Bloggers Share their love of Courtney Summers & A Giveaway

Hello everyone. Today I have a special post to share with you guys, last year was when I first discovered Courtney Summers, I devoured her book This is Not a Test and was literally left in awe of her brilliance, ever since then I've made a promise to myself to read all of her books. Today I will be giving one of you lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Courtney Summers latest two in one book release of What Goes Around (Cracked Up to Be & Some Girls Are).

Here is a little bit about the book. 

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013. 

 

Courtney Summers fans are in for a treat! Two of her most critically acclaimed titles bound together for the price of one. In Cracked Up To Be, Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, is that a horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. In Some Girls Are, climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome. And just like the other members of this all girl clique, she was both feared and revered by the students of Hallowell High... that is until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

You can read the first three chapters of both novels here! 

I've only read one of Courtney's books, but I know so many readers who have been fans of her work for a very long time. I thought I would leave it to these bloggers/readers to share with you why they love Courtney's books so much.

Courtney Summers is one of those rare authors that can make you feel like you're actually living through any situation with her characters, whether it's bullying, death of a loved one, or a zombie apocalypse. There's a particular introspectiveness to her writing that makes you feel like you've known the characters forever, and a certainty when you finish the last page that you'll never forget them. Emily from The Book Geek 

If writing was a sport, Summers would be some sport ninja with her writing being so raw, realistic but intrusive at the same time. Contempories wouldn't be the same without her. Melanie from YA Midnight Reads

The third thing that comes to mind when I think of Courtney Summers (the first being the delicious feeling of not knowing how to feel after I’ve finished one of her books and the second being how brilliantly cool she is whenever I’ve spoken to her) is her age. Publishers, publicists, agents, journalists and even some book bloggers seem to be obsessed with the age of the author; especially when they’re young. When I read her books, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that Courtney is only three years older than me*. She has managed to shake off being a commodity, only being read because she was first published at twenty one, and has become a deservingly well-respected YA author because she’s not afraid to tell the stories that other authors are. And she’s not afraid to write characters that other writers steer way clear of. She hasn’t relied on the “Oh I’m so young and so published!” card but instead she lets her books talk for themselves. And that’s the writer I want to be. *I like to think of her as my cool YA Big Sister. Yeah… don’t tell her that. Jo from Wear The Old Coat.

I love Courtney’s unflinching honesty when it comes to her characters and storylines. Her writing is beautiful and emotionally compelling, her books always feel incredibly real to me. Jess from Jess Hearts Books.

I think the beauty of Courtney's writing is that she doesn't stray from the raw, challenging and gritty topics. Rather, she embraces them, and she reveals the truth of human nature simply because she doesn't mask it in stereotypes or generalizations. Without a doubt, I know that I can always turn to her when I want to read something that's truly real. Melissa from I Swim for Oceans. 

Ms. Summers is fearless with her characters and takes no shortcuts when it comes to the hard stuff. I have so much respect for her as an author and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Crystal from Winterhaven Books
 
I read Courtney Summers’ books in one sitting. Always. As a storyteller, she writes about teenage life in a unique way that seems superbly real without seeming exploitative or overdone. Every time I pick up one of her books, I know that it will remind me of something I experienced in high school (sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way) but that is what keeps me coming back for more. I love her dialogue, her characters, and how she is somehow able to convey more emotion and tell a tightly-plotted story in novels that are shorter than the average YA offering. Though I am speaking just for me at the moment, I feel 100% confident in saying that all three bloggers at The Readventurer consider Summers an auto-buy author. Flannery from The Readventurer.

Summers' has this unique style of writing: punchy, direct, achey. Minimal words conveying maximum impact. You should know this: her books are addictive. One chapter and you'll be hooked. Her stuff is compulsively readable with awesome tightly plotted and unpredictable story-lines. Her prose is gorgeous and her sentiments and themes hit hard. But mostly? She just makes me love her unlovable characters <3 Nomes from Inkcrush

Courtney Summers writes unflinchingly raw novels, exposing emotion in the most brutal - yet life-life - fashion imaginable. Not only are you always guaranteed a barrel of feelings with her books, but you are also sure to find that her narrative voice rings true with parts of your own soul that are difficult to label and distinguish. Ambiguous, hollow, but real, Summers is an author I never hesitate to read Keertana from Ivy Book Bindings.

All of the lovely comments above definitely have me convinced that Courtney is one author whose books should not be missed out on. There is actually a read-along taking place right now, they will be reading all of Courtney's books from September to December and you can still sign up here!

And now for the giveaway, thank you to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy of What Goes Around to giveaway, this giveaway is only open to US/Can residents. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below and good luck. 

 

Courtney Summers lives and writes in Ontario, Canada. She is the author of 2009 CYBIL award-winner Cracked Up to Be, 2011 White Pine Honor Book and 2011 YALSA Top 10 Quick Pick Some Girls Are, Fall for Anything and This is Not a Test, which has been optioned by Sony for a television movie. Her fifth book, All the Rage, will be released in 2014

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