PUT THESE ON YOUR TBR LIST FOR FALL 2014

First, some YA books by well loved authors . . .

The Infinite Sea

by Rick Yancey  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Sequel to The 5th Wave--a series that will appeal to a wide audience--not just fans of dystopian like Hunger Games. Think of handing this to readers who love scifi (aliens!) apocalypse fiction, and some romance readers. Although lets be clear, The Infinite Sea is not full of romance--there's lots of action, twists & turns, and lots of what I love in YA--dire dilemmas the characters have to face that force them to ask the tough questions. Not a disappointing sequel at all.

The Young Elites
by Marie Lu  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
From author Marie Lu of the Legend trilogy-- some survivors of a blood fever have talents that make them more then normal, which in turn makes them powerful enemies that have dark secrets of their own. Expect nothing less than great world building and characters from this author & new series!

Atlantia
by Ally Condie  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Betrayal by a twin sister, treachery surrounding her mother's death, and making a plan to cross the divide between land and Atlantia, the sea, where the main character Rio lives. Matched triliogy fans will be excited for Ally Condie's next book, and in skimming the reviews, reaction seems mostly positive and excited for this standalone book.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue
by Maggie Stiefvater  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I feel like I have to be rather vague in order to not give away spoilers . . . we'll just say that the story of the search continues--only there are more things to search for now, including Blue's missing mother. More Gansey & Blue moments, great character development, poetic writing, and the fascinating myth that this is all based on brings you closer to the moment of truth & death that was predicted in the first book.

Illusions of Fate
by Kiersten White | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Another standalone from a best selling author. The marketing blurb "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare" seems like a tall order to fill, but reviews have been positive! After leaving her home, main character Jessamin feel like an outcast until Finn. He introduces her into circles of nobility--and all that comes with it, which means she must rely on her own strength to navigate the secrets, the power, and the danger.

The Contract
by Derek Jeter | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I love that Derek Jeter--the New York Yankee with five World Series appearances, thirteen All-Star nominations, membership in the 3,000 hit club, the legend-- now has his own publishing imprint. This is the debut book and first in a middle grade series based on Jeter's childhood. Hard work and goals are running themes throughout. I love this niche of sports and based-on-a-true-story fiction that this book fills! Jeter's nonfiction title was also a best-seller.

A taste of nonfiction . . .

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
by Randall Munroe | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
The subtitle gives you a good idea of what this is about. Former NASA, currently running the website xkcd.com, Randall Munroe takes on questions about pools & thunderstorms, Star Trek, energy producing capabilities of people exercising, and much more. I can think of such a diverse audience that would love this book! I'm excited to recommend it to people.

Some majorly anticipated fiction by big name writers . . .

Lila
by Marilynne Robinson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
So if you haven't read Marilynne Robinson's Gilead (won her a Pulitzer) or Home (Orange Prize & National Book Award Finalist, you probably should. If you have, and you found out that she wrote another book set in the same town and revisiting old characters, your heart is probably beating really fast.

The Bone Clocks
by David Mitchell | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Hearing that David Mitchell also wrote another book might cause some of your hearts to beat a little fast. Shifting between different points of view, several characters receive an in depth study through a smaller portion of their life story. Each of the characters in some way ties back to Holly Sykes, who throughout her life has been involved--willingly or not--with supernatural happenings and in a few dangerous circles.

And something to think about . . .

The Learning Habit: A Groundbreaking Approach to Homework and Parenting that Helps Our Children Succeed in School and Life
by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, Rebecca Jackson, & Robert Pressman
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
This book talks about the most essential learning habits in the face of the Common Core State Standards, large amounts of standardized testing, screen time, and more.

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REVIEW: NIGHT FILM

Night Film by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Right from the beginning, this book had me in its grip. This is psychological thriller at it's best--mystery, uncertainty, creepiness, and suspense. The book jacket declares it to be hypnotizing, and I really couldn't think of a better word.

The attention to detail was practically flawless. Everything fitting together perfectly, and of course the creation of the auteur character Cordova and all of his films was just incredible--I had to check myself a few times because it was so easy to think of him as real. The graphics likewise made the story seem so real--so now--that they didn't trip up the narrative or seem too crafted; they were seamless and added some great visual detail that helps the reader get into the narrative. Not only did the details and the graphics make the book feel so real and now, but the pace of the story was
engaging. Readers often discover trapdoors right with the characters--as they are just looking down to see what they're standing on, or often without warning, falling right through.

I particularly admire the author for the way she allows a central question to guide her through the story. It connects all of the characters and despite the darkness of the action sometimes, gives it a light and a meaning. In this case, it was the insistence on living life beyond the edge, going to the place where there is beauty and pain.

I waited a little while to read this, but I'm sort of glad I did . . . perfect for Halloween!

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EUROPE SUMMER VACATION READS

I just returned from a 3 week vacation to Europe with my family--which explains the lack of new posts! But I wanted to share with you a short curated list of books I took with me. A vacation, to anywhere, is not complete without a short stack of books. (Yes, that picture is from when we saw Christ Church in Oxford, England . . . home of Harry Potter!)

I remember a few years ago I took Bel Canto on a beach-y vacation, and it turned out to be magical. There's something about reading a book in a specific, memorable place that endows it with magic and memories of its own. Looking back, I remember that book fondly, and the sunshine, flavor, and location that enhanced that captivating story. Has this ever happened to you? You read a book at a certain place or time and it takes on an special aura that it wouldn't have if you'd read it in all the normal places. I'd love to hear which books were like that for you . . . and here's a few this past month that achieved that magical status.

TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've mentioned this one before here, and finally had some time to read it while away. The truly transatlantic feel of the book was an unintended but perfect match for our country-hopping trip, with longer stays in the UK. The stories, all connected by a family line of mothers & daughters in different time periods and places, conveyed a heavy sense of time that I also felt while touring some of the oldest and most historic places in Europe. I honestly could not have picked a better book where that was concerned! And if you're feeling a bit of wanderlust, or wanting to escape a bit, than this book is a good choice. The escape into McCann's absolutely breathtaking writing is worth it too--rhythmic and captivating, with phrases that you'll read over and over again, then hold in your mind for a while because they are just too good to let go of.

The story arc was admirable too, with a few fictionalized accounts of real people like Frederick Douglass. Alcock and Brown, and George Mitchell in the mix, all tied together with the matriarchal line beginning with Lily Duggan. It was amazing how through those stories--which for a good half of the book weren't even about the family, completed a whole picture. Storytelling at it's best. McCann's definitely a favorite.



Unremembered by Jessica Brody
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I brought this book along because I thought it would be a good balance to the other one; a little light-hearted, fast paced YA complements a vacation well.

While the premise of this book--a girl who had lost all memory and record of who she was, finds it again through a love interest and some snappy action scenes--wasn't anything really fresh, it was the twists in the middle and the end of the book that brought it into more exciting and fun territory.

The fast paced action scenes that threw the plot for a couple of unexpected twists were the best parts. You're wondering how it's possible that a girl could survive a plane crash, not be on the passenger manifesto, and not remember anything about anything. Give it few pages and a few action sequences, and you'll be be slightly breathless and wondering something completely different.

While it touches on deep issues such as what it means to be human, it doesn't have a while lot of depth or complexity to it. It's more of a lighter read, which can be good or not enough. So when it gets down to it: not fresh, but still exciting and fun. Fans of The Adoration of Jenna Fox, or Cinder.

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SHORT LIST 02: LATE SPRING READS

A few new & can't miss books for this lovely late spring season:

YA

 The 5th Wave 
by Rick Yancey

Alien invasion, but not as you've seen it before. Post-apocalyptic world, but not as it has been written before. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you'll probably like this one. Cassie is running from Them, looking for her brother and trusting no one--there is no one to trust. Evan Walker might be able to help find her brother, but trust is still an issue, and so are a lot of other things, like not being found by Them--who look just like everyone else.

Read the first 70 pages here. You'll like it. (Review coming soon!)

Eleanor & Park 
by Rainbow Rowell

This is a great spring pick because it has all of the light-heartedness and humor of a new relationship and unique characters, but also has a serious, though-provoking side. Set in 1986, Eleanor and Park are an unlikely pair who met on a bus ride to school. She's the quirky new girl, and he's some kind of incredibly sweet secret ninja kind of guy.
This is perfect for fans of The Fault in Our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or Stargirl. 

See my review here.





Fiction

TransAtlantic 
by Colum McCann

If you liked his earlier, award winning Let The Great World Spin, then you are sure to love this. Once again, the writing will carry you away--this time through a series of stories from 1845, 1919, and 1998 that blend real events and people with fiction. The stories are all connected through time and different places in the world, and told beautifully. There's a lot to look forward to with Colum McCann--his writing and masterful storytelling make the world seem small and big at the same time. This is exactly what I want to be reading right now!

Nonfiction 

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Another selection that I'm excited for based on the author's previous books. Made to Stick and Switch are must-reads, so here's hoping that this one turns out great as well!

It turns out that making a decision isn't a simple thing--there are a lot of factors that influence our decisions--some of which enhance or take away from the effectiveness of the decision and outcome. Decisive looks at these factors, as well as current research on the matter, and offers ways to make the making of decisions more effective.

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REVIEW: BRUISER

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shusterman has a real talent for asking hard questions and examining touchy issues through his characters. He does this in Unwind too--one of my favorites. In Bruiser, this focus on the characters, which can be both hilarious and a little heart-wrenching, could have been accomplished with or without the multiple perspectives, I think. Although the prose from Brewster is insightful and helps deepen his character even more, Tennyson's voice was my favorite. Shusterman knows what he's doing when he creates these character relationships--very dynamic.

And although this is different from Unwind, I still appreciated the quality of the writing and how it is so probing and thoughtful. This book takes a look at pain (obviously), abuse, the difference between the lack of love and the presence of love. Would your life be easier or better without pain? Do you need the hurt, anger, pain, so you can appreciate when things are good? How far would you go to protect someone you care for? And of course his writing is full of absolutely hilarious, well-placed humor. That is Shusterman's style--getting deep into characters and issues while still managing to have moments of humor to keep things from getting stifling.

I would recommend this to boy readers in general (this book isn't romance-y), readers who like Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and for some reason I keep thinking of Paolo Bacigalupi- although his books are a little more exotic I definitely see some similarities, and of course if you liked Unwind or Everlost.

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WEEKEND LINKS 012

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World Book Night is coming up! 

DPLA . . . it's happening! (digital public library of America)

Hamlet interpretations in various modes (Facebook, emoji, etc).

Overly optimistic book titles.

Pics of famous authors as teenagers.

Book Reporter's March Madness Bracket--in books! Final Four this week: 

Louisville (FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN by Terry Bisson)  vs Wichita State (PIZZA ON THE GRILL: 100 Feisty Fire-Roasted Recipes for Pizza & More by Elizabeth Karmel and Bob Blumer)

Michigan (DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller) vs Syracuse (WE WERE THE MULVANEYS by Joyce Carol Oates)

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REVIEW: MIDWINTERBLOOD

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not too often do you read books with this kind of intensity and depth, or with the kind of beautiful, descriptive writing, or that have such barely constrained passion bursting through the story. Marcus Sedgwick is truly one of my favorite authors (see Revolver and White Crow), because each one of his books, this one being no exception, stand out from the crowd of other YA literature. I loved this one because you can feel the history and weight of time behind the story, and the resolution is surprising and memorable. 

I say story, but really Midwinterblood is comprised of seven stories with common threads woven throughout, and as you get farther in you start to see how everything connects and the true storyline that transcends time. The enchanting, mysterious setting contributes a lot to the atmosphere of the book. It's a place where things aren't what you think they are, and secrets and traditions reveal the dark, sometimes violent side of the picturesque, remote Blessed Island.

I just can't get over this book. It's haunting and memorable, and the meaning builds and builds and the writing is simply masterful. I read it through twice and couldn't get enough. It's fairly short, and would definitely appeal to readers who enjoyed books like Tiger Lily, Monstrous Beauty, The Raven Boys, Cloud Atlas, or possibly even The Night Circus. 

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WEEKEND LINKS 09

 

Brian Selznick's 2013 Children's Book Week poster is here, beautiful, and available to order (free)! (via Scholastic)

10 Shifted Perspective Novels I Would Totally Read  (via Book Riot)

Announcing the sequel to The House of The Scorpion! Called The Lord of Opium. I love stand-alone books, especially in this world of series books, and for a long time there The House of The Scorpion was a stand-alone . . . but really, I could not be more excited to get more of this story. It's so relevant in today's world. 

The 2012 L.A. Times Book Prize finalists! 

Oooh la la...Mark Twain and other writers without shirts on. (via Daily Beast)

With the 200th anniversary of “Pride and Prejudice,” scenes from Austen’s novels are being commemorated as stamps.  (via Pageturner)

Some new punctuation marks . . . makes you wonder how you survived without them. (via EnglishComp)

In honor of the Oscars on Sunday . . . . . .

5 of the films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar are based on books. (via Book Riot)

Is the book really better than the movie? Just in time for the Oscars, a look into the data (via Goodreads)

Some famous movies I'll bet you didn't know were books. Jaws, really?! (via Shelf Awareness)

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REVIEW: Why We Broke Up

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, now I see the reason for the hype, and I'm a little wistful thinking how I put off reading it for so long. I thought this book would just be another one about a teenage relationship with a head-over-heels heartbroken girl and a dashing-somewhat-emotionally-shallow boy, and it is about a teenage relationship with a head-over-heels heartbroken girl and a dashing-somewhat-emotionally-shallow boy, but it's so smooth that it makes me feel as if I'm living my own silly teenage relationships over again. The good parts are focused on, but the bad parts not skipped over either. I feel like I'm back in high school with the rosy memories of it and a few of the blunt realities thrown in to keep it real.

And that is what I liked about it. What I liked less was how often Min referenced movies (I kind of got bored with that after a while) and the somewhat contrived feel of her character. Her narration got a little jagged in some parts. The cutesy-ness of Min & Ed's relationship really bugged me sometimes, kind of like their characters did (note: some content). But really, that wasn't the best part of the book for me.

But this is what was, and this is why you should read it: the narrative style was fabulous. Daniel Handler is just a fabulous writer. The way he makes you feel the emotion of a place or of a situation is powerful . . . the images he uses to create that are powerful and will make you feel like you really are back in high school or remembering like a slap in the face what a breakup was like. You know it's good when the writer can make you feel so raw and nostalgic and everything else. Bravo.

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Hot Book of 2012: The Fault in Our Stars

If you haven't been totally asleep to the book world recently, you'll have noticed that The Fault in Our Stars is EVERYWHERE on the 2012 versions of the Best of the Year and Must Read and Give To People That You Know And Love for Christmas book lists. 

So.... Have you read it yet? Because if you haven't, I'm going to join my voice with the crowd of others and tell you that you SHOULD! Because a book wouldn't make it on all of these lists for no reason, right? (Unless the book is titled The Casual Vacancy, but that's a different story.) 

In short, it's about two kids who have/had cancer... Hazel (miraculously in remission for the time being) and Augustus (also called Gus, charming, handsome, and into Hazel) meet at cancer kids support group. Their surprising relationship is an adventure full of what would be normal experiences for others, but are new and exciting for them. Through their eyes, it feels new and exciting to the reader too... With major moments of discovering how the way you take on life and sickness defines you and the people who knew you. 

Here's a quick repost of my review: 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderfully witty despite the deep topic. This will definitely be an emotional read for those who have had cancer touch their lives in one way or another. Green has a special talent for creating characters that you can't help caring about--these ones are charming and funny and youthfully optimistic about their situation. I just really cared about them! So much that I found myself crying and feeling right along with them.

Not giving anything away here, but the twist near the end threw me for a loop- and I felt like that reversal in situation was the best part of the book. And even though some parts and characters felt vaguely familiar to those who have read John Green before, it was a wonderful read. A very satisfying book to spend some time with.

Those of you who have read it, here's some fun stuff:

The book trailer:

An amazing interview with John Green on Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/TSJIal

And.... I recommend following John Green on Twitter @realjohngreen. He's hilarious.

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Revolver

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The best YA I've read in a while! You can't help but admire the writing- sparse but full of action and tension. But I also got really caught up in the story. It's just so fascinating. I loved learning more about the time period--in an indirect way--but also the characters were so captivating and unique that I was interested the whole time. It also feels like it has wider significance--morals that you can pull from the action other than the ones that are more overt. I really enjoy reading books where you can gradually see the puzzle pieces fit together to create a masterful narrative, and seeing where those pieces fit in was part of the excitement of this book.

View all my reviews

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Coal Black Horse

Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a thing for Civil War books, and quite possibly a thing for Cormac McCarthy too. This book satisfied both of my desires in that sense. Told in a somewhat sparse manner similar to McCarthy, it still had Olmstead's own style of writing that is at the same time poetic (but very descriptive) and haunting. The tragedies of the Civil War stay with you, especially when told in such a raw way in this book. A beautiful read just because of the way he puts words together to form images of a horrible, but meaningful, time. The characters were also memorable. I loved following Robey on his coming of age journey that was so full of development, personal revelations, and also symbolic meaning. I really came to like the boy. I also fell in love with his horse--a powerful, intuitive character that provides a constant in the book.

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In The Garden of Beasts

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I absolutely love Erik Larson. He has a talent for cliffhangers, and I have a weakness for history books. Very excited for this one and it's great so far.

Didn't disappoint. I love how Larson focused in on this one family, and the events leading up to WWII. The perspective of this family was great, because I think so many times--how could people let so many horrible things happen? but Larson revealed the climate in Berlin at the time; the climate that was the precursor to what we all know in retrospect as one of the worst times in history. I was so impressed with the writing . . . always am with Larson. Also, this was great insight into some of the major players of that time- lots of shocking details and stories that made me stop and say WHAT? that really happened?

Also, don't skip over the notes at the end- Larson loves to hide juicy bits in there that you won't want to miss . . . (Note: This is real history, more for mature readers.)



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THE THUNDERBOLT KID. READ HIS STORY.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir by Bill Bryson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The title of this book promises a lot of adventure and wonder, which the book most definitely delivers! You will laugh when you read this, guaranteed. You could learn about America in the fifties and early sixties from any number of sources, but Bryson provides an incredibly entertaining POV of a young boy- which never fails to hold your interest or make you laugh. These aren't just monotonous facts or a history lesson, but a perspective and experiences that make that time so much more real, not just to those who can relate to growing up then, but to anyone who has been a kid or had an imagination. Incredibly engaging writing!

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maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of . . .

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Yes, I really liked this book! It was interesting the whole time! I loved the perspective of the main character. He isn't the greatest person ever, but very likable because he is fallible, good hearted and well intentioned. The adventures and challenges that he had to face were interesting and heart-warming, because of the stark and real characters that he helped. The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was because I didn't quite enjoy the all the four letter words at such a frequency, but isn't that the vocabulary of a 19 year old taxi driver? I would still highly recommend this book! I absolutely loved it!

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The Power of Words

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Wow! Although this book is a bit long (55o pages) the power of words captivates you the entire time. Not only is this book about the power of words, but the words in this book are powerful. Narrated by Death, it is about a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany. She lives with foster parents, is good friends with the boy next door who always wants to kiss her, and is helping to hide a Jew in her basement.

And, she steals books.

We see how words have a power not only in her life, but in the life of the Jewish man, in the case of Hitler, and also in the lives of those who are close to or touched by the book thief.

Zusack writes in such a way that you can smell what they smell, feel what they feel, and see what they see, in all aspects of the spectrum.

The characters are powerful. The story is powerful. Mankind is powerful, in many different ways. And words are powerful.

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