James Patterson Bookshots: French Kiss with Richard DiLallo
One drawback to some of these bookshots is that the stories are not complete. What I mean by that, with this one in particular, is that the story jumps around and seems to leave things out.
Detective Luc Montcrief is working for NYPD. He is a detective from Paris, who solved a big case that made him somewhat sought after. He has a fantastic partner, Maria Martinez, who is killed while posing as a prostitute while she was on loan to the vice department.
Then, he is assigned a new partner, K. Burke, to help solve Maria's murder. While working that case, Luc's longtime lover, Dalia, is murdered. Luc puts two and two together and realizes that there is a connection in these murders of women he loves. So he and K. Burke go to Paris to try to figure things out by looking at his prior cases. While there, Burke is attacked.
So many details left out, but still a decent story. If I hadn't set a crazy/stupid goal for myself, I likely would not have ever read this. Am I a better person for having read it? No. I did meet my goal of reading more books in 2016 than I did in 2015, so that's something.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
The Book That Ties With 2015
James Patterson Bookshots: $10,000,000 Marriage Proposal
Ok. This is stupid, but I couldn't imagine reading fewer books in 2016 than I did in 2015. So, even though I started a book in the wee hours of this morning, I decided to pick up and read a couple of short ones so I'd have one book more for 2016. It's all about growth, right?
Anyway, these book shots are kinda cool. This is the second one I have read, and they can be knocked out in about an hour. Perfect for meeting your year end reading goals when you fall short. Ha.
This one is about a guy who puts up a billboard in Los Angeles, offering $10,000,000 to have a woman marry him. Sketchy, no? Anyway, this follows three women who answer the billboard. Suze, who is gorgeous and super successful. Janey, who is chronically late for everything, who just lost her job. And Caroline, who works with kids to keep them out of jail, and lives with her mother.
These three women go on a series of interviews with people who aren't the mystery man to determine if they are the perfect match for him.
Yes, he does choose someone. Yes, it is one of these three. To find out which one, read the bookshot.
Ok. This is stupid, but I couldn't imagine reading fewer books in 2016 than I did in 2015. So, even though I started a book in the wee hours of this morning, I decided to pick up and read a couple of short ones so I'd have one book more for 2016. It's all about growth, right?
Anyway, these book shots are kinda cool. This is the second one I have read, and they can be knocked out in about an hour. Perfect for meeting your year end reading goals when you fall short. Ha.
This one is about a guy who puts up a billboard in Los Angeles, offering $10,000,000 to have a woman marry him. Sketchy, no? Anyway, this follows three women who answer the billboard. Suze, who is gorgeous and super successful. Janey, who is chronically late for everything, who just lost her job. And Caroline, who works with kids to keep them out of jail, and lives with her mother.
These three women go on a series of interviews with people who aren't the mystery man to determine if they are the perfect match for him.
Yes, he does choose someone. Yes, it is one of these three. To find out which one, read the bookshot.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Stupid High School Traditions
The List by Siobhan Vivian
Let me just start by saying how happy I am that the list in this book does not exist in the high school where I teach. Of course, there are class favorites, Homecoming Court, etc, but nothing to the extent of this. I'd like to believe that if there were, we'd nip it in the bud.
This book takes place over the course of the week before Homecoming at Mount Washington High, located somewhere in the United States. For many years, during this particular week, a list comes out, indicating the prettiest girls in each class, as well as the ugliest girls in each class. No one knows who makes this list, but everyone knows it's the "official" list because in the bottom corner, the school seal (that has been missing for years) is embossed on the papers. Typically, the senior girl who is named the prettiest becomes the Homecoming Queen.
In the freshman class, Abby is labeled the prettiest. Unfortunately, she thinks that's all she is. She has a very intelligent older sister, who while not pretty, Abby feels like she lives in her shadow. Ugliest freshman is Danielle, a swimmer. She's not really ugly, though the reader won't know why she is chosen until the end of the book.
The sophomore class gives us Lauren, a girl who was recently homeschooled but genuinely nice as the prettiest. The ugliest girl in that class is Candace, who is actually very pretty, but apparently mean. You know what they say about being the prettiest person, but if you are ugly on the inside, you're just ugly? That's what's in play here.
For the junior class, there's Bridget, prettiest, who stops eating and throws up her food in an effort to make herself smaller. She doesn't think she's pretty, and this list has caused many problems for her. Then there's Sarah. Sarah is labelled as ugly, and she embraces it. The day the list comes out, she has a friend write UGLY on her forehead in permanent marker. She also decides not to bathe, brush her teeth, change clothes (including underwear), etc as a personal protest. She figures why not give the people what they want.
Last is the senior class. Margo, whose older sister was prettiest the year before, is labelled prettiest this year. This isn't her first year on the list, as she made the list as a freshman too. Margo is a cheerleader, and thinks this is her year. The girl chosen as ugliest has been on the list before too--every year of high school she has been the ugliest girl in her class. She also used to be Margo's best friend. This girl is Jennifer, and some of Margo's closest friends try to make things better for Jennifer, including getting people to vote for her for Homecoming Queen.
This book shows what each girl goes through during the week leading up to Homecoming. It shows how this list changes them. The reader also finds out who was responsible for the list. Interesting read, but, again, I am glad we don't deal with this crap at my high school.
Let me just start by saying how happy I am that the list in this book does not exist in the high school where I teach. Of course, there are class favorites, Homecoming Court, etc, but nothing to the extent of this. I'd like to believe that if there were, we'd nip it in the bud.
This book takes place over the course of the week before Homecoming at Mount Washington High, located somewhere in the United States. For many years, during this particular week, a list comes out, indicating the prettiest girls in each class, as well as the ugliest girls in each class. No one knows who makes this list, but everyone knows it's the "official" list because in the bottom corner, the school seal (that has been missing for years) is embossed on the papers. Typically, the senior girl who is named the prettiest becomes the Homecoming Queen.
In the freshman class, Abby is labeled the prettiest. Unfortunately, she thinks that's all she is. She has a very intelligent older sister, who while not pretty, Abby feels like she lives in her shadow. Ugliest freshman is Danielle, a swimmer. She's not really ugly, though the reader won't know why she is chosen until the end of the book.
The sophomore class gives us Lauren, a girl who was recently homeschooled but genuinely nice as the prettiest. The ugliest girl in that class is Candace, who is actually very pretty, but apparently mean. You know what they say about being the prettiest person, but if you are ugly on the inside, you're just ugly? That's what's in play here.
For the junior class, there's Bridget, prettiest, who stops eating and throws up her food in an effort to make herself smaller. She doesn't think she's pretty, and this list has caused many problems for her. Then there's Sarah. Sarah is labelled as ugly, and she embraces it. The day the list comes out, she has a friend write UGLY on her forehead in permanent marker. She also decides not to bathe, brush her teeth, change clothes (including underwear), etc as a personal protest. She figures why not give the people what they want.
Last is the senior class. Margo, whose older sister was prettiest the year before, is labelled prettiest this year. This isn't her first year on the list, as she made the list as a freshman too. Margo is a cheerleader, and thinks this is her year. The girl chosen as ugliest has been on the list before too--every year of high school she has been the ugliest girl in her class. She also used to be Margo's best friend. This girl is Jennifer, and some of Margo's closest friends try to make things better for Jennifer, including getting people to vote for her for Homecoming Queen.
This book shows what each girl goes through during the week leading up to Homecoming. It shows how this list changes them. The reader also finds out who was responsible for the list. Interesting read, but, again, I am glad we don't deal with this crap at my high school.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Ramifications of a School Shooting
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
After I finished the book I was reading last night, I realized that, save for my Kindle, I was out of books to read. How did I let that happen? My Kindle is in my bedroom, and I didn't want to disturb my husband and one of the dogs to get it. So, I did the next logical thing: I went to my daughter's room to see if she had anything I hadn't read yet. She came through in fine style, despite trying to get me to read the Alice in Zombieland books. This was one of the three she loaned me.
I have read books by Jennifer Brown before. The first one of hers that I ever read was Thousand Words, which, if you read my blog post about it a couple of years ago, you know I think every teenager should read. My own has read it at least three times. Anyway, the point is, I knew this one would be good.
The story centers around Valerie. She and her boyfriend, Nick, had a hate list, which is exactly what it sounds like-a list of people they hated. For Valerie, it was more cathartic than anything else; she would put someone's name on the list if they hurt her or pissed her off in some way. For Nick, it was much more than that; it was a list of people to kill. Which is exactly what he did. He shot fellow students in the commons area of his high school. He shot a beloved teacher. He even shot Valerie before turning the gun on himself.
People thought that because Valerie helped make the list that she was in on the whole thing, but that wasn't the truth. Unfortunately, people will believe what they want to believe, what fits their agenda.
In the days after the shooting, Valerie finds herself in the hospital, recovering from her gunshot wound. Then, because everyone seems to think she is suicidal, she spends a couple of weeks in the psych ward. After that, she is released to her parents' care, and begins to see a psychiatrist. At the beginning of the next school year, Valerie goes back to her high school to try to move on with her life.
Things aren't so great for her. Her former friends want nothing to do with her. Those who were shot but didn't die didn't want to be in the same school with her. She becomes even more isolated than she ever was before. But then there is Jessica. Jessica was horrible to Valerie before the shooting. She was even on the hate list, but the day of the shooting, the bullet that hits Valerie is the bullet that was meant for Jessica.
Valerie has a hard time believing that circumstances changed Jessica. This is mainly because people still blame her--including her own parents. Valerie just has to make it through the school year, and then she can be away from all of this. Can she do it?
This book achieved something that seldom happens when I read--I cried. My heart ached for Valerie and all she went through. I think we forget that there are other victims of school shootings than those who are actually shot: the ones who loved the shooter and are left behind. This book shows that in a way that is real and relatable.
I highly recommend this one.
After I finished the book I was reading last night, I realized that, save for my Kindle, I was out of books to read. How did I let that happen? My Kindle is in my bedroom, and I didn't want to disturb my husband and one of the dogs to get it. So, I did the next logical thing: I went to my daughter's room to see if she had anything I hadn't read yet. She came through in fine style, despite trying to get me to read the Alice in Zombieland books. This was one of the three she loaned me.
I have read books by Jennifer Brown before. The first one of hers that I ever read was Thousand Words, which, if you read my blog post about it a couple of years ago, you know I think every teenager should read. My own has read it at least three times. Anyway, the point is, I knew this one would be good.
The story centers around Valerie. She and her boyfriend, Nick, had a hate list, which is exactly what it sounds like-a list of people they hated. For Valerie, it was more cathartic than anything else; she would put someone's name on the list if they hurt her or pissed her off in some way. For Nick, it was much more than that; it was a list of people to kill. Which is exactly what he did. He shot fellow students in the commons area of his high school. He shot a beloved teacher. He even shot Valerie before turning the gun on himself.
People thought that because Valerie helped make the list that she was in on the whole thing, but that wasn't the truth. Unfortunately, people will believe what they want to believe, what fits their agenda.
In the days after the shooting, Valerie finds herself in the hospital, recovering from her gunshot wound. Then, because everyone seems to think she is suicidal, she spends a couple of weeks in the psych ward. After that, she is released to her parents' care, and begins to see a psychiatrist. At the beginning of the next school year, Valerie goes back to her high school to try to move on with her life.
Things aren't so great for her. Her former friends want nothing to do with her. Those who were shot but didn't die didn't want to be in the same school with her. She becomes even more isolated than she ever was before. But then there is Jessica. Jessica was horrible to Valerie before the shooting. She was even on the hate list, but the day of the shooting, the bullet that hits Valerie is the bullet that was meant for Jessica.
Valerie has a hard time believing that circumstances changed Jessica. This is mainly because people still blame her--including her own parents. Valerie just has to make it through the school year, and then she can be away from all of this. Can she do it?
This book achieved something that seldom happens when I read--I cried. My heart ached for Valerie and all she went through. I think we forget that there are other victims of school shootings than those who are actually shot: the ones who loved the shooter and are left behind. This book shows that in a way that is real and relatable.
I highly recommend this one.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Avoid the Popular Girls
The Merciless by Danielle Vega
Another book I purchased last week for $5.50. I figured if it was good, it was a steal; if it was bad, it didn't break the bank. It wasn't bad.
Sofia is new in school. She's an Army brat, so she moves around a lot. Because she moves around a lot, she doesn't have many friends. On her first day, she meets Brooklyn and Charlie in the lunch line. She likes them immediately. Shortly after that, she meets Riley, a popular girl, who lets Sofia into her circle. Alexis and Grace are part of that circle.
Riley, Alexis, and Grace try to convince Sofia that Brooklyn is evil, and Sofia can't see it. She does agree to try to find out what it was that made Brooklyn change, however. One night, Sofia goes to a party at Brooklyn's, and sees Brooklyn hooking up with Riley's boyfriend. Sofia thinks she is doing the right thing by telling Riley what a skeeze her boyfriend is, and Riley says that it's Brooklyn's fault and that they need to help Brooklyn to change her ways.
That in no way prepares Sofia for what Riley has in mind. Riley truly believes that Brooklyn is possessed by evil, and decides that she and her friends need to exorcise her. Let's just say that this "exorcism" gets way out of hand.
Some of the details are a bit graphic, but I found I couldn't put this down. I HAD to know what happened next. This is also another quick read. I did it in less than five hours. I liked it well enough that I will read the sequel that is out now, and the prequel that comes out this summer.
Another book I purchased last week for $5.50. I figured if it was good, it was a steal; if it was bad, it didn't break the bank. It wasn't bad.
Sofia is new in school. She's an Army brat, so she moves around a lot. Because she moves around a lot, she doesn't have many friends. On her first day, she meets Brooklyn and Charlie in the lunch line. She likes them immediately. Shortly after that, she meets Riley, a popular girl, who lets Sofia into her circle. Alexis and Grace are part of that circle.
Riley, Alexis, and Grace try to convince Sofia that Brooklyn is evil, and Sofia can't see it. She does agree to try to find out what it was that made Brooklyn change, however. One night, Sofia goes to a party at Brooklyn's, and sees Brooklyn hooking up with Riley's boyfriend. Sofia thinks she is doing the right thing by telling Riley what a skeeze her boyfriend is, and Riley says that it's Brooklyn's fault and that they need to help Brooklyn to change her ways.
That in no way prepares Sofia for what Riley has in mind. Riley truly believes that Brooklyn is possessed by evil, and decides that she and her friends need to exorcise her. Let's just say that this "exorcism" gets way out of hand.
Some of the details are a bit graphic, but I found I couldn't put this down. I HAD to know what happened next. This is also another quick read. I did it in less than five hours. I liked it well enough that I will read the sequel that is out now, and the prequel that comes out this summer.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Don't Do Drugs
Survive the Night by Danielle Vega
Saw this at Target last week for $5.50, read the blurb and thought "Why not?" Good call, but holy cow.
This was a fairly quick read. I say that because I read it in 5 1/2 hours. I was hoping for a different ending, but I'll survive.
Casey is recently home from rehab. Initially, she got addicted to pain pills after jacking up her knee in soccer. A misfit from school named Shana helped to lead her on this path. It started with the oxy, but also encompassed things like meth, heroin, and ecstasy. That's why she went to rehab, although she told people she had a bad reaction to the pain meds.
Anyway, she starts out at a slumber party with her friends from the soccer team, the ones who more or less abandoned her when she was injured, but Shana and her other friends show up and whisk her away to New York City. First, they go to an underaged club to watch Casey's ex-boyfriend perform with his band. While there, some freak invites them all to a Survive the Night rave in the tunnels. Shana decides that they need to go.
So they go. They group is Shana, Casey, their friends Aya and Julie, Casey's ex, Sam, and Sam's bandmate, Woody. They end up in this giant party underground in New York. Shana, being the unsavory character that she is, spikes Casey's drink, and Casey starts to see things. One of those things being a disemboweled Julie. When Casey gets back to the group, they go looking for Julie. They find her, but in a different area than where Casey originally sees her. Yes, she is dead and disemboweled.
They try to leave the tunnels because by this time, the rave has broken up and everyone has disappeared. Unfortunately, the manhole cover where they came in no longer opens. They're stuck. They get lost in the tunnels. They are attacked by rats. They trudge through waist high water. They are attacked by some monster with tentacles. Everyone except Casey dies. Because of this, I thought the whole book was a dream in rehab, but it wasn't. How much of this was real to her, we'll never know because they found ecstasy in her system, hence the title I gave this post.
Seriously, if you learn nothing from this book, I hope you get this out of it: don't do drugs, and watch who you trust. Perhaps if Casey hadn't been so trusting of her "friend" Shana, her life wouldn't have come to this.
Saw this at Target last week for $5.50, read the blurb and thought "Why not?" Good call, but holy cow.
This was a fairly quick read. I say that because I read it in 5 1/2 hours. I was hoping for a different ending, but I'll survive.
Casey is recently home from rehab. Initially, she got addicted to pain pills after jacking up her knee in soccer. A misfit from school named Shana helped to lead her on this path. It started with the oxy, but also encompassed things like meth, heroin, and ecstasy. That's why she went to rehab, although she told people she had a bad reaction to the pain meds.
Anyway, she starts out at a slumber party with her friends from the soccer team, the ones who more or less abandoned her when she was injured, but Shana and her other friends show up and whisk her away to New York City. First, they go to an underaged club to watch Casey's ex-boyfriend perform with his band. While there, some freak invites them all to a Survive the Night rave in the tunnels. Shana decides that they need to go.
So they go. They group is Shana, Casey, their friends Aya and Julie, Casey's ex, Sam, and Sam's bandmate, Woody. They end up in this giant party underground in New York. Shana, being the unsavory character that she is, spikes Casey's drink, and Casey starts to see things. One of those things being a disemboweled Julie. When Casey gets back to the group, they go looking for Julie. They find her, but in a different area than where Casey originally sees her. Yes, she is dead and disemboweled.
They try to leave the tunnels because by this time, the rave has broken up and everyone has disappeared. Unfortunately, the manhole cover where they came in no longer opens. They're stuck. They get lost in the tunnels. They are attacked by rats. They trudge through waist high water. They are attacked by some monster with tentacles. Everyone except Casey dies. Because of this, I thought the whole book was a dream in rehab, but it wasn't. How much of this was real to her, we'll never know because they found ecstasy in her system, hence the title I gave this post.
Seriously, if you learn nothing from this book, I hope you get this out of it: don't do drugs, and watch who you trust. Perhaps if Casey hadn't been so trusting of her "friend" Shana, her life wouldn't have come to this.
A Modern Sherlock Sequel
Lock and Mori: Mind Games by Heather Petty
Picking up almost exactly where the last book left off, we find Lock and Mori in a little bit of a pickle. Mori's father is in jail for crimes he committed, but there are people who believe he is innocent and are trying to blame Mori. It's a mess. People trying to kidnap her brothers, he father making threats, people showing up dead on her doorstep, people attacking her in her own home, etc.
Needless to say, there was a ton of action going on in this. And the end! Holy cow! How am I supposed to wait a year for the next one? Way to leave me hanging.
Sorry this is short, but I can't in good conscience go into too much detail without giving away what happens in this book as well as its predecessor. Just read them!
Picking up almost exactly where the last book left off, we find Lock and Mori in a little bit of a pickle. Mori's father is in jail for crimes he committed, but there are people who believe he is innocent and are trying to blame Mori. It's a mess. People trying to kidnap her brothers, he father making threats, people showing up dead on her doorstep, people attacking her in her own home, etc.
Needless to say, there was a ton of action going on in this. And the end! Holy cow! How am I supposed to wait a year for the next one? Way to leave me hanging.
Sorry this is short, but I can't in good conscience go into too much detail without giving away what happens in this book as well as its predecessor. Just read them!
Saturday, December 24, 2016
A Modern Take on a Classic Detective Team, I Think
Lock and Mori by Heather W. Petty
This is one of two books I received in my December Lit-Cube, the theme of which was Sherlocked. As best I can tell, this is a modern take on the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but as I have yet to read any of those, I can't be 100% sure on that. A little Googling helped me to make some sense of characters besides Holmes and Watson, the latter of whom doesn't play much of a part.
Our protagonist in this case is one James "Mori" Moriarity, who is the daughter of a police detective in London. Roughly six months prior to the events in this book, Mori's mother passes away from cancer. This is important because Mori's dad has taken her death hard, and lashes out, to put it mildly, on his four children. The other police turn a blind eye to this, which I have a huge problem with, for the record.
One day, during a fire drill, Mori is asked to summon Sherlock "Lock" Holmes from his basement lab at school during a fire drill. A rather awkward meeting occurred, but something clicked because they became fast friends. Not long after this, a man is murdered in Regency Park, and Lock feels that the local law enforcement are inept, so he and Mori decide to solve the crime.
At first, Mori thinks this is just a game, but as time goes on, she finds that it is much more than that, and she is involved, whether she wants to be or not. Mori uncovers some secrets that may be best left hidden that involve her mother. Luckily, she knows what she has to do with them.
Going into this book, I really didn't know what to expect. I am reasonably familiar with Sherlock Holmes, even though I haven't read the books, but I wasn't sure if I would need to have read the original material to enjoy this one. As it turns out, I didn't. This was a fun read, and I can't wait to dive into the second book I received in that box, as it is a sequel to this one. Should I like it as well, and there are more books in the series, I will have to make efforts to obtain them.
This is one of two books I received in my December Lit-Cube, the theme of which was Sherlocked. As best I can tell, this is a modern take on the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but as I have yet to read any of those, I can't be 100% sure on that. A little Googling helped me to make some sense of characters besides Holmes and Watson, the latter of whom doesn't play much of a part.
Our protagonist in this case is one James "Mori" Moriarity, who is the daughter of a police detective in London. Roughly six months prior to the events in this book, Mori's mother passes away from cancer. This is important because Mori's dad has taken her death hard, and lashes out, to put it mildly, on his four children. The other police turn a blind eye to this, which I have a huge problem with, for the record.
One day, during a fire drill, Mori is asked to summon Sherlock "Lock" Holmes from his basement lab at school during a fire drill. A rather awkward meeting occurred, but something clicked because they became fast friends. Not long after this, a man is murdered in Regency Park, and Lock feels that the local law enforcement are inept, so he and Mori decide to solve the crime.
At first, Mori thinks this is just a game, but as time goes on, she finds that it is much more than that, and she is involved, whether she wants to be or not. Mori uncovers some secrets that may be best left hidden that involve her mother. Luckily, she knows what she has to do with them.
Going into this book, I really didn't know what to expect. I am reasonably familiar with Sherlock Holmes, even though I haven't read the books, but I wasn't sure if I would need to have read the original material to enjoy this one. As it turns out, I didn't. This was a fun read, and I can't wait to dive into the second book I received in that box, as it is a sequel to this one. Should I like it as well, and there are more books in the series, I will have to make efforts to obtain them.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
A Quick Revisit
James Patterson Bookshots: Cross Kill
I was at CVS the other day, waiting for a prescription to be filled. While waiting, I took a look at their pathetic reading section. This novella caught my attention. Patterson has been doing the bookshots for several months now, but I haven't bothered with them until now. I was an avid reader of Patterson until about two years ago. This was the first of his that I have read in ages.
I was drawn to this bookshot because it was about Alex Cross, my favorite Patterson character. It also revisits some of Patterson's earlier Cross books.
In this novella, Alex and his best friend and partner, John Sampson, are working at a soup kitchen that Alex's NanaMama endowed with some lottery winnings. While there, shots are fired. When Cross and Sampson go to investigate, Cross is shot in the chest and Sampson in the head by a man that looks like Gary Soneji, an earlier criminal that Cross saw die.
Cross was wearing a bulletproof vest which saved his life. Sampson wasn't so lucky, and ended up in the ICU, in a medically induced coma. Cross is working to find out who shot Sampson, as Soneji has been dead ten years. This is really messing with Cross.
Cross finds out there are several Soneji fans who'd like to see him dead, but Cross is able to solve the case, like only he can.
I was at CVS the other day, waiting for a prescription to be filled. While waiting, I took a look at their pathetic reading section. This novella caught my attention. Patterson has been doing the bookshots for several months now, but I haven't bothered with them until now. I was an avid reader of Patterson until about two years ago. This was the first of his that I have read in ages.
I was drawn to this bookshot because it was about Alex Cross, my favorite Patterson character. It also revisits some of Patterson's earlier Cross books.
In this novella, Alex and his best friend and partner, John Sampson, are working at a soup kitchen that Alex's NanaMama endowed with some lottery winnings. While there, shots are fired. When Cross and Sampson go to investigate, Cross is shot in the chest and Sampson in the head by a man that looks like Gary Soneji, an earlier criminal that Cross saw die.
Cross was wearing a bulletproof vest which saved his life. Sampson wasn't so lucky, and ended up in the ICU, in a medically induced coma. Cross is working to find out who shot Sampson, as Soneji has been dead ten years. This is really messing with Cross.
Cross finds out there are several Soneji fans who'd like to see him dead, but Cross is able to solve the case, like only he can.
TAYSHAS #11
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
The TAYSHAS list was released on December 1, and it turns out that ten of the books I read this past summer made the list. This one I had on hold on Overdrive for a week or so, but when I saw it at Target, I decided I was tired of waiting my turn, and just bought it.
I really wanted to read this because the description said it was for fans of Girl, Interrupted and The Bell Jar, two books I enjoyed immensely. This did not disappoint.
Charlotte "Charlie" Davis is a cutter. At the beginning of the book, she is in a mental facility. She tried to kill herself while living in a sex house, and a couple of her friends found her. This is a girl who lived on the streets after her mother kicked her out, and had a rough life. The mental facility saved her. She was there for a few weeks, but then the money ran out, so she was released to her mother's custody.
Unfortunately, Charlie's mother didn't want her to come home, so she gave her some money, and Charlie moves to Arizona to be with one of her friends, a guy named Mikey. Charlie has feelings for Mikey, which he does not return.
Charlie finds a job washing dishes at a coffee shop, as well as a room to let. She is managing to keep from cutting. She meets a man who is all wrong for her, who mostly uses her to buy him drugs. He is the beginning of her undoing.
I am fascinated by "broken" people, so this book was right up my alley. I found myself just wanting to grab Charlie and hug her. I wanted to help her to be better. This one was so worth my time.
The TAYSHAS list was released on December 1, and it turns out that ten of the books I read this past summer made the list. This one I had on hold on Overdrive for a week or so, but when I saw it at Target, I decided I was tired of waiting my turn, and just bought it.
I really wanted to read this because the description said it was for fans of Girl, Interrupted and The Bell Jar, two books I enjoyed immensely. This did not disappoint.
Charlotte "Charlie" Davis is a cutter. At the beginning of the book, she is in a mental facility. She tried to kill herself while living in a sex house, and a couple of her friends found her. This is a girl who lived on the streets after her mother kicked her out, and had a rough life. The mental facility saved her. She was there for a few weeks, but then the money ran out, so she was released to her mother's custody.
Unfortunately, Charlie's mother didn't want her to come home, so she gave her some money, and Charlie moves to Arizona to be with one of her friends, a guy named Mikey. Charlie has feelings for Mikey, which he does not return.
Charlie finds a job washing dishes at a coffee shop, as well as a room to let. She is managing to keep from cutting. She meets a man who is all wrong for her, who mostly uses her to buy him drugs. He is the beginning of her undoing.
I am fascinated by "broken" people, so this book was right up my alley. I found myself just wanting to grab Charlie and hug her. I wanted to help her to be better. This one was so worth my time.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
A Sequel Jane Austen Would Have Loved
The Epic Adventures of Lydia Bennet by Kate Rorick and Rachel Kiley
As I've said many times before, I love Austen's Pride and Prejudice. What I don't usually mention is how much I dislike Mrs. Bennet and Lydia Bennet in Austen's story. This book certainly redeems Lydia for me.
I bought this because I adored The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet. I wasn't ready to leave the world of these modern day Bennets, and I didn't have to.
Lydia is the youngest Bennet daughter. She's flighty, doesn't always think things through, and spends more time having fun than focusing on real life. Because of this, it's not really a surprise that she was duped by George Wickham. But Lydia is trying to come back from this.
She is seeing a counselor, and this has made her think that psychology would be a good major for her. So, the plan is for her to take the last two classes of her associate's degree, then move to San Francisco with cousin, Mary, so she can transfer to a four year college. Too bad Lydia gets in the way of Lydia.
But, Lydia is not down and out. She is finding a way to find herself, this time, without her big sisters there to help her every step of the way. I think this is why I loved Lydia--because she was forced to grow up and find herself.
Do yourself a favor, and read this.
As I've said many times before, I love Austen's Pride and Prejudice. What I don't usually mention is how much I dislike Mrs. Bennet and Lydia Bennet in Austen's story. This book certainly redeems Lydia for me.
I bought this because I adored The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet. I wasn't ready to leave the world of these modern day Bennets, and I didn't have to.
Lydia is the youngest Bennet daughter. She's flighty, doesn't always think things through, and spends more time having fun than focusing on real life. Because of this, it's not really a surprise that she was duped by George Wickham. But Lydia is trying to come back from this.
She is seeing a counselor, and this has made her think that psychology would be a good major for her. So, the plan is for her to take the last two classes of her associate's degree, then move to San Francisco with cousin, Mary, so she can transfer to a four year college. Too bad Lydia gets in the way of Lydia.
But, Lydia is not down and out. She is finding a way to find herself, this time, without her big sisters there to help her every step of the way. I think this is why I loved Lydia--because she was forced to grow up and find herself.
Do yourself a favor, and read this.
Not Quite Up to Par with Unwind
Unstrung: an Unwind Story by Neal Schusterman
I read this because it indicated that it told the story of Lev between his adventures with CyFy and when he shows up at the airplane graveyard. Technically, this is true, but this is not so much about Lev as it is about Wil.
Lev ends up on a reservation. He becomes friends with Wil, a guy about his age who has an amazing gift for music. Wil is tasked with playing the music for his grandfather to die to. He doesn't want to, but he does it anyway.
One day, some bad dudes come onto the reservation to kidnap kids of age to be unwound. These people, the Native Americans, don't believe in unwinding, so there's now a bounty on the head of these kids. To save his friends, Wil volunteers. He becomes unwound. Lev is sad. The end.
Seriously, this happened in less than fifty pages. I wish I'd left well enough alone.
I read this because it indicated that it told the story of Lev between his adventures with CyFy and when he shows up at the airplane graveyard. Technically, this is true, but this is not so much about Lev as it is about Wil.
Lev ends up on a reservation. He becomes friends with Wil, a guy about his age who has an amazing gift for music. Wil is tasked with playing the music for his grandfather to die to. He doesn't want to, but he does it anyway.
One day, some bad dudes come onto the reservation to kidnap kids of age to be unwound. These people, the Native Americans, don't believe in unwinding, so there's now a bounty on the head of these kids. To save his friends, Wil volunteers. He becomes unwound. Lev is sad. The end.
Seriously, this happened in less than fifty pages. I wish I'd left well enough alone.
Should've Stayed an Ebook
Beauty-Everland Ever After by Caroline Lee
This was in my October Lit-Cube. We were supposed to be thrilled that this book was printed just for subscribers. However, like the title of this post indicates, it should have stayed as ebook. It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in Wyoming.
Arabella is twice widowed, with a ten year old son named Eddie. She runs the bookstore/library. A new, mysterious man moves to town. He is missing his eyes, and is scarred. Arabella sets quite a store on beauty, and Vincenzo, aka new guy in town, doesn't think she will ever see beyond that.
However, Vincenzo realizes some things, and rather than try for happiness, decides to leave town. He doesn't.
Boring as all get out.
I was so disappointed by this book. Belle is my favorite Disney princess, and this retelling makes her shallow. I just couldn't reconcile myself to this.
This was in my October Lit-Cube. We were supposed to be thrilled that this book was printed just for subscribers. However, like the title of this post indicates, it should have stayed as ebook. It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in Wyoming.
Arabella is twice widowed, with a ten year old son named Eddie. She runs the bookstore/library. A new, mysterious man moves to town. He is missing his eyes, and is scarred. Arabella sets quite a store on beauty, and Vincenzo, aka new guy in town, doesn't think she will ever see beyond that.
However, Vincenzo realizes some things, and rather than try for happiness, decides to leave town. He doesn't.
Boring as all get out.
I was so disappointed by this book. Belle is my favorite Disney princess, and this retelling makes her shallow. I just couldn't reconcile myself to this.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Two Perspectives Done Right
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
I bought this book for two reasons: 1 it's a signed copy and 2 I loved All the Bright Places by the same author. I was hoping this would be as good, and it was.
First, we have Jack. He is bi-racial, sports a righteous afro, and can't distinguish people by how they look. Meaning he has to find identifying features for everyone in his life, including his parents and siblings. He can't remember a time that he wasn't like that, but doesn't know if he was born that way or became that way due to an accident he had when he was six. He's a bit of an asshole, but that's more of a mechanism to make up for his handicap. By the way, no one knows about this handicap.
Then, we have Libby. She was once known as the Fattest Teenager in America, and had to be cut out of her house. Her mother died when she was ten, it was unexpected. She was also bullied when she was in grade school. Libby's way of dealing with this was to eat to fill the emptiness inside her. At the present time, she has lost 250 lbs, and is returning to school. People make her life miserable due to her size, but Libby is valiantly trying to make it.
One day, Jack comes up and wraps his arms around Libby in what is called Fat Girl Rodeo. Jack does it to keep his friends from doing it and humiliating Libby, and she punches him. They end up in a counseling session that lasts several weeks, and have to fulfill community service, which causes them to form an unlikely friendship.
What I like about this book is that it tackles bullying in a real way. It's less about Libby being overweight than it is about teenagers being assholes, which is something I see on the regular.
There's so much more going on in this book than what I have presented here, but to catch it all, you need to read it.
I bought this book for two reasons: 1 it's a signed copy and 2 I loved All the Bright Places by the same author. I was hoping this would be as good, and it was.
First, we have Jack. He is bi-racial, sports a righteous afro, and can't distinguish people by how they look. Meaning he has to find identifying features for everyone in his life, including his parents and siblings. He can't remember a time that he wasn't like that, but doesn't know if he was born that way or became that way due to an accident he had when he was six. He's a bit of an asshole, but that's more of a mechanism to make up for his handicap. By the way, no one knows about this handicap.
Then, we have Libby. She was once known as the Fattest Teenager in America, and had to be cut out of her house. Her mother died when she was ten, it was unexpected. She was also bullied when she was in grade school. Libby's way of dealing with this was to eat to fill the emptiness inside her. At the present time, she has lost 250 lbs, and is returning to school. People make her life miserable due to her size, but Libby is valiantly trying to make it.
One day, Jack comes up and wraps his arms around Libby in what is called Fat Girl Rodeo. Jack does it to keep his friends from doing it and humiliating Libby, and she punches him. They end up in a counseling session that lasts several weeks, and have to fulfill community service, which causes them to form an unlikely friendship.
What I like about this book is that it tackles bullying in a real way. It's less about Libby being overweight than it is about teenagers being assholes, which is something I see on the regular.
There's so much more going on in this book than what I have presented here, but to catch it all, you need to read it.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
A New Look at an Old Debate
Unwind by Neal Schusterman
I had put off reading this book because every adult I spoke to said it was disturbing. One even said it was graphically descriptive (negative, Ghost Rider). My students, on the other hand, raved about this book, almost to a one. So, I paid a dollar and bought a copy. I am so glad I did.
Obviously, this takes place sometime in the future, after the Heartland Wars. These wars were fought over the abortion argument. What came as a result of these wars were what is known as unwinding. If a woman gets pregnant, she goes through the pregnancy and delivers the baby. One of two things then happen: 1 she raises the baby herself or 2 she storks it. Storking a baby involves leaving a baby on the front porch of a house without getting caught. If the mother gets caught, she has to raise the baby herself. If she is not caught, the family that finds the baby has to raise it. As a result, there are a ton of unwanted babies who make it to at least age thirteen.
Once a child is thirteen, parents can choose to have them unwound. There are a variety of reasons why a parent may choose to have their child unwound. One reason is that the kid is a troublemaker, and they are just done. Once a child turns eighteen, they cannot be unwound.
So, I know you're asking what unwinding means exactly. Basically, children who are scheduled to be unwound become organ donors. Their body parts are harvested, and these parts go to people who need them. Creepy, no?
Connor is fifteen or sixteen (I don't really remember). He's a bit of a troublemaker, and doesn't bring home the grades his parents want. They decide to have him unwound, and so he runs away. In the process, he causes a huge bus accident, where Risa, an orphan from a State Home who is scheduled to be unwound, escapes, and he kidnaps Lev, a tithe. (Tithes are children who are born and raised to be unwound as their family's tithe to God. Like tithes at church.) These three end up on the run, or AWOL.
Lev is not happy that he was "rescued." He always knew what was in store for him, and he was ok with it. When Connor and Risa were hiding out with him, he escapes and tries to turn them in. Lev ends up on the road with a guy named CyFi, and learns to live off what is available. Connor and Risa end up in a warehouse safe house for AWOL unwinds. Shortly after that, Connor and Risa end up at an airplane graveyard in Arizona with about 400 other unwinds. All they have to do is make it until they are eighteen, and then the threat of unwinding is gone.
Will they make it? You seriously have to read this book. So, so good.
I had put off reading this book because every adult I spoke to said it was disturbing. One even said it was graphically descriptive (negative, Ghost Rider). My students, on the other hand, raved about this book, almost to a one. So, I paid a dollar and bought a copy. I am so glad I did.
Obviously, this takes place sometime in the future, after the Heartland Wars. These wars were fought over the abortion argument. What came as a result of these wars were what is known as unwinding. If a woman gets pregnant, she goes through the pregnancy and delivers the baby. One of two things then happen: 1 she raises the baby herself or 2 she storks it. Storking a baby involves leaving a baby on the front porch of a house without getting caught. If the mother gets caught, she has to raise the baby herself. If she is not caught, the family that finds the baby has to raise it. As a result, there are a ton of unwanted babies who make it to at least age thirteen.
Once a child is thirteen, parents can choose to have them unwound. There are a variety of reasons why a parent may choose to have their child unwound. One reason is that the kid is a troublemaker, and they are just done. Once a child turns eighteen, they cannot be unwound.
So, I know you're asking what unwinding means exactly. Basically, children who are scheduled to be unwound become organ donors. Their body parts are harvested, and these parts go to people who need them. Creepy, no?
Connor is fifteen or sixteen (I don't really remember). He's a bit of a troublemaker, and doesn't bring home the grades his parents want. They decide to have him unwound, and so he runs away. In the process, he causes a huge bus accident, where Risa, an orphan from a State Home who is scheduled to be unwound, escapes, and he kidnaps Lev, a tithe. (Tithes are children who are born and raised to be unwound as their family's tithe to God. Like tithes at church.) These three end up on the run, or AWOL.
Lev is not happy that he was "rescued." He always knew what was in store for him, and he was ok with it. When Connor and Risa were hiding out with him, he escapes and tries to turn them in. Lev ends up on the road with a guy named CyFi, and learns to live off what is available. Connor and Risa end up in a warehouse safe house for AWOL unwinds. Shortly after that, Connor and Risa end up at an airplane graveyard in Arizona with about 400 other unwinds. All they have to do is make it until they are eighteen, and then the threat of unwinding is gone.
Will they make it? You seriously have to read this book. So, so good.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
A Beastly Knockoff
The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant
This one came in my Harry Potter themed Lit-Cube. Not sure why, as it is in no way related to Harry Potter. In fact, it is more like The Series of Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket, but I think that is mostly due to the way it is told. From time to time, the reader is addressed.
Anastasia is kidnapped from school one day by two older women claiming to be her great aunts. They tell her that her parents have been killed in a freak vacuuming accident. Anastasia falls for it, and ends up in their creepy, old Victorian house. A house that used to be St. Agony's Asylum. That bodes well, no?
Anyway, Anastasia is locked in her room every night, and asked to do weird chores, like catching leeches. One day while overhearing her "aunts," Anastasia finds out that they intend to kill her and feed her to some beast. Anastasia meets Ollie and Quentin, who the aunts have imprisoned for nefarious reasons as well. The three of them decide they must escape, so they make plans to do so.
This is the beginning of a series I am not likely to continue. This was written for upper elementary school students, so I wouldn't even put this in my classroom. I just wasn't impressed. It was written too much like something I enjoyed, but I felt that this author tried to hard.
This one came in my Harry Potter themed Lit-Cube. Not sure why, as it is in no way related to Harry Potter. In fact, it is more like The Series of Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket, but I think that is mostly due to the way it is told. From time to time, the reader is addressed.
Anastasia is kidnapped from school one day by two older women claiming to be her great aunts. They tell her that her parents have been killed in a freak vacuuming accident. Anastasia falls for it, and ends up in their creepy, old Victorian house. A house that used to be St. Agony's Asylum. That bodes well, no?
Anyway, Anastasia is locked in her room every night, and asked to do weird chores, like catching leeches. One day while overhearing her "aunts," Anastasia finds out that they intend to kill her and feed her to some beast. Anastasia meets Ollie and Quentin, who the aunts have imprisoned for nefarious reasons as well. The three of them decide they must escape, so they make plans to do so.
This is the beginning of a series I am not likely to continue. This was written for upper elementary school students, so I wouldn't even put this in my classroom. I just wasn't impressed. It was written too much like something I enjoyed, but I felt that this author tried to hard.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Modern Day P&P
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick
If you've been following me for a while, you have probably figured out that I love Jane Austen, specifically, Pride and Prejudice. I am a sucker for anything related to anything Jane, so when my favorite subscription service, Lit-Cube, offered a special edition Jane Austen box on my birthday, I jumped on it. This book was in that box.
I suspected I would love this book, simply because it was a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. What I liked best was that everything that happened in the original novel happened here. Every character in the original was present, though not necessarily in ways you would expect. For example, there are only three Bennet sisters in this--Jane, Lizzie, and Lydia. No worries though. Mary makes an appearance as a cousin, and Kitty is Lydia's pet cat.
Another thing I liked was that modern Lydia was not nearly as annoying as original Lydia. Her story ends a bit differently too, but that is only to be expected.
I liked this enough that I will probably seek out other books in this series.
If you've been following me for a while, you have probably figured out that I love Jane Austen, specifically, Pride and Prejudice. I am a sucker for anything related to anything Jane, so when my favorite subscription service, Lit-Cube, offered a special edition Jane Austen box on my birthday, I jumped on it. This book was in that box.
I suspected I would love this book, simply because it was a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. What I liked best was that everything that happened in the original novel happened here. Every character in the original was present, though not necessarily in ways you would expect. For example, there are only three Bennet sisters in this--Jane, Lizzie, and Lydia. No worries though. Mary makes an appearance as a cousin, and Kitty is Lydia's pet cat.
Another thing I liked was that modern Lydia was not nearly as annoying as original Lydia. Her story ends a bit differently too, but that is only to be expected.
I liked this enough that I will probably seek out other books in this series.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
A Sweet Holiday Story
What Light by Jay Asher
It's no secret that I love this author. I have read his debut novel more times than I can count, and own multiple copies. His second book was nice, though not enough to make me reread it. This one though, I can see rereading again in the future.
Sierra is from Oregon, where her family owns a tree farm. Every year at Thanksgiving, she and her family travel to California, where her parents met and fell in love, to work their tree lot. This might be the last year they do that, so Sierra wants to make the most of her month there.
This year, she meets Caleb, a young man who once had a bad day that continues to haunt him. Sierra is able to look past that, but worries that a long distance relationship won't work. Against her better judgement, she starts falling for him.
What I love about this book is the sweet, sincere realness of a first love. Everyone should be able to experience something this wonderful. Reading this makes you feel that there is something to hope for. I loved it.
It's no secret that I love this author. I have read his debut novel more times than I can count, and own multiple copies. His second book was nice, though not enough to make me reread it. This one though, I can see rereading again in the future.
Sierra is from Oregon, where her family owns a tree farm. Every year at Thanksgiving, she and her family travel to California, where her parents met and fell in love, to work their tree lot. This might be the last year they do that, so Sierra wants to make the most of her month there.
This year, she meets Caleb, a young man who once had a bad day that continues to haunt him. Sierra is able to look past that, but worries that a long distance relationship won't work. Against her better judgement, she starts falling for him.
What I love about this book is the sweet, sincere realness of a first love. Everyone should be able to experience something this wonderful. Reading this makes you feel that there is something to hope for. I loved it.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
A New Spin on Classic Horror
Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker
Wow, that was a long time between posts. Not sure what's wrong lately, but I don't want to read. It's a weird feeling, and one I can't remember ever experiencing before.
Victoria "Tor" Frankenstein is a budding scientist, living in rural Texas. She and her best friend, Owen, a working through an inordinate amount of dead rodents in their efforts to reanimate them. So far, every experiment has been a failure. Then one rainy night, Tor accidentally hits a teenaged boy. He dies, but she brings him back.
She does such a good job reanimating this guy that he is able to almost seamlessly pass as an average teenager at Tor's high school. He's even a top notch football player. While the guy, Adam, is busy being an average teenager with Tor and Owen, someone is killing teenaged boys and removing parts of their bodies. Tor is worried that Adam is either the killer or a potential victim.
As the story unfolds, we see Tor come out of the social cocoon she has created for herself, and see her solve a mystery. Who is killing these boys? Will Adam ever find out how he came to be the way he now is? Will Adam ever find out who he was before? All this is revealed within the pages of this book.
Wow, that was a long time between posts. Not sure what's wrong lately, but I don't want to read. It's a weird feeling, and one I can't remember ever experiencing before.
Victoria "Tor" Frankenstein is a budding scientist, living in rural Texas. She and her best friend, Owen, a working through an inordinate amount of dead rodents in their efforts to reanimate them. So far, every experiment has been a failure. Then one rainy night, Tor accidentally hits a teenaged boy. He dies, but she brings him back.
She does such a good job reanimating this guy that he is able to almost seamlessly pass as an average teenager at Tor's high school. He's even a top notch football player. While the guy, Adam, is busy being an average teenager with Tor and Owen, someone is killing teenaged boys and removing parts of their bodies. Tor is worried that Adam is either the killer or a potential victim.
As the story unfolds, we see Tor come out of the social cocoon she has created for herself, and see her solve a mystery. Who is killing these boys? Will Adam ever find out how he came to be the way he now is? Will Adam ever find out who he was before? All this is revealed within the pages of this book.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Historical Fiction? Not So Much
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jody Meadows
I saw this was on the TAYSHAS consideration list, and got really excited. I love all things Tudor, and thought this was going to be a young adult, historical fiction about Jane Grey. It was, kind of. You know, if Edward VI, Lady Jane, and Guildford Dudley actually lived.
And there's the problem I had with this book. They lived. And turned into animals.
There were so many times I wanted to give up on this because it was such a disappointment, but I didn't because I am not a quitter (and if it makes the final TAYSHAS list, that's 1/3 of a duck!)
Also, in their efforts to be funny, they threw in works from other authors/tv shows/songs/movies. I was not amused.
If you love all things Tudors, I would not read this. Save yourself. If you know nothing about the Tudors, you'd probably be safe reading this because you won't know any better that this is historically inaccurate.
I saw this was on the TAYSHAS consideration list, and got really excited. I love all things Tudor, and thought this was going to be a young adult, historical fiction about Jane Grey. It was, kind of. You know, if Edward VI, Lady Jane, and Guildford Dudley actually lived.
And there's the problem I had with this book. They lived. And turned into animals.
There were so many times I wanted to give up on this because it was such a disappointment, but I didn't because I am not a quitter (and if it makes the final TAYSHAS list, that's 1/3 of a duck!)
Also, in their efforts to be funny, they threw in works from other authors/tv shows/songs/movies. I was not amused.
If you love all things Tudors, I would not read this. Save yourself. If you know nothing about the Tudors, you'd probably be safe reading this because you won't know any better that this is historically inaccurate.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Chasing Ghosts
You Were Here by Cori McCarthy
It's Jaycee's graduation day, which is exactly five years to the day after her brother, Jake's, graduation. The difference is that Jaycee doesn't die as a result of truth or dare gone bad. Jaycee saw him die, and this has done a number on her.
In an effort to be closer to Jake, Jaycee goes to the scene of his death every year on its anniversary, and then goes into the abandoned asylum because she knew Jake liked to go there. On the night of her own graduation, she is accompanied by people who once were her friends, all of whom have their own problems to overcome.
This is a book of finding who you are, and finding your true friends. This one definitely deserves to make the 2017 TAYSHAS list.
One thing I would like to point out, since this is something I recently had lessons over for my own students, and because it is not something you see very often: This book is a mix of point of view. When we read Jaycee's chapters, they are told in first person, but Zach and Natalie's chapters are third person limited. It's unusual to see two different types of point of view in one story.
It's Jaycee's graduation day, which is exactly five years to the day after her brother, Jake's, graduation. The difference is that Jaycee doesn't die as a result of truth or dare gone bad. Jaycee saw him die, and this has done a number on her.
In an effort to be closer to Jake, Jaycee goes to the scene of his death every year on its anniversary, and then goes into the abandoned asylum because she knew Jake liked to go there. On the night of her own graduation, she is accompanied by people who once were her friends, all of whom have their own problems to overcome.
This is a book of finding who you are, and finding your true friends. This one definitely deserves to make the 2017 TAYSHAS list.
One thing I would like to point out, since this is something I recently had lessons over for my own students, and because it is not something you see very often: This book is a mix of point of view. When we read Jaycee's chapters, they are told in first person, but Zach and Natalie's chapters are third person limited. It's unusual to see two different types of point of view in one story.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Another Broken Soul
Empty by K.M. Walton
This is another book that my on level students are reading for their lit circles. It had me even more hooked than the last one by this author did. I just hurt for the protagonist.
Dell is sixteen. Her world has fallen apart. Two years ago, her dad left with the woman he cheated on her mother with; he doesn't seem to care about Dell in any way, and certainly doesn't pay child support for Dell and her toddler sister, Meggie. Dell was on the softball team, but after she doesn't deliver what the coach is accustomed to, he cuts her because she is overweight. Dell's best friend, Cara, is getting ever more distant, wanting to be a part of the popular crowd.
And boys? Boys only like Dell when she does some sumo cow routine. The boy she likes has an evil girlfriend, and he himself hurts Dell in the most despicable way.
Dell eats to soothe her soul, rather than talking about her problems. If she had talked about her problems, she likely wouldn't have found herself in the mental state and physical state she is in. Her whole situation is heartbreaking.
I can't talk about the ending. Just know it did not end how I wanted it to.
The author certainly knows how to write about pain. I commend her for that. Having read both books that she has written, I hope that her work somehow helps others to see their self worth.
This is another book that my on level students are reading for their lit circles. It had me even more hooked than the last one by this author did. I just hurt for the protagonist.
Dell is sixteen. Her world has fallen apart. Two years ago, her dad left with the woman he cheated on her mother with; he doesn't seem to care about Dell in any way, and certainly doesn't pay child support for Dell and her toddler sister, Meggie. Dell was on the softball team, but after she doesn't deliver what the coach is accustomed to, he cuts her because she is overweight. Dell's best friend, Cara, is getting ever more distant, wanting to be a part of the popular crowd.
And boys? Boys only like Dell when she does some sumo cow routine. The boy she likes has an evil girlfriend, and he himself hurts Dell in the most despicable way.
Dell eats to soothe her soul, rather than talking about her problems. If she had talked about her problems, she likely wouldn't have found herself in the mental state and physical state she is in. Her whole situation is heartbreaking.
I can't talk about the ending. Just know it did not end how I wanted it to.
The author certainly knows how to write about pain. I commend her for that. Having read both books that she has written, I hope that her work somehow helps others to see their self worth.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
A Look at Broken People
Cracked by K.M. Walton
Truth in advertising: I read this because it is one of the grant books I chose for my on level classes to have for lit circles. Little did I know I would enjoy it so much. Then again, it's about broken people, and we know how I am drawn to books like this.
This is about two sixteen year old boys, Victor and Bull.
Victor is fairly wealthy, but his parents make it known all the time that they wish he'd never been born. There are a lot of things he can't do or say because it might offend his mother. His parents cancel his trip to Europe with them because he did not ace, as in score 100%, on his SAT. He's bullied at school by Bull, and he thinks that the only being who gives a damn about him is his dog, Jazzer. On the morning that his parents leave to go to Europe, without telling him good-bye, he finds Jazzer dead, and decides to end it all. He takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills, and wakes up to find himself in a psychiatric ward.
Bull is not in any way wealthy. In fact, at one point, he is eating a heel piece of bread because that is the only food in the house. Bull's grandfather, who he refers to as Pop, beats him fairly regularly. His mother is a drunk who does nothing to stand up for him, and he doesn't know who his father is because he never wanted Bull to be born. Bull is blamed for the family's circumstances, but it is obviously not his fault. To escape, he takes books to a cemetery to get away from it all. Yes, he is a bully, but it is likely a result of his upbringing. One day, he's had enough, and tries to shoot his Pop, He misses and shoots himself. Pop tells the authorities that Bull was trying to kill himself, and he ends up in a psychiatric ward.
The bullied and the bully are sharing a room in a psychiatric ward. Things will definitely get worse before they get better.
I enjoyed this book. I liked that we got Victor's point of view and Bull's point of view. It didn't end the way I expected, but I wasn't disappointed with the ending. I can't wait to discuss this with my students. Every one of them who is reading this is really enjoying it.
Truth in advertising: I read this because it is one of the grant books I chose for my on level classes to have for lit circles. Little did I know I would enjoy it so much. Then again, it's about broken people, and we know how I am drawn to books like this.
This is about two sixteen year old boys, Victor and Bull.
Victor is fairly wealthy, but his parents make it known all the time that they wish he'd never been born. There are a lot of things he can't do or say because it might offend his mother. His parents cancel his trip to Europe with them because he did not ace, as in score 100%, on his SAT. He's bullied at school by Bull, and he thinks that the only being who gives a damn about him is his dog, Jazzer. On the morning that his parents leave to go to Europe, without telling him good-bye, he finds Jazzer dead, and decides to end it all. He takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills, and wakes up to find himself in a psychiatric ward.
Bull is not in any way wealthy. In fact, at one point, he is eating a heel piece of bread because that is the only food in the house. Bull's grandfather, who he refers to as Pop, beats him fairly regularly. His mother is a drunk who does nothing to stand up for him, and he doesn't know who his father is because he never wanted Bull to be born. Bull is blamed for the family's circumstances, but it is obviously not his fault. To escape, he takes books to a cemetery to get away from it all. Yes, he is a bully, but it is likely a result of his upbringing. One day, he's had enough, and tries to shoot his Pop, He misses and shoots himself. Pop tells the authorities that Bull was trying to kill himself, and he ends up in a psychiatric ward.
The bullied and the bully are sharing a room in a psychiatric ward. Things will definitely get worse before they get better.
I enjoyed this book. I liked that we got Victor's point of view and Bull's point of view. It didn't end the way I expected, but I wasn't disappointed with the ending. I can't wait to discuss this with my students. Every one of them who is reading this is really enjoying it.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
A Gothic Romance
The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard
This was the book that came in my September Lit-Cube, which was curated by the author herself. Not sure why it took me so long to read, as the book is quite good. I guess I am just not feeling like myself, as I usually get through at least a book a week, and this has not been the case since school started.
At any rate, I highly recommend this new adult book.
Juliet just lost her mother. Juliet is deaf, and has been since she was eight years old, when she contracted an illness that also took her father. Her uncle helped raise her, and now he is pushing for her to marry a viscount who wants her house. Juliet is not happy about this, and plans to do everything she can to keep this from happening.
I need to back up a smidge.
While at the cemetery for her mother's funeral, Juliet wanders and finds a man who is trying to get into the grave area of a man named Hawk. The man is angry. There is an unusual flower planted at the grave. Juliet digs it up, and discovers that the petals of this flower allow her to see the ghost of the man who is buried there.
Juliet finds that she is in love with this ghost who has some unfinished business. She also finds that she ultimately likes, and maybe even loves, the man who was intent on taking her house. How will she juggle these two loves, and what mysteries surround the two of them?
This was the book that came in my September Lit-Cube, which was curated by the author herself. Not sure why it took me so long to read, as the book is quite good. I guess I am just not feeling like myself, as I usually get through at least a book a week, and this has not been the case since school started.
At any rate, I highly recommend this new adult book.
Juliet just lost her mother. Juliet is deaf, and has been since she was eight years old, when she contracted an illness that also took her father. Her uncle helped raise her, and now he is pushing for her to marry a viscount who wants her house. Juliet is not happy about this, and plans to do everything she can to keep this from happening.
I need to back up a smidge.
While at the cemetery for her mother's funeral, Juliet wanders and finds a man who is trying to get into the grave area of a man named Hawk. The man is angry. There is an unusual flower planted at the grave. Juliet digs it up, and discovers that the petals of this flower allow her to see the ghost of the man who is buried there.
Juliet finds that she is in love with this ghost who has some unfinished business. She also finds that she ultimately likes, and maybe even loves, the man who was intent on taking her house. How will she juggle these two loves, and what mysteries surround the two of them?
Sunday, September 18, 2016
A Pottermore Trio
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics, and Pesky Poltergeists
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies
As the title of my post suggests, these were available on Kindle from Pottermore. Three delightful novellas for any fan of Harry Potter. I loved all three. In reading these, I learned more about some of the professors at Hogwarts in terms of their backgrounds. I also learned, to a certain degree, how JK Rowling came up with the names of the characters, as well as their personalities.
Another nice thing was learning about the Sorting Hat, the Chamber of Secrets, and stories of a couple of the ghosts who roam the halls of Hogwarts.
A quick read, all three of them, but invaluable to a true Potterhead.
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics, and Pesky Poltergeists
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies
As the title of my post suggests, these were available on Kindle from Pottermore. Three delightful novellas for any fan of Harry Potter. I loved all three. In reading these, I learned more about some of the professors at Hogwarts in terms of their backgrounds. I also learned, to a certain degree, how JK Rowling came up with the names of the characters, as well as their personalities.
Another nice thing was learning about the Sorting Hat, the Chamber of Secrets, and stories of a couple of the ghosts who roam the halls of Hogwarts.
A quick read, all three of them, but invaluable to a true Potterhead.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Prequels Can be Creepy Too
Escape from Asylum by Madeline Roux
I am so glad I stumbled across the first book in this series a couple of years ago! If I hadn't I would not have had the opportunity to read five (four, and one of novellas) books that revolve around an asylum. Of all of the books in this series, this one was my favorite.
Being a prequel, this one has nothing to do with Dan, Abby and Jordan, and I was so ok with that. I mean, what could they have done with that as a prequel anyway? Tell about their lives before they came to Brookline that summer? I don't know that that would have been worth reading. Thankfully, this takes place roughly fifty years prior to the events in the original trilogy.
Ricky is brought to Brookline by his mother and stepfather because they can't deal with him anymore. He is angry (he attacked his stepfather), and *gasp!* had a relationship with a boy. Obviously (eye roll here), this is enough to put a person in a mental facility. While there, Ricky meets Kay, a transgendered teen, who may never get out unless she starts acting like "her true self."
Ricky actually doesn't have it as bad as some of the other patients at Brookline because the warden has bigger plans for Ricky. Plans that include "curing" him without lobotomizing him or shock therapy. In theory, this sounds good, but every other time the warden has tried this, patients have died, including Ricky's biological father.
Will Ricky become a pawn of the warden's? Will he ever get out of this place? Read this book and find out.
I am so glad I stumbled across the first book in this series a couple of years ago! If I hadn't I would not have had the opportunity to read five (four, and one of novellas) books that revolve around an asylum. Of all of the books in this series, this one was my favorite.
Being a prequel, this one has nothing to do with Dan, Abby and Jordan, and I was so ok with that. I mean, what could they have done with that as a prequel anyway? Tell about their lives before they came to Brookline that summer? I don't know that that would have been worth reading. Thankfully, this takes place roughly fifty years prior to the events in the original trilogy.
Ricky is brought to Brookline by his mother and stepfather because they can't deal with him anymore. He is angry (he attacked his stepfather), and *gasp!* had a relationship with a boy. Obviously (eye roll here), this is enough to put a person in a mental facility. While there, Ricky meets Kay, a transgendered teen, who may never get out unless she starts acting like "her true self."
Ricky actually doesn't have it as bad as some of the other patients at Brookline because the warden has bigger plans for Ricky. Plans that include "curing" him without lobotomizing him or shock therapy. In theory, this sounds good, but every other time the warden has tried this, patients have died, including Ricky's biological father.
Will Ricky become a pawn of the warden's? Will he ever get out of this place? Read this book and find out.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Saw the movie trailer, had to read it
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
No joke. While watching the Olympics, they showed the movie trailer for this. I was captivated by it, so I immediately ordered the book. I was not as captivated by the book....at first.
The first couple of pages set the stage for the story that is to happen. Unfortunately, the next eighty pages are boring, and hard to get through. I learned far more about what it is like to be a lighthouse keeper than anyone other than a lighthouse keeper should know. This information even overshadowed the courtship and early marriage of Tom and Isabel.
Luckily, the book picks up when Isabel and Tom, after having three unsuccessful pregnancies, find a boat that has washed ashore with a dead man and a baby inside. Tom wants to report them, but Isabel, who is heartbroken with this last lost child, begs him to keep the baby who washed ashore. Against his better judgment, Tom agrees.
For four years, Tom and Isabel raise Lucy as their own. During that time, they find that Lucy's mother still lives. Tom wants to come forward, and tell her about her daughter, but Isabel doesn't want to. Tom leaves letters for Lucy's mother, and the officials pursue the matter. Tom is arrested, and takes all the blame, in an effort to save Isabel.
Will Tom be successful in this? Will they ever see Lucy again?
So. Many. Feels.
No joke. While watching the Olympics, they showed the movie trailer for this. I was captivated by it, so I immediately ordered the book. I was not as captivated by the book....at first.
The first couple of pages set the stage for the story that is to happen. Unfortunately, the next eighty pages are boring, and hard to get through. I learned far more about what it is like to be a lighthouse keeper than anyone other than a lighthouse keeper should know. This information even overshadowed the courtship and early marriage of Tom and Isabel.
Luckily, the book picks up when Isabel and Tom, after having three unsuccessful pregnancies, find a boat that has washed ashore with a dead man and a baby inside. Tom wants to report them, but Isabel, who is heartbroken with this last lost child, begs him to keep the baby who washed ashore. Against his better judgment, Tom agrees.
For four years, Tom and Isabel raise Lucy as their own. During that time, they find that Lucy's mother still lives. Tom wants to come forward, and tell her about her daughter, but Isabel doesn't want to. Tom leaves letters for Lucy's mother, and the officials pursue the matter. Tom is arrested, and takes all the blame, in an effort to save Isabel.
Will Tom be successful in this? Will they ever see Lucy again?
So. Many. Feels.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Summer Reading #26
Three Sisters Three Queens by Philippa Gregory
I am not sure why, but I really thought this book would be told in three perspectives: Katherine of Aragon, Margaret Tudor, and Mary Tudor. I was wrong. This is told by Margaret Tudor, the older sister of Henry VIII, and Queen of Scotland.
Speaking of Margaret, her life was not an easy one. This focuses a great deal about her insecurities and jealousies where her sister queens are concerned. She had a lot to be happy about, if she would just let herself be happy.
She was married to James IV, and had James V, who lived to be king. James IV was killed at Flodden Field, fighting against the English. Margaret then married Archibald Douglas, and had a daughter. Archibald was a jerk in the end, keeping Margaret's money and property, while keeping James V from the throne. She ended up divorcing him, against the wishes of her family. She just wanted to be happy, and be perceived as the best sister. That didn't always happen for her.
I learned a lot about Margaret Tudor while reading this book. I didn't know much about her previously.
I am not sure why, but I really thought this book would be told in three perspectives: Katherine of Aragon, Margaret Tudor, and Mary Tudor. I was wrong. This is told by Margaret Tudor, the older sister of Henry VIII, and Queen of Scotland.
Speaking of Margaret, her life was not an easy one. This focuses a great deal about her insecurities and jealousies where her sister queens are concerned. She had a lot to be happy about, if she would just let herself be happy.
She was married to James IV, and had James V, who lived to be king. James IV was killed at Flodden Field, fighting against the English. Margaret then married Archibald Douglas, and had a daughter. Archibald was a jerk in the end, keeping Margaret's money and property, while keeping James V from the throne. She ended up divorcing him, against the wishes of her family. She just wanted to be happy, and be perceived as the best sister. That didn't always happen for her.
I learned a lot about Margaret Tudor while reading this book. I didn't know much about her previously.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Summer Reading #25
The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse
I wanted to like this, I really did, but it just didn't resonate much with me. It's not that it was a bad book, but it didn't keep me engaged. I read three other books while I was reading this one, for crying out loud! It was too easy to put aside.
Here are the basics: Gwen is a sixteen year old girl with an eight year old sister, Rosemary. Gwen tells Rosemary "fairy" stories at bedtime. Gwen has a crush on a senior in her algebra class, and hopes he will ask her to the homecoming dance. Before that can happen, however, Rosemary goes missing. As it turns out, she is kidnapped from her bedroom by Peter Pan. Gwen's parents know this, as it is a fairly common occurrence.
Then night after Rosemary is kidnapped, she comes back with Peter Pan to take Gwen to Neverland to be a storyteller. Gwen meets the Lost Children, fairies (but no Tinkerbell), mermaids, and "redskins." Gwen knows she will go back to her regular life, but Rosemary wants to stay in Neverland. Also, apparently, Neverland is at war, but we never really find out who they are at war with. Peter is looking for someone known as the Piper to help with the war.
I knew going into this that it is the beginning of a series, but I was not prepared for the book to leave me hanging. You think there will be some resolution, but there's not. I didn't like this enough to buy the next one, so I guess I won't know how things end up. I am totally ok with this, but it bothers me when books leave you hanging. I don't care if it is in a series or not, it's not cool for the resolution to be left out.
I wanted to like this, I really did, but it just didn't resonate much with me. It's not that it was a bad book, but it didn't keep me engaged. I read three other books while I was reading this one, for crying out loud! It was too easy to put aside.
Here are the basics: Gwen is a sixteen year old girl with an eight year old sister, Rosemary. Gwen tells Rosemary "fairy" stories at bedtime. Gwen has a crush on a senior in her algebra class, and hopes he will ask her to the homecoming dance. Before that can happen, however, Rosemary goes missing. As it turns out, she is kidnapped from her bedroom by Peter Pan. Gwen's parents know this, as it is a fairly common occurrence.
Then night after Rosemary is kidnapped, she comes back with Peter Pan to take Gwen to Neverland to be a storyteller. Gwen meets the Lost Children, fairies (but no Tinkerbell), mermaids, and "redskins." Gwen knows she will go back to her regular life, but Rosemary wants to stay in Neverland. Also, apparently, Neverland is at war, but we never really find out who they are at war with. Peter is looking for someone known as the Piper to help with the war.
I knew going into this that it is the beginning of a series, but I was not prepared for the book to leave me hanging. You think there will be some resolution, but there's not. I didn't like this enough to buy the next one, so I guess I won't know how things end up. I am totally ok with this, but it bothers me when books leave you hanging. I don't care if it is in a series or not, it's not cool for the resolution to be left out.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Summer Reading #24
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany
It's been nine years since the last installment of the Harry Potter books, and, according to Rowling, this will be the last one involving Harry. On the one hand, this makes me sad because Harry and his friends are characters that I could follow forever. On the other hand, I would really like to read about some of the other wizarding schools. I would like to believe that is still an open option; that Rowling is not giving up on witchcraft and wizardry.
This story, though! As I promised to #keepthesecret, I am not going to reveal anything about the plot other than that which everyone already knows. This story is about one of Harry's children.
What you need to know is that the magic is still there. Even though this is a screenplay, it still draws you in just the way the first seven books did. I was torn between savoring the book, and rushing to get through it because I wanted to know what happened. The latter won, though to be fair, all but thirty pages were read while we were on the road to Biloxi.
I would give anything right now to be able to go to London, and see this performed. Better yet, make this into a movie, so that we can have a visual representation that we can have forever. Like the movies made from the other books, I want to be able to watch and relive this story forever.
I don't want Harry Potter to be over, but I must say, if this is really the end, then it was well done. Seriously, if you are a Potterhead in any way, shape, or form GO READ THIS BOOK!!!!
It's been nine years since the last installment of the Harry Potter books, and, according to Rowling, this will be the last one involving Harry. On the one hand, this makes me sad because Harry and his friends are characters that I could follow forever. On the other hand, I would really like to read about some of the other wizarding schools. I would like to believe that is still an open option; that Rowling is not giving up on witchcraft and wizardry.
This story, though! As I promised to #keepthesecret, I am not going to reveal anything about the plot other than that which everyone already knows. This story is about one of Harry's children.
What you need to know is that the magic is still there. Even though this is a screenplay, it still draws you in just the way the first seven books did. I was torn between savoring the book, and rushing to get through it because I wanted to know what happened. The latter won, though to be fair, all but thirty pages were read while we were on the road to Biloxi.
I would give anything right now to be able to go to London, and see this performed. Better yet, make this into a movie, so that we can have a visual representation that we can have forever. Like the movies made from the other books, I want to be able to watch and relive this story forever.
I don't want Harry Potter to be over, but I must say, if this is really the end, then it was well done. Seriously, if you are a Potterhead in any way, shape, or form GO READ THIS BOOK!!!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Summer Reading #23
Boys Don't Knit (in Public) by T.S. Easton
This was a cute story. It is about Ben, a teenager in Hampshire, England, who found himself in a situation that requires probation. In addition to this probation, he has to take a class at the community college, keep a journal, and give back to the community.
For his class at the community college, he ends up choosing knitting because he thinks his English teacher will be teaching the class. Unfortunately, this is not the case. However, Ben is a natural knitter. So good, in fact, that he enters a knitting contest.
What gives this book heart is Ben's life in general. He deals with embarrassing parents, girl problems, crazy friends, and crushing on his teacher. Ben's reaction to it all is sweet and is definitely what made this book worth reading.
This was a cute story. It is about Ben, a teenager in Hampshire, England, who found himself in a situation that requires probation. In addition to this probation, he has to take a class at the community college, keep a journal, and give back to the community.
For his class at the community college, he ends up choosing knitting because he thinks his English teacher will be teaching the class. Unfortunately, this is not the case. However, Ben is a natural knitter. So good, in fact, that he enters a knitting contest.
What gives this book heart is Ben's life in general. He deals with embarrassing parents, girl problems, crazy friends, and crushing on his teacher. Ben's reaction to it all is sweet and is definitely what made this book worth reading.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Summer Reading #22
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
Earlier this week, right after I finished #21, I started another book. I couldn't get into it, so I gave up, which is not something I normally do. I also had professional development this week, and on the second day of that, the facilitator did a read aloud of this book. Three paragraphs were all she read, but I wanted to know more, so I ordered it. It came in yesterday, and I put the other book I am reading aside to read this one.
Hollis Gray, named for the woods she was found in when she was an hour old, is an orphan. She wants to find a place where she belongs, but always seems to sabotage the situation. She runs away, and ends up with another foster family. Two things changed Hollis.
The first is the summer she stayed with the Regans. Her foster family at the time sent her away for the summer so that they could have time with their biological kids. Hollis fits right in with the Regans, so much so that they want to adopt her. But then something happens, and Hollis runs away.
The second is her time with Josie. Josie is an older woman, whose mind is not what it used to be. Despite this, Hollis wants to be with Josie. Josie has shown her what it is like to be loved, and it is a feeling that Hollis likes very much. However, because Josie's mind is increasingly diminishing, Hollis is not going to be able to stay with her much longer. Hollis runs away again, but this time takes Josie with her.
This is told in alternating time frames. The chapters with Josie are in the present, and the chapters with the Regans are told in flashback. I liked this aspect of the book. The book references pictures because Hollis is an artist, but there are no actual pictures in the book. The reader has to use the author's descriptions to see the pictures Hollis wants you to see, and the author does an excellent job of painting those pictures.
Earlier this week, right after I finished #21, I started another book. I couldn't get into it, so I gave up, which is not something I normally do. I also had professional development this week, and on the second day of that, the facilitator did a read aloud of this book. Three paragraphs were all she read, but I wanted to know more, so I ordered it. It came in yesterday, and I put the other book I am reading aside to read this one.
Hollis Gray, named for the woods she was found in when she was an hour old, is an orphan. She wants to find a place where she belongs, but always seems to sabotage the situation. She runs away, and ends up with another foster family. Two things changed Hollis.
The first is the summer she stayed with the Regans. Her foster family at the time sent her away for the summer so that they could have time with their biological kids. Hollis fits right in with the Regans, so much so that they want to adopt her. But then something happens, and Hollis runs away.
The second is her time with Josie. Josie is an older woman, whose mind is not what it used to be. Despite this, Hollis wants to be with Josie. Josie has shown her what it is like to be loved, and it is a feeling that Hollis likes very much. However, because Josie's mind is increasingly diminishing, Hollis is not going to be able to stay with her much longer. Hollis runs away again, but this time takes Josie with her.
This is told in alternating time frames. The chapters with Josie are in the present, and the chapters with the Regans are told in flashback. I liked this aspect of the book. The book references pictures because Hollis is an artist, but there are no actual pictures in the book. The reader has to use the author's descriptions to see the pictures Hollis wants you to see, and the author does an excellent job of painting those pictures.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Summer Reading #21
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I have been contemplating this one for a while. Everyone told me it was good. A lot of people were comparing it to Gone Girl (no comparison, by the way). So, I finally got around to it.
Rachel is a drunk. There's no other way to put that fact. It's a large part of why her husband cheated on her, or so he says. She tends to black out when she drinks, and doesn't remember what happens. She is unemployed because of her drunkenness. Despite this, she still goes into London every day on the 8:04 train. It takes her right by the house she lived in with her husband, Tom. It also takes her by another house, one where she can see the inhabitants, and they look happy-at least from the window of the train. Then something happens to the woman in the house. She goes missing, and Rachel thinks she can help with the investigation because she has seen something from the train.
Megan is the woman Rachel sees from the train. She's had a bit of a messed up life. She is married to Scott, but she seems unfulfilled. She sees other men in an effort to find fulfillment, but comes up empty handed on that front. One night she goes missing, and Scott is a suspect. Rachel doesn't think Scott did anything to Megan, based on the fantasy life she has created for them passing by them on the train.
Anna is the woman that took Rachel's place. Tom had an affair with her, then married her after divorcing Rachel. She is convinced Rachel is crazy, as Rachel keeps showing up at their house, calling, emailing, and once tried to take their daughter. Anna just wants Rachel to leave them alone.
This book is primarily about these three women and how their lives are connected. There are some interesting twists, and it took me until the 83% mark to figure out who was responsible for Megan's fate. It was nice to see that I was correct. This was a quick read, and one you won't want to put down.
I have been contemplating this one for a while. Everyone told me it was good. A lot of people were comparing it to Gone Girl (no comparison, by the way). So, I finally got around to it.
Rachel is a drunk. There's no other way to put that fact. It's a large part of why her husband cheated on her, or so he says. She tends to black out when she drinks, and doesn't remember what happens. She is unemployed because of her drunkenness. Despite this, she still goes into London every day on the 8:04 train. It takes her right by the house she lived in with her husband, Tom. It also takes her by another house, one where she can see the inhabitants, and they look happy-at least from the window of the train. Then something happens to the woman in the house. She goes missing, and Rachel thinks she can help with the investigation because she has seen something from the train.
Megan is the woman Rachel sees from the train. She's had a bit of a messed up life. She is married to Scott, but she seems unfulfilled. She sees other men in an effort to find fulfillment, but comes up empty handed on that front. One night she goes missing, and Scott is a suspect. Rachel doesn't think Scott did anything to Megan, based on the fantasy life she has created for them passing by them on the train.
Anna is the woman that took Rachel's place. Tom had an affair with her, then married her after divorcing Rachel. She is convinced Rachel is crazy, as Rachel keeps showing up at their house, calling, emailing, and once tried to take their daughter. Anna just wants Rachel to leave them alone.
This book is primarily about these three women and how their lives are connected. There are some interesting twists, and it took me until the 83% mark to figure out who was responsible for Megan's fate. It was nice to see that I was correct. This was a quick read, and one you won't want to put down.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Summer Reading #20
Midnight Crossing by Charlaine Harris
Yea! Met my summer reading goal, and there's still technically three weeks until summer is over for me.
I decided to read this because I so enjoyed Ms. Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. I was expecting this to be a complete departure from all things vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc, and it wasn't-not completely anyway. There's a vampire, a psychic, and a witch in this book, and while the focus isn't so much on that aspect of the characters, I didn't know going in that there would be supernatural elements. Not that this is a problem; I quite like supernatural elements.
Midnight, Texas is a small town in west Texas. There are only a handful of residents. There's Fiji, the witch, who runs a spiritualist shop. There's the Rev who, obviously, runs the small chapel and pet cemetery. Across the street is the pawn shop, owned and run by Bobo, who lives upstairs. In the basement of the pawn shop are two apartments, occupied by Olivia and Lemuel, the latter is the vampire. Next to the pawn shop, lives Manfred, the psychic. On the other side of the pawn shop is the gas station, run by the Lovells-Shawn, Creek, and Connor. Next to that is the diner, run by Madonna, who is married to Teacher, and mother to Grady. Last is the antique shop and nail salon, owned and run by Chuy and Joe. See? Small town.
The crux of the story has to do with Bobo. Apparently, his grandfather, a huge white supremacist, died, leaving behind a huge cache of guns and weapons. This cache doesn't actually exist, but this doesn't stop people from approaching (and that is putting it nicely) Bobo to get their hands on these weapons. Aubrey, Bobo's girlfriend (who disappeared and is then found dead) was planted by the local white supremacist group to get the weapons. Then two guys show up at the diner looking for the same thing. Then two more people show up looking for these weapons that don't exist. Bobo has been attacked because of these weapons, and the people of Midnight are trying to help him out.
Really, that's pretty much the book in a nutshell. I am hoping that the other books in the series have more going on, and that this was just laying the groundwork for the series. I am not in a huge hurry to check them out, however. This doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed this book; it just means I have others that I will be reading first.
Yea! Met my summer reading goal, and there's still technically three weeks until summer is over for me.
I decided to read this because I so enjoyed Ms. Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. I was expecting this to be a complete departure from all things vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc, and it wasn't-not completely anyway. There's a vampire, a psychic, and a witch in this book, and while the focus isn't so much on that aspect of the characters, I didn't know going in that there would be supernatural elements. Not that this is a problem; I quite like supernatural elements.
Midnight, Texas is a small town in west Texas. There are only a handful of residents. There's Fiji, the witch, who runs a spiritualist shop. There's the Rev who, obviously, runs the small chapel and pet cemetery. Across the street is the pawn shop, owned and run by Bobo, who lives upstairs. In the basement of the pawn shop are two apartments, occupied by Olivia and Lemuel, the latter is the vampire. Next to the pawn shop, lives Manfred, the psychic. On the other side of the pawn shop is the gas station, run by the Lovells-Shawn, Creek, and Connor. Next to that is the diner, run by Madonna, who is married to Teacher, and mother to Grady. Last is the antique shop and nail salon, owned and run by Chuy and Joe. See? Small town.
The crux of the story has to do with Bobo. Apparently, his grandfather, a huge white supremacist, died, leaving behind a huge cache of guns and weapons. This cache doesn't actually exist, but this doesn't stop people from approaching (and that is putting it nicely) Bobo to get their hands on these weapons. Aubrey, Bobo's girlfriend (who disappeared and is then found dead) was planted by the local white supremacist group to get the weapons. Then two guys show up at the diner looking for the same thing. Then two more people show up looking for these weapons that don't exist. Bobo has been attacked because of these weapons, and the people of Midnight are trying to help him out.
Really, that's pretty much the book in a nutshell. I am hoping that the other books in the series have more going on, and that this was just laying the groundwork for the series. I am not in a huge hurry to check them out, however. This doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed this book; it just means I have others that I will be reading first.
Monday, July 18, 2016
Summer Reading #19
Girl Last Seen by Heather Anastasiu and Anne Greenwood Brown
The best way I can describe this is that it is like Gone Girl for teens. Similar plot, lots of twists, safe for a teenaged audience.
Kadence Mulligan is a local singing sensation. She was in a duo with her best friend Lauren until Lauren loses her voice due to an unfortunate accident. Kadence tries to go solo, but things don't go as well as she hopes. The prevailing theory is that she was better when Lauren was there.
One night, Kadence plays a gig at the coffee shop where Lauren works, but then she never makes it home. It is thought she was kidnapped. Lauren is a suspect. So is Kadence's boyfriend, Mason, and a boy that used to be Lauren's best friend, Jude.
Kadence was an unsavory character, and people believe that Lauren and Jude could have committed the crime because Kadence has taken great pains to tarnish their reputations over the years.
Will she be found? If so, will she be found alive? Will anyone ever know exactly how vile Kadence really was? These are questions you'll have to find out for yourself.
The best way I can describe this is that it is like Gone Girl for teens. Similar plot, lots of twists, safe for a teenaged audience.
Kadence Mulligan is a local singing sensation. She was in a duo with her best friend Lauren until Lauren loses her voice due to an unfortunate accident. Kadence tries to go solo, but things don't go as well as she hopes. The prevailing theory is that she was better when Lauren was there.
One night, Kadence plays a gig at the coffee shop where Lauren works, but then she never makes it home. It is thought she was kidnapped. Lauren is a suspect. So is Kadence's boyfriend, Mason, and a boy that used to be Lauren's best friend, Jude.
Kadence was an unsavory character, and people believe that Lauren and Jude could have committed the crime because Kadence has taken great pains to tarnish their reputations over the years.
Will she be found? If so, will she be found alive? Will anyone ever know exactly how vile Kadence really was? These are questions you'll have to find out for yourself.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Summer Reading #18
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie
There were several instances where I felt this was too similar to another book I read earlier this year, but it was still a fun, creepy read.
Sunshine is sixteen years old. She and her mother have moved from Austin, Texas to Ridgemont, Washington because her mother got an amazing position in a hospital there. Sunshine's a photographer, and her house is haunted, although her mother dismisses that notion. Sunshine meets a boy in her art class, Nolan, who believes her about the hauntings. He helps her try to figure things out.
One of the things they figure out is that Sunshine is not entirely human, and is more attuned to spirits than your average Joe. She also finds out that her mother is possessed by a demon, and she has to release the demon as some kind of test. Odds are definitely stacked against this young girl. Can she do what needs to be done to save her mother?
Apparently, this is a video series on YouTube, and I think I may check it out.
There were several instances where I felt this was too similar to another book I read earlier this year, but it was still a fun, creepy read.
Sunshine is sixteen years old. She and her mother have moved from Austin, Texas to Ridgemont, Washington because her mother got an amazing position in a hospital there. Sunshine's a photographer, and her house is haunted, although her mother dismisses that notion. Sunshine meets a boy in her art class, Nolan, who believes her about the hauntings. He helps her try to figure things out.
One of the things they figure out is that Sunshine is not entirely human, and is more attuned to spirits than your average Joe. She also finds out that her mother is possessed by a demon, and she has to release the demon as some kind of test. Odds are definitely stacked against this young girl. Can she do what needs to be done to save her mother?
Apparently, this is a video series on YouTube, and I think I may check it out.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Summer Reading #17
Evergreen Falls by Kimberley Freeman
This one came in my Roaring 20's Lit Cube. It's a mystery, but only from the present day parts.
Lauren is thirty years old. She has been overly sheltered her whole life because for most of her life, her brother was terminally ill. Her mother was too overprotective, so Lauren was not given much of a chance to live her life. She has recently gotten out from under her mother's thumb, even though Mom calls a million times a day, and moved to Evergreen Falls, home of an opulent hotel and spa. The hotel is being re-done, and one night, Lauren finds long lost love letters in the part of the hotel that is still closed off. She tells Tomas, the guy she is seeing, about it, and he provides her with a key so she can figure out who sent the letters, and who received them.
In the 1926 sections of the book, our protagonist is Violet, an almost twenty year old girl who moves from Sydney to the falls to become an employee of the hotel. While working there, she falls in love with one of the wealthy hotel guests, Sam, who is an opium addict. We also meet Sam's sister, Flora, who is at the hotel with her fiance and his goons because she is supposed to be making Sam well again. There is also a young man named Clive, who helped Violet get the job at the hotel and is in love with Violet, even though the feelings aren't returned.
There's an interesting love triangle and a mystery, and it took nearly the whole book to figure out exactly how the two stories fit together. I mean, obviously, the mystery Lauren is trying to solve revolves around Violet, Sam, Flora, and Clive, but it is not until the end that the pieces come together and make sense.
This got off to a slow start, but picked up around the halfway point. Definitely one I would recommend.
This one came in my Roaring 20's Lit Cube. It's a mystery, but only from the present day parts.
Lauren is thirty years old. She has been overly sheltered her whole life because for most of her life, her brother was terminally ill. Her mother was too overprotective, so Lauren was not given much of a chance to live her life. She has recently gotten out from under her mother's thumb, even though Mom calls a million times a day, and moved to Evergreen Falls, home of an opulent hotel and spa. The hotel is being re-done, and one night, Lauren finds long lost love letters in the part of the hotel that is still closed off. She tells Tomas, the guy she is seeing, about it, and he provides her with a key so she can figure out who sent the letters, and who received them.
In the 1926 sections of the book, our protagonist is Violet, an almost twenty year old girl who moves from Sydney to the falls to become an employee of the hotel. While working there, she falls in love with one of the wealthy hotel guests, Sam, who is an opium addict. We also meet Sam's sister, Flora, who is at the hotel with her fiance and his goons because she is supposed to be making Sam well again. There is also a young man named Clive, who helped Violet get the job at the hotel and is in love with Violet, even though the feelings aren't returned.
There's an interesting love triangle and a mystery, and it took nearly the whole book to figure out exactly how the two stories fit together. I mean, obviously, the mystery Lauren is trying to solve revolves around Violet, Sam, Flora, and Clive, but it is not until the end that the pieces come together and make sense.
This got off to a slow start, but picked up around the halfway point. Definitely one I would recommend.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Summer Reading #16
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt
This is one of the books on the consideration list for the 2017 TAYSHAS list. Honestly, I am a little surprised, as the lexile can't be that high; it reads like junior high books. Theoretically, the subject matter could be the reason why it is nominated for the high school list, but seeing as there is nothing graphic, I feel it belongs on the Lone Star list instead. Additionally, this book is less than 150 pages, and I don't think I have ever read a TAYSHAS book that was that short.
This story is told by Jack, a twelve year old boy whose parents are foster parents. They have agreed to take in a fourteen year old boy, Joseph, who is coming out of, what sounds like, juvenile hall. He was in there because he had a breakdown of sorts, and tried to kill a teacher. And, oh yeah-he has a daughter.
As I said, Joseph has had a rough life. His real dad is a bit on the unsavory side, which is why Joseph is sent to live with a foster family. This doesn't, however, stop his father from trying to take him back. Joseph doesn't want to go with his father. All he really wants is to see his daughter. His foster family tries to help with that, but it doesn't quite work out. Joseph ends up running away to try to find her.
I don't want to reveal more than this. To do so would give away the whole story, which I don't like to do. This book will break your heart though, so be prepared. Maybe have some tissues nearby.
This is one of the books on the consideration list for the 2017 TAYSHAS list. Honestly, I am a little surprised, as the lexile can't be that high; it reads like junior high books. Theoretically, the subject matter could be the reason why it is nominated for the high school list, but seeing as there is nothing graphic, I feel it belongs on the Lone Star list instead. Additionally, this book is less than 150 pages, and I don't think I have ever read a TAYSHAS book that was that short.
This story is told by Jack, a twelve year old boy whose parents are foster parents. They have agreed to take in a fourteen year old boy, Joseph, who is coming out of, what sounds like, juvenile hall. He was in there because he had a breakdown of sorts, and tried to kill a teacher. And, oh yeah-he has a daughter.
As I said, Joseph has had a rough life. His real dad is a bit on the unsavory side, which is why Joseph is sent to live with a foster family. This doesn't, however, stop his father from trying to take him back. Joseph doesn't want to go with his father. All he really wants is to see his daughter. His foster family tries to help with that, but it doesn't quite work out. Joseph ends up running away to try to find her.
I don't want to reveal more than this. To do so would give away the whole story, which I don't like to do. This book will break your heart though, so be prepared. Maybe have some tissues nearby.
Summer Reading #15
After You by Jojo Moyes
This is the follow up to Me Before You, which I completed a couple of months ago. I was iffy about reading this because I read reviews on Amazon, both good and bad, and everyone said the biggest problem with this book was that Lou had changed. Now that I've thought about it, what, exactly, did they think was going to happen? I mean, the man she loved killed himself; was she supposed to be the same person for the rest of her life? NO. She had to grow as a person, and if truth be told, I don't think she was all THAT different.
So, this picks up roughly eighteen months after Will's death. Lou has traveled some, and has now settled in a two bedroom flat in London. She works as a barmaid in a pub at the airport. One night, she is up on the rooftop terrace, walking on the edge, is startled by someone, and falls five stories. She survives (obviously, or this would have been a really short book), and when she finally gets home, Will's daughter shows up on her doorstep.
That's right, Will had a daughter that he didn't know about. She comes from a fairly wealthy family, but her home life sucks. Lou takes it upon herself to take care of the girl. Meanwhile, Lou's parents are having issues, and Lou meets a man that she likes very much. Lou is even offered an amazing job opportunity in New York, but in true Lou fashion, she doesn't want to take it because she is too busy putting everyone else first.
I liked this book, not as much as I did its predecessor, but I did like it. I still loved Lou, and the person she has become. And, like before, I found I could relate to her.
This is the follow up to Me Before You, which I completed a couple of months ago. I was iffy about reading this because I read reviews on Amazon, both good and bad, and everyone said the biggest problem with this book was that Lou had changed. Now that I've thought about it, what, exactly, did they think was going to happen? I mean, the man she loved killed himself; was she supposed to be the same person for the rest of her life? NO. She had to grow as a person, and if truth be told, I don't think she was all THAT different.
So, this picks up roughly eighteen months after Will's death. Lou has traveled some, and has now settled in a two bedroom flat in London. She works as a barmaid in a pub at the airport. One night, she is up on the rooftop terrace, walking on the edge, is startled by someone, and falls five stories. She survives (obviously, or this would have been a really short book), and when she finally gets home, Will's daughter shows up on her doorstep.
That's right, Will had a daughter that he didn't know about. She comes from a fairly wealthy family, but her home life sucks. Lou takes it upon herself to take care of the girl. Meanwhile, Lou's parents are having issues, and Lou meets a man that she likes very much. Lou is even offered an amazing job opportunity in New York, but in true Lou fashion, she doesn't want to take it because she is too busy putting everyone else first.
I liked this book, not as much as I did its predecessor, but I did like it. I still loved Lou, and the person she has become. And, like before, I found I could relate to her.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Summer Reading #14
The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle
As I was scrolling through Facebook the other day, I came across a post that said this was the book to read this summer. Actually, it may have been the book to listen to, but whatever. Conveniently, this is also on the consideration list for TAYSHAS, I knew I was in.
Quinn's sister died in a car accident on December 20. The last person she texted, which was the reason she was in the accident, was Quinn. Quinn has not left the house since it happened, and he hasn't turned on his cell phone since before his sister died.
It's now June, and Quinn's window unit air conditioner has gone out. His best friend, Geoff, comes over so they can purchase a new one. Geoff also convinces Quinn to go to a party, where Quinn sees a boy/man that he is instantly attracted to.
I should mention that Quinn is a screenwriter, so he sees his life as a script sometimes. Anyway, he seems more hung up on his sister than most, so when he learns some truths about her, he goes off the deep end a bit. He does, at least, make an effort to find himself.
What I loved about this book is that it is written the way a teen would tell a story. Instead of saying "he says" or "I said" Quinn says "he goes" or "I go." In that respect, it is very real. I think this is probably something that readers will like, assuming they enjoy realistic fiction.
As I was scrolling through Facebook the other day, I came across a post that said this was the book to read this summer. Actually, it may have been the book to listen to, but whatever. Conveniently, this is also on the consideration list for TAYSHAS, I knew I was in.
Quinn's sister died in a car accident on December 20. The last person she texted, which was the reason she was in the accident, was Quinn. Quinn has not left the house since it happened, and he hasn't turned on his cell phone since before his sister died.
It's now June, and Quinn's window unit air conditioner has gone out. His best friend, Geoff, comes over so they can purchase a new one. Geoff also convinces Quinn to go to a party, where Quinn sees a boy/man that he is instantly attracted to.
I should mention that Quinn is a screenwriter, so he sees his life as a script sometimes. Anyway, he seems more hung up on his sister than most, so when he learns some truths about her, he goes off the deep end a bit. He does, at least, make an effort to find himself.
What I loved about this book is that it is written the way a teen would tell a story. Instead of saying "he says" or "I said" Quinn says "he goes" or "I go." In that respect, it is very real. I think this is probably something that readers will like, assuming they enjoy realistic fiction.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Summer Reading #13
Alice Takes Back Wonderland by David Hammons
Technically, I am not quite finished, but I will finish shortly. I won't tell you the ending anyway, so does it really matter? This was the book in my very first Lit-Cube box, a subscription that I like very much.
I have learned something very important about myself as I was reading this: I don't like reading the Alice in Wonderland stories nearly as much as I like seeing the movies. Weird, I know. This is the third Alice book I have read this year, and they really just haven't done anything for me. In fact, I completed three other books in the time it has taken me to read this one, and started another. I keep putting this down because it doesn't interest me, but, on the flipside, I keep reading because I keep hoping it will get good. Still waiting.
In this Alice retelling, it is ten years after Alice returned from Wonderland. No one believes her story, and she is put on medication for ADHD and schizophrenia. Then one day, the White Rabbit shows up at Alice's house, and convinces her to return to Wonderland with him. She goes, but it is not the Wonderland she knows. The Ace of Spades is in charge now, and he wants to make Wonderland more like Alice's real life. To do this, he takes away everyone's wonder.
Somehow, the Mad Hatter has eluded Ace, and he tells Alice what to do to save Wonderland. Basically, she is to go to Neverland and recruit the help of Peter Pan, and then go wake the Sleeping Beauty. Along this journey, she meets several characters from other fairy tales: Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White and her dwarves, the Gingerbread Man, Robin Hood, Rumplestiltskin, Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. What she also discovers is that these fairly tales she knows are only echoes of the worlds these tales belong to, meaning that there are some vast differences between the stories she's been told and what "actually" goes on.
For me, this is like reading a season of Once Upon a Time, which I am not a huge fan of anyway. However, if you are a fan of that show on ABC, this book is probably right up your alley, it just isn't up mine.
Technically, I am not quite finished, but I will finish shortly. I won't tell you the ending anyway, so does it really matter? This was the book in my very first Lit-Cube box, a subscription that I like very much.
I have learned something very important about myself as I was reading this: I don't like reading the Alice in Wonderland stories nearly as much as I like seeing the movies. Weird, I know. This is the third Alice book I have read this year, and they really just haven't done anything for me. In fact, I completed three other books in the time it has taken me to read this one, and started another. I keep putting this down because it doesn't interest me, but, on the flipside, I keep reading because I keep hoping it will get good. Still waiting.
In this Alice retelling, it is ten years after Alice returned from Wonderland. No one believes her story, and she is put on medication for ADHD and schizophrenia. Then one day, the White Rabbit shows up at Alice's house, and convinces her to return to Wonderland with him. She goes, but it is not the Wonderland she knows. The Ace of Spades is in charge now, and he wants to make Wonderland more like Alice's real life. To do this, he takes away everyone's wonder.
Somehow, the Mad Hatter has eluded Ace, and he tells Alice what to do to save Wonderland. Basically, she is to go to Neverland and recruit the help of Peter Pan, and then go wake the Sleeping Beauty. Along this journey, she meets several characters from other fairy tales: Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White and her dwarves, the Gingerbread Man, Robin Hood, Rumplestiltskin, Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. What she also discovers is that these fairly tales she knows are only echoes of the worlds these tales belong to, meaning that there are some vast differences between the stories she's been told and what "actually" goes on.
For me, this is like reading a season of Once Upon a Time, which I am not a huge fan of anyway. However, if you are a fan of that show on ABC, this book is probably right up your alley, it just isn't up mine.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Summer Reading #12
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
This was another one that is on the nominee list for the 2017 TAYSHAS list, and judging by what I have read so far, the theme of this year's list is rape. This is the third book that has dealt with this subject, and of the three, this one wasn't as well done.
During Christmas break of her freshman year of high school, Eden is raped in her own bed by her brother's best friend. He threatens to kill her if she tells anyone, so she doesn't tell anyone. This eats away at the person Eden was. She starts smoking, smarting off to her parents, drinking, and sleeping with random guys. None of these things are terribly surprising, given the circumstances. The problem is that there are too many holes.
This book encompasses Eden's entire high school time frame. There are times when leaving one school year for another where things happen, things that seem important, but there's no explanation why. Also, the school year won't even be over before we are subjected to the next school year, and the reader never knows what happens during the summers. Case in point: between her junior and senior years, something happens between Eden and her parents to the point that she starts referring to them by their first names. What happened? No idea.
And that's the problem I have: too many gaps. Also, the book doesn't have any heart until the end. The very beginning and very end, Eden seems real, but all those pages in between, not so much. I almost feel as if the author doesn't really know what she's writing about because there was no feeling, and there was this disconnect.
I know this is a sensitive topic, but it can be written about in a way that makes you feel something for the people it happened to. I have read several books on this topic, and this book just didn't measure up.
This was another one that is on the nominee list for the 2017 TAYSHAS list, and judging by what I have read so far, the theme of this year's list is rape. This is the third book that has dealt with this subject, and of the three, this one wasn't as well done.
During Christmas break of her freshman year of high school, Eden is raped in her own bed by her brother's best friend. He threatens to kill her if she tells anyone, so she doesn't tell anyone. This eats away at the person Eden was. She starts smoking, smarting off to her parents, drinking, and sleeping with random guys. None of these things are terribly surprising, given the circumstances. The problem is that there are too many holes.
This book encompasses Eden's entire high school time frame. There are times when leaving one school year for another where things happen, things that seem important, but there's no explanation why. Also, the school year won't even be over before we are subjected to the next school year, and the reader never knows what happens during the summers. Case in point: between her junior and senior years, something happens between Eden and her parents to the point that she starts referring to them by their first names. What happened? No idea.
And that's the problem I have: too many gaps. Also, the book doesn't have any heart until the end. The very beginning and very end, Eden seems real, but all those pages in between, not so much. I almost feel as if the author doesn't really know what she's writing about because there was no feeling, and there was this disconnect.
I know this is a sensitive topic, but it can be written about in a way that makes you feel something for the people it happened to. I have read several books on this topic, and this book just didn't measure up.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Summer Reading #11
What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
This is loosely based on one of the many rape cases that have come to light in recent years. You know the ones I am talking about: the ones where the girl is too drunk to give consent, and the boys, usually athletes of some kind, take turns raping her. This is something that is showing up way too much these days, though I am sure social media has a lot to do with that.
In this case, it all started at a party. Kate, our protagonist, was there. She got wasted, and a guy friend of hers took her home, then he came back to the party to get his truck. The guy, Ben, is a basketball player, and has been Kate's friend for most of their lives.
At this party, another girl gets wasted to the point that she loses consciousness. Four boys from the varsity basketball team take turns raping her. Everybody at the party sees it happen. This was a Saturday. The following Tuesday, these four guys are arrested at school, and the media stays camped out at the high school. The victim, hasn't come back to school. Once word gets out, there's a lot of victim shaming. You know what I mean: people saying she was asking for what happened to her because of what she was wearing, bringing actions from her past up to justify what was done to her.
Turns out, there's a video. As far as anyone at school knows, the video no longer exists, but a group who helps in situations like this has found the video and threatens to release it if the rapists don't change their plea to guilty. Kate sees the video, and reports it to the school counselor. The site where she saw the video no longer exists, but the counselor reports the information to the principal, who fires her. God forbid justice should prevail when the state basketball championship is on the line!
Kate ends up taking what she knows to the police, and ends up a pariah. I hate that that's what happens to people who do the right thing.
So much about this book bothered me-the rape, the victim shaming, the treatment of Kate when she comes forward. The thing is, I still want kids to read this. How else can we get it through to them that all of these things are unacceptable?
This is loosely based on one of the many rape cases that have come to light in recent years. You know the ones I am talking about: the ones where the girl is too drunk to give consent, and the boys, usually athletes of some kind, take turns raping her. This is something that is showing up way too much these days, though I am sure social media has a lot to do with that.
In this case, it all started at a party. Kate, our protagonist, was there. She got wasted, and a guy friend of hers took her home, then he came back to the party to get his truck. The guy, Ben, is a basketball player, and has been Kate's friend for most of their lives.
At this party, another girl gets wasted to the point that she loses consciousness. Four boys from the varsity basketball team take turns raping her. Everybody at the party sees it happen. This was a Saturday. The following Tuesday, these four guys are arrested at school, and the media stays camped out at the high school. The victim, hasn't come back to school. Once word gets out, there's a lot of victim shaming. You know what I mean: people saying she was asking for what happened to her because of what she was wearing, bringing actions from her past up to justify what was done to her.
Turns out, there's a video. As far as anyone at school knows, the video no longer exists, but a group who helps in situations like this has found the video and threatens to release it if the rapists don't change their plea to guilty. Kate sees the video, and reports it to the school counselor. The site where she saw the video no longer exists, but the counselor reports the information to the principal, who fires her. God forbid justice should prevail when the state basketball championship is on the line!
Kate ends up taking what she knows to the police, and ends up a pariah. I hate that that's what happens to people who do the right thing.
So much about this book bothered me-the rape, the victim shaming, the treatment of Kate when she comes forward. The thing is, I still want kids to read this. How else can we get it through to them that all of these things are unacceptable?
Friday, June 24, 2016
Summer Reading #10
Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson
James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. This was the first book of his that I have read in more than a year because it appears that I got burnt out on his work. However, I love that he has branched out, and is now writing some young adult stuff. I guess, technically, he has been doing that for a while, if you consider the Maximum Ride books, and I do, but this was so different even than his other YA titles.
This is a lovely combination of prose (diary entries that don't read like typical diary entries), and a graphic novel. The graphic parts are more supplemental, and not 100% necessary to understand the story that is being told, which, for those of us who aren't huge graphic novel fans, is a good thing.
Told from the point of view of Margaret aka Maggie aka Cuckoo aka Kooks, who is a high school student-a junior, probably. Maggie's mother took off, so, after a ten day stint in a mental facility, she has to stay with a foster parent, her next door neighbor, Mrs. Morris. Maggie has a great group of friends, who refer to themselves as the Freakshow. All the Freakshow wants to do is unite the groups at school so high school doesn't suck, but one of the Haters does everything he can to ruin everything.
Reading this, I would like to believe this is what life is like for high schoolers. In some ways, sure, it is, but for the most part, this is too clean. I mean, yes, a girl attempts suicide and that awful Hater boy more or less assaults Maggie, but this is not real life. I know this because I teach high school and I have a teenager. There's a lot more going on. Not only that, the language doesn't match up to what I hear everyday from typical teens. None of this should sway you from reading this book, but if you are looking for something real about high schoolers, this isn't it.
James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. This was the first book of his that I have read in more than a year because it appears that I got burnt out on his work. However, I love that he has branched out, and is now writing some young adult stuff. I guess, technically, he has been doing that for a while, if you consider the Maximum Ride books, and I do, but this was so different even than his other YA titles.
This is a lovely combination of prose (diary entries that don't read like typical diary entries), and a graphic novel. The graphic parts are more supplemental, and not 100% necessary to understand the story that is being told, which, for those of us who aren't huge graphic novel fans, is a good thing.
Told from the point of view of Margaret aka Maggie aka Cuckoo aka Kooks, who is a high school student-a junior, probably. Maggie's mother took off, so, after a ten day stint in a mental facility, she has to stay with a foster parent, her next door neighbor, Mrs. Morris. Maggie has a great group of friends, who refer to themselves as the Freakshow. All the Freakshow wants to do is unite the groups at school so high school doesn't suck, but one of the Haters does everything he can to ruin everything.
Reading this, I would like to believe this is what life is like for high schoolers. In some ways, sure, it is, but for the most part, this is too clean. I mean, yes, a girl attempts suicide and that awful Hater boy more or less assaults Maggie, but this is not real life. I know this because I teach high school and I have a teenager. There's a lot more going on. Not only that, the language doesn't match up to what I hear everyday from typical teens. None of this should sway you from reading this book, but if you are looking for something real about high schoolers, this isn't it.
Summer Reading #9
Library of Lost Souls by Ransom Riggs
The third, and I hope final, book in the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children series, this one was all right. Better than the second book, but not as good as the first.
Assuming I remember correctly, this one picks up where the second book leaves off. Jacob and Emma, with the peculiar dog, Addison, have just lost track of their peculiar friends and are searching for their ymbrine, Miss Peregrine. Jacob has discovered that he can communicate with hollows, just like his grandfather could, and this is something that will be of some use later in the book.
They, with the help of a new friend, Sharon, make their way to Devil's Acres, where they believe all of their friends have been taken by Caul. While there, they meet Caul's brother, Bentham, and discover that they are both brothers to Miss Peregrine. Caul is set on destroying the peculiar way of life so that he can become all powerful, and it is up to Jacob and Emma to see that he doesn't do that. Then there are some unexpected, questionable allegiances.
All in all, this one wasn't too bad. It took nearly half of the book for it to get good, but once hitting that point, I wanted to know what happened.
This series, the first book in particular, opened my eyes to a new approach to writing: using old pictures to tell the story. Since I read this one, I have read others of a similar premise, and it has been nothing but a good experience.
The third, and I hope final, book in the Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children series, this one was all right. Better than the second book, but not as good as the first.
Assuming I remember correctly, this one picks up where the second book leaves off. Jacob and Emma, with the peculiar dog, Addison, have just lost track of their peculiar friends and are searching for their ymbrine, Miss Peregrine. Jacob has discovered that he can communicate with hollows, just like his grandfather could, and this is something that will be of some use later in the book.
They, with the help of a new friend, Sharon, make their way to Devil's Acres, where they believe all of their friends have been taken by Caul. While there, they meet Caul's brother, Bentham, and discover that they are both brothers to Miss Peregrine. Caul is set on destroying the peculiar way of life so that he can become all powerful, and it is up to Jacob and Emma to see that he doesn't do that. Then there are some unexpected, questionable allegiances.
All in all, this one wasn't too bad. It took nearly half of the book for it to get good, but once hitting that point, I wanted to know what happened.
This series, the first book in particular, opened my eyes to a new approach to writing: using old pictures to tell the story. Since I read this one, I have read others of a similar premise, and it has been nothing but a good experience.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Summer Reading #8
Since She Went Away by David Bell
This book was released yesterday, and I already finished. One thing I love about David Bell's books is that they are suspenseful without being gory. This was definitely a whole lot of suspense.
Jenna's best friend, Celia, went missing one night. Jenna feels immense guilt because she'd invited Celia out, and then ran late. In her mind, if she had been there, Celia might still be safe. No one knows if Celia is alive or dead, and all that they were able to find when she went missing was one of her earrings, a family heirloom, that she never took off.
Jenna has a fifteen year old son named Jared who is involved with a girl named Tabitha. Tabitha's dad is incredibly strict, and Tabitha is supposed to come straight home after school. As it turns out, Tabitha's dad is a killer, and kidnapped Tabitha, whose real name is Natalie.
Reading this book, it seems like Jenna and Jared are always involved with the police. Between the disappearance of Celia to the situation with Natalie, the police always seem to be at their house. This is actually a good thing because the police take Jenna and Jared seriously, which comes in handy more times than you would think.
I don't want to go into too much about this book because it is suspenseful. I don't want to take that away from anyone who may want to read this. Trust me though, this is worth the read, and the ending is a bit of a surprise. While you're at it, read all of David Bell's books; you won't regret it.
This book was released yesterday, and I already finished. One thing I love about David Bell's books is that they are suspenseful without being gory. This was definitely a whole lot of suspense.
Jenna's best friend, Celia, went missing one night. Jenna feels immense guilt because she'd invited Celia out, and then ran late. In her mind, if she had been there, Celia might still be safe. No one knows if Celia is alive or dead, and all that they were able to find when she went missing was one of her earrings, a family heirloom, that she never took off.
Jenna has a fifteen year old son named Jared who is involved with a girl named Tabitha. Tabitha's dad is incredibly strict, and Tabitha is supposed to come straight home after school. As it turns out, Tabitha's dad is a killer, and kidnapped Tabitha, whose real name is Natalie.
Reading this book, it seems like Jenna and Jared are always involved with the police. Between the disappearance of Celia to the situation with Natalie, the police always seem to be at their house. This is actually a good thing because the police take Jenna and Jared seriously, which comes in handy more times than you would think.
I don't want to go into too much about this book because it is suspenseful. I don't want to take that away from anyone who may want to read this. Trust me though, this is worth the read, and the ending is a bit of a surprise. While you're at it, read all of David Bell's books; you won't regret it.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Summer Reading #7
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
I read this for the first time in the spring of 2009. I was in my methods class, observing, and a student had this on her desk. I was intrigued by the cover, as usual, so I put it on hold at the public library. I finished it the same day I picked it up. My children ended up getting me a copy for Mother's Day the same year.
Fast forward seven years. I have read this at least a handful of times, and now have a second copy, signed by the author. This was my first foray in to modern, young adult literature, and it has stuck with me since the very first time I read it. It's also a book I encourage my students to read, not because I want them to follow in Hannah's footsteps, but because I want them to see how their actions affect everyone around them. That is a powerful message.
One of the best things about this book is that it is told from two perspectives: Hannah, the girl who kills herself, and Clay, the boy who wanted to know her better. That is a trend these days-telling stories from more than one perspective. Unlike most, where the speakers take turns by chapters, Hannah and Clay take turns sometimes line by line. It was brilliantly done, and I have not seen a multiple perspective book done so well.
The story itself is simple: Hannah Baker kills herself, and leaves audiotapes detailing her reasons for doing so, hence thirteen reasons why. The story starts out with Clay mailing a box of audiotapes, then goes into flashback to when he received the tapes himself.
Clay came home the day before to a package addressed to him. There was no return address, so Clay had no idea who sent the package. He is intrigued, so he opens it to find seven audiotapes, numbered per side, 1-13. He locates a tape deck, and puts in the first tape. He is horrified when he hears Hannah's voice, the girl he had a crush on, a crush he didn't act on because she had a reputation and he didn't know how her reputation would affect him. She explains the tapes, and that if a person receives the tapes, then they are one of her reasons. Again, Clay is horrified, as, to his knowledge, he never did anything to Hannah.
Prior to receiving the tapes, Clay received a map of the town in his locker. There were locations marked with red stars that correspond to locations mentioned on the tapes. Clay decides he doesn't want to chance his mother hearing what is on the tapes, so he makes an excuse to go to a friend's house to borrow his walkman. For the rest of the night, Clay listens to these tapes and goes to the locations to try to get into Hannah's mindset.
While he understands Hannah is ultimately responsible for the action she took, he now understands what led her there. This makes it hard for him to face his classmates, especially the ones who have already received the tapes and those who will receive the tapes.
Like I said, this is a book I read again and again because it just stays with you. It really makes you realize how your actions affect others and are tangled up in their actions and lives too. Brilliant book, and one I highly recommend to everyone.
I read this for the first time in the spring of 2009. I was in my methods class, observing, and a student had this on her desk. I was intrigued by the cover, as usual, so I put it on hold at the public library. I finished it the same day I picked it up. My children ended up getting me a copy for Mother's Day the same year.
Fast forward seven years. I have read this at least a handful of times, and now have a second copy, signed by the author. This was my first foray in to modern, young adult literature, and it has stuck with me since the very first time I read it. It's also a book I encourage my students to read, not because I want them to follow in Hannah's footsteps, but because I want them to see how their actions affect everyone around them. That is a powerful message.
One of the best things about this book is that it is told from two perspectives: Hannah, the girl who kills herself, and Clay, the boy who wanted to know her better. That is a trend these days-telling stories from more than one perspective. Unlike most, where the speakers take turns by chapters, Hannah and Clay take turns sometimes line by line. It was brilliantly done, and I have not seen a multiple perspective book done so well.
The story itself is simple: Hannah Baker kills herself, and leaves audiotapes detailing her reasons for doing so, hence thirteen reasons why. The story starts out with Clay mailing a box of audiotapes, then goes into flashback to when he received the tapes himself.
Clay came home the day before to a package addressed to him. There was no return address, so Clay had no idea who sent the package. He is intrigued, so he opens it to find seven audiotapes, numbered per side, 1-13. He locates a tape deck, and puts in the first tape. He is horrified when he hears Hannah's voice, the girl he had a crush on, a crush he didn't act on because she had a reputation and he didn't know how her reputation would affect him. She explains the tapes, and that if a person receives the tapes, then they are one of her reasons. Again, Clay is horrified, as, to his knowledge, he never did anything to Hannah.
Prior to receiving the tapes, Clay received a map of the town in his locker. There were locations marked with red stars that correspond to locations mentioned on the tapes. Clay decides he doesn't want to chance his mother hearing what is on the tapes, so he makes an excuse to go to a friend's house to borrow his walkman. For the rest of the night, Clay listens to these tapes and goes to the locations to try to get into Hannah's mindset.
While he understands Hannah is ultimately responsible for the action she took, he now understands what led her there. This makes it hard for him to face his classmates, especially the ones who have already received the tapes and those who will receive the tapes.
Like I said, this is a book I read again and again because it just stays with you. It really makes you realize how your actions affect others and are tangled up in their actions and lives too. Brilliant book, and one I highly recommend to everyone.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Summer Reading #6
Hello Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer Smith
I keep seeing this book on the shelf at the bookstore, but wasn't really drawn to it until I saw that it was on the consideration list for next year's TAYSHAS books. Then, Amazon had it for ninety-nine cents or something, so I knew I needed to give it a whirl.
First, this is an incredibly quick read. I read the prologue and one chapter before I went to be last night, and finished a little while ago. Half the book I read in the car today, and I napped, so I didn't devote tons to getting this read.
In a nutshell, Aidan and Clare are going to college on opposite sides of the country. It's their last night in town together, and Clare has a list of stops they need to make. These stops are all places that were important in their relationship: where they first kissed, where he said "I love you," you get the idea. Clare wants to do this as a way to say goodbye. She is of the opinion that they can't, no, shouldn't stay together in college; that there's no way it can work. Aidan doesn't feel that way, and plans to use this time together to show her she's wrong.
What's cute about this is that each chapter is about what happens at each location they visit. You would think this would make for a choppy read, but it doesn't. Everything flows. I found myself siding with each of them. I was pleased, overall, with the book.
I keep seeing this book on the shelf at the bookstore, but wasn't really drawn to it until I saw that it was on the consideration list for next year's TAYSHAS books. Then, Amazon had it for ninety-nine cents or something, so I knew I needed to give it a whirl.
First, this is an incredibly quick read. I read the prologue and one chapter before I went to be last night, and finished a little while ago. Half the book I read in the car today, and I napped, so I didn't devote tons to getting this read.
In a nutshell, Aidan and Clare are going to college on opposite sides of the country. It's their last night in town together, and Clare has a list of stops they need to make. These stops are all places that were important in their relationship: where they first kissed, where he said "I love you," you get the idea. Clare wants to do this as a way to say goodbye. She is of the opinion that they can't, no, shouldn't stay together in college; that there's no way it can work. Aidan doesn't feel that way, and plans to use this time together to show her she's wrong.
What's cute about this is that each chapter is about what happens at each location they visit. You would think this would make for a choppy read, but it doesn't. Everything flows. I found myself siding with each of them. I was pleased, overall, with the book.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Summer Reading #5
The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
I have read several books by this author, as she writes about one of my favorite topics: Tudor England. Once I became fascinated with this time period, I read several books, both fiction and nonfiction, to acquaint myself with this era.
Going in, I knew a fair amount about Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, but what is nice about Ms. Gregory's books is that the reader gets an insight as to what her subjects might have thought about what was going on around them. I love this because it gives the reader something they may not get from reading nonfiction books about these very real people.
That is not to say that these books are always historically accurate. This has never been a problem for me, as I am well versed enough from the nonfiction books I have read. However, it seems to be that Ms. Gregory takes as few liberties as possible when telling her stories of these great women. I have learned a great deal about the wives and daughters of Henry VIII, as well as the important women involved in the Wars of the Roses.
I always look forward to Ms. Gregory's novels, and just found out she has a new one coming out in the next couple of months. You can bet I will be ordering it.
I have read several books by this author, as she writes about one of my favorite topics: Tudor England. Once I became fascinated with this time period, I read several books, both fiction and nonfiction, to acquaint myself with this era.
Going in, I knew a fair amount about Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, but what is nice about Ms. Gregory's books is that the reader gets an insight as to what her subjects might have thought about what was going on around them. I love this because it gives the reader something they may not get from reading nonfiction books about these very real people.
That is not to say that these books are always historically accurate. This has never been a problem for me, as I am well versed enough from the nonfiction books I have read. However, it seems to be that Ms. Gregory takes as few liberties as possible when telling her stories of these great women. I have learned a great deal about the wives and daughters of Henry VIII, as well as the important women involved in the Wars of the Roses.
I always look forward to Ms. Gregory's novels, and just found out she has a new one coming out in the next couple of months. You can bet I will be ordering it.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Summer Reading #4
Tragedy Girl by Christine Hurley Deriso
Anne recently lost her parents to a drunk driving accident. She moved in with her aunt and uncle in one of the Carolinas for her senior year of high school. There are a lot of changes for her due to all of this, but she seems to be adjusting ok.
On her first day at her new school, she is accused of checking out a guy, and is told to stay away from him. This would prove to be difficult, since the guy, Blake, has a locker right next to Anne. They hit it off, and go out on a couple of group dates.
Blake has his own tragedy that he is dealing with. Over the summer, his girlfriend drowned, and though he tried to find her, he couldn't save her. Their mutual tragedies is initially what draws Anne and Blake together. Blake, in her uncle's words, is too smooth. He seems to do and say what is expected of him, giving Anne and those around her a false sense of security.
It doesn't take long before Anne sees the other side of Blake, and she doesn't like this side of him. She also learns some truths about Blake that are unsettling.
This was a fast read, but not terribly engaging. I thought there would be more to it when I read the back of the book at the bookstore. Oh well, they can't all be winners.
Anne recently lost her parents to a drunk driving accident. She moved in with her aunt and uncle in one of the Carolinas for her senior year of high school. There are a lot of changes for her due to all of this, but she seems to be adjusting ok.
On her first day at her new school, she is accused of checking out a guy, and is told to stay away from him. This would prove to be difficult, since the guy, Blake, has a locker right next to Anne. They hit it off, and go out on a couple of group dates.
Blake has his own tragedy that he is dealing with. Over the summer, his girlfriend drowned, and though he tried to find her, he couldn't save her. Their mutual tragedies is initially what draws Anne and Blake together. Blake, in her uncle's words, is too smooth. He seems to do and say what is expected of him, giving Anne and those around her a false sense of security.
It doesn't take long before Anne sees the other side of Blake, and she doesn't like this side of him. She also learns some truths about Blake that are unsettling.
This was a fast read, but not terribly engaging. I thought there would be more to it when I read the back of the book at the bookstore. Oh well, they can't all be winners.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Summer Reading #3
Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston
This book is one of the nominees for the 2017 TAYSHAS list. I was intrigued by right away because the title is a line from Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. When I read the blurb, it talked about a pregnant cheerleader. I had preconceived notions as to how she found herself in that state, and I was wrong.
Hermione is co-captain of her cheerleading squad. She goes to a school where cheerleading is the only sport that does well. It's a big deal. At the beginning of the book, Hermione and her squad are headed to cheer camp right before school starts. She is dating a boy on the squad, Leo, who thinks it's cute to give her a box of condoms because he expects things from their relationship. In fact, Leo expects that Hermione spend all her time with him, and he can't deal when she doesn't.
Near the end of camp, there is a dance. Hermione receives a cup of punch from someone at the dance, and when she goes to throw the cup away, she starts to feel funny. Someone put a roofie in her drink. You guessed it, this poor girl is raped at camp. Sadly, or maybe thankfully, Hermione doesn't have any recollection that this happened. She is found unconscious by the lake, and it is obvious what has happened.
When she gets back to her hometown, she has to wait a couple of weeks to take a pregnancy test, and unfortunately, she is. Rumors abound at school, including those spread by her boyfriend that she got what was coming to her, and that she was asking for it because she was talking to other guys. This made me hate Leo even more than I already did, by the way.
Luckily for Hermione, she has some really great people in her life to help her through all of this. She has tough choices to make, and never really gets a chance to move on. She still cheers, and works hard to make something of herself, but without the closure of the rape, dark clouds will hang over her head.
I enjoyed this book. It was very real, and relevant, given all the information we are being inundated with regarding the Stanford rape trial and its unfair sentencing. This book sheds light on a growing problem in our society, and I feel that it will be of some good to anyone who reads it.
This book is one of the nominees for the 2017 TAYSHAS list. I was intrigued by right away because the title is a line from Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. When I read the blurb, it talked about a pregnant cheerleader. I had preconceived notions as to how she found herself in that state, and I was wrong.
Hermione is co-captain of her cheerleading squad. She goes to a school where cheerleading is the only sport that does well. It's a big deal. At the beginning of the book, Hermione and her squad are headed to cheer camp right before school starts. She is dating a boy on the squad, Leo, who thinks it's cute to give her a box of condoms because he expects things from their relationship. In fact, Leo expects that Hermione spend all her time with him, and he can't deal when she doesn't.
Near the end of camp, there is a dance. Hermione receives a cup of punch from someone at the dance, and when she goes to throw the cup away, she starts to feel funny. Someone put a roofie in her drink. You guessed it, this poor girl is raped at camp. Sadly, or maybe thankfully, Hermione doesn't have any recollection that this happened. She is found unconscious by the lake, and it is obvious what has happened.
When she gets back to her hometown, she has to wait a couple of weeks to take a pregnancy test, and unfortunately, she is. Rumors abound at school, including those spread by her boyfriend that she got what was coming to her, and that she was asking for it because she was talking to other guys. This made me hate Leo even more than I already did, by the way.
Luckily for Hermione, she has some really great people in her life to help her through all of this. She has tough choices to make, and never really gets a chance to move on. She still cheers, and works hard to make something of herself, but without the closure of the rape, dark clouds will hang over her head.
I enjoyed this book. It was very real, and relevant, given all the information we are being inundated with regarding the Stanford rape trial and its unfair sentencing. This book sheds light on a growing problem in our society, and I feel that it will be of some good to anyone who reads it.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Summer Reading #2
Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle
I bought this book because I love all things John Green. It wasn't until I read the author's blurbs that I realized that I have read and enjoyed two of Maureen Johnson's books as well. I had been somewhat hesitant to purchase and read this because it is technically a book of short stories, of which I am not the biggest fan. Having read this though, I would argue that this is more a book that contains three novellas, rather than short stories.
One thing I really liked about this is that the stories are all connected, even though each story is written by a different author. There are characters who play a part, however large or small, in all three of these stories. The characters are well developed and real, which is something I love about books I read.
Another thing I liked was that everyone had something to overcome in their life, and found resolution to their problems. I enjoy happy endings, but only if they aren't sappy and are realistic. I also enjoy seeing characters work through their problems. I can't believe I put this off, now that I have read this.
I will say this: even though John Green is the reason I bought this book, Maureen Johnson's story is the reason I loved this book. Read it.
I bought this book because I love all things John Green. It wasn't until I read the author's blurbs that I realized that I have read and enjoyed two of Maureen Johnson's books as well. I had been somewhat hesitant to purchase and read this because it is technically a book of short stories, of which I am not the biggest fan. Having read this though, I would argue that this is more a book that contains three novellas, rather than short stories.
One thing I really liked about this is that the stories are all connected, even though each story is written by a different author. There are characters who play a part, however large or small, in all three of these stories. The characters are well developed and real, which is something I love about books I read.
Another thing I liked was that everyone had something to overcome in their life, and found resolution to their problems. I enjoy happy endings, but only if they aren't sappy and are realistic. I also enjoy seeing characters work through their problems. I can't believe I put this off, now that I have read this.
I will say this: even though John Green is the reason I bought this book, Maureen Johnson's story is the reason I loved this book. Read it.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Summer Reading #1
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
I read this when I was eleven, but didn't finish until I was thirteen. This didn't hold my attention at the time, and I let other books come before this one. So, I decided to re-read this, hoping that I would enjoy it more now that I am older. I didn't.
First, there is the problem of this bearing no resemblance to the book I read all those many years ago, which means I probably read Through the Looking Glass, as I remember reading about Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the chess game, and other things that, apparently, pop up in that book.
Second, I have seen several movie incarnations of this book, and this is problematic too. Very little of this book is actually covered in the movies, and that which isn't is somewhat boring.
So, it looks like I need to read the second Alice book to see if it is what I read when I was a girl.
I read this when I was eleven, but didn't finish until I was thirteen. This didn't hold my attention at the time, and I let other books come before this one. So, I decided to re-read this, hoping that I would enjoy it more now that I am older. I didn't.
First, there is the problem of this bearing no resemblance to the book I read all those many years ago, which means I probably read Through the Looking Glass, as I remember reading about Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the chess game, and other things that, apparently, pop up in that book.
Second, I have seen several movie incarnations of this book, and this is problematic too. Very little of this book is actually covered in the movies, and that which isn't is somewhat boring.
So, it looks like I need to read the second Alice book to see if it is what I read when I was a girl.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Ending of a Magical Trilogy
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Now that Gemma has trapped Circe, you'd think that all would be well, and Gemma can share the magic with the inhabitants of the realm as she has wanted. Sadly, you would be wrong. More people than ever are after Gemma and her power, and plan to sacrifice her to the Tree of All Souls in the Winterlands. The people who are after Gemma will do anything to get to her, including trying to recruit her brother.
In this post, I want to focus less about what happens in terms of plot, and more on the things that bothered me. The biggest thing that I found bothersome were Gemma's "friends." I have a hard time believing that they loved Gemma for who she was as a person, and instead only loved her because she was a vessel for the magic. I believe this because they were always giving her a hard time if she didn't bend to their will whenever they wanted to go to the realms and she didn't. Friends aren't supposed to guilt friends the way those girls did. Felicity, an admiral's daughter, was lower on the food chain than Gemma, yet she treated her as if she were her superior. At the time, these things would have mattered. Then Ann. I liked her for the most part, and I was happy when she finally did something for herself as herself. And Pippa? I know there is NO WAY that girl was Gemma's friend. She really only wanted what Gemma had, and I was happy to see what ultimately happened to her.
Then there's Kartik. For crying out loud! He could have just been real with Gemma after he was no longer in the Rakshanna instead of being distant and asshole-y.
On the whole though, I loved this trilogy. Gemma reminded me a bit of myself, and I could relate to a lot of things about her.
Now that Gemma has trapped Circe, you'd think that all would be well, and Gemma can share the magic with the inhabitants of the realm as she has wanted. Sadly, you would be wrong. More people than ever are after Gemma and her power, and plan to sacrifice her to the Tree of All Souls in the Winterlands. The people who are after Gemma will do anything to get to her, including trying to recruit her brother.
In this post, I want to focus less about what happens in terms of plot, and more on the things that bothered me. The biggest thing that I found bothersome were Gemma's "friends." I have a hard time believing that they loved Gemma for who she was as a person, and instead only loved her because she was a vessel for the magic. I believe this because they were always giving her a hard time if she didn't bend to their will whenever they wanted to go to the realms and she didn't. Friends aren't supposed to guilt friends the way those girls did. Felicity, an admiral's daughter, was lower on the food chain than Gemma, yet she treated her as if she were her superior. At the time, these things would have mattered. Then Ann. I liked her for the most part, and I was happy when she finally did something for herself as herself. And Pippa? I know there is NO WAY that girl was Gemma's friend. She really only wanted what Gemma had, and I was happy to see what ultimately happened to her.
Then there's Kartik. For crying out loud! He could have just been real with Gemma after he was no longer in the Rakshanna instead of being distant and asshole-y.
On the whole though, I loved this trilogy. Gemma reminded me a bit of myself, and I could relate to a lot of things about her.
Friday, May 27, 2016
More Magical Realms
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
The second book in the Gemma Boyle trilogy, I enjoyed it even more than the first book. This is not surprising. I am a second part of the trilogy fan: Empire Strikes Back, and Two Towers are a couple of my favorite middles.
This one picks up where the first book leaves off. Now that Gemma destroyed the runes, the magic has to be bound to something so that the wrong sorts don't get their hands on it. The Raksana tries to convince Gemma that she needs to use special words to bind the magic, but really, they want her to bind it to them. Will she figure that out before it's too late?
In the meantime, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are in London for Christmas. Felicity has concocted a story for Ann so that she doesn't have to spend the holidays at Spence. Unfortunately, this story is uncovered. Gemma meets a boy, a viscount's son, while on holiday, and they are smitten with each other. Gemma's dad has some serious issues with drugs, and Gemma and her brother try to remedy that. Then there's the relationship with Kartik.
There is a great deal going on in this book, but not so much that the reader can't keep up. I think that because there was so much going on is the reason I liked this one so much. I am interested in the last chapter of this trilogy, and I can't wait to see what it holds.
The second book in the Gemma Boyle trilogy, I enjoyed it even more than the first book. This is not surprising. I am a second part of the trilogy fan: Empire Strikes Back, and Two Towers are a couple of my favorite middles.
This one picks up where the first book leaves off. Now that Gemma destroyed the runes, the magic has to be bound to something so that the wrong sorts don't get their hands on it. The Raksana tries to convince Gemma that she needs to use special words to bind the magic, but really, they want her to bind it to them. Will she figure that out before it's too late?
In the meantime, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are in London for Christmas. Felicity has concocted a story for Ann so that she doesn't have to spend the holidays at Spence. Unfortunately, this story is uncovered. Gemma meets a boy, a viscount's son, while on holiday, and they are smitten with each other. Gemma's dad has some serious issues with drugs, and Gemma and her brother try to remedy that. Then there's the relationship with Kartik.
There is a great deal going on in this book, but not so much that the reader can't keep up. I think that because there was so much going on is the reason I liked this one so much. I am interested in the last chapter of this trilogy, and I can't wait to see what it holds.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Magical Realms and Boarding School
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Recommended to be by a coworker I like and respect, this book was something I had been contemplating reading for a while because I liked the title. I had no idea what it was about. I was told it was Harry Potter-esque, but I don't think that is quite true.
Gemma grew up in India, and when she was sixteen, her mother is killed. It is covered up by saying she died of cholera, but the truth is she is murdered by beings from another plane of existence. Gemma always wanted to come to London, and now that her mother is gone, she gets her chance. She is sent to Spence, a boarding/finishing school for well off English girls.
At first, she is a bit of an outcast, but soon finds herself consorting with Felicity and Pippa, the most popular girls at school. The create a little club for themselves, and include Ann, Gemma's roommate, an orphan/scholarship recipient. They start out telling stories, but then discover that Gemma has some magic inside her that can transport them to other realms. The only problem with this is that someone is out to get the keeper of the realm magic, and will do anything to get their hands on it, even imitating Gemma's mother to win her trust.
There are so many things I want to talk about, but I am afraid that in doing so, I will give away the whole story. All I can say is that I was taken enough with this one that I bought the other two books in the trilogy right about the time I hit the halfway point. I want to know what happens to Gemma and her friends.
Recommended to be by a coworker I like and respect, this book was something I had been contemplating reading for a while because I liked the title. I had no idea what it was about. I was told it was Harry Potter-esque, but I don't think that is quite true.
Gemma grew up in India, and when she was sixteen, her mother is killed. It is covered up by saying she died of cholera, but the truth is she is murdered by beings from another plane of existence. Gemma always wanted to come to London, and now that her mother is gone, she gets her chance. She is sent to Spence, a boarding/finishing school for well off English girls.
At first, she is a bit of an outcast, but soon finds herself consorting with Felicity and Pippa, the most popular girls at school. The create a little club for themselves, and include Ann, Gemma's roommate, an orphan/scholarship recipient. They start out telling stories, but then discover that Gemma has some magic inside her that can transport them to other realms. The only problem with this is that someone is out to get the keeper of the realm magic, and will do anything to get their hands on it, even imitating Gemma's mother to win her trust.
There are so many things I want to talk about, but I am afraid that in doing so, I will give away the whole story. All I can say is that I was taken enough with this one that I bought the other two books in the trilogy right about the time I hit the halfway point. I want to know what happens to Gemma and her friends.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
A Friendly Recommendation
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
I had seen this book several times when I had gone to the bookstore, but never thought much of it. Then a former student was reading it. Not long after that, a coworker posted the movie trailer, and was talking about what a great book this was. After that, another friend and coworker was reading it, and told me I would love it. She was right.
Louisa "Lou" Clark is twenty-six years old, and living in England with her parents, granddad, sister, and nephew. She has a long term boyfriend, Patrick, who is a personal trainer. She doesn't expect much out of life. Then she loses her job.
After a few interviews with Britain's version of the unemployment commission, Lou gets a position as a caretaker for a man, Will Traynor, who is a quadrapeligic (or however you spell it). Will led quite the life before being hit by a motorcycle, and his current state bothers him so much that he wants to have an assisted suicide. That's why Lou is hired: Will has a deal with his parents to live for six more months, and she is to make sure nothing happens to him.
Lou does everything in her power, trips, outings, etc, to convince Will to have the will to live. Can she manage to get Will to change his mind?
I had seen this book several times when I had gone to the bookstore, but never thought much of it. Then a former student was reading it. Not long after that, a coworker posted the movie trailer, and was talking about what a great book this was. After that, another friend and coworker was reading it, and told me I would love it. She was right.
Louisa "Lou" Clark is twenty-six years old, and living in England with her parents, granddad, sister, and nephew. She has a long term boyfriend, Patrick, who is a personal trainer. She doesn't expect much out of life. Then she loses her job.
After a few interviews with Britain's version of the unemployment commission, Lou gets a position as a caretaker for a man, Will Traynor, who is a quadrapeligic (or however you spell it). Will led quite the life before being hit by a motorcycle, and his current state bothers him so much that he wants to have an assisted suicide. That's why Lou is hired: Will has a deal with his parents to live for six more months, and she is to make sure nothing happens to him.
Lou does everything in her power, trips, outings, etc, to convince Will to have the will to live. Can she manage to get Will to change his mind?
Friday, May 13, 2016
Witchy YA Fiction? Yes, please!
A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi
Be still my heart! A young adult book about the Salem Witch Trials. There are few things I find more interesting than the Salem Witch Trials, and when I saw this at the bookstore, I knew I had to have it. Even better, it was fairly accurate in terms of historical events.
This is the story of Susanna English, who comes from a fairly wealthy family. She gets the opportunity to travel to Boston, work in her mother's store, and not be constrained by Puritan life like most young people in Salem. That is not to say that everything is perfect for Susanna. She has an older brother who is a sailor, and he hasn't been heard from in several months.
One day while on an errand for her mother, Susanna sees several girls going to the parsonage while Reverend Parris is out. These girls participate in fortune telling with Tituba. Susanna wants very much to be a part of this circle of girls, but they will never let her in because of her station in the town. Susanna finally gets into the house, and Tituba tells Susanna things about her brother.
Not long after this, young Betty Parris takes ill. She claims she is being bewitched, and the other girls of the circle begin acting afflicted as well because they see the attention Betty receives. Living in typical Puritan households, they aren't paid much mind, but crying witch gives them the attention they yearn for.
Susanna knows that there are no witches, given the conversations she has had with Ann Putnam Jr. and Betty Parris, but they have threatened to accuse her family if she says anything. What will Susanna do? Will she tell the truth, or let the chips fall where they may?
Be still my heart! A young adult book about the Salem Witch Trials. There are few things I find more interesting than the Salem Witch Trials, and when I saw this at the bookstore, I knew I had to have it. Even better, it was fairly accurate in terms of historical events.
This is the story of Susanna English, who comes from a fairly wealthy family. She gets the opportunity to travel to Boston, work in her mother's store, and not be constrained by Puritan life like most young people in Salem. That is not to say that everything is perfect for Susanna. She has an older brother who is a sailor, and he hasn't been heard from in several months.
One day while on an errand for her mother, Susanna sees several girls going to the parsonage while Reverend Parris is out. These girls participate in fortune telling with Tituba. Susanna wants very much to be a part of this circle of girls, but they will never let her in because of her station in the town. Susanna finally gets into the house, and Tituba tells Susanna things about her brother.
Not long after this, young Betty Parris takes ill. She claims she is being bewitched, and the other girls of the circle begin acting afflicted as well because they see the attention Betty receives. Living in typical Puritan households, they aren't paid much mind, but crying witch gives them the attention they yearn for.
Susanna knows that there are no witches, given the conversations she has had with Ann Putnam Jr. and Betty Parris, but they have threatened to accuse her family if she says anything. What will Susanna do? Will she tell the truth, or let the chips fall where they may?
Monday, May 9, 2016
Living Books
The Librarian Books 1 and 2 by Eric Hobbs
This one was recommended to be by an awesome coworker. I have been in a little bit of a reading funk, where I haven't really felt like reading, so this took longer than it should have to complete.
This book starts out in Neverland. Yes, THAT Neverland. Apparently, someone has shown up in the book and is trying to shake things up. Then, it cuts to a library that has awesome wood carvings from classic children's novels. A young boy named Wesley is on a field trip with his class. One girl, Taylor, is his friend. A boy, Randy, bullies Wesley every chance he gets. Randy's father, Mr. Douglas, is their chaperone for the day.
Taylor and Wesley, while searching for the mysterious librarian, run into Locke, who is a watcher in Peter Pan. Something is up in Neverland, and he needs to let the librarian know. The next thing you know, Locke, Wes, and Taylor end up in Oz. Yes, THE Oz. The wood carvings are actually portals into the books.
While there, Taylor insists on reuniting the Tinman with his fiancee, and because this doesn't happen in the real story, it messes things up. The three exit the portal, only to be thrown back into their world that no longer makes sense.
The next day, Wes and Taylor break into the library so that they can go back through the portal, and "fix" things. Meanwhile, Randy and his father are in Oz, trying to make a deal with the Wicked Witch of the West.
Will Wes and Taylor be able to set things aright, or will Randy and Mr. Douglas prevail with the Witch? Read this and find out for yourself.
This one was recommended to be by an awesome coworker. I have been in a little bit of a reading funk, where I haven't really felt like reading, so this took longer than it should have to complete.
This book starts out in Neverland. Yes, THAT Neverland. Apparently, someone has shown up in the book and is trying to shake things up. Then, it cuts to a library that has awesome wood carvings from classic children's novels. A young boy named Wesley is on a field trip with his class. One girl, Taylor, is his friend. A boy, Randy, bullies Wesley every chance he gets. Randy's father, Mr. Douglas, is their chaperone for the day.
Taylor and Wesley, while searching for the mysterious librarian, run into Locke, who is a watcher in Peter Pan. Something is up in Neverland, and he needs to let the librarian know. The next thing you know, Locke, Wes, and Taylor end up in Oz. Yes, THE Oz. The wood carvings are actually portals into the books.
While there, Taylor insists on reuniting the Tinman with his fiancee, and because this doesn't happen in the real story, it messes things up. The three exit the portal, only to be thrown back into their world that no longer makes sense.
The next day, Wes and Taylor break into the library so that they can go back through the portal, and "fix" things. Meanwhile, Randy and his father are in Oz, trying to make a deal with the Wicked Witch of the West.
Will Wes and Taylor be able to set things aright, or will Randy and Mr. Douglas prevail with the Witch? Read this and find out for yourself.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Named for a Creek
Woman Hollering Creek by Sandra Cisneros
Much like The House on Mango Street, which I loved, I read this because my son hated it. While I feel hate is a strong word, I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this book.
Written as a series of vignettes, this tells the stories, mostly hardships, of Hispanic women of all ages. The stories of the young girls and teenagers were ok, enjoyable even, but once I got to the adult sections, I was completely turned off. I didn't care to read about abused women, women who were cheated on, and sex lives. These things aren't really my thing, and I found nothing redeemable for this section of the book.
The only way I can see that anyone would read this is if it was required for a college lit class, which, by the way, it was for my son. At least it only took a few hours to read, though I won't get those hours back.
Much like The House on Mango Street, which I loved, I read this because my son hated it. While I feel hate is a strong word, I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this book.
Written as a series of vignettes, this tells the stories, mostly hardships, of Hispanic women of all ages. The stories of the young girls and teenagers were ok, enjoyable even, but once I got to the adult sections, I was completely turned off. I didn't care to read about abused women, women who were cheated on, and sex lives. These things aren't really my thing, and I found nothing redeemable for this section of the book.
The only way I can see that anyone would read this is if it was required for a college lit class, which, by the way, it was for my son. At least it only took a few hours to read, though I won't get those hours back.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Annoying Brothers
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
This came up as either a freebie or was really inexpensive for my Kindle one day. I thought I had read other books by this author (I hadn't, as it turns out), so I bought it. It's been sitting on the back burner for a while, but I have had two students who purchased this on their own and liked it, so I thought I would give it a try.
Steven is thirteen, in eighth grade. He starts out the book telling us how annoying his little brother is. Jeffery is five, and is, as most five year olds are annoying. Then one day, he takes a tumble from a stool in the kitchen, resulting in a bloody nose that requires a trip to the emergency room. Unfortunately for Steven's family, it was more than a bloody nose. Poor Jeffery is diagnosed with leukemia.
At first, no one really knows how to handle things. Mom is emotional, dad is reserved, Steven is a bundle of emotions. He makes bargains with God if he will just save Jeffery. He stops caring about school for a little while, he has nightmares. The family goes into debt, and that adds additional stress that no one needs.
One thing that doesn't change is Steven's love for Jeffery, despite his annoyingness. Steven would do anything for Jeffery, and Jeffery acts like Steven hung the moon.
I just knew this book was going to wreck me. Books like this usually do. I couldn't put this one down. I was riveted. It was a sweet story.
This came up as either a freebie or was really inexpensive for my Kindle one day. I thought I had read other books by this author (I hadn't, as it turns out), so I bought it. It's been sitting on the back burner for a while, but I have had two students who purchased this on their own and liked it, so I thought I would give it a try.
Steven is thirteen, in eighth grade. He starts out the book telling us how annoying his little brother is. Jeffery is five, and is, as most five year olds are annoying. Then one day, he takes a tumble from a stool in the kitchen, resulting in a bloody nose that requires a trip to the emergency room. Unfortunately for Steven's family, it was more than a bloody nose. Poor Jeffery is diagnosed with leukemia.
At first, no one really knows how to handle things. Mom is emotional, dad is reserved, Steven is a bundle of emotions. He makes bargains with God if he will just save Jeffery. He stops caring about school for a little while, he has nightmares. The family goes into debt, and that adds additional stress that no one needs.
One thing that doesn't change is Steven's love for Jeffery, despite his annoyingness. Steven would do anything for Jeffery, and Jeffery acts like Steven hung the moon.
I just knew this book was going to wreck me. Books like this usually do. I couldn't put this one down. I was riveted. It was a sweet story.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
HP Wannabe
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
A couple of years ago, I read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and LOVED the book. When I saw this had come out, I thought it was a follow-up, so I had to have it. In a way, I guess it is, since Fangirl is about a girl obsessed with the Simon Snow books, and writes fan fiction about them. This book is her fan fiction.
My biggest problem with this book is that it is a rip off of Harry Potter. Both take place in England. Both have a special, magical school. Both main characters are orphans and are the "Chosen One." Both have a know it all girl who is a best friend to the main character. Both have a best friend who come from a large magical family. Both have a school nemesis, and both have a nemesis who is out to upset the magical balance. Both have erratic headmasters.
One would think that being an HP fan would mean that I would automatically love a book that was trying so hard to be like one that is loved by millions worldwide, but I didn't. Mostly, I was aggravated. In fact, I started this book months ago, got eighty pages in, and put it aside because of my aggravation. I decided I needed to get it off the back of my couch, so I gave it another shot. I didn't start over though; I just picked up where I left off.
For the first four hundred pages, I complained about how much this was a wannabe of a book series I love. It's about Simon Snow, the most powerful mage, who is being hunted by the Humdrum (yes, a very scary villain name). He is coming back to his magic school, Watford, for his final year. His nemesis, Baz, hasn't shown up, and this is causing Simon some unrest. On Halloween night, the night that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, the ghost of Baz's mother comes to Simon by mistake to tell him he needs to find out who killed her/caused her death. When Baz finally gets back, Simon tells him about this visit, and they call a truce to discover this information. Meanwhile, they are also trying to figure out this thing with the Humdrum. Blah, blah, blah.
Where this book finally got good for me is where this became less like HP. Baz is the Draco character in this scenario, and he has a thing for Simon. He doesn't want Simon to know. He tries to hide it, but is ultimately unsuccessful.
There is, obviously, more to the story, but it wouldn't be any fun if I told you everything.
A couple of years ago, I read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and LOVED the book. When I saw this had come out, I thought it was a follow-up, so I had to have it. In a way, I guess it is, since Fangirl is about a girl obsessed with the Simon Snow books, and writes fan fiction about them. This book is her fan fiction.
My biggest problem with this book is that it is a rip off of Harry Potter. Both take place in England. Both have a special, magical school. Both main characters are orphans and are the "Chosen One." Both have a know it all girl who is a best friend to the main character. Both have a best friend who come from a large magical family. Both have a school nemesis, and both have a nemesis who is out to upset the magical balance. Both have erratic headmasters.
One would think that being an HP fan would mean that I would automatically love a book that was trying so hard to be like one that is loved by millions worldwide, but I didn't. Mostly, I was aggravated. In fact, I started this book months ago, got eighty pages in, and put it aside because of my aggravation. I decided I needed to get it off the back of my couch, so I gave it another shot. I didn't start over though; I just picked up where I left off.
For the first four hundred pages, I complained about how much this was a wannabe of a book series I love. It's about Simon Snow, the most powerful mage, who is being hunted by the Humdrum (yes, a very scary villain name). He is coming back to his magic school, Watford, for his final year. His nemesis, Baz, hasn't shown up, and this is causing Simon some unrest. On Halloween night, the night that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, the ghost of Baz's mother comes to Simon by mistake to tell him he needs to find out who killed her/caused her death. When Baz finally gets back, Simon tells him about this visit, and they call a truce to discover this information. Meanwhile, they are also trying to figure out this thing with the Humdrum. Blah, blah, blah.
Where this book finally got good for me is where this became less like HP. Baz is the Draco character in this scenario, and he has a thing for Simon. He doesn't want Simon to know. He tries to hide it, but is ultimately unsuccessful.
There is, obviously, more to the story, but it wouldn't be any fun if I told you everything.
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