Best Books of 2015

So many books, so little time! Here are some of the books that I really enjoyed in 2015, listed alphabetically by title. Click on the titles to read my reviews:

Alex as Well by Alyssa Brugman
All the Rage by Courtney Summers
Dead Ringers by Christopher Golden
A Deafening Silence in Heaven by Thomas E. Sniegoski
Edgewater by Courtney Sheinmel
The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Sounds Like Me: My Life (so far) in Song by Sara Bareilles
Tin Men by Christopher Golden
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten


Check out my full list: Best Books of 2015 - as posted at my blog, Bildungsroman.


What were some of your favorite books from 2015? Leave the titles in the comments below!

Watch for It: The Game of Love and Death

readergirlz! This is our own Diva Martha Brockenbrough's next EPIC work. The stars are zooming in from the critics for this masterpiece. Rights are selling around the world. We are cheering and can't wait for you to read THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH!

Here's the overview for you:

Not since THE BOOK THIEF has the character of Death played such an original and affecting part in a book for young people.

Flora and Henry were born a few blocks from each other, innocent of the forces that might keep a white boy and an African American girl apart; years later they meet again and their mutual love of music sparks an even more powerful connection. But what Flora and Henry don't know is that they are pawns in a game played by the eternal adversaries Love and Death, here brilliantly reimagined as two extremely sympathetic and fascinating characters. Can their hearts and their wills overcome not only their earthly circumstances, but forces that have battled throughout history? In the rainy Seattle of the 1920's, romance blooms among the jazz clubs, the mansions of the wealthy, and the shanty towns of the poor. But what is more powerful: love? Or death?

Do you see what I mean? Squeeeeee! Shout out to Martha! 

The Game of Love and Death
by Martha Brockenbrough
Arthur A. Levine Books, April 28, 2015 

rgz Seattle HOST: Stephanie Guerra celebrates our own Diva Martha!

Did you know that our very own Martha Brockenbrough has a new book out? That's right -- Devine Intervention released on June 1st, and Seattle HOST Stephanie Guerra is here with the full report.

I'm thrilled to announce the release of Martha Brockenbrough's new book, Devine Intervention, a work of comic genius about the world’s worst guardian angel. Martha’s fabulous launch party was at Secret Garden Books in Seattle (see pictures below). Here are her thoughts about the launch, plus some peeks into her inspiration and writing process. Thank you, Martha, for sharing, and for writing this delectable book!

What were some of your favorite moments at the launch?

I loved the whole thing. Holy cow. I was surrounded by friends and family, delicious food—including an angel food cake from my editor, Arthur Levine—and music from a harpist who played the classic rock songs I referred to in my novel. In my book, I imagine an entertaining sort of heaven, a place where the grass is greener than green, the sky is Tidy Bowl blue, where elderly people frolic to the music performed by a heavenly choir called Nun of the Above. In real life, though, heaven is being surrounded by your favorite people on the day your life's big dream has come true. Confession: I bawled like an infant, but one who made the bad decision to wear non-waterproof mascara.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Devine Intervention?

A lot of things came together for me with this book, but the chief inspiration was the loss many years ago of someone I'd known in high school. She was one of those incredible people—beautiful, brilliant, athletic. And then she got cancer and passed away on her twenty-third birthday. During her memorial service, a friend said they used to talk about "when my life begins," referring to some time after graduation when they'd truly be alive. It was a deeply sad thing to hear, and that was the situation I started with, the idea of someone who'd died before she felt like she had a chance to live. I didn't want to write a deeply sad book, though, and was rescued by my character, Jerome, the world's worst guardian angel. I absolutely loved writing him.

Can you tell us something about your writing process?

It took me forever to learn how to write fiction. Even though I was always a good writer in school, and even though I've worked many years as a journalist, creating a world and populating it with human beings is enormously challenging for me. For anyone who feels the same way, keep working. You'll get there! 

But I finally have a system that seems to work. I start with some sort of potent situation and a character I care about. I write a sentence summarizing what the story might be. Then I wrap layers around it—additional details and complications—until I have what feels like a story arc. Then I start writing, to get a handle on the character's voice. I also wrestle with the best point of view to write the story in. 

As I do this, I think of things that will enrich the story, usually scenes that are particularly important, but sometimes lines I know I'd like to use. When I feel ready, I write a chapter-by-chapter summary that I use to guide my writing. I also keep track of the characters' relationships with each other, so these can evolve in an understandable fashion. 

Inevitably, I veer from the outline a bit as I learn more about the characters and the world. As long as the story is getting better, I don't mind that veering at all. Oh, and I sometimes share early drafts with very trusted friends and my agents, but I usually like to have the whole thing finished and cleaned up a bit before I pass it around much beyond that. 

Thanks so much, Stephanie, and congrats again, Martha! 

Watch for it: Devine Intervention, Unbreak My Heart, and Dragonswood

You know the volunteer divas are all award-winning YA writers as well, right? Be sure to catch these books up and devour them. Each novel is just like her author, of course.



Fast, fun, and rings with Martha Brockenbrough's awesome wit.
Devine Intervention



Honest, dear, and heart-warming with hope from Melissa Walker.
Unbreak My Heart



Exciting raw imagery and intrigue from a master of high fantasy, Janet Lee Carey.
Dragonswood

Find these, rgz, as soon as they are all released. There is talent among us, and you will fall in love with the works of our staff. Ready, set, go!

Sweet Goodbyes: Holly Cupala, Liz Gallagher, and Martha Brockenbrough

So in every organization, there's a flow of staff, coming in and going out. As a volunteer organization, this certainly occurs at readergirlz as every contributor is a YA author herself. It's time to say goodbye to three staff members this month.


First is Holly Cupala, our Design Diva. Holly has been our rgz face, essentially. She has donated hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours to make posters, videos, banners, bookmarks, newsletters, and other visuals hot and engaging for our community. We will miss Holly so much! Her sweet, giving spirit is always infectious. We send her off with our best as she works on her third YA novel. Thank you, dearest Holly! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you dearly.



Liz Gallagher is also stepping away from readergirlz this month. She has been our head rgz HOST, networking and representing us in the industry. Her joy and belief in the organization have always been inspiring. We will miss her in the day-to-day dealings of rgz. Thank you, Liz! Here's to your next YA release! We love you much!



And then the ever-so-brilliant Martha Brockenbrough is stepping down as well. She has been our PR agent and general advisor for all things future. Between her gifts, talents, and networking abilities, she enabled the YA lit world and beyond to know the amazing things we were doing as a community. Thank you, Martha, for every effort, especially those press releases, TBD blog rolls, and Twitter hashtag posts. You-wow-me. Congrats on the sale of your first YA novel! We heart you!



Both Justina Chen and Dia Calhoun, my fellow co-founders, will be retreating toward their own writing as Holly, Liz, and Martha are doing. However they aren't too far away. :~)

So, your current rgz team will be: Micol Ostow, Melissa Walker, Little Willow, with me, Lorie Ann Grover as the representing co-founder. You'll see a few changes, fantastic new ideas and projects, and amazing blog posts as we continue to feature a different author every week.

No worries. Your rgz community is alive and thriving. Spread the word, and take a minute to give your love to our volunteer YA authors who are departing. Thankfully, they are in our Circle of Stars and will always, always, always be readergirlz. Thank you, ladies. We really do love you each so much!

Now, rgz: READ, REFLECT, and REACH OUT.

May 2010 Newsflash: Win ABSOLUTELY MAYBE by Lisa Yee!

Dear rgz friend,

Thanks for helping make our third-annual Operation Teen Book Drop the best one yet.

• Thanks to the generosity of publishers, we delivered over 10,000 books to teens on Native reservations and tribal lands.


• 772 books were purchased by individuals to completely sell out the TBD Wish List. The books were donated to two tribal school libraries through GuysLitWire.


• More than 100 authors and friends left books in secret spots from Seattle to Madrid.

In short, it was awesome. Thanks to everyone—publishers, authors, editors, agents, bloggers, readers—for playing along. Thanks, also, to our partners: YALSA, GuysLitWire, and If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything.

This month’s featured book
We’ll be talking with Lisa Yee about her terrific novel ABSOLUTELY MAYBE. Set in Hollywood, it tells the story of a girl trying to make it in L.A. however she can. And because it is a Lisa Yee book, it’s hilarious, even as it touches on homelessness, abuse, alcoholism, and all manner of tacos.

We’ll be chatting with Lisa May 19 at 6 p.m. Pacific, location to be announced. Watch for the determination at http://readergirlz.blogspot.com to join the fun.

If you comment on our blog by May 5, we'll enter your name into a drawing for Lisa's novel.

Learn alongside our Author in Residence
We have loved having Elizabeth Scott as our AIR, and have learned a ton from the link roundups with really fantastic information for writers. If you want to know why characters need to suffer, what effect e-books will have on the printed ones, and how famous authors insulted each other with style, you have to continue the discussion on Elizabeth's blog.

Then, help us say goodbye to Elizabeth on May 3 at 6 p.m. Pacific, 9 p.m. Eastern. She’s been amazing, and we’re going to have a blast talking about THE UNWRITTEN RULE and what she’s learned as our AIR.

We’re definitely trying something new for this chat. It will be a TWITTER party! If you don’t have an account, sign up. Then look for us under the hashtag #rgz.

Our next AIR is Lisa Ann Sandell, author of A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD and other superb YA books.

Lisa starts the third week of May. We can’t wait!

Welcome to our newest diva!
Readers, we are thrilled to announce the addition of a new diva to our fold—one who has already been working tirelessly behind the scenes as our rgz media specialist and who will now take on the role of Social Media Diva. Please give a warm welcome to the witty, wonderful Martha Brockenbrough, author of Things That Make Us (Sic), the grammar guide which will have you laughing out loud! Martha is also the founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG - the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. Perfect, right?!



This month’s Postergirlz Picks:

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI by Melina Marchetta
BEIGE by Cecil Castellucci
GINGERBREAD by Rachel Cohn
NOTHING BUT GHOSTS by Beth Kephart
SOMETHING, MAYBE by Elizabeth Scott
GIRLWISE: HOW TO BE CONFIDENT, CAPABLE, COOL AND IN CONTROL by Julia DeVillers

This month’s community service project
826 National is a nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing organization. Kids between 6 and 18 can visit their local 826 chapter for tutoring sessions, writing assistance, free workshops, and more.

Hopeful writers should definitely check out the organization's opportunities for student publishing. High school students located in the Bay Area who love to write and are in need of financial aid may apply for college scholarships offered by 826.

The organization also has lots and lots of amazing volunteers who donate their time, energy, and expertise. 826 has locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Michigan, Boston, and Washington, D.C. If you live in or near any of these cities, you should definitely drop by in person and volunteer your time and/or share your writing!

*****

the readergirlz divas' twitter~
Martha Brockenbrough (@mbrockenbrough), Things That Make Us [Sic]
Holly Cupala (@hollycupala), Tell Me A Secret (June 2010)
Liz Gallagher (@lizgallagherliz), The Opposite of Invisible
Elizabeth Scott (@escottwrites), The Unwritten Rule
Melissa Walker (@melissacwalker), Lovestruck Summer

co-founders~
Dia Calhoun (@diacalhoun), Avielle of Rhia
Justina Chen (@justinaychen), North of Beautiful
Lorie Ann Grover (@lorieanngrover), Hold Me Tight


http://www.readergirlz.com/
readergirlz blog
rgz Twitter

Shout-out to National Grammar Day tomorrow!

Tomorrow is March 4th, the only day that is both a date AND an imperative - but more importantly, it is the only national holiday (seriously! look it up!) that was coined by our very own rgz media specialist Martha Brockenbrough, the grammar genius behind THINGS THAT MAKE US [SIC] (illustrated by friend Jaime Temairik). It's National Grammar Day!

And if that isn't a reason to march forth and pick up a hilarious look at the English language (and toast fabulous friends), I don't know what is.

You can also join The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, friend them on Facebook or follow the blog.

Go on, march!

Emotional Abuse: "Hurt by the One You Love" by Martha Brockenbrough

Our own Martha Brockenbrough wrote an enlightening story for Women's Health on the subject of Emotional Abuse. It's called "Hurt by the One You Love," and here's a quick excerpt:

Emotional abuse can be subtle. In Morrison's case, her live-in boyfriend would give her a wide berth in their Stanford, Connecticut, apartment. "There would be times when he'd have to walk past me, but he would purposely move his body in such a way that he'd avoid any chance of making contact," says the now 39-year-old. "It made me feel awful." Sometimes when they were walking together on the sidewalk, he'd abruptly cross the street without her—and then call her crazy, needy, and too sensitive when she mentioned it.

Click here to read the rest, readergirlz. Do you think that sometimes, emotional abuse can be even worse than physical abuse? How can you recognize when it's happening?

PS-For a great teen relationship resource, check out Love is Respect. (Thanks, Little Willow!)

Martha Brockenbrough: "Are you Santa?"

Our own Martha Brockenbrough contributed recently to nytimes.com Woot! The Times chose to reprint Martha's letter to her daughter, first posted at cozi.com. Take a peek:

Dear Lucy,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

Click here to read the sweetest words Martha penned for Lucy. Happy holidays, rgz!

Rgz HOST: David Levithan!

Hello, readergirlz! I hope everyone's having a great weekend.

Here's the highlight of mine: I went to see David Levithan at the Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library, in a reading/q&a put together by Secret Garden Books.

There's David reading in a moment I very artistically captured. I like to call it "David with Snow Hat."

He read from Love is the Higher Law and from his story in a new short story collection edited by Michael Cart (I highly recommend anything Michael Cart is involved with; he is probably the foremost expert in the history of YA literature, and a man who knows how to pick 'em!), How Beautiful the Ordinary. LOVE is David's new novel, and a favorite of rgz postergirl Jackie, which is saying a lot because Jackie reads a ton of books. A mountain, even. BEAUTIFUL is one of two collections that David has stories in this fall. The other is Geektastic. The title of BEAUTIFUL comes from David's amazing story in the collection. You readergirlz know that I love to listen to authors read, and it's always a fun time for me, and I always get something out of it, but I have to say: this was a truly above-and-beyond listening experience. Very powerful story.

The crowd was super-wonderful, too, and populated by a bunch of teens, yay! (Also there: rgz own Martha Brockenbrough. Double yay.) Thanks to thoughtful questions, we got to hear that LOVE is David's most autobiographical book to date (it deals with being in NYC on September 11), the story behind how he and Rachel Cohn worked together on Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and their other collaborations (including a forthcoming one with an irresistible premise!), how that was different from how he and John Green worked on the forthcoming Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

Lesson: David Levithan is a very busy man, and everything he writes is worth reading.

Did you know that David is also an editor at Scholastic? Executive editorial director of Scholastic Press Fiction, multimedia publishing, and Push, actually. How's that for a title? Chances are, he's edited one of your favorite books.

And, with all of that going on, he still took the time to prefect the Liz-with-Author pose. Aww.

Bumpaholics and Martha Brockenbrough

Did you all hear the buzz our media specialist Martha Brockenbrough is getting about her bumpology? She's talking about bumpaholics over at Women's Health:

"The Belly-Rubbing High

Thanks to the influx of feel-good hormones and fawning from friends, family, and perfect strangers, having a baby can make you feel like a superstar. The problem: for some women, wanting to recapture that adoration pushes them to procreate again...and again."

Read the whole article by clicking here. How often do you think teen girls are lured into pregnancy hoping for an idealized baby experience only to discover the reality of motherhood? What a perfect discussion for our book Kendra! So what do you think?

And way to go, Martha!

~the divas and postergirlz

Defending Bella, What a Girl Wants

Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray has posted her latest discussion in the "What a Girl Wants" series. This time she asked us about vampires. I stuck with my position, rgz! Here you go:












Lorie Ann Grover: "I don’t typically read horror, so I can’t comment on the general trend in the vamp books, but I have read the Twilight series. Awhile back, Martha Brockenbrough, author and MSN Cinemama, wrote an article with my opposing point of view: Does Twilight Suck the Brains Out of Teens? She fell on the yes side, and I fell on the no. Going back and reading my entry, I still agree with my position. Edward’s the hot, superhero in teen lit who raises the bar for today’s boyfriends. His looks aside, here's a quote:

“Note how completely enamored Edward is of Bella. He sees her weaknesses and finds her humanity endearing. He listens to every word. He never pressures her for sex. She pursues him. Into that perfect mix, pour danger, that alluring trademark of any great hero, just enough for tension to vibrate. We cheer as he denies himself because of his passion for her.”

Is Bella a passive role model for teen girls? I still say she can be seen as a positive role model. She isn’t consumed about her appearance. She’s strong in school and anticipates college. She thinks of others, acting with generosity to family and friends. She solves crises through her actions. So she’s attracted to a dangerous boy. She weighs her possibilities and acts.

In 2007, we hosted Stephenie Meyer at readergirlz. Next month we are featuring Graceling by Kristin Cashore.



Katsa is a very different heroine, but the sparks fly when she crosses Po. Who doesn’t like a little romance? I obviously do."

Make Something - and a Giveaway!

This is something I've been dying to try for a long time: glass marble magnets. And what could be more fun than magnets featuring your favorite (or even your own!) book covers?

You need:
Flat glass marbles (I used 3/4" ones from Michaels craft store)
1/2" magnets (50/pack at Michaels)
Elmer's Glue
Images
Scissors

I tracked down book cover jpgs at Google Images then tinkered with them in Adobe InDesign to get them just the right size for the flat side of the marbles (you can use Word, Publisher, whatever). Print them out and cut circles to size. Add glue to the flat side of the marble, then affix your image face-down so that it shows through the bubbled glass. Let dry, then glue the magnet.

Here's the set I made as a gift for Joni Sensel to celebrate the launch of her new book, The Farwalker's Quest:


And here is a set of readergirlz magnets (1st row: rgz splat, Lorie Ann Grover's On Pointe, Dia Calhoun's Avielle of Rhia, Justina Chen Headley's North of Beautiful, Martha Brockenbrough's Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar; 2nd row: Janet Lee Carey's Dragon's Keep, Melissa Walker's Lovestruck Summer, Mitali Perkins' Secret Keeper, Martha Brockenbrough's Things That Make Us [Sic], and Sara Easterly and Jaime Temairik's Fashion Studio!)


You can keep them, give them as gifts, or even as a blog giveaway! Which gives me an idea...a giveaway!

Leave a comment by midnight on Saturday, March 7th, and we'll randomly choose one person to receive a set of readergirlz magnets! We'll announce the winner on Monday, so check back to see if it's you!

Holly Cupala, author & rgz diva

March Forth on National Grammar Day

National Grammar Day, created by the ineffable and brilliant grammarian Martha Brockenbrough of The Society for The Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG) and author of Things that Make Us [Sic], is celebrating its second year!

Celebrate with grammartinis, punctuation puns, grammar potlucks - or just visit the official National Grammar Day site and see the lineup of participating blogs, Top 10 Grammar Tips, and the Bad Grammar Hall of Fame playlist (including "Lay Lady Lay," naturally). Speaking of punctuation personality profiles, here is mine from Martha's book launch party:


Happy National Grammar Day, everyone!

Holly Cupala, author & rgz diva

Martha Brockenbrough, our media specialist

On Saturday, I (Holly) joined strangers and friends alike to celebrate Martha Brockenbrough's new book, Things that Make Us [Sic] at her Third Place Books event. Highlights included having my grammar fortune told by Grammarella (I'm a comma: "You help people pause for reflection and comprehension. You're like a breath of fresh air."), seeing Joni Sensel, author of The Humming of Numbers, and chatting about visions and revisions, and hearing Jolie Stekly's Big News (woohoo, Jolie!).

Here's a shot of us, pinched from Jolie's blog (Joni, Martha, Holly, Jolie):


I was a Martha fan long before I met her, and she's just as hilarious and approachable and brilliant in person as in her columns, books, and SPOGG (The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar). Here, she chats about Bob Dylan, laying, lying, and...naughty chickens:



Holly Cupala, Author & rgz diva

A Popular(ity) Discussion

In honor of our December book club pick, How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot, readergirlz divas, advisors, and postergirlz shared their thoughts about popularity.


Martha Brockenbrough, author of Things That Make Us [Sic] and founder of SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar:

I grappled with the idea of popularity in middle school, and realized it could come from wearing a certain type of clothes, having a certain type of hair, and more nebulously, projecting a certain kind of attitude. I was a little behind in the clothes department, but probably could have convinced my mom to buy me more stuff if I really wanted to. What I decided, though, was that I would rather not have to do some of the things I saw the really popular girls doing. I wanted to be popular, but I wanted to be liked for the positive stuff I did and the kind way I treated others. I wanted to transcend the social norms. It wasn't that I *didn't* want to be popular, though I'm sure I would have said at the time that I didn't care about it. I just didn't want to have to sell my soul for it.

It was painful at times. I got invited to a lot more parties in middle school. Some of those parties were annual events, and I felt it acutely when my name was no longer on the list. I heard people talking about who was there and what happened, and I had to erect a protective barrier around myself so that I wouldn't have to feel the pain of exclusion. In part, I protected myself with achievement. Even if I was not popular, I was still a good athlete. I was still smart. I still played music well. Also: I had a fierce perm, which was decade appropriate so do not judge. Few people had larger hair. It makes a fine piece of armor.

I'd say I still carry this barrier to a degree, and I have to remind myself that I'm perfectly likeable -- that my presence is welcome and that I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not to find friends. I don't seek popularity in the way that you'd define it in high school...there is no longer a cool lunch table, and no one I know checks the label of your pants to make sure they're an OK brand. But I still want people to love me for who I am, and I still carry fear that they won't.

It's funny. I'm a writer now ... I get fan mail and hate mail in equal quantities. My pulse races when I see new mail in the inbox, for fear it's someone hating how I think or write. I'm not going to change who I am or what I believe to win false friends, but I would love to be in a place -- 20 years after high school graduation--where I am not wounded by the rejection of others.

I really feel for people who are struggling with this, and I think this is one reason I have such love and compassion for teens and such affinity for YA literature.


Melissa Walker, author of the Violet books:

I admit it: I longed to be popular when I was a teenager. Outwardly, I made fun of certain cliques and pretended not to care when I wasn't included in certain parties, but the truth was, I wanted people to know me. More importantly, I wanted people to like me.

But what I know now (and oh, how I wish I knew it then!) is that the truly "popular" people were the ones who were confident enough to be nice to everyone around them. I was in LOVE with a guy named Jeff in high school. Why? Because he was on the football team, was cute, was smart, and - here's the key part - he actually talked to me. He smiled, said hi, took time to ask about my day. I realized that the other "popular people" were objects of my admiration in a superficial way, but Jeff was someone I truly liked because he was a confident and caring person. And that's always the best - and most lasting - kind of popular. We're still friends today!


Lorie Ann Grover, author of On Pointe:

I'm thinking middle school is when popularity is defined most narrowly. If you can grind through it, you will have the rest of your life to find your peeps. That's really the bottom line: find people that matter to you, those you can relate to.

If you find yourself in the "popular" group, know you have a much bigger responsibility. Your influence is wider and people are watching. Don't lose yourself to maintain your position. If you are tempted to do so, maybe you haven't found your peeps after all.

Once you find a group that has meaning to you, foster your friendships. Who cares if everyone knows or watches? You've found a place to nourish others and be nourished. That's what matters.

It's good to remember that whatever popularity is gained, there's always a bigger group out there that never recognizes it. Actors, statesmen, even countries pass from popularity and are forgotten. So, find your small corner of the world, and be a good friend. Matter to your peeps.


Dia Calhoun, author of Firegold:

I went to an alternative high school where the kids were so involved in individual pursuits and being individuals that there were no issues around popularity. Everyone was unique, and we were all pursuing interesting projects. The same was true at the ballet school where I took class every day. So I never tried to be popular, or felt that I was unpopular. I did worry about what other people thought of me, but that is a little different. The whole concept of popularity is a teen concern, which fades away once you become an adult. (Have you ever heard adults talk about trying to be popular?) I believe that if you just be who you are, and pursue your own interests, you will find friends.And being true friends with a few people is far more rewarding than being popular. The pressures of having to maintain popularity are enormous! Always worrying whether what you do or how you look will affect your popularity rating. This is existence for the sake of how others perceive you. You can never be authentic that way. Just be who you are!


Holly Cupala, author of A Light That Never Goes Out:

I think acceptance and community are basic human needs – too often, the popular community is perceived as more valuable when really, the most valuable community is one that supports you for who you are and helps you become who you were meant to be, and vice versa. I learned this the hard way, but luckily my true friends forgave me and are still in my life. Those kinds of friends are a gift for life.


HipWriterMama, member of postergirlz, the teen lit advisory council for readergirlz:

I will never forget my brushes with popularity during my high school years -- from the time one of the wrestling jocks had a major crush on me (!) in my freshman year, to when one of the most popular girls in my junior year became a true friend, to when a group of senior girls looked at me with a whole new set of eyes. All fascinating experiences for a girl who was not popular, who didn't always fit in.

I was one of those fortunate teens who could mingle with almost any group, but only in the fringes. To be in the core center of a group required an effort, a true belief that one belonged. I was a consummate rebel and unwilling to jump through hoops. Perhaps I was scared, or maybe I just didn't want to commit. It's funny, I'm really not sure now.

But I do know, looking back, that I always wanted to be accepted for who I was, not for what I represented. I hated being pigeon-holed as the Asian, the smart kid, the first chair violinist. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the people who were most likely to see me for who I was, were the teens I thought were the least likely to.

This knowledge has been invaluable over the years and has shaped how I interact with people. There are people who will defy the definition of what it means to be popular, what it means to be beautiful, or exceptional. Yes, there are those who will always play the popularity card to the hilt, and be the epitome of every teen angst movie out there, but there are also the people out there who yearn to be seen for themselves, who believe in letting others shine, of letting people have their moment, and being true.


Little Willow, readergirlz webdiva and member of postergirlz:

I was never the most popular girl in school, though I admit I was possibly the loudest - volume-wise, not sassy-wise. I'm naturally talkative and outgoing. I always knew what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew what I liked and what I didn't like, and no one could change my mind or my opinions. In high school, I knew a lot of people, and a lot of people knew me, but I didn't hang out with the same people all of the time. I often said I had a lot of acquaintances, but not a lot of close friends. That was and still is fine by me.

I once saw a poster that declared, "What's right is not always popular, and what's popular is not always right." As hokey as that sounds, I think it's true. I am a big fan of doing the right thing. I certainly hope that others like me, but I'm unwilling to change my beliefs, my plans, or my priorities to fit in. No way! I have a strong moral compass that I follow every day. My true north has nothing to do with popularity or fame and everything to do with personal truths and happiness.


Submit Your Feedback

How about you, gentle reader? What have been your experiences with popularity? Feel free to leave your thoughts and experiences in the comments below or at Bildungsroman.

Twilight: The Lost Script

Wondering what the dialogue will be like for the upcoming Twilight movie? Well, wonder no further. Martha Brockenbrough, readergirlz media specialist and MSN Cinemama columnist,
has imagined it for us, based on the movie's publicity shots, in her singularly hilarious style.

Thanks to the lovely CuppaJolie for the link!

Holly Cupala, author & rgz diva