Blog Tour: A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

Title: A Land of Permanent Goodbyes
Author: Atia Abawi

Publisher: Philomel Books

Publication Date: January 23, 2018

Narrated by Destiny, this heartbreaking -- and timely -- story of refugees escaping from war-torn Syria is masterfully told by a foreign news correspondent who experienced the crisis firsthand.

In a country ripped apart by war, Tareq lives with his big and loving family . . . until the bombs strike. His city is in ruins. His life is destroyed. And those who have survived are left to figure out their uncertain future.

In the wake of destruction, he's threatened by Daesh fighters and witnesses a public beheading. Tareq's
family knows that to continue to stay alive, they must leave. As they travel as refugees from Syria to Turkey to Greece, facing danger at every turn, Tareq must find the resilience and courage to complete his harrowing journey.

But while this is one family's story, it is also the timeless tale of all wars, of all tragedy, and of all strife. When you are a refugee, success is outliving your loss.

Destiny narrates this heartbreaking story of the consequences of war, showing the Syrian conflict as part of a long chain of struggles spanning through time.

An award-winning author and journalist--and a refugee herself--Atia Abawi captures the hope that spurs people forward against all odds and the love that makes that hope grow.

Book Review: The Names They Gaves Us

Title: The Names They Gave Us

Author: Emery Lord

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: May 16, 2017
Source: ARC from Bloomsbury

Lucy Hansson was ready for a perfect summer with her boyfriend, working at her childhood Bible camp on the lake. But when her mom’s cancer reappears, Lucy falters—in faith, in love, and in her ability to cope. When her boyfriend “pauses” their relationship and her summer job switches to a different camp—one for troubled kids—Lucy isn’t sure how much more she can handle. Attempting to accept a new normal, Lucy slowly regains footing among her vibrant, diverse coworkers, Sundays with her mom, and a crush on a fellow counselor. But when long-hidden family secrets emerge, can Lucy set aside her problems and discover what grace really means?

Hardcover Lover Confessions (5)

Hey there, everyone! By now, I hope that you've become a little more acquainted with my new every-once-in-a-while feature, Hardcover Lover Confessions. This is my fifth HCL Confessions post, and I've found that people seem to be enjoying them.

If you're new to The Hardcover Lover or just missed the first few posts, I'll fill you in. HCL Confessions are my discussion posts. Every few weeks, I'll post my thoughts on something going on in the book blogging world or just general bookish thoughts.

I'm encouraging all of my followers to join in and discuss your thoughts on each topic with me and with the other bloggers/people who leave comments. It's all about kindly expressing ourselves and making connections with other bloggers and readers while forming blogging friendships.  Don't be afraid to reply to a comment made by someone you've never spoken to! I can promise you that all of my followers are kind and outgoing.

HCL Confession on ARC Envy:

ARCs - (n.) advance reader/review copies; galley copies of books that are soon to be published that are sent to reviewers and bloggers for review purposes

related terms - eARCs, galley

Recently, people have been asking me a lot of crazy questions about my blog. Most of them are about ARCs and how I get them. Unfortunately, a few people have admitted to me that they are  jealous that certain bloggers are sent physical ARCs. A few people just want to start blogs for the ARCs. I understand feeling jealous sometimes, but I do not understand starting a blog just for free books. It's absurd, and that's not why book bloggers do what they do. We're here because we all share a love for reading.

I'm sure that many of you are familiar with the Twitter discussions on ARC Envy because it's literally been a huge issue within the book blogosphere. So what is ARC Envy? Well it's pretty simple. People get jealous of bloggers who have been granted access to digital galleys or sent physical ARCs. Things have been getting out of hand. People are extremely angry that some bloggers are able to obtain ARCs - so mad that they have pretty much thought that just because they also blog, they deserve these books. Here's the thing: ARCs are a privilege, not a right.

I'm sure that many of you already know that you just won't be sent ARCs because you already have a book review blog. Some people unfortunately don't know that. Being sent ARCs is a tricky business, and it all depends on the books and publishers. I won't speak for publishing houses, but all of them have their own preferences. They might send one blogger one ARC but another blogger might not be sent it. Why? They want to make sure that they are sending these ARCs to people who will read and review them, and most of the time, it's to bloggers who they trust.

Trust me. I don't get all of the ARCs that I request. It's all about waiting and doing your time. But the ARC Envy needs to stop. There are ways that you can prevent this:

1. Do not create a blog just for the ARCs - Mostly everyone who has a book blog keeps one because they love reading and sharing their thoughts with others. Many people do not wake up and create a book blog because they know that ARCs will be involved because that's not the case. Book bloggers are here for the community.
2. Only request ARCs that you want to read - When you've reached a certain point (usually around six months of active blogging), you can start to request ARCs. You should only request books that you want to read. If you get an ARC and decide not to read it, you're essentially taking it away from a reviewer who would have read and reviewed it. Advance reviews generate buzz, so it's best to pass on a book if you won't read and review it before it's published.
3. Sign up for an ARC tour - There are certain groups and authors that send out ARCs through snail mail. You don't get to keep the ARC, but you will be allotted a certain time to read it before sending it to another person. 
4. Enter giveaways - Goodreads always has giveaways, and many of these books are ARCs. This is how I got my first few ARCs, and it's nice, especially if you are just starting your blog.
5. Don't ask someone you don't know to send you their ARCs - I've had this happen. It's true that some bloggers (including me) will share their ARCs with other bloggers (if permitted by the publisher), but you can't just ask someone you don't really know to send you one. I'm all for sharing, but I share with the right people. I want to make sure that I get my ARCs back and that someone won't just steal them, so that's why I only share with my blogging friends or with trusted groups.
6. Do not engage in ARC drama - Too many times, I've heard about this happening. If you don't get an ARC, don't badmouth the author or publisher. It only makes you look bad, and it will probably cost you any ARCs in the future because you don't look professional.
7. Do not buy ARCs from other bloggers - This is something new I've noticed on Twitter and Instagram. People are selling their ARCs after they are done with them. This is illegal! They say "NOT FOR SALE" on the cover for a reason. Do not purchase any ARCs from another blogger because they are breaking the law. You should really report them to the publisher of that book. 

Now I want to hear from you! How do you prevent ARC envy? Have you ever had a case of it? What did you do to prevent ARC envy? Do you have any other tips to share with other bloggers?

Feel free to leave comments and share your thoughts, but please be kind, courteous, and professional. I don't want to see anyone naming names or calling out other bloggers.

February 2015 Wrap Up

Happy March, everyone! The year really is flying by, and pretty soon, it'll be summer. (Wishful thinking for some of you, right?)

As I'm typing this wrap-up post, the snow is still coming down, so it looks like the weather hasn't changed with the change of the month (but I'm used to that). I do live in Pennsylvania. It will probably be cold here for another few weeks.

February was an awesome blogging month for me! I was a stop on an amazing blog tour, and I also participated in my first ever Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! So let's take a look back and see what books I read and reviewed in February 2015.

Books I Read in February 2015:

• Kalahari by Jessica Khoury - Penguin Teen sent me an ARC of the last book in the Corpus series when they asked me to be a stop on the official blog tour. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read and review the book, and be a part of the tour. If you missed my review, you can check it out here. Oh, and be sure to grab a copy - it's in stores now!
• Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! by Tommy Greenwald - I won an ARC of this middle grade title from the Macmillan Kids Twitter account. It was the first middle grade book that I read in months, and it was adorable! If you're a parent, grab this one for your kid(s). My review for this book can be found here.
• The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu - I read this book for a guest review on Amanda's blog, Of Spectacles and Books, and I loved it! If you'd like to read my review, please visit Amanda's blog (and leave a comment for her, too!)
• The Other Side of the Wall by Simon Schwartz - I read an advance copy of this translated graphic novel, and to be honest, I didn't really enjoy it. I just felt like something was missing. My review can be found here if you'd like to read it.
• The Little White Owl by Tracey Corderoy - I read this while babysitting one night, and it's such a cute children's book about a little owl who doesn't realize how alone he is until he discovers it. 
• Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan - I read this book for an upcoming blog tour (Xpresso Book Tours), and it's really good. My review will be posted this week if you're interested in learning more about this debut novel.
• The Tragic Age by Stephen Metcalfe - This is another ARC that I read in February. The book started off strong, but I strongly dislike it by the last page. My review can be found here if you're interested in reading it.

What to Expect in March:

I will be reading a few more ARCs for March, so there will be a lot of reviews posted on my blog. One ARC review might be posted tonight or tomorrow if I ever finish reading the book. I'm also participating in a few blog tours, so look out for those posts, reviews, and giveaways. 

One more thing: All About YA (a Goodreads group I mod for) will be reading Zodiac by Romina Russell this month. Romina has agreed to answer questions for us, so please join us if you are interested. 

ARC Review: Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone

Author: Mary Jennifer Payne

Publisher: Dundurn Group

Publication Dates: January 24, 2015 (Canada)
February 17, 2015 (United States)

Source: eARC from Dundurn Group via NetGalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:

Is it possible to outrun your past? 

Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.

Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.

Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life. 

Purchase Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble  

My Review

In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I was given a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne, starts off strong and remains strong throughout the entire novel. Payne does a great job at capturing the attention of her readers by including an opening scene that shows the main character's tough side - a tough side that is revealed to be caused by some major emotional and physical damage. Her writing flows beautifully from word to word to keep readers engaged in the mysterious story.

Edie Fraser is not your typical teenage girl. For reasons that are revealed throughout the book, Edie and her mother, Sydney, have been running for five years. It's a tough life, but it's all Edie knows, and she understands that her mother is on the run to protect herself and Edie. At the very beginning of the novel, Edie finds out that they are moving really far this time - from Toronto, Canada to London England.

The characters in this book are charming and have dark pasts. I really enjoyed seeing how Payne reveals their stories and understanding why they are who they are. Edie is nowhere near perfect, as revealed on the first page, but she's got spunk. I really enjoyed reading her story. Jermaine is also another main character who is haunted by his past, and I love how Payne proves that he's not just another sob story.

There are a lot of emotional moments in this book. I know I'm going to seem like a baby for admitting this, but at the beginning of the book, there is a scene about Edie's pet, and I teared up a bit. I'm an animal lover, so it upset me to see Edie struggle with this moment. But this moment really let me know how emotional the rest of the book was going to be.

I don't want to spoil things for readers, but the very important topic of domestic violence is  tackled in this book, and I'm glad to see that Payne writes about it in a very realistic way. Edie and Sydney's story seemed very real to me from start to finish, and I can see this book helping many teens going through what Edie is going through.

This is a very strong, empowering, and beautiful YA novel for Mary Jennifer Payne. She takes a difficult topic to talk about, and writes about it with beauty, grace, and concern. This is a book that I'm sure will get people talking about domestic violence how we can stop it from happening to people.

 

About Mary Jennifer Payne

Mary Jennifer Payne's writing has been published in journals, anthologies, and magazines both in Canada and abroad, and she is the author of several YA graphic novels. Since You've Been Gone is her first YA novel. She teaches with the Toronto District School Board and lives in Toronto.

ARC Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac

Series: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: RozorBill

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads Program

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

My Review:

Romina Russell's debut novel, Zodiac, is both out of this world fantastic and stellar. Trust me and the bad puns - you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Russell creates a new kind of world in the science fiction genre that both teens and adults will want to explore for years to come.

In the first book of the proposed trilogy, Russell introduces readers to a futuristic world whose inhabitants are descendants of the people from our world. Parts of this story are revealed in the book, and Russell definitely proves to her readers that she didn't just dream this world up in one night. There are allusions and references to stories that we know, but they've been altered so that they now belong in this futuristic solar system named after the Zodiac.

Ms. Russell's world building is fantastic. I truly believe that people are going to compare her to some of the top names in YA, like J.K. Rowling, with this book just because of all of the details that she includes in her books. It's so full of new and original vocabulary that describes not only simple devices to all kinds of new planets and moons. She even includes a glossary on her website so that readers can look up these terms.

The characters in Zodiac are also creative and innovative. Even though they represent people from a future society, they still hit close to home. Readers can pick up on how far this society is removed from Earth, but still relate to how human they remain. 

Rho Grace, the novel's protagonist, has faced a lot of adversity in her young life, and it truly shows. Her rise to power is quick, and she faces it the way that any teen would. She's a little scared and confused. She is a unique character that will leave readers wanting more after they finish the last page. Rho is supported by two great groups of supporting characters - her friends and the people with whom she journeys through the far reaches of the Zodiac.

Yes... there is a love triangle in Zodiac. If you're one of those people who choose not to read books because of the inclusion of love triangles, I'm asking you to give this book a chance. The inclusion of the love triangle in no way takes away from the impressive plot.

The many twists and turns in Zodiac will leave readers wishing for more. Sometimes you find a book that's predicable, but that is not the case with Zodiac. I was shocked and surprised multiple times while reading. I know that I'm already waiting on the sequel, and this book isn't even out yet!

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Recommended for fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles.

ARC Review: Perfectly Good White Boy

Title: Perfectly Good White Boy

Author:  Carrie Mesrobian

Expected Publication Date: October 28, 2014

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books  

Source: eARC via NetGalley

Synopsis: 
After losing his virginity to an older girl who dumps him at the end of summer, Sean decides to join the Marines, but first he must get through his senior year of high school. 






My Review:
Meet Sean. He's just finished his junior year of high school and is ready for summer vacation and all that comes with it - parties, beer, bonfires, and girls. One night when he's at a party, he meets up with Hallie, a girl who was a year ahead of Sean in high school. The two of them head off to Hallie's tent in the woods and begin a summer romance.

Fast forward to the end of the summer. Sean and Hallie have finally had sex, and on the night before she leaves for college, she breaks up with him. He is pretty shocked by the breakup, as any kid in his or her first relationship would be.
 
The writing style is simple and easy to follow. It is a good book for a laid back read, but I could not bring myself to finish this book. I was not a fan of the plot. 

I should have known by the short synopsis that I wouldn't like this book. There wasn't much to what I read, so I stopped myself before I felt like reading this book would become a burden to me.

Some parts of this book were very awkward, even for me, an adult reader. I was not expecting some of what I read, like the details of Sean and Hallie having sex, to be included in a YA book. Because of this, I would recommend this book for an older teen audience because of some of the more mature scenes in the book. 

I do not feel like it is fair of me to give this book a rating because I did not finish reading it. It really wasn't even worth the time that I gave it.

I received a free PDF copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

ARC Review: Beau, Lee, the Bomb, & Me

Title: Beau, Lee, the Bomb, & Me

Author: Mary McKinley

Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQ, Contemporary

Publication Date: October 28th, 2014

Publisher: Kensington Books

Synopsis:
When Beau transferred to our school. I thought: "Good; fresh meat." Because I knew he would be tormented the entire time he was at Baboon High. Like I am. All day. . . every day.

Growing up is a trip. . .

In high school, there are few worse crimes than being smart or fat. Lucky me, I'm both. But when Beau Gales blows in to town, it takes about two minutes for the jackasses at our Seattle school to figure out he's gay, and that makes him an even bigger target. Have you ever heard the saying: 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'? There's something to that.

When the bullying gets violent and Beau decides to run away to San Francisco to ask his Uncle Frankie for advice, we all go. Beau, me, Leonie (designated class slut), and a scruffy rescue dog called The Bomb--a tribe of misfits crammed into my mom's minivan. Throw in a detour to the Twilight town of Forks, armed robbery, cool record shops, confessions, breakups and makeups, and you have the kind of journey that can change the way you look at the whole world--and yourself.

My Review:

When I first saw the synopsis of Beau, Lee, the Bomb, & Me, I was pleasantly surprised. I've often enjoyed reading books that deal with topics like bullying because it's something that I'm able to relate to, even now that I'm in my twenties. I really thought that the other advance readers were being harsh about this book, but they were right, and I was very wrong.

Unfortunately, the intriguing synopsis is the best thing about this book.

For the first few pages of the book, I was utterly confused. I could not get a picture of the narrator in my head. If I can't picture the storyteller, I can't get behind the book. I honestly thought that the narrator was a boy. Nope! I was wrong. The narrator is actually a female teenager named Rylee/Rusty. It takes a while for McKinley to even provide readers with the name of her narrator, so I was even more annoyed with this book by the time I found out her name.

I was also very bothered by the lack of organization in this book. First of all, there aren't any chapters or sections. It's like it's one long thought that just goes on like the Energizer Bunny. Trust me. You don't want it to go on. During my reading, I only came across one real break in the text while I was reading. It was so tiring just to find a place to stop for the night.

The writing is also terrible. Almost every sentence is poorly constructed, and it really does seem like McKinley tried too hard to be able to relate to teens with her use of shorthand and Internet speak. I started to keep track of how many times the word "till" was used in place of "until" but I quickly stopped keeping track. I know that it might seem insignificant, but it's really bothersome to read so many times in a row.

I was also bothered by the use of tense in the book. One minute, the book is being told in the past tense, and then then McKinley changes to the present tense. Just when you're getting used to the change in tense, she changes it again! I just can't read something like that! Any English teacher will tell you that when you're writing, especially a piece of fiction, it should remain in the same tense.


The characters aren't bad, but they aren't the most spectacular YA characters you'll come across in a book. Beau, Lee, the Bomb, & Me deals with a group of three teenage misfits that band together to face the bullies of their high school. All three of them have a slew of problems that they face. To be honest, it's overwhelming. I felt like all of their problems were just too much to deal with as a reader, and that the author just included every horrible thing that she could find into this story.

I really hope that this book has gone through the editing process a bit more since the ARC was sent to readers because it really needs to be refined. It has potential to be a really great book, but at this point, there are just way too many flaws for me to even consider it a mediocre novel. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: My True Love Gave to Me

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Editor: Stephanie Perkins

Included Authors: Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, and Kiersten White

Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Synopsis:
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there’s something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons to stay indoors and fall in love.

My Review:

I thought long and hard about how I would review this book, and I came to the conclusion that I would write a short review for each short story. I also want to let you know that I rated each story individually to come up with an average rating for the book because I thought that was the only fair way to review a compilation book like this. After reading and rating all of the stories, my final rating came out to be 3.833 stars.

Before I get to the individual reviews, I want it to be known that I love the more mature characters in this book. They aren't just teenagers; they are young people who have either finished high school or are in college. I think it's a very good starting place for people who want to read YA but also want to start reading more mature books.

"Midnights" by Rainbow Rowell (Five Stars)

The book opens with an amazing story by one of today's most popular YA and adult author. I thought Rainbow's story about the midnight hour on multiple New Year's Eves was an absolutely adorable story of unrequited love that grows into full-blown love. In just a few pages, Rainbow makes you fall in love with her characters in a way that you understand exactly what they are going through on each New Year's Eve.

"The Lady and the Fox" by Kelly Link (Three Stars) 

Up until I read this story, I had never heard of Kelly Link, but she brings a very unique story to the holiday collection. Her story is entertaining and full of emotion, but I felt like something was missing from it when I had finished reading.

"Angels in the Snow" by Matt De La Peña (Four Stars)

"Angels in the Snow" is a wonderful tale about finding comfort in the most unexpected places and people. Mr. De La Peña finds a way to create two characters from completely different worlds who are able to connect over a simple problem.

"Polaris is Where You'll Find Me" by Jenny Han (Five Stars)

This short story is only the second piece of writing I've read by Jenny Han, but once again, I was blown away by her ability to write a stunning story. "Polaris is Where You'll Find Me" is a story that the inner child in you will love for it's nostalgic Christmas feel. How the main character, Natalie, came to be reminded me a bit of the movie, Elf, but Han's story is still original in many ways. I love the fantasy feel of the story, and I can only hope that this will one day become a Christmas special.

"It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown" by Stephanie Perkins (Five Stars)

Once again, Stephanie Perkins gives readers two characters who complement one another so perfectly. "It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown" is a story about a quirky girl and a Christmas tree farmer that will tug at your heartstrings. They are able to bond and realize that the most important part of being a human is not who you are or where you're from, but what your spirit is like on the inside. 

"Your Temporary Santa" by David Levithan (Three Stars)

I did enjoy reading this story, but I did not find it to be stellar. The plot of trying to convince a little one that Santa is real was cute, but I feel like that has been done more than a few times in pop-culture. You can really tell how much the older brother and his boyfriend want to help out by keeping the belief in Santa alive, but I felt like something was missing from the short story. 

"Krampuslauf" by Holly Black (One Star)

I will admit that I could not finish this story. I did not enjoy Black's writing style at all; I felt like it was very choppy and that she did not think the details in her story through before she started writing. I could not tell what was going on as many of the characters and their actions are not described well. The holiday traditions that she included were not clear. I just could not understand where she was taking it, so I stopped reading and moved on to the next story. I would say that Black's story is the oddball of the book because it is not like the other stories included in the book.

"What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" by Gayle Forman (Four Stars)

Gayle Forman tells a charming tale that will appeal to anyone with a tiny inner Scrooge. She includes many references to pop-culture, including the one and only Ned Flanders, as a way for her characters to connect when they are stuck in a pastoral college town after mostly everyone has gone home for the holiday break. I loved how they were able to come together and create new holiday traditions while waiting for their own ways out of town.

"Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus" by Myra McEntire (Three Stars)

After causing some destruction with the church, Vaughn has to help out in the community or else he will have a record. He finds himself helping out with the Christmas pageant with the preacher's daughter, Gracie, to keep the pageant afloat. Again, I felt like something was missing, but the abrupt ending lets readers decide what happens next for these two.


I was expecting a much funnier story than what McEntire writes just because of the title, but it is a heartwarming tale of a delinquent and the town preacher's daughter.  

"Welcome to Christmas, CA" by Kiersten White (Four Stars)

In a small town named Christmas, CA that isn't a dot on the map,  Maria has to deal with the fact that she lives and works in a place where it is Christmas year-round. Her problem is that she's become so focused on hating Christmas that all she wants to do is get out. When a new chef starts working at the diner, things begin to change in the sleepy, little town.

I really liked this story a lot more than I thought I would. In the beginning, I was annoyed with Maria. I found her to be annoying. I understand that she has faced some tough times, but she was overly annoying. Eventually things turned around, and I enjoyed the rest of the story.

"Star of Bethlehem" by Ally Carter (Four Stars)

This is the first piece of writing that I've ever read by Ally Carter, and I am now a fan. Her story for the collection was very well-written. I found the tale a the teenage runaway to be both thrilling and sweet. I did find it to be slightly unbelievable in a Hannah Montana kind of way, but it was still a lovely story.

"The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor (Five Stars)

Again, this is another author who I've never read before reading this book, but I was very happy to have discovered this enchanting author. "The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer" is an absolutely beautiful story that dazzles readers because it reads so much like the beautiful fairy tales of the past.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

The skating couples on the cover are couples from the stories.

ARC Review: I Remember Beirut

Title: I Remember Beirut

Author: Zeina Abirached

Translator: Edward Gauvin 

Expected Publication: October 1, 2014

Publisher: Graphic Universe  

Description: 
Zeina Abirached grew up in Beirut in the 1980s as fighting between Christians and Muslims divided the city streets. With striking black-and-white artwork, Abirached recalls the details of ordinary life inside a war zone. 

 

My Review:

When I was browsing titles on NetGalley, I was immediately drawn to this book. It seemed so interesting, and I knew that I would learn something from it. I also loved Persepolis, so I thought that if I Remember Beirut was in any way similar to it, I would enjoy it.

Zeina Abirached uses graphic images to tell the tale of her childhood. It was a dark time then. Christians and Muslims were at war. It was a civil war that divided the city. She, her parents, and her brother are just trying to live a normal life during the war, but there are a lot of complications that they face. The school bus won’t come down her street anymore, so she, her brother, and the neighbors have to be driven to school. They don’t have running water. Their lives are anything but ordinary.

The artwork is simple, but it is stunning. I found myself staring at some of the pages just to see more about it. I wanted to know all the emotions on their faces. I wanted to see what Beirut looked like from Abirached's point of view. It did not disappoint me.

 If you are a fan of Persepolis, please read this book. Like Persepolis, I Remember Beirut tells the story of a young woman growing up in a tumultuous time. Although it seems like it is aimed more towards children and teens, anyone will be able to pick up the simple book and learn from it.  

I really hope that this book becomes huge. I read Persepolis in a college class, and I can see this becoming a part of college curriculum as well. This is a book that not only entertains - it teaches us about history and the human spirit.

 

I received this a PDF copy of this graphic novel by Zeina Abirached from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

ARC Review: Damsel Distressed

Title: Damsel Distressed

Author: Kelsey Macke

Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary

Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Source: On the Same Page ARC Tours 

Format: ARC

Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

Enhance the experience with the companion soundtrack, Imogen Unlocked, by the author's band, Wedding Day Rain.

My Review

Everywhere I look, it seems like most YA characters are very similar in regards to their physical appearances, but Damsel Distressed throws all of those common stereotypes out the window and introduces readers to a new kind of YA book. Why? Because finally, we don't have a skinny main character! We get a plus size girl with all sorts of problems, and I just love it! I truly hope to see more books like this in the future, especially if they are by Kelsey Macke.

First of all, I must applaud Kelsey Macke for the creation of this stunning book. Everything in this book is just perfect. It made me cry. It made me laugh. I pretty much experienced every human emotion possible while reading my book. In my opinion, I feel like the more emotions represented make it a better and more captivating read.

The main character, Imogen, is unlike any YA character that I've ever seen in a book before. First of all, she's overweight, and I mean that she's really overweight - not just a few pounds. As someone who struggled with my weight my whole life, I finally felt like this weight was being lifted off my shoulders because here is this wonderful character who I can relate to now. I'm twenty-five now, but much I still experience the nights where I want to binge eat like Imogen, and I felt like much of her struggles with obesity were realistic and true. Not only is Imogen overweight, but she's also got a lot going on emotionally and mentally. I loved her flaws. I love how she knows she has problems but she's afraid to fix them out of fear of ruining everything. I love how she learns to grow and becomes comfortable in her own skin.

I think fans of books like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Love Letters to the Dead, and It's Kind of a Funny Story will be drawn to Imogen and enjoy her story because she also deals with mental health problems.

Macke shows her incredible support of the arts in this book, and as a teacher, I must thank her. I am obviously an English teacher, but I was very involved in my high school's music program when I was a student. I was in concert band, jazz band, pit orchestra, and marching band. I still support that music program to this day, so happy tears were brought to my eyes when I saw just how much Macke cares about the arts. Maybe people will read this book and realize just how important the arts are to keep in schools.

So how exactly does Macke show her support for the arts? Imogen, our main character, is involved in her school's musical. She works in the sound booth. During much of the book, Imogen is at rehearsals. Another way that Macke shows her support of the fine arts is by including a special event dedicated to them in the plot of the book. Can you say awesome? Also, there are going to be pages full of original artwork throughout the book. And finally, Kelsey Macke and her husband are releasing an original album as a soundtrack to the book. Talk about dedication. Ms. Macke certainly knows how to tell a story while supporting the fine arts. Kudos to her.

I loved this book, and everything that it represents. Yes, it's a retelling of "Cinderella" with a point of view twist, but it's so much more than that. It's a book about grief, love, family, and friendship. Most importantly, it's a book about self-acceptance that I think all teenagers and young adults should read.

Quotes I Enjoyed:

"I am whole. I am more than just the pieces that I see. I am so much stronger than I seem."

"When are we gonna get a fat princess? How about a princess with bad acne and crappy posture and the mouth of a sailor? Probably never. Every. Single. One. Is the same. Totally hot. Totally predicable."

"Happiness isn't a choice. And people who say it is are just lucky enough to not really need to choose it."

"But pain can make you beautiful... if you try."

"Shooting stars are for suckers."

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (6)

Happy Monday to all of you wonderful people out there!

It's time for another edition of "It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" In case you can't tell, this might be one of my favorite memes. It's hosted by BookJourney. Each Monday, we share what we are currently reading and what we plan on reading during the week.

Right now, I am waiting on a book to come in the mail for an ARC Tour. This is my first time participating in an ARC Tour, and I'm pretty excited. I think it will be a great way to bring more readers to my blog.

I'm hoping that the copy of Damsel Distressed gets here by tomorrow so I can start reading it and mail it off to the next person in line for the book.

Synopsis:
Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

I'm also reading an ARC of My True Love Gave to Me, which is a book with twelve short stories about the holiday season. I was ecstatic when I found out that I was given access to this title because it was one of the top books on my request list. It seems like this book is going to be one of the top books of the holiday season.

Stephanie Perkins is the editor of the book. Some of the authors included in the book are Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, Jenny Han, and Gayle Forman. There are also some authors included who I've never read before, so I'm excited to discover their writing.
And just look at that cover! I love it. I can't wait until it's released because I will definitely have a copy of this book on my shelves.

Synopsis:
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

So far, those are my reading plans for the week. I'll probably start a few more books, but I want to give these two some attention because they are time-sensitive. If I finish them, there will definitely be another book added to my plate.

What are you reading this week? As always, let me know in the comments or leave a link to your post.

Happy reading!

ARC Review: Mister Teacher Person

Title: Mister Teacher Person

Series: Squirrel Hill High

Author: J.M. Varner

Published by J.M. Varner

Publication Date: August 12, 2014

Source: eARC from Author

Stacy King, star reporter for television news station KPGH, has made it. Successful in high school. Successful in college. Her face is now seen by tens of thousands every day throughout Squirrel Hill and the entire Pittsburgh area. 

But her latest assignment, returning to Squirrel Hill High for a profile piece on English teacher Mr. Payne (who has himself recently disappeared from the halls of the high school) puts her back in touch with a past she thought she’d left behind. 

And on her journey to discover what happened to Mr. Payne, startling revelations about her own past at Squirrel Hill High are brought to light.

My Review

Mister Teacher Person is a great book for teenagers because it's entertaining and it teaches readers a very valuable lesson about Internet safety and etiquette. If you are a parent and you want your kids to learn just how their actions can cause harm to another person, you should have them read this book.

Mister Teacher Person is a Squirrel Hill High novel written by J.M Varner. I have not read the previous book in the set of novels, Digital Me, but that did not leave me confused about anything in this book. To my knowledge, a reader can read this book without having read Varner's first book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book because it's not your typical YA or Middle Grade novel because it's actually narrated by an adult but geared at kids. The storyline is interesting, and I'm sure that any curious kid would want to see how everything in the Mr. Payne story unravels. It is a good way to introduce kids to mystery books if they have not yet read one.

I also really liked the Stacy King story. She is a young reporter who goes back to her high school for a job as a reporter. I connected with her because I recently went back to my own high school for a work opportunity. I felt the same wave of nostalgia going back, so it was really nice to finally see a character who I could really understand. Yes, she had good memories at Squirrel Hill High, but she also had some bad ones, and going back helps her overcome the bad memories and she is able to rediscover herself. I recently felt the same way when I encountered some places in my high school where I had some bad memories, so I'm really glad that I was able to meet and get to know this particular character.

I don't want to spoil anything, but there is definitely plot in here that I'm sure all people will understand; what you post on the Internet is permanent, and it can really hurt a person. In this book, you'll see how the actions of just a few people were able to harm a really great person. I'm glad that people are finally starting to put this message in media and books because it is very important.  I hope that many teens will pick up this book and learn how to be a better person while online.

I would recommend this book for preteens and teens eleven and older.

ARC Review: Mortal Danger

Title: Mortal Danger

Series: Immortal Game

Author: Ann Aguirre

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends 

Publication Date: August 5, 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads

In Ann Aguirre's Mortal Danger, Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn’t imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She’s not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he’s impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly . . . bad things are happening. It’s a head rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil’s bargains, she isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Not even her own mind.

My Review

It's probably best that I warn you now that I did not enjoy this book at all. I found it to be disgusting and I could not believe the female protagonist could be such a terrible role model for teen readers.

Edie is by far the worst YA female character I've come across in my reading since my sister begged me to start reading Twilight, which I threw at her head after reading three pages. Edie is so concerned about her looks for much of the introduction of the book that I almost put it down. She's so worried about how unattractive that she is and what she could do to change her looks. I literally sat there and thought about how many impressionable girls are going to feel worse about themselves because they feel insecure but can't just magically fix their face and body like Edie does. It's just not realistic, and just so inappropriate. When she is about to throw herself off a bridge to kill herself only to meet her savior, she makes a wish that she is as good looking as her peers who made fun of her. I couldn't take the book seriously after that. So many other wishes could have been made by Edie to better herself, but she chose looks. Ugh!

The plot of the book isn't any better than Edie's poor characterization. Mortal Danger follows Edie and Kian as she navigates her new looks and body while playing this game (the Immortal Game) in which she gets three favors from Kian, and after she receives all of them, she will have to repay them. Okay, seems simple enough, but then comes in another company who basically does the same work, and they try to hurt her. What I thought was going to be the tale of Edie making up her mind about her wishes turned into a political battle between these two companies. It just wasn't what the synopsis made it appear to be, and I hate when I feel like I'm being lied to. 

I do have some positive things to say about Aguirre and this book. Her writing is very advanced, and it will better the vocabulary and syntax of anyone who reads it. I will say that I admire her writing skills and use of intelligent vocabulary throughout the book because it will have kids learning without them even realizing it. If teens are reading this, they will hopefully acquire some great words that will help them with their state exams and the SATs.

Unfortunately, I would not buy this book for me or for a friend. I just felt like it put too much of an emphasis girls and how they perceive themselves. There was also the annoying cliche that if you're pretty, you can get the guy of your dreams. It's just not something I appreciate in YA literature.

ARC Review: Elixir

Title: Elixir

Author: Ted Galdi

Kindle Publication Date: August 2, 2014

Paperback Publication: September 2014

Source: eARC from Author

Meet 14-year-old Sean Malone. He has an IQ above 200, a full-ride scholarship to one of the country’s top universities, and more than one million dollars from his winning streak on Jeopardy. However, Sean wishes he could just be normal.

But his life is anything but normal. The US government manipulates him, using him as a codebreaker in pursuit of a drug lord and killing innocent people along the way.

For reasons related to his personal security, Sean finds himself in Rome, building a new life under a new name, abandoning academics, and hiding his genius from everyone. When he’s 18 he falls in love. The thrills begin again when he learns that his girlfriend is critically ill and it’s up to him to use his intellect to find a cure, a battle pitting him against a multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical company and the demons of his past.

Elixir is a story about identity, secrets, and above all, love.

My Review

At just fourteen years old, Sean Malone is the known as the smartest person on the planet. He's competed on Jeopardy, he is enrolled as a student at one of America's best colleges, and he's able to figure out one of the toughest algorithms that even adults can't solve. As luck would have it, figuring out the algorithm can get him in a lot trouble, and thus, the tale of Sean Malone starts...

Like any smart kid, Sean just craves to be normal. He has a tough time dealing with his emotions, and that leads him to make some bad choices. I was not shocked that the author included parts of this in his story line, and I admire Ted Galdi for it. It's difficult to be the smart kid in a traditional school setting, and I can't even imagine how it would feel to be a fourteen year old in college. I think it's great to see an author take a risk like that to show kids that they are not alone. (It really gives you insight as to how the kids who competed on Child Genius feel.)
 

Honestly, I gave this book a try, but I could not finish it. It just wasn't the book for me as I could not find myself enjoying it. I usually never put a book down until I've read all of it, but this is just one that I need to put away and move on from. It's not a terrible book, but it's not the book for me.

As I was reading, I felt very disconnected from the text and the story. When you read a book, you want to feel like you are in the world in which it is set, but that is not the case for Elixir. I felt like a third-party observer - like I was floating way above the characters but still couldn't find a way to relate to them or understand their stories. If I were able to connect with Sean and his friends and family, I'm sure I would have had a much better experience with it.

I only finished about thirty percent of the novel, but there were just way too many different things going on for me to keep everything straight. Events and plot twists were just happening too quickly. The characters are hastily introduced; I couldn't even keep up with them to remember who they were. The whole thing just jumps around too much so it gets incredibly confusing. It's almost like Mr. Galdi took enough ideas to complete a three or four book series and put them all in one book.

Personally, I would not recommend this book to anyone as I did not enjoy or finish it.