Just to catch you up to date on several things:

1. The new issue of Bookslut went up over a week ago and included both a feature on nonfiction titles for kids and teens by me as well as my regular column (books for winter reading). I highly highly highly recommend any of the Scientists in the Field titles for middle grade and teen readers (three are reviewed in the NF feature). They cover all sorts of topics, from astronomy to wildlife forensics to more standard biology. There's literally something for everything and while the topics alone are wicked cool one of the things I love is the diversity of the scientists who are portrayed. You've got men, women, older, younger and multiple ethnicities. Good stuff.

2. A new issue of Booklist came out on the 1st including my starred review for Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortensen (which remains my favorite pick for book buyers everywhere this holiday season) and a second starred review for Curfewed Nights by Basharat Peer about the long civil war in Kashmir. This had to be one of the more poetic books on war I've ever read; it's very informative, very sad and quietly stunning. I still can't believe how much we do not know about the world.

3. A portion of my interview with Delia Sherman and Christopher Barzak for the Interfictions 2 anthology is up online. I really enjoyed exchanging emails with them on a wide range of subjects that all revolved around definitions of modern fantasy. Interfictions 1 was a beautiful volume with several impressive stories; I'm really looking forward to reading the second book and recommend them as solid choices for speculative fiction readers.

4. I received an unrequested ARC for This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer, companion to Life As We Knew It and The Dead and the Gone. I am not a big fan of dystopian fiction and actually have not read the first two books. (I know, I know, I probably should have but one does need to pick and choose and these guys seem to have done quite nicely without me). If anyone would like this one then please let me know and I'll put all the names in a pot and choose one randomly. Might make a nice New Year's gift for a rabid fan as the book is not due out until April. (See Jen's review here.)

UPDATED: Finally did the random generator thing (aka my son picked a number and that person won) and the book goes to Wendy who tweeted to get in the contest (she's #5 below). Thanks for everyone who tried and I hope Wendy loves the book! (And shares it with her students!)

5. The readergirlz have been busy and a new video is up now at You Tube for next year's Teen Book Drop. This year will include a new component - a wish list for the targeted teens that blog readers can purchase books from. We are aiming to assist to reservation schools and hope that everyone will visit the list at Guys Lit Wire in April when the TBD takes place. Here's the video for your viewing pleasure and many thanks to diva Holly Cupala for such a great job: