Dare Me by Megan Abbott
I read this because I got sucked into the show of the same name on Sunday nights on USA. Let me just say, this was a little harder to get a hold of than I would have liked. This book came out in 2012, but everyone wanted to charge at least $15 for a paperback version. No thank you. The library at my school didn't have it, nor did the public library, which started me questioning why this was being made into a tv series if it was not popular enough to be easily obtained. It took me a few weeks, but I got a decent copy for about $5.
I say this rarely, but I think I like the tv series better. There is nothing wrong with the story, but there is so much more going on with the show that I think it is just better.
This is about cheerleaders in a reasonably small town. They get a new cheer coach, and demotes the girl who was calling herself the captain. That would be Beth. Beth's best friend, Addy, starts to bond with the cheer coach, and this bothers Beth because she wants Addy all to herself. So, Beth finds ways to go after the cheer coach, which isn't hard.
A good read, but I think I will stick to the show.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
TAYSHAS 2020 #9
Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw
Another graphic novel. Why? Because I can breeze through them in next to no time. Apparently, there are several on the TAYSHAS list this year, which is stupid since graphic novels have their own awards list. In fact, several are double-dipping on both lists. Ok, I will get off my soapbox about the travesty of the books on the awards list that don't belong there.
Unlike the previous graphic novel, this one actually has a decent story. This one is about Amanda. She goes to a Catholic high school, and has a tense relationship with one of her best friends. With the other best friend, well, she kissed her, and this story is told in flashback to show how she got there. And there's a lot that leads up to that kiss, my friends.
This one, I would highly recommend.
Another graphic novel. Why? Because I can breeze through them in next to no time. Apparently, there are several on the TAYSHAS list this year, which is stupid since graphic novels have their own awards list. In fact, several are double-dipping on both lists. Ok, I will get off my soapbox about the travesty of the books on the awards list that don't belong there.
Unlike the previous graphic novel, this one actually has a decent story. This one is about Amanda. She goes to a Catholic high school, and has a tense relationship with one of her best friends. With the other best friend, well, she kissed her, and this story is told in flashback to show how she got there. And there's a lot that leads up to that kiss, my friends.
This one, I would highly recommend.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
TAYSHAS 2020 #8
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
This is a graphic novel, and I am not the biggest fan of graphic novels. The upside to graphic novels is that they take next to no time to read. So, even though this is 289 pages long, I read it in its entirety during my bath.
It's not complex. Freddy is in love with Laura Dean. Laura Dean, clearly, is not in love with Freddy; she just likes having a girlfriend. This is clear from the beginning when Laura Dean ditches Freddy at the Valentine's Day dance. It's clear every time Laura Dean expects Freddy to drop everything in her life for the few crumbs Laura Dean will give her.
Because Freddy jumps when Laura Dean says jump, Freddy is a shitty friend. She doesn't mean to be, but "love" makes people do stupid things.
To say this wasn't my favorite TAYSHAS would be a huge understatement. Once again, I have to question why this made the list, other than the fact that it was about two girls. It's a shame that that is what we have come to--books make these lists simple for the lesbian factor. I have no issues reading about gay relationships, but there are much better books about it that what this had to offer.
This is a graphic novel, and I am not the biggest fan of graphic novels. The upside to graphic novels is that they take next to no time to read. So, even though this is 289 pages long, I read it in its entirety during my bath.
It's not complex. Freddy is in love with Laura Dean. Laura Dean, clearly, is not in love with Freddy; she just likes having a girlfriend. This is clear from the beginning when Laura Dean ditches Freddy at the Valentine's Day dance. It's clear every time Laura Dean expects Freddy to drop everything in her life for the few crumbs Laura Dean will give her.
Because Freddy jumps when Laura Dean says jump, Freddy is a shitty friend. She doesn't mean to be, but "love" makes people do stupid things.
To say this wasn't my favorite TAYSHAS would be a huge understatement. Once again, I have to question why this made the list, other than the fact that it was about two girls. It's a shame that that is what we have come to--books make these lists simple for the lesbian factor. I have no issues reading about gay relationships, but there are much better books about it that what this had to offer.
Monday, January 27, 2020
TAYSHAS 2020 #7
Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner
This is the third book by this author, and like the first two, I was enraptured. I know it doesn't seem that way because it took me two weeks to read, but that is because my oldest child was home for ten days, and it was more important to me to spend time with him than it was to read.
Josie, aka Rayne, just knows her future involves her being on tv. It's what she wants most, so on Friday nights, she and her best friend Delia, aka Delilah, host a creature feature show on public access tv. Delia just wants to find her father, who left when she was seven. The horror movies they show on their program are from the collection her father left.
Josie and Delia have the opportunity to go to ShiverCon in Orlando, and while there, they plan to meet Jack Divine, who can help them make their show even bigger. What ensues is hilarious. Along the way, Josie meets a boy and both girls learn about who they are.
There are some zingers in this book. I had entirely too much fun reading this, and my students couldn't get over me laughing aloud while reading it to myself. I consider this a must-read for 2020.
This is the third book by this author, and like the first two, I was enraptured. I know it doesn't seem that way because it took me two weeks to read, but that is because my oldest child was home for ten days, and it was more important to me to spend time with him than it was to read.
Josie, aka Rayne, just knows her future involves her being on tv. It's what she wants most, so on Friday nights, she and her best friend Delia, aka Delilah, host a creature feature show on public access tv. Delia just wants to find her father, who left when she was seven. The horror movies they show on their program are from the collection her father left.
Josie and Delia have the opportunity to go to ShiverCon in Orlando, and while there, they plan to meet Jack Divine, who can help them make their show even bigger. What ensues is hilarious. Along the way, Josie meets a boy and both girls learn about who they are.
There are some zingers in this book. I had entirely too much fun reading this, and my students couldn't get over me laughing aloud while reading it to myself. I consider this a must-read for 2020.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
TAYSHAS 2020 #6
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
I was first introduced to Donnelly's work seven years ago, by a student I had at the time. Since then, I have read several of her books, and have yet to be disappointed. This was no different.
I bought this back in the summer, probably around my birthday, when I was still in my reading slump, but when I saw this was a TAYSHAS nominee, I knew I needed to get started. It made the list, and I have now earned two ducks.
I wasn't sure, even though I KNOW I read the book jacket, what exactly this was going to be about, which is silly, as it is fairly straightforward. This book tells the story of one of Cinderella's stepsisters. This picks up where the prince and grand duke are searching for the girl who can fit the glass slipper. We see the one sister, Octavia, cut off her heel in an effort to fit the shoe, as well as the other sister, Isabelle, cut off her toes. Isabelle is the one telling this story.
As predicted, after Cinderella, or Ella marries the prince and moves into the castle, the stepsisters and their mother are more or less destitute. Sure, they still have their home, but that is it. Eventually, they don't even have that. A couple of incidents make Isabelle want to be pretty, and the fairy queen is willing to comply. All Isabelle has to do is find the pieces of her heart. Too bad Isabelle doesn't really know what those are.
What I like is that this book shows that there are always two sides of a story. We are raised believing one thing about the evil stepsisters, but what if what we have been told our whole lives is wrong? This book lets the reader see a potential other side.
I was first introduced to Donnelly's work seven years ago, by a student I had at the time. Since then, I have read several of her books, and have yet to be disappointed. This was no different.
I bought this back in the summer, probably around my birthday, when I was still in my reading slump, but when I saw this was a TAYSHAS nominee, I knew I needed to get started. It made the list, and I have now earned two ducks.
I wasn't sure, even though I KNOW I read the book jacket, what exactly this was going to be about, which is silly, as it is fairly straightforward. This book tells the story of one of Cinderella's stepsisters. This picks up where the prince and grand duke are searching for the girl who can fit the glass slipper. We see the one sister, Octavia, cut off her heel in an effort to fit the shoe, as well as the other sister, Isabelle, cut off her toes. Isabelle is the one telling this story.
As predicted, after Cinderella, or Ella marries the prince and moves into the castle, the stepsisters and their mother are more or less destitute. Sure, they still have their home, but that is it. Eventually, they don't even have that. A couple of incidents make Isabelle want to be pretty, and the fairy queen is willing to comply. All Isabelle has to do is find the pieces of her heart. Too bad Isabelle doesn't really know what those are.
What I like is that this book shows that there are always two sides of a story. We are raised believing one thing about the evil stepsisters, but what if what we have been told our whole lives is wrong? This book lets the reader see a potential other side.
Monday, December 23, 2019
TAYSHAS 2020 #5
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
I actually finished this two days ago, but kept forgetting to blog it. Whoops.
Like most (all) of Bennett's books, this was a fluff read. No matter, as it was still good. This follows Birdie and Daniel, who met in a diner and had sex in the back of Daniel's car the day they met. Yeah. Birdie has lived a little bit of a sheltered life on Bainbridge Island because her recently deceased grandmother was afraid she would end up like her mother. Birdie has narcolepsy and other weird sleeping habits, so she takes a job working the graveyard shift at a hotel. What really lights her fire though are mysteries. She loves solving them. So when she discovers that Daniel works the same shift at the same hotel (which is all kinds of awkward since she ran away from him after that first sexual encounter) and has a mystery he'd like help solving, she's all in.
What ensues is a lot of clues and stalking and flirting. It's actually quite cute. The ending, while not predictable, was not surprising. Again, a cute story.
I actually finished this two days ago, but kept forgetting to blog it. Whoops.
Like most (all) of Bennett's books, this was a fluff read. No matter, as it was still good. This follows Birdie and Daniel, who met in a diner and had sex in the back of Daniel's car the day they met. Yeah. Birdie has lived a little bit of a sheltered life on Bainbridge Island because her recently deceased grandmother was afraid she would end up like her mother. Birdie has narcolepsy and other weird sleeping habits, so she takes a job working the graveyard shift at a hotel. What really lights her fire though are mysteries. She loves solving them. So when she discovers that Daniel works the same shift at the same hotel (which is all kinds of awkward since she ran away from him after that first sexual encounter) and has a mystery he'd like help solving, she's all in.
What ensues is a lot of clues and stalking and flirting. It's actually quite cute. The ending, while not predictable, was not surprising. Again, a cute story.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
TAYSHAS 2020 #4
Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by Davod Elliott
I am a fan of Joan of Arc. Her story is interesting and sad. When I was in Montmartre this past July, I had the opportunity to pray and light a candle in the little nave dedicated to Joan in the St. Pierre de Montmartre chapel. It was a beautiful opportunity to pay tribute to someone I hold in high esteem.
When I saw that this was a nominee for the TAYSHAS list, I was so excited and couldn't wait to read this. Unfortunately, I haven't been reading as much this year, so it took a bit longer for me to get around to this than I would have liked, but I did get to it.
This book tells the story of Joan of Arc through poetry, and some of the poems are shape poems. The shapes are things that are relevant in the life of the Maid of Orleans. Some of the poems are told by those objects, and some are told by people involved in her efforts in the 100 Years' War. It follows what I have read previously, so I would argue that it is fairly historically accurate.
I am a fan of Joan of Arc. Her story is interesting and sad. When I was in Montmartre this past July, I had the opportunity to pray and light a candle in the little nave dedicated to Joan in the St. Pierre de Montmartre chapel. It was a beautiful opportunity to pay tribute to someone I hold in high esteem.
When I saw that this was a nominee for the TAYSHAS list, I was so excited and couldn't wait to read this. Unfortunately, I haven't been reading as much this year, so it took a bit longer for me to get around to this than I would have liked, but I did get to it.
This book tells the story of Joan of Arc through poetry, and some of the poems are shape poems. The shapes are things that are relevant in the life of the Maid of Orleans. Some of the poems are told by those objects, and some are told by people involved in her efforts in the 100 Years' War. It follows what I have read previously, so I would argue that it is fairly historically accurate.
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