"You are waiting on" Wednesday: The Name of the Star

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Normally, Waiting  on Wednesday highlights books I'm excited to read, but today I'll be discussing a book that I've read that I'm telling you to be excited about, because I'm bossy like that. It's a pre-review of sorts.

Today, I'm talking about:

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

 The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

---

Maureen Johnson is one of my favorite authors and Jack the Ripper is one of my favorite serial killers,  so I pretty much attacked this book in glee when it showed up in my mailbox. Happily, it did not disappoint. It's got some of Maureen Johnson's signature wacky humor despite its dark subject matter, but it's also got plenty of action and thrills as well. Even though you know when the crimes are going to happen because they follow Jack the Ripper's pattern, there is still a constant sense of urgency and mystery in the book because it's impossible to know what will happen to Rory once the crimes occur. 

I can't wait until Rippermania hits the blogosphere once the book is out.


The Name of the Star will be released September 29-- luckily, very soon!

Favorite Book Lingo

For some reason, last night I got to thinking about the lingo and catch phrases and the like in books. I thought I would post some of my favorites, mainly to see if you'll share yours, because I love when authors can organically add new words and fun phrases into their books.


1. "Hate Spinnerbait" from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

If you've read this book, enough said! Sometimes in moments of frustration I just like to say this one to myself, because any reminder of this book makes me happy.

2. "Ace gang," "oo-er," "Hamburger-a-go-go-land," and everything else Georgia Nicolson has said from the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison

Georgia writes using some of the most ridiculous but also some of the best words I've come across. No matter what she's talking about, I always end up cracking up because of the insane abbreviations and meanings for words she comes up with.

Another favorite of hers that I like to say often, much to the dismay of my brother: "the hills are alive with the sound of PANTS."

3. Everything from Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

It sometimes seems as if you need a dictionary to understand everything that's being said in this series, but that's part of what makes it so awesome. The lingo is so fun and bubbly that I can't help but love it. This series also makes it feel so wrong to not say "SpagBol" when referring to, well, spagbol.

4. "Strawberry smoothie" and other similar food words from The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

"Strawberry smoothie" is main character Tessa's way of calling something "awesome," basically. She also has a habit of replacing curse words with fun euphemisms, which does get a bit too sweet at times, but because Tessa is so perky herself, it fits.


5. Words that begin with the prefix "un" from Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle

So, clearly Paisley didn't invent words that begin with "un," but sometimes it isn't about characters creating lingo so much as it is about them making existing words their own. And Paisley definitely made words like unbelievable and unpop her own; I can't see them without thinking of her.

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

[description from goodreads]

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
 These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

Review:

When I decided to stop (for the most part) reading paranormal YA many months ago, I knew The Near Witch was one book I was going to have to make an exception for. However, it turns out that this book really isn't paranormal at all, much to my delight. It's actually more of a fairy tale in nearly all regards-- the setting, the writing, the characters-- and for that reason I enjoyed every minute of it.

I didn't know it prior to reading, but The Near Witch  isn't actually set in the modern day. For some reason I assumed it was (maybe because "Lexi" is a decidedly not very old-fashioned name), but nope, it is set in its own, old-fashioned world, full of cottages, town councils, creepy forests, and the like. I think these settings are always charming and mysterious, but the one in this book is one of my favorites. It totally has that fairy tale feel going for it because of the witches and mysterious parts of nature, but perhaps more importantly, it has some absolutely fantastic writing. Lyrical and descriptive but not annoyingly so, the writing perfectly fits with the atmospheric setting and makes it so much more awesome to read about.

Despite the excellent setting and writing, though, I am a bit more iffy on the characters. I did really like certain parts of the cast, namely the witch sisters who live near Lexi and act as an excellent and intriguing source of knowledge and mystery in the novel. I liked Lexi a lot as well, mainly for the rebellious actions she takes, which help to make the novel an always exciting one. The one person I did not see the total appeal in was Cole; I know his whole purpose in the beginning was basically to be the mysterious stranger, but for some reason I never really warmed up to him once he went beyond that point. I appreciated that his and Lexi's relationship progressed a natural pace, but I guess I never saw the initial appeal in him, which is why I was a bit bored by him the entire time. I also was not the biggest fan of the villain in this story. I understand that a lot of fairy tale-esque villains are of not-very-developed variety, but I really do like my villains to have more personality. The one here felt a bit too comically underdeveloped, even if their mysterious nature did fit in with the rest of the setting.

Despite my lack of affection for certain characters, I still found The Near Witch to be an exciting, atmospheric, beautiful read.

Book details: Hyperion/Hardcover/$16.99


Source: sent by publisher for review

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Only one thing for review this week, but it sounds great!

Eyes in the Mirror by Julia Mayer

Every teen girl fantasizes about having a double and best friend rolled into one-an alter ego with whom she can trade places, allowing her to disappear. Samara is a troubled and lonely adolescent, prone to cutting, who desperately craves both intimacy and escape from her unfulfilled life...until she meets her reflection, Dee, the seeming answer to all her problems.

With dual and dueling points of view, Eyes in the Mirror provides a perspective on one girl's life never before seen in YA fiction: her own and from her freer, wilder reflection.

Finally, a premise that actually sounds original! I'm excited to see how this one ends up.

Plus, it reminds me of Finding Nemo (Deb and Flo, of course!), which is only my favorite Pixar movie. Fun all around.

Caster Chronicles Winner + Things I Like

The winner of books one and two in the Caster Chronicles series, Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness, is Ashley H. Congrats! I will email you shortly if you don't email me first.

And, as per tradition, my song of the moment:



When I first heard this song, I listened to about 150 in two days (I tend to overplay music like it's my job). I have since been able to control myself in the amount of times I listen to it, but even though it doesn't play as often any more, I still love it.

In other news, how about the Doctor Who episode that premiered today? Mostly I'm just excited that I can watch the show along with everyone now; I only got caught up on episodes last month. I quite liked today's episode, though! Rory > everyone, not sorry to say.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

[description from goodreads]

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

Review:

Just reading this summary is enough to elicit a gasp, but I knew this book was something I had to read anyway. And I'm glad I did, because it was more intense, shocking, and emotional than I anticipated.


It would have been so easy to make the siblings' relationship unrealistic and contrived; however, that isn't the case because of how their love is eased into the story. It actually takes a while for them to admit to themselves and each other that their feelings go beyond those of typical siblings, which helped establish them as just a close pair of friends first. From dealing with their troublesome and bubbly younger siblings, from school stress, from their out-of-touch mom, from Lochan's social anxiety, from Maya's overbearing friend, it's clear that the two have too much to deal with. It only makes sense that they would find solace in each other. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help but be happy for them when they had one another, because it was clear from nearly all the events in the book that they needed someone to depend on.


This excellent foundation for their relationship, though, makes the book that much more intense when the pair finally realize their feelings. Both Lochan and Maya are smart, so they are well aware of the danger and implications of their actions. It was heartbreaking and a bit shocking to read about their inner struggle of either accepting their love or trying to squash it; this turmoil was made even more intense by the stunning writing, which was descriptive, but not overly so, and always managed to convey perfectly what either Lochan or Maya was feeling. At times, the drama in their lives does seem a bit too over-the-top, especially in some of the dialogue, but with such an already dramatic premise, it wasn't as bothersome as it could have been.


And I have to say, that ending? One of the best I've read in a long while. Dang.


There's no way I can write a review to do this book justice, so let me end by saying this: it may shock and horrify you, but that's part of what makes Forbidden such a intense and worthwhile read. 


Book details: Simon Pulse/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: bought

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

[description from goodreads]

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

Review:

This book has been sitting in my to-be-read pile for an embarrassingly long time, especially since I had been wanting to read it since even before it came into my possession. However, the summer gave me a chance to catch up on some older books, including this one, and I am glad to say that even after all those months in limbo, The Mockingbirds still managed to live up to my expectations.

However, because my main issue with this book was present even before I began reading, it seems only right to discuss it first. I understand her desire for justice, yes, and that the Mockingbirds society can bring it, yes, but I don't understand Alex's desire to keep the police or any adult authority figures out of it. It just doesn't make sense to me that she so wanted Carter to be brought to justice by the Mockingbirds, but not by the police or anyone else that could punish him beyond just making sure he doesn't have much of a school social life. I understand that going to the police or anyone older would have been very difficult for Alex, but I really wish that at least her motives for not doing that would have been clearer.

Once I managed to suspend some disbelief, though, I was actually quite immersed in Alex's story. From the stark opening chapter until the end, Alex is very honest about what happened, even though she can't always remember the details. In fact, she can't remember much of anything, but as the book goes on, more memories are discovered, ones that sometimes make her question if she really did consent after all or if trying to convict Carter is all for naught. Those confused feelings alone would have made for an intense read, but because Alex has so much else to deal with, the book reaches a new level of emotion. Seeing her try to juggle school work, friends, her confusion, a new love interest, working with the Mockingbirds, as well as her expectantly upset feelings being raped was often a bit heartbreaking to read, but her realistic voice and characterization made it easier to understand what she was going through.

I wish this book made a bit more sense in terms of  the lack of adult involvement, but despite that, I found The Mockingbirds to be an emotional and powerful read, one that deals with many important issues in an unflinchingly honest way.

Book details: Little, Brown/Hardcover/$16.99


Source: BEA '10

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

---

Last week, I read and became obsessed with Sweethearts by this same author. My love is so strong that it immediately made me want to pick up the rest of Zarr's books, except I can't really do that because I've already read her other two novels. I'm dying for another one now, and luckily this one is coming in October (the 18th, to be exact). I'd probably want this one even without my newfound Sweethearts love, because it sounds like it will be wonderfully emotional. 


Also, every time I see the title or cover I immediately feel the need to bust out into the song by The Fray.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved But Never Reviewed

It's no secret that I love lists, so it was only a matter of time before I decided to participate in the "Top Ten Tuesday" feature hosted by The Broke and Bookish.

There's a new topic every week, and today it's "books you loved but never wrote a review for." I love this topic because I get to fangirl SO MANY THINGS.

1. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - You should not be surprised that a (one half) David Levithan book appears on this list. He's my favorite. I don't know how I haven't reviewed this one; it's totally fun, intense, and something I can (and have) read over and over again. The movie adaptation is one of my favorites too.

2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - It's weird that this one has gone unreviewed, because I like to take all the opportunities I can to remind everyone that is it the best Sarah Dessen book and Dexter is clearly the best Dessen boy. Hush, The Truth About Forever fans.

3. Likely Story by David Van Etten - Fun fact: David Levithan, my aforementioned favorite author, wrote 1/3 of this book. That alone is enough to make me love it, but even putting that fact aside, I really like this book. It's so delightfully dramatic and funny and just a total blast to read. Plus, the cover has bubbles. It doesn't get much better than that.

4. Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker - Aw, I have such fond memories of reading this one. I read it back in my first year of blogging, and I picked it up because it had been raved about on literally every single other blog I followed. I was so glad I listened to all those reviews, because I loved this one too (and its sequels).

5. Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman - Usually I tend to stay away from books where romance is pretty much the main focus (says the girl who loves Anna and the French Kiss like its her job), but this one is so good. I'm a sucker for a fantastic setting, and this book has that and more.

6. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - E. Lockhart is one of my absolute favorite authors. I seem to talk about the amazingness that is the Ruby Oliver series quite frequently, but Frankie totally deserves love too. She (and this book) is fierce, fabulous, and flawless. And witty and smart and funny and, in a word, amazing.

7. Dull Boy by Sarah Cross - Superheroes! I love superhero books (where have they been recently?) and this one is one of the most fun and adventurous I've read.

8. She's So Money by Cherry Cheva - If you know me, you know that my memory is often very poor, especially when it comes to what happens in books I've read. I read this book back in 2008 and still remember pretty much everything that happens, which just goes to show how funny and awesome this one is.

9. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder - I tend to love novels in written in verse, but this one is one of my favorites. The writing is fabulous, as is the development of the two lead characters.

10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I KNOW, RIGHT? I talk about this book all the freaking time and I've never officially reviewed it. I actually have a review for it written, and I was going to use it for something festive, but that fell through, so it will probably be posted eventually. But there was no way I could pass up a chance to mention my undying love for it in this post.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

[description from goodreads]

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for nearly ninety years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me . . . and the one who cursed me.
 
So starts the diary of Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a doctor with a most unusual specialty: monster hunting. In the short time he has lived with the doctor, Will has grown accustomed to his late night callers and dangerous business. But when one visitor comes with the body of a young girl and the monster that was eating her, Will's world is about to change forever. The doctor has discovered a baby Anthropophagus—a headless monster that feeds through a mouth in its chest—and it signals a growing number of Anthropophagi. Now, Will and the doctor must face the horror threatening to overtake and consume our world before it is too late.

Review:

The Monstrumologist has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, but I finally decided to pick it up last week after the debacle involving the future of the series occurred. I was eager to see if the praise everyone loaded upon the series was accurate, and if books two and three are as great as this one, I am glad the series won't end there.

The inclusion of monsters and creatures of the night might get The Monstrumologist labeled as paranormal, but because "paranormal" often evokes thoughts of love triangles, abusive boyfriends, and melodrama, I hesitate to call this book that. "Horror" is a much more a more apt description, which, if you know of my desire for more scary YA novels, is unbelievably exciting, especially since the execution is as great as the premise. Monsters always make a great villain, but because the monsters in this book are so unfamiliar, so creepy, they provide a source of intrigue that their mummy and vampire counterparts sometimes can't. I loved seeing Will and Doctor Warthrop on their quest to find and get rid of these monsters, because, as they're so unfamiliar, the pair must go to all sorts of strange, dangerous people and places to find out where they come from. This never-ending hunt for information makes the book always exciting to read, even though it does sadly take a while for some of the actual monster encounters to occur.

It's a bit more difficult to get a hold on the characters in this book though, as it's easy for them to fade away with such unbelievable creatures running around. It's even difficult for some characters to stay interesting in light of the other humans; Will, for example, though he is the narrator, often pales in comparison to his doctor companion. He does not get a chance to do much, being only the assistant, and his narration often depends more on descriptions of setting and creatures than those of himself. Luckily, by the end, he begins to stand out on his own due to the ever increasing tension involved in the quest for the monster and the necessity for him to take a larger role in the hunt. Doctor Warthrop, on the other hand, is always an interesting character, but, then again, I don't think a man who studies monsters could ever really be boring. He's often an enigma, which is to be expected, but clues to his tumultuous past and explanations of his odd behavior are revealed as the monster quest becomes more intense, making him an even more fascinating person.

The Monstrumologist is a story full of gruesome action, suspense, and creatures; I wished for a bit more from some of the characters, but by the end, even that complaint began to lose its validity.

Book details: Simon and Schuster/Paperback/$9.99


Source: sent by publicity company for review

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

I got a few books I am SUPER excited about this week; why must school start now that they're all here?

Bought:

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right...

Every single time I read this summary or any variation thereof, I always end up thinking "OH SHIZ" by the end. It really never fails to pop in my head. If my reaction to reading the book is anything like my reaction to reading the summary, I am in for a treat.


Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I am so excited for this one; I love weird things and unusual story telling, and I'm sure the photographs included in this book will make reading even more of a delight. 

For review: 

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

This one has one of the best premises I've heard in a while, and I'm sure the novel itself will not disappoint.

Plus, it came in a fun box: 

The back turned out to be even more fun, I discovered, once my mom got the address sticker off (thanks mom!):

The list of 90s things the students have, in case you're too lazy to zoom in or can't read it: The Spice Girls, Jerry Maguire, Baby doll dresses, Dolly the Sheep, The Macarena, Independence Day, Tickle Me Elmo, Mariah Carey, The "Rachel" Hair Cut, Oprah's Book Club.

And now, an obligatory Spice Girls song:

My Summer Rereading Adventures

One of the advantages of summer is that I can reread things without feeling terribly guilty about it, since I have more time to sit around and read all day. However, now that summer is almost over (three more days, ugh!), my rereading time has been pretty much cut off. I wanted to post about my rereading adventures, though, because, well, I want to.

I didn't get to reread all the things I wanted to this summer, but on occasion I did just randomly grab things from my shelf that I had no prior intention of rereading. One of those books was Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, which I had previously thought was my favorite book that the pair has written. Not so much anymore. I still love it, of course, but now I'm not sure why it was my favorite. I'm thinking that maybe it's because I'm kind of hipster and chose it because no one else chooses it as their favorite, but that can't possibly be the whole reason. I'm glad I have the review I wrote right after reading it (clicking the title of the book will take you to it), but because I wrote the review when I was 13, it's kind of terrible. However, it did trigger a few memories, like that I read it not long after Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and that I was so excited just to have another book to read by the pair of authors. I'm thinking that's why it was my favorite-- because it was new and exciting and still wonderful. I think it's interesting how rereading can change my perspective on a book, and I'm glad that I have somewhat of a record to refer back to to see how things have changed. #whyiwritereviews

Another book I picked up on a whim was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I've lost track of how many times I've read this book, but every time I read it, I fall in love all over again. I forgot just how much happens in this book and how tragic it is but how it's also uplifting and beautiful at the same time. That's the best type of reread, I think-- the books that are new every time you go back to them.

However, I also really love the rereads that are familiar every time. I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton periodically, and I picked it up and sped through it again just last week. I've read this book over a dozen times but it never fails to entertain me and make me cry and make me remember all the other times I've read it. I feel the same sadness and hope whenever I read it, but with each reread, I've come to appreciate it more because of the sense of comfort it gives me too. It's always been my go-to book when I need something awesome, and I think it's going to stay that way.

And these are my rambly thoughts on the matter-- feel free to share your favorite things to reread or thoughts on the practice!

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

[description from goodreads]

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other's only friend. So when Cameron disappeared without warning, Jennifer thought she'd lost the one person who would ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating—everything "Jennifer" couldn't be. But she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.

Review:

I've read both of Sara Zarr's other novels, Story of a Girl and Once Was Lost, but neither of them totally "wow"ed me. I mean, they're great and I really like them, but they lacked a certain spark that would have made me love them. Sweethearts, though? Totally has that spark. It's like a freaking firework. 
  
I'm not even sure where to begin with this review, because I love everything about this book, even the parts that I hate. Like, Ethan, Jenna's boyfriend? I wanted to punch him.  He was so infuriating, being so self-righteous and constantly suspicious of Jenna and Cameron's friendship. However, even though I wanted to smack him, I could totally see why he was being so obnoxious. He and Jenna have not been dating long, but from the beginning, it was clear that they both did really care about each other and they were trying to make sure each other was happy, even if neither of them really had any idea about how to ensure that.  Another thing that made me so mad were the scenes about the past, before Cameron left. There are plenty of flashbacks included, and because the past was such a terrible time for Jenna and Cameron, they are totally painful to read. They are full of so much emotion and tragedy and stupid people that make them even more depressing to read; however, just because they punched me in the stomach doesn't mean I didn't like reading them. On the contrary, I loved it. I loved being hit with so much emotion in such small snippets, because despite the often short length, they still managed to showcase the special bond Jenna and Cameron had at that time. 


However, on to the things I loved-loved, instead of hated-loved. Which is pretty much everything, but this review is already pretty word vomit-y, so I will try to contain myself. One of the absolute best things was Jenna herself. Jenna has got plenty of emotional baggage, having gone from a "loser" to as popular as she can be at a small charter school. I definitely want to be angsty friends with her because I feel like she would describe our angst in a way better way than I ever could, because her writing is seriously amazing. She describes things so vividly, even though she often seems unsure and confused.  The dialogue in this book is great as well; her friends, while I could have done with them being a little more present because occasionally they seemed flat, are a funny bunch, and I loved their interaction. 

I can't finish this review without mentioning the one and only Cameron Quick. He's about the only love interest I can deal with brooding; he makes his brooding work for him, but also does a great job of being simultaneously tragic and hopeful and uplifting because of how dedicated he is to fixing things for himself and his family.


Sweethearts made me laugh, made me cry, sigh, smile, flail my arms in excitement, think, and oh so much more. This is the type of book that I love so much that, despite the fact that I really want you to love it too, I don't mind if you don't, because, hey, that gives me more time to ramble on about how much I adore it.


Book details: Little, Brown/Paperback/$7.99


Source: bought

BONUS! Awesome quotes from the book that I could not resist including: 

  ". . .There are certain people who come into your life, and leave a mark. . . Their place in your heart is tender; a bruise of longing, a pulse of unfinished business. Just hearing their names pushes and pulls at you in a hundred ways, and when you try to define those hundred ways, describe them even to yourself, words are useless."

"The past only had whatever power you gave it; life was what you made it and if you wanted something different from what you had, it was up to you to make it happen." 

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

[description from goodreads]

Sam Border wishes he could escape. Raised by an unstable father, he's spent his life moving from place to place. But he could never abandon his little brother, Riddle.

Riddle Border doesn't talk much. Instead, he draws pictures of the insides of things and waits for the day when the outsides of things will make sense. He worships his older brother. But how can they leave when there's nowhere to go? Then everything changes. Because Sam meets Emily.

Emily Bell believes in destiny. She sings for her church choir, though she doesn't have a particularly good voice. Nothing, she feels, is mere coincidence. And she's singing at the moment she first sees Sam.

Everyone whose path you cross in life has the power to change you--sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in ways greater than you could have ever known. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel deftly explores the idea of human connection.


Review:
  
My interest in this novel initially stemmed from the absolute rave reviews I had read both on the back cover and from blogs I follow; however, such positive reviews always make me nervous. But, while I was waiting to pick this one up, I found out that the author wrote (and in the case of the latter, directed) the movies Angels in the Outfield and The Big Green, two of my favorite childhood movies. I knew that I was destined to love this book solely on that fact, and I am happy to report that my prediction was correct.

I was nervous to read this one not only because everyone else seemed to love it, but also because I had no idea what it was even about. The summary does not give a hint to much of anything that goes on in this book beyond the fact that the three leads, Sam, Riddle, and Emily, meet and change each others' lives. That's pretty broad, so I really had no idea what I was getting myself into and how they would change each other. And I'm so, so thankful for that. Because I didn't know what to expect, everything was a surprise. I was always excited to see where the three main characters were going; because the lives of Sam and Riddle have always been random and just-go-with-it, they could have taken this book anywhere. Some of the things that happened were so unexpected, and yet they all made sense within the context of the situation and made me want to drop everything to keep reading.

Even the things that were a bit expected were fantastic because of the characters. Sam, Riddle, and Emily have a relationship that's immediately intense, but as they all grow closer, it becomes even stronger. I loved seeing them even just spending time with each other, because although this book does not have much dialogue, it was so easy to see what each of them was thinking and feeling about what was going on. The writing does an amazing job of portraying even the most vile characters' feelings and thoughts in a way that is almost beautiful and brings the characters to life. The point-of-view also happily switches a lot, which gives everyone a chance to have their stories heard, even if they do seem to be overshadowed on occasion by the insanely lovable Sam and adorable Riddle.

A compelling story line, lyrical writing, fantastically developed characters...I'm not sure that I'll Be There is missing anything. I can only hope you think the same if you read it.


Book details: Little, Brown/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: bought

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on: 

 Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

---

I literally could not care less about the actual sport of football, but that doesn't stop me from loving things where it plays a major role. For example, Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock? Awesome book. Friday Night Lights? Greatest show to ever exist (oh, how I miss it!). If this book is even half as good as either of my examples, I will love it.

Released December 1.

Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

[description from goodreads]

It is 1876, the year of the Centennial in Philadelphia. Katherine has lost her twin sister Anna in a tragic skating accident.  One wickedly hot September day, Katherine sets out for the exhibition grounds to cut short the haunted life she no longer wants to live.

Filled with vivid detail that artfully brings the past to life, National Book Award nominee Beth Kepart's Dangerous Neighbors is a timeless and finely crafted novel about betrayal and guilt, hope and despair, love, loss, and new beginnings.

Review:
  
I'm always excited to read a new-to-me Beth Kephart novel, for no matter the story or characters, the writing always stuns me. Such is the case with Dangerous Neighbors; however, more than with any of her other novels, I wish this one had a more compelling story, as it's so short that the book as a whole fell a bit flat.


As usual, the positives first. I absolutely loved the setting of this one; I'm used to reading historical fiction set in the Victorian age or World War II, and it's always fantastic to read something set in another era. I do really wish that this one felt more historical though. A lot of the time it seemed as if what made it historical is that the characters do not speak like modern people. However, that did not bother as much because of the more specific Centennial setting. There's a carnival type atmosphere of sorts at the celebration, and paired with the fantastic writing, the place comes alive and seems all the more magical. The scenes set in the present, at the fair, were absolutely fantastic and packed with emotion because of Katherine's grief, made more intense by the writing and setting that did not quite fit with her mood. 


What I was not quite as much a fan of were the scenes of the past, which comprise much of this already short novel. I understand that they were though to showcase Anna and why Katherine was so upset at her death, but honestly, it was hard for me to feel any sympathy for Anna. Most of the flashbacks portrayed her negatively, and I just did not like her and her bad, rude attitude much at all. Same goes for most of the characters in this book; a lot of the flashbacks they were in did not really do them justice, because they were hardly ever the main focus and just did not seem to take much action.

An emotional and well-written read, but the flat minor characters definitely stopped me from enjoying Dangerous Neighbors as much as some of Kephart's other work.  


Book details: EgmontUSA/Hardcover/$16.99


Source: BEA '10

A(nother) Harry Potter Post

I thought I was done with the Harry Potter related posts since the movies are now over, but today's events have proven otherwise.

For those of you who don't know, Pottermore had their "Magical Quill" challenge not long ago in order to allow people to register for the beta testing of the website. Starting today, emails were sent out to some of those who registered early. I was ecstatic to see that there was one in my inbox and I accordingly spent the whole morning on the site.

I know most people won't have access to it until October, but I thought I'd just say now: it's seriously awesome. Not without flaws, of course (I was really disappointed that a lot of scenes included don't have extra information or even items to collect and click on, for example), but still. Amazing!

Being such a huge fan of the series, everything is exciting, but certain things are seriously awesome. I squealed uncontrollably when I got to get a wand (black walnut with a unicorn core, ten and three quarter inches!) and when I got sorted (Ravenclaw!). I know that everyone who loves the series will love this site too, for the play-along aspect, and some of the new information included. McGonagall's back story, for example? SO GOOD.

If you're on pottermore already, you should totally add me (moonstonecentaur33). And everyone else, the wait is so worth it!

Tomorrow we return to your regularly scheduled posting.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

A bunch of things for review this week, which is always fun.

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McColl

When Lupita sees Mami crying over a pesky mesquite growing in her rose garden, she knows something is wrong. Through the kitchen window, she overhears that Mami has cancer. After an operation, things seem to return to normal for Lupita and her family, and they go on with their lives, going back and forth between attending school, working, and living in the United States and visiting family and friends in Mexico. However, when Mami’s cancer returns, Papi doesn’t know whether he should accompany Mami during her long convalescence at an out of town cancer clinic or stay home to care for Lupita and her seven brothers and sisters. Suddenly, being a high school student, dealing with difficult friends, starring in the school play, even writing, become less important to Lupita than doing whatever it takes to save Mami’s life.

 I've been wanting to read this one because it sounds wonderfully emotional, and I'm so glad I have it now!

Between by Jessica Warman

Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death.

She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them.

In her regular life, Liz was a runner. It wasn’t abnormal for her to run 8-10 miles per day. But as memories from closer to her death begin to surface, Liz finds that she’d been running much more than normal, and that she’d all but stopped eating. Liz’s mother, who died when Liz was nine, had battled with anorexia as well, and those around her worried that Liz was following in her mother’s footsteps. But something more sinister was consuming Liz from the inside out...

 This one sounds super intense; I tend to always like stories narrated by dead people.


The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs. 

Paranormal and I don't get along well, but I think I can handle some demons.

I also got a copy of Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien, but since it's a sequel, I won't post the description. I really liked the prequel, Birthmarked, and I can't wait to see where this one goes!

And, the most exciting thing I got this week:

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

 YAY! I love the Vampire Academy series and am sure this new series by the same author will be great too.

Plus, the book came with this: 

Some fabulous swag, but more importantly, A GIANT COOKIE. Best package ever.

Blowout Winner

The winner of Blowout by Taylor Morris is Samantha D. Congrats! I will email you shortly if you don't email me first.

As per tradition, my song of the moment:




For some reason I feel like I've posted this before, but no matter! I include it again, for it is AMAZING.

Flawless by Lara Chapman

[description from goodreads]

Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.

On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?

This hip retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is filled with hilariously misguided matchmaking, sweet romance, and a gentle reminder that we should all embrace our flaws.

Review:

My knowledge of the story of Cyrano de Bergerac is pretty much limited to that one episode of Boy Meets World, so I was excited to read this book and see if a retelling could be successful even without Cory or Shawn. This one was, but I must say that it didn't quite live up to Boy Meets World. (But, then again, does anything?)

I think my main issue with this book is that I inherently despise tales of "ugly" main characters and their hot best friends. It is so annoying to read about, especially when there is a boy involved, as there is in this story. However, I did warm up to this pair of best friends more so than I do in other books. Sarah and Kristen did really seem like best friends; they complemented each other well and always meant the best for one another. I liked seeing them interact when there were no boys around, because it really helped to emphasize why they were so close and why Sarah was helping Kristen with Rock in the first place. Still, though, I was so frustrated with the both of them. I couldn't believe Kristen was even interested in Rock because of how different they were; the mistakes she made around him were funny, but they were so frequent that I don't understand what they even saw in one another. I was also admittedly a bit annoyed with Sarah for even going through with the plan, even though it was easier to see why she helped than why Kristen was so desperate for her aid.

There were also a few other things in this book that I had mixed feelings on. Besides Sarah writing notes and whatnot to Rock for Kristen, there was also the issue of Sarah's nose. I appreciated that at least some people agreed that her nose was a disaster, because I feel like most heroines say they are ugly but really aren't. However, there were plenty of other people who thought she was, and it was nice to see Sarah try to deal with them and her mixed feelings about getting surgery to fix it. A few other story lines were a bit questionable, though. There is a boy who likes Sarah, but, unfortunately, he suffers from being so flat that I can't remember his name, a true sign that it wasn't going well for him. I liked his inclusion so that Sarah could try to accept Kristen and Rock, but I wish he was around more. Similarly, I wish Sarah's mom was around more. She plays a big role in Sarah's life, but the story line involving her and her workmates was just a bit random.

I could have used with way more development of the minor story lines, but I did still find Flawless to be a drama-filled, well-written, and fun retelling.

Book details: Bloomsbury/Paperback/$9.99


Source: sent by publisher for review

Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Circle of Fire is the conclusion to the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy. You can read my review of book one, Prophecy of the Sisters, here, and book two, Guardian of the Gate, here.

No spoilers for this book, but there will be from books one and two!

[description from goodreads]

With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

Review:

Having read and very much adored Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate, I was quite excited to see where Alica and Lia's tumultuous journey would end. It was quite bittersweet to read this last installment, since this series was one of the first I followed when my blog was still in its young age. However, I did really like this book, and I'm happy to say that it left off in a great place. 

I appreciated that, despite this being the last book in the series, there was still plenty of action because  of all the things that Lia had to do before she reached her final confrontation. In fact, most of the book is made up of her search for the rest of the elements of the Prophecy. This did actually annoy me a bit, since I was waiting for a big showdown that would inevitably occur, and it took so long to get to that that it felt rushed in the end. However, the journey to that end was rather exciting. There was nice balance between Lia looking for the remaining keys, finding the rest of the Prophecy, dealing with Alice, and trying to deal with the friends she already has; because of all the different subplots going on, the book is constantly fun to read, made even better by the many twists included. 


I also liked the few new characters introduced in this installment, as well as all the old ones. The new ones helped keep the story fresh and brought plenty of new information and help to the table, which was appreciated by both Lia and me. I wish that they had more time to be developed, though, because they got so little time to do much of anything that it was difficult to view them as people rather than just vessels to make ensure that the Prophecy would work. Luckily, I still loved the returning characters, for they definitely took their roles seriously and managed to use their personalities to shine. I loved seeing all the teamwork between Lia and her friends, as well as the issues they have in dealing with everyone else, especially Alice. Alice and Lia's relationship became even more intense in this book, which provided a whole new level of emotion that gave the ending a much bigger impact.


Circle of Fire is an exciting, action-packed conclusion to a fantastic series, and I'm sure fans of the first two installments won't be disappointed. 


Book details: Little, Brown/Hardcover/$17.99


Source: bought

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

Today I'm waiting on:

Wintertown by Stephen Emond

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

---

I initially heard of this one over at author Sarah Ockler's blog. Sarah says it's great, and because Sarah is awesome, I trust her judgment.

A comparison to Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is also a sure way to make me interested in a book, because my love for that book knows no bounds.

Released December 5.

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

[description from goodreads]

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.

Review:

 A Need So Beautiful combines one of my favorite things and one of my least favorite: Suzanne Young and angels. I loved Young's previous novels, The Naughty List and So Many Boys, but paranormal novels and I don't have the best relationship lately so I was more hesitant to pick up this one up. However, my love for Young's work overpowers my disdain for paranormal, and so I read this one with an open mind. I did not love it as much as the Naughty List series (probably because there are no spies), but I did very much enjoy it. 


I really hate the "fallen angel" premise, where there's just a fallen angel hanging out in the real world and seducing girls with no self esteem. I vastly prefer when the angel story line is of the more unique variety, and A Need So Beautiful delightfully provided me with that. I loved the premise of the Need, despite how melodramatic that whole phrase sounds, and Young's version of angels. They didn't even seem like angels, but a whole new being entirely. My appreciation for these angels definitely made the plot more interesting for me; I was always excited to see where Charlotte's Need would take her, because all the places she ended up were so different and yet equally heart-wrenching and powerful. 

While I did love the premise and plot, I had a few issues with some of the characters, which is probably why I don't love love this book. I did really like Charlotte; she is obviously not happy with the prospect of being Forgotten, and I liked how her mixed feelings on the situation were portrayed. Her inner dilemma is well written and remains a constant problem throughout the story, which helped to make the situation even more intense. It was a few of the supporting characters that I wanted more from. I liked the additions of Sarah, Charlotte's best friend, and Harlin, her boyfriend, because they more than anyone helped showcase why Charlotte was so uneager to be Forgotten. However, they also seemed a bit flat; Sarah seemed to be there only to move the story along and Harlin to be there only to look good. I also wasn't a huge fan of the story's main villain, who appeared so little that his or her appearances were just a bit cheesy, though I did appreciated the new information he or she brought along, as it helped emphasize the uncertainty of Charlotte's future.

A Need So Beautiful is an emotional and delightful new take on angels, but I could have done with more from the supporting cast of characters.

Book details: Balzer + Bray/Hardcover/$16.99


Source: ARC gifted, final copy bought

Caster Chronicles Giveaway

Thanks to the lovely people at Big Honcho Media, I'm giving away copies of the first two books in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Caster Chronicles series, Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness. 

If you win, it will be a great way to catch up with the series before the October 18 release of book three, Beautiful Chaos. Or, if you've already read them but don't own them, it would still be awesome if you won, because they are rather pretty and may remind you to read the new short story e-book Dream Dark, which follows Link after the events of Beautiful Darkness.

In case you need it, here's a description of book one:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

 Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

 For more on the series, you can check out the series website, Kami Garcia's website, or even Margaret Stohl's.

All the details you should need are on the form!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Descriptions and such from goodreads.

This week, I bought a few books, all classics, which is a bit unusual for me, but these are three books I've been wanting to read.

Les Miserables  by Victor Hugo

In this story of the trials of the peasant Jean Valjean--a man unjustly imprisoned, baffled by destiny, and hounded by his nemesis, the magnificently realized, ambiguously malevolent police detective Javert--Hugo achieves the sort of rare imaginative resonance that allows a work of art to transcend its genre.

This book is SO BIG, OMG. I don't even know when I will have time to read it since it is so large. However, I have been wanting to read it for a while. My English teacher last year (who, side note, is awesome) loves Hugo and I frequently listen to some of the songs from the musical adaptation, so I am sure I shall like it.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

On the Road chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the North American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" and "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge and experience. Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz combine to make On the Road an inspirational work of lasting importance.

Kerouac's classic novel of freedom and longing defined what it meant to be "Beat" and has inspired every generation since its initial publication more than forty years ago.

I am thinking that I will either love this book or hate it, but either way, fun! I figured that since a movie adaptation of it will be out soonish I should give it a go.

 It isn't only YA novels that get terrible covers!

 Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

A monumental classic considered by many to be not only the greatest love story ever written, but also the greatest Civil War saga.

The movie version of this book is absolutely epic and awesome, so I am excited to see if the book is as great. One of my friends ~in real life~ as well as Jordyn from Ten Cent Notes also love this book, and I trust their taste, so I am thinking I will like this one.

Five Favorite Theater Books

I feel like I have often discussed my love of books with musicals lately. I'm not sure if this is true, but it sure does feel like my brain (and blog) have been very musical-y. In honor of that, I thought I'd post about five of my favorite books that feature a musical or just straight-up theater. There are loads more that I like, but these are the first that came to mind. Huzzah.

1. Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner - This book is so delightfully crude and hilarious. I haven't read it in a couple years but I still can recall and laugh at some of the wonderful songs it includes. 

2. TMI by Sarah Quigley - This book contains a production of Grease but does not focus on it; it's like a fun added bonus. This book is also hilarious, but not crudely so, like Castration Celebration. It's also quite adorable and fast, and I don't understand why more people do not join me in like for this book.

3. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - Maureen Johnson is the queen of my heart and I think this book is my favorite of hers. It's weird and quirky and funny and has Hamlet on unicycles, so there's really no way to go wrong with it.

4. Spinning Out by David Stahler Jr. - I read this one recently but very much liked it, mostly because of how in to the musical Man of La Mancha one of the main characters is. He takes his love far, and while it was a bit creepy, I appreciate those with passion.

5.  My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman - This one is wacky and fun and witty in all the best ways, and it has Shakespeare! (Specifically, As You Like It.) I also haven't read this one in ages but can still remember a lot about it, which, if you know me and my poor book memory, is quite a feat.

Blowout by Taylor Morris (+ Giveaway!)

[description from goodreads]

Now that she's had her thirteenth birthday, Mickey's finally old enough to work at her mother's super glam hair salon-- Hello, Gorgeous! And true to the old cliche about people confiding in their hair stylists, Mickey starts getting an earful right off the bat. Customers love talking to her because she's so empathetic, but what happens when she starts getting overly involved in their dramas?

Review:


I don't often read middle grade fiction, but when I was offered this book for review, I couldn't resist. Taylor Morris's previous novel was one of the first review copies I received all the way back in 2008, and since I enjoyed it immensely, I figured I would also very much enjoy this book. And I did! 


I never really find any middle grade novels I do manage to read particularly amazing, but they are always way more addicting and fun than any YA novels I read; Blowout certainly fits that unofficial rule. Although it was a bit easy to figure out how things would work out in the end, I had difficulty putting the book down not only because of how light and fast a read it is, but also because the route to the end was never totally clear. Her new job leads Mickey into so many awkward situations and shenanigans both in the salon and out, and because there were so many issues, it was always a delight to find out how they would change things. An added bonus to following Mickey on this journey is that she is such a great narrator. She is endearing and funny without trying to be, mostly because of how easy to relate to she is. Most of the problems she has come from her taking salon knowledge and using it as an attempt to fit in, which is totally understandable. Even when her knowledge leads to new and seemingly great friendships, there were still so many familiar feelings and problems she had to go through-- trying to keep her new friends, maintaining her constantly changing old friendships, and trying not to make a fool or herself. Basically, she's a total thirteen year old, but one who gets to hang out in a much more vibrant setting than any people I knew when I was thirteen.


Though its probably better enjoyed by its target audience, I still found Blowout to be a wonderfully fun and adorable read, largely due to its easy-to-relate-to protagonist and fabulous setting.


Book details: Grosset and Dunlap/Paperback/$6.99

Source: sent by author for review

I also have an extra (signed!) copy to giveaway, if you are so inclined! All the details you (should) need are on the form.