosen to read this book for the tourney. It reminds me of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:26:25 +0000

I hadn’t heard of this one before, but your review REALLY made me want to pick it up. I don’t read enough glbtq lit so this would be a good one for me too. Thanks so much, Trish!

By: Lenore

Lenore — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:50:23 +0000

I read a John Updike novel where it was a old, straight guy who talked about his penis on. every. page. I really liked the book otherwise, but I too was like, does he REALLY have to mention it THAT often?!

By: Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:05:58 +0000

I’m so NOT the target audience for this book either. But after this review I’m SO going to read it anyway ;o). I love that there are such interesting, smart, funny YA books out there today. Where were they when I WAS the target audience?? Or were they there and I was just reading my Harlequins (I started reading romances at about age 12 – haven’t stopped yet ;o))? Great review! My TBR list is growing ever longer due to the Nerds Heart YA Book Tournament.

By: Florinda

Florinda — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:39:52 +0000

Gay AND dorky? Poor kid. As if adolescence wasn’t tough enough already.

I liked the excerpt you quoted, but I’m also not the target audience for this. I’m not sure I’d recommend it to my 14-year-old, either; she’s already quite aware that teenage boys mostly think about – and with – their dicks.

Thanks for sharing how David Ebershoff helped you get a handle on this book. I met him at a signing at Vroman’s in Pasadena last night, but didn’t get the chance to discuss books in depth with him like you did .