Showing posts with label YA Contemporary challenge 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA Contemporary challenge 2012. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Review ~ BELLES, by Jen Calonita

Belles
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.  ~From GoodReads





  

Gossip Girl meets Mean Girls, in the South.


I think it's a universal truth that 99.9% of all kids have a fantasy: One day they will be whisked away from their drab, parent-addled life into a world filled with clothes, money, new cars...you get the idea. Back when I was a kid, I hoped my "real parents" were a king and queen. These days, I think kids will settle for unlimited texting and a bottomless iTunes account.

But not Isabelle "Izzy" Scott. She's happy with her life on the wrong side of the tracks. She doesn't even mind the run down home she lives in, or the fact that her only family after her mother's death is her increasingly forgetful grandmother. She has her friends, including the adorable yet mysterious Brayden, her school, her beach. This life is her's and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

So when her grandmother, in a lucid state, has her sent to previously unknown family, Izzy's world is shattered. Who wants the glam life where people treat you like a charity case, act like your a criminal because of your upbringing, or act like you don't deserve to be there? Where your perfect new "cousin" is one of the mean girls trying to bring you down? And what will Izzy do when she finds a face from her old life and learns long-hidden truths about her background?

There was so much that I adored about BELLES.. I love the premise of a girl being offered the good life, and seeing how she responds. Izzy was determined, yet vulnerable. It would be so easy to slip like a warm glove into the new world she's offered. I mean, who doesn't want the best money can offer? But she is determined to remain the same girl she was before.

BELLES is also told from Izzy's new cousin, Mira's, point of view. The alternating points of view really helped keep me from completely hating Mira. Without knowing what she's actually feeling, she could have become a heartless, spineless brat. It was nice to see her vulnerabilites, even though  I was never on her "side".

There are some nice dramatic bits to the story, usually courtesy of the Mean Girls, lead by the awful Savannah. This girl was a pill, without becoming a caricature. If I could have climbed into the story and throttle her myself, I would have. Thank goodness I never had to face girls like this back in school. I would have been in the principal's office, or at the police station, on a regular basis.

Another dramatic turn comes fairly soon after Izzy moves. In the interest of not spoiling the story, my lips are sealed. But it was a nice surprise I didn't see coming at all. It upped the "WTF Factor" in Izzy's world and totally made me love this story so, so much.

My only small complaint would be that the BIG revelation came too late in the story. This was something I figured out pretty quickly and waited the entire book for the bomb to drop. I would have liked to have seen more of the fallout, but with book two coming this Fall, I don't have to wait long to find out what happens next.

All in all, I really, really enjoyed this book. Author Jen Calonita's writing flows flawlessly, making it an easy, fast read. If you're a fan of Contemporary Young Adult with healthy doses of drama and heart, BELLES should be a great fit.


Favorite Quote:

"She'd lived here for her whole life and she had half an hour to put her world in a duffel bag and say goodbye?" (pg. 29, ARC)


Hardcover, 356 pages
Expected publication: April 10th 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

You can preorder BELLES at:
Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon  |  Book Depository

Source: Received for an ARC tour hosted by Southern Book Bloggers.


Monday, March 26, 2012

TEASER TUESDAY


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab your current read
·Open to a random page
·Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
·Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.
This week's Teaser is from
From the author of Twenty Boy Summer, a teen pushes the limits to follow her dreams—and learns there’s a fine line between bitter and sweet....Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances, a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life—and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last....~From GoodReads


I posted my review for BITTERSWEET yesterday, but this book is so beautiful that I couldn't resist sharing another quote!

My Teaser~

"I close my eyes and throw my head back, big impossible flakes landing on my face and blotting out the sound, and for a moment, everything is still. I'm trapped in a giant snow globe, bound to the surface of the ice, nothing left to do but wait for someone to upturn and shake the world, set me back on my feet, and watch the sky fall."  (pg. 280)


Published January 3rd 2012 by Simon Pulse

You can purchase BITTERSWEET at:
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...

Pretty Amy
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.
~From GoodReads


Why I'm Waiting ~  It's Contemporary YA. Amy seems like a girl most of us can identify with. And, oh yeah, Prom sucks. At least mine did. But seriously, PRETTY AMY seems awesome. Lucky me, I have an ARC coming my way soon!

Expected publication: May 15th 2012 by Entangled Publishing                     

You can preorder PRETTY AMY at:
Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  Amazon

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Review ~ GRAFFITI MOON, by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon
Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes. ~ From GoodReads

It's a quest. Lucy, Jazz, and Daisy have just finished high school and are looking for adventure. Lucy is out to finally meet Shadow, a brilliant and elusive graffiti artist. Jazz, Lucy's best friend and psychic, simply wants an adventure to remember, but as long as she out, she's up for meeting Poet, Shadow's partner in art. Tagging along is Daisy, whose boyfriend Dylan knows Shadow and Poet. Daisy and Dylan are maybe/kind of broken up (because he threw eggs at her!) and Dylan is determined to win her back before the night is over. Dylan's friends Ed and Leo, always game, are also along for the ride. Leo and Jazz have some serious chemistry. And as for Lucy and Ed...that's a long and painful story. But as the night goes on, Lucy learns that just maybe, what she is searching for is actually in plain sight.

If I let myself, I could totally go nuts with this review. I would go on and on about every little thing I loved about GRAFFITI MOON; the dialogue, the narrative, the brilliant, overlapping points of view between Lucy, Ed and Poet, the way author Cath Crowley uses art as a tool to explain the characters...
But I'm going to dial it back on the fan-girling and keep it short and simple.

The characters in GRAFFITI MOON, the narrative that is given to them is among the best I've read. The are dead funny. I literally had to put my book down several times while I laughed at the ridiculously honest things they would say to one another. The scenarios in which Lucy would get herself into made the awkward girl in me love her so much. I mean, how many times has one of us freaked out and thrown an elbow or a fist? I know I have. Or how many times have we been so upset or frightened that we need to stop and throw up? Again, I have. And even though the characters get a bit dramatic, they're just real. Absolutely no angst going on here.

And even as funny as the characters are, there are some serious things going on in GRAFFITI MOON, as well. Learning disabilities, shame, broken hearts, broken families,  poverty... these are just a few of the issues that are touched on. The art is fueled by the inner turmoil of the characters. The author explains their longing and desperation in such a heart-slamming way that I ached for them. Ed is one of the most heartfelt, endearing characters that I've ever read.  When I would read his narrative, I would think of him as a firefly, trapped in a glass jar. He is fueled by brilliance, but trapped, longing for a way out.

This is the first book by author Cath Crowley that I've had the pleasure to read. She is truly remarkable. I loved how the chapters narrated by Poet were in verse, which is becoming a favorite of mine. The use of artistic works as a metaphor for the characters was perfection. You do not need to be an artist or educated in the visual arts to understand the subtleties. But I promise you, you will come out of GRAFFITI MOON with a serious appreciation for it.

I loved every page of GRAFFITI MOON. I loved the adventure, the search. I love books/movies in which a character is in search of  a person or party or object and doesn't even realize that what they've been looking for, they've actually been looking at the entire time. I don't often say this, but this story actually made me want to go back and be a seventeen year old girl again for just one night. The sense of promise, that anything can happen on this very night, well... it's a feeling I long for every now and then. But I'll settle for living for that moment through beautiful books. And GRAFFITI MOON did that for me.


Favorite Quote(s):

"We'll meet and click and sit up all night and everything will tip out of me and into him and the other way around and while we're tipping the night will fade and the world will get pink and in that pinkness he'll kiss me." (pg. 104)

"I stand behind her, watching her watching my work. I feel like I'm shedding skin, feel like if she turns she'll see a skeleton man behind her and then she'll know. (pg. 143)


Hardcover, 272 pages
Published February 14th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
You can purchase GRAFFITI MOON at:
Source: Won in a giveaway not affiliated w/the author or publisher.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Review ~ The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First SightWho would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. ~From GoodReads


I swore, when I sat to write this review, that I wouldn't do this. I was going to be calm and reasonable and rational. But...that's just not me, not with this book. So, in an effort to not make a total idiot of myself, I'll keep this review short and oh so sweet. Before I get started, I have to get one thing out of my system. Ready? Here goes. SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

Whew. I am so glad I got that out of my system. But in all seriousness, my feelings about Statistical Probability can pretty much be summed up with those frantic words above. Now that I'm somewhat collected, let me tell you why I loved this book.

My initial reading of this book was on a roadtrip with my husband. After showing much affection towards the cover, I finally cracked it open. I read the prologue. I sighed. I read the prologue again. I sighed harder. This cycle repeated itself about five times, with my husband, who I'll lovingly refer to as "Mr. Nonfiction", growing increasingly nervous. After many shifty-eyed glances my way, and seeing that I hadn't  moved past page three, he finally asked what my deal was. That question was all the prodding I needed to burst forth with my swoonage. "Do you understand how beautiful this is?" I asked in a desperate manner. His answer: a blank stare. So, like anyone who has a trapped listener would do, I read The Prologue to Mr. NonFiction. After I finished reading, I leaned back, clutching this beauty to my chest and asked what he thought. To be honest, I expected an eye roll or a snarky comment. But he looked at me, blinked about five times as if he wondered how in the hell he'd gotten into this situationwith his loon of a wife and then replied "Not bad", with a half-smile. That reaction might not mean much to you, but knowing him like I do, it might as well have been an "OMG!".  That was a huge seal of approval coming from him.

The entire book can be summed up by this one line from the prologue:

"Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?"

Kind of promising, right? This book read like a beautiful, heart-warming movie. Love, Actually and Serendipity come to mind. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was a book about chance, circumstance, fate, and trusting your heart. This book made me happy beyond belief. It will likely end up being the "feel good book of the year". Highly, highly recommended. In fact, I might be willing to throw down a money-back guarantee if you don't love this book.

Favorite Quote (There were too many to choose from!):

"It seems impossible that she could have liked someone like Mitchell when there was someone like this guy in the world, someone tall and lanky, with tousled hair and startling green eyes and a speck of mustard on his chin, like the one small imperfection that makes the whole painting work somehow." (pg 31)

Hardcover, 236 pages
Published January 2nd 2012 by Poppy

You can purchase The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight at:
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

Thursday, December 1, 2011

YA Contemporary Reading Challenge 2012




So, I'm signing up for my first reading challenge! I've decided to go for the YA Contemporary Challenge of 2012. I've been in a very "contemporary reading mood" and decided to go for it.

There are three levels to the challenge. I'm going for

Level 2: 10+ books
I usually blow through my reading goals, so I may up this at some point.
Here is my list of the books I've chosen for the challenge, so far.

1. The Fault in Our Stars (John Green)
2. Fracture (Megan Miranda)
3. My Life Next Door (Huntley Fitzpatrick)
4. Isla and the Happily Ever After (Stephanie Perkins)
5. The Story of Us (Deb Caletti)
6. Wanderlove (Kirsten Hubbard)
7. Keep Holding On (Susane Colasanti)
8. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (Jennifer E. Smith)
9.
10.

I'm not sure that I will be reading the books listed, but it's nice to have a starting point. I've left it wide open, to add as I choose. One of my favorite indie authors, Abbi Glines, writes contemporary YA, so I expect to add a few of her books to this list.

Are any of you signed up? Let's help each other along!

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