because a rectangle book is so much sweeter than a round table

King Arthur's Round Table is infamous.

The supposedly equal people Arthur sat with at that table? Not so much.

But Gerald Morris's The Squire's Tale series puts everyone in the spotlight: knights, ladies, faeries, and, of course, squires.

The series begins with The Squire's Tale and is currently composed of nine books, with the tenth and final book slated to come out this year. Currently, I've only read the first eight, and I'm both excited and sad to read the final two: they're excellent reads, but I hate to see a series I love end.

Though, with the risks facing many mid-list authors, I'm just grateful that I do get to find out what happens.

Unlike many series', The Squire's Tale books don't focus solely on one or two characters. Terence (crush # 1... crush # 2 is Rhience from the seventh book, Lioness and Her Knight. I really have a problem) is Sir Gawain's squire, and the two of them are the main focus in the first two books (The Squire's Tale and The Squire, the Knight, and His Lady, respectively). They then make cameo appearances in almost all of the other books, which focus on various members of King Arthur's court, or those trying to become a member of court, such as a bumbling, would-be knight or a saucy damsel in distress who decides to save herself.

Each of the books is based off of an Arthurian legend, with tweaks and invented characters as necessary. Yet the language is modern and the plots fast-paced, making the stories smooth, fast reads.

And also incredibly fun reads. Morris' books are filled with humor, which manifests itself both in witty banter and bizarre scenarios, such as a cantankerous, unskilled knight who forces everyone who passes into a fight, no matter how uninterested (or talented) they may be. The characterization is also strong, with strong, funny, and multi-faceted protagonists who just try to do what's right amidst the danger, drama, intrigue, and absurdities of both Arthur's world and the adjacent faery world. Additionally, in spite of the patriarchal structure of the time period, which Morris portrays, both male and female characters are self-empowered, making the romantic sub-plots satisfying connections between equals.

In spite of being light, funny reads with modern language, though, the books are serious at the proper moments, and still manage to get across the impression of a very different time-- a time when the golden rule is chivalry, courtly love reigns, and knights just hang around court until there's a quest to be completed. As different as it is from our own, however, Morris' world is fully realized, immersing readers into both medieval life and a place where magic, both faery and otherwise, (with sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious results) is very active.

So if you enjoy humor, adventure, light fantasy, intrigue, mystery, romance, ya books, or Arthurian legend, join Terence on his first quest in A Squire's Tale, as he leaves his sheltered adolescence (literally-- he lives with a hermit in the woods) for the exciting world of quests, court, knights, and magic. Trust me, once you read the first book, you'll have to read them all.

And remember, spreading the word about mid-list authors and their books is important, so if there's a mid-list book or series that you love, write an original review and email me at doingitwrite@gmail.com. I'll post it under a "guest reviewers" section.

end of the month bonanza. on the first of the month.

There are so many great mid-list books out there, and I plan to keep reviewing them (and hope that you'll help out by reviewing mid-list books that you love, and that I perhaps haven't heard of. Any genre is welcome-- email me at doingitwrite@gmail.com). But the point of this blog is to save mid-list books and authors, and a main way to do that is to get publicity for mid-list books that we love. So it's important not to forget books that have already been reviewed, since they still need publicity, and just because they're amazing, enjoyable reads. So in order to remind old readers what great mid-list books are out there, and to make it easy on new readers (because, let's face it, no one's going to take the time to sift through an entire blog all the way to the beginning), I'm going to list every book that's been reviewed on this site, whether by myself or a guest reviewer, at the end of every month. (And, yes, I know it's the first of the month. Sorry.)

Here's how it works: I'll categorize the books the best I can, and put the titles under appropriate headings. If that genre interests you, glance at the titles that have been reviewed, and click on the titles if you'd like to read the reviews (which in turn have links to author websites, ways to buy the books, and other fun stuff). In addition, this blog also has info about saving mid-list authors, so I'll categorize and put links to old posts that aren't book reviews, as well.

So have fun browsing an amazing array of books, and spread the word about these and other mid-list books and authors. And remember, if there's a mid-list book you love, shoot me an original review and I'll post it!

Book Reviews:

Funny (YA)

Freshman by Michael Gerber


Light Fantasy/Mystery/Buddy Novel (with humor) (YA)

The Last Knight by Hilari Bell


Girly Funny (YA)

Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller

Confessions of a Not-It Girl by Melissa Kantor


Light, Humorous, Parody Fantasy (YA)

Standard Hero Behavior by John David Anderson

The Pig Scrolls by Paul Shipton

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks


Girly Paranormal (YA)

Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore


Crime/Pranks/Plots (YA)

Hacking Harvard by Robin Wasserman


Girly Crime (YA)

Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe



Information about Mid-List Authors and things you can do...

Why the blog, and also chain bookstores' response to the economy, and the effect on mid-list authors (& things you can do)

The power of social networking, publishing, and other things (such as things you can do)

Other threats to mid-list authors (& things you can do)

Why you should browse author websites and blogs (& other things you can do)

read it. love it. but don't try it at home.

First off, a big hearty thanks to this website, which deleted my almost completed post. Secondly, sorry, readers. I'm sure this was far funnier and more polished the first time around. Sigh.

And thirdly...

While my love for humor is apparent from my previous posts, I don't think my other great love is quite as obvious (I'm talking subject matter here, not fictional characters. My love for certain people who aren't real is probably more obvious than anyone cares to hear).

It would be obvious if this blog had anything to do with movies. I', not a huge movie person-- I'm very critical of everything I watch, and cannot watch movies again, except for a very select few. The two on the very top of this exclusive list? Ocean's 11 (my all-time favorite) and 21 (and, hey, since this is a blog about books... it's not mid-list, but if you loved 21, try Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich, which is the book 21 was based off of. Since the book details the true story, not the Hollywood version, it's a lot different, but still great).

No, Hacking Harvard by Robin Wasserman doesn't have anything to do with Vegas (sadly... The Hangover is another movie worth re-watching). But it does have smart, likable characters working to pull something outside of the system. And whether it's crime, counting cards (not illegal, but frowned upon), pranks, or hacks, I love it. I knew I would love Hacking Harvard the second I read the inside cover, which I'm copying and pasting from Wasserman's website:

"You don't need to be brilliant. You just need a plan.

The Hack:
Get one deadbeat, fully unqualified slacker into the most prestigious school in the country.

The Crew:
Eric -- the good guy, the voice of reason.
Max -- the player with the most to lose.
Schwarz -- the boy genius on the inside
Lex -- the little miss perfect valedictorian who insists on getting in the game.

The Plan:
Break into the Ivy League. Don't get distracted.
Don't get caught.

The Stakes:
A lot higher than they think."

But Hacking Harvard is more than just a fun plot. There are a lot of issues underlying the boys' scheme (which Lex later jumps in on), even outside of the consequences if they're caught and the much-higher stakes, which I won't spoil here. Just for a sampling, the slacker the crew has to get into Harvard is the bully who completely scarred Eric's elementary school experience. Max's father is almost obsessed with Harvard, his alma mater, but Max doesn't want to go. Schwarz, already attending Harvard after graduating high school a year early, is pushed around by his friends and walked all over by the girl he likes. All of the boys worry, at some point, how their best friendship will fare after this year. And then there's Lex, desperate to get into Harvard the legit way-- and, of course, providing some romantic tension (I won't reveal with who).

Plus, the plot itself is more than just fun. Eric and company are prankers, but Eric wants to pull hacks rather than pranks, and he wants them to mean something. He wants them to be smart, to stick it to the man. This gives the book an added element, and it also means there's a lot of info on MIT hacks, which Eric idolizes and which are also totally true-- there's an entire page about hacks and traditions on MIT's website (which, yes, I had to look up after reading this book). Additionally, the book is as much a story about the fear and anticipation of the future faced by high school seniors-- the one issue every single main character deals with in the novel-- as it is about hacking Harvard. The ending of the book reflects this-- it isn't cheesy, as one might expect (and okay, as I might have hoped...) but it's still satisfying.

In short, Hacking Harvard has a fun, incredibly smart plot with important underlying issues, humor, complex characters, and sharp writing (read an excerpt here). So go on, read the book.

But don't try it for yourself.

Still, if you're itching to do something, write a review of one of your favorite mid-list books and email it to me at doingitwrite@gmail.com. I'll post it in a "guest reviewers" section. And remember-- spread the word about the plight of mid-list authors and your favorite mid-list books!

sleep deprivation and short posts

I had full intentions of writing a book review tonight, but as I've mentioned before, it's getting harder to find mid-list books lying around on bookstore shelves anymore. There are still many amazing mid-list books that I plan on reviewing, but tonight, when I discovered that the book I'd planned on featuring(The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart) had won a ton of well-deserved awards and sold incredibly well, I got distracted.

The internet does that.

It starts with looking up one book. Then you start browsing around author websites, which lead you to other websites, which lead you to other books, which lead you to more author websites, which lead you to blogs... the next thing you know, your sleep deprivation is worse than ever, but you've discovered so much.

Seriously-- check out the websites and blogs of your favorite authors, whether mid-list or not. You'll learn more about the books you'll love, and you'll learn about other books your favorite authors have written. You'll learn about author appearances, and what authors are doing to promote their books (which is especially important for mid-list authors that you love!). Plus, don't forget that authors are readers, too. You can discover new books by reading the books your favorite authors love to read. Authors are also often friends with each other, giving you even more opportunities to discover new authors and books. The sites and blogs have plenty more information, links, and fun stuff, too-- an internet playground for any avid reader.

While I was browsing, I also discovered two blogs that I thought may be of interest. As always, the opinions expressed in the blogs are those of the authors alone, but they both provide different viewpoints on mid-list authors, reading, writing, and the publishing industry.

The first blog, aptly named Midlist Writer, is maintained by mid-list author Sean Mclachlan. There's information about the experience of being a mid-list author, musings on writing, interviews with authors he reads, and more. The second blog is Pub Rants, a blog by a literary agent who "indulges in polite rants about queries, writers, and the publishing industry." These polite rants also include information about mid-list authors. Besides being interesting and relevant, both blogs also have many links to other blogs by writers, about writers, and about reading and publishing.

So go ahead-- spend some time surfing the internet. Learn more about the plight of mid-list authors, the publishing industry, great books (both bestseller and mid-list), and great authors-- and maybe even discover some new ones.

And remember: spread the word about your favorite mid-list books and authors! And of you have an original review of a mid-list book you adored, in any genre, email it to doingitwrite@gmail.com with a little info about yourself, and I'll post it.

teen angst, served fresh daily

The plot is pretty standard: High school senior Jan Martin knows that she's destined to lead an unspectacular life, unlike her best friend Rebecca, one of New York's "It Girls." Jan's French homework is tormenting her, and college applications are even worse... though nothing can compare to her new crush's disinterest.

It seems like a typical comedic YA book about a girl navigating love, life, and high school. After all, there are tons of such books out there, which can make it difficult to pick out those that are worth reading from those that are just blah.

Trust me on this one. Melissa Kantor's Confessions of a Not-It Girl is so worth it.

This review is almost superfluous. If you click on the title of the book, you'll find another link to read the first chapter of the novel. And once you read the first chapter, you'll have to read the rest of it.

Jan's angst, minute analysis of her life, and imagination make her first-person narrative a light, fun, and utterly hilarious read. For example, when asked to babysit for her crush's little sister, Jan realizes that she's hardly prepared:

"With only forty-nine hours to put together an outfit that said both 'I am a responsible baby-sitter who will not abandon your child to pursue pleasures of the flesh' and 'I am a sexual dynamo,' I headed upstairs to evaluate my options" (Kantor, 7).

Jan blows up inconsequential moments to huge disasters in her mind (from the real pronunciation of her name-- Yahn-- to running into her crush in a ratty t-shirt), and lives an active fantasy life revolving around the way her life should be going-- sometimes to the point of missing what's actually going on around her. Jan's hyperbolic worries make her a funny and likable protagonist, rather than a shallow, annoying one, however, because Jan has a good sense of humor and cares deeply about her family and friends.

Confessions of a Not-It Girl is full of hope, humor, and talented writing. Additionally, Jan's strong, witty voice and a wonderful cast of characters, from the secretly not-so-secure Rebecca to Jan's quirky parents to Josh, Jan's crush-worthy crush, make Confessions of a Not-It Girl stand out among other books of its genre, even if the basic plot is fairly standard.

And remember-- have a mid-list book that you love? Email original reviews to doingitwrite@gmail.com to be featured in a "guest reviewer" post.

because homer is so overdone

I'll admit it--The Pig Scrolls by Gryllus the Pig (as told to Paul Shipton), and its sequel, The Pig Who Saved the World, are intended for middle schoolers.

But the Shrek franchise is aimed at kids, too, and come on-- that's fun for the whole family.

I compare The Pig Scrolls to Shrek not only because I think both can amuse those older than the intended audience (I first read The Pig Scrolls as a senior in high school), but because both are parodies.

I should say here that I love parodies. They may be my favorite type of humor. I read whatever parodies I can get my hands on, and write parodies almost as frequently as I write completely original pieces (the assignment: write a 15-page short story in the style of a horror novel. 165 pages of golden Dracula parody later, I got an A in the class). I love parodies because so much wit has to be involved to pull off a funny, original story that still works with the source material.

And trust me-- humor, wit, and sarcasm (my other favorite) are aplenty in The Pig Scrolls, which draw from the Greek myths.

Gryllus, the protagonist, is a talking pig, but he didn't start out that way. He was a crew member on Odysseus's ship, one of those turned into swine by Circe. But when Circe agrees to change the men back, Gryllus makes sure he can't be found. After all, why be a human, with a life filled with danger and responsibility? Better to be a pig, where all he has to worry about are his two favorite things-- eating and sleeping.

That is, until he runs into teenage prophetess Sibyl, who informs him that the world is in grave danger, and can only be saved by a talking pig.

Awesome.

And so begins the bizarre quest of determined, idealistic Sibyl and cowardly, completely unwilling Gryllus: locating a strange shepherd boy to deliver to Apollo. Along the way, they run into a whole cast of interesting, mythical characters, such as a moody, adolescent Homer, and too many monsters for comfort.

The Pig Scrolls and its sequel, The Pig Who Saved the World (where Gryllus is, once again, called upon to save the cosmos) both have tight, action-filled plots, but it's the humor that really makes Shipton's novels shine. Clever references and modifications of Greek myths (which younger readers may not fully get), British slang, and a heavily sarcastic voice make Gryllus's tales utter fun to read. Gryllus is a lovable character, with a big heart and conscience hidden behind his snarky tone, laziness, and self-centeredness. His friendship with Sibyl and company is humorous, heartwarming, and full of banter.

Don't expect The Odyssey, here. They are middle-grade books. But if you like humor, parodies, Greek myths, or sarcasm, don't ignore this book just because the narrator is a talking pig. Love the fact that the narrator is a talking pig, because, really-- a talking pig saving the Greek gods and the entire cosmos? How great is that? (About as great as an ogre saving the world of fairy tale characters, eh, eh?)

And, oh yes-- the way the second book ends leaves room for a third, but even though The Pig Who Saved the World was published in 2006, I haven't heard about a third, even though I would love to see what happens to Gryllus...

And remember-- if you have a mid-list book that you love, email me an original book and a little info about yourself (for the "About the Guest Reviewer" bit) and I'll post it. Spread the word about books you love!

ogres, goblins, and orcs, oh my

Though some reviews of the book say that this novel is aimed at the younger end of young adult readers, I absolutely fell in love with Standard Hero Behavior by John David Anderson. The 2007 novel is Anderson's first and only, making me wonder if Anderson has fallen to the wayside like so many other talented mid-list authors, who lose publishing chances just because their books aren't bestsellers.

And, if you're interested in humorous light fantasy and read this book, you'll see just how not okay that is.

Protagonist Mason Quayle is a bard, and his best friend Cowel a door-to-door plume salesman, in a town devoid of heroes. Mason spends his time penning heroic ballads about average accidents (the story opens with Mason writing a dramatic poem about a farmer who managed to escape his fight with a chipmunk), while Cowel mostly gets doors slammed in his face. Neither make enough money to pay the bills, which is a particular problem in Darlington.

Situated near mountains just crawling with deadly beasts-- ogres, goblins, orcs, and more-- Darlington used to be a center for heroes. Now there's only one: Duke Darlinger, who charges an expensive protection tax that has bankrupted the once prosperous city, and made it so that Mason and Cowel can barely put food on the table. But when Mason discovers a secret about the Duke that puts the entire town in deadly danger, he and Cowel set off on a quest to find real heroes to save the day.

Mason is thrilled-- finally he'll be doing something, like the bards of old, who fought valiantly alongside heroes to record their stories. He may just achieve his dream to get noticed... and find out the answer to questions that have plaguing him his whole life: why did his father, one of the town's former heroes who left for adventure when Mason was little, never return? Is he still alive? And was he truly a hero?

Standard Hero Behavior is a gentle parody of quest stories, and Mason and Cowel's mission is filled with misadventure and bizarre characters, such as a retired hero-turned-shoe-salesman, a somnambulist swordsman, a swarm of deadly pixies, an attractive young witch, and a werewolf hit man. This ensures that the plot is almost as amusing as the tone (though it does turn serious at the proper moments). The story is written in typical, modern language, making the read quick and hilarious, due to the sharp commentary on the situations and the banter between Mason and Cowel.

Just as in Hilari Bell's Knight and Rouge series, it's the characters and their friendship that really make the book. Mason and Cowel are both quick-witted and sarcastic, and their observations and back-and-forth are fun and funny to read. Underneath it all, however, there's clearly a deep friendship, which is cute and endearing.

A clever, parodied premise (Duke Darlinger has sponsors who pay for advertising space on his horse, and for Darlinger to promote them during his victory speeches), an interesting plot (will the boys save the day?), great tone, likable characters, hilarious banter, a little bit of romance, and emotional stakes (will Mason find out about his father? Will Mason and Cowel discover what they want to do with their lives?) ensure that Standard Hero Behavior is a must-read for lovers of light fantasy.

And I would love to see another book by Anderson. So if you loved this book, like I did, spread the word. And remember, if you have a book by a mid-list author that you love, write and original review and email it to me at doingitwrite@gmail.com-- I'll post it!