My theme for 2013 is Influential Women Authors.
My definition of influential is any author, classic or modern, who has inspired writers, readers, or the larger scope of culture. Some are personal favorites, or have special meaning to me.
What this list is not: a list of the most influential writers of all time. Rather, this is a collection of influential writers, corresponding with each day's letter.
For the full list of participating blogs, click here.
B: Libba Bray
Libba Bray writes books for young adults. Her earlier books are a historical fantasy series starting with A Great and Terrible Beauty about English boarding school girls who discover a portal to a magical realm. The series ending is bittersweet, but perfect. She is a Printz award winning author for her trippy, genre-defying caper Going Bovine.
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| image: Goodreads |
My personal favorite, and why she makes this list, is for her 2011 book Beauty Queens.
Oh my gosh, how I love this book (here's my earlier review on this blog).
I'm so glad Beauty Queens exists, not just as reading entertainment, but for her original intended audience, teens. These are not your average beauty queens. When a plane full of contestants heading toward the Miss Teen Dream pageant crash lands on a desert island, these ambitious queens disassemble their makeup cases (and strangely versatile depilatory creams) and rescue themselves. Even when shipwrecked reality-TV pirate hotties find them, they've already set up their own water filtration system.
The writing is wicked satire on everything from the beauty industry to third world dictatorships (yes, you read that right). So much brilliance is packed in these pages, and yet it's fun. Totally empowering and inspirational in the most hilarious way possible. I'm proud to be a woman when I read this book.
I met Libba Bray in 2012 and fangirled out. I wish I had a picture. She was so nice! Go buy her books!
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"Beauty Queens" sounds like one some of my granddaughters might like. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI've not read this author. Sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for loaning this to me. I cackled like a mad creature while reading it. Jeff's psyched to read it to.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thanks for leaving your link on my blog. I love your theme. Yesterday you wrote about one of my all-time fav women authors, Jane Austen, and today you present me with someone I've not read. I've seriously become a fan of yours just in a matter of moments. :) I'll be following along as you continue revealing the influential female writers you've chosen.
ReplyDeleteSherrey at Healing by Writing
Sounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteI've read YA books, but not really into them that much, unless it's in the movies, I guess. I should try reading more of it, I know, especially when I'm writing one on the side. LOL
ReplyDeleteFrom A to Z Challenge,
Sonnia J. Kemmer
I love your theme, Stephanie! Can't wait to see who all you feature.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Libba's brilliance. I so loved her Victorian fantasy trilogy--and then she switched gears and moved into satire that is every bit as good, if not better.
Stephanie, I came here after your comment on my blog. Lovin' your theme, will be following along to explore some women authors.
ReplyDeleteLove this topic! So inspiring :) Will have to add this book to my reading list (I think it is going to be pretty long after this month.) Great to meet you- looking forward to your posts- Rebecca @ moxiewriters.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMy reading list is also very long. I am constantly adding to it on Goodreads.
DeleteI love this theme! A Great and Terrible Beauty is one of my roommies favorite books. Its definitely on my list, as is this one.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
English boarding schools stories were standard fare for me (born and raised in Africa). Ms Bray's stories sound fabulous. Visiting from A-to-Z. Glad I did. http://rossandrawhite.com.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun one!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who writes a book is my hero. I love to read but cannot imagine writing a book.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of her, and, although it does sound interesting, I have to honestly say that I will probably not ever read her books. Well, not until I invent unlimited time.
ReplyDeleteWell, true, it is probably not your demographic! I know, so many books, so little time.
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this author either but she sounds great./
Libba Bray is amazing. Not only has she written a bunch of great books, she also did an incredible job narrating the Beauty Queens audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to her read it!
ReplyDeleteI just might have to listen to the audiobook because I hear it's so great. The way the book is set up with the commercial breaks makes it a great set-up for audio.
DeleteI read The Great and Terrible Beauty and the subsequent books and LOVED them! Haven't branched out to any of her other books yet but I plan to! A great selection for Letter B!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun book.
ReplyDeleteNot my normal genre but you've sold it to me ;)
auntyamo
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