Book Review: The Siren

Title: The Siren

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: January 26, 2016

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From Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series, comes a sweeping stand-alone fantasy romance.

A girl with a secret.
The boy of her dreams.
An Ocean between them.

Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again.

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude...until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of.

Falling in love with a human breaks the Ocean’s rules. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.

Novella Review: Michael Payne

Title: Michael Payne (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)

Series: Squirrel Hill High

Author: J.M. Varner

Self-Published by J.M. Varner

Source: E-Copy from Author (beta read)

and

Amazon Kindle Purchase

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Delve into the life of Michael Payne and live along with him the events he experienced that lead up to the story told in "Mister Teacher Person (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)".

"Michael Payne" is the short story prequel to "Mister Teacher Person (A Squirrel Hill High Novel)". It can be read and appreciated either before or after reading "Mister Teacher Person," as it adds an additional layer of depth to the story of "Mister Teacher Person" character Michael Payne, a teacher at Squirrel Hill High.

ARC Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls

Title: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls

Author: Lynn Weingarten

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: July 7, 2015

Source: ARC from Simon Pulse

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Gone Girl meets 13 Reasons Why in this stylish, sexy, and atmospheric story about friendship packed with twists and turns that will leave you breathless.

They say Delia burned herself to death in her stepfather's shed. They say it was suicide.

But June doesn't believe it.

June and Delia used to be closer than anything. Best friends in that way that comes before everyone else-before guys, before family. It was like being in love, but more. They had a billion secrets, tying them together like thin silk cords.

But one night a year ago, everything changed. June, Delia, and June's boyfriend Ryan were just having a little fun. Their good time got out of hand. And in the cold blue light of morning, June knew only this-things would never be the same again.

And now, a year later, Delia is dead. June is certain she was murdered. And she owes it to her to find out the truth...which is far more complicated than she ever could have imagined.

Sexy, dark, and atmospheric, Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Book Review: P.S. I Still Love You

Title: P.S. I Still Love You
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 26, 2015
Source: Purchased
Goodreads | Amazon

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

Blog Tour and ARC Review: Kissing in America

Title: Kissing in America

Author: Margo Rabb
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: May 26, 2015

Source: eARC via Edelweiss 
Purchase it Here:
Amazon || Barnes & Noble || iBooks || The Book Depository || Kobo

I loved romances because when you opened the first page, you knew the story would end well. Your heart wouldn't be broken. I loved that security, that guaranteed love.

In real life, you never knew the ending. I hated that.

Sixteen-year-old Eva has never been in love. But when she meets Will, everything changes. With him, her grief over her father's death fades, and she can escape from her difficult relationship with her mother. Then, without any warning, Will picks up and moves to California. So Eva—with the help of her best friend, Annie—concocts a plan to travel across the country to see him again. As they leave New York City for the first time and road-trip across America, they encounter cowboys, kudzu, and tiny towns without stoplights. Along the way, Eva and Annie learn the truth about love and all its complexities.

My Review

I'm not going to lie to you... When I first saw the book cover and title for Kissing in America, I honestly thought it was going to be a really cheesy YA novel that would come and go quickly. Then I read the synopsis, and I knew that I had to at least give it a chance because it seemed like it would be an extremely emotional read with a lot going on. There is a lot going on, but it's definitely not a cheesy read, but a wonderful tale of a fatherless daughter trying to find herself.

The first thing that you need to know about Kissing in America by Margo Rabb isn't the love of romance novels. It's that the book is a beautifully written novel with a diverse cast of characters. The book's narrator, Eva, is a Jewish-American teenager growing up in New York City, and her best friend is a Korean immigrant. They aren't the only diverse characters in the book, but I loved how both main characters didn't fit into the typical character mold.

Another great piece of the puzzle in this book is that Rabb focuses on other people that have come before Eva and her mother. The stories in the novel give readers Eva's family history that goes back to World War II that you won't want to miss. Yes, they are sad, but they are touching because Ms. Rabb makes them feel extremely personal to her readers. Some of these stories, especially the ones about Eva's grandmother, made me want to climb in my Kindle and give Eva, her mother, and her aunt hugs.

I also love how the book doesn't exactly read like the YA romance I expected it to be, even though there are a lot of allusions to the genre and many romance novels included within the text. There is some heartbreak, but I wasn't too concerned about it because Kissing in America actually reads more like a coming-of-age novel because of many of the themes that Ms. Rabb includes. Eva and Annie do a lot of growing up on their road trip, and it was enjoyable to see them leave home to travel the country, discover new things, lose things, fight, and reconcile. If you want to read a book about discovering yourself and finding your inner-strength, read this book!

About Margo Rabb

Margo Rabb is the author of the novels Kissing in America and Cures for Heartbreak. Her essays, journalism, book reviews, and short stories have been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, The Atlantic, Slate, The Rumpus, Zoetrope: All-Story, Seventeen, Best New American Voices, New Stories from the South, One Story, and elsewhere, and have been broadcast on NPR. She received the grand prize in the Zoetrope short story contest, first prize in the Atlantic fiction contest, first prize in the American Fiction contest, and a PEN Syndicated Fiction Project Award. Margo grew up in Queens, New York, and has lived in Texas, Arizona, and the Midwest; she now lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and children.

ARC Review: Immaculate & Author Interview

Title: Immaculate

Author: Katelyn Detweiler

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: May 26, 2015

Source: ARC Provided by Viking

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“Even if everyone thought I was lying, why couldn’t they just leave me alone? I hadn’t asked for any of them to believe me. I hadn’t asked for them to worship me.

I hadn’t asked them for anything.”

Mina is top of her class, girlfriend to the most ambitious guy in school, able to reason and study her way through anything. But when she finds herself pregnant—despite having never had sex—her orderly world collapses. Almost nobody believes Mina’s claims of virginity. Her father assumes that her boyfriend is responsible; her boyfriend thinks she must have cheated on him. As news of Mina’s story spreads, there are those who brand her a liar. There are those who brand her a heretic. And there are those who believe that miracles are possible—and that Mina’s unborn child could be the greatest miracle of all.

My Review

When I first came across Immaculate, I made up my mind that it would probably be a book that I would borrow from the library. I'm not a huge fan of books with religious themes, so it seemed like a good idea to save some money rather than buy it and risk not enjoying it. However, Viking/Penguin contacted me for a review, and I gladly accepted. And I am so glad that I did because it's a rather interesting and unique book that covers a lot of genres - contemporary, retellings, religious fiction, and even a bit of realistic fantasy.

Like I said earlier, I'm not really a fan of religious fiction or books that are heavy on it. I don't really know what it is, but I think it dates back to the time when my mom told me that the Catholic priest from our church didn't want to baptize me because I was born out of wedlock. But, I still do give some religious books a fan because I like to read from all genres.

Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler is a beautiful book that wasn't too pushy when it came to religion and religious aspects, even though it is a biblical retelling. I found myself enjoying Ms. Detweiler's writing, and I loved that she even included a few references to the Bible and other religious texts in the book. It made understanding the history behind Mina's story a bit easier for me. (Because if I'm being honest, I don't know absolutely everything about the birth of Jesus - just the basics.) The brief inclusion of the religious aspects also makes the book feel more graspable than I thought it would be, and I felt like Detweiler was reaching out to readers who aren't Christians.

The characters in the book were realistically flawed, despite this being a book that seems unrealistic. I loved getting to know Mina and her friends, and I loved the fact that Detweiler's characters of choice were the smart, popular kids. I feel like sometimes smart kids get put on the back burner in YA, she she brings them to the front. Mina's characterization was done very well. She is this tough, little thing who is the Mary of the story, and her strength only grew throughout the novel. Her best friends, Hannah and Izzy, are different than Mina but still similar. Together, this trio was well-balanced. There are struggles with their friendship, but I loved how Detweiler characterized them and used them within the plot. It felt like a real friendship. Jesse is also a wonderful character. He's very likeable, but he's so helpful. Together, Mina is definitely covered in the friends department.

I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and that we lacked a little bit of an explanation, so I more or less think this book is a 3.5 star rating for me. But... now that I know something (check the interview!), I'm looking forward to seeing the reasons behind Mina's pregnancy.

If you're looking for a unique book this summer, definitely grab a copy of Immaculate. It really surprised me, and I'm sure that it will surprise other readers and just make them feel good about life. There might be a lot of bad in the world, but this book teaches readers that there is always a little bit of hope.

An Interview with Katelyn Detweiler

1. You’re an agent. How does it feel to be on the other side of the door and have a book out?

Surreal. Still very surreal. Going in, I thought I’d be more mentally prepared for each step of the journey, but there was so much I couldn’t know—not really, not until I was going through it all for myself. In some ways, I’ve maybe been a bit calmer than I would have thought—probably because I have mostly realistic expectations, I know the process, I know more or less what’s coming up through the long (very long) journey.  But at the end of the day, this book is still my baby, and I’d be a bad mom if I wasn’t biting my nails with anxiety sometimes, too.

2. Upon first look, the book appears to have a bit in common with the hit TV show Jane the Virgin. Have you seen the show? If so, are you a fan?

YES. I was planning on watching just a few episodes—“homework,” I called it, to justify the extra TV time—to see how similar it really was. I was hooked immediately, and binge-watched. After the first episode, it was clear that IMMACULATE took the idea of a “pregnant virgin” on a very different path, but it was still so fascinating to see how it played out. I absolutely adore the show—the great acting, the hilariously over-the-top and totally refreshing drama—and am so pained by the fact that I’ll have to wait another few months for a new episode. Hooray for a second season!

3. I see the book is set in Pennsylvania and that you grew up in that state. (I did too!) What part of PA are you from? Will readers familiar with PA be able to recognize some places and towns?
   Hello, my fellow PA native! : ) I’m from a small town about an hour northwest of Philly. Suburban in some stretches, rural in others. My house was in the more rural area of town, an old farmhouse with fields and woods on every side of it, rather than actual neighbors. Green Hill is very much a reflection of my childhood there, all the best and the worst bits about growing up in a small town.

4. How did you come up with the idea to write this book?
   The idea had been buried in me for a long time—ever since, as a teenager, I’d asked my mom if she would have believed me if I claimed to be a pregnant virgin. She thought about it for a few seconds maybe, and then she said yes. I filed it away at the time, laughing probably and moving on to my next obnoxious hypothetical question (they’re my absolute favorite form of entertainment). But a few years ago, it very suddenly and mysteriously came back to me. I started wondering what people would really say if someone were to make this claim—and stand behind it, no matter what the consequences—in our world today. I was amazed, given all the other re-tellings and twists out on the market now—fairytales, myths, Shakespeare, Austen—that this old story hadn’t been touched yet, at least not for teens. From there, I couldn’t not write it. It felt meant to be, a story that just had to be retold.

5. Why is one thing that you admire about Mina?
   Her ability to shift the way she defines “success.” At the beginning of the story, it’s all about grades, straight A’s, a 100% at the top of every exam or essay. It’s about getting into the dream college, always working toward the dream career. And it’s also about walking down the halls with her perfect, athletic, brainy, handsome boyfriend, the clear marker that she’s made it socially as well as academically. Mina had a shiny reputation. She had shiny goals. With the discovery of her pregnancy, everything instantly changes. She has to find a different way to value her life; she has to accept that happiness isn’t the same as achieving perfection. Real life isn’t perfect. Happiness isn’t a grade—it’s trying your best, and being proud of the struggle.

6. Do you have anything in common with Mina or any of the other characters in the book?
   I poured a lot of my own life into Mina, mostly because I was so curious thinking about how the people in my life would have responded to me if I’d made this claim at seventeen. I was the valedictorian of my class, hyper-focused on getting straight A’s, constantly thinking about getting into the best college, having the best career. I was on a very rigidly set path, a path that didn’t leave much room for any unexpected variables—variables like… becoming a pregnant virgin, for example.

7. The book is broken up into sections based on Mina’s life and pregnancy. Did you set out to write it that way or did it just feel like the right way as you were drafting and writing?

This was more or less in place from the very beginning. I wanted to make sure that I was giving equal weight to the challenges that would come up in the different stages of pregnancy, and then reflect how those challenges played out in Mina’s life, both with herself, and with the people around her—spreading from her family and friends to the town, the country, the world. I wanted to make sure I didn’t brush past any key moments a new mom would be facing. And I worked hard to be accurate about this part of the novel—I read a lot of pregnancy books / articles / websites to prep for it. What to Expect When Your Expecting was front and center on my desk for months.

8. Readers are often drawn to books based on similar titles or themes. Are there any books that you think readers of Immaculate would like or vice versa?
   Yes, absolutely. I love similar books with hypothetical twists—contemporary novels with that added “what if” perspective to play around with the concept of our everyday realities. Books that are all still very grounded in a world that we can understand, even if the impossible vs. the possible have dramatically shifted. David Levithan’s EVERYDAY, Gayle Foreman’s IF I STAY, and Lauren Oliver’s BEFORE I FALL all immediately come to mind.
   
   
9. Who are some of your favorite authors? Did their books inspire this story in any way?
   I’d say the above list all certainly make the cut. I love contemporary and I love fantasy, and I really love the stories where elements from both of those worlds meet.  Oh, and J.K. Rowling. Always J.K. Rowling.

10. We all have to read books in school. What was your favorite school read?
    The Scarlet Letter, maybe? Which, now that I think about it, probably explains where some of the ideas for IMMACULATE first began…

11. Do you have any plans for future books? (Don’t worry… I won’t make you spill any details about them.)

I do! I can’t say too much yet, but there will be a follow-up novel coming out next year. It’s the story of what happens seventeen years after IMMACULATE ends, when Mina’s baby is now a teenager, discovering the truth of his/her past, and what it means for the present (and future). There’s been a massive tragedy that the world is still reeling from; it definitely goes a bit deeper and darker in this second book, but it is still very much grounded in the big questions that drive IMMACULATE.

About Katelyn Detweiler

Katelyn Detweiler was born and raised in Pennsylvania—in a small town much like Mina’s—living in a centuries-old farmhouse surrounded by fields and woods. After graduating from Penn State University, she made the move to New York City, where she is a literary agent representing books for all ages and across all genres. Katelyn currently lives, agents, and writes in Brooklyn. 

 

ARC Review: Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills

Title: Positively Beautiful

Author: Wendy Mills

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

Source: On the Same Page ARC Tours

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

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In this heart-wrenching story of love and loss, a teen grapples with a medical question that could change everything.

Erin Bailey's life changes forever the day her mom is diagnosed with breast cancer. It's always been just Erin and Mom, so living without her is not an option. Life takes another turn when the cancer is linked to a rare genetic mutation, and Erin must choose whether or not to have her own DNA tested. Her only escape outlets are a new friend she met in an online support group and flying lessons, where looking to the horizon calms her deepest fears. But when a flash decision has Erin flying away to find her friend, she embarks on a journey to new love and a better understanding of the true meaning of beauty.

This thought-provoking story brings readers to the emotional brink and back again as they experience Erin's fear, her frustration, and ultimately . . . her freedom.

My Review

A few simple words can't explain what reading Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills will do to readers. It's an emotional roller coaster of a read that will have readers laughing, smiling, swooning, and crying. You will be in tears by the end of the book. I promise you that. The book will literally transform the way readers think about life and death.

The novel starts out by introducing readers to sixteen (almost seventeen) year old Erin Bailey. She is your average American teenage girl. She does well in school and has a best friend. She's not the most popular girl in school, but I wouldn't say she's on the lowest rung of the social ladder. She's also got a nemesis like quite a few girls do in high school. Her best friend meets a boy, and soon they all begin to hang out with Michael, a boy who used to be quite popular until he decided to drop it all. Pretty status quo, right? Well... that's just the beginning of the book.

Mills introduces the main problem of the book - Erin's mom's cancer diagnosis - rather quickly, but after reading the whole novel, I like that she did that. With the inclusion of a very quick diagnosis, Mills creates a very realistic case of what it's like to battle cancer because cancer really can strike anywhere and at any time. 

If you read the synopsis, you know that Erin's mom discovers that the cancer is linked to a genetic mutation. Some of you may already be aware of this gene - the BRCA gene - because Angelina Jolie recently decided to have a mastectomy because of it. After Erin finds out that she could be at risk, she orders a kit to have her own DNA tested. I thought that Erin was brave for wanting to find out the truth, even though everyone, including her mom, is insisting that she wait until she's older to be tested. I admire Mills for bringing this into the story. It really shows that some people want to know just how they could die.

I also enjoyed that there were a few things going on in this book. It's not just about cancer (although the aforementioned cancer is the reason that Erin does a lot of what she does). There are some heartbreaking moments between Erin and her best friend. There are some times when you'll feel so bad for Erin that you want to jump into the book and give her the biggest of hugs. You'll see Erin go online to find support groups to help her cope with the genetic mutation that is destroying her family. Erin also tries to distract herself with flying lessons so she can feel closer to her late father. Erin is a mufti-faceted character that I think will connect with many of today's teens.

If you're only looking to read a few new books in 2015, this should be one of them. It's emotional and it's raw, but it will teach you about life and love when it seems like all hope is lost in the world.

ARC Review: Kalahari

Title: Kalahari
Series: Corpus
Author: Jessica Khoury
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Source: ARC from Penguin Teen
Rating:  ☆☆☆☆

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Deep in the Kalahari Desert, a Corpus lab protects a dangerous secret…
But what happens when that secret takes on a life of its own?

When an educational safari goes wrong, five teens find themselves stranded in the Kalahari Desert without a guide. It’s up to Sarah, the daughter of zoologists, to keep them alive and lead them to safety, calling on survival know-how from years of growing up in remote and exotic locales. Battling dehydration, starvation and the pangs of first love, she does her best to hold it together, even as their circumstances grow increasingly desperate.

But soon a terrifying encounter makes Sarah question everything she’s ever known about the natural world. A silver lion, as though made of mercury, makes a vicious, unprovoked attack on the group. After a narrow escape, they uncover the chilling truth behind the lion’s silver sheen: a highly contagious and deadly virus that threatens to ravage the entire area—and eliminate life as they know it.

In this breathtaking new novel by the acclaimed author of Origin and Vitro, Sarah and the others must not only outrun the virus, but its creators, who will stop at nothing to wipe every trace of it.

My Review

Sometimes you find a book that's so wonderful that you don't want to put it down because you're anxious to see how everything happens. Sometimes that same book can also make you really want to slow down and savor it just because of how good it is. Kalahari by Jessica Khoury is one of those books.

Kalahari, a companion book to the books in the Corpus series, can either be read as part of the series or as a standalone novel. Trust me on this because I haven't read any of the other books in the series, and I didn't have any problems understanding the plot because it is a very independent but still related book. Although I will say that after reading Kalahari, I will be picking up the other books in the series to get a little more insight into the world that Khoury has created.

Now that I've mentioned the plot, I must say that it is absolutely amazing. The story of Sarah Carmichael and five other teens in the Kalahari is emotional, thrilling, and down-right adventurous. When Sarah's dad goes missing, she and five other teens, Miranda, Kase, Sam, Joey, and Avani, find themselves alone in the semi-desert with a huge problem waiting for them, and it's not just the silver lion. There's the natural elements, poachers, and a crazy group of people that the kids will try to outrun and outsmart. Khoury surprises readers with one intense event after another in this electrifying story.

The characters in Kalahari are a diverse group of teens and adults who represent different cultures and different walks of life. There's Sarah Carmichael who was born to a Kiwi dad and an American mom. Together, the three of them have lived in numerous remote locations to research and study wildlife. There's also Sarah's dad's assistant, Theo, who is a bushman who has spent his entire life in the Kalahari. Sarah is also introduced to five teens so that her dad's program can be funded. One day, she meets Sam, Miranda, Kase, Joey, and Avani. The five teens are all very different, but they all bring something unique to this survival tale.

I love Khoury's use of imagery in this book. The way she describes the places and the animals in Kalahari is almost magical, and I could imagine myself walking alongside the characters.

Even if you're not a fan of science fiction, give this book a try. It's not very heavy on the science fiction, but acknowledges and warns us that crazy things can happen when humans try to create something new. When you sit back and reflect on what you've read, you'll find a compelling tale about saving the world, family, friendship, and love. 

About Jessica Khoury

Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she's dreamed of being an author.

When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and traveling the world in search of stories and inspiration.

Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of Origin, Vitro, and forthcoming Kalahari.

ARC Review: Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! (And Lives to Tell About It)

Title: Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! (And Lives to Tell About It.)
Author: Tommy Greenwald
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: February 17, 2015
Source: ARC from Macmillan
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 

Add it to Goodreads  |  Purchase from Amazon

When a text goes wrong, Katie Friedman learns the hard way that sometimes you need to disconnect to connect.

Here are a few things you need to know about Katie Friedman:

1.  Katie is swearing off phones for life! (No, seriously. She just sent the wrong text to the wrong person!)
2.  She wants to break up with her boyfriend. (Until, that is, he surprises her with front row tickets to her favorite band, Plain Jane. Now what!?) 
3.  She wants to be a rock star (It’s true. She has a band and everything.)
4. Her best friend is Charlie Joe Jackson. (Yeah, you know the guy.)
5. And most importantly, Katie’s been offered the deal of a lifetime—get ten of her friends to give up their phones for one week and everyone can have backstage passes to Plain Jane. (A whole week!? Is that even possible?)

My Review

Before I really begin my review, I should state that this book is technically a part of the Charlie Joe Jackson series, but it is technically a spin-off novel. There is even a little introduction at the beginning of the book for readers (like me) who have never read the other books in this series, but it also serves as a refresher for readers who have read other books in the series. 

I'm probably one of the very last people on Earth who still hasn't upgraded to a smartphone. Because of this, I had a hard time imagining how hard it would be to give up my phone for a week because I really don't use it. Then I started thinking about my other devices - laptop, iPod, and Kindle Fire - I use to do many of the things that people use smartphones for. Yeah... it would probably be hard.

Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting is a well-thought-out and delightfully wonderful middle grade novel that explores the problems kids (and probably adults) face when our eyes are constantly glued to a screen. I admired Tommy Greenwald's decision to write this book because it needed to be written. It's no lie that kids spend way too much time connected with each other through phones instead of in real life. Sometimes people just need to unplug to connect, and Greenwald's story of Katie and her friends (both new and old) is a great example for preteens and younger teenagers.

Greenwald's writing style is simple and perfect for middle grade readers. The chapters in the book vary in length, but most of them are short in length. It is a pretty quick read (at least for me), so I could see kids in the tween crowd reading this in a few days. In the beginning of the book, Greenwald seamlessly includes text messages as part of the dialogue, and I'm sure that would draw in the phone savvy generation of readers that we now have. I also liked the illustrations included in the book. They were cute, but they didn't really take away from the reading experience. 

Some events and details in this book are completely unbelievable, but they are cute and quirky enough to entertain the tween crowd. Some events are just inspirational, and kids reading this book would be impressed. I found myself smiling, laughing, and even frowning at times because of how marvelously Greenwald shows Katie's emotions.

I did have a few problems with this book. Aside from a few completely unrealistic things going on, I found myself confused at times. The goal in the book is for Katie and ten friends to give up their phones for a week. It just seems like too many characters all at once. I had a hard time remembering who was who, and I found myself frustrated because of this. It's cute, but I wish that Greenwald would have taken more time to introduce readers to these characters.

Altogether, Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting is an entertaining middle grade book that also serves as a way to inconspicuously educate young kids about really connecting with their friends and peers. It's enjoyable enough to read in one sitting, and I'm sure that kids will be talking about it and their cell phones after reading it. I'd recommend this book for kids between eleven and fourteen because most kids get their first cell phone in those years but it also teaches the preteen crowd that it's still okay to leave your phone and just be a kid.

About Tommy Greenwald

Tommy Greenwald has enjoyed reading all his life, which is why he's appalled that his kids Charlie, Joe and Jack, would prefer getting a dental check-up to checking out a book. After years of pleading, threatening, and bribing, Tommy finally decided the only way to get his kids to read was to write a book about how to get out of reading. This is the result. And they read it! (So they say.) The Executive Creative Director at SPOTCO, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, Tommy lives in Connecticut with his wife, Cathy; his non-reading sons, Charlie, Joe and Jack; and his dogs, Moose and Coco.

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.

Blog Tour and Review: Wish by Grier Cooper + GIVEAWAY

Title: Wish (Indigo Dreams #1)

Author: Grier Cooper

Publication Date: December 2, 2014

Genre: Contemporary (YA)

Source: Xpresso Book Tours

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:
For Indigo Stevens, ballet classes at Miss Roberta’s ballet studio offer the stability and structure that are missing from her crazy home life. At almost 16, she hopes this is the year she will be accepted into the New York School of Ballet. First she must prove she’s ready, and that means ignoring Jesse Sanders – the cute boy with dimples who is definitely at the top of Miss Roberta’s List of Forbidden Things for Dancers.

But Jesse is the least of Indigo’s concerns. When she discovers her mom is an alcoholic, it simultaneously explains everything and heaps more worry on Indigo’s shoulders. As her mom’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Indigo fights to maintain balance, protect her younger brothers from abuse, and keep her mother from going over the edge. When the violence at home escalates, Indigo realizes she can no longer dance around the issue. At the risk of losing everything, she must take matters into her own hands before it’s too late.

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My Review:

I don't think many of my readers may know this about me, but like Indigo, I once had dreams of being a ballerina with some of the best companies. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to attend any elite studios, and eventually my bullying teachers hurt me so emotionally that I quit. I still wish that I would have went somewhere else and continued to dance, but I never did.

Ballet is the reason why I was drawn to Wish by Grier Cooper. Once you dance, it's in your blood forever. Even if you don't continue, you still love to dance in your room or learn more about it. That's why I wanted to read this. I wanted to see how dance shaped the life of Indigo. What I found is a beautiful story of a young ballet dancer with dreams of going to New York and dancing professionally but is being pulled back to help rescue her family from crumbling to pieces.

If you look at the cover, you'll see a ballerina in a dark setting, and the cover fits the plot of this novel. Indigo Stevens is a talented young dancer, and she dreams of attending the prestigious New York School of Ballet. To get there, she has to stay focused in ballet class. I loved this storyline in the book. It kind of reminded me of the TV show, Bunheads, because there is just so much that has to happen for a ballet dancer to even earn an audition. I do wish that there were more ballet scenes in this book though. I think that would have made it a bit more enjoyable.

Like previously mentioned, ballet is not the only thing that's going on in Wish. There's more. Cooper makes a very brave decision in Wish by tackling alcoholism. This is something that many YA authors avoid, but I think it's important because there are going to be teens who have alcoholic family members. There are even teens who battle alcoholism. If they can connect with a book or a character in a book, they might feel more comfortable in seeking help for their loved one(s). If you read this book, you'll discover that Cooper writes about alcoholism thoughtfully and carefully. She tells the story of two women dealing with it - the alcoholic mother and her daughter. It's a hard thing to write about it, but Cooper does this flawlessly. She mentions drunk driving in one chapter. She also deals with a lot of problems alcoholics face in great detail like violence and denial.

Wish by Grier Cooper is a thought-provoking book. I'd recommend it for dancers who enjoy reading about other dancers. I'd also recommend this book for fans of realistic fiction and emotionally heavy books. I also think that teens who have dealt with an alcoholic family members should pick up this book.

In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a free copy of this book through Xpresso Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not alter my thoughts and opinions in any way.

 

About the Author

Grier began ballet lessons at age five and left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.

Her work has been praised as “poignant and honest” with “emotional hooks that penetrate deeply.” She writes and blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography.

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Book Review: Burn for Burn

Title: Burn for Burn

Series: Burn for Burn

Authors: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Postcard-perfect Jar Island is the kind of place where nobody locks their doors at night, where parents can sleep easy, knowing their daughters are tucked away safe and sound in their beds.

But bad things can happen, even to good girls, and sometimes the only way to make things right is do something wrong.

Lillia used to trust boys, but not anymore. Not after what happened this summer. And she'll be damned if she lets the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is through with being called a freak. She's over the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes made at her expense. It all goes back to one person - her ex-best friend - and Kat's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. Now that she's back, he's gonna be in trouble . . . 'cause she's coming for him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they've each had a taste.

My Review

Burn for Burn is the opening book by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's Burn for Burn trilogy. (The series also includes Fire with Fire and Ashes to Ashes.) This novel definitely isn't the greatest YA novel out there, but it's not the worst. It is a pretty quick and entertaining read about vengeance. I enjoyed this book, but my rating is somewhere in between three and four stars just because I didn't find it to be spectacular.

When I first started reading it, I thought the three girls, Kat, Mary, and Lillia, were all seeking revenge for dumb and immature reasons, but I was very wrong! I really liked how Han and Vivian revealed little bits of their past and the reasons why they are seeking revenge throughout the book instead of all at once because it kept me interested in the book.

I like the three main characters, Kat, Lillia, and Mary. They each bring something unique and interesting to the book. I'd have to say that I am more interested in Mary and Lillia because their stories are a little more complicated, and I like how they are characterized. I could take or leave Kat.

Just a little warning... There is some heavy content matter in this book. I wasn't really surprised about this, but it's definitely a book for older teenagers. I really think the issues that Han and Vivian use in the plot are things that teens should be reading about, even if they don't know anyone who may have dealt or is dealing with them. I'm glad these two authors acknowledged and mentioned them in this book.

I really liked the writing style of the book. The paragraphs are short and easy to read, but they are still interesting enough to entertain a reader. There were some minor narration issues, and I will admit that I sometimes had to flip back to the beginning of each chapter to remember who the narrator of that chapter was. I didn't have to do look back a lot, but it was enough to annoy me a bit.

The end of the book is an abrupt cliffhanger, so I'm glad that I waited to read all three around the same time, instead of waiting a year for the next book. The ending of the book is also so intense and piqued my curiosity about books two and three.

Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian met in graduate school in New York City and have been inseparable ever since. The idea for the Burn for Burn series began over cupcakes, as the best ideas usually do. 

Jenny Han is the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series and the Burn for Burn trilogy. 

Siobhan Vivian is the author of The List, Not that Kind of Girl, Same Difference, A Little Friendly Advice, and the Burn for Burn trilogy.

Book Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: January 3, 2012

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:
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... 

My Review:

I admit that I am a huge Sarah Ockler fan and I'll ready anything she writes, but I was really drawn to this book because of the blue backdrop on the cover. I kept trying to figure out what the book would be about when I looked at it. It's just such a pretty and intriguing cover, right?

Then I started reading. On the very first page, a hockey team is mentioned. From that point forward, I was hooked. Hockey is my favorite sport, so I'll read anything YA that includes hockey players. They don't get enough representation in literature. The book is also about a teen figure skater. This is just yet another reason on why I adored this book. I thought that the blending of the figure skating world and hockey world was cute. It was also really well done, so kudos to Ms. Ockler for that!

When you're reading it, you'll become caught up in emotions. Being able to become emotionally attached to characters is such a huge part of my enjoyment of a book. I was able to feel what Hudson was going through when I was reading it.

I also loved all of the characters in this book from the main characters like Hudson, Dani, and Josh. Yes... Hudson has her moments, but that's what makes her believable. The supporting characters were great as well. I will warn you that there is a love triangle in this book, but please don't deter you from reading it. Ockler did a great job with it, and it's completely believable.

Now... the cutest part of all... Each chapter is named after a cupcake! I won't tell you why if you haven't read the book, but trust me. It makes complete sense. How stinking adorable is that? I want to make them all, but that might be a disaster.

Book Review: One Day by David Nicholls

Title: One Day

Author: David Nicholls

Format: Paperback (Movie Tie-In Edition)

Publisher: Vintage

Publication Date: May 24, 2011 (Originally Published on June 11, 2009)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:
It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.

My Review: 

As I was reading One Day by David Nicholls, I was surprised by how realistic Nicholls writes the love story in this book. I was really expecting something extremely cheesy, but I did not feel that way at all when I finished the book.

The main characters, Emma and Dexter, were extremely real. Their story is told through events that happen on one day every year, and that day always happens to be July 15. As I was reading, I felt like I was observing a real life couple over the course of twenty years instead of a fictional one. Nothing in the book seems too out of the ordinary, fake, or unrealistic, and that is something to really admire and appreciate.

I'll admit that it did take me a little bit longer to finish this book than I expected, but mostly because I was trying to read it one summer when I was working almost every day. At the time, the only romance books that I read were books by Nicholas Sparks, but I really wanted to try some new things. I had also just finished a British literature course, and I found myself wanting to explore some contemporary British authors.

I am very glad that I took the time to read this wonderful book. Not only was I thoroughly entertained, but I was educated in matters of the heart that I tend to avoid. I learned many beautiful lessons from One Day. This will be one of those books that I know I'll long to re-read again and again because it's astonishing and beautiful.

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary novels, but I would also recommend it to readers who dislike stereotypical romance novels because this is anything but a stereotypical romance.

Book Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver + GIVEAWAY

Title: Panic

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Synopsis:
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Review:

When I first decided to read this book, I saw a lot of people on social media saying that they couldn't understand how it was going to be a stand alone book from the description that was provided, but Panic is definitely a standalone novel. I was probably one of the few people who liked the idea of it being a standalone, and it made me even more excited to read this book from Ms. Oliver.

If you're looking for a complex YA heroine, Heather really isn't it. She's not very complicated, and I liked her for that. I feel like she represents the average teenager of today. She and her sister have a tough life. She's just trying to find her way through life after graduating high school, just like most teens do. She realizes that everything will change when her when her friends, Bishop and Nat, move away and she remains stuck in Carp. Dealing with friends moving away is something that teens, especially economically disadvantaged teens, deal with all the time. On top of feeling sad about losing her friends, she also has to deal with some relationship problems. She's a very realistic YA character.

The pacing of the plot in this novel is great. I never felt like things were being rushed or included just for the sake of trying to get readers. Oliver's descriptions of events in the book are almost perfect; she makes you feel like you're actually watching everything. I like the details that Oliver includes in the challenges of Panic. I could actually tell that she took the time to think of a big game like Panic, but she also put a great deal of time and thought into making the game seem like it's real with the many different challenges and rules. 

Although I was able to correctly predict a lot of events and plot details in this book, I'd definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary YA fiction. I'd also recommend it to readers who like mysteries and thrillers. I think it would appeal to readers of those genres and even introduce them to the others if they haven't read them yet because it is a perfect blend of thriller and contemporary. 

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Review: The Remedy

Title: The Remedy

Author: Susan Srikant

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magical Realism

Publication Date: November 15, 2013

Publisher: Createspace

Source: Susan Srikant for Review

Joss Hall's little sister, Bibi, is dying, and it's all Joss's fault. Everyone agrees the situation is hopeless, but there is no way Joss is going to sit around and do nothing. She and her friends, Domino and Anton, decide to hike through the dark and dangerous forests of Burkett Mountain in search of a mythical creature with healing powers called a jarrlock, hoping to find a way to help Bibi before it's too late.
This entertaining adventure story takes readers on a quest filled with curious creatures and magical medicine.

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Original Cover

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Series: Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Books

Publication Date: September 29, 2011

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket—a gifted inventor—steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.