Before beginning this post, I did my homework. I entered "Shannon Hale" in the search bar so that nobody could say, "We've already talked about her, NEW GIRL." Well, I think I might be the first if you don't count the link to Shannon Hale's writing tips in the sidebar.
The thing is, I recently finished the last of Shannon Hale's young adult fiction collection. I'd already read the Books of Bayern and Princess Academy (for which she can claim a Newbery Honor). When I finished Book of A Thousand Days last week, it just capped off my great opinion of Shannon Hale as an author. Her stories are magical and layered, and her writing is like a beautiful song that you want to close your eyes to as you listen and think of NOTHING else.
My favorite book of hers? Probably a toss-up between Goose Girl and Princess Academy, although I really enjoyed her adult book, Austenland, and I'm looking forward to her sequel, Midnight in Austenland. And if you can't read one of her books right now, her website and blog are equally entertaining. (And also really, REALLY detailed. You could get lost for hours.)
Who is your favorite LDS author? (There are so many now I can't keep track.)
I too am a Shannon Hale fan!! She is amazing. Many people have those authors they wish they could meet and she is definitely one of mine!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Shannon Hale fan. I love the way you described her writing as music. It's very apt. I believe my favorite is probably Princess Academy but it's hard to choose. I also LOVE her graphic novels. If you haven't read those you really should. Rapunzel's Revenge is so fresh and fun. My daughter read it over and over when we first got it.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of Shannon Hale! I also love Becky Paget wrote my favorite book when I was a tween called "Romancing the Nephites". Just hearing the title still makes me very happy. Joni Hilton is another great author. Her book entitled "Dating No Guts Not Glory" is great for teens, and "As The Ward Turns" is a must read for anyone that has every been to Relief Society. Betsy Brannon Green has a LOT of amazing ones that I absolutely love and totally recommend. "Hearts in Hiding" and "Foul Play" were definitely my favorites.
ReplyDeleteNikki-I agree! I'd love to meet her.
ReplyDeleteLois-Her graphic novels are on my list, along with her other adult book, The Actor and the Housewife.
Andie (or is it Jacob?)-Thanks for the recommendations! I'll have to check them out :)
I'm a Shannon Hale fan as well. Read them all. My favorite is Enna Burning but I also liked Princess Academy as well.
ReplyDeleteLove Shannon Hale. I have all of her books and love them all. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Day George as well. Her books are so good! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read all of Shannon Hale's books, but out of the ones I have read, The Actor and the Housewife has reverberated with me the longest. I think it's because her characters feel SO REAL, I seriously wish they actually existed and were all my best friends. I can't think of another book I've read in the last couple years with characters like that.
ReplyDeleteOh my GOSH! I'm apparently WAY behind. I'm off to add her to my goodreads list.
ReplyDeleteShannon Hale is a great author. When I finished Princess Academy, I was so glad she had another series and even a adult book. I can relate to what you said about reading her books.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one Jolene, but it sounds like I need to get on board. Great review Jessie.
ReplyDeleteAck! Well, I'm making it a point to respond to all my comments, even if no one reads the follow-up.
ReplyDeleteCanda-Yes! I loved Enna Burning. I loved the bad guy a little too much.
Chantele-I've only read one of Jessica Day George, but I'm ready to read more.
Rue Girl-When you move to Texas, I'll borrow that one from you :)
Jolene-Yes, you are behind, but don't feel bad (see Patti's comment).
Tamara-The best part about Shannon Hale is that she keeps writing them! We will never be without.
Patti-We'll talk.
Love Shannon Hale. Goose Girl, mostly. I've also heard she's hilarious in person.
ReplyDeleteI was just walking the Middle Grade section (where I aspire to be published) of B&N the other night with my husband, and I was pointing out all the Mormon authors. The list is growing.
I can't wait to read the new MG steam punk: The Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby