Thursday, October 22, 2009

Whitney Nominations and 2 more reviews

Thanks to Cheri Chesley, aspiring writer, for her review of Alma here. She read Alma first, then Abinadi (as I saw on GoodReads). So it can be done :)

Also, thanks to author Tristi Pinkston, who also reviewed Alma here. I've really enjoyed all of Tristi's books and you can see my review of her mystery, Agent in Old Lace, here.

Okay, so I read a lot of books, and I review quite a few. Mostly I just rate them on GoodReads. It's been a very handy tool to find out what my "friends" are reading and what they recommend. It's easy to put together a "to-read" list and then to print it out and stick it in my purse. I often make purchase requests at my library or I buy the books through Amazon, Costco, sometimes Target. Reading has always been a passion of mine, and I really credit reading to starting my journey to becoming a published writer.

The Whitney Awards is an academy that recognizes excellence in fiction written by LDS writers (not to be confused with the LDS genre, but it encompasses that as well). Anyone can nominate a book by an LDS writer by going to http://www.whitneyawards.com/. There are several categories, including Suspense, Romance, Speculative, Historical, General, YA, etc. etc. The deadline to nominate is December 31, 2009, so I am assessing my list of books that I still have to read. A complete (and continually updated) list of books by LDS writers can be found on the LDS Publisher blog.

I know I won't be able to read every book, but I'm trying to make a dent so that I can nominate the best of the best for 2009.

Just for fun, here is a list of the books I've read so far this year that qualify for the Whitney nomination. My reviews of these books are on GoodReads or LDSReaders. I haven't turned in my nominations yet, because I think there are still about 6-7 must-reads before I make a final decision.


Far World 2: Land Keep by J. Scott Savage

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Hunt for the Dark Infinity by James Dashner

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

Tower of Strength by Annette Lyon

The Last Waltz by GG Vandagriff

All the Stars in Heaven by Michele Paige Holmes

Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack

English Trifle by Josi S. Kilpack

Methods of Madness by Stephanie Black

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston

The Forgotten Warrior by Kathi Oram Peterson

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright

Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

The Chosen One
by Carole Lynch Williams

Pursued by Lynn Gardner

Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce diPastena

The Sister Pact
by Cami Checketts

Torn Apart
by Diony George

Trail of Storms by Marsha Ward

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Heroes of the Fallen by David West

Alma by H.B. Moore (of course!)

The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright


On my immediate to-read list, I have:
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
The Ball’s In Her Court by Heather Justesen
The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

I know that books are still coming out--what are the books that you think are must-reads? I will add them to my list!

8 comments:

Cheri Chesley said...

Wow. When you put the list out there like that I'm so glad I'm not a Whitney judge. There's so many good books for 2009. Your reading list and mine were remarkably similar this year. I can't think of another book. Being a part of the group of aspiring authors, I get the books coming out and the ones already out mixed up sometimes.

I do want to get hold of Julie Wright's Eyes Like Mine. Though I may have spent my book allowance twice over already this year...:)

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

I've got "Santa Maybe" and "Ghost Waves" on my list.po

Cheri Chesley said...

I forgot Ronda Hinrichsen's Missing. Silly me. That should be on your to read list.

Heather Moore said...

Oh yeah, I've heard of Santa Maybe and I have Missing on my GoodReads to-read list. I'll have to transfer it over. Thanks.

Janette Rallison said...

Wow,I'm looking at that list and wondering when you have time to write! What a good list. Some of those I have sitting on my shelf but haven't gotten to.

Heather Moore said...

Yeah, these are all books by LDS writers I've read this year--mostly in the summer when I do a lot of reading. I always have a book with me, in the car, or in my purse when I'm sitting around waiting for one of my kids ;)

Marcia Mickelson said...

Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain is one you should read. It's a great one.

Heather Moore said...

Thanks, Marcia. I just read it this week in fact! Very funny characters. And you--Marcia--you have at least 2 books out this year, right? I just put Pickup Games on my list, but isn't there one more?