Book Snob?

Several things have been on my mind the last couple of weeks and they all sort of came together to form this post:

Last week, one of my pals, Jolene Perry mentioned that she was reading WHERE IT BEGAN, and asked how in the world it was that people weren't screaming from the mountain tops about this gorgeous book.

My reply?

"Is it traditionally published? Because, if so, that's why."

And I felt sad, and sort of like a traitor even typing that, because I am, for the most part, an indie author and there are so many fabulous indie reads out there. But lately, it feels like the hype and noise surrounding the newest indie release sometimes drowns out the quieter books and they unfortunately get lost in the shuffle. 

And sometimes, when I mention (what I consider a staple in YA/NA) and someone tells me that they've never heard of it, my heart breaks a little for them. 

Then there was this article about WHAT IS A BOOK SNOB?  And this is a topic that my bestie Liz Reinhardt and I discuss ad nauseam. And sometimes I sort of feel like a book snob because I tend not to follow the pack in whatever everyone else is reading at the moment.

SO, inspired by Jolene's comment about books going unnoticed, and a continuation of the post I did last year on THE BEST BOOKS YOU HAVEN'T READ, here's a list of traditionally published books that if you haven't yet read, you're sorely missing out! 

Courtney Summers is far and away one of my favorite authors. 

Ever. I love everything single thing she writes, but these two are my favorites. You want angst? Broken characters? Realistic, witty dialogue? Read.These.Books.

I think I died inside a little when a friend recently told me that 

she hadn't read either one of these. 

These are painful, difficult topics done right with gorgeous, 

powerful, gritty language. 

How has anyone that loves YA NOT read these?

And some others that you shouldn't pass up...

 I guess the point of this post (other than to pass on some rad rec's, which I love to do!) is to just reiterate that even if a book doesn't have a gerjillion reviews on release day; or is not so in-your-face and is a little quieter in plot, or characters or racy content; or if it isn't the "it" book of the moment, it can still be beautiful. It can still be well written, well plotted and WELL worth your time....

Happy reading, folks.

S-