J - Authors from A to Z Challenge

Authors from A to Z is a posting challenge hosted by 

Heather at Proud Book Nerd. The challenge is simple: each day for the month of June (except Sundays) share your favorite authors whose last name corresponds to the letter for that day.  For more info, click the photo!

How I'm participating in the challenge:

I am trying to highlight at least three authors (YA or otherwise) per letter, some current favorites, others future favorites. If I cannot come up with three, I will substitute favorite books that start with the letter of that day. If that doesn't work, then just for fun I am going to list songs that start with the letter of that day. And if that doesn't work, well, it will be a surprise!

Today's Letter: J

Sophie Jordan (Future Favorite)

Nearly all YA lovers out there except myself have probably already read Jordan's Firelight and are currently on pins and needles waiting for Vanish.  I can see why, having read a tidbit of Firelight and in just a few short pages getting caught up in Jacinda's easy and distinctive narration.  This is one of those series I'm hoping to get my hands on soon.

Maureen Johnson (Future Favorite)

Again, I'm probably one of the few who have not read one of Johnson's many novels, and I must say that is all my fault.  Despite having a general aversion to contemporary YA, I have seen 13 Little Blue Envelopes and her Scarlett Series and had an urge to pick them up.  Now, with The Name of the Star coming out, I'm definitely going to have to get my hands on some Johnson books.

Danielle Joseph (Future Favorite)

I've read just enough of Shrinking Violet and Indigo Blues (again, maybe I'm not as averse to contemp YA as I thought) to want to run out and find them and bring them home with me permanently.  Joseph's protags have distinctive voices, and both of these novels happen to be related to music, and I found that I loved music playing a role in YA when I read Sarah Dessen's Just Listen.  I'm excited to get these as well as looking for the basketball related, soon to be released Pure Red.