The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
I knew I would get around to this book eventually because I loved Everything Everything, which I read almost exactly a year ago. I ended up getting this one because my daughter's best friend wanted to read it and her school library didn't have it yet. I would do anything for that sweet girl, and it was no big deal to get a book we could both enjoy. She would not borrow it from me until I read it, however.
This book takes place over the course of a single day. Natasha is seventeen. She lives in a one bedroom apartment with her parents and brother. She and her brother share the living room as their bedroom space. They are being deported tonight because her dad got drunk, and told the police officer whose car he hit that he and his family were undocumented immigrants. Natasha is on a mission to get that decision reversed.
Daniel is also seventeen. He is Korean American, and his parents expect him to go to Yale and become a doctor. He has an older brother who is an asshole, and who has been suspended from Harvard. Daniel is on his way to get a haircut (which never actually happens) when he saves Natasha from getting hit by a car.
For Daniel, it was practically love at first sight.For Natasha, not so much. She is a science person; she believes in practicality--things she can see or prove with science. Daniel leads with his heart. He spends the day trying to convince her that they can fall in love. She tries to resist.
The whole book is watching them fall in love against a backdrop of impending deportation and Yale interviews. I so enjoyed reading this, and I can't wait to discuss it with my daughter's best friend when she read this.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Written by a Childhood Hero
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Growing up, I was a bit of a Star Wars nerd. Still am, actually. This was ok because in those movies was an amazing female role model in Princess Leia, played by Carrie Fisher. Though I may not have realized it at the time, Leia was a strong woman. She could do everything Luke and Han did, and never made girls seem less than. Because of Princess Leia, I loved Carrie Fisher.
In high school, I discovered her books, Postcards from the Edge and Surrender the Pink. Pretty sure I liked them, but for the life of me, I don't remember what either of them were about. At any rate, I read them because they were written by Carrie Fisher.
So, when Carrie died on December 27, 2016, it affected me more than any celebrity death had before. Then her mother died the next day, and although I wasn't a fan, I still mourned for the mother who just wanted to be with her daughter. It was all very moving. In the days that followed, we were inundated with all things Carrie and Debbie, and it was during that time that I learned of the existence of this book.
I won't go into what Carrie writes about, but this was a book I couldn't put down. It made me laugh on multiple occasions. I can see me going back to re-reading this again soon. This let me see a side to the woman I looked up to as child that I had never seen before.
All I can say is that you need to read this one. You won't regret it.
Growing up, I was a bit of a Star Wars nerd. Still am, actually. This was ok because in those movies was an amazing female role model in Princess Leia, played by Carrie Fisher. Though I may not have realized it at the time, Leia was a strong woman. She could do everything Luke and Han did, and never made girls seem less than. Because of Princess Leia, I loved Carrie Fisher.
In high school, I discovered her books, Postcards from the Edge and Surrender the Pink. Pretty sure I liked them, but for the life of me, I don't remember what either of them were about. At any rate, I read them because they were written by Carrie Fisher.
So, when Carrie died on December 27, 2016, it affected me more than any celebrity death had before. Then her mother died the next day, and although I wasn't a fan, I still mourned for the mother who just wanted to be with her daughter. It was all very moving. In the days that followed, we were inundated with all things Carrie and Debbie, and it was during that time that I learned of the existence of this book.
I won't go into what Carrie writes about, but this was a book I couldn't put down. It made me laugh on multiple occasions. I can see me going back to re-reading this again soon. This let me see a side to the woman I looked up to as child that I had never seen before.
All I can say is that you need to read this one. You won't regret it.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
TAYSHAS 15
The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters
It wasn't until I finished this book that I realized the author had a book on the TAYSHAS list a few years ago. That one was about the flu pandemic in the early twentieth century. This one took place a few years after that, but, in many ways, the subject matter is more serious.
Before I go too much further, this is a revisioning of Hamlet. There were several places reading this where this was evident. There were other parts that diverged from the Bard's tale, and, oddly, I was pleased.
Taking place in July 1923, in Oregon, this book covers the KKK, homosexuality, and prohibition. Heavy stuff all by themselves, but even more so all together in a book meant for teenagers. I was captivated for many of the same reasons that To Kill a Mockingbird and Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry captivate me.
Hanalee is a teenaged mulatto girl whose father died some eighteen months previously. He was hit by a car, driven by Joe, who was driving while intoxicated. Joe has been released from prison, and he is hiding out. Someone told Hanalee that Joe wanted to talk to her; he wants her to know he didn't actually kill her father. He blames Hanalee's stepfather for doing the deed, and Hanalee doesn't want to believe him. Needless to say, it takes some convincing.
More than all of that though, the KKK in the area is out to get Joe and Hanalee. Joe because he prefers boys, and that is unacceptable, and Hanalee because she is half black. As it turns out, the KKK wants more than just the two of them.
I don't want to go into too much more. I am so happy we don't live in times like those, but sometimes, it doesn't seem that much better. I don't know why we can't look back on the past and find a way to live in harmony. People come in all colors and not everyone is heterosexual. Why does that matter? Why do we place such importance on something so irrelevant?
It wasn't until I finished this book that I realized the author had a book on the TAYSHAS list a few years ago. That one was about the flu pandemic in the early twentieth century. This one took place a few years after that, but, in many ways, the subject matter is more serious.
Before I go too much further, this is a revisioning of Hamlet. There were several places reading this where this was evident. There were other parts that diverged from the Bard's tale, and, oddly, I was pleased.
Taking place in July 1923, in Oregon, this book covers the KKK, homosexuality, and prohibition. Heavy stuff all by themselves, but even more so all together in a book meant for teenagers. I was captivated for many of the same reasons that To Kill a Mockingbird and Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry captivate me.
Hanalee is a teenaged mulatto girl whose father died some eighteen months previously. He was hit by a car, driven by Joe, who was driving while intoxicated. Joe has been released from prison, and he is hiding out. Someone told Hanalee that Joe wanted to talk to her; he wants her to know he didn't actually kill her father. He blames Hanalee's stepfather for doing the deed, and Hanalee doesn't want to believe him. Needless to say, it takes some convincing.
More than all of that though, the KKK in the area is out to get Joe and Hanalee. Joe because he prefers boys, and that is unacceptable, and Hanalee because she is half black. As it turns out, the KKK wants more than just the two of them.
I don't want to go into too much more. I am so happy we don't live in times like those, but sometimes, it doesn't seem that much better. I don't know why we can't look back on the past and find a way to live in harmony. People come in all colors and not everyone is heterosexual. Why does that matter? Why do we place such importance on something so irrelevant?
Friday, January 20, 2017
TAYSHAS 14
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Although this is set sometime in the distant future, it is easy to forget that it is the future. Most of the time I was reading this, I felt like I was reading something from the Middle Ages. It was a strange mix of past and future, and I loved it.
Mare is almost eighteen. She has three older brothers who serve in the army, a sister who is a seamstress of sorts, a crippled father, a mother, and no future- unless you count joining the army. To make sure that her family has what she needs, she steals. One night she steals from someone who has the ability to change everything for Mare. This someone happens to be the crown prince.
Before she realizes who he actually is, she just assumes it's a decent red man who feels for her plight. Instead, he is a silver, and a member of the royal family. At her new job, Mare serves the rich while they are all enjoying the Queenstrial-a competition to determine the future wives of the princes. One of the competitors causes Mare to fall into an electrical field that should have killed her, but didn't. This is when everyone discovers Mare has abilities of a silver, even though she is a red.
To cover this up, the king and queen tell everyone that Mare is a long lost silver general's daughter, and she becomes betrothed to the younger prince, Maven. Mare is acutely aware of the divide between silvers and reds, and joins the rebellion/terrorist group that is trying to make the world a more fair place for reds. Unfortunately, the going is not easy, particularly when you can't trust the people that you think you can trust. Treachery abounds.
So much more happens than what I have put here. To discover it for yourself, read this book.
Although this is set sometime in the distant future, it is easy to forget that it is the future. Most of the time I was reading this, I felt like I was reading something from the Middle Ages. It was a strange mix of past and future, and I loved it.
Mare is almost eighteen. She has three older brothers who serve in the army, a sister who is a seamstress of sorts, a crippled father, a mother, and no future- unless you count joining the army. To make sure that her family has what she needs, she steals. One night she steals from someone who has the ability to change everything for Mare. This someone happens to be the crown prince.
Before she realizes who he actually is, she just assumes it's a decent red man who feels for her plight. Instead, he is a silver, and a member of the royal family. At her new job, Mare serves the rich while they are all enjoying the Queenstrial-a competition to determine the future wives of the princes. One of the competitors causes Mare to fall into an electrical field that should have killed her, but didn't. This is when everyone discovers Mare has abilities of a silver, even though she is a red.
To cover this up, the king and queen tell everyone that Mare is a long lost silver general's daughter, and she becomes betrothed to the younger prince, Maven. Mare is acutely aware of the divide between silvers and reds, and joins the rebellion/terrorist group that is trying to make the world a more fair place for reds. Unfortunately, the going is not easy, particularly when you can't trust the people that you think you can trust. Treachery abounds.
So much more happens than what I have put here. To discover it for yourself, read this book.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
TAYSHAS 13
Infinite In Between by Carolyn Mackler
I read this thinking it might be like a modern Breakfast Club. It wasn't.
This is about five teenagers, Zoe, Mia, Whitney, Jake and Gregor, who meet at freshman orientation. None of them are really friends with each other, even though they know who each other is. At orientation, they decide to write letters to their future selves, to be opened the day they graduate high school.
Gregor is in love with Whitney, but too afraid to do anything about it. Jake is gay, and feels he's blown it with the guy of his dreams. Mia is a brain, but everyone thinks she's on drugs. Whitney is popular, but tries to be kind to everyone. Zoe is a famous actress' daughter. They all have nothing in common, yet they are all tied together because of the letters they wrote themselves.
This book follows them through their entire high school careers. No joke. It covers every month between September of their freshman year until June when they graduate. We see all of their stories, which is cool. I just didn't like how disjointed it seemed. Not a bad read, but not the best either.
I read this thinking it might be like a modern Breakfast Club. It wasn't.
This is about five teenagers, Zoe, Mia, Whitney, Jake and Gregor, who meet at freshman orientation. None of them are really friends with each other, even though they know who each other is. At orientation, they decide to write letters to their future selves, to be opened the day they graduate high school.
Gregor is in love with Whitney, but too afraid to do anything about it. Jake is gay, and feels he's blown it with the guy of his dreams. Mia is a brain, but everyone thinks she's on drugs. Whitney is popular, but tries to be kind to everyone. Zoe is a famous actress' daughter. They all have nothing in common, yet they are all tied together because of the letters they wrote themselves.
This book follows them through their entire high school careers. No joke. It covers every month between September of their freshman year until June when they graduate. We see all of their stories, which is cool. I just didn't like how disjointed it seemed. Not a bad read, but not the best either.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
TAYSHAS #12
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
I have checked this out twice before, but finally read it on the recommendation of a friend.
Jessie's mother died two years ago, and recently, her dad eloped in Hawaii with a woman who lives in LA. All of the sudden, Jessie finds herself at a swanky private school in LA, with a stepbrother who seems to hate her.
On the evening of her first day of school, she receives an email from Somebody Nobody, who seems to know a lot about her, even though she has no idea who this person is. The emails become instant messages, and they help Jessie to find her place in LA. Every day, they tell each other three things about themselves. Jessie wants very much to know who SN is, and has it narrowed down to three people.
The road to figuring out who SN is includes becoming friendlier with her stepbrother, getting a job, doing group work with the hottie loner, fighting with her day, and making some new, true friends.
Will Jessie ever meet SN? Will they be who she thought/hoped they were? Seriously, this was a fun read.
I have checked this out twice before, but finally read it on the recommendation of a friend.
Jessie's mother died two years ago, and recently, her dad eloped in Hawaii with a woman who lives in LA. All of the sudden, Jessie finds herself at a swanky private school in LA, with a stepbrother who seems to hate her.
On the evening of her first day of school, she receives an email from Somebody Nobody, who seems to know a lot about her, even though she has no idea who this person is. The emails become instant messages, and they help Jessie to find her place in LA. Every day, they tell each other three things about themselves. Jessie wants very much to know who SN is, and has it narrowed down to three people.
The road to figuring out who SN is includes becoming friendlier with her stepbrother, getting a job, doing group work with the hottie loner, fighting with her day, and making some new, true friends.
Will Jessie ever meet SN? Will they be who she thought/hoped they were? Seriously, this was a fun read.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Nothing Good Ever Happens in Aruba
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
This is the last of the three books I borrowed from my daughter the other day. It's also my first completed book of 2017.
This is the story of Anna. Anna who is in love with Tate. Anna who is best friends with Elise. Anna who is accused of Elise's brutal murder when they and their friends are on Spring Break in Aruba with their friends.
The timeline jumps around a bit. Sometimes, it's in the past, when Anna started attending the fancy schmancy prep school in Boston where she meets Elise. Sometimes, it's just a few months' past, when Elise is murdered. Sometimes, it's the present, during Anna's imprisonment and trial.
Anna is accused of murdering Elise, but, at first, so is Tate. Tate's family is rich, though, so he makes a deal with law enforcement to no longer be charged. The same isn't true for Anna. The evidence they have is circumstantial at best, and there are other people who are more likely to have committed the crime.
Anna goes on trial, and you can see the strain it puts on her. She is facing twenty years. She is being smeared in the news media. Will Anna be found guilty?
This is the last of the three books I borrowed from my daughter the other day. It's also my first completed book of 2017.
This is the story of Anna. Anna who is in love with Tate. Anna who is best friends with Elise. Anna who is accused of Elise's brutal murder when they and their friends are on Spring Break in Aruba with their friends.
The timeline jumps around a bit. Sometimes, it's in the past, when Anna started attending the fancy schmancy prep school in Boston where she meets Elise. Sometimes, it's just a few months' past, when Elise is murdered. Sometimes, it's the present, during Anna's imprisonment and trial.
Anna is accused of murdering Elise, but, at first, so is Tate. Tate's family is rich, though, so he makes a deal with law enforcement to no longer be charged. The same isn't true for Anna. The evidence they have is circumstantial at best, and there are other people who are more likely to have committed the crime.
Anna goes on trial, and you can see the strain it puts on her. She is facing twenty years. She is being smeared in the news media. Will Anna be found guilty?
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